Abstract: An electric switch has a switch housing, a knob mounted in the housing, a guide gate having latching recesses and arranged inside the switch housing, and a spring-loaded cam follower guided by the guide gate. The switching positions of the switch are defined by interaction of the cam follower with the guide gate and with its latching recesses. The guide gate has damping elements made of elastic material and fitted in the latching recesses.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly for mounting in a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing shell (12), a case (18) that is pivotally mounted in the shell to be movable between an open position and a closed position, a spring biasing the case to the open position and a latching mechanism for latching the case in the closed position. The latching mechanism releases the case from the closed position under the action of a push onto the case against the force of the spring moving the case to a pushed position. The assembly further includes a blocking device with a blocking body (22) that is spring biased to a normal rest position and movable under inertial forces to an active blocking position. The blocking body (22), in the normal rest position, permits free pivotal movement of the case (18) and, in the blocking position, blocks movement of the case from the closed to the pushed position, thereby preventing the case from accidentally pivoting to the open position.

Abstract: The command input system has a display screen and a touch-sensitive input field. On the input field, there is a spatial relationship with options shown on the display field of the display screen. The input field conveys tactile feedback about the available and/or executed actions. The command input system is especially well-suited for use in vehicles since it does not require constant eye contact with the display field.

Abstract: The control system has a touch-sensitive input field (touchpad). Symbols are entered on the surface of the touchpad by tracing rough lines. The lines are interpreted in relation to a particular control context. In each particular control context, only a limited set of a few symbols are valid, thereby permitting symbols to be reliably recognised even when they are traced with a fingertip.

Abstract: A setting system for a vehicle air-conditioner is provided. The setting system allows for individual settings coupled with ergonomic functionality. The setting system comprises a control panel with a touch-sensitive display screen connected to a microcomputer-based controller having control outputs at least to a fan unit, to air distribution valves and to temperature adjusters of the air-conditioner. The display screen is adapted to display current settings and available setting options of at least (i) air flow rate, (ii) air distribution and (iii) air temperature, in the form of analog symbol representations that respond to tactile contact to vary current settings.

Abstract: For time-shifted reproduction of broadcast audio/video information that is received continuously and, from case to case, suppressed from reproduction by information of a higher priority such as a traffic announcement, the temporarily suppressed information continues to be received and is buffered on a storage medium. The stored information is kept on standby for time-shifted reproduction at the user's discretion.

Abstract: A housing for electronic control devices in motor vehicles comprises a generally parallelepipedal frame of plastics and a metallic envelope with spaced parallel top and bottom walls interconnected by parallel side walls and at least one open face. The top, bottom and side walls define a space and the frame is fitted into such space. The control device includes a printed circuit board and electronic components connected to the printed circuit board and engaged in shaped holding structures of the frame. The printed circuit board is located between the bottom wall and the frame. The printed circuit board is rigidly connected to the metallic envelope by metallic fasteners extending from the top wall through the frame and to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The belt retractor has a belt spool (12) mounted rotatably in a frame (10) and a drive motor (28) coupled to the belt spool (12) via a belt drive (14, 24, 22). This drive motor (28) is a brushless direct current motor with an internal rotor that has a starting torque of at least 2 Nm.

Abstract: An air escape for ventilation systems in vehicles comprises manual adjusting means for as outflow direction and for an outflow volume. The manual adjusting means have a single operating element that is movable in translation and in rotation about an axis, translational movement of the operating element causing a change the outflow direction and rotational movement causing a change of the volume flow. The operating element is connected by a cardan shaft (24) to an actuating drive that converts rotational movement of the cardan shaft into an adjustment movement of an air flap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive for a flap provided on a vehicle, especially an engine hood. The drive comprises an electric motor, an actuation shaft that is connected to the flap, and a reduction gear by means of which the rotor of the electric motor is coupled to the actuation shaft. The drive further comprises an energy accumulator by means of which the actuation shaft can be driven independently of the electric motor. The reduction gear is configured in such a way that the actuation shaft is driven in a rotational direction only by the energy accumulator and the electric motor drives the actuation shaft in an opposite rotational direction, thereby supplying to the energy accumulator an energy that is needed to drive the actuation shaft in the rotational direction. The invention further relates to a pedestrian protection means provided on a vehicle and equipped with such a drive.

Abstract: An electronic control device for use in a vehicle has a metallic housing (10) to accommodate electronic components of the device Plural shaped guide elements (14) are formed on the inside of the housing (10) Fastening members (24) for an electronic component (26) can be engaged in a form-fitting manner into elongate channels defined by the rail-shaped guide elements (14).

Abstract: A housing for use in a vehicle to accommodate a printed circuit board (20, 22) carrying electronic components is provided. The housing has a generally parallelepipedal hood (10) made of plastics and having a plug collar (14) on one of its narrow side walls (12). A base plate closes off the hood (10). The printed circuit board (20) is mechanically and electrically conductively connected on three of the four corners of the hood (10) to a metallic mounting bushing (26). At each of these corners, the hood (10) has a mounting flange (16) and the mounting bushings (26) are anchored in the mounting flanges (16) of the hood (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to an Ultrasound Sensor, especially for a vehicle and the passenger compartment thereof, comprising a can-shaped housing, a housing base, a housing closure and a sensor element arranged at the base inside the housing, and in the area of the housing closure there is arranged a contact device which is attachable, in locally fixed fashion, inside housing; the contact device presenting, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, a penetrating recess and being connected, in electrically conductive fashion, in at least one contact point with at least one electrode of the sensor element by means of thick-stranded wire. The invention also relates to a method for producing the Ultrasound Sensor.

Abstract: A park brake system for vehicles is provided that has an actuator with an electric drive motor and an electronic control unit provided with an interface. A reduction gear has an input connected to the output of the electric motor and an output member for connection to mechanical brakes of the vehicle. A command unit has a transducer connected to the electronic control unit. The transducer converts position indication signals into appropriate digital signals to enable the control unit to generate corresponding brake control commands. With appropriate control signals from the electronic control unit, the mechanical brake system can thus reflect positional brake commands from the command unit within an operating range from OFF to ON, including partial activation conditions of the park brake.

Abstract: An air vent, in particular for vehicular air conditioning, comprises a first blade pivotally mounted about a first axis in a frame, and a second blade pivotally mounted about a second axis in the frame. An operational control is arranged on the first blade and connected to the second blade via a slider/ball joint.

Abstract: A drive for a hood on a motor vehicle, in particular an engine hood, which is movable between a closed position and a lifted position that is abruptly achieved in the case of an accident. The drive comprises a drive unit having an electric drive motor and being effective between a vehicle structure and the hood. The drive motor moves the hood into the lifted position in the case of an accident.

Abstract: An air vent, in particular for venting an interior of a vehicle, comprises a frame and at least one check flap, an antenna being fitted to the frame.

Abstract: A housing for an electronic control device in vehicles comprises a bottom part (10) which has a metallic baseplate (12), and a cover part (14) made of plastic. The bottom part (10) has a front wall (16) made of plastic that rises up from the baseplate and to which a plug collar (18) is integrally molded. The plug collar (18) defines an accommodation for a contact pin carrier (28) formed as a flat strip with through holes for passing contact pins (32). The contact pin carrier (28) can be inserted into the plug collar (18) from inside of the housing.

Abstract: An actuator for the change speed shaft of a motor vehicle automatic transmission comprises a housing, an actuating shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, an electric motor, a reversible, low-loss reduction gearing by which the rotor of the electric motor is directly coupled to the actuating shaft, a pretensioned spiral spring forming an energy storing means by which the actuating shaft may be driven into the parking position independently of the electric motor, an electronic controller for driving the electric motor as a function of control signals, a coupling means for coupling the actuating shaft to the change speed shaft of the automatic transmission. Rotation of the actuating shaft by the coupling means is converted into angles of rotation of the change speed shaft which correspond to the control signals. The actuator replaces a conventional gearshift lever on an automatic transmission.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve, especially an air entry and air exit ventilation valve for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (1) and at least one closing flap (2) which rests against transversal elements (5) of the housing (1) when in an inoperative position and which is connected to the housing (1) over a supporting area. According to the invention, the housing (1) and the closing flap (2) are produced in a two-component injection molding method, whereby the housing (1) is comprised of a hard material component, and the closing flap (2) is comprised of a material component that is softer than said hard material component. The supporting area of the closing flap (2) and/or of the area of the housing (1) interacting therewith comprise(s) at least one retaining profile which engages inside at least one recess.