Abstract: A connecting element (10), in particular for connecting a lining piece with a support, includes a head part (12) for fastening to the lining piece, and a foot part (14) for fastening to the support. The head part (12) and the foot part (14) are connected with each other elastically so that the foot part (14) is movable relative to the head part (12) in directions perpendicular to a central axis (A) of the connecting element (10).

Abstract: An optical sensor device (10) is able to be coupled to a window (14), in particular to a windscreen of a motor vehicle. The optical sensor device (10) comprises a sensor unit (12), which includes a emitter (26), a receiver (28) and a light conductor unit (30). By the light conductor unit (30), a light beam (34) emitted by the emitter (26) is coupled into the window (14), coupled out of the window (14) and directed onto the receiver (28). The light conductor unit (30) includes Fresnel lens regions and associated reflecting regions.

Abstract: The method operates with successive, continuously repeated measuring cycles. In a first cycle section, a measuring capacitor is charged up to a first threshold value by the current flowing in a light receiver of a first optical measuring section. In a subsequent, second cycle section the measuring capacitor is discharged to a second threshold value by the current flowing in a light receiver of a second optical measuring section. The light transmitters of the optical measuring sections are regulated over several measuring cycles to predetermined rated values for the charging time and the discharging time. A wetting of the pane is concluded from the momentary deviations between the rated values and the actually measured values of the charging times and discharging times. The available modulation range is adapted dynamically to the prevailing conditions by the systematic control of the intensity of the light transmitters in the two optical measuring sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for welding two welding parts (1, 3) by means of a fillet weld (11), wherein a first welding part (1), with a bearing surface at least in an edge area of an edge that is to be welded by means of a fillet weld, is brought into contact with a bearing surface of a welding part (3) and the welding energy (5) is supplied in an energy supply area during the welding process, exclusive of a surface (7) of the first welding part facing away from the bearing surface, said energy supply area being located at a predetermined distance from the edge of the first welding part. The welding energy is supplied in a direction, whereby the direction component thereof points perpendicular to the course of the fillet weld that is to be produced in the direction of an inner area of the first welding part, forming a welding angle of less than 90° with the contact plane of the bearing surfaces of the first and second welding parts.

Abstract: A change-over switch for the switching of two electric circuits is disclosed, including a housing, a tappet, two contacts of a first electric circuit, two contacts of a second electric circuit, and a switching contact which comprises in an initial state a first shape in which said first electric circuit is closed and said second electric circuit is opened, and which by actuating said tappet may be transferred into a second shape in which said first electric circuit is opened and said second electric circuit is closed.

Abstract: A switch module includes a switch housing on which at least one operating button or operating rocker is movably guided. The switch module further includes a printed circuit board which is arranged in the switch housing and on which conductor paths with switching contacts are formed, a switching mat which rests on the conductor paths, and an actuating element which transfers the stroke of the operating button or operating rocker to the switching mat. The switching mat engages around the outer edge of the printed circuit board with a form fit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-pieced sealing cover (1) made of a thermoplastic elastomer, especially used to seal an opening (22,22?, 22?), comprising a base body (5) with an adjacent peripheral collar (7) which turns into at least one elastic sealing lip adjacent to one side of a carrier (10, 10?). The collar (7)comprises at least one detent ring (12) located opposite the at least one sealing lip (10, 10?).The invention is characterized in that the collar (7) is connected to the sealing lip (10, 10?) by means of an intermediate area (14) extending parallel to a covering surface (F) of the carrier (20, 20?, 20?), whereupon the detent ring (12) protrudes into an inner area (21) formed by the intermediate area (14) and the sealing lip (10, 10?) and an outer area of the sealing lip (10, 10?) can be glued to the covering surface (F) of the carrier (20, 20?, 20?).

Abstract: A device (10) for fastening a component to a steering column jacket (20, 20?), comprises a fastening sleeve (12) and an equalizer (14) associated with the fastening sleeve (12). The fastening sleeve (12) has at least one mounting section (18) and convexities (22) adjoining the mounting section (18). The mounting section (18) has a first mounting cross-section to receive the steering column jacket (20; 20?), and the equalizer (14) comprises equalizing jaws (16) laterally movable in the fastening sleeve (12), which are movable between a first position in which they are received in the convexities (22), and a second position in which they lie at least partially in the mounting section (18) and define a second mounting cross-section for the steering column jacket (20; 20?), which is smaller than the first mounting cross-section.

Abstract: An optical sensor device includes a photoconductor structure having first and second partial members (16, 18) and a coupling surface (20) for coupling the optical sensor device to an opposing counter surface of a pane (22), particularly a windscreen of a motor vehicle. The optical sensor device further includes an optical transmitter (10) coupling a beam of rays into the first partial member (16), an optical receiver (12) receiveing a beam of rays emerging from the second partial member (18), and a printed circuit board (14) arranged parallel to the coupling surface (20). The transmitter (10) and the receiver (12) are arranged on the printed circuit board (14). The photoconductor structure is designed so that the central ray (28) of the transmitter (10) enters into the first partial member (16) perpendicularly to the coupling surface (20) and emerges from the second partial member (18) perpendicularly to the coupling surface (20).

Abstract: A rotary switch in a motor vehicle has a stationary central part, a rotatable outer part, a control part and a contact unit (16). The control part is coupled to the rotatable outer part so as to transfer a rotary movement of the outer part directly into the contact unit (16).

Abstract: An air vent, in particular for a vehicle, includes an air outflow channel and several operating elements which regulate the outflow direction and the volume flow of an airflow and which are designed as sliding elements, a first sliding element (14) moving horizontal vanes (16), a second sliding element (18) moving vertical vanes (20), and a third sliding element (22) moving a shutoff flap (24).

Abstract: An air vent, in particular for a vehicle, includes a housing (16), a ventilation part (14), and an assembly (24) which provides a connection between the housing (16) and the ventilation part (14) and permits a rotatable and pivotal mounting of the ventilation part (14) in the housing (16). The assembly (24) comprises a rail (30), a slider (26) that is displaceable on the rail (30), and a pivot bearing (34).

Abstract: An electric push-button switch (10) includes a housing (22), a push-button (12). The push-button switch (10) further includes a symbol lighting arrangement to illuminate a transparent region (16) of the push-button (12). The transparent region (16) symbolizes the functional unit to be operated by the push-button switch (10) or an actual function of the functional unit. The push-button switch (10) further includes a function lighting arrangement to indicate the operating status of the functional unit. The symbol lighting arrangement comprises a first light source (32), and the function lighting arrangement comprises a second light source (34) and an off-partitioned light conducting section to a light outlet area (18) which is integrated into the push-button (12). Both lighting arrangements are accommodated in a structural space defined by the housing (22).

Abstract: The invention relates to a closure cover or closing lid. It is characterized in that the sealing element 15, consisting of an elastic material, is connected via engaging elements 20 with counter-engaging elements 25 of a covering element 10 consisting of a hard component. The sealing element 15 includes a contact flange 30 and, opposite to same, at a distance, at least one elastic sealing lip 35.

Abstract: A modular switch and control system for use in a motor vehicle is provided, that is easily and flexibly adapted to the particular needs and requires no additional wiring for added modules. The modular switch and control system comprises a main switch module and optional satellite modules of different types. The main and satellite modules have separate housings with matching engagement structures permitting each satellite module to be fitted to one side of the main module. Each satellite module is electrically connected with the main module through matching male and female connectors. Each satellite module is provided with electrical coding device accessible through the connectors and permitting each satellite to be provided with a code indicative of the module type.

Abstract: A rotary light switch for motor vehicles is presented that ensures a feel that is not susceptible to mechanical influences. The rotary light switch has an actuator that can be rotated around an axis and that can be moved in the axial direction, and that is non-rotatably coupled to a rotational position indicator and axially coupled to an axial position indicator. Moreover, it has an electronic evaluation circuit to which the signals from the rotational position indicator and from the axial position indicator are fed and, according to a permanently stored decision matrix, said evaluation circuit uses the signals to derive discrete switching states that are converted into switching signals that serve to actuate the lighting system of the vehicle. The rotational position indicator comprises a potentiometer that generates a negligible resistance to the rotational movement, so that no mechanical influences are caused by the rotational position indicator.

Abstract: A modular operating switch assembly comprises a housing defining a plurality of switch operating cells. Each of the operating cells has guide walls, a switch actuating member in sliding contact with the guide walls, and a switch contact carrier configured to be selectively equipped with contact pairs such that each of the contact pairs is associated with at least one said switch actuating member. Each switch actuating member is operable to be selectively connected to a key cap associated with a single switch operating cell, or with a key cap associated with a plurality of adjacent switch operating cells.

Abstract: A rotary switch for installation in the dashboard of a vehicle has a switch housing, an actuation shaft that is arranged rotatably in the switch housing, a knob that is mounted on one end of the actuation shaft, and a ring-shaped faceplate that surrounds the knob and that is detachably fastened to the switch housing. The faceplate is connected to the switch housing by a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism can be released by a relative rotation between the faceplate and the switch housing. The knob can be moved axially in a predetermined rotational position and is coupled non-rotatably to the faceplate by means of this axial movement. In order to detach the faceplate from the switch housing, the knob is moved into the predetermined rotational position and then moved axially and turned at the same time, whereby the faceplate also turns and the latched connection between the faceplate and the switch housing is released.

Abstract: A rotary switch is disclosed which has a central handle (12) which is rotatable about a central axis (Z), a ring-shaped shield (16) surrounding the handle (12), a rotary button (18) which is arranged on the shield (16) and is rotatable about an axis (V) offset from and parallel to said central axis (Z), and a potentiometer (28) which is adjustable by means of the rotary button (18). The potentiometer (28) is radially spaced from the offset axis (V), and is coupled with the rotary button (18) by means of a gear (24, 26). The potentiometer (28) is offset radially inwards from the offset axis (V) towards the central axis (Z).

Abstract: A housing for a control device in vehicles is provided. The housing satisfies the requirements of acceleration transmission and reliable ground connection with a simple and inexpensive construction. The housing comprises a metallic shell that has parallel top and bottom walls, opposed side walls interconnecting the top and bottom walls and an open front face. A shaped carrier structure has a pair of opposed lateral edges. Both side walls of the shell have an internal groove extending parallel to and spaced from the bottom wall of the shell. The carrier structure is accommodated within the shell and has its lateral edges fitted in the grooves of the side walls.