Abstract: A process and a system for controlling a windshield wiper, in particular on a motor vehicle, in which a rain sensor is located on the glass to be wiped and within the region of the windshield wiper. The sensor outputs a sensor signal as a function of the amount of moisture. The signal is detected periodically and, when a reference degree of moisture is reached during a measurement cycle, the system produces a triggering signal and the windshield wiper is activated. The wiping process takes place even when the windshield wiper is wetted with moisture only to a slight but nevertheless disturbing extent. In the process, when a degree of moisture below a reference degree of moisture is present at the end of the measurement cycle, this degree of moisture is included additively to the degree of moisture of a further measurement cycle. Thereupon, the degree of moisture of the further measurement cycle is compared with the reference degree of moisture.

Abstract: A system for controlling actuating members in the doors of motor vehicles has at least one electromotive actuating drive and at least one actuating element (switch, button) in the door of the motor vehicle, as well as a control unit located in the vehicle itself. The system employs only a two-wire connection between control unit and actuating drive. The control unit, in addition to an ordinary pole-reversing and evaluation circuit, furthermore contains a source of alternating voltage as well as means for connecting the alternating voltage and a decoder. At least two passive components (resistor, capacitor, coil) of different size are provided to be connected by the actuating element in parallel with the actuating drive into the two-wire connection.

Abstract: In order to control the air throughput through the intake pipe of an internal combustion engine, the power of which is controlled by displacement of a throttle valve, there is provided in the intake pipe in known manner a dome-shaped contour which follows the throttle valve over a part of the adjustment angle. Also, the cable pulley has a circular shape in a useful region of operation, but the pulley is fastened eccentrically on the throttle valve. In this way, there is obtained a sensitive displacement by electric motor of the throttle valve in the idling range on the one hand, and a very direct response of the throttle valve to a movement of the gas pedal on the other hand.

Abstract: A pressure-limiting valve has a closure member (5) which, in its closed position, rests with initial stress against a valve seat (4) and has, on the side towards the valve seat (4), a shoulder (6) which can be formed by a circumferential flange (7) on the closure member (5). This induces enlargement of the opening stroke upon a slight opening of the closure member (5) as the flow strikes against the shoulder (6).

Abstract: A load displacement device for a motor vehicle has a servomotor drivable in two directions of rotation and driving a coupling gear wheel which is guided by a coupling lever. An electromagnet swings the coupling lever against the force of a spring in order to bring the coupling gear wheel into engagement with the teeth of a second gear wheel. The teeth of the coupling gear wheel and/or of the second gear wheel are asymmetrically developed in order to produce a flat engagement angle between teeth of the gear wheels. The flat engagement occurs in both directions of rotation of the second gear wheel and the coupling gear wheel. No tooth displacement forces which cause a swinging of the coupling lever into a disengaged position occur due to the engagement of the teeth.

Abstract: A holding flange (5) is detachably connected on its bottom to a coupling part (7) within a fuel chamber (2). A flexible hose (8) leading to a sucking-jet pump (9) and a spring action arm (10) for holding the sucking-jet pump (9) down on the bottom of the fuel chamber (2) are fastened to said coupling part (7). For mounting and removal, the coupling part (7) can be separated from the holding flange (5) together with the structural parts fastened to it.

Abstract: In a device for controlling the speed of a motor vehicle in which a power-setting member for the internal combustion engine of the vehicle can be displaced via a switchable coupling by an electric motor, the electric motor receives the voltage necessary for the displacement of the power-setting member for the speed to be maintained from a control device, and the coupling is adapted to be switched by means of an electromagnet for separating the motor from the power-setting member when the device for controlling the speed is not in action. A first controllable switch is connected between one pole of the source of operating voltage and the electromagnet and a second controllable switch is connected between the other pole of the source of operating voltage and the electromagnet. The switches are adapted to be switched into conductive state by means of an operating element.

Abstract: A warning device for displaying information in a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, the warning device having a display of the information presented as a virtual image in a visible region of the windshield of the vehicle. In order to make certain that a warning information is transmitted with great persistence to the party to be warned, the invention provides that the information be mirrored into the windshield on a larger scale within increasing intensity of warning.

Abstract: A method for recognizing idling in a load-shifting device of an internal combustion engine controlled by throttle valve, in which the position of a setting element on the throttle-valve side is monitored by a first potentiometer and the position of a setting element on the setting-drive side is monitored by a second potentiometer. In order to be able to dispense with a separate idle contact associated with the setting element on the accelerator-pedal side for detecting the driver's wish for "idling", use is made of potentiometers having linear characteristic curves, and comparing the ratio of the characteristic curves with the actual characteristic curve ratio resulting in operation for differences.

Abstract: A signal processing arrangement for absolute-value sensors in which, within the periodic structure (3) a measurement surface which is divided into a plurality of measurement sections lies opposite at least one probe, each measurement section representing a position marking. Inputs (E.sub.n) of the periodic sensor structure (3) are cyclically connected to a signal source (1) via a switch input group (2), and outputs (O.sub.n) of the periodic structure (3) are connected to an evaluation circuit. In order to convert the geometrical value into an absolute electrical image signal, at least one probe in combination with, in each case, one measurement section forms at least one switch unit for each measurement position (X.sub.i). Between the outputs (O.sub.n) of the periodic structure (3) and the evaluation circuit (5), a cyclically switching output switch group (4) is arranged, and the switch units (X.sub.

Abstract: In a circuit arrangement having a semiconductor switch for the switching of a load, in particular of a setting member in manual or automatic control devices, as a function of a switch signal which is fed, a device for disconnect in the event of a short-circuit being adapted to be controlled by a current sensor over a filter, the device for the disconnecting can furthermore be actuated via a logic circuit by the switch signal and by an output signal of a detector for an overvoltage at the semiconductor switch in such a manner that disconnect takes place when an overvoltage is present and the switch signal assumes a level intended for connection.

Abstract: A test routine for a throttle-valve displacement device is accomplished by use of a potentiometer (6) associated with a setting drive (3) and a potentiometer (5) associated with the throttle valve (1) to determine if the valve is operating properly. If it is found from a comparison of the potentiometer signals that the throttle valve (1) is connected to the gas pedal (2), then the setting drive is moved at specific time intervals at least once in closing direction and then back into the starting, position, and it is tested whether the throttle valve (1) follows the setting device. If so, then there is an erroneous indication of one of the two potentiometers and safety measures can be taken.

Abstract: In an arrangement for the control of a device in a motor vehicle, in which control information is transmitted to the device by a control unit, the control unit is portable and may be passed about among passengers and a driver of the vehicle. When the vehicle is underway, the device is rendered non-responsive to the control information. This is accomplished at least partially blocking transmission of the control information to the device when the control unit is within reach of the driver.

Abstract: A position sensor has an electrically non-conductive substrate with a resistance layer and a conductor track serving as a potentiometer tap arranged parallel thereto, and a second, electrically conductive substrate. At least one substrate is of resilient construction, and at least one of the substrates has a soft-magnetic layer. A magnet is mounted for guidance in the direction of the conductor track, and is located at a constant distance away from the conductive track. The two substrates are spaced apart at a distance allowing contact to be produced under magnetic action. The resistance layer and the conductor track each have structural parts which engage alternately into each other along a path of movement of the magnet.

Abstract: A combination instrument having a front frame (12), a transparent cover glass (16), display systems (2) and/or operating elements mounted in the combination instrument, a circuit board (6) arranged behind them and bearing electronic components, the display systems and/or operating elements contacting the circuit board, and having a rear closure cover (13) for the combination instrument. Such a combination instrument is particularly easy to construct and mount and can thus be produced at favorable cost when it has a system support (1) developed as supporting structural part provided with recesses for the positioning and holding of the display systems and/or operating elements. The circuit board is connected to the system support. The system support thus represents the supporting element of the combination instrument around which all other parts of the combination instrument are grouped.

Abstract: A dial arrangement is formed of plastically deformable material, in particular sheet metal, for a combination instrument. It has at least two individual dials which are connected to each other, each being provided with an imprint. In order to permit a curving, i.e. an arching of the array of dials provided with the imprint while the individual dials are connected to each other without impairing the appearance of the individual dials, the connection in each case of adjacent individual dials is effected by at least one web, the web being arranged outside the center connecting line of the individual dials. The web in question can thus plastically deform upon the curving of the dial arrangement so that the dial center points and the respective imprints, and thus the appearance of the dial arrangement, are retained.

Abstract: In a switch device, suitable for use as active sensor in an automotive vehicle, wherein current through a load can be switched as a function of a physical variable acting on the switch device, two terminals of the switch device can be connected together via a semiconductor switch. They also form the input of a current supply circuit. A sensor produces an electric signal which represents the physical variable and which can be fed to a threshold circuit. The semiconductor switch is controllable in pulsating manner as a function of the output signal of the threshold circuit.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring accelerations has a small plate 1 which is arranged in a housing 3 perpendicular to a direction of measurement 11, and is clamped at its edges with the interposition of flexural soft regions 2. There is, furthermore, provided a transmitter-receiver unit 4a, 4b which is so arranged in the housing 3 on a path compensator 12 that rays coming from the transmitter 4a are reflected by the small plate 1 onto the receiver 4b. Thereby an electrical signal is formed which serves to control the voltage 13A outputted by the path compensator 12. In a further embodiment of the invention, there are two transmitter-receiver units which are so arranged in a housing 23 that the rays coming from the transmitters 24a are reflected by the front and back of the small plate 1 onto the receivers 24b.

Abstract: A control device, particularly a rotary controller for manual entry of information into an electronic device, has a setting member the position of which can be changed under the effect of an actuating force. The setting member is connected with a generator for producing electric signals which characterize the position of the setting member. A drive element is connected with the setting member and, under the control of the electric signals, exerts a force on the setting member which acts in the same direction as or in the direction opposite to the actuating force, depending on the position of the setting member for haptic acknowledgement of the operation of the setting member.

Abstract: A level measuring device for measuring the level of a liquid in a container. The device has an elongated support which extends approximately horizontally into the container and is fastened at a fastening end 6 to a wall 3 of the container while its other resting end 3 rests under initial spring pressure against the bottom 2 of the container. On the support there is fastened a carrier 12 on which a mechanical-electrical transducer is disposed and on which there is pivotally mounted a lever 13 which bears a float 14 and acts on the transducer. The support is developed as an elastic spring in the region between its fastening end 6 and the carrier 12.