Abstract: A piezoresistive pressure and/or strain sensor micro-machined primarily from plastic and/or glass. In one illustrative embodiment, the piezoresistive pressure sensor is formed on a polymer substrate. A first selectively implanted region is provided in the polymer substrate to create a piezoresistive region in the polymer substrate. A second selectively implanted region is then provided in at least part of the first selectively implanted region to modulate the electrical conductivity of the first selectively implanted region. The illustrative sensor may be selectively implanted with, for example, nitrogen to create the piezoresistive region, and boron to modulate the electrical conductivity of the piezoresistive region. Phosphorus or any other suitable material may also be used to modulate the electrical conductivity of the piezoresistive region, as desired.

Abstract: A position detection device including a substrate; a first ohmic resistor applied to the substrate and extending along an active surface of the position detector, whereby the first ohmic resistor is connected between a first terminal and a second terminal of the position detection device; a plurality of electric conductors connected to the first ohmic resistor at places that are distinct therefrom, the electric conductors extending from the first ohmic resistor inside the active surface alternating between the first electric conductors, whereby one first end of the conductor elements is connected to a third terminal of the position detection device. The conductor elements are configured as ohmic resistors extending through the active surface of the device and a second end of the conductor elements is connected to a fourth terminal of the position detection device.

Abstract: A flexible data input device including a first textile layer and a second textile layer, which are arranged spaced apart from each other by a spacer. The spacer includes apertures delimiting the active zones of the data input device. The two textile layers are electroconductive in the active zones and a material with pressure-variable resistance is applied in the active zones, at least on one of the textile layers.

Abstract: A data input device including plural keys that are arranged over at least two lines. A unidirectional position detector is associated with each line of keys and each unidirectional position detector includes a first input connection, a second input connection, and an output connection. The output connections of the unidirectional position detectors are connected at different locations to a first ohmic resistor. In addition, the first input connections are connected to a first terminal of the data input device and the second input connections are connected to a second terminal of the data input device.

Abstract: A flexible data input device including a first textile layer and a second textile layer, which are arranged spaced apart from each other by a spacer. The spacer includes apertures delimiting the active zones of the data input device. The two textile layers are electroconductive in the active zones and a material with pressure-variable resistance is applied in the active zones, at least on one of the textile layers.

Abstract: A device for venting a gas bag made of a textile material includes at least one ignitable pyrotechnic charge which is associated with the gas bag in such a way that, when the pyrotechnic charge is ignited, at least one thread of the textile material is directly destroyed by the explosion of the pyrotechnic charge.

Abstract: A description is given of a passenger detector comprising a flexible support of insulating material, at least two electrode structures placed on said insulating substrate at a certain distance from each other, and a layer of semiconducting material placed above said electrode structures in an active zone of the detector. In conformity with the invention, said layer of semiconducting material has an internal resistance that varies with a deformation of said layer and said layer of semiconducting material is placed in intimate contact with said electrode structures.

Abstract: A device for deflating a gas bag includes a gas bag having a deflation opening which is closed along a breakable, predetermined line. The predetermined breaking line includes a closure element and is breakable by melting or sublimating the closure element.

Abstract: A system for stopping the deployment of an airbag in a vehicle includes a detector for detecting a position of the airbag with respect to an occupant of the vehicle and an airbag operating device. The detector is located on the airbag in an area which, upon deployment of the airbag, is facing the occupant of the vehicle. The detector generates a position signal which is sent to the airbag operating device such that the airbag operating device stops the deployment of the airbag when the position signal indicates a predetermined position of the airbag in relation to the occupant.

Abstract: The invention concerns a force sensor (10) comprising a first electrode (22) and a second electrode (24) made of conductive material, which are arranged spaced from each other on a first insulating support (12). The invention is characterized in that a contact element (26) is conductive material is placed opposite the two electrodes and some distance therefrom, said contact element t(26) being pressed against said electrodes (22, 24) when a force is exerted on the pressure sensor (10) and at least one of the electrodes (22, 24) is coated with a pressure sensitive material layer (28, 30).

Abstract: The invention provides a testable foil pressure sensor constructed of two carrier foils which are laminated together. The first carrier foil is coated with a semiconductor material, while the second carrier foil has two adjacent strip conductors which can each be bonded on both ends and which, within spatially bounded areas which form sensor elements, have “comb” structures, with individual fingers which mesh with one another in a no-contact manner. According to the invention, within a sensor element, at least one of the contact fingers of the comb structure is formed by a strip conductor loop and at least one other contact finger is formed by a stub line branching off a strip conductor.

Abstract: A description is given of a passenger detector comprising a flexible support of insulating material, at least two electrode structures placed on said insulating substrate at a certain distance from each other, and a layer of semiconducting material placed above said electrode structures in an active zone of the detector. In conformity with the invention, said layer of semiconducting material has an internal resistance that varies with a deformation of said layer and said layer of semiconducting material is placed in intimate contact with said electrode structures.

Abstract: The invention concerns a force sensor (10) comprising a first electrode (22) and a second electrode (24) made of conductive material, which are arranged spaced from each other on a first insulating support (12). The invention is characterised in that a contact element (26) is conductive material is placed opposite the two electrodes and some distance therefrom, said contact element t(26) being pressed against said electrodes (22, 24) when a force is exerted on the pressure sensor (10) and at least one of the electrodes (22, 24) is coated with a pressure sensitive material layer (28, 30).

Abstract: A motor vehicle sensor arrangement which is used to detect jamming, i.e, an obstruction, at a movable vehicle part which can be moved into an end position, such as an electric window, a sliding and tilting roof, a convertible top, or a servo-actuated door. A cavity defined by opposing resilient walls is located proximate, but outside, the path of movement of the movable vehicle part and at a selected distance from the end position. A distance sensor, for example a pressure transducer, is arranged in the cavity between the resilient walls. When an object obstructs the path of movement of the movable vehicle part toward the end position, the resilient walls are moved toward each other. When the distance sensor contacts a portion of the opposing resilient wall, the distance sensor actuates a response signal indicating a jam.