Abstract: A steering wheel (13) for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel module (1) supporting electrical/electronic subassemblies (18). The steering wheel module is inserted from a front side of the steering wheel into a center of the steering wheel in order to be attached to the steering wheel. A lower end of the steering wheel module forms a torsion module (8) of a torque detection device for a steering power-assist system. The torsion module is operable to receive and be attached to a steering spindle (14) of a steering column on the back side of the steering wheel in order to attach the steering wheel to the steering spindle when the steering wheel module is attached to the steering wheel.

Abstract: A method for correcting a characteristic curve having values corresponding to displacement between a magnetic sensor element and a magnetic ruler of a sensor within a displacement range includes determining whether the characteristic curve has a jump discontinuity by comparing a first value at a first range end to a second value at a second range end and by comparing values between the range ends. Upon determining that the characteristic curve has a jump discontinuity, the method further includes determining the magnitude of the jump discontinuity, defining a decision threshold lying between the first and second values, identifying the values within the range which are lower than the decision threshold, and offsetting the identified values by the magnitude of the jump discontinuity such that the characteristic curve is corrected to eliminate the jump discontinuity, whereby subsequent measurements made by the MR sensor take into account the jump discontinuity magnitude offset.

Abstract: A method for correcting a characteristic curve having values corresponding to displacement between a magnetic sensor element and a magnetic ruler of a sensor within a displacement range includes determining whether the characteristic curve has a jump discontinuity by comparing a first value at a first range end to a second value at a second range end and by comparing values between the range ends. Upon determining that the characteristic curve has a jump discontinuity, the method further includes determining the magnitude of the jump discontinuity, defining a decision threshold lying between the first and second values, identifying the values within the range which are lower than the decision threshold, and offsetting the identified values by the magnitude of the jump discontinuity such that the characteristic curve is corrected to eliminate the jump discontinuity, whereby subsequent measurements made by the MR sensor take into account the jump discontinuity magnitude offset.

Abstract: A motor vehicle optoelectronic monitoring device includes a sensor, imaging systems, a shutter, and a controller. Each sensor element outputs a sensor element signal based on the intensity of a light signal received by the sensor element. Each imaging system is associated with a sensor region and illuminates an object to monitor the object. Two sensor regions associated with two respective imaging systems partially overlap one another. Each imaging system illuminates the sensor elements of the associated sensor region with a light signal indicative of the object being monitored. The controller controls the shutter unit to selectively enable and disable illumination of the sensor by the imaging systems. The controller processes the sensor element electric signals output by the sensor elements in response to illumination by an imaging system to determine conditions of the object being monitored by the imaging system.

Abstract: A steering wheel (13) for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel module (1) supporting electrical/electronic subassemblies (18). The steering wheel module is inserted from a front side of the steering wheel into a center of the steering wheel in order to be attached to the steering wheel. A lower end of the steering wheel module forms a torsion module (8) of a torque detection device for a steering power-assist system. The torsion module is operable to receive and be attached to a steering spindle (14) of a steering column on the back side of the steering wheel in order to attach the steering wheel to the steering spindle when the steering wheel module is attached to the steering wheel.

Abstract: An optoelectronic position measuring device includes an encoder disk having a coding with a digital code and an analog coded track. The analog track includes segments which are in a series and whose width changes. An illuminator images the coding onto a sensor having transducers. The sensor determines the width of the analog track at a given position of the disk relative to the sensor as a function of the number of transducers upon which the analog track is optically imaged onto. The analog track is part of a continuous reference code track which has central symmetry in which the segments have a code length corresponding to the smallest resolution step of the digital coding. The layout of the segments and the resolving power of the sensor are matched such that movement of the disk along the code length is resolvable into at least two defined steps.

Abstract: An electric circuit arrangement and method for checking intactness of both a photodiode array and an electrical connection between an array output and a microprocessor input. The array output has a high resistance when the array is inactive and intact. In case of array error, the array output is connected via in each case a defined internal resistance to ground and supply voltages. The circuit arrangement enables at any time an assessment of the status of the connection and, if the connection is intact, enables an assessment of array intactness. This is achieved by connecting the array output via a first test resistor arranged in the spatial vicinity of the array to the ground voltage and by connecting the microprocessor input via a second test resistor arranged in the spatial vicinity of the microprocessor to a microprocessor port output which can be connected either to the ground or supply voltages.

Abstract: A motor vehicle optoelectronic monitoring device includes a sensor, imaging systems, a shutter, and a controller. Each sensor element outputs a sensor element signal based on the intensity of a light signal received by the sensor element. Each imaging system is associated with a sensor region and illuminates an object to monitor the object. Two sensor regions associated with two respective imaging systems partially overlap one another. Each imaging system illuminates the sensor elements of the associated sensor region with a light signal indicative of the object being monitored. The controller controls the shutter unit to selectively enable and disable illumination of the sensor by the imaging systems. The controller processes the sensor element electric signals output by the sensor elements in response to illumination by an imaging system to determine conditions of the object being monitored by the imaging system.

Abstract: A device for detecting objects on a windshield of a motor vehicle having a hood includes an imaging unit having a lens and a sensor positioned within the interior of the motor vehicle. The lens images a windshield section associated with a primary field of vision onto the sensor. The sensor generates a sensor signal in response to the windshield section imaged thereon. The imaging unit is positioned in a viewing direction pointing diagonally downwards with respect to the windshield such that the background of the windshield section imaged onto the sensor is the hood of the motor vehicle thereby causing the background of the windshield section imaged onto the sensor to be approximately constant in order to cancel environmental conditions that can impair object detection on the windshield section. An evaluation unit evaluates the sensor signal to detect objects on the windshield section.

Abstract: A torsion module includes first and second rings (9, 9′) and a spoked wheel (8). The first ring is attachable to a steering wheel (13). The spoked wheel is attached on top and bottom sides to the rings and has bending spokes which join a rim to a hub. The bending spokes bend in response to rotation angle offset between the hub and rim caused by torque on the steering wheel. A sensor, placed on a bending spoke, generates a signal indicative of bending experienced by the bending spoke in response to rotation angle offset between the hub and rim. The spoked wheel includes bending-resistant limit stop spokes each having a free end. The free ends engage the rim to limit rotation angle offset between the hub and rim. The rings have axially separated limit stops which enclose the free ends to prevent axial movement between the hub and rim.

Abstract: A torsion module includes first and second rings (9, 9′) and a spoked wheel (8). The first ring is attachable to a steering wheel (13). The spoked wheel is attached on top and bottom sides to the rings and has bending spokes which join a rim to a hub. The bending spokes bend in response to rotation angle offset between the hub and rim caused by torque on the steering wheel. A sensor, placed on a bending spoke, generates a signal indicative of bending experienced by the bending spoke in response to rotation angle offset between the hub and rim. The spoked wheel includes bending-resistant limit stop spokes each having a free end. The free ends engage the rim to limit rotation angle offset between the hub and rim. The rings have axially separated limit stops which enclose the free ends to prevent axial movement between the hub and rim.

Abstract: An electric circuit arrangement and method for checking intactness of both a photodiode array and an electrical connection between an array output and a microprocessor input. The array output has a high resistance when the array is inactive and intact. In case of array error, the array output is connected via in each case a defined internal resistance to ground and supply voltages. The circuit arrangement enables at any time an assessment of the status of the connection and, if the connection is intact, enables an assessment of array intactness. This is achieved by connecting the array output via a first test resistor arranged in the spatial vicinity of the array to the ground voltage and by connecting the microprocessor input via a second test resistor arranged in the spatial vicinity of the microprocessor to a microprocessor port output which can be connected either to the ground or supply voltages.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a code signal generated by an encoder having code and reference tracks. The encoder is interposed between a light and a light sensor and moves relative to the light and the sensor such that the code and reference tracks transmit light from the light onto the sensor. The sensor generates the code signal as a function of the light transmitted by the code track which is received by sensor transducers. The method includes capturing and evaluating the amplitude of a reference signal generated as a function of the light transmitted by the reference track which is received by sensor transducers. A measurement parameter relevant for evaluating the amplitude of the code signal is then adapted on the basis of the evaluation of the amplitude of the reference signal in order to compensate the evaluation of the code signal to changing measurement conditions.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a signal generated by a position measuring system having an encoder with a code track. The encoder is interposed between a light source and a light sensor and moves relative to the light source and the sensor such that the code track transmits light from the light source onto the sensor. The light sensor generates the signal as a function of the light received by transducers of the sensor. The method includes determining brightness of a code track signal generated by sensor transducers assigned to a code track of the encoder and determining brightness of a non-code track signal generated by sensor transducers assigned to a non-code track of the encoder. The sensor transducers assigned to the code track of the encoder are then determined as being exposed to the light source as a function of the relative brightness between the code and non-code track signals.

Abstract: A method for determining the absolute angular position of a motor vehicle steering wheel includes using a sensor to continually detect first angular measured values of the steering wheel at a constant first interval. A controller outputs encoded output values based on the detected first angle measured values. At high steering wheel rotational speeds the difference between two consecutively measured angular values becomes increasingly greater as a result of the constant measuring rate of the first interval. At such high rotational steering wheel speeds, the method achieves a reliable angular measurement which is verifiable by plausibility considerations by detecting at least one additional second angular measured value of the steering wheel for each output value. The additional second angular measured is detected at a second interval shorter than the first interval and lying between the detection times of successive first angular measured values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for detecting objects (3) on a windshield (2). The method comprises the following steps: Placing an optical sensor array (4) on the inner side of a section of the windshield (2), said array having a plurality of individual pixels and being focused on the outer side (7) of the windshield (2); determining the local frequency spectrum S(f) of the intensity fluctuations of pixels of the sensor array (4), said pixels being combined in one or more blocks, and afterwards; evaluating the local frequency spectrum, whereby the detected local frequency spectrum S(f) is compared to one or more reference frequency distributions, and whereby a control signal for triggering one or more actuators is generated when the determined local frequency spectrum S(f) sufficiently conforms to a reference frequency distribution. The device comprises a detecting unit (4) connected to a data processing unit (5).

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor for sensing the angular position of a rotatable device includes an encoder disk and a sensor array. The disk has a coding operable to move along a movement direction in response to rotational device movement. The coding represents an optical oscillation structure extending transversely to the movement direction of the disk and having a frequency-related parameter which varies along the movement direction such that the parameter is indicative of angular position of the device. The array includes transducers for sensing the coding. The array is arranged transversely to the movement direction such that the transducers proportionally sense a respective portion of the coding at each angular device position. The transducers generate an intensity signal indicative of the parameter of a sensed portion of the coding at an angular device position. Based on the intensity signal, the angular device position is determined from the sensed coding portion parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic displacement or angle measuring device, comprising a coded disc (1) and a photosensitive sensor device (2), fixed to the above, with a number of adjacent photoelectric converter elements (W), arranged transverse to the longitudinal direction of the coding (3) and an illumination device for optical imaging of the coding (3) on the coded disc (1) onto the photosensitive surface of the sensor device (2). The coded disc (1) comprises a digital code (3) and an analog encoded track consisting of a number of individual, coded segments (7, 7′), arranged sequentially in a row, in the direction of the measured path and which is defined in that the analog encoded track forms part of a continuous reference code track (4), symmetrical about the mid-point, the code segments (7, 7′) of which are placed sequentially in a row and which define an uninterrupted analog code track.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a code signal generated by an encoder having code and reference tracks. The encoder is interposed between a light and a light sensor and moves relative to the light and the sensor such that the code and reference tracks transmit light from the light onto the sensor. The sensor generates the code signal as a function of the light transmitted by the code track which is received by sensor transducers. The method includes capturing and evaluating the amplitude of a reference signal generated as a function of the light transmitted by the reference track which is received by sensor transducers. A measurement parameter relevant for evaluating the amplitude of the code signal is then adapted on the basis of the evaluation of the amplitude of the reference signal in order to compensate the evaluation of the code signal to changing measurement conditions.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a signal generated by a position measuring system having an encoder with a code track. The encoder is interposed between a light source and a light sensor and moves relative to the light source and the sensor such that the code track transmits light from the light source onto the sensor. The light sensor generates the signal as a function of the light received by transducers of the sensor. The method includes determining brightness of a code track signal generated by sensor transducers assigned to a code track of the encoder and determining brightness of a non-code track signal generated by sensor transducers assigned to a non-code track of the encoder. The sensor transducers assigned to the code track of the encoder are then determined as being exposed to the light source as a function of the relative brightness between the code and non-code track signals.