Abstract: An occupant detection system including a seat assembly comprising a seat cushion having a seating surface, a heating element adjacent the seating surface, said heating element formed of electrically conductive material, a heating circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said heating circuit configured to supply an electrical current to the heating element effective to generate heat by the heating element, an occupant detection circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said occupant detection circuit configured to detect an occupant presence near the heating element, and an isolation circuit interposed between the heating circuit and the heating element, said isolation circuit configured to prevent the heating circuit from influencing the occupant detection circuit, said isolation circuit comprising a common mode choke.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic support element (1) for a valve gear for an internal combustion engine. Said element consists of a cylindrical hollow case (2) in whose bore hole (3) a pressure piston (4) made of a glass or carbon fibre reinforced plastic is arranged.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a roller bearing arrangement comprising two rings arranged mutually concentrically and at least regionally inside each other, and comprising a gap between these rings, so that they are rotatable in opposite directions about an imaginary axis at the center of the rings and approximately perpendicular to the ring plane, wherein disposed in the region of a gap portion situated between the rings and surrounding the axis of rotation at an approximately constant radius is at least one raceway for at least one row of rollers, each having a rotationally symmetrical shape and rolling displacingly between the rings, each of which rollers, when the rings and the rollers are at the same temperature, has at least one point or region of contact with the raceway portions on each of the two rings, so that the radial and/or axial clearance between the two rings is equal to zero or at least is negligibly small; and comprising a mechanism for compensating for temperature-induced radial changes in th

Abstract: A cam follower of a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, having a run-on surface for following at least one cam. The run-on surface has a microstructure comprising depressions for accumulating lubricant, wherein the depressions form an at least largely symmetrical microstructure similar to a grid. Two depressions of each enclosed section of the run-on surface running toward each other in the manner of an arrow to form a corner such that they point at least in the predominant direction of a movement of a contact point of a cam on the run-on surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device for a motor vehicle, for example a car radio, an onboard computer or a vehicle navigation device. According to the invention, a printed circuit board (5) is connected to a housing (1) of the device by predetermined breaking points (17). Actuating elements (8, 9) with operating parts (10, 11) are located on said printed circuit board, these operating parts protruding out from a front panel (2) of the housing (1). In the event that the operating parts (10, 11) are subjected to excessive forces, the predetermined breaking points (17) enable the printed circuit board (5) to detach from the housing (1) and move further into said housing (1), whereby the operating parts (10, 11) move into the housing (1) accordingly.

Abstract: A hydraulic support element (1) is proposed for a valve train of an internal combustion engine. This has a hollow cylindrical housing (2), in the bore (3) of which there is a pressure piston (4) made from synthetic material reinforced with glass fibers or carbon fibers.

Abstract: A cam follower (1) of a valve drive of an internal combustion engine is proposed, having a run-on surface (2) for at least one cam, which run-on surface (2) has a microstructure having depressions (3) for the accumulation of lubricant, wherein the depressions (3) form an at least largely symmetrical microstructure similar to a grid, two depressions (3) of each enclosed section (4) of the run-on surface (2) running toward each other in the manner of an arrow to form a corner (5) such that they point at least in the predominant direction of a movement of a contact point (AK) of the cam on the run-on surface (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device for a motor vehicle, for example a car radio, an onboard computer or a vehicle navigation device. According to the invention, a printed circuit board (5) is connected to a housing (1) of the device by predetermined breaking points (17). Actuating elements (8, 9) with operating parts (10, 11) are located on said printed circuit board, these operating parts protruding out from a front panel (2) of the housing (1). In the event that the operating parts (10, 11) are subjected to excessive forces, the predetermined breaking points (17) enable the printed circuit board (5) to detach from the housing (1) and move further into said housing (1), whereby the operating parts (10, 11) move into the housing (1) accordingly.

Abstract: An electrical switch selectively controls an ignition circuit and accessory circuits of a motor vehicle. The electrical switch includes a rotatable member with radially extending side walls having cam surfaces formed thereon for operably actuating electrically conductive leaf spring members to individually open and close electrical circuits in response to positioning the rotatable member in predefined angular positions. The electrical switch can include both high current and low current leaf spring members in a single switch assembly capable of being assembled from one side.

Abstract: In an electric switch a good gliding behavior between a bridging contact and metal conductors punched out from a sheet metal blank is achieved. For this purpose the metal conductors have at least one projection extending at least over the entire range of motion of the bridging contact.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an immersion casting pipe for feeding molten steel from a casting vessel into a mold having wide side walls and narrow side walls for the production of flat products. The immersion casting pipe has a pipe piece which adjoins the casting vessel and expands in cross section in the direction of the narrow side walls of the mold. The pipe piece is provided with a central base member at the lower end which allows for outlet openings for the melt. For the purpose of developing an immersion outlet which allows higher slab withdrawal speed of up to 6 m/min with slabs measuring 50 to 100 mm in thickness and 600 mm to 2000 mm in width, the inner wall of the portion of the immersion casting pipe which widens in cross section forms flow channels in conjunction with the opposite wall parts of the base member. The axes of the flow channels enclose an angle .alpha. between 10.degree. and 22.degree.

Abstract: An electric switch unit, in particular for the control of air conditioning units in automotive vehicles. The switch unit includes pushbuttons whose symbols are illuminated by light which is guided from a central source of light through a light-guiding member. The light-guiding member is composed of interconnected light-guiding bars to which projections are molded. From the projections the light exits toward the pushbuttons. The front faces of the projections are concavely curved, and as a result a uniform illumination of the symbol areas is provided. The light-guiding bars are furnished with totally reflecting surfaces, and as a result the total quantity of light incident upon them is reflected into the projections. The quantities of light exiting from each projection are equal. Due to the arrangement of a focusing lens at the transition of the light from the source of light to the light-guiding bars, a parallel beam of light is emitted into the latter.

Abstract: Insertion of plug-in connections connected with cables of a first electric switch in a correspondingly shaped component of a second electric switch, so that the plug-in connections of the first electric switch and the plug-in connections of the second one can easily be connected to the motor vehicle electric network by a single counterplug eliminates the need for a separate plug housing for the plug-in connections of the first switch.

Abstract: An electric steering column switch for motor vehicles which includes a switching member pivotally mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between predetermined positions. The switching member includes a locking cam that engages a locking lever which is mounted for swivelling movement with respect to the switching member. The locking lever has switch cams that correspond to the predetermined positions of the switching member and receive the locking cam to hold the switching member in one of the predetermined positions. A spring biases against the locking lever urging the lever in the direction of the locking cam. The spring is mounted to the switching member so that the spring pivots with the switching member and the locking cam. In this way, the spring applies consistent pressure against the locking lever and the adjacent locking cam.

Abstract: An electric switch for operating a windshield wiper and washer system of a motor vehicle has a switch housing, in which a switching member for operating the wiper system in a selected operation mode is swivelably mounted from a neutral position around a first axis in at least one optional position and a switch lever which, for operating the washer system from a neutral position into an operational position, is swivelably mounted on the switching member around a second axis preferably perpendicularly intersecting the first axis. By a single actuation, it is possible by switching on the washer system to also switch on the wiper system.

Abstract: An electric switch for operating a windshield wiper and washer system of a motor vehicle. In a switch housing a switching member is swivellably mounted around a first axis between several switching positions. A switch lever which is swivellably mounted on the switching member around a second axis which preferably perpendicularly intersects the first axis. An electric contact is movable by swiveling the switch lever around the second axis. To manufacture the electric switch at low cost and to promote a long lifetime for the two stationary contacts acted upon by the electric contact, the electric contact is held on the switch lever and acts upon the two stationary contacts at different points in at least two different switching positions of the switching member when swiveling the switch lever relative to the switching member.

Abstract: A push-button switch for motor vehicles having a snap-action switch system in which a snap spring integrally formed with a movable contact reed is clamped in a switching rocker. The switching rocker may be changed over between two end positions by way of a switching tappet of a push-button. Equal switching forces may be measured in both switching directions.

Abstract: A method for making metal powder by atomizing molten metal is improved by causing the solidifying metal droplets to be subjected to a whirling flow of a powdery coolant such as a different powder, e.g. quartz sand or powder separated from the extracted flow of powder just made and cooled additionally. The whirling flow is sustained by blowing an inert gas in up direction into the powder collection chamber.