Abstract: A device including: a rotary actuator; an electronic pixel matrix display comprising a transparent outer layer; wherein the rotary actuator comprises an actuating part and a detector configured to detect rotational position, wherein the actuating part is rotationally mounted by a bearing so that it can rotate about an axis of rotation along a rotation direction, and the rotary actuator is arranged on the transparent layer; and wherein the rotary actuator also comprises a light guide designed to guide light of several pixels of the pixel matrix display from a light inlet surface of the light guide to a light outlet surface of the light guide either in the direction of or into an illumination surface of at least one of the rotary actuator and the actuating part.

Abstract: A device including: a rotary actuator; an electronic pixel matrix display comprising a transparent outer layer; wherein the rotary actuator comprises an actuating part and a detector configured to detect rotational position, wherein the actuating part is rotationally mounted by a bearing so that it can rotate about an axis of rotation along a rotation direction, and the rotary actuator is arranged on the transparent layer; and wherein the rotary actuator also comprises a light guide designed to guide light of several pixels of the pixel matrix display from a light inlet surface of the light guide to a light outlet surface of the light guide either in the direction of or into an illumination surface of at least one of the rotary actuator and the actuating part.

Abstract: An ambient light sensor system is provided for sensing ambient light and light in the area in front of a motor vehicle, wherein the ambient light sensor system includes a light guide element arranged behind a transparent surface of the motor vehicle and at least two sensors arranged on the light guide element.

Abstract: A control element for a motor vehicle is disclosed that includes at least one rotary actuator and one actuating element integrated in the rotary actuator, whereby the actuating element can be moved relative to the rotary actuator, and whereby a connecting member, which interacts with an optical system, is molded to the actuating element. A connecting member extends into the optical system such that the deflection of the actuating element can be evaluated as a signal by the optical system. The optical system includes at least one light-emitting and at least one light-absorbing light guide element, whereby one light guide element is arranged on one side of the connecting member and one light guide element is arranged outside the connecting member so that a deflection of the actuating element is analogous to the absorption of light.

Abstract: An ambient light sensor system is provided for sensing ambient light and light in the area in front of a motor vehicle, wherein the ambient light sensor system includes a light guide element arranged behind a transparent surface of the motor vehicle and at least two sensors arranged on the light guide element.

Abstract: A control element for a motor vehicle is disclosed that includes at least one rotary actuator and one actuating element integrated in the rotary actuator, whereby the actuating element can be moved relative to the rotary actuator, and whereby a connecting member, which interacts with an optical system, is molded to the actuating element. A connecting member extends into the optical system such that the deflection of the actuating element can be evaluated as a signal by the optical system. The optical system includes at least one light-emitting and at least one light-absorbing light guide element, whereby one light guide element is arranged on one side of the connecting member and one light guide element is arranged outside the connecting member so that a deflection of the actuating element is analogous to the absorption of light.

Abstract: An optical indicator element includes a locator and function symbol that is equipped with a shared optical indicator element, with the intensity of the shared light input being adapted and regulated in brightness to the current ambient brightness. Regulation is accomplished through a PWM (pulse-width modulated) signal from a control device. The indicator element itself comprises a shared and preferably colored plastic that illuminates the locator and function symbol, with the area of the joint symbol being cleared of colored paint on the plastic. The light is preferably guided from at least one light source to the plastic by a light conductor into which the light is coupled, but this can also be accomplished by at least one light source located directly beneath the plastic.

Abstract: The proposed device uses a plastic of any color with a cavity introduced in it and preferably with a polished inner surface, instead of a reflector or a light guide, to utilize increased reflection with grazing incidence (large angle of incidence versus the normal to the surface). The light from a light source is transported to the symbol by reflection in this cavity and on the inner surface. The light source is preferably of a flat structure.

Abstract: The proposed device uses a plastic of any color with a cavity introduced in it and preferably with a polished inner surface, instead of a reflector or a light guide, to utilize increased reflection with grazing incidence (large angle of incidence versus the normal to the surface). The light from a light source is transported to the symbol by reflection in this cavity and on the inner surface. The light source is preferably of a flat structure.

Abstract: An optical indicator element includes a locator and function symbol that is equipped with a shared optical indicator element, with the intensity of the shared light input being adapted and regulated in brightness to the current ambient brightness. Regulation is accomplished through a PWM (pulse-width modulated) signal from a control device. The indicator element itself comprises a shared and preferably colored plastic that illuminates the locator and function symbol, with the area of the joint symbol being cleared of colored paint on the plastic. The light is preferably guided from at least one light source to the plastic by a light conductor into which the light is coupled, but this can also be accomplished by at least one light source located directly beneath the plastic.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Mushroom-shaped light guide for a homogeneous illumination of a circular scale of a motor vehicle operating device by means of a light source (LED) arranged opposite a light input surface of a mushroom-shaped cone, wherein a light input surface has a cylindrical recess, and edge of which is rounded off in a circle with a radius R between a lateral surface and an axial surface, and a base of which is provided in a form of a ball surface which projects centrally, whereby the mushroom-shaped cone has a conical end section. This produces an increased parallel alignment of the light beams, which effects an improved illumination of the dial.

Abstract: A rotatable knob for a control apparatus which is less complex than similar devices and which provides greater self-illumination than do similar devices. In the case of the present rotatable knob, a total reflection surface (13) is established wherein the obverse side (14) of the total reflection surface (13) forms a mantle of a conical or cup-shaped frustum upon which segment-like 90° prisms (16) are radially arranged. Accordingly, the present rotatable knob may be used in operational components for radios, air conditioning units, and the like in motor vehicles.