Abstract: A system for conductively charging a motor vehicle includes a charging device and a receiving device. The charging device has an electrical contacting unit and a lifting device operable, for axially moving the contacting unit between retracted and extended positions. The receiving device has a receiving chamber for receiving the contacting element inserted therein when the contacting element is moved to an extended position. The contacting unit has a cylindrical or truncated cone body and includes an electrical contact ring extending around a lateral surface of the body of the contacting element. The receiving device includes a radially position-able electrical contact element along the receiving chamber. When the contact element is in one radial position while the contacting unit is inserted into the receiving chamber the contact element electrically contacts the contact ring and mechanically fixes the contacting unit to the receiving device inside the receiving chamber.

Abstract: An operating arrangement for a vehicle includes a steering column retractable into and extendable out of a dashboard, a steering shaft that is retractable and extendable relative to the steering column, a steering wheel on an end of the steering shaft, and a steering column module arranged on the steering column between the steering wheel and the dashboard. The steering column module has a screen positioned behind the steering wheel. In a manual vehicle driving mode, the steering column is extended out of the dashboard to position the steering wheel and the steering column module away from the dashboard. In an automatic (or autonomous) vehicle mode, the steering column is retracted into the dashboard to position the steering column module against the dashboard and the steering shaft is retracted relative to the steering column to position the steering wheel adjacent the dashboard with the screen resting against the steering wheel.

Abstract: An operating arrangement for a vehicle includes a steering column retractable into and extendable out of a dashboard, a steering shaft that is retractable and extendable relative to the steering column, a steering wheel on an end of the steering shaft, and a steering column module arranged on the steering column between the steering wheel and the dashboard. The steering column module has a screen positioned behind the steering wheel. In a manual vehicle driving mode, the steering column is extended out of the dashboard to position the steering wheel and the steering column module away from the dashboard. In an automatic (or autonomous) vehicle mode, the steering column is retracted into the dashboard to position the steering column module against the dashboard and the steering shaft is retracted relative to the steering column to position the steering wheel adjacent the dashboard with the screen resting against the steering wheel.

Abstract: A steering column switch for a vehicle includes a switching lever that operates by pivoting in relation to a housing. The lever has a locking pin which assumes a stable position on a switching gate when the lever is not operated and is guided into an unstable position by operation of the lever. The switching gate guides the pin back into the stable position when operation of the lever ceases. A permanent magnet on a body of the lever is brought against an electromagnet on the housing by pivoting the lever into the unstable position. The lever is held in the unstable position by magnetic attraction between the magnets for a time in which a function associated with the lever being actuated into the unstable position is active. Afterwards, the electromagnet produces a counter magnetic field which interrupts the magnetic attraction so that the lever returns to the stable position.

Abstract: A system for detecting the absolute rotational angle of a shaft rotatable more than one revolution includes a drive wheel connected to the shaft to rotate therewith. The drive wheel includes measurement sectors adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction. First and second driven wheels are engaged to the drive wheel. First and second sensors monitor rotational positions of the driven wheels to thereby detect an absolute rotational angle of the shaft. A third sensor monitors a relative angular position of the shaft in relation to a detected one of the measurement sectors to thereby detect the relative angular position of the shaft within one revolution of the shaft. The detected absolute rotational angle of the shaft is refined with the detected relative angular position of the shaft to thereby generate the absolute rotational angle of the shaft with more precision.

Abstract: A steering column module includes a tubular jacket rotatably supporting a steering shaft, a switch module having a carrier including contact pressure surfaces, and a device for fastening the switch module to the tubular jacket. The device includes a clamp assembly between the tubular jacket and the switch module for exerting a clamping force on the tubular jacket. The clamp includes two half clamps each having two outwardly bent end flanges. The end flanges are axially movably accommodated in the carrier such that when the switch module is axially moved onto the tubular jacket the end flanges come into contact with axial end stops of the tubular jacket and the contact pressure surfaces of the carrier. The contact pressure surfaces exert forces on the end flanges as the switch module is axially moved onto the tubular jacket thus fastening the switch module to the tubular jacket with a clamping action.

Abstract: A steering column switch for a vehicle includes a switching lever that operates by pivoting in relation to a housing. The lever has a locking pin which assumes a stable position on a switching gate when the lever is not operated and is guided into an unstable position by operation of the lever. The switching gate guides the pin back into the stable position when operation of the lever ceases. A permanent magnet on a body of the lever is brought against an electromagnet on the housing by pivoting the lever into the unstable position. The lever is held in the unstable position by magnetic attraction between the magnets for a time in which a function associated with the lever being actuated into the unstable position is active. Afterwards, the electromagnet produces a counter magnetic field which interrupts the magnetic attraction so that the lever returns to the stable position.

Abstract: A steering column module includes a tubular jacket rotatably supporting a steering shaft, a switch module having a carrier including contact pressure surfaces, and a device for fastening the switch module to the tubular jacket. The device includes a clamp assembly between the tubular jacket and the switch module for exerting a clamping force on the tubular jacket. The clamp includes two half clamps each having two outwardly bent end flanges. The end flanges are axially movably accommodated in the carrier such that when the switch module is axially moved onto the tubular jacket the end flanges come into contact with axial end stops of the tubular jacket and the contact pressure surfaces of the carrier. The contact pressure surfaces exert forces on the end flanges as the switch module is axially moved onto the tubular jacket thus fastening the switch module to the tubular jacket with a clamping action.

Abstract: A system for detecting the absolute rotational angle of a shaft rotatable more than one revolution includes a drive wheel connected to the shaft to rotate therewith. The drive wheel includes measurement sectors adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction. First and second driven wheels are engaged to the drive wheel. First and second sensors monitor rotational positions of the driven wheels to thereby detect an absolute rotational angle of the shaft. A third sensor monitors a relative angular position of the shaft in relation to a detected one of the measurement sectors to thereby detect the relative angular position of the shaft within one revolution of the shaft. The detected absolute rotational angle of the shaft is refined with the detected relative angular position of the shaft to thereby generate the absolute rotational angle of the shaft with more precision.

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 electric shifting device for a vehicle includes a shift lever, a gate channel, and a detent device. The detent device has a spring-loaded pin and a detent contour cooperating therewith. The detent contour includes first and second paths and a connection path therebetween. The detent contour is movable relative to the channel between a first position in which the first path is aligned with the channel and a second position in which the second path is aligned with the channel. The lever is connected to the pin such that the lever is movable within the channel along the first path when the detent contour is in the first position and within the channel along the second path when the detent contour is in the second position and such that the lever is movable along the connection path between the paths when the detent contour moves between the positions.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a steering column of a vehicle includes a steering column starting lock module, a functional module, and a support plate. The starting lock module has a lock element for fixedly connecting the steering column starting lock module to a steering column extending in an axial direction. The functional module has a guide groove extending in the axial direction. The starting lock module is connected to the support plate. The support plate is insertable along the axial direction into the guide groove of the functional module to connect with the functional module and thereby connect the functional module with the starting lock module such that the functional module is connected to the steering column via the starting lock module when the starting lock module is connected to the steering column.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a steering column of a vehicle includes a steering column starting lock module, a functional module, and a support plate. The starting lock module has a lock element for fixedly connecting the steering column starting lock module to a steering column extending in an axial direction. The functional module has a guide groove extending in the axial direction. The starting lock module is connected to the support plate. The support plate is insertable along the axial direction into the guide groove of the functional module to connect with the functional module and thereby connect the functional module with the starting lock module such that the functional module is connected to the steering column via the starting lock module when the starting lock module is connected to the steering column.

Abstract: An electric shifting device for a vehicle includes a shift lever, a gate channel, and a detent device. The detent device has a spring-loaded pin and a detent contour cooperating therewith. The detent contour includes first and second paths and a connection path therebetween. The detent contour is movable relative to the channel between a first position in which the first path is aligned with the channel and a second position in which the second path is aligned with the channel. The lever is connected to the pin such that the lever is movable within the channel along the first path when the detent contour is in the first position and within the channel along the second path when the detent contour is in the second position and such that the lever is movable along the connection path between the paths when the detent contour moves between the positions.

Abstract: A steering column module includes a lever, first and second printed circuit boards, and an electronics unit. The lever has a base next to a steering column and a head away from the column. The lever base includes a primary control which actuates upon the lever being pivoted. The lever head includes a secondary control which actuates upon being manipulated. The first PCB is situated in the lever base and includes a primary switch which cooperates with the primary control to activate a switching function in response to the primary control being actuated. The second PCB is situated in the lever head and includes a secondary switch which cooperates with the secondary control to activate a switching function in response to the secondary control being actuated. The electronics unit is electrically connected to the switches by a wiring harness having plug-in connectors for respectively electrically contacting the switches.

Abstract: A steering column module includes a lever, first and second printed circuit boards, and an electronics unit. The lever has a base next to a steering column and a head away from the column. The lever base includes a primary control which actuates upon the lever being pivoted. The lever head includes a secondary control which actuates upon being manipulated. The first PCB is situated in the lever base and includes a primary switch which cooperates with the primary control to activate a switching function in response to the primary control being actuated. The second PCB is situated in the lever head and includes a secondary switch which cooperates with the secondary control to activate a switching function in response to the secondary control being actuated. The electronics unit is electrically connected to the switches by a wiring harness having plug-in connectors for respectively electrically contacting the switches.

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 device for fastening a casing tube switch module to a casing tube of a steering wheel shaft when a steering wheel is mounted on the steering shaft. The device including a clamping element and a bearing. The clamping element is arranged coaxially between the casing tube and the switch module. The clamping element exerts a clamping force in a direction extending radially out from the steering shaft. The bearing rotationally decouples the steering wheel from the switch module. The bearing has a stator operable for transferring an axial motion of the steering wheel as the steering wheel is mounted on the steering shaft to the switch module such that the switch module moves axially with respect to the casing tube toward the clamping element and tensions the clamping element to apply the clamping force to fasten the switch module to the casing tube.

Abstract: A switching device having a housing, an indexing bolt, a spring, and guiding ribs. The bolt is mounted in a longitudinal direction in a guide channel of the housing to move axially through the guide channel. The bolt has a tip at a front end. The spring is connected between the housing and a rear end of the bolt to axially bias the bolt tip against a switch plate. The ribs are distributed along the periphery of the front end of the bolt. The ribs radially project outward from the bolt to abut the surface of the guide channel such that the ribs are radially biased against the surface of the guide channel. The ribs are distributed along the periphery of the front end of the bolt in the longitudinal direction. The ribs guide the front end of the bolt as the bolt moves axially through the guide channel.

Abstract: A switching device having a housing, an indexing bolt, a spring, and guiding ribs. The bolt is mounted in a longitudinal direction in a guide channel of the housing to move axially through the guide channel. The bolt has a tip at a front end. The spring is connected between the housing and a rear end of the bolt to axially bias the bolt tip against a switch plate. The ribs are distributed along the periphery of the front end of the bolt. The ribs radially project outward from the bolt to abut the surface of the guide channel such that the ribs are radially biased against the surface of the guide channel. The ribs are distributed along the periphery of the front end of the bolt in the longitudinal direction. The ribs guide the front end of the bolt as the bolt moves axially through the guide channel.