Abstract: A switch is formed by a branch including a measurement resistance and a selectable one of switching resistances having different nominal values such that a switch position depends on which switching resistance is selected. The measurement resistance is connected through the selected switching resistance to a supply voltage whereby a voltage drop dependent on the switch position is across the measurement resistance. A controller identifies the switch position by comparison of a measured value (UM1) of the voltage drop with target voltage drops corresponding to switch positions, calculates a voltage drop (Uges) across the branch based on nominal values of the measurement and selected switching resistances and the supply voltage, forms a difference value (UDiff) between a measured value (UVcc) of the supply voltage and the branch voltage drop (Uges), and qualifies the identified switch position as faulty when the difference value (UDiff) exceeds a difference threshold value (UDiff-S).

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting a physical measurement variable is proposed including a sensor module as well as an electronic circuit module, wherein each value of the measurement variable is determined by comparison of an electrical voltage signal generated in the sensor module with a reference voltage generated in the circuit module and each value is output as a digital or analog coded signal at an output. Such a sensor device should solve the technical problem of making information about the amplitude of an internal electrical voltage signal accessible at all times for evaluation of the current tolerance situation. This is achieved in that the amplitude of this electrical voltage signal is represented by the period of a delay between the activation of the supply voltage for the sensor device and the output of the first valid measurement value.

Abstract: A steering device for motor vehicles having a steering column positionable in the axial and/or radial direction, in each case over a preset displacement range, via at least one positioning device actuated by external force. Locking of the steering column is implementable by a positioning device such that, when the motor vehicle is switched off, the steering column is positioned thereby into a position lying outside the displacement range(s) in which a torsional force exerted on the steering column via the steering wheel is not transmittable to the steering gear.