Abstract: Disclosed is detecting the position of an actuator element of an actuator arrangement, having at least one actuator element movable in two opposing directions by two adjustment elements. The adjustment elements electrically connected via only one two-wire connection to a control unit comprise electrically controllable shape memory alloy wires. A resistance measurement circuit formed in the control unit periodically records the resistance values of the two adjustment elements. At an energization time of a currently actuated adjustment element, the resistance value of the adjustment element and, in a subsequent pause in energization, the resistance value of another adjustment element is determined and stored. The differential value of the two resistance values is compared with pairs of values which are stored in a table and describe a correlation between the resistance differential value and a position of the adjustment element, to determine the position of the actuator element.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement (10) for an electromagnetically actuatable valve (42, 66, 72) is disclosed. The actuator arrangement (10) comprises: a housing having a first housing wall (12) and having a second housing wall (14) situated opposite the first housing wall (12), a solenoid armature (16) which is arranged in the housing between the first housing wall (12) and the second housing wall (14) and which is movable between the first housing wall (12) and the second housing wall (14) along an axis (18), wherein the solenoid armature (16) has a first axial armature end surface (20), which faces toward the first housing wall (12), and a second axial armature end surface (22), which faces toward the second housing wall (14), and the solenoid armature (16) is movable between a first position, in which the first armature end surface (20) makes contact with the first housing wall (12), and a second position, in which the first armature end surface (20) has been moved away from the first housing wall (12).

Abstract: A pneumatic valve features a fluid supply port, a fluid outlet port, and a fluid drainage opening. The valve includes a valve chamber with fluid supply, outlet, and trigger openings, and an actuator chamber connected to the trigger opening. An actuator with an SMA wire, actuating and resetting elements, and a printed circuit board is housed within the valve. A sealing element on the actuating element controls the trigger opening, while a membrane divides the valve chamber into two regions and facilitates plunger movement. The plunger connected to the membrane closes the fluid outlet opening in the unactuated state and opens it in the actuated state. The membrane includes a passage opening for fluid flow between the regions, with a smaller cross-section than the trigger opening, facilitating controlled fluid flow within the valve.

Abstract: A linear drive comprises: a lever having a through bore; a rod which extends through the bore; a bearing supporting the rod; a shape memory alloy connected to the lever and a first fixed bearing, the shape memory alloy exerting a tensile force on the lever when electrical power is applied; and a restoring element connected to the lever and a second fixed bearing, the restoring element exerting a restoring force on the lever and counter to the tensile force. In a first state, the lever is tilted making a non-positive connection between the lever and the rod. In a second state the lever is displaced in parallel to and in the direction of the tensile force. In a third state the lever is tilted back releasing the non-positive connection. In a fourth state, the lever is displaced in parallel to and in the direction of the restoring force.

Abstract: A pneumatic apparatus for applying an air flow to an exposed surface of a sensor apparatus of a vehicle. In order to provide a pneumatic apparatus which can efficiently and evenly apply an air flow to larger surfaces, the apparatus comprises a housing configured to extend in the installed state along at least one edge of the exposed surface and has at least one row of nozzles spaced apart from one another and each have a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet and which are adapted to simultaneously eject compressed air in the direction towards the exposed surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is detecting the position of an actuator element of an actuator arrangement, having at least one actuator element movable in two opposing directions by two adjustment elements. The adjustment elements electrically connected via only one two-wire connection to a control unit comprise electrically controllable shape memory alloy wires. A resistance measurement circuit formed in the control unit periodically records the resistance values of the two adjustment elements. At an energization time of a currently actuated adjustment element, the resistance value of the adjustment element and, in a subsequent pause in energization, the resistance value of another adjustment element is determined and stored. The differential value of the two resistance values is compared with pairs of values which are stored in a table and describe a correlation between the resistance differential value and a position of the adjustment element, to determine the position of the actuator element.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve comprises an actuator with a movable closing element being disposed in a housing; the closing element with a tappet penetrating an actuator opening between an air chamber formed in the housing and an actuator chamber, and a plate, with a sealing element, for closing the supply opening, thereon, on that end of said tappet protruding into the air chamber, and an elastic element pressing the plate toward the actuator opening in an activated state; the actuator element configured to move, in a non-energized state, the activating element to press the tappet against a supply opening, and in an energized state to move the activating element so as not to exert force on the tappet so that the plate is pressed in the direction of the actuator opening by the elastic element. A sealing collar disposed about the tappet seals the air chamber from the actuator chamber.

Abstract: An adjustment device for a vehicle part of a vehicle that can be adjusted comprises a central control unit and a local control unit connected via a communication interface to the central control unit, and directly activates the electrical drive for stopping or reversing an adjustment process upon a specified pinching criterion. The central control unit transmits a triggering threshold value for the operating variable to a respective local control unit with an adjustment request for the vehicle part, and a reaction to be triggered upon reaching the triggering threshold value. The central control unit, as necessary, transmits new values to the respective local control unit during the adjustment process. The local control unit compares the determined values of the operating variable to the current triggering threshold value(s) and independently triggers the reaction transmitted when an operating variable exceeds or falls below the assigned current triggering threshold value.

Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator unit for opening or closing a valve opening of a valve for a pneumatic adjusting device of a vehicle seat, comprising a circuit board with a top side extending in a circuit board plane, an actuating element with an actuating section for opening or closing the valve opening and a bending section connected to the actuating section, and an actuator element with a first end mechanically connected to the actuating section and a second end mechanically connected to the circuit board. The actuator element is configured to, when actuated, bend the bending section such that the actuating section is moved between a first position for opening the valve opening and a second position for closing the valve opening. The actuating section is arranged on a first side and the bending section is arranged on a second side, situated opposite the first side, respective of the circuit board plane.

Abstract: A linear drive comprises: a lever having a through bore; a rod which extends through the bore; a bearing supporting the rod; a shape memory alloy connected to the lever and a first fixed bearing, the shape memory alloy exerting a tensile force on the lever when electrical power is applied; and a restoring element connected to the lever and a second fixed bearing, the restoring element exerting a restoring force on the lever and counter to the tensile force. In a first state, the lever is tilted making a non-positive connection between the lever and the rod. In a second state the lever is displaced in parallel to and in the direction of the tensile force. In a third state the lever is tilted back releasing the non-positive connection. In a fourth state, the lever is displaced in parallel to and in the direction of the restoring force.

Abstract: The crimping element for holding a wire with a nominal diameter of approximately 0.1 mm or less comprises sheet-metal with a base portion extending in a base plane and a holding portion connected to the base portion. The holding portion comprises first and second clamping elements spaced apart from each other by a holding portion recess. The first element comprises a first clamping portion extending in a first plane and connected to the base portion and a second clamping portion, forming a first clamping region for holding the wire. The second element comprises a third clamping portion extending in a second plane and connected to the base portion and a fourth clamping portion, forming a second clamping region for holding the wire The first plane forms a first angle approximately 0°-10° with the base portion plane. The second plane forms a second angle approximately 1°-10° with the first plane.

Abstract: A fluid bladder valve for a pneumatic vehicle seat adjustment device is disclosed. The valve comprises a first chamber configured to be connected to a fluid source, a second chamber configured to be connected to the fluid bladder, a third chamber configured to be connected to an environment, a fourth chamber connected to the first chamber via a first fluid passage, connected to the second chamber via a second fluid passage, and connected to the third chamber via a third fluid passage; and an actuator comprising a membrane disposed in the fourth chamber and an actuator element disposed in the third chamber and coupled to the membrane and configured to move the membrane between a first position wherein the first fluid passage is opened and the third fluid passage is closed, and a second position wherein the first fluid passage is closed and the third fluid passage is opened.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement for an electromagnetically actuatable valve comprises a housing having a first wall, and a second wall situated opposite the first wall, a solenoid armature, with first and second axial armature end surfaces facing toward the first and second housing walls respectively, movable along an axis between a first position, where the first end surface makes contact with the first wall, and a second position, where the first end surface is away from the first wall. A damping element of an elastomer material extends from the second end surface toward the second wall and contacts the second wall in the first and second positions of the solenoid armature, A stop element of an elastomer material extends from the second end surface toward the second wall and, in the first position, is away from the second wall and, in the second position, contacts the second wall.

Abstract: A valve configuration parts kit for providing at least two valve configurations, including: a first plate-shaped main body, a plurality of wall-type webs attached to the plate-shaped main body which, conjointly with the plate-shaped main body, at least in part define fluid paths, and a second main body attached to the first main body, or a third main body attached to the first main body. The second main body contacts a first sub-quantity of the plurality of webs such that the first main body, the second main body, and the first sub-quantity define a first fluid path system for providing a first valve configuration. The third main body contacts a second sub-quantity of the plurality of webs such that the first main body, the third main body, and the second sub-quantity define a second fluid path system for providing a second valve configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator unit for opening or closing a valve opening of a valve for a pneumatic adjusting device of a vehicle seat, comprising a circuit board with a top side extending in a circuit board plane, an actuating element with an actuating section for opening or closing the valve opening and a bending section connected to the actuating section, and an actuator element with a first end mechanically connected to the actuating section and a second end mechanically connected to the circuit board. The actuator element is configured to, when actuated, bend the bending section such that the actuating section is moved between a first position for opening the valve opening and a second position for closing the valve opening. The actuating section is arranged on a first side and the bending section is arranged on a second side, situated opposite the first side, respective of the circuit board plane.

Abstract: A method for determining a fluid pressure in a pneumatic bladder of a pneumatic adjusting device of a vehicle seat is disclosed, wherein the pneumatic bladder is connected to a valve for the filling or emptying of the bladder with or of fluid. Fluid start pressure at the valve is provided as initial pressure for determining of the fluid pressure in the bladder. Fluid throughflow through the valve device is determined using a first assignment rule which assigns the fluid throughflow to the fluid start pressure at the valve. The fluid throughflow obtained using the first assignment rule over a predetermined period of time is summed to determine a fluid quantity that has flowed through the valve. Fluid pressure present in the bladder is determined using a second assignment rule which assigns the fluid pressure present in the bladder to the determined fluid quantity.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle including at least one device, in which the one device is altered from a first state to a second state by an electronic computing device of the vehicle. The electronic computing device ascertains a present time and automatically alters the device from the first state to the second state on the basis of the ascertained time. Provision is made for the second state to be ascertained automatically by the electronic computing device from the first state.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve, including a valve housing with an air chamber with one or more air ports. A respective air port of at least one of the air ports can be opened and closed by a movable valve flap which is mechanically coupled to a shape memory alloy. The SMA element deforms as a result of supplying electrical heating current and effects a predefined movement of the valve flap for opening or closing the respective air port. The deformation of the SMA element is reversed when the supply of the electrical heating current ends. The valve flap has a leaf spring. The leaf spring is held rotationally fixedly relative to the valve housing. The leaf spring interacts with the SMA element such that a stroke of the SMA element caused by the deformation is converted into a stroke of the valve flap by elastic bending of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A fluid bladder valve for a pneumatic vehicle seat adjustment device is disclosed. The valve comprises a first chamber configured to connect to a fluid source, a second chamber configured to connect to the fluid bladder, a third chamber configured to connect to an environment, a fourth chamber connected to the first chamber via a first fluid passage, connected to the second valve chamber via a second fluid passage, and connected to the third valve chamber via a third fluid passage; and an actuator comprising a blocking element disposed in the fourth chamber and an actuator element disposed in the third valve chamber and coupled to the blocking element and configured to move the blocking element between a first position wherein the first passage is opened and the third passage is closed, and a second position wherein the first passage is closed and the third passage is opened.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve including an air chamber with an air connection, and an actuator with a movable shut-off element and with an SMA element composed of a shape memory alloy. The SMA element is mechanically coupled to the movable shut-off element, wherein, for the activation of the actuator, electrical heating power is fed to the SMA element, after which the SMA element deforms and brings about a predefined movement of the shut-off element for opening or closing the air connection. The actuator includes a detection unit to detect the arrival at and departure from an end position of the shut-off element when the actuator is activated. The actuator includes a control device which is configured such that, when the actuator is activated, the control device detects the current cycle time between a departure from and the next arrival at the end position by the shut-off element.