Abstract: A pneumatic valve comprises a housing with an air chamber having supply, connecting and discharge openings. An actuator with a movable closing element is arranged in the housing, featuring a plunger, which projects through the discharge opening with a plate and a first sealing element for closing the discharge opening with an elastic element which, in the activated state, presses said sealing element against the discharge opening The actuator is in the form of an SMA actuator, wherein the actuator element is configured to, in a non-energized state, bring the actuating element to a first state in which it presses the plunger against the supply opening, and to, in an energized state, bring the actuating element to a second state in which the actuating portion does not exert any force on the plunger, wherein a second sealing element is arranged in the air chamber and functions as a check valve.

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 pneumatic valve features a housing with an air chamber including a supply opening for compressed air, a connecting opening to an air cushion, and a discharge opening. An actuator with a movable closing element, comprising a plunger and a plate with a first sealing element, is positioned within the housing. The actuator includes a circuit board, an actuating element with an actuating portion and a bending portion, and a shape memory actuator element. In a non-energized state, the actuator element positions the actuating element to press the plunger against the supply opening, while in an energized state, it allows the first sealing element to close the discharge opening via an elastic element. A second sealing element closes the supply opening in a non-energized state and opens it under positive pressure when energized. A third sealing element, elastically connected to the second, closes the supply opening under non-positive pressure conditions.

Abstract: A method for adapting massage sequences to different types of seats, which have a number of inflatable cushions arranged at specified locations in the seat, is described. Here, a calculation model is parameterized for a specific seat type, and the duration of control commands for filling and ventilation of a cushion is adapted for each step such that a specified degree of filling is achieved, wherein the total temporal length of a step may vary in order either to achieve continuous operation of the compressor or in order to adhere to pauses of a defined minimum duration in the activation of the compressor.

Abstract: A method for adapting massage sequences to different types of seats, which have a number of inflatable cushions arranged at specified locations in the seat, is described. A calculation model is parameterized for a particular seat type, and target values for each step of a massage sequence are read in by a control unit and control commands for valves are output depending on the degree of filling estimated by the calculation model during the massage sequence, wherein the target values of a step comprise at least the duration of a control command and the desired degree of filling of a cushion. The duration of a control command for filling a cushion is shortened, if necessary, in relation to the target value for each step of a massage sequence, in such a way that a specified degree of filling is not exceeded.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve includes a fluid supply port, a fluid outlet port, and a fluid drainage opening. A valve chamber includes a fluid supply opening connected to the fluid supply port, a fluid outlet opening connected to the fluid outlet port, a trigger opening connected to an actuator chamber having the fluid drainage opening. An actuator disposed in the actuator chamber is formed with an SMA wire includes an actuating element and a resetting element. A sealing element is arranged on the actuating element and is pressed against the trigger opening by the resetting element in a non-actuated state and opens up the trigger opening in an actuated state. A membrane divides the valve chamber into two a first region connected to the trigger opening and a second region connected to the fluid supply opening.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve comprises a housing with a valve chamber having a first opening connecting to a first gas port, a second opening connecting to a second gas port, and a third opening connecting to an actuator chamber connected to a third gas port, and an SMA actuator with a movable closing element. The closing element has a plunger protruding through the third opening and projecting into the valve chamber, a sealing plate with a first sealing element for closing the first opening and a second sealing element for closing the third opening. A spring element pushing the second sealing element in the direction of the third opening when the pneumatic valve is activated connects to the closing element. The plunger and the actuator, via a driver element, have a form-fitting connection with play such that actuation of the actuator causes the plunger to move within the play.

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: 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 a housing with an air chamber having a supply, connecting opening for connecting the air chamber to an air cushion and a discharge openings. An actuator with a movable closing element is arranged in the housing, featuring a plunger, which projects through the discharge opening with a plate and a first sealing element for closing the discharge opening with an elastic element which, in the activated state, presses said sealing element against the discharge opening The actuator is in the form of an SMA actuator, wherein the actuator element is configured to, in a non-energized state, bring the actuating element to a first state in which it presses the plunger against the supply opening, and to, in an energized state, bring the actuating element to a second state in which the actuating portion does not exert any force on the plunger, wherein a second sealing element is arranged in the air chamber and functions as a check valve.

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.