Abstract: A peripheral load driver that utilizes the power, wiring, and primary load of a conventional doorbell system to drive a doorbell system peripheral load at a higher current without risk of inadvertently energizing the primary load of the conventional doorbell system. The peripheral load driver comprising a power converting means for converting power extracted from the conventional doorbell system from a higher-voltage-at-a-lower-current to a lower-voltage-at-a-higher current wherein the higher-voltage-at-a-lower-current is insufficient to energize the primary load of the conventional doorbell system and the lower-voltage-at-a-higher-current is compatible with the doorbell system peripheral load.

Abstract: An automatic doorbell driver that utilizes the power, wiring, and primary load of a conventional doorbell system. The automatic doorbell driver comprising coupling means for coupling the automatic doorbell driver to the conventional doorbell system; power supply means for supplying power to the automatic doorbell driver; sensing means for sensing an object in a proximity zone; and switching means responsive to the sensing means for coupling power to, and thereby controlling the energization and de-energization of, the primary load of the conventional doorbell system; whereby the automatic doorbell driver can easily convert the conventional doorbell system into an automatic doorbell system.

Abstract: A bevel gear mechanism, especially a bevel spur-gear mechanism having one or more gear mechanism stages, including a gear mechanism housing that surrounds the gear mechanism stages, and a motor cage, which is connected via a spacer flange to the gear mechanism housing, and is connected to an electric motor. The drive side shaft of the bevel gear mechanism stage is supported in a flanged bushing. Spacer flange and drive side end wall of the gear mechanism housing have a common bore. The common bore extends around the flanged bushing of the drive side shaft. The flanged bushing has a cylindrical outer surface that centers the gear mechanism housing, the spacer flange and the flanged bushing. Furthermore, the flanged bushing, the spacer flange and the drive side end wall are interconnected by screws.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for identifying an object O in an opening that can be closed by means of a mobile element (12). Light is fed into at least one fiber-optic light guide (33, 34) from a light source (1, 2), and variations in the received light are detected by means of at least one receiver (Ea, Eb), the fiber-optic light guide being arranged at least partially along the edge of the opening (11). A first fiber-optic light guide sends light transversally to the length thereof, said light being then received by a second fiber-optic light guide transversally to the length thereof. The second fiber-optic light guide (34) is connected to the receiver (Eb). The fiber-optic light guides are arranged on the edge of the opening (11) in such a way that a light field (F) at least partially bridging the opening is produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining and/or evaluating a differential, optical signal. According to the invention, at least two first light sources (S1, S2) which are sequentially clocked in terms of light and emitted in a phased manner are provided, in addition to at least one receiver (E) which is used to receive at least the alternating light portion arising from the first light sources (S1, S2). The light-intensity radiating through at least one light source (S1, S2) in the measuring arrangement is controlled in such a manner that the clock-synchronous alternating light portion, which occurs between different phases, is zero in the receiver (E). By determining the reception signal in the receiver (E) in relation to the phase position in order to regulate the radiated light intensity and by producing an adjustable variable (R) directly or by adding current in the receiver, it is possible to simplify digital implementation of the method with as little sensitivity loss as possible.

Abstract: A peripheral load driver that utilizes the power, wiring, and primary load of a conventional doorbell system to drive a doorbell system peripheral load at a higher current without risk of inadvertently energizing the primary load of the conventional doorbell system. The peripheral load driver comprising a power converting means for converting power extracted from the conventional doorbell system from a higher-voltage-at-a-lower-current to a lower-voltage-at-a-higher current wherein the higher-voltage-at-a-lower-current is insufficient to energize the primary load of the conventional doorbell system and the lower-voltage-at-a-higher-current is compatible with the doorbell system peripheral load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for optoelectronically identifying the displacement and/or position of an object. According to the method, a transmitter element emits light, which is received by at least one receiver element and the light emitted from the transmitter element is scattered by an object, wherein an optical guide is provided between the transmitter element and the receiver element. This aim of the invention is to fulfill the prerequisites for a key construction, which can be operated below a sealed surface. To achieve this, the optical guide includes light coupling means for coupling in the illumination that has been scattered by the object and previously emitted by the optical guide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for identifying an object O in an opening that can be closed by means of a mobile element (12). Light is fed into at least one fibre-optic light guide (33, 34) from a light source (1, 2), and variations in the received light are detected by means of at least one receiver (Ea, Eb), the fibre-optic light guide being arranged at least partially along the edge of the opening (11). A first fibre-optic light guide sends light transversally to the length thereof, said light being then received by a second fibre-optic light guide transversally to the length thereof. The second fibre-optic light guide (34) is connected to the receiver (Eb). The fibre-optic light guides are arranged on the edge of the opening (11) in such a way that a light field (F) at least partially bridging the opening is produced.

Abstract: An automatic doorbell driver that utilizes the power, wiring, and primary load of a conventional doorbell system. The automatic doorbell driver comprising coupling means for coupling the automatic doorbell driver to the conventional doorbell system; power supply means for supplying power to the automatic doorbell driver; sensing means for sensing an object in a proximity zone; and switching means responsive to the sensing means for coupling power to, and thereby controlling the energization and de-energization of, the primary load of the conventional doorbell system; whereby the automatic doorbell driver can easily convert the conventional doorbell system into an automatic doorbell system.

Abstract: A piston vacuum pump comprises a cylinder (14) and a piston (12) that forms a compression chamber (28) with the cylinder (14). The piston (12) oscillates in the cylinder (14) with a compression stroke and an intake stroke. In a side wall (16) of the cylinder (14), a gas inlet (30) is provided, the gas inlet (30) being closed by the piston (12) at the beginning of the intake stroke and open at the end of the intake stroke. Further, an equalizing conduit and a valve are provided through which gas from the gas inlet (30) flows into the compression chamber (28) at the beginning of the intake stroke. This provides a simple arrangement of an equalizing conduit with a valve. The piston substantially forms the equalizing conduit and the valve. Thereby, the valve can act in the region of the piston end wall so that the dead volume is minimized.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a control element for opening and closing a hatch in a motor vehicle has a motorized vehicle panel. The control element is designed in such a way that, upon a short actuation of the control element, depending on the direction of actuation of the control element, a control unit outputs a signal to a motor in order to displace the vehicle panel, and the vehicle panel is displaced in response to the signal. A safety operating device for the arrangement has at least one light transmission section which is actuated upon actuation of the control element and which correspondingly outputs an activation confirmation signal to a control unit. The control unit will not output a signal in response to which the motor displaces the vehicle panel until the signal from the control element and the activation confirmation signal from the safety operating device are present at the same time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with a housing having a dirt chamber closable by a cover, into which a suction socket extends and in which a filter bag is insertable, with a inlet opening of the filter bag being connectable to the suction socket. In order to design the vacuum cleaner so that it allows simple and hygienic handling when removing the filter bag from the dirt chamber it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the suction socket be held on the housing so as to be displaceable back and forth between a position in which it extends into the inlet opening of the filter bag and a position in which it releases the inlet opening.

Abstract: An integrated light and accessory assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes at least one lamp for illumination of a vehicle, and also includes reflective, conductive and insulative portions inside a housing, and a module for controlling or accessorizing the assembly. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the assembly. The method includes providing materials for molding or shaping the components of the assembly, selectively etching conductive materials, molding the materials into a desired configuration, connecting a lamp and an accessory module to the conductive portions, and enclosing the components in a housing. A portion of the module may be removed for emergency lighting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for optoelectronically identifying the displacement and/or position of an object. According to the method, a transmitter element emits light, which is received by at least one receiver element and the light emitted from the transmitter element is scattered by an object, wherein an optical guide is provided between the transmitter element and the receiver element. This aim of the invention is to fulfill the prerequisites for a key construction, which can be operated below a sealed surface. To achieve this, the optical guide includes light coupling means for coupling in the illumination that has been scattered by the object and previously emitted by the optical guide.

Abstract: A backup aid system (14) for detecting the presence of a trailer (12) includes a trailer connector (52a) and a backup aid controller (50) that has an input (66) electrically coupled to the connector (52a). The backup aid controller (50) monitors a voltage level at input (66). When the voltage level is above a first predetermined voltage, the controller (50) generates a backup warning signal. When the voltage is below a second predetermined voltage, the controller (50) disables the backup warning signal. Also, the system may monitor the voltage in between the first predetermined voltage and the second predetermined voltage to determine the presence of a lamp fault such as outage or corroded contacts.

Abstract: A device for determining whether a lubricant to be examined effects the formation of a deposit on a sensor element has a sensor element for detecting values of at least one physical parameter of the lubricant. The sensor element is in contact with the lubricant. Furthermore, there is provided a potential difference source for applying a potential difference between the sensor element and the lubricant. Moreover, there is provided an evaluator for evaluating at least two values of the physical parameter which are detected at different potential states between the sensor element and the lubricant in order to thus determine whether the lubricant causes a deposit formation on the sensor element.

Abstract: A power supply module has an internal energy storage circuit to reduce the number of external wire connections to the power supply module. The power supply module is used to provide pulsed electrical energy to a load. The power supply module includes a semiconductor switch, an oscillator, and an energy storage circuit. The energy storage circuit accumulates energy for providing electrical energy to the oscillator to maintain stable, active operation of the oscillator and to provide a control voltage for the semiconductor switch.

Abstract: An integrated light and accessory assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes at least one lamp for illumination of a vehicle, and also includes reflective, conductive and insulative portions inside a housing, and a module for controlling or accessorizing the assembly. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the assembly. The method includes providing materials for molding or shaping the components of the assembly, selectively etching conductive materials, molding the materials into a desired configuration, connecting a lamp and an accessory module to the conductive portions, and enclosing the components in a housing. A portion of the module may be removed for emergency lighting.

Abstract: A pulse width modulated driver 20 is provided for driving a load 17, such as a halogen bulb, at a reduced voltage level. The driver 20 includes a switch 28 selectively opening and closing to apply a pulse width modulated signal VPWM to a high voltage end of the load 17. The switch 28 operates responsive to a switch control signal VS. The driver 20 further includes a duty cycle control circuit 26 generating the switch control signal VS when an input operational voltage Vo is above a threshold voltage level. Finally, the driver includes an energy storage circuit 24 for storing electrical energy when the switch 28 is open to maintain the input operational voltage Vo above the threshold voltage level. The driver 20 is connected on a high side of the load 17 and does not require a separate line connected to system ground.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling engine temperature in a closed circuit cooling system 12 of an automobile 10 having an electric water pump 34, a flow control valve 42, and electric fan 40. A powertrain control module 20 electrically coupled to the electric water pump 34, flow control valve 42 and electric fan 40 interprets inputs from various sensors to adjust the pumping speed of an electric water pump 34, adjust the rotational speed of an electric fan 40, and/or adjust the flow rate through a flow control valve 42 to the radiator 46 according to a look up table as a function of fuel economy, emissions, thermal management and electrical load management.