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 shifting device for a vehicle includes a shift lever, a limiting element, and an actuator. The lever is movable in opposite first and second directions along an actuating path between neutral and end positions. The limiting element is movable into and out of the path. When the limiting element is in the path, the limiting element impacts the lever while the lever is in the neutral position to prevent the lever from moving from the neutral position in the first direction such that the limiting element acts as a shift lock blocking the lever from the end position. When the limiting element is out of the path, the limiting element allows the lever to move into the end position. The actuator is operable for moving the limiting element into and out of the path such that the actuator is operable for activating and deactivating the lock for the lever.

Abstract: An electric switch module has one or more electric switches arranged on a substrate (7) of which at least one is designed as a push-pull rocker switch (2, 3) having an actuator (4) formed by a projection (5) that is asymmetrical to its tilting axis (6). The module is characterized in that the top side of the substrate (7), together with the actuators (4) of its switches (2, 3), is covered by a flexible outer skin (10a) that also covers the projection (5) that forms the actuator (4) of the at least one rocker switch (2, 3).

Abstract: A shifting device for a vehicle includes a shift lever, a limiting element, and an actuator. The lever is movable in opposite first and second directions along an actuating path between neutral and end positions. The limiting element is movable into and out of the path. When the limiting element is in the path, the limiting element impacts the lever while the lever is in the neutral position to prevent the lever from moving from the neutral position in the first direction such that the limiting element acts as a shift lock blocking the lever from the end position. When the limiting element is out of the path, the limiting element allows the lever to move into the end position. The actuator is operable for moving the limiting element into and out of the path such that the actuator is operable for activating and deactivating the lock for the lever.

Abstract: An electric switch module has one or more electric switches arranged on a substrate (7) of which at least one is designed as a push-pull rocker switch (2, 3) having an actuator (4) formed by a projection (5) that is asymmetrical to its tilting axis (6). The module 1s characterised in that the top side of the substrate (7), together with the actuators (4) of its switches (2, 3), is covered by a flexible outer skin (10a) that also covers the projection (5) that forms the actuator (4) of the at least one rocker switch (2, 3).

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 optoelectronic sensor includes optoelectronic converter elements having photosensitive surfaces arranged in a one or two dimensional array. A transparent cover protects the photosensitive surfaces of the optoelectronic converter elements. At least one portion of the transparent cover is shaped to include a light deflecting element such as a prism which enables the optoelectronic converter elements to be exposed to light beams coming from different directions.

Abstract: A torsion module includes first and second rings (9, 9′) and a spoked wheel (8). The first ring is attachable to a steering wheel (13). The spoked wheel is attached on top and bottom sides to the rings and has bending spokes which join a rim to a hub. The bending spokes bend in response to rotation angle offset between the hub and rim caused by torque on the steering wheel. A sensor, placed on a bending spoke, generates a signal indicative of bending experienced by the bending spoke in response to rotation angle offset between the hub and rim. The spoked wheel includes bending-resistant limit stop spokes each having a free end. The free ends engage the rim to limit rotation angle offset between the hub and rim. The rings have axially separated limit stops which enclose the free ends to prevent axial movement between the hub and rim.

Abstract: A torsion module includes first and second rings (9, 9′) and a spoked wheel (8). The first ring is attachable to a steering wheel (13). The spoked wheel is attached on top and bottom sides to the rings and has bending spokes which join a rim to a hub. The bending spokes bend in response to rotation angle offset between the hub and rim caused by torque on the steering wheel. A sensor, placed on a bending spoke, generates a signal indicative of bending experienced by the bending spoke in response to rotation angle offset between the hub and rim. The spoked wheel includes bending-resistant limit stop spokes each having a free end. The free ends engage the rim to limit rotation angle offset between the hub and rim. The rings have axially separated limit stops which enclose the free ends to prevent axial movement between the hub and rim.

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor includes optoelectronic converter elements having photosensitive surfaces arranged in a one or two dimensional array. A transparent cover protects the photosensitive surfaces of the optoelectronic converter elements. At least one portion of the transparent cover is shaped to include a light deflecting element such as a prism which enables the optoelectronic converter elements to be exposed to light beams coming from different directions.

Abstract: An optoelectronic monitoring device for a vehicle includes a single optical sensor array having a grid of optical sensor elements. Each optical sensor element generates an electronic signal in response to optical signals imaged onto the optical sensor elements. Optical imaging systems image respective optical signals onto the optical sensor array. The optical signals of each optical imaging system is representative of a monitored condition of a vehicle. The optical imaging systems form a single physical unit which is fixed with respect to the optical sensor array. Each optical imaging system is associated with a respective optical sensor element group of the optical sensor array such that the respective optical signal of each optical imaging system is imaged onto the respective optical sensor element group. The optical sensor elements are configurable by a processor to be arranged in optical sensor element groups for being associated with respective optical imaging systems.

Abstract: A steering angle sensing system 1 for measuring the angle position of a vehicle steering wheel is disclosed which uses at least one position magnet 7, 8 coupled to the rotary movement of the steering wheel as a transducer, and a magnetostrictive transducer 4 as a measuring device. Magnetostrictive transducer 4 includes an elongated, magnetostrictive waveguide 9 extending over a defined arc section, with mode converter 10 for detecting magnetostrictively generated voltage pulses at one end. The waveguide 9 is stationary related to the rotary movement of at least one position magnet; 7, 8, so that, when turning the steering wheel, the magnet field of one position magnet 7, 8 is applied to waveguide 9 in different positions dependent of the position of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A steering wheel angle sensor includes first and second sensors, a differential gear, and a detector. The first sensor determines steering wheel angular position within one revolution and the second sensor determines number of steering wheel revolutions. The first sensor has a first rotor carrying a first coding. The first rotor and the first coding rotate as the steering wheel rotates. The second sensor has a second rotor and a second coding movable by the second rotor. The gear includes driving, reference, and planetary wheels for coupling the rotors such that the rotors rotate at different speeds with respect to one another as the steering wheel rotates. The second rotor engages with a pivoted lever into an arm carrying the second coding such that the second coding pivots as the second rotor rotates. The detector scans the first coding within an angular segment of the steering wheel range of rotation as the first coding rotates.

Abstract: An optoelectronic position detecting device for determining the absolute path or angle of two bodies which are moved relative to each other, comprising a light source 3, a transmitter element 2 which is partially exposed to light by the light source 3 and comprises a coding and which transmitter element 2 is coupled to the movement of the movable body, wherein the coding is provided in the form of a scanning trace 6, which is produced by virtue of the exposure to light, and a reference trace 7, and comprising a photosensitive line sensor 4 which is disposed in a fixed manner with respect to the transmitter element 2 for the purpose of scanning the code traces 6, 7 of the transmitter element 2, which output signals of the line sensor 4 influence an electronic evalutating unit for the purpose of determining the absolute path or angle, is determined by virtue of the fact that the transmitter element 2 is formed as a light-guiding body, into whose edge peripheral surface are coupled the light beams emitted by the

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor device for detecting precipitation on an outer surface (41) of a transparent pane (4) of a motor vehicle includes a beam guide element (1) having front and rear opposed parallel surfaces (2, 7) and first and second lateral opposed faces (5, 6). The front surface (2) is coupled to an inner surface (42) of a transparent pane (4) of a motor vehicle. Each of the lateral faces (5, 6) has a reflection region (52, 62). The rear surface (7) has first and second cut-out portions (8, 81) extending therefrom toward the front surface (2). Each of the cut-out portions (8, 81) has a reflective region (11). A beam transmitter (13) is disposed adjacent the rear surface (7) to transmit an infrared beam to the reflective region (11) of the first cut-out portion (8). The reflective region (11) of the first cut-out portion (8) reflects a beam transmitted from the beam transmitter (13) to the reflection region (52) of the first lateral face (5) which reflects the beam to the transparent pane (4).

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor device includes a waveguide element for affixing to a transparent pane on one surface and connected to a housing by way of latching barbs provided on U-shaped arms which engage corresponding recesses in the waveguide element. Slide-like locking elements are guided by the housing, parallel to the waveguide element and the pane, into the spaces defined by the U-shaped arms to prevent the arms from disengaging their respective recesses. The locking elements are adjustable by way of a handle which is flush with the housing when the latching elements are in their locked position. The locking elements include dome-shaped protrusions which cooperate with an edge of the housing to secure the locking elements within the housing.