Abstract: An illuminated communication unit for a vehicle is provided. The communication unit may include an enclosure carrying components within a cavity that include a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and a heat sink. The PCBA may include a position sensor in communication with the vehicle and configured to detect a position of the vehicle, and a plurality of light emitting elements disposed adjacent to the position sensor and configured to generate a light output. The heat sink may be configured to dissipate heat caused by the plurality of light emitting elements generating the light output. The communication unit may include a diffuser lens that includes a lens surface having an emblem disposed thereon, the diffuser lens being configured to receive the light output generated by the plurality of light emitting elements and diffusely illuminate the emblem. The lens surface may be configured to widely disperse the light output.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method is provided for optimizing the total time taken for cleaning an area by a cleaning robot, which is the sum of the cleaning time and the time taken for the robot to re-charge its battery mid-cleaning when the area is too large to clean on a single charge. In one embodiment, the remaining area to be cleaned is determined, and the mid-cleaning re-charge time is reduced to the amount of charge needed to clean the remaining area, plus a buffer. Hence, a reduction in mid-cleaning charging time results in reduced total time taken to clean a given space.

Abstract: A method for secure authentication of control apparatuses in a motor vehicle includes sending an authentication request to a control apparatus of the motor vehicle, receiving an authentication response of the control apparatus and checking the received authentication response. If a result of the checking is that the received authentication response is invalid, the method further includes transferring the control apparatus to a fallback mode, where the fallback mode being safe for the purposes of a dependability of the applicable motor vehicle. The authentication response of the control apparatus is provided based on at least part of authenticity information of the control apparatus. The transmitting of the authentication request and authentication response is effected in an encrypted fashion in each case, and the checking of the received authentication response includes decrypting the received authentication response.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method is provided for optimizing the total time taken for cleaning an area by a cleaning robot, which is the sum of the cleaning time and the time taken for the robot to re-charge its battery mid-cleaning when the area is too large to clean on a single charge. In one embodiment, the remaining area to be cleaned is determined, and the mid-cleaning re-charge time is reduced to the amount of charge needed to clean the remaining area, plus a buffer. Hence, a reduction in mid-cleaning charging time results in reduced total time taken to clean a given space.

Abstract: A method for producing a plate heat exchanger and the plate heat exchanger, particularly a soldered aluminium plate heat exchanger. In the method, a heat exchanger block is provided having a plurality of partition plates and edge strips arranged between the partition plates. A connection device is provided to be mounted on the heat exchanger block. A planar region for securing the connection device to the heat exchanger block is provided with at least one welded weld bead by means of a first weld. The connection device is welded onto the weld bead by means of a second weld. The welding method used for the first weld is a friction stir welding method.

Abstract: A method for secure authentication of control apparatuses in a motor vehicle includes sending an authentication request to a control apparatus of the motor vehicle, receiving an authentication response of the control apparatus and checking the received authentication response. If a result of the checking is that the received authentication response is invalid, the method further includes transferring the control apparatus to a fallback mode, where the fallback mode being safe for the purposes of a dependability of the applicable motor vehicle. The authentication response of the control apparatus is provided based on at least part of authenticity information of the control apparatus. The transmitting of the authentication request and authentication response is effected in an encrypted fashion in each case, and the checking of the received authentication response includes decrypting the received authentication response.

Abstract: A method for producing a plate heat exchanger and the plate heat exchanger, particularly a soldered aluminium plate heat exchanger. In the method, a heat exchanger block is provided having a plurality of partition plates and edge strips arranged between the partition plates. A connection device is provided to be mounted on the heat exchanger block. A planar region for securing the connection device to the heat exchanger block is provided with at least one welded weld bead by means of a first weld. The connection device is welded onto the weld bead by means of a second weld. The welding method used for the first weld is a friction stir welding method.

Abstract: The inventive method and system permits diagnosing the type of fault condition associated with powering an electrical load that has a high side driver portion and a low side driver portion. Selectively powering the driver portions in different combinations and sampling a plurality of associated diagnostic feedback signals associated with each of the driver portions permits diagnosing the type of fault present. In one example, three different powering combinations and three different diagnostic feedback signals are used. This example permits diagnosing one of seven different possible fault conditions.

Abstract: The inventive method and system permits diagnosing the type of fault condition associated with powering an electrical load that has a high side driver portion and a low side driver portion. Selectively powering the driver portions in different combinations and sampling a plurality of associated diagnostic feedback signals associated with each of the driver portions permits diagnosing the type of fault present. In one example, three different powering combinations and three different diagnostic feedback signals are used. This example permits diagnosing one of seven different possible fault conditions.

Abstract: A device for controlling an electromechanical actuator with an actuating element and an actuating drive. The actuating drive includes an electromagnet which has a core and a coil. The actuating drive, furthermore, has a moveable armature plate. A controller is provided, the control variable of which is the current through the coil and the actuating variable of which is a voltage applied to the coil. A voltage source generates a supply voltage and a pulse width modulator modulates the actuating variable as a function of the supply voltage.

Abstract: A control device includes a magnetic actuator, a final control element, a regulating unit and a measuring device. The magnetic actuator has a coil, a core, and an armature. The actuator is connected to the final control element. The measuring device determines an inductance value L of the coil and generates, as a function of the inductance value L, a first control signal by which a theoretical value of the amplitude of the current through the coil is changed to a holding value. When a pulse signal P is present, the current through the coil is regulated to the theoretical value by the regulating unit.

Abstract: A method for starting a multicylinder internal combustion engine having electromechanically actuated inlet valves and outlet valves includes, during a starting operation, for at least one revolution of a crankshaft of the engine, operating the engine so that pistons of the cylinders, which are simultaneously at top dead center, perform in parallel an operating cycle including intake, compression, working, and expulsion, respective inlet valves of the cylinders being simultaneously opened and, after executing the intake and compression stroke, performing one operation selected from the group thereof consisting of ignition, fuel injection, and both ignition and fuel injection, simultaneously, and, after executing the working stroke, opening the outlet valves simultaneously for the expulsion.