Abstract: A switch for activating the turn signals (blinkers) of a vehicle is actuated by a lever movable from a central position in opposite first and second directions to respective first and second switching positions. A first electromagnet is located such that movement of the lever to the first switching position brings a portion of the lever closer thereto. A second electromagnet is located such that movement of the lever to the second switching position brings the portion of the lever closer thereto. A control unit controls energization of the first and second electromagnets in a manner to attract and/or repel the lever to alternatively: a) hold the lever in the first switching position; b) hold the lever in the second switching position; and c) release the lever to return to the central position from the first switching position and from the second switching position.

Abstract: A system for controlling the exterior lighting of a motor vehicle has a switch unit having a rotary switch which can be rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise to sequentially activate a plurality of operating modes of the vehicle lights. The rotary switch is a continuously adjustable rotary encoder, and a plurality of indicator lights are arranged around the rotary encoder, each of the operating modes is respectively assigned a mode indicator light. The operating mode selected by the rotary encoder is displayed by the corresponding indicator light. The rotary encoder has a plurality of latched positions that correspond to the plurality of indicator lights.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for case-based enabling or disabling of the function of steering wheel or steering column switches in a motor vehicle. According to the invention, at least one function of one of the steering wheel or steering column switches is enabled or disabled depending on the operation of another steering wheel or steering column switch.

Abstract: A light switch unit for controlling the exterior lighting (such as headlights) of a motor vehicle. A rotary actuator can be rotated from a predefined home position into at least one deflected position, different lighting modes being assigned to the home position and to the at least one deflected position; the rotary actuator being mechanically biased to return automatically, after the rotation into the at least one deflected position, to the home position after which the lighting mode which is assigned to the respective deflected position initially remains activated.

Abstract: A system for controlling the exterior lighting of a motor vehicle has a switch unit having a rotary switch which can be rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise to sequentially activate a plurality of operating modes of the vehicle lights. The rotary switch is a continuously adjustable rotary encoder, and a plurality of indicator lights are arranged around the rotary encoder, each of the operating modes is respectively assigned a mode indicator light. The operating mode selected by the rotary encoder is displayed by the corresponding indicator light. The rotary encoder has a plurality of latched positions that correspond to the plurality of indicator lights.

Abstract: A switch for activating the turn signals (blinkers) of a vehicle is actuated by a lever movable from a central position in opposite first and second directions to respective first and second switching positions. A first electromagnet is located such that movement of the lever to the first switching position brings a portion of the lever closer thereto. A second electromagnet is located such that movement of the lever to the second switching position brings the portion of the lever closer thereto. A control unit controls energization of the first and second electromagnets in a manner to attract and/or repel the lever to alternatively: a) hold the lever in the first switching position; b) hold the lever in the second switching position; and c) release the lever to return to the central position from the first switching position and from the second switching position.