Leopold Kostal Gmbh & Co. Kg

Christoph Oster

Martin Wagner

Klaus Hirschfeld

Hans Martin Von Staudt

Dietmar Kritzler

Holger Lettmann

A multi-way electric switch includes an articulated suspension having parallel first and second linkages for movably mounting an operator control. Each linkage has a pair of rockers which are articulately coupled at first ends to an intermediate part such that the linkages are orthogonally to one another. The rockers of the first linkage are stationarily coupled at second opposite ends which are free with respect to the articulated coupling between the first linkage and the intermediate part. The rockers of the second linkage support the operator control at second opposite ends which are free with respect to the articulated coupling between the second linkage and the intermediate part. The articulated coupling between the rockers of the first linkage and the intermediate part lies in a first axis plane, and the articulated coupling between the rockers of the second linkage and the intermediate part lies in a second different axis plane.

Multi-way electric switch having operator control supported by two orthogonal parallel linkages coupled via intermediate part

A device for fastening a casing tube switch module to a casing tube of a steering wheel shaft when a steering wheel is mounted on the steering shaft. The device including a clamping element and a bearing. The clamping element is arranged coaxially between the casing tube and the switch module. The clamping element exerts a clamping force in a direction extending radially out from the steering shaft. The bearing rotationally decouples the steering wheel from the switch module. The bearing has a stator operable for transferring an axial motion of the steering wheel as the steering wheel is mounted on the steering shaft to the switch module such that the switch module moves axially with respect to the casing tube toward the clamping element and tensions the clamping element to apply the clamping force to fasten the switch module to the casing tube.

Device for fastening a casing tube switch module to the casing tube of a motor vehicle steering shaft

A rotating actuator includes a shaft () and a mechanical stop device () for generating a stop to limit the rotation of the shaft in a direction of rotation. The stop device acts upon the shaft to prevent the shaft from rotating further in the direction of rotation by blocking the shaft using a stop device acting mechanically on the shaft while enabling rotation of the shaft in a direction of rotation counter to the stop with slip in a stop arrangement. The slip is configured such that movement of the shaft in the direction of rotation counter to the stop is detectable. The stop device may include two independently triggered, mechanical stop devices. One stop device acts as a stop for limiting the rotation of the shaft to the right, and the other stop device acts as a stop for limiting the rotation of the shaft to the left.

Rotating actuator

An electric circuit for a vehicle electrical system powered by a voltage supply. The circuit includes a control stage having a switching device, a switching module, a signal output, and a connecting line connecting the signal output to the electrical system. The switching device includes a switching element switchable between two switching states for generating respective switching state output signals at the signal output to switch the electrical system between functional states. The switching module includes a non-volatile flip-flop formed by EEPROM cells which are operable for storing the switching state. The switching module maintains the switching state output signal to maintain the functional state of the electrical system until the switching element is switched to a different switching state, and maintains the switching state output signal to maintain the functional state of the electrical system during a voltage supply interruption.

Electric circuit

An electrical switch including a housing, four fixed contact elements fixed with respect to the housing, and four movable contact elements movable with respect to the housing. Each of the movable contact elements is positioned directly opposite from a respective fixed contact element. An actuating member is movable from a neutral position into four actuating positions. In each actuating position the actuating member actuates a respective movable contact element causing the respective movable contact element to contact a respective fixed contact element for enabling a corresponding switching function. An auxiliary frame surrounds the actuating member and is positioned within the housing. A first pair of opposed connecting elements connects the actuating member to the auxiliary frame. The first pair of opposed connecting elements form a first pivot axis. A second pair of opposed connecting elements connect the auxiliary frame to the housing. The second pair of opposed connecting elements are disposed offset by 90&deg; with respect to the first pair of opposed connecting elements. The second pair of opposed connecting elements form a second pivot axis. The actuating member moves from the neutral position into one of the four actuating positions about the first and second pivot axes.

Electrical switch

A rotating actuator includes a rotatable control shaft, a manually operated handle connected therewith, and a device for generating a haptic perception when rotating the control shaft. The haptic signal generating device is developed in the form of a mechanical detent assembly including a detent curve and at least one detent element engaging the stop curve. An activating device is allocated to the haptic signal generating device and is actively configured on the detent curve or a detent element. By selecting the activation device an interaction is created between a detent element and the detent curve in order to generate the haptic signal formed by the detent curve. The haptic signal can be enabled or disabled by activating or deactivating the activation device as the control shaft is rotated.

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Lüdenscheid, Germany

Christoph Oster