Trw Automotive Electronics & Components Gmbh & Co. Kg

Volkswagen Ag

Trw Automotive Electronics & Components Gmbh

Dieter Bornhorst

Markus Altmann

Robert Skofljanec

Joachim Korherr

Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt

Hans-Joachim Frohne

Klaus Müller

S&ouml;ren Lemcke

Uwe Sch&ouml;n

Klaus Mueller

Christoph Schostok

Joachim J&uuml;ngst

A modular switch and control system for use in a motor vehicle is provided, that is easily and flexibly adapted to the particular needs and requires no additional wiring for added modules. The modular switch and control system comprises a main switch module and optional satellite modules of different types. The main and satellite modules have separate housings with matching engagement structures permitting each satellite module to be fitted to one side of the main module. Each satellite module is electrically connected with the main module through matching male and female connectors. Each satellite module is provided with electrical coding device accessible through the connectors and permitting each satellite to be provided with a code indicative of the module type. The main module further includes detection device for accessing the coding device and detecting the type of connected satellite modules, and processing device for processing signals received from connected satellite modules and for generating control signals. The control signals are preferably applied through an appropriate interface to a bus installed in the vehicle, e.g. a CAN bus or a LIN bus.

Modular switch and control system for use in a motor vehicle

A rotary switch is disclosed which has a central handle () which is rotatable about a central axis (Z), a ring-shaped shield () surrounding the handle (), a rotary button () which is arranged on the shield () and is rotatable about an axis (V) offset from and parallel to said central axis (Z), and a potentiometer () which is adjustable by means of the rotary button (). The potentiometer () is radially spaced from the offset axis (V), and is coupled with the rotary button () by means of a gear (). The potentiometer () is offset radially inwards from the offset axis (V) towards the central axis (Z).

Rotary switch

A fuse apparatus ( ) is provided for selectively interrupting a load current (I ) flowing between a pair of associated conductor leads. The fuse apparatus includes at least two spaced apart electrically conductive contact elements ( ) operatively connected with the associated conductor leads. A fuse element ( ) is connected to the contact elements ( ) using an electrically conductive connection material ( ) to allow the current (I ) to flow between the pair of associated conductor leads. The connection material ( ) is adapted to electrically disconnect the fuse element ( ) from the contact elements ( ) when the current (I ) exceeds a predetermined current intensity. The connection material ( ) has an intrinsic electrical transition resistance characteristic whereby the material develops a temperature in proportion to an intensity of the current. The connection material melts as the current increases to separate the fuse element from the contact elements.

Electrical fuse for use in motor vehicles

The invention relates to a device for monitoring the locking position of a connecting device especially the locking position of a device for fixing a child seat in a motor vehicle, with a base body which can be connected with a support component capable of being locked with a locking component a slider arranged in the base body which when the base body is joined with the support component can be impinged at time of transfer of locking component to the locking position by the locking component and displaced from an initial position into an end position corresponding to the locking position, and with a detection device provided in or at the base body for detection of the correct locking position of the locking component and the support component by detection of the position of the slider whereby the detection device registers, in addition to the locking position, at least one additional position of the slider at a distance from the locking position.

Device for monitoring a locked condition of locking and support components of a connecting device for fixing a child seat in a motor vehicle

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Stockach, Germany

Dieter Bornhorst