Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Continental Automotive Systems Us, Inc.

Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Siemens Aktiengesell Schaft

Josef Dirmeyer

Christian Plankl

Robert Gruber

Heinrich Probst

Harald Schmidt

Harald Lichtinger

Ralf Oestreicher

Egbert Wagner

Marten Swart

Gerhard Mader

Henryk Frenzel

Ernst Liebich

Rony Van Houdenhove

Peter Bauer

Josef Wimmer

Karl Schneider

Peter Moerkerke

Danut Bogdan

Walter Wilhelm

Franz Oberberger

Franz Merkle

Heinz Kathmann

Gerhard Winzer

Gerhard Kuhn

Klaus Mayer

Bruno Acklin

Manfred Frimberger

Joris Dobbelaere

Markus Wicke

Hans Kinzler

Artur Wohlfart

Markus Christoph

Claus Schmidt

Josef Gleixner

Bart Kerckhof

Thomas Lehnst

Michael Roth

Lorenz Pfau

Hans-Werner Schulz

Norbert Odemar

Josef Breitschaft

Robert Kolar

Martin Swart

Helmut Bresgen

Gunter Dissen

Alfred Gottlieb

Karlheinz Lahner

Ernst Schmidt

Joachim Muller

Josef Kraus

Hans Kornstadt

August Kaser, Deceased

Norbert Bierek

Karl Holzmann

An optical module has a circuit carrier, a housed semiconductor element placed on the circuit carrier, and a lens unit for projecting electromagnetic radiation onto the semiconductor element. The lens unit, which is constructed separate from the cased semiconductor element, preferably comprises a lens assembly formed of, for example, three lenses and of a diaphragm. The three lenses, optionally together with the diaphragm, are aligned in a well-defined manner due to their geometric design so that no additional optical adjustment is necessary. According to the invention, a support is formed, at least in sections, on the case of the semiconductor element, and the lens unit is placed thereon thus being supported. The concept is that by forming a support directly on the case of a cased semiconductor element even with classically cased semiconductor chips, it is possible to construct a camera module with which every mechanical focus setting can be eliminated. The novel system is particularly suited for use in the interior or exterior of a motor vehicle.

Optical module and optical system

A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system is incorporated into a vehicle seat supported on inboard and outboard track assemblies. The inboard and outboard track assemblies are mounted to a vehicle structure such that a center track portion remains unsupported. A first sensor assembly is mounted to the inboard track assembly and a second sensor assembly is mounted to the outboard track assembly. The first sensor assembly generates a first signal in response to measuring deflection of the inboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. The second sensor assembly generates a second signal in response to measuring deflection of the outboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. A central processor determines seat occupant weight based on the first and second signals. The central processor communicates with the airbag system to control the deployment of the airbag based on seat occupant weight.

Method and apparatus for sensing seat occupant weight

An optical module has a circuit carrier, a housed semiconductor element disposed on the circuit carrier, and a lens unit for projecting electromagnetic radiation onto the semiconductor element. The lens unit preferably includes a lens assembly with, say, three lenses and a diaphragm. The lenses, optionally together with the diaphragm, are aligned in a well-defined manner due to their geometric design so that no additional optical adjustment is necessary. The lenses are held in a type of lens holder that is an integral component of the housing of the semiconductor element.

A pressure sensor of a pressure-sensor module is connected to a wet space in a vehicle door by a through-passage channel of a sealing cushion and a connecting branch, which is guided with sealing action through a partition. A housing of the sensor module is located in a dry space. An interior of the housing and the dry space are sealed in relation to the interior of the connecting branch, with the result that a water-tightness of the housing, in which a printed circuit board and electronic components are accommodated, does not have to meet high requirements.

Sensor module having a housing which can be fitted on a wall

A configuration for triggering a restraining device has firing elements that are optically fired by an associated triggering device. In addition, an optical check signal can be transmitted to the firing element by the triggering device. An evaluation circuit evaluates light signals that have been transmitted to the triggering device. As a function of an evaluated, received light signal, a disable signal, by which emission of a firing signal is prevented, is generated by the evaluation circuit.

Configuration for triggering a restraining device in a motor vehicle

A device for triggering an airbag device that is accommodated in a steering wheel is described. The device has a firing cap for an airbag device that is accommodated in a steering wheel and is fired by a light pulse that is supplied via an optical waveguide. A coupling device, which decouples the optical waveguide from the rotation of the steering wheel but ensures that the light pulse is transmitted into the firing cap from the optical waveguide and also ensures that the airbag is inflated by a gas generator, is provided between the optical waveguide and the airbag.

Device for triggering an airbag device which is accommodated in a steering wheel

An electric circuit configuration includes an electric circuit, with a printed circuit board provided in a housing. The printed circuit board carries circuit elements and defines a printed circuit board plane. A plug-in connector element is provided at the housing and has a plurality of contact elements disposed in at least one first row. The plug-in connector element has short-circuit interrupters disposed at respective interrupter positions at the rear wall The short-circuit interrupters are configured as electrically non-conductive pins integrally formed with the rear wall and are disposed in a second row. None of the contact elements are, none of the contact elements are disposed in the second row. The second row is disposed beneath the at least one first row and is closer to the printed circuit board plane than the at least one first row. Thus the number of plug contact elements can be increased considerably without increasing the overall height of the control device.

Electric circuit provided with a plug-in connector, in particular a control device for motor vehicles

A detonator device for tripping a passenger restraint device in a motor vehicle includes a detonator circuit on a holder. Firing pins for receiving a detonator element are an integral component of the holder.

Ignition device for tripping a passenger restraint device in a motor vehicle

A motor-vehicle control unit having an electrical circuit on a support, which may be a printed circuit board or metal plate with stamped conductors. The motor-vehicle control unit includes a plug-in body encasing components of the electrical circuit and is formed with at least two side surfaces. The plug-in body is received in a receptacle of a motor vehicle. The support protrudes beyond the at least two side faces of the plug-in body and engages groove shaped recesses in the receptacle for guidance of the unit into the receptacle. The plug-in body may be formed of curable foam and the flanges may be formed with recesses for engaging spring tabs.

Motor-vehicle control unit

A device with an electric circuit configuration includes electrical components and a pressed grid stamped from a metal strip for electrically conductively connecting the electrical components to one another. The pressed grid has bent-over large-area peripheral regions and a plug part with connection pins stamped out of the metal strip.

Press grid for electrically connecting circuit components

A waterproof housing with a plug-and-socket connection for protecting electronic circuits includes a hard plastic upper part and a hard plastic lower part. A soft plastic extruded seal is disposed between the upper part and the lower part. A plug part is constructed in one piece with the upper or lower part. The plug part has a hard plastic inner part containing contact pins and a soft plastic sealing collar surrounding the inner part.

Waterproof housing with a plug-and-socket connection for protection

Control unit with an air pressure detector for a vehicle passenger

A plug connector housing assembly includes an outer housing and an inner housing to be nested together in a plug-in direction. The housings include sides having approximately parallel opposed side walls with inner and outer surfaces. The side walls of the outer housing define an insertion opening with a peripheral region. A locking mechanism in the form of a rack extends in the plug-in direction on one of the side walls. A lever is associated with another of the side walls. A shaft is perpendicular to the plug-in direction and associated with the lever. A gear wheel segment meshes with the rack, is firmly connected to the lever on the other of the side walls and is rotatably supported on the other of the side walls about the shaft. The rack and the gear wheel segment are disposed at least at one of the sides, between the inner wall surface of the outer housing and the opposite outer wall surface of the inner housing. The side wall carrying the rack in the peripheral region of the insertion opening, and the gear wheel segment, have complementary guide elements fitting into one another only at a predetermined angular position of the gear wheel segment in the plug-in direction, and preventing rotation of the gear wheel segment during engagement with the rack, until after attaining a predetermined insertion depth of the gear wheel segment.

Plug connector housing assembly

Growing community of inventors

Bodenwöhr, Germany

Josef Dirmeyer