Trw Automotive Electronics & Components Gmbh & Co. Kg

Trw Automotive Electronics & Components Gmbh

Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg

Markus Altmann

Peter Schulte

Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt

Juergen Schmider

Christoph Schostok

Robert Skofljanec

Markus Mauch

Dieter Bornhorst

Zdenek Pavlis

Stefan Seiler

Matthias Rimmele

Wilfried Schmon

Clemens M&uuml;ller

Jürgen Schmider

In an actuating assembly () for a control element in a vehicle, in particular for a steering column stalk (), having an actuating element () that is adapted to be shifted in an actuating direction (B), and a seat () in which the actuating element () is supported for being shifted hi the actuating direction (B) between a basic position and at least one actuation position, at least one separate spring element () is provided between the seat () and the actuating element () and presses on the actuating element () by a spring force (F) acting substantially transversely to the actuating direction (B).

Actuating assembly for an operating element, steering column switch, and steering column assembly

A redundant switch includes a housing, an actuator, and a slide movable in the housing in two opposing directions. The slide is coupled to the actuator by two antagonistic springs. The switch includes a latching track with latching notches. At least two switch units are arranged one beside the other for simultaneous actuation by the slide. A latching cam is movably guided on the slide and is urged towards the latching track by a compression spring. The antagonistic springs force the slide to move into respective positions when the latching cam slides over an apex between the latching notches.

Redundant switch

In a switch, particularly a window lifter switch, with a housing, a switching rocker which is mounted in the housing and is associated with electrical contacts, and with a button which is likewise mounted in the housing, the button is acted upon elastically so that it is mounted free from play in the housing.

Switch, particularly window lifter switch

A switch module includes a switch housing on which at least one operating button or operating rocker is movably guided. The switch module further includes a printed circuit board which is arranged in the switch housing and on which conductor paths with switching contacts are formed, a switching mat which rests on the conductor paths, and an actuating element which transfers the stroke of the operating button or operating rocker to the switching mat. The switching mat engages around the outer edge of the printed circuit board with a form fit.

Switch module

A device () for fastening a component to a steering column jacket ('), comprises a fastening sleeve () and an equalizer () associated with the fastening sleeve (). The fastening sleeve () has at least one mounting section () and convexities () adjoining the mounting section (). The mounting section () has a first mounting cross-section to receive the steering column jacket (&#x2032;), and the equalizer () comprises equalizing jaws () laterally movable in the fastening sleeve (), which are movable between a first position in which they are received in the convexities (), and a second position in which they lie at least partially in the mounting section () and define a second mounting cross-section for the steering column jacket (&#x2032;), which is smaller than the first mounting cross-section.

Device for fastening a component to a steering column jacket

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 light switch for motor vehicles is presented that ensures a feel that is not susceptible to mechanical influences. The rotary light switch has an actuator that can be rotated around an axis and that can be moved in the axial direction, and that is non-rotatably coupled to a rotational position indicator and axially coupled to an axial position indicator. Moreover, it has an electronic evaluation circuit to which the signals from the rotational position indicator and from the axial position indicator are fed and, according to a permanently stored decision matrix, said evaluation circuit uses the signals to derive discrete switching states that are converted into switching signals that serve to actuate the lighting system of the vehicle. The rotational position indicator comprises a potentiometer that generates a negligible resistance to the rotational movement, so that no mechanical influences are caused by the rotational position indicator. The axial position indicator is realized in the form of a light barrier system that likewise causes no mechanical counteractions. Thus, the feel of the rotary light switch is largely consistent.

Rotary light switch for motor vehicles

A rotary switch for installation in the dashboard of a vehicle has a switch housing, an actuation shaft that is arranged rotatably in the switch housing, a knob that is mounted on one end of the actuation shaft, and a ring-shaped faceplate that surrounds the knob and that is detachably fastened to the switch housing. The faceplate is connected to the switch housing by a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism can be released by a relative rotation between the faceplate and the switch housing. The knob can be moved axially in a predetermined rotational position and is coupled non-rotatably to the faceplate by means of this axial movement. In order to detach the faceplate from the switch housing, the knob is moved into the predetermined rotational position and then moved axially and turned at the same time, whereby the faceplate also turns and the latched connection between the faceplate and the switch housing is released.

Rotary switch

A toggle switch has a switching rocker having at least one arm and one guide plate that has at least one receptacle, in which at least one activation push rod is movably guided in a linear fashion. The arm of the switching rocker can exert a force on the activation push rod. A switching unit is provided, on which the activation push rod can act so as to close an electrical contact. The guide plate and the activation push rod each have a break line, along which, before the assembly of the toggle switch, they were joined to each other in an integral fashion.

Toggle switch and method for manufacturing a two-stage toggle switch

A multifunctional pushbutton switch for a vehicle steering wheel has a plurality of pushbutton switching units that have pushbutton surfaces located close to each other in a shared operating surface. The switch has a shared switch housing in which actuation tappets of the pushbutton switching units are movably guided, and a cap mounted over the actuation tappets and onto the switch housing. The cap is made by means of a two-component injection-molding technique and consists of a relatively rigid plastic frame with recessed windows each of a shape and size that corresponds to the circumference of one of the pushbutton surfaces and of a silicone membrane extending over the recessed windows.

Multifunctional pushbutton switch

A multifunctional pushbutton switch for a vehicle steering wheel has a plurality of pushbutton switching units with pushbutton surfaces that are close to each other in a common operating surface. The switch has a common switch housing in which actuation tappets of the pushbutton switching units are movably guided. A cap is mounted onto the switch housing. The cap is made by means of a two-component injection-molding technique of a relatively rigid plastic frame with a cutout window whose shape and size correspond to the circumference of a pushbutton surface and of a silicone membrane stretched over the window.

A switch is provided, especially a motor vehicle brake-light switch, which can be actuated by a switch element , whereby an adjustment device is arranged between switch and the switch element . The adjustment device is designed as lever arm which is connected on one side with the switch element and on the other side with an actuating part of switch

Adjustable switch for a motor vehicle brake light

A pressure sensor comprises a sensor diaphragm which on one of its surfaces can be acted upon by the fluid pressure to be defected. The sensor diaphragm is rigidly supported at its opposite surface. It is made of an elastomeric material of an electrically non-conducting material wherein fine particles of electrically conducting material are homogenously embedded and distributed in such a density that a compression of the sensor diaphragm caused by the fluid pressure results in a measurable change in its electrical resistivity.

Pressure sensor

An actuating system for a vehicular interior comprises a panel ( ) with a front face and a module element ( ) for assembly in an opening ( ) of the panel ( ). The panel ( ) has side walls ( ) which are perpendicular to the front face. The panel ( ) and the module element ( ) have cooperating latching elements which comprise a detent ( ) and a latching edge ( ). The detent ( ) is configured on an elastically deflectable tongue ( ) and comprises a ramp surface ( ) cooperating with the latching edge ( ).

Actuating system including a module element for assembly in a panel

A multiple switch includes a pair of switch units arranged in a row and forming a common actuating surface. The switch units are provided with uniform module housings ( ). The adjoining module housings ( ) are mechanically rigidly coupled to each other by a connecting element ( ).

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Moos-Bankholzen, Germany

Markus Altmann