An input device is described which comprises a touch-sensitive surface and a force sensor, wherein the force sensor is adapted to detect a force applied to the touch-sensitive surface. The input device further comprises a vibration sensor and a control unit, wherein the control unit is coupled with the force sensor, the touch-sensitive surface and the vibration sensor. The control unit is adapted to validate a force detected by the force sensor as an input in dependence on a touch of the touch-sensitive surface and in dependence on a vibration detected by the vibration sensor. There is further described a motor vehicle which comprises such an input device. A method of detecting an input at an input device is further described.

A battery arrangement for an electric vehicle including a battery housing and a plurality of battery cells. The battery cells are arranged in the battery housing. A protective plate is arranged on a side of the battery and faces toward a roadway. A deformation detection device includes at least one deformation sensor arranged at the protective plate. The protective plate is constructed of multiple layers and includes at least one first layer and one second layer separate from the first layer. The deformation detection device includes a first deformation sensor and a second deformation sensor. The first deformation sensor is arranged at the first layer of the multi-layer protective plate and the second deformation sensor is arranged at the second layer of the multi-layer protective plate.

A device for pulling a trailer and/or retaining a load carrying unit that is mountable at the rear end of a motor vehicle body. The device comprises a supporting arm that is connected by a first end region to the motor vehicle body and is provided at a second end region with an element for attaching the trailer and/or for fixing the load carrying unit and furthermore which comprises sensors for capturing reversible deformations of the supporting arm caused by loads on the supporting arm. The device includes strain sensors which are affected by reversible deformations thereof are assigned to a supporting arm section of the supporting arm. For capturing at least one selected bending strain, at least one strain sensor is arranged on one side and at least one strain sensor on an opposite side of a surface region of a neutral reference surface assigned to the selected bending load. Each of the strain sensors are arranged at a distance from this surface region.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring a cylinder. The system includes a plurality of sensors connected to the cylinder and configured to detect deformation data associated with the cylinder. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to determine a damage value based on the detected deformation data when the cylinder endures impact damage. The controller is configured to communicate a notification when the damage value exceeds an impact damage threshold. The system includes a filling controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The filling controller is configured to control a valve for filling the cylinder with a fluid. The filling controller is configured to detect damage to the cylinder above a specified threshold as the cylinder is filled with the fluid. The filling controller is configured to automatically perform a safety action when the damage to the cylinder is detected.

In order to improve a device for pulling a trailer and/or retaining a load carrying unit that is mountable at the rear end of a motor vehicle body and which comprises a supporting arm that is connected by a first end region to the motor vehicle body and is provided at a second end region with an element for attaching the trailer and/or for fixing the load carrying unit and furthermore which comprises sensors for capturing reversible deformations of the supporting arm caused by loads on the supporting arm in such a manner as to provided a device with which an allocation of captured elongations to individual applications of force is possible in as simple a way as possible, it is proposed that strain sensors which are affected by reversible deformations thereof be assigned to a supporting arm section of the supporting arm, and that, for capturing at least one selected bending strain, at least one strain sensor be arranged on one side and at least one strain sensor on an opposite side of a surface region of a neutral reference surface assigned to the selected bending load and that each of the strain sensors be arranged at a distance from this surface region.

A vehicle system comprises a hitch mounted on a vehicle and at least one sensor in connection with the hitch. A controller is configured to identify a force applied to the hitch via the at least one sensor. In response to the force, the controller is further configured to approximate a direction of the force. Based on the direction, the controller generates instructions identifying a height adjustment of a coupler of a trailer.

An air flap device for use in a motor vehicle can have an air flap unit comprising a plurality of air flaps pivotally supported about an axis of rotation between a closed position and an open position, wherein the air flaps each have a cover section for covering and uncovering air passages and a fastening section for fixing the air flaps in the air flap device, a drive unit for driving the air flaps, a control unit for controlling an operational capability of the air flaps the control unit having corresponding receiving sections for receiving the fastening sections of the individual air flaps, the air flap device being configured in such a way that a detectable force is generated in the event of a malfunction or non-function of an air flap, wherein the detectable force results from a direct interaction between the fastening section of at least one air flap and the corresponding receiving section of the air flap in the control unit.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring a cylinder. The system includes a plurality of sensors connected to the cylinder and configured to detect deformation data associated with the cylinder. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to determine a damage value based on the detected deformation data when the cylinder endures impact damage. The controller is configured to communicate a notification when the damage value exceeds an impact damage threshold. The system includes a filling controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The filling controller is configured to control a valve for filling the cylinder with a fluid. The filling controller is configured to detect damage to the cylinder above a specified threshold as the cylinder is filled with the fluid. The filling controller is configured to automatically perform a safety action when the damage to the cylinder is detected.

An input device is described which comprises a touch-sensitive surface and a force sensor, wherein the force sensor is adapted to detect a force applied to the touch-sensitive surface. The input device further comprises a vibration sensor and a control unit, wherein the control unit is coupled with the force sensor, the touch-sensitive surface and the vibration sensor. The control unit is adapted to validate a force detected by the force sensor as an input in dependence on a touch of the touch-sensitive surface and in dependence on a vibration detected by the vibration sensor. There is further described a motor vehicle which comprises such an input device. A method of detecting an input at an input device is further described.

A device for capturing an electric current for a rail vehicle includes a pad intended to come into contact with an electric power rail, a frame and an electrically conductive arm which mechanically and electrically connects the frame to the pad. The capture device includes a device for measuring the mechanical forces exerted on the arm. The device includes strain sensors which are in contact with the arm and integrated on the inside of an electrical isolation structure, such that the strain sensors may be electrically isolated from the arm. The isolation structure includes a glue layer and a ceramic layer covering the glue layer. The strain sensors are arranged on the ceramic layer.