Abstract: In a transmission mechanism, a motor is driven to rotate a rotation shaft, thereby rotating a rotor cam and a lock gear through a worm gear, a helical gear, and an intermediate gear. A cam is rotated integrally with the lock gear, thereby causing a lock bar to move to a position to restrict rotation of a knob and to a position to release rotation-restriction of the knob. A magnet is provided at the lock gear, and the magnet rotates integrally with the lock gear. Accordingly, the position of the rotor cam and the position of the lock bar can be detected from the position of the magnet.

Abstract: A human powered electric energy generator equipped with a mechanism for converting a back and forth motion of a user's legs or arms to a unidirectional circular motion. The device includes an engaging mechanism that, according to the back and forth movement of a belt, enables a pilot gear to alternate engagement between a left and a right gear, and a transmission mechanism which transfers the linear kinetic energy from the belt to a unidirectional rotational kinetic energy of the gears. The device also includes a flywheel for storing the rotational kinetic energy of the gears and/or the transmission mechanism, and an electric generator for converting the rotational kinetic energy into electric energy.

Abstract: A ball plunger-style lateral connector assembly for electrical connections. One embodiment has an electrically conductive connector body with an electrically conductive pin extending into the body's interior area. An electrically conductive connector plate adjacent to the body's closed end engages the pin. An insulator sleeve in the body's interior area is adjacent to the body's sidewall. An electrically conductive biasing member in the interior area engages the connector plate; the insulator sleeve is between the biasing member and the connector body. An electrically conductive ball track in the interior area is in engagement with the other end of the biasing member. An electrically conductive ball is disposed in the body's open end and is seated in the ball track. The ball rolls within ball track during use of the lateral connector.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a universal transmitter. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting activation of at least one button of the universal transmitter, by a controller, for a predetermined time, outputting at least one set of signals to a first set of terminals of a switch of the universal transmitter, detecting output on a second set of terminals of the switch and determining position of a switch, by the controller, based, at least in part, on the output detected on the second set of terminals, wherein position of the switch relates to a transmission type. The method can further include detecting activation of a first button to be programmed and programming the first button based on the transmission type.

Abstract: An appliance timer operable in a selection mode and an operation mode includes a shaft assembly, a switch assembly, a cam device, a bi-directional motor, and a display device. The shaft assembly is operable to select an operation cycle and to drive the display device in the selection mode. The motor rotates in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction in the operation mode. When the motor rotates in the first rotational direction, the motor drives the cam device to operate the switch assembly to actuate or deactivate a plurality of electrical circuits associated with a plurality of appliance functions. When the motor rotates in the second rotational direction, the motor drives the display device to indicate an operational status of the appliance. The rotation of the motor is controlled by a microprocessor.

Abstract: An appliance timer operable in a selection mode and an operation mode includes a shaft assembly, a switch assembly, a cam device, a bi-directional motor, and a display device. The shaft assembly is operable to select an operation cycle and to drive the display device in the selection mode. The motor rotates in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction in the operation mode. When the motor rotates in the first rotational direction, the motor drives the cam device to operate the switch assembly to actuate or deactivate a plurality of electrical circuits associated with a plurality of appliance functions. When the motor rotates in the second rotational direction, the motor drives the display device to indicate an operational status of the appliance. The rotation of the motor is controlled by a microprocessor.

Abstract: A control device is provided for a technical system (17), e.g. for a shift-by-wire vehicle transmission. The control device includes a control (actuating) element, e.g. a rotary knob (1), with at least two shifting positions. The control element (1), itself, can rotate without limitation, whereas the control device has at least one stop device (2, 3), which can be adjusted in a controlled manner and which limits the angle of rotation (W) of the control element (1).

Abstract: Techniques for making high voltage connections are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an electrical switch. The electrical switch may comprise a component extending from a first electrical contact to a second electrical contact. The component may also comprise a non-conductive section and a conductive section. In a first mode of operation, at least a portion of the non-conductive section may be positioned between the two electrical contacts to insulate the two electrical contacts. In a second mode of operation, the conductive section may be positioned between the two electrical contacts to connect the two electrical contacts.

Abstract: A multifunctional switch and impulse generator assembly are disclosed that include a fixed base part enclosing an electrical pulse generator. A rotatable upper part with an actuation knob is included. The electrical pulse generator is adapted to provide electrical pulses on one or more externally accessible terminals in response to clockwise and/or counterclockwise rotary motion of the actuation knob. A slide switch is operable by horizontal movement of the actuation knob between a first state and a second state. In the first state the first and second switch terminals are electrically interconnected and in the second state first and second switch terminals are electrically isolated.

Abstract: A rotary type pulse switch includes a movable electrode 57 having a plurality of contacting portions 57A formed in positions of the same radius from its rotation center, and a fixed electrode 50 disposed face to face with the movable electrode 57 and having a plurality of contacted portions 60 arranged in form of stepping stones on the same circumference as a rotation locus T of the contacting portions 57A. The fixed electrode 50 includes a first fixed electrode pattern 52A, a second fixed electrode pattern 52B and a common fixed electrode pattern 51, each of the fixed electrode patterns 51, 52A, 52B being in a mutually nonconductive state. The contacted portions 60 are arranged in such a positional relationship that a full insulation state occurs during rotation of the movable electrode 57 in which none of the contacting portions 57A contact the first fixed electrode pattern 52A, second fixed electrode pattern 52B or common fixed electrode pattern 51.

Abstract: The present invention features a rotary switching device and a file search system using the same. In preferred embodiments, the rotary switching device includes a rotary push button, a first switch part, second switch parts, a first contact part, and a second contact part.

Abstract: A washing machine for reducing the movement of a dial knob. The washing machine comprises a control panel disposed on one side of a housing forming the external appearance of the washing machine, and provided with a circuit board installed therein for controlling the operation of the washing machine; a rotary switch installed on the circuit board and rotated for allowing a user to select functions of the washing machine; a dial knob passing through the control panel for transmitting external force to the rotary switch; a rotary shaft for transmitting the force from the dial knob to the rotary switch; a shaft receiving hole, in which the rotary shaft is installed; and shaft support ribs interposed between the rotary shaft and the shaft receiving hole for reducing the movement of the dial knob in the radial direction.

Abstract: In a combination switch having both rotary and pushbutton momentary switches, a method for determining which switch has been selected by a user. The method also includes distinguishing between the selection of a rotary switch from a pushbutton switch.

Abstract: A variable output device is mounted on a mounting unit with the operating shaft displaceable. An operating unit for transmitting the operation of the user to the operating shaft is mounted on the operating shaft relatively movably along the direction of the axis of the operating shaft, on the one hand, and in an operatively interlocked fashion along the direction of displacement of the operating shaft, on the other hand. A holding member is arranged in opposed relation with the mounting unit with the variable output device interposed therebetween. An elasticity applier urges the operating unit away from the variable output device. The holding member is provided with an operating hole. The holding member is arranged at a position in opposed relation with the mounting unit with the variable output device and the operating unit interposed therebetween.

Abstract: The invention concerns a manually actuatable rotary switch with keying function for electrical engineering and electronics. The invention essentially consists of an annular magnet, a stator, engaging elements, a shaft, washers, a code disk, a scanning device and a stop. The stator is provided with a cylinder which encompasses an annular magnet. A catching element with an embedded washer, guides for engaging elements, and a code disk are associated with the upper face of the annular magnet and a washer with the lower face. A rotatably mounted and axially sliding shaft which is square with an extension is mounted in the center of the rotary switch. The washers consist of ferromagnetic or soft magnetic material. A scanning device is associated with the code disk and a stop with the washer. The cylinder is constructed as a notched rim with notch elevations and notch countersinks which engage with engaging elements. The engaging elements engage in guides which extend radially.