Portable-mounted Motor And/or Portable-mounted Electrical Systems Therefor Patents (Class 318/17)
  • Patent number: 11911881
    Abstract: A rotary tool includes a motor having an axis of rotation extending in a forward-rearward direction of the rotary tool. A grip part is located below the axis of rotation in an up-down direction that is perpendicular to the forward-rearward direction. A planet gear is configured to be driven by the motor. An internal gear meshes with the planet gear and is movable in the forward-rearward direction to change a speed. A sun gear meshes with the planet gear, and an output shaft is configured to be rotationally driven by the sun gear. A sensor is configured to detect the forward-rearward movement of the internal gear, the sensor being disposed downward of the sun gear in the up-down direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta Araki, Motohiro Omura, Akira Ito
  • Patent number: 11890730
    Abstract: A driver drill includes a motor housing that holds an electric motor, an axis of rotation of a rotor of the electric motor extending in a front-rear direction of the driver drill, a grip housing having an upper end connected to a lower part of the motor housing and an enlarged-part housing connected to a lower end of the grip housing and spaced from the motor housing in an up-down direction of the driver drill that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction. A torque setting of the driver drill is changeable, and the driver drill is changeable between a setting unlocked state in which the torque setting is changeable and a setting locked state in which the torque setting is not changeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta Araki, Akira Ito
  • Patent number: 11673240
    Abstract: A driver-drill (1) includes: a controller (32), which stops rotation of a brushless motor (9) when a torque applied to a spindle (26) reaches a prescribed clutch-actuation torque; and a dial (65), which is capable of specifying, to the controller (32), the setting of the prescribed clutch-actuation torque within a prescribed high-low range of values. In the controller (32), a relationship between clutch-actuation torques and each value in the high-low range is set such that, in a first range in which the values are low, changes in the clutch-actuation torques are the same in the low-speed mode and in the high-speed mode and such that, in a second range outside of the first range, the clutch-actuation torques in the low-speed mode are higher than in the high-speed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta Araki, Motohiro Omura, Akira Ito
  • Patent number: 11557991
    Abstract: A control method of an impact power tool includes: control a motor to rotate; continuously obtain a rotation speed signal based on a detecting result of a rotation speed detecting device and obtain a current signal based on a detecting result of a current detecting device; obtain a rotating time of each of rotation angles of the motor based on a variation of pulse waves of rotation speed signal and obtain the motor current based on the current signal; determine a number of impact that the impact mechanism produces based on a variation of the rotating time and a variation of the motor current; control the motor to stop rotating when the number of impact reaches a predetermined number. In this way, an output torque outputted by the impact power tool could be accurately controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: MOBILETRON ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Kai Dai, Wei-Jia Liou
  • Patent number: 11334026
    Abstract: Method for adjusting the rate of a basic oscillator of a watch arranged to oscillate at a nominal frequency N0, with a master oscillator generating an excitation frequency NE approximately equal to an integer multiple of this nominal frequency N0, the master oscillator subjecting the watch to excitation or a modulated motion during a transition phase after which the basic oscillator is stabilised at the excitation frequency NE, and a state of display correction method with a winder for mechanical or automatic watches, moving a support carrying the watch and comprising a state of display correction oscillator, having a lower variation of rate value than the initial variation of rate value DI of this basic oscillator, and oscillating at a correction frequency NC to impose oscillation or a motion on the watch, during a state of display correction phase whose duration is adjusted to exactly correct a state of display error measured at the initial moment of actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jerome Favre, Michel Willemin, Jean-Jacques Born, Dominique Lechot, Gianni Di Domenico
  • Patent number: 11016190
    Abstract: A directional vehicular spotlight (100) is provided with a plurality of radar sensors (150) and at least one non-radar sensor (160). The plurality of radar sensors (150) provide field of view coverage in at least forward, first and second sides, and rear directions of the directional spotlight. The non-radar sensor (160) detects orientation of the directional spotlight (100). The plurality of radar sensors (150) and the at least one non-radar sensor (160) provide ingress detection across a predetermined vehicular perimeter threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick D Koskan
  • Patent number: 9995697
    Abstract: For an x-ray apparatus comprising a goniometer with a detector circle rotatable about a goniometer axis, an actuator coupled to the detector circle for the motor-driven rotation thereof, a source arrangement with an x-ray source, a detector arrangement fastened to the detector circle and including an x-ray detector, and a sample position for a sample to be examined towards which the source arrangement and the detector arrangement are oriented, a compensation apparatus is provided that compensates for a torque about the goniometer axis produced by the weight of the detector arrangement on the detector circle. The compensation apparatus comprises a compensation motor coupled to the detector circle and a control device that actuates the compensation motor depending on a current position of the detector arrangement to apply a torque at least substantially equal and opposite to the torque produced by the detector arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Thorsten Grau, Wolfgang Gehrlein
  • Patent number: 9993916
    Abstract: A multi-purpose electric tool has a motor, an impact block, a detection assembly configured to detect the position and the movement state of the impact block, and a main control circuit board configured to control whether the motor is powered off upon reaching a preset state according to the detected information of the detection assembly. In the control method, the detection assembly feeds back the detected information to the main control circuit board, if the impact block is not impacting reciprocatingly, the main control circuit board performs torque control according to whether the preset state is reached; and if the impact block is impacting reciprocatingly, the main control circuit board enables the motor to output in a normal mode which does not limiting the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Liang Chen, Wu Chen
  • Patent number: 9381638
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power tool that can be used at a position away from the external power source. The power tool includes a housing, a motor, an end tool, a battery pack, and an inverter. The housing has an upper side portion and a lower side portion. The motor is supported by the housing and driven by alternate-current power. The end tool is supported by the housing and rotatably driven by the motor. The battery pack outputs direct-current voltage. The inverter is disposed on the upper side portion and at a position higher than the motor and configured to convert the direct-current voltage outputted from the battery pack into alternate-current voltage and to supply the motor with alternate-current power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ai Nakayama, Toshihiko Tachibana, Yasuo Etou, Miyoji Onose, Hiroshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9099910
    Abstract: A motor is configured to operate in one of at least two modes in response to determining that a power provided by a power supply for the motor crosses certain thresholds. For example, first and second windings apply a rotating force to a rotating armature of a single motor. The first and second windings are electrically coupled to first and second commutators, respectively, which transmit power to the first and second windings from a first and second power source, respectively. In other aspects, different power sources power the motor, and the motor operates at different speeds depending on the power source applied. For example, the change in power sources is effected in response to detecting a change in applied power past a threshold, thus effecting the motor's operation in a second, different speed. So configured, a single motor can reduce deployment of bulky and expensive add-on equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Joshua Schrems, Brian Roy Skotty
  • Patent number: 8760088
    Abstract: A truckle for a mobile medical device is provided. The truckle includes at least one electromagnetism torque balancing motor mounted on the truckle and configured to balance out friction generated by the truckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Wei jiang Ding, Lihui Jiang
  • Patent number: 8723453
    Abstract: An electric chain saw has an electric drive motor defining a motor-specific characteristic line of the drawn-in current as a function of the rotational speed of the motor. A control unit controls the current flowing through the drive motor below an engaging rotational speed to values below the motor-specific characteristic line. In order to generate an operating point the operator can feel in a working region in a predetermined rotational speed band, a control characteristic line of the electric input power of the electric drive motor as a function of the rotational speed is provided above the engaging rotational speed. The control characteristic line is adapted to reduce the electric input power within the rotational speed band to an approximately even mean power so as to cause the torque of the drive motor to increase within the rotational speed band with falling rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Rosskamp, Gernot Liebhard, René Wichert
  • Patent number: 8687334
    Abstract: A controller 43 turns on a semiconductor switch 41 in a normal mode, and turns off the semiconductor switch 41 in a sleep mode. A bypass resistor 5 is connected in parallel to the semiconductor switch 41. A resistance value of the bypass resister 5 is so large as that in the sleep mode, a dark current is supplied to an electronic device 3 via the bypass resistor 5, and if an electric wire downstream of the bypass resistor is short-circuited, an electric current more than a permissive current is prevented from flowing to the electric wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Ueta, Akinori Maruyama, Yoshihide Nakamura, Yoshinori Ikuta, Hideo Suganuma
  • Patent number: 8604724
    Abstract: A switch for controlling a rotational speed of a motor includes an operation member, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The first circuit includes a brush coupled to the operation member having a contact and also includes a variable resistive plate having a resistance that changes in response to a contact position of the contact point of the brush, so that the first circuit outputs a control signal to the motor according to the contact position of the contact point. The second circuit connects the brush and the resistive plate without through the contact point when the brush is positioned at a given position relative to the resistive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Nishikimi
  • Publication number: 20130293159
    Abstract: An electrical switch, particularly for an electrical appliance having an electric motor. The switch has two electrical supply connections for the supply voltage, particularly for a rechargeable battery, and two electrical motor connections for the supply of voltage to the electric motor. Furthermore, the switch has a control electronics unit, such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller or the like, for executing control processes in the electrical appliance, wherein particularly the control electronics unit operates by means of a piece of software. The switch can also be connected with a data line for communication between the control electronics unit and an external device, wherein particularly one of the electrical motor connections is used as an interface for the data line. Furthermore, the invention relates to an appropriate method for communication by an electrical switch with an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Christian STRAUB, Roger Hügli
  • Patent number: 8558487
    Abstract: A remote controlled circuit breaker for battery powered riding toys and method of using is disclosed. The circuit breaker is capable of being installed into standard electrical systems of battery powered riding toys via complementary connectors. If the child encounters danger while riding, the handler of the remote control can push the “Stop” button to switch the circuit breaker, thus preventing electric current flow through the toy. Once danger is averted, the handler of the remote control can push the “Go” button, which switches the circuit breaker to allow current flow from the battery to the motor, and thus allowing movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Steven W. Gabbie
  • Patent number: 8498747
    Abstract: A drapery assembly extends and retracts a drape with a powered carrier. The carrier receives both a power signal and a command signal from a controller via an electrically powered surface of a drapery rod. The carrier supports a portion of the drape and moves linearly along the length of the drapery rod in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: George Feldstein
  • Publication number: 20120169256
    Abstract: An electric power tool includes: a motor; a manipulation input receiving unit which receives a user manipulation input for rotating the motor; a mode changeover unit that has one manipulation portion which manipulated by the user; a rotation drive force transmitting unit that switches a transmission mechanism to one of the transmission mechanisms corresponding to the set position of the manipulation portion and transmits a drive force of the motor to a tool output shaft via the switched transmission mechanism; an electric signal output unit that outputs an electric signal corresponding to the set position of the manipulation portion; and a motor control unit that sets the control method of the motor to a control method preset for the electric signal, among a plurality of different types of control methods, based on the electric signal, and controls the motor by the set control method, based on manipulation by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidekazu SUDA, Takuya KUSAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20120161675
    Abstract: A truckle for a mobile medical device is provided. The truckle includes at least one electromagnetism torque balancing motor mounted on the truckle and configured to balance out friction generated by the truckle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Wei jiang Ding, Lihui Jiang
  • Publication number: 20120086365
    Abstract: An electric chain saw has an electric drive motor defining a motor-specific characteristic line of the drawn-in current as a function of the rotational speed of the motor. A control unit controls the current flowing through the drive motor below an engaging rotational speed to values below the motor-specific characteristic line. In order to generate an operating point the operator can feel in a working region in a predetermined rotational speed band, a control characteristic line of the electric input power of the electric drive motor as a function of the rotational speed is provided above the engaging rotational speed. The control characteristic line is adapted to reduce the electric input power within the rotational speed band to an approximately even mean power so as to cause the torque of the drive motor to increase within the rotational speed band with falling rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Heiko Rosskamp, Gernot Liebhard, René Wichert
  • Publication number: 20120056564
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical drive having a motor with a rotor and a stationary stator, which has a coil arrangement, and having a motor controller for controlling the motor, with the motor controller being configured to pass current through the coil arrangement in order to produce an excitation field, with the coil arrangement having a plurality of coil winding sections, and with each coil winding section having a plurality of coil sections, wherein the polarity of at least one coil section of the plurality of coil sections of each coil winding section can be selectively reversed with respect to the other coil sections of the coil winding section. The drive is particularly suitable for use for an electrical tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Lothar Dietl
  • Publication number: 20110215742
    Abstract: A remote controlled circuit breaker for battery powered riding toys and method of using is disclosed. The circuit breaker is capable of being installed into standard electrical systems of battery powered riding toys via complementary connectors. If the child encounters danger while riding, the handler of the remote control can push the “Stop” button to switch the circuit breaker, thus preventing electric current flow through the toy. Once danger is averted, the handler of the remote control can push the “Go” button, which switches the circuit breaker to allow current flow from the battery to the motor, and thus allowing movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Steven W. Gabbie
  • Publication number: 20110057584
    Abstract: A switch for controlling a rotational speed of a motor includes an operation member, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The first circuit includes a brush coupled to the operation member having a contact and also includes a variable resistive plate having a resistance that changes in response to a contact position of the contact point of the brush, so that the first circuit outputs a control signal to the motor according to the contact position of the contact point. The second circuit connects the brush and the resistive plate without through the contact point when the brush is positioned at a given position relative to the resistive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichi NISHIKIMI
  • Patent number: 7880409
    Abstract: A removable power supply is provided for use with a motor of a shutter assembly. The removable power supply may include a base housing a battery, a shaft, and a flexible conductor coupled between the base and the shaft. The end of the shaft opposite of the flexible conductor has an electrical interface that is configured to supply power to the motor. The electrical interface is configured for removable coupling to the motor. The shaft may comprise a plurality of telescoping sections, or may be a unitary member. The telescoping sections may be a series of interlocking hallow tubes. The removable power supply may supply power to the motor, thereby allowing a shutter curtain of the assembly to be raised or lowered. Once the shutter curtain is at the desired position, the removable power supply may be removed from the shutter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Qualitas Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: James V. Miller
  • Patent number: 7672760
    Abstract: A searchlight (3) on board a vessel (1) arranged for illuminating a point (2p) and maintain said point (2p) illuminated regardless of the movements of said vessel (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Aptomar AS
    Inventors: Lars Andre Solberg, Jonas Aamodt Moræus
  • Publication number: 20090224703
    Abstract: A motor control module designed to control operation of a plurality of different motors in a plurality of different tools a power tool uses an electronic clutch in the module in conjunction with a mechanical clutch in the tool to protect the tool against an overload event. The module is adapted to implement methods to provide aural and/or tactile feedback to a tool user as a warning of an impending or current fault condition in the tool. The module can prevent power from inadvertently turning on either after an overload event has cleared with the tool plugged in and its power switch on, or after plugging in the tool within the power switch on. The control module is adapted to provide torque control for the power tool, to estimate tool motor temperature and to inform a tool user when a servicing need in the tool is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Samuel G. Woods, Jason K. Leh, David R. Beers, Michael K. Forster, John C. Vanko, William F. Gallagher, William G. Kalbfleisch, Robert A. Usselman, Zollie W. Privett
  • Publication number: 20090160373
    Abstract: An electric power tool “A” operates a working part 5 by repeating rotation of a motor 4 in a normal direction and in a reverse direction one or more times. The motor 4 includes a brushless motor. Sensors H for detecting a position of a rotor 15 are provided on the motor 4 so as to be advanced by an electrical angle of 30°±?° from an intermediate position between respective stator teeth 16 in a direction of the normal rotation of the rotor 15. A control part 20 for controlling the rotation of the motor 4 controls a driving signal of the motor 4 based on the results of detection by the sensors H. Moreover, the control part 20 selects a detection signal of the sensors H so that relation between the rotor 15 and the detection signal of the sensors H is equivalent in either of the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of the rotor 15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Kouji Katou, Kazuya Takeuchi, Ichiro Kusakari, Osamu Itagaki, Takahiro Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7525264
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may include receiving shunt current in one or more conductors according to a sensed component of power distributed by the conductors through one or more transformers coupled to the conductors and determined by an inductance associated with the transformers and a capacitance associated with the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Dodge
  • Publication number: 20080150460
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for a hand-guided working machine for agriculture, forestry and horticulture applications. The drive arrangement comprises an electric motor, a DC power source for electrical energy, and a control apparatus for the electric motor which is fed from the DC power source. The electric motor has a specific, in particular linear, characteristic curve between the electric current which is consumed by the electric motor and the rotational speed of an output shaft of the electric motor. The control apparatus has current-limiter which limits the current which flows through the electric motor to a maximum value in order to protect the electric motor against overloading. The control apparatus limits the current consumption of the electric motor in a range of low rotational speeds to values which are considerably smaller than the characteristic curve values which are given for these rotational speeds by the characteristic curve of the electric motor, as a function of the rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Heiko Rosskamp
  • Patent number: 7239101
    Abstract: An A/V monitor mounting structure for a vehicle allows a monitor installed on a center console of a vehicle to be received in the center console so that the monitor can be extended out of and retracted into the center console as the occasion demands. The A/V monitor mounting structure includes a motor driven in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction when power is applied thereto from an external power source, an operation section installed on a lower end of a rear surface of a monitor to raise and lower the monitor, a gear section for transmitting power from the motor to the operation section, and a clutch section for retarding a moving velocity of the monitor when the monitor is moved upward and downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Young Rok Choi
  • Patent number: 7225899
    Abstract: A stair lift for lifting and lowering at least one person on a rail on a stairway. There is a carriage mountable to the rail, the carriage having a track engaging drive, and a motor to power the drive, the powered drive causing the carriage to move along the rail. There is a central support post mounted on the carriage and an offset arm connected to the seat support post. The offset arm is mounted to the carriage in one of a left side or a right side position. A seat is mounted on the offset arm, and a notched plate secures the seat in position on the offset arm in either the left side or right side position and permits the seat to swivel between a sideways facing position and an upward facing position to facilitate the person getting into and out of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Rutherford Independence Limited
    Inventors: Gordon Molnar, Peter Shaw
  • Patent number: 7145298
    Abstract: A compact battery powered mover for heavy rollable loads, having a ventilated battery compartment incorporated into the body of the mover and a removable rechargeable ventilated battery that permits the replacement of a spent battery with a fresh battery at the work location. The mover also has incorporated into its compact design a motor controller that enables the use of a heavy current draw when needed for brief periods without developing excessive heating. The configuration of the critical components in and on the mover body permits the substitution of one critical component with another component having different operating properties without significantly changing the compactness of the mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Productive Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Bryan Garner
  • Patent number: 7091682
    Abstract: A logic chip that controls the motor of a motorized window covering or other object includes a clock. A frequency stabilizer circuit is provided to receive input voltage and to output to the clock a current that is a function of the voltage and temperature over a range of input voltage values and over a range of ambient temperature values so that the frequency output by the oscillator is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Harmonic Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Winston Glenn Walker
  • Patent number: 7064502
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power tool including a wireless remote stop for terminating the flow of electricity to an electric motor. The electric motor is configured for operating a working element assembly of a power tool, such as an arbor/circular saw blade included a table saw. In an embodiment, a remote stop is a hand-held fob, having a housing and a button. Alternatively, the remote stop may be implemented as a foot pedal apparatus, for being disposed on a shop floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime E. Garcia, Jeffrey D. Weston
  • Patent number: 6850017
    Abstract: A mini-blind actuator has a motor and a housing that holds the motor and a dc battery. The rotor of the motor is coupled to the baton of the mini-blind for rotating the baton and thereby opening or closing the slats of the mini-blind. Alternatively, the rotor is coupled to the tilt rod of the blind to rotate the tilt rod and thereby open or close the slats of the mini-blind. A control signal generator generates a control signal for completing the electrical circuit between the battery and the motor. The control signal can be generated in response to a predetermined amount of daylight or in response to a user-generated remote command signal. The actuator can be used to rotate the slats of horizontal or vertical blinds, or the sections of a pleated shade. Or, the actuator can be used to rotate the hollow rotatable tube of a roll-up shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Harmonic Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Domel, Winston G. Walker
  • Patent number: 6794841
    Abstract: A powered movable chair controllable by a user. The chair includes a frame, a powered apparatus mounted to the frame to power the movable chair, and a controller including a control circuit coupled to the powered apparatus. The control circuit includes at least two switches for selectively controlling a change of the status of the powered apparatus between a locked state and an unlocked state. The control circuit is operable to generate an output signal allowing control of the powered apparatus in the unlocked state and preventing control of the powered apparatus in the locked state. The control circuit is further operable to change from the unlocked state to the locked state when a user operates a first switch of the at least two switches, and to change from the locked state to the unlocked state when a user operates a second switches of the at least two switches for a predefined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Raffel Product Development
    Inventors: David Vang, Kenneth G. Seidl, Greg Elliott
  • Patent number: 6768704
    Abstract: When a frequency measurement unit measures the frequency of a temperature-sensing oscillation test signal and the frequency of a driving-pulse signal transmitted from an electronic apparatus via an coil electromagnetically coupled with a motor coil, a temperature-compensation data generation unit creates temperature-compensation data based on the frequency of the temperature-sensing oscillation test signal and the frequency of the driving-pulse signal. This temperature-compensation data is transmitted to an analog electronic timepiece via the coil. That is, a state of the analog electronic timepiece is measured in a non-contact manner and the temperature-compensation data obtained based on the measurement result is transmitted, whereby the analog electronic timepiece is adjusted in a state of being incorporated in an external casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kawaguchi, Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20040012360
    Abstract: A remote-control portable utility equipment mounting apparatus system especially for illumination system. It provides the user the ability to control the direction of the utility equipment such as utility light from a distance away. The remote-control portable utility equipment mounting apparatus provides polar rotational movement both horizontally and vertically. The rotational movement is controlled by remote controlling device as the input instructional device by the user. This remote controller can be wireless remote controller or non-wireless remote controller. After the portable utility equipment mounting apparatus receives the signals, it generates electrical functions to drive the designated motors to move the equipment mounting stage subassembly direction to the preferred direction. Power saving, fine-tuning and variable speed control are some of the basic features of this utility equipment mounting stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Siltex Peter Yuen
  • Publication number: 20020185984
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric drive, in particular, for a fan of a motor vehicle, comprising an electric drive motor and an electronic control unit for controlling the drive motor. The drive motor comprises a commutator and associated power supply devices rubbing on the commutator, and the control unit comprises an electronic module arranged on a printed circuit board. In order to design the electric drive so that it is of simpler construction and more cost-effective to assemble, it is proposed that the drive motor and the control unit be arranged in a common housing, with the power supply devices held on the printed circuit board. The invention also relates to an electric fan with an electric drive of this kind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: AFL Germany Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Gold, Dirk Herke, Frank Hoenig
  • Patent number: 6492786
    Abstract: A powered movable chair controllable by a user. The chair includes a frame, a powered apparatus mounted to the frame to power the movable chair, and a controller including a control circuit coupled to the powered apparatus. The control circuit includes at least two switches for selectively controlling a change of the status of the powered apparatus between a locked state and an unlocked state. The control circuit is operable to generate an output signal allowing control of the powered apparatus in the unlocked state and preventing control of the powered apparatus in the locked state. The control circuit is further operable to change from the unlocked state to the locked state when a user operates only a first switch of the at least two switches, and to change from the locked state to the unlocked state when a user operates two switches of the at least two switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Raffel Product Development Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David Vang, Kenneth G. Seidl, Greg Elliott
  • Patent number: 6445332
    Abstract: An data interface module is provided for allowing a user to remotely modify a predetermined number of operating parameters of a motor driven by a motor control and for displaying the same. The interface module includes a micro-controller interconnected to a communications network and a visual display structure. The visual display structure has a first screen which displays a scrollable list of the operating parameters and a second screen which displays a data value for a user selected one of the operating parameters. A user may modify the user selected operating parameter when the second screen is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Charles T. Younger, Thomas M. Ruchti, Erik W. Linske
  • Patent number: 6429609
    Abstract: In a drive device which is especially suitable for moving and turning the slats of a blind in a runner and in which the rotational movement of a drive wheel (2) can be alternately transmitted to a turning drive means effecting the rotational movement of the slats and to a transport drive means effecting the movement of the salts in the runner, the drive wheel (2) is driven by electric motor and, in addition, the shift of the change gear from its one shifting position into the other shifting position is effected by an electrical signal. For this purpose, a toothed sleeve (3) driving the transport drive means and a toothed sleeve (4) driving the turning drive means is alternately coupled to a drive tube (1), which can be driven via the drive wheel (2), in dependence on the relative rotational position of a reversing shaft (10) in the drive tube (1) via locking members (7, 8) arranged on its periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Trietex Antriebstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Hugin
  • Patent number: 6236171
    Abstract: The information processing device includes a first device (31) supplied with power and a second device (32) supplied with power from the first device (31) when connected to the first device (31). The information processing device includes a detection portion (121-1, 121-n, 221-1, 221-n) detecting the attachment/detachment of the second device (32) and a supply portion (121-2, 221-2) supplying power to the second device (32), and the first device (31) includes a control portion (151) controlling the supply of the power by the supply portion (121-2, 221-2) according to the result of detection by the detection portion (121-1, 121-n, 221-1, 221-n). As the supply of the power by the supply portion (121-2, 221-2) is controlled according to the result of the detection by the detection portion (121-1, 121-n, 221-1, 221-n), the electric shock on an internal circuit of the second device (32) at the time of attachment/detachment of second device (32) can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Chujo, Takashi Nakanishi, Ikuo Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 6191547
    Abstract: The focus angle of a search light mounted on a helicopter or other platform is narrowed or widened by rotating a bidirectional focus control cam in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction as selected by a manually operated three-position control switch which determines the rotational direction of a DC motor driving the bidirectional focus control cam. The DC motor has first and second terminals which are selectively connected to either a DC power source or ground by a double-pole, single throw dual relay which reverses the polarity and thus the direction of rotation of the DC motor. The dual relay is connected by the same single wire interface currently in use to the manually operated control switch, which manually operated control switch is within a control box located in the helicopter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Fricke, David Mendez
  • Patent number: 6160365
    Abstract: An interface module is provided for allowing a user to remotely set the operating parameters of a motor driven by a motor control. The interface module includes a micro-controller having a plurality of input devices interconnected thereto. Each input device provides a control signal to the micro-controller which, in turn, generates an instruction signal in response thereto. A communications link transmits the instruction signal from the micro-controller to the motor control over a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Charles T. Younger, Thomas M. Ruchti, Erik W. Linske
  • Patent number: 6060852
    Abstract: A mini-blind actuator has a motor and a housing that holds the motor and a dc battery. The rotor of the motor is coupled to the baton of the mini-blind for rotating the baton and thereby opening or closing the slats of the mini-blind. Alternatively, the rotor is coupled to the tilt rod of the blind to rotate the tilt rod and thereby open or close the slats of the mini-blind. A control signal generator generates a control signal for completing the electrical circuit between the battery and the motor. The control signal can be generated in response to a predetermined amount of daylight or in response to a user-generated remote command signal. The actuator can be used to rotate the slats of horizontal or vertical blinds, or the sections of a pleated shade. Or, the actuator can be used to rotate the hollow rotatable tube of a roll-up shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Harmonic Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Domel, Winston G. Walker
  • Patent number: 5907227
    Abstract: A mini-blind actuator has a motor and a housing that holds the motor and a dc battery. The rotor of the motor is coupled to the baton of the mini-blind for rotating the baton and thereby opening or closing the slats of the mini-blind. Alternatively, the rotor is coupled to the tilt rod of the blind to rotate the tilt rod and thereby open or close the slats of the mini-blind. A control signal generator generates a control signal for completing the electrical circuit between the battery and the motor. The control signal can be generated in response to a predetermined amount of daylight or in response to a user-generated remote command signal. The actuator can be used to rotate the slats of horizontal or vertical blinds, or the sections of a pleated shade. Or, the actuator can be used to rotate the hollow rotatable tube of a roll-up shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Harmonic Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Domel, Winston G. Walker
  • Patent number: 5901269
    Abstract: A speed regulating circuit for a motor of a power coping saw includes a DC voltage circuit, a manual speed regulating circuit, a feedback controlling circuit and a motor driving circuit. The DC voltage circuit includes a diode, a resistor, a capacitor, and a Zener diode. The manual controlling circuit includes a Zener diode and a resistance. The feedback controlling circuit includes an amplifier, a transistor, a pulse transformer. The motor driving circuit includes an SCR and a diode. The manual controlling circuit may first be set with a reference voltage signal corresponding to the intended rotational speed of the motor. The reference voltage signal is sent to the feedback controlling circuit to get a rotational speed controlling signal of a motor with respect to the variation of loads. A DC current is then supplied to the motor driving circuit for constantly rotating the DC motor despite the variation of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Chin-Chin Chang
  • Patent number: 5886439
    Abstract: A motor unit having a drive motor, a control portion, and a base made of an aluminum die-casting product. The motor unit is fixed to a fixing stand of a sewing machine for driving a drive shaft thereof. The base has a pair of supporting brackets connected to the fixing stand for suspendingly fixing the base to the fixing stand. The base has a plate-like portion. The drive motor is fixed to one surface of the plate-like portion, and the control portion is fixed to an opposite surface thereof. A motor cover made of a synthetic resin is mounted on the one surface for covering the drive motor, and a protection cover made of a synthetic resin is mounted on the opposite surface for covering the control portion. The control portion includes a plurality of electronic components including heat generating elements. The heat generating elements are directly mounted on the base to release heat from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiki Narimoto, Mitsuho Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5883480
    Abstract: A mini-blind actuator has a motor and a housing that holds the motor and a dc battery. The rotor of the motor is coupled to the baton of the mini-blind for rotating the baton and thereby opening or closing the slats of the mini-blind. Alternatively, the rotor is coupled to the tilt rod of the blind to rotate the tilt rod and thereby open or close the slats of the mini-blind. A control signal generator generates a control signal for completing the electrical circuit between the battery and the motor in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated in the claim, but rather "one or more". The control signal can be generated in response to a predetermined amount of daylight or in response to a user-generated remote command signal. The actuator can be used to rotate the slats of horizontal or vertical blinds, or the sections of a pleated shade. Or, the actuator can be used to rotate the hollow rotatable tube of a roll-up shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Harmonic Desing, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Domel, Winston G. Walker