Abstract: An electrical switch and a circuit breaker are presented herein. The electrical switch includes a graded resistance block comprising a first end having a first electrical resistivity and a second end having an electrical resistivity greater than the first electrical resistivity. The electrical switch further includes a fixed contact electrically coupled to the first end of the graded resistance block, and a sliding contact configured to slide over the graded resistance block. In addition to the components of the electrical switch, the circuit breaker also includes a forcing mechanism to slide the sliding contact over the graded resistance block from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: Disclosed is a highly reliable rotary sensor capable of preventing radial eccentricity of the rotation shaft and performing correct detection. The rotary sensor includes a rotating member having a rotation shaft, a rotation detecting device for detecting the rotation of the rotating member, a bearing having a shaft hole into which the rotation shaft is inserted and which rotatably supports the rotation shaft integrally with the rotating member, and a biasing device for imparting a biasing force in a thrust direction to the rotation shaft, wherein there is formed in the periphery of one end portion of the shaft hole a beveled portion inclined so as to be outwardly flared in the radial direction A of the shaft hole, and wherein the rotating member 11 is provided with a tapered surface corresponding to the beveled portion, the tapered surface being held in press contact with the beveled portion by the biasing force of the biasing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manual control apparatus, such as a control pedal for a drive-by-wire control systems, and similar applications. According to an aspect of the invention, the manual control apparatus comprises a hysteresis mechanism that provides more precise and controllable hysteresis than previous mechanism. According to a further aspect of the invention, the manual control apparatus comprises an angular position sensor, and the angular position sensor may comprise abutments that reduce variation in the sensor. According to a still further aspect of the invention, the manual control apparatus comprises a stop pin that regulates the position of a rotatable member relative to the position sensor with less variation. The stop pin may also be used as a single fastener the holds the manual control apparatus together.

Abstract: There is provided a compact rotary sensor which can be assembled easily by improving the shape and mounting of a spring member. There is provided a housing, a rotary body rotatably supported in the housing, a detection unit operated by rotating the rotary body, and a driving shaft inserted in a recess formed on the rotary body for rotating the rotary body. A spring member made of metal having at least a pair of arm sections and a connecting section for connecting the arm sections is disposed in the recess of the rotary body, and the driving shaft is elastically pressed and sandwiched by the pair of arm sections.

Abstract: The rotor 2 has an engaging portion 2b and a shaft portion 2c provided at the rotation-central portion of the rotor, a casing 7 has a supporting portion 8 provided at a position opposite to a shaft portion, the shaft portion is formed with a recess 2d, the supporting portion is formed with a conical portion 8c, a conical portion is disposed within the recess, the shaft portion is supported by a conical portion fitted in the recess, and the conical portion is used as a fulcrum, whereby it is made difficult to generate large shavings.

Abstract: In a rotary sensor of this invention, an angle detection member is composed of sliding pieces having contact portions on a rotation body side and a conductive pattern formed on a substrate arranged on a side opposite to the sliding pieces, the operation shaft has a flat projection portion which extends in a perpendicular direction from the center of rotation at the end, an groove portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the operation shaft, the projection portion is mated with the groove portion, and the contact portions of the sliding pieces are located at positions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the groove direction of the groove portion.

Abstract: A variable resistor is constructed to reliably seal the space between a rotor and a substrate without insert-molding the substrate into a case, and to be produced at a very low cost. This variable resistor includes a hollow square-prism shaped case which is open at the top and the bottom, a substrate which is fitted into the lower opening of the case, and on the top surface of which a collector electrode and an arcuate resistor are provided, a rotor rotatably fitted into the upper opening of the case, a slider mounted on the bottom surface of the rotor and making sliding contact with the collector electrode and the resistor, an annular packing member disposed between the rotor and the substrate for sealing the space therebetween, terminals mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to the resistor and the collector electrode, and a metallic cover.

Abstract: A variable resistor is constructed to reliably seal the space between a rotor and a substrate without insert-molding the substrate into a case, and to be produced at a very low cost. This variable resistor includes a hollow square-prism shaped case which is open at the top and the bottom, a substrate which is fitted into the lower opening of the case, and on the top surface of which a collector electrode and an arcuate resistor are provided, a rotor rotatably fitted into the upper opening of the case, a slider mounted on the bottom surface of the rotor and making sliding contact with the collector electrode and the resistor, an annular packing member disposed between the rotor and the substrate for sealing the space therebetween, terminals mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to the resistor and the collector electrode, and a metallic cover.

Abstract: A focus unit of an FBT (fly back transformer) is described, which is installed on a side of the FBT, for adjusting the focus and screen voltages of a cathode ray tube. Focus and screen voltage adjusting round resistor patterns 130 are respectively formed on volume boards 120 of the focus unit, and a supporting shaft 160 is received into a central through hole 140 of the round resistor pattern 120. A connecting pin 170 is inserted into the supporting shaft 160, and a cable 210 is inserted into each of holes of a volume case so as for the cable to be connected to the lower end of the connecting pin 170. A pair of actuation knobs are inserted into a cover, and a slider spring is installed within each of volume bars, while the lower end of the slider spring 230 is movably connected to the round resistor pattern 130. Thus the slider spring for adjusting the focus volume can be easily installed on a volume bar, and the focus and screen voltages can be controlled in a sure manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotatively driven type electric component wherein a slider is moved linearly by rotation of a screw. The rotatively driven type electric component with housings, a drive shaft held by the housings and provided with a screw portion, an insulating substrate held by the housings and having electrically conductive patterns, a slider which comes into sliding contact with the electrically conductive patterns, a movable block which holds the slider, and a plate spring disposed between the movable block and the drive shaft and locked to the movable block, the plate spring having a protuberance, the protuberance of the plate spring being brought into elastic contact with the screw portion of the drive shaft so that the movable block is moved with rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed that fits in a compact package. This compact sensor is ideal for sensing rotary positions and for accommodating one or more potentiometers. The resistor track is parallel and opposed to the collector track, and the wiper is placed between the two tracks to swipe both of them in one embodiment. This allows a short package, because the tracks are opposed to each other rather than being in a line, and a narrow package, because the tracks are not placed side by side. Another advantage of the invention is that putting the resistor track on a larger radius and the collector track on a smaller radius allows the resistor track to be longer. Having a longer resistor track allows a higher resolution, yet a package containing the potentiometer will still be relatively small. Several potentiometers may be placed in the sensor to provide redundancy yet retain compactness.

Abstract: A rotating electrical component, in which, on mating surface sides of the flange of the support member and the flange of the operating shaft, on both sides of the center of rotation on the line which passes through the center of rotation of the operating shaft, there are provided projections and recesses which differ in diameter measured from the center of rotation of the operating shaft and can be engaged and disengaged in positions where they will not overlap each other in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A potentiometer is disclosed that provides a user with tactile feel while making adjustments. The potentiometer includes a housing having a central bore with a rotor extending therein. A knob having a protrusion is operably connected to the rotor along with a wiper. A detent member having a lobe attachment segment and a fixed segment is operably connected to the housing. The lobe is deflected by the knob protrusion while the ring is compressed by forcing the lobe attachment segment towards said fixed segment. Furthermore, attached to the housing is a base plate carrying a resistive strip engaged by the wiper.

Abstract: A rotary operation type variable resistor including a resistor base and a holder, on which a sliding-element supporting member is rotatably retained, are placed in a case provided with only one opening for component insertion. An operating lever is fixedly connected to a shaft portion of the sliding-element supporting member using a speed nut. A resistor pattern is formed by printing on the resistor base in a positional relationship determined by positioning reference portions formed on the resistor base. Positioning reference portions are also formed on the holder, and positioning portions are formed in the case. A resilient-contact member for bringing the positioning reference portions of each of the resistor base and the holder into contact with the positioning portions of the case is also provided on the case.

Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor includes an insulating substrate having a surface on which there is formed a resistor including a variable resistor portion and a plurality of terminal electrodes including an output terminal electrode. A rotation shaft is included which is equipped with a sliding member adapted to slide on the variable resistor portion of the resistor when the rotation shaft is rotated. An insulating case rotationally supports the rotation shaft. The insulating substrate is disposed in the case such that the aforementioned surface is opposed to an inner bottom portion of the case. A capacitor connecting terminal is inserted through the insulating substrate and is electrically connected to the output terminal electrode.

Abstract: A rotary variable resistor with switch having a switch mechanism, in particular, a rotary variable resistor with switch corresponding to an ultrathin rotary variable resistor. Such a rotary variable resistor having a switch mechanism has dimensions, especially thickness, which are only slightly larger than that of a conventional ultrathin rotary variable resistor. Moreover, such a rotary variable resistor is easy to assembly due to the small number of parts, is reliable, and generates a fairly loud and easily recognizable clicking sound each time the switch is turned on or off, which can be both easily felt and heard by the user.

Abstract: An electric component capable of connecting terminal fitments and electrodes arranged on a front surface of a circuit board to each other in a soldering-less manner without increased accuracy in assembling thereof and without using any conductive rubber member. A terminal assembly is constituted by a terminal fitment and a coiled spring. The terminal fitment includes first and second conductor holding sections each arranged for interposedly holding an end of each of connection conductors. The coiled spring is formed of a conductive wire and arranged so as to spirally surround the connection conductor and be compressed between a contact electrode and the first conductor holding section.

Abstract: A miniature potentiometer having a housing with a plurality of resistor elements and a coil spring wiper having canted coils affixed to a knob that is rotatably disposed within the housing. The canted coil spring wipers are in conductive contact with the resistor elements of the housing.

Abstract: A snap-engaging apparatus for use in a rotatable electrical component, particularly a rotatable switch or a rotatable resistor, makes it easier to find operational positions. The snap-engaging apparatus includes a rotor (3) which is formed as a hollow body to have an axial opening and a radial, or circumferential, wall (7). A leaf spring (8) is tensioned to have a U-shape with its ends (9, 11) being self supported against diametrically positioned parts of the circumferential wall (7). A snap-engaging contour wall surface (19) coaxially surrounds the rotor, with a snap-engaging nose (15), formed on an extension (14) of one end of the leaf spring, being springingly urged thereagainst in a radial direction. The circumferential wall (7) has an opening (17) through which the snap-engaging nose (15) extends.

Abstract: A variable resistor comprises a slider body, a contact arm which is provided to project from the slider body, a contact part which is formed by bending the contact arm, an arcuate spring arm having a projection for engaging with an engaging portion of a rotor gear, and a stopper which is formed by bending a stopper member provided to project from the slider body. The arcuate spring arm has an inboard structure connected with the slider body at both ends thereof. The projection engages with the engaging portion of the rotor gear, so that the slider body is rotated following rotation of the rotor gear. When the rotor gear is further rotated in such a state that the stopper comes into contact with a case side stopper which is formed on a case thereby inhibiting the slider body from rotation, the engagement between the engaging portion and the projection is released. Thus, the slider body is prevented from overrotation.

Abstract: A low-cost joy stick or pad with improved performance, reliability and durability which can be used as a cursor pointing device for computers, remote controls, video games, consumer electronics, industrial controllers, automotive and other applications. A conductive spring or sheath connects to a conductive curved rubber transducer which can be deflected to make contact with conductors on a printed circuit board, providing electrical outputs to a microprocessor or other device.

Abstract: An electrical component has a terminal construction allowing it to be electrically and mechanically connected to an electrode. A terminal made of a metal material is mounted on an insulating substrate which has front and rear surfaces and is mounted on the front surface thereof with an electrode. The terminal includes a clamp section for clamping the substrate through front and rear surfaces thereof. The clamp section includes a first contact element contacted with the electrode and a second contact element contacted with the rear surface of the substrate. The first contact element is adhesively bonded to the electrode. Electrical connection between the first contact element and the electrode is carried out by direct contact therebetween. The second contact element of the clamp section is adhesively bonded to the rear surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A slide rheostat type linear characteristic sensor includes a detecting resistor R2 printed on a substrate 8. A brush 7 slides on the detecting resistor R2. Clamping resistors R1 and R3 are printed, simultaneously with the detecting resistor, on the substrate 8 at positions separate from a sliding area of the brush 7. The clamping resistors R1 and R3 are made of the same material as the detecting resistor R2.

Abstract: A wiper for an electric rotary potentiometer, in particular for use as a rotary position transducer, having a contact spring for pickup on a resistor track, and a rotatable spring holder on which the contact spring is secured nonrotatably. To save time and expense in assembling the contact spring and the spring holder, at least one fastening tang with a detent head protrudes at approximately right angles from the spring holder, and the contact spring has circular-annular-segmental detent straps, disposed on a circle, which lock into place behind the detent head under spring tension.

Abstract: A variable resistor includes a case inside which a rotatable member with a resistive element mounted thereon is disposed with a separate rotatable shaft running through a hole formed thereon, a stationary member with external leads attached thereon overlapping the rotatable member with the shaft further running therethrough and extending out thereof to be engaged by a turning knob. The stationary member is secured on the case to form a part thereof. The rotatable shaft is constituted by two segments, an upper segment and a lower segment. A spring is provided between the lower shaft segment and the case to bias the shaft to abut against the rotatable member with an annular flange formed on one end thereof so that when nubs which are formed on the annual flange respectively engage with the corresponding recesses formed on the rotatable member, the rotatable member will follow the rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A trigger operated speed control wherein the insulating housing is a two-shot molding having metal conductors plated on one of the molding materials on various external and interior surfaces. Stationary contact elements are secured to respective plated conductors within a housing cavity, as are terminals of the FET on an external surface of the housing. A printed circuit board is secured to the housing over an open side thereof to close the housing cavity, retaining all movable parts of the control within the cavity, the board having plated through holes which receive and are soldered to plated pin projections of the housing to secure the board to the housing and complete selected conducting paths between plated conductors and printed circuit traces. A plated molded pin projection also receives a pin receptacle terminal of a separate reversing switch unit when positioned in a pocket formed in the housing.

Abstract: A variable resistor includes a sliding member having an arm in contact with a substantially circular arc-shaped resistor provided on a substrate and a driver plate portion from which the arm extends. The sliding member is rotatable by a driver, the center of the resistor being a supporting point of the sliding member. The driver plate portion of the sliding member is substantially conical and has driver grooves. The arm is connected to the driver plate portion at both sides of a driver groove adjacent an end of the driver groove. Adjustment of a resistance value is performed by rotating the sliding member with a driver tip inserted in the driver grooves.

Abstract: In a potentiometer applied to the EGR system in automobiles, a relative motion between a printed circuit card and a holder, through which the card is slidably inserted, is blocked to prevent unwanted wear of a resistor on the printed circuit card when the potentiometer is subjected to vibrations from the EGR valve that may occur when the valve is on the verge of being opening, i.e., when the measured value is in the minimum range. The relative motion is prevented either by inserting an elastic member between the holder and the printed circuit card; by forming the spring seat of the holder--which is always urged by a spring toward the shaft and also restricted by a stopper--inclined with respect to the holder's sliding direction so that the holder is applied with an uneven spring load and is inclined to firmly hold the card with its ends; or by installing a spring between the upper end of the shaft and the facing end of the holder to absorb the vibration.

Abstract: A variable resistor having an insulating substate provided on the surface thereof with a resistor is molded into a resin case, a part of which is heated and bent to rotatably secure a rotor having a sliding member within the case for rotation with respect to the insulating substrate. The insulating substrate is molded into the resin case to make inside of the case airtight. An annular elastic body mounted between the under surface of a skirt portion of the rotor and the insulating substrate makes the space between the rotor and the insulating substrate airtight, and, at the same time, sets the rotational torque of the rotor to a suitable value. The arrangement of the insulating substrate, the resin case and the rotor having the sliding member, reduces the number of parts used for assembling the variable resistor, and together with the use of continuous strip hoop materials for forming terminals and the sliding member, allows for continuous automated production of the variable resistors.

Abstract: A wiper assembly for a potentiometer, particularly a rotary potentiometer having a rotor for carrying the wiper assembly along a resistive element, includes a metal plate attached to the rotor. A strip of metal formed integrally with the plate is bent back over itself out of the plane of the plate to form a cantilevered spring arm having a free end. Attached to the free end is an array of resilient, conductive wires arranged in a parallel, side-by-side relationship, each of the wires forming a resilient, cantilevered wiper finger. The spring arm and the array of wire wiper fingers attached to it form a hybrid wiper arm assembly. Preferably, the plate includes a first such hybrid wiper arm assembly arranged to function as a wiper for the resistive element in the potentiometer, and a second such wiper arm assembly arranged to function as a wiper for a conductive collector element in the potentiometer.

Abstract: A rotary potentiometer having a casing resistor support held in the casing, a resistor layer on the support, a spring carrier supported for rotation in the casing, and a slider spring fastened at the carrier in sliding contact with the layer. The spring carrier is coupled to a shaft whose angular position is to be detected by the potentiometer.

Abstract: An electromechanical component, in particular a rotary potentiometer having an integrated center click or optionally more fixed intermediate positions. The fixed intermediate position is obtained by a combination of two teeth and a lug. The two teeth are integrated with the element of the resistance path and the lug with the element having the contact members of the component.

Abstract: A contact for a rotary action variable resistor is formed of a length of wire coiled into a flattened, substantially annular spiral, with a wiper element provided by a radial protuberance on the spiral. A first embodiment has a protuberance along each of a first pair of diametrically-opposed radii. The spiral is eccentrically mounted on a substantially circular support plate, with one protuberance extending close to the peripheral edge thereof, and the other protuberance closer to the center of the plate. The spiral is attached to the plate along a second pair of diametrically-opposed radii approximately 90 degrees displaced from the first pair. The spiral is sloped so that the distance between the plate and the spiral gradually increases from the attachment radii to the protuberances. The protuberance near the edge of the plate is a resistive element wiper, and the protuberance nearer the center is the collector wiper.

Abstract: In a potentiometer selector switch, it is proposed to arrange on a circuit board, in indirect arrangement, longitudinal contacts consisting of wire bridges which are swept by the wiper of a regulating element forming the actuating element of the switch when the wiper is rotated or displaced. The wire bridges forming the longitudinal contacts are insulated from each other on one side of the circuit board and at least one end of each of the bridges passes through the board to the conductor side where it is connected electrically and fixed mechanically, preferably by dip soldering.

Abstract: A slider for resistor or slip conductors. The slider includes a generally U-shaped slider support having a center portion and two legs, leaf springs attached to each one of the legs and extending into the interior of the U-shaped slider support, and contact means guided by the leaf springs and kept in engagement with the resistor or slip conductor. In accordance with the invention, one of the leaf springs supports the contact means, and the other leaf spring resiliently engages the first leaf spring on the side remote from the resistor or slip conductor.

Abstract: A stationary case has a resistive track. An elastic wiper is carried by a rotor mounted to rotate in the case and able, during operation, to rub against the resistive track, and a spring is placed between the stationary case and the rotor to pull the rotor to a rest position. The case provides at least one housing able to receive the wiper without initial stress or deformation in an initial position of introduction of the rotor in the case and to allow the wiper to come in contact with the track during mounting of the rotor in the case by rotation of said rotor between its introduction position and its rest position. Application is to measuring the angular position of the throttle valve of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A regulator is provided which includes a housing, a seesaw-like operating member supported by the housing, a projection provided on the operating member, two movable members rotatably supported by the housing to push back the projection in a predetermined direction, a spring secured to these movable members to bias them in opposite directions, and limit member provided on the housing to determine the approach limit amount of the two movable members, a resistor provided on the housing, and a sliding brush coupled to the operating member to slide on the resistor.

Abstract: An electrical contact arm is spring biased against electrical paths by a coil spring which is carried on a hub of a rotating member which also carries the electrical arm. An electrically conductive path is also carried by the rotating member to provide switching functions.

Abstract: A fader controlling variable resistor adapted to adjust the balance in sound volume of the right and left loudspeakers, or the front and rear loudspeakers. When abnormal heat is generated in a variable resistor in a fader control circuit, the sliding piece of the variable resistor is disconnected from the resistance member by the utilization of a thermo-plastic resin of a low-melting-point material is readily deformed or molten by heat, to prevent a fire attributed to the generation of heat therein. In one embodiment of the invention, the sliding piece is maintained in contact with the resistance member against its elastic force by a protrusion of thermo-plastic resin. When abnormally high heat is generated in the variable resistor, the protrusion is molten, and the sliding piece is disconnected from the resistance member or the conductor.

Abstract: A variable resistor for use in electrical and electronic equipment which includes a base plate, a lower stator terminal housed in a circular recess formed in one surface of the base plate, a rotor member having an electrically conductive film layer at its one surface and an electrically resistant film layer at its other surface and rotatably mounted on the lower stator terminal with the conductive film layer contacting the lower stator terminal, and an upper stator terminal fixed to the base plate so as to slidingly contact the resistant film layer under pressure.

Abstract: An electrical control unit operable as a rheostat or a potentiometer comprising an electrical circuit portion of a resistive electrically conducting material formed on a support in a spiral configuration, a spindle mounted for rotation about the center of the spiral, an arm non-rotatably engaged on the spindle but slidable relatively to the spindle radially with respect to the axis thereof, an electrical contact carried on the arm to move radially therewith, to make contact with said circuit portion, and a spiral guide means aligned with the circuit portion spiral and co-operable with the arm to guide said arm radially, so that the electrical contact follows the circuit portion spiral to alter the effective electrical resistance thereof in use.

Abstract: A slider arrangement for potentiometers is presented, which provides good contact between the potentiometer resistor and the slider with low friction and low wear. With each position of slider guide means, the slider contacts the potentiometer resistor in an associated well defined point regardless of the direction of movement of the guide means. To this end the slider comprises a wire helix in crossed relation to the potentiometer resistor. The wire helix is urged into engagement with the potentiometer resistor by a strap extending into the wire helix and engaging the inner side thereof under spring tension, whereby engagement between helix and strap and the required contact pressure between helix and potentiometer resistor is established. The strap has bays or recesses in the area of the potentiometer resistor to permit the turns of the wire helix to conform to the cross sectional contour of the resistor.

Abstract: A housing having a central bore therein receives a rotor rotatably mounted therein and secured thereto having an enlarged round base portion. A thrust plate is mounted for limited axial reciprocation within a recessed opening in the housing concentric with the rotor and adjacent the rotor base. The rotor base and thrust plate are formed with cooperating detents and notches to provide indexing means for rotationally positioning the rotor. The internal recess of the housing and the exterior of the thrust plate are configured with matching shapes to prevent rotational movement therebetween, rotation of the rotor moving the detents from one pair of diametrically opposed notches to the next adjacent pair of said notches, while the thrust plate reciprocates against the action of a biasing means. The lower end of the rotor carries a contactor mounted for fixed rotation therewith and having a pair of downward extending arms.

Abstract: A variable resistor including a resistance element, a housing supporting the element, and rotary means including a shaft located within the housing. Means are provided to restrain rotational movement of the rotary means except upon application of a relatively large magnitude predetermined force. The restraining means includes a resilient member and a second member operable to develop a frictional force to prevent undesired rotation of the rotary means.