Abstract: An integrated, surface-mount pointing device for controlling the movement of an object on a display screen, comprises a base member mounted to a substrate; a shaft mounted in the base member; a sensor mounted on the shaft for sensing the amount of strain in the shaft in response to an applied force on the shaft; and an integrated circuit mounted between the base member and the substrate. The integrated circuit can provide signal conditioning and analog to digital signal conversion as required. This allows for an integrated and compact pointing device.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor is attached to a seat belt in a vehicle. The seat belt tension sensor includes a housing attached between the vehicle and the seat belt. A limit structure is located in the housing. A sensor is attached to the limit structure for generating an electrical signal in response to the sensor being placed in tension. The electrical signal changes as a function of tension on the seat belt. The limit structure moves between a first position in which the limit structure transfers the seat belt tension to the sensor and a second position in which the limit structure transfers the seat belt tension to the housing.

Abstract: An ovenized oscillator has two ovens. One of the ovens is heated by a heater and the other is cooled by a thermoelectric module. The ovenized oscillator has an inner oven with an oscillator located inside. A thermoelectric heat pump cools the inner oven. An outer oven contains the inner oven and the thermoelectric heat pump. A heater heats the outer oven. The ovenized oscillator is operated with the inner oven temperature being lower than the outer oven temperature to improve component life and reduce crystal aging.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor is attached to a seat belt in a vehicle. The seat belt tension sensor includes a housing attached between the vehicle and the seat belt. A limit structure is located in the housing. A sensor is attached to the limit structure for generating an electrical signal in response to the sensor being placed in tension. The electrical signal changes as a function of tension on the seat belt. The limit structure moves between a first position in which the limit structure transfers the seat belt tension to the sensor and a second position in which the limit structure transfers the seat belt tension to the housing.

Abstract: A transmission selector position sensor is designed for easy integration into a transmission assembly. The transmission selector position sensor includes a Hall effect sensor carried on a stationary member to be mounted to the transmission body and a magnetic field generator to be mounted to a rotatable member mounted to the selector shaft. The sensor assembly is made so that the stationary member carries the rotating member prior to installation in the transmission, and then is not a load bearing member after installation.

Abstract: A strain gage for measuring an applied force or weight. The strain gage includes a substrate having a tapered center section that is adapted to be stressed in response to the applied force. A strained resistor is mounted on the center section of the substrate. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is adapted to be not stressed by the applied force. An unstrained resistor is mounted on the wing section. A terminal section is mounted to the center section and the wing section.

Abstract: A seat belt sensor for attachment to a seat belt in a vehicle. The seat belt tension sensor has a substrate with a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of slots therethrough. The seat belt passes through the slots. The substrate has a pair of apertures. An actuator bar is located adjacent the top surface and has a first and second end that pass through the apertures. The seat belt passes over the actuator bar. A load beam is attached to the substrate and has a first and second end. The ends of the actuator bar contact the ends of the load beam. Strain sensitive resistors are located on the load beam. The seat belt, when placed in tension, causes the actuator bar ends to flex the ends of the load beam placing stress on the strain sensitive resistor. The strain sensitive resistor generates an electrical in response to being placed under stress.

Abstract: A crystal electrode that reduces coupled mode noise. A crystal blank has a top surface and a bottom surface. A first electrode is located on the top surface. The first electrode has a contact portion and a polygonal portion. A second electrode is located on the bottom surface. The second electrode has a contact portion and a polygonal portion. The polygonal portions of the first and second electrodes are arranged such that they oppose each other.

Abstract: A computer keyboard assembly has flexible membrane that is located adjacent a housing. The flexible membrane has circuit lines and an integral pointing stick cable. The circuit lines extend onto the pointing stick cable from the flexible membrane. Keys are electrically connected to the circuit lines. A backing plate structurally supports the flexible membrane. The membrane is located between the backing plate and the housing. A pointing module is attached to the backing plate. The pointing module is electrically connected to the pointing stick cable such that electrical signals from the pointing module are conducted to the circuit lines on the pointing stick cable. The pointing stick cable wraps around a side of the backing plate.

Abstract: A weight sensor for measuring a weight applied to the sensor. The sensor includes a substrate that has a center section that is adapted to flex in response to the applied weight and a step section that is attached to the center section. The step section concentrates the weight onto to the center section. Strain gage resistors are mounted on the center section of the substrate for generating an electrical signal in response to the substrate being flexed. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is out of the weight path and does not flex. The wing section contains signal conditioning electronics operative to condition the electrical signal.

Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.

Abstract: A kickdown mechanism provides a tactile feedback to the foot of a user depressing a vehicle pedal. The kickdown mechanism has a case and a plunger having a recess. The plunger is engaged by movement of the pedal so as to cause the plunger to travel linearly. A friction generating assembly is retained by the case and engages with the plunger so as to provide a tactile feedback to the user. The friction generating assembly has a rod that is retained by the case. The rod is biased into the recess such that the pedal, when depressed, urges the plunger from a first position in which the rod is located in the recess to a second position in which the rod is located outside the recess.

Abstract: An electrical brush wiper for use in a position sensor to contact an electrically resistive surface. The wiper has a metallic beam having a channel. The channel is formed from a pair of parallel extending flanges. One of the flanges is attached to the beam. Carbon fibers are secured within the channel between the flanges. The flanges have several tabs for securing the fibers in the channel. The tabs can be welded to the flanges.

Abstract: A hermetic ground pin assembly for making an electrical connection between a hermetically sealed enclosure and an external circuit. A case has an aperture and a plug located within the aperture. A low temperature braze alloy is located between the plug and the case to attach the plug within the aperture. Two different pins are attached to opposite sides of the plug. A high temperature braze alloy attaches one of the pins to the plug and the low temperature braze alloy attaches the other pin to the plug.

Abstract: A vehicle seat weight sensor for sensing the weight of an occupant in a vehicle seat. The sensor includes a substrate that has a first and second end. The substrate is located between the seat bottom and the vehicle floor. Strain gauge resistors are located on the substrate for generating an electrical signal in response to the substrate being stressed by the weight of the seat occupant. The electrical signal changes as a function of the weight of the seat occupant. Several mounting configurations to the vehicle seat are shown.

Abstract: A weight sensor for sensing an applied weight. The sensor includes a first and second outer substrate that have a first and second end and an inner surface and an outer surface. The first and second outer substrates are fixedly attached together. Several strain gauge resistors are located on the outer surfaces of the first and second outer substrates to generate an electrical signal in response to the substrate being stressed by the applied weight. The electrical signal changes as a function of the applied weight. The sensor is useful in measuring the weight of a vehicle seat occupant.

Abstract: An automobile seat occupant sensor and airbag control system for detecting the location and weight of a person in a car and a seat inclination angle. The system includes an airbag and an airbag deployment mechanism for deploying the airbag. Several sensors are fixedly located in a weight path of the vehicle seat. The sensors are located between a seat bottom and a vehicle floor. A controller is connected between the airbag deployment mechanism and the sensors for controlling deployment of the airbag. The controller calculates a center of gravity of the seat occupant, weight of the occupant and a seat inclination angle and uses this information to control deployment of the airbag.

Abstract: An electrical contactor or wiper that uses an elastomer near the tip to reduce flexing and improve electrical signal accuracy. The contactor includes an elongated beam having a U-shaped end. Several carbon fibers form a bundle attached to the beam. The fibers have ends and tips. The ends are compressively held inside the U-shaped end and the tips emanate from the U-shaped end. An elastomer is disposed over the carbon fibers where they emanate from the U-shaped end. The elastomer reduces flexing of the carbon fibers. The elastomer is located between the beam and adjacent to the tips with the tips being exposed. A laser is used to trim the carbon fibers and elastomer to form the tips.

Abstract: A covercoat composition for electronic components that has improved performance to environmental and processing exposure. The covercoat composition has 15-30 wt. % of polyamide-imide, a polytetrafluoroethylene present in an amount up to 20 wt. % and a silica present in an amount up to 15 wt. %, wherein all of the covercoat components are dispersed in a 60-80 wt. % organic solvent. A more preferred range of polyamide-imide is 20-25 wt. % of the total composition. A preferred organic solvent is N-methyl Pyrrolidone.

Abstract: A linear position sensor for sensing the position of an attached object. The linear position sensor uses a strain gage to detect the position of the object. The sensor includes a housing and a ramp shaped actuator located in the housing. The actuator is attachable to the object. A strain gage is positioned in contact with the actuator. The actuator applies a strain to the strain gage as the actuator is moved. The strain gage generates an electrical signal that is proportional to the position of the object.