Abstract: A charging device for rechargeable batteries. The device includes a basic charging device, which contains a recharging circuit which may include a transformer, rectifier and control circuit. An interchangeable adapter insert is received in this basic device. Each insert has the same exterior shape but a different type of inner loading channel that is compatible with the geometry of a particular type of battery that is to be charged. Thus, any type of rechargeable battery may be charged with one basic device and appropriate, additional interchangeable inserts.

Abstract: An apparatus to control the operation of equipment powered by batteries, particularly for supplying the current to electrical equipment, such as cordless screwdrivers and cordless drills. The apparatus includes a housing, an external, displaceable trigger handle on the housing and an electric circuit with at least one power semiconductor. The function of the electric circuit being controlled preferably is a result of potentiometer adjustment through displacement of the trigger handle. The power semiconductor, which control the flow of current to the equipment motor, is disposed within the housing on a circuit board, which in turn makes contact with a heat sink, which protrudes through an opening in the housing freely to the outside.

Abstract: In connection with a food processor for any type of food preparation operations, such as mixing, stirring, kneading, or the like, with or without additional appliances that can be attached to the basic body of the food processor, and with an associated weighing system and a microprocessor which at least indicates the weighing results, it is proposed that for determining the weight of the ingredients to be processed a no-friction and no-contact leaf spring support is to be provided for decoupling an outer stationary housing from a decoupling carrier or frame in such a way that all the other components of the food processor are supported by the decoupling carrier and any variations of the weight of the latter can be recorded with high precision by weight sensors, preferably in the form of resistance strain gauges, mounted on the leaf springs.

Abstract: In connection with a machine for the treatment of laundry, in particular a washing-machine or drier, comprising weight sensors for automatic measurements of the weight of the laundry and subsequent determination of the quantities of treatment agents to be filled in (water, detergents, or the like), for determining the relative humidity content, for detecting and removing imbalance conditions, it is proposed to arrange a decoupling frame between an outer housing resting on a stationary supporting surface, and the entire inner system of the washing-machine or dryer, including the lye tank with drum and other partial components, the decoupling frame being itself resiliently suspended in the outer housing and supporting all the other components, and to provide weight sensors, preferable resistance strain gauges, which coact with the resilient suspension of the decoupling frame.

Abstract: For operating electric drives, in particular of two-pole and multi-pole asynchronous induction motors intended for driving devices having at least two significantly different operating speeds it is proposed to operate at least one two-pole or multi-pole multi-phase asynchronous induction motor from a single-phase mains supply (L, N) by rendering conductive each of a plurality of power semiconductors (Triac T1, T2, T3) being connected in series to one of the windings (W1, W2, W3) each, only during a half wave of the single-phase supply voltage, in a manner staggered in time relative to the other series-connected semiconductor switches, and successively relative to the latter (FIG. 1).

Abstract: In connection with an automatic starting feature for an auxiliary unit, preferably a vacuum cleaner, which is switched on simultaneously when a main unit, for example an electric hand tool, a machine tool, or the like, is started it is proposed to trigger a conventional (phase) control circuit provided for the auxiliary unit by means of a current sensor taking the form of a ring-core bushing transformer in a manner such that the electric motor of the auxiliary unit is switched on with a certain delay (smooth-starting feature). The ring-core bushing transformer is designed in such a manner that, for producing clear firing pulses for the triac of the auxiliary unit, the primary winding is formed by the one turn of the electric supply line of the main unit and passed through the central opening of the ring core.

Abstract: In an operating device for high-current loads, such as fan motors, or the like, connected to the electric system of mobile units, in particular motor vehicles, it is proposed each respective electric motor is connected to the electric system via an electronic control circuit controlling the pulse width of the pulse supply voltage supplied to the motor for the purpose of adjusting the motor to different power requirements, with nominal-value adjustment. An interference elimination circuit including a series coil and at least one capacitor of high capacitance is arranged between the electronic control system and the electric system of the mobile unit. The series coil is equipped with an iron-powder core and designed in such a manner that no saturation is obtained even under maximum current conditions so that a sufficiently high inductivity reserve remains available for pulse damping.

Abstract: For the purpose of mounting a switch on a circuit board and of actuating the switch, it is proposed that the biassing spring biassing the wiper into a first above dead-center position be pivoted at the same main mounting part on which the wiper is supported, that a rod be arranged to pass through the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wiper movement, and that the rod be seated in such a manner that it comes to bear upon the central area of the biassing spring so as to displace the latter relative to the pivot point of the spring on the wiper in such a manner that the wiper is moved into a second switching position for the time during which such action persists.

Abstract: A balancing and a setting potentiometer, in combination, arranged one above the other in a common housing, mounted on a circuit board, with electric connections guided to the circuit board and with a full-length hollow shaft arranged for adjusting the potentiometers.

Abstract: In connection with a switch arrangement for circuit-making and circuit-breaking, as well as for controlling the speed of, electric machines it is proposed to provide a double-pole circuit-maker and circuit-breaker safety switch and to connect it in series with the motor connections in such a manner that in a first switching position of the double-pole safety switch the connection to mains is established while in the other switching position at least one motor field winding is short-circuited with the armature winding by an actuating element provided in common for the two partial change-over switches, by changing the polarity for instantaneous braking, there being provided a separate speed-setting selector switch which can be operated independently of the saftey switch and which is designed to permit presetting of a motor cut-out position which enables the motor to run out freely when the safety switch does not respond separately or when the device is not opened to cause the safety switch to respond.

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 rotary potentiometer is provided with a switch, preferably as a final control element for the control of electrical machinery. An enclosed, prefabricated rotary potentiometer component with its own casing is inserted in a cup-shaped upper casing that is open on one side. Switching contact supports are housed in the upper casing by means of peripheral wall sections. These contact supports are actuated by a cam actuating member that is mounted on a fulcrum pin so as to permit play and simultaneously also effect rotation and retention of the potentiometer component in the upper casing.

Abstract: A snap-acting switch comprising a movable contact arm, two holding parts carrying contact pieces which are directly attached on a mounting plate at a specified distance from one another, and an actuating element. The contact arm and the actuating element are mounted on the same holding part, with a first pre-load spring being effective between the contact arm and a second pre-load spring between the holding part and the actuating element. The holding parts are so positioned on the mounting plate, that the actuating element projects beyond a marginal area and covers both sides of the mounting plate in the area so that transversely applied switching forces will operate the actuating element.

Abstract: Apparatus for actuating a security system which includes an actuator element, such as a key, in which is embedded a plurality of "Wiegand effect" magnetic rods forming at least one track of magnetically coded information. When the actuator element is inserted into a complementary element, a conditioning permanent magnet of a given polarity at the entrance of the complementary element switches each magnetic rod into a first magnetic state, then a drive permanent magnet of an opposite polarity disposed inwardly of the conditioning magnet switches each magnetic rod into a second magnetic state as the magnetic rod moves past it, causing a sharp voltage pulse to be generated within a sensor coil disposed close to the drive magnet and the magnetic rod being switched.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a locking device, security system and the like and for arming and disarming associated alarm systems. The apparatus includes an information carrier, preferably carrying a digitally coded set of data which is presented to a reading device by manual insertion of the data carrier. The data carrier may be a key-like object on which the data track occupies the central tang portion or it may be an actual mechanical key used to operate a tumbler cylinder and additionally provided with a central data track. Preferably, the data track is a series of transparent and opaque fields which are subjected to infrared radiation in the reading device. The read-out data from the data track is compared in the apparatus with stored information and, when coincidence occurs, an actuation signal is generated to operate the associated locking system and/or alarm system.