Abstract: A rubber valve plate is sandwiched between a stator and a cover. Ports in the stator for coupling to a vacuum source and vacuum motors are aligned with poppets molded in the valve plate. A manifold in the plate joins regions surrounding the valves to couple the vacuum source to all the valves. Openings in the cover plate allow a dome of each poppet to protrude. A rotary actuator adjacent the cover is configured to selectively engage the domes to actuate certain poppets which are moved against the stator to close the port to vacuum or are allowed to move toward the cover to connect the port to vacuum.

Abstract: A control knob is secured to a D-shaped shaft or lever of a switch or potentiometer which is supported on a control panel. The control panel is molded plastic and is furnished with detent ramps or indentations in its surface adjacent the shaft or lever. A D-spring between the knob and the shaft retains the knob in the shaft and has a laterally extending leaf spring with a detent button formed in the leaf near its free end. The leaf spring biases the detent button against the detent ramps to afford detent action upon rotation of a shaft or linear movement of a lever. The detent ramps are formed in a forward-facing surface of the panel or in a wall formed by a recess or aperture in the panel. The leaf spring is shaped to accommodate the position of the detent ramps.

Abstract: An IC driver mounted on a LCD display package contains a sensor for determining temperature of the LCD cell, and a digital value of the temperature is serially transmitted to a remote microprocessor which determines compensated voltage and sends voltage command data back to the IC driver which produces a drive voltage by a charge pump. A digital code on the LCD cell identifies cell response characteristics and the code is used by the microprocessor to calculate the desired voltage. A ROM in the IC driver stores many bit-mapped images which are selected by the microprocessor for display.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a temperature dependent voltage generator circuit is provided for generating an output voltage that changes proportionally with changes in the operating temperature of the temperature dependent voltage generator circuit. The temperature dependent voltage generator circuit includes binary weighted current sources and electronic switches that are selectively closed in order to produce a binary weighted current. The binary weighted current is adjustable such that the output voltage of the temperature dependent voltage generator circuit may be "nulled" or forced to zero at any given operating temperature.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a graphic for a backlit component, such as a button for an illuminated graphic display of an automobile instrument panel. The method involves a process by which molded plastic backlit buttons are manufactured without the use of hazardous chemicals or materials, and instead utilizes laser energy to produce substantially opaque regions on the button for forming a graphics image. Backlit buttons are preferably formed from a substantially transparent polymeric material in which is present pigmentation that is reactive to laser energy. A graphic image is then created on the button by selectively exposing a portion of the backlit component to laser energy. As a result, the exposed portion becomes substantially opaque while remaining portions of the backlit component remain substantially transparent. As such, the exposed and unexposed portions of the button cooperate to produce the graphic image when the button is backlit with a suitable light source.

Abstract: A backlighting device for a backlit graphic display used in an instrument panel of an automobile. The backlighting system involves the use of a fluorescent light source and a lightpipe which is tailored for use with the fluorescent light source so as to promote uniform transmission of light to the display, and to achieve a suitable level of light intensity when backlit by a minimal number of light sources. The backlighting system further involves forming the lightpipe from a material which readily transmits light, and preferably is sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, so as to enhance the lighting capability of the light source while also producing an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the display.

Abstract: An automotive ignition system lockup protection circuit utilizes a capacitor charging/discharging circuit to generate a periodic clock signal. A counter circuit activates an ignition coil deenergizing signal after a predetermined number of clock signal. The capacitor charges and discharges within a voltage reference window defined as the difference between a first reference voltage and a second larger reference voltage, wherein the first reference voltage is functionally related to a variable battery voltage and the second reference voltage is fixed and independent of battery voltage. The frequency of the periodic clock signal is modulated in accordance with the voltage reference window to thereby vary the lockup time in accordance with battery voltage. The capacitor charging and discharging current is adjustable to compensate for variations in the capacitor value and the entire circuit operates consistently over a temperature range typically required in an automotive application.

Abstract: A pair of electromagnets having ferromagnetic cores with end adjacent a toothed ferromagnetic rotor are energized to induce temporary magnetic poles in the respective rotor teeth. A drive circuit selectively applies current to each electromagnet to effect rotational force on the rotor poles. Three changes in magnet current rotate the rotor to three successive stable positions, the third position being achieved when both magnets are energized to complete one step of the motor and then poles are again induced to start another step if desired. The magnetic properties of the rotor and cores are selected to insure that the pole strength in the teeth will be retained during the changes in electromagnet current.

Abstract: A backlite antenna system for an AM/FM vehicle stereo where the antenna system includes an antenna grid embedded in a rear window of the vehicle, that is electrically separate from a heater grid embedded in the rear window. The antenna grid includes a plurality of equally spaced, horizontal antenna elements that extend almost the entire width of the rear window of the vehicle. Two vertical end bus bars and two vertical center bars connect the antenna elements. An FM tuning stub is connected to the antenna elements for appropriate FM reception depending on the type of vehicle body. The antenna grid also includes an L-shaped element connected to one of the end bus bars and extending between the antenna grid and the heater grid, and a T-shaped element connected to one of the vertical center bars and also extending between the antenna grid and the heater grid. Also, two of the antenna elements are separated and connected by vertical connecting antenna elements.

Abstract: A carrier device (10) is provided for transferring solder bumps (16) to a surface of a flip chip integrated circuit device (18). The carrier device (10) is equipped with cavities (12) on its surface for receiving and retaining solder material (14), by which the solder material (14) can be transferred to the flip chip (18) as molten solder bumps (16). The cavities (12) are located on the surface of the carrier device (10) such that the location of the solder material (14) will correspond to the desired solder bump locations on the flip chip (18) when the carrier device (10) is registered with the flip chip (18). The size of the cavities (12) can be controlled in order to deliver a precise quantity of solder material (14) to the flip chip (18).

Abstract: A programmable current mirror circuit suitable for incorporation into circuit designs and programmably tailored to produce a ratio of current output over current input based upon the status of a plurality of binary weighted switches. The resulting circuit is readily tailored so as to be insensitive to the "on" characteristics of the switches. Alternatively, the switches may comprise transistors controlled by accompanying circuitry operable to produce an equivalent switching function. An input current divider circuit network formed from an array of current mirrors fractionally divides an input current into a plurality of equivalent currents. A binary weighting circuit receives such fractional input currents, and applies a binary weight to each of same. A voltage to current converter receives the binary weighted voltage and converts the voltage to a weighted output current proportional to the input current directly in relation to the binary weighting applied via the binary weighting circuit.

Abstract: A gauge includes a transparent pointer driven through gears by a stepper motor offset from the pointer axis. An output gear on the pointer axis is transparent and has a first hub supporting the pointer and a second hub aligned with a lamp, so that light is passed through the output gear to the pointer. The first hub has retention pads molded onto its side. The pointer has a tubular sleeve with axial slots to allow expansion and has retention ribs which ride over the pads upon assembly and snap over the pads to secure the pointer in an axially fixed position. The sleeve also has tapered axial ribs which slide between the pads during assembly to angularly orient the pointer.

Abstract: An inductive battery charging system comprising a charge probe and a charge port that employs multi-turn spiral and helical windings in the charge probe to provide improved thermal management of the power produced by the charging system. The thermal management provided by the multi-turn windings of the present invention improves the power handling capacity of the system and reduces AC proximity losses. Numerous flat helical coil and spiral transformer windings are disclosed that provide for differing thermal management schemes. The present invention may be used to increase the inductive charging capacity of electric vehicle propulsion batteries to on the order of 120 KW. The present invention may be used with almost any transformer or inductor that uses foil windings.

Abstract: A motion sensor is provided for sensing motion or acceleration of a body, such as an accelerometer for use in an on-board automotive safety control system or navigational system. The motion sensor is a piezoresistive motion sensor that operates in a closed loop force rebalance mode. As such, the motion sensor may be considered a hybrid of piezoresistive sensors and capacitive force rebalance sensors. The sensor achieves this novel combination through a mechanically-biased proof mass that enables-the use of a single electrode for maintaining the proof mass in a null position during the operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A keyboard for data entry has a rigid portion containing a pump and a flexible inflatable portion including inflatable keys. A flexible circuit has a pair of contacts for each key which are bridged by key operation and extends through both portions to carry key operation signals to a processor in the rigid portion. A release valve permits deflation to a small size for storage and the pump effects inflation to its full size for operation.

Abstract: A backlit LCD is mounted in a controller having push buttons operating switch elements in a molded elastomeric switch pad for bridging pairs of switch terminals on a circuit board. The switch pad is white to reflect light and a portion of the switch pad behind the LCD is curved to serve as a reflector. A lamp between the display and the reflector illuminates the rear of the display directly and via reflection from the curved surface of the switch pad. This obviates the necessity of a separate reflector part in the controller assembly.

Abstract: An inductive charging coupler for use in inductive charging apparatus for charging a battery. The charging coupler is insertable into a charge port that is coupled to the battery. The charge port comprises a housing, an opening into which the charging coupler is inserted, and a secondary core surrounded by secondary windings. The charging coupler comprises a housing, a primary core, a primary winding having an even number of primary turns disposed around the core, and a hollow coolant conducting heat exchanger symmetrically disposed between the primary turns of the primary winding. The heat exchanger is typically them tally bonded to the primary turns of the primary winding by means of heat conducting adhesive or epoxy. The coolant flow passages of the heat exchanger may be configured in several ways. One approach is to construct thin, flat, self-contained flexible bladders made of metal, such as copper.

Abstract: An AC/DC harmonic neutralizing power converter. The power converter includes a first rectifier, load output terminals for delivering DC power to a load, and a harmonic neutralizing converter. The first rectifier includes an input to receive AC input power and an output. The harmonic neutralizing converter comprises a power switching inverter and a second rectifier. The power switching inverter includes an input connected to the output of the first rectifier, an LC resonant circuit, and an output. The second rectifier of the harmonic neutralizing converter has an input connected to the output of the inverter and an output connected in voltage additive relationship to the output of the first rectifier. The added outputs of the rectifiers is connected to the load output terminals such that the output voltage on the load output terminals substantially equals the added output voltages of the rectifiers.

Abstract: A pallet holds one or more circuit boards for processing. A pallet opening for receiving the circuit board has grooves at one side to retain an edge of the circuit board and rotary clips at the other side to receive and hold the opposite edge of the board. Each clip is a disk which is mounted for rotation about a central axis and is constrained to two angular positions by a detent. A notch in the disk receives the circuit board when in one position and clamps the board against a seat when in the other position. The notch is deep enough to allow the board to be shifted laterally for alignment with test apparatus.

Abstract: An engine knock control system that can be digitally reconfigured to operate in different knock signal processing modes. The system includes a knock detection circuit that processes an incoming knock signal produced by a vibration or pressure sensor on the engine. The circuit includes a plurality of circuit devices that are capable of being interconnected in different circuit topology configurations to thereby process the knock signal in a selected one of a plurality of different modes. The circuit includes hardware and software for forming a selected interconnection configuration of the circuit devices in response to a coded data signal input to the circuit.