Abstract: A lighting control system for a troffer LED lighting system is provided with a power supply having at least three pairs of wires extending therefrom. The first pair of wires is in connection with a power source. The second pair of wires is connected to a socket mounted to the troffer housing. The third pair of wires is connected to at least one LED. A socket resistor is mounted to socket to set a baseline brightness for the troffer LED lighting system, and an efficiency plug is provided for insertion into the socket. The efficiency plug includes an internal resistance to change the brightness of the troffer LED lighting system to a predetermined level.

Abstract: In accordance to an embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for inspecting at least one through-hole solder connection on a PCB. The device includes a light source and a light sensor on opposite sides of the PCB. If light is sensed, the solder connection is defective.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) populated circuit board is defined by a regular polygonal shaped circuit board. A channel is provided through the circuit board to form a first side diametrically opposed to a second side with a plurality of first and second legs extending from one side towards the other. A plurality of bridges are positioned along the channel to physically connect two portions of the circuit board together. LEDs are then electrically populated along the first side and first legs and along the second side and second legs. When the bridges are broken the two portions can be separated and then re-aligned along the ends of the legs to form a larger circuit board.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a circuit board (PCB) with light emitting diodes includes a channel through the PCB to define first and second sides diametrically opposed from each other, a plurality of first legs from the first side towards the second side, and a plurality of second legs from the second side towards the first side, and alternating across the PCB from the first side to the second side the plurality of legs. The channel thus runs along top and bottom edges defined between a pair of adjacent first and second legs. Bridges are provided along the channel physically connecting the first side to the second legs, and/or connecting the second side to the first legs, and/or connecting between the first and second legs. Lastly, LEDs are populated along the sides and legs.

Abstract: Some automobiles have mechanisms for adjusting the height of accelerator and brake pedals, and any clutch pedal, so that drivers large and small can adjust the pedals to the best height. All pedals are adjusted by a single reversible electric motor having a shaft connected directly or by a flexible shaft to the adjusting mechanisms. If any fault develops in any mechanism, the pedals may not be adjusted to the same height, which is hazardous to the driver. A safety switching system detects any serious misalignment of the pedals and de-energizes the motor. The system comprises separate switches which are operable by adjustment of the pedals, and are electrically connected in series with the power supply circuit for the motor. When the pedals are aligned, the bridging contactors of the switches are aligned and are effective to maintain the electrical continuity of the motor circuit. Each contactor has three contact sliders which successively engage staggered tabs on contact strips for the respective pedals.

Abstract: A layered electrical resistor having flat components stacked as follows: a first metal outer plate, a first thin outer electrical insulator, a first thin sheet metal resistor element, a first thin inner insulator, a metal midplate, a second thin inner insulator, a second thin sheet metal resistor element, a second thin outer insulator and a second metal outer plate. The stacked components are compressed together by rivets or otherwise. Each sheet metal resistor element is stamped, punched or otherwise cut with at least first and second terminals and interconnected ribbons forming a resistive path therebetween. A thermal fuse or other circuit breaker is thermally engaged with a seat on the midplate and is connected in a series circuit with the resistor elements to open the circuit to prevent overheating thereof. Structural tie bars are formed integrally with ribbons and terminals of the resistor elements and are severable therefrom before assembly of the components.

Abstract: The flat resistor comprises a stack of flat components including a first metal plate having assembly tabs bent, a first outer electrical insulator having alignment slots for receiving the tabs, a first sheet metal resistance element having slots for receiving the tabs with a clearance fit, a first inner electrical insulator having alignment slots for receiving the tabs, a metal midplate having oversize slots for receiving the tabs with a clearance fit, a second thin inner insulator having alignment slots for receiving the tabs, a second sheet metal resistance element having clearance slots for receiving the tabs, a second thin outer insulator having alignment slots for receiving the tabs, and a second metal outer plate having alignment slots for receiving the tabs, which are bent into engagement with the second plate for compressing the stack. The resistance elements have alignment tabs extending through alignment slots in the corresponding outer insulators and securely bent behind the insulators.

Abstract: The switch comprises a casing with a shaft rotatable therein and an insulating carriage rotatable with the shaft. A contactor is mounted on and rotatable with the carriage to a central OFF position and a series of circuit closing positions spaced both clockwise and counterclockwise therefrom. The contactor is engagable with fixed contacts mounted on an insulating terminal head. A vacuum valve is operable by a cam rotatable with the contactor. The valve includes stationary and moveable valve members. The stationary valve member has a vacuum source port and a vacuum utilization port. A third port is also provided. The movable valve member is moveable along a slideway on the stationary valve member. An elastomeric sealing member is received in a recess in the slideway and is formed with portions connected to the source and utilization ports. The moveable valve member has a valve surface which is slidable along the sealing member between first and second positions.

Abstract: The apparatus, which controls the operation and speed of an electrical blower motor and the operation of a vacuum operated recirculation control device, comprises a vacuum switch combined with an electrical switch having a rotary shaft and fixed and movable contacts whereby rotation of the shaft controls the operation and speed of the blower motor. The shaft is pushable rearwardly and is spring-biased forwardly for operating the vacuum switch whereby vacuum is selectively supplied to the recirculation control device for switching between outside air and recirculation of air. A push-push latching mechanism is provided for alternately latching the vacuum switch in one position and releasing the vacuum switch for return movement to its other position.

Abstract: A shaft is rotatable in a housing to several detented positions, established by a detent wheel and spring pressed detent balls, and is provided with a pinion gear which drives a gear rack on a valve carriage guided for linear movement along a spacer. A rubber valve on the carriage is movable across vacuum valve ports to perform vacuum switching functions. A bearing on the carriage moves along a slot in the spacer and carries an idler gear which rolls along a gear rack on the housing and drives a gear rack on an electrical carriage, slidable along the spacer. Fan and clutch contactors are movable with the electrical carriage across fixed contacts to perform electrical switching functions. The detent balls and springs can be inserted through access slots from outside the housing. The housing has two mounting members with latching hooks projecting forwardly for insertion into slots in a supporting panel. A boss on the housing around the shaft is insertable into an opening in the panel.

Abstract: A switch is disclosed comprising a casing member within a carriage member movable therein between first and second positions, the carriage member having a pushable operating member extending outside the casing member. A spring is operative between the casing member and the carriage member for resiliently returning the carriage member to the first position. A cooperative switch is provided on the casing member and the carriage member to perform at least one switching function in response to movement of the carriage member. A latching cam is provided on one of the members. A spring latch is provided on the other member for cooperatively engaging the latching cam.

Abstract: The disclosed vacuum valve device comprises a housing having a wall with a flat valve surface, a plate-like valve carriage having a cavity therein facing the valve surface, the wall having vacuum distribution ports therein, and a soft resilient rubber-like, plate-like valve member snugly received in the cavity and having vacuum distribution passages thereon. The valve member is slidable along the valve surface for selectively interconnecting the ports. The valve carriage has tractor elements in the form of pins thereon projecting into the cavity. The valve member has blind openings therein for receiving the pins to transmit driving forces between the carriage and the valve member. A keying pin is also formed on the carriage and is received in a uniquely located blind opening in the valve member. The pins have flat surfaces to provide passages for the escape of air that would otherwise be trapped in the openings by the pins.

Abstract: First and second self-supporting sheet metal contact plates are mounted in an insulating housing, in planes perpendicular to the axis of a driver which is rotatable to a series of detented positions. The driver carries first and second contactors having first and second contact points slidably engaging opposite sides of the plates while also having riders engaging opposite sides of the first contact plate at all times. The driver carries first and second coil springs biasing the contactors against the plates. The first and second plates have first and second sectors with first and second radial edges on opposite sides of a narrow gap across which the points are movable at different radially spaced locations. The points break contact substantially simultaneously with the second edge whereby wear due to electrical arcing is distributed between the radially spaced locations.

Abstract: A control shaft is rotatable in the axial opening in a cylindrical boss projecting forwardly from a front wall of a resinous plastic housing. The boss is received in a cylindrical opening in a panel formed with two slots for receiving mounting members projecting forwardly from the housing and having latching hooks for securing the housing on the panel. The boss and the mounting members form a triangle. The spacing between the boss and the plane of the mounting members is different from the spacing between the cylindrical opening and the plane of the slots whereby an interference fit is produced between the mounting members and the slots to obviate looseness. An anti-rotation pin on the housing is received in another opening in the panel. A key pin on the housing is received in a key opening in the panel. The key pin and the boss are located along a radial line oriented at an acute angle to the plane of the mounting members.

Abstract: The resistor unit comprises resistors connected to electrical terminals secured to an insulating plate to which first and second legs of a spring sheet metal mounting clip are secured for insertion through an opening in a supporting wall. The legs are bent forwardly from a rear member and are formed with first and second spring latching members including ramp portions bent laterally from the legs, shoulder portions bent inwardly from the ramp portions for wedging engagement with edge portions of the wall, and front end portions bent forwardly from the inner ends of the shoulder portions. A soft resilient expanded rubber gasket is mounted on the plate for sealing engagement with a rib projecting forwardly from the wall around the opening. The spring force produced by compression of the gasket is counterbalanced by the wedging action of the shoulder portions, so that rattling is prevented. The legs are inserted with an interference fit into opposite end portions of the opening.

Abstract: The disclosed slide action selector switch, which is adapted to switch the connections of four push button switches between left and right mirror motors, comprises an insulating plate with an elongated guide flange projecting therefrom and having a T-shaped cross section. First and second sets of electrical contacts are mounted along the plate on opposite sides of the flange for sliding engagement by first and second contactors on an insulating carriage having a T-shaped channel slidably receiving and interlocking with the flange. Springs are provided on the carriage for biasing the contactors against the contacts while biasing the carriage away from the plate. A detent ball is disposed in a seat formed in a leaf spring on the carriage and is biased by the leaf spring against the flange for reception in successive detent recesses therein.

Abstract: Clustered push button switches are provided in a casing having an insulating mounting plate with openings therein for guiding push button shafts which carry U-shaped spring contactors having respective first and second contactor arms. Front and rear sheet metal conductors are mounted on front and rear sides of the plate and are formed with front and rear contact tabs extending into the openings and successively engageable by the first contactor arms. The front contact tabs are bent rearwardly from the front sheet metal conductors. The rear contact tabs are bent forwardly from the rear sheet metal conductors. Additional sheet metal conductors are mounted on one side of the plate and are formed with elongated additional contact tabs extending into the openings for constant sliding engagement by the second conductor arms. The additional contact tabs are bent from the additional conductors in a substantially rectangular relation thereto.

Abstract: The disclosed control device includes an electrical switch having a switch body in which an electrically insulating switch carriage is manually movable along a predetermined path. Fixed electrical contacts are mounted on the body along such path and are selectively engageable by an electrically conductive contactor mounted on the carriage. The contactor takes the form of an angle-shaped plate consisting of first and second flanges in a rectangular relationship. The first flange has portions, preferably contact points, slidably engageable with the fixed contacts. The carriage has a guide slot for slidably receiving the second flange. A compression spring on the carriage produces contact pressure between the first flange and the fixed contacts. The second flange and the guide slot constitute the sole guide and support for the contactor, which is substantially flat except for the contact points. The flanges extend in a direction parallel to the path and have the same length in such direction.

Abstract: The disclosed mirror control switch comprises a cluster of four push buttons for operating a cluster of four push button switches, each of which is a single pole double throw switch for energizing UP-DOWN and RIGHT-LEFT mirror adjusting motors in either of two directions. A slide action selector switch is also provided for switching the connections of the push button switches between left and right mirror motors. Each push button switch comprises a contactor which is slidable between first and second fixed contacts adapted to be connected to a pair of battery terminals. An insulating member is provided between the contacts to prevent the contactor from bridging between the contacts, so that the contactor provides a break-before-make switching action to obviate any possibility of short circuiting the battery.

Abstract: Seven or some other number of individually operable push buttons are provided to carry out control functions of an automotive heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. The push buttoms are movable between extended and depressed positions and are biased toward their extended positions by individual return springs. A latching mechanism is provided for latching any selected push button in its depressed position while unlatching the other push buttons. An array of slidable lockout blocks prevents simultaneous depression of more than one push button, by providing only enough clearance space in the array to accept one lockout penetrating member on one push button at a time. The array is lightly spring biased to prevent rattling of the lockout blocks. Two biasing springs are compressed between the endmost pairs of lockout blocks at the opposite ends of the array.