Abstract: An incremental transducer (1) as well as a process (D1) are provided for determining an actual position of a body (5) along a measuring path (W) and/or a change therein. A position code (7) of the incremental transducer (1) has a gap (10). To make it possible to use the incremental transducer (1) as flexibly as possible and to operate it despite dimensional tolerances of the body (5), provisions are made for converting an actual location frequency (Fi) of the position code (7) into a desired location frequency (Fs) that is independent from the length (L) of the gap (10) to generate a position signal (S) representative of the actual position or the change therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic system for repairing surfaces having natural patterns, particularly wood panels, wherein after the automatic detection and repair of the faulty regions by smoothing or doweling, the Visually apparent repair regions are decorated loudly by a numerically controlled decoration process, particularly an ink jet printing technology. To this end, the panel is captured optically by a scanner, which in particular can detect colors, in addition to an image generator suitable for detecting the faulty regions. From the global color and structure characteristics of the panel and the local color and structure characteristic of each individual faulty region, local decoration patterns to be applied automatically are derived, which allow the faulty region to not be apparent any longer and give the panel a desired aesthetic appearance both locally and globally.

Abstract: A power distribution assembly (PDA) is provided with a support rail having a bendable grounding arm. This grounding arm extends from at least one axial end of the metal support rail and is bendable downwardly so as to overlie an end face of a power block on the PDA. The grounding arm includes a connector flange that projects inwardly through an access window formed in the power block, which connector flange is tight-fittingly engaged with an internal ground terminal upon insertion of the connector flange into the access window during downward bending of the grounding arm.

Abstract: An electrical device such as an LED light assembly includes a conductive circuit and one or more electrical components connected to the circuit. The electrical components and the circuit are at least partially overmolded with a thermoplastic polymer material to encapsulate the components. The material utilized to cover the circuit and/or electrical components may also be utilized to form a housing or other structure of a finished part.

Abstract: This invention relates to a position transmitter for the acquisition of the position of a shaft, rotatable about an axis of rotation, comprising an optical sensor arrangement with a plurality of sensor elements, in which the plurality of sensor elements are provided for the acquisition of the single-turn position of the shaft, and whereby part of the plurality of sensor elements is provided for the acquisition, in particular for the gearless acquisition, of the multi-turn position of the shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a position transmitter for the acquisition of the position of a shaft, rotatable about an axis of rotation, with a first optical sensor arrangement for the acquisition of the single-turn position of the shaft, and a second optical sensor arrangement for the acquisition of the multi-turn position of the shaft.

Abstract: An electrical device such as an LED light assembly includes a conductive circuit and one or more electrical components connected to the circuit. The electrical components and the circuit are at least partially overmolded with a thermoplastic polymer material to encapsulate the components. The material utilized to cover the circuit and/or electrical components may also be utilized to form a housing or other structure of a finished part.

Abstract: A pipelined computing device is provided that is designed i) to generate a list of coordinates of starting points and endpoints of chains and to store these in a memory, ii) for each starting point and endpoint, to search the list of coordinates of starting points and endpoints for the last occurrence of the same coordinates or coordinates lying within a neighborhood of a specified size, and iii) to allocate to each starting point or endpoint a vertex index and an instance index, wherein the vertex index is a running index of vertices and the instance index represents a running index of the starting points and endpoints belonging to a vertex, wherein associated points from the set of starting points and endpoints receive the same vertex index and are those points that have the same coordinates or coordinates that lie within the neighborhood of a specified size.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a housing-less sensor, in particular a proximity sensor. Here it is proposed to build all of the components needed for the mechanical and electrical functions on one sensor chassis and then to inject a plastic compound around the components.

Abstract: Smoking device (10) comprising a first device (20) and a second device (30). The first device (20) comprises an accumulator for storing electric energy and releasing it to a heating device (22) as a response to a sensor device (24) detecting a suck/draw of the smoking device (10) by a consumer. It further comprises a first air inlet (25) through which an airflow enters said first device (20), passes said heating device (22) and streams out through a first air outlet (26). The second device (30) comprises an agent (33), a second air inlet (35) through which air enters said second device (30), passes through said second device (30), releases said agent (33) by means of dispensing means (37) and streams out through said second air outlet (36) into the mouth of a consumer. Charging means (40) for use with a smoking device (10) and method for using said smoking device (10).

Abstract: An optical device for distributing light produced by a white LED or other light-producing device includes a lens portion that refracts the light to provide a desired light intensity distribution, and a collimating portion that internally reflects light from the white LED. The optical device may be molded from an acrylic polymer material or the like. The reduced thickness of the device facilitates low cycle times and reduces warpage or other distortion that would otherwise be generated during the molding process.

Abstract: A light module includes one or more LEDs that are encapsulated in a thermoplastic polymer material. Metal conductors and electrical components providing a power supply circuit for the LED are also encapsulated in the thermoplastic polymer material. The conductive material may include a pair of relatively rigid portions that project outwardly from the thermoplastic polymer material to provide for electrical connection of the light module. The body may include connecting surface portions that permit the light module to be connected to a conventional electrical receptacle or the like, such that the light module can be mechanically and electrically connected to a socket or other connector previously utilized for incandescent bulbs.

Abstract: A composite material comprises a particulate material generated as a waste by-product of an industrial process, and a binder for binding the particulate material into a uniform mass. The particulate material and binder are combined in preselected proportions and compressed to form a counterweight having a preselected density and a fixed configuration. A counterweight is manufactured by selecting a first proportion of a particulate material generated as a waste by-product of an industrial process, selecting a second proportion of a binder for binding the particulate material into a uniform mass, combining the first proportion of the particulate material with the second proportion of the binder into a uniform mass, forming the counterweight from the uniform mass, and incorporating the counterweight into a finished product.

Abstract: For positioning and/or aligning a housing with respect to a reference object, a detachable positioning means is constructed on the housing. The positioning means comprises at least one stop element that is brought into contact with the reference object. After mounting the housing in the desired position, the positioning means is separated from the housing.

Abstract: A front hood hinge for connecting a front hood to the body of a vehicle, comprising a cuttable device having a cuttable member, a cutting knife and a stop determining the normal closed position of the front hood, and being designed such that, when a threshold value is exceeded, the stop is adapted to be displaced downwardly beyond the normal closed position against a resistance generated by the cuttable device, said resistance being caused by the cuttable member being cut in the course of the displacement of the stop upon movement of the cutting knife in relation to the cuttable member.

Abstract: A device and method for forming notches in tubes or other parts includes a roller that travels along a non-linear path. The roller may include a component of motion away from the part to reduce bulging or other deformations in an outer surface of the part that could otherwise result from a straight roller path.

Abstract: A light assembly for interiors of motor vehicles and the like includes a three-way sliding switch having a switch member that is movable to at least three positions corresponding to operating states of the switch. The switch includes an electrically conductive movable contact member that selectively engages conductive members to provide the different electrical states of the switch. The movable contact member also engages a detent structure and forms a three-position detent tending to retain the switch member in the selected position. Thus, the electrically conductive material of the movable contact member provides an electrical function and a mechanical detent function to thereby reduce the complexity and associated cost of the switch.

Abstract: A front hood hinge for connecting a front hood to the body of a vehicle, comprising a cuttable device having a cuttable member, a cutting knife and a stop determining the normal closed position of the front hood, and being designed such that, when a threshold value is exceeded, the stop is adapted to be displaced downwardly beyond the normal closed position against a resistance generated by the cuttable device, said resistance being caused by the cuttable member being cut in the course of the displacement of the stop upon movement of the cutting knife in relation to the cuttable member.

Abstract: A composite material comprises a particulate material generated as a waste by-product of an industrial process, and a binder for binding the particulate material into a uniform mass. The particulate material and binder are combined in preselected proportions and compressed to form a counterweight having a preselected density and a fixed configuration. A counterweight is manufactured by selecting a first proportion of a particulate material generated as a waste by-product of an industrial process, selecting a second proportion of a binder for binding the particulate material into a uniform mass, combining the first proportion of the particulate material with the second proportion of the binder into a uniform mass, forming the counterweight from the uniform mass, and incorporating the counterweight into a finished product.

Abstract: A visor for vehicles includes a shell made of a material such as paper, vinyl, or the like. The visor includes first and second halves joined by a hinge. The first and second halves are folded about the hinge and bonded together to define a cavity. A rigid foam core fills at least a substantial portion of the cavity, and the foam core is bonded to the shell to provide support. The visor includes a structural mounting member extending from the shell for mounting the visor to the roof of a vehicle.