Abstract: A fuel level sensor is provided having a flexible printed circuit cylinder, having a buoyant member mounted on a rod and a contact member mounted on the buoyant member which abuttingly contacts the rod and the conductive traces formed on the inside of the flexible cylinder wall.

Abstract: A robust optoelectronic transceiver module which provides for static discharge and is quick, easy, and inexpensive to manufacture. The transceiver module has a main housing which consists of a potting box with potting material inserted therein. In addition, a circuit board is encased by the potting material. The circuit board has an optical subassembly mounted thereon. The optical subassembly extends outside of the potting box through a recess. Correspondingly, a recess cover is provided for forming a liquid tight seal between the recess cover, the potting box, and the optical subassembly. Furthermore, the module provides electrically conductive latches which are conductively connected, via tabs for forming an electrical connection, to a grounded structure, such as a computer chassis.

Abstract: A flux gate inductor responsive to an external magnetic field produced by a rotating magnetoelastic sleeve and oscillating voltage applied to the flux gate inductor induces a field in the flux gate inductor, for inducing current flow through the flux gate inductor, which flows through a shunting resistor, creating a voltage which is triangular as a result of the inductance of the flux gate. The sum of the induced and external fields exceeds the saturation flux density of the flux gate, causing the flux gate inductance to zero. This results in a rise in the current through the flux gate inductor and a voltage spike across the shunt resistor. The spike is detected for causing a change in an inverter for producing the oscillation voltage. Meanwhile, the external magnetic field causes an asymmetry between positive, negative currents required to saturate the flux gate inductor. This asymmetry results in a departure of the oscillation voltage from a 50% duty cycle.

Abstract: A flat electrical cable is provided wherein the flat cable includes an upper layer having ribs protruding along its length and substantially parallel to one another, continuous substantially parallel and adjacent seams formed between and upper an lower insulator layer conductors between the upper and lower layer adjacent the seams and a pattern formed in the surface of the lower insulator layer. The present invention may have upper and lower polyester layers having copper conductors therebetween and the seams ultrasonically welded in order to provide flat electrical cable for various applications such as incorporation in an automobile clockspring.

Abstract: A compressed air clockspring includes a housing and a hub rotatably mounted with the housing. The housing has a first electrical connector and a first pneumatic port. The hub has a second electrical connector and a second pneumatic port. A ribbon cable has one end connected to the first electrical connector of the housing and the other end of the ribbon cable is connected to the second electrical connector of the hub. An air ring is rotatably mounted in the housing. The air ring rotates with the hub. The air ring fluidically connects the first pneumatic port to the second pneumatic port. The ribbon cable transmits electrical signals from the crash sensor to the airbag as is common in present day clocksprings. Unlike present day clocksprings, the compressed air clockspring transmits compressed air through the rotary joint formed by the structure of the compressed air clockspring.

Abstract: A holder for holding a leadless circuit element includes opposing flanges which can be bent downwardly for bending the flanges into hands and fingers for holding the leadless circuit element within a plastic mold. In still further accord with the device, the device includes an insert displacement connection integral to a frame for allowing the leadless circuit element to be included in a circuit. Further, the assembly is insert molded in plastic.

Abstract: A clockspring connector having a clockspring housing, a hub, a chamber defined by the housing, and a carrier member. The clockspring housing includes an inner wall and an outer wall. A flat conductor cable coiled within the clockspring housing. The hub is rotatably mounted within the clockspring housing. The chamber is defined by the clockspring housing. The carrier member is mounted within the chamber. The carrier member has roller members. One of the roller members is a hard roller member and another of the roller members is a compliant roller member. Typically, the hard roller member is positioned at a turn-back portion of the flat conductor cable.

Abstract: A fuel level sensor is provided having a contact arm pivotally mounted to a frame adjacent a cam that translates the pivotal motion of the arm into a linear motion so that a contact arm may move linearly across a miniaturized resistor card.

Abstract: An electrical connection termination device includes a box contact which accommodates a flat conductor of a flat cable. The flat cable includes an insulative layer substantially covering the flat conductor. The box contact includes a box structure at one end and a strain relief structure at another end. The box structure includes four sides so as to form the shape of a box having open ends. One of the sides of the box structure includes a flexible tab. The strain relief structure attaches to the insulative layer of the flat cable. The flat conductor extends through the open ends of the box structure and is positioned near one of the sides of the box structure where that particular side opposes the side of the box structure having the flexible tab.

Abstract: A wireless rotating signal transducer. A control circuit is provided for transferring power and communication signals through a wireless coupling device in a vehicle steering column. A squib firing circuit transforms a high energy power signal suitable for firing an air-bag from the column side to the wheel side. A low-energy power circuit generates a signal from the column side to the wheel side suitable for operating isolated wheel side electronics, such as cruise control and the like. A pulse-encoder circuit communicates low-level control signals suitable for signaling wheel-side commands from the wheel side to the column side. The low-energy power circuit and pulse encoder circuit operate simultaneously and continuously without signal debilitating interaction.

Abstract: A clockspring having adhesive so as to resist vibratory motion of the flat ribbon cable and to reduce rubbing of the flat ribbon cable against itself. The clockspring includes a housing, a hub, and a flat ribbon cable connecting the hub to the housing. The flat ribbon cable has an adhesive along a majority of the length of the flat ribbon cable.

Abstract: A card housing for printed circuit boards, wherein the card housing is provided with stamped covers having grounding members extending unitarily therefrom, wherein at least one grounding member is bent so that an outward surface of the grounding member is contiguous with an outward face of the cover. The cover having the bent grounding member is stamped from a metallic sheet having an insulative frame on one side that forms the outward face and surface. An insulative frame overlays a peripheral edge of each cover so that the two covers may be sealed to encase a printed circuit board inserted therein.

Abstract: A pivot switch assembly including a button and a housing. The housing includes a trunion and a retaining wall. The trunion opposes the retaining wall and forms a receiving gap between the two features. The button includes a rib. The rib has an aperture. The rib of the button being positioned into the receiving gap of the housing. The trunion of the housing then engages the aperture of the rib of the button so as to provide a pivoting function for the switch assembly. The geometry of the button and housing prevents the button from becoming dislodged during periods of high acceleration, such as during deployment of an airbag.

Abstract: According to the present invention, underneath a vehicle power window button face a pair of cams are sized such that depression of the face a first distance causes momentary window movement whereas depression of the face a second distance causes express window movement. In the alternative, bumpers for receiving the cams and causing switch actuation can be sized or contoured such that depression of the face a first distance causes momentary window movement whereas depression of the face a second distance causes express window movement.

Abstract: An insulation displacement contact for connecting to a flat conductor of a flat cable, where the flat conductor has a width dimension greater than its thickness dimension. The insulation displacement contact including a base, a first tine connected to the base and a second tine connected to the base. The first tine having a first edge and a second edge. The first edge being adjacent to a free end, where the free end has a first knife edge. The second tine having a third edge and a fourth edge. The third edge being adjacent to a free end, where the free end has a knife edge. The third edge of the second tine opposes the first edge of the first tine. The first edge of the first tine being separated from the third edge of the second tine by a first distance. The fourth edge of the second tine opposes the second edge of the first tine. The second edge of the first tine being separated from the fourth edge of the second tine by a second distance. The first distance being greater than the second distance.

Abstract: A clockspring having spring fingers so as to resistant vibratory motion of the hub. The clockspring includes a housing and a cover mounted to the housing so as to form a cavity therebetween. The hub is rotatably mounted in the cavity. Clearance is provided between the hub and both the housing and the cover. The spring fingers are attached to both the housing and the cover, the spring fingers press against the hub so as to eliminate or reduce the audible sounds due to the vibratory motion of the hub.

Abstract: A key operated switch is provided for disabling an automobile air bag passive restraint system. The two or four position switch includes a housing, a rotor, a plurality of rotationally actuated electrical switch elements, a key ejecting mechanism, and a positive positioning detent. The switch assembly is arranged such that a transverse surface of the rotor defining a key slot is accessible through the housing. The key slot allows an operating key to be manually inserted into the rotor. In or order to insert the key, however, the therein, a certain minimum amount of force must be applied to the key sufficient to overcome the key ejecting mechanism. In the absence of such minimum insertion force, the key ejecting mechanism will act expel the key from the rotor. Once inserted into the rotor, the key may be manually rotated which causes corresponding rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A capacitive rotary position sensor is provided. The rotary positions sensor includes a housing, a stator, and a rotor. The stator is formed of a disc shaped piece of insulating material including a plurality of conductive plates formed in a circular pattern on the surface of the disc. Similarly, the rotor is formed as a second disc of insulating material having a single conductive plate formed on the surface thereof. A signal generator provides a polyphase signal for driving each of the conductive plates formed on the rotor with an individual component of the polyphase signal. The stator and rotor are placed in parallel to the stator disc, and the plurality of conductive plates on the stator face the single conductive plate formed on the rotor. A thin dielectric coating applied to the rotor plate prevents the rotor conductive plate from shorting the adjacent stator conductive plates.

Abstract: A spring loaded shutter with locking features is used to expose host pins of an adapter to protect the pins from damage and the user from injury. The locking mechanism for the shutter releases when a card is inserted into the host adapter. Engagement of locking pins by the card releases the locking pins and frees the shutter to be pushed backward as the card is connected to the host pins. The shutter is biased in a forward position so that removal of the card from the adapter results in a return of the shutter to its forward locked position where it effectively covers the pins to protect the pins from damage and the user from injury.

Abstract: An optoelectronic transmitter is provided including a laser diode. A control circuit for driving the laser diode includes a current source which provides a DC bias current to the laser diode, and the laser diode emits an optical signal having an average power determined by the magnitude of the bias current. A voltage regulator establishes a regulated supply voltage which is input to a first reference circuit and a feedback monitor circuit. The first reference circuit establishes a first fixed reference voltage. The feedback monitor circuit includes a monitor device for measuring the optical power emitted by the laser diode, and the monitor circuit establishes a variable monitor voltage proportional to the optical power measured by the monitor device. An op-amp compares the first fixed reference voltage and the feedback monitor voltage, and the output voltage of the op-amp controls the magnitude of the bias current output by the current source.