Abstract: To provide a rotary connector of the construction in which the flat cable is not damaged when the user operates the steering wheel to which the rotary connector is normally assembled, and the flat cable is cut off when the user operates the steering wheel to which the rotary connector is incorrectly assembled, thus an accidental firing of the air bag is prevented. The rotary connector has a flat cable with one end connected to a terminal strap and the other end connected to a supporting member. The flat cable is in the shape of a spiral and is accommodated in a space G defined by a stator housing and a rotor housing, the rotor housing is rotatably assembled to the stator housing. The terminal strap is located between an inner wall of the stator housing and a guide disposed near the inner wall. The guide has a small-width strap with a curved surface in contact with the flat cable.

Abstract: A rotary connector (1) is provided having a stator housing (2) provided on a body of an automobile, a rotor housing (3) rotatably assembled to the stator housing (2) and coupled to a steering wheel (11), and a flat cable (5) accommodated in a space defined between the rotor housing (3) and the stator housing (2). The rotary connector (1) includes a rotor (8) having projections (8a). The stator housing (2) is formed with engagement portions (2a). The projections (8a) engage the engagement portions (2a) to prevent the rotor housing (3) from rotating. With this construction, the rotary connector can be rotatably locked during assembly even if a turn signal switch is not to be assembled under the steering wheel.

Abstract: A memory apparatus for vehicle information is provided in which the image data of the vehicle's condition in a traffic accident, a traffic offense, a drive condition from the occurrence of an accident to the vehicle's stop after the accident, and a sensor data are memorized and held in a flash memory repeatedly. The memory apparatus enables an analysis of an accident with high precision upon the reproduction of the data of the vehicle's condition, and can be used to provide evidence relating to a traffic offense. The image signals from a CCD camera 1, a RAM 12 for memorizing the sensor's information from a vehicle speed sensor 3, a steering angle sensor 4, a brake pressure sensor 5, and an acceleration sensor 6, and a flash memory 13 for permanently memorizing the signals of the RAM 12, are controlled through a CPU 11. The record information of the RAM 12 is transferred to the flash memory 13 based on the operation of a collision sensor 2 to memorize and hold the information.

Abstract: Change gear range positions of an automatic transmission are accurately detected, to perform a sophisticated control and to miniaturize the automatic transmission.

Abstract: A column switch that electrically connects a steering wheel side and a vehicle side in an automobile using a flexible flat cable (5). The cable (5) is in the form of a spiral and is accommodated in a housing. The housing includes a lower part defined by a base (1) of the column switch (8), and an upper part defined by a rotor (6) having a cancel cam (6e). The housing also has slits (6f) or reflectors formed thereon for a steering angle sensor (10). The base (1) has a hollow cylinder (1a) formed in the middle thereof through which a steering shaft is inserted. An annular groove (1f) that accommodates the flat cable (5) therein is formed to surround the hollow cylinder (1a). The rotor (6) has resilient fastening straps (6a) and an accommodating space (6d) that covers the annular groove (1f). The resilient fastening straps (6a) rotatably engage a fastening portion (1i) formed on the hollow cylinder (1a).

Abstract: An on-vehicle lever switch having a rotary knob 4, a third lever 22 having the rotary knob 4 fixed to one end thereof and an operating rod 22a at the other end thereof, a second lever 6 having a shaft hollow cylinder 6a into which a shaft 22c of the third lever 22 is inserted, a first lever 3 into which the second lever 6 is inserted, a nonmovable member 18 fixed to the first lever 3, and a nonmovable knob 21 mounted at a location close to a tip of the first lever 3 with respect to the rotary knob 4. The nonmovable knob 21 is formed with a window 21d in its periphery. A slide knob 16 is slidably disposed in the nonmovable knob 21 with a control 16b projecting through the window 21d outwardly relative to the nonmovable knob 21. With this construction, a rotary switch, a slide switch, and a push button switch can all be mounted at an end portion of the third lever 22.

Abstract: A low cost automotive power window switch having few window operating switches uses a single switch to select which of the four windows to operate, and to control the window locks. The power window switch has a window operating switch 3 for raising and lowering each of the car windows, and a mode selector switch 2 for switching between the windows. The mode selector switch 2 also has a window lock switch function for locking and unlocking the windows.

Abstract: A rotary connector (1) is provided having a stator housing (2) provided on a body of an automobile, a rotor housing (3) rotatably assembled to the stator housing (2) and coupled to a steering wheel (11), and a flat cable (5) accommodated in a space defined between the rotor housing (3) and the stator housing (2). The rotary connector (1) includes a rotor (8) having projections (8a). The stator housing (2) is formed with engagement portions (2a). The projections (8a) engage the engagement portions (2a) to prevent the rotor housing (3) from rotating. With this construction, the rotary connector can be rotatably locked during assembly even if a turn signal switch is not to be assembled under the steering wheel.

Abstract: A rotary connector 1 has a fixed case 3 for being mounted on a base 5 for a switch 4. The fixed case 3 has a first screw insertion hole 3a formed open therein for insertion of a screw 6. The screw 6 has a flange 6a. The fixed case 3 or the base 5 has a resilient pawl 3f formed therein for engagement with the flange 6a. With such structure, it is possible to screw-fix both the rotary connector and the base onto the steering column. The screw is securely kept in the rotary connector during transport and assembly by the resilient pawl.

Abstract: An image storing and processing device is provided in which image information is efficiently stored of an event that may unpredictably happen at any time, and in which retrieval thereof is facilitated and further storage capacity is sharply improved. An analog video signal inputted from an external pick-up device 6 is converted to a digital video signal with an A/D conversion part 1, which digital video signal is then compressed in an image data compression part 2, and the resulting compression data is stored in a memory part 3. The stored image compression data is transferred to an image data expansion part 4 and is selected and expanded, and resulting image expansion data is converted to an analog signal in a D/A conversion part 5 and is then sent to a television monitor 9 for display thereof.

Abstract: A column-type operating apparatus for an automatic transmission wherein the apparatus is improved in safety by restricting the direction in which the shift lever is operated. An automatic transmission has a shift lever disposed near a steering column of an automobile, the operating apparatus being electrically controllably driven to change the running range of an automatic transmission. In a preferred embodiment, the shift lever includes a rotary knob that is provided at a tip thereof and operated to switch the running range of the automatic transmission. The shift lever has a first shaft rotatably journaled in an inner case and is pivoted about the first shaft in forward and rearward directions. The inner case has a second shaft that is rotatably supported on a case provided to the steering column, and rotates together with the shift lever about the second shaft in upward and downward directions.

Abstract: An inhibitor switch comprises a movable board (1) having a movable arm (1b) carrying a permanent magnet (4) and being rotatable in accordance with a selected position of an automatic transmission, a magnetic sensor (9) detecting magnetic lines of force of the permanent magnet (4), a base board (3) having the magnetic sensor (9) mounted thereon and having the movable board (1) rotatably supported thereon, and a lid (2) having the movable board (1) rotatably supported thereon. The permanent magnet (4) is urged by a spring (13) toward the magnetic sensor (9). The movable board (1) includes a hollow shaft (1a) and the movable arm (1b) which are in one piece construction. The movable arm (1b) has the permanent magnet (4) and projections (1f, 1g) and a blind hole (1j). The projections are provided on one surface of the movable arm facing the base board (3) in pressure contact with the base board (3).

Abstract: An inhibiter switch is provided with a movable body 1 rotatable in accordance with an operating position of an automatic transmission device. The movable body 1 is supported rotatably by a cover 2 and a pole base 3 having magnetic sensors 9 disposed therein. A conductive body having a terminal 7b projected into a connector section 3c at one side thereof and a body section 7a electrically connected to the magnetic sensors 9 and exposed from a bottom surface 3d, is insert molded into the pole base 3. The pole base 3 forms an offset surface 3e exposing the body section 7a as a connection location with the conductive body 7 from the bottom surface 3d. The pole base 3 has notches 3f, 3g, 3h in which the magnetic sensors 9 are disposed, and a notch 3i in which a substrate 6 is disposed. The notches 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i are formed at the periphery of the offset surface 3e. The pole base 3 also forms a guide 3j for disposing the magnetic sensors 9 within the offset surface 3e.

Abstract: An inhibitor switch is provided with a movable base 1 having permanent magnets 4, which is adapted to be rotatable in accordance with the transmission operating position of an automatic transmission device. The inhibitor switch also has magnetic sensors 9 for detecting the magnetic flux from the permanent magnets 4, a pole base 3, and a cover body 2 for rotatably supporting the movable base 1 in cooperation with the pole base 3. The pole base 3 has an approximate arc shape with a radius of curvature centered about the center of a shaft hole 3a. A base surface 3d is provided for forming a space for receiving a substrate 6 connected to the connecting sections 7a, on which the magnetic sensors 9 and electronic elements 10 are installed. The connecting sections 7a are used to electrically connect a conductive body 7 to the substrate 6. The shaft hole 3a is coupled with a cylindrical shaft section 1a of the movable base 1 at an end of the base surface 3d.

Abstract: An inhibitor switch is constructed such that a movable base 1 adapted to be rotatable in accordance with the transmission operating position of an automatic transmission device is supported rotatably by a cover body 2 and a pole base 3 having magnetic sensors 9. The movable base 1 is integrally formed with a yoke 5 through an injection molding method. The yoke 5 has folded sections 5c exposed to the upper surface of the movable base 1 and bottom pieces 5b for receiving the permanent magnets 4. Moreover, the yoke 5 is composed of a plurality of bottom pieces 5b connected with each other, and the folded sections 5c formed at each end of the bottom pieces 5c. With this construction, an inhibitor switch is provided with a low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An operation apparatus for an automatic transmission is provided for vehicles of the A/T type, in which the automatic transmission is electrically controllable using a shift lever having a single knob and a detent for each driving position. The operation apparatus has an A/T switch for transmitting electric signals corresponding to desirable driving positions to the transmission side by operating a shaft lever swingably. The operation apparatus also has an electrically driven actuator for removing a contact pin from a contact slit provided on the detent plate to inhibit movement of the shift lever upon a predetermined condition of the automobile.

Abstract: A device for disposing excrement comprising: a diaper cup 1 for enveloping a lumbar/gluteal region of a human body; and a device body C connected to the diaper cup 1 for supplying washing water to the inside of the diaper cup and for sucking excrements and sewage from the inside of the diaper cup 1. The device body C includes: a suction motor 21 for establishing a vacuum to suck the excrements and the sewage; a water supply pump 5 for supplying the washing water; and a sequencer 12 for controlling the suction motor 21 and the water supply pump 5. The sequencer 12 includes intermittent drive means S4 to S8 or S24 to S29 for controlling the drive of the water supply pump 5 by setting time parameters according to the sense signals of the feces sensor 109 and the urine sensor 114.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus for a keyless entry device is also used for receiving a radio wave transmitted by a remote control unit within a vehicular compartment. The keyless entry device and the remote control unit are configured to generate respective radio waves having a common frequency. Both radio waves can be received by at least one antenna of a column switch and a steering wheel. The antennas are placed distant from the steering shaft and common ground pattern to improve transmitting and receiving sensitivity.

Abstract: A sliding switch contact structure that has a movable contact and a fixed contact which are formed of a stainless steel, an Fe--Ni alloy, an Fe--Ni--Co alloy, or an Fe--Ni--Cr alloy. With such structure, a contact material is provided that is usable in a slide switch operating in high temperature oil contained within a transmission, an engine or a brake hydraulic system of an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A rotary connector 1 has a fixed case 3 for being mounted on a base 5 for a switch 4. The fixed case 3 has a first screw insertion hole 3a formed open therein for insertion of a screw 6. The screw 6 has a flange 6a. The fixed case 3 or the base 5 has a resilient pawl 3f formed therein for engagement with the flange 6a. With such structure, it is possible to screw-fix both the rotary connector and the base onto the steering column. The screw is securely kept in the rotary connector during transport and assembly by the resilient pawl.