Abstract: The method makes it possible to produce a seal (1) of an extruded plastics material, including a tubular section (3) with a wall of variable thickness (WT), using a distribution chamber having a terminal die plate (12) with an annular extrusion orifice (15) formed therein, corresponding to the cross section of the tubular section (3). A chamber (18) is formed in the distribution chamber in communication with the extrusion orifice (13) and into which an elastomeric material is fed for forming the tubular section (3). The chamber (18) of the distribution chamber is in open communication with the outside environment by a passage (21) which is separate from the extrusion orifice (13) and is provided to carry a flow of elastomeric material coming from the chamber (18).

Abstract: A novel capacitive proximity tactile sensor is formed by an electrode layer and a compressible non-conductive layer. Positioning a conductive object in contact with the sensor and applying contact force onto the sensor surface allows for both detecting the location of touch (as in traditional proximity sensors) as well as measuring contact force (as in tactile array sensors) due to a capacitance-measuring sensor formed between the electrode layer and the object with the compressible non-conductive layer therebetween. Useful applications of the sensor include input device for consumer electronic item, flexible and thin weight scale, shoe insole for monitoring pressure distribution of a foot while walking, pressure-monitoring seat cushion and others.

Abstract: An electronic device housing with a seemless user input zone that measures the level of force applied by the user is described. It is particularly advantageous when used with small hand-held consumer electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, game—and media players. A housing for an electronic device includes a seamless user input zone defining a contact force-sensitive deformable area. A capacitance sensor is formed between the conductive inside surface of the housing and the electrode of the rigid base facing that inside surface. Linear support means such as columns support the housing away from the rigid base defining an air gap. Capacitance measurement circuit is deployed to detect the location and progressively increasing levels of force applied by the user onto the housing and send a user input signal to the electronic device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guide arrangement (10), in particular for a motor vehicle door, which comprises at least one movable window pane (20, 120), at least one guide part (30, 130) and at least one receptacle (40, 140) for the guide part (30, 130), wherein the guide part (30, 130) or the receptacle (40, 140) is fastened to the window pane (20, 120) and the guide part (30, 130) extends, at least in sections, into the receptacle (40, 140) in a direction which runs substantially perpendicular to the plane of the window pane (20, 120). The invention also relates to a method for assembling a guide arrangement (10) of said type.

Abstract: A reconfigurable tactile input device includes a first rigid electrode layer, a compressible dielectric structure, and a second flexible electrode layer forming together a tactile sensor with appropriate electrode connection means to a control means. The control means may include a mixed-signal IC mounted next to the input device in a compact package and capable of measuring capacitance in real time. The dielectric structure may include a matrix of compressible geometric elements with voids therebetween optionally vented to atmosphere, making the entire assembly thin and facilitating its use for mobile phones and other small, portable electronic devices. Some embodiments provide the user wit tactile feedback upon compression of the electrodes. An optional flexible display may be mounted over the input device to indicate the present configuration to the user.

Abstract: A tactile device includes a touch input surface in any number of forms including a force sensitive touch screen. In this embodiment a cover captures a transparent screen located on capacitive sensors. Touching the screen produces signals from each sensor that can be combined to identify the location of the touch and the force exerted by that touch.

Abstract: An electronic device housing with a seemless user input zone that measures the level of force applied by the user is described. It is particularly advantageous when used with small hand-held consumer electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, game- and media players. A housing for an electronic device includes a seamless user input zone defining a contact force-sensitive deformable area. A capacitance sensor is formed between the conductive inside surface of the housing and the electrode of the rigid base facing that inside surface. Linear support means such as columns support the housing away from the rigid base defining an air gap. Capacitance measurement circuit is deployed to detect the location and force applied by the user onto the housing and send a user input signal to the electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sealing arrangement, especially for sealing window panes (13) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising a weatherstrip (20) that is provided with a sealing section (21) and a fastening section (22), and a trim (40) which is connected in a non-positive manner to the fastener section (22). Said fastener section (22) encompasses a retaining segment (23) which can be pivoted from a first position (I) into a second position (II) so as to fasten the trim strip (40). In order to obtain a flat embodiment of the trim (40) and be able to reliably fix the trim strip (40) to the weatherstrip (20) while using relatively little mounting force, one end of said trim strip (40) is provided with a first hook section (41) while the other end thereof is provided with a second hook section (42). The second hook section (42) rests in a non-positive manner against the retaining segment (23) while the first hook section (41) catches on a first contact area (24) of the fastening section (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling and sensing a closure member (20) movable between an open position and a closed position, more particularly an electrically powered window pane (20) of a motor vehicle (10) is provided with a sensor. The sensor comprises a sensor electrode (40) generating an electric field (F) in an opening range of the closure member (20) and a controller (22) connected to the sensor which senses any change in capacitance of the sensor electrode (40) in providing a control signal. For detecting a film of moisture (23) formed by condensation on the closing member (20) by simple and relatively low-cost means, the controller (22) detects a change in capacitance of the sensor electrode (40) caused by the presence of a film of moisture (23) on the closure member (20).

Abstract: A system for visually indicating, in real time or post hoc, values of a physical property detected over a period of time along a dimension of an organism to a user on a temporal plot and a profile plot, either individually or concurrently. The detected values may be visually indicated on the temporal plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, a contour technique, a line trace technique or a mesh plot technique. Further, the detected values may be visually indicated on the profile plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to a contour technique, a line trace technique or a histogram technique. To provide a finer spatial resolution, values may be interpolated for locations between the locations at which values were detected, and these values may be displayed on the temporal plot and the profile plot.

Abstract: A capacitive tile tactile sensor is described and includes several groups of individual sensors each controlled by a dedicated IC. Individual sensors are formed by sensing electrodes on one side of the sensor and a single ground electrode on the other side, the ground electrode is separated from the sensing electrodes by a compressible dielectric layer. A single electrical connection between the ground electrode and the sensing electrode layer allows for routing of all electrical connections including individual electrodes and a ground electrode to appropriate ICs within the same layer using conductive ink or other similar techniques. Stand-alone configurations are described as well as those adapted for communicating with outside control means including a personal computer. Arranging groups of sensors in parallel with each other creates a matrix of sensors while arranging them along a single line creates a linear strip sensor.

Abstract: A sealing profile (10a, 10b) for sealing a powered window pane (11a, 11b) in a door (12a, 12b) of a motor vehicle. The sealing profile (10a, 10b) includes a base body (18) made of an elastomeric material on which at least one sealing portion (19a, 19b) and at least one fastening portion (20) for attaching the sealing profile (10a, 10b) to a door flange (21) are provided. The sealing profile (10a, 10b) also includes at least one trim strip (22) that has a finishing portion (23) and a fastener (24), which protrudes therefrom and which can be fixed to the base body (18) in a positive manner. The trim strip (22) is curved in the longitudinal direction thereof. The fastener (24) is provided in the form of an elongated insertion limb, which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the finishing portion (23). The fastener (24) is additionally provided with at least one appendage (25a, 25b).

Abstract: A system for visually indicating, in real time or post hoc, values of a physical property detected over a period of time along a dimension of an organism to a user on a temporal plot and a profile plot, either individually or concurrently. The detected values may be visually indicated on the temporal plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, a contour technique, a line trace technique or a mesh plot technique. Further, the detected values may be visually indicated on the profile plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to a contour technique, a line trace technique or a histogram technique. To provide a finer spatial resolution, values may be interpolated for locations between the locations at which values were detected, and these values may be displayed on the temporal plot and the profile plot.

Abstract: A hybrid tactile sensor includes a flexible cloth-based tactile sensor array including a plurality of electrodes, each of the electrodes connected to a corresponding connecting zone of an intermediate connecting harness made from a flexible film such as Kapton®. The harness includes a common bundle of parallel conductors etched or printed onto the harness and connecting each of the connecting zones to a common terminal for further attaching to a control unit of the sensor. The use of the harness allows repeatable manufacturing of sensor arrays with large number of electrodes or when they are located close to each other. Each connecting zone may include an interconnecting pad for crimping, soldering, or adhering the electrode thereto using a conductive epoxy. Alternative embodiments describe the use of U-shaped malleable connectors, jumper wires including those equipped with U-shaped clips, and other means of attaching electrodes to corresponding connecting zones.

Abstract: The method makes it possible to produce a seal (1) of an extruded plastics material, including a tubular section (3) with a wall of variable thick?ess (WT), using a distribution chamber having a terminal die plate (12) with an annular extrusion orifice (15) formed therein, corresponding to the cross section of the tubular section (3). A chamber (18) is formed in the distribution chamber in communication with the extrusion orifice (13) and into which an elastomeric material is fed for forming the tubular section (3). The chamber (18) of the distribution chamber is in open communication with the outside environment by a passage (21) which is separate from the extrusion orifice (13) and is provided to carry a flow of elastomeric material coming from the chamber (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to a weatherstrip assembly which is used particularly for sealing a folding hardtop (10) of a motor vehicle and comprises a joint consisting of sealing section (21) and fastening section (22) parts. The sealing section (21) is provided with a sealing lip (23), which is made of elastically deformable material, can be moved from the first position (I) to the second position (II) thereof and is provided with at least one restoring element (40). In order to ensure a durable, efficient and reliable restoring response of the sealing lip (23), it is provided with a tensioning element (50) in the form of a hose on the end thereof.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for detecting and amplifying sensor and sensor array (102, 104) output signals are presented. According to some aspects, a nonlinear feedback loop containing a sensor element provides a nonlinear transformation that compensates for a corresponding nonlinear response of the sensor element thereby providing a linearized final output signal. In other aspects, idle sensors are coupled to a reference on non-idle sensor elements. Other aspects include sensor and amplification circuits which operate without traditional filtering or switching elements, such that a higher throughput is achieved and no settling time is required due to traditional transients, thus allowing for faster scanning of larger sensor arrays. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to variable gap capacitive sensor arrays and the signal processing electronics.

Abstract: A sealing profile (10a, 10b) for sealing a powered window pane (11a, 11b) in a door (12a, 12b) of a motor vehicle. The sealing profile (10a, 10b) includes a base body (18) made of an elastomeric material on which at least one sealing portion (19a, 19b) and at least one fastening portion (20) for attaching the sealing profile (10a, 10b) to a door flange (21) are provided. The sealing profile (10a, 10b) also includes at least one trim strip (22) that has a finishing portion (23) and a fastener (24), which protrudes therefrom and which can be fixed to the base body (18) in a positive manner. The trim strip (22) is curved in the longitudinal direction thereof. The fastener (24) is provided in the form of an elongated insertion limb, which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the finishing portion (23). The fastener (24) is additionally provided with at least one appendage (25a, 25b).

Abstract: Disclosed is a sealing arrangement, especially for sealing window panes (13) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising a weatherstrip (20) that is provided with a sealing section (21) and a fastening section (22), and a trim (40) which is connected in a non-positive manner to the fastener section (22). Said fastener section (22) encompasses a retaining segment (23) which can be pivoted from a first position (I) into a second position (II) so as to fasten the trim strip (40). In order to obtain a flat embodiment of the trim (40) and be able to reliably fix the trim strip (40) to the weatherstrip (20) while using relatively little mounting force, one end of said trim strip (40) is provided with a first hook section (41) while the other end thereof is provided with a second hook section (42). The second hook section (42) rests in a non-positive manner against the retaining segment (23) while the first hook section (41) catches on a first contact area (24) of the fastening section (22).

Abstract: Circuits and methods for detecting and amplifying sensor and sensor array (102, 104) output signals are presented. According to some aspects, a nonlinear feedback loop containing a sensor element provides a nonlinear transformation that compensates for a corresponding nonlinear response of the sensor element thereby providing a linearized final output signal. In other aspects, idle sensors are coupled to a reference on non-idle sensor elements. Other aspects include sensor and amplification circuits which operate without traditional filtering or switching elements, such that a higher throughput is achieved and no settling time is required due to traditional transients, thus allowing for faster scanning of larger sensor arrays. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to variable gap capacitive sensor arrays and the signal processing electronics.