Abstract: Heated hand grips for motorcycles or other applications, such as snowmobiles, are disclosed. The hand grips enable better control and comfort for the user. The hand grips described herein have a better design for mounting on the handle bars, allowing for a better seal against ingress of moisture and for sturdier mounting of the control circuitry. The control circuitry itself is simplified, and the control knob has built-in detents for more tactile feedback to the user. The heated elements themselves include a temperature sensor for simplified wiring and immediate feedback.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system automatically detects the presence of a person sealed in the trunk of an automobile by sensing the CO2 respiration of the person. Visible, audio and radio alarms are generated in response to the detection of a person in the trunk. If the vehicle is stopped, the trunk will automatically open and allow the person to escape.

Abstract: An automotive seat includes optical sensors for determining a load on the seat, such as a person. The sensors may be used with a computer and computer software to analyze data from the sensors in determining a weight of the load, and the sensors may also be used to determine a shape of the load. From the weight and shape of the load, the computer may decide whether the load is suitable for safe deployment of an automatic restraining device, such as an airbag.

Abstract: An angular position sensor employs a pair of magnets that are disposed on a rotating cylinder at opposite ends of a diameter of the cylinder. A hall-effect flux sensor is fixed within the cylinder and offset from a line of geometric and magnetic symmetry between the magnets. The offset sensor detects a linear change in flux of the magnets as the magnets rotate with the cylinder over a predetermined angular distance and thereby determines the angular position of the cylinder. The offset of the sensor is adjusted to reduce the sensing error.

Abstract: An angular position sensor employs a pair of magnets that are disposed on a rotating cylinder at opposite ends of a diameter of the cylinder. A hall-effect flux sensor is fixed within the cylinder and offset from a line of geometric symmetry between the magnets. The offset sensor detects a linear change in flux of the magnets as the magnets rotate with the cylinder over a predetermined angular distance and thereby determines the angular position of the cylinder. The offset of the sensor is adjusted to reduce the sensing error.

Abstract: An accelerometer is limited to a very small displacement range, and within that range, is useful for detecting motion and change of rate of motion by optical, magnetic, or electrical means. A unique spring suspends a planar mass that is very sensitive to motion of an object in which the accelerometer is held. In one embodiment, an optical detector detects the motion of the mass by the intensity of reflected radiation. In another embodiment, a Hall-effect sensor detects the motion of the mass by a current generated by the motion of the mass in an electric field. The accelerometer may be used in a variety of automotive, appliance, and industrial applications.

Abstract: An angular position sensor employs a pair of magnets that are disposed on a rotating cylinder at opposite ends of a diameter of the cylinder. A hall-effect flux sensor is fixed within the cylinder and offset from a line of geometric and magnetic symmetry between the magnets. The offset sensor detects a linear change in flux of the magnets as the magnets rotate with the cylinder over a predetermined angular distance and thereby determines the angular position of the cylinder. The offset of the sensor is adjusted to reduce the sensing error.

Abstract: An accelerometer is limited to a very small displacement range, and within that range, is useful for detecting motion and change of rate of motion by optical, magnetic, or electrical means. A unique spring suspends a planar mass that is very sensitive to motion of an object in which the accelerometer is held. In one embodiment, an optical detector detects the motion of the mass by the intensity of reflected radiation. In another embodiment, a Hall-effect sensor detects the motion of the mass by a current generated by the motion of the mass in an electric field. The accelerometer may be used in a variety of automotive, appliance, and industrial applications.

Abstract: A solenoid-actuated latchable relay is controlled by a microprocessor that turns on at least one triac to selectively energize a solenoid coil with a desired polarity energization signal. The triac is only operated momentarily so that a single energization pulse is applied to the coil to move an associated magnetic plunger to a position corresponding to the polarity of the pulse. The magnetic plunger is latched in this position until another pulse is applied to change the position.

Abstract: A solenoid-actuated latchable relay is controlled by a microprocessor that turns on at least one triac to selectively energize a solenoid coil with a desired polarity energization signal. The triac is only operated momentarily so that a single energization pulse is applied to the coil to move an associated magnetic plunger to a position corresponding to the polarity of the pulse. The magnetic plunger is latched in this position until another pulse is applied to change the position.

Abstract: A method is provided for depositing a spatially fine pattern of magnets on a substrate. The substrate can be fabricated from any number of materials, such as plastics, metals or ceramics. When sufficiently magnetized, the magnets will provide a magnetic field that can be sensed by a magnetic proximity sensor, to determine the position of the magnets. The magnets can be arranged in a plurality of patterns, including radial or linear arrangements. The ability to arrange these magnets in varying patterns provides a wide capability of magnetic sensing applications.

Abstract: The invention concerns an accessory control system for automobiles. The apparatus integrates the user controls, the power switches that drive the accessories and motors for the accessories, and feedback from the accessories to allow the control system to apply proper corrections to the accessories. The system desirably includes semiconductor memory as well, allowing a user to command the control system to position the accessory to predetermined positions.

Abstract: A proximity detector that employs a Hall-effect flux sensor disposed between the like poles of two magnets. The opposing fields of the magnets define a null flux field at a sensing plane of the Hall-effect sensor. A proximate ferrous object will deflect the null point and will therefore apply flux to the sensor. The sensor generates a signal indicative of the presence or absence of the ferrous object. In manufacturing a preferred spatial position of the null point with respect to the Hall-effect sensor is defined by adjusting the field strength of at least one of the opposed magnets.

Abstract: A magnetic accelerometer detects the sharp lateral rocking movements of an unbalanced spinning tub of a washing machine. The accelerometer has a fixed and a movable magnet that are disposed at a rest position in spaced, magnetic attraction to each other. The movable magnet breaks away from the stationary magnet in response to vibration forces of a predetermined magnitude and frequency. When the magnet breaks away, it presses against an actuator button of a miniature switch and therefore signals an alarm condition. When the vibration forces are reduced below the trigger level, the movable magnet is pulled back to its rest position by magnetic attraction with the stationary magnet. The magnetic attraction of the stationary and movable magnets can be adjusted and the break away point can be set by applying an external magnetic field to the magnets.

Abstract: An improved proximity detector comprising a hall effect sensor affixed to a permanent magnet, where the improvement comprises tuning the operational gradient of the magnetic field normal to the face of the detector. An apparatus and method for tuning the operational gradient of the magnetic field normal to the face of the detector is also discloses and utilizes means for generating magnetic fields parallel and perpendicular to the face of the magnetic proximity detector. The tuning apparatus changes the gradient through the application of magnetic tuning fields to the sensor magnetic, thereby changing the operational gradient axis, the operational gradient strength or both.

Abstract: A control system for use with a bidirectional motor connected to a motorized vehicle accessory to move the accessory a distance from a first position to a second position. The control system includes a detector responsive to control signals emitted from the motor during rotation, where the control signals indicate the amount of motor rotation. The control system also includes a memory that stores information used to represent the position of the accessory. Additionally, this control system includes a controller responsive to the memory and the detector. The controller provides an output signal to operate the motor based on the distance between a first position and a second position of the accessory as well as control signals that indicate the amount of motor rotation. The controller includes an adjustment routine that determines a correction factor that is applied to the output signal to compensate for inaccuracies in control signal detection.

Abstract: A cursor control device moves from a precise zero rest position to define x-y coordinates for moving a cursor on a computer screen. When an actuating force is removed, the deflected control device is precisely returned to its zero rest position by operation of springs. The device provides relative cursor position data by reference to the zero rest position. The position data is converted to electrical signals which are utilized to position the cursor on the screen.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly operable by means of a force applied in a first direction and including a switch having an switch actuator member responsive to a force applied thereto in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The switch assembly further comprises a transfer actuator having a force receiving portion facing the first direction and an end portion flexibly connected at a first end thereof to the force receiving portion and at a second end thereof bearing against a surface slidably in the second direction. A tab connected to the end portion and movable therewith is operably aligned with the switch actuator member. A force applied in the first direction to the force receiving portion of the transfer actuator is transferred to the second direction to operate the switch. This is accomplished by means of the transfer actuator having a shape that flattens out when a force is applied thereto from the first direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming insert molded circuits. The process includes inserting a circuit network comprised of a lace curtain with a plurality of individual circuits which are connected by interconnect members into a mold and then separating the individual circuits in the mold by cutting the interconnect members while the lace curtain is in the mold. After the interconnect members have been severed, plastic is injected into the mold thereby surrounding the individual traces. A mold for performing the process is disclosed which includes a retractable punch arrangement.

Abstract: An electroluminescent display panel has a glass substrate which supports a matrix of electrodes and phosphor pixels. The matrix and a molecular sieve are vacuum sealed against the substrate within a compliant back cap made of laminated layers of aluminum and polyethylene.