Abstract: An on-chip inductor structure includes top and bottom metal plates that are formed to surround a conductor coil formed between the top and bottom plates, but is separated therefrom by intervening dielectric material. The top and bottom plates are preferably formed from a ferromagnetic alloy, e.g. Permalloy, and are subdivided into a plurality of space-apart segments, thereby reducing eddy currents. The number of segments is optimized based upon the process technology utilized to fabricate the structure. Preferably, a finite gap is formed between the top plate and the bottom plate, the height of the gap being chosen to adjust the total inductance of the structure.

Abstract: A knob assembly comprising a rotary knob, a rotary actuated potentiometer and an electronic display. The rotary knob has a central opening and is configured to rotate. The rotary actuated potentiometer is actuated by rotation of the rotary knob. The electronic display is located within the central opening of the rotary knob. The electronic display does not rotate with rotation of the rotary knob.

Abstract: A display unit includes a display having a first surface, a second surface and a side surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, and a board configured to extend from the side surface in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto. Because a component for connecting the display and a keypad is omitted, a fabrication cost can be reduced, and the thickness of the display unit, and a mobile terminal having such a display unit, can be reduced.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.

Abstract: An electrical rotary switch has a casing, a rotor supported within the casing for rotation, a moving contact mounted on the rotor for rotation with the rotor, and four fixed contacts located laterally of the rotor for short-circuiting by the moving contact. Each fixed contact has a contact body in the casing for contact by the moving contact and a leg extending from the contact body and projecting out of the casing for insertion through a circuit board and soldering to the circuit board for mechanical and electrical connection.

Abstract: A keypad includes a light guide panel, the interior of which light propagates through; at least one key button positioned on the upper surface of the light guide panel; and at least one reflective pattern fixedly positioned with respect to the light guide panel to reflect a part of the light, which propagates through the interior of the light guide panel, towards the key button.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided for use in a keyboard assembly of a mobile device having a plurality of keys in a key layout. The printed circuit board has a plurality of contacts, such as dome switches, arranged in a contact layout. The contact layout is such that it can be used with a plurality of different key layouts, each actuating different combinations of contacts. Some keys in a particular key layout are overlying at least two of the plurality of contacts, and such keys actuate only one of the underlying contacts. As such, a common printed circuit board can be used for a plurality of complementary mobile device designs having different key layouts, thereby allowing a manufacturer to realize cost efficiencies.

Abstract: A planar magnetic device comprising a planar core, a first plurality of planar windings having apertures, a second plurality of planar windings having apertures, a planar core surrounding at least a portion of the first and second plurality of planar windings, a first terminal having first and second legs separated by about ninety degrees, and a second terminal having first and second legs separated by about ninety degrees, wherein the first leg of the first terminal is positioned through the apertures in the first plurality of planar windings, the first leg of the second terminal is positioned through the apertures in the second plurality of planar windings such that the second leg of the first terminal is adjacent the second leg of the second terminal.

Abstract: An indicator device for vehicles includes a fixed support mounted in the vicinity of a steering column, an actuation lever, a moveable finger mechanically connected to the actuation lever, and safety means. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the moveable finger is mounted on the fixed support slidingly between a position of engagement of its free end, pivoting of the moveable finger being possible only in the engagement position. Return means are provided to return the finger into its disengaged position. The moveable finger and the fixed support each include an indexing surface, and the two surfaces are superimposed as to co-operate with an elastic push button on the end of the actuation lever.

Abstract: Implementations provide a first option of simultaneously turning on or turning off two distinctly separate and isolated electrical circuits, such as when each of two electrical devices are powered by a different energy source. Implementations provide a second option of connecting the two separate circuits together, such as when both of the first electrical device and the second electrical device are to be powered by both of the different energy sources connected in parallel. Included is an electrically isolative rotor internal to a housing. The rotor is keyed with an external knob used to control rotational position of the rotor. Further included are electrically conductive link bars contained by the rotatable rotor that electrically couple with stationary bus bars dependent upon rotational positioning of the rotor. Other implementations of the enhanced switch are envisioned including another depicted implementation discussed allowing for a double-pole, double-throw switch.

Abstract: A keypad assembly including a light guide plate, a keypad, and reflective layers is disclosed. The light guide plate includes reflective patterns that are locally formed on the bottom surface of the light guide plate to reflect a part of light going into the light guide plate to the top surface of the light guide plate. The keypad includes a pad that is in the shape of a box whose bottom is opened by sidewalls and surrounds the remaining portions of the light guide plate except for the bottom surface of the light guide plate and at least one key button placed on the top surface of the pad and outputting light reflected from the reflective patterns to their outside. The reflective layers are formed at the sidewalls of the pad facing the sides of the light guide plate to reflect light irradiated from the sides of the light guide plate back to the sides of the light guide plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-directional input unit. A thin plate-type operating member having an elastic force is fixed to any one of first and second keytops, and the first and second keytops are elastically urged to a predetermined height whereby a reliable click is generated. A portion of an outer peripheral portion of an operating member is mounted on a fixing plate, a first operating portion or a second operating portion is fixed to either the first or second keytops, the first and second keytops are elastically urged to a predetermined height from the fixing plate, and when either of the first and second keytop are pressed down, either of the dome-shaped first and second keytops are inverted, whereby a switch portion is operated.

Abstract: An electrical switch has a common contact body and a first selective contact body and a second selective contact body. A contactor is connected mechanically and in an electrically conducting manner to the common contact body. The contactor comprises an elastic, electrically conducting material. It is formed originating from the basic form of a leaf spring into a multifunctional part having a clamping area, a deformation area and a stiffened actuating area. The pre-tension of the contactor causes the contact fingers to be positioned against the contact surfaces of the first selective contact body. Pressure on the actuating area elastically deforms the contactor, and the actuating area pivots with the contact fingers so that the contact fingers switchingly enclose the contact surfaces of the second selective contact body.

Abstract: An input system is delineated comprising an array of touch regions. At least one touch region is aligned with a sensing structure. The sensing structure comprises a first conductive region; a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern; and a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed. Also delineated is a control panel including a plurality of such switches, as well as an appliance including such a control panel.

Abstract: A neutral position returning mechanism includes an actuator, a spring member including plural elastic extending portions having spiral shapes identical to each other, and a case holding the spring member as to apply a stress to the elastic extending portions. The elastic extending portions extend spirally in a predetermined direction on a predetermined surface from the actuator as a center of each of the spiral shapes. The elastic extending portions extend from the actuator by equal angular intervals about the actuator. The neutral position returning mechanism provides an input device having a low profile.

Abstract: An electric switching device, designed to carry a low-voltage, in particular a circuit-breaker or contactor, having at least one arc-quenching unit (16;18) is provided. Connection contacts (8) are mounted in a housing (2) that can be sealed by a cover (4) and switching chambers (10) are configured in the housing. To adapt the device to different current ranges, the housing (2) and cover (4) are equipped with guide and retaining elements (12, 26, 28, 30) for cooling plates (16) that can be inserted and for arc-quenching laminated cores (18) that can be interchanged with the plates.

Abstract: Located within a GFCI is a movable contact bearing arm which cooperates with at least one fixed contact. When the movable arm is moved up to allow the at least one contact on the arm to close with at least one fixed contact, the GFCI is in a conducting state and current flows from a source of electricity through the closed contacts to a load and to the contacts of a receptacle. When the movable arm is moved down to open the contacts, the GFCI is in a non-conducting state and current cannot flow from the source of electricity to either the load or the receptacle contacts. In this invention, the up and down movement of the movable contact bearing arm is harnessed to move a blocking member located within the housing of the GFCI to a first position to block at least one opening of the receptacle as the movable arm is moved down or to a second position to allow the prongs of a plug to enter the openings of the receptacle as the movable arm is moved up.

Abstract: A multi-phase transformer is provided that includes a first layer having at least a first planar wire and a second planar wire and a second layer formed on the first layer and having at least a third planar wire and a fourth planar wires. At least the first planar wire and the second planar wire of the first layer to form two transformers with at least two planar wires of the second layer. The multi-phase transformer may also include a coupling device to couple one end of the planar wires of the first layer with one of the planar wires of the second layer.

Abstract: An inductor structure (102) formed in an integrated circuit (100) is disclosed, and includes a first isolation layer (106) and a first core plate (104) disposed over or within the first isolation layer (106, 114). The first core plate (104) includes a plurality of electrically coupled conductive traces composed of a conductive ferromagnetic material layer. A second isolation layer (108) overlies the first isolation layer and an inductor coil (102) composed of a conductive material layer (118) is formed within the second isolation layer (108). Another core plate may be formed over the coil. The one or more core plates increase an inductance (L) of the inductor coil (102).

Abstract: An output filter for an audio amplifier includes a printed circuit board having at least one aperture extending through the printed circuit board. The output filter includes a first coil winding formed on a layer of the printed circuit board. The first coil winding substantially surrounds the first aperture. A magnetic core includes at least one leg. The at least one leg passes through the at least one aperture.