Abstract: The invention relates to an electric drive unit for adjustment systems in motor vehicles, more particularly for an electrically operated window winder. The electric drive unit comprises an electric motor, a gear unit into which the extended motor shaft of the electric motor projects, and a current unit with a plug or adequate solder spots. The current unit is designed as an intermediate rail for connecting the electric motor and gear housing. When using a commutator motor, the brush holder of the commutator motor is incorporated in the intermediate rail. The intermediate rail preferably forms a structurally uniform block with the plug, and, when additionally using an electronics unit, also with the electronics unit.

Abstract: A motor drive apparatus for an electric vehicle has a case attached to a vehicle body; an output axle which rotates relative to the case; an electric motor having a magneto stator secured to an inside wall of the case and a rotor which faces the magneto stator with a predetermined clearance and rotates relative to the case; and a planetary gear unit provided inside of the rotor and consisting of three components of a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier. The electric motor speed is output from the output axle through the planetary gear unit.

Abstract: A plurality of stepper motors, each of which comprises a stator assembly and a rotor, are axially aligned to form with a control system an encoder for use in a printing apparatus. The rotors constitute print wheels which support different print characters. The stator assembly of each motor only extends above a part of the circumference of the associated rotor. This enables the axial extent of the print wheels to be reduced, A sensor arrangement is provided to enable the home position of each wheel to be determined. In operation, the control system receives desired print character information and rotates the associated rotor to the correct position for printing to take place. Once all rotors have been rotated to their desired position for printing, printing can then take place. The arrangement enables the printing process to run faster than previously.

Abstract: There are provided a first constant-current circuit and a second constant-current circuit, and a first resistor connected in series with the first constant-current circuit generates a band-gap voltage. The first constant-current circuit and the second constant-current circuit constitute a current Miller circuit, and a part of a current that flows through the second resistor connected in series with the second constant-current circuit is outputted as a constant current source. The constant-current power supply IC, which has the above-mentioned arrangement, is designed as follows: the first resistor and the second resistor have a predetermined line-width ratio that is determined in such a manner that if the respective line-widths vary by virtually the same value, a varied amount in the second constant current value that has been caused by a variation in the value of resistivity of the first resistor is cancelled by a varied amount caused by a variation in the value of resistivity of the second resistor.

Abstract: A switched reluctance generator system provides an ac output voltage through only one stage of power conversion. The system includes a converter for coupling a dc voltage via a dc excitation bus to a switched reluctance generator and thereby providing excitation power thereto, and further includes a separate ac generator bus for providing the ac output voltage. A bridge-type configuration of thyristor-type switching devices are used to couple power generated across each respective machine phase winding to the ac generator bus. During initiation of generating action and load faults, the thyristor-type switching devices are turned off such that the ac generator bus is effectively disconnected from the switched reluctance generator, allowing the excitation bus to be charged to a desired level. During normal generating operation, the thyristor-type switching devices are appropriately gated, increasing and decreasing current as needed, to provide the ac output voltage on the ac generator bus.

Abstract: A method of controlling the switching transistor in the switch mode power supply of a television receiver includes the steps of selectively operating the transistor in a stand-by state, a start-up state and an ON-state. During the stand-by state the switching transistor is rendered conductive by applying bursts of pulses at a frequency above, and unsynchronized with, the line frequency of the television receiver. The pulses are separated by changing intervals. During the start-up state the frequency of said bursts of the pulses is continuously reduced and pulses and the duration of the on time of the transistor is determined using a regulation voltage. During the ON-state, line synchronizing pulses are applied and the switching transistor is regulated to the line frequency.

Abstract: A spindle motor comprises a stationary member, a hub which is mounted rotatably on the stationary member through a pair of bearings, a rotor magnet which is mounted on the hub, a stator located face to face to said rotor magnet and a clamp for mounting recording disks to the hub. The hub is provided with a mating protrusion for fixing the clamp, the mating protrusion is fitted with a flat end of the hub, and the clamp is fixed by mounting the flat end of the hub with a fastening screw. Further, with a sealing member being fitted on the bearing, a labyrinthine sealing structure is formed with the sealing member and the stationary member.

Abstract: A device for making current measurements used in determining the charging status of a vehicle storage battery, comprising a ground conductor connected between one pole of the storage battery and the ground contact. The pole is connected via electrical conductors to a sensor having a source of electric power for providing at least one electric current to the ground connector. Values which are deducted from the current flowing through the ground conductor are provided to a microprocessor to determine the charging status of the battery.

Abstract: A battery is charged in three successive charging intervals. In the first charging interval, charging is continued For a fixed time regardless of battery voltage change. In the second charging interval, charging is ceased by detecting a voltage drop from a peak battery voltage. In the third charging interval, charging is ceased by detecting the peak battery voltage. Early disconnect as well as over-charging are prevented.

Abstract: A spindle motor for a disc drive data storage device in which the stator is isolated from the stationary portion of the motor used to attach the spindle motor to the disc drive housing by use of resilient members interposed between the stator and the stationary portion of the motor. In a preferred embodiment, the resilient members comprise a plurality of toroidal rings, or O-rings, and, in a first aspect of the invention, these rings are interposed radially between the stator and the stationary portion of the spindle motor and are axially constrained in relationship to the motor by a corresponding number of annular grooves formed in the stationary portion of the motor. In a second aspect of the invention, metal-to-metal contact between the stator and the stationary portion of the motor in the axial direction is eliminated through the use of a non-metallic washer at one end of the stator and an axial O-ring at the other end of the stator.

Abstract: A phase winding detector (50) is preferably used to detect alternator (11) rotation in an alternator charging system (10). The detector (50) receives a single winding phase output signal (at 39) and utilizes a sampling apparatus (71, 74, 76) to provide a sampled phase output signal (at 75). A comparison circuit (70) provides an output by comparing the phase output signal with the sampled phase output signal, whereby a detection of variation in the phase output signal is provided (at terminals 85, 87 and 51). After initial detection of variation of the phase winding output signal, preferably additional circuitry (77, 79, 83) results in comparing the phase winding signal with a fixed reference threshold (V.sub.ref). Detection of a phase winding output signal is implemented without use of a substantial DC blocking capacitor and is implemented by monitoring only one input signal terminal.

Abstract: A battery charger status monitor circuit (40) for monitoring the status of a battery (12) charged with current pulses. The current pulses charging the battery (12) are reduced in frequency and duty cycle as the battery approaches a fully charged condition. By monitoring the number of current pulses charging the battery within a predetermined time period, the charge status of the battery (12) is determined. If no pulses are detected within the predetermined time period, the battery (12) is fully charged. A counter (47) is incremented by a clock signal. A charge signal resets the counter (47). The charge signal corresponds to the current pulses charging the battery. If the counter (47) reaches a predetermined count, the clock and charge signals are disabled. Reaching the predetermined count before resetting indicates the battery (12) is fully charged. When the counter is below the predetermined count, the battery (12) is being charged.

Abstract: A charging circuit for a lead-acid storage battery for a mobile radio transceiver which operates effectively with an input from a vehicular battery terminal that may vary over a range of 25 volts in output voltage has a control circuit for regulating the charging current connected between the charging current output and the same control input of the same pulse width modulator that is used for output voltage control. The pulse width modulator is part of an integrated circuit which includes also a d.c. to d.c. voltage converter and an output voltage regulator. A branch circuit includes a current sensing resistor (45) of less than 1 ohm. The voltage drop across said sensing resistor is too small to control a control transistor network (46, 52) and therefore a constant voltage is added thereto by a voltage adding resistor network (56, 57, 47, 48) coupled to said transistor network.

Abstract: A control circuit for safe charging a rechargeable battery comprising a forced short-circuit switch, a safety switch, an automatic change switch, a first rectification circuit, a second rectification circuit, a reverse-polarity detection circuit, a charging-signal output circuit, an oscillation circuit, and a condition-indicating signal assembly. Power supply can be provided from a conventional charging device or a spare battery. During the charging operations, the reverse-polarity detection circuit is used for detecting the correct polarity connection; when reverse polarity was connected, the automatic change switch will correct the polarity by indication the occupance of such condition with the indicating lamps in the condition-indicating signal assembly so as to provide a smooth and safe battery recharging.

Abstract: A battery unit charger system is provided which includes a charger (110) for supplying charge current and a battery (120) having a memory (122) for storing battery-related information. The charger (110) includes a controller which exchanges the battery-related information with the memory (122) and in response thereto, controls overall operation of the charger (120). The battery (120) includes a common battery port (126) for selectively receiving charge current and for exchanging data with the charger (120). The controller cuts off the supply of charge current when data is being exchanged with the memory through the common port (126).

Abstract: An adapter for an electric vehicle is provided which imposes an identification signal on the outlet voltage to inform the battery charger of the characteristics of the outlet (e.g., the maximum current and voltage) to allow the battery charger to charge at the maximum possible rate allowable by the outlet.

Abstract: A system for charging a rechargeable battery of a portable unit in a rack includes a detection circuit which detects the presence of the unit in the rack. The system has circuitry for transferring of energy from a supply circuit of the rack via a charging circuit of the unit to the battery. The transfer circuit is formed by an induction path which comprises a coil of the rack and a coil of the unit. The unit has a transmission circuit which, after placement of the unit in the rack, transmits a message via a wireless path, for example the induction path, to a control circuit of the rack, the control circuit being connected to the supply circuit. If the rack does not receive, or does not satisfactorily receive, a message expected upon placement of the unit in the rack, the control circuit controls the supply circuit so as to make the supply circuit select a higher transfer rate than normal for the purpose of transferring energy to the battery via the induction path.

Abstract: A standard automobile battery is modified to contain a set of retractable jumper cables, pre-attached to the positive and negative terminals of the battery. The cables are housed in a separate chamber formed either internally in a modified battery casing or externally in an auxiliary structure augmenting the usual casing. A bulb is connected across the cables to provide visual indication of good cable contact. Jumper clamps are made luminescent.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a bandgap reference voltage circuit with first and second current legs and circuitry for generating a bandgap reference voltage. A transistor is coupled to the first current leg for selectively providing current to the first leg of the bandgap reference voltage circuit. A control circuit controls the transistor to turn the transistor on when an external voltage supply is initially applied to the apparatus to provide a start up current to the bandgap voltage reference source and senses an output voltage developed by the bandgap reference current source. The control circuit turns off the transistor responsive to the sensed developed voltage when the sensed developed voltage rises above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to charge a battery including a DC charge current supply having a variable output. The charging current is varied in accordance with several sensed parameters in the circuit so that battery voltage is accurately controlled. Initially, constant charging current is applied, and upon detecting that battery voltage increases to the gassing voltage, an incremental step reduction in charging current is triggered. The step reduction causes a decrease in battery voltage, dropping it below the gassing voltage. The step reduced charging current is then applied to increase battery voltage back up to the gassing voltage, thereby triggering another step reduction in charging current. This process is repeated multiple times providing a stepped current profile, i.e., each battery voltage increase to the gassing voltage triggering a step reduction in charging current, and in turn a corresponding voltage reduction.