Abstract: An anti-theft system for a motor vehicle includes a transceiver disposed in a motor vehicle and a portable transponder. If a magnetic alternating field of the transceiver is turned on, energy signals are transmitted inductively to the transponder, where they charge an energy storing device. As soon as the alternating field is turned off, a transponder oscillating circuit oscillates at its resonant frequency. This oscillation is transmitted inductively back to the transceiver. In the process, the resonant frequency is measured. Then, the exciter frequency of the alternating field is adapted to the resonant frequency of the transponder, so that the inductive energy transmission is as effective as possible in subsequent charging operations.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a motor vehicle electrical system has a plurality of electronic modules. The electrical power input of each module is coupled to the output of a switching power supply. Further, the electrical power input of each module is switchably coupled to vehicle system voltage. During "key-on", the switchable connection to vehicle system voltage is closed, thereby providing "key-on" power for the modules from system voltage. During "key-off", the switchable connection is opened, thereby providing "key-off" power for the modules from the switching power supply. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a motor vehicle electrical system has at least one electronic module with a normal power input and a "key-off" power input. The normal power input is coupled to vehicle system voltage, and the "key-off" power input is coupled to the output of a switching power supply. Systems embodying the present invention can reduce "key-off" current draw from the vehicle battery.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an emergency power supply to be coupled to an electric power source providing an incoming AC signal may include an input/output terminal, a battery with a DC voltage, a rectifier coupled directly to the input/output terminal and connected to the battery, an inverter coupled directly to the input/output terminal and connected to the battery, and a control circuit coupled to the rectifier and the inverter so that in a first operational mode the rectifier is coupled to the battery to rectify an incoming AC signal at the input/output terminal to charge the battery and the inverter is decoupled from the battery, and in a second operational mode the inverter is coupled to the battery to invert the DC voltage to provide an outgoing AC signal at the input/output terminal and the rectifier is decoupled from the battery.

Abstract: An output driver circuit comprises a plurality of parallel pull up and pull down circuits each comprising at least one transistor switch switchable between on and off states and circuitry operable to maintain a desired resistance in the circuit when the transistor switch is switched on, and switch actuating circuitry including time delay circuitry for effecting a sequence of transistor switching operations in said pull-up and pull-down circuits with a time delay between successive operations, each operation effecting simultaneous switching of a transistor in one pull-up circuit and one pull-down circuit, whereby the output impedance is stabilised during a change in signal on the output terminal.

Abstract: A new vehicle anti-theft system for preventing theft of motor vehicles. The inventive device includes a module which is mounted within the vehicle's dashboard and which is connected to the vehicle's electrical power system and the vehicle's ignition system, and an audio unit which releasably connects with the module and which includes an electrical connection associated therewith which connects the electrical power system to the ignition system when the audio unit is connected to the module thus permitting the vehicle to be started. When the audio unit is disconnected from the module, the electrical power system and the ignition system are disconnected which prevents the vehicle from being started until the audio unit is again connected to the module.

Abstract: An AC two-wire switch, comprising a pair of external terminals, a main circuit bidirectional switching module being connected between a pair of the external terminals, a control circuit for controlling action of the main circuit bidirectional switching module, and a self-generating power supply for providing the working power supply to the control circuit. The self-generating power supply includes a rectifying circuit, a voltage stabilizing circuit, a main circuit off-state feed circuit and at least one mutual inductor. According to this invention, the provided AC two-wire switch may greatly reduce the additional on-state voltage-drop and the additional off-state current, and furnish the best short-circuit protection and quick-acting overload protection.

Abstract: In accordance with an output signal from a weight sensor mounted on a vehicle, a display control section causes a display unit to display weight calculated at predetermined intervals by a weight calculating section. The display control section adds, to the weight which is being displayed, the difference in the weights sequentially calculated by the weight calculating section from detection of start of a loading/unloading operation performed by a detection section to start of running of the vehicle and causes the display unit to display the obtained weight. A power supply control section for controlling a power supply circuit for supplying operating electric power for the sensor, the display unit, the display control section and the detection section controls to interrupt supply of operating electric power from the power supply circuit when an ignition switch is switched off.

Abstract: An acceleration sensitive switch (10) equipped with an inertial mass member ("IMM") (12) that is deflectable from a holding position to an actuated position in response to a predetermined acceleration force. A voltage controlled hold plate (18) generates an electrostatic force that opposes the acceleration forces and holds the IMM (12) in a holding position until overcome by the predetermined acceleration force. The predetermined acceleration force necessary to trigger the switch may conveniently be adjusted by adjusting the voltage applied to the hold plate (18). The switch includes a self-test plate (34) that tests proper functioning of the switch. Other features include the interchangeability of the self-test plate and the hold plate. The switch is particularly useful as a safing switch in a system for controlling an air bag or other vehicle occupant restraint system.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for an automobile. The circuit includes a battery, turn signal switch, brake switch, parking light switch, flashers, diodes, a relay, turn lights, parking lights, tail lights, and brake lights. When the turn signal is activated, the parking lights and tail lights come on. When the brakes are applied, the tail lights come on in the daytime and go off at night.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a power unit communicating power between a turbine alternator, flywheel and traction motor. The power unit stores DC power in capacitors and places the power on a DC bus for use in driving the induction machines. A housing includes at least one wall forming an enclosed perimeter, the wall including a plurality of fastener members extending therethrough. The power unit comprising a DC storage unit and DC bus and power switches connected with a heat exchanger provide signals to an AC bus wherein each is connected to each other to form a structural unit. The fastener members are connected through the wall and to the power unit for installation as a single unit in a vehicle.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a roof module on which various electric accessories and control circuits therefore are mounted at the front portion of the ceiling of a motor vehicle at the driver's seat side, so that the installation of functional electric accessories such as a sunroof and of the control circuits are greatly simplified. Inner equipments, electric accessories such as an antenna, control unit, and the like are assembled on an assemblage board formed into a shape which is suited to mount at the front portion of the ceiling of a motor vehicle at the driver's side, and that connectors for making a connection with an external electric circuit are provided thereon. A pair of connectors, which simultaneously act as a fixture and engage with each other are provided on the assemblage board of the roof module, thereby the coupling of the assemblage board with the overhead mount as well as the connection of the circuits are simultaneously performed.

Abstract: A device for enabling and disabling the supply of power from a power source to a computer, the power source having a primary side and a secondary side, the device including an interlock switch connected to the computer, the interlock switch selectably positionable between open and closed positions; and two optocouplers coupled in parallel, both of which are referenced to the secondary side of the power source. When the interlock switch is closed, the first optocoupler is active. This enables the supply of power from the power source to the computer. When the interlock switch opens, the first optocoupler shuts off. This disables the supply of power from the power source to the computer. Further when the interlock switch is opened, the second optocoupler is saturated. This overrides the regulation feedback circuitry from regulating the power supplied by the power source driving the power outputted to the computer to zero. When the interlock switch is closed, the second optocoupler operates in the linear region.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for a vehicle comprises a first branch or sub-circuit and at least one second branch or sub-circuit. The first branch or sub-circuit includes the vehicle battery, an electrical generator to be driven by the vehicle's engine or transmission and for charging the battery, a starter motor to be driven by the battery for initiating engine operation, and a number of electrical components operable at voltages equal to or greater than the battery's nominal output voltage. At least one of the second branches or sub-circuits includes a number of other electrical components (e.g. lamps) that are susceptible to damage if the voltage supply thereto is too high, this second branch or sub-circuit being connected to the first branch or sub-circuit via an element, e.g. a diode, providing a substantially constant voltage drop.

Abstract: A security system for a vehicle includes a keyboard for receiving input codes that comprise user input codes and a start code. A processor is operably coupled to the keyboard for receiving signals indicative of each input user code and the start code, wherein the processor provides an output signal if an input user code corresponds to an user code and is followed by the start code. The processor also provides the output signal if the start code has been entered during an adjustable time period after the vehicle has been turned off. A controlled device is operably connected to the processor and controls a component of the vehicle to allow the vehicle to start when the output signal from the processor is received.

Abstract: A flux concentrator 1300 for an inductive power transfer system is made up from rectangular fingers 1301 of ferrite material held in close contact by compression means to form a large shock resistant core. The fingers are positioned at right angles to a primary conductor 1312 to concentrate the horizontal component of the magnetic flux through the flux concentrator. The fingers include bridge sections 1309 adapted to support pick-up coil windings 1307. The flux concentrator is covered by a conducting sheet of aluminum 1311 on the side of the magnetic core far away from the source of magnetic flux.

Abstract: An overvoltage limiting circuit having first and second terminals to produce a temperature-stable voltage proportional to an overvoltage condition. The overvoltage limiting circuit includes a first transistor having a first terminal connected to the first terminal of the circuit, a second terminal kept at a reference voltage relative to the second terminal of the circuit, and a control terminal coupled with the second terminal of the circuit through equivalent resistor means whose value depends on the value of the temperature-stable voltage so that the first transistor has a temperature-stable breakdown voltage.

Abstract: In an on-board wiring system for vehicles has a battery line for connecting a generator with an energy accumulator and a disconnection switch, actuated as a result of an accident, arranged therein. Additional consuming devices are connected to the energy accumulator by way of a consuming device line. The disconnection switch 2 is constructed such that, in addition to the battery line 3, it also interrupts the consuming device line 9 and in the process also disconnects it from the battery line 3.

Abstract: A safety module which is intended to be used in an oil or gas production installation and to be lowered to a required depth with an electrically operable tool connected thereto, and which comprises a housing (2), a pressure sensitive switch (3) and a temperature sensitive switch in the housing which are adapted to switch at predetermined pressure and temperature values respectively, in which the pressure sensitive switch and the temperature sensitive switch only allow an electrical command signal to be conveyed to the tool when the pressure and temperature both reach the predetermined pressure and temperature values.

Abstract: A process for controlling the use of a motor vehicle is provided using a code signal having two parts which is contained in a code memory carried by the user. A code comparator is contained in the motor vehicle into which the code signal is fed and which, if this code signal corresponds to a reference code signal, releases the use of the motor vehicle. The code memory has an access control device which can be controlled by the code comparator and which in each case releases only a partial code signal for a reading operation. This release takes place only if the first read partial code signal corresponds to the corresponding reference partial code signal.

Abstract: An improved driver interface system provides prompts to an operator to adjust several vehicle parameters. In this way, the operator is assured to adjust the necessary components upon start up of the vehicle. This is particularly important when the driver is unfamiliar with the car, as with a rental car. In one embodiment, the driver may be provided with a transmitter that stores desired settings for at least some parameters. The transmitter can then transmit the operator's desired parameters to a control, and the vehicle components can then begin to be moved to the desired positions as the operator approaches the vehicle. In other aspects of this invention, improved switches are disclosed. A rotary switch rotates on a steering wheel rim. This switch is easily accessible to an operator, and does not require the operator to divert attention from the road. A second type switch includes an element which is sensitive to touch by the operator.