Abstract: Fieldbus is a digital, two-way communication link for remotely located sensors, controllers and actuators used in industrial applications. The fieldbus simultaneously carries a digital signal for communication with devices attached to the bus and DC power to operate those devices. Unless isolated from the fieldbus, the constant voltage DC power supply would prevent the propagation of the varying voltage of the digital communication signals on the fieldbus. An adaptive current source is provided between the output the constant voltage power supply and the fieldbus wiring to isolate the power supply. The adaptive current source can also be used to isolate the input of DC/DC voltage converters providing power to devices attached to the fieldbus.

Abstract: A repeater, useable for connecting switches in a data communication network, is provided in a distributed and/or modular fashion. The repeater includes a plurality of separate and distinct components or modules connected to or at least partially housed in, the various switches which the repeater modules couple. Preferably, the repeater autodetects and/or autoconfigures some or all aspects of repeater operations, such as detecting and/or configuring in response to appropriate or approved cable-type connections. A conductive, sealing member on a cable connector substantially reduces or eliminates EMI.

Abstract: A completely passive and self-contained solid-state circuit interrupter for removing DC power while mating and unmating connectors is integrated into a connector housing. An electronic mechanism is employed to de-energize the power contacts while the mating connectors are more than a predetermined distance apart.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automotive power supply system for preventing uncontrolled acceleration that includes a battery, an ignition switch electrically connected to the battery, and an acceleration responses switch provided between the battery and the ignition switch.

Abstract: An electrical equipment module is mounted in, for example, an electrically-powered seat unit for a vehicle. Multiple wire groups (52-56) comprised of wire harnesses or flat cables are led out of a module body (51) of the electrical equipment module (50) from different sides of the module body, thus reducing the outside diameter and thickness of each wire group so that the module body is thin and suited to be mounted in narrow layout space under a seat. By mounting, to the module body, a connector for connecting a printed circuit board (51m) in the module body to an external power supply or an external sensor and by making complicated wiring between the connector and the printed circuit board (51m) in advance in the module body, an assembling (wiring) work at the time of manufacturing the electrical equipment module is simplified.

Abstract: A device that is easy to assemble and not subject to wear has an induction coil in the seat back of the motor vehicle seat. This induction coil is inductively coupled to the guide rod of the head restraint that is movably supported in the seat back.

Abstract: A power unit having a built-in battery to supply voltage from the battery over a long period of time by utilizing fully the capabilities of the built-in battery. The power unit supplies electric power to a load even when a battery with a higher battery voltage than the external power source voltage is used by charging the battery from an external power source even when the external power source voltage is lower than the battery voltage. By charging the battery when electric power is supplied to a load from an external power source, the power unit supplies electric power to the load from the battery when the supply of electricity from an external power source is cut off. The power unit includes a having converter to boost output voltage from the battery and to supply the voltage to the load when the battery is discharged and the external power source voltage is higher than the battery voltage.

Abstract: A battery powered lawn mower includes a cutting deck 2; an electric motor 6 mounted on the deck 2; a battery 8 mounted on the deck which is in electrical connection with the motor 6; and a switch 12 mounted on the deck 2. The switch is disposed closely adjacent both the battery 8 and the motor 6 and is between the battery and motor in the electrical circuit. The switch is linked by a cable to a lever mounted on the mower handle which controls the switch so as to be in one of two positions. In the first position the switch links the motor and battery so as operate the motor. In the second position, the switch links the two terminals of the motor so as to create regenerative braking within the motor.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus having a modular structure is characterized by a connection module that can be mounted on a carrier rail that is provided with connection levels including double or multiple connections and a serial alignment of disk-shaped base terminal carriers. Several power supply elements are provided on the terminal carriers, the elements being connected to the connection levels via bus bars of the disk-shaped base terminal carriers. The bus bars extend only on one of the sides of the base terminal carrier to the pertinent multiple connections. With the use of base terminal carriers, both a block structure and a disk structure as well as a combination of the two can be constructed.

Abstract: A switching circuitry and a switching method which reduces the influence of parasitic capacitance and provides improved signal performance at high frequencies. The circuitry may comprise a transistor having a source connected to an input node having an output resistance R2, and a drain is connected to the output node having an input resistance R3. The gate of the transistor is connected to a control node with output resistance R12 generating a control signal which opens or closes the transistor. By arranging that R1>>R2 (and assuming that R1≧R3), high frequency circuitry characteristics are dramatically improved, and the circuit provides high frequency voltage gain approaching unity and phase shift between the output and input voltages approaching zero to reduce signal degradation. Alternative arrangements may employ bipolar, FET, or MOS transistors or transistor pairs. The switching circuitry has numerous applications, e.g.

Abstract: A position switch of a select lever can switch in the ranges including “P”, “R”, “N”, “D”, “3”, “2”, “1” and the like. Code signals having combinations of “1” and “0” signals (on and off signals) to be respectively applied to a plurality of signal lines are arranged in such predetermined patterns as to correspond to the respective range positions and range-to-range intermediate positions “Z1”-“Z6”. Patterns of code signals corresponding to the respective operating positions of a select lever are set in the whole operating position of the select lever in such a manner that even when a signal in any one of the signal lines L1-L5 remains to be “0”, the combination of on and off signals is prevented from coinciding with the pattern of the signal corresponding to any operating position other than operating positions adjacent to each of the operation positions.

Abstract: A method and circuit for generating a voltage waveform across a capacitive load such as an electroluminescent device is described. The method includes the steps of charging and discharging the capacitive load using a constant current source. By sequentially performing the steps of providing a constant current through the capacitive load, eliminating the current, and discharging the capacitive load, a trapezoidal voltage waveform is achieved. In portable telephones and laptop computers with electroluminescent displays, the trapezoidal waveform results in reduced audible noise and power consumption.

Abstract: A passenger protection device of an automobile is triggered when a testable acceleration switch supplies a switch signal and an electrically controlled switching device is actuated by a control circuit depending on a collision. Actuation of the switching device is prevented on a triggering circuit side by a blocking device so that the passenger protection device is not triggered as a result of faulty control switching during testing of the acceleration switch.

Abstract: A voltage generating circuit according to the present invention includes an external power supply interconnection supplied with an external power supply voltage, an internal power supply interconnection to supply an internal power supply voltage to a load, a regulator circuit which receives the output of the external power supply interconnection and generates a rated voltage for the internal power supply voltage, a voltage switch transistor to connect the external power supply interconnection and the internal power supply interconnection. The regulator circuit and voltage switch transistor are complementarily activated based on the voltage level of a control node. The voltage generating circuit further includes a voltage switch circuit to switch the voltage level of the control node based on the voltage level of the external power supply interconnection.

Abstract: An electronic device has a housing having a first transparent surface and a second transparent surface opposite to the first transparent surface. A timepiece movement is disposed in the housing and has a display for displaying time through the first transparent surface of the housing. A thermoelectric generator is disposed in the housing for generating electric power in response to a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator. At least one solar generator is disposed on the second transparent surface of the housing for receiving light transmitted through the second transparent surface to generate electric power. An electrical power storage device stores electric power generated by at least one of the thermoelectric generator and the solar generator and supplies the electric power to the timepiece movement.

Abstract: A power supply assembly for a vehicle includes a generator connected to an engine of the vehicle; a high-voltage bus to which the output voltage of the generator is supplied and to which a high-voltage load is connected; a low-voltage bus connected to the high-voltage bus via a voltage step-down element and to which a starter motor and a low-voltage load are connected; a high-voltage storage cell which a positive terminal thereof is connected to the high-voltage bus and a negative terminal thereof is grounded via a switch element; a low-voltage storage cell which a positive terminal thereof is connected to the low-voltage bus via a key switch and a negative terminal thereof is grounded; and a controller for controlling the opening and closing of the switch element, wherein the controller is constructed so as to monitor the starting and stopping of the engine based on start and stop signals form the engine, and open the switch element when the stopping of the engine is detected.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a transmission through which an engine can deliver torque to an axle to propel the vehicle and a transfer case associated with the transmission for operating auxiliary equipment. A system for engaging and disengaging the axle from the transmission and for engaging and disengaging the auxiliary equipment contains a first solenoid (20) that operates to a first state when the vehicle is to be propelled and to a second state when the auxiliary equipment is to be operated and a second solenoid (22) that is selectively operable to a first state that causes the auxiliary equipment to be disengaged from the transmission and to a second state that causes the auxiliary equipment to be engaged with the transmission through the transfer case.

Abstract: A bypass switch (155) for use in an electronic device (125) includes a substrate (205) on which first, second, and third terminals (215, 220, 235) are mounted and an electrically conductive primary element (250), having first and second opposing ends, mounted to a bottom surface of the substrate (205) and electrically coupled to the first terminal (215) at its first end and to the second terminal (220) at its second end. The switch (155) also includes an electrically conductive bypass element (255), having first and second opposing ends, mounted to the bottom surface of the substrate (205) and electrically coupled to the third terminal (235) at its first end and vertically aligned, at its second end, with the second end of the primary element (250). A switch actuator (225) is mechanically coupled to the bypass element (255), extends through the substrate (205), and has an actuating surface (290) accessible at a top surface, opposite the bottom surface, of the substrate (205).

Abstract: A semiconductor based relay is provided for selectively coupling differing periodic power sources to loads through semiconductor switches provided therein while selectively using such power sources to also contribute to the operation of the relay circuitry, each in a different manner, in conjunction with selection signals.

Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a current-loop controller driven by the EMF in the loop without the need for external power operates devices connected in the loop (in series) within the current operating range.