Abstract: A composite inner door panel structure for a vehicle door, that is structurally sound, cost efficient, and easy to manufacture. The inner door panel structure generally includes a first panel, a second panel, and a conductive member adhesively disposed between the first panel and the second panel. Said first panel including an end portion, said second panel is configured in accordance with the configuration of the end portion of the first panel. The conductive member is preferably a steel wire or a one-piece construction made from rigid wire mesh of different types of metals including brass, bronze, stainless steel, copper and aluminum. The conductive member maintains spacing between the first panel and the second panel, and further provides a conductive material between the first and second panels for weldability in successive operations to complete the vehicle door.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a laminated vehicle trim panel includes initially positioning a flexible first material within a mold cavity of a first mold portion. A second mold portion for closing the cavity of the first mold portion is then provided. A second material is introduced into the mold cavity to form a substrate, such that the substrate and the first material form a laminated vehicle trim panel. A portion of the substrate between the outer peripheral edge of the substrate and a second portion of the substrate defines a brim. The brim has a mounting feature for attaching the laminated vehicle trim panel to a second panel.

Abstract: A car body part for a motor vehicle has an outer skin formed of an at least partially deformable material. An inner layer is formed of a foamed plastic. A mounting part which is placed in a recess of the outer skin and is anchored via an interlocking fit between the outer skin and a deformed portion of the mounting part. The interlocking fit may be created when the foamed plastic is expanded in a mold, which increases interior pressure within the mold and deforms the outer skin against the mounting part.

Abstract: A mechanical, active crash pulse management structure for providing modification of crash pulse, wherein the structure has a dormant (initial) state volume, but then in the event of a crash, timely expands into a much larger deployed volume for providing management of an expectant crash energy. The preferred crash energy management structure is a before expansion honeycomb celled material brick, wherein expansion of the honeycomb brick is in a plane transverse to the cellular axis of the cells thereof, and crash crush is intended to be parallel to the cellular axis. In the event of a crash, either an active or passive activation mechanism is provided for causing expansion of honeycomb celled material.

Abstract: Plastic-metal hybrid materials are included in the construction of highway tractor sleeper sides and back panel assemblies. Sleeper panels are traditionally constructed of two elements, the panel assemblies and the interior trim. A molded panel becomes both the interior of the structure and the decorative interior surface. This allows interior components to be directly mounted to the integral structural panels. The resulting sleeper will have stronger engagement to the mounted components such as cabinetry as well as part number reduction.

Abstract: A vehicle body panel and a method for manufacturing a vehicle body panel includes a thin plastic film that is applied to a deep-drawn, film-like exterior covering before a back-foamed layer is applied to the exterior covering. When the film hardens, it improves the structural stability of the film, preventing indentations due to varying levels of shrinkage of the back-foamed layer from becoming visible on the exterior covering.

Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle air duct also serving as crosspiece forming part of the structure of the vehicle. The invention is characterised in that the duct comprises two half-shells (2, 12) including each a tubular portion (6, 16) and two lateral flanks (4a, 4b; 14a, 14b); it further comprises: two stop elements (22a, 22b) defining each a rib projecting relative to one of the contact surfaces of one of the half-shells and having a stop surface arranged immediately proximate to an abutting surface (40a, 40b) provided on the other half-shell (12), a continuous weld bead (13a, 13b) extending between the contact surfaces of the half-shells which are in contact with each other.

Abstract: A vehicle roof, comprising an opening roof panel, which can be moved from a first, closed roof position into a second, fully opened roof position, the roof panel being held essentially parallel to the rest of the vehicle roof and at a distance from the rest of the vehicle roof in the second roof position; a lateral guide, the roof panel being guided at least during a part of an opening movement on the guide; a third, partially opened roof position in which the roof panel is held in a position that is essentially inclined with respect to the rest of the vehicle roof, rising counter to the direction of travel; and an elevating means for elevating a front edge area of the roof panel.

Abstract: A seal for the guide of an openable vehicle roof has an elastic sealing profile and a harder sealing strip that is mounted thereon and that is configured as a separate part. When the seal must be compressed, in order to make space for a connecting member between the longitudinal guide and the raised cover panel, only the sliding strip is contacted so that the sealing element is not subjected to any wear and tear.

Abstract: A retractable seat to be attached to a floor may include a seat cushion, a seat back rotatably supported on the seat cushion, and a link mechanism for supporting the seat cushion on the floor. The link mechanism includes a front leg and a rear leg that are pivotally connected to the seat cushion and the floor so that the seat can be switched between a use condition and a retracted condition. The front and rear legs respectively have a different link length so as to produce a difference between a rotating range of the front leg and a rotating range of the rear leg. The seat may further include a compensation mechanism for compensating for the difference between the rotating ranges of the front and rear legs within an operating range of the link mechanism.

Abstract: A seat for aircraft and land vehicles that is light, adjustable and dimensionally stable and has good damping properties. The seat comprises a seat shell having at least one guide integrated into the seat surface for holding an aid frame. A base frame comprising compression and tension members is attached to the base of the vehicle and has an additional lateral member which is located forward and at the front. The aid frame is formed from two longitudinal members and at least one lateral member, where the front ends of the longitudinal members are rotatably attached to the additional lateral member of the base frame.

Abstract: A child seat includes a seat body having a seat portion, a backrest, and right and left side guards; and a cushion disposed on an outer side surface of the side guards. The cushion may include a gasbag filled with gas. The child seat may further include vent portion for discharging the gas in the gasbag when a gas pressure in the gasbag exceeds a predetermined pressure. When a high load is exerted on the gasbag, the gas is discharged through the vent portion, thereby absorbing a shock.

Abstract: A back support for use in seats such as automobile seats or office chairs, includes a flexible support member mounted to the seatback. The shape of the flexible support member changes responsively to a load imposed by a person's back, and may also be changed by an actuator system. Noise, galling, wear and rough movement between moving parts of the flexible back support are reduced by selectively controlling the properties of the surfaces of the flexible support member, the mounting structures, or both. In particular, at least a portion of these surfaces are treated to provide friction surfaces, protection surfaces or both are used. Any combination of devices can be used to treat the surfaces, including tapes, lubricants, extrusions, sleeves, coatings, films, and self-lubricated material sections.

Abstract: A furniture drive for displacing components of a piece of furniture is provided. An adjustment element is pivotably mounted on a main body and serves for displacing a component of a piece of furniture. A drive element is drivingly connected with the adjustment element for displacing the same. A lever gear mechanism is disposed between the drive element and the adjustment element for effecting the driving connection therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat comprising: a seat frame, a seat back, which is pivotally mounted on the seat frame; a fixing device (120) for fixing the seat frame in a previously set longitudinal position of the seat; an actuating element for releasing the fixing device; a coupling mechanism, which acts upon the actuating element and releases the fixing device when the seat back is tilted forward toward the seat surface; a memory device; setting means (105) of the memory device with which the memory position can be set in the longitudinal direction of the seat; a locking device (104, 107) of the memory device for locking a set memory position, and; means via which the locking device is coupled to the seat back.

Abstract: A footrest plate 1 comprises a pair of first and second clips to be insertably received into a pair of corresponding first and second mounting holes 18 and 23 formed in a workpiece with leaving a certain distance therebetween. Each of the first and second clips has a rectangular cross-sectional insertion portion insertable into corresponding one of first and second mounting holes each formed in a rectangular shape. The rectangular cross-sectional insertion portion of the first clip 10 includes a pair of longitudinal sides 31 each of which extends in the longitudinal direction of the footrest plate and has a length shorter than that of each longitudinal side 25 of the first mounting hole 23 by a first clearance 26, and a pair of lateral sides 32 each of which extends in the lateral direction perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the footrest plate and has a length substantially equal to or slightly shorter than that of each lateral side 29 of the first mounting hole.

Abstract: An add-on safety harness for a vehicle seat having a lap belt. An elongated anchor strap for attaching vertically around a seat back has an adjustable buckle. A first pair of shoulder straps extends at an acute angle from each side of the anchor strap, and ending in a loop. A second pair of leg straps with looped ends extends similarly from each side of the anchor strap. Each shoulder strap has a roll-type adjuster device at a median position. A piece of soft material, such as synthetic cloth or lambs' wool is attached to each adjuster device for wrapping around the adjuster device, being fastened by hook and loop fastening material. In simplified arrangement, the harness has an inverted Y-shape formed from only an anchor strap and a pair of harness shoulder straps. The lap belt of the vehicle seat is threaded through the loops of the shoulder and leg straps.

Abstract: A tire and wheel assembly permits hand-mounting of the tire on the wheel by specifying the relationship of the tire bead circumference and the wheel geometry so that:

Abstract: An apparatus and method for constructing a wheel assembly by adhesively bonding a wheel cover to a wheel using a bead of foamed-in-place adhesive. As the wheel and wheel cover are assembled together, the bead of foamed-in-place adhesive is compressed between the wheel cover and the wheel, and thereby spreads out therebetween. The method results in a more complete volumetric fill of adhesive between the wheel cover and wheel, and results in a faster cure time of adhesive when compared to the prior art, thereby enabling a reduction in manufacturing cycle time and work-in-process inventory.

Abstract: A laminate wheel protector (10, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 90, 180) includes layers of canvas cloth impregnated with synthetic resin that is polymerized through heat and pressure for insulating a hub or drum of a machine from a wheel. A method for creating a laminate wheel protector (10, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 90, 180) includes applying pressure to layers of canvas saturated in synthetic resin, applying heat to polymerize to create a laminate, cutting the laminate to form an outer circular circumference, an inner circular opening and a plurality of bolt holes. The laminate wheel protector (10, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 90, 180) has numerous advantages including preventing oxidation, rust, and galvanic electrolysis between metallic surfaces, reduce heat transfer and vibration, increase longevity and provide proper contact between metallic surfaces among numerous other advantages.

Abstract: A hub bearing unit comprises an axle stub (41) and a coaxial hub member which is rotatably supported with respect to the axle stub by two rolling element bearings (34). The axle stub is provided with connection elements for detachably connecting the axle stub to a vehicle axle. The axle stub (1) may have a screw-threaded end for connection to a correspondingly screw-threaded bore of the vehicle axle, as well as a tapered end for connection to a correspondingly tapered bore of the vehicle axle.

Abstract: A pressurized wheel hub formed from an air-tight sealing arrangement located on each end of a wheel hub to form a closed air system in the interior of the wheel hub. The closed air system fluidly coupled to a DC power air compressor for receiving pressurized air. A pressure gauge provides a visual indication of the air pressure in the closed air system whereby a breached seal condition within the wheel hub can be detected.

Abstract: A hub cap for a wheel hub comprises a cylindrical housing having a closed first end and an open second end, the open second being adapted for attachment in an air-tight sealing arrangement to the outer end of a wheel hub to form a closed air system in the interior of the wheel hub; an air valve in an air flow connection with the closed air system for receiving pressurized air; and an air pressure gauge in an air flow connection with the closed air system operable to provide a visual indication of the air pressure in the closed air system whereby a breached seal condition within the wheel hub can be detected. The second end is formed with a flange and an outer annular shoulder wherein the flange is adapted to fit into the outer end of a wheel hub. In a preferred embodiment, the flange is threaded for insertion into a threaded wheel hub. The outer annular shoulder includes an circumferential recess and an O-ring is disposed in the recess to provide an effective air tight seal.

Abstract: A bicycle hub is provided with a hub axle assembly, a hub shell and a pair of bearing units. The hub axle assembly basically has a hub axle washer, a bicycle hub axle and a washer retaining portion or member. The hub axle washer includes an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface defining an axle receiving opening. The bicycle hub axle includes a shaft portion and a head portion with the washer retaining member or portion being located on the shaft portion to retain the hub axle washer on the shaft portion. In the preferred embodiment, the washer retaining portion or member is a resilient member in the form of a flexible O-ring.

Abstract: A vehicle electric supply system includes a semiconductor safety switch that interruptibly couples the vehicle battery to electric consuming devices that are supplied by an electric socket on board the vehicle. A programmable control unit controls opening and closing of the switch, as a function of a monitored vehicle parameter, such as elapsed time, battery charge state or current consumption via the vehicle socket.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a system and method for automatically interrupting a flow of power from an external electrical energy source to at least one device upon the extinguishing of power to another device. The system includes a power strip, a voltage sensing device (e.g., a 5 Volt power tap), and a switch. The power strip has at least one switched outlet adapted to receive an electrical power cord plug from at least one secondary or peripheral device. The voltage sensing device selectively detects an operating voltage of a primary device, wherein the operating voltage is less than a voltage associated with power supplied by the energy source. The switch is coupled to the voltage sensing device and selectively supplies electrical energy from the energy source to the switched outlet(s) depending upon whether or not the voltage sensing device detects the operating voltage of the primary device.

Abstract: An Automatic Transfer Switch System includes a control circuit in which high frequency transformers, designed to operate linearly in a frequency range above the operating frequency range of utility-level power, are employed for voltage sensing. An output signal from a high frequency line matching transformer is received by a microprocessor which evaluates the signal for both a voltage level and frequency and uses these values as indices to an empirically-derived look-up table which provides an actual voltage level to the microprocessor. The actual voltage value can then be evaluated by the microprocessor to determine if and when the power delivered to a load should be supplied by a first or a second power supply.

Abstract: An automatic transfer switch (ATS) system and method of operating an ATS system for governing the providing of power from first, second and third power sources to a load are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a first ATS device having first and second input ports and a first output port, a second ATS device having third and fourth input ports and a second output port, and at least one communication link coupling the first and second ATS devices. The second output port of the second ATS device is coupled to the second input port of the first ATS device. Additionally, a first signal is provided from the first ATS device to the second ATS device by way of the communication link when power should be supplied from the second ATS device to the first ATS device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromotive adjustment drive which is operated by a safety voltage, for instance, an adjustment drive for the adjustable components of pieces of furniture. The adjustment drive is equipped with a hand-operated device and a control unit which is operated with the device and connected by at least one cable to a voltage source to which the mains voltage can be supplied. The adjustment drive is so configured as to allow an electrical separation between the voltage source and the transformer, when the adjustment drive is not in operation, without requiring special cables. Furthermore, the adjustment drive should be configured in such a way that the item equipped with the adjustment drive does not contain any cables or lines to which mains voltage is supplied. According to the invention, there is provided a power supply module (12) which is spatially separated from the control unit (14) and arranged between the control unit (14) of the adjustment drive (11) and the voltage source.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a piston and a rotary electric motor together with means which are interposed between the electric motor and the piston to define a mechanical system for transforming rotary movement of the motor into linear displacement of said piston, the actuator is characterized in that the electric motor is a vibration type motor comprising at least a stator and a rotor together with excitation means for deforming said stator and/or said rotor in modes of vibration combining tangential vibration and normal vibration for driving said rotor in rotation, and in that the means interposed between the electric motor and the piston include means for mechanically decoupling said piston from said electric motor in the event of the electrical power supply to the elector motor being interrupted.

Abstract: A vibrator of the present invention comprises a coreless coil (2), a driver (4) including a magnet (4a) inserted in the coreless coil (2), a yoke (4b) for pinching the coreless coil (2) and facing the magnet (4a), and a top plate (4c), suspensions (6 and 8) for carrying resiliently the driver (4). The driver (4) is reciprocated in an axial direction of the coreless coil (2) by applying an alternate current to the coreless coil (2) to generate vibrations. The vibrator can be miniaturized without increasing a cost and has a good rising of vibrations.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a motor which can stably be mounted on a circuit board when being assembled into an instrument in particular. The motor 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a motor body A, an output shaft 3 projecting from a front end of the motor body A, and a voltage-supplying terminal 8 provided in the motor body A, the terminal 8 having an elastic force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the output shaft 3 and also having a grounding portion 14 disposed near a rear end of the motor body A.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor part of a linear motor, i.e. the primary part or secondary part of an asynchronous or synchronous linear motor. According to the invention, it is proposed to configure a cooling coil (K), which has a meandering flat structure, from pipe sections (10) of a material with high heat conductivity, as well as plastic deflections (12, 13). The deflections are preferably configured as pre-fabricated molded plastic parts, and the motor element is preferably cast with the attached cooling coil. According to the invention, cooling coils can be configured from modules in accordance with the required dimensions, and problems caused by bending the metal parts are avoided.

Abstract: An electric motor comprises a yoke in which permanent magnets are held, the yoke including a cylindrical yoke body having a bottom and an auxiliary yoke in which the yoke body is fitted, at least one engaging opening provided in one of said yoke body and auxiliary yoke and a deformable band provided in the other of said yoke body and auxiliary yoke. The deformable band is fitted in the engaging opening in a state that the yoke body and auxiliary yoke are fitted.

Abstract: An alternator has a molded plastic, electrically conductive D.E. frame in which a sealed bearing is molded in place with the formation of the D.E. frame 14. When the D.E. frame is removed from its plastics injection mold and while the frame is still hot, the stator is installed in the D.E. frame and the frame allowed to cool and constrict about the stator. The companion S.R.E. frame is preferably fabricated of non-conductive plastics material.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing for use in a spindle motor, having a shaft, a bearing sleeve encompassing the shaft with a small radial space, and a skewback at one end face of the bearing sleeve which is fixedly connected to the bearing sleeve. The shaft features a thrust plate or a conical or cone-like extension at its end face which faces the skewback. The diameter of the conical extension increases in the direction of the end face of the shaft. A bearing gap formed between the shaft and the bearing sleeve is filled with a bearing fluid. Dynamic pressure generating grooves are provided on one of the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bearing sleeve to generate an excess pressure in the bearing fluid.

Abstract: A synchronous motor includes a stator, a rotor and permanent magnets. The rotor includes a rotor iron core and rotatable relative to the stator, a plurality of conductor bars accommodated within corresponding slots in the rotor iron core. The conductor bars have their opposite ends shortcircuited by respective shortcircuit rings to form a starter cage conductor. The rotor also has a plurality of magnet retaining slots defined therein at a location on an inner side of the conductor bars, in which hole permanent magnets are embedded.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor stator assembly comprising: a plurality of yokes manufactured by laminating a plurality of steel sheets having a predetermined length; and a plurality of poles engaged between the yokes and formed by molding magnetic material in a mold, on which coil is wound. In the assembly, material loss can be reduced at the time of blanking operation, and additional protector is not required. According to this, a winding radius of coil is reduced thus to reduce coil amount on the basis of a constant number of times of winding. Also, by using magnetic powder material and silicon steel, productivity is enhanced and motor efficiency is enhanced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor stator assembly comprising: a plurality of yokes manufactured by laminating a plurality of steel sheets having a predetermined length; and a plurality of poles engaged between the yokes and formed by molding magnetic material in a mold, on which coil is wound. In the assembly, material loss can be reduced at the time of blanking operation, and additional protector is not required. According to this, a winding radius of coil is reduced thus to reduce coil amount on the basis of a constant number of times of winding. Also, by using magnetic powder material and silicon steel, productivity is enhanced and motor efficiency is enhanced.

Abstract: Slip ring apparatus that may be implemented to enable low profile rotating systems for a variety of different applications, such as articulated and non-articulated device applications. The assembly of the slip ring apparatus may be integrated into a printed circuit board (“PCB”) with feedback circuitry, and the number of signals crossing the slip ring rotational boundary may be minimized using serial electronics.

Abstract: Functional elements are difficult to mount on a housing based on known methods, on which at least one functional element for an electric motor is situated.

Abstract: A piezo actuator drive circuit comprises a charging path for charging a piezo stack that can be driven by being charged and discharged, an arithmetic circuit for calculating the charging amount for the piezo stack, and a driving control circuit for comparing the calculated charging amount and a target charging amount and correcting the charging amount during the next charging process according to the difference between the compared charging amounts. A charging current flowing through the piezo stack and a charging voltage applied to it may be measured during a charging process. It is preferable that the calculated charging amount be the amount of energy that is the result of the time quadrature of the product of the measured current and voltage.

Abstract: A sigma-delta modulator comprising:

Abstract: The invention relates, inter alia, to an additional contact (30) for a piezoelectric component (10) in the form of a multilayer structure and to a corresponding component, wherein the piezoelectric component (10) is formed by a stack (17) of alternating piezoelectric ceramic layers and electrode layers. The additional contact (30) has a contact element (31) with a contact zone (33) for connection to an electrical connecting element (20) and with a fastening zone (34) for connection to a metallized part (15, 16). In order to minimize harmful tensile/pressure loads in the additional contact (30), the additional contact (30), especially the contact element (31), is shaped so as to allow for a load distribution of the critical tensile loads, for example by means of at least one bend (32) in the contact element (31).

Abstract: A handheld stylus having an elongated housing, a writing and drawing implement disposed within the housing and including a tip extending through an opening at an end of the housing where ultrasonic waves radiate therefrom and are used for determining a position of the stylus; and at least one ultrasonic transducer disposed within the housing. The transducer may be a cylindrical piezoelectric transducer having a holder and a cylindrical piezoelectric film spanning between at least two spaced apart cylindrical surfaces of the holder, or a flat transducer having a diaphragm, and a piezoelectric material disposed on a surface of the diaphragm.

Abstract: There is disclosed a piezoelectric/electrostrictive device which has large vibration isolation properties and which copes with high-rate access and densification of data and which is capable of inhibiting off-track from being caused and which comprises: a substrate including a support portion constituted of a thick member and two arm portions constituted of thin-plate members extended from the support portion; and a driving member disposed on at least one arm portion and in which a plurality of grooves is formed in at least a surface positioned on an extending-direction side of the at least one arm portion in the support portion.

Abstract: An apparatus to orientate a body with respect to a surface spaced-apart from the body. The apparatus comprises a flexure system having a first flexure member defining a first axis of rotation and a second flexure member defining a second axis of rotation. A body is coupled to the flexure system, and an actuation system is coupled to the flexure system. The body is coupled to the flexure system to rotate about the first and the second axes in response to movement caused by the actuation system. The movement of the body about the first axis being decoupled from movement of the body about the second axis.

Abstract: A stacked piezoelectric device, which is inexpensive and excellent in electric transmission efficiency and little deterioration of strength of an internal electrode layer, is provided by having an internal electrode layer containing not less than 50 percent by weight of Cu element, and not more than 5 percent of a pore occurrence expressed by (B/A)×100 (%) wherein A is an area of an interface between the internal electrode layer and the piezoelectric layer and B is a sum of areas of pores which appear in the interface and have a diameter of not less than 0.1 micrometers. Preferably, a surface roughness Ra of the interface of the piezoelectric layer contacting the internal electrode layer is not more than 0.5C (&mgr;m) wherein C is a thickness of the internal electrode layer in micrometers. The piezoelectric material constituting the piezoelectric layer preferably comprises PZT which is a Pb(Zr,Ti)O3-based oxide having a perovskite structure.

Abstract: An actuator (1) acts as a drive unit for an injector, especially for an accumulator injection system. The actuator comprises a piezostack (3) disposed in a tube spring, a top plate (2) and a bottom plate. The top plate (2) of the actuator is directly fixed to the injector housing (7) by means of caulked areas. The caulking enables the injector to be produced in a simple and economical manner.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave element is mounted onto a mounting substrate having a terminal electrode via a bump by flip chip bonding. The surface acoustic wave element is covered with a resin film. The periphery of the surface acoustic wave element mounted on the mounting substrate is covered with a portion of the resin film so that the surface acoustic wave element is sealed. The resin film is hardened. Thus, a surface acoustic wave device is provided.