On Concentric Axes Patents (Class 116/249)
  • Patent number: 9732980
    Abstract: An HVAC actuator configured to actuate an HVAC component may include a rotatable output shaft having a full range of rotation between a first end position and a second end position, a drive mechanism configured to selectively drive the output shaft, and a housing having a front side that faces away from the HVAC component. The HVAC actuator may include a range adjustment lever manipulatable from the front side of the housing that allows a user to selectively limit rotation of the output shaft to a reduced range that is a subset of the full range. In some instances, the range adjustment lever allows the user to select between two or more predetermined reduced ranges. The two or more predetermined reduced ranges may each include the first end position but have a different second stop position, or include the second end position but have a different first stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Du, David J. Emmons, Bin Wang, Kevin Graebel
  • Patent number: 9221383
    Abstract: In the case of a central instrument in the center console of a motor vehicle having a circular display, on which a plurality of vehicle-relevant information is shown, the display has an at least approximately circular edge which contains several illuminants which are freely programmable in their brightness, are variably controlled during an operating phase of the motor vehicle and generate a luminous shape that varies with respect to time. The luminous shape supplies information on the condition and/or the function of the motor vehicle and/or of a motor vehicle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Friedrich, Bernhard Schambeck
  • Patent number: 8847897
    Abstract: The touch-operating input device is configured so that when the control circuit turns on the main light source corresponding to each of the translucent operation buttons that can be operated, the control circuit, on condition that the translucent operation button corresponding to the main light source that is turned on is operated, turns off the sub-light source corresponding to the translucent operation button that is turned on simultaneously with the main light source. Ease of operation is increased by enabling the operator to distinguish operated translucent operation buttons from translucent operation buttons that have not been operated according to whether or not the main light sources are lit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyo Denso Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naohiro Sakai, Yoshitaka Noguchi, Shigeharu Nezu
  • Patent number: 5233883
    Abstract: An actuator of the type having a limit switch for setting the range through which the actuator's output element moves, has a first element fixed to the output element and a second element carrying an actuation element for tripping the limit switch. Tripping the limit switch during movement of the output element stops movement at that position. A detent mechanism shared by the first and second elements maintains the current position between the first and second elements until force is applied to the second element to overcome the resisting detent force and shift the second element relative to the first element. By so shifting the second element, the position of the actuator's output element is changed to thereby change the position of the output element at which the limit switch is tripped and thereby the range of motion for the output element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Les P. Stuhr