Including Tactile Feedback Mechanism Patents (Class 200/521)
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Patent number: 6262646Abstract: A magnetically actuated pushbutton switch has individual switch modules pre-assembled as standalone subassemblies. Each subassembly has a platform with a cavity on its underside. A portion of the platform is magnetized. A metallic armature is held in the cavity by the magnetic attraction of the platform. The switch subassemblies are mounted on a substrate that has switch contacts thereon. The armature is movable into and out of shorting relation with the contacts. A major spacer on the substrate has openings aligned with the switch contacts for receiving the subassemblies. An overlay film covers the subassemblies and major spacer. The armature may have a lens therein for transmitting backlighting. The platform can be magnetized at the time of installation on the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Duraswitch Industries, Inc.Inventor: Anthony J. Van Zeeland
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Patent number: 6238771Abstract: A composite molded product has a frame body (1) with a through bore that terminates at openings, and a button portion (2) with a pressing portion (3) extended through the through bore and a flange portion (4) fused to the frame body (1). A silicone resin layer (5, 24) is interposed between the frame body and the flange portion, and surrounds one of the openings. A method of manufacturing a composite molded product by molding a frame body, forming a silicone resin layer on a surface of the frame body, and simultaneously molding a button portion to a predetermined shape while fusion boding areas of the button portion contacting the frame body.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1998Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Junichi Nakao
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Patent number: 5990772Abstract: An electrical switch has a substrate with at least one pair of spaced switch contacts arranged to be shorted by an electrically conductive armature. The armature defines a central axis with first and second portions on either side of the axis which portions terminate at first and second edges. The armature is normally held spaced from the contacts by magnetic attraction to a coupler layer disposed in spaced relation to the substrate. The armature is movable by an actuating force to engagement with the substrate. The armature separates from the coupler layer by a double pivoting motion. An actuating force applied to the armature remote from its central axis causes one edge of the armature nearest the actuating force to break away from the coupler layer. The armature then pivots about the opposite edge of the armature until the one edge bottoms on the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Duraswitch Industries, Inc.Inventor: Anthony J. Van Zeeland
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Patent number: 5986229Abstract: Pulse push-button which includes a tubular pusher member guided in translation through a cylindrical body and acting on electrical contacts. The pusher member is fitted with a cam that operates in conjunction with the active section, for example an elbowed tip, of a hairpin-shaped spring. The cam has at least one reversing point and the adjacent wall of the pusher is also fitted with a step member that allows the active section of the spring to strike the bottom of the step when the elbow passes over the step.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Schneider Electric SAInventor: Philippe Raffoux
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Patent number: 5950813Abstract: A switch (10) for controlling flow of electric current includes a base (12) and a carrier (100) supported for movement on the base. An engagement surface (60, 80) disposed on the base (12) includes a ramp surface (66, 86) and a detent surface (64, 84) defining an opening (62, 82) disposed adjacent to the ramp surface. A detent member (130, 132) on the carrier (100) is engageable with the detent surface (64, 84) when in the detent opening (62, 82) and is engageable with the ramp surface (64, 84) when not in the detent opening. The switch (10) has a start condition in which the detent member (130, 132) is disposed in the detent opening (62, 82) and resists movement of the carrier (100) relative to the base (12). The switch (10) is movable under an actuation force from the start condition to an actuated condition in which the detent member (130, 132) is disposed on the ramp surface (66, 86). The switch (10) returns to the start condition in response to the release of the actuation force.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: Steven R. Hoskins, Derrick Titus
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Patent number: 5907138Abstract: A pushbutton switch is disclosed which may be used, for example, in a camera. The switch has multiple positions which can be easily sensed by the operator as a point of resistance which is felt at each position. The switch may have an axially moveable spring biased switching rod at a defined electrical potential with an insulated region. A plurality of spring biased electrical contacts bear radially against the switching rod. A plurality of spring biased stops extending radially toward the path of axial movement of the switching rod correspond to the respective electrical contacts. Axial movement of the switching rod brings the contacts into successive contact with the conducting portion of the switching rod. The spring biased stops bear against the end of the switching rod at approximately the points of axial movement at which their corresponding contacts make contact with the conducting portion of the swiching rod, thereby generating a counterpressure which may be sensed by an operator of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1997Date of Patent: May 25, 1999Assignee: Leica Camera AGInventor: Kai Juergen Metzler
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Patent number: 5867082Abstract: A switch has a carrier sheet with electrodes formed on an internal side thereof to form switch contacts. An armature is held in slidable contact with the internal side of the carrier and the electrodes by a magnet disposed on the external surface of the carrier. The magnet is carried in a knob mounted on the external side of the membrane carrier for rotary, linear or complex motion. When a user manipulates the knob the magnet drags the armature either into or out of shorting relation with the electrodes. A magnetic detent gear can be incorporated to provide tactile feedback. A pushbutton version of the switch can be made with a pivotable armature normally held spaced from electrodes on the substrate by a magnet. A membrane and spacer may be added to protect and seal the electrodes and armature.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: DuraSwitch, Inc.Inventor: Anthony J. Van Zeeland
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Patent number: 5715932Abstract: A key switch is provided which includes a key top which is pressed down by optional force and which can move in the press-down direction. The key switch also includes a spring for generating a rebound according to the optional force applied to the key top. The key switch also includes a housing having an elastic member which generates the press-down force against the rebound according to a distance by which the key top moves. The key switch realizes the press-down characteristics in which the inclination of the rebound is zero or negative.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Hideyuki Motoyama, Goro Watanabe, Takehiko Sato
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Patent number: 5510589Abstract: A high cycle life switch assembly having a seal positioned between a trigger and a non-tactile switch with a snap dome positioned exterior of the seal and engaged by the trigger to give a high tactile feedback. The snap dome is mounted on the trigger and an actuator rod extends between the snap dome and the switch, through the seal, to apply an actuation force to the switch when the trigger is moved toward an actuating position. The actuator rod extends through an aperture in the seal and is slidably and sealably disposed therein to apply no force on the seal as the actuator rod is moved to actuate the switch located behind the seal.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: Intermec CorporationInventor: Kevin R. Arnal
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Patent number: 5442152Abstract: A film with a first circuit printed on a lower surface, a film insulator and a film with a second circuit printed on an upper surface are mounted on the keyboard. Each of the first and second circuits includes a plurality of contacts. The film insulator defines a plurality of apertures. One of the contacts of the first circuit will be engaged with one of the contacts of the second circuit through one of the apertures defined in the film insulator if a key switch is pressed. The key switch includes a frame defining two vertical slots. A slidable member includes a plate, two hooks projecting downwardly from the plate and each including a barb for engaging with one of the vertical slots and a hollow cylinder projecting downwardly from the plate and defining two vertical slots. A cup includes two barbs projecting radially inwardly therefrom. The hollow cylinder is insertable in the cup. The barbs formed on the cup are engageable in the slots defined in the hollow cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1994Date of Patent: August 15, 1995Assignee: Focus Electronic Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chih-Lun Huang
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Patent number: 5399823Abstract: A membrane dome switch is disclosed which includes a tactile feel regulator shim to provide an enhanced and consistent tactile feedback in response to fingertip switch depression. The membrane dome switch includes a conductive domed spring member mounted in a sandwich or laminant array between an underlying circuit layer having a conductive circuit pattern thereon and an overlying shield layer. Fingertip pressure applied to the shield layer is effective to deform the spring member to momentarily close a circuit path on the circuit layer. The tactile feel shim is interposed between the spring member and the overlying shield layer, and functions to provide improved tactile feedback sensation during switch operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1993Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Assignee: MiniMed Inc.Inventor: David R. McCusker
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Patent number: 5389757Abstract: A key switch and resilient actuator assembly that includes an electrical switching region and a hollow open ended actuator cover of elastomeric material overlaying the switching region with the open end of the actuator cover in surrounding relationship with the switching region. The actuator cover includes a first wall portion shaped to provide substantially linear resistive force during compression displacement of the cover toward the switching region and to provide substantially linear restoring force during expansion displacement of the actuator cover away from the switching region. The actuator cover further includes a second wall portion shaped to undergo buckling toward the switching region at a predetermined compression displacement and to undergo unbuckling away from the switching region at a predetermined expansion displacement that is smaller in total displacement than the predetermined compression displacement.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1994Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: Digital Equipment CorporationInventor: Ernest G. Souliere
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Patent number: 5324902Abstract: A mechanical key switch for a membrane keyboard including a key cap supported on an actuating spring member by a compression spring and made to slide on a key body vertically, the actuating spring member having a unitary, arched bridge plate in the middle, which curves inwards to trigger an electrical signal and simultaneously to produce a click sound upon pressing of the key cap against the compression spring, and curves outwards to return the key cap and simultaneously to produce a click sound upon releasing of the key cap.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1993Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Inventor: Chen T. Shen
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Patent number: 5308943Abstract: A touch button switch includes a body (10) having a conductive actuator (28) slidable from one end against a surface (62) to actuate a switch (61) on a board (52) which is held in place by hook latches (53) engaging mortises (55) in the circuit board. The surface (62) may provide conduction from the touch pad to electronic motionless switch circuitry (66) so that the touch button is usable either as a tactile switch touch button, as a motionless touch button, or both. Or, the actuator can be blocked from sliding by means of a spacer (68); and the switch (61) may be replaced by a structure (61a) holding an electrically conductive surface (62a), or not: either way, the touch button will then operate only as a motionless touch button. Or, the surface (62) can be disconnected (65) from the circuit (66), or the circuit (66) can be not installed, to operate only as a tactile switch touch button.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1992Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Christopher P. Screven, Bruce P. Swaybill
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Patent number: 5294762Abstract: A click-action membrane switch unit comprises a flexible base film having two surfaces, flexible circuits formed on at least one of the two surfaces of the base film and having interdigitating electrode contacts, a resist film formed on the flexible circuits and having a window in the region of the electrode contacts, a dome-shaped click spring made of electrically conducting material and having an edge placed on the circuits, and a layer fixed to the other surface of the base film and having an opening formed in the portion of the layer which aligns with the click spring.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1992Date of Patent: March 15, 1994Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Kaizu, Atsuhiro Horii
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Patent number: 5268545Abstract: A low profile tactile keyswitch including a horizontally positioned elastic column spring which buckles under an axial load to provide a tactile feel for the keyswitch. The ends of the spring are maintained between two spring holders which are urged together as the keybutton is depressed. Stabilizing arms pivotally attached to the keybutton are used to stabilize the keybutton and also to carry extensions which engage the spring holders to move them together as the keybutton is depressed. The keyswitch is operable to be placed in an inactive configuration in which the keybutton is lowered without placing the spring under added compression.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1992Date of Patent: December 7, 1993Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventor: David A. Bruner
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Patent number: 5201824Abstract: A push button switch including a case, a key top fastened to the case, an elastic member disposed between the case and the key top and acting to upwards urge the key top and a contact portioned so as to confront a spring member fastened to an operation member of the key top so that the contact portion is pressed by the spring member when the key top is depressed, the push button switch comprising: a movable member disposed between the operation member of the key top and a projection wall of the case whereby the operation member and the movable member can be moved with respect to each other and the movable member and the projection wall can be moved with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1992Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takafumi Kato, Kazutoshi Watanabe
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Patent number: 5199557Abstract: In a process of producing an electric or electronic component, particularly a key, a continuous track of a metal foil is machined into two metallic terminal components constituting links between two carrier strips. A base housing component is cast from a high temperature resistant material around the terminals and is connected to the carrier strips through two tags protruding outwards from opposite, outer side surfaces of the base housing component. In an inner recess of the base housing component a domed metal disc having an acoustically damping coating on the convex side surface thereof, an elastically compressible rubber component and a push button are arranged. On top of the base housing component, a top housing component preferably made from the same high temperature resistant plastics material is arranged. Within the recess of the base housing component, the terminals define electric contacts with which the domed metal disc cooperates.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1990Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Assignee: MEC A/SInventors: Gert Brandt, Soren R. Hansen
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Patent number: 5172114Abstract: In the tactile effect switch and a keyboard using such a switch, the tactile effect is obtained by combining a snap acting switch and the deformation of a stud, axially deformable under compression, which is integrally formed on a membrane made from a resilient material disposed on a support plate and which provides a resilient connection between a key and the switch in the manner of a pusher.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1991Date of Patent: December 15, 1992Assignee: Sextant AvioniqueInventors: Claude Bedoya, Alain Cognard
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Patent number: 5075524Abstract: A manually actuatable electric pushbutton switch that automatically returns to the starting position after actuation, especially such a switch for the keyboard of an electronic device, for example a typewriter, is provided. The switch has a plastic housing in which is disposed a plate spring that is in engagement with an actuating button. The plate spring has a region that during shifting of the actuating button and flexing of the plate spring abruptly jumps to a different position when the electrical contact position is achieved, so that the triggering function is indicated both physically as well as audibly to the user. The region of the plate spring that abruptly reverses is preferably formed by slots, between which the abruptly reversing plate spring strip is defined.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1990Date of Patent: December 24, 1991Assignee: Stocko Metallwarenfabriken Henkels und Sohn GmbH & Co.Inventors: Dieter Klatt, Sami Karacora
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Patent number: 5057657Abstract: A low profile keyboard switch actuator mechanism having tactile and/or audible feel, for use in combination with a membrane switch assembly, and which includes a housing for mounting on top of the membrane switch assembly, a plunger slidably positioned in the housing, an actuator pivotally mounted within the housing, and a biasing spring. The actuator has a vertical arm and a horizontal leg. A slide member is mounted on the arm. Upper and lower stops on the arm limit the range of movement of the slide member. The spring is seated upon the horizontal leg and urges the plunger outwardly in an upper opening in the housing. Cooperating cam surfaces on the plunger and the slide member function during reciprocating movements of the plunger for attaining desired sensible results with mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1990Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Inventor: Vedran Skulic
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Patent number: 5015811Abstract: This invention provides a pushbutton switch which produces a click sound, the loudness of which is easily variable. In response to the vertical movement of operating cams of a pushbutton, a plate spring moves up and down. The moment when the edge of the operating cams trips over click spring portions of the plate spring, a force is applied to the plate spring so that the plate spring hits the inner top wall or bottom wall of a housing. In this manner, the pushbutton switch provides both a snap feeling and a click sound.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1989Date of Patent: May 14, 1991Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.Inventors: Hiroyuki Moriyama, Kenshi Nagata
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Patent number: 5010219Abstract: A push button switch used for a personal computer or a word processor, which uses a membrane switch in a contact portion. The push button switch comprises a casing, a key top slidably guided along the casing, a contact portion arranged below the key top, an actuator rotatably supported on the casing to open and close the contact portion, a spring retained in a curved orientation between the actuator and the top key, and a click portion provided on the actuator by which a curved side of the spring is pressed, the clock portion of the actuator actuated by downward movement of the key top urging the side of the spring so as to invert the curved orientation of the spring.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1989Date of Patent: April 23, 1991Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takafumi Kato
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Patent number: 5004880Abstract: A push button switch including a casing unit composed of an upper casing and a lower casing, a switch device provided in the casing unit, a stem slidably supported to the casing unit for switching on and off the switch device, an elastic member for normally elastically biasing the stem in such a direction as to restore an initial condition of the stem, and a clicking leaf spring adapted to abut against the stem for giving a click feeling to an operator upon depression of the stem. The clicking leaf spring is made up of a base portion having opposite ends abutting against opposed inner surfaces of the upper casing and the lower casing and thereby being held between the upper casing and the lower casing, and a spring portion split from the base portion by a pair of slits each having a closed end. A spring fulcrum is defined by the straight-line distance between the closed ens. The spring portion is such that it is removed from both the upper casing and the lower casing.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1990Date of Patent: April 2, 1991Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshirou Koutaka
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Patent number: 4990731Abstract: A pushbutton switch for use in a keyboard attached to a computer system, word processor, electric typewriter, etc., is implemented to give the operator both a tactile feel and a click sound when a key is entirely depressed. The switch comprises a housing, an actuating arm, a stem and a leaf spring mechanism. The leaf spring has an upright portion with a hook, a bent portion, a spring portion and a protruding portion. It is mounted in the housing such that when the stem is partially depressed, it forces the upright portion to slant toward the inner surface of side wall of the housing and the spring portion to be compressed. When the spring is depressed beyond a certain position, the protruding portion of the leaf spring slips off the ledge of the step portion of the side wall of the housing, causing the bent portion to snap toward and collide with the outer surface of the stem, thus producing the desired click sound.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1989Date of Patent: February 5, 1991Assignee: Acer IncorporatedInventors: Win Wu, Ben Liao, Lung-Sherng Hsieh
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Patent number: 4965420Abstract: A switch actuator includes a base and a plunger mounted for movement on the base. An electrical contact is mounted for relative movement on the base to establish an electrical connection. An actuator includes a head portion and a pair of spring arms. The spring arms extend into a bore in the plunger for frictionally grasping the plunger by spring biased forces against the interior walls of the bore. The actuator has a head portion exposed from an open end of the plunger bore for effecting movement of the electrical contact to alter the state of the electrical connection. The frictional engagement between the spring arms and the plunger provide overtravel or relative movement therebetween and the affect of the spring arms substantially eliminates any affect from wear between the plunger and the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1989Date of Patent: October 23, 1990Assignee: Saint Switch, Inc.Inventors: William C. Phillips, James F. L. Blair
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Patent number: 4931606Abstract: A switch activator is described which is a unitary molded plastic molded coil spring and a pivot plate which pivots to act on a membrane switch when the coil spring buckles under load. The buckling of the spring is controlled by the relative placement of the axis of the spring and a pivot surface around which the top portion of the spring pivots as the spring buckles. The cross section of the spring member is limited in size so as to prevent the forming of a solid column upon compression, while at the same time accommodating the needs for molten plastic flow in the spring during molding.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1989Date of Patent: June 5, 1990Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: David A. Bruner
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Patent number: 4927990Abstract: A push-button switch comprises a fixed electrode; a movable electrode disposed opposite to the fixed electrode; a key housing having a tubular spring retainer, and an annular guide wall surrounding the tubular spring retainer and having a stopping flange, a coil spring received in the tubular spring retainer, and a key for operating the movable electrode through the coil spring. The coil spring has a large coil section, a middle extension coil section, and a small compression coil section having a projecting part. The tubular spring retainer is provided with a protrusion on the inner circumference thereof. When the key is depressed to close the switch, the projecting part of the coil spring is forced to move down over the protrusion in a snap motion, and the projecting part is forced to move up over the protrusion by the contractive force of the middle extension coil section and the recoiling force of the small compression coil section of the coil spring when the key is released.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1989Date of Patent: May 22, 1990Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Aoki, Toshimi Chiba, Sadao Tachibana, Yasushi Nagatomo
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Patent number: 4920245Abstract: A push-button switch which eliminates a dispersion in on and off timings thereof is disclosed. The push-button switch has a pressing spring, and a switch element which includes a pressing piece, a fixed contact element and a movable contact element. The movable contact element is contacted with the fixed contact element when an acting projection of the pressing spring press against a movable contact element pressing portion at an end of a leg portion of the pressing piece. The movable contact element pressing portion of the pressing piece gradually narrows towards its end, and is of substantially the same thickness of material as the leg portion thereof. The gradually narrowing movable contact element pressing portion of the pressing piece is in a contiguous relationship to the leg portion has a projection provided on a surface thereof for contacting with the acting projection of the pressing spring and has a rib provided on the opposite face thereof for pressing against the movable contact element.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1988Date of Patent: April 24, 1990Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasunari Takano, Mitsuhiro Okada
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Patent number: 4859820Abstract: A key switch utilizing a buckling compression spring to move a switch actuator mechanism includes a cylindrical core of resilient material located within an opening formed by the coils of the compression spring to attenuate the acoustical energy generated by the buckling and unbuckling action of the spring.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1988Date of Patent: August 22, 1989Assignees: American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Information Systems Inc.Inventors: Casimer Gotfryd, Stephen L. Kay, Hartland P. Klotz, Robert M. Wentzel
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Patent number: 4853556Abstract: In an electrical desired-value transmitter, particularly for an electronic gas pedal system, a return spring (5) as well as a force elastic jump spring (15) arranged parallel to it are provided. The desired-value transmitter has an electric path converter which gives off an electrical desired-value signal. In order to verify the proper operation of the return spring, a contact spring (9) of a first safety switch contact (10) acts on it in such a manner that the force of the return spring is transmitted to the contact spring. In the event that the return spring is broken, the safety switch contact assumes a position which is characteristic of this and gives off a corresponding signal which can reduce the output of the engine. The electric path converter may be a potentiometer.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1987Date of Patent: August 1, 1989Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AGInventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Heinz Ungermann
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Patent number: 4825182Abstract: The switching device has a contact arm which is fixed on a shaft in the form of a thick-walled tube and is turnable between a closed position and an open position under the influence of a torsion rod spring. At one of its ends the spring is fixedly connected to the contact arm and at its other end to a percussion hammer. In the closed position the spring is arrested in tensioned condition by means of a latch. When releasing the latch for opening of the switching device, the spring energy is transformed to rotation energy in the hammer and is transferred to the shaft by impact against a projection on the shaft. In this way the contacts of the switching device immediately attain a great separation velocity.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1987Date of Patent: April 25, 1989Assignee: Asea AktiebolagInventor: Stefan Valdemarsson