Vehicle Attached Or Carried Patents (Class 200/61.44)
  • Patent number: 11530121
    Abstract: A pallet detection assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided. The pallet detection assembly includes a body defining a cavity and having a proximity sensor housed at least partially within the cavity. The pallet detection assembly further includes an actuation plate having a tab coupled thereto and extending in a direction toward the body, and an actuator having a cylinder coupled to the body and a plunger slidably received within the cylinder and coupled to the actuation plate. The actuator is configured to movably couple the actuation plate to the body so that the actuation plate is configured to non-pivotally displace relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Erik C. Tracy, Timothy A. Schoelier, Thomas W. Confer, Kevin T. Bordwell
  • Patent number: 11299352
    Abstract: An automatic cart transport system. A track located in a factory working floor provides a trackway for an endless flexible conveyor chain. A plurality of chain units including a first chain portion having vertical rollers and a second chain portion having horizontal rollers are flexibly coupled, and the chain is advanced along the trackway by a drive motor. The chain units support thereabove, but within the track, a coupling plate having therein an aperture for accepting and capturing a chain connection shaft which is detachably connected to a cart. The cart is automatically towed along a defined pathway on the working floor of a factory by the chain, when connected to the coupling plate on the endless flexible conveyor chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: KOREA WHEEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hun Choe
  • Patent number: 11240966
    Abstract: Mowing systems include a mower and, optionally, a remote control unit such as a handheld unit, between which may be provided 1- or 2-way communications. Components and features are included in the mower, the remote control unit, or both to enhance the safety, functionality, or user experience of the system's user/operator. One aspect relates to monitoring a tilt angle of the mower, and defining or executing different system responses as a function of different first and second conditions that relate to the tilt angle. Another aspect relates to automatic adjustment of a speed setting of the mower's drive system as a function of a power takeoff (PTO) unit of the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Embankscape Equipment LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Brandt
  • Patent number: 10940924
    Abstract: An alert control system includes a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a first input of an anchorage instruction or a second input indicating an anchorage state, and perform, in accordance with the first input or the second input, control to reduce a number of kinds of triggers which output an alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Takayuki Adachi
  • Patent number: 10612938
    Abstract: A method for operating an event counter, including the following: ascertaining at least one counting event with the aid of a signal from a first sensor; and using a signal from a second sensor for ascertaining the counting event if the signal from the first sensor is unable to be unequivocally allocated to a counting event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Anna Christina Strohrmann, Gerhard Lammel, Rainer Dorsch
  • Patent number: 10549870
    Abstract: A walking type winding machine includes a front protection ring being fixed on a steering part and a steering counting device. The steering counting device includes a first sensor for sensing the steering of a machine body, and the first sensor is connected to a controller of the walking type winding machine. The steering part includes a second sensor which is supported by an elastic component such that the second sensor is movably installed on the steering part, and the second sensor is used for sensing the backward movement of the frame of the steering part with respect to the second sensor. The walking type winding machine makes the control of a film winding path become simple and accurate, and it can protect important components of the steering part, improve walking steering sensitivity, and mitigate the impact on the machine body when colliding with an obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: HANGZHOU YOUNGSUN INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bangyi Luo, Caiqin Zhang, Leichun Wang, Ziquan Zhang, Xiaohui Zhou, Xiaomin Ding
  • Patent number: 10427526
    Abstract: Provided is an electric vehicle in which the state of contact between an electric connection arm and an external power line can be stabilized during traveling of the electric vehicle. In the electric vehicle, when the free end of an electric connection arm contacts an external power line during traveling of the electric vehicle, a posture control device controls the posture of the vehicle body so that the rotation angle of the electric connection arm approaches a target rotation angle or a target rotation angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takamitsu Tajima, Yasuji Shibahata
  • Patent number: 10340095
    Abstract: A safety-switch device for mounting on a movable device. An impact surface is mounted on or assembled in a bracket. The bracket, impact surface, and a mounting surface of the movable device form a protective enclosure around the switch. The switch is a switch strip or a switch mat. The impact surface is a separate, movable, rigid or stiff component that serves as an actuator for the switch and is provided as a component that is easily replaceable. A trigger mechanism is provided between the impact surface and the switch. When the impact surface moves from its resting position to its actuation position, the trigger mechanism trips the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventors: André Haake, Oliver Haake, Patrick Haake
  • Patent number: 10209050
    Abstract: A wheel center bore size qualification detection device includes an upper crossbeam, large guide posts, small guide posts, a center go/no go gauge no go end, a center go/no go gauge go end, small guide sleeves, large guide sleeves, a stand, jaws, small air cylinders, a coupling flange A, a coupling flange B, a lower crossbeam, bases, a large air cylinder, a centering pin A, centering pins B, a mobile sensor bracket, a mobile sensor, a detection connecting rod and bracket, a backing plate, connecting bolts and a fixed plate. The device provided has the characteristics of accurate location, practical structure, high detection accuracy, high efficiency, work safety and reliability and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinling Yang, Li Yang, Weidong Liu
  • Patent number: 10118611
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a trailer distance module, a trailer contact module, a trailer distance module, and at least one of a driver warning module, a brake control module, and a steering control module. The trailer distance module determines a distance from a cab of a truck to a fifth wheel trailer attached to the truck based on an input from a sensor. The trailer contact module identifies potential contact between the trailer and the truck cab based on the cab-to-trailer distance. The driver warning module warns a driver of the potential contact. The brake control module applies a brake of at least one of the truck and the trailer when potential contact is identified. The steering control module increases an amount of driver effort required to steer the truck in at least one direction when potential contact is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael T. Chaney, Jr., Allan K. Lewis, Mohammad Naserian
  • Patent number: 10005426
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a combination fuel monitoring and anti-theft device and system for monitoring fuel load and preventing fuel theft. The device and system provide real-time information, relating to fuel load and consumption, which is transmittable to a remote receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventors: Jurica Magoci, Igor Hristov
  • Patent number: 10005395
    Abstract: A machine includes a machine body that includes an operator platform. The machine also includes an implement, a ladder moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position, and control unit configured to limit operation of the implement when the ladder is in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathaniel Doy
  • Patent number: 9758108
    Abstract: A protector with a sensor comprises: a hollow part; and an installation base member formed on the hollow part. In the hollow part, a plurality of conductive parts have core wires embedded therein respectively and a space is positioned between the plurality of conductive parts. The plurality of conductive parts include: a conductive part on a lower part of the hollow part as a side of the installation base member; and a conductive part on an upper part of the hollow part separated from the side of the installation base member by the space. The hollow part includes: an oblique side on an inner-cabin side extending from an inner-cabin side end connected with the installation base member to a tip; and an oblique side on an outer-cabin side extending from an outer-cabin side end connected with the installation base member to the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignees: NISHIKAWA RUBBER CO., LTD., AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuzo Hirakawa, Michihiko Matsumoto, Hironori Koeda, Tomoki Kameyama
  • Patent number: 9669680
    Abstract: An alignment adjustment device includes an actuator that is fixed to a vehicle body side support member and that is connected to an outer peripheral surface of a hub carrier so as to rotate the hub carrier. An intersection between a first axis and a second axis and an intersection of a universal joint are both positioned inside a wheel, and the intersection of the universal joint is inside the hub carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yuta, Tetsu Ogawa, Yutaka Hozumi, Takashi Yanagi
  • Patent number: 9644419
    Abstract: A sectional overhead door protector is described. In a preferred embodiment an impact bar assembly is fixedly mounted to a door panel to protect the sectional overhead door from inadvertent impact. When the impact bar assembly is struck a force vector is generated inward towards a wall and biased to an outside of the door panel preventing stress on the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: CIW Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Janick, Michelle Burrell, Milton Prosperi
  • Patent number: 9452917
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for guiding a vehicle onto a service lift having a pair of runways for receiving the wheels of the vehicle. In one embodiment, sensors attached to the runways generate sensor signals responsive to a position of the vehicle relative to the runways. The sensor signals are processed to determine and monitor the position of the vehicle relative to the runways, and a visual reference is displayed to guide an operator of the vehicle to drive the vehicle wheels onto the runways. In another embodiment, each runway includes a turntable for receiving the wheels. An actuator is connected to one runway and to its corresponding turntable, and is configured to move the turntable relative to the runway. The sensor signals are processed to determine the position of the vehicle relative to the runways, and to cause the actuator to align the turntable with the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Donald A. Healy, Carl W. Pruitt
  • Patent number: 9441408
    Abstract: A protector having a hollow part with a sensor that detects an object between two conductive parts. The two conductive parts having a space therebetween. The hollow part has a wall having a horseshoe shaped cross section. Both ends of the wall are connected with an installation base member. The two conductive parts including a conductive part having a convex shape and a conductive part having a concave shape. The conductive parts are positioned in a manner such that the space substantially has a V-shaped cross section and a uniform width in cross section. Both ends of the V-shaped cross section terminate on an inner surface of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: NISHIKAWA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michihiko Matsumoto, Eiichi Baba
  • Patent number: 9079553
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a crush can for a vehicle frame including a crush can body having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional shape that is at least approximately a 10-sided polygon. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a crush can for a vehicle frame including a crush can body having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional shape that includes a plurality of outwardly pointing apexes and a plurality of inwardly pointing apexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Banasiak, James R. Byrne, II, Alexander Zak, Seetarama S. Kotagiri
  • Patent number: 8748761
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric switch for a rear door or tailgate of an automobile, including: an electric subassembly (6) comprising a microswitch (7), and a mechanical subassembly (8) comprising a means for activating said microswitch (7), characterised in that said electric (6) and mechanical (8) subassemblies comprise an assembly means which engages to attach said subassemblies (6, 8) to one another and said electric switch (1) also comprises a seal (15) moulded over a joining area between said mechanical (8) and electric (6) subassemblies. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an electric switch for a rear door or tailgate of an automobile such as previously described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventors: Zdenek Mrazek, Dolors Fuentes, Victor Villagrasa
  • Patent number: 8356699
    Abstract: A toe guard (1) for an elevator car (2), said toe guard comprising a movable panel (3). The panel (3) comprises a first panel part (10) which, being guided and supported by guide tracks (5), is movable substantially between a drawn-out position on a landing floor and a stowed-away position under the car. In addition, the panel comprises a second panel part (11) which, guided by the first panel part (10), is telescopically movable between a retracted extreme position where the first and second panel parts are disposed in a mutually nested and/or superposed relationship, and an extended extreme position where the first and second panel parts are disposed substantially in a mutually adjacent relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Matti Räsänen, Petri Pukkila, Timo Muukkonen
  • Patent number: 8348330
    Abstract: The present invention is a touch sensor assembly for a closing panel of a frame member that at least partially defines an opening and is oppositely disposed from the closing panel. The touch sensor assembly can have an elongated housing dimensioned to attach to a leading edge of the closing panel or a trailing edge of the frame member. The touch sensor assembly can also have a wire harness with a first portion encapsulated within the housing and a second portion that extends a predetermined length from the housing and passes through an aperture in the closing panel or an aperture in the frame member. A wire harness protector is also provided, the protector being attached to the wire harness proximate to the elongated housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Higgins, Hideki Shimizu, Hironori Koeda, Yoshiteru Taniguichi
  • Publication number: 20120186954
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric switch for a rear door or tailgate of an automobile, including: an electric subassembly (6) comprising a microswitch (7), and a mechanical subassembly (8) comprising a means for activating said microswitch (7), characterised in that said electric (6) and mechanical (8) subassemblies comprise an assembly means which engages to attach said subassemblies (6, 8) to one another and said electric switch (1) also comprises a seal (15) moulded over a joining area between said mechanical (8) and electric (6) subassemblies. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an electric switch for a rear door or tailgate of an automobile such as previously described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventors: Zdenek Mrazek, Dolors Fuentes, Victor Villagrasa
  • Patent number: 8026454
    Abstract: A linear pressure switch is described that has two conductors separated by strips of insulation. The conductors are resilient members that can vary in thickness and material along with the insulation to provide a range of switch sensitivities. The switch can include connectors and an attachment mechanism that facilitates the installation and removal the switch from a given application. In addition, the switch can ergonomically enhanced actuation. The switches can be stacked in layers and selectively have different sensitivities to provide a desired signal output for each switch in a given application. The switch can also include external coatings on the jacket which enhance the feel and resistance of the jacket to wear and misuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventors: John T. Grzan, Matt Grzan, Joseph L. Montalto
  • Patent number: 7659485
    Abstract: A linear pressure switch is described that has two conductors separated by strips of insulation. The conductors are resilient members that can vary in thickness and material along with the insulation to provide a range of switch sensitivities. The switch can include connectors and an attachment mechanism that facilitates the installation and removal the switch from a given application. In addition, the switch can ergonomically enhanced actuation. The switches can be stacked in layers and selectively have different sensitivities to provide a desired signal output for each switch in a given application. The switch can also include external coatings on the jacket which enhance the feel and resistance of the jacket to wear and misuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventors: John T. Grzan, Matt Grzan, Joseph L. Montalto
  • Publication number: 20100006407
    Abstract: Inside an outer electrode 52 formed tubularly by a flexible conductor, an inner electrode 53 formed linearly by a flexible conductor is disposed. Between the outer electrode 52 and the inner electrode 53, three spacer members 54 formed helically by an insulator are disposed, and by these spacer members 54 a gap is formed between the outer electrode 52 and the inner electrode 53. An inner lead wire 55 is disposed in an axis of the inner electrode 53 electrically connected to the inner electrode 53, and a helical outer lead wire 56 is disposed inside the outer electrode 52 taking an opposite position from the corresponding spacer member 54 with respect to the inner lead wire 55 and electrically connected to the outer electrode 52. By such a construction, a degree of freedom of bend is enhanced, and directional difference of the detection sensitivity is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Hiroshi Masuko
  • Publication number: 20090057109
    Abstract: A collision recognition device for a vehicle is proposed, comprising a pressure sensor with a first electrode and a second electrode, both having first and second ends, the second end of the first electrode being connected to a first terminal of a first resistor, the second end of the second electrode being connected to a first terminal of a second resistor During use, a first voltage V1 is applied to the first end of the first electrode, a second voltage V2 is applied to a second terminal of the first resistor so that a voltage difference between said first terminal of the first resistor and said second terminal of said first resistor forms a first status voltage indicative of circuit integrity. A first signal voltage V3 at the second end of the second electrode is indicative of whether said first and second electrodes are in contact. During a collision, the two electrodes are pressed together in the collision zone, which creates an electrical contact in this region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Bour, Andreas Petereit
  • Patent number: 7476819
    Abstract: A switch box is provided for converting a unidirectionally activated ribbon switch inserted in the switch box into a multi-directionally activated ribbon switch. At least two pairs of fingers protruding from the body of the switch box contact one or more posts protruding into the hollow interior of an external housing in which the switch box is inserted so that external compression of the housing forces the posts into the fingers and the external body of the switch box to activate the unidirectional ribbon switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Tapeswitch Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Steele, John E. Gavey
  • Patent number: 7288734
    Abstract: A vehicle switch includes a case having a through-hole through the top face thereof, an operating body, a switch contact, an elastic cover, and a sliding part. The top end of the operating body projects from the through-hole. The operating body is housed in the case vertically movable. The switch contact is brought into and out of electrical contact by the vertical movement of the operating body. The elastic cover covers the through-hole of the case and the top end of the operating body. The sliding part that has a smaller friction coefficient than that of the elastic cover is provided in the top portion of the elastic cover, and covers at least the rim of the top portion of the elastic cover, or protrudes from the top face of the top portion and has an arc-shaped curved surface in the outer periphery of the upper rim thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Shiroshita
  • Patent number: 7154393
    Abstract: An object detection sensor wherein a detection electrode (electrode connected with a detection circuit via a conductor) is not exposed from a surface and an input signal is scarcely reduced when a contact area is small, which is capable of reliably detecting a contact thereof with an object in a manner substantially the same as that in the case of a large contact area even when the contact area is small is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Okushima, Hiroyuki Sueyasu, Keiichi Nagayama, Yukinori Kurumado
  • Patent number: 6917003
    Abstract: A switch is used to detect opening/closing of a car door or the like in a vehicle, and the switch can be provided with a nice operation feeling and stable performance. Thin corrugated sections are provided on a cover that covers a switching-element, connection points of lead wires and lower portions of a housing of the switch. The switch performs a nice operation feeling with quick response, as upon pushing the cap, the corrugated sections of the cover expand outward to prevent air in the switch from being compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigetaka Dozono, Manabu Shiroshita, Hiroyuki Kosaka
  • Patent number: 6723933
    Abstract: A flexible, capacitive strip for use in a non-contact obstacle detection system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the strip includes an elongated body for flexible mounting to a panel along a bottom surface of the elongated body. A first elongated planar conductor is contained within an upper section of the elongated body, and a longitudinal cavity is formed through a central portion of the elongated body, the longitudinal cavity being disposed between the planar conductor and the bottom surface. The first elongated planar conductor forms a first electrode of a sensing capacitor and the longitudinal cavity defines a portion of a dielectric material of the sensing capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald Helmut Haag, Brian Deplae, Jeremy M. Husic, John Pasiecznik, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6714124
    Abstract: A system adapted to be mounted on a pickup truck for warning the driver of the truck should the front section of a fifth wheel trailer pivotally supported on a hitch secured in the bed of the truck approach a point where there is imminent danger of impact between the front section of the trailer and the back of the cab as the truck and trailer are executing a turn. The system comprises a warning device which is to be placed in the cab of the truck and alarm units mounted on the front wall of the truck bed, each such alarm unit having a contact member which is movable in response to contact with the front section of the trailer to operate a switch and activate the warning device to warn the driver that the radius of a turn then being performed must be increased to avoid an impact between the front section of the trailer and the back of the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Cloy F. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6642461
    Abstract: A deceleration impact detector for detecting a vehicle collision or the like is composed of a rotor having an eccentric gravity center, a spring biasing the rotor to its initial position, a cam connected to rotor, and a pair of contacts consisting of a movable contact and a stationary contact. The rotor rotates together with the cam when a deceleration exceeding a predetermined level is imposed on the rotor. The pair of contacts are closed by the cam thereby to generate an electrical signal to inflate an air-bag. The movable contact is made of a resilient leaf spring, while the stationary contact is made of a plate having a high rigidity, so that resonant vibrations of the stationary contact otherwise caused by a high deceleration impact are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Imoto
  • Patent number: 6571511
    Abstract: A force-responsive sensor comprises upper and lower cover layers, the upper layer being resilient and flexible and shown as transparent for ease of illustration. An electrically conductive layer carries separate individual electrically insulating spacers which separate it from two electrically conductive members. Each of these members has a plurality of spaced resilient fingers, the fingers of the two members being inter-digitated. The members are formed as films on the layer. Where the members are not supported by the spacers, they are normally held apart from the conductive layer by the resilience of the upper layer. In response to an applied force, one or more of the fingers is pressed into contact with the conductive layer to enable the production of a corresponding electrical signal. The positioning of the spacers ensures that they do not increase the overall width of the sensor. A force applied by a relatively large-area flat object is transmitted by a protruberance to one of the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Draftex Industries Limited
    Inventor: Reimund Plottnik
  • Patent number: 6483054
    Abstract: A pressure-sensitive sensor is provided with a tube member having a hollow portion defined by an inner wall and made of flexible material, a first belt-like electrode disposed on an upper side of the tube member in the tube member and a second belt-like electrode disposed on a lower side of the hollow portion in the tube member so as to oppose the first belt-like electrode. When the pressure-sensitive sensor is pressed, the first belt-like electrode and the second belt-like electrode are capable of contacting each other so as to ensure conductivity. Further the pressure-sensitive sensor has a contact adjusting portion provided on an inner wall of the tube member and for adjusting a contact between the first belt-like electrode and the second belt-like electrode. Additionally, a connector capable of being combined with such a pressure-sensitive sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Kazuyoshi Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 6423914
    Abstract: A wheelie inhibitor device comprises a switch housing adapted to be secured to the rear of a vehicle and containing an electric switch 2, a switch actuating rod 8 extending from the switch housing 1 substantially behind the trailing part of the or a rear wheel of the vehicle and being adapted to touch the ground when the front end of the vehicle is tilted upwards relative to the ground by a predetermined amount, the switch 2 being electrically connected to one or more engine cut out or rear brake actuating regions of the vehicle, the arrangement being such that upon tilting upwards of the front of the vehicle by the pre-determined amount the free end of the actuating rod 8 touches the ground and thereby actuates the switch 2 to, in turn, temporarily deactivate the engine or apply the rear brake, as the case may be, to thereby inhibit the wheelie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Andrew Burnett
  • Publication number: 20020063047
    Abstract: A wheelie inhibitor device comprises a switch housing adapted to be secured to the rear of a vehicle and containing an electric switch 2, a switch actuating rod 8 extending from the switch housing 1 substantially behind the trailing part of the or a rear wheel of the vehicle and being adapted to touch the ground when the front end of the vehicle is tilted upwards relative to the ground by a pre-determined amount, the switch 2 being electrically connected to one or more engine cut out or rear brake actuating regions of the vehicle, the arrangement being such that upon tilting upwards of the front of the vehicle by the predetermined amount the free end of the actuating rod 8 touches the ground and thereby actuates the switch 2 to, in turn, temporarily deactivate the engine or apply the rear brake, as the case may be, to thereby inhibit the wheelie.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Andrew Burnett
  • Patent number: 6373005
    Abstract: A device for detection of trapping in a power-operated closing element with a switching element, which is arranged along a first closing edge within an elastic hollow section. The hollow section includes a central area extending longitudinally, in which an active area of the switching element is arranged, and at least one side area extending longitudinally, in which a non-active edge area of the switching element is arranged. The side area has a higher deformability on the side of the hollow section facing the first closing edge than on the central area. The device has a force transmitter extending longitudinally, which transmits a trapping force from the side facing away from the first closing edge to the side area of the hollow section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignees: I.E.E. International Electronics & Engineering, S.A.R.L., Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Peter Griesbach, Hans Gamerdinger, Volker Petri, Reinhold Mickeler, Michel Witte, Roland Lorig, Stefan Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6297605
    Abstract: A pinch sensing arrangement for a motor vehicle power liftgate mounted to the body of the motor vehicle and driven by a drive mechanism between an open position and a closed position. The pinch sensing arrangement includes a mounting track, a sensor and a control module. The mounting track is attached to the liftgate. The sensor is attached to the mounting track and elongated along at least one of the lateral sides of the liftgate. The sensor is operative for generating an electrical signal when compressed. The control module is in electrical communication with the sensor and is adapted to control the drive mechanism to articulate the liftgate to the open position upon receiving the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Atoma International Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick C Butler, Peter L Oxley
  • Patent number: 6281455
    Abstract: A force-responsive sensor comprises upper and lower cover layers, one superimposed on the other. The underside of the upper layer carries a first conductive layer which is electrically insulated from a second conductive layer carried by the upper surface of the lower cover sheet by a series of electrically insulating spacers placed along the length of the sensor with longitudinally spaced gaps between them, each spacer extending over substantially the full width of the sensor and being obliquely inclined to the longitudinal direction of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Draftex Industries Limited
    Inventors: Reimund Plottnik, Hans Wilde
  • Patent number: 6225583
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive sensor of the present invention disclosed includes a hollow base body made by use of a rubber and having a hollow portion, a pair of electrically conductive bodies, at least one of which is made by use of a conductive rubber, disposed so as to be opposed to each other at a required spacing, and a plasticizer blocking portion which is provided between the hollow base body and the pair of electrically conductive bodies and which prevents plasticizer in the hollow base body from immigrating to the pair of electrically conductive bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Kinugawa Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shigematsu, Takeomi Takamiya, Kenichi Ikuta
  • Patent number: 6207911
    Abstract: A combined doorstop and switch assembly for a vehicle includes two primary components, which are a bumper body for attaching to a vehicle body panel, and a switch which is attachable to the bumper body. The bumper body is formed of a flexibly resilient material, which may be rubber or a suitable elastomer. The bumper body has a hollow chamber formed centrally therein for receiving and holding the switch. The switch is housed within the hollow chamber of the bumper body and includes a case having a first contact disposed therein, and a push rod member slidably disposed in the case for movement therein. A spring, or other means for biasing the push rod member outwardly in the case is provided attached to the push rod member, and the switch also includes a connector for connecting to an electrical circuit, the connector being in electrical communication with the first contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: David W. Hirsch, Emily Meredith