Abstract: A foot pedal control for a surgical system, e.g., an ophthalmic surgery system, that adjusts to a number of different sizes of user's shoes. The foot pedal control has a treadle on which a user places his or her foot and a sensor that tracks the movements thereof. Adjustable lateral guides mount to the treadle and conform to both sides of the foot. The guides are shaped and positioned to conform to a wide variety of feet or shoes, and may easily be adjusted between users. A retractable heel stop converts between up for reference and down to enhance movement of the user's foot. A convertible handle may be stowed in a down position parallel to a base or pivoted up over the treadle for protection and ease of movement of the foot pedal control. The foot pedal control may be wireless and have various other electronic controls, and may have a dual-control treadle.

Abstract: An electric switch, in particular for an electric tool with an electric motor. The switch has first electrical terminals for electrical connection to a voltage supply and second electrical terminals for electrical connection to the electric motor. The switch has an actuating mechanism which can be adjusted between an initial position and a final position, wherein the electric motor is switched off when the actuating mechanism is located in the initial position and is switched on when the actuating mechanism is not located in the initial position. The switch also has a braking circuit for braking the electric motor, the braking circuit operating when the actuating mechanism is reset to the initial position. The switch also has a reversal circuit for switching over the direction of rotation of the electric motor. The braking circuit is arranged between the second electrical terminals and the reversal circuit.

Abstract: A control device for driving a regulating motor driven by direct current (DC) includes a changeover mechanism having a first normally closed (NC) switch, a second NC switch, a first normally open (NO) switch, and a second NO switch, a power-supply module for providing DC for the regulating motor, a first operating switch for driving the regulating motor to rotate in a first direction while the two NC switches become open circuit and the two NO switches become short-circuit resulting from that the first operating switch is short-circuit, and a second operating switch for driving the regulating motor to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In light of these, the control device can control the rotational direction of the regulating motor by means of simple circuitry.

Abstract: A method for controlling operations of power seats for a vehicle, comprises the steps of moving a first seat toward a second seat by a first reversible motor, causing a seat cushion of the first seat to be tipped up, by a second reversible motor, relative to a seat back of the first seat which stands up, sensing loads which are applied to the first and second reversible motors, once stopping the driving of the first reversible motor, when excessive load of the first reversible motor is sensed during the movement of the first seat toward the second seat, thereafter returning the first seat to a position at which the excessive load of the first reversible motor is not sensed and stopping the movement of the first seat, once stopping the tipping-up of the seat cushion, when excessive load of the second reversible motor is sensed during the tipping-up of the seat cushion, and thereafter returning the seat cushion to an original posture thereof and stopping the movement of the seat cushion.

Abstract: A handlebar accelerator for an electric bicycle has a bar, a tubular grip, and a joint. The grip has a ring formed at a first end thereof, a sector notch defined in the ring, and two magnetic elements respectively formed at two ends of the sector notch. The joint has a first hole defined at a first side for receiving one end of the grip, a second hole defamed at a second side for receiving one end of the bar, a channel defined therein for receiving the ring, a slot defined in the channel, a groove defined beside the channel, a passage in communication with the channel and the groove and extending outwards, and wires extending through the passage and electrically connected with a speed adjuster device. An examining element is secured in the slot and electrically connected with the wires.

Abstract: A double pole, double throw switching arrangement for effecting dynamic rotor braking of user controlled operation of a reversible direct current servo motor. Two columns of stationary center and oppositely disposed side contacts are disposed in spaced parallel arrangement on the switch base. One side contact in one column is connected to the opposite side contact in the other column and to the B+ supply. The remaining side contacts in each column are connected to a ground strap having a portion disposed for wiping contact. A pair of commonly user actuated moveable contact members are disposed for sliding contact with each column of contacts. The center contact in each column is connected to one end of a separate forward and reverse motor coil. In the neutral position both motor coil contacts are grounded. User movement of the common actuator in one direction simultaneously causes the moveable contact members to keep one motor coil grounded and connect the other motor coil to B+.

Abstract: An incremental travel encoder with an encoder part (11) and a sensor part for the sake of its economical production as a set-point value controller for operator equipment in motor vehicles, such as climate control systems, the sensor part has at least one electric switch with one fixed and one movable switch element for opening and closing a circuit for generating counting pulses, and the encoder part has a plurality of indexing members, which are disposed one after the other at the interval of an increment in the direction of motion of the encoder part. Upon each increment of the encoder part, one of the successive indexing members actuates the movable switch element in the direction of a temporary opening or closure of the electric switch.

Abstract: A switch and speed control assembly for use in a wet/dry utility vacuum or blower is disclosed. The switch and speed control assembly provides a single rotary control actuator for turning the vacuum or blower on and off, for infinitely varying the speed of the motor, and for providing a momentary boost control. The switch and speed control assembly includes a thumb wheel fitted to the shaft of a voltage varying potentiometer, a snap action switch in operable relation to the exterior edge of the thumb wheel, and a compression spring contained beneath the thumb wheel. As the thumb wheel is rotated in an increasing "on" direction, the contacts of the snap action switch are closed, allowing electric current to flow to the motor of the wet/dry utility vacuum or blower. The voltage levels in the motor, and correspondingly the speed of the motor, are controlled by varying the potentiometer voltage through rotation applied to the thumb wheel.

Abstract: A key element for the control of electromotors, especially for cranes and other hoisting equipment. The key element includes a key switch pestle, a permanent magnet attached to the key switch pestle and a Hall sensor. The key switch pestle and permanent magnet are moveable both towards and away from the Hall sensor. As the permanent magnet approaches the Hall sensor, a flux density is sensed which triggers the generation of a control signal. In order to create a key element which can be installed in the smallest possible space, in controls and the like, the electronic circuit which includes a permanent magnet positionable toward the Hall sensor is integrated into the key element housing.

Abstract: A rotor movement sensing system in a postage meter permits detection of the printing of postage even if power is lost during the printing cycle. A sensor senses a magnet on a disk when the rotor is substantially past its home position. A second sensor has a magnetic memory element. When the magnet on the disk passes near the memory element, that element is magnetized. A Hall-effect sensor at the memory element provides an interrupt to a processor to indicate magnetization of the memory element. A winding is provided around the memory element. The processor has an output which, when asserted, causes current flow through the winding, demagnetizing the memory element. Alternatively a reed switch senses rotor rotation, a flip-flop provides a bistable latch and its output provides a datum for the processor.

Abstract: An auxiliary device for handling failures of an actuating system of a linear electric actuator, including an auxiliary drive device which works with a braking device, so that, in case of failure of said actuating system, the auxiliary drive device returns the actuator to its zero position and the braking device maintains this position in opposition to any mechanical action.

Abstract: In this control circuit for a DC motor, there are provided: a device which generates a triangular voltage wave; a device which generates a variable reference voltage; a device which compares the voltage from the triangular voltage wave generator and the voltage from the variable reference voltage generator, and produces a speed variation control output according to the result of this comparison; and a device which controls the supply of electric current to the DC motor according to the thus produced speed variation control output. Optionally, control power source lines from the device for controlling the supply of electric current to the DC motor are connected to the two ends of an armature of the DC motor. By this simple construction the number of parts of the control circuit is minimized, and the construction is made compact, light, and cheap.

Abstract: A variable speed control switch for an electric tool including a DC motor having an armature circuit, includes: a device for turning off and on the armature circuit; an upper heat dissipation cover for covering the top of the turning off and on device; a lower heat dissipation cover for covering the bottom of the turning off and on device; a printed circuit board located at the lower surface of the lower cover for controlling motor speed; a resistor element is provided on the lower surface of the board; a movable contact assembly, including a first contact member for short circuiting the motor terminals, a second contact member for turning ON the power source, a third contact member for short circuiting the turning off and on device, and a brush for providing variable resistance by sliding over the resistor element; a device for biasing the movable contact assembly to the position of short-circuiting the motor terminals; a box like casing which receives the above-mentioned components, the power source termina

Abstract: A cycle control device employing a parallel switching circuit to control a single or a predetermined number of cycles of a motor driven output shaft. A latching and a cycle switch in the parallel circuit are providing an overlapping switching sequence which is initiated by a latchable pushbutton and controlled further by the motor driven output shaft to the end of the cycle. An indexing arrangement is functioning to delay the unlatching and keeping the motor circuit energized until the unlatching and motor stopping can take place in a home position after a dial readable predetermined number of ratcheting steps have been completed. The control principle is applicable to a countdown version, a memory version with an automatic return or to a unit with a shaft mechanism to one or the other mode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an alternate action solenoid drive circuit adapted for connection to a DC source having first and second power terminals and which can be incorporated in a DC motor control for a vehicle, also disclosed herein. The drive circuit comprises an actuator switch including go and stop terminals, and an actuator switch operable in response to movement of a foot pedal for alternately moving between a go position connecting the go terminal to the first power terminal and a stop or off position connecting the stop terminal to the first power terminal. The drive circuit includes a thyristor having an anode connected to the go terminal, and a cathode and a gate, a sequencing solenoid including a solenoid coil having one end connected to the cathode and an opposite end connected to the second power terminal, and a parallel RC network connected in series between the stop terminal and the thyristor gate for applying a trigger pulse to the gate when the actuator switch is moved to the off position.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing the automatic restart of a motor upon restoration of power to the motor. This device, in its preferred embodiment, includes a thyristor switch, such as a triac, in one of the power leads to the motor which is triggered by energizaton of the motor. Upon deenergizaton of the motor, the thyristor switch switches to its non-conductive state thereby preventing automatic restarting of the motor upon restoration of the power. A selectively actuable, momentary run switch is provided to momentarily shunt out the thyristor switch so as to selectively permit the restart of the motor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thyristor interlock circuit for energizing a DC motor, the circuit comprising a solenoid switch including an actuating coil, the solenoid switch and the motor being connected in series relation between the opposed terminals of the DC source, a thyristor having an anode, a cathode, and a gate, an ignition switch which connects the anode to one terminal of the DC source, a start switch normally biased to an open position, the start switch being linked to close after closing of the ignition switch, the start switch being connected to the one terminal of the DC source and to the gate, a resistor for limiting the gate current, a controller having a switch with two terminals, and a sub-circuit comprising a first lead including a first resistor and connecting the first resistor and the actuating coil in series relation between the thyristor cathode and the other terminal of the DC source, a second lead connecting one terminal of the controller switch to the start switch and the gate, a third le