Abstract: An electronic module is provided including power switches mounted on a circuit board and configured as an inverter circuit for an electric motor. A sliding member is coupled to an actuator. A power contact switch is provided including a first conductive body, a second conductive body, and a contact switch. The first and second conductive bodies are mounted on a first surface of the circuit board and include pins received through through-holes of the circuit board to make electrical contact with two conductive tracks on a second surface of the circuit board. The contact switch pivotably is secured to the first conductive body and pivotably moveable by the sliding member to make contact with the second conductive body with movement of the actuator. A flyback diode is electrically connected between the first and second conductive track on the second surface of the circuit board parallel to the power contact switch.

Abstract: A load detection sensor 5 of the invention includes: a first electrode sheet 50 which includes first electrode 52 and a first contact point 53; a second electrode sheet 60 which includes a second electrode 62 and a second contact point 63; a spacer 70 which is disposed between the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet; one terminal 5A which is electrically connected to the first electrode 52; and the other terminal 5B which is electrically connected to the first contact point 53. A connection maintaining portion AP in which an electrical connection is maintained even when an external pressure is not applied thereto is formed by the first contact point 53 and the second contact point 63, and odd series of the switches SW electrically connected in series between one terminal 5A and the other terminal 5B are set.

Abstract: This invention provides a wireless relay which derives power for operation from voltages connected to inputs to the relay. The wireless relay has a radio receiver, a microcontroller, control terminals, and switched terminals. Optionally, the wireless relay may further comprise a transmitter.

Abstract: An electronic power apparatus is provided, including a circuit board having a conductive pads and a sense pad coupled to an output signal, and an actuator having a wiper portion accommodating a conductive wiper. The wiper includes a first end arranged to engage the sense pad and a second end arranged to slidably engage at least one of the conductive pads on the circuit board. The conductive pads are arranged in a first row of conductive pads and a second row of conductive pads in parallel with and at a distance to the first row of conductive pads. An alignment of the second row of conductive pads is offset with respect to the first row of conductive pads.

Abstract: The power source apparatus is provided with a shunt resistor connected in series with batteries, and a current computation circuit that detects the voltage induced by current flow through the shunt resistor to compute battery current. The shunt resistor is provided with a pair of current flow terminals at two separated points on a metal plate connected in series with the batteries via connecting leads, and a pair of voltage detection terminals on a side of the metal plate between the pair of current flow terminals. Further, the shunt resistor has interval adjustment structures to adjust the distance (L) between attachment points where the connecting leads attach to the pair of current flow terminals. The distance (L) between lead attachment points is adjusted with the interval adjustment structures to finely adjust the voltage induced at the voltage detection terminals due to current flow between the two attachment points.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a direction indicating device for generating a 2D direction indicating signal, which includes a base board, a first rectangular conductive plane formed on the base board, including a first sliding slot, a second rectangular conductive plane formed on the base board, overlapping the first rectangular conductive plane, and including a second sliding slot, a positioning axle perpendicular to the base board, passing through a space corresponding to overlap portions of the first sliding slot and the second sliding slot, for moving the first conductive plane along a first direction, and moving the second conductive plane along a second direction, and a control signal generating module for outputting the 2D direction indicating signal according to electric information of the first conductive plane and the second conductive plane.

Abstract: A joystick comprising a housing, a ball supported and held within the housing, and a joystick handle attached to the ball. The joystick also includes a first device held within the housing, and a second device held within the housing. The joystick also includes a first engagement shaft extending from the first device to the ball, the first engagement shaft having an end adjacent the ball and engaging the ball, and a second engagement shaft extending from the second device to the ball, the second engagement shaft having an end adjacent the ball and engaging the ball.

Abstract: A digital potentiometer includes a circuit containing multiple string arrays, each having a plurality of switching devices connected to an array of resistors. Each input terminal receives a separate digital input code enabling the resistance of one of the arms to be varied without changing the other.

Abstract: A digital potentiometer includes a circuit containing multiple string arrays, each having a plurality of switching devices connected to an array of resistors. Each input terminal receives a separate digital input code enabling the resistance of one of the arms to be varied without changing the other.

Abstract: Digital potentiometer architecture is disclosed, composing of an integrated circuit containing multiple string arrays, each having a plurality of switching devices and an array of resistors. The insertion of an additional string array between the input terminals and the wiper, allows for the disconnection of a common string array and for the independent calibration of the resistance between each input terminal and the wiper.

Abstract: A variable resistor network has a coarse resistance network and a fine resistance network connected in series with the coarse network. The coarse resistance network comprises a chain of series-connected resistors any one or more of which may be switched out of the series by individual parallel-connected relays. The fine network comprises a shunt resistor together with a fixed resistor and a series-connected adjustable resistor together connected in parallel with the shunt resistor. A control circuit is arranged to control the relays for the switching of the resistors of the coarse network and also to control adjustment of the adjustable resistor. A chosen resistance value can be set by appropriate switching of the coarse network and adjustment of the adjustable resistor.

Abstract: Digital potentiometer architecture is disclosed, composing of an integrated circuit containing multiple string arrays, each having a plurality of switching devices and an array of resistors. The insertion of an additional string array between the input terminals and the wiper, allows for the disconnection of a common string array and for the independent calibration of the resistance between each input terminal and the wiper.

Abstract: A potentiometer network includes a first main terminal, a second main terminal, a plurality of resistive elements connected in parallel between the first main terminal and the second main terminal, and means for embedding calibration of said resistive elements in said potentiometer network.

Abstract: The device has a first substrate on which an electrical resistive element is mounted, and a second substrate on which a contact electrode is mounted. The contact electrode is disposed opposite the resistive element at an electrically insulating distance. It can be brought into electrical contact with the resistive element by pressing the substrates together. The device is provided with electrical or electronic circuitry for detecting the location of the compression point. At least one of the substrates is equipped with a flat leaf spring of spring-grade sheet metal attached flush thereto, which leaf covers the compression zone of the substrates.

Abstract: Resistive elements include a patterned region of nanofabric having a predetermined area, where the nanofabric has a selected sheet resistance; and first and second electrical contacts contacting the patterned region of nanofabric and in spaced relation to each other. The resistance of the element between the first and second electrical contacts is determined by the selected sheet resistance of the nanofabric, the area of nanofabric, and the spaced relation of the first and second electrical contacts. The bulk resistance is tunable.

Abstract: A variable resistor network has a coarse resistance network and a fine resistance network connected in series with the coarse network. The coarse resistance network comprises a chain of series-connected resistors any one or more of which may be switched out of the series by individual parallel-connected relays. The fine network comprises a shunt resistor together with a fixed resistor and a series-connected adjustable resistor together connected in parallel with the shunt resistor. A control circuit is arranged to control the relays for the switching of the resistors of the coarse network and also to control adjustment of the adjustable resistor. A chosen resistance value can be set by appropriate switching of the coarse network and adjustment of the adjustable resistor.

Abstract: A switching device (2) for a multi-step vehicle transmission (4) having one main transmission part (6) and an auxiliary-section transmission part (10) comprising the switching mechanisms (12, 14, 18, 38) for actuating switching elements (44, 50, 52, 54) in the main transmission part (6) and switching mechanisms (12, 14, 18, 38) for actuating switching elements (42, 46) in the auxiliary-section transmission part (10). The switching mechanisms (12, 14, 18, 38) for actuating the switching elements (44, 50, 52, 54) in the main transmission part (6) also actuate the switching elements (42, 46) in the auxiliary-section transmission part (10).

Abstract: A stick lever unit for a radio-controlled device that is capable of easily changing the type of stick lever holding mechanism by a user is provided. The stick lever unit includes a fixing member to which a variable resistor is attached, a rotational member equipped with a stick lever, the rotational member being journaled to the fixing member and having an arc-shaped groove on a periphery thereof, and a pressure member bridged to the fixing member for pressing the arc-shaped groove. The pressure member has resilient plates of two types which can be suitably selected by means of an adjustment member.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an occupant in a vehicle seat for a vehicle occupant restraint system is provided. The apparatus uses sensors to measure seat deflection to determine the presence, weight, and seated location of the occupant. The sensors are connected to a processor which controls air bag deployment. In one embodiment, the apparatus uses sensors that transfer linear movement to the processor. In another embodiment, the apparatus uses sensors that transfer linear to rotational movement of seat deflection to the processor.

Abstract: A dual resistor for eliminating the requirement for two different value resistors. The dual resistor includes a conditioning resistor at a high resistance value and a run resistor at a low resistance value. The run resistor can travel inside the conditioning resistor. The run resistor is capable of being advanced by a drive assembly until an electrical path is completed through the run resistor thereby shorting out the conditioning resistor and allowing the lower resistance run resistor to take over as the current carrier.

Abstract: An electric device contains a medium interposed between first and second electric elements to provide electric continuity between the first element and a defined reference point of the second element throughout a defined range of sliding travel of one of the elements along the medium in a direction that is transverse to a favored direction of conduction through an electrically anisotropic conductive region of the medium that is composed of electric conductors that conduct in a favored direction and are electrically separated by solid dielectric.

Abstract: A method of the invention manufactures a conductive resin composition having powdered silver and a reinforcing agent of the Mohs hardness 3.5 to 4.5 contained in binder resin, and forms an electrode substrate by use of the conductive resin composition. Thereby, hardness balance between phosphor copper and an electrode is regulated into the most appropriate state, and a wear resistance of both can be enhanced.

Abstract: A variable-resistance element exhibiting high wear resistance and superior microlinearity includes a resistor constituted from a first resistive layer containing a first reinforcing material and a second resistive layer containing conductive carbon black and a second reinforcing material, the second resistive layer being disposed on the first resistive layer. The first reinforcing material is pulverized carbon fibers having an average particle size of 3 ?m. The second reinforcing material is thermal black having an average particle size of 0.35 ?m.

Abstract: Conductive plastic resistance element having particles of conductive material embedded therein and projecting therefrom for reducing variations in contact resistance in a potentiometric device in which the element is employed. The element is made by processing carbon powder, resin, solvent and conductive phases to form a paste, applying the paste to a substrate, and curing the paste to drive off the solvent and form a film, with the conductive phases rising to the surface of the film and becoming embedded therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sliding contact member including a contact element, wherein the contact element includes a bundle of carbon fibers formed by bundling a plurality of carbon fibers and lubricant contained among the plurality of carbon fibers of the bundle of carbon fibers, and at least part of the bundle of carbon fibers is capable of a sliding movement with respect to tracks of a conductive pattern.

Abstract: An electric switch (1) having digital switch position detection includes a switching device (2) for contacting switch contacts associated with individual code tracks (A, B, C), different switch contacts being contacted by the switching device in different switch positions in totality and the tap off of the switch contacts contacted by the switching device (2) being applied to an evaluation unit (9). Depending on the position of the switching device (2) in at least some switch positions the voltage level has a different value to additionally distinguish this switch position.

Abstract: A compact key input apparatus interface includes a resistive element and a number of key contacts on the resistive element. The keys of a key input apparatus are disposed to provide electrical contact between a voltage source and the resistive element at a particular contact point when a corresponding key is depressed, such that a path from the voltage source to ground is made through the resistive element. The keys are arranged along the length of the resistive element so that the depression of any key provides a different conductive path to ground and therefore a different magnitude of current through the conductive path. A corresponding sense voltage measured at a sampling point provides a single-line input to a key decoder, which determines which key is depressed based on the level of the sense voltage.

Abstract: A knob having a button for a rheostat includes a base, at least one arcuate contacts, a hub, a pushbutton cap with a conductive arc corresponding to the arcuate contacts and a biasing member mounted in the pushbutton cap. The biasing member can be mounted between the pushbutton cap and the hub or the base to make the pushbutton cap return to its original position when pressure on the pushbutton cap is released. A rotating shaft of a rheostat extends out from the base and connects to the hub. The pushbutton cap is mounted on the hub to turn the hub and the rotating shaft to change resistance of the rheostat.

Abstract: An electrical switch device includes a thick film switch element having a low temperature co-fired dielectric substrate, electrical conductor tracks embedded in the substrate and having a surface substantially flush with the substrate surface, and wiper contacts in sliding engagement with the conductor tracks. The switch is useful for position sensors, throttle controls, and digital encoders. A method of manufacturing a thick film switch element includes providing a low temperature co-fired dielectric substrate in a green state, depositing an electrically conductive material onto a face of the substrate, pressing the conductive material into the substrate until the material is substantially flush with the substrate face, and then firing the substrate and conductive material.

Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor includes a circuit section contained in an insulating casing, a snap-in terminal inserted in a terminal base portion of the casing and connected to an output portion of the circuit section, and an output connecting electrode inserted in the terminal base portion from a direction orthogonal to the snap-in terminal and press-fitted in and connected to the snap-in terminal. The terminal base portion of the casing has an insertion groove for guiding and inserting the snap-in terminal, an insertion hole for guiding and inserting the output connecting electrode, and a relief groove formed on a side face of the insertion groove intersecting the insertion hole. The insertion groove, the insertion hole, and the relief groove are simultaneously formed by a metal mold of the structure to be pierced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a throttle valve comprising a potentiometer with a supporting plate (1) the supporting plate (1) to be mounted on a substrate wherein the supporting plate (1) has an upper side (18) on which the resistance tracks (3, 4), wiper tracks (5, 6) and the conductor tracks (7) are applied on an underside (19) with spacers.

Abstract: An electrical contactor or wiper that uses an elastomer near the tip to reduce flexing and improve electrical signal accuracy. The contactor includes an elongated beam having a U-shaped end. Several carbon fibers form a bundle attached to the beam. The fibers have ends and tips. The ends are compressively held inside the U-shaped end and the tips emanate from the U-shaped end. An elastomer is disposed over the carbon fibers where they emanate from the U-shaped end. The elastomer reduces flexing of the carbon fibers. The elastomer is located between the beam and adjacent to the tips with the tips being exposed. A laser is used to trim the carbon fibers and elastomer to form the tips.

Abstract: A switch circuit including voltage dividing elements for dividing a reference voltage inputted from an external source through a reference voltage input terminal, a fixed contact having metallic patterns formed on a board, and a movable contact coming in contact with the metallic patterns so as to slide thereon. The switch circuit not only divides the reference voltage at a voltage dividing ratio corresponding to a currently selected position of an object whose position is to be detected, but also outputs the divided voltage as an analog signal. Some of the voltage dividing elements that serve to switch the voltage dividing ratios are connected in parallel to one another through the fixed contact and the movable contact.

Abstract: A variable resistor includes a circuit board having a conductive layer and a plurality of impedance layers arranged under the conductive layer, a slide having a metal contact plate movably mounted over the conductive layer and the impedance layers, wherein the impedance layers and the conductive layer have electric contacts respectively connected to circuit devices, output potentials at the electric contacts being relatively changed when the slide is moved with over the metal conductive layer and the impedance layers thereby controlling current flowing through the circuit devices.

Abstract: An assembly (24) for monitoring the travel of a device includes a potentiometer (26) having a slide bar (32). The potentiometer generates a resistance value according to a position of the slide bar which is coupled to the door through a rotatable member (40) carried by a bracket (34). A slide rack (36) is carried by the bracket and is coupled to both the slide bar and the rotatable member. The slide rack operatively engages the rotatable member between predetermined first and second positions and operatively disengages from the rotatable member when at the first and second positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotatively driven type electric component wherein a slider is moved linearly by rotation of a screw. The rotatively driven type electric component with housings, a drive shaft held by the housings and provided with a screw portion, an insulating substrate held by the housings and having electrically conductive patterns, a slider which comes into sliding contact with the electrically conductive patterns, a movable block which holds the slider, and a plate spring disposed between the movable block and the drive shaft and locked to the movable block, the plate spring having a protuberance, the protuberance of the plate spring being brought into elastic contact with the screw portion of the drive shaft so that the movable block is moved with rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor includes an insulating substrate having a surface on which there is formed a resistor including a variable resistor portion and a plurality of terminal electrodes including an output terminal electrode. A rotation shaft is included which is equipped with a sliding member adapted to slide on the variable resistor portion of the resistor when the rotation shaft is rotated. An insulating case rotationally supports the rotation shaft. The insulating substrate is disposed in the case such that the aforementioned surface is opposed to an inner bottom portion of the case. A capacitor connecting terminal is inserted through the insulating substrate and is electrically connected to the output terminal electrode.

Abstract: A position sensor for sensing the position of an attached device. There is a housing having terminals and a cover attached to the housing. Resistors, conductors and conductive traces are located on the cover and electrically connected to the terminals. A rotor is positioned between the housing and the cover, and has a contactor mounted thereon for contacting the resistor and the conductor such that as the rotor rotates a resistance value indicative of the sensor position is varied. The cover has a terminal insert which connect between the conductive traces and the terminals. A leaf spring rotates the rotor back to a starting position.

Abstract: A curved disc joystick or pad with improved performance, reliability and durability can be used as a cursor pointing device for computers, remote controls, video games, consumer electronics, industrial controllers, automotive and other applications. A conductive spring or sheath connects to a conductive curved rubber transducer which can be deflected to make contact with conductors on a printed circuit board, providing electrical outputs to a microprocessor or other device. A ribbed locking extension may be added to automate the assembly process. In addition, a collar may be provided to produce a controllable product, both in terms of manufacturing and performance.

Abstract: A high-voltage resistor unit capable of minimizing a variation in output voltage thereof. The resistor unit includes an output terminal member provided with a contact section connected, by only contacting, to an output electrode formed on a front surface of a circuit board. The electrode contacted with the constant section of the terminal member has a surface section covered with a resistive paint layer, of which a resistance value in a thickness direction thereof is set to be smaller than a resistance value of a resistance circuit pattern formed on the front surface of the circuit board which resistance value is determined in a thickness direction thereof.

Abstract: A variable resister includes a housing made of a synthetic resin and having an inner space that opens to an open upper end of the housing, and a substrate made of a synthetic resin mounted on the housing for closing the open upper end of the housing to enclose the inner space. A resister is provided on the surface of the substrate and terminates in a conductive extremity while a conductive terminal electrically connected to a power supply terminates in an extremity that opposes the conductive extremity of the resister in the inner space. A conductive coil spring is elastically disposed between the conductive extremity of the resister and the extremity of the conductive terminal. A contact is disposed in sliding engagement with the resister such that a distance between the contact and the conductive extremity of the resister is used as a control variable.

Abstract: Use is made of thermoplastic materials in layered configurations as a thermally stable, rigid but not brittle strip of lengths of six inches to ten feet or more. The layered strip contains layers of conductive fibers in a resin matrix, which, through use of appropriate contact mechanisms and wiring, provide an assembly with an infinite potentiometer scale. The strips are especially useful in linear positioning indicators such as pneumatic and hydraulic cylinder and liquid level gauges. The strips are conductively connected by cutting a bias surface relative to said strips and placing resin thereon.

Abstract: In an electrical part, a first resilient portion of an internal terminal is inserted into a terminal guide portion, and the internal terminal is inserted into the terminal guide portion such that a contact portion thereof resiliently contacts the inner side of the terminal guide portion. A curved second contact portion of the internal terminal is formed at one end, and a stopper, disposed at the internal terminal 3, is retained in a recess of an external terminal to prevent the internal terminal 3 from being removed from the terminal guide groove. In conventional electrical parts, the internal terminal is connected to the insulating substrate at an eyelet or the like by staking in order to transfer the resistance change resulting from the rotation of the operating shaft to the outside, so that when staking at the eyelet or the like is done with too much strength, the insulating substrate may crack. The electrical part makes it possible to overcome such a problem of the conventional electrical parts.

Abstract: A control head for remote actuators on a vehicle heater/air conditioner system comprises variable resistors operated by control knobs to provide variable motor control voltages to the actuators which comprise servo-actuators or a pulse width modulated blower motor. The control head has a molded plastic housing with embedded conductive runners terminating in wipers. A control disk rotatable with each knob has an arcuate resistive film and a pair of arcuate conductors connected to ends of the film. The wipers engage the arcuate elements to apply a supply voltage to the conductors and pick off a control voltage from the resistive film. Alternatively the arcuate elements are on the housing and the wiper is on the control disk.

Abstract: A rail 30, having a long groove 31 on an upper surface thereof, is disposed in a space between an upper surface of cover 28 having an elongated hole 29 and an insulating substrate 21. With this arrangement, water or the like, entering from the upper part of cover 28, falls directly or via a groove 27a formed on an upper surface of a slider 25 and is settled or accumulated in long groove 31 of rail 30. Excellent dust-protective and waterproofing effects are obtained. Furthermore, these entering substances are drained via long groove 31 of rail 30, preventing them from spraying out to uncertain places.

Abstract: Use is made of thermoplastic materials in layered configurations as a thermally stable, rigid but not brittle strip of lengths of six inches to ten feet or more. The layered strip contains layers of conductive fibers in a resin matrix, which, through use of appropriate contact mechanisms and wiring, provide an assembly with an infinite potentiometer scale. The strips are especially useful in linear positioning indicators such as pneumatic and hydraulic cylinder and liquid level gauges.

Abstract: A pair of output terminals for measurement of lateral misalignment are formed on an interlayer insulating film, and a series resistance circuit is formed between the pair of output terminals by connecting plural lower layers exposed to plural windows for detection of the lateral misalignment to plural upper layers formed on the interlayer insulating film, so as to measure a synthetic resistance between the pair of output terminals. Similarly, a pair of output terminals for measurement of longitudinal misalignment are formed on the interlayer insulating film, and a series resistance circuit is formed between the pair of output terminals by connecting plural lower layers exposed to plural windows for detection of the longitudinal misalignment to plural upper layers formed on the interlayer insulating film, so as to measure a synthetic resistance between the pair of output terminals.

Abstract: A low-cost joy stick or pad with improved performance, reliability and durability which can be used as a cursor pointing device for computers, remote controls, video games, consumer electronics, industrial controllers, automotive and other applications. A conductive spring or sheath connects to a conductive curved rubber transducer which can be deflected to make contact with conductors on a printed circuit board, providing electrical outputs to a microprocessor or other device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sliding type variable resistor in which the shaking of a knob portion is prevented, and in which the slider is able to slide smoothly. A sliding type variable resistor is provided having a structure comprising a resin substrate having a carbon film resistor printed on the surface in a straight line and lead terminals for external lines, a slider having a main body portion provided with a sliding shoe which slides in abutment against the carbon film resistor and a knob portion, and a frame body which holds the slider main body portion and the resin substrate inside and in which only the knob portion of the slider protrudes outside. A guide rail is provided in parallel to the sliding direction of the slider on the side surface of the frame body and a depressed part which is to be engaged with the above-mentioned guide rail is provided on the side surface of the slider main body portion.

Abstract: A floating pin joint is provided for coupling a linear potentiometer to a machine for measuring relative movement between first and second component parts of the machine. The potentiometer has an elongated housing securable to the first component part and a drive actuator slidably attached to the housing. In one embodiment, the floating pin joint includes a bushing, an actuator rod and a spring. The bushing can be positioned in a mounting hole on the drive actuator with an annular bearing surface disposed at one end of the bushing facing outwardly from the mounting hole. The actuator rod has a flange disposed between a first end and second end which contacts the bearing surface when the second end of the rod is extended through the bushing. The spring attaches to the second end of the rod for maintaining the flange in contact with the bearing surface.