Contact Angularly Slidable Patents (Class 338/162)
  • Patent number: 6420957
    Abstract: An electric component capable of attaining connection of two kinds of connection conductors thereto and electrically connecting an electrode arranged on a front surface of a circuit board and a terminal fitment to each other without soldering. A terminal fitment (129) is integrally formed by subjecting a metal plate to machining. The terminal fitment 19 includes a first conductor holding section 129A, a second conductor holding section 129B and a contact terminal section 129C. The contact terminal section 129C is constructed to as to exhibit elastic or resilient force sufficient to force a contact portion 129s against the contact electrode E2 while being kept arranged between the first conductor holding section 129A and the front surface of the circuit board 102.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Hokuriku Electric Industry Co., LTD
    Inventor: Susumu Harada
  • Publication number: 20020067244
    Abstract: A high voltage variable resistor includes a variable resistance board, a substantially rectangular flat fixed-resistance board, and a high-voltage capacitor housed in a case such that one surface thereof is open. The fixed-resistance board is arranged such that a longer side extends from the bottom surface to the opening surface of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumihiko Shimasaki
  • Publication number: 20020063620
    Abstract: A variable resistance device is provided. Instead of a conventional planar-type structure or a three-dimensional structure using an elastic strip, a variable resistance device with a three-dimensional structure using easy-assembling parts, such as a mount and a spring, is adapted. The easy-assembling parts would not be deformed permanently so that the reliability of the variable resistance device is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chao-Jung Lin, Chien-Ming Li
  • Patent number: 6396385
    Abstract: A variable resistor includes at least two sliders fixed to the bottom of the concavity of a case, a rotor having an engaging portion for engagement with a tool, on the upper side thereof and rotatably received in the concavity of the case, a resistor substrate having a resistor and an electrode on the underside thereof, capable of being sliding-contacted with the slider, and attached to the underside of the rotor, a cover attached to the opening of the concavity of the case and held in such a manner that the rotor is restrained from rising and is rotatable, and an o ring performing the seal between the inner peripheral surface of the concavity of the case and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor. The rotor has a step portion formed in the outer peripheral surface on the underside thereof with the lower-side portion of the step portion having a short diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Onishi, Yukinori Ueda
  • Publication number: 20020050920
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventor: Jorg Fliegner
  • Publication number: 20020044041
    Abstract: In prior rotary angle encoders, the adjustment of the sensor signal desired in the starting position is very difficult. Furthermore, this sensor signal can be changed by simple manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: HARRY FLEIG, UWE VELTE, ERIK MAENNLE
  • Patent number: 6369690
    Abstract: A resistor card for a potentiometer to measure the fuel in a fuel tank consists of a non-conductive substrate with a plurality of elongate conductive contacts deposited thereon. The contacts have an elevation above the surface of the substrate and the contacts are oriented in parallel relationship to each other to form a wiper track across which a wiper is moveable. To reduce the rate at which the upper surfaces of the contacts are worn away by movement of the wiper, an insulating or highly resistive filler material is deposited between the conductive materials which form the lands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Jack Chen
  • Patent number: 6359545
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable resistor comprising a strip of resistance material arranged on an insulating carrier and a slider made of conductive material guidable along the strip and contacting the strip, wherein the slider is manufactured from elastomeric material. A slider manufactured from an elastomeric material will, as a result of its flexibility, make contact with the resistance strip over a relatively large part of the width of the resistance strip so flat the problems of an uneven current distribution associated with one-point contact are avoided. The use of an elastomeric material further provides the option of dimensioning and shaping the slider such that it can be handled easily by means of a positioning machine, and the problems of the usually elongate rigid sliders on the production line are avoided. The slider is preferably manufactured from conductive rubber or a conductive plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Capax B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelius G. Bressers
  • Publication number: 20020024416
    Abstract: By using a two-part assembly of a rotary member (10) bearing one or more wipers (14) clipped on to a substrate member (1) bearing one or more tracks (3), subassemblies may be supplied which can be used by manufacturers of articles (20,21,22) in which it is desired to sense the angular position of one member (20) relative to another (22), bat wich are easy to install and reliable in use. The assembly provides substantial; savings in terms of the number of individual components used, thus reducing manufacturing and assembly costs. Manufacturing costs may also be reduced by using track material as a bearing material, as both track and bearing may be applied simultaneously, e.g. by screen printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: Frank Hermann Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20020024415
    Abstract: A resistive element includes a resistive film disposed on an insulating film, a current collector disposed apart from the resistive film at a given space, and an electrode conductive to the resistive film and the collector respectively. The insulating board is punched to form slits which split the electrode. The slits allow the resistive element to maintain creepage distances between the electrode. The resistive element accommodates downsizing requirement while restraining silver migration for eliminating shorts between the electrodes. As a result, a highly reliable resistive element is obtainable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: Seiki Miura
  • Patent number: 6342829
    Abstract: A sensor comprises a linear region (variable region) in which the output voltage is changed in proportion to the accelerator opening degree, and a stepped region (invariable region) in which the output voltage is not changed with respect to the accelerator opening degree. A resistor electrode for constructing the sensor is formed by laminating a resistor composed of a resistance substance on a base plate in a linear section corresponding to the linear region. In a stepped section corresponding to the stepped region, the resistor electrode is formed by laminating the resistor on a conductive layer composed of a conductive substance formed on the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Takagi, Shunichi Tsuzuki, Tsutomu Kobayashi, Yoshihiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6329898
    Abstract: In a multiple operation type electrical part of the invention, a clicking member is disposed between an insulating base member, being a component part of a first rotary electrical part, and a second rotary member, being a component part of a second rotary electrical part. Therefore, it is possible to provide a very small multiple operation type electrical part whose size in the axial direction thereof is reduced. Conventional multiple operation type electrical parts require, in addition to a first rotary electrical part, a clicking mechanism formed by two cases, a clicking member, and a rotary member. Therefore, conventional multiple operation type electrical parts use a large number of parts, is expensive, has poor productivity, and is large in the axial direction thereof. The multiple operation type electrical part overcomes these problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Mizobuchi
  • Patent number: 6317022
    Abstract: A variable resistor is constructed to prevent bending strain from spreading to the conductive portions to a resistor when bending is executed with respect to the external connection portions of metallic terminals. The variable resistor provides a low-profile variable resistor capable of stabilizing the electrical connection between the metallic terminals and the resistor. This variable resistor includes metallic terminals insert-molded in a board, and a slider sliding on the resistor disposed on the board. The slider is rotatably installed on the board by caulking the grommet disposed on a first metallic terminal,and the conductive portions of second metallic terminals are conductive to the resistor. Each of the external connection portions is extended out of the bottom of the board, and is folded upwardly at the position of the corresponding notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Doi
  • Patent number: 6310535
    Abstract: In a click structure of a rotary electric part according to the present invention, a click member and a biasing member are formed as separate members, so the resilience of the biasing member is not affected by the heat generated during molding; besides, the spring span of the biasing member can be made long, thus ensuring a satisfactory resilience over a long period. The rotary electric part. Long-term durability, good click feeling and reduced noise are also characteristic features of the rotary electric part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Kuratani
  • Publication number: 20010024156
    Abstract: In a click structure of a rotary electric part according to the present invention, a click member and a biasing member are formed as separate members, so the resilience of the biasing member is not affected by the heat generated during molding; besides, the spring span of the biasing member can be made long, thus ensuring a satisfactory resilience over a long period. The rotary electric part. Long-term durability, good click feeling and reduced noise are also characteristic features of the rotary electric part of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Kuratani
  • Publication number: 20010015690
    Abstract: A variable resistor is constructed to reliably seal the space between a rotor and a substrate without insert-molding the substrate into a case, and to be produced at a very low cost. This variable resistor includes a hollow square-prism shaped case which is open at the top and the bottom, a substrate which is fitted into the lower opening of the case, and on the top surface of which a collector electrode and an arcuate resistor are provided, a rotor rotatably fitted into the upper opening of the case, a slider mounted on the bottom surface of the rotor and making sliding contact with the collector electrode and the resistor, an annular packing member disposed between the rotor and the substrate for sealing the space therebetween, terminals mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to the resistor and the collector electrode, and a metallic cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Masuda, Shigeki Takahashi, Toru Ogata, Tomohisa Ogawa, Minoru Yamaguchi, Yutaka Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20010015689
    Abstract: A variable resistor is constructed to prevent bending strain from spreading to the conductive portions to a resistor when bending is executed with respect to the external connection portions of metallic terminals. The variable resistor provides a low-profile variable resistor capable of stabilizing the electrical connection between the metallic terminals and the resistor. This variable resistor includes metallic terminals insert-molded in a board, and a slider sliding on the resistor disposed on the board. The slider is rotatably installed on the board by caulking the grommet disposed on a first metallic terminal, and the conductive portions of second metallic terminals are conductive to the resistor. Each of the external connection portions is extended out of the bottom of the board, and is folded upwardly at the position of the corresponding notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Takeshi Doi
  • Patent number: 6275140
    Abstract: A rotary variable resistor includes a substrate made of synthetic resin; a first terminal made of metal, embedded in the substrate, and leading from a side surface of the substrate; an annular collector formed on the surface of the substrate; a resistor formed on the surface of the substrate; and a sliding element sliding on the resistor and the collector. In the rotary variable resistor, an exposed part exposed at the surface of the substrate is formed on the first terminal within a range of the width of the annular collector. Since the exposed part of the first terminal is connected to the annular collector within the width thereof, a space for forming a leader of a conventional collector and a compact rotary variable resistor can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Asano
  • Patent number: 6270239
    Abstract: A fader wheel assembly for a lighting control console includes a fader wheel having a single hub mounted at an acute angle to the top wall of the console. The inclined orientation positions approximately half of smooth, rounded outer wall and rim surfaces above the console top wall in an arrangement that is comfortable for the user. A single bearing locates the wheel as well as a transducer that is supported essentially only by its attachment to the fader wheel. Resilient arms lightly hold the transducer in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Sund
  • Patent number: 6200156
    Abstract: A lead wire connection terminal fitment capable of permitting a plurality of lead wires to be readily press-fitted in a single lead wire press fit groove. The terminal fitment may be in the form of a relay terminal fitment, which includes a metal plate formed with a lead wire press fit groove by machining in which lead wires are press-fitted. A pair of inner surfaces of the metal plate defining the lead wire press fit groove therebetween are formed thereon with a plurality of projections and recesses engaged with an outer periphery of lead wires. The projections biting into the lead wires are so arranged that a space defined between the projections opposite to each other is reduced in width at a position thereof spaced by a distance in a depth direction of the lead wire press fit groove, resulting in being divided into a first space portion increased in width and a second space portion decreased in width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Hokuriku Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Hiraki, Tsuyoshi Ohta, Kazufumi Daimon
  • Patent number: 6172594
    Abstract: A focus unit of an FBT (fly back transformer) is disclosed. Particularly a focus volume slider of the focus unit is disclosed. A ceramic substrate 150 is installed within and on the bottom of a cover 130 through which an actuation knob 120 passes. A variable contact 172 of a slider 170 contacts with a resistor pattern 140 of the ceramic substrate 150, so that the voltage volume can be controlled. Since the ceramic substrate is disposed separated from an FBT case which accommodates bobbins for generating a high voltage, the insulation of the focus unit by filling and curing an insulating resin is not required, and therefore, the manufacturing process is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae Woo Goo
  • Patent number: 6140907
    Abstract: A contacting position sensor that has a carbon fiber contactor tip design for long life and low wear characteristics. The position sensor has a housing and a resistive element and is located on a substrate mounted within the housing. A carbon fiber contactor is mounted within the housing and has a first and second beam and carbon fibers attached to an end of each of the beams. The carbon fibers are in electrical contact with the resistive element. The carbon fibers are attached to the beam by a conductive epoxy or the carbon fibers are attached to the beam by a crimping. The contactor is attached to a rotor or a drive arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Shengli Liu
  • Patent number: 6140908
    Abstract: A focus volume of an FBT (fly back transformer) focus unit and its coupling device are disclosed, in which a volume board is provided in a small size, but the voltage breakdown resisting strength is reinforced. At least one or more round resistor patterns 130 are formed on a volume board 120 which is installed within a focus volume 100 of the FBT focus unit 110. An opening 140 is formed within each of round portions of the resistor patterns 130, and a volume case 180 has a pair of isolating walls 160 within its interior 170, for being inserted into the opening 140 of the volume board 120. The volume case 180 is installed on a side of an FBT case 150. Thus the volume board is made to have a small size, but its voltage breakdown resisting strength is reinforced. Therefore, the filling of an epoxy resin is not required, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process, and making it easy to manufacture the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae Sung Choi
  • Patent number: 6111493
    Abstract: A variable resistor comprises a case, slide contactors, a rotor, a metal cover and lead terminals. Arms which are respectively provided at central portions of the slide contactors protrude from a bottom surface of a recess portion of the case and are each shaped like a comb. The arms are respectively contacted, at contact portions A, B and C, by electrodes and resistor of the rotor. Lead terminals are each circular in cross section and are respectively connected, at end surfaces of their lead wires, to the slide contactors. This makes it possible to obtain a variable resistor which is easy to manufacture, low in cost and excellent in reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Onishi, Kiminori Yamauchi, Hideaki Tsukada, Yukinori Ueda, Fumitoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 6100786
    Abstract: A focus unit of an FBT (fly back transformer) is described, which is installed on a side of the FBT, for adjusting the focus and screen voltages of a cathode ray tube. Focus and screen voltage adjusting round resistor patterns 130 are respectively formed on volume boards 120 of the focus unit, and a supporting shaft 160 is received into a central through hole 140 of the round resistor pattern 120. A connecting pin 170 is inserted into the supporting shaft 160, and a cable 210 is inserted into each of holes of a volume case so as for the cable to be connected to the lower end of the connecting pin 170. A pair of actuation knobs are inserted into a cover, and a slider spring is installed within each of volume bars, while the lower end of the slider spring 230 is movably connected to the round resistor pattern 130. Thus the slider spring for adjusting the focus volume can be easily installed on a volume bar, and the focus and screen voltages can be controlled in a sure manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Mun Ryu
  • Patent number: 6078248
    Abstract: In spite of small size, a rotary manipulation type variable resistor capable of preventing electromigration when used in direct-current electric field is obtained. Moreover, the process of forming the case while inserting the resistance substrate and current collector is simplified. It includes a resistance element layer disposed on a first insulating substrate, a conductive layer disposed on a second insulating substrate, and a slider having a first contact point contacting with the surface of the resistance element layer and a second contact point contacting with the surface of the conductive layer. The conductive layer is a printed layer containing conductive powder and binder, and the surface of the resistance element layer and the surface of the conductive layer are positioned mutually at a step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Yagi
  • Patent number: 6052049
    Abstract: A flexible element for use in a rotary position sensor or the like having the direction of electrical traces on one surface of the element altered without putting the traces into tension. The directional change is accomplished by partially splitting the flexible element and continuing an electrical trace from one side of the split back along the other side. The invention makes it possible to decrease the size for a given operational angle of mechanically variable resistors without sacrificing quality or reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick B. Blakesley
  • Patent number: 6040757
    Abstract: Slack in the engagement of a shaft 5 and a rotor 3 in a case 1 is prevented by the resiliency of an O ring 6 under radial but not axial compression. Even if heat stress is added, the variable resistor which can secure air-tightness is provided. The rotor 3 and a slider 4 are accommodated in the case 1. A resistance substrate 2 having a collector electrode 25 formed on the central portion of the surface and a circular resistor 24 formed concentrically on the periphery of the collector electrode 25 is engaged with the lower end part of the case 1. A stepped surface 12 supporting the peripheral surface and the bottom surface of the O ring 6 is formed on the upper surface of the case. A boss portion 55 contacting the inner circumference of the O ring 6 and an operating portion 51 projecting on the upper surface of the case 1 and covering the stepped surface 12 is formed on the shaft 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Masuda, Masashi Morikami
  • Patent number: 6040756
    Abstract: A sensor is disclosed that fits in a compact package. This compact sensor is ideal for sensing rotary positions and for accommodating one or more potentiometers. The resistor track is parallel and opposed to the collector track, and the wiper is placed between the two tracks to swipe both of them in one embodiment. This allows a short package, because the tracks are opposed to each other rather than being in a line, and a narrow package, because the tracks are not placed side by side. Another advantage of the invention is that putting the resistor track on a larger radius and the collector track on a smaller radius allows the resistor track to be longer. Having a longer resistor track allows a higher resolution, yet a package containing the potentiometer will still be relatively small. Several potentiometers may be placed in the sensor to provide redundancy yet retain compactness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: CTS Corproation
    Inventor: Murray Kaijala
  • Patent number: 6037856
    Abstract: A rotating electrical component, in which, on mating surface sides of the flange of the support member and the flange of the operating shaft, on both sides of the center of rotation on the line which passes through the center of rotation of the operating shaft, there are provided projections and recesses which differ in diameter measured from the center of rotation of the operating shaft and can be engaged and disengaged in positions where they will not overlap each other in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Aizawa
  • Patent number: 6037855
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a rotary electric component having a groove for adjustment with a screw-driver. In the rotary electric component, a rotor having a screw-driver groove and a through hole, with an electrically conductive pattern being formed on the underside thereof, is mounted rotatably on a support shaft which is inserted into the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Honma
  • Patent number: 6031448
    Abstract: A position sensor, in particular, a modular position sensor for easy coupling to another modular device, like a gas pedal of a vehicle. The sensor eliminates the use of permanently attached electrical leads or pins attached to, for example, the output pads on flexible film coupled to a rotor. The sensor is provided with a housing wall having slots therein, conductive elements, a flexible film, and a pressure wall. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor is mounted on an external device having pins or electrical leads. The pins protrude through the slots in the housing wall and the contact conductive elements that are in direct contact with the output pads on the flexible film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Starkweather, Robert F. Oldenburg
  • Patent number: 6028502
    Abstract: A potentiometer is disclosed that provides a user with tactile feel while making adjustments. The potentiometer includes a housing having a central bore with a rotor extending therein. A knob having a protrusion is operably connected to the rotor along with a wiper. A detent member having a lobe attachment segment and a fixed segment is operably connected to the housing. The lobe is deflected by the knob protrusion while the ring is compressed by forcing the lobe attachment segment towards said fixed segment. Furthermore, attached to the housing is a base plate carrying a resistive strip engaged by the wiper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. McSwiggen
  • Patent number: 6016098
    Abstract: A first rotor and a second rotor are prepared. The first rotor has a resistor and inner-peripheral and outer-peripheral electrodes respectively connected to end portions of this resistor. The second rotor has a resistor and inner-peripheral and outer-peripheral electrodes symmetrical with those of the first rotor, provided at a position corresponding to that obtained by rotating the first rotor about the axis of the first rotor by an angle of 180.degree. with respect to the first rotor. A variable resistor selectively uses either one of the first rotor and second rotor. This makes it possible to provide a variable resistor which requires few parts. Also, this makes it possible to reduce the kinds of bending operations that must be performed on the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Onishi, Kiminori Yamauchi, Hideaki Tsukada, Yukinori Ueda, Fumitoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 5986537
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Kato
  • Patent number: 5982272
    Abstract: A variable resistor reduces an inclination of a rotor caused by spring reaction of a slider, and prevents the lowering of contact pressure and deterioration in sliding performance of the slider. The resistor includes a rotor 3 and a slider 4 inside a case 1. The variable resistor also includes a resistor substrate 2 having a collector electrode 25 at a central portion of a surface thereof and having a resistive element 24 in a circular arc shape on an outer side of the collector electrode 25 substantially concentric with the central portion. The resistor substrate 2 is mounted to a lower end portion of the case 1. The slider 4 is provided with a first arm 42 having a substantially U-like shape at one end side of a base portion 41 attached to the rotor 3, having a first contact point portion 42a at a front end of the first arm which is brought into sliding contact with the resistive element 24 in the circular arc shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumitoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 5963124
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Buss, John R. Gietzen, James E. Haugh, Murray Kaijala, William G. Osmer, John Zdanys, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5952912
    Abstract: Rotary potentiometers known in the art having sensitive adjustment of the control knob require a stepdown gearing and have differing moments of friction that vary between devices. By contrast, in a rotary potentiometer of this invention a control knob (3) is mounted on at least three balls (6) that move, guided by a cage disk (7), in a housing groove (8) formed by a radial wall (9) and an axial wall (10), against which the balls (6) are urged by a load pressure of a conical bearing surface (11 or 12) of the control knob (3). The radial and axial wall bearing surfaces have contact and resistive strips (13, 14) that are short circuited by the balls (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Preh-Werke GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Bauer, Reinhold Moret, Ulrich Brueggemann
  • Patent number: 5939973
    Abstract: A rotary variable resistor with switch having a switch mechanism, in particular, a rotary variable resistor with switch corresponding to an ultrathin rotary variable resistor. Such a rotary variable resistor having a switch mechanism has dimensions, especially thickness, which are only slightly larger than that of a conventional ultrathin rotary variable resistor. Moreover, such a rotary variable resistor is easy to assembly due to the small number of parts, is reliable, and generates a fairly loud and easily recognizable clicking sound each time the switch is turned on or off, which can be both easily felt and heard by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Tubame Musen, Inc.
    Inventor: Masao Imamura
  • Patent number: 5936512
    Abstract: A rotary potentiometer device (1) has a rotary potentiometer (4) disposed within a housing (2) and a handle (7) above the housing (2) for rotating a resistive disk (6) of the rotary potentiometer (4). A latching device latches the handle (7) with the upper side of the housing (2) in predetermined rotation positions. At least one spring-loaded latching nose (16) protrudes above the upper side of the housing (2) and cooperates with latching troughs (18) in the lower side of the handle (7). No additional individual components are necessary for making the latching device. The spring-loaded configuration urges the latching nose towards a latched position defined by the latching troughs when it is deflected out of its latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: APAG Elektronik AG
    Inventor: Martin Lohner
  • Patent number: 5933070
    Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor capable of significantly small-sizing a circuit board as compared with the prior art. A terminal fitment is provided so as to act as an electrical connector for establishing electrical connection between a slide element fixed on an operation shaft member and slid on a variable resistance pattern formed on a circuit board and an output portion thereof. The terminal fitment includes a contact holding portion which is provided at a distal end thereof with a contact portion. A contact point between the contact portion of the terminal fitment and a contact portion of the slide element is defined on a side of the operation shaft member while being spaced from a front surface of the circuit board. Such construction prevents the contact point from being defined at a central portion of the variable resistance pattern, resulting in a radius of curvature of the variable resistance pattern being reduced as compared with that in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Hokuriku Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironobu Hasebe, Kazufumi Daimon
  • Patent number: 5929745
    Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor unit including a terminal connection structure capable of preventing upward movement or rotation of the terminal by simple construction. A terminal is provided with a connecting portion between a held portion and a lead wire connected portion. A terminal fixing portion of the insulating casing is provided adjacent to a terminal holding portion with a connecting portion receiving recess in which the connecting portion of the terminal is received. An insulating resin is charged in the connecting portion receiving recess and hardened. The walls surrounding the connecting portion receiving recess have a pair of grooves each formed on a pair of walls facing to a first linear connecting portion and a second linear connecting portion of the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Hokuriku Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Tsunezawa, Motoharu Higami
  • Patent number: 5923241
    Abstract: A potentiometer element housed in an anchoring body which is provided at the extremities of its walls with a plurality of lugs which are deformable angularly in order to hold the potentiometer element, also incorporating a control shaft wherein the insertion extremity of the shaft presents a groove which forms two elastic lugs which, when brought closer to each other permit the removal and replacement of said control shaft. The potentiometer element is also characterized in that, in the system of contacting the resistive track with the ends of the corresponding terminals, there are provided two or more protuberances which act as springs, and terminals present a notch so as to facilitate the bending and to reduce the recovery effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Aragonesa de Componentes Pasivos, S.A.
    Inventor: Santiago Cascan Garvalos
  • Patent number: 5920252
    Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor includes a structure which makes it possible to achieve stable and reliable contact conduction between a connection terminal 7 and a terminal electrode 2a. The connection terminal 7 includes a spring portion 7b. At the end of the spring terminal 7b there is provided a flat contact section 7d which is wider than the other portions thereof. A plurality of protrusions 7e, 7f are formed on this contact section 7d. The outer edge portion of a lead line connecting section 7a of the connection terminal 7, which is accommodated in and fixed to a connection terminal accommodating section 6, is held in a terminal holding groove 6a of the connection terminal holding section 6, and the protrusions 7e, 7f are held in contact with the terminal electrode 2a of an insulating substrate 2 and pressed against the insulating substrate 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5912614
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Yasuda, Hisayoshi Okuya
  • Patent number: 5912613
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Hokuriku Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kotani, Motoharu Higami, Shinichi Kamata, Susumu Harada
  • Patent number: 5877673
    Abstract: An electric component capable of connecting terminal fitments and electrodes arranged on a front surface of a circuit board to each other in a soldering-less manner without increased accuracy in assembling thereof and without using any conductive rubber member. A terminal assembly is constituted by a terminal fitment and a coiled spring. The terminal fitment includes first and second conductor holding sections each arranged for interposedly holding an end of each of connection conductors. The coiled spring is formed of a conductive wire and arranged so as to spirally surround the connection conductor and be compressed between a contact electrode and the first conductor holding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Hokuriku Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kotani, Yasuaki Horioka
  • Patent number: 5847640
    Abstract: A variable resistor includes a first housing, a second housing formed of resin and having a connector part and a circuit board whose surface has an electrode and a resistance pattern thereon. A metallic terminal is molded in the second housing as one body and a brush is mounted on a moving member and is disposed in sliding engagement with the resistance pattern. An end of the terminal is in contact with the electrode on the surface of the circuit board and the other end of the terminal is disposed in the connector part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyohiro Fukaya, Yukihiro Kato, Kouji Akashi, Akikazu Matsumoto, Yukihisa Oda
  • Patent number: 5838222
    Abstract: An improved multiturn potentiometer consists of a rotor assembly including a wiper in electrical contact with an output terminal and an annular resistance strip. The annular resistance strip is electrically connected to a source of potential through one or more potentiometric rotary switches which are activated periodically change the magnitude of potential to the annular resistance strip. Movement of the wiper along the annular resistance strip varies the potential to the output terminal. Activation of the rotary switches is effected by rotation of the rotor assembly and increases or decreases the potential to the annular resistance strip depending on the direction of rotation. Each potentiometric rotary switch is capable of multiple variations of potential so that each revolution of the rotor assembly effects movement of the rotary switch to supply a new potential to the annular resistance strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: BI Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Al-Rawi
  • Patent number: 5828290
    Abstract: A position sensor, in particular, a position sensor that has a modular design for easily coupling to another modular device, like a gas peddle of a vehicle. The sensor unit eliminates the use of permanently attached electrical leads or pins attached to, for example, the output pads on flexible films coupled to a rotor. In another embodiment, the sensor unit is separate from a connector unit so different connector units can each be coupled to a standard sensor unit, or the sensor unit can be coupled directly to another device, like a gas pedal, without the use of an intermediate connector unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Buss, James E. Haugh, Murray Kaijala, William G. Osmer, William W. Wheeler, John Zdanys, Jr.