Hermetically Sealed Housing Patents (Class 338/164)
  • Patent number: 11678126
    Abstract: A hearing device seal module in accordance with at least one of the present inventions includes a tubular seal carrier defining a lumen configured to receive a hearing device core and including a connector region and a resilient seal support region formed from resilient material, a seal carrier support connected to the seal carrier connector region of the tubular seal carrier, including a support tube defining a longitudinal axis and a lumen configured to permit movement of the hearing device core and a tool along the longitudinal axis, and having an open state and a closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Yashvant Venkatakrishnan, Xiuming Zhu, Grace Gardner, Marius Rüfenacht
  • Patent number: 11519595
    Abstract: The invention describes a lighting assembly and a lighting device with improved thermal behavior and a method to manufacture such a lighting assembly comprising at least one point-like light source having a first and a second electrical contact, a lead frame having metal areas to electrically connect at least the first electrical contact and to spread heat from the point-like light sources via the metal areas, and a plastic layer arranged at least on top of the lead frame. One or more conductive traces are applied on a first surface of the plastic layer facing away from the lead frame to electrically insulate the conductive traces on the plastic layer from the metal areas of the lead frame. Additional components or the second electrical contact might be connected to the conductive traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Emanuel Stassar, Frans Hubert Konijn
  • Patent number: 9293287
    Abstract: An overcurrent relay and a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) including the same are provided. The MCCB includes: a switching mechanism unit; an overcurrent relay; a trip mechanism, wherein the overcurrent relay includes: a case body; a case cover coupled to the case body; a control unit installed within the case body and having an electronic circuit board; and a plurality of setting knobs disposed to be spaced apart from one another on the electronic circuit board, having an indication unit exposed to the outside to indicate a current reference value and a trip operation time marked on the case cover, respectively, and configured to be rotatable, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 9076952
    Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device including a favorable radiating structure can include a semiconductor light source sealed between a metallic cap having a light-emitting window and a metallic base attached on a heat sink plate. The semiconductor light-emitting device can also include a holder attaching the metallic base along the metallic cap between the holder and the heat sink plate to efficiently radiate heat generated from the light source, and a thermal interface material layer disposed between at least a top surface of the heat sink plate and an outer bottom surface of the holder so as to be able to enlarge each tolerance of parts composing the light-emitting device. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide semiconductor light-emitting devices including the favorable radiating structure, which can be employed for various lighting apparatuses including a headlight in a relatively small size by selecting the semiconductor light source incorporated in the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Saito, Takahiko Nozaki
  • Patent number: 7116210
    Abstract: An actuator and integral position sensor has increased reliability with a fail-safe mode. The actuator and sensor assembly includes a rotary actuator that has a driving shaft. A sensor rotor has the driving shaft mounted in a bore. A contactor is mounted to an outer edge of the rotor. The contactor is engaged with a resistor film as the rotor rotates. A driven shaft is mounted to the rotor in another bore. The rotor couples the driving shaft and the driven shaft together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Robertson Lawrence, Steven Donald Keddie, Mike Joseph Chalovich, Yulanda Youhong Wang
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6380841
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Masuda, Shigeki Takahashi, Toru Ogata, Tomohisa Ogawa, Minoru Yamaguchi, Yutaka Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6371431
    Abstract: A height adjusting device for a lengthwise adjustable vehicle seat is provided. Pivotal control arm units are provided at front and rear position of a vehicle seat to raise and lower the seat in dependance on their rotative position Link assembles, including front and rear coupling arms pivotally connected by an intermediate joint connect the front and rear control arm units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Bernd Schmidt, Ralf-Henning Schrom, Philip C. Shephard, Petros Velimvassakis
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 6032521
    Abstract: A position sensor comprises a housing (10), a rotor (16) having brushes (36, 36) thereon rotatably mounted in the housing, a base plate (20) mounted to the housing, conductive members (48, 50, 52) on the base plate in electrical connection with the brushes, the base plate (20) forming a cover member for the housing so that an outer surface (47) thereof is exposed to the outside. Such an arrangement results in a position sensor with a reduced number of components having improved heat dissipation characteristics and better reliable electrical connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Akihide Miwa, Yoshiyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5990586
    Abstract: Feedback potentiometer-type servoactuator uses the ring gear of a planetary gear system to drive the wiper across a resistive arc of less than 360.degree. where the actuator has a travel of multiple turns. The ring gear is supported by spaced struts in the actuator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Seitz Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur J. Milano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5991149
    Abstract: An operation shaft receiving-type electric component capable of reducing the number of parts required therefor and preventing generation of noise. An electric component body which includes an electric component unit varied in electric properties due to a variation in rotation angle of the operation shaft is arranged between an operation section of an operation shaft and a mechanism unit. A push-type lock and release mechanism is constituted by a guide member held stationary, both a slider member and a rotary slider each rotatably fitted on the operation shaft, a spring holder and a spring member. The guide member is provided with a plurality of primary guide grooves and secondary guide grooves, in which projections of the slide member are fitted, respectively. The rotary slider is provided with a plurality of projections, which are fitted in the main guide grooves, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Hokuriku Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayoshi Tsuneaki, Masahide Kanagawa
  • 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: 5343187
    Abstract: An electric control device for an outdoor lamp includes a control box having a side wall that is formed with a through hole, and a rotary-type variable resistance switch having a main switch housing that is disposed inside the control box and an externally threaded tubular sleeve that extends frontwardly from the main switch housing and through the through hole of the control box. The switch further has a rotatable switch arm which extends axially and rotatably from an interior of the main switch housing and through the tubular sleeve. A nut retains the switch on the control box and is threaded internally to engage the tubular sleeve. The nut has an outer peripheral surface which is formed with at least one annular peripheral groove. A resilient washer is provided on a rear face of the nut and is pressed by the nut to contact tightly the side wall of the control box. An O-ring is provided on the nut in each annular peripheral groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: Hsuan-Sen Shiao
  • Patent number: 5250926
    Abstract: The present invention provides a potentiometer having an improved seal for preventing intrusion of corrosive elements into the potentiometer or the socket in which the potentiometer is disposed, wherein the improved potentiometer comprises a housing having top and bottom members and a substantially annular sealing element sandwiched between the top and bottom housing members, the inner aperture of the sealing element sealingly engaging the rotor of the potentiometer, and, in one embodiment of the present invention, the outer edge of the annular sealing element sealing engaging the socket in which the potentiometer is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Wilbrecht Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. McSwiggen
  • Patent number: 5144277
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary type electrical part and particularly to a throttle position sensor used within an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanji Ishihara, Tsumoru Oka
  • Patent number: 5119063
    Abstract: A variable power resistor includes a heat sink having a front face and a back face with an electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating bonded directly onto the front face such that the ceramic coating is in direct thermal contact with the heat sink. A plurality of discrete thick film conductive circuit pads are positioned on the electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating and a thick film resistive layer is positioned over portions of the conductive circuit pads such that the pads are electrically connected in series. The variable power resistor also includes a moveable contactor capable of contacting the circuit pads in order to vary the resistance of the resistor and an electrical connection between the resistor and an electrical circuit. The electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating may be plasma sprayed onto the heat sink, while the resistive circuit may be screen printed onto the ceramic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald C. Nonnenmacher, Kathleen Schulz, Richard C. Lewis, Richard Riley
  • Patent number: 5072206
    Abstract: A linear-movement potentiometer having an operating rod 25 projecting at both ends from a substantially hermetic casing and connectable at one end 26 to a drive member, and first and second bearings 33, 34 disposed between the casing and the operating rod for supporting the operating rod for a linear sliding motion relative to the casing. A sealing arrangement is provided between the casing and both ends of the operating rod. A sliding variable resistor assembly 38 including a resistor and a contact relatively slidable with each other is disposed within the casing, and one of the resistor and the contact is operatively connected to the operating rod for establishing a relative sliding movement between the resistor and the contact. A cover 54 may be sealingly secured to the casing for covering the end of the operating rod, and the operating rod may have an air passage 28 axially extending therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignees: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hajime Kozuka, Naoki Saito, Hiromasa Ozawa
  • Patent number: 5059940
    Abstract: In a miniature, single-turn potentiometer, a fluid-tight seal is formed between the rotor and the housing by the interference fit between an annular ridge on the peripheral edge of the rotor and a conforming groove in the interior wall surface of the housing cavity in which the rotor is installed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are two parallel ridges and grooves, and they are configured to form a "chevron" seal, in which the ridges have a substantially saw-tooth shape in axial cross-section, with the grooves having a complementary shape. The chevron seal provides a direct, rotor-to-housing seal that is fluid-tight, without the use of an O-ring, while also restraining the rotor from axial movement with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5053741
    Abstract: A variable resistor of the type having a substantially curved resistor provided on a substrate has an arm portion of a sliding member contacting therewith, the sliding member being rotatable, with a central portion of the resistor as a supporting point, for adjusting the resistance value by rotating the sliding member with a driver. A driver plate of the sliding member is formed substantially into a cone in shape, in which cone a driver groove portion is provided. The driver tip is guided by the conic portion and inserted into the driver groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukinori Ueda
  • Patent number: 5053742
    Abstract: A variable resistor having an insulating substate provided on the surface thereof with a resistor is molded into a resin case, a part of which is heated and bent to rotatably secure a rotor having a sliding member within the case for rotation with respect to the insulating substrate. The insulating substrate is molded into the resin case to make inside of the case airtight. An annular elastic body mounted between the under surface of a skirt portion of the rotor and the insulating substrate makes the space between the rotor and the insulating substrate airtight, and, at the same time, sets the rotational torque of the rotor to a suitable value. The arrangement of the insulating substrate, the resin case and the rotor having the sliding member, reduces the number of parts used for assembling the variable resistor, and together with the use of continuous strip hoop materials for forming terminals and the sliding member, allows for continuous automated production of the variable resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumitoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 5039975
    Abstract: A resistor substrate for a variable resistor of the enclosed type which may be employed in a throttle sensor of an automobile. The resistor substrate has a disk portion and a rectangular apron provided at a circumferential portion of the disk portion. The apron is stepped with respect to the disk portion to form a reduced thickness portion, and a plurality of projections each having an arcuate section in a widthwise direction are formed at end portions of the reduced thickness portion of the apron. A plurality of terminals are embedded at base portions thereof in the disk portion and extend along a surface of the reduced thickness portion of the apron. The terminals individually have arcuate protruded portions formed therein in accordance with a configuration of the projections of the apron, and the projections individually have lateral holes formed therein in an opposing relationship to the protruded portions of the terminals such that they extend to the protruded portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kanji Ishihara
  • Patent number: 5014037
    Abstract: A mechanism for a potentiometer, especially a miniature potentiometer used as a volume control in a hearing aid, onto a face plate includes a metallic band circumferentially surrounding a portion of the housing of the potentiometer. The band includes means for mechanically engaging a surface of an aperture in the face plate such that the housing is secured within the aperture. Preferably, the potentiometer also includes a stop means that engages a shoulder or surface of the face plate of the hearing aid positioning the potentiometer within the aperture a selected distance such that the knob of the potentiometer extends beyond a front surface of the face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventor: Gerald H. McDonald
  • Patent number: 4998088
    Abstract: A variable resistor and a method for manufacturing the same is disclosed in which the variable resistor includes a casing having a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls extending from the bottom wall to define an opening of the casing. An insulating substrate is provided having a first surface formed along the bottom wall of the casing and a second surface opposite the first surface facing the opening of the casing. A curved resistor layer and a centrally disposed collector electrode layer are formed on the second surface of the insulating substrate. A rotor member is rotatively disposed within the casing such that its rotation axis extends through the centrally disposed collector layer. A slidable member is connected to the rotor member and is slidably connected to the curved resistor layer and the collector electrode layer for electrically connecting the curved resistor layer and the collector electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumitoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 4987400
    Abstract: An improved magnetically driven resistor gauge (50) which includes a plastic base and plastic cap hermetically sealed together by ultra sonic welding to isolate the interior (90) of the gauge from the external environment. A dedicated ground terminal (100) is molded into the cap to ensure an effective ground. A contact plate (118), forming a part of the pivotal pointer assembly, includes resilient arms (120, 121 and 122) which are in electrical contact with the ground terminal and resistance wire (94), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Rochester Gauges, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas M. G. Fekete
  • Patent number: 4935718
    Abstract: A molded resin casing of a rotary- or sliding-type electronic part internally accommodating a board on which are formed electric conductor patterns slidingly contacted by contacts of a slider of the electronic part, wherein a flexible board having the electric conductor patterns formed on a film comprising a synthetic resin material is used as the board, and the flexible board is inserted inside the synthetic resin casing in such as manner that the electric conductor patterns are exposed to the interior of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Teikoku Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yagi, Jiroh Inagaki, Kozo Morita, Yasutoshi Kaku, Nobuyuki Kikuchi, Shinji Mizuno
  • Patent number: 4868536
    Abstract: An output controller for an electrotherapeutic device directed for use in a bath, comprising a container having an oscillator that generates a low-frequency therapeutic voltage; and a variable resistor used as the output controller for said oscillator, said variable resistor being enclosed in said container in such manner that the rotary shaft projects outwardly through a bearing and the periphery is elastically and airtightly held in the bearing projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Ken Hayashibara
    Inventor: Kazumi Masaki
  • Patent number: 4831355
    Abstract: An arrangement for ensuring contact between resistance paths comprises a base of electrically non-conductive and elastically deformable material such as rubber. To the base is applied an electrically conductive coating. The resistance path is pressed against this layer by means of a covering element, the base being subjected to preloading. In this way, the contact can be ensured between a potentiometer resistance with terminal connections and a plug, around which a short-circuit interval is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter Schulz
  • Patent number: 4821014
    Abstract: A variable resistor whose resistance is adjustable by rotating a rotor relative to an insulating substrate defining an arcuate resistive element. The rotor is formed of an insulating resin and includes an inner skirt and an outer skirt extending from a bottom surface thereof. The inner skirt contacts a surface position of the insulating substrate inwardly of the arcuate resistive element and the outer skirt outwardly thereof. A metallic slider is integrated with the rotor by insert molding. The slider comprises a base portion formed of at least two overlapping metal plates, and arms defining contacts at distal ends thereof for slidable contact with the resistive element on the insulating substrate. The arms are folded along lines parallel to a straight line extending through the contacts at the ends thereof and the center of the insulating substrate to cause the contacts to project toward the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Masuda, Yukinori Ueda
  • Patent number: 4812804
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel controller for electric devices directed to use in bath, comprising a moisture- and waterproof container that encloses the main part of an electric device; a magnet movably provided outside the container; a switch means provided inside the container, the switch means being operable by moving a movable piece; and a magnetic body equipped to the movable piece in correspondence with the moving route of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Ken Hayashibara
    Inventor: Kazumi Masaki
  • Patent number: 4750090
    Abstract: A multi-slider electrical assembly comprises a metal case having a channel-shaped cross-section mounted on a substrate. The case has parallel slits, and guide blocks are spaced apart in parallel within the case for guiding a plurality of sliders extending through the slits. The case has an engage projection and semi-projections on each side thereof formed at each corner on its side walls. The engage projections are bent in contact with metal layers on the bottom surface of the substrate, and the semi-projections bear on grounding layers on the upper surface of the substrate, in order to hold the substrate therebetween without crushing it and to provide a good ground for the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Abe
  • Patent number: 4701740
    Abstract: The interior of a rheostatic device, such as a throttle-valve position potiometer having a rotor with sliding spring contact and a housing exposing at least one end of the rotor for operation, is sealed off against environmental effects by at least two hollow cylindrical rotor walls which are located concentrically within each other and extend towards a lid attached to a bottom part of the housing and at least two hollow cylindrical walls of said lid which are concentrically disposed within each other and extend between the rotor walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Preh Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh Nachf. GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Oswald Reuss, Franz Rutterschmidt
  • Patent number: 4654625
    Abstract: To permit external adjustment of a potentiometer (3) having an adjustment head (4), and located within a sealed housing (1), while permitting placement of an adjustment insert (7) from the outside of the housing through a bore (6) thereof, and compensate for manufacturing and positioning tolerances, the insert element is a unitary structure of a tough plastic, such as polyamide (nylon), sealingly inserted through the opening and retained in the opening by snap-over hooks (13) engaging over the inner wall (25) of the housing, and retaining a screw head (8) of the insert element therein. Longitudinal and transverse deviation from alignment of the axis of the opening (6) and the rotation axis of the adjustment element (4) of the potentiometer is obtained by resiliently deflectable cross-joints (14, 14'; 17, 18) formed in an intermediate portion of the insert element, which cross-joints are connected by a S-shaped resiliently deflectable connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Willy Bentz, Gert Jakob
  • Patent number: 4565990
    Abstract: A rotary operation type miniaturized electronic component for use in video and audio electronic appliances, etc., including a casing formed with an opening and a rotary member. In the electronic component, a metal plate is integrally molded with the casing at a bottom face of the casing and then, is cut so as to form two conductive plates, two terminals for external takeoff, and two legs for mounting the casing on a printed circuit board, while a metal sheet is integrally molded with the rotary member and then, is cut so as to form two rotary sliders. Thus, it becomes possible to perform automatic soldering of the electronic component to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsui, Tadashi Mihara, Koji Umino
  • Patent number: 4479106
    Abstract: A rotary electric component such as a semifixed variable resistor comprises an insulating substrate having a shaft hole and a slot communicating with the shaft hole, a resistor mounted on the insulating substrate surrounding the shaft hole, a pair of electrodes mounted on the insulating substrate and connected to the resistor at ends thereof, the electrodes being positioned one on each side of the slot and prevented by the latter from shortcircuiting therebetween, a pair of terminals mounted on the insulating substrate and connected to the electrodes, respectively, a shaft rotatably mounted in the shaft hole and having a movable contact held in sliding contact with the resistor, and a body of synthetic resin filled in the slot. The body of synthetic resin is fixedly mounted on the insulating substrate and may include a support spacer disposed around the shaft hole and a protective cover covering attachment end portions of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Shimizu, Junichi Imura, Shoichi Henmi
  • Patent number: 4477795
    Abstract: A rotary electric component such as a semifixed variable resistor comprises an insulating substrate having a shaft hole, a resistor mounted on the insulating substrate surrounding the shaft hole, a pair of electrodes mounted on the insulating substrate and connected to the resistor at ends thereof, a pair of terminals mounted on the insulating substrate and connected to the electrodes, respectively, a shaft rotatably mounted in the shaft hole and having a movable contact held in sliding contact with the resistor, a cover mounted on the shaft over the insulating substrate and covering the movable contact, the cover having a skirt spaced from the insulating substrate by a gap, and a body of synthetic resin mounted on the insulating substrate and a portion formed as a dust wall covering the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Henmi, Junichi Imura, Isao Moriya
  • Patent number: 4471339
    Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor including a substrate, a sliding member provided so as to be rotated in sliding contact with the substrate, a casing for accommodating the substrate and sliding member in it, a plurality of connecting terminals connected to the substrate and sliding member, and a rotational rod coupled with the sliding member. The resistor further includes a plurality of springs for electrically connecting, respectively, the connecting terminals to the substrate so that the connecting terminals may be disposed in parallel with opposite surfaces of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Fukada, Noriya Nishimura, Yuzo Ohta, Yohei Shimizu, Mituru Kohda
  • Patent number: 4465994
    Abstract: The potentiometer is completely enclosed by a housing made of insulating material, of which material also the axle is made, so that the wiper is completely insulated. The potentiometer is dust-proof sealed and can either be adjusted manually or automatically with a screwdriver, or an additional axle can be inserted. The potentiometer can be mounted directly to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Iskra-Sozd Elektrokovinske Industrije n.sol.o
    Inventor: Tomaz Rehberger
  • Patent number: 4430634
    Abstract: A rotary potentiometer (10) having an insert molded thermoplastic resin body (12) with an annular groove (14) disposed therein about a central post (19) having an aperture (16) therethrough. A resistive element (26) is disposed about the periphery of the groove (14), an actuator arm (20) is attached to one end of a metallic shaft (18) journalled in said aperture (16) in the central post (19), and a return spring (28) has one end (29) captured within a drop slot (13) at the perimeter of the groove and the other end (31) secured in slot (11) of the shaft (18) for returning the actuator arm (20) and drive arm (22) to their initial position. A drive arm (22) has a rake type contactor (33), the drive arm (22) being secured to the operating end of the shaft (18). A terminal coupling subassembly (65) is positioned within a receiving well (40 ) in the potentiometer body (12), and is captured within the body by securing a cover (80) over the receiving well (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: James N. Hufford, John Zdanys, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4400687
    Abstract: A housing for use with a variable resistor consisting of a spiral resistance element, a rotary shaft, a conductive slide plate and a top is disclosed. The housing includes a cylindrical body for supporting on its inner surface the resistance element, a first cylindrical panel engaged with one open end of the cylindrical body to close the open end and rotatably supporting the rotary shaft, a second cylindrical panel engaged with the other open end of the cylindrical body and rotatably supporting the rotary shaft, at least one pair of resilient engaging projections extended from at least one of the first and second cylindrical panels along the axis of the cylindrical body, and engaging recesses formed on an outer periphery of the cylindrical body at predetermined positions and respectively engaging with the resilient engaging projections when the first and second cylindrical panels are engaged with the cylindrical body to make up the housing for the variable resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Sakae Tsushin Kogyo Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Eitaro Shimoda, Kiyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 4390859
    Abstract: An electric thermostat having a knob and potentiometer means with a simple adjusting means to couple the two together. A single clip means made of a resilient material allows for connecting the knob to the potentiometer and allows for repositioning the knob at will during calibration of the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Honeywell, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Kasprzyk, David A. Margenau, Marvin D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4365231
    Abstract: A variable resistor device with a lock mechanism in which a push on the operating rod thereof causes it to be locked in its inserted state and another push causes it to restore to its original position. According to the present invention, even if a plurality of such devices are mounted on one operating panel with the operating rods crowdedly projecting, there is substantially no possibility that the user inadvertently manipulates two or three adjacent rods at a time. Further the push stroke of the operating rod can be optionally set with ease, and even if the push stroke is set large, the overall length of the device can be made small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Matsuo Nishioka
  • Patent number: 4329676
    Abstract: A potentiometer providing a variable electrical resistance between input and output terminals for use in electronic circuits, as for volume control, light control, instrumentation control or the like. A potentiometer includes a housing assembly comprised of a cover assembled to a base. An electrical wiper is mounted to a rotor assembled to the cover and has a contact portion movable along a C-shaped resistive strip on the base. Stops limit the extremes of movement of the wiper with respect to the resistive strip. An annular seal disposed between the cover and a rotating portion of the rotor is effective to keep out dirt and other particulate matter from the potentiometer and provides continuous brake friction upon rotation of the rotor. In one form of the potentiometer, the housing assembly includes a body located between the cover and base and a switch mechanism is operably connected to the rotor to selectively locate an electrical contact in an on or off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: Resistance Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald H. McDonald, Donald R. Hagen
  • Patent number: 4295119
    Abstract: A rotary variable resistor comprises a wiper mounted in a recess in a substantially cylindrical, hollow wiper holder formed integrally with a control shaft, and an elastic flange integrally formed with the lower peripheral end portion of the wiper holder. This variable resistor is characterized in that the wiper holder is rotatably supported between an insulating substrate and a cover such that wiper legs projected from the lower end surface of the flange can be slid resiliently on the insulating substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kasashima, Yoshizo Kubo
  • Patent number: 4206334
    Abstract: A three piece rotatable electrical contact component for printed circuit board applications, wherein a rotatable contact of the component engages electrical circuitry on a printed circuit board, is disclosed. The component consists of a generally circular contact element, a contact carrying rotor which is mounted to be rotatable in the printed circuit board, and to which said circular contact element is secured, and a ring-shaped stop member which snaps over the contact carrying rotor and is secured to the printed circuit board so as to be non-rotatable. The rotor, in addition, has a number of arcuate detent grooves formed around its periphery to provide a plurality of detent locations. The stop member has a flexible post that is located in a hole in the printed circuit board which is shaped so that rotational movement of the stop member is prevented, but so that the stop member is free to transversely flex and thereby cooperate with the detent grooves of the rotor to provide the desired detent action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Donald W. LaRock
  • Patent number: 4136437
    Abstract: A method of mounting a potentiometer (pot) on a plate, wherein a hollow cylindrical housing appendage of the pot is positioned through a hole in the plate to the other side thereof. The rotatable shaft of the pot then projects to the said other plate side through the appendage. A washer, a jam nut and a seal nut are positioned around the appendage. A compound is then potted in contact with and around the pot housing sealing it to the plate, and around the shaft. The housing on its side of the plate is larger than the hole. However, the shaft is not primed and is therefore rotatable after potting. The plate is primed on both sides prior to potting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1979
    Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
    Inventor: Lowell J. Leyrer
  • Patent number: 4117444
    Abstract: A potentiometer and switch combination suitable for use as a hearing aid volume control. A control cap positioned over the potentiometer body is provided with an integral cam which performs the function of switch actuation. Positive seal is provided by an O-ring formed from a flexible, resilient material. The body of the potentiometer holds the control cap in place by means of heat stakes over a lip on the housing and a post having a chevron at its upper end which mates with a recess in the control cap. The cap is positioned by heat staking to press the stiffly flexible, resilient material of the O-ring into frictional sealing relation with an abutting member and thereby seal the interior of the potentiometer housing. The sealing arrangement also introduces a torque which opposes the rotation of the control cap, thus providing positional stability and positive operating feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradrick Alan Hildreth, Donald Harrison Stephens
  • Patent number: 4114131
    Abstract: A variable resistor for use in electrical and electronic equipment which includes a base plate, a lower stator terminal housed in a circular recess formed in one surface of the base plate, a rotor member having an electrically conductive film layer at its one surface and an electrically resistant film layer at its other surface and rotatably mounted on the lower stator terminal with the conductive film layer contacting the lower stator terminal, and an upper stator terminal fixed to the base plate so as to slidingly contact the resistant film layer under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nakatsu, Hideo Nishizawa