With Plural Contact Portions Patents (Class 338/171)
  • Patent number: 11295877
    Abstract: A potentiometer comprises a cylindrical case (2) having an upper edge portion (3) and housing an electric adjustment device (5) enclosing a variable resistance, means (8) for the electrical connection of the electrical adjustment device (5) to the circuit to be controlled, a knob (9) partially inserted into the case (2), a drive shaft (10) at least partially housed in the case (2) with a first end (11) associated with the knob (9) to be integral in rotation therewith and a second end (12) interacting with the variable resistance to vary the instantaneous value thereof upon the rotation of the shaft (10). The electric adjustment device (5) comprises a box-like housing (14) coupled to the electrical connection means (8) and housing the variable resistance and having a longitudinal passing-through hole (15) suitable for snugly fit the second end (12) of the shaft (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: PIZZATO ELETTRICA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Pizzato, Simone Zonta
  • Patent number: 11288037
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly includes an adjustment knob configured to be rotated about an axis, a potentiometer, and an adapter configured to be disposed between and coupled to both the adjustment knob and the potentiometer. The adapter is configured to be rotated about the axis to move the potentiometer from a first position along the axis to a second position along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Beng Kwang Tan, Boon Kheng Hooi, Murali Kuyimbil, Wai Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 7583177
    Abstract: A variable resistor has a substrate, an insulating film, a resistance element, a rotary assembly and a wiper. The substrate has a first terminal having an annular segment, a second terminal and a third terminal having a semi-circular segment disposed adjacent to the annular segment of the first terminal. The insulating film has a central hole corresponding to the annular segment and covers the second terminal and the semi-circular segment. The resistance element is mounted on the insulating film and contacts the second terminal and the distal end of the semi-circular segment through two gaps of the insulating film. The rotary assembly is mounted on the substrate. The wiper is rotated by the rotary assembly and has multiple contacts respectively contacting the resistance element and the annular segment. Therefore, The rotary assembly can be continuously rotated to prevent accidental breakage without short-circuiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Men-Tech Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang-Kang Fan, Yang-Hung Fan
  • Patent number: 7535334
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical deflector capable of reducing a temperature drift of a strain gauge due to a temperature gradient, and detecting with high accuracy an angular displacement of a mirror surface. The optical deflector includes a movable plate, two fixed portions which are disposed at an outer side of the movable plate, two elastic supporting members which are disposed to be substantially symmetric about a center line of the movable plate, and which connect the movable plate and the two fixed portions, an angular-displacement detecting portion having a Wheatston bridge as a measuring portion which includes two active resistors, and two reference resistors, and detects an angular displacement of the movable plate, and at least one resistor element is provided on the elastic supporting portion. All of the four resistor elements are in an isothermal characteristics area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Kamiya, Kenzi Murakami, Daisuke Matsuo, Yosuke Oka
  • Patent number: 6815039
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: BEI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Riley
  • 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: 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: 5525956
    Abstract: An electrical component has a terminal construction allowing it to be electrically and mechanically connected to an electrode. A terminal made of a metal material is mounted on an insulating substrate which has front and rear surfaces and is mounted on the front surface thereof with an electrode. The terminal includes a clamp section for clamping the substrate through front and rear surfaces thereof. The clamp section includes a first contact element contacted with the electrode and a second contact element contacted with the rear surface of the substrate. The first contact element is adhesively bonded to the electrode. Electrical connection between the first contact element and the electrode is carried out by direct contact therebetween. The second contact element of the clamp section is adhesively bonded to the rear surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Hokuriku Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouichi Hashizume, Masanori Urayama
  • Patent number: 5500634
    Abstract: In order to prevent flux which is employed for soldering an open type pre-set variable resistor from reaching an upper major surface of a substrate provided with a resistor film, a blocking member is formed in a position upwardly separated from a lower major surface of the substrate by a prescribed distance, to block a through hole provided in the substrate. Further, an engaging portion which is provided on a variable side terminal is located in a position downwardly separated from the upper major surface of the substrate by a prescribed distance, to hold a slider which is rotatable about the central axis of the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukinori Ueda
  • Patent number: 5488349
    Abstract: A multiple range variable resistor and potentiometer suitable for use in the repair or manufacture of hearing aids and other miniature applications is disclosed. The user of the device can select the desired resistance range thereby allowing one component to be used in many different applications and reducing inventory requirements. It provides increased resistance to contamination of the internal components compared to conventional hearing aid volume controls and is not damaged by over-turning of the control knob in either direction. It can be manufactured for the same cost as conventional single range potentiometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventors: Bruce L. Erickson, Allen H. Stull
  • Patent number: 5353004
    Abstract: During plural rotations of the the first potentiometer as a result of the operation of a steering wheel, though a specific position of the first potentiometer corresponds to plural rotation angles or rotation numbers of the steering wheel, the correct, real or current rotational angle or rotational number of the steering wheel can be obtained by knowing a one-to-one correspondence between a specific position of the second potentiometer and the reduced rotational angle of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Takemoto, Yukihisa Oda, Akio Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5343188
    Abstract: A slide rheostat type linear characteristic sensor includes a detecting resistor R2 printed on a substrate 8. A brush 7 slides on the detecting resistor R2. Clamping resistors R1 and R3 are printed, simultaneously with the detecting resistor, on the substrate 8 at positions separate from a sliding area of the brush 7. The clamping resistors R1 and R3 are made of the same material as the detecting resistor R2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Yasuda, Yukihisa Oda, Satoru Tagawa, Masahiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 5321384
    Abstract: In connection with a movable tap for potentiometers, adjustable rheostats, or the like, it is proposed that movable separate wiper fingers, formed from small round wires, be arranged on a wiper finger carrier in parallel one to the other and in groups, with spacings provided between the groups of a width corresponding substantially to the width of the group, so that abraded matter and scuff can settle between the groups of wiper fingers without causing functional trouble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Horst Siedle KG
    Inventors: Horst Siedle, Wolfgang Leue
  • Patent number: 5321385
    Abstract: A wiper for an electric rotary potentiometer, in particular for use as a rotary position transducer, having a contact spring for pickup on a resistor track, and a rotatable spring holder on which the contact spring is secured nonrotatably. To save time and expense in assembling the contact spring and the spring holder, at least one fastening tang with a detent head protrudes at approximately right angles from the spring holder, and the contact spring has circular-annular-segmental detent straps, disposed on a circle, which lock into place behind the detent head under spring tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Rilling
  • Patent number: 5302937
    Abstract: In connection with a potentiometer, which may in particular serve as actuator element for an electronic accelerator pedal and where a base plate carries the respective resistance and collector path(s), it is proposed that instead of providing the usual metallic inserts in the base plate to serve as sliding surface, at least one additional surface shape be applied on the base plate, preferably by printing, and that this additional shape be applied, preferably printed, on the base plate preferably by the same operation as the resistance and collector paths and using the same or a similar material having good sliding properties, and can then serve as sliding and supporting surface for at least one wiper carrier of the potentiometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Horst Siedle KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Leue
  • Patent number: 5200747
    Abstract: A position sensor (25) includes both a position potentiometer (90) and a turns count potentiometer (92). The position potentiometer (90) includes a pair of wipers (12 and 14) positioned on a rotor (10) which each contact both a resistive track (46) and one of two different commutator tracks (48 and 50) on element (26). The sensed percentage of total voltage output, which is a function of the position the wiper (12 or 14) contacts the resistive track (46), corresponds to the angular position between 0.degree. and 360.degree. of the shaft on which the position sensor (25) is mounted. The turns count potentiometer (92) comprises a turns count rotor (66) which is incrementally advanced via a cog (18) on rotor (10) using a gear or geneva type mechanism. The turns count rotor (66) includes a wiper (64) which either contacts both a resistive track (150) and commutator track (152) or contacts one of a plurality of switch pads (154).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Betz, William I. Buchanan
  • 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: 5113172
    Abstract: A potentiometer for the redundant measurement of the angle of rotation of a shaft compared with a fixed member has two resistance paths located concentrically with each other on a fixed disk. Two collector paths having the shape of circular rings are located concentrically with each other on a disk situated parallel to the fixed disk and rotating together with the shaft. Two slide contacts connected with the collector paths are in contact with the two resistance paths. Two redundant measured values are tapped at two terminal contacts fastened to the fixed disk that are in contact with the collector paths through two slide contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG
    Inventor: Armin Lang
  • 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: 5047746
    Abstract: A wiper assembly for a potentiometer, particularly a rotary potentiometer having a rotor for carrying the wiper assembly along a resistive element, includes a metal plate attached to the rotor. A strip of metal formed integrally with the plate is bent back over itself out of the plane of the plate to form a cantilevered spring arm having a free end. Attached to the free end is an array of resilient, conductive wires arranged in a parallel, side-by-side relationship, each of the wires forming a resilient, cantilevered wiper finger. The spring arm and the array of wire wiper fingers attached to it form a hybrid wiper arm assembly. Preferably, the plate includes a first such hybrid wiper arm assembly arranged to function as a wiper for the resistive element in the potentiometer, and a second such wiper arm assembly arranged to function as a wiper for a conductive collector element in the potentiometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Stilwell, Ronald L. Froebe
  • Patent number: 5039974
    Abstract: A protective cap for a rotatably-adjustable electrical component mounted to a PW board in an enclosed electronic control unit. The housing of the electronic control unit has a tuning access hole axially aligned with a tapered lead-in port in the center of the protective cap. An adjustment tool is inserted into the tuning access hole and guided into a tuning slot in the adjustable electrical component by the tapered lead-in port in the cap. The cap also protects the rotatable component from damage by a poorly-aimed adjustment tool. The several caps covering the rotatable components on a board as well as the access openings of the housing may be color-coded to assist in component identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Ericsson Ge Mobile Communications Inc.
    Inventor: Henry A. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 4994752
    Abstract: A position detecting apparatus electrically detects the present position of a moving body reciprocated within a movable region. The apparatus comprises a resistance section continuously disposed by a predetermined length along the reciprocating direction within a detecting region corresponding to the movable region on a substrate composed of an insulator. A plurality of region discriminating patterns are formed by combining a conductive section discontinuously disposed by a predetermined length along the reciprocating direction within the detecting region on the substrate, and an insulating section having no conductor. An electric brush is provided which is connected to the moving body and reciprocated within the detecting region in a state in which the brush slidably contacts the resistance section and the plurality of region discriminating pattern section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Hata
  • 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: 4785278
    Abstract: A variable resistor wherein the arm portion of a rotatable slider is in contact against an approximately circular arc-shaped resistor provided on a base plate with the central portion of the resistor, and the slider is provided with a driver plate having an approximately dish-shaped projection portion at its center, and an approximately ring-shaped arm portion having a contact portion, which are coupled to each other, are punched out from one sheet of conductive sheet metal, are turned up by 180.degree. at the coupling portion, with the projection portion being projected from the arm portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Nishizawa, Yukinori Ueda
  • Patent number: 4736184
    Abstract: The direct connection potentiometer includes a block of electrically insulative material having two opposite faces and an edge about the perimeter of the faces. An electroresistive track is provided in an arc on the front face of the block, radially spaced from a ring-shaped conductive area provided on that face. Conductive strips extend from each end of the track, and from the ring-shaped conductive area to the perimeter of the front face, where each, spaced from the others, wraps around the edge of the block to its rear face. A rotatable cursor, i.e. a slide is mounted to the block centrally of the ring-shaped conductive area and connects the ring-shaped conductive area with a selected arcuately short portion of the electroresistive track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Piher Navarra, S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos L. Arriazu
  • Patent number: 4732802
    Abstract: An improved resistive element comprises a film-type resistive layer applied to an insulative substrate and then fired. An array of discrete, spaced apart islands of predominantly conductive material is then applied to the resistive layer in a repetitive pattern having predetermined inter-island spacing. The islands have a conductivity that is substantially greater than the conductivity of the resistive layer. Preferably, the islands are of substantially uniform shape and size. In one preferred embodiment, the islands are formed of a conductive thick film ink that is screen-printed onto a cermet resistive layer through an appropriate mask, and then fired. In another preferred embodiment, the islands are formed of a conductive metal that is applied to the resistive layer by vapor deposition, sputtering, or ion implantation through a suitable mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne P. Bosze, Ronald L. Froebe, Gordon McClure, Ronald E. Thomas, Jr., Philip F. Weingartner
  • Patent number: 4728921
    Abstract: A position indicator for an actuating drive device which has a range of positions and includes a potentiometer having a resistance strip with end connectors at opposite ends thereof. A tapping feature includes two independently moveable arms each connected at one end thereof to a moveable part of the drive device and at the other end thereof to the resistance strip in sliding engagement therewith and bridging a section of the resistance strip therebetween. The arms are initially adjustable to the end limiting positions of the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Jens N. Andresen, Kjeld Hellegaard
  • Patent number: 4719795
    Abstract: In a throttle valve opening sensor including a substrate provided with an opening detecting portion for detecting openings of a throttle valve and a specific opening detecting portion for detecting a specific opening of the throttle valve, the specific opening detecting portion consisting of a collector and a conductor, a rotor adapted to be rotated in association with rotation of the throttle valve, and first and second contacts mounted to the rotor and adapted to slide on the opening detecting portion and the specific opening detecting portion, thereby detecting the openings and the specific opening of the throttle valve; the improvement is characterized in that the collector and the conductor of the specific opening detecting portion comprises a metal conductor, and that a resin member is arranged on the substrate in connection with the collector and the conductor, the resin member being made substantially flush with the collector and the conductor, wherein the second contact is slid on the resin member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Eitoku, Kenji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4717903
    Abstract: A trimming resistor is provided including a housing formed with a central through bore in which a rotary driver is supported for rotation. The rotary driver supports a spring ring which has a resilient tongue to press a small contact plate against a resistance plate provided with brush tracks. The rotary driver interfits with the spring ring as well as the small contact plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Wilhelm Ruf Kg
    Inventor: Leopold Hinterberger
  • Patent number: 4706062
    Abstract: In a potentiometer, wherein switching functions are triggered in association with the potentiometer position electrical switches (21-24) are mounted on the potentiometer plate (1) which supports the collector path (11) for the purpose of the very accurate association of the switching operations with respect to the potentiometer position and with spatially fixed switch on and switch off points with respect to the collector path (11). The switch elements which effect the switching on and off are mounted ona potentiometer setting member (17) electrically insulated which supports the customary potentiometer slider (19,20). Advantageously, each switch (21-24) is formed by a contact path (25-28) and a contact finger (29,30) rotating and sliding over the associated contact path (25,28), whereby the contact finger is mechanically connected with the potentiometer member (17). The beginning and the end of the contact paths (25-28) define the switching on and off point of each switch (21-24) (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Erik Mannle, Peter-Josef Bauer
  • Patent number: 4694272
    Abstract: An electric potentiometer including a wiper lever having brush wipers, which upon a rotational movement about a pivot shaft sweep over electrically conductive layers applied to a carrier plate. A resistor layer is joined at one end to a connection layer and at the other to a grounded connection layer. The layer is joined at one end to a pickup connection layer and at the other, via a supplementary layer resistor, to the connection layer. A sliding layer of electrically non-conductive paste material is disposed between the carrier plate and the resistor layer, the latter of which is formed from a paste material provided with carbon particles. The sliding layer is wider than the width of the wiper and the resistor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Maisch
  • Patent number: 4679024
    Abstract: A potentiometer which includes a wiper element having a plurality of contact fingers each mounted for wipeable engagement with a cermet resistance element deposited on a ceramic substrate. The contact fingers of the wiper element are each bent so that the end surface thereof, as opposed to a circumferential surface, is in wipeable engagement with the resistance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Northern Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl A. Kittleson
  • Patent number: 4635028
    Abstract: A slider for resistor or slip conductors. The slider includes a generally U-shaped slider support having a center portion and two legs, leaf springs attached to each one of the legs and extending into the interior of the U-shaped slider support, and contact means guided by the leaf springs and kept in engagement with the resistor or slip conductor. In accordance with the invention, one of the leaf springs supports the contact means, and the other leaf spring resiliently engages the first leaf spring on the side remote from the resistor or slip conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Oelsch Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Oelsch, Klaus Schulz
  • Patent number: 4623868
    Abstract: A variable electrical resistance device for monitoring displacement of a mechanical component such as a vehicle road wheel suspension system having a housing; an electrically resistive track and conductive slip ring on a support in the housing; electrically conductive wipers on a rotatable carrier provided with a spindle for coupling to the component. The wipers traverse the resistive track and the slip ring respectively. The support is mounted on springs or flat strips of resilient metal, so as to be displaceable away from and towards the wipers. A solenoid, of double-acting type or acting in association with the bias of the springs, has an armature operating to effect displacement of the support away from and towards the wiper whereby contact between the wiper and track may be broken, or the contact pressure therebetween reduced, when monitoring is not required, thereby prolonging the life of the wiper and track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Crystalate Electronics Limited
    Inventor: Arnold Pitcher
  • Patent number: 4572599
    Abstract: Wipers for sliding electrical contact have a form with gradual and progressive reduction in width and therfore decreasing stiffness and mass as they proceed towards the tip. This form results in higher resonant vibrational frequencies, enabling a wiper to follow the contact surface in high speed motion with less contact force. The lower contact force in turn produces less wiper distortion and consequently less hysteresis and wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Waters Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryszard J. Pryputniewicz, John Clayton, Robert A. Waters
  • Patent number: 4568876
    Abstract: A method for testing the correct position of a wiper of an electric potentiometer and an electric potentiometer for performing the method are proposed. The electric potentiometer includes a wiper lever with brush wipers, which upon a rotational movement about a pivot shaft brush over two work sections of an electrically conductive layer applied to a carrier plate. One of the work sections communicates on one side with a connection layer and on the other with a grounded connection layer, which the other work section communicates with a pickup connection layer. Respective testing faces are provided in the extension of the permissible movement paths of the brush wipers on the work sections, these testing faces being embodied as electrically non-conductive and in a testing position of the wiper lever being crossed by the wiper lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Maisch
  • 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: 4511879
    Abstract: A slider arrangement comprises an insulator member, and two sliders each made of a resilient metal matel plate embedded in the insulator member and each having slender contacts exposed from the insulator mold member. The slender contacts of each of the sliders forms a pair of contact sets adapted to slide in contact with a resistive element and a collector member respectively, the pair of contact sets of one slider being located between the pair of contact sets of the other slider. A method of producing the above-mentioned slider arrangement comprises the steps of embedding a resilient metal plate having sliders into an insulator member, with contact forming portions of the sliders exposed, cutting off portions bridging the sliders and the contacts formed at the contact forming portions while holding the metal plate by the insulator member, and bending each of the contacts to its proper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shosaku Fujii
  • Patent number: 4430635
    Abstract: A variable resistance device including a non-conducting base, a resistance supported by the base and forming a track surface, and an electrical terminal connected to the resistance. Also included in the device is a wiper assembly mounted for movement relative to the resistance and comprising a carrier, an elongated conductive spring member having one end secured to the carrier, a conductive coupling element bonded to an opposite end of the spring member and a corrosion resistant contact bonded to the coupling element and disposed to traverse the track surface during movement of the wiper assembly relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: New England Instrument Company
    Inventor: Peter J. Sacchetti
  • Patent number: 4361824
    Abstract: A slidewire wiper contact has a wiper arm mounted at one end on a rotatable shaft while the other end of the arm carries an electrically conductive support extending past the end of the arm. A free end of the electrically conductive support has attached thereto a plurality of substantially constant outer diameter coils of electrically conductive wire. The coils are arranged in a continuous spiral while the electrically conductive support is attached thereto by a low resistance connection extending along a line on an outer surface of the coils. Electrical connection means are attached to the electrically conductive support for movement therewith during rotation of the wiper arm to maintain an electrical connection to the conductive support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Bertil Eck
  • Patent number: 4283704
    Abstract: In a variable resistor of the type wherein there is formed on an insulating substrate a resistive member having wide portions and narrow portions in the sliding direction of a slide member and ends thereof wired respectively to a ground terminal and an input terminal. A plurality of contact elements formed on said slide member are brought into sliding contact with said resistive member and a high resistance film allowing the passage of electrostatic charges therethrough is formed at portions of said insulating substrate lying within the sliding passage of said contact elements so that a part of said contact elements comes into contact therewith when it comes off from said resistive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ohtani, Susumu Nishimura, Kozo Magami, Katsuhisa Osada
  • Patent number: 4274074
    Abstract: Disclosed is a variable resistor of the slide type incorporating a pair of resistor units carried on the same base plate and disposed in parallel with respect to each other. A plurality of conductive taps angle outwardly from a resistance member provided in each of the resistor units and a pair of sliders can be slidingly moved along and in contact with the series of the plurality of conductive taps in the pair of conductor units, respectively, but do not contact the resistance members directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nozomu Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 4237442
    Abstract: An electrical resistance element for use in variable resistance devices such as trimmers and potentiometers, having two or more resistance materials on a non-conducting base. The resistance materials are aligned along a path of travel of a movable wiper or contact to provide a series of variable linear resistances or a non-linear resistance. The interface between the resistance materials is arranged so that individual contact elements of the wiper traverse the interface at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Jerry L. Carter
  • Patent number: 4237443
    Abstract: A wiper for a potentiometer or other device having a surface with which sliding electrical contact is to be made in which the wiper includes a plurality of spring fingers formed from resilient sheet material or wire are supported in cantilever fashion from ends thereof remote from the contact ends and are encased over a portion of the lengths thereof from the supported ends in a covering of an elastomer which damps vibration of the fingers to prevent resonant oscillations thereof thus increasing the possible speed of operation of the instrument as well as its useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Assignee: Novotechnik KG Offterdinger & Co.
    Inventor: Ernst Gass
  • Patent number: 4205296
    Abstract: A rheostat (10) has a disk-shaped base (11) that is slidably mounted between a pair of spaced terminal pins (12, 13). A resistance track (14) is disposed on top of the base (11) and is connected to a collector track (15) that is disposed around the circumference of the base (11). A collector terminal pin (12) has contacts (12d) in sliding engagement with the collector track (15), and a wiper terminal pin (13) has an oblique contact surface formed by projections (13g) that slidably engage the resistance track (14). The terminal pins (12, 13) can be mounted on a supporting surface, so that as the base (11) is rotated, the resistance between the terminal pins (12, 13) is varied. The oblique contact surface on the wiper terminal pin (13) aids in maintaining a balanced current distribution in the resistance track (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company
    Inventor: Sydney W. Frey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4188606
    Abstract: Mechanism and method for mounting at least a pair of wiper contact springs to a rotor such that the angular relationship between the two wiper contact springs may be very closely controlled. In one embodiment a first contact spring is permanently attached to a rotor, while a second contact spring is initially attached to the rotor by heat staking one end about a pivot point and placing the other end in a latch which holds the spring in place but permits it to be pivoted to some extent as desired. The rotor is then tested to determine the exact angular displacement between these contact springs. If the measured displacement is different from that desired, the second contact spring is pivoted to a corrected position and then cemented in place. Extension to more than a pair of contact springs is obvious.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bomar, Jesus Duarte
  • Patent number: 4186483
    Abstract: A total assembly system combining the fabrication of multiwire contact springs into a wiper contact with the assembly of the wiper contact so fabricated into a potentiometer rotor blank. A radius-truncated cone projection acts as a reducer of the heat power required to make a multiwire weld. By allowing the radius truncated cone projection to be pressed into the wires to achieve the weld, the interference nubs, heat staking, epoxy and ultrasonic staking operations required in the prior art are eliminated. The wiper contact is itself assembled to and retained by the rotor blank in an integrated process by means of a mechanical interference fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Laube, Loran R. Simpson
  • Patent number: 4184140
    Abstract: A trimming potentiometer (10) has a circuit track pattern (12) disposed on a base (11) having three integrally formed legs (11d). The track pattern (12) includes a collector track (12a), a resistance track (12b) and a pair of termination tracks (12c) connected to opposite ends of the resistance track (12b). Terminals for the device are formed by extending the collector track (12a)and the pair of termination tracks (12c) down the middle leg (11d) and the opposite outside legs (11d), respectively. A multi-functional contact (13) is rotatably mounted on the base (11) and includes multiple fingers (13g) that contact the resistance tracks (12b), dimpled areas (13j, 13k) which form projecting surfaces that contact the collector track (12a), a stop tab (13l) at its upper extremity that limits rotation, and outwardly extending notched tabs (13m) for receiving a suitable drive member to adjust the setting of the potentiometer (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: Allen Bradley Company
    Inventors: Sydney W. Frey, Jr., James E. Slagg
  • Patent number: RE31431
    Abstract: A wiper for a potentiometer or other device having a surface with which sliding electrical contact is to be made in which the wiper includes a plurality of spring fingers formed from resilient sheet material or wire are supported in cantilever fashion from ends thereof remote from the contact ends and are encased over a portion of the lengths thereof from the supported ends in a covering of an elastomer which damps vibration of the fingers to prevent resonant oscillations thereof thus increasing the possible speed of operation of the instrument as well as its useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Novotechnik KG Offterdinger & Co.
    Inventor: Ernst Gass
  • Patent number: RE33627
    Abstract: A variable resistor wherein the arm portion of a rotatable slider is in contact against an approximately circular arc-shaped resistor provided on a base plate with the central portion of the resistor, and the slider is provided with a driver plate having an approximately dish-shaped projection portion at its center, and an approximately ring-shaped arm portion having a contact portion, which are coupled to each other, are punched out from one sheet of conductive sheet metal, are turned up by 180.degree. at the coupling portion, with the projection portion being projected from the arm portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Nishizawa, Yukinori Ueda