With Collector Ring Patents (Class 338/174)
  • Patent number: 11146153
    Abstract: An arm of a coil segment having an approximate U shape is placed in a slot of a stator core, and a portion protruding from the slot is bent in a circumferential direction. An arm is bent in a direction of an arrow A, and another arm positioned at an inner side in the radial direction in relation to this arm is bent in a direction of an arrow B. The arm positioned at the outer side has at least a part of a bending inner side surface of a bent portion hardened by pressurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yu Takanezawa, Daisuke Mizushima, Rikuto Takagi
  • Patent number: 9682855
    Abstract: An electromechanical switching device includes a first electrode, comprising layers of a first 2D layered material, which layers exhibit a first surface; a second electrode, comprising layers of a second 2D layered material, which layers exhibit a second surface opposite the first surface; and an actuation mechanism; wherein each of the first and second 2D layered materials has an anisotropic electrical conductivity, which is lower transversely to its layers than in-plane with the layers; the first electrode includes two distinct areas alongside the first surface, which areas differ in at least one structural, electrical and/or magnetic property; and at least one of the first and second electrodes is actuatable by the actuation mechanism, such that actuation thereof for modification of an electrical conductance transverse to each of the first surface and the second surface to enable current modulation between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Urs T. Duerig, Armin W. Knoll, Elad Koren, Emanuel Loertscher
  • Patent number: 9643839
    Abstract: An electromechanical switching device includes a first electrode, comprising layers of a first 2D layered material, which layers exhibit a first surface; a second electrode, comprising layers of a second 2D layered material, which layers exhibit a second surface opposite the first surface; and an actuation mechanism; wherein each of the first and second 2D layered materials has an anisotropic electrical conductivity, which is lower transversely to its layers than in-plane with the layers; the first electrode includes two distinct areas alongside the first surface, which areas differ in at least one structural, electrical and/or magnetic property; and at least one of the first and second electrodes is actuatable by the actuation mechanism, such that actuation thereof for modification of an electrical conductance transverse to each of the first surface and the second surface to enable current modulation between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Urs T. Duerig, Armin W. Knoll, Elad Koren, Emanuel Loertscher
  • Patent number: 9542920
    Abstract: A wireless sensor network for musical instruments is provided that will allow a musician to communicate natural performance gestures (orientation, pressure, tilt, etc) to a computer. User interfaces and computing modules are also provided that enable a user to utilize the data communicated by the wireless sensor network to supplement and/or augment the artistic expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated
    Inventor: Chester James Udell, III
  • Patent number: 9412537
    Abstract: This is directed to a bend switch constructed from two substantially co-linear elongated bodies having opposing contact surfaces. In an open switch position, the contact surfaces remain apart, preventing electrical coupling. To close the switch, a user can bend the elongated bodies relative to each other to cause the contact surfaces to meet, thus creating an electrical coupling. Each elongated body can have several independent conductive portions. The bend switch can include a movable space member placed between the elongated bodies to maintain the contact surfaces a predetermined distance apart in the open switch position. The movable space member can include preferred or non-preferred bending orientations, equilibrium positions, and/or a potentiometer for closing the switch. The bend switch can control one or more functions (e.g., microphone, volume, or playback controls) of an electronic device (e.g., portable media device or cellular telephone) coupled to the bend switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric B. Daniels, M. Evans Hankey, Daniele De Iuliis, Shin Nishibori, Peter Russell-Clarke
  • Patent number: 8941402
    Abstract: An electromagnetic field measuring apparatus capable of measuring an electromagnetic field for a minuscule area in which electronic devices are densely packed with a high sensitivity is provided. In an electromagnetic field measuring apparatus according to the present invention, the amplitude level of signal light (pf) is adjusted by the analyzer (34) by adjusting its angle with respect to the plane of polarization of the signal light (pf) based on an amplitude level control signal (eb) supplied from the calculation control unit (40). An amplitude level control signal (eb) is supplied from the calculation control unit (40) to the analyzer (34) based on the spectrum (ea) of an electric signal (ed) measured by an RF spectrum analyzer (39). The amplitude level ration between the carrier and the sideband contained in the signal light (ph) incident on the optical receiver (38) is controlled to a fixed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Mizuki Iwanami, Hiroshi Fukuda, Risato Ohhira
  • Patent number: 8395475
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing device having a position indicator, comprising a bearing receptacle (2) and a bearing (3) disposed in the bearing receptacle (2) having a first bearing part (4) displaceable relative to the bearing receptacle (2), wherein the position indicator (6) comprises a potentiometer having a resistor circuit (8) and a position finger (7). The aim of providing a bearing device having a position indicator allowing reliable capture of the relative position of the bearing in the bearing device and capture of the position of the bearing parts of the bearing to each other in a simple manner is achieved according to the invention in that the resistor circuit (8) is associated with the bearing receptacle (2) and first bearing part, and that the position finger (7) is associated with the bearing receptacle and first bearing part (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Kram
  • Patent number: 7698814
    Abstract: A method for linearizing potentiometric sensors is provided, the method can include the steps of: insertion in a measurement and/or processing station of a potentiometric sensor provided with a resistive track; application of a defined voltage and/or of a defined current across the resistive track; placement of a number of sensing elements composed of metallic contacts distributed at uniform intervals over the length of the resistive track; acquisition of the individual measured values of the sensing elements and determination of the curve of the resistance of the resistive track, and linearization of the resistance of the resistive track by means of sequential adjustment of the resistance of the resistive track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: PREH GmbH
    Inventor: Alfons Buehner
  • Publication number: 20090322465
    Abstract: The invention relates to a potentiometer comprising (a) at least two electrically conducting segments (12), each of which has a contact end (14) that is bordered by a circumferential edge (16) and which adjoin each other in a flush manner by means of one respective section (18, 20) of the edges (16) thereof, and (b) a connecting device (38) for electrically connecting a first contact point (P1) in a first segment to at least one second contact point (P2, P3) in a second segment that is different from the first segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Josef Inschlag
  • Publication number: 20090051480
    Abstract: In a chip type variable electronic part including an insulating substrate, and an adjustment rotor made of a metal plate rotatably mounted on an upper surface of the insulating substrate, in which the rotor is constituted of a first plate formed in a bowl shape to receive a screwdriver that rotates the rotor, and a second plate superposed on an upper surface of the first plate and integrally coupled thereto via a fold-back joint, and the second plate includes a screwdriver engagement hole perforated therein for the screwdriver to be fitted in, the fold-back joint includes a pair of left and right downwardly bent lugs formed between a bending line of the fold-back joint and the second plate, such that a portion of the fold-back joint between the bending line thereof and the first plate is fitted between the pair of downwardly bent lugs, thereby preventing deformation of the fold-back joint when the rotor is rotated with the screwdriver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akiko Araki
  • Publication number: 20080164971
    Abstract: In a chip type variable electronic part including an insulating substrate, and an adjustment rotor made of a metal plate rotatably mounted on an upper surface of the insulating substrate, in which the rotor is constituted of a first plate formed in a bowl shape to receive a screwdriver that rotates the rotor, and a second plate superposed on an upper surface of the first plate and integrally coupled thereto via a fold-back joint, and the second plate includes a screwdriver engagement hole perforated therein for the screwdriver to be fitted in, the fold-back joint is bent downward from an upper surface of the second plate, thereby preventing deformation of the fold-back joint when the rotor is rotated with the screwdriver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akiko Araki
  • Patent number: 6933830
    Abstract: A variable resistor is configured such that a contact of a contact arm is prevented from contacting a driver plate even when the height of a disk section of a sliding contact is reduced so as to reduce the height of the variable resistor. A sliding contact includes an annular driver plate disposed on the top surface, a disk section folded from the external periphery of the driver plate to the back side, and the semi-circular contact arm provided in the external periphery of the disk section opposite to the folded portion. In the external periphery of the driver plate opposite to the folded portion on the back surface thereof, i.e., in a portion of the disk section folded to the back side of the driver plate opposing the contact of the contact arm, a step is provided such that a gap between the driver plate and the contact arm is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6628193
    Abstract: A thin-thickness variable resistor is provided, which is capable of stabilizing electrical connection between metallic terminals and a resistor by increasing the holding strength for a second terminal by a substrate while preventing the bending strain during the bending work from spreading to a conductive portion conductive to the resistor. A variable resistor comprises a substrate, metallic terminals formed in the substrate by insert-molding, and a slider sliding on a resistor formed on the substrate, wherein the slider is rotatably attached by crimping an eyelet formed in a first metallic terminal. External-connecting portions of the metallic terminals are extended from the bottom portion of the substrate to be bent upwardly along sides of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Doi, Yukinori Ueda
  • Patent number: 6469613
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiki Miura
  • Patent number: 6445279
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chao-Jung Lin, Chien-Ming Li
  • Patent number: 6445278
    Abstract: In a rotary sensor of this invention, an angle detection member is composed of sliding pieces having contact portions on a rotation body side and a conductive pattern formed on a substrate arranged on a side opposite to the sliding pieces, the operation shaft has a flat projection portion which extends in a perpendicular direction from the center of rotation at the end, an groove portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the operation shaft, the projection portion is mated with the groove portion, and the contact portions of the sliding pieces are located at positions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the groove direction of the groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Okumura
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 5781099
    Abstract: A miniature trimmer resistor has a resistor carrier with resistive path deposited thereon and solder contacts electrically connected to the resistive path. The resistor carrier and solder contacts are formed by means of a single film of electrically insulating material. This film is covered or coated with electrically conductive material in the region of the solder contacts and printed with a resistive enamel in the region of the resistive path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Wilhelm Ruf KG
    Inventors: Thomas Joschika, Werner Till
  • Patent number: 5726625
    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: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Hokuriku Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironobu Hasebe, Kazufumi Daimon
  • 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: 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: 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: 5095298
    Abstract: A surface mount variable resistor includes a rotor assembly rotatably mounted on a substrate having an arcuate resistive element thereon. The rotor assembly includes a thermoplastic rotor and a conductive metal slider. The slider is a rivet having a flat head that is insert-molded into the plastic rotor, and a shank extending axially from the head, terminating in a tail end. A conductive metal wiper is welded to the head so as to be exposed from the rotor, thereby to establish electrical contact with the resistive element. A conductive metal collector element is disposed on the surface of the substrate opposite the resistive element. The substrate and the collector element have registering apertures through which the shank is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Chapman, Brenda K. Brunello
  • 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: 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: 4977387
    Abstract: A potentiometer has a parallelepiped casing provided with recesses for fitting connecting terminals which are secured to the casing by plastically deformed studs projecting outward from the casing. Slots are formed in the casing so that the ends of the terminals may project into the casing and be deformed into contact with a resistive plate within the housing. The collector preferably comprises a plate substantially coextensive with one face of the parallelepiped housing, and which is secured to the housing by deformable flanges formed at its edges. A central hole formed in the housing constitutes a bearing for the rotor-actuated cursor. Assembly of the potentiometer may be performed continuously by assembling the terminals, cursors and collectors on a continuous band. The resistive plate is preferably obtained from an electrically insulating substrate on which a resistive paint is first applied and then a silver glaze, with intermediate drying phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Aragonesa de Componentes Pasivos, S.A.
    Inventor: Emelio C. Molia
  • Patent number: 4933661
    Abstract: A throttle sensor for an internal combustion engine includes a circuit board and a rotatable body disposed adjacent the circuit board which is connected to the throttle valve and having a pair of brushes disposed in sliding contact with the circuit board. A resistance body, including a basic resistance layer and a protective resistance layer covering a basic resistance layer are formed on the circuit board for engagement by one of the brushes, and a collecting body, including an electric conductive layer and an additional protective resistance layer covering the electric conductive layer is formed on the circuit board for engagement by the other brush. The protective resistance layers protect the basic resistance layers against undue wear and atmospheric conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihisa Oda, Keiji Yasuda, Takayoshi Tsuzuki
  • Patent number: 4928082
    Abstract: A molded resin casing of an electronic part equipped with a flexible flat cable and internally accommodating a board on which are formed electric conductor patterns slidingly contacted by contacts of a slider of the electronic part, includes a flexible board having various electric conductor patterns formed on a synthetic resin film used as the board. The flexible board is formed integrally with a flexible flat cable comprising a synthetic resin film on which are formed electric conductor patterns electrically connected to the aforementioned various electric conductor patterns. When the molded resin casing is molded by injecting a molten synthetic resin, the flexible board is inserted in such a manner that the electric conductor patterns are exposed within the casing, thereby integrating the flexible board and synthetic resin casing, with the flexible flat cable extending outwardly from a side portion of the synthetic resin casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Teikoku Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yagi, Jiro Inagaki, Kozo Morita, Yasutoshi Kaku, Nobuyuki Kikuchi, Shinji Mizuno
  • Patent number: 4914417
    Abstract: A variable resistor whose resistance is adjustable by rotating a rotor on an insulating substrate having 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 the upper surface of the insulating substrate inside the arcuate resistive element. A metallic slider is integrated with the rotor by insert molding. The slider comprises a base formed of a metal plate folded at least into two, and arms having contacts at the tips thereof for slidably contacting the resistive element on the insulating substrate. The arms are folded along lines which are parallel to a line extending from the center of the base to the contacts of the arms to cause the contacts to project toward the insulating substrate. One of the metal plates forming the base cooperates with the inner and outer skirts of the rotor to seal a space accommodating the resistive element and the arms of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Matsui, Fumitoshi Masuda, Yukinori Ueda
  • Patent number: 4908598
    Abstract: The cover of a casing of the potentiometer is formed with an opening which is adapted to be closed by another cover and through which the top surface of a resistor core is accessible. Trimming resistors are located on the top surface and are connected electrically to a resistor path applied on the bottom surface of the resistor core. This permits adjustments of the potentiometer to be made even when the assembly is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Wilhelm Ruf KG
    Inventors: Rita Burger, Horst Pissulla
  • Patent number: 4905560
    Abstract: A musical tone control apparatus having first and second detectors mounted on a player's arm for detecting bending angles of the player's joints, and a musical tone control data generating circuit worn on the player's waist for generating musical tone control data based on output signals of the first and second detectors. The musical tone control data generating circuit is connected to the first detector via the second detector through a single common cable. Hence, the number of common cables can be reduced to a minimum, allowing free movement of the player. Further, the first detector having a potentiometer comprises first and second links rotatably connected at their ends so that the links rotate in a bending direction of the player's joint, a resistance element provided at the first link, and a sliding contact provided at the second link. The sliding contact, keeping contact with the resistance element, slides thereon with the rotation of the first or second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Suzuki, Shunichi Matsushima, Masahiko Obata, Masao Sakama
  • Patent number: 4884052
    Abstract: A sliding contact includes a sliding contact piece having a contact segment and fixed to a snap member extending perpendicularly to the contact segment. The snap member has at least two snap portions formed in alignment perpendicular to the contact segments including one adjacent the contact segments which is adapted to be concentrically fitted onto a mounting projection of a slider and another apart from the contact segments which is adapted to keep the angle of the contact segments to the slider. Also, there is a connecting contact with at least two holding arms for nipping therebetween a substrate on both sides thereof, at least one of the holding arms having a projection to be inserted in a hole or recess preliminarily formed in the substrate. After the projection is received in the hole or recess, it is fixed by a conductive anchoring material such as solder, so that the connecting contact may be fixedly attached to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki
    Inventors: Kenji Eitoku, Mamoru Tateishi, Kenji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4866413
    Abstract: The potentiometer consists of two halves. Each half has a base plate (5,6) ending in soldering lugs (51,61,62). One part each of a casing (1 or 2) and a rotary driver half (3 or 4, respectively) are molded to each base plate in a plastics injection molding process. The two potentiometer halves are interconnected at their casing parts (1,2), on the one hand, and at their rotary driver halves (3,4), on the other hand, by ultrasonic welding. For this purpose a circumferential thickening (15,47) each is provided of tapering shape. A slider spring (8) on the one hand has slider lobes (81) which slide on a resistor path of a resistor plate (7) and, on the other hand, slider lobes (80) which slide on the base plate (5) opposite the resistor plate (7). Hereby the central or potentiometer tapping is effected electrically at this base plate (5) and the soldering lug (51) connected to the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Wilhelm Ruf KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Hochholzer
  • Patent number: 4864273
    Abstract: A variable resistor having a multi-layer resistive/conductive element is provided. The resistor has three electrodes, a resistive element connecting two of the electrodes and a sliding contact between the resistive element and the third electrode. The base of the resistor is provided with test areas. Each of the test areas contains a strip of the material used to form an individual layer in the multi-layer element. The test areas provide a convenient means for measuring the thickness of the individual layers in the multi-layer element without having to destroy the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takoyoshi Tsuzuki, Mitsuko Kotaki, Ryohei Yabuno, Masami Ishii
  • Patent number: 4839627
    Abstract: A variable resistor including terminal leads punched out of a metal plate the end portions of which are arranged to be positioned accurately onto corresponding collector or conductor elements disposed on a base respectively by setting the metal plate at a fixed position, filler elements filling a gap extending between the collector element and the conductor elements and a gap extending between the conductor elements and which prevent an outflow of synthetic resin into the center of a housing during the process of molding the housing and a parallel gap electrode provided with a pair of parallel electrodes which are provided on an unplated surface of the end portions of the lead terminals during the process of welding the terminal leads onto the corresponding collector and the conductive elements respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Copal Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Okazaki, Masahiko Igarashi, Tsuneo Horie
  • Patent number: 4835833
    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: December 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Resistance Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald H. McDonald
  • Patent number: 4835511
    Abstract: A quasifixed variable resistor includes a resistor substrate with a resistor mounted thereon, a stopper plate rotatably retained about an axis on the substrate, and a knob having a slider fixed to an end of the stopper plate, the slider, sliding on the resistor. In a flat portion located at a bottom end of a cylindrical section of the stopper plate, a screwdriver engaging section having an adjusting groove is folded and is integrally formed therein. A wing piece branched by the adjusting groove is tapered in a direction toward the flat portion and a tip end of the screwdriver can be engaged with an end portion of the wing piece for adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoichi Henmi
  • 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: 4792778
    Abstract: A potentiometer, consisting of a general cylindrical shape, on the lateral surface of which it has two parallel projections, so that the lateral terminals are located with respect to said projections, the elements it comprises (slider-holder, slider, resistant track and collector) being located inside the frame. The slider-holder is guided in the frame by setting into a cut whereon there is a projection against which a projection of the slider-holder will butt, which has a new angular projection on which there are two pivots which will set into both holes of the slider for the fixing in-between. The slider is provided with two oval segments in an inclined position which will contact the resistant track. The slider and the collector are fixed to the slider-holder on some cuts provided therein. The slider is provided with two projections for contacting the collector, the latter having a circular crown shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Navarra De Components Electronicos, S.A. (NACESA)
    Inventor: Jose C. L. Arriazu
  • Patent number: 4721940
    Abstract: A thin type variable resistor for use with a portable radio receiver set, which is far thinner even with a knob than the prior art. The surface of a slider receiver is formed with slider mounting portions which partially rise from the upper surfaces of sliders integrally with said slider receiver. The knob is formed with a recess for fitting the slider receiver. That recess is formed with loosely fitting portions for loosely fitting said slider mounting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Otani
  • Patent number: 4721939
    Abstract: In a potentiometer selector switch, it is proposed to arrange on a circuit board, in indirect arrangement, longitudinal contacts consisting of wire bridges which are swept by the wiper of a regulating element forming the actuating element of the switch when the wiper is rotated or displaced. The wire bridges forming the longitudinal contacts are insulated from each other on one side of the circuit board and at least one end of each of the bridges passes through the board to the conductor side where it is connected electrically and fixed mechanically, preferably by dip soldering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: BSG-Schalttechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Fritz Prestel
  • Patent number: 4698552
    Abstract: A light control apparatus for an automobile which does not employ an already completed variable resistor. A circuit substrate is provided with a terminal integrated with a resistor of a variable resistor. On the other hand, a casing containing the substrate is provided with a sliding terminal of a variable resistor. The casing is formed at its one end with an extended outer shell portion which together with the terminal serves as a connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Minami, Hitoshi Iwata, Kenichi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 4647897
    Abstract: A potentiometer which provides the function of an on/off switch includes a center conductor connected to a conductive ring and a resistive element concentrically disposed about the conductive ring. The resistive element includes a pair of termination pads and one of the pads includes a branch which is situated outside the outer periphery of the resistive element. As a wiper arm traverses the resistive element it remains in contact with the branch for a brief distance and then loses contact with it. This causes the value of the resistance in the potentiometer to make an abrupt shift in magnitude which can be used to initiate various switching functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Bingold, Jeffrey A. Kleck, Kenneth P. Dobyns
  • Patent number: 4646055
    Abstract: A potentiometer comprises a housing having a resistance element disposed therewithin, a spur gear rotatably housed within the housing and drivingly engaged with a worm gear that is rotatably supported by the housing for rotating the spur gear when such worm gear is externally turned. A resilient wiper assembly carried by the spur gear for rotation therewith sweeps the resistance element and applies a resilient force to the spur gear to urge the latter in a direction away from the resistance element. The spur gear has a toothless area defined at a portion of the toothed periphery thereof which corresponds in position to one end of the resistance element. The toothless area has a tapered face engageable with the worm gear to displace the spur gear in the opposite direction against the resiliency of the wiper assembly when the wiper means is brought to the end of the resistance element wherefore the spur gear can be disengaged from the worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Watanabe, Fumitoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 4636768
    Abstract: A miniature variable resistor assembly, preferably for use in a hearing aid, includes an insulating base having a terminal element molded within the base. One end portion of the terminal element extends outwardly from the insulating base and another portion of the terminal element is configured in a loop extending from the base. The loop has two spaced-apart portions. A plate of insulating material includes a resistance element and an aperture adjacent the resistance element with the loop extending through the aperture and each spaced-apart portion being distorted against the wall of the aperture and into conductive engagement with the resistance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Resistance Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Hagen
  • Patent number: RE34795
    Abstract: A potentiometer, consisting of a general cylindrical shape, on the lateral surface of which it has two parallel projections, so that the lateral terminals are located with respect to said projections, the elements it comprises (slider-holder, slider, resistant track and collector) being located inside the frame. The slider-holder is guided in the frame by setting a cut.Iadd., or depression .Iaddend.wherein there is a projection against which a projection of the slider-holder will butt, which has a new angular projection on which there are two pivots which will set into both holes of the slider for the fixing in-between. The slider is provided with two oval segments in an inclined position which will contact the resistant track. The slider and the collector are fixed to the slider-holder on some cuts provided therein. The slider is provided with two projections for contacting the collector, the latter having a circular crown shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Navarra De Componentes Electronicos, S.A. (NACESA)
    Inventor: Jose C. L. Arriazu