Eaton Corporation

The Singer Company

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Guy A Wojtanek

James Lloyd Webber

David Gerard Hlavaty

David L Maloney

Michael Todd Moury

John Willigman

Gary R Grieb

Jaime Lopez

G Scott Grafer

A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle is provided. The tension sensing assembly comprises an anchor, a movable mechanism configured to be secured to a portion of a buckle, at least one magnet coupled to the movable mechanism, a Hall effect sensor coupled to the anchor, at least one tension spring secured to the anchor at a first end and the movable mechanism at a second end. The movable mechanism moves the at least one magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor to induce an output from the Hall effect sensor. The output indicates a tension level being applied to the tension sensing assembly.

Tension sensing assembly

A rocker type windshield wiper motor control switch with a push-to-actuate function for controlling a windshield washer pump motor. The rocker member is pivoted on a sliding collar member slidable on the switch housing. A plurality of arcuate contact strips for effecting switching of the wiper motor circuit are mounted on the housing. Upon user pivotal movement of the rocker, a first shorting contact switches power on the contact strip to the wiper motor circuit irrespective of the position of the sliding collar. A second shorting contact switches power between separate arcuate contact strips upon user effecting sliding movement of the collar member irrespective of the pivotal position of the rocker.

Wipe/wash switch

A switch assembly of the type actuated by an external cam mechanism while immersed in a fluid such as transmission oil, the assembly includes an integral hollow probe with a thermistor for sensing the fluid temperature. The thermistor is assembled on an insert having an elongated support for insertion into the hollow probe. The insert also has electrical connector terminals to which the thermistor leads are connected to form a subassembly insertable in the switch housing and probe.

Cam operated switch with temperature sensor and subassembly therefor

An illuminated rocker switch having a transparent actuator in the form of a light pipe pivoted on the switch housing. The light pipe has a set of generally parallel spaced arms each transmitting light to a separate projection surface on each arm from the common edge of an aperture illuminated by a lamp. A separate arm receives light from a separate lamp at a second light receiving surface and transmits light to a projection surface on the end of the separate arm. An opaque actuator cover is attached to the light pipe and has transparent regions adjacent each projection surface for illumination. The cover has an opaque shroud tube received on the separate arm and shields it from illumination other than from its own lamp. The light pipe carries a shorting bar which, upon user movement of the actuator switches between stationary contacts on the housing.

Illuminated switch

An electrical connector terminal formed from sheet stock of desired thickness in a 'T'-shaped blank. Opposite arms of the 'T'-shaped blank are folded on themselves accordion-style to form an integral head portion having a thickness of several multiples of the sheet stock thickness. An electrical contact fulcrum surface is formed on the edges of the folded material of the head portion.

Electrical connector terminal and contact

An apparatus for varying impedance includes a first conductive member, a second member associated therewith, and a third wiper member electrically contacting the first and second members. Use of a conductive rolling member as the third wiper member minimizes wear and degradation of all members. Alternately, or in conjunction with a rolling wiper member, use of a conductive elastomer further eliminates wear.

Conductive elastomers in potentiometers & rheostats

A switch assembly having a pushbutton actuator with graphics backlit by an electroluminescent light source deposited upon a mylar substrate. A separate indicator lamp is provided to be lit when the function selected by the switch is activated. The indicator light is visible through a small window in the pushbutton. In order to prevent light from the indicator lamp from impinging upon the graphics area, a portion of the mylar substrate is opaquely coated to block the light transmission, while the remainder of the mylar substrate is clear to insure proper registration and prevent degradation of the electroluminescent phosphor.

Illuminated switch assembly with combined light and light shield

A drive mechanism for a timer includes a drive pawl having a pin which is trapped between two camming surfaces of a continuously driven drive cam. The drive pawl is slidably mounted in the timer frame so that it is linearly reciprocated when the drive cam is rotated. A spring biases the drive pawl against the ratchet track.

Timer drive mechanism

An expanded interval drive mechanism for a program timer includes a lift cam which periodically engages a pawl lifter to move the pawl lifter so as to lift the drive pawl away from the ratchet teeth. The ratchet teeth are at two levels. Where the ratchet teeth are at the lower level, operation of the pawl lifter prevents the drive pawl from engagement with the lower level ratchet teeth. However, the higher level ratchet teeth are always engaged by the drive pawl regardless of the operation of the pawl lifter. Therefore, an expanded interval is achieved in the region having the lower level ratchet teeth.

Expanded interval timer drive mechanism

The timing cam is advanced for switching purposes by the large reciprocating pawl acting on the ratchet teeth molded on the timing cam. When the program requires a timed period during which conditions remain the same the ratchet teeth are spaced so the pawl cannot pick up the next tooth until the cam is advanced by the small pawl acting on the separate ratchet provided with small, closely spaced teeth. This ratchet has a pinion gear driving the ring gear molded inside the timing cam. The steps imparted to the timing cam by the small pawl and ratchet are very small and consume appreciable time--the length of time taken to position the next tooth for engagement by the large pawl being determined by the space between the large teeth.

When the axially movable shaft mounted in the hub of a program cam drum is moved inwardly a pin loosely mounted in a cross hole on the shaft will move into engagement with teeth on a drive sleeve mounted between the shaft and the drum hub while a washer fixed on the end of the shaft moves to actuate a slider which then actuates and opens a line switch to take power off the appliance controlled by the timer. Engagement of the pin with the sleeve completes the drive to the sleeve and the sleeve is keyed to the drum by lugs projecting to slots in the hub. Now the shaft can rotate the timer drum without power applied to the appliance. When the shaft is pulled out, the line switch closes and the drive pin is disengaged from the teeth and rotation of the shaft is not effective to rotate the timer.

Growing community of inventors

Franklin Park, IL, United States of America

Guy A Wojtanek