Methode Electronics, Incorporated

Alps Electric Co., Ltd.

James Larsen

Dennis D Kaufman

Rajkumar Ramamurthy

Jim Brian Hull

Christopher Edward Young

Kannan Chandra

A micro-valve assembly for incorporation into a vehicle seat having an inflatable bladder. The micro-valve assembly includes a first housing that cooperates with two micro-valve sub-assemblies to define a high and low pressure supply chamber. A second housing cooperates with both of the first and second micro-valve subassemblies to define a primary pressure chamber. Each of the micro-valve sub-assemblies further includes a valve port extending therethrough with a MEMS micro-valve positioned in the valve port. The MEMS micro valves are actuatable between open and closed positions to respectively permit and prohibit fluid communication between the primary pressure chamber and high and low pressure supply chambers.

Micro-valve assembly

A key operated switch is provided for disabling an automobile air bag passive restraint system. The two or four position switch includes a housing, a rotor, a plurality of rotationally actuated electrical switch elements, a key ejecting mechanism, and a positive positioning detent. The switch assembly is arranged such that a transverse surface of the rotor defining a key slot is accessible through the housing. The key slot allows an operating key to be manually inserted into the rotor. In or order to insert the key, however, the therein, a certain minimum amount of force must be applied to the key sufficient to overcome the key ejecting mechanism. In the absence of such minimum insertion force, the key ejecting mechanism will act expel the key from the rotor. Once inserted into the rotor, the key may be manually rotated which causes corresponding rotation of the rotor. The rotation of the rotor in turn, actuates select electrical switch elements attached to the rotor, according to the angular position of the rotor. The electrical switch elements define a plurality of distinct switch states, each corresponding to a particular angular position of the rotor. Finally, the positive positioning detent forces the rotor to an angular position corresponding one of the distinct switch states defined by the electrical switch elements during those periods when no external torque is being applied to the rotor.

Key operated rotary switch for disabling an automobile air bag

An elastomeric switch is provided having self cleanings contacts. The switch includes a substrate and a switch actuator configured for reciprocating motion along an axis generally perpendicular to a surface of the substrate. A first switch contact, including a contact surface generally perpendicular to the actuator axis of motion is, carried by the switch actuator. A second switch contact is cantilevered from the surface of the substrate. Reciprocation of the actuator in a first direction toward the substrate acts to force the first contact against the distal end of the second contact. The two contacts are deflected together as result of further reciprocation of the actuator in the first direction. As the contacts are deflected, the distal end of the second contact is scraped across the contact surface of the first contact, thereby removing contaminants and other debris from the contact surface of the first contact. As the contacts are deflected, the second contact is mechanically biases against the first contact to eliminate contact bounce.

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Farmington Hills, MI, United States of America

James Larsen