Eaton Corporation

Zf Friedrichshafen Ag

Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Emerson Electric Company

Richard William Fitzgerald

Davin Robert Lee

Dana Kathryn Leland

Robert W Nickerson

Dale L Garrison

Kenneth A Albrecht

Wayne C Riley

Paul Mark DeSantis

Will J Preischel

Andrew James Blackwood

David Mark Nelsen

Terrence W Snyder

James C Hazlett

Manuel Anaya Perea

Henry A Jones, Jr

A switch guard for preventing accidental actuation of a control switch is disclosed. The switch guard includes a rigid wall structure comprising a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls arranged to accommodate positioning of the control switch therein, each of the pair of end walls including at least one opening formed therein. The switch guard also includes a mating feature provided at each of the end walls of the wall structure, with each mating feature being a separate component from the rigid wall structure and being configured to selectively translate through the at least one opening formed in the respective end wall between a first position and a second position to secure the switch guard about the control switch.

Retrofittable switch guard

Automotive switch electrical connector with latching feature

A vehicle switch module includes a sub-network having switches connected thereto and a sub-network controller in operative communication with the sub-network and the switches. Each switch includes a microprocessor programmed to generate switch messages that include address and switch logic state data. The sub-network controller transmits switch queries onto the sub-network to a number of switch addresses to determine a connection status and switch state of switches in the switch module and receives switch messages responsive to the queries from switches at addresses to which the switch queries were transmitted. The received switch messages verify the identity of a switch in the module and provide a switch state for the switch. The sub-network controller interprets the received switch messages and&#x2014;based on the switch address and switch state data in the messages&#x2014;controls operation of a vehicle output or load associated with each of the switches.

Self-identifying switch system for vehicle control

A flip cover latch assembly includes a base component, and a flip cover pivotally connected to the base component and configured to pivot between an opened position and a closed position. A first magnet is disposed on the base component at the closed position. The first magnet has a polarity that attracts the flip cover. A second magnet is disposed on the base component at an intermediate position between the closed position and the opened position. The second magnet has a polarity that repels the flip cover. A third magnet is disposed on the base component at the opened position. The third magnet having a polarity that attracts the flip cover.

Magnetic latch

Heated hand grips for motorcycles or other applications, such as snowmobiles, are disclosed. The hand grips enable better control and comfort for the user. The hand grips described herein have a better design for mounting on the handle bars, allowing for a better seal against ingress of moisture and for sturdier mounting of the control circuitry. The control circuitry itself is simplified, and the control knob has built-in detents for more tactile feedback to the user. The heated elements themselves include a temperature sensor for simplified wiring and immediate feedback.

Heated hand grips

Angled spring contacts and switches made with contactors containing angled spring contacts are disclosed. The housing for the angled spring contacts has a generally cylindrical shape. The contacts are contained within the housing with their ends extending from the housing on either side. The contacts are formed by making bullet-shaped internal contacts that are joined by a spring. The spring is mounted to the two contacts to urge the two contacts away from each other at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the housing. This angle forces contact between each contact and the housing in at least two places, thus creating redundant paths between the contacts. Switches, such as plunger switches having a normal or OFF position, and an actuated or ON position, may be made with one or more angled spring contacts. The contacts have separate surfaces for electrical conduction and for arcing.

Electrical contact with redundant paths

A hot water dispensing system comprises a one-piece plastic tank having a main heating chamber, an expansion chamber, and an air collection chamber. The air collection chamber is disposed generally below the expansion chamber and alongside the main heating chamber. The main heating chamber is in fluid communication with the expansion chamber and the air collection chamber. The hot water dispensing system also includes a temperature control system having a heating element, a metal temperature sensing bracket, and a thermostat. The heating element is disposed within the plastic tank and connected to a metal temperature sensing bracket disposed outside the tank. The excellent conductive properties of a metal sheath that connects the metal temperature sensing bracket to the heating element allow the metal temperature sensing bracket to simulate changes in the temperature of water in the tank. The thermostat is mounted to the metal temperature sensing bracket and measures a temperature of the metal temperature sensing bracket and activates or deactivates a heating element in response to the measured temperature of the metal temperature sensing bracket.

One-piece plastic tank and temperature control system for a hot water dispenser

Growing community of inventors

Franklin, WI, United States of America

Richard William Fitzgerald