Abstract:
A control circuit for a tone generator that is adapted to cause the tone generator to produce a plurality of readily distinguishable audible sounds, including a chime sound, a pulse tone and a steady tone. The control circuit has particular application for use on an automobile to monitor such conditions as "seat belts buckled", "headlamps on", and "key in the ignition". The control circuit includes three oscillator circuits that are adapted to produce square wave output signals at three different frequencies. The chime sound is generated by pulse width modulating the highest frequency signal and "restriking" the decaying sound at the frequency of the lowest frequency oscillator. The steady tone is produced by driving the tone generator directly with the output signal from the highest frequency oscillator. To generate the pulse tone, the highest frequency oscillator is repeatedly enabled and disabled in accordance with the output signal from the middle frequency oscillator. Novel pulse width modulating circuitry for producing the chime sound is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A pressure responsive diaphragm is attached to a substrate carrying a thick film metallic coating covered by a dielectric glass coating so that the diaphragm and thick film coating comprise a pressure variable capacitor. Changes in pressure difference across the diaphragm force the diaphragm to roll against the glass to vary the area of diaphragm in contact with the glass, thus changing the capacity.
Abstract:
An improved deck lid lock with remote release for motor vehicles. The deck lid lock employs a solenoid operated rotatable armature which acts directly on a leg of a rotatable latch plate which engages a lock bar. On energization of the solenoid, the armature is attracted to the solenoid causing it to disengage the latch plate so that the deck lid may be opened. When the deck lid is closed, the lock bar is engaged by the latch plate which is returned to its normal latched position in engagement with the armature. The deck lid lock further includes a rotatable key cam which acts on the armature to enable release of the deck lid through conventional external key actuation.
Abstract:
A vacuum regulator for automotive vehicles of the type having an engine exhaust system and a computer-controlled exhaust gas recirculation system, the regulator having a housing provided with a pair of spaced outlets intercommunicating through a flow restrictive orifice and adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust system and to the exhaust gas recirculation system, respectively; an inlet for atmospheric air connected by a passageway to the outlets; and a solenoid-operated spring-biased valve in the housing controlling flow of atmospheric air to the outlets; the housing being fashioned in two parts or sub-assemblies which are interconnected at final assembly by the flux collector which is part of the solenoid, the operating parts of the regulator being uniquely formed and arranged to minimize noise of operation, and the entire assembly being uniquely constructed to minimize cost of manufacture.
Abstract:
A tone generator for producing an audible sound for a predetermined time period in response to the occurrence of one or more predetermined conditions. The tone generator comprises a diaphragm mounted within a resonant sound cavity that is activated by an electromagnetic assembly which is in turn driven by the output signal from an oscillator circuit. The control logic and timing circuit for the tone generator includes a unique PTC subassembly that provides a timed logic signal for controlling the activations of the diaphragm, as well as an independently generated signal for contemporaneously activating a lamp which provides a visual indication of the detected predetermined condition. The control logic and timing circuit is adapted to produce the proper timed logic signal despite the absence of a lamp in the circuit or a lamp failure.
Abstract:
A variable force solenoid valve assembly is provided for use in an automatic transmission controller for controllably reducing a fluid inlet pressure to a desired outlet control pressure. The invention includes a variable force solenoid assembly secured to a valve body assembly. The valve body assembly includes a spool valve having three radially extending lands which translates within a valve body central bore in response to movement of an armature assembly provided in the solenoid assembly. Movement of the spool valve generates first and second flow restriction for controllably regulating the reduction of inlet pressure to control pressure. In addition, various improvements in spool valve design are described including a design which provides positive damping of the spool valve so as to attenuate "self-excited" oscillation thereof.
Abstract:
An electrical terminal having a wire clamping tab connected thereto by an essentially thin neck portion about which a wire coated with a resin-type, high temperature insulation is adapted to be wound so that, when the tab is bent back against the terminal by opposed, energized electrodes to clamp a portion of the wire extending from the neck portion therebetween, resistance of the latter to flow of current heats both the neck portion and the wire wrapped therearound sufficiently to explode the insulation from the wire to assure a good electrical connection. At the same time the relatively large area of the terminal and its clamping tab maintains the clamped portion of the wire below its annealing temperature so that it is resistant to breakage in use.
Abstract:
A tone generator for producing an audible sound for a predetermined time period in response to the occurrence of one or more predetermined conditions. The tone generator comprises a diaphragm mounted within a resonant sound cavity that is activated by an electromagnetic assembly which is in turn driven by the output signal from an oscillator circuit. The control logic and timing circuit for the tone generator includes a unique PTC subassembly that provides a timed logic signal for controlling the activations of the diaphragm, as well as an independently generated signal for contemporaneously activating a lamp which provides a visual indication of the detected predetermined condition. The control logic and timing circuit is adapted to produce the proper timed logic signal despite the absence of a lamp in the circuit or a lamp failure.
Abstract:
An electromagnetic tone generator having a pole piece adapted to be mounted on a circuit board and to be incorporated in the circuitry thereof, an electromagnetic coil sub-assembly adapted for mounting on a coil carrying portion of the pole piece and to be separately fastened electrically and physically to the circuit board, and a sound transducer sub-assembly including a housing defining a sound cavity and a diaphragm closing the latter and held by a retainer ring detachably fastened to the housing, the sound transducer sub-assembly adapted to be tested for sound prior to assembly and for mounting on and detachable connection with the pole piece, the retainer ring being detachably fastened to the housing so that in the disassembled condition of the sound transducer sub-assembly the ring is readily removable for replacement or servicing of critical parts of the sub-assembly, and in the assembled condition of the sound transducer sub-assembly the latter is held by the pole piece spaced from the circuit board to accommodate electrical components of the latter and with the diaphragm precisely spaced from the coil carrying portion of the pole piece.
Abstract:
A driver circuit for a tone generator that is adapted to cause the tone generator to produce a pleasant sounding chime. The circuit comprises high and low frequency oscillator circuits whose decaying sawtooth type outputs are summed and modulated to produce the desired chime effect.