Abstract:
A vehicle seat occupant detection device with an adjustable threshold is provided. The device includes a sensor, a spring, and an adjuster. The sensor is configured to indicate a first state when a seat is not occupied and a second state when the seat is occupied. The spring is configured to urge the sensor toward the first state. The adjuster is coupled to the spring. The adjuster is operable to vary a force threshold that the device transitions from the first state to the second state.
Abstract:
A latching mechanism releasably secures a first connector to an interlocking second connector, such as a first and second electrical connector. The first connector defines a lock tab. The second mating connector includes a lock arm defining a lock nib configured to engage the lock tab and an outwardly extending stop. The lock arm is connected to the second connector by a resilient U-shaped strap. A transverse hold down beam is connected to the second connector and is configured to engage the stop when a separating force is applied between the first and second connector and increase the hold-down force on the lock nib. The second connector further comprises a shoulder that is coplanar with the U-shaped strap and configured to engage the U-shaped strap when the separating longitudinal force applied between the first connector and the second connector increases, further increasing the hold-down force on the lock nib.
Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly including a moveable terminal stabilizer is presented. The terminal stabilizer is moveable from a stabilizing position to a stowed position. In the stabilizing position terminal stabilizer is near the tips of the terminals and in the stowed position is near the base of the terminals. The tip of the terminal is received in an aperture defined by the terminal, whereby the terminal stabilizer protects the terminal from being bent away from the terminal axis by a force applied to the terminal in a direction substantially orthogonal to the terminal axis. The terminal stabilizer also includes an integral lock retainer that engages a terminal lock member when the terminal stabilizer is in the stowed position thereby inhibiting movement of the lock member and disengaging the lock member when the terminal stabilizer is in the stabilizing position thereby allowing movement of the lock member.
Abstract:
Control system intended for the choice and the selection of functions in a vehicle, the system comprising a case, a lever extending along a main axis from a first end, mounted pivoting about a pivot axis to a second end provided with an actuation knob, the lever being able to turn about the main axis, and an elastic return device of the lever into a neutral position comprising an action surface in the form of a truncated cone of revolution, the axis of which is the main axis and, on a pivoting of the lever, the active zone is displaced along a generatrix of the cone moving towards the vertex, the elastic means being more biased than in a neutral position.
Abstract:
In a method for the detection and tracking of lane markings from a motor vehicle, an image of a space located in front of the vehicle is captured by means of an image capture device at regular intervals. The picture elements that meet a predetermined detection criterion are identified as detected lane markings in the captured image. At least one detected lane marking as a lane marking to be tracked is subjected to a tracking process. At least one test zone is defined for each detected lane marking. With the aid of intensity values of the picture elements associated with the test zone, at least one parameter is determined. The detected lane marking is assigned to one of several lane marking categories, depending on the parameter.
Abstract:
A solid state sintered material is described that includes a mixed oxide of lanthanum, strontium, cobalt, iron and oxygen, and CaCO3 inclusions. The solid state sintered material can also include calcium oxide, which can form from thermal composition of calcium carbonate. The solid state sintered material can also include a pore-forming particulate material such as carbon black and/or a doped ceramic metal oxide ionic conductor such as Sm-doped ceria uniformly dispersed in the solid state sintered material. The solid state sintered material can be formed from a two-step process in which a portion of the CaCO3 is mixed with the mixed oxide materials and heated to form porous agglomerates, and the remaining CaCO3 is added during the formation of a sintering paste. The solid state sintered material described herein can be used as a cathode material for solid oxide fuel cell.
Abstract:
A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips.
Abstract:
An assembly for packaging one or more electronic devices in die form. The assembly includes substrates on opposite sides of the assembly, with lead frames between the electronic devices and the substrates. The substrates, lead frames, and electronic devices are sintered together using silver-based sintering paste between each layer. The material and thicknesses of the substrates and lead frames are selected so stress experienced by the electronic devices caused by changes in temperature of the assembly are balanced from the center of the assembly, thereby eliminating the need for balancing stresses at a substrate level by applying substantially matching metal layers to both sides of the substrates.
Abstract:
An over-torque protector device including a drive pulley and a drive hub. A plurality of receptacles extends from a pulley face, and a plurality of links extends from a drive hub plate. Each link has a first end pivotably engaged to the plate and a second end provided with coupling means for releasably coupling the drive hub and the drive pulley for unified rotation through operative engagement with the receptacles in a device engaged state, the coupling means and the receptacles out of operative engagement in a device released state. The coupling means and the receptacles have relative axial movements induced by relative rotation between the drive pulley and the drive hub. Transition from the device engaged state to the device released state is induced by the relative axial movements of the coupling means and the receptacles.
Abstract:
A sensor system and seat assembly includes a sensor assembly configured to detect a seating force exerted on a portion of a seat cushion of a seat. The sensor assembly includes a base, a force transducer configured to output a signal indicative of the seating force, and a lever pivotably coupled to the base. The lever defines a sensing end configured to be disposed proximate to the portion of the seat cushion such that the seating force operates on the sensing end. The lever also defines an actuating end configured to apply an actuation force to the force transducer. The sensor assembly may comprise a plurality of levers. Each sensing end of each lever may be disposed in a separate location within the portion of the seat cushion. The sensor assembly may be configured to detect a child exerting a seating force on a portion of the seat cushion.