Abstract:
A selector assembly includes a housing having a spherical cavity and a detent cavity that form a continuous selector cavity. A selector slidably operates within the selector cavity and about a center point of the spherical cavity. The selector includes a spheroid member that is contained within the spherical cavity and slidably engages a guide surface that defines the spherical cavity. A first pivot includes a first rotational axis that extends through the center point of the spherical cavity. A second pivot includes a second rotational axis that extends through the center point of the spherical cavity. A detent pin is biased toward a detent surface of the detent cavity and slidably engages the detent surface to define a plurality of selector positions of the selector.
Abstract:
An inductive cooktop includes a top plate that has an upper surface that supports a cookware object. An induction coil is disposed below the top plate and is operable to generate an electromagnetic field that is configured to heat the cookware object. A display, such as an OLED display, is disposed between the inductive coil and the top plate and operates to emit light through the top plate, such as to display information that is visible at the upper surface of top plate. A transparent thermal insulator is provided to prevent the cookware object from heating the display above a threshold temperature. The transparent thermal insulator may include a silica aerogel material, which may be disposed between an upper glass panel and a lower glass panel.
Abstract:
A selector for a vehicle includes a stepper motor. A manually operable rotating portion is in communication with the stepper motor. A display screen is positioned proximate the rotating portion. A position sensor is in communication with the stepper motor and the manually operable rotating portion. The rotating portion is coupled to the stepper motor at a drive shaft of the stepper motor. Manual operation of the rotating portion also rotates the drive shaft. The stepper motor applies a haptic component to the manual operation of the rotating portion.
Abstract:
A modular fluid pump includes a stator having a plurality of stator teeth and windings that are positioned on the stator teeth. A rotor has a central shaft and substantially hemispheric ends and a plurality of magnets that define an electromagnetic communication with the windings. A housing surrounds the stator and includes a fixed end cap that receives one of the hemispheric ends of the central shaft and defines a rotational axis of the rotor. A securing end cap that receives the other hemispheric end of the central shaft. The central shaft and the fixed and securing end caps define the rotational axis of the rotor. Engagement of the hemispheric end with the central shaft and the fixed and securing end caps maintains the rotor and the central shaft aligned with the rotational axis and balanced within the stator.
Abstract:
A fluid pump includes a housing. A delivery portion includes a delivery pump element disposed within the housing. A return portion includes a return pump element disposed within the housing. A motor is disposed within the housing that drives the delivery pump element and the return pump element via a drive shaft. The delivery portion is configured to deliver fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit. The return pump element is configured to deliver the fluid from a sump assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir.
Abstract:
A rotor assembly for use with a stator is disclosed. The rotor assembly includes a shaft that defines at least one outer diameter. The rotor assembly also includes a body that defines at least one interior diameter. The shaft is received within the at least one interior diameter of the body. The body is provided with a magnetic field with alternating polar arrangements as a function of a circumferential position about a circumference of the body.
Abstract:
An appliance has an insulated compartment with a door that is movable between a closed position and an open position for accessing an interior cavity of the insulated compartment. A window panel is disposed at the door for viewing the interior cavity when the door in in the closed position. A display overlays at least a portion of the window panel, so as to display information that is visible at an exterior surface of the door. The display is also at least partially transparent for viewing the interior cavity through the window panel and the display. A transparent thermal insulator is disposed between the window panel and the display to prevent the interior cavity from heating or cooling the display outside of an operating temperature range.
Abstract:
An apparatus electrically connects a motor's on-board stator circuit board to multiple circuits on a controller circuit board using an edge connector on the controller circuit board that engages opposing pads on an edge of the stator circuit board. The edge connector includes tuning-fork-like conductors each with pairs of protruding arms positioned to both engage the pads for electrical contact and also frictionally engage the pads for mechanical retention. A related method of assembly uses the edge-connect system for quick, reliable and sure assembly even under blind assembly conditions.
Abstract:
A shifter incorporates a shape memory alloy wire (SMA actuator) to control movement of a blocker to selectively prevent moving a shift lever (or pawl) out of its park position until predetermined vehicle conditions are met. A mechanical fuse (i.e., flexible overload spring) prevents damage to the SMA actuator where the shift lever (or pawl) can be frictionally stopped from movement despite the contraction of the SMA actuator. The control circuit for the SMA actuator includes a photo-electric switch for stopping electrical power to the SMA actuator when the shift lever is moved from its park position, and the shift lever includes structure for mechanically continuing to hold the switch open while out of park. Further, the control circuit is operably connected to an ignition key retaining mechanism so that the ignition key cannot be removed when the lever is not in its park position.
Abstract:
A motor assembly includes a housing having a motor cavity. A stator is disposed within the housing. A rotor rotates within the stator and within the motor cavity about a rotational axis. A controller is coupled with the stator having a filter circuit board and a main circuit board that are interconnected at a terminal header to define a multilayer circuit board assembly. The circuit board assembly has an electrical interface and a data interface attached to at least one of the filter circuit board and the main circuit board.