Abstract:
A device for illuminating a target surface of a vehicle. The device includes a base and a top cover coupled to the base. The top cover includes a perimeter wall portion and an actuator portion coupled to the perimeter wall portion. The actuator portion extends generally downward between walls of the perimeter wall portion toward the base and is movable toward the base for changing the state of a switch upon application of an external force to the actuator portion. A light source is coupled to the base and positioned for illuminating the target surface through the actuator portion.
Abstract:
An actuator and door latch system incorporating the same. The actuator moves a door latch between locked and unlocked positions with rapidity using a gear train directly coupled to an actuator motor or energy stored in an energy storage element such as a spring.
Abstract:
A steering shaft lock actuator including at least one motor having an output shaft; a drive train coupled to the output shaft, a locking pawl coupled to the drive train; and a housing for at least partially enclosing the motor, the drive train, the locking pawl and the locking pin. The drive train may be configured to linearly urge the locking pawl and a locking pin between a locked position wherein the locking pawl and the locking pin extend at least partially out of the housing and unlocked position wherein the locking pawl and the locking pin are retracted toward the housing relative to the locked position. The locking pawl may be positioned to prevent rotational movement of the steering shaft when in the locked position. The locking pin may be positioned to lock the actuator to a steering shaft interface when in the locked position.
Abstract:
A sensor (104b) includes a shaft (102b) and a magnetic sensor (205-1, 205-2) The shaft (102b) may have at least one active region (202- 1, 202-2). The magnetic sensor (205- 1, 205-2) may be configured to sense a magnetic field (B1,B2) about the shaft (102b), and may produce an output representative of torque applied to the shaft (102b), shaft (102b) rotational speed and shaft (102b) rotational position.
Abstract:
A sensor includes a shaft and a magnetic sensor. The shaft may have at least one magnetized active region. The magnetic sensor may be configured to sense a magnetic field about the shaft, and may provide an output representative of torque applied to the shaft, shaft rotational speed and shaft rotational position.
Abstract:
A failsafe actuator is provided for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition. The actuator (102) includes a drive assembly (303) for driving a plunger (318) from a first plunger position to a second plunger position. The actuator additionally includes a stored energy element (509) for driving the plunger from the second plunger position to the first plunger position on the occurrence of the failure condition, wherein the actuator driven element is responsive to the plunger such that the actuator drive element is driven to the failsafe position when the plunger is driven to the first position.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for making and sensing ice. Also, apparatus and methods for sensing the change of phase of a substance. In one embodiment, a fringe-effect capacitor is placed proximate to a substance, such as water, which is undergoing a phase change, such as the change of phase from the liquid state to the solid state. During this change, the dielectric constant of the substance changes, and thereby changes the electrical flux between conductors of the fringe-effect capacitor. Also, apparatus and methods as described above, and using a capacitor but not a fringe-effect capacitor.
Abstract:
A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized.
Abstract:
A vehicle gear box shift actuator and apparatus including the same. The actuator includes a lead screw; a drive nut threaded on the lead screw; a plunger; a first spring disposed between the drive nut and a first end of the plunger; a second spring disposed between the drive nut and a second end of the plunger opposite from the first end.
Abstract:
An electrically actuated parking brake system and actuator (102) therefor. The actuator (102) includes a motor (200) having a drive shaft, and a gear train coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the gear train provides at least one mechanical output from the actuator (102). The gear train may include a drive gear (202) coupled to the drive shaft, a driven gear (204) coupled to the drive gear (202), and a planetary gear set (206) coupled to the driven gear (204). Various configurations are provided for isolating actuator components for controlling audible noise, including sub-frame isolation configurations, motor isolation configurations, and gear train isolation configurations.