Abstract:
A capacitive sensor apparatus (12) is disposed between the bottom cushion (18) and frame (16) of a seat (10). The sensor apparatus (12) includes first and second mutually parallel rigid force translation plates (22, 24) biased apart by a set of springs (26), first and second conductor plates (28, 30) centrally affixed to inboard faces of the first and second force translation plates (22, 24), and a control circuit (32) responsive to the gap capacitance between the first and second conductor plates (28, 30). The force translation plates (22, 24) are joined in a manner to maintain the conductor plates (28, 30) parallel to each other while permitting movement of either force translation plate relative to the other in a mutually perpendicular direction.
Abstract:
A sealed electronic module includes a housing (10) having an open end, a main circuit board (12) and at least one auxiliary circuit board (14), where the main and auxiliary circuit boards (12, 14) are both secured in the housing (10) without fasteners by a potting material (70) that is applied to the exposed face (62) of the main circuit board (12). The main circuit board (12) is peripherally supported by a housing ledge (46, 54), and the auxiliary circuit board (14) is disposed inboard of the main circuit board (12). A controlled amount of the potting material (70) applied to the exposed face (62) of the main circuit board (12) flows through one or more strategically placed apertures (64) in the main circuit board (12), forming one or more bridges of potting material (70a) between the main circuit board (12) and the underlying surface of the auxiliary circuit board (14) so that potting material (70) applied in a single step secures both circuit boards (12, 14) in the housing (10) while environmentally sealing the module.
Abstract:
A capacitive sensor apparatus (12) is disposed between the bottom cushion (18) and frame (16) of a seat (10). The sensor apparatus (12) includes first and second mutually parallel rigid force translation plates (22, 24) biased apart by a set of springs (26), first and second conductor plates (28, 30) centrally affixed to inboard faces of the first and second force translation plates (22, 24), and a control circuit (32) responsive to the gap capacitance between the first and second conductor plates (28, 30). The force translation plates (22, 24) are joined in a manner to maintain the conductor plates (28, 30) parallel to each other while permitting movement of either force translation plate relative to the other in a mutually perpendicular direction.
Abstract:
A child seat (20) and a method for monitoring installation of the child seat (20) are provided. The child seat (20) includes a child seat frame (40) configured to receive a child occupant. The child seat frame (40) is configured to receive a seat belt webbing (24) for securing the child seat frame (40) to a vehicle seat (22). The child seat (20) further includes a first bladder (44) configured to contact the seat belt webbing (24). The first bladder (44) has a fluid therein. The child seat (20) further includes a first pressure sensor (52) fluidly communicating with the fluid in the first bladder (44). The first pressure sensor (52) is configured to output a first signal indicative of an amount of pressure in the first bladder (44). The child seat (20) further includes a controller (56) coupled to the child seat frame (40) configured to receive the first signal and to compute a first tension value based on the first signal. The controller (56) is further configured to generate a second signal to induce a first device disposed on the child seat frame (40) to indicate when the first tension value is less than a first predetermined tension value.
Abstract:
A stand-off mounting apparatus (10/50/80) includes an insulative carrier (12/52/82) for off-board mounting of leaded or surface-mount components (18, 20/58-62/92-96), particularly large temperature-sensitive discrete components such as capacitors. The carrier (12/52/82) has a component-mounting surface that is elevated relative to the circuit board (14), and is positioned with respect to the circuit board (14) such that the circuit board area under the mounting surface of the carrier (12/52/82) is available for the placement of smaller non-temperature-sensitive components. The off-board components (18, 20/58-62/92-96) are mounted on the component-mounting surface of the carrier (12/52/82), and the carrier (82) may include support features (102) for providing additional mechanical support for the components (92-96). Electrical leads (16/56/88) for electrically coupling the elevated components (18, 20/58-62/92-96) to the circuit board (14) may be insert-molded in the carrier (12/52), or may be inserted into plated through-holes (110) in the carrier (82).
Abstract:
A stand-off mounting apparatus (10/50/80) includes an insulative carrier (12/52/82) for off-board mounting of leaded or surface-mount components (18, 20/58-62/92-96), particularly large temperature-sensitive discrete components such as capacitors. The carrier (12/52/82) has a component-mounting surface that is elevated relative to the circuit board (14), and is positioned with respect to the circuit board (14) such that the circuit board area under the mounting surface of the carrier (12/52/82) is available for the placement of smaller non-temperature-sensitive components. The off-board components (18, 20/58-62/92-96) are mounted on the component-mounting surface of the carrier (12/52/82), and the carrier (82) may include support features (102) for providing additional mechanical support for the components (92-96). Electrical leads (16/56/88) for electrically coupling the elevated components (18, 20/58-62/92-96) to the circuit board (14) may be insert-molded in the carrier (12/52), or may be inserted into plated through-holes (110) in the carrier (82).
Abstract:
A sealed electronic module includes a housing (10) having an open end, a main circuit board (12) and at least one auxiliary circuit board (14), where the main and auxiliary circuit boards (12, 14) are both secured in the housing (10) without fasteners by a potting material (70) that is applied to the exposed face (62) of the main circuit board (12). The main circuit board (12) is peripherally supported by a housing ledge (46, 54), and the auxiliary circuit board (14) is disposed inboard of the main circuit board (12). A controlled amount of the potting material (70) applied to the exposed face (62) of the main circuit board (12) flows through one or more strategically placed apertures (64) in the main circuit board (12), forming one or more bridges of potting material (70a) between the main circuit board (12) and the underlying surface of the auxiliary circuit board (14) so that potting material (70) applied in a single step secures both circuit boards (12, 14) in the housing (10) while environmentally sealing the module.
Abstract:
An electronic module includes a printed circuit board (24) with a heat producing electrical component (26) assembled in an insulating housing (12). The component is adjacent a thermally conducting heat sink (30) with a thermally conductive material (32) disposed therebetween. Integral with the heat sink is a thermally conductive runner (38), partially encased in the housing wall, connecting the heat sink to a thermally conductive port (22). The port is coupled to a base structure when the housing is attached to the base (14), forming a heat conduction path from the component to the base. This conductive path may also provide an electrical ground path from the printed circuit board to the base.
Abstract:
An electronic component assembly includes an electrical component (12) assembled to a base (14) and mounted to a support (16). The component electrical leads (20,21) protrude through holes, along a channel, and make contact with connectors (38) on the base. The base (14) is formed of a polymeric material and contains protrusions (44) for mechanically supporting the electrical component. When the base is mounted to the support, the connectors complete the electrical connection between the electrical component (12) and the support (16).