Abstract:
A position sensing system and method for a braking assembly for a vehicle. The braking assembly includes a rotor, a caliper assembly disposed around the rotor and having a fixed mount bracket and a floating portion which moves when the brakes are applied. The position sensing system has a sensing element and a reference portion. The sensing element is attached to a location of the braking assembly such that the reference portion moves in relation to the sensing element when the floating portion moves. The sensor assembly is configured to generate a signal correlative to the relative positions of the sensing element and reference portion. The position sensing system includes a processor configured to store predetermined signatures and determine a condition of a component of the vehicle based on a match between the signal and one of the predetermined signatures.
Abstract:
A method for increasing capacitive response to applied pressure by including a glass layer in the air gap of an improved capacitive sense element. The glass layer has additional thickness compared to previously known capacitive sense elements. The additional thickness is selected to achieve a predetermined increase in dielectric constant across the gap between electrodes. In an illustrative embodiment, the resulting capacitive sense element includes a gap having two dielectric media, air and glass, between the electrodes, wherein the thickness of the glass media in the gap and the thickness of the remaining air gap are predetermined based on the dielectric constant of glass and air to achieve desired capacitive response characteristics of the sensor design.
Abstract:
A mold fabrication element has a hollowed volume defining a respective continuous inner surface. A fabricator resource disposes the mold fabrication element into a cavity of an injection mold assembly; surface contours on the inner surface of cavity as well as the respective continuous inner surface of the mold fabrication element exposed in the cavity define an outer surface of a resulting injection molded part. To create the injection molded part, the fabricator resource injects liquefied material into the cavity. The injected material contacts the continuous inner surface of the hollowed volume in the mold fabrication element as well as the surface contours of the cavity. After the injected material solidifies, the fabricator resource removes a combination of the injection molded part and the mold fabrication element. The fabricator resource separates the mold fabrication element from the injection molded part for further processing and use of the injection molded part.
Abstract:
A combined pressure and temperature sensing device includes a sensor port geometry that provides improved contact between a fluid media being measured and a thermistor cavity of the sensor port. The increased contact area provides improved response time and accuracy compared to previously known integrated pressure-temperature sensors. A temperature sensor element is offset from a pressure sensor element relative to a central axis of the temperature-pressure sensor body/package to facilitate substantially increasing a pressures sensor cavity volume without increasing the overall sensor port diameter. A wire-bondable thermistor support portion facilitates high volume automated production line. The temperature sensing element may be resistance welded to the thermistor support portion in a parallel manufacturing process.
Abstract:
In electrical systems with DC-DC converters having synchronous rectification (SR) on the output stage, the input voltage can be monitored. When a potentially destructive transient occurs, the SR is rapidly turned on in a non-synchronous manner to “crowbar” the main power transformer. The resulting short circuit is reflected back to the DC input under current-limited pulse width modulation (PWM) control. In effect, the entire surge rating of the power train is applied to the potentially destructive input transient. The clamping capacity can be controlled accurately and is significantly more than what is available in prior art components and systems. When the input voltage is pulled down to safe levels, the clamp circuit disengages and the DC-DC converter returns to normal operation. DC output voltage regulation to the connected load is not maintained during this clamping event, but maintaining output voltage regulation during such destructive transients is not required.
Abstract:
A circuit assembly includes one or more electrical conductors. Each of the electrical conductors has a first axial end and a second axial end; the first axial end is disposed opposite the second axial end. The assembly further comprises a non-electrically conductive retainer component operable to: i) retain the electrical conductor and ii) contact a lateral side and/or tip of the electrical conductor onto a conductive pad of a circuit board. The retainer component exerts an appropriate force with respect to the one or more electrical conductors such that, a respective lateral side and/or tip of each of the electrical conductors contact a corresponding electrically conductive pad on the circuit board.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a speed sensor includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion includes a sensing assembly for generating a signal associated with a movement of an object external to the speed sensor. The second portion includes a wiring harness for transferring the generated signal to a device external to the speed sensor. The first portion and the second portion are joined. The third portion is over-molded over a point of the speed sensor where the first portion joins the second portion. Over-molding the third portion at the point may act to seal the point from outside contaminants. Moreover, over-molding the third portion at the point may act to strengthen the speed sensor at the point.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for reduction of non-linearity errors in automotive pressure sensors. A pressure sensor includes a pressure sensing element including a pair of parallel electrodes, a pair of ceramic plates, rigid glass seals and a connection between the pair of parallel electrodes and an integrated circuit (IC). The IC executes a linear mapping function of a 1/Cx value after a Cx value is captured from the pressure sensing element, C representing a capacitance, the linear mapping function reducing a non-linearity error to enable two point calibration of a relationship between pressure and capacitance.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for a package on package (POP) thermal forcing device. A thermal interposer includes a test probe guide and insulator top, a thermal conductor, the test probe guide and insulator top affixed to a top surface of the thermal conductor, a test probe, and a test probe guide and insulator bottom affixed to a bottom surface of the thermal conductor, the test probe guide and insulator bottom configured in a ring-like shape to enable the thermal conductor to pass through and make contact with a bottom of a package on package (PoP) integrated circuit (IC).
Abstract:
A switch assembly including a housing. An escutcheon portion on the front surface of the housing has a raised platform. A transition ramp extends from the platform to a rest area and a finger area is adjacent the rest area. A perimeter frame encloses the finger area so that the escutcheon portion defines opposing notches aligned with the rest area. A handle has a hub with an axial bore so that a pivot pin insert through the axial bore rotatably couples the handle to the housing. A finger grip extends from the hub. The finger grip has a surface for selectively abutting against the rest area and a textured portion for manual actuation when a finger in inserted into the finger area.