Resistive position indicator
US4958138A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 1988 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B7/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Resistive position indicator has an enlongated resistive element with an electrical terminal at each end and a tap which can be brought into contact with the resistive element. A contact point divides the resistive element into two portions and is movable along the resistive element, so that the resistance ratio between the two portions of the resistive element can be varied within wide limits. The resistive element consists of a layer of resistive material applied on a substrate of electrically insulating material. The tap comprises an elongated contact portion of electrically conducting material applied on a substrate and positioned in front of, parallel to, and slightly spaced from the resistive element, so that an air gap is formed between the resistive element and the contact portion of the tap. At least one substrate consists of a flexible foil, so that the air gap between the resistive element and the contact portion of the tap can be eliminated at any point along the resistive element by a compressive force on the flexible foil, so that the contact portion of the tap is brought into contact with the resistive layer at that point. The substrates can be a continuous strip of …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.