(19)
(11) EP 0 202 764 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
20.04.1988 Bulletin 1988/16

(43) Date of publication A2:
26.11.1986 Bulletin 1986/48

(21) Application number: 86302820

(22) Date of filing: 16.04.1986
(84) Designated Contracting States:
BE DE FR GB IT NL SE

(30) Priority: 17.04.1985 GB 8509773

(71) Applicant: CRYSTALATE ELECTRONICS LIMITED
 ()

(72) Inventor:
  • Hester, George Howard
     ()

   


(54) Potentiometer


(57) A potentiometer, particularly suitable for use in automotive engine management systems, comprises a film resistance track (1) on a substrate (2) and terminals (10, 11) for connection to a voltage source. A wiper (3, 7) traverses the track (1) and a conductive collector (8) which is connected to a terminal (6) at which an output voltage is obtained. A film resistor network (9A, 9B) is provided at one or both ends of the track (1) in series with the track (1) and the terminals (10, 11), or in parallel with a portion (1A) of the track(1) at one or both ends thereof. The networks (9A, 9B) comprise interconnected resistance elements formed by application of conductive film links (14A, 14B) to a single film resistance element (12A, 12B), the links (14A, 14B) being selectively severable to allow adjustment, to a predetermined value, of the resistance of the network(s) (9A, 9B) in series with the track (1) or in parallel with the portion (1A) of the track (1). The networks (9A, 9B) allow the output voltage characteristics of the potentiometer with respect to the wiper position, to be adjusted.







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