This application discloses a photovoltaic direct-current breaking apparatus, including a positive connection terminal and a negative connection terminal for connecting a photovoltaic string and a photovoltaic energy converter, a first diode, a first switch, a convector circuit, and an energy absorption circuit, where the first switch, the convector circuit, and the energy absorption circuit are connected in parallel. The convector circuit can effectively avoid arc discharge and ablation generated when the first switch cuts off a direct-current circuit between the photovoltaic string and the photovoltaic energy converter. The first diode can effectively bypass energy stored by an energy storage device in the photovoltaic energy converter, helping reduce required specifications of a semiconductor device in the convector circuit. The energy absorption circuit can also effectively reduce required specifications of the semiconductor device and a varistor.

A method of controlling a current path range using an electric field is disclosed, and the method of controlling a current path range includes applying an electric field to an active layer including a spontaneous polarization material through an application electrode disposed adjacent to the active layer to form a polarization region of the active layer, and forming a variable low resistance region corresponding to a boundary of the polarization region, wherein the variable low resistance region is a region of the active layer having a lower electrical resistance than another region of the active layer adjacent to the variable low resistance region and allows an electrical path to be formed.

A control knob assembly includes a rotating shaft coupled with a controllable device. A base is fixed to a mounting surface where the rotating shaft extends therethrough. A fork includes a detent and a tab. The fork is positioned on top of the base and slidably engaged therewith. A gear includes teeth configured to receive the detent and an upper groove. The gear is positioned on top of the fork with the rotating shaft extending therethrough. A knob includes a cavity that is fixedly engaged to the rotating shaft above the base, fork and gear, with the tab extending radially outwardly from underneath the knob. A biasing member is secured to the knob and is configured to engage the gear upper groove such that when engaged the gear rotates with the knob. A set position is established and repositioned by engaging the tab.

A seesaw type operation unit having a new configuration is provided. A swinging member is capable of swinging in a predetermined direction with a rotation axis at a center. An urging member urges the swinging member to a neutral position. A detector includes a rotating portion which is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis and rotates integrally with the swinging member, and outputs a signal depending on a rotation amount of the rotating portion. An operating member receives an operation from an outside and causes the swinging member to rotate in the predetermined direction by the operation. A supporting member rotatably and coaxially supports the swinging member and the operating member. In a case where the operating member is rotated in the predetermined direction, the operating member pushes an end of the swinging member to rotate the operating member, the swinging member, and the rotating portion integrally with one another.

A control knob assembly includes a rotating shaft coupled with a controllable device. A base is fixed to a mounting surface where the rotating shaft extends therethrough. A fork includes a detent and a tab. The fork is positioned on top of the base and slidably engaged therewith. A gear includes teeth configured to receive the detent and an upper groove. The gear is positioned on top of the fork with the rotating shaft extending therethrough. A knob includes a cavity that is fixedly engaged to the rotating shaft above the base, fork and gear, with the tab extending radially outwardly from underneath the knob. A biasing member is secured to the knob and is configured to engage the gear upper groove such that when engaged the gear rotates with the knob. A set position is established and repositioned by engaging the tab.

A time domain temperature sensor circuit includes a voltage generating circuit configured to generate and equalize a first voltage of a first node and a second voltage of a second node, a current generating circuit comprising a first semiconductor device connected between the first node and a ground, and configured to generate a first current, and a variable resistor circuit and a second semiconductor device connected in series between the second node and the ground, and configured to generate a second current, the variable resistor circuit being configured to vary a temperature gradient of the second current based on resistance variations by the variable resistor circuit, and a current mirror circuit configured to generate a third current by performing current mirroring of the second current and transmit the third current to an output terminal.

A wall-mountable load control device may include an illuminated rotary knob for providing a nightlight feature. The load control device may be configured to control an intensity of a lighting load. The load control device may include a yoke adapted to be mounted to an electrical wall box, an enclosure attached to the yoke, a faceplate attached to the yoke and having an opening, a mounting member attached to the yoke, and/or a potentiometer located within the enclosure and having a shaft extending through an opening in the yoke and the opening of the faceplate. The load control device may include a collar attached to the boss of the mounting member and surrounding the shaft of the potentiometer. The mounting member may be configured to conduct light from at least one light source housed within the enclosure to illuminate the faceplate.

A vehicle toggle switch includes a toggle button body configured to move and to correspond to a toggle up position or a toggle down position, the toggle up position corresponds to activation of a first vehicle function, and the toggle down position corresponds to activation of a second vehicle function, a mating portion of the toggle button body that includes an end, and a potentiometer connected to the end of the mating portion and is configured to rotate in response to the movement of the toggle button body and to output a voltage in response to the rotation of the potentiometer.

A vehicle toggle switch includes a toggle button body configured to move and to correspond to a toggle up position or a toggle down position, the toggle up position corresponds to activation of a first vehicle function, and the toggle down position corresponds to activation of a second vehicle function, a mating portion of the toggle button body that includes an end, and a potentiometer connected to the end of the mating portion and is configured to rotate in response to the movement of the toggle button body and to output a voltage in response to the rotation of the potentiometer.

A method for manufacturing a chip component includes forming an element, which includes a plurality of element parts, on a substrate. A plurality of fuses are formed, for disconnectably connecting each of the plurality of element parts to an external connection electrode. The external connection electrode, which is arranged to provide external connection for the element, is formed by electroless plating on the substrate.