A protective device includes an airbag assembly configured to extend at least partially around a waist or hips of an individual; a buckle attached to the airbag assembly, the buckle comprising a first buckle half, and a second buckle half, the first and second buckle halves being attachable to and detachable from one another; and an airbag actuator configured to actuate the airbag assembly. At least a portion of the airbag actuator is disposed in the first buckle half or the second buckle half.

A protective device includes an airbag assembly configured to extend at least partially around a waist or hips of an individual; a buckle attached to the airbag assembly, the buckle comprising a first buckle half, and a second buckle half, the first and second buckle halves being attachable to and detachable from one another; and an airbag actuator configured to actuate the airbag assembly. At least a portion of the airbag actuator is disposed in the first buckle half or the second buckle half.

In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a temperature measurement circuit configured to produce a first signal indicating a first operating temperature of a first semiconductor device and a temperature comparison circuit operationally coupled with the temperature measurement circuit. The temperature comparison circuit can be configured to compare the first signal with a second signal indicating a second operating temperature of at least a second semiconductor device and produce a comparison signal indicating whether the indicated first operating temperature is higher, lower or equal to the indicated second operating temperature. The apparatus can also include an adjustment circuit configured to adjust operation of the first semiconductor device based on the comparison signal.

The invention relates a power distribution system (1) like a track lighting system comprising a power supply (2), a power bar (3) comprising several electrical conductors (4, 5, 6) for distributing the power, an electrical load (12) to be powered by the power of the power distribution system, a selector switch (11) connected to the several electrical conductors and to the electrical load, wherein the selector switch is adapted to select via which electrical conductor the power is to be received by the electrical load, and a controlling device (10) for automatically controlling the selector switch. This kind of power distribution system provides a relatively large variability of adapting the power consumption to an actual load situation, which can lead to an improved performance of the power distribution system. In particular, power balancing can be provided in a relatively simple way by automatically controlling the selector switch accordingly.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection includes a housing enclosing a mass member where the housing is configured to enable movement of the mass member from a first position to a second position within the housing in response to receipt by the housing of an acceleration event. The impact indicator also includes switch circuitry and a passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) module coupled to the switch circuitry. Responsive to movement of the mass member from the first position to the second position, the mass member causes a change in the switch circuitry where the change in the switch circuitry causes a change in a value output by the RFID module when activated.

A method of adjusting a switch of a device, wherein the method comprises using a biasing force-adjusting element to adjust a magnitude of a biasing force that is imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element that is disposed about the switching element. The biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a first electrical state and the second position corresponds to a second electrical state.

A method of adjusting a switch of a device, wherein the method comprises using a biasing force-adjusting element to adjust a magnitude of a biasing force that is imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element that is disposed about the switching element. The biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a first electrical state and the second position corresponds to a second electrical state.

A vibration transducer module for detecting a vibratory signal, comprising a base, a spring connected to the base at a first location, a mass mechanically coupled to the spring at a second location remote from the first location, and a wall configured to position a first wall electrode and a second wall electrode a selected distance from the first location, the conductive element positioned and sized to contact the first wall electrode and the second wall electrode. The mass comprises a conductive element, and an energy harvester to provide a first voltage signal. The energy harvester may comprise a piezoelectric material or be construct as a SAW device. The module may be combined with a rectifier and an oscillator to form a vibration sensor.

A vibration transducer module for detecting a vibratory signal, comprising a base, a spring connected to the base at a first location, a mass mechanically coupled to the spring at a second location remote from the first location, and a wall configured to position a first wall electrode and a second wall electrode a selected distance from the first location, the conductive element positioned and sized to contact the first wall electrode and the second wall electrode. The mass comprises a conductive element, and an energy harvester to provide a first voltage signal. The energy harvester may comprise a piezoelectric material or be construct as a SAW device. The module may be combined with a rectifier and an oscillator to form a vibration sensor.

An impact indicator includes a housing configured to enable movement of a mass member from a first position to a second position in response to receipt by the housing of an acceleration event. The indicator also includes switch circuitry having a compressible switch element positionable between spaced apart contacts where the switch element is configured to be in spaced apart relationship to the mass member. A passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) module is coupled to the switch circuitry and, responsive to movement of the mass member from the first position to the second position, the mass member causes a positional change of the switch element relative to the first and second contacts, and the positional change causes a state change in the switch circuitry. The RFID module outputs a value based on the state of the switch circuitry when energized.