Murata Electronics Introduces Low Profile Contact Rotary Position Sensor; Thinner SMD Sensor Provides More Reliable and Less Expensive Solution for Automotive and Entertainment Industries

    SMYRNA, Ga.--Dec. 11, 2001--Murata Electronics North America (www.murata.com), a world-leading innovator in electronics, today announced the introduction of a new contact rotary position sensor (PVS1 series) for the automotive and entertainment markets.
    Manufactured using highly resistive materials and wipers, the surface mount rotary position sensor has a long rotational life, achieving one million rotational cycles. This cycle is 1,000 times longer than similar products and responds to requirements for rotational lives of several hundred thousand.
    Murata's SMD sensor also provides a greater level of accuracy and reliability and offers substantial cost savings. Further, with a design profile of 2.1 mm, it is the thinnest in the world.
    Because of these characteristics, the PVS1 series is ideal for use throughout various industries. Among its applications for the automotive market are automatic seat and mirror position adjustments, as well as trunk opening and climate control regulations. Murata's sensor works by detecting the angle and position of equipment through the change of the output voltage.
    "The PVS1 series is tailored to the automotive industry, a tremendously important market to Murata," said Kozo Kagawa, Group Product Manager for Murata Electronics North America. "The sensor allows engineers more liberty in their design because it is smaller, thinner and less expensive."
    In addition to its automotive applications, the sensor is well suited for use in the entertainment industry. The sensor can be used in robotic pets, electronic motor driven bicycles and radio-controlled toys. This market has experienced a surge recently and promises to continue its growth in the years to come.
    For example, industry trends indicate that robotic pets will require more precise motions to perform like real animals - further fueling a demand for sensors like Murata's.
    The PVS1 series also provides lead-free construction, making it well suited for the high peak temperature re-flow soldering process and compliant with environmental regulations. It also incorporates sealed construction, giving it a stable performance, as well as a D-formation through-hole rotor (which enables the selection of many kinds of gear shapes).
    The series is available in a tape and reel package.
    Murata's sample price for the PVS1 series is approximately 50 cents. The lead-time is eight to nine weeks.

    About Murata Electronics North America

    Murata Electronics North America, Inc. (www.murata.com) is one of 47 wholly-owned subsidiaries of the worldwide organization of Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. of Japan (NIKKEI:6981). Established in 1965, U.S. operations are headquartered in Smyrna, Georgia, with a manufacturing facility in State College, Pennsylvania.
    Murata is a leading patent holder and global manufacturer of ceramic electronic components for the telecommunications, computer/peripheral, automotive, communications and EDP markets.