Abstract: A battery terminal shield comprises a base including a lower wall having an orifice for receiving a battery terminal and a cover including an upper wall and a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the periphery of the upper wall. Preferably, the cover includes an integral generally cylindrical hinge pin having opposite axial ends. The base preferably includes a pair of hinge sockets into which the hinge in snap fits to hingedly connect the cover to the base. Each of the hinge sockets comprises a locking finger flexing axially outwardly of the hinge pin upon insertion of the hinge pin.

Abstract: A power system for a display, particularly an electroluminescent display, includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the glass panel. A first power supply circuit supplies a first power output having a first average power and first peak power. A second power circuit generating a second power output having second average power greater than the first average power and a second peak power less than the first peak power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for selectively controlling the lock condition of the doors of a vehicle. The door lock control device includes a set of at least three switch contacts incorporated into a single switch device which allows a user to activate each contact through the use of a single handle. Closure of the three switch contacts provides the user the ability to lock all doors and to selectively unlock subsets of all the doors through the use of the single switch handle. A first switch contact is activated when the switch handle is moved in a desired direction. A second switch contact is activated when the switch handle is further moved in the same direction. A third switch contact is activated when the switch handle is moved in an opposite direction. The second switch contact includes a generally flexible conductive member supported adjacent a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method for holding elements, such as wires, during assembly of a wire harness is for use with a device which includes a partially longitudinally extending slot. The width of the slot is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical elements, so that the elements can be dropped into the slot. However, the width of the slot is small enough, such that upon loading the cylindrical elements into the slot the elements lie in substantially a row. The method includes dropping the elements into the slot, so that the elements are aligned in substantially a row.

Abstract: Vehicle doors generally include a metal door frame connected to an interior trim panel. Electrical connections are made between trim panel electrical connectors, and mating electrical connectors on the door frame. A self-aligning connection system allows one of the connectors to float or aligns with the mating electrical connector by being allowed to move in three directions during assembly. The connection system includes a carriage (46) having a hole, a clip (48), and a base (44). The clip releasably holds one electrical connector (50). The clip (48) is disposable within the carriage (46) so that the clip moves along a first axis and a second axis within the carriage. The base comprises a plate (53) and at least one post (54) extending from the plate. The carriage is placed on the post so that the post extends through the hole. The diameter of the post allows the carriage to be slidably engaged therewith along a third axis.

Abstract: An electrical terminal, particularly for use in automotive applications, includes a body portion electrically connected to a wire connection portion. The body portion has an entry end, an exit end and an interior chamber therebetween. The body portion further has at least three spring members within the interior chamber for holding a blade member in electrical contact with the wire connection portion. The spring members are integral with the body portion and extend rearwardly and inwardly within the interior chamber.

Abstract: The security system generally includes a key having an infrared transmitter and photocells which charge a power supply. The lock includes a pair of infrared receivers and a pair of light sources which charge the power supply in the key. The infrared transmitter in the key sends a key code to the lock via the infrared transmitter and the infrared receivers. A drive away prevention (DAP) module in the lock identifies the key code and enables the ignition of the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-functional automotive vehicle apparatus is described which employs a linear motor to wipe a window in a linear reciprocating manner. The linear motor is capable of selectively actuating three intermittent motion mechanisms, such as a window wiper assembly, a window release latch mechanism, and a liftgate unlock/lock mechanism.

Abstract: Several shade assembly embodiments are disclosed which allow the shade assembly to be mounted in a vehicle interior while accommodating varying interior widths. In one embodiment, spring-biased latches engage a depression in an outer lateral surface of the roller assembly. In a related embodiment, a release button is included on the roller assembly. In an alternative embodiment, a U-shaped spring is biased axially outwardly of the roller assembly to engage a mounting surface on an opposed wall of the vehicle interior. In another embodiment, an end member comprises attachment structure having a lower member biased radially away from a longitudinal axis of an upper member. A bracket receives the end member and has an opening that is smaller than the expanded distance of the end member when the lower member is biased away from the upper member. The upper and lower members can be biased together such that the end member may be moved into the bracket.

Abstract: A junction box has a housing mounted directly to a battery. The junction box includes a terminal that mounts to the post of the battery and secures the housing to the battery. Enclosed within the housing is a printed circuit board for receiving outputs from the terminal and distributing electrical power to a second set of outputs, which can communicate with a wiring harness for further distribution of the electrical power.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for preventing the use of an unauthorized reproduction of a remote unlock signal. In this scenario, the unauthorized reproduction occurs by jamming the receiver from receiving the remote unlock signal while intercepting the remote unlock signal. Generally, the remote unlock signal is transmitted by a transmitter to the receiver within a vehicle having a lock, wherein the receiver initiates an unlock command in response to receiving the transmitted remote unlock signal, and the vehicle lock being mechanically actuated by a key or electronically initiated by the unlock command in a previous locking session.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method and system of encrypting a set of data having a test bit. The method comprises the step of generating a first and a second data string from the set of data. Once generated, the test bit is tested, and should it comprises a first value, the first data string is shifted in a first direction to transfer a carry over bit from a carry over register into the first data string while transferring a first bit of the first data string to said carry over register. This shifting step is followed by the step of shifting the second data string in a second direction to transfer a first bit of the second data string to the carry over register while transferring the carry over bit from the carry over register into the second data string. However, if the test bit comprises a second value, a first logic operation is executed on the first data string with a first number, and a second logic operation is executed on the second data string with a second number.

Abstract: A brush holder apparatus and method for biasing a brush outwardly of a brush box. A brush box cover is slidingly disposed over an electrical cable along with a coil spring. Next, a brush shunt is electrically secured to an end portion of the electrical cable by a crimp member. The brush box cover is then slidably urged towards a brush secured at a terminal end of the brush shunt. This causes the brush shunt to be folded so as to place it in general longitudinal alignment and parallel with the electrical cable. The brush box cover is then further slid along the electrical cable, thus urging the spring over the brush shunt and into engagement with the brush electrically secured at the terminal (i.e., outer) end portion of the brush shunt. The brush box cover is further slid along the electrical cable until the crimp member and a portion of the brush shunt become wedgingly engaged in a portion of the brush box cover, to thereby hold the spring in a compressed condition between the brush box cover and the brush.

Abstract: Several headliner embodiments include a felt layer connected to a cover layer. In the preferred embodiments a pair of felt layers are positioned on both sides of a central mat layer. The mat layer provides loft, while the felt layers in combination with the mat layers provide other desired characteristics for the headliner.

Abstract: A vehicle positioning switch such as a power seat switch is disclosed that combines two separate switch packages (seat switch and memory seat switch) into one switch package without significantly changing the seat switch package size. This simplifies wiring complexity, packaging and reduce costs to the customer and manufacturer. The switch is the integration of a memory seat switch into an eight way seat switch package. By mounting three tact switches to a memory PC board and attaching the PC board assembly to the front cover, separate memory functions are integrated into the seat switch package. The front cover now also serves as the guidance system for the memory buttons. The PC board is connected to the electrical distribution system by a wire harness that is routed around the actuator plate and circuit plate of the manual switch and connected directly to a motor control module.

Abstract: A dual use heads-up display panel for a vehicle may be orientated in a first orientation wherein it displays information onto the window of a vehicle. The display panel may be selectively moved to a facing-forward position wherein it directs information towards the operator of the vehicle. The control for the display panel determines which of the two positions the display panel is in, and modifies the information displayed on the panel accordingly. The information should be reversed in a mirror image between the two orientations such that it is properly orientated when read off of the windshield, and is also properly orientated when read from the facing-forward position. In a further feature, a convergent optical system, which may be a lens, is placed in the path of the light from the display panel when in the heads-up position. The lens causes the size of the information displayed on the windshield to be reduced such that its intensity is increased.

Abstract: A transmission shift lever interlock comprises a locking cam and a latch. The locking cam engages the shift lever as it is moved to or from the park position. A bias spring normally moves the latch into engagement with the cam when the shift lever is moved from the park position to prevent movement of the cam to lock the shift lever. The latch is held out of engagement with the cam, however, by a holding solenoid when the brakes are applied. The cam is able to rotate and allow the shift lever to be moved to the park position regardless of whether the solenoid is energized.

Abstract: A switch stalk includes a stalk lever comprising a knob mounted on a base portion. The knob is mountable on the base portion in one of a plurality of orientations. A different set of rotational stops are provided in each orientation in which the knob can be mounted on the base portion. Therefore, the knob is rotatable through a different displacement in each of the orientations in which it is mounted. Further, a different set of detents is provided in each orientation in which the knob is mounted on the base portion.

Abstract: Flat flexible cable includes at least one conductor with an insulating film disposed thereabout. The cable further includes an opening through the film not in contact with the conductor. A connector for use with the flat flexible cable, includes an opening and a means for retaining the cable within the opening. The opening receives the cable such that one end of the cable is within the connector. The means for releasably retaining the cable within the opening is disposed through the opening in the cable, so that any force on the cable is transferred to the connector.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for alternate action switching devices having at least two states includes a housing structure and an actuator member slidably engaged therewith. In order to move the switching device between states, the actuator member has a contoured surface that moves along and remains in constant sliding engagement with a correspondingly contoured surface on the housing. A biasing member urges the actuator surface into the housing surface throughout operation. This provides noiseless operation of the switching device.