Abstract: A clockspring for powering a heated steering wheel having a resettable fuse connected in series between the heating element and a power source for the heating element. When a predetermined current limit is exceeded the resettable fuse trips and breaks the circuit providing power to the heating element. After the resettable fuse cools, the resettable fuse automatically reestablished the connection between the heating element and the power source for the heating element. The resettable fuse can be easily and economically implemented into a conventional clockspring, thus enabling a conventional clockspring to provide electrical connections for high current devices, such as a steering wheel heating element. Moreover, the present invention provides a reliable and cost effective safety device for preventing damage to the clockspring and the vehicle, and serious injury to a driver or a passenger.

Abstract: A vehicle door (22) has a window (24) capable of being opened and closed. A master power window switch assembly (26) is mountable in an arm rest (28) of the door (22) near a driver of the vehicle. A polyswitch resettable fuse (56) is connected to a printed circuit board (50) of a master power window switch assembly (26) through a jumper terminal (58). An electrically conductive trace (52) is electrically connected to the jumper terminal (58). The polyswitch resettable fuse (56) may be used to limit current in the conductive trace (52) on the circuit board (50). Locating the polyswitch resettable fuse (56) between the power source (40) and the circuit board (50) permits design of the conductive traces (52), (53) and the circuit board electrical components for normal operating currents instead of significantly larger foreseeable motor stall current levels.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for controlling movement of a vehicle power window (22) between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The apparatus (20) comprises an energizable electric motor (66) for, when energized, moving the window (22). A switch assembly (62) for energizing the electric motor (66) to move the vehicle window (22) to one of the positions. The switch assembly (62) includes a first electrical contact (282) and a second electrical contact (284) electrically insulated from the first electrical contact. An electrically conductive disk (286) has a periphery (288) domed portion (290) and is in electrical communication with one of the first and second electrical contacts (282, 284) at a portion of a periphery of the disk. The other of the first and second electrical contacts (282, 284) is located adjacent the disk (286) and initially spaced from the disk.