Abstract: A lens assembly for an electronic display, and a method of manufacturing said lens assembly is provided herein. The lens assembly includes a first lens layer, the first lens layer defining a surface opposing a viewer of the lens assembly; a second lens layer opposing a second surface of the first lens layer, the second surface being on an opposite side of the surface; a reservoir formed by the first lens layer and the second lens layer placed on a border, a liquid optical clear adhesive (loca) deposited into the reservoir; and a touch sensor attached to either the first lens layer and the second lens layer.

Abstract: A seal between an outer part and a circular cylindrical inner part, which is accommodated within the outer part at least in sections, includes a sealing ring having a groove portion and consisting of high-temperature-resistant thermoplastic plastics material. The outer part and the inner part are movable in a linear manner in relation to each other. A circumferential groove, into which the groove portion of the sealing ring is inserted at least in sections, is realized on an inner circumference of the outer part or on an outer circumference of the inner part. The sealing ring is in one part, and the groove is closed.

Abstract: A seal between an outer part and a circular cylindrical inner part, which is accommodated within the outer part at least in sections, includes a sealing ring having a groove portion and consisting of high-temperature-resistant thermoplastic plastics material. The outer part and the inner part are movable in a linear manner in relation to each other. A circumferential groove, into which the groove portion of the sealing ring is inserted at least in sections, is realized on an inner circumference of the outer part or on an outer circumference of the inner part. The sealing ring is in one part, and the groove is closed.

Abstract: An integrated vehicle structure includes an electronic site in a plastic support structure. The electronic site has a flexible substrate with electronic components mounted thereon. The plastic support structure defines a plastic mounting surface which includes a plurality of elongated ribs projecting from the plastic support structure. Each of the ribs have a side edge forming a portion of the plastic mounting surface. The flexible substrate is mounted to the plastic mounting surface, and a plurality of air flow passageways are defined by adjacent ribs in the flexible substrate. A method support structure may also be provided which defines a metal mounting surface. One or more electronic sides may be attached to the metal and plastic mounting surfaces.

Abstract: An integrated light and accessory assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes at least one lamp for illumination of a vehicle, and also includes reflective, conductive and insulative portions inside a housing, and a module for controlling or accessorizing the assembly. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the assembly. The method includes providing materials for molding or shaping the components of the assembly, selectively etching conductive materials, molding the materials into a desired configuration, connecting a lamp and an accessory module to the conductive portions, and enclosing the components in a housing. A portion of the module may be removed for emergency lighting.

Abstract: An automobile instrument panel assembly may be used in the cockpit of an automobile. The assembly includes a cross-car structure having a plurality of recesses and protrusions along the length of the structure and a plurality of generally planar surfaces. A plurality of HVAC components are adapted to closely fit within one or more of the plurality of recesses within the structure, and at least one flatwire bus is affixed to the generally planar surfaces of the structure.

Abstract: A trailer accessory stabilizing device for inserting into a motor vehicle trailer hitch receiver, said device comprising a shank member and a wedge member adapted for insertion into said hitch receiver, each member having abutting edges that align along a compound miter, and a rod for moving the members along the two planes of the compound miter thereby causing forces to be exerted in four opposite and opposing directions against the inner walls of the trailer hitch receiver which in turn results in an substantially immovable friction-fit between the device and the trailer hitch receiver. Whereupon, a variety of accessories may be fitted or mounted on to shank portion extending outward from the trailer hitch receiver.

Abstract: An integrated control system comprising an integrated circuit that controls at least one component or subsystem of an engine and a first light source that generates a first light signal when triggered through the integrated circuit. The first light signal propagates from the first light source through an LCC that may also serve as a substrate, wherein the signal that actuates the component of the engine can be the first light signal or a signal generated after the first light signal is produced. The component or subsystem of the engine may be an ignition system or a fuel injection system. The present invention is also directed to a method of controlling a component or subsystem of an engine.

Abstract: An automobile instrument panel assembly for the cockpit of an automobile. The assembly includes a cross-car structure having a plurality of recesses and protrusions along the length of the structure and a plurality of generally planar surfaces. A plurality of HVAC components are adapted to closely fit within one or more of the plurality of recesses within the structure, and at least one flatwire bus is affixed to the generally planar surfaces of the structure.

Abstract: A method 10 for making a multi-layer circuit board 70 having at least one electrically conductive interconnection portion or “via” 72 which extends within the board 70 and at least one air-bridge 74. The method 10 includes the steps of forming protuberances 13 upon a core member 12, attaching pre-circuit assemblies 32, 34 to the core member 12, thereby forming the circuit board 70 while concomitantly and selectively extending at least one of the protuberances 13 within the formed circuit board 70.

Abstract: An integrated control system comprising an integrated circuit that controls at least one component or subsystem of an engine and a first light source that generates a first light signal when triggered through the integrated circuit. The first light signal propagates from the first light source through an LCC that may also serve as a substrate, wherein the signal that actuates the component of the engine can be the first light signal or a signal generated after the first light signal is produced. The component or subsystem of the engine may be an ignition system or a fuel injection system. The present invention is also directed to a method of controlling a component or subsystem of an engine.

Abstract: An integrated light and accessory assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes at least one lamp for illumination of a vehicle, and also includes reflective, conductive and insulative portions inside a housing, and a module for controlling or accessorizing the assembly. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the assembly. The method includes providing materials for molding or shaping the components of the assembly, selectively etching conductive materials, molding the materials into a desired configuration, connecting a lamp and an accessory module to the conductive portions, and enclosing the components in a housing. A portion of the module may be removed for emergency lighting.

Abstract: A method for repairing a flatwire conductor is disclosed. The method includes aligning a cutting tool along the flatwire conductor at a first cut zone, cutting the flatwire along a transverse axis of the flatwire within the first cut zone, removing the cutting tool from the flatwire, aligning the cutting tool along the flatwire at a second cut zone, cutting the flatwire within the second cut zone, and removing the cutting tool and flatwire attached thereto to allow for replacement of the flatwire.

Abstract: A multi-layer electronic circuit board design 10 having a core member 12, a pair of dielectric layers 14, 16 disposed thereon, and a first circuit portion 20 which is coupled to the dielectric layer 14 and core member 12 using a layer of adhesive material 18. Circuit board design 10 further having selectively formed “blind” apertures, vias or cavities 22 formed through the first circuit portion 20, dielectric layer 14, and adhesive layer 18, thereby exposing core member 12.

Abstract: A method 10, 110 for making multi-layer circuit boards having metallized apertures 38, 40, 130, 132 which may be selectively and electrically grounded and having at least one formed air-bridge 92, 178.

Abstract: A method 10, 110 for making multi-layer electronic circuit boards 82, 148 having metallized apertures 18, 20, 118, 120 which may be selectively and electrically connected to a source of ground potential.

Abstract: A method 10, 110 for making multi-layer circuit boards having metallized apertures 38, 40, 130, 132 which may be selectively and electrically grounded and having at least one formed air-bridge 92, 178.

Abstract: A method 10 for making a multi-layer circuit board 70 having at least one electrically conductive interconnection portion or “via” 72 which extends within the board 70 and at least one air-bridge 74. The method 10 includes the steps of forming protuberances 13 upon a core member 12, attaching pre-circuit assemblies 32, 34 to the core member 12, thereby forming the circuit board 70 while concomitantly and selectively extending at least one of the protuberances 13 within the formed circuit board 70.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a printed circuit board (PCB) having enhanced mounting pads useful for overprinting solder paste and for repair of the solder joints. The PCB comprises: a dielectric substrate 10 having at least one mounting pad 20 thereon, wherein each mounting pad is arranged in matched relation with a respective termination 32 of an electronic component 30. Each mounting pad 20 includes a main body portion 24 and one or more fingerlike extensions 26 extending outward from the main body portion and away from a projected footprint 34 of the electronic component.

Abstract: A method 10, 110 for making multi-layer electronic circuit boards 82, 148 having metallized apertures 18, 20, 118, 120 which may be selectively and electrically connected to a source of ground potential.