Abstract: An assembly and method for mounting a stator in an inner stator motor that facilitates insertion and removal of the stator, militates against stator rotation during motor operation and allows the stator to be securely and accurately mounted. The assembly includes a motor housing having a hollow stator post, a stator, and a fastener.

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: The present invention consists of an electrical communications device including a three-dimensional substrate and a plurality of electrical devices attached thereto. The substrate is preferably a dielectric. The electrical device is preferably of the sort needed to conduct high frequency communications, such as a microwave antenna and photonic receivers and transmitters. The electrical devices are attached to the substrate at the connection points described by the intersection of a series vias and one of the substrate surfaces. The electrical devices are attached to the substrate in numerous ways, including solder, flipped chip ball bonds, wire bonds, or a gold stud assembly. In particular, the gold stud assembly is utilized to attach the antenna to the substrate, thereby providing a predetermined air gap therebetween.

Abstract: An antenna system for receiving communication signals from satellites having plurality of subplates, a plurality of antenna nodes supported on the top surface of each subplate, and an electronic control unit to which the subplates are fixed and aligned and a collapsible support stand fixed to the bottom of the electronic control unit opposite the subplates in which the subplates, electronic control unit and stand interconnect to form an easily assembled lightweight antenna assembly that may be disassembled into easily portable components.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp that includes an integrated sensor for interacting with an operating environment of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle lamp includes a sensor and a light channel adapted to transmit data received by the sensor. The vehicle lamp can also include a flat wire that has a component integrally formed by the light channel. A vehicle illumination and data transmission system is also provided. The system includes vehicle lamps according to the present invention, and can include sensor processors located within each of a plurality of lamps, or sensor processors that are centrally located within the vehicle. A system processor is connected to the sensor processors and enables operating decisions based upon data received from the environment by the sensors.

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: The present invention consists of an electrical communications device including a three-dimensional substrate and a plurality of electrical devices attached thereto. The substrate is preferably a dielectric. The electrical device is preferably of the sort needed to conduct high frequency communications, such as a microwave antenna and photonic receivers and transmitters. The electrical devices are attached to the substrate at the connection points described by the intersection of a series vias and one of the substrate surfaces. The electrical devices are attached to the substrate in numerous ways, including solder, flipped chip ball bonds, wire bonds, or a gold stud assembly. In particular, the gold stud assembly is utilized to attach the antenna to the substrate, thereby providing a predetermined air gap therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp that includes an integrated sensor for interacting with an operating environment of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle lamp includes a sensor and a light channel adapted to transmit data received by the sensor. The vehicle lamp can also include a flat wire that has a component integrally formed by the light channel. A vehicle illumination and data transmission system is also provided. The system includes vehicle lamps according to the present invention, and can include sensor processors located within each of a plurality of lamps, or sensor processors that are centrally located within the vehicle. A system processor is connected to the sensor processors and enables operating decisions based upon data received from the environment by the sensors.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed grounding an electrical connection to a magnesium cross beam of a motor vehicle. In order to ensure proper grounding, the cross beam is provided with a copper connector. The connector defines a first aperture. An electric circuit is preferably traced on a plastic substrate, where the substrate defines a second aperture. The substrate is placed on top of the cross beam such that the first aperture and the second aperture are aligned with each other. An attaching means such as screws is inserted through the first aperture to the second aperture such that the substrate is attached to the cross beam. In order to prevent the movement of the substrate relative to the cross beam the second aperture is provided with a washer.

Abstract: A method for attaching an electronic die to a substrate is disclosed. Preferably, the method includes depositing a pad of low temperature die attachment material within a die attachment area on the substrate, positioning the die over the pad of low temperature die attachment material, and compressing the die against the substrate to expel air trapped within the pad of low temperature die attachment material. Further, a bead of containment material is deposited onto the substrate to define the die attachment area. In this manner, the die attachment material is contained on the substrate. Thus, the method of the present invention improves the reliability of the electronic die.

Abstract: A multi-layer electronic circuit board design 10 having selectively formed apertures or cavities 26, and which includes grooves or troughs 20, 22 which are effective to selectively entrap liquefied adhesive material, thereby substantially preventing the adhesive material from entering the apertures 26.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed grounding an electrical connection to a magnesium cross beam of a motor vehicle. In order to ensure proper grounding, the cross beam is provided with a copper connector. The connector defines a first aperture. An electric circuit is preferably traced on a plastic substrate, where the substrate defines a second aperture. The substrate is placed on top of the cross beam such that the first aperture and the second aperture are aligned with each other. An attaching means such as screws is inserted through the first aperture to the second aperture such that the substrate is attached to the cross beam. In order to prevent the movement of the substrate relative to the cross beam the second aperture is provided with a washer.

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 multi-layer electronic circuit board design 10 having selectively formed apertures or cavities 26, and which includes grooves or troughs 20, 22 which are effective to selectively entrap liquefied adhesive material, thereby substantially preventing the adhesive material from entering the apertures 26.

Abstract: A method for attaching an electronic die to a substrate is disclosed. Preferably, the method includes depositing a pad of low temperature die attachment material within a die attachment area on the substrate, positioning the die over the pad of low temperature die attachment material, and compressing the die against the substrate to expel air trapped within the pad of low temperature die attachment material. Further, a bead of containment material is deposited onto the substrate to define the die attachment area. In this manner, the die attachment material is contained on the substrate. Thus, the method of the present invention improves the reliability of the electronic die.

Abstract: A container defines an annular chamber that is partially filled with a liquid coolant. The container is capable of receiving a cooling conduit in which forced air or liquid flows. Heat generated by an electronic device is transferred to the liquid coolant within the container and causes the liquid coolant to boil. The vaporized coolant rises away from the electronic device carrying the latent heat of vaporization. The vaporized coolant condenses on and near surfaces within the container cooled by the cooling conduit and the heat is transferred to the air or liquid within the cooling conduit. The condensed coolant travels back toward the electronic device via gravity and/or a wick structure.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a flexible multilayer substrate having integral electrically-conductive traces that also includes, as a lowermost layer, a metal foil. A plurality of uppermost layers, likewise including a metal foil, form a thin barrier member that is sealingly attached to the substrate's other layers. In this manner, a plurality of electronic components, mounted on the substrate's other layers so as to be electrically interconnected with the traces before sealingly attaching the barrier member, are encapsulated within metal foil to provide an environmentally-sealed assembly featuring improved resistance to moisture diffusion and penetration/permeation of other substances characteristic of the assembly's service environment into the assembly. A filler material, also encapsulated within the metal foil, is operative to neutralize a predetermined amount of a penetrant, further improving the operability and service life of the assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus for bulk-feeding electronic components which utilizes magnetic force and a rotating feeder tube to properly orient the components for presentment to an automated pick-and-place machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of assembling vehicle instrument panel structural and electronic components includes: 1) fabricating an insulative instrument panel base substrate; 2) applying a conductive pattern to the base substrate; and 3) attaching electronic components to the base substrate in electrical communication with the conductive pattern.