Abstract: A ganged electrical connection system includes an arrangement defining a plurality of receptacles. A plurality of first connectors is receivably coupled in the plurality of receptacles. A plurality of second connectors is matable to the plurality of coupled first connectors of the arrangement along mating axes. Positional mating tolerance variation associated with the plurality of second connectors in relation to the plurality of coupled first connectors manifested at the plurality of receptacles when the plurality of second connectors are mated to the plurality of coupled first connectors is absorbed by the arrangement. The plurality of the plurality of second connectors mate with the plurality of coupled first connectors in a single unimpeded, uninterrupted mating connection. A ganged electrical system for an electric-type vehicle is also presented.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided, and includes a first connector, a second connector, and a CPA device. The first connector has a stopper feature, a first end and a second end that generally opposes the first end. The stopper feature has a recess provided therein and a stopper surface. The second connector is received by the first connector. The second connector includes a shroud that slides over the first end of the first connector in a first direction. The CPA device is slidingly engaged with the second end of the first connector in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction. The CPA device has a flexible arm that is selectively deformable. In a pre-stage position, the flexible arm abuts against the stopper surface to restrict relative movement of the CPA device in the second direction.

Abstract: A method of forming a seal about an electrically conductive core of a cable having an insulative outer cover and a terminal includes the steps of providing a lead of the core extending beyond an axial edge of the insulative outer cover; spraying a conformal coating onto the lead; crimping the terminal onto the cable while the conformal coating is still wet to displace the conformal coating from between the lead and the abutting contact surfaces of the terminal and to cover and seal remaining portions of the lead not in direct contact with the terminal with the conformal coating and curing the conformal coating over the remaining portions of the lead.

Abstract: A sealed electrical splice assembly includes a housing defining a cavity and including an opening. A conductive bus plate is retained in the cavity. A plurality of electrically conductive terminals are received in the cavity are electrically connected to the bus plate. The plurality of terminals are connected to a plurality of wire conductors. A seal plug is disposed in the cavity through the opening adapted to sealingly engage an interior surface of the housing surrounding the seal plug. An end cover overlies the seal plug disposed in the opening. The cavity receives the plurality of terminals through the end cover and the seal plug thereby allowing the seal plug to sealingly engage the plurality of wire conductors.

Abstract: An audio system configured to fade audio outputs and method thereof are provided, wherein the audio system includes a first speaker, a second speaker, a low-frequency output speaker, wherein the low-frequency output speaker is proximate the at least one second speaker, and a receiver configured to alter a signal communicated to the first speaker, the second speaker, and the low-frequency output speaker, such that the audio outputs thereof are faded. The audio system further includes a filter in communication between the receiver and the first speaker, wherein the filter is configured to limit a frequency of the signal communicated from the receiver to the first speaker, and a processor configured to alter a frequency limit of the filter, such that a low frequency portion of the signal is received by the first speaker, and a low-frequency output of the first speaker is increased approximately proportionately to the fade of the second speaker, the low-frequency output speaker, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A first connector is matable to a second connector in an electrical connection system. The first connector has a connector body that contains a primary and a secondary latch. The respective latches and the connector body of the first connector are molded to form a single unitary piece. The single unitary piece is constructed to define a space intermediate the primary latch and the connector body. The space is adapted to fit a latch position assurance lock to prevent displacement of the primary latch. The primary and the secondary latch respectively communicate with at least one primary and at least one secondary latch ramp disposed on the second connector when at least the first connector is unmated from the second connector. A method to assemble an electrical connection system using the single unitary piece of the first connector is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided to determine a quality acceptance criterion using force signatures measured on a first and a second set of elements. The first set has no quality defect and the second set has a deliberate quality defect. Selection of an initial subset of time points is based on statistical analysis of the force data on the force signatures in the two sets. The quality acceptance criterion includes a quality threshold established using Mahalanobis Distance (MD) values and the MD values are produced from force data at a selected initial subset of time points for each element in the two sets. An output of the determined quality acceptance criterion is using the defined quality threshold to separate an element having a force signature into a group of elements having no quality defect or into a group of elements having a quality defect like the deliberate quality defect.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a connector having a connector body, and Tab-Down terminal, and a terminal position assurance device (TPA). The connector body has a cavity located therein and a flexible arm that is elastically deformable. The Tab-Down terminal is slidable in a first direction and in a second direction that generally opposes the first direction. The Tab-Down terminal is insertable within the cavity of the connector body in the first direction. The terminal position assurance (TPA) device is slidably engageable within the cavity of the connector. The TPA device has a primary lock support that is selectively positioned adjacent the flexible arm to limit deformation of the flexible arm. The connector assembly includes a pre-stage position and a full-stage position. In the pre-stage position the Tab-Down terminal moveable within the cavity. In the full-stage position movement of the Tab-Down terminal is limited.

Abstract: Methods of making a sealed crimp connection attaching a terminal to a wire conductor are provided. A layer of fluid conformal coating is applied to overlie a terminal and underlie at least a lead of the wire conductor upon at least the lead being received into the terminal. The terminal, the fluid layer, and at least the lead of the wire conductor are crimped to form the crimp connection. Fluid conformal coating is displaced where an abutting surface of the terminal makes contact with at least the lead of the wire conductor. The fluid conformal coating is cured to a non-fluid state. The fluid conformal coating may be formed of an acrylated urethane material that may provide an increased pull force and a low crimp resistance in the crimp connection. The crimp connection may be constructed using a manufacturing process on an automated assembly line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the assistance of a driver of a vehicle during a journey along a road, in which bend data indicating the course of a bend in the road extending in front of the vehicle seen in the direction of travel and road condition data indicating the condition of the road surface disposed in front of the vehicle seen in the direction of travel are determined and a recommended maximum speed allowing a safe driving through the bend is determined with reference to the bend data and to the road condition data.

Abstract: A receiver system and method are provided, wherein the system includes a plurality of antenna elements, and a receiver device configured to emit an output based upon the received signal. The receiver device communicates a control signal that corresponds to a determined signal quality of the received signal. The receiver system also includes a switch system adapted to switch among the plurality of antenna elements in a plurality of modes, wherein the switch system includes a first switch device and a second switch device. Further, the system includes a controller that receives the control signal, wherein the controller commands the switch system to operate in a first mode utilizing the first switch device when the determined signal quality is above a threshold value, and the controller commands the switch system to operate in a second mode utilizing the second switch device when the determined signal quality is below a threshold value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing obstacles in an environment about a motorized vehicle moving along a roadway is presented. The apparatus includes an optical sensor and a data processing device. A method using the apparatus includes taking images with the optical sensor which contains at least a first and a second image. The first and the second image are each transformed above and below a plane as viewed by the optical sensor to further determine upper and lower difference images by the data processing device. The data processing device further determines whether an obstacle is located in the travel path of the vehicle by evaluation of the lower and upper difference images.

Abstract: A power charging assembly and methods are provided to provide a pre-charge low-current state, a steady-state, high-current charging state, and an unconnect state for an electrical load of an electrical propulsion system in a hybrid electrical vehicle (HEV). The power charging assembly includes a positive contactor device, a negative contactor device, and a non-contactor device means. The rate at which that electrical load is pre-charged may be effectively controlled by using a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal received by the non-contactor device means. A current-only carrying positive or negative contactor may be configured with the non-contactor device means to further prevent electrical arcing of the contacts of the positive and the negative contactor during power charging assembly operation.

Abstract: A receiver system and method for detecting and attenuating noise in a predetermined frequency range. The system includes at least one antenna, at least one filter, at least one automatic gain control device, and at least one processor. The at least one antenna receives at least one signal that includes at least one AM signal. The signal passes through the at least one filter. The at least one automatic gain control device adjusts the gain of the at least one signal to attenuate noise in the at least one signal. The at least one processor performs the steps including detecting when said noise is within a predetermined frequency range, and commanding the at least one automatic gain control device when the detected noise is within the predetermined frequency range, such that the automatic gain control device attenuates the noise that is within the predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: A fuse adapter adapts coplanar blades of fuse having a predetermined blade spacing to fit a pair of coplanar blade receiving terminal slots in a circuit having a different slot spacing. The fuse adapter includes a pair of adapter terminals. Each adapter terminal has a slotted, planar upper end spaced from the other terminal's slotted upper end by the fuse blade spacing. Each adapter terminal upper end also has an adjusting tab bent away from the upper end substantially perpendicular thereto and substantially parallel to the plane of the coplanar terminal slots. Each adjusting tab is integral with a transition portion that extends to an adapter blade. The two adapter blades are coplanar with and spaced apart to match the fuse blade receiving terminal slots in the circuit.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a male connector, a female connector, and a sleeve. The male connector has a shoulder. The female connector is constructed to receive the male connector and has a flex arm with a nib. The sleeve is constructed to receive the female connector and has an inner surface. When the male connector, the female connector, and the sleeve are telescoped together, the inner surface of the sleeve overlaps the flex arm and forces engagement between the shoulder and the nib to eliminate relative movement between the male and female connectors.

Abstract: A display assembly includes a light pipe having re-directing channels defined therein. When a light source is provided in a compartment of the light pipe, light admitted from the light source to the light pipe emits from a front face of the light pipe. In addition, light emitted from reflective surfaces spaced apart from external surfaces of the light pipe combine with light emitted through the front face to provide glow regions of light resulting in symmetric uniform illumination of the display.

Abstract: A seat belt assembly includes a webbing, a resistive film attached to the webbing, and a connector. The connector further includes a first contact connected to first contact point on the resistive film and a second contact connected to a second contact point on the resistive film. The electrical resistance of the film between the first contact point and the second contact point is proportional to tension applied axially to the webbing. The first contact and the second contact are electrically connected to an electrical resistance measuring device.