Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical connector including a housing defining a receptacle extending to an opening and a cavity block assembly retained in the receptacle. The cavity block assembly includes a base seated in the receptacle and a terminal inserter attached to the base and moveable in a terminal insertion direction from a pre-staged inserter position to a final inserter position. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of terminal passages extend in parallel through the base and terminal inserter. When the terminal inserter is in the pre-staged position, terminals may be inserted into the passages to a range of partially inserted positions with respect to the housing or to fully inserted positions. Preferably after all of the terminals are inserted, an urging force is applied to the terminal inserter causing it to move from the pre-staged position to the final position.

Abstract: An electronic package having enhanced heat dissipation is provided exhibiting dual conductive heat paths in opposing directions. The package includes a substrate having electrical conductors thereon and a flip chip mounted to the substrate. The flip chip has a first surface, solder bumps on the first surface, and a second surface oppositely disposed from the first surface. The flip chip is mounted to the substrate such that the solder bumps are registered with the conductors on the substrate. The package further includes a stamped metal heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the second surface of the flip chip. The heat sink includes a cavity formed adjacent to the flip chip containing a thermally conductive material.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a CPA plug (connector position assurance plug) for assuring that the electrical connector is properly connected to a mating electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a right-angled connector body having a plurality of longitudinal channels that open into an axial shroud that plugs into a socket of the mating connector in the axial direction, and a plurality of right angled terminals that are disposed in the plurality of longitudinal channels respectively with their respective contacts disposed in the axial shroud. The axial shroud has a cover at one end and the CPA plug is attached to the cover for movement between a prestaged position and a final locked position assuring that the electrical connector is properly connected to the mating electrical connector. Three embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanical clock arrangement includes a linkage apparatus rotatingly driving an hour hand and/or a minute hand of a mechanical clock. A sensing device senses a time of day displayed by the mechanical clock. A control device is in communication with both the sensing device and a source of an actual time of day. The control device actuates the linkage apparatus to thereby cause the time of day displayed by the mechanical clock to correspond to the actual time of day.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating the integrity of a leak detection test for a purge valve of a fuel system in a vehicle reduces or eliminates false failures. The method is executed on an engine control module (ECM) and is configured to determine when vehicle soak conditions meet first criteria conducive to fuel vapor condensation in the fuel tank. The first criteria include a predetermined temperature drop in ambient air temperature between successive drive cycles. The ECM is further configured to determine when a vehicle maneuver meets second criteria indicative of the capability of the maneuver to initiate fuel slosh in the fuel tank, to thereby establish a trigger event. The ECM is further configured to determine, after the trigger event, the maximum slope of a fuel tank vacuum increase. The ECM is still further configured to produce a slope ratio as a function of the maximum vacuum increase slope and a reference vacuum slope corresponding to a slope that is unaffected by any slosh/condensation events.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting an electrical terminal to a terminal receiver includes a body portion having a first surface including a biasable lock member extending therefrom and a second surface defining a plurality of recesses. The connector assembly also includes a securing member having a plurality of finger portions with one of the finger portions disposed in each of the recesses so as to prevent or lessen any movement of the electrical terminal relative to the terminal receiver within the recess. The securing member has a locking tab member that can engage and pivot the lock member for locking the securing member to the body portion.

Abstract: Prior to the operation of a solenoid type of fuel injector, a DC voltage is applied across the injector to create a current through the injector that is below the activation current of the injector. A capacitor is then placed in series with the injector and the flyback energy from the injector transfers a charge onto the capacitor. When the injector current drops to a predetermined level, the capacitor is removed from the circuit and isolated. This process is repeated until a minimum charge is on the capacitor. By placing the capacitor charge onto the injector at the time that the injector is to be activated, the opening response of the injector is improved. By applying the charge on the capacitor to the injector in a manner to neutralize the eddy currents when the voltage across the injector is removed, the closing response is improved.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for alerting of an occupant endangered by being situated in a variable temperature setting. The system can be utilized within a motor vehicle, and occupants include an infant, a child, a person, and an animal or pet. In an aspect, when a security device receives a signal that an occupant sensor detects the presence of an occupant and a temperature sensor detects a predetermined temperature, both within a predetermined time period, then a security response is initiated. A security response can include triggering an audible alarm, flashing a light, lowering a window, unlocking a door, notifying an owner of the security device, and transmitting an emergency signal to an emergency system including telephone 911 and an emergency response company. The occupant sensor and the temperature sensor may be affixed to a key fob such that an antenna transmits to the security device.

Abstract: A stagable electrical connector and method of assembly has a housing and a shuttle that moves with respect to the housing from a staged position to an assembled position. An electrically conductive terminal snap fits to the shuttle when in the staged position and generally does not move with respect to the shuttle as the shuttle is then moved from the staged position to the assembled position that further secures the terminal to the shuttle. Preferably, a one-way coupler is carried between the shuttle and the housing to strongly resist withdrawal of the shuttle from the housing as the terminal is snap fitted to the shuttle. During snap fitting of the terminal, a flex beam of the shuttle is free to move giving way to the terminal and resiliently flexing back when the terminal is fitted to the shuttle.

Abstract: A supplemental restraint deployment method utilizes measured vehicle speed and acceleration and the output of a closing velocity sensor that detects the presence and closing rate of an approaching object prior to contact with the vehicle. The closing velocity and vehicle speed are utilized for classification of an impending crash event, where the deployment options vary depending on the crash classification. In the ensuing crash event, a classification-dependent algorithm is executed to determine if, when and what level of restraint deployment is warranted based on measures of actual crash severity. Additionally, the algorithm is reset when the calculated change in vehicle velocity reaches the initial closing velocity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stroking ball-type constant velocity joint including a plurality of straight grooves and a plurality of cross grooves. The straight and cross grooves can be disposed along the interior of the joint in alternating fashion. For example, a cross groove passageway can be positioned between two straight groove passageways. The inner joint member can include helical grooves extending in a right-hand direction and in a left-hand direction. The helical grooves can be disposed in alternating fashion such that a left-handed groove is disposed between two right-handed grooves.

Abstract: A steerable element angular sensor system may include a sensor having a sensing axis positioned along an axis of rotation of a knuckle, a connector connecting a yoke and a knuckle of a steering system. The sensor may detect rotation of at least one of the knuckle and the connector. Also, the sensor system may include protection from rotation detection interference from linear and angular movements of at least one of the connector and the knuckle. The sensor system may be included within a steerable element assembly and provided within a vehicle.

Abstract: A low profile electrical connector assembly has terminals attached to insulated electric cables that are disposed in topless slots of a connector base. Each terminal has two longitudinally spaced retention slots. The connector base has two transverse grooves that extend through sidewalls of the topless slots to provide terminal retainers that engage the forward retention slots to retain the terminals in a longitudinal direction. The connector base has a third transverse groove that extends through the sidewalls of the topless slots with selected sidewalls having undercuts for retaining a bottomless connector cover. The connector cover has a face plate that has a plurality of apertures that align with the topless slots, a lower ledge, and a depending lock bar. The lock bar is disposed in the third transverse groove and extends through the rearward retention slots to further retain the terminals in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A steering column assembly (10) for a vehicle includes first and second members (12, 14) engaged for movement relative to one another along one of a tilting path (16) and a telescoping path. The steering column assembly (10) also includes an electric lock (18) operable to lock the first and second members (12, 14) into a locked configuration that restricts movement and an unlocked configuration that permits movement between the members. The steering column assembly (10) also includes a sensor (20) operable to sense a vehicle crash condition and then emit a crash signal to a controller (22) that controls the electric lock (18) to change from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in response to the signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fluid flow measurement are provided. The apparatus includes a first thermistor; a second thermistor; a first deflecting member configured to shield the first thermistor from fluid flowing in a first direction; a second deflecting member configured to shield the second thermistor from fluid flowing in a second direction where the second direction is substantially opposite the first direction; and a circuit in electrical communication with the first thermistor and the second thermistor. The circuit includes a comparator for comparing a first signal from the first thermistor to a second signal from the second thermistor. The comparator provides an output indicative of a direction of fluid flowing past the first thermistor and the second thermistor.

Abstract: A set of horn switch assemblies are mounted on a base plate of a vehicle steering wheel and linked by two continuous electrical conductors that are electrically bridged to activate a horn. Each switch assembly includes an insulator base affixed to the base plate and a deflectable metal blade disposed atop the insulator base substantially parallel to the base plate. The metal blade is anchored to the insulator base at one end and deflectable toward the base plate at the other end. One electrical conductor is secured to the insulator base below and in contact with the anchored end of the metal blade, while the other electrical conductor is secured to the insulator base below and out of contact with the deflectable end of the metal blade. A driver air bag assembly deflects the metal blades to electrically bridge the two electrical conductors for activating the horn.

Abstract: A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle is provided. The tension sensing assembly comprises an anchor, a movable mechanism configured to be secured to a portion of a buckle, at least one magnet coupled to the movable mechanism, a Hall effect sensor coupled to the anchor, at least one tension spring secured to the anchor at a first end and the movable mechanism at a second end. The movable mechanism moves the at least one magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor to induce an output from the Hall effect sensor. The output indicates a tension level being applied to the tension sensing assembly.

Abstract: An actuator for an electro-mechanical-brake motor assembly includes a housing surrounding a rotatable motor shaft presenting a longitudinal axis. A spring is non-rotatably supported on the housing. A latching device is non-rotatably supported by the housing. The latching device has a plurality of teeth. A latch gear is non-rotatably supported on the rotatable motor shaft and circumscribes the longitudinal axis and presents a plurality of axially facing angled teeth presenting a meshing engagement with the teeth of the latching device. The latching device is axially movable relative to the housing in response to magnetic force generated by the electric coil.

Abstract: A fuel rail assembly includes a fuel injector socket having a cylindrical end for receiving an injector and a boxed end for orienting and positioning the injector relative to the engine cylinder. A boxed shape end cap is fitted over the boxed end of the socket thereby supporting the socket. Planar saddle members are disposed on each side of the end cap and radiused edges are fitted to the cylindrical surface of the fuel distribution tube. A jump tube communicates fuel from the fuel distribution tube to the fuel injector socket. A bracket defines a sole plate for the assembly, for attachment to an engine head, and includes a generally planar surface for locating against the planar surface of the saddle members. Components of the fuel rail assembly are first assembled loosely on a fixture, then joined together as the fuel rail assembly.