Abstract: A fuel level sensor is provided having a flexible printed circuit cylinder, having a buoyant member mounted on a rod and a contact member mounted on the buoyant member which abuttingly contacts the rod and the conductive traces formed on the inside of the flexible cylinder wall.

Abstract: A flux-gate magnetometer torque sensor is provided having a rotatable shaft to which a torque force is to be applied, a sleeve of conductive foil affixed to the surface of the shaft over the magnetically active regions, a plurality of saturable magnetic wires or strips mounted to the rotatable shaft and parallel to an axis of rotation, sensor circuitry containing an oscillator for generating a signal, a divider coupled to the oscillator for dividing the frequency of the signal by two, a first and second coil each surrounding a different section of the rotatable shaft and having an input coupled to the divider output, a multiplier having inputs coupled to outputs of the first coil, the second coil, and the oscillator, and an integrator having an input coupled to the multiplier output and an output coupled to both outputs of the first and second coils, wherein the output voltage of the integrator corresponds to the torque being applied to the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A conductive via filler for printed wiring boards capable of reducing copper oxides and thereby eliminating a cleaning step in printed wiring board construction, the conductive via filler consisting essentially of silver flake, a resin, a hardener, and a titanate coupling compound. The filler or paste may further include one or more of a flexibilizer, a solvent, and/or an accelerator. It is a feature of the invention that extensive pre-cleaning of copper substrates is obviated.

Abstract: A squib connector is provided that allows detection of an improper connection within a squib connector prior to incorporation within an airbag mechanism. The squib connector includes a male squib connector and a female squib connector. Positioned within the female squib connector is a disengaging member. The disengaging member may be, for example, a spring or the like. The disengaging member prevents the male squib connector and female squib connector from having an electrical connection if the male squib connector and female squib connector are not properly interlocked. The disengaging member performs this function by forcing the male squib connector away from the female squib connector at such a distance that no electrical connection is possible. The improperly connected squib connector may then be more easily detected. Thus, the squib connector improves the efficiency and reliability of the airbag mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a receptacle printed circuit board assembly having a reduced profile of the entire assembly where the receptacle has a board receiving portion that mounts at a cut-out edge of a printed circuit board so that the majority of the receptacle is mounted within a cut-out area of the printed circuit board recessed below the upper face of the printed circuit board so that the overall profile of the receptacle assembly is reduced. A shield flap or metallic hood is provided that helps to attach the receptacle to the printed circuit board and completely enclose the shielded portion of the receptacle.

Abstract: A PCB package for shielding electromagnetic radiation from exiting or entering the package. In one embodiment the package includes first and second electrically conductive covers and first and second electrically conductive frames. The first frame electrically connected to the first cover and the second frame electrically connected to the second cover. The first frame is then electrically connected to the second frame. The first and second frames can be made of electrically conductive plastics or metals or any other electrically conductive materials. Methods of assembling the packages of the various embodiments are also set forth.

Abstract: A windshield wiper lever, wherein a single contact slide operates both as a contact element and as a detent plunger, enabling both wiper wash and wipe functions. To this end, the steering column lever comprises: (i) a hollow knob having an inner wall that defines a plurality of axially disposed detents; (ii) a first slide adapted for translational movement having a cam at one end adapted to engage one of the detents; and (iii) a substrate supporting translational movement of the first slide, the substrate having a trace adapted to engage a conductive member of a second slide to form an electrical connection, wherein one of the detents maintains the electrical connection.

Abstract: A combined windshield front and rear washing and wiping stalk switch having a single contact substrate that is adapted to engage a front wiper carrier, a front wash carrier and a rear wipe/wash carrier. To this end, the multifunctional steering column stalk switch comprises: (i) a housing; (ii) a substrate fixed inside the housing having a first leg and a second leg defining a predetermined angle between the first leg and the second leg; (iii) a conductive trace on one surface of each leg; (iv) a first carrier moveably engaged with the first leg having an electrical contact adapted to engage the conductive trace on the first leg; (v) a second carrier moveably engaged with the second leg having an electrical contact adapted to engage the conductive trace on the second leg; (vi) a first manual input device adapted to move the first carrier with respect to the first leg; and (vii) a second manual input device adapted to move the second carrier with respect to the second leg.

Abstract: A modular steering column device includes a lock housing, a primary switch module, a secondary switch module, an electronics module, a clockspring, and an ignition switch. The lock housing is removeably attachable to a steering column of a vehicle. The primary switch module is removeably attachable to the lock housing. The secondary switch module is removeably attachable to the primary switch housing and to the lock housing. The electronics module is removeably attachable to the lock housing. The clockspring is removeably attachable to the primary switch module. The ignition switch is removebaly attachable to the lock housing. The modularity of the serviceable steering column module design provides for the easy replacement of defective, worn-out, or broken modules, or to replace functioning modules with an upgraded, premium module. Furthermore, standard components can be swapped-out between different brands of vehicles.

Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a disengagement member is provided. The disengagement member is utilized to ensure that the electrical connector is secured in a locked position within a mating receptacle. This effectively eliminates disengagement of the electrical connector from the mating receptacle during regular use, such as that relating to an airbag squib connector.

Abstract: A sliding contact mechanism includes a sliding door contact, a spring having one end connected to the sliding door contact and another end connected to the sliding door of a mini-van, and a pillar contact attached to the stationary pillar of the mini-van. The pillar contact has a shape complementary to a shape of the sliding door contact. When the sliding door is in a closed position, the sliding door is adjacent the pillar and the sliding door contact engages and is in a closed electrical connection with the pillar contact. When the sliding door is in an open position, the sliding door is not adjacent the pillar and the sliding door contact is an open electrical connection with the sliding door contact.

Abstract: A remote key interlock system includes a locking device mounted on a steering column and a key actuated ignition switch located remote from the locking device, where a cable connects the locking device to the key actuated ignition switch. The locking device being engageable with a recess of a steering shaft housed within the steering column. The cable being either electrically insulated from one of the key actuated ignition switch and the locking device, or load bearing, or moveable.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor that contains multiple bits of positional data is provided. The rotary position sensor includes an overmold and an applique that is applied to the overmold. The applique includes a clear film upon which the multiple bits of positional data can be screen printed. The rotary position sensor can be utilized in a variety of different applications to determine a position being sensed, such as, those applications relating to determining the position of an automotive steering wheel during operation.

Abstract: A PCB package for shielding electromagnetic radiation from exiting or entering the package. In one embodiment the package includes first and second electrically conductive covers and first and second electrically conductive frames. The first frame electrically connected to the first cover and the second frame electrically connected to the second cover. The first frame is then electrically connected to the second frame. The first and second frames can be made of electrically conductive plastics or metals or any other electrically conductive materials. Methods of assembling the packages of the various embodiments are also set forth.

Abstract: A clockspring having adhesive so as to resist vibratory motion of the flat ribbon cable and to reduce rubbing of the flat ribbon cable against itself. The clockspring includes a housing, a hub, and a flat ribbon cable connecting the hub to the housing. The flat ribbon cable has an adhesive along a majority of the length of the flat ribbon cable.

Abstract: A roll-over airbag 10 having an upper fabric panel 15 and a lower fabric panel 20 perimetrically bonded to the upper fabric panel 15. This perimetric joint is reinforced with a lap joint 30 defining a reinforced interior seal. The height and/or thickness of the roll-over airbag 10 can be limited by either selecting a configuration that is self limiting or by limiting the displacement of the upper and lower fabric panels 15 and 20 from one another during expansion of the roll-over airbag 10 by at least one tether member 40 disposed within roll-over airbag 10. Further, a method for producing a flat joint seam in a roll-over airbag in which the lap joint is sealed flat and steps are taken to prevent the upper and lower portions of the lap joint from adhering to one another.

Abstract: A conductive via filler for printed wiring boards capable of reducing copper oxides and thereby eliminating a cleaning step in printed wiring board construction, the conductive via filler consisting essentially of silver flake, a resin, a hardener, and a titanate coupling compound. The filler or paste may further include one or more of a flexibilizer, a solvent, and/or an accelerator. It is a feature of the invention that extensive pre-cleaning of copper substrates is obviated.

Abstract: A steering lock device includes an override cam slidingly engageable with a steering column, a lock bolt engageable with a recess on a steering shaft, and an override spring clutch attaching the lock bolt to the override cam. In a locked position, i.e., the steering wheel can not rotate, the lock bolt engages the recess of the steering shaft. In an unlocked position, i.e., when the steering wheel can freely rotate, the lock bolt is disengaged from the recess of the steering shaft. When the ignition key is removed from the ignition switch, the lock bolt engages the recess of the steering shaft. When the ignition key enters the ignition switch and is rotated, the lock bolt is removed from the recess of the steering shaft.

Abstract: A steering column interconnector having a first plate with a center hole for the steering column and a first plurality of conductive rings, a second plate having a center hole for the steering column and a second plurality of conductive rings, a third plate having a center hole for the steering column and a plurality of apertures for rotatably positioning conductive rollers, and a plurality of conductive rollers, each conductive roller being rotatably positioned within an aperture of the third plate.

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.