Abstract: A bi-directional multifunction switch which incorporates a single contact carrier having conductive contacts adapted to be moved in various directions as a result of rotary and push/pull actuation of an interconnected knob. Electrically conductive circuit paths formed in a substrate surface are contacted by protrusions on the conductive contacts to accomplish electrical switching functions. The contact carrier is moved via a shaft which securely retains the contact carrier along opposing axes and which moves as a result of turning, pushing or pulling the actuating knob.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of ground float upon electrical signal measurements in an electronic control system. The signals are measured with respect to a virtual ground rather than signal or chassis ground, where the virtual ground provides a regular and reliable signal level regardless of circuit electrical variances.

Abstract: A slide actuated holding clamp for holding a connector stationary while a push test or pull test is performed on a conductor secured to the connector. The clamp comprises a main body portion having an opening formed therein, a locking member adapted to fit nestably substantially within the opening, and an actuating member adapted to fit nestably within a recessed portion in the locking member. The actuating member is pivotally coupled to an upper end portion of the locking member and the locking member is captively held within the opening in the main body portion by a locking pin. The locking member includes elongated openings which allow the locking member to be urged slidably longitudinally within the main body portion as the actuating member is moved in first and second longitudinal directions. The pivotal coupling of the actuating member and locking member allows the locking member to be urged pivotally into abutting engagement with a connector as the actuating member is moved in a first linear direction.

Abstract: A jig is provided which is capable of being selective locked in place to support a work piece and quickly dropped out of place to allow the work in progress to pass by. The jig includes a plurality of fingers which can be selectively configured to support a variety of work pieces. The fingers can be easily reconfigured to handle a variety of work pieces without requiring modification of the basic jig structure.

Abstract: A wash/wiper switch control assembly having an integrally formed wash/wiper contact member. The wash/wiper contact member includes a plurality of wiper contact arms which are integrally formed with a central body portion and a wash contact arm which is also integrally formed with the central body portion. The wash/wiper contact member is secured to an actuator member via conventional staking techniques. By manufacturing the wash/wiper contact member as a single component, the overall cost of manufacturing a wash/wiper switch control assembly is reduced. The complexity of manufacturing the wash/wiper contact member is also reduced while the reliability is improved since only a single component part need be secured to the actuator member versus prior art arrangements in which a wash contact and a separate wiper contact are secured to separate component parts of a wash/wiper switch control assembly.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having a terminal stuffer member for securely maintaining a plurality of terminal members within a connector body. The terminal stuffer member includes a plurality of flexible locking arm members. The connector body includes a plurality of openings adapted to slidably receive a corresponding plurality of terminal members therein. At least one wall portion of the connector body includes a plurality of recessed portions associated with the openings for the terminal members, with each of the recessed portions having a ramped portion associated therewith. When the terminal stuffer member is slidably inserted into a first, preloaded position, the locking arm members are slidably received within the recessed portions and therefore do not interfere with the openings into which the terminal members are inserted. Accordingly, the terminal members may be inserted into the connector body when the terminal stuffer member is in the preloaded position.

Abstract: A motor has an end play insert which is installed within a tunnel of a housing proximate with an end of an armature shaft. This insert is installed a predetermined distance into the tunnel so as to set the armature shaft in a selected and consistent longitudinal position relative to the housing, thereby accurately controlling the end play of this armature shaft.

Abstract: The present invention hybrid junction box 11 joins two or more external electric current carrying members within a vehicle electrical system 14 and is comprised of a protective cover 31 and a protective housing 39 which define a casing having a cavity therewithin where a plurality of internal electric current carrying circuits are juxtaposed. The internal electric current carrying circuits may include at least one conductive deposited metal trace directly on the casing. Furthermore, a junction box 11 of the present invention has a plurality of internal electric current carrying circuits which may additionally include a flexible printed circuit board 37. Moreover, a junction box of the present invention provides for use of a rigid printed circuit board 33 and/or a busbar and insulator assembly 35 in combination with either or both the conductive deposited metal traces 67 and the flexible printed circuit board 37.

Abstract: A universal control board is disclosed that allows the easy connection of an optional memory function for a vehicle component positioning control. The universal control board includes a well that receives a plug-in memory pack to provide the memory function. In this way, the assembler need only have tools and assembly steps required for assembly of the universal control board. The assembler may easily plug in the memory option where appropriate.

Abstract: Loads, such as power relays controlling wipers, windows and lights are connected to an automobile battery through individual transistor drives that are controlled by a microcontroller. A switch, connected to the microcontroller, is operated to activate each drive. The microcontroller checks the load characteristic when each drive is activated and inactivated. When the load is inactivated, it is part of a resistance network producing a test voltage that is digitally converted and supplied to the microcontroller, which compares the test voltage to a stored voltage to determine if the load is correct. An analog multiplexer is controlled by the microcontroller to select the voltage produced for each load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a molded housing having an integral acoustic chamber and a plurality of post members which engage the printed circuit board contained therein to preclude rattling. As sound waves are generated within the acoustic chamber the sound waves travel along a directed path thereby enhancing the audible level of the sound waves allowed to escape the housing.

Abstract: A brush card assembly for an electric motor is partially encapsulated within an elastomeric material thereby reducing vibrations from transferring from the brush card assembly to an adjacent housing.

Abstract: A power window system employs a computer based control that receives signals from a window position sensor. As the window moves, the position sensor produces periodic signals as an output. The computer cyclically looks for a change in the frequency of the signals as an indication that the window is obstructed and decelerating. Based on the instantaneous deceleration, the computer recalls a stored value for motor force. The recalled forces are accumulated in synchronism with the position sensor output during the deceleration, manifesting the force applied to the obstruction as the window presses on it. The window is reversed when the accumulated force exceeds a stored value. The uppermost window position is a stored value for the position sensor output obtained when the window is closed for the first time. Each time the window is closed thereafter, an offset is added to that value, the sum defining the point at which the window engages the window seal.

Abstract: An improved handle assembly for actuating an automotive turn signal switch, a windshield wiper switch and a wash fluid switch is provided. The handle assembly includes an internal shaft, an outer tubular member and a housing. The housing is supported or the turn signal switch and houses the windshield wiper switch and the wash fluid switch. The internal shaft extends into the housing to engage and actuate either the wiper switch or the wash fluid switch. The outer tubular member is concentrically disposed about the internal shaft, and a portion of the outer tubular member extends into the housing and engages the switch not engaged by the internal shaft. Both the wash fluid switch and the wiper switch can be independently actuated by independently axially rotating the internal shaft or the outer tubular member. The turn signal switch is actuated by pivoting the internal shaft which in turn pivots the housing supported on the turn signal switch.

Abstract: A horn or other electrical sccessory is actuated by a flexible, pressure sensitive electric signal generating means such as a piezoelectric element, provided in the soft, flexible cover of a vehicle driver's side supplemental restraint system.

Abstract: A sun visor system for an automotive vehicle is comprised of a primary sun visor, which is rotatably affixed in a position proximate with a windshield, and a secondary sun visor, which is rotatable and pivotable from a stowed position against a vehicle headliner panel to a functional position proximate with an adjacent side window. The primary sun visor is restricted from being pivoted toward the vehicle side window.

Abstract: A power switch control module for a power window control circuit of a motor vehicle. The control module incorporates a printed circuit board, a plurality of switch contacts secured to the printed circuit board, a plurality of connector terminals also secured to the printed circuit board, a plurality of high current traces formed on an upper surface of the printed circuit board for coupling selected pairs of the switch contacts and connector terminals electrically together, and a switch control. The switch control is mounted in a frame member for pivotal movement relative to the printed circuit board and is movable between up and down positions. When in the up position the switch control electrically couples a first selected pair of switch contacts and when in the down position the switch control electrically couples a second selected pair of the switch contacts. The high current traces are capable of handling about 20-80 amps of current.

Abstract: The digital information is encrypted by first performing a preselected number of CRC iterations or partial convolutions by multiplication with a mask in the Galois Field. Before the CRC operation is completed, the intermediate resultant is subjected to an Integer Ring operation, such as addition, which injects a nonlinearity over the Galois Field due to possible arithmetic carry operations. After the Integer Ring operation, the Galois Field CRC process is continued to completion. The result is an encrypted value which is not readily decrypted by Galois Field techniques.

Abstract: A sun visor is pivotally coupled to a pair of pivot control devices which are mounted above an automobile's side windows. The pivot control devices are located on either horizontal end of a component such as an assist handle assembly and the sun visor can be pivotally moved around this component. Each of the pivot control devices are comprised of a base, a leaf spring and an aesthetic cap such that the leaf spring can apply compressive force against each of a pair of pivot arms extending from the sun visor blade. This provides for detent actions coinciding with the stowed position of the sun visor against the headliner's inside surface and a functional position when the sun visor is rotated downward, parallel to the window.

Abstract: A switch mechanism having a set of movable conductive contacts adapted to selectively conductively engage a set of conductive paths formed on a printed circuit board in order to open and close circuit paths created thereby. A contact carrier retains the movable contacts in a predefined spaced relationship and slidingly engages a guide member adapted to predeterminately guide the movement of the carrier with respect to the circuit board, the guide member being fixedly secured to a surface of the printed circuit board substrate.