Abstract: An assembly mounts the rear stop lamp and the rear cargo lamp in a rear cargo door of a vehicle at adjacent locations. A single control board mounts both lamps. The boards can have different configurations. However, in each embodiment a single board preferably provides power and control signals to the stop lamp and the cargo lamp. In this way, the number of parts necessary for providing the lamps are reduced. In addition, since the lamps are mounted adjacent to each other, a single space may be utilized for both lamps. Various types of lamps may be utilized within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: An electrical terminal connection is made by interconnecting two identical terminals having U-shaped blades. In the past, electrical connections have typically been made by inserting a blade terminal into a receptacle terminal. One embodiment of the inventive connection includes a terminal having a spring contact strip with a plurality twisted contact louvers within each U-shaped blade. Another embodiment of the inventive connection includes a terminal having a U-shaped blade with corrugated sides. Both embodiments increase the contact area while reducing the engagement force necessary to mate the terminals.

Abstract: A junction box has a housing mounted directly to a battery. The junction box includes a terminal that mounts to the post of the battery and secures the housing to the battery. Enclosed within the housing is a printed circuit board for receiving outputs from the terminal and distributing electrical power to a second set of outputs, which can communicate with a wiring harness for further distribution of the electrical power.

Abstract: An integrated interior trim and electrical assembly for use in an automotive vehicle includes an integrated electrical junction box and an interior trim panel. The interior trim panel has a generally rigid substrate covered by an aesthetically pleasing covering material. The junction box includes a flexible printed circuit board, a rigid printed circuit board, a busbar and insulator assembly, and a conductive deposited trace. The integrated interior trim and electrical assembly employs a sheet-like electrically conductive circuit layer which distributes electricity between a switch and an electricity activated device. A sheet-like electrically conductive layer is partially external from and partially disposed inside of an electrical junction box wherein it is electrically connected to one or more of the other circuit layers also contained within the junction box.

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 conducive 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: This invention relates to a seal assembly having a radially diffusive barrier surrounding a compressible combination seal. The combination seal has a radial seal portion and an axial seal portion, providing axial and radial sealing properties as they relate to both diffusive and convective mass flows.

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 modular trim panel unit for the manufacturing and assembling of doors for motor vehicles, with the preassembly of the interior trim panel for the door including one or more basic mechanical and/or electrical components, which unit is manufactured off the main automotive assembly line, with the preassembled modular trim panel unit to be brought to the main assembly line for final assembly of the door. The trim panel unit adds no significant structural reinforcement to that of the final door assembly and is made up of at least one molded layer and includes the drive and motor of the window lift mechanism, with the window and guide(s) therefor and a drive connection being mounted on the main door frame structure. The panel unit can also include parts, if not all, of the door latch mechanism and door lock motor, as well as the actuating mechanisms therefor, and an electronics module (e.g.

Abstract: A control pod for a vehicle is structured and positioned to provide easy manual access to the actuators for pairs of functionally-related mechanical switches housed in the control pod. Integrally-formed pairs of actuators are associated with respective pairs of functionally-related switches. Each switch of a pair is mounted on an opposite side of a circuit board from the other switch. The circuit board is mounted in a control pod housing, and the pairs of actuators are connected to the circuit board. Each actuator of a pair extends to an opposite side of the circuit board for actuation of the respective switch. A pair of actuators are joined at a common midsection and are resiliently deformable about that midsection to provide the displacement required for switch actuation. Pairs of visual indicators are positioned on the control pod in proximity with a respective pair of actuators for signifying actuation of respectiive ones of an associated pair of switches.