Abstract: A multi-functional electronic actuator for actuating multiple independent systems on an automotive vehicle includes a magnet assembly, a rotor mounted within the magnet assembly having an armature and a shaft that rotates when the armature is energized, a device for translating the rotor with respect to the magnet assembly, and devices for actuating a first independent system on the automotive vehicle utilizing the rotational motion of the shaft and for actuating a second independent system on the automotive vehicle utilizing the translation of the rotor shaft with respect to the magnet assembly. Two methods for translating the rotor with respect to the magnet assembly are described as well as various linkages that may be used to actuate the independent systems on the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An electrical junction box has a first insulating polymeric portion and a second polymeric portion defining multiple electrically conductive circuits. The circuits are at least partially separated by the first insulating polymeric portion and at least some of the circuits electrically connect together wire harness connector portions. A further aspect of the present invention junction box causes a section of the first insulating polymeric portion to concurrently act as a segment of an outer protective cover for the junction box.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring current flow through a resistive heating element and for detecting breakage of the heating element. In one preferred embodiment the heating element is disposed on a vehicle window. A current is passed through the heating element continuously, even when the vehicle ignition is turned off. A differential amplifier is used to generate a signal representative of the current flow through the heating element which is indicative of whether the heating element is functioning properly or has been broken. The signal is converted from an analog to a digital signal by an analog to digital convertor and then subsequently output to a controller or computer. From this signal the computer determines if the heating element has been broken. The apparatus and method can be used for a variety of functions, but has particular utility in detecting if a window supporting the heating element has been broken such as during an attempted theft.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, the preferred embodiment of a multi-functional apparatus is integrated with a windshield washer mechanism. An electromagnetic device selectively causes movement of an impeller associated with the windshield wiper mechanism thereby drawing fluid from a reservoir through a bypass loop. When the bypass loop is selectively closed, the fluid is forced through a delivery conduit and is emitted upon the windshield. In another aspect of the present invention, at least a pair of intermittent rotary mechanisms are selectively rotated by a rotatable member coupled to a single reversible electric motor. A bellows-type fluid pump is activated by a driving surface on the rotatable member to force fluid through the window washer mechanism associated therewith.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment apparatus employs an interior trim panel and an electrical harness for use in an automotive vehicle. In one aspect of the present invention, the interior trim panel has a generally rigid substrate covered by an aesthetically pleasing covering material. In another aspect of the present invention, an electrical harness is provided with integrally created switch contacts and integrally created connector terminals.

Abstract: A wiper motor control using a load sense resistor to monitor conditions confronting the wiper operation. The control can detect if the wiper is frozen to the window, moving too slowly, moving too quickly, etc. The power to the motor is then adjusted to achieve a desired speed, or, otherwise adjusted, based upon the detected conditions. Further, the direction of the motor may be reversed based upon the detected conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the load sense resistor is provided by a defroster filament strip. Alternatively, a temperature sensor may be used to detect the conditions confronting the wiper operation.

Abstract: A multi-functional automotive vehicle apparatus comprising: a rotatable member; an electromagnetic device operable to selectively rotate said rotatable member; a first motion transmitting member selectively moved in response to rotation of said rotatable member; and a second motion transmitting member selectively moved in response to rotation of said rotatable member.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus employs an electromagnetic device. The electromagnetic device selectively causes movement of an intermittent motion mechanism thereby moving a mechanical device coupled thereto. A main driving gear is rotated from the wiper positional range in either direction to access one or another adjacent release positional range, but not necessarily both at the same time.

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: A power distribution box extends through a bulkhead of an automotive vehicle. This power distribution box has a first electrical connector accessible from within an engine compartment. Furthermore, a portion of the power distribution box is accessible from the passenger compartment. In another aspect of the present invention, an electricity storage device, an electricity generating device, an ignition switch, an alternator and various other engine compartment and passenger compartment accessories are electrically connected to the power distribution box.

Abstract: A linkage has a coupled state, where actuation of a multi-functional apparatus causes an interference device to move between the locked position and the unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the interference device does not allow a handle for opening door latches to actuate, and in the unlocked position the interference device allows the handle to actuate. The linkage further has a decoupled state, where actuation of the manual actuation device causes the decoupling linkage to uncouple from the multi-functional apparatus, and causes the interference device to move between the locked and the unlocked positions without moving the multi-functional apparatus. This arrangement allows for a manual override of the power liftgate lock multi-functional apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus employs an electromagnetic device. The electromagnetic device selectively causes movement of an intermittent motion mechanism thereby moving a mechanical device coupled thereto. In another aspect of the present invention, a single electric motor selectively actuates three intermittent motion mechanisms thereby causing three mechanical devices coupled thereto to operate. In a further aspect of the present invention, a clutch mechanism selectively drives a window wiper. A method for operating the multi-functional apparatus of the present invention is also provided.

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: 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: An electrical test shunt having a pair of female contacts each having two contact points for relocating voltage sensing points of a test shunt to provide a first circuit path with an adequate current flow that is independent of a second circuit path for reading the voltage drop across the same electrical test shunt. The voltage is read by a high input impedance voltage comparator. The input impedance of the voltage comparator is great enough to negate the affect of the internal resistance inherent in the mating terminals of the shunt. The two circuit paths are made possible in part by the implementation of a pair of terminals which each have two independent electrical contact areas. The terminal contact is typically inserted into the female receptacle formed by the two separate (i.e. electrically isolated) electrically conducting contact points. The female terminal is preferably mounted in a suitable printed circuit board.

Abstract: A junction box incorporating an integrally formed shunt busbar. The shunt busbar incorporates a first pair of terminals to act as leads to couple the shunt busbar in a current loop of a circuit, and a second pair of terminals to couple a voltage sensing device across a portion of the shunt busbar. The voltage sensing device is preferably a high input impedance voltage comparator. The input impedance of the voltage comparator is great enough to negate the affect of the internal resistance of the mating terminals of the busbar. Furthermore, the second pair of terminals is located on the shunt busbar such that the terminal resistances thereof are outside of the current loop. The electrical busbar is preferably mounted in a suitable insulating housing. When the shunt busbar of the present invention is connected to the high input impedance voltage comparator, a circuit path that allows for easily and accurately measuring the voltage drop across the busbar is made possible.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having a first connector mounted to a battery cable, a second connector mounted to a load circuit lead, a connector housing with internal contacts for electrically interconnecting the first and second connectors and a turnbuckle assembly for concurrently driving the first and second connectors to automatically disconnect the power side connector from the internal contacts of the housing when disconnecting the second connector from the housing.

Abstract: A vehicular, infrared, multiplexing system controlling various vehicular or automotive electrical function loads, such as, for example, lights, window motors, seat motors, door locks, engine start and the like, wherein control and sensing signals are transmitted within the interior of the vehicle by randomly reflected, infrared radiation or similar optical energy carrying electronically intelligible information. The infrared system does not require or rely on direct, light-of-sight or controlled reflection or a continuous optical circuit, but instead relies on randomly reflected, scattered, diffused, infrared radiation reflected from various interior surfaces of the vehicle, including, for example, practically all interior surfaces, such as the windshield, side and rear windows, seats, headliner, instrument panel, rear window, door trim panels, etc.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling three modes of operation of a multiple terminal load using a single positive DC voltage 12, simple circuitry, two relays 26, 30 and a single input control line 17. The circuit senses a switch 16, or logic device generating three conditions: open circuit, connection to positive voltage or connection to ground. Three operating modes are effected while minimizing the number of wires needed to control the multiple terminal load.

Abstract: A multiconnector block (19) for insertion between a junction block (4) and wire harness connectors (13), has a first array of terminals (24) to interconnect with the junction block (4), a second array of terminals (26) to interconnect with the connectors (13), and electrical connections among selective of the first and second arrays of terminals to provide required electrical circuitry.