Abstract: An integrated control system comprising an integrated circuit that controls at least one component or subsystem of an engine and a first light source that generates a first light signal when triggered through the integrated circuit. The first light signal propagates from the first light source through an LCC that may also serve as a substrate, wherein the signal that actuates the component of the engine can be the first light signal or a signal generated after the first light signal is produced. The component or subsystem of the engine may be an ignition system or a fuel injection system. The present invention is also directed to a method of controlling a component or subsystem of an engine.

Abstract: An optical signal transmission system comprises a metal conduit for transmitting optical signals between an optical signal transmitter and an optical signal receiver. The metal conduit is preferably formed of metal tubing and defines a hollow light channel containing air or other gas through which light propagates. In one aspect, metal conduits are interconnected by a polymeric coupling that transmits light between hollow light channels without loss due to misalignment or gaps between the channels.

Abstract: A circuit assembly comprises a substrate comprising one or more conductors. An integral frame of frame elements supports the substrate. The frame elements spaced apart to expose intervening regions of the substrate between adjacent frame elements. A dielectric layer overlies the intervening regions, as a protective barrier for at least one of the conductors, a component, and a circuit feature of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention involves a light channel communication component for a vehicle interior member. The light channel communication component comprises an integral polymeric body being a signal-conductive integral medium for transmitting light signals therethrough. The integral polymeric body has a predetermined index of refraction through which the light signals are transmitted. The integral polymeric body further includes a structure of the vehicle interior member to support a shape of the vehicle interior member.

Abstract: An integrated control and fuel delivery system having an intake manifold that receives a portion of an airflow and delivers air to an engine and a fuel spacer that receives the air from the intake manifold. The fuel spacer includes a wiring harness. A control module is disposed on the fuel spacer adjacent to the intake manifold of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of making an integrated mold product with a molding tool. The method includes introducing polymeric material in the molding tool and molding the polymeric material to define an outer layer in the mold. The outer layer has a channel formed thereon. The method further includes introducing molten metal in the channel of the outer layer when the outer layer is at about the same temperature as the molding tool and cooling the molten metal in the channel to define a metal insert in the channel of the outer layer for electrical and thermal conductivity, structural support, and electromagnetic shielding.

Abstract: The present invention details the construction of a plastic injection molded part having a molded metal reinforcement located therein. Additionally, provided by the invention is a method for manufacturing such a molded part and an apparatus for performing that method.

Abstract: An integrated control and fuel delivery system having an intake manifold that receives a portion of an airflow and delivers air to an engine and a fuel spacer that receives the air from the intake manifold. The fuel spacer includes a wiring harness. A control module is disposed on the fuel spacer adjacent to the intake manifold of the engine.

Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting electrical wires to a circuit board having a hole includes at least one terminal adapted to individually connect the circuit board and the electrical wire, the terminal including a first end adapted to engage the electrical wire and a second end, opposite the first end, adapted to engage the circuit board; a housing defining at least one slot adapted to support the terminal in a particular position, and at least one retaining surface; and a retainer having at least one hook adapted to extend through the hole in the circuit board and engage the retaining surface of the housing.

Abstract: A connector system for printed circuit boards uses extensions of the traces of the printed circuit board as connector pins by supporting the malleable traces with isolated support pillars. This eliminates the need for electrical junctions between the connector and the printed circuit board. The support pillars provide the necessary mechanical properties for the connector pins. The conductive trace may be adhered to one side of the support or may be draped over the top to cover both sides and may be plated with the material of the support to provide a uniform electrical conductivity over the surface of the formed pin.

Abstract: A voice-activated control system in which a voice command transmitted to an audio signal receiver such as a microphone is digitized by a voice recognition program that produces an address and a function corresponding to the component to which the voice command is directed. The digitized signal is converted by an IR transceiver or an encoder/decoder to an IR signal, which is transmitted via an LCC bus to one or more devices attached to it. The device that has the appropriate address is actuated to perform the function and/or provide feedback to the system. The invention also includes voice-activated systems that rely on a centralized control approach while a third type of system uses a hybrid system that uses both lcc-based and electrical-based input. The present invention is also directed to various methods of activating and controlling one or more components of a system through a voice-activated system.

Abstract: An integrated control system comprising an integrated circuit that controls at least one component or subsystem of an engine and a first light source that generates a first light signal when triggered through the integrated circuit. The first light signal propagates from the first light source through an LCC that may also serve as a substrate, wherein the signal that actuates the component of the engine can be the first light signal or a signal generated after the first light signal is produced. The component or subsystem of the engine may be an ignition system or a fuel injection system. The present invention is also directed to a method of controlling a component or subsystem of an engine.

Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting electrical wires to a circuit board having a hole includes at least one terminal adapted to individually connect the circuit board and the electrical wire, the terminal including a first end adapted to engage the electrical wire and a second end, opposite the first end, adapted to engage the circuit board; a housing defining at least one slot adapted to support the terminal in a particular position, and at least one retaining surface; and a retainer having at least one hook adapted to extend through the hole in the circuit board and engage the retaining surface of the housing.

Abstract: A circuit assembly comprises a substrate comprising one or more conductors. An integral frame of frame elements supports the substrate. The frame elements spaced apart to expose intervening regions of the substrate between adjacent frame elements. A dielectric layer overlies the intervening regions, as a protective barrier for at least one of the conductors, a component, and a circuit feature of the substrate.

Abstract: A connector system for printed circuit boards uses extensions of the traces of the printed circuit board as connector pins by supporting the malleable traces with isolated support pillars. This eliminates the need for electrical junctions between the connector and the printed circuit board. The support pillars provide the necessary mechanical properties for the connector pins. The conductive trace may be adhered to one side of the support or may be draped over the top to cover both sides and may be plated with the material of the support to provide a uniform electrical conductivity over the surface of the formed pin.

Abstract: Central mounting of control electronics proximate to the engine is provided by attaching the electronics to an upper surface of the intake manifold to provide heat shielding and heat conduction for active components on the circuit card. The central location provides extremely short harnesses to important actuators located in cylinder heads of the engine thus reducing wiring clutter and cost.