Abstract: An improved ECU for a motor vehicle comprises a housing that includes a top portion and a bottom portion each with an associated gasket. A printed circuit board (PCB) is enclosed between the housing portions. The gaskets provide seals between the housing, portions and respective sides of the PCB and apply balanced forces to each side to minimize strain on the PCB. One or both gaskets may be electromagnetic compliance gaskets.

Abstract: An improved ECU for a motor vehicle comprises a housing that includes a top portion and a bottom portion each with an associated gasket. A printed circuit board (PCB) is enclosed between the housing portions. The gaskets provide seals between the housing, portions and respective sides of the PCB and apply balanced forces to each side to minimize strain on the PCB. One or both gaskets may be electromagnetic compliance gaskets.

Abstract: A hybrid electrical connector includes a housing having a central opening, a carrier plate supported by the housing within the central opening, and electrically conductive pins supported within the housing by the carrier plate. The housing is formed of a first plastic material, and the carrier plate is formed of a second plastic material having properties that make it more dimensionally stable than the first plastic material. In addition, a sealing layer is applied to one surface of the carrier plate, the sealing layer formed of a third plastic material and serving to secure the carrier plate to the housing and to secure the pins within the carrier plate. A method of forming the electrical connector is also described.

Abstract: A housing assembly for an electronic circuit including an electronic control unit (ECU) is a low-profile, generally rectangular device that includes a base, a cover that closes an open end of the base, and a printed circuit board (PCB). The housing assembly securely supports the PCB and its associated electronic components while providing improved cooling properties and lower manufacturing costs. This is achieved by providing passive cooling features on an outer surface of the cover, and by employing a thermally conductive plastic to form the passive cooling features, where the cover has predetermined and defined anisotropic thermal conduction properties configured to optimize thermal conduction and cooling of the ECU.

Abstract: A lens holder including a first portion made of a first plastic material capable of being laser welded to an imager assembly. The lens holder further includes a second portion made of a second plastic material capable of blocking infrared radiation. The first portion and the second portion are coupled together in nested relation.

Abstract: A hybrid electrical connector includes a housing having a central opening, a carrier plate supported by the housing within the central opening, and electrically conductive pins supported within the housing by the carrier plate. The housing is formed of a first plastic material, and the carrier plate is formed of a second plastic material having properties that make it more dimensionally stable than the first plastic material. In addition, a sealing layer is applied to one surface of the carrier plate, the sealing layer formed of a third plastic material and serving to secure the carrier plate to the housing and to secure the pins within the carrier plate. A method of forming the electrical connector is also described.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed in the housing, and electronic components that are supported on the PCB. The housing is an assembly of a cover and a base. At least one of the cover and the base include a region in which at least a portion of an outer surface of the housing within the region, and a portion of housing material adjoining the portion of the outer surface, have material properties that are different than those in other regions. A method of manufacturing that provides the desired material properties is also described.

Abstract: A hybrid electrical connector includes a housing having a central opening, a carrier plate supported by the housing within the central opening, and electrically conductive pins supported within the housing by the carrier plate. The housing is formed of a first plastic material, and the carrier plate is formed of a second plastic material having properties that make it more dimensionally stable than the first plastic material. In addition, a sealing layer is applied to one surface of the carrier plate, the sealing layer formed of a third plastic material and serving to secure the carrier plate to the housing and to secure the pins within the carrier plate. A method of forming the electrical connector is also described.

Abstract: A lens holder including a first portion made of a first plastic material capable of being laser welded to an imager assembly. The lens holder further includes a second portion made of a second plastic material capable of blocking infrared radiation. The first portion and the second portion are coupled together in nested relation.

Abstract: A housing assembly for an electronic circuit including an electronic control unit (ECU) is a low-profile, generally rectangular device that includes a base, a cover that closes an open end of the base, and a printed circuit board (PCB). The housing assembly securely supports the PCB and its associated electronic components while providing improved cooling properties and lower manufacturing costs. This is achieved by providing passive cooling features on an outer surface of the cover, and by employing a thermally conductive plastic to form the passive cooling features, where the cover has predetermined and defined anisotropic thermal conduction properties configured to optimize thermal conduction and cooling of the ECU.

Abstract: A spacer and electrical connector assembly for printed circuit boards includes a first member to be placed between two of the printed circuit boards to provide a required spacing between the printed circuit boards. The assembly also includes at least one second member disposed adjacent to the first member, the second member extending along a length of the first member and at least partially bracketing an upper surface and a lower surface of the first member, thereby providing an electrical connection between the printed circuit boards. A plurality of contact portions that respectively receive the second member may be disposed on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces.

Abstract: A spacer and electrical connector assembly for printed circuit boards includes a first member to be placed between two of the printed circuit boards to provide a required spacing between the printed circuit boards. The assembly also includes at least one second member disposed adjacent to the first member, the second member extending along a length of the first member and at least partially bracketing an upper surface and a lower surface of the first member, thereby providing an electrical connection between the printed circuit boards. A plurality of contact portions that respectively receive the second member may be disposed on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces.