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 electronic control unit for a motor vehicle comprises a printed circuit board in a one-piece bucket-style housing. The printed circuit board includes a heat-producing electrical component, and the housing includes a heat sink. During assembly of the electronic control unit, the printed circuit board is slid into the housing through an opening in the housing and along a pair of side rails. At the end of the side rails opposite the opening, there is a ramp that lifts the PCB towards the top wall of the housing, thus allowing the electrical component to thermally couple with the heat sink.

Abstract: A carrier includes first and second container portions that are assembled together to provide a structure the supports and retains a capacitor. The first container portion and the second container portion are assembled together in a configuration in which the edges of the first wall structures face corresponding ones of the edges of the second wall structures, and the edges of the first wall structures are overlapping with respect to the corresponding ones of the edges of the second wall structures when the carrier is viewed in side view.

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 capacitor carrier assembly includes a carrier, a capacitor disposed in the carrier and electrically conductive connection terminals. The connection terminals support the carrier with respect to another electronic component or device such as a printed circuit board, retain individual carrier portions in an assembled configuration, and provide an electrical connection between the capacitor and the electronic component. Each connection terminal includes an elastic member that protrudes from a surface of the connection terminal and engages the carrier, and regions of serrations provided on opposed edges of the terminal that engage the carrier, and a flange that protrudes from the surface in a direction perpendicular to the first surface. An edge of the flange includes an insulation displacement contact (IDC) joint for connection to the capacitor leads.

Abstract: A carrier is configured to house a capacitor that includes a casing, a first capacitor lead that protrudes from the casing and a second capacitor lead that protrudes from the casing. The carrier includes a first container portion and a second container portion. The first container portion and the second container portion have the same shape and dimensions, and when assembled together, define an interior space that receives and retains the capacitor therein.

Abstract: A capacitor carrier assembly includes a carrier, a capacitor disposed in the carrier and electrically conductive connection terminals that support the carrier with respect to another electronic component or device such as a printed circuit board. Each connection terminal has a body portion that is electrically connected to one capacitor lead of the pair of capacitor leads at a connection location, and a device connection portion that protrudes from the carrier. Leads of the capacitor and the connection locations are encapsulated by wall structures of the carrier.

Abstract: A carrier is configured to house a capacitor that includes a casing, a first capacitor lead that protrudes from the casing and a second capacitor lead that protrudes from the casing. The carrier includes a first container portion and a second container portion. The first container portion and the second container portion have the same shape and dimensions, and when assembled together, define an interior space that receives and retains the capacitor therein.

Abstract: A capacitor carrier assembly includes a carrier, a capacitor disposed in the carrier and electrically conductive connection terminals. The connection terminals support the carrier with respect to another electronic component or device such as a printed circuit board, retain individual carrier portions in an assembled configuration, and provide an electrical connection between the capacitor and the electronic component. Each connection terminal includes an elastic member that protrudes from a surface of the connection terminal and engages the carrier, and regions of serrations provided on opposed edges of the terminal that engage the carrier, and a flange that protrudes from the surface in a direction perpendicular to the first surface. An edge of the flange includes an insulation displacement contact (IDC) joint for connection to the capacitor leads.

Abstract: A carrier includes first and second container portions that are assembled together to provide a structure the supports and retains a capacitor. The first container portion and the second container portion are assembled together in a configuration in which the edges of the first wall structures face corresponding ones of the edges of the second wall structures, and the edges of the first wall structures are overlapping with respect to the corresponding ones of the edges of the second wall structures when the carrier is viewed in side view.

Abstract: A capacitor carrier assembly includes a carrier, a capacitor disposed in the carrier and electrically conductive connection terminals that support the carrier with respect to another electronic component or device such as a printed circuit board. Each connection terminal has a body portion that is electrically connected to one capacitor lead of the pair of capacitor leads at a connection location, and a device connection portion that protrudes from the carrier. Leads of the capacitor and the connection locations are encapsulated by wall structures of the carrier.

Abstract: A lens assembly for a near range camera includes a lens stack disposed in a tubular lens housing. The lens stack includes several lenses in a stacked arrangement. An outermost lens of the lens stack is disposed in an open end of the lens housing, and a second lens of the lens stack abuts an inward facing surface of the outermost lens. A seal is that contacts, and forms a seal with, an inner surface of the lens housing, the first lens and the second lens.

Abstract: A lens assembly for a near range camera includes a lens stack disposed in a tubular lens housing. The lens stack includes several lenses in a stacked arrangement. An outermost lens of the lens stack is disposed in an open end of the lens housing, and a second lens of the lens stack abuts an inward facing surface of the outermost lens. A seal is that contacts, and forms a seal with, an inner surface of the lens housing, the first lens and the second lens.

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 cover of a housing for an electronic control unit (ECU) includes a planar end portion, sidewall portions that surround a periphery of the end portion, and guide ribs that protrude inward from a base-facing surface of the end portion. Each rib includes a free edge that is spaced apart from the base-facing surface of the end portion and extends between the rib first end and the rib second end. The free edge height varies between the rib first and second ends such that the free edge follows a curvilinear path between the rib first and second ends. The free edge is configured so that, during insertion of a printed circuit board (PCB) of the ECU into the housing, the angular orientation of the PCB relative to housing changes as the PCB slides along the free edge whereby interference between the PCB and the housing during insertion is avoided.

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.