Abstract: A method of assembling a terminal assembly includes a terminal and a terminal insert. The terminal insert may be configured to be disposed at least partially in the terminal; the terminal and the terminal insert may be configured to receive at least a portion of a wire; and/or the terminal and the terminal insert may be configured to be crimped to the said wire. The terminal insert may include a first insert wing, a second insert wing a third insert wing, and/or a fourth insert wing. The terminal may include a first wing, a second wing, a third wing, and/or a fourth wing. The first wing of the terminal may be disposed proximate the first wing of the terminal insert and/or the second wing of the terminal may be disposed proximate the second wing of the terminal insert.

Abstract: A method of assembling a terminal assembly includes a terminal and a terminal insert. The terminal insert may be configured to be disposed at least partially in the terminal; the terminal and the terminal insert may be configured to receive at least a portion of a wire; and/or the terminal and the terminal insert may be configured to be crimped to the said wire. The terminal insert may include a first insert wing, a second insert wing a third insert wing, and/or a fourth insert wing. The terminal may include a first wing, a second wing, a third wing, and/or a fourth wing. The first wing of the terminal may be disposed proximate the first wing of the terminal insert and/or the second wing of the terminal may be disposed proximate the second wing of the terminal insert.

Abstract: A crimping monitoring system includes a sensor configured for electrical connection with at least one of a first element and a second element, and a crimping device including a first crimping fixture and a second crimping fixture. The crimping device may be configured to crimp said first element and said second element together. The sensor may be configured to monitor an electrical characteristic of at least one of said first element and said second element during crimping of said first element and said second element together. The first element may include an electrical terminal and the second element may include a conductor.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical terminal includes the steps of: transferring a portion of electrically conductive material to a selected location on a surface of electrically conductive material stock; bonding the portion of electrically conductive material to the surface of the electrically conductive material stock; forming the portion of electrically conductive material to the surface of the electrically conductive material stock to define a conductive interface; and forming the electrical terminal from the electrically conductive material stock.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical terminal includes the steps of: transferring a portion of electrically conductive material to a selected location on a surface of electrically conductive material stock; bonding the portion of electrically conductive material to the surface of the electrically conductive material stock; forming the portion of electrically conductive material to the surface of the electrically conductive material stock to define a conductive interface; and forming the electrical terminal from the electrically conductive material stock.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided with a body that extends along a lateral length with a longitudinal height defined by a first body surface and an opposing second body surface. A locking terminal extends through the body and includes an elongate blade having a distal end for electrically connecting to a mating connector and a proximal end adapted to electrically connect to an electronic component with an aperture. At least one tab extends lengthwise from an intermediate portion of the blade and extends through the electronic component aperture. A projection extends outward from the tab such that the projection interferes with the aperture during insertion of the tab therethrough for deforming the tab. After insertion, the tab returns from the deformation and engages the projection to the electronic component for retaining the tab within the aperture.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided with a body that extends along a lateral length with a longitudinal height defined by a first body surface and an opposing second body surface. A locking terminal extends through the body and includes an elongate blade having a distal end for electrically connecting to a mating connector and a proximal end adapted to electrically connect to an electronic component with an aperture. At least one tab extends lengthwise from an intermediate portion of the blade and extends through the electronic component aperture. A projection extends outward from the tab such that the projection interferes with the aperture during insertion of the tab therethrough for deforming the tab. After insertion, the tab returns from the deformation and engages the projection to the electronic component for retaining the tab within the aperture.

Abstract: The connector assembly includes a body extending along a length with a longitudinal height defined by a first surface and an opposing second surface. At least one terminal projects through the body. The terminal includes a blade extending from the first surface for electrically connecting with a mating connector. The terminal also includes a leg extending from the second surface. A tab has a convex surface and is formed at a distal end of the leg without any apertures formed therethrough. The convex surface is adapted for electrically connecting with a mounting surface of an electronic component upon receipt of a predetermined signal.

Abstract: A power data connection for a vehicle and one or more electronic devices is provided. The power data connection comprises a data communication connector and a terminal. The data communication connector includes a case ground and is adapted to enable data communication to and from the vehicle. The terminal is supported by the case ground and operable to supply electrical power from the vehicle to the electronic devices simultaneously with the data communication connector enabling data communication to and from the vehicle.

Abstract: A cigar lighter including a mounting ring, and a socket insertable into the mounting ring. The socket has at least one cantilevered lance extending in a longitudinal direction of the socket and directed radially inwardly. The mounting ring has a cylindrical body with an inner surface. A rib is provided on the inner surface of the housing so as to extend in a longitudinal direction. The rib is arranged in a vicinity of the lance of the socket so as to limit outward radial travel of the lance.

Abstract: A multipurpose power point for use by, and accessible to, the driver or other occupant of a vehicle, includes a generally cylindrical terminal housing having center terminal and at least one detent for retaining a ignitor plug within the terminal housing. An overtravel preventer attached to an outer housing portion of the power point engages the detent and subjects the detent to a radially inwardly directed force sufficient to prevent the detent from deforming plastically in response to forces placed upon the detent by power consuming devices inserted into the terminal housing.

Abstract: An airbag plate for use in an airbag assembly incorporates a protruding push retainer feature to irreversibly secure the airbag plate to an instrument panel upper. The protruding push retainer feature may use a plurality of contact arms or an upwardly exposed flange region, with or without barbs, as a positive retaining feature. The instrument panel upper is coupled to the airbag plate by inserting a raised boss on the engine side of the instrument panel upper through a corresponding protruding push retainer contained on the airbag plate. This push retainer feature then bites into the boss to aid in preventing the airbag plate from separating from the instrument panel upper when an airbag is deployed.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided with a solder pad configuration for wave soldering a surface mount device with its longitudinal axis in a direction perpendicular to the solder wave. A leading solder pad is not wider than the surface mount device. A trailing solder pad is wider than the surface mount device, thereby ensuring that the trailing pad is sufficiently wet by the solder wave.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided with a solder pad configuration for wave soldering a surface mount device with its longitudinal axis in a direction perpendicular to the solder wave. A leading solder pad is not wider than the surface mount device. A trailing solder pad is wider than the surface mount device, thereby ensuring that the trailing pad is sufficiently wet by the solder wave.

Abstract: An apparatus compliantly retains a circuit board including a housing comprising two portions. Within the housing is a seat for supporting the printed circuit board. When the two housing portions are brought together a snap retainer engages. A flexible tang urges the circuit board between it and the seat holding the circuit board in place.

Abstract: An electrical substrate including a flexible printed circuit mounted on the substrate arranged to provide electrical contact between the flexible printed circuit and circuit contacts on an associated carrier substrate. Portions of the flexible printed circuit extended from the top surface of the electrical substrate to the bottom of the substrate by way of recesses included in the geometry of the electrical substrate. Portions of the flexible printed circuit are folded under the bottom side of the electrical substrate and fastened thereto by some compliant material. Properly positioned, electrical contact is established between the flexible printed circuit and circuit contacts on the carrier substrate.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes terminals and receptacles mating at an angle relative to the horizontal force applied to couple them. Keying flanges mounted on a terminal housing slide along guide channels of a receptacle frame in a first direction, and are then directed along keying slots in a second direction, angularly related to the first direction, to mate the terminals and receptacles mounted in the receptacle frame. The connector is compact and may be assembled with application of a single coupling force in one direction. The angular disposition of terminals and receptacles provides improved resistance to uncoupling. A system of such electrical connectors is provided, including means for preventing cross-connection of unrelated circuits and components. Finally, a method for interconnecting electrical circuits and components with such electrical connectors is provided.

Abstract: A substrate mounting device for installing an electrical substrate to a carrier substrate. The substrate mounting device includes a plurality of tabs extending from the perimeter edges of the electrical substrate. First and second substrate guides are mounted to the carrier substrate and each include a lower shelf and a channel extending longitudinally along a substrate guide inner side, from an open end to a top guide. The channel is further defined by a top surface and a plurality of drop guides which in turn form a plurality of slots. Also included are a plurality of flaps formed by molded spring back hinges to facilitate insertion from an upward direction. The electrical substrate is installed by manually placing the electrical substrate onto the flapped areas and then depressing in a downward and forward direction, causing the flaps to move in a downward direction allowing the electrical substrate to encounter top guides which act to urge the electrical substrate downward toward the carrier substrate.

Abstract: A substrate connector guide for installing and electrically connecting an electrical substrate to a carrier substrate. The substrate connector guide includes guide rails mounted on the perimeter edge of the carrier substrate and electrical connectors mounted transversely between the guide rails. First and second substrate guides mounted to the carrier substrate. Each include a channel extending longitudinally along a substrate guide inner side, from an open end. A retention guide assists in maintaining the electrical substrate in proper position after insertion into the carrier substrate guide rails. Electrical connectors are also mounted and electrically connected to the electrical substrate. The electrical substrate is installed by manually inserting the electrical substrate into respective substrate guide open ends and pushing the electrical substrate along the channels. The electrical substrate rests on the carrier substrate and aligns the electrical susbstrate connectors to carrier electrical connectors.

Abstract: A substrate carrier device is disclosed which is used to mount and electrically connect a plurality of electrical substrates to a carrier substrate. The substrate carrier device includes a substrate tray having planar top and bottom surfaces. The top surface is adapted to have a plurality of electrical substrates mounted thereon. Substrate guide rails extend from the major perimeter edges of the bottom surface of the substrate tray and are adapted to be inserted and accepted within a pair of substrate guides, found on the carrier substrate. Electrical connection devices, mountable to the tray between each electrical substrate, engage associated electrical connectors on the carrier substrate. A flexible circuit interconnects each electrical connection device to an adjacent and associated electrical substrate, thereby providing an electrical path between an electrical substrate and the carrier substrate.