Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for an improved brake shift interlock system which reduces solenoid noise created by vehicle vibrations and solenoid activation. The brake shift interlock system includes a park position switch, a brake sensor, and a control circuit. The method includes the sensing of the park position switch and the brake sensor and generating a pulse width modulated control signal having a varying duty cycle for driving the solenoid when predetermined conditions of the park position switch and brake sensor are sensed.

Abstract: A fuel vapor recovery system for a vehicle having a fuel tank coupled to a fuel filler tube. The fuel vapor recovery system includes a carbon canister disposed in the fuel filler tube. Thus, the relatively cool stored fuel passes through the carbon canister disposed in the filler tube before entering the fuel tank. A primary advantage of the present invention is that the problem of the temperature of the carbon rising during vehicle fuelling due to displaced fuel vapors desorbing within the canister is mitigated by heat transfer between the cool fuel passing over the filler tube disposed carbon canister and the entering relatively cool fuel. This heat transfer results in a cooling of the carbon in the canister. Consequently, the carbon in the carbon canister remains effective in desorbing fuel vapors. The filler tube has an inlet for receiving fuel from a supply external to the vehicle. The filler tube is disposed to directing such received fuel to the fuel tank.

Abstract: An arrangement of a flex circuit relay 7 is provided. The flex circuit relay 7 has a first substrate 10. A first connective member 24 is connected on the first substrate 10. A second flexible substrate 20 is provided having a contact portion 30 spaced away from the first substrate 10 in a first position and being spaced adjacent to the first substrate 10 in a second position. A second conductive member 26 is provided on the second substrate 20 for making contact with the first conductive member 24. A piezoelectric actuator 28 is connected with the second substrate 20 to cause the second substrate contact portion 30 to move between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An arrangement of a flex circuit (7) is provided which includes a first substrate (10) with a connected first conductive membrane (16) having a first gap (20). A second substrate (44) with a connected conductive membrane (50) is spaced away from the first substrate (10). At least one of the substrates (10), (44) is flexible. A first surface mounted device (24) with a first end cap termination (36), bridges over the first gap (20). The end cap termination (36) electrically connects with the second conductive membrane (50) to complete an electrical circuit between the first and second conductive membranes (16), (50) when the substrates (10), (44) are displaced toward one another.

Abstract: An arrangement of a flex circuit relay (7) is provided which in a preferred embodiment has a first substrate (16) and a second substrate (40). The substrates (16), (40) have conductive membranes (17), (50) connected thereto. The second substrate (40) has a contact portion (44). Adjacent to contact portion (44) is a ferritic member (48). A coil (22) is provided having wire windings wrapped around a core. The coil (22) provides a magnetic field to cause the second substrate (40) to move between a first position spaced away from the first substrate (16) and a second position spaced adjacent to the first substrate (16) against a flexural force of the second substrate (40).

Abstract: An adapter for interconnecting flexible circuitry, such as a length of flat flexible cable, to another electrical circuit component using an edge card connector includes a thin, substantially-flat, rigid projection that defines an edge, an upper surface and a lower surface. The flat flexible cable is secured to the upper surface of the adapter's projection and wrapped around the edge of the projection to thereby significantly improve the retention force achieved upon insertion of the adapter's projection into the edge card connector's main slot.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus 10 for interconnecting automotive electrical circuits and components. In one embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes at least one channel 73 formed by an opposing pair of rails 66, and a backplane 20. The backplane includes an “omega-shaped” cavity 38. The assembly further includes a first flexible circuit 16 disposed within the backplane 20, an elastomeric member 22 residing upon the circuit 16, and a card 14 which is movably disposed within the rails 66 and which supports a second flexible circuit 30. The card 14 is movable between a first position which is remote from the cavity 38 and a second position in which portions of the card 14 and the second flexible circuit 30 penetrate the cavity 38, thereby deforming the elastomeric member 22 and securely and electrically connecting the first flexible circuit 16 to the second flexible circuit 30.

Abstract: An electrical connection and power distribution assembly 10 including a dynamically configurable array of substantially identical terminal members 12, 14 which are disposed upon a dielectric surface 66, which may be selectively connected to a plurality of automobile circuit assemblies 99, 101, and 110; which may selectively receive fuses 93 or other components; and which may be selectively interconnected and/or selectively severed to form a desired and/or required circuit and component interconnection scheme.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an electronic circuit, one embodiment of which comprises: an electronic component 10 having bump terminations 12 on a first surface 14 thereof; a flexible substrate 16 having a plurality of generally round holes 18 therein arranged in correspondence with the bump terminations, wherein each hole has a diameter d smaller than the diameter D of a corresponding bump termination; and an array of conductive circuit traces 20 arranged on a second surface 22 of the substrate, wherein each of the circuit traces terminates generally about one of the holes in the substrate. Each bump termination 12 is fixably inserted into its corresponding substrate hole 18 so as to mechanically connect the electronic component 10 with the substrate 16 and to electrically connect each termination 12 with a corresponding circuit trace 20.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for electrically interconnecting a circuit pattern with an adjacent circuit on a substrate. The circuit pattern is positioned in direct physical contact with the adjacent circuit to create a single electrical interface between the circuit pattern and the adjacent circuit. A compliant spring member is supported by the substrate for creating a normal force at the single electrical interface for holding the circuit pattern and adjacent circuit together. The compliant spring member is sufficiently flexible to facilitate electrical interconnection of the circuits along a non-planar substrate. Various embodiments are described.