United Technologies Automotive Inc.

Lear Corporation

The Bendix Corporation

Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Ut Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Robert D Muller

Robert M Schmidt

Douglas C Campbell

James D Dowd

Monte L Falcoff

Richard P Walter

Mark Feldman

Robert D Schmidt

Carl G Czarnecki

Gerard Grabowski

Jeffrey W Stahlbaum

Orlando F Muscat

Rutunj Rai

Mohamed Zeidan

Will McPherson

A switch assembly module for controlling operation of a vehicle lamp includes a photocell integrated within the module housing to allow a controller to automatically switch the lamp on or off depending on detected ambient level. A manual switch is provided on a faceplate of the housing to allow disabling of the automatic operation feature. A manual switch can also be provided to allow variable dimming of the lamp. Integration of the photocell into the switch assembly module eliminates the need for separate instrument panel wiring to the photocell, while reducing wiring harness complexity by allowing the same harness and connector to be used with a module not having the photocell integrated therein.

Auto headlamp module with integrated photocell

An improved switch for entering a key code includes a plurality of moving contact members all molded together into a single membrane. Each of the moving contact members moves within a hole in a housing. The housing is connected to a base with a snap connection. A circuit board and the membrane are sandwiched between the base and housing. A sealing lip on the membrane is deformed against the housing to provide a water tight seal around the circumference of the housing. Wires extend from the circuit board through holes in the base, and grommets surround the wire sealing the holes. LED's are provided on the circuit board to backlight the moving contact members.

Membrane keyless entry switch for vehicles

In accordance with the present invention, an automotive device is comprised of a substrate, a second component, and a light bulb socket, whereby the bulb socket retains the second component, directly or indirectly, to the substrate; the second component is solely attached to the substrate, directly or indirectly, by the bulb socket. More specifically, the substrate is an outer housing and the second component is a lamp reflector. The present invention also comprises the method of inserting and retaining these parts with the bulb socket. Furthermore, the present invention may be part of a backlit switch, an overhead reading lamp, or an instrument panel light.

Automotive apparatus and method using bulb socket retention of components

An overhead console for a motor vehicle including an integral remote control unit storage compartment is provided. The invention allows for the remote control unit to be activated directly by actuating a pivotable door to an open position or indirectly while the remote control unit remains in the storage compartment.

Multifunctional garage door opener storage compartment

A bi-directional multifunction switch which incorporates a single contact carrier having conductive contacts adapted to be moved in various directions as a result of rotary and push/pull actuation of an interconnected knob. Electrically conductive circuit paths formed in a substrate surface are contacted by protrusions on the conductive contacts to accomplish electrical switching functions. The contact carrier is moved via a shaft which securely retains the contact carrier along opposing axes and which moves as a result of turning, pushing or pulling the actuating knob.

Multifunction switch

A switch mechanism having a set of movable conductive contacts adapted to selectively conductively engage a set of conductive paths formed on a printed circuit board in order to open and close circuit paths created thereby. A contact carrier retains the movable contacts in a predefined spaced relationship and slidingly engages a guide member adapted to predeterminately guide the movement of the carrier with respect to the circuit board, the guide member being fixedly secured to a surface of the printed circuit board substrate.

Printed circuit board mounted guide system

A courtesy/reading light lens (24) includes a translucent body (26) having a surface (28) covered with an array of opaque dots (30) for selectively controlling the distribution of lights as it passes through the translucent body (26). The opaque dots (30) are organized in multiple sections (32, 34, 26) that together form a dot pattern. The opaque dots (30) within each section (32, 34, 36) are arrayed at a substantially uniform spacing and have a substantially uniform two-dimensional diameter.

Motor vehicle courtesy/reading light lens with dot pattern

In automotive interior lamp assemblies, the exposed surfaces of both a bezel (18) and a lens (20) are stippled with a pattern chosen to complement the texture of the material (15) surrounding the bezel. Additionally, the color of the bezel (18) is substantially identical to the color of the lens (20) when the lamp assembly is extinguished.

Lens and bezel assembly with uniform surface texturing and color

A diesel fuel injector having two separate annular or annulus-to-annulus dumps for providing a variable and a fixed orifice rapidly and controllably terminating injection and for controlling the impact velocity of the injector's intensifier piston against a mating stop. The injector further includes a middle chamber that is always connected to a low pressure vent to permit the collection and diversion of leakage fuel away from the middle chamber. The intensifier piston includes an upper member that is received within a stepped bore. The intensifier piston is loosely received within a lower member to permit relative motion therebetween for preventing the gall-up of the intensifier piston against the walls of the cooperating stepped bore.

Growing community of inventors

Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Robert D Muller