• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A flat cable connection system includes a flat cable module having a power input segment and drop connectors that provides a low profile configuration; the drop connectors include a spring component, a non-spliced flat cable end portion and a connector body that serves to capture the flat cable end portion and to provide an electrical connection to an electrical accessory of the type associated with a headliner of a vehicle.
    公开号:US20010009822A1
    申请号:US09/458,516
    申请日:1999-12-13
    公开日:2001-07-26
    发明作者:George Raymond Herlinger；Vickey E. Reed；Joseph Albert Svette Jr.；David Glen Siegfried；Anne F. Monroe
    申请人:Delphi Technologies Inc；
    IPC主号:H01R12-592
    专利说明:
    [0001] This invention relates to flat conductors and more particularly to flat cable connection systems for use in vehicle electrical systems. [0001] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [0002] U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,283 discloses the use of flat cables in an automotive electrical system. While suitable for their intended purpose such flat cable designs do not address how to provide a readily assembled, positive connection between a flat cable system having multiple drop locations requiring electrical connection between the cable and electrical devices associated with the headliner and sun visor accessories of a motor vehicle. [0002]
    [0003] One problem with such overhead systems is that different architectures are required for different vehicle applications. The need to provide a wide range of connector systems increases handling and assembly costs. Furthermore, in headliner applications the use of traditional round wire wiring packages can cause undesirable bulge regions that can pinch, cut or chafe the wiring. Furthermore, such arrangements require elaborate taping to secure the package on a headliner. [0003]
    [0004] Another problem with such traditional round wire bundles is that they do not define consistent parallel conductor paths. Consequently, electro magnetic and radio frequency interference can result. [0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    [0005] The object of this invention is to provide a flat cable connection system that is formed as a module with consistently parallel conductor paths and that has a plurality of electrical drop connections. [0005]
    [0006] A further object is to provide such a system wherein branches of the system are located in a common low profile configuration and include non-spliced terminal segments. [0006]
    [0007] A further object is to provide such a low profile configuration having adhesive patches for securing the system with respect to a headliner. [0007]
    [0008] A feature of the flat cable connection system of the invention is that the flat cable has one or more a flat cable end segments backed by a spring element for biasing conductors in the end segments terminal segments and for releasably connecting them with respect to mating surfaces on electrical terminals in a connector body and wherein the flat cable end segments have conductors thereon that define a terminal that does not require wire splices. [0008]
    [0009] Another feature of the flat cable connection system of the invention is that the connection system has one or more connector bodies arranged to receive non-spliced terminal segments on the flat cable. [0009]
    [0010] Still another feature of the flat cable connection system of the invention is that the connection system includes a non-spliced terminal segment that is wrapped around a spring that shapes the terminal segment for connection to a drop in connector body located below the non-spliced terminals. [0010]
    [0011] Another feature is to shape such terminal segment to define an up ramp at a forward end and to define a down ramp at a rearward end of the loop and wherein the up ramp is spring biased to form a wipe contact action. [0011]
    [0012] Yet another feature of the flat cable connection system of the invention is that the flat cable includes one or more vertically depending segments thereon that are configured to be placed in vertically upwardly stowed positions or deployed in vertically dropped positions for connection to associated electrical devices. [0012]
    [0013] Still yet another feature of the flat cable connection system of the invention is that the connection system includes a plurality of connector bodies that are loosely mounted on relatively rigid supports for electrical connection to associated electrical devices and wherein the depending segments of the flat cable are configured to be attached to the connector body without adjusting the position of the flat cable architecture. [0013]
    [0014] Still yet another feature of the flat cable connection system of the invention is that the flat cable connection system has a spring member configured to have a flat cable end wrapped thereon to provide a spring biased electrical connection between exposed conductors in the flat cable and a terminal within a connector body having a cavity for receiving the wrapped flat cable. [0014]
    [0015] Yet another feature of the flat cable connection system of the invention is that the connector body includes a first portion thereon adjustably connected to a support member and a second portion forming a socket for receiving depending terminal segments of the flat cable supply array to facilitate insertion of the terminal segments into the connector body and to provide a strain relief between the flat cable array and the connector body. [0015]
    [0016] Still another object of the invention is to provide a latch connection between the spring and the connector body for retaining the looped end of the flat cable drops connection within the connector body. [0016]
    [0017] These and other objects, features and advantages of the flat cable connection system of the invention will become apparent in connection with the detailed description of the flat cable connection system of the invention below. [0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0018] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a flat cable connection system of the invention; [0018]
    [0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a flat cable connection system of the invention associated with a vehicle headliner; [0019]
    [0020] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a drop connector shown in association with an overhead console; [0020]
    [0021] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a spring component in the connector shown in FIG. 3; [0021]
    [0022] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a connector body component in the connector shown in FIG. 3; [0022]
    [0023] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a flat cable end, spring and connector body from one end of the connector body prior to assembly; [0023]
    [0024] FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 6 of a flat cable end, spring and connector body from the opposite end of the connector body shown in FIG. 6 prior to assembly. [0024]
    [0025] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a flat cable end, spring and connector body from the opposite end of the connector body shown in FIG. 6 prior to assembly. [0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
    [0026] Referring first to FIG. 1, a flat cable connection system [0026] 10 of the invention is shown as a diagrammatic overhead view of a vehicle headliner region. The flat cable connection system 10 includes a flat cable module 12 having a power input segment 14 that includes power feed segments 16, 18, 20 and 22 and connector segments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38 each having a terminal segment thereon to be described. The flat cable module 12 is located in substantially a common plane and thus provides a low profile configuration that is easily connected by adhesive patches 40.
    [0027] Each adhesive patch [0027] 40 has a bent segment 42 having a first adhesive surface 44 that connects to the inboard surface of the various segments of the module 12. Each patch 40 also has a straight segment 45 having an adhesive surface 46. The surfaces 44, 46 are covered by removable tape prior to use so as to enable the module 12 to be handled as a unit prior to assembly within a vehicle type. When the tape cover is removed, the surface 46 connects to a headliner 48 and the surface 44 connects to the module 12 to secure it in a low profile position.
    [0028] The module [0028] 12 further includes a plurality of drop and lock connections 50, shown in FIG. 2. Each of the connections 50 includes a spring component 52, a flat cable end portion 54 and a connector body 55 that serves to capture the flat cable end portion and to provide an electrical connection to an electrical accessory of the type associated with a headliner of a vehicle including but not limited to sun visors having lighted mirrors; overhead consoles that include lighting and a landing port for a garage door operator; such accessories can also include dome lights and rail lights. The arrangement enables one or more of the flat cable end portions 54 to be held by tape in a common plane with the other flat cable segments or to be deployed downwardly as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 for connection to a connector body 55 as will be described.
    [0029] FIG. 2 shows the connection of the module [0029] 12 at a sun-visor 57. FIG. 3 shows the connection of the module 12 at a console 59 and wherein like components are identified with the same reference numeral printed.
    [0030] Such an arrangement enables one preassembled module to be suitable for use in a range of vehicle types that can have varying types of headliner electrical accessories. For example, some car models might include lighted visors and others might not. In such cases the associated flat cable end portions can be easily fabricated as a low profile module to be deployed for connection to the accessory depending upon vehicle type. The flat cable module [0030] 12 can include one or more vertically depending segments thereon that are configured to be deployed in various drop-in positions for connection to associated electrical devices.
    [0031] As best shown in FIG. 4 each of the spring components [0031] 52 has a base 56 joined by a curved end wall 58 that connects to three spaced upwardly bent segments 60, 62, 64 that have inwardly turned ends 60 a, 62 a, 64 a defining an up ramp 65. A side tab 66 is integrally connected to the base 56 on each side thereof. It includes an opening 66 a therein that defines a latch opening 66 a adapted to interconnect with a lock member to be described. The configuration of the base 56, bent segments 60, 62, 64 and curved end wall defines a support for the end flat cable and the end portion thereon as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
    [0032] The cable end portions [0032] 54 each have a loop 70 (best shown in FIG. 8) that is shaped by the surfaces of the base 56 and bent segments 60-64 and it is secured by suitably fastening the terminus 72 of the loop against an adjacent portion 54 a of the end portion 54.
    [0033] By virtue of the configuration of the loop [0033] 70 and the spring action of the bent spring segments 60-64, a spring force is provided behind the cable end portion 54 against conductors 74, 76 and 78 to cause exposed segments 74 a, 76 a, 78 a thereon to be held in electrical contact with a mating surface 80. The mating surface can be a terminal plate, a printed circuit board or other known electrical connection found in automotive electrical applications. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-8, the loop 70 defines a non-spliced terminal segment that is wrapped around a spring that shapes the terminal segment for connection to a drop in connector body 55.
    [0034] As shown in FIG. 8, the loop [0034] 70 defines an up ramp 82 at a forward end and defines a down ramp 84 at a rearward end of the loop and wherein the up ramp is spring biased to form a wipe contact action at exposed conductor segments 74 a, 76 a, 78 a when assembled with respect to the mating surface.
    [0035] The connection system [0035] 10 is associated with one or more connector bodies 55 that are loosely mounted on relatively rigid supports for electrical connection to associated electrical devices and wherein the depending segments of the flat cable are configured to be attached to the connector body without adjusting the position of the flat cable architecture.
    [0036] More particularly each connector body [0036] 55 includes a first portion 90 having two side spring clip locks 92, 94 located on outer opposite sides 96, 98 of the first portion 90 that will allow the connection system components to be aligned and that will lock the connector body 55 to a mating surface that can be connected to a relatively rigid support portion of the vehicle.
    [0037] The connector body [0037] 55 includes a second portion 100 that forms a cavity 102 into which the loop 70 and spring 52 can be inserted. The cavity 102 has sidewalls 104, 106 that include ramped lock tabs 108, 110, respectively. The lock tabs 108, 110 engage the openings 66 a in the tabs 66 defining a latch that will contain the loop 70 and spring 52 within the connector body 55 and will prevent the spring component 52 from being backed out of the connector body 5. The top wall 112 and bottom wall 114 of the cavity 102 serve to guide the up ramp 82 into the cavity until the lock tabs 108, 110 engage. At this point the bent spring segments 60-64 of the spring component 52 at raised buttons 60 b, 62 b, 64 b to exert a spring biasing action behind the cable end portion 54 to cause exposed segments of conductors 74, 76 and 78 thereon to be held in electrical contact with the mating surface 80.
    [0038] In the illustrated arrangement the conductors [0038] 74-78 are copper conductors with a Mylar film laminated to both sides thereof. The exposed segments 74 a, 76 a, 78 a are located in an exposed window 112 in the topside of the loop 70 for providing a contact surface; raised buttons 60 b, 62 b, 64 b concentrate the spring force against the Mylar film on the inside of the loop 70 so as to assure good electrical contact between the exposed segments 74 a-78 a and the mating surface 80. The flat cable cooper conductors may be coated with an anti-tarnish coating or may be plated with a suitable protective and conductive metal such as tin or gold for lower contact force as well as to protect the copper from corrosion or tarnish.
    [0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the loop [0039] 70 and underlying spring 52 define an easily inserted electrical connection that can be directed into the housing 50 for producing an electrical connection between the module 12 and an associated electrical accessory.
    [0040] Many modifications and variations of the present invention in light of the above teachings may be made. It is, therefore, to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. [0040]
    权利要求:
    Claims (12)
    [1" id="US-20010009822-A1-CLM-00001] 1. A flat cable connection system comprising:
    a flat cable array having one or more non-spliced terminal segments;
    a connector body located in spaced relationship to said flat cable array,
    said connector body having a first portion forming a cavity for said non-spliced terminal segment; a mating surface within said cavity for providing an electrical contact therein;
    a spring component for shaping said non-spliced terminal segment; said non-spliced terminal segment having spaced conductors formed thereon biased by said spring component;
    said non-spliced terminal segment being connectable in said cavity and said conductor being biased within said cavity to provide a contact with said electrical mating surface within said connector housing.
    [2" id="US-20010009822-A1-CLM-00002] 2. The flat cable connection system of
    claim 1 further including a depending segment on said flat cable array including a deployed position wherein said terminal segment is connected to said connector housing.
    [3" id="US-20010009822-A1-CLM-00003] 3. The flat cable connection system of
    claim 1 , further including a headliner wherein said flat cable array is configured as a module locatable in a flat disposition on said headliner.
    [4" id="US-20010009822-A1-CLM-00004] 4. The flat cable connection system of
    claim 1 , further including a headliner, said flat cable array having branches located in a common low profile configuration and adhesive patches for securing said low profile configuration with respect to said headliner.
    [5" id="US-20010009822-A1-CLM-00005] 5. The flat cable connection system of
    claim 1 wherein said non-spliced terminal connections are one or more a flat cable end segments with exposed conductors; a spring element for biasing conductors in said end segments to produce a wiping contact between said exposed conductor and said mating surfaces.
    [6" id="US-20010009822-A1-CLM-00006] 6. The flat cable connection system of
    claim 1 wherein one or more connector bodies are located at spaced points with respect to said flat cable array and arranged to receive said non-spliced terminal segments.
    [7" id="US-20010009822-A1-CLM-00007] 7. The flat cable connection system of
    claim 1 wherein said non-spliced terminal segment is wrapped around said spring component.
    [8" id="US-20010009822-A1-CLM-00008] 8. The flat cable connection system of
    claim 1 , wherein said non-spliced terminal segment defines an up ramp at a forward end and a down ramp at a rearward end there of and wherein the up ramp is spring biased to form a wipe contact action.
    [9" id="US-20010009822-A1-CLM-00009] 9. The flat cable connection system of
    claim 1 , wherein said flat cable connection system of the invention is that the flat cable includes one or more vertically depending segments thereon that are configured to be in deployed in vertically dropped positions for connection to associated electrical devices.
    [10" id="US-20010009822-A1-CLM-00010] 10. The flat cable connection system of
    claim 1 , wherein a plurality of connector bodies that are loosely mounted on relatively rigid supports for electrical connection to associated electrical devices and wherein each of said non-splice terminal segments are configured to be attached to one of said connector bodies without adjusting the position of the flat cable architecture.
    [11" id="US-20010009822-A1-CLM-00011] 11. The flat cable connection system of
    claim 1 , including a support;
    said connector body including a portion thereon adjustably connected to said support to facilitate insertion of said terminal segments into said connector body and to provide a strain relief between the flat cable array and said connector body.
    [12" id="US-20010009822-A1-CLM-00012] 12. The flat cable-connecting
    claim 1 including a latch connection between said spring component and the connector body for retaining said non-spliced terminal segment within said connector body.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    AU601598B2|1990-09-13|Wiring harness
    EP1206374B1|2003-10-29|Instrument panel and cross-car beam therefore with integrated flat cable connector
    US5460530A|1995-10-24|Arranging method of a wire harness for a door
    US6280241B2|2001-08-28|Flat cable drop connection system
    US7485982B2|2009-02-03|Modular wiring harnesses
    US5548488A|1996-08-20|Electrical componet mounting system
    US5743755A|1998-04-28|Connector system
    US6583990B2|2003-06-24|Flexible circuit board and connect structure thereof
    US20040097274A1|2004-05-20|Mobile telephone device comprising multiwire electrical connection devices
    EP1219481B1|2006-08-09|Connector fitting structure for auxiliary component
    AU2003252196B2|2005-07-07|Bracket
    US7098857B2|2006-08-29|Adapter for antenna structures
    US6822168B2|2004-11-23|Cable harness arrangement
    JPH05207628A|1993-08-13|Electrical equipment assembling module and its formation method
    US6565378B1|2003-05-20|Electrical connector terminal and housing
    JP2985555B2|1999-12-06|Wire harness
    EP1223642B1|2005-04-06|Connection structure of flat cable to connector
    KR19990019649U|1999-06-15|Automotive wire harness
    JP3889576B2|2007-03-07|Bracket connection structure
    US6904846B2|2005-06-14|Ignition device for a safety system
    KR200217520Y1|2001-03-15|structure for a circuit distribution to use flexible PCB
    JP4836393B2|2011-12-14|Automotive antenna and its component set
    JPH08227765A|1996-09-03|Connecting structure between lamp and wire
    JPS6467445A|1989-03-14|Wire harness for door
    JPH0964491A|1997-03-07|Circuit board with harness
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US6280241B2|2001-08-28|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    EP1518758A2|2003-09-25|2005-03-30|Nexans|Device for detecting signals of sensors mounted in a vehicle|US3253248A|1962-10-01|1966-05-24|Clarence K Brown|Electrical connector and clamp|
    GB1522029A|1975-09-30|1978-08-23|Cannon Electric Great Britain|Electrical connector assemblies|
    US4731273A|1985-07-08|1988-03-15|Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company|Heat-recoverable closure with crosslinked pressure-sensitive adhesive|US20020197906A1|2001-06-22|2002-12-26|Fuerst Robert M.|Electrical connector for connecting flat flexible circuitry to discrete terminal pins|
    US6776554B2|2001-10-25|2004-08-17|Delphi Technologies, Inc.|Cable attachment and method of assembling same|
    US6926552B2|2002-10-03|2005-08-09|Delphi Technologies, Inc.|Electrical cable connector|
    US6790102B2|2002-10-10|2004-09-14|Delphi Technologies, Inc.|Twisted flat electrical terminal|
    JP3880049B2|2002-11-14|2007-02-14|矢崎総業株式会社|Flat wire terminal processing structure and terminal processing method|
    US20040224555A1|2003-05-08|2004-11-11|Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.|Automotive flatwire connector|
    US20060026850A1|2004-08-05|2006-02-09|Yazaki North America, Inc.|Compass system for a motor vehicle|
    US7091422B1|2005-01-28|2006-08-15|Multek Flexible Circuits, Inc.|Flexible flat cable with insulating layer having distinct adhesives on opposing faces|
    US7374429B2|2005-04-26|2008-05-20|3M Innovative Properties Company|Connector assembly|
    US9972930B1|2017-01-16|2018-05-15|Methode Electronics, Inc.|Transceiver module wit flex circuit|
    US11069994B2|2019-03-25|2021-07-20|Aptiv Technologies Limited|Electrical cable assembly, method and apparatus for making same and electrical terminal for same|
    US11171438B2|2020-04-09|2021-11-09|Energy Services LLC|Unitized cable plug array for mobile power generation equipment|
    法律状态:
    1999-12-13| AS| Assignment|Owner name: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC., MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HERLINGER, GEORGE RAYMOND;REED, VICKEY E.;SVETTE, JOSEPH ALBERT, JR.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:010484/0832 Effective date: 19991206 |
    2005-03-16| REMI| Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
    2005-08-29| LAPS| Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees|
    2005-09-28| STCH| Information on status: patent discontinuation|Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
    2005-10-25| FP| Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee|Effective date: 20050828 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US09/458,516|US6280241B2|1999-12-13|1999-12-13|Flat cable drop connection system|US09/458,516| US6280241B2|1999-12-13|1999-12-13|Flat cable drop connection system|
    [返回顶部]