Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Dashboards
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2001-06-26
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Dashboards
C174S0720TR
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250706
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to flat copper cables, and to connectors for communicating electrical signals to a plurality of electrical devices.
BACKGROUND ART
Typically, instrument panels house a plurality of electrical components, such as engine gauges, air conditioning controls, radios, lighters, glove box lights and the like. These electrical devices must be provide power by a wire harness packaged within the instrument panel. Generally, a wire harness is made with a plurality of pigtails having an electrical connector disposed at one end for connecting to an electrical device, such as one referenced above.
As the electrical devices increase in the instrument panel so does the complexity of the wire harness. More complex wire harnesses are generally larger leading to larger assembly costs, weight, and more difficult to package. Typically, the same wire harness is used over a similar series of vehicles. Therefore, a vehicle having only a few of the myriad of options available may contain a complex wire harness which is under utilized.
Accordingly, a need exists for a new improved means for connecting electrical devices to a flat copper cable wire harness. The new and improved means must eliminate unutilized wire harness cable while provide a quick and easy means to connect additional cable to the wire harness.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an instrument panel having a wire harness connector affixed thereto for connecting a secondary wire harness to a primary wire harness.
In accordance with this and other objects, the present invention provides a new and improved instrument panel for use in an automobile. The instrument panel has a cross-car beam which provides structural support for the instrument panel, a primary wire harness for carrying electrical power to a plurality of electrical components housed within the instrument panel, a secondary wire harness having a secondary connector block connected thereto, a primary connector block affixed to the cross-car beam adjacent the primary wire harness for mating with the secondary connector block. In this manner, the secondary wire harness is electrically connected to the primary wire harness. The secondary connector block has a plurality of electrical terminals for electrically contacting a plurality of conductors disposed on the primary wire harness. The present invention provides a means to easily electrically connect a secondary wire harness to a primary wire harness.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the primary and secondary wire harnesses are preferably a flat copper cable.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention the primary connector block is integrally molded to the cross-car beam.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention the cross- car beam further comprises a front panel and a back panel.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention the primary connector block is integrally molded to the front panel of the instrument panel.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention the primary connector block is a male connector end.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention the secondary connector block is a female connector end.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention a cross-car beam for providing structural support for an instrument panel is provided. The cross-car beam includes a primary wire harness for carrying electrical power to a plurality of electrical components housed within the instrument panel, a secondary wire harness having a secondary connector block connected thereto, and a primary connector block affixed to the cross-car beam and adjacent the primary wire harness for mating with the secondary connector block. In this manner, the secondary wire harness is electrically connected to the primary wire harness. Additionally, the secondary connector block has a plurality of electrical terminals for electrically contacting a plurality of conductors disposed on the primary wire harness.
The above features, benefits and advantages and other features, benefits and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings.
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International Search Report, Dec. 20, 2000.
Davis, Jr. Joseph J.
Hein David A.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Chenevert Paul
Dayoan D. Glenn
Lear Corporation
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