Electrical connectors – With supporting means for coupling part – Universally or pivotally adjustable supporting elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-18
2001-10-16
Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With supporting means for coupling part
Universally or pivotally adjustable supporting elements
C439S630000, C439S008000, C439S260000, C439S733100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302730
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connections and, particularly, to an electrical terminal module for coupling between a printed circuit board and a relatively movable component, such as a motor for a remotely controlled mirror in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various applications wherein a relatively movable component is operatively associated with a printed circuit board and whereby the particular position of the component effects functions through the printed circuit board. For instance, in automotive or vehicular applications, rear view mirrors often are remotely controlled by actuators positioned at various locations in the vehicle, such as on a driver-side door. A driver operates the actuator at its remote location to adjust the rear view mirror.
One of the problems with vehicular mirror systems as described above is that different drivers most often must adjust the mirror for a particular driver's anatomical height or posture. This process becomes rather frustrating when multiple drivers repeatedly use the same vehicle. The mirror adjustment process is a constant burden. Consequently, systems have been designed whereby a particular position of the mirror is retained in a memory, and a particular driver simply must deliver a code to the system whereupon the mirror is automatically reset to a position corresponding to that driver's code.
One of the operative components of the system for automatically resetting a vehicular mirror is a terminal module which is mechanically coupled between a motor for the remotely controlled mirror and a printed circuit board. The module is mechanically coupled to the motor for movement therewith. The module embraces a printed circuit board and has a terminal for engaging a conductor on the circuit board. The module moves relative to the circuit board, and the terminal slides on the conductor to provide a variable resistor. The resistance between the printed circuit board conductor and the terminal on the module establishes a resistance reading which can be saved in memory and retrieved by a particular driver whereupon the system automatically adjusts the mirror to a position corresponding to the saved resistance reading.
Such terminal modules as described above must be manufactured in considerable volume. Unfortunately, the modules heretofore have been relatively expensive because of the molding process involved. Specifically, the terminal module includes a molded plastic housing mounting the terminal which slides along the printed circuit board. Not only must the housing mount the terminal, but the housing must include a slot for embracing the printed circuit board, typically at an edge thereof. The housing further must include some sort of universal joint or other coupling means to provide relative movement between the module and the motor for the remotely controlled mirror. All of these components or functions of the module must be accomplished in a very small molded part which often requires complex and expensive molding dies having various side cores. The present invention is directed to providing a terminal module of the character described, wherein the module housing is very simple and inexpensive and can be molded by simple separable molding die halves, with the terminal of the module simply assembled in the same slot which receives the printed circuit board.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved terminal module for coupling between a printed circuit board and a relatively movable component.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved terminal module for coupling between a motor for a remotely controlled mirror in a vehicle and a printed circuit board.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the terminal module includes an elongated dielectric housing defining a longitudinal axis extending between opposite ends of the housing. One opposite end of the housing has coupling means for interengagement with the relatively movable component and for allowing relative movement between the component and the printed circuit board. A slot extends axially into the housing from an open end thereof at an opposite end of the housing for embracing an edge of a printed circuit board inserted axially into the slot. A conductive terminal is mounted onto the housing through an open side of the housing generally parallel to the slot. The terminal has a contact portion extending into the slot for engaging an appropriate circuit trace on the printed circuit board.
As disclosed herein, the relatively movable component may be a motor for a remotely controlled mirror in a vehicle, and the coupling means on the housing of the terminal module comprises a universal joint in the form of a ball for receipt in an appropriate receptacle of the mirror motor.
Complementary interengaging latch means are provided between the terminal and the housing for locking the terminal to the housing. In the exemplary embodiment, the latch means include a resilient latch member on the terminal automatically engageable with a latch shoulder on the housing in response to mounting the terminal on the housing.
The housing of the terminal module also includes a terminal receptacle for receiving the terminal inserted thereinto in a direction generally parallel to a planar orientation of the printed circuit board inserted into the slot.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5154644 (1992-10-01), Kiat-Hup et al.
patent: 6064195 (2000-05-01), Clayton et al.
Geib Lawrence E.
Pill Anthony J.
Wilson Bill Blake
Caldwell Stacey E.
Molex Incorporated
Ta Tho D.
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