Electrical connectors – Including or for use with tape cable – With mating connection region formed by bared cable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-13
2001-08-28
Paumen, Gary (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Including or for use with tape cable
With mating connection region formed by bared cable
Reexamination Certificate
active
06280241
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to flat conductors and more particularly to flat cable connection systems for use in vehicle electrical systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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.
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.
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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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.
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.
A further object is to provide such a low profile configuration having adhesive patches for securing the system with respect to a headliner.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3253248 (1966-05-01), Brown
patent: 4731273 (1988-03-01), Bonk et al.
patent: 1522029 (1978-08-01), None
Herlinger George Raymond
Monroe Anne F
Reed Vickey E.
Siegfried David Glen
Svette, Jr. Joseph Albert
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Griffin Patrick M.
Nguyen P
Paumen Gary
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