Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-22
2001-10-16
Witkowski, Stanley J. (Department: 2837)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...
C439S079000, C439S260000, C029S844000, C361S709000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302704
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to a method and to an apparatus for interconnecting electrical circuits and components and, more particularly, to a method and to an apparatus for selectively and electrically interconnecting automotive electrical circuits and components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Automobiles include a relatively large number of distributed electrical components and control modules (e.g., a cooperative and electrically coupled set of components) which must be selectively and electrically interconnected in order to allow the automobile to properly operate. Typically, this interconnection is achieved by the use of several selectively interconnected harnesses which traverse through various portions of the automobile, such as through the automobile instrument panel. Each harness typically contains a bundle of several insulated electrical conductors housed within an encapsulating protective cover. Selected wires within a single harness and/or selected wires within different harnesses are spliced and/or connected to various automobile components or modules, thereby cooperatively forming a desired automobile electrical interconnection network.
These networks suffer from several disadvantages. The harnesses are relatively bulky, thereby requiring a relatively large amount of mounting space and undesirably restricting the size of certain portions of the automobile, such as the air conditioning vents. The relatively bulky and encapsulated wire packaging makes the creation of these networks rather difficult and makes the detection, isolation, and correction of circuit faults very difficult. Furthermore, the splicing of the wires, necessary to create these desired interconnection networks, decreases the overall integrity of the interconnection circuit network, thereby increasing the probability of an undesirable electrical failure.
There is therefore a need for a circuit interconnection method and apparatus which overcomes the various previously delineated drawbacks of these prior harness arrangements and which allows for the relatively efficient, selective, and secure electrical and physical interconnection of automobile components and modules. Applicant's invention addresses these drawbacks and provides a new and useful apparatus and method for selectively making such desired electrical connections.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for selectively creating automobile electrical connections in a manner which overcomes the previously delineated disadvantages of prior automotive electrical interconnection schemes and systems.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for allowing automotive components and modules, such as those residing within the automobile's instrument panel, to be efficiently, selectively, and securely interconnected in a desired manner.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrical connector assembly is provided. Particularly, the assembly includes a backplane and at least one channel formed by an opposing pair of rails. The backplane includes a slotted aperture formed by the cooperative arrangement of a pair of opposed force plates and a support buttress member which cooperates with the force plates to form an “omega-shaped” cavity. The assembly further includes a first flexible circuit having a first conductive buss disposed upon the backplane, an elastomeric member residing upon the first flexible circuit, and a card which is movably disposed within the rails and which supports a second flexible circuit having a second conductive buss. The card is movable between a first position which is remote from the slotted aperture and a second position in which the second flexible circuit selectively penetrates the slotted aperture, thereby deforming the elastomeric member against the force plates, while securely and electrically connecting the first conductive buss to the second conductive buss.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for making an electrical connection between a first flexible circuit and a second flexible circuit is provided. Particularly, the method includes the steps of providing a base assembly having at least one channel formed by an opposing pair of rails, and a backplane having a cavity; placing an elastomeric member upon the first flexible circuit; disposing the first flexible circuit within the cavity; disposing the second flexible circuit upon a card; movably disposing the card within the rails; and moving the card between a first position which is remote from the cavity and a second position in which the second flexible circuit penetrates the cavity, thereby deforming the elastomeric member and securely and electrically mating with the first circuit.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Ford Global Tech.
Ford Global Tech.
Witkowski Stanley J.
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