Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Plural-contact coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-25
2001-02-20
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Plural-contact coupling part
C439S931000, C439S074000, C439S857000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190209
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a machine housing. More particularly this invention concerns such a housing with integral conductors for built-in electrical devices of the latch.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide a motor-vehicle door latch or a gear box, e.g. of a vehicle's transmission, with a housing in which are integral various conductors that conduct power to and feed control signals to and from various electrical devices such as switches and motors in the latch. To this end the latch housing is typically cast of a rigid nonconducting plastic in which is integral a metal plate to which the principal mechanical elements of the latch are fixed. The conductors are thin strips, for instance of a plastic/metal laminate, that are imbedded in or laminated to the housing and that have ends functioning as terminals to which are connected wires leading away from the latch.
The wires must be attached to the terminal ends of the conductors such that a solid electrical connection is made that cannot readily be shaken loose. At the same time the connection must be made in such a manner that it does not damage the terminal or place unnecessary stress on the housing or conductors. The standard connection is made either by forming the conductors ends as sleeves suitable for soldering wires to, or as pockets with spring lips for insertion of special connectors. Both systems are somewhat laborious to connect to and/or require a tricky connection operation that slows installation of the door latch or other such part.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved housing with integral conductors.
Another object is the provision of such an improved housing with integral conductors which overcomes the above-given disadvantages, that is which is of simple construction and where connection to the conductors is easy but places no undue stress on them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A motor-vehicle door latch housing has according to the invention a dielectric plastic body, an electrical device secured to the body, a plurality of electrical conductors each at least partially imbedded in the body and each having an end forming a terminal adjacent the device, and a plurality of connectors on the device each elastically deformable and bearing elastically on a respective one of the terminals. Each terminal fits in a predetermined direction with the respective connector. The connectors are deformed elastically transversely to the installation direction when fitted with the respective terminals. Thus as the device is fitted to the body, its connectors are automatically joined to the terminals.
By making the connectors springy so that they bear elastically against the terminals, minor changes in position caused by thermal expansion or contraction do not lead to disconnection. This construction also simplifies manufacture of the housing in that the elements with the springy connectors can be installed near the devices they extend from, so that the deformation or spring force can be resisted by the cast body of the electrical device. The connectors are stressed during installation, but thereafter are only subjected to the modest biasing force necessary to maintain good electrical contact. Thus a sensitive microswitch or the like is not likely to be damaged on installation.
According to a further feature of the invention the connectors are formed as metallic strips and project transversely to the direction from the device. In one system each terminal projects parallel to the direction from the respective conductor and each connector has a pair of arms elastically spreadable transversely to the direction and embracing the respective terminal. Here each connector is formed between the respective arms with a notch fitted over the respective terminal. The connectors are U- or &OHgr;-shaped.
Alternately according to the invention each terminal is formed as a pocket open in the direction. In this system each connector end is U-shaped and has a pair of sides elastically engaging the respective terminal.
The connector end can also be formed in accordance with the invention as a pair of oppositely bent elastically deformable tabs and each terminal is formed as a pocket open in the direction and receiving the respective tabs. Furthermore it is possible for the terminal to be formed as a pin projecting in the direction and for the connector to include a pair of connector parts elastically embracing the respective pin.
To augment the spring force of the connectors, respective biasing elements bear in the direction on the connectors and press same onto the respective terminals.
Each conductor in accordance with the invention is formed as a metallized plastic strip secured to the body. The metallized plastic strips are electroplated. Alternately they can be laminated with a conductive metal.
In another arrangement according to the invention the body is formed with throughgoing holes and the conductors extend through the holes between opposite faces of the body.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3805117 (1974-04-01), Hausman
patent: 4736266 (1988-04-01), Tanibe
patent: 4878862 (1989-11-01), Wise
patent: 4906209 (1990-03-01), Tanabe et al.
patent: 5626483 (1997-05-01), Naitoh
patent: 5931689 (1999-08-01), Patel
patent: 5938455 (1999-08-01), Glovatsky et al.
patent: 5967850 (1999-10-01), Crane, Jr.
Hulsmann Thomas
Nass Ulrich
Bradley Paula
Dubno Herbert
Kierkert AG
Ta Tho D.
Wilford Andrew
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