Self-docking electrical connector

Details Self-docking electrical connector Self-docking electrical connector

1999-02-05

2001-07-10

Luebke, Renee (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...

Flexible panel

C439S660000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06257903

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and more particularly to electrical connectors for use with flex circuitry.
2. Disclosure Information
FIGS. 1-2
illustrate the typical method for mechanically mounting an electronic module
50
into a hole or cavity
62
within a mounting surface
60
, and effecting electrical connection between lead wires
52
of the module and the external wiring
90
. As illustrated here, the electronic module
50
may be an audio speaker assembly and the mounting surface
60
may be an automotive door, package tray, or other passenger compartment surface, for example; alternatively, the electronic module
50
may be an audio power amplifier, an electronic control module for one or more electronic/electrical systems, or the like, and the mounting surface
60
may be a speaker enclosure, a plastic molded housing, or the like. As shown in
FIGS. 1-2
, it is conventional practice to either (1) connect the module's lead wires
52
to the external wiring
90
and then mount the connected module within the mounting surface, or (2) mount the module in the hole first and then connect the lead wires to the external wiring.
In the case of audio speaker assemblies installed in a motor vehicle, each lead wire
52
is soldered to a male blade connector, with the two or more blade connectors being affixed side-by-side to the exterior surface of the speaker frame and extending outward therefrom. The corresponding external wiring
90
is typically conventional round wire, with female blade-receiving connectors soldered onto the round wire ends. For automotive applications using conventional round wire, the aforementioned arrangement is acceptable. However, when flex circuitry is used instead of round wire, it is very difficult and impractical to connect the flex to the speaker's male blade connectors using the aforementioned conventional approach. In addition, there are many applications where it would be desirable to utilize flex circuits as the external wiring and to effect both electrical connection and mechanical mounting of the module simultaneously, rather than as two separate steps as described above. It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a way of connecting speaker assemblies and other electronic modules having lead wires to flex circuit external wiring without the aforementioned drawbacks, while also enabling simultaneous electrical and mechanical connection of the module.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art approaches by providing an article and method for connecting electronic modules having lead wires to external flex circuits.
It is an object and advantage that the present invention provides electrical connection between the module lead wires and the external flex circuitry simultaneous with the mechanical mounting of the module onto a mounting surface.
These and other advantages, features and objects of the invention will become apparent from the drawings, detailed description and claims which follow.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4719322 (1988-01-01), Guzik et al.
patent: 5288249 (1994-02-01), Fitgerald
patent: 5292264 (1994-03-01), Blank
patent: 5295843 (1994-03-01), Davis et al.
patent: 4237496 A1 (1994-05-01), None
patent: 1496312 (1994-05-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Self-docking electrical connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Self-docking electrical connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Self-docking electrical connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2495862