Flat wire to round wire connection system

Details Flat wire to round wire connection system Flat wire to round wire connection system

2000-02-23

2001-05-15

Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)

Electricity: conductors and insulators

Conduits, cables or conductors

Combined

C439S874000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06232556

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and more specifically to electrical connectors for splicing flat cables having multiple conductors to a plurality of round wires.
In typical applications where space is limited, there exists need to provide a permanent connection from a flex circuit, flat wire, or some other ribbon type multiple conductor cable to a plurality of round wires. An example of this need is present in the automotive industry where space is limited, as in headliners, door panels and instrument panels. Currently, where a transition from a flat cable having multiple conducting elements to multiple round wires is required, a connection system or a crimp system is used.
The methods used for splicing flexible printed circuits or flat wire cables to individual round wires include crimped connection systems, crimped splices and blade connection systems. A common disadvantage shared by these systems is that the systems incorporate a connecting element to secure the desired conductors. Crimped splices and crimped connection systems incorporate an element which is typically deformed to secure the conductors. A blade connection system incorporates an interface which is driven through the insulation of the wires to be joined.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,256 to Damiano, et al. discloses an electrical connector having a plurality of blade connectors for achieving electrical conduction between conductors within a flat cable and round wires. However, insulation displacement blade connectors must pierce the insulating material surrounding the conducting element and therefore may fail to make electrical contact with one or both conducting elements.
Another deficiency with the prior art is that crimped connection systems and blade connection systems require a connecting element that requires valuable space. Also, crimped connection systems require the step of deforming the connecting elements. Furthermore, the connecting elements may fail to properly secure the conducting elements.
Therefore, there exists a need in the prior art to provide a simple, low profile and inexpensive connector for joining a flex circuit, flat wire or some variation of a flat multiple conductor cable to a round wire, without incorporating a connecting element, to achieve an electrical connection between the conductors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a connector for creating a permanent electrical connection, comprising a first connector half and a second connector half. The first connector half has a flat cable channel for receiving a multiple conductor flat cable. The first connector half has at least one flat cable access window disposed within the flat cable channel. A second connector half has a plurality of wire channels, each of the wire channels are provided to receive a round wire. At least one wire access window is disposed within the second connector half in communication with at least one wire channel. Each cable access window is aligned with at least one wire access window to facilitate a permanent connection between each conducting element of a multiple conductor flat cable and a conducting element of a round wire when the first connector half is operatively aligned with the second connector half.
A feature of the present invention is the elimination of connecting elements used in the prior art, such as crimped terminals, by providing a permanent splice connection.
Another feature of the present invention is that the connector is a simple, low profile and inexpensive device for joining a multi-element flat cable, such as a flex circuit, flat wire or ribbon cable to a round wire.
Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector where no auxiliary metal parts are required.
Still yet another feature of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector which assures proper alignment of the conducting elements.
Still yet another feature of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector where the connector joint has sufficient strain relief.
Still yet another feature of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector which has adequate access to the conductor joint where joining the conductors may be accomplished by utilizing a commonly used joining technology, including: welding, sodering or gluing.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which sets forth the best mode of the invention contemplated by the inventors and which is illustrated in the accompanying sheets of drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4564256 (1986-01-01), Damiano et al.
patent: 4682840 (1987-07-01), Lockard
patent: 5057650 (1991-10-01), Urushibata et al.
patent: 5683259 (1997-11-01), Sato
patent: 5780774 (1998-07-01), Ichikawa et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Flat wire to round wire connection system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Flat wire to round wire connection system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Flat wire to round wire connection system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2522816