The present invention generally relates to electrical connections between circuit elements and, more particularly, to an electrical connector for connecting an electrical cable to circuitry on a dielectric medium, such as a glass window.
Many automotive vehicles are equipped with a backlite antenna element embedded in a rear window of the vehicle. Additionally, a vehicle window may include defogger elements that transmit electrical current to generate heat on the window. Some vehicles incorporate the antenna element and the defogger elements integrated within a single window. Examples of antenna elements and defogger elements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,307,516, 6,266,023, and 6,211,831, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The antenna and defogger elements provided on a window of a vehicle typically include termination input/output contact pads which are electrically coupled to other circuitry within the vehicle. For example, a radio antenna may include a radio frequency (RF) signal line electrically coupled to the central conductor in a coaxial cable. The coaxial cable typically includes a conductive ground shield formed around the central RF signal line. For resistive defogger elements, the input and output contact pads may be electrically coupled to a voltage supply and a return ground line for providing a current path through the defogger elements.
Conventional vehicle window mounted antennas and defogger elements typically are connected to a coaxial cable having metal connectors forming male members which are inserted into female connectors coupled to the contact pads on the window. The coaxial cables are typically attached to an electronic module, such as antenna amplifiers, filters, etc., via mechanical pressed together connections formed on loose electrical lead lines. The electrical leads of the cable are first attached to connectors via a crimping/stacking/soldering process. During installation, the male connectors are inserted into the female connectors on the module. This installation process typically requires a degree of skill and strength to matingly seat the connectors. Often the coaxial cable is inserted into the module before installation of the module into the vehicle to facilitate cable/module installation. However, rough handling (e.g., using the cable as a handle) can compromise the electrical connections in the cable and/or the module.
Accordingly, it is therefore desirable to provide for an electrical connector for connecting a cable to electrical circuitry formed on a dielectric medium, such as a glass window, that allows for easy assembly with reduced metal-to-metal terminal contacts and reduced soldering.
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an electrical connector is provided for electrically coupling a first circuit element in a cable to a second circuit element on a dielectric medium. The electrical connector includes a housing connected to an electrical cable having a first circuit element. The housing has a cavity and a surface for engaging a dielectric medium. The electrical connector includes a compressible conductive contact disposed within the cavity of the housing and electrically coupled to the first circuit element. The conductive contact is compressed to contact a second circuit element formed on the dielectric medium when the surface of the housing is engaged to the dielectric medium to provide an electrical connection.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
The AM antenna 12 is shown generally made up of three horizontal and generally parallel conductive elements 14, each coupled at one end to a signal bus bar 16. The horizontal conductive elements 14 may be configured in different lengths and numbers. The signal bus bar 16 is coupled to a terminal 18 which, in turn, is coupled to an amplifier module 64 via line 62 to transmit the received AM signals to the amplifier module 64 to amplify the received AM signals for use in a radio.
The FM antenna and defogger grid 20 is shown formed below, the AM antenna 12 and extends across a substantial area of the window 10. The antenna and defogger grid 20 includes an array of horizontal and generally parallel conductive elements 22, each extending between a negative defogger bus bar 24 on the left side and a positive defogger bus bar 26 on the right side. Bus bars 24 and 26 are located near the left and right edges, respectively, of window 10. Negative defogger bus bar 24 contacts a terminal pad 28 which, in turn, is connected to an insulated wire 32 for providing a grounded signal connection to form the negative side of the defogger circuit. Positive defogger bus bar 26 likewise has a terminal pad 30 connected to an insulated wire 34 which receives DC power to form the positive side of the defogger circuit. The terminal pad 30 is further coupled to amplifier module 64 via line 60 to transmit the received FM signals to the amplifier module 64 for use in the radio. During the window defogging operation, bus bar 26 is energized with a positive DC voltage which generates current through each of the horizontal and generally parallel conductive elements 22 to heat window 10 to an elevated temperature for the purpose of eliminating condensation and ice from the window 10.
The FM antenna 20 is also shown including vertical conductive elements 40, 42, 50, and 52, coupled to horizontal tuning elements 44 and 54, according to one example. The example of the antenna and defogger arrangement shown and described herein is further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,516. While a specific AM antenna 12 and FM antenna and defogger grid 20 is shown and described herein, it should be appreciated that the AM antenna, FM antenna, and defogger grid may be configured in various shapes, sizes, and configurations, and may employ various electrical connections.
The terminal 18 of AM antenna 12 and the terminal 30 of FM antenna 20 are shown connected to an antenna amplifier module 64 via lines 62 and 60 for receiving the AM and FM signals, respectively. Antenna amplifier module 64 has an electronic amplifier for amplifying the AM and FM signals and provides amplified output signals on output contact pad 66. As shown in
The electrical connector 70 is shown in
With particular reference to
The first conductive compressible contact 74 includes an opening 93 sized to receive the central conductor 82 of coaxial cable 80 to form an electrical connection therewith. The central conductor 82 is adhered to the inner wall forming opening 93 of contact 74 via a conductive adhesive 96. Central conductor 82 could alternately be electrically coupled to contact 74, such as via a compression fitting. The compressible contact 74 further includes a base 92 for engaging bottom wall 71 of housing 72. The compressible contact 74 has side walls 90 and a hollow cavity 95 that forms a compression zone rear the upper end of the contact 74. The side walls 90 are intended to compress within the compression zone to provide a spring-like bias force such that the contact 74 is compressible to provide a bias force against the first contact pad 66.
The second conductive compressible contact 76 includes an opening 103 sized to receive the outer shield 86 of coaxial cable 80 to form an electrical connection therewith. The outer shield 86 of coaxial cable 80 is adhered to the inner wall forming opening 103 via a conductive adhesive 102. Outer shield 86 could alternately be electrically coupled to contact 76, such as via a compression fitting. The second conductive compressible contact 76 has a base 100 for engaging bottom wall 71 of housing 72. The second conductive compressible contact 76 likewise includes side walls 98 and a hollow cavity 105 that forms a compression zone to allow the contact 76 to compress to provide a spring-like bias force against the second contact pad 68.
To assemble the electrical connector 70, the coaxial cable 80 with the end formed as shown in
The electrical connector 70 has an upper flat peripheral surface 77 on housing 72 for engaging a dielectric medium, such as a glass window (e.g., rear window 10 or windshield on a vehicle). The upper flat peripheral surface 77 of housing 72 is adhered via a non-conductive high temperature adhesive 110 to the window such that the first and second compressible contacts 74 and 76 are compressed against conductive contact pads 66 and 68, respectively, on the window. In doing so, the compressible contacts 74 and 76 at least partially compress within the respective compression zones to provide compressed electrical connections with contact pads 66 and 68. The adhesive 110 holds the compressible contacts 74 and 76 under compression, thus providing electrical connection to the contact pads 66 and 68. This allows installation of the coaxial cable 80 to be independent of the installation of the amplifier module 64 and contact pads 66 and 68.
Referring to
It should further be appreciated that the electrical connector 70 or 70′ could alternately be configured to provide a compressible contact disposed against one or more contact pads 66 or 68 provided on the dielectric medium (e.g., glass window). It is further conceivable that a compressible member could be disposed between the window and one or both of conductive contact pads 66 and 68 to provide a compressible electrical connection between contact pads 66 and 68 and contacts on the electrical connector 70 or 70′.
Accordingly, the electrical cable connector 70 or 70′ provides an easy to assemble electrical connection for connecting an electrical circuit on a dielectric medium, such as a glass window or an electrical module, and circuit elements in a cable. The electrical connector 70 or 70′ can be easily installed by adhering the connector 70 or 70′ to the dielectric medium. The electrical connector 70 or 70′ eliminates the need for solder connections. It should further be appreciated that while the electrical connector 70 or 70′ is shown for connecting AM and FM signal lines to a radio, it should be appreciated that the connector 70 or 70′ may be employed for other types of signals and power transmissions. For example, the electrical connectors 70 or 70′ could be employed to provide a power supply connection and ground connection to defogger elements on a window for defogging the window. The electrical connector 70 or 70′ may further include one or more locating features for aligning and installing the connector 70 or 70′ to the dielectric medium. The housing 72 or 72′ of connector 70 or 72 may further include a stress relief mechanism.
It will be understood by those who practice the invention and those skilled in the art, that various modifications and improvements may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit of the disclosed concept. The scope of protection afforded is to be determined by the claims and by the breadth of interpretation allowed by law.
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