US 10,153,570 B2 · Flexible circuits for electrical harnesses

Abstract

Provided are electrical harness assemblies and methods of forming such harness assemblies. A harness assembly comprises a conductor trace, comprising a conductor lead with a width-to-thickness ratio of at least 2. This ratio provides for a lower thickness profile and enhances heat transfer from the harness to the environment. In some examples, a conductor trace may be formed from a thin sheet of metal. The same sheet may be used to form other components of the harness. The conductor trace also comprises a connecting end, monolithic with the conductor lead. The width-to-thickness ratio of the connecting end may be less than that of the conductor trace, allowing for the connecting end to be directly mechanically and electrically connected to a connector of the harness assembly. The connecting end may be folded, shaped, slit-rearranged, and the like to reduce its width-to-thickness ratio, which may be close to 1.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An electrical harness assembly comprising:

a connector, comprising a first contact interface and a first connecting portion;
and a first conductor trace, comprising a first conductor lead and a first connecting end, wherein:
the first conductor lead and the first connecting end of the first conductor trace are monolithic;
the first conductor lead has a width-to-thickness ratio of at least 2;
and the first connecting end of the first conductor trace is electrically coupled to the first connecting portion of the connector, wherein the first connecting end of the first conductor trace has a width-to-thickness ratio less than the width-to-thickness ratio of the first conductor lead.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flexible circuits for electrical harnesses

Life of this patent

Flexible circuits for electrical harnesses

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18