Window assembly with solderless electrical connector
AssigneeAGC Automotive Americas R&D, Inc.
InventorsDaniel Bennett, Christopher A. Imeson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A window assembly includes a transparent substrate, an electrical conductor provided on a surface of the substrate, and a solderless electrical connector for energizing the electrical conductor. The solderless electrical connector includes a cover adhered to the substrate to define a hollow volume, and a biasing member disposed within the hollow volume and elastically compressed between the cover and the electrical conductor. The biasing member is formed from a polymeric material and is electrically conductive.
Claims20
A window assembly comprising:
- a transparent substrate;
- an electrical conductor provided on a surface of the substrate;
- and
- a solderless electrical connector for energizing the electrical conductor, the solderless electrical connector comprising:
- an electrically conductive surface in contact with the electrical conductor;
- an outer plate;
- a biasing member elastically compressed between the outer plate and the electrically conductive surface, wherein the compressed biasing member holds the electrically conductive surface in contact with the electrical conductor;
- an electrically insulating cover including a closed end and an open end, the open end being configured to receive the biasing member therethrough;
- and
- an adhesive disposed between the electrically insulating cover and the transparent substrate such that the electrically insulating cover is directly adhered to the transparent substrate, the adhesive operatively coupling the outer plate to the transparent substrate such that the biasing member is maintained in the elastically deformed state.
A window assembly comprising:
- a transparent substrate;
- an electrical conductor provided on a surface of the substrate;
- and
- a solderless electrical connector for energizing the electrical conductor, the solderless electrical connector comprising:
- a cover adhered to the substrate via an adhesive to define a hollow volume therebetween;
- and
- a biasing member disposed within the hollow volume and elastically compressed between the cover and the electrical conductor, wherein the biasing member is formed from a polymeric material and is electrically conductive.
A method of making a solderless electrical connection with an electrical conductor disposed on a transparent substrate, the method comprising:
- positioning a biasing member in a contacting and abutting relationship to the electrical conductor, wherein the biasing member is electrically conductive and elastically compressible;
- initiating curing of an adhesive disposed on a peripheral surface of a cover;
- positioning the cover in a surrounding arrangement about the biasing member such that the biasing member is disposed between the electrical conductor and the cover, wherein the biasing member is dimensioned such that the cover does not contact the substrate or the electrical conductor if the biasing member is undeformed;
- and
- applying a force to the cover sufficient to compress the biasing member and bring the adhesive into contact with at least one of the substrate or the electrical conductor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.