# US 10,374,330 B1 · Window assembly with solderless electrical connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,374,330 B1 - Document ID: US10374330B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/981,938 - Filed: 2018-05-17 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-17 - Assignees: AGC Automotive Americas R&D, Inc. - Applicants: AGC Automotive Americas R&D, Inc. - Inventors: Daniel Bennett; Christopher A. Imeson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10374330B1 ## CPC - H01R 4/28: Clamped connections, spring connections (made by means of terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits H01R12/00) - H01Q 1/1271: {for mounting on windscreens} - H01R 4/64: Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail - H01R 13/111: {co-operating with pins having a circular transverse section} - H01R 13/187: with spring member in the socket - H01R 13/2414: {conductive elastomers} - H05B 3/06: Heater elements structurally combined with coupling elements or holders - B60J 1/00: Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor (B60J10/00 takes precedence; air curtains instead of windows B60J9/04 {; sealing strips for windshields B60J10/70; sealing sash guides for sliding window panes B60J10/74; glass partitions inside vehicles to protect occupants against personal attack B60R21/12}) - H01R 2201/26: for vehicles - H05B 3/84: Heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas, e.g. for demisting or de-icing windows, mirrors or vehicle windshields - H05B 3/86: the heating conductors being embedded in the transparent or reflecting material {(H05B3/845 takes precedence)} - H05B 2203/013: Heaters using resistive films or coatings - H05K 1/0212: {Printed circuits or mounted components having integral heating means} - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The window assembly of claim 1, wherein a green strength of the adhesive is sufficient to maintain the biasing member in the elastically deformed state without fixturing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive surface is held in contact with the electrical conductor across an area that is greater than about 25 mm2. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive surface is an outer surface of the biasing member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing member comprises a foam. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer plate is electrically conductive. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The window assembly of claim 5, wherein the biasing member is electrically conductive. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The window assembly of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is characterized by a photoinitiated curing process. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The window assembly of claim 9, wherein the adhesive is characterized by a photoinitiated curing process. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The window assembly of claim 9, further comprising a metallic charge distributing plate disposed between the biasing member and the cover. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The window assembly of claim 11, further comprising one or more connection elements extending through the cover and in electrical communication with the charge distributing plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The window assembly of claim 9, wherein the polymeric material comprises a foam. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The window assembly of claim 9, wherein the cover comprises a polymeric, electrically insulating material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The window assembly of claim 9, wherein the electrical connection between the biasing member and the electrical conductor is devoid of solder. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The window assembly of claim 9, wherein the adhesive is a thermally cured adhesive. ### Claim 17 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein initiating curing of the adhesive includes exposing the adhesive to ultraviolet light. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising applying the adhesive to the peripheral surface of the cover. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising providing a metallic charge distributing plate between the biasing member and the cover.