Vehicular window assembly with solderless electrical connection to heater grid

A vehicular window assembly, the vehicular window assembly comprising:

• a window panel having an inner surface and an outer surface;
• electrically conductive traces established at the inner surface of the window panel;
• a pair of busbars established at the inner surface and in electrical connection with respective portions of the electrically conductive traces;
• an electrical connector affixed at each busbar and configured to electrically connect to a wire harness of a vehicle when the vehicular window assembly is installed at the vehicle;
• wherein each electrical connector comprises a metal electrical connector element and a retaining element;
• wherein the metal electrical connector element of each electrical connector comprises a connecting terminal and a busbar-connecting portion;
• wherein the connecting terminal of the metal electrical connector element is configured to electrically connect to a respective connector of the wire harness of the vehicle;
• wherein the retaining element of each electrical connector is adhesively bonded at the window panel to affix the electrical connector at a respective busbar;
• wherein, as the retaining element of each electrical connector is adhesively bonded at the window panel, the busbar-connecting portion of the electrical connector flexes relative to the retaining element of the electrical connector and is biased toward engagement with the respective busbar;
• wherein, with the retaining element of each electrical connector adhesively bonded at the window panel, the busbar-connecting portion of the respective metal electrical connecting element is pressed into engagement with the respective busbar and makes direct contact with the respective busbar to maintain electrical connection to the respective busbar;
• and
• wherein the retaining elements are bonded at the window panel with the busbar-connecting portions electrically connected to the respective busbars without use of solder.

A vehicular window assembly, the vehicular window assembly comprising:

• a window panel having an inner surface and an outer surface;
• electrically conductive traces established at the inner surface of the window panel;
• a pair of busbars established at the inner surface and in electrical connection with respective portions of the electrically conductive traces;
• an electrical connector affixed at each busbar and configured to electrically connect to a wire harness of a vehicle when the vehicular window assembly is installed at the vehicle;
• wherein each electrical connector comprises a bonding portion, a connecting terminal and a busbar-connecting portion;
• wherein the connecting terminal of each electrical connector is configured to electrically connect to a respective connector of the wire harness of the vehicle;
• wherein the bonding portion of each electrical connector is configured to receive the connecting terminal of the electrical connector therein;
• wherein the bonding portion of each electrical connector is adhesively bonded at the window panel to affix the electrical connector at a respective busbar;
• wherein each electrical connector comprises a retaining element that is securable to the bonding portion and makes direct contact with the respective busbar;
• wherein, as the retaining element of each electrical connector is secured to the bonding portion, the busbar-connecting portion of the electrical connector flexes relative to the retaining element of the electrical connector and is biased toward engagement with the respective busbar;
• wherein, with the bonding portion of each electrical connector adhesively bonded at the window panel, the busbar-connecting portion of the electrical connector is pressed into electrical connection with the respective busbar via the retaining element of the electrical connector that is secured to the bonding portion of the electrical connector and makes direct contact with the respective busbar;
• wherein the bonding portion of each electrical connector comprises a cylindrical receiver having a longitudinal slot at least partially therealong, and wherein one end of the cylindrical receiver is adhesively bonded at the window panel, and wherein the busbar-connecting portion of the electrical connector is received in the cylindrical receiver at an opposite end of the cylindrical receiver with the connecting terminal received along the longitudinal slot;
• wherein the retaining element is received in the cylindrical receiver at the opposite end, with a tab of the retaining element received along a respective longitudinal slot, and wherein the cylindrical receiver comprises a radial slot at the longitudinal slot that allows for rotation of the retaining element within the cylindrical receiver, which moves the tab into the radial slot to limit longitudinal movement of the retaining element relative to the cylindrical receiver;
• and
• wherein the electrical connectors are bonded at the window panel with the busbar-connecting portions electrically connected to the respective busbars without use of solder.