Additive manufacturing techniques for producing a network of conductive pathways on a substrate
AssigneeYazaki Corporation
InventorSatyabrata Raychaudhuri
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Abstract
The disclosed embodiments include an automobile panel that can include a polymer substrate, a network of conductive pathways, and connectors coupled to ends of the network of conductive pathways. The network of conductive pathways can include conductive material disposed in cavities forming a network of channels in the polymer substrate. The conductive material at least partially encapsulates by the polymer substrate. The connectors are connectable to automotive electronic devices thereby forming electrical circuits that include the network of conductive pathways and the automotive electronics.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- depositing, via an additive manufacturing process, an electrically conductive pathway in a cavity on a surface of a connectivity panel,
- wherein the electrically conductive pathway includes electrically conductive material, and
- wherein the cavity is formed on the surface of the connectivity panel as a channel that at least partially encapsulates the electrically conductive material on the surface of the connectivity panel;
- and
- coupling a connector to an end of the additively manufactured electrically conductive pathway to form a connectable end,
- wherein the connectable end is configured to connect the additively manufactured electrically conductive pathway to an electronic component.
A method comprising:
- attaching an electrically conductive pathway in a cavity on a surface of a connectivity panel via an additive manufacturing process,
- wherein the electrically conductive pathway includes electrically conductive material, and
- wherein the cavity is formed on the surface of the connectivity panel as a channel that at least partially encapsulates the electrically conductive material on the surface of the connectivity panel;
- and
- joining a connector to an end of the additively manufactured electrically conductive pathway to form a connectable end,
- wherein the connectable end is configured to connect the additively manufactured electrically conductive pathway to an electronic component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.