US 5,310,353 A · Electrical power distribution center having conductive ridges

Abstract

A flexibly configurable power distribution center in which an electrical signal or power is routed by implementing an electrical interconnection at any point along a path of a conductor. Insulative portions or boards within an electrical power distribution center are fabricated having a plurality of recesses for receiving electrical conductors therein. The electrical conductors are in the form of flexibly configurable strips of metal such as steel, copper, brass or the like, which are disposed within the recesses in the insulating portions. The strips of metal are dimensioned and disposed within the recesses forming an exposed conductive ridge which is mechanically and electrically engageable by interface terminals along substantially the entire length of the conductor. The interface terminals have at least one female mating portion for mechanically mating with the conductive ridge to establish electrical continuity therewith. A plurality of recesses can be configured within the insulating portions, and the metal strip can be disposed within selected recesses or portions of recesses as desired to provide various alternative conductive trace configurations with the same insulative portion. The strip metal is cut to desired lengths for automated or manual installation within the selected recesses.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A power distribution center of the type generally used in an automotive electrical system for housing fuses and relays, comprising:

at least one insulative housing;
at least one insulative board disposed within said insulative housing, said at least one insulative board having at least one substantially planar surface and a plurality of recesses disposed therein;
at least one conductive bus comprising strip stock, said strip stock being of a type to be flexibly configurable into an angled pattern as it is placed into at least one of said plurality of recesses and having a substantially rectangular cross-section including a height and a width that is greater than said height, said strip stock being disposed and oriented within at least one of said plurality of recesses via a friction fit and having said width orthogonally disposed with respect to said at least one substantially planar surface to form a conductive ridge, said conductive ridge being accessible for electrical interconnection therealong;
and
at least one interface terminal engaging said conductive ridge at portions of said conductive ridge which are exposed to receive said at least one interface terminal, said at least one interface terminal including at least one female portion for mechanically and electrically engaging said conductive ridge for providing electrical continuity therewith.

2 more elements

A method of implementing conductive traces within an electrical assembly of the type generally used in an automotive electrical system for housing fuses and relays, said method comprising the steps of:

configuring an insulative portion having at least one substantially planar surface with a plurality of recesses;
selecting at least one of said plurality of recesses for routing electrical signals therealong;
selecting an appropriate length of strip stock to form at least one conductive element, said strip stock being of a type to be flexibly configurable into an angled pattern as it is placed into said selected at least one of said plurality of recesses and having a substantially rectangular cross-section including a height and a width that is greater than said height;
and
disposing said at least one conductive element via friction fit within said selected at least one of said plurality of recesses, by vertically orienting said at least one conductive element within said selected at least one of said plurality of recesses having said width orthogonally disposed with respect to said at least one substantially planar surface, such that said at least one conductive element effects a conductive ridge at least a portion of which is exposed and accessible therealong for receiving at least one interface terminal from a surface of said insulative portion.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrical power distribution center having conductive ridges

Life of this patent

Electrical power distribution center having conductive ridges

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14