RELAY MODULE, ELECTRICAL CENTER HAVING A RELAY MODULE AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLYING THE SAME
First Claim
1. A relay module for an electrical center having an area adapted to receive the relay module, the relay module comprising:
- a lower base, a printed circuit board assembly, and a coverthe lower base comprising a tray having a depending shroud at one end portion and a pair of laterally spaced couplers at one end of the tray,an end portion of the tray having a plurality of slots that extend through the end portion of the tray to communicate with a space inside the depending shroud,the printed circuit board assembly having a printed circuit board that is attached to the top of the tray near a side edge, a plurality of relays that are attached to an upper portion of the printed circuit board, the relays being electrically connected to a plurality of terminals that are disposed beneath the relays,the plurality of terminals having first end portions that engage the printed circuit board for electrical connection to the plurality of relays,the plurality of terminals having second end portions that plug into the apertures and terminate in free ends disposed in the space inside the shroud, andthe cover including latch means at an end of the relay module that is opposite an end of the relay module that has the couplers.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical center includes a housing and a relay module that is disposed in a well of the housing. The relay module has a lower base, a printed circuit board assembly, plug in electronic components and a cover. The lower base includes a tray having a depending shroud at one end portion and a pair of laterally spaced couplers that are integrally attached to an end wall of the tray. The end portion of the tray that has the depending shroud has a plurality of apertures that extend through the end portion of the tray for receiving terminal portions that extend through the apertures. An opposite end portion of the tray has an upper pedestal that is part of a connector body that extends through the tray to a lower socket. The printed circuit board assembly has a printed circuit board that is attached to the top of the tray near a side edge, a plurality of relays that are attached to an upper portion of the printed circuit board. The relays are electrically connected to a plurality of terminals that are disposed beneath the relays. These terminals have portions that plug into the apertures and terminate in free ends disposed inside the shroud. The relay module also includes plug in electronic components that are plugged into the end portion of tray so that their metal terminal tabs extend through the apertures and into the space inside the shroud. The relay module also includes a main relay that is mounted on the pedestal for electrical connection to a wiring harness that plugs into the lower socket of the connector body. The relay module is retained in the well of the housing by an internal lock bar that engages the couplers at one end and an internal lock nib that engages a flexible lock arm of the relay module the other end.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A relay module for an electrical center having an area adapted to receive the relay module, the relay module comprising:
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a lower base, a printed circuit board assembly, and a cover the lower base comprising a tray having a depending shroud at one end portion and a pair of laterally spaced couplers at one end of the tray, an end portion of the tray having a plurality of slots that extend through the end portion of the tray to communicate with a space inside the depending shroud, the printed circuit board assembly having a printed circuit board that is attached to the top of the tray near a side edge, a plurality of relays that are attached to an upper portion of the printed circuit board, the relays being electrically connected to a plurality of terminals that are disposed beneath the relays, the plurality of terminals having first end portions that engage the printed circuit board for electrical connection to the plurality of relays, the plurality of terminals having second end portions that plug into the apertures and terminate in free ends disposed in the space inside the shroud, and the cover including latch means at an end of the relay module that is opposite an end of the relay module that has the couplers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An electrical center 10 comprising:
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a housing that has an area adapted for receiving a relay module in combination with a relay module that is plugged into the area of the housing; the module having a lower base, a printed circuit board assembly, and a cover, the lower base comprising a tray having a depending shroud at one end portion and a pair of laterally spaced couplers at one end of the tray that engage a lock bar of the housing, an end portion of the tray having a plurality of apertures that extend through the end portion of the tray to communicate with a space inside the depending shroud, the printed circuit board assembly having a printed circuit board that is attached to the top of the tray near a side edge, a plurality of relays that are attached to an upper portion of the printed circuit board, the relays being electrically connected to a plurality of terminals that are disposed beneath the relays, the plurality of terminals having first end portions that engage the printed circuit board for electrical connection to the plurality of relays, the plurality of terminals having second end portions vertical legs that plug into the apertures and terminate in free ends disposed in the space inside the shroud, and a cover that includes latch means at an end that is opposite the end that has the couplers, the latch means engaging cooperating lock means of the housing to retain the relay module in assembly with the housing. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of assembling a relay module 20 having a coupler at a forward end and latch means at a rearward end to an electrical center that includes housing having a well comprising the steps of:
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inserting the forward end of the relay module into the well with the relay module oriented at an angle until the coupler of the relay module engages the an internal lock bar in the well of the housing, and rotating the relay module until the rear end is disposed in the well and the latch means engages a cooperating lock means of the housing to retain the relay module in assembly with the housing. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification