HEADLINER WITH INTEGRAL WIRE HARNESS

• US 20120001457A1
• Filed: 01/05/2010
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Holding BV
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: VanHouten, Dennis J., Johnson, Jack L., King, Christopher S., Sapak, Ben
• Granted Patent: US 8,733,828 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/214
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0212 Roof or head liners movable head-liners B60J7/0007
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0213 Electrical arrangements not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0284 Details of three-dimensional rigid printed circuit boards H05K1/119 takes precedence; shaping of the substrate H05K3/0014
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/12 using thick film techniques, e.g. printing techniques to apply the conductive material or similar techniques for applying conductive paste or ink patterns
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

This invention relates to a roof structure in a vehicle, wherein the roof structure (100) is provided with printed electrical connection means (110) for connecting electrical devices in the vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a roof structure and to a system comprising an electrical device, a roof structure (100) with printed electrical connection means (110), a printed conductive pad (112, 212, 312, 412) and an electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector (530, 730) is pierced through the roof structure (100) to connect the electrical device with the conductive pad (112, 212, 312, 412).

Claims

1. Roof structure in a vehicle, wherein the roof structure is provided with printed electrical connection means for connecting electrical devices in the vehicle.

2. Roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the roof structure comprises a cover layer covering the vehicle roof, wherein the cover layer is provided with printed electrical connection means.

3. Roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the cover layer comprises a surface directed towards the vehicle roof, wherein the surface is provided with printed electrical connection means.

4. Roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the roof structure comprises a substrate layer arranged between the cover layer and the vehicle roof, wherein the substrate layer is provided with printed electrical connection means.

5. Roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the roof structure comprises a scrim layer between the cover layer and the vehicle roof, wherein the scrim layer is provided with printed electrical connection means.

6. Roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the roof structure comprises an insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer is arranged between the substrate layer provided with the printed electrical connection means and the vehicle roof.

7. Roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the roof structure comprises the printed electrical connection means and printed contact strips.

8. Roof structure according to claim 7, wherein the contact strips comprise patches of conductive ink printed on at least one of the roof structure layers.

9. Roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the roof structure comprises strain relief means, wherein the strain relief means withstand stretching of the underlying roof structure during installation into the vehicle without breaking the connection.

10. Roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the roof structure comprises a printed conductive pad, wherein the conductive pad is connectable with an electrical device and with the printed electrical connection means.

11. Roof structure according to claim 1, wherein the printed electrical connection means are formed from flex circuits attached to the roof structure.

12. Method for manufacturing a roof structure in a vehicle, wherein electrical connection means are printed on the roof structure.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the electrical connection means are printed on the roof structure using a conductive ink.

14. System comprising an electrical device, a roof structure with printed electrical connection means, a printed conductive pad and an electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector is pierced through the roof structure to connect the electrical device with the conductive pad.

15. System according to claim 14, wherein the electrical connector comprises a fixing means, preferably a hook, to prevent the electrical connector from separating from the roof structure during or after the installation of the roof structure.