FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR

• US 20200136283A1
• Filed: 10/25/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strip Tinning Limited
• Original Assignee: Strip Tinning Limited
• Inventors: WEBB, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 11,476,604 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/002 with means for clear vision, e.g. anti-frost or defog panes, rain shields window heating in H05B3/84, H05B3/86
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/02 arranged at the vehicle front , e.g. structure of the glazing, mounting of the glazing on windscreen mounted antenna wire H01Q1/1271
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/026 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1271 for mounting on windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1278 in association with heating wires or layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/62 connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/06 Heater elements structurally combined with coupling elements or holders
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/84 Heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas, e.g. for demisting or de-icing windows, mirrors or vehicle windshields
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/86 the heating conductors being embedded in the transparent or reflecting material H05B3/845 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/118 specially for flexible printed circuits, e.g. using folded portions

Abstract

A solder bridge (1) for a vehicle windscreen, the solder bridge (1) comprises a first foot portion (11A) for connection to a vehicle windscreen and a second foot portion (11B) for connection to a vehicle windscreen, the first foot portion (11A) and second foot portion (11B) being interconnected by a flexible electrically conductive body (12).

Claims

1. A solder bridge for a vehicle windscreen, the solder bridge comprising a first foot portion for connection to a vehicle windscreen and a second foot portion for connection to a vehicle windscreen, the first foot portion and second foot portion being interconnected by a flexible electrically conductive body.

2. A solder bridge according to claim 1, wherein the flexible electrically conductive body comprises a connecting portion for providing, in use, an electrical connection from the solder bridge to a source of electrical power, e.g. the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system.

3. A solder bridge according to claim 2, wherein the flexible electrically conductive body is formed as a unitary body comprising the connecting portion, the first foot portion, and the second foot portion.

4. A solder bridge according to claim 1, wherein the flexible electrically conductive body is fabricated from a metal foil, e.g. copper foil.

5. A solder bridge according to claim 1, wherein the flexible electrically conductive body has a thickness of less than 100 microns.

6. A solder bridge according to claim 1, wherein the first foot portion and/or the second foot portion and/or the flexible electrically conductive body is provided with insulation.

7. A solder bridge according to claim 6, wherein the insulation is provided as a layer fabricated from a polymer, e.g. polyimide.

8. A solder bridge according to claim 6, wherein the insulation is between 10 to 100 microns thick.

9. A solder bridge according to claim 6, wherein a first window in the insulation is provided at the first foot portion and a second window in the insulation is provided at the second foot portion on a first major surface of the solder bridge.

10. A solder bridge according to claim 6, wherein the insulation is provided with at least one aperture in the insulation on a second major surface of the solder bridge.

11. A solder bridge according to claim 6, wherein the insulation extends beyond the periphery of the flexible electrically conductive body to provide a border, the border preferably being between 0.5 to 2 mm wide.

12. A solder bridge according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive tape applied to a major surface.

13. A solder bridge according to claim 1, wherein the first foot portion and the second foot portion extend transversely beyond the periphery of the flexible electrically conductive body.

14. A pane, the pane comprising a transparent substrate having an electrically conductive structure provided thereon and an electrical connector having a mounting portion and a connecting portion, the electrical connector being secured to the electrically conductive structure at the mounting portion, the mounting portion comprising a flat electrically conductive body covered in insulation material and having an exposed portion and extending transversely beyond the periphery of the connecting portion.

15. A pane according to claim 14, wherein the electrical connector is fabricated from a conductive material, for example, a metal foil, e.g. a copper foil.

16. A pane according to claim 14, wherein the flat electrically conductive body of the electrical connector has a thickness of between 40 to 100 microns.

17. A pane according to claim 14, wherein the insulation material comprises polyimide.

18. A pane according to claim 14, wherein the insulation material is between 10 to 100 microns thick.

19. A pane according to claim 14, wherein the insulation material extends beyond the mounting portion and connecting portion to provide a border, preferably between 0.5 to 2 mm wide.

20. A pane according to claim 14, wherein the total thickness of the flat electrically conductive body comprising encompassing insulation is between 100 microns and 500 microns thick.