Method of assembling electrical circuit to vehicle panel

• US 5,309,634 A
• Filed: 04/28/1992
• Issued: 05/10/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Prince (Wellman Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Van Order, Kim L., De Jong, Jerry M., Garvelink, Lee, Van Vuren, Rick A., Ramon, Alex C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arbes, Carl J.
• Application Number:
  US07/875,644
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 174/72 A, 228/1.1, 29/873, 29/755, 439/34, 156/73.2
• US Class Current: 29/863
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0207 Wire harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49185 of terminal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49202 including oppositely facing end orienting

Abstract

An electrical system for vehicle panels which include a plurality of conductors and electrical accessories for connection to the panel. The electrical accessories include insulation displacement contacts for connection with conductors in the panel. In one embodiment, the panel includes a plurality of conductive layers providing an electrical bus for the panel. In another embodiment, the conductors are formed in the panel between two dielectric layers.

Claims

1. A method of assembling an electrical system to a vehicle panel, comprising the steps of:

mechanically attaching at least one panel electrical accessory to said vehicle panel, said panel accessory including an insulation displacement contact;

connecting at least one electrical conductor to said insulation displacement contact of said electrical accessory; and

applying an adhesive to said conductor and said panel whereby said adhesive secures said conductor to said vehicle panel.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said conductor includes insulation and said insulation displacement contact includes a slot for receiving the conductor and blades for displacing the insulation from said conductor whereby said electrical conductor is electrically connected to said electrical accessory by displacing said insulation when said conductor is pressed into said slot.

3. The method as defined in claim 2, further including the step of assembling an electrical system connector to said at least one panel conductor, said electrical system connector connected to the vehicle electrical system.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of applying an adhesive includes applying a high speed adhesive which cures rapidly.

5. The method as defined in claim 4, wherein said electrical accessory includes a connector and said connector includes two insulation displacement contacts, and wherein said step of connecting an electrical conductor includes the step of assembling a panel conductor and an accessory conductor to said insulation displacement contacts of said connector.

6. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein said adhesive is applied over said conductor insulation and said vehicle panel to secure said conductor to said vehicle panel.

7. A method of assembling an electrical system to a vehicle panel comprising the steps of:

forming an aperture in said panel for receipt of an electrical accessory;

affixing a panel conductor to a surface of said panel by applying an adhesive to said conductor and a surface of said panel as said conductor is placed on said panel surface, said conductor extending adjacent said apertures, said adhesive not applied to said conductor and said panel surface at said aperture; and

assembling said electrical accessory to said vehicle panel at said aperture such that said electrical accessory connects to said conductor.

8. The method as defined in claim 7 wherein said at least one electrical accessory includes an insulation displacement contact including a slot for receiving said conductor whereby said electrical conductor is electrically connected to said electrical accessory by pressing said conductor into said slot.

9. The method as defined in claim 7, further including the step of assembling an electrical system connector to said at least one panel conductor, said electrical system connector connected to the vehicle electrical system.

10. The method as defined in claim 7 wherein said step of affixing including applying a high speed adhesive to said panel surface and conductor.

11. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein said conductor includes insulation and said adhesive is applied to said conductor insulation.