Strain-resistant electrical connection

• US 7,674,117 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2004
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Metcalf, Arthur R., Sinnett, Jay C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey; James
• Application Number:
  US10/827,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20050230148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,150 Days
• Field of Search: 439/86, 439/947, 174/250
• US Class Current: 439/86
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0072 Attaching fasteners to tyres, e.g. patches, in order to connect devices to tyres
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0083 Attaching monitoring devices to tyres before or after vulcanization by inserting them inside tyre cavities
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0452 Antenna structure, control or arrangement vehicle tyre mounted antennas H01Q1/2241
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/58 Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip , for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a coupling device terminating a cable for flat or ribbon cables H01R12/771
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5808 formed by a metallic element crimped around the cable H01R4/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5845 the strain relief being achieved by molding parts around cable and connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/02 for antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/02 Soldered or welded connections H01R4/625, H01R4/723, H01R12/59 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/20 using a crimping sleeve H01R4/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/0256 for soldering or welding connectors to a printed circuit board
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0133 Elastomeric or compliant polymer
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10265 Metallic coils or springs, e.g. as part of a connection element
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10287 Metal wires as connectors or conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/1194 Thermal treatment leading to a different chemical state of a material, e.g. annealing for stress-relief, aging
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/301 by means of a mounting structure H05K3/325 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/305 Affixing by adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/3421 Leaded components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/947 PCB mounted connector with ground terminal

Abstract

A strain-resistant electrical connection and a method of making the same is provided. A wire or other conductive lead is connected to a circuit in a manner that makes the connection more resistant to mechanical stresses such as movement or rotation of the lead relative to the circuit. A material is configured around the lead and near the point of connection to the circuit so as to create a region of decreasing flexibility or graduated stiffness near the point of connection. In certain embodiments, the lead may also be coiled or otherwise shaped to provide additional ability to withstand mechanical stresses.

Claims

1. A durable connection for an electrical circuit, comprising:

a circuit board comprising at least part of the electrical circuit;

a stress distributor attached to said circuit board, said stress distributor comprising an elastomeric material of a predetermined length;

said stress distributor having multiple sides and being attached to said circuit board along only one of said sides; and

an electrical conductor having an end that is connected to the electrical circuit, the end being located outside of said stress distributor and adjacent to said stress distributor;

wherein at least a portion of said electrical conductor is contained along the length of said stress distributor.

2. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 1, wherein stress distributor is bonded to at least a portion of said electrical conductor.

3. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 1, wherein said electrical conductor comprises a coiled wire.

4. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 1, wherein said elastomeric material comprises rubber.

5. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 1, wherein said electrical conductor comprises a coiled spring connector constructed from a brass-coated steel.

6. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 1, further comprising a non-conductive coating located upon said electrical conductor so as to insulate said electrical conductor from said stress distributor.

7. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 6, wherein said non-conductive coating is bonded to said stress distributor.

8. A durable connection for an electrical circuit, comprising:

a substrate supporting the electrical circuit along a first side of said substrate;

an electrical conductor having at least one end that is electrically connected to the electrical circuit and physically attached to said substrate so as to be non-movable with respect to said substrate; and

a stress-distributing material comprising an clastomeric material of a predetermined length, said stress distributing material attached only to the first side of said substrate and to said electrical conductor;

wherein at least a portion of said electrical conductor is contained along the length of said stress-distributing material.

9. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 8, wherein said electrical conductor comprises a coiled wire.

10. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 8, wherein said substrate comprises a printed circuit board that includes at least a portion of the electrical circuit.

11. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 8, wherein said stress-distributing material is comprised of rubber.

12. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 8, wherein said electrical conductor comprises a coiled spring connector constructed from a brass-coated steel.

13. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 8, wherein said electrical conductor is bonded to said stress-distributing material.

14. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 8, further comprising a non-conductive coating located upon said electrical conductor so as to insulate said electrical conductor from said stress-distributing material.

15. A durable connection for an electrical circuit as in claim 14, wherein said non-conductive coating is bonded to said stress-distributing material.