Conductive connection device for vehicle display

• US 10,505,301 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2016
• Issued: 12/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Hallack, Jason D., LeVesque, Andrew J., Wallace, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sawyer, Steven T
• Application Number:
  US15/363,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20170162965A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• Field of Search: 361809, 361810, 359265-275, 359838-884
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• 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: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/707 Soldering or welding
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/7076 for connection between PCB and component, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/737 Printed circuits being substantially perpendicular to each other for printed connections H05K3/366
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/17 with spring member on the pin
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2421 using coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2471 pin shaped

Abstract

The disclosure provides for a conductive connector device. The device is configured for communicating a control signal of an electro-optic element for a vehicular display device. The device comprises a spring assembly and a body having a connecting feature. The spring assembly comprises a spring and a conductive pin. The body forms an internal passage configured to at least partially house the spring assembly. A connecting feature is in connection with the body. The connecting feature is configured to engage an aperture of a circuit board configured to communicate a control signal to the electro-optic element. The engagement of the connecting feature to the aperture is configured to receive at least a portion of a force from the spring in a compressed arrangement.

Claims

1. A vehicular display assembly comprising:

a first PCB disposed on a first side of a display module;

a second PCB comprising a surface arranged substantially perpendicular to the first PCB;

an electro-optic device disposed on a second side of the display module;

a conductive connector device in connection with the surface of the second PCB and comprising;

a spring assembly comprising a spring and a conductive pin; and

a body forming an internal passage configured to at least partially house the spring assembly, wherein the conductive pin is configured to communicatively connect the second PCB to the electro-optic device.

2. The display according to claim 1, wherein the conductive pin extends outward from the internal passage parallel to the surface of the second PCB.

3. The display according to claim 2, wherein the conductive pin extends outward beyond a perimeter edge of the second PCB.

4. The display according to claim 3, wherein the conductive pin extends to the electro-optic device to provide for the communicative connection.

5. The display according to claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a connecting feature configured to resist a force applied by the spring assembly.

6. The display according to claim 5, wherein the force extends from the spring assembly and maintains a connecting force between the conductive pin and the electro-optic device.

7. The display according to claim 5, wherein the secondary PCB forms an aperture configured to receive the connecting feature.

8. The display according to claim 1, wherein the first PCB is arranged substantially parallel to a display surface of the display module.

9. The display according to claim 1, wherein the second PCB corresponds to an edge-lit PCB.

10. The display according to claim 5, wherein the edge-lit PCB is configured to illuminate the display module.

11. A vehicular display mirror assembly comprising:

a first PCB disposed on a first side of a display module;

a second PCB comprising a surface arranged substantially perpendicular to the first PCB;

an electro-optic device disposed on a second side of the display module;

a conductive connector device in connection with the surface of the second PCB and comprising;

a spring assembly comprising a spring and a conductive pin;

a body forming an internal passage configured to at least partially house the spring assembly, the body comprising a connecting feature configured to engage the second PCB thereby resisting a force applied by the spring assembly, wherein the conductive pin is configured to communicatively connect the second PCB to the electro-optic device.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the force extends from the spring assembly and maintains a connecting force between the conductive pin and the electro-optic device.

13. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the body comprises a mounting surface configured to form a soldered connection with the surface.