Custom terminal connector for use in electrochromic devices

• US 6,062,920 A
• Filed: 08/26/1998
• Issued: 05/16/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Hoffmann, Michael U., LeVesque, Andy J., Busscher, Bradley L., Jordan, Wayne M., Bonardi, Timothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Khiem
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nasri, Javaid
• Application Number:
  US09/140,309
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 439/861, 439/816, 439/830, 439/877
• US Class Current: 439/861
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/185 combined with a U-shaped insulation-receiving portion
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence

Abstract

An improved custom terminal connector that may be used in electrochromic devices, the connector comprising an elongated unitary member integrally connected with a U-shaped crimping member. The custom terminal connector may be used to supply a potential from a power supply to a bus bar clip of an electrochromic device. The elongated unitary member has a resilient backwall section connecting a plurality of first resilient sections and a plurality of second resilient sections laterally spaced from the plurality of first resilient sections. The first and second resilient sections are integrally connected with the resilient backwall section and are laterally spaced from one another such that the elongated unitary member generally forms a "C" and the pressure points of the custom terminal connector on the bus bar clip generally oppose one another. The U-shaped crimping member has an insulation crimp to aid in securing the wire to the custom terminal connector, and a wire crimp for ensuring electrical conductivity between the wire and the custom terminal connector.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device, comprising:

two spaced apart transparent elements, at least one having an electrically conductive coating disposed on a surface of the transparent element that faces the other transparent element;

a sealing member disposed near the outer perimeters of the spaced apart transparent elements to define a chamber;

an electrochromic medium disposed in the chamber;

a bus bar clip for imparting a potential to the at least one electrically conductive coating;

a custom terminal connector adapted to bear against the bus bar clip, the custom terminal connector comprising;

(a) an elongated unitary member having a resilient backwall section integrally connecting a first resilient section and a second resilient section, where said first and second resilient sections are laterally spaced from one another such that said elongated unitary member generally forms a "C" shape; and

(b) a crimping member integrally connected with said elongated unitary member and having an insulation crimping member adapted to secure a portion of an insulated wire, and a wire crimp member adapted to secure a non-insulated portion of the wire and to provide electrical connection between said wire and said custom terminal connector.

2. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said first resilient section has a portion that bows toward and then flares away from said second resilient section, and where said second resilient section has a portion that is straight and then flares toward said first resilient section.

3. The electrochromic device of claim 2, wherein said first resilient section or said backwall section includes at least one dimple.

4. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said second resilient section has a portion that bows toward and then flares away from said first resilient section, and where said first resilient section has a portion that flares toward said second resilient section.

5. The electrochromic device of claim 4, wherein said second resilient section or said backwall section includes at least one dimple.

6. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said first resilient section has a portion that bows toward and then flares away from said second resilient section, and where said second resilient section has a portion that bows toward and then flares away from said first resilient section.

7. The electrochromic device of claim 6, wherein said first resilient section, or said second resilient section, or said backwall section includes at least one dimple.

8. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said crimping member is integrally connected with said resilient backwall section at a midpoint of said elongated unitary member at a backwall tab portion, and extends therefrom into a U-shape.

9. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said first and second resilient sections have recesses disposed therein.

10. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said elongated member is coated with a lubricant.

11. The electrochromic device of claim 1, further comprising a housing.

12. The electrochromic device of claim 1, where each of the transparent elements have an electrically conductive coating disposed on the surface of the transparent element that faces the other transparent element.

13. The electrochromic device of claim 12, where each of electrically conductive coatings is transparent.

14. The electrochromic device of claim 12, where one of the electrically conductive coatings is transparent and the remaining electrically conductive coating is reflective.