Method of electrically interconnecting door components to main power supply in vehicle
US4941258A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jul 17, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53243
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electrical, multi-wire interconnection between the hinged, movable door (3) of a vehicle and its main body (7) across the hinge gap in the form of a planar cable array (10) having a flat, laterally extended cross-section (FIG. 3), provided with a modular trim panel (3A). It includes at its distal, "A" pillar end an end connector (5A), which mates with an electrical connector (5B) in the "A" pillar. The cable fits in an embossed channel, to which it is like configured, in the door frame. When the door is closed, it is sealingly sandwiched between the metal door frame member (3B) and the rubber door seal on the vehicle body. The door may include a remote multiplexing (remux) unit (30), allowing the use of, for example, as few as about eight wires (11), even though the door is fully powered. The planar cable array can be pre-manufactured as, for example, flat ribbon cable, or made on site using a hardenable plastic (FIG. 5A) or tape-type (FIG. 5B) material during a pre-assembly, modular door panel operation off from the regular main assembly line of the final, automotive manufacturing operation. In its extent between the door and the vehicle body, the plane of the cable is vertical…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.