EP2140527A1 - Assembly of electric terminals - Google Patents

Assembly of electric terminals

Info

Publication number
EP2140527A1
EP2140527A1 EP08751098A EP08751098A EP2140527A1 EP 2140527 A1 EP2140527 A1 EP 2140527A1 EP 08751098 A EP08751098 A EP 08751098A EP 08751098 A EP08751098 A EP 08751098A EP 2140527 A1 EP2140527 A1 EP 2140527A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
assembly
terminals
beads
terminal
conductive plate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP08751098A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Augusto Vincenzi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP2140527A1 publication Critical patent/EP2140527A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
    • H01R43/20—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve
    • H01R43/205—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve with a panel or printed circuit board

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to an assembly of electric terminals arranged in sequence and apt to be individually applied in place, and specifically associated to a silk-screen printed circuit manufactured onto an automotive glazing or the like.
  • silk-screen printed electric circuits are manufactured, typically used to allow heating of the glazing, (e.g., for defrosting) or as antennas for electronic systems aboard. Said circuits are usually connected by means of electric terminals, soldered by brazing onto the silk-screen printed circuit itself.
  • a completely automatic cell for soldering the terminals is usually comprised of a system for feeding the terminals, an automatic soldering tool and a positioning system (typically comprised of an anthropomorphous robot) capable of moving the tool from the feeder to the glazing.
  • a positioning system typically comprised of an anthropomorphous robot
  • pretinned terminals are ever more often being resorted to; i.e., in which a tin solder is applied in advance onto the terminal itself, preferably also with the provision of a so-called “flux” material onto the outer portion of said solder.
  • flux it is meant a material suitable to foster soldering, and in particular to minimize the possibility of oxidation.
  • the application in place (i.e., onto the automotive glazing) of the terminal by automatic systems may occur according to different methodologies, also depending on the shape of the terminal.
  • terminals equipped with the so-called "tail” have to be arranged pre-aligned or individually loaded on the feeder, and this complicates the modes for prearranging the automatic system.
  • these terminals are provided joined to each other, and therefore have to be separated mechanically.
  • separation systems do not ensure a total effectiveness, as they are also bound by small geometric differences in the shape of the terminals, due not only to their production process, but also to the packaging and transportation system.
  • the technical problem set and solved by the present invention is to provide an assembly of electric terminals allowing to overcome the drawbacks set forth hereto with reference to the known art, and specifically allowing a fully automated management of the above-illustrated soldering steps in a simple, efficient and cost- effective manner.
  • Such a problem is solved by an assembly according to claim 1.
  • the present invention provides several relevant advantages.
  • the invention carries out a connection system between the various terminals that is general for all types of terminals commonly used, regardless of shape and other specific features thereof.
  • the system of the invention allows to reduce pretinning costs, though making the latter extremely reliable.
  • the invention further allows to use the same type of feeder with plural types of terminals and directly connect the feeding system with the soldering tool, thereby doing without the positioning device and therefore implementing simpler and definitely less expensive plant configurations.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the assembly of terminals according to the present invention, partially wound into a coil;
  • Figure 1A shows an enlarged detail of the assembly of Figure 1
  • Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the assembly of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the assembly of Figure 1, taken along line A-A of Figure 2;
  • Figure 3A shows an enlarged detail of the view of Figure 3
  • Figures 4, 5, 6 show a perspective view of an assembly of terminals, respectively according to a second, third and fourth preferred embodiment
  • Figures 4A, 5A, 6A respectively show a detail of Figures 4, 5 and 6;
  • Figure 7A shows a perspective view schematically illustrating the in-place application modes of a terminal of the assembly of Figure 1;
  • Figure 7B shows a perspective view of a terminal applied in place, and in particular onto an automotive glazing.
  • an assembly of electric terminals according to a first embodiment of the invention is generally denoted by 1.
  • the assembly 1 is substantially in the form of a strip. It is made of a plurality of electric terminals 10, each of which has, in the example considered here, a substantially T-like configuration.
  • each terminal has a first portion 11 corresponding to the top of the "T", and that will be referred to as transversal with respect to the development of the assembly 1 , and a second portion 12, integral with the first portion 11, corresponding to the shaft of the "T" and having a longitudinal development.
  • each terminal 10 has a longitudinal development appendage 110, typically of copper like the remaining part of the body of the terminal itself and that can also be referred to as soldering bump.
  • an insulating sleeve 14 is inserted on part of the second portion 12.
  • the terminals 10 of the assembly 1 are connected in a longitudinal sequence by two longitudinal side tracks, or beads, respectively denoted by 2 and 3 and made of a solder, typically tin or an alloy thereof.
  • each terminal 10 is connected to each of the tracks 2 and 3 at a respective longitudinal appendage 110.
  • each bead 2, 3 has a substantially flattened cross section.
  • variant embodiments could envisage a different configuration, e.g. circular or rounded rectangle. It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the flux material integrated into the assembly 1 causes the flux itself to be protected from oxidation phenomena, and therefore the assembly 1 to be long-life.
  • connection between each terminal 10 and the beads 2 and 3 may occur e.g. by gluing or hot bonding, in this latter case with melting of the outer part of the solder without reaching the inner part of the flux 4.
  • the assembly 1 may be stored and supplied in the form of a coil, to be unwound at use.
  • terminals of the strip could have, depending on the specific application, a configuration and a structure differing from the ones considered hereto.
  • FIG 4 it is shown in perspective an assembly of electric terminals 1' according to a second preferred embodiment.
  • the assembly 1' differs from the assembly 1 with regard to the shape of the electric terminals used, connected to the beads 2 and 3.
  • FIG 4A it is depicted a detail of an electric terminal 102.
  • Said electric terminal 102 has a conductive plate 1021 substantially arranged along a plane containing the longitudinal beads 2, 3, in a manner such as to generally give to the electric terminal a substantially U-like shape.
  • the assembly 1" has a plurality of terminals 103, connected to the beads 2 and 3, each having a plate 1031 substantially orthogonal to the plane containing the two longitudinal beads.
  • FIGS. 6 and 6A depict an assembly 1'" of electric terminals according to a fourth embodiment, comprising a plurality of terminals connected to the beads 2 and 3.
  • Each terminal depicted in Figure 6A and denoted by reference number 104, comprises a support 1043, arranged transversally to the beads, to which are integral a conductive plate 1041 and an electric winding 1042 serving as antenna.
  • the feeder of the automatic soldering system may directly proceed to the gradual unwinding of the coil, and a stationary soldering tool, denoted by S in Figure 7A, thereafter heats the longitudinal appendages 110 that then transmit heat to the contiguous portions of beads 2 and 3 interposed between two adjacent terminals 10, up to the soldering of the first terminal of the coil onto the soldering support - typically an automotive glazing - and the concomitant separation of said first terminal from the remaining .assembly 1.
  • the automatic system may provide a robot for intermediate positioning, which takes up the end of the coil and sets it into position onto said soldering support.
  • a shearing system eliminates bead portions in excess.
  • a filament of stronger and more ductile material such as, e.g., copper or steel, in a manner such as to ensure an improved resistance of the continuous coil to manipulation.
  • Such an additional filament may be applied directly at the manufacturing of the bead 2, 3 or during the connection of the bead 2, 3 to the terminals 10.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Connections Effected By Soldering, Adhesion, Or Permanent Deformation (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)
  • Motor Or Generator Frames (AREA)

Abstract

An assembly of electric terminals (1), each of which apt to be applied by soldering onto a support such as n automotive glazing or the like, comprising: a plurality of electric terminals (10) e.g. T-shaped; and a pair of longitudinal side beads (2, 3) made of solder, wherein each terminal (10) is transversally interposed between the beads (2, 3) and connected sideways thereto.

Description

ASSEMBLY OF ELECTRIC TERMINALS DESCRIPTION
The present invention refers to an assembly of electric terminals arranged in sequence and apt to be individually applied in place, and specifically associated to a silk-screen printed circuit manufactured onto an automotive glazing or the like.
Onto automotive glazings and in alike applications, silk-screen printed electric circuits are manufactured, typically used to allow heating of the glazing, (e.g., for defrosting) or as antennas for electronic systems aboard. Said circuits are usually connected by means of electric terminals, soldered by brazing onto the silk-screen printed circuit itself.
The use of terminals, instead for instance of individual filaments, enables to carry out the above-mentioned soldering step by automatic systems. A completely automatic cell for soldering the terminals is usually comprised of a system for feeding the terminals, an automatic soldering tool and a positioning system (typically comprised of an anthropomorphous robot) capable of moving the tool from the feeder to the glazing. The need to avail oneself of a positioning system ensues from the fact that the feeder, apart from highly peculiar situations, cannot be directly connected to the soldering tool because of dimensional issues; need to work in determined positions and weights of the feeding system itself.
To simplify said soldering process and increase the automation level, pretinned terminals are ever more often being resorted to; i.e., in which a tin solder is applied in advance onto the terminal itself, preferably also with the provision of a so-called "flux" material onto the outer portion of said solder. As it is well-known to those skilled in the art, by "flux" it is meant a material suitable to foster soldering, and in particular to minimize the possibility of oxidation.
The application in place (i.e., onto the automotive glazing) of the terminal by automatic systems may occur according to different methodologies, also depending on the shape of the terminal. For instance, terminals equipped with the so-called "tail" have to be arranged pre-aligned or individually loaded on the feeder, and this complicates the modes for prearranging the automatic system. In addition, often these terminals are provided joined to each other, and therefore have to be separated mechanically. However, separation systems do not ensure a total effectiveness, as they are also bound by small geometric differences in the shape of the terminals, due not only to their production process, but also to the packaging and transportation system.
Other types of terminals with a more compact and typically three-dimensional shape are fed with traditional vibratory bowl systems, but this entails a series of problems linked to the possibility of component jamming and the loss of the flux applied outside of the tin.
Currently, additional systems are appearing which manufacture these three- dimensional terminals by directly leaving them on the coil, from which they are separated by shearing and bending. This allows to have the terminals on a single continuous strip and therefore, by using a system for moving and shearing the strip, the terminal is easily separable with no need of system shutdown. However, such a system requires machines, having rather complex embodiments, dedicated to perform the process of shearing and bending the three-dimensional terminals. Moreover, not all terminals can be treated in this way. Hence, the technical problem set and solved by the present invention is to provide an assembly of electric terminals allowing to overcome the drawbacks set forth hereto with reference to the known art, and specifically allowing a fully automated management of the above-illustrated soldering steps in a simple, efficient and cost- effective manner. Such a problem is solved by an assembly according to claim 1.
Preferred features of the present invention are set forth in the dependent claims thereof.
The present invention provides several relevant advantages. In particular, the invention carries out a connection system between the various terminals that is general for all types of terminals commonly used, regardless of shape and other specific features thereof.
Moreover, the system of the invention allows to reduce pretinning costs, though making the latter extremely reliable.
The invention further allows to use the same type of feeder with plural types of terminals and directly connect the feeding system with the soldering tool, thereby doing without the positioning device and therefore implementing simpler and definitely less expensive plant configurations.
Other advantages, features and the operation steps of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example and not for limitative purposes. Reference will be made to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the assembly of terminals according to the present invention, partially wound into a coil;
Figure 1A shows an enlarged detail of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the assembly of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the assembly of Figure 1, taken along line A-A of Figure 2;
Figure 3A shows an enlarged detail of the view of Figure 3; Figures 4, 5, 6 show a perspective view of an assembly of terminals, respectively according to a second, third and fourth preferred embodiment;
Figures 4A, 5A, 6A respectively show a detail of Figures 4, 5 and 6;
Figure 7A shows a perspective view schematically illustrating the in-place application modes of a terminal of the assembly of Figure 1; and
Figure 7B shows a perspective view of a terminal applied in place, and in particular onto an automotive glazing.
Referring initially to Figures 1 , 1 A and 2, an assembly of electric terminals according to a first embodiment of the invention is generally denoted by 1.
The assembly 1 is substantially in the form of a strip. It is made of a plurality of electric terminals 10, each of which has, in the example considered here, a substantially T-like configuration. In particular, each terminal has a first portion 11 corresponding to the top of the "T", and that will be referred to as transversal with respect to the development of the assembly 1 , and a second portion 12, integral with the first portion 11, corresponding to the shaft of the "T" and having a longitudinal development. At each of the transversal ends of the first portion 11 , each terminal 10 has a longitudinal development appendage 110, typically of copper like the remaining part of the body of the terminal itself and that can also be referred to as soldering bump.
Moreover, an insulating sleeve 14 is inserted on part of the second portion 12.
The terminals 10 of the assembly 1 are connected in a longitudinal sequence by two longitudinal side tracks, or beads, respectively denoted by 2 and 3 and made of a solder, typically tin or an alloy thereof. In particular, each terminal 10 is connected to each of the tracks 2 and 3 at a respective longitudinal appendage 110.
As it is shown in greater detail in Figures 3 and 3A, in each side track 2 and 3 it is obtained a longitudinal through seat, generally denoted by 20 in Figure 3A, into - A - which a flux material 4 is housed.
In the present example, each bead 2, 3 has a substantially flattened cross section. Evidently, variant embodiments could envisage a different configuration, e.g. circular or rounded rectangle. It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the flux material integrated into the assembly 1 causes the flux itself to be protected from oxidation phenomena, and therefore the assembly 1 to be long-life.
The connection between each terminal 10 and the beads 2 and 3 may occur e.g. by gluing or hot bonding, in this latter case with melting of the outer part of the solder without reaching the inner part of the flux 4.
As it is shown in Figure 1 , the assembly 1 may be stored and supplied in the form of a coil, to be unwound at use.
Moreover, evidently also the terminals of the strip could have, depending on the specific application, a configuration and a structure differing from the ones considered hereto.
Referring to Figure 4, it is shown in perspective an assembly of electric terminals 1' according to a second preferred embodiment. The assembly 1' differs from the assembly 1 with regard to the shape of the electric terminals used, connected to the beads 2 and 3. In particular, making reference to Figure 4A, it is depicted a detail of an electric terminal 102. Said electric terminal 102 has a conductive plate 1021 substantially arranged along a plane containing the longitudinal beads 2, 3, in a manner such as to generally give to the electric terminal a substantially U-like shape.
Referring to next Figures 5 and 5A, it is shown an assembly of terminals 1" according to a third preferred embodiment. In particular, the assembly 1" has a plurality of terminals 103, connected to the beads 2 and 3, each having a plate 1031 substantially orthogonal to the plane containing the two longitudinal beads.
The next Figures 6 and 6A depict an assembly 1'" of electric terminals according to a fourth embodiment, comprising a plurality of terminals connected to the beads 2 and 3. Each terminal, depicted in Figure 6A and denoted by reference number 104, comprises a support 1043, arranged transversally to the beads, to which are integral a conductive plate 1041 and an electric winding 1042 serving as antenna.
Referring to Figures 7A and 7B, the feeder of the automatic soldering system may directly proceed to the gradual unwinding of the coil, and a stationary soldering tool, denoted by S in Figure 7A, thereafter heats the longitudinal appendages 110 that then transmit heat to the contiguous portions of beads 2 and 3 interposed between two adjacent terminals 10, up to the soldering of the first terminal of the coil onto the soldering support - typically an automotive glazing - and the concomitant separation of said first terminal from the remaining .assembly 1. In an alternative embodiment, the automatic system may provide a robot for intermediate positioning, which takes up the end of the coil and sets it into position onto said soldering support.
After the fastening of the terminal, a shearing system eliminates bead portions in excess. According to a variant embodiment it is also possible to apply, together with the solder bead 2, 3, a filament of stronger and more ductile material, such as, e.g., copper or steel, in a manner such as to ensure an improved resistance of the continuous coil to manipulation. Such an additional filament may be applied directly at the manufacturing of the bead 2, 3 or during the connection of the bead 2, 3 to the terminals 10.
The present invention has hereto been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is understood that other embodiments might exist, all falling within the concept of the same invention, and all comprised within the protective scope of the claims hereinafter.

Claims

1. An assembly of electric terminals (1 , 1', 1", 1'"), each of which apt to be applied by soldering onto a support such as an automotive glazing or the like, comprising: - a plurality of electric terminals (10); and
- a pair of longitudinal side beads (2, 3) made of solder, wherein each of said terminals (10) is transversally interposed between said beads (2, 3) and connected sideways thereto.
2. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of said terminals (10) has a substantially T-like configuration.
3. The assembly (1', 1", 1'") according to claim 1 , wherein each of said terminals (102, 103, 104) has a conductive plate (1021 , 1031 , 1041).
4. The assembly (11) according to the preceding claim, wherein said conductive plate (1021) is arranged substantially along a plane containing said longitudinal beads (2, 3), in a manner such as to generally give to the respective terminal (102) a substantially U-like shape.
5. The assembly (1") according to claim 3, wherein said conductive plate (1031) is arranged substantially orthogonally to a plane containing said longitudinal beads (2, 3)-
6. The assembly (1"') according to claim 3, wherein said conductive plate (1041) is integral to a support (1043) arranged transversally to said beads (2, 3), said support (1043) being connected to a winding (1042) serving as antenna.
7. The assembly (1 , 1', 1", 1"') according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein said solder is tin or an alloy thereof.
8. The assembly (1, 1', 1", 1'") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said beads (2, 3) has an internal seat (20) receiving a flux material (4).
9. The assembly (1 , 1', 1", 1'") according to any one of the preceding claims, which can be wound into a coil.
10. The assembly (1 , 1', 1", 1"') according to the preceding claim, wherein each of said beads (2, 3) comprises a filament of strong and ductile material to ensure improved resistance to manipulation of the continuous coil.
11. The assembly (1 , 11, 1", 1"') according to the preceding claim, wherein said filament is made of copper or steel.
12. The assembly (1, V1 1", 1'") according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each terminal (10) can be applied on a silk-screen printed circuit manufactured onto an automotive glazing or the like.
EP08751098A 2007-04-24 2008-04-24 Assembly of electric terminals Withdrawn EP2140527A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITRM20070237 ITRM20070237A1 (en) 2007-04-24 2007-04-24 ASSEMBLY OF ELECTRIC TERMINALS
PCT/IB2008/051591 WO2008129520A1 (en) 2007-04-24 2008-04-24 Assembly of electric terminals

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2140527A1 true EP2140527A1 (en) 2010-01-06

Family

ID=39720410

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08751098A Withdrawn EP2140527A1 (en) 2007-04-24 2008-04-24 Assembly of electric terminals

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2140527A1 (en)
IT (1) ITRM20070237A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2008129520A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5875546A (en) * 1995-11-03 1999-03-02 North American Specialties Corporation Method of forming solder-holding clips for applying solder to connectors
US6900393B1 (en) * 1999-09-20 2005-05-31 Teka Interconnections Systems, Inc. Solder-bearing wafer for use in soldering operations

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2008129520A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITRM20070237A1 (en) 2008-10-25
WO2008129520A1 (en) 2008-10-30

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