JP2017092032A - Crimp connection for mesh shielding material for use in steering wheel with capacitive detection - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve consistent result in the electrical connection between an electrically conductive member and an electrically conductive mesh.SOLUTION: An assembly includes an electrically conductive member, an electrically conductive mesh, and a crimp connector. The electrically conductive mesh includes a first area and a second area. The first area extends from the second area, and is twisted. One of the electrically conductive member or the twisted first area is entangled around the other of them, thus forming a torsional connection. The crimp connector is crimped from above the torsional connection, thus forming a crimp connection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3E

Description

  This disclosure relates to electrical connections, and more particularly to, for example, crimp connections for connecting wires to an electrically conductive mesh in a steering wheel.

  Soldering is a method used to make an electrical connection that melts a material, ie, solder, and joins two items together. Soldering can be used to connect wires together or to connect wires to, for example, a circuit board. However, soldering connections can be problematic for a number of reasons. One such reason is that it can be difficult to utilize a consistent amount of solder for connection. Despite efforts to use the same amount of solder in multiple connections, it can result in different amounts being used. This means that in a steering wheel assembly where the electrical connection is located under the steering wheel cover, some steering wheels may have the desired amount of solder for their connection, The steering wheel may be problematic because it may contain protruding bumps of solder that can be detected by the driver.

  One example embodiment of the assembly includes an electrically conductive member, an electrically conductive mesh, and a crimp connector. The electrically conductive mesh includes a second area and a twisted first area extending from the second area. One of the electrically conductive member and the twisted first area is entangled around the other of the electrically conductive member and the twisted first area to form a torsional connection. The crimp connector is crimped onto the torsional connection.

  In another example embodiment of the above assembly, the first area of the electrically conductive mesh includes a rectangular tab and the second area of the electrically conductive mesh is larger than the first area of the electrically conductive mesh. .

  In another example embodiment of any of the above assemblies, the electrically conductive member is a wire and the wire and the twisted first area are entangled around each other to form a torsional connection.

  In another example embodiment of any of the above assemblies, the first area of the electrically conductive mesh is folded over the second area of the electrically conductive mesh, including the crimp connection. In this embodiment, a cover is bonded over the second area of the electrically conductive mesh, which surrounds the crimp connection between the cover and the second area of the electrically conductive mesh.

  In another example embodiment of any of the above assemblies, the electrically conductive mesh includes a plurality of electrically conductive connecting loops.

  In another example embodiment of any of the above assemblies, the electrically conductive mesh comprises aluminum, copper, or tungsten.

  In another example embodiment of any of the above assemblies, the assembly includes a steering wheel core and a beauties cover that is wrapped around the steering wheel core. The second area of the electrically conductive mesh is wrapped around the steering wheel core and is at least partially located between the steering wheel core and the beauty cover.

  In another example embodiment of any of the above assemblies, the assembly is a capacitive sensor located between the cosmetic cover and the second area of the electrically conductive mesh, and the steering wheel core and the electrically conductive member. A heating element located between the second areas of the conductive mesh. The second area of the electrically conductive mesh is configured as an electromagnetic interference noise (EMI) shield that shields the capacitive sensor from the EMI of the heating element.

  An example method for electrically connecting an electrically conductive member and an electrically conductive mesh is to twist a first area of the electrically conductive mesh that extends from a second area of the electrically conductive mesh to form a torsion mesh area. Including that. One of the electrically conductive member and the torsional mesh area is entangled around the other of the electrically conductive member and the torsional mesh area to form a torsional connection. The crimp connector is crimped over the torsional connection to form a crimp connection.

  In another example embodiment of the above method, the first area of the conductive mesh includes a rectangular tab, and the second area of the electrically conductive mesh is larger than the first area of the electrically conductive mesh.

  In another example embodiment of any of the above methods, the electrically conductive member is a wire, and one of the wire and the twisted mesh area is entangled around the other of the wire and the twisted mesh area. Forming the torsional connection includes tangling the wire and the torsional mesh area around each other.

  In another example embodiment of any of the above methods, the method folds the first area of the electrically conductive mesh over the second area of the conductive mesh, including the crimp connection. And gluing the cover over the second area of the electrically conductive mesh, which encloses the crimp connection between the cover and the second area of the electrically conductive mesh.

  In another example embodiment of any of the above methods, the crimp connector before crimping has a cylindrical shape.

  In another example embodiment of any of the above methods, the electrically conductive mesh includes a plurality of electrically conductive connecting loops.

  In another example embodiment of any of the above methods, the electrically conductive mesh comprises aluminum, copper, or tungsten.

  In another example embodiment of any of the above methods, the method wraps an electrically conductive mesh around the steering wheel core and a capacitive sensor layer around the steering wheel core, Wrapping the electrically conductive mesh so that it is located between the steering wheel core and the capacitive sensor layer.

  In another example embodiment of any of the above methods, the method places a heating element around the steering wheel core such that the heating element is located between the steering wheel core and the electrically conductive mesh. Including wrapping around.

  One example embodiment of a steering wheel assembly includes a steering wheel core, an electrically conductive shield layer, and a sensor layer. Each of the shield layer and the sensor layer at least partially encloses the steering wheel core. The shield layer is located between the steering wheel core and the sensor layer. The shield layer includes an electrically conductive mesh that includes a nickel copper alloy.

  In another example embodiment of the steering wheel assembly described above, the electrically conductive mesh is knitted and includes a plurality of electrically conductive connecting loops.

  By using a crimp connection instead of a solder connection for the electrical connection between the electrically conductive member and the electrically conductive mesh, more consistent results can be achieved and the steering wheel implementation It can be advantageous in embodiments.

  The embodiments described herein may be employed independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, except where such features are not harmonized. The above and other features will be best understood from the following drawings and specification.

  A further understanding of the disclosure can be obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle having a steering wheel and associated sensing circuitry. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of detection and heat generation characteristics for a steering wheel. It is the schematic which illustrated the method of electrically connecting a conductive member and a conductive mesh using crimping connection. It is the schematic which illustrated the method of electrically connecting a conductive member and a conductive mesh using crimping connection. It is the schematic which illustrated the method of electrically connecting a conductive member and a conductive mesh using crimping connection. It is the schematic which illustrated the method of electrically connecting a conductive member and a conductive mesh using crimping connection. It is the schematic which illustrated the method of electrically connecting a conductive member and a conductive mesh using crimping connection. It is the schematic which illustrated the method of electrically connecting a conductive member and a conductive mesh using crimping connection. It is the schematic which illustrated the method of electrically connecting a conductive member and a conductive mesh using crimping connection. It is the schematic which illustrated the crimp connector before crimping. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating the crimp connector of FIG. 4A after crimping. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of electrically connecting a conductive member to a conductive mesh using a crimp connection. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the example of the electroconductive mesh.

  According to one aspect of this disclosure, techniques are disclosed for electrically connecting a conductive member (eg, a wire) to a conductive mesh using a crimp connection. The crimp connection may be used as part of an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield for a steering wheel that utilizes capacitive sensing, for example. The crimp connection can omit any soldering if desired. In one or more embodiments, the first area of the conductive mesh extending from the second area of the conductive mesh is twisted to form a twisted mesh area. The torsion mesh area and the conductive member are twisted together to form a torsion connection, and a crimp connector is crimped over the torsion connection to form a crimp connection.

  In one or more embodiments, the first area of the conductive mesh is folded over the second area of the conductive mesh, including the crimp connection, and the cover is of the second area of the conductive mesh. Bonded from above, the crimp connection is surrounded between the cover and the second area of the conductive mesh.

  FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle 10 that includes a steering wheel 12, a sensor circuit 14 (eg, capacitive sensing circuit), and a shielding circuit 16 (eg, for EMI shielding). The vehicle 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an automobile, but it is understood that the techniques discussed therein are applicable to other vehicles and to articles other than steering wheels. Shall be. The driver 18 uses the hand 20 to hold the steering wheel 12. In one or more embodiments, the sensor circuit 14 is configured to detect when the driver's hand 20 is in contact with the steering wheel 12 and a shielding circuit 16 is provided within the steering wheel 12. Configured to provide EMI shielding for the sensor circuit 14 via an electrically conductive mesh.

  FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example of sensing and heat generation characteristics for the steering wheel 12 of FIG. In the example of FIG. 2, the steering wheel 12 includes a plurality of components between the steering wheel core 22 and the beauty cover 24. The beauty cover 24 can be, for example, a leather cover. The heating element wiring 27 is configured as an electrical heating element that provides heat for the steering wheel 12. The heating element wiring 27 is connected to a power source 17 such as a vehicle battery.

  The heating element wiring 27 is located between the steering wheel core 22 and the insulating layer 28 configured as an electrical insulator. An adhesive layer 30 adheres the insulating layer 28 to the electrically conductive mesh 26. The conductive mesh is connected to the shielding circuit 16 via two crimp connections 52. This crimp connection 52 is described in more detail in the discussion of FIGS. 3A-G below. In one or more embodiments, the shielding circuit 16 allows the conductive mesh 26 to act as an EMI shield and shield the sensor wiring 36 from the EMI of the heating element wiring 27.

  An adhesive layer 32 adheres the conductive mesh 26 to an additional insulating layer 34 that is also configured as an electrical insulator. In one or more embodiments, the insulating layers 28, 34 are foam layers comprising a foam material such as polyurethane foam or synthetic rubber.

  The sensor wiring 36 is connected to the sensor circuit 14. In embodiments where the sensor circuit 14 is a capacitive sensing circuit, sensor wiring 36 is used for detection when, for example, the driver's hand is on the steering wheel 12.

  Here, a plurality of wire segments are shown for each of the heating element wiring 27 and the sensor wiring 36, but each of the heating element wiring 27 and the sensor wiring 36 has one wire or a plurality of wires. It should be understood that it can be included. In one or more embodiments, the heating element wiring 27 also includes an electrically conductive mesh.

  In one or more embodiments, the conductive mesh 26 includes a plurality of electrically conductive connecting loops that are knitted. Conductive mesh 26 may be a metal, and may include, for example, aluminum, copper, or tungsten. Conductive mesh 26 may include, for example, those metals as an alloy (eg, a nickel copper alloy) or may be used as other alloys such as stainless steel, hot dip galvanized steel, plain steel, or tinned copper. . Of course, it should be understood that other metals and other alloys may be used.

  3A-G schematically illustrate a method for electrically connecting an electrically conductive member and an electrically conductive mesh 26 using a crimp connection 52. The electrically conductive member shown in FIGS. 3A-G is wire 44, but it should be understood that other electrically conductive members can be used. With reference to FIG. 3A, the conductive mesh 26 includes a first area 40 extending from the second area 42. The second area 42 may extend along the longitudinal axis L, and the first area 40 may extend along the axis T transverse to the axis L and be perpendicular to the axis L. In some embodiments, the conductive mesh 26 is flat (eg, not a braided tube). In the example of FIG. 3A, the second area 42 is larger than the first area 40, and the first area 40 of the conductive mesh 26 has a rectangular shape (eg, as a rectangular tab of the conductive mesh 26). In the example of FIG. 3A, the first area 40 is in the same plane as the rest of the second area 42. Although only a small portion of the second area 42 is shown, it should be understood that the second area can be sized to cover a designated area of the steering wheel core 22. In one particular example, the second area 42 is an elongated strip having a length approximately equal to the circumference of the steering wheel 12.

  The first area 40 is folded with respect to the second area (FIG. 3B). In one example, this folding orients the first area 40 at an angle of 90 ° with respect to the second area 42. The first area 40 is twisted to form a twisted mesh area 40 '(FIG. 3C). The wire 44 includes a shielded portion 46 and is placed adjacent to the twisted mesh area 40 '(FIG. 3D). One of wire 44 and twisted mesh area 40 'is entangled around the other of wire 44 and twisted mesh area 40' to form a twisted connection 48 (FIG. 3E). In some embodiments, wire 44 and twisted mesh area 40 'are entangled around each other to form twisted connection 48. In other embodiments, only one of wire 44 and twisted mesh area 40 'is entangled around the other of wire 44 and twisted mesh area 40'.

  Crimp connector 50 is slid over torsion connection 48 in the direction shown in FIG. 3E and crimped from above torsion connection 48 to form crimp connection 52 (FIG. 3F). Optionally, the crimp connection 52 is folded over the second area 42 of the conductive mesh 26, and a cover 54 is bonded from above the crimp connection 52 to connect the crimp connection 52 to the cover 54 and the conductive mesh 26. Surrounding between two areas 42 (FIG. 3G). Cover 54 can serve as a protective layer for crimp connection 52. Bonding of the cover 54 may be accomplished using an adhesive such as hot glue (eg, from a glue gun). The cover 54 may face, for example, either towards the steering wheel core 22 in the steering wheel 12 or away from it.

  In one or more embodiments, the wire 44 is an American Wire Gauge Standard (AWG) 22 wire. Of course, other gauges can be used instead. The gauge of the wire 44 and the width of the first area 40 (eg, measured in a direction parallel to the axis L) can be selected to achieve the desired crimp size (ie, the desired crimp cross-sectional area within the crimp connector 50). . In one or more embodiments, the width of the first area 40 (eg, measured in a direction parallel to the axis L) is 15 mm, or any value between 10 mm and 20 mm. The length of first area 40 (eg, measured along axis T) in the same or other embodiments is 20 mm or 30 mm, or any value between 15 mm and 35 mm. Of course, these are merely examples of the width and length values of the first area 40, and it should be understood that other values may be used.

  FIG. 4A schematically illustrates an example crimp connector 50 before crimping, and FIG. 4B schematically illustrates an example crimp connector 50 'after crimping. As shown in FIG. 4B, the crimping of the crimp connector 50 deforms the crimp connector 50 and fixes the torsional connection 48. FIG. 4B also illustrates an example of how the first area 40 and wire 44 after crimping may be positioned. In the example of FIG. 4A, the crimp connector 50 before crimping has a cylindrical shape. Of course, it is possible to use other crimp connectors instead.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method 100 for electrically connecting an electrically conductive member (eg, wire 44) to electrically conductive mesh 26 using crimp connection 52. The first area 40 of the electrically conductive mesh 26 extending from the second area 42 of the electrically conductive mesh 26 is twisted to form a twisted mesh area 40 '(block 102). One of the electrically conductive member and torsion mesh area 40 'is entangled around the other of the electrically conductive member and torsion mesh area 40' to form a torsion connection 48 (block 104). The crimp connector 50 is crimped from above the torsion connection 48 to form a crimp connection 52 (block 106).

  In one example, the electrically conductive member is a wire and entanglement of the block 104 includes entanglement of the wire 44 and the twisted mesh area 40 'around each other. However, in other embodiments, only one of wire 44 and twisted mesh area 40 'is entangled around the other of wire 44 and twisted mesh area 40'.

  In some embodiments of the method 100, the first area 40 of the conductive mesh 26 is folded over the second area 42 of the conductive mesh 26, including the crimp connection 52. In some such embodiments, a cover 54 is glued over the first area 40 of the crimped conductive mesh 26, which connects the crimp connection 52 to the first of the cover 54 and the conductive mesh 26. Between the two areas 42 and serves as a protective layer for the crimp connection 52 (see FIG. 3G).

  As discussed in connection with FIG. 2, the second area 42 of the conductive mesh 26 includes a steering wheel core 22 and a steering wheel core 24 that includes a glazing cover 24 that is wrapped around the steering wheel core 22. It may be a part of an assembly. In some such embodiments, the second area 42 of the conductive mesh 26 is wrapped around the steering wheel core 22 and at least partially includes the steering wheel core 22 and the beauty cover. 24. In some embodiments, the conductive mesh second area 42 is shaped to cover a designated area of the steering wheel core 22.

  In some embodiments, a capacitive sensor (eg, sensor wiring 36) is located between the aesthetic cover 24 and the second area 42 of the conductive mesh 26 and a heating element (eg, heating element wiring 27). ) Is located between the steering wheel core 22 and the second area 42 of the conductive mesh 26. In some embodiments, the second area 42 of the conductive mesh 26 is configured as an EMI shield that shields the capacitive sensor from the EMI of the heating element. However, in some embodiments, the electrical heating element is omitted and the steering wheel 12 does not include the heating element wiring 27.

  FIG. 6 is an example of an electrically conductive mesh 26, which includes a connecting loop 62 in which a loop in one braid 64 wraps a leg 66 of a loop 67 in an adjacent braid 68. It is. The loops in the various rows in FIG. 6 can move relative to each other in the same plane without distorting the mesh 26, giving the knitted mesh elasticity in two directions. In one or more embodiments, when tensile or compressive stress is applied, each loop acts as a small spring and, if not strained beyond its yield point, returns to its original shape when the stress is removed. Return. In one or more embodiments, the conductive mesh 26 is knitted from a wire having a diameter in the range of 0.0035 inches to 0.0200 inches, or 0.0005 inches to 0.0350 inches. It is done. Of course, it should be understood that other meshes (eg, woven meshes) can be used as well.

  By using a crimp connection 52 instead of a solder connection for the electrical connection between the wire 44 and the conductive mesh 26, it is possible to achieve a more consistent result and the steering wheel implementation. Can be advantageous. For example, when the crimp connection 52 is located under the aesthetic cover 24, a smaller profile that is hardly detectable by the hand 20 of the driver 18 should be maintained compared to a solder connection using a lump of solder. The crimp connection 52 can be arranged.

  While exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain modifications are within the scope of the claims. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

<Cross-reference for related applications>
This application claims priority from US Provisional Application No. 62 / 250,659, filed Nov. 4, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle 12 Steering wheel 14 Sensor circuit 16 Shielding circuit 17 Power supply 18 Driver 20 Hand 22 Steering wheel core 24 Beautiful cover 26 Electrically conductive mesh, conductive mesh 27 Heating element wiring 28 Insulating layer 30 Adhesive layer 32 Adhesive layer 34 Insulating layer 36 Wiring, sensor wiring 40 First area 40 'Twisted mesh area 42 Second area 44 Wire 46 Shielded part 48 Twist connection 50 Crimp connector 52 Crimp connection 54 Cover 62 Linking loop 64 Braiding 66 Leg 67 Loop 68 Knitting 100 Method

Claims (20)

An electrically conductive member;
An electrically conductive mesh comprising a second area and a twisted first area extending from the second area, wherein the electrically conductive member and the twisted first area An electrically conductive mesh, one of which is entangled around the other of the electrically conductive member and the twisted first area to form a torsional connection;
A crimp connector that is crimped onto the torsional connection to form a crimped connection;
Assembly that includes.   The first area of the electrically conductive mesh includes a rectangular tab, and the second area of the electrically conductive mesh is larger than the first area of the electrically conductive mesh. The assembly described in 1.   The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive member is a wire and the wire and the twisted first area are entangled around each other to form the torsional connection. The first area of the electrically conductive mesh is folded over the second area of the electrically conductive mesh, including the crimp connection;
The assembly includes a cover that is glued onto the second area of the electrically conductive mesh, the cover surrounding the crimp connection between the cover and the second area of the electrically conductive mesh. To
The assembly according to claim 1.   The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive mesh includes a plurality of electrically conductive connecting loops.   The assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive mesh comprises aluminum, copper, or tungsten.   The assembly of claim 6, wherein the electrically conductive mesh comprises a nickel copper alloy. Steering wheel core,
A beautiful cover wrapped around the steering wheel core;
Including
The second area of the electrically conductive mesh is wrapped around the steering wheel core and at least partially located between the steering wheel core and the aesthetic cover;
The assembly according to claim 1. A capacitive sensor located between the aesthetic cover and the second area of the electrically conductive mesh;
A heating element located between the steering wheel core and the second area of the electrically conductive mesh;
Including
A second area of the electrically conductive mesh is configured as an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield to shield the capacitive sensor from the EMI of the heating element;
The assembly according to claim 8. A method of electrically connecting an electrically conductive member to an electrically conductive mesh comprising:
Twisting the first area of the electrically conductive mesh extending from the second area of the electrically conductive mesh to form a twisted mesh area;
Entwining one of the electrically conductive member and the twisted mesh area around the other of the electrically conductive member and the twisted mesh area to form a torsional connection;
Crimping a crimp connector from above the torsional connection to form a crimp connection;
Including the method.   11. The first area of the electrically conductive mesh includes a rectangular tab, and the second area of the electrically conductive mesh is larger than the first area of the electrically conductive mesh. The method described in 1.   The electrically conductive member is a wire in which one of the wire and the torsional mesh area is entangled around the other of the wire and the torsional mesh area to form a torsional connection. 11. The method of claim 10, comprising entwining the wire and the twisted mesh area around each other. Folding the first area of the electrically conductive mesh over the second area of the electrically conductive mesh, including the crimp connection;
Gluing a cover over the second area of the electrically conductive mesh and surrounding the crimp connection between the cover and the second area of the electrically conductive mesh;
The method of claim 10, comprising:   The method according to claim 10, wherein the crimp connector is cylindrical before the crimping.   The method of claim 10, wherein the electrically conductive mesh includes a plurality of electrically conductive connecting loops.   The method of claim 10, wherein the electrically conductive mesh comprises aluminum, copper, or tungsten. Wrapping the electrically conductive mesh around a steering wheel core;
Winding a capacitive sensor layer around the steering wheel core such that the electrically conductive mesh is located between the steering wheel core and the capacitive sensor layer;
The method of claim 10 comprising: Winding a heating element around the steering wheel core such that the heating element is located between the steering wheel core and the electrically conductive mesh;
The method of claim 17 comprising: Steering wheel core,
An electrically conductive shield layer;
A sensor layer;
Including
Each of the electrically conductive shield layer and the sensor layer at least partially surrounds the steering wheel core;
The electrically conductive shield layer is located between the steering wheel core and the sensor layer;
The electrically conductive shield layer comprises an electrically conductive mesh comprising a nickel copper alloy;
Steering wheel assembly.   The steering wheel assembly of claim 19, wherein the electrically conductive mesh is knitted and includes a plurality of electrically conductive connecting loops.

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