MXPA99011399A - Contact device for an electrical functional element provided on a cris - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention describes a contact device for an electrical functional element, for example an antenna, arranged on a glass, in particular on a vehicle glass, with a case fixed on the glass, and comprising electrical components such as an amplifier, with an input connection between the case and the functional element, also fixed on the glass, and with output connections, according to the invention, the input connection (104; 204) is, in two different variants, each time covered with one adhesive layer, regardless of its electrical contact, in one of the variants, is disposed on the outside of the case (102), in the other variant is coated by the case (202). The electrical contact to the functional element is carried out during or after the adhesion of the case, respectively of the input connection, preferably by welding, in order to ensure a particularly reliable contacting. [Figure

Description

CONTACT DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONAL ELEMENT ARRANGED ON A CRYSTAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a contact device for an electrical functional element, for example an antenna or a heating device, arranged on a glass, in particular on a vehicle glass, with a fixed case on the glass , and comprising components, for example an amplifier, with an input connection between the case and the functional element, also fixed on the glass, and with output connections. From DE-GM 75 27 621 an antenna is known for radio reception in motor vehicles, whose antenna leads are placed on a glass. For the direct connection of an antenna amplifier with its antenna leads, the amplifier is installed here in a small case, and this is stuck on the glass. Two antenna conductors, connected in a conductive manner to each other inside the case of the amplifier, are directly connected to the input terminals of the amplifier and on the other hand equally adhered on the glass. At its output, the amplifier communicates through a multi-pole smooth cable to the edge network (supply voltage) and to the receiving device. The smooth cable is fixed along the rubber gasket of the glass, preferably inserted between the gasket and the glass. Other details related to the nature of the attached assemblies do not appear in the document. Also, it does not describe the type of cables in more detail. DE-GM 72 20 420 also discloses a crystal with active antenna, in which an amplification capsule is adhered in a cavity of the crystal, and is brought into contact by connection elements at the entrance and at the exit. The connection between the antenna leads and the amplification capsule is not discussed in more detail. DE-GM 72 27 083 discloses an arrangement of this type, in which the active capsule of the antenna is housed in the standing case of an internal fixed mirror on the glass. DE-C1-195 36 131 Cl discloses a multiple connection element for windows with antenna, in which several free contact areas, and the segments of the corresponding conductors, mutually isolated, are joined on a resistant sheet heat. This is provided, on its face facing the corresponding contact area on the glass, with a narrow hot adhesion strip, which extends in a straight line, with a relatively small width, perpendicular to the segments of the conductors. This can be adhered on the surface of the glass, before the contact areas are welded or adhered by means of a conductor adhered on the corresponding contact areas of the antenna conductors. In this way, the connection element can be temporarily located and fixed on the glass, which carries the antenna conductors. The band of adhesive serves on the other hand to lighten the traction on the contact area itself. It is also known (DE-AI-195 33 761) to arrange command circuits for glass heating devices or automatic windshield wipers, directly on the glass to be heated; this command circuit may for example comprise a humidity detector, as well as other switching means such as an amplifier and the like. It is common for the conductors or electrical structures, which are arranged, for example, on or in a glass, to be brought into permanent contact with electrical or electronic components by soft welding of the contact areas carried out in a corresponding manner. The pin or spring contacts are also known (for example DE 1 196 330, DE-C2-36 04 437). Such contacts, by purely mechanical effect, are undoubtedly simple to manipulate, however, they are also subject to contact corrosion, and to mechanical wear, which is caused for example by vibrations. From DE-A1-195 10,186, it is known to connect the electrical conductors arranged on a rigid substrate to braided wires of a smooth cable, removing on the one hand the insulation of the braided wires, and tightening the bare stretches thereof on the conductors on the substrate side by means of a clamping piece, with interposition of an adhesive containing electrically conductive particles. In this operation, this last piece can even be adhered to the substrate, and then covers the finished contact zone, relieving the traction. When using a UV curable adhesive, the fastening piece must be made of glass. For regular operation of this contact device, the adhesive must be conductive in anisotropic manner, ie, the covered conductive particles can not make a conductive connection that extends over too great a distance, so that two or more two of the drivers to adhere to do not short circuit. The object of the invention is to improve a contact device with a case and an input connection to the electrical functional element according to the state of the art mentioned in the introduction, in a way that allows simple and reliable handling and assembly, and a good airtightness against external influences. According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1, and of the related claim 7. The characteristics of the subclaims, which depend respectively on these independent claims, indicate advantageous variants of these objects. According to a first solution according to the invention, the case and the inlet connection arranged on the outside of the case to be fixed on the glass, are provided, on their face facing towards the functional element, with layers of adhesive which mutually extend, the The input connection can be connected by contact zones with corresponding contact areas of the electrical functional element placed on the glass, independently of the contact device, and the corresponding adhesive layer having at least one cavity in the region of the contact zones . Thus, on the one hand, a clear separation is made between the contact device and the functional element. The contact device, respectively the electrical components integrated therein, as an amplifier, can consequently be made and tested independently of the functional element placed on the side of the glass. On the other hand, the contact areas are, after the positioning and pressing of the inlet connection provided with the adhesive layer, securely protected against external influences such as humidity or dirt. Furthermore, the adhesive layer offers the contact area protection against mechanical actions during the assembly of the glass, and after the installation thereof. This configuration allows mounting the contact device assembly in a single manipulation, or also in a mechanized manner on the glass.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the inlet connection is made in the form of a laminated cable, which is entirely covered by the layer of adhesive on its side facing the glass, dispensing with at least one cavity in the region of the contact areas . In this way, a particularly large adhesion surface is created, which is ideally suited as a seal for relieving traction. The adhesive layer is not generally electrically conductive. It must be sufficiently thick, to be able to compensate eventual inequalities, as well as a curvature of the crystal. The appropriate adhesives available can be extruded; however, they are also available in the form of sheets, if necessary with an adhesive action on both sides. These acrylic-based adhesives are even authorized for outdoor applications in the domain of motor vehicles, and thus guarantee a long service life in relation to the application case described here. It may be wise to make the thicker adhesive layer in the case than the input connection. The latter will as a rule be flexible, while the case containing the amplifier and / or other electronic components on a plate is rigid and does not adapt to the unevenness or curvature of the support. This layer of thicker adhesive should ensure compensation on this point. To this end, it preferably has a closed pore foam consistency. For example, adhesives available under the commercial name 3M Loctac 582 can be used here. In the region of the inlet connection, it is possible to use, for example, an adhesive available under the trade designation 3M 966. To create the galvanic contact between the zones of contact of the input connection and the functional element, the usual methods are considered, namely in particular welding (soft), adhesion with conductive adhesives, or simply a mechanically prestressed contact. The latter can be obtained by an appropriate configuration of electrically deformable contact springs with a long adhesion adhesion assembly between the inlet connection and the support, in which the coating of the contact zone by a layer of adhesive, with Proper preparation and careful selection of materials also excludes disturbances caused by moisture or dirt.

According to a second solution according to the invention, the input connection, which can be connected by contact zones to the corresponding contact areas of the electrical functional element placed on the glass, independently of the contact device, is completely covered by the case afterwards. from the fixing of the latter, the contact areas of the two faces are brought into mechanical contact with one another during the placement of the case. With this solution also, the advantage of an extremely simple and reliable assembly is achieved, while the contact area is well protected against external influences. In an advantageous application of this variant, the case is adhered on the glass by means of a high-quality adhesive that is gas-tight and moisture-proof. This eliminates any external influence of corrosive media on the contact areas. In this variant, it may be sufficient to provide only spring contacts, if one is certain that the contact areas can not be oxidized during the time between their manufacture and the assembly of the contact device. In the case of increased demands imposed on the electrical contacts, or if the formation during this time of an oxide layer on the contact areas can not be excluded, it can, according to another application, send to the contact area an energy radiation for contacting with fusion of the input connection with the functional element on the glass side; This radiation can reach the contact areas through the case, or from the other side of the glass. The contact areas on the glass side can be manufactured in a special execution by screen printing; If the energy for welding must then be supplied in the form of laser radiation, it is then necessary to insert it through the case. According to another advantageous application, the latter presents at least one translucent window region for this purpose, and the contact areas covered by the case are arranged in such a way that they can be directly reached by the energy through the passage of this window. If the conductive tracks of the functional element deposited by screen printing on the glass must be covered by the layer of adhesive, then this is, according to an advantageous application, thicker than the height of the relief of the conductor tracks on the surface of the glass, in order to ensure that no open slots appear in the coating region. The two embodiments of the contact device discussed here are suitable for large-scale machining. Other details and advantages of the object of the invention will be highlighted from the drawings, which each illustrate an embodiment of the two proposed solutions, as well as the detailed description that follows. In a simplified representation, Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the contact device, in which the inlet connection is arranged on the outside of the case; Figure 2 is a view of the input connection according to line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged view according to the Lililí line of Figure 1, in which the contact device is fixed on a glass; and Figure 4 shows a second embodiment with another arrangement and another execution of the input connection. According to Figure 1, a contact device 101 essentially comprises a case 102, on the right side of which a connection area, respectively an input connection 104, is disposed by means of a short segment of a smooth cable 103. This The latter serves to bring into electrical contact the electrical or electronic components not represented here, arranged in the case 101, for example an amplifier, a command circuit or the like, with an electrical functional element 115 arranged on a glass (see Figure 3) . The components do not form part of the present invention, in such a way that there is no place to examine them in more detail. On the left side of the case 101, a segment of a smooth cable is again provided as output cable 105. This leads, for example, to a first multiple connector 106, simply indicated here, for example that can be locked, to later connect the contact device 101, respectively functional element 115, with the assemblies that follow and / or with a current source. The smooth cable 103 is composed, in the usual manner, of several electrical conductors 107 - for example in the form of conductive sheets - which are electrically separated from one another by non-conducting insulating layers 108, 109. On the underside of the connection area, respectively of the inlet connection 104, a layer of adhesive 110 is applied. Another layer of adhesive 111 is provided on the lower face of the case 102. Finally, the ends 5 of the conductors 107 that are in the The region of the input connection 104 is provided with contact areas 112, which can be pre-tinned, for example, for carrying out a welded assembly with the corresponding opposing contact areas. I O In a variant to this presentation, the output cable 105 can also be provided with a layer of adhesive and be fixed with it on the surface of the glass. In another embodiment not illustrated, it is also possible to join the input connection 104 and the output cable 105 in a single contact zone. The same the conductive tracks, respectively the antagonistic contact zones of the electrical functional element 113, that the segments of the extension cable to assemble to the output cable can thus being made directly on the surface of the glass. Alternatively, the output cable can be brought into contact with the outside, for example by a pushbutton or by coaxial contacts. The bottom view of the input connection 104 illustrated in Fig. 2 clearly shows that several here three electrical conductors 107 penetrate parallel to each other in the connection zone, and thus allow to have a corresponding number of contact zones 112. The same the lower insulating layer 109 that the adhesive layer 110 is provided with a cavity 113 in the area surrounding the contact areas. The contact zones 112 are not accessible from the outside, respectively by the lower part, rather than through this cavity 113. Laterally, they are surrounded on all sides by the adhesive layer 110, and the upper insulating layer 108 covers them towards above. The assembly between the adhesive layer 110 and the smooth cable 103 covers a large area, and is since then very resistant and airtight. For the production of the adhesive layers 110 and 111, commercially available high strength and long-lasting adhesives are used, preferably authorized for the automotive industry. In the region of the inlet connection, it is possible, for example, to use an adhesive available under the trade designation 3M 966, while, under the case, it is possible, for example, to use an adhesive available under the trade designation 3M Loctac 582. In the Figure 3, the mounting position of the contact device is discovered in a cut-away side view, rotated 90 ° relative to Figure 1, that is to say it is seen towards the inlet connection 104 on the face of the right end of the case 102. For a better representation of the connection area, this is shown in enlargement in relation to Figures 1 and 2. A crystal 114 carries an electrical functional element 115, which is represented only by short segments of conductive tracks. These conductor tracks can lead, for example, to an antenna or an electric heating device. In this embodiment, they have been placed on the glass, in a known manner, by screen printing, followed by firing of a glass-silver conductive sintering. They can be deposited either directly on the face of the glass, or - as is indicated here - in an equally known manner on a surface and opaque coating 116. The latter then also forms a protection against the view and light for the area coating , which also includes in particular the case 102. The conductive tracks provided on the glass also include the opposing contact areas 117 for the contact areas 112 of the contact device 101. The latter is placed on the surface of the glass by means of layers of adhesive 110 and 111, in such a way that the contact zones 112 of its input connection 104 are located exactly on the opposing contact zones 117 of the crystal, respectively of the functional element. After the application of the adhesive layer 110 of the inlet connection 104 on the surface of the glass, this contact area becomes tightly sealed in a very reliable manner against influences (against moisture, dirt, mechanical actions) that come of the outside. If a force of purely mechanical application were not to satisfy the requirements imposed on the electrical contacts, one could then, with the appropriate tools, supply heat through the upper insulating layer 108, or through the glass 114, in order to weld some others contact zones 112 and antagonist contact zones 117. In this case, lack of preference pre-tinning the two sides. The lower insulating layer 109 is notched to form the cavity 113. In this embodiment, the adhesive layers 110 and 111 have no electrical conduction function. They must, however, be thick enough to compensate for at least small curvatures and inequalities of the glass 114, respectively of the conductive tracks of the functional element 113. This property is indicated in Figure 3, wherein the adhesive layer 110 located above the conductive track carried to the right laterally outside the region of the input connection 104 is more strongly compressed than on the left side in the opposite. The other adhesive layer 111 below the case 101 can be made over the entire surface or also, to save the material, only in the form of a frame along the outer contour of the case. This also depends essentially here on the duration of the fixed assembly between the case and the crystal. The latter can be manufactured in glass or synthetic material, be monolithic or be a composite product. The sectional representation of Figure 4 shows another embodiment according to the invention, with a contact device 201, whose input connection 204 is covered by a case 202. As an external contact, a coaxial plug is provided on the case 202. 205. In the case 202, a plate 203 is provided, which is provided on its upper face with electrical components and conductive tracks 206. This may be an antenna amplifier, which forms an active radio antenna with a crystal antenna. automotive vehicles. The components represented only schematically can, however, also have other functions, for example that of a command circuit for an automatic glass heating device, or the like. This aspect is not examined in more detail in the context of the invention to be discussed here. Instead of the coaxial plug 205, the output connection can also - as in the embodiment discussed above - be provided under the case on one side of the input connection, the corresponding connections must then also be made on the glass in the form of flat wave guides. In compensation it is essential that the plate 203 be provided with passages 207 and 208, between which the passage 207 serves to pass an electrical conductor 206 through the plane of the plate 203, and the other passage 208 simply forms an opening. The case 202 is open on its inside face. For this reason, the lower face of the plate constitutes, in the pre-assembled state, the lower face of the case. In the region of the passageway 207, the electrical conductor 206 is connected to a contact sheet 209, the free end of which is under the passage 208 and forms a contact zone 212. If necessary, several contact sheets of the same type can of course be provided. this type. The case 202 is provided, along its lower peripheral edge, with a layer of adhesive 210, by means of which it is solidly mounted to the surface of a crystal 211. On the same surface there are opposing contact zones for the electrical connection of the contact device 201 with an electrical functional element (for example the antenna or the heating of the aforementioned crystal). After the casing 202 is placed on the glass 211, the contact sheet is supported by a slight elastic compression at its contact zone 212 on an antagonist contact zone 213. This can, for example, be provided at the end of a conductive track 214 deposited by screen printing and baking, which adheres to its perimeter on an opaque layer of protection against sight and light 215. The layer of adhesive 210 is again sufficiently thick, to be able to adapt without residual groove, in the region of the passages of the conductive tracks 214, in its relief above the surface. Under favorable circumstances and conditions of use, this elastic contact may be sufficient, even more so when there is no lack of fear of harmful (in particular corrosive) influences on the contact areas of the part of the surrounding adhesive layer, of the sealed case and of the underlying crystal. A precondition is a working atmosphere of a corresponding cleaning during the realization of the connection, respectively during the positioning of the case on the glass 211. Preferably, however, a welded assembly is made between the contact areas. The case 202 is permeable to a laser radiation 216 either in its entirety, or at least in a window area 202F which is above the passage 208, radiation that is emitted by an i-conductor diode laser 217 or analogously indicated in Figure 4, and which can penetrate the case 202. For this, the case preferably consists of a synthetic material, permeable to the wavelength of the laser (for example 860 - 890 nm, thus a laser IR or NIR), which can be clear or colored. Between the point of entry of the laser radiation 216 and the passage 208, no component should be provided to deflect or absorb the radiation. The radiation 216 thus arrives without difficulty, through the passage 208, on the upper face of the contact sheet 209. The contact zone 212 thereof and the antagonist contact area 213 can again be pre-tinned. Under the action of the energy provided by the laser, the weld deposits melt. The elastic precompression of the contact sheet creates the mechanical pressure necessary for the fusion of two weld deposits, without this requiring the application of an additional effort. It may be judicious to provide the upper face of the contact sheet 209 attacked by the laser radiation of a coating that absorbs the wavelength thereof, so that the time of action of the radiation can be minimized by improving the uptake of energy. In principle, it could also be envisaged to provide the energy necessary for the welding of the pre-tinned contact zones by induction heating or ultrasonic waves, but only when any degradation of the components installed in the case 202 or of the element is excluded. functional placed on the side of the crystal by such a form of energy. These could, for example, be sensitive to the most intense magnetic waves, or to stronger vibrations, so that it is then necessary to prefer the energy input by laser radiation.

All the welding procedures described in connection with the embodiment of Figure 4 are naturally also applicable to the first embodiment described, with the inlet connection 104 connected to the exterior of the case 102.

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS 1. Contact device for an electrical functional element, for example an antenna, arranged on a glass, in particular on a vehicle glass, with a case fixed on the glass and comprising electrical components, in particular an amplifier, with a input connection between the case and the antenna conductors, also fixed on the glass, and with output connections, characterized in that the case and the input connection arranged on the outside of the case to be fixed on the glass are provided, on its face turning towards the functional element, mutually extending layers of adhesive, the input connection can be connected by contact zones with corresponding contact areas of the electrical functional element placed on the glass independently of the contact device and the corresponding adhesive layer they present at least one cavity in the region of the contact zones.
2. 2. Contact device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlet connection is made in the form of a laminated cable and because this is entirely covered by the layer of adhesive on its side turned towards the glass, abstraction made of at least one cavity in the region of the contact zones.
3. 3. Contact device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adhesive layer of the inlet connection is less thick than the layer of adhesive in the case.
4. 4. Contact device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact areas are coated with a soft solder and, after adhesion of the adhesive layer on the glass, can be welded using heat and pressure.
5. 5. Contact device according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact areas are coated with an electrically conductive adhesive.
6. 6. Contact device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact areas are brought into contact with the contact areas on the glass side, exclusively by a precompression produced during the adhesion of the adhesive layer on the glass.
7. 7. Contact device for an electrical functional element, for example an antenna, arranged on a glass, in particular a vehicle glass, with a case fixed on the glass and comprising electrical components, in particular an amplifier, with an input connection between the case and antenna leads, also fixed on the glass, and with output connections, characterized in that the input connection, which can be connected by contact zones to corresponding contact areas of the electrical functional element placed on the glass independently of the contact device, is completely covered by the case after the latter is fixed, the contact areas of the two faces are put in mechanical contact with each other during the placement of the case.
8. 8. Contact device according to claim 7, characterized in that the input connection comprises at least one elastic contact sheet, which can be elastically prestressed with its contact area located on the opposite side of the case on an antagonist contact plate on the side of the crystal.
9. 9. Contact device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the contact areas elastically prestressed one on the other are coated with a soft solder, and are joined to each other by a supply of energy that passes through the case or the glass .
10. 10. Contact device according to claim 9, characterized in that the case is permeable to a high energy radiation, in particular a laser radiation, at least in a limited region, and the contact areas covered by the case are arranged in a manner such that they can be directly reached by the energetic radiation that crosses this region.
11. 11. Contact device according to claim 9, characterized in that the energy is supplied in the form of electromagnetic induction heat
12. 12. Contact device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical functional element comprises conductive tracks stamped on the glass, which must be covered by the layer of adhesive, and because the layer of adhesive is thicker than that of the relief of the conductive tracks above the glass surface.