US 12,407,122 B2
Direct device electrical connection to flexible circuits or other conductors
David R. Peterson, Aurora, OH (US); Joseph Sudik, Jr., Niles, OH (US); Duane Lee Brantingham, Cortland, OH (US); and Eric E. Shasteen, Salem, OH (US)
Assigned to Aptiv Technologies AG, Schaffhausen (CH)
Filed by Aptiv Technologies AG, Schaffhausen (CH)
Filed on Nov. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/503,774.
Application 18/503,774 is a division of application No. 17/471,916, filed on Sep. 10, 2021, granted, now 11,837,809.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/077,855, filed on Sep. 14, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0136746 A1, Apr. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. H01R 12/77 (2011.01)
CPC H01R 12/774 (2013.01) 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrical system, comprising:
a flexible circuit (FC) comprising a conductive circuit trace disposed within or between one or more dielectric layers and defining one or more connection features; and
a first electrical connector configured to physically secure and electrically connect the FC to a corresponding second electrical connector, the first electrical connector comprising first and second members configured to connect to each other with the FC secured therebetween and to electrically connect to the FC using the one or more connection features, the first member defining a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the FC extending through the first side and the second side, the FC extending between the first member and the second member in a direction substantially perpendicular to a connection direction to the second electrical connector, the first member defining a slot that is configured to be engaged by an end effector of a robotic installer to at least one of (i) physically connect the first electrical connector to the corresponding second electrical connector with the FC therebetween or (ii) move and install the electrical system within another electrical system.