The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 08, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 08, 1995
H Winston Maue, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
George A Wooldridge, Warren, MI (US);
UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
An integrated interior trim and electrical assembly for use in an automotive vehicle includes an integrated electrical junction box and an interior trim panel. The interior trim panel has a generally rigid substrate covered by an aesthetically pleasing covering material. The junction box includes a flexible printed circuit board, a rigid printed circuit board, a busbar and insulator assembly, and a conductive deposited trace. The integrated interior trim and electrical assembly employs a sheet-like electrically conductive circuit layer which distributes electricity between a switch and an electricity activated device. A sheet-like electrically conductive layer is partially external from and partially disposed inside of an electrical junction box wherein it is electrically connected to one or more of the other circuit layers also contained within the junction box. Portions of the sheet-like electrically conductive layer external to the junction box are also suitable for integration with a series of occupant operable switches. Another aspect of the present invention employs a conductive elastomeric pad between internal circuit layers. A portion of an electrical junction box is molded within an interior trim panel substrate. Integrated interior trim and electrical assembly, a sheet-like electrically conductive layer is formed and affixed within an interior trim panel.