US 6,586,709 B2Grant
Structure of window heat wire connector of automobile
Issue Date:2003-07-01
•2 Claims
•3 Drawing Sheets
Abstract
A structure of a window heat wire connector of an automobile is disclosed to make a reduction in the number of window manufacturing processes and in the manufacturing cost by simplifying the structure of a connector that connects between heat wire and electric wire arranged on the window, the structure of a window heat wire connector comprising: connection frames connecting a plurality of heat wires aligned on the window; and an electric wire connector connected to the connection frames to supply power from battery, wherein the electric wire connector comprises; a first connection plate connected with an electric wire in the housing fixed at a vehicle body panel; a second connection plate elastically supported against the first connection plate via a first return spring; and a connection ball elastically supported via the second return spring at an accommodating part formed on the second connection plate.
Metadata
Assignee
- Hyundai Motor Company
Inventor
- Ju Nyon Kim
Application Information
Application Number:US 09/987,479
Filing Date:2001-11-14
Priority Date:2001-05-10
Art Unit:7
Classifications
IPC:
B60L 102
Field of Search:
219203219522219541219543219547200 6178200 6181338308338309439 34439817439819439824
Patent Drawings (3 sheets)
Description
Background of the Invention
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a structure of a window heat wire connector of an automobile, and more particularly to a structure of a window heat wire connector of an automobile that can improve job efficiency and cost effectiveness by modifying the connection structure of heat wire and electric wire on the window of the automobile.
[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, as shown in FIG. 1, a rear window 10 includes: connection frames 12 vertically aligned at the left and right edges; a plurality of heat wires 14 horizontally arranged between the connection frames 12; and an antenna 16 positioned at a lower position.
[0006] At this time, the connection frames 12 play a role as a connection unit to get power and the heat wires 14 play a role to eliminate ice or frost formed at the window by generating heat from the power.
[0007] On the other hand, a heat wire connector 18 is welded at the connection frames 12, and an electric wire connector 20 is connected to the heat wire connector 18 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0008] In other words, the heat wire connector 18 has a protruded part 18a, and an insertion part 20ais formed inside the electric wire connector 20 to accommodate the protruded part 18a. The electric wire connector 20 is in connection with an electric wire 20bto receive power supplied from battery.
[0009] Therefore, the heat wires 14 of the window 10 generate heat outside by receiving power by means of the electric wire connector 20, the heat wire connector 18 and the connection frames 12.
[0010] However, there are problems in the aforementioned structure of the window heat wire connector in that the heat wire connector has been welded at the connection frames vertically arranged on the window, thereby complicating a process of manufacturing the window and making an increase in the manufacturing cost because a particular jig and other tools are needed for welding and attachment of the heat wire connector onto the window.
[0011] In addition, the complicated process of manufacturing the window has resulted in deterioration of job efficiency and productivity.
Summary of the Invention
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to solve the aforementioned problem and provide a structure of a window heat wire connector of an automobile which can reduce a number of window manufacturing processes and a manufacturing cost by simplifying the structure of a connector that connects between heat wire and electric wire arranged on the window.
[0013] In order to accomplish the aforementioned object of the present invention, there is provided a structure of a window heat wire connector of automobile, the structure comprising:
[0014] connection frames connecting a plurality of heat wires aligned on the window; and
[0015] an electric wire connector connected to the connection frames to supply power from battery;
[0016] wherein the electric wire connector comprises;
[0017] a first connection plate connected with an electric wire in the housing fixed at a vehicle body panel;
[0018] a second connection plate elastically supported against the first connection plate via a first return spring and
[0019] a connection ball elastically supported via the second return spring at an accommodating part formed on the second connection plate.
[0020] In addition, the second connection plate is connected with the connection frames and also with the electric wire via the first connection plate, thereby being in a close contact with the connection frames by the physical elasticity of its own member.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0021] For fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a state view for illustrating window heat wires of a general automobile;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a structure of a conventional window heat wire connector;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a structure of a window heat wire connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a state of FIG. 3 prior to its assembling process; and
[0026] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a structure of a window heat wire connector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a structure of a window heat wire connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a state of FIG. 3 prior to its assembling process. At this time, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those shown in FIG. 1 that illustrates the structure of a conventional window heat wire connector.
[0029] As shown in the drawings, a rear window 10 of an automobile includes: connection frames 12 aligned apart vertically at the left and right edges; a plurality of heat wires 14 arranged horizontally between the connection frames 12; and an antenna 16 positioned at a lower portion.
[0030] Besides, the connection frames receive power through an electric wire connector 24 from battery. The electric wire connector 24 includes: a predetermined housing 24a; a first connection plate 24bconnected with an electric wire 24cin the housing 24a; a second connection plate 24eelastically supported against the first connection plate 24bvia a first return spring 24d; an accommodating part 24fformed with its edge being bent inward at the second connection plate 24e; and a contact sphere 24haccommodated in the accommodating part 24fvia a second return spring 24g.
[0031] Furthermore, a hitching protruder 24a′ protruded for combination with a vehicle body panel 22 is integrally installed at the housing 24a.
[0032] Therefore, if the hitching protruder 24a′ is fit onto the vehicle body panel in the structure of the window heat wire connector thus constructed, power can be supplied to the connection frames 12 of the window 10 via the electric wire 24cand the electric wire connector 24 to thereby heat up the heat wires.
[0033] At this time, the first and second connection plates 24b, 24eincluded in the housing 24aof the electric wire connector 24 are in an electric connection via the first return spring 24dmaintaining an elastic support against each other. Furthermore, the contact sphere 24his also in an electric connection with the connection frames 12 via the second return spring 24gin the accommodating part 24f, retaining an elastic support.
[0034] In addition, the electric wire connector 34 of the window 10 constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, includes: a housing 34afixed via a hitching protruder 34a′ on a vehicel body panel 22; a first connection plate 34bwith its one end being connected with an electric wire 34c; and a second connection plate 34dslightly bent at the other side of the first connection plate 34bwith guaranteed elasticity of the member.
[0035] If the electric wire connector 34 is fit onto the vehicle body panel 22, the second connection plate 34dconnected with the first connection plate 34bthat wires with the electric wire 34cin the housing 34ais in a close contact with the connection frames 12 fixed at the window 10, to thereby receive power from battery.
[0036] On the other hand, if the electric wire connectors 24, 34 connected with the connection frames 12 are manufactured to supply power to the heat wires 14 of the window 10, an additional heat wire connector is not needed, thereby reducing the number of related parts and improving the productivity and job efficiency in assembly because the electric wire connectors 24, 34 are simply fit onto the vehicle body panel 22.
[0037] As described above, there are advantages in the structure of window heat wire connectors in that the electric wire connectors 24, 34 are relatively conveniently fixed via the vehicle body panel 22 to supply power to the heat wires 14 aligned at the window 10, thereby improving job efficiency and no welding process is needed for the connection of the heat wire connectors onto the connection frames 12, thereby making a reduction in the manufacturing cost.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A structure of a window heat wire connector of automobile, the structure comprising:
connection frames connecting a plurality of heat wires aligned on the window; and
an electric wire connector connected to the connection frames to supply power from battery;
wherein the electric wire connector comprises;
a first connection plate connected with an electric wire in a housing fixed at a vehicle body panel;
a second connection plate elastically supported against the first connection plate via a first return spring; and
a connection ball elastically supported via a second return spring at an accommodating part formed on the second connection plate.
2. A structure of a window heat wire connector of automobile, the structure comprising:
connection frames connecting a plurality of heat wires aligned on the window; and
an electric wire connector connected to the connection frames to supply power from battery;
wherein the electric wire connector comprises;
a housing fixed at a vehicle body panel;
a first connection plate with its one end being connected with an electric wire; and
a second connection plate slightly bent at the other side of the first connection plate.
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