IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,704,094
Granted Patent B2
US 7,704,094 · App. 12/435,088 · Granted Apr 27, 2010

Connection structure connecting an LED component

Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha; The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.; Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,704,094
App. No.
12/435,088
Granted
Apr 27, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention has an object of providing a connection structure capable of easily connecting an LED component to a flat cable. An LED unit 1 includes an upper case 7, a pierce terminal 6, a lower case 9 and an intermediate terminal 5. An LED chip 3 is pressed to the pierce terminal 6 by a convexed spring 51 to electrically connect the LED chip 3 to the flat cable 100. Conductors 101 included in the flat cable 100 are formed of phosphor bronze formed of tin (Sn), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu) and unavoidable impurities and having a tensile strength of 480 to 550 MPa, whereas a pierce plate 63 of the pierce terminal 6 piercing through the conductor 101 is formed of a copper alloy, which is a high strength conductive member having a higher strength than that of the conductor 101 and having conductivity.

Claims (20)

1. A connection structure, comprising:

a first case for holding an LED component;

a connection terminal for electrically connecting the LED component to an electric cable;

a second case located opposite the first case with respect to the electric cable and fit with the first case for holding and attaching the electric cable between the second case and the first case; and

a terminal member for causing the first case to hold the LED component and connecting the LED component to the connection terminal wherein

the terminal member includes at least one pair of convexed springs,

one of the convexed springs is engaged with the first case,

the other convexed spring presses the LED component to the connection terminal,

the electric cable is formed of a flat cable including a plurality of planar conductors located with a predetermined distance provided therebetween in a width direction and a covering member for integrally covering the plurality of planar conductors to provide a planar form,

the connection terminal includes a piercing connection part piercing through, and connected to, the planar conductors, and

the planar conductors are formed of phosphor bronze formed of tin (Sn), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu) and unavoidable impurities and having a tensile strength of 480 to 550 MPa, and the piercing connection part is formed of a high strength conductive member having a higher strength than that of the planar conductors and having conductivity.

2. The connection structure according to claim 1 , wherein the LED component and the connection terminal to which the LED component is pressed are provided between the pair of convexed springs.

3. The connection structure according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the flat cable includes a case engageable part engageable with the first case or the second case.

4. The connection structure according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the second case is provided with a coming-off prevention means for preventing the piercing connection part piercing through the flat cable from coming off.

5. The connection structure according to claim 4 , wherein

the piercing connection part has a generally rectangular cross-section,

the coming-off prevention means is generally circular with an inner circular hole, and

the diameter of the hole of the coming-off prevention means substantially matches the length of the rectangular cross-section of the piercing connection part in a longitudinal direction.

6. The connection structure according to claim 4 , wherein the coming-off prevention means is formed separately from the second case.

7. The connection structure according to claim 5 , wherein the coming-off prevention means is formed separately from the second case.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 6, 2009
From: SATO, MASANOBU; SHIBATA, KENICHI; SANO, YOSHISADA; ENOMOTO, NORITSUGU; YABU, TAKENOBU; KUBOKI, NAOBUMI; MOTOMURA, SHIGEKI; IKEDA, TAKEHIDE
To: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA; THE FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.; FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
Reel/Frame 022648/0332 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2008-135331 · May 23, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090291587A1 · Nov 26, 2009