US5909012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making a three-dimensional part with buried conductors
Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-21
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Granted: 1999-06-01
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Expires: 2016-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A gas assisted injection molded part includes internal cavities extending between two surfaces of the part. The cavities are plated for electrical conductivity after a surface cleaning and etching process. The part may be an automobile instrument panel wherein the internal cavities are plated to create a series of "bus" conductor lines. These lines carry power, ground and/or electrical signals over relatively large distances, allowing other components to attach at points along the structure eliminating the need for discrete wiring and wire harness interconnect assemblies.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael George Todd
- 👤 Charles Frederick Schweitzer
- 👤 Robert Edward Belke, Jr.
- 👤 Tianmin Zheng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:19
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/40; H05K3/403; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/0213; H05K1/0216; H05K1/0218; H05K1/0272; H05K3/10; H05K3/18; H05K3/181; H05K3/187; B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/0053; B29C2045/0079; B29C45/17; B29C45/1703; B29C45/1704; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/34; B29L2031/3493; H05K1/0284; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09009; H05K2201/09118; H05K2201/09145; H05K2201/09163; H05K2201/09209; H05K2201/095; H05K2201/09627; H05K2201/09818; H05K2201/09981
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An interconnect device formed of molded plastic material, said device having an arcuate cross-section, a longitudinal dimension and including: a plurality of internal cavities having a high aspect ratio and extending between first and second surfaces across substantially all of said longitudinal dimension of said device; said cavities plated with a conductive material to form internal conductors; at least one surface conductor formed on a third surface of said device; means connecting said surface conductor with at least one of said internal conductors to establish a path for carrying current through said at least one of said internal conductors and said surface conductor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
An interconnect device formed of molded plastic material, said device having an arcuate cross-section, a longitudinal dimension and including: a plurality of internal cavities having a high aspect ratio and extending between first and second surfaces across substantially all of said longitudinal dimension of said device; said cavities plated with a conductive material to form internal conductors; at least one surface conductor formed on a third surface of said device; means connecting said surface conductor with at least one of said internal conductors to establish a path for carrying current through said at least one of said internal conductors and said surface conductor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein one or more of said conductors connects a source of current with a load.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means connecting said surface conductor with said at least one of said internal conductors comprises a plated hole in said material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said cavities follow the arcuate cross-section of the device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 4, wherein each cavity terminates in an opening at each of said first and second surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 5, wherein said device is a vehicle instrument panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
An interconnect device formed of molded plastic material, said device having an arcuate cross-section and a longitudinal dimension and including: a plurality of internal cavities having a relatively large depth to diameter ratio, extending between first and second surfaces across substantially all of said longitudinal dimension of said device; said cavities plated with a conductive material to form internal conductors that follow the arcuate cross-section of the device; at least one surface conductor formed on a third surface of said device; means connecting said surface conductor with at least one of said internal conductors to establish a path for carrying current through said at least one of said internal conductors and said surface conductor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
An interconnect device formed of molded plastic material, said device having an arcuate cross-section and a longitudinal dimension and including: a plurality of internal cavities having a relatively large depth to diameter ratio, extending between first and second surfaces across substantially all of said longitudinal dimension of said device; said cavities plated with a conductive material to form internal conductors that follow the arcuate cross-section of the device; at least one surface conductor formed on a third surface of said device; means connecting said surface conductor with at least one of said internal conductors to establish a path for carrying current through said at least one of said internal conductors and said surface conductor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 7, wherein at least another one of said internal conductors is connected with a source of current and is also connected with a load.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 7, wherein the means connecting said surface conductor with said at least one of said internal conductors comprises a plated hole in said material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 7, wherein each cavity terminates in an opening at each of said first and second surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said device is a vehicle instrument panel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-05-31 | 2002-11-30 | 2003-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-31 | 2006-11-30 | 2007-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-31 | 2010-11-30 | 2011-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |