Abstract: Electrified vehicle electrical systems and formatting methods include arranging a first layer including one or more first electrical transmission lines each configured to carry electrical power at a first voltage to one or more electrical powertrain components of the electrified vehicle, arranging a second layer above at least a portion of the first electrical connection layer, wherein the second layer includes one or more second electrical transmission lines each configured to carry electrical power at a second voltage to one or more electrical power distribution components of the electrified vehicle, and arranging a third layer above at least a portion of the first and second layers, wherein the third layer includes one or more third electrical transmission lines each configured to carry electrical power at a third voltage to one or more input/output device components of the electrified vehicle.

Abstract: A flexible circuit (FC) and a method of forming the FC each include providing a first dielectric layer, applying a plurality of conductive circuit traces that are substantially parallel to each other to the first dielectric layer, providing a second dielectric layer atop the first dielectric layer and the plurality of conductive circuit traces to form a third dielectric layer having the plurality of conductive traces disposed therein and being configured to support and insulate the plurality of conductive traces, and forming a plurality of channels extending at least partially through a thickness of the third dielectric layer, wherein the plurality of channels are arranged between the plurality of conductive circuit traces and substantially parallel thereto and are configured to provide increased flexibility of the FC.

Abstract: A self-aligning mechanical mount and electrical connection system for an electronic module comprises a mechanical mount assembly configured to be integrated into or attached to a base frame and defining a mount connection position assurance (CPA) feature for self-aligning and securing of the electronic module therein, and an electrical connection assembly configured to be integrated into or attached to the mechanical mount assembly and comprising a modular electrical connector (i) being electrically connected to an electrical backbone wire cable and (ii) defining a connector CPA feature for self-aligning the modular electrical connector with a corresponding electrical connector integrated into or attached to the electronic module when the electronic module is secured in the mechanical mount assembly.

Abstract: A staging system for robotic installation of a conductor assembly comprises a base member defining a base identifier that is identifiable by a robotic installer, a set of receptacles attached to the base member and defining respective receptacle identifiers, wherein each receptacle is configured to receive and temporarily secure one or more of a set of connectors of the conductor assembly, which also comprises respective sets of wire cables for the set of connectors, and a set of robotic installation features at least temporally attached to or defined by the set of connectors, respectively, and defining respective installation identifiers, wherein each robotic installation feature is configured to be temporarily interacted with by an end effector of the robotic installer such that the robotic installer obtains movable control of the connector to remove it from its respective receptacle and to install it with a corresponding electrical connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an electrical connector (e.g., of a vehicle) include a housing and a terminal at least partially disposed in the housing, defining a set of angled blade terminals, and configured to electrically connect to (i) an electrical system along a first axis and (ii) a set of exposed conductive circuit traces of a flexible circuit (FC) arranged along a second axis, wherein an acute angle is defined between the first and second axes and corresponds to the set of angled blade terminals.

Abstract: The shielded electrical conductor assembly described herein includes an electrical conductor having a rectangular cross-section, a first insulative layer surrounding the electrical conductor, a conductive layer surrounding the first insulative layer, and a second insulative layer encasing the conductive layer.

Abstract: A flexible circuit (FC) and a method of forming the FC each include providing a first dielectric layer, applying a plurality of conductive circuit traces that are substantially parallel to each other to the first dielectric layer, providing a second dielectric layer atop the first dielectric layer and the plurality of conductive circuit traces to form a third dielectric layer having the plurality of conductive traces disposed therein and being configured to support and insulate the plurality of conductive traces, and forming a plurality of channels extending at least partially through a thickness of the third dielectric layer, wherein the plurality of channels are arranged between the plurality of conductive circuit traces and substantially parallel thereto and are configured to provide increased flexibility of the FC.

Abstract: A self-aligning mechanical mount and electrical connection system for an electronic module comprises a mechanical mount assembly configured to be integrated into or attached to a base frame and defining a mount connection position assurance (CPA) feature for self-aligning and securing of the electronic module therein, and an electrical connection assembly configured to be integrated into or attached to the mechanical mount assembly and comprising a modular electrical connector (i) being electrically connected to an electrical backbone wire cable and (ii) defining a connector CPA feature for self-aligning the modular electrical connector with a corresponding electrical connector integrated into or attached to the electronic module when the electronic module is secured in the mechanical mount assembly.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing an electrical wiring assembly includes the steps of cutting an elongate strip from a sheet of metal and cutting a mesial slit in an end of the uninsulated segment, thereby forming a pair of distal projections flanking the mesial slit. The mesial slit and the pair of distal projections form a forked split blade terminal.

Abstract: Electrical connector systems and methods create an electrical connection between a flexible circuit (FC) and a metal terminal of another connector. A reliable electrical connection is achieved with a low-cost tin contact plating, by an automatic FC to metal terminal wiping action with contact force, during the connector to FC assembly process. The connector to FC assembly process is also well suited for automated robotic assembly, which can save costs compared to manual assembly/installation.

Abstract: A wiring harness assembly includes a plurality of electrical conductors having wires enclosed within insulative sheaths that are integrally formed of an electrically insulative material. The assembly also includes a lattice support structure that is attached to the insulative sheaths at multiple locations. The lattice support structure is configured to maintain a desired shape of the assembly. The lattice support structure is formed of filaments that may be formed using an additive manufacturing process The filaments may be arranged such that lattice support structure defines a plurality of hexagonally shaped apertures. A process for manufacturing the wiring harness assembly and an apparatus configured to manufacture the wiring harness assembly is also presented.

Abstract: Flexible circuits are described including markings that indicate connections between their flat-wire conductors and specific circuits of a vehicle electrical system. Wire conductors within the flexible circuit share connections with different circuits of the vehicle electrical system. To indicate a connection between a wire conductor and a vehicle circuit, the flexible circuit includes one or more human or machine-readable marks specifically indicating the connection, in some cases, at a position where the connection is to be made. The marks can include etchings or printings on the wire conductors or printings on or otherwise visible from the insulating body that protects the wire conductors.

Abstract: A flexible circuit (FC) comprises a primary dielectric layer having a plurality of substantially parallel conductive circuit traces disposed therein and a secondary dielectric layer extending from or attached to the primary dielectric layer, wherein the secondary dielectric layer does not have any conductive circuit traces disposed therein, and wherein at least one of the primary and secondary dielectric layers defines an alignment feature for wrapping and securing the FC about a central structure. A method of wrapping and securing the FC about a central stricture comprises wrapping the FC about the central structure while aligning each alignment feature with a respective complimentary alignment feature such that the FC fully encompasses the central structure and is secured thereabout.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting to flat-wire conductors of a flexible circuit (FC) is described. The electrical connector includes an elongated body, a split-blade terminal, and a spring terminal. The elongated body has a longitudinal axis. The split-blade terminal has two prongs separated by a distance and is configured to interface with an electrical terminal of an electrical device. The spring terminal is configured to mate with one or more of the flat-wire conductors within a connection area of the FC. The spring terminal and the split-blade terminal are positioned on the longitudinal axis at opposing ends of the electrical connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes wiring with first and second wires. Each of the first and second wires have a conductor covered in insulation. The insulation includes webbing that interconnects the first and second wires to one another. The first and second wires have a stripped portion that exposes the conductors. A housing has first and second housing portions. The first housing portion receives the stripped portions. The second housing portion includes first and second spring features respectively configured to engage the stripped portions of the first and second wires when the first and second housing portions are secured to another in an assembled connector condition.

Abstract: A clip includes first and second portions that are joined to one another by a living hinge. A snap includes first and second coupling elements that are respectively provided on the first and second portions. The first and second coupling elements are decoupled from one another in an open clip position and are coupled to one another in a closed clip position. Each of the first and second portions define an elongated slot that extends through a width of the clip that has an open end and a closed end. The open ends face a same direction. Each of the first and second portions include a first and second spring respectively. The first and second springs face one another. The first and second springs are configured to clamp about a wiring in the closed clip position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wiring harness assembly includes the steps of forming a plurality of electrically conductive wires encased within a substrate formed of a dielectric material, forming an opening in the substrate located and sized such that a section of the plurality of electrically conductive wires is exposed within the opening, disposing a support segment within the opening, securing a connector segment including a plurality of terminals to the support segment, and placing the plurality of terminals in mechanical and electrical contact with the plurality of electrically conductive wires.

Abstract: A wiring harness assembly includes a plurality of electrical conductors having wires enclosed within insulative sheaths that are integrally formed of an electrically insulative material. The assembly also includes a lattice support structure that is attached to the insulative sheaths at multiple locations. The lattice support structure is configured to maintain a desired shape of the assembly. The lattice support structure is formed of filaments that may be formed using an additive manufacturing process The filaments may be arranged such that lattice support structure defines a plurality of hexagonally shaped apertures. A process for manufacturing the wiring harness assembly and an apparatus configured to manufacture the wiring harness assembly is also presented.

Abstract: A wiring harness assembly includes a plurality of electrically conductive wires encased within a substrate formed of a dielectric material, a location feature integrally formed with the substrate, and an opening defined in the substrate located within a predetermined tolerance relative to the location feature. A section of the plurality of electrically conductive wires is exposed within the opening.

Abstract: A wiring harness assembly includes a first flexible planar wire cable having a first plurality of separated conductors formed in a first insulating layer comprising a first substantially flat exterior surface, a second flexible planar wire cable having a second plurality of separated conductors formed in a second insulating layer comprising a second substantially flat exterior surface, and a first plurality of apertures formed in the first substantially flat exterior surface and a second plurality of apertures formed in the second substantially flat exterior surface. The first and second plurality of apertures are sized, shaped, and arranged such that an electrical connection is made between the first and second plurality of separated conductors through the first and second plurality of apertures.