Abstract: An electrical center for distributing electrical power to an electrical system of a vehicle and a method of manufacture the same is described herein. The electrical center includes a printed circuit board structure having a first printed circuit board (PCB) section angularly arranged with respect to a second PCB section. The printed circuit board structure includes a flexible connection element integrally formed with the first and second PCB sections forming a printed circuit extending from the first to second PCB section. The electrical center also includes a first plurality of electrical terminals extending perpendicularly from a first major surface of the first PCB section and a second plurality of electrical terminals extending perpendicularly from a second major surface of the second PCB section. The first major surface is angularly arranged at about a ninety degree angle relative to the second major surface.

Abstract: An electrical center for distributing electrical power to an electrical system of a vehicle and a method of manufacture the same is described herein. The electrical center includes a printed circuit board structure having a first printed circuit board (PCB) section angularly arranged with respect to a second PCB section. The printed circuit board structure includes a flexible connection element integrally formed with the first and second PCB sections forming a printed circuit extending from the first to second PCB section. The electrical center also includes a first plurality of electrical terminals extending perpendicularly from a first major surface of the first PCB section and a second plurality of electrical terminals extending perpendicularly from a second major surface of the second PCB section. The first major surface is angularly arranged at about a ninety degree angle relative to the second major surface.

Abstract: A bus bar connector system and an electrical distribution center suitable for use in a motor vehicle including such a bus bar connection system is presented. The bus bar connector system includes a first bus bar, a second bus bar, and a spring clip configured to apply a contact force to the first and second bus bars effective to bring at least a portion the first and second bus bars into intimate contact with one another. The spring clip may comprise two longitudinal spring arms each extending from a lateral spring base interconnecting the spring arms. These spring arms are angled toward one another and end portions of the spring arms may be angled away from one another, thereby forming an hourglass or X-shaped spring clip. The end portions of the spring arms may be configured to retain the spring clip within a slot defined by a connector housing.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly having a double-ended male blade electrical terminal is presented. The double-ended terminal has a first blade with a substantially uniform first thickness and a second blade opposite the first blade that has an embossed mesial region providing a substantially uniform second thickness, wherein the effective thickness of the second blade is greater than the thickness of the first blade. The terminal may be used in an electrical center of a motor vehicle to interconnect a female socket in a vehicle wiring harness to an electronic device, such as a fuse or relay, having a socket terminal that is mounted on the PCB. A method of manufacturing such as double ended-terminal is also presented.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly having a double-ended male blade electrical terminal is presented. The double-ended terminal has a first blade with a substantially uniform first thickness and a second blade opposite the first blade that has an embossed mesial region providing a substantially uniform second thickness, wherein the effective thickness of the second blade is greater than the thickness of the first blade. The terminal may be used in an electrical center of a motor vehicle to interconnect a female socket in a vehicle wiring harness to an electronic device, such as a fuse or relay, having a socket terminal that is mounted on the PCB. A method of manufacturing such as double ended-terminal is also presented.

Abstract: An electrical contact includes a pair of prongs that extend from a base of the electrical contact spaced apart by a gap disposed therebetween. The gap is configured to receive a mating electrical contact that mechanically and electrically communicates with the pair of prongs. A plane defined along respective exterior surfaces of the pair of prongs is such that a portion of one prong of the pair of prongs is bisected by the plane. A method of making an electrical contact includes a step of stamping out a piece from a sheet of electrically-conducting material and another step of folding one or more portions of the piece to at least produce the pair of prongs of the electrical contact spaced apart by the gap. An electrical assembly includes a printed circuit board and at least one electrical contact that contains the pair of prongs.

Abstract: An electrical contact includes a pair of prongs that extend from a base of the electrical contact spaced apart by a gap disposed therebetween. The gap is configured to receive a mating electrical contact that mechanically and electrically communicates with the pair of prongs. A plane defined along respective exterior surfaces of the pair of prongs is such that a portion of one prong of the pair of prongs is bisected by the plane. A method of making an electrical contact includes a step of stamping out a piece from a sheet of electrically-conducting material and another step of folding one or more portions of the piece to at least produce the pair of prongs of the electrical contact spaced apart by the gap. An electrical assembly includes a printed circuit board and at least one electrical contact that contains the pair of prongs.

Abstract: An electrical inter-connection is provided such that a terminal pin which is positioned in a pin block extends through a plated through-hole in a circuit board substrate and is connected with the circuit board using a conductive bonding agent such as solder. The terminal pin is capable of inter-connection with conductive elements located on each major side of the circuit board and eliminates the need for an interference fit between the terminal pin and circuit board. The pin block includes a body and at least one stand-off. The stand-off maintains the body a sufficient distance from the circuit board substrate to enable a solder fillet to form between the plated through-hole and the terminal pin during re-flow processing. The electrical inter-connection further includes an eccentric aperture in the circuit board suitable for interference fit inter-connection with a protruding cylindrical feature such as on an electrical ground that has poor solderability characteristics.

Abstract: An electrical inter-connection is provided such that a terminal pin which is positioned in a pin block extends through a plated through-hole in a circuit board substrate and is connected with the circuit board using a conductive bonding agent such as solder. The terminal pin is capable of inter-connection with conductive elements located on each major side of the circuit board and eliminates the need for an interference fit between the terminal pin and circuit board. The pin block includes a body and at least one stand-off. The stand-off maintains the body a sufficient distance from the circuit board substrate to enable a solder fillet to form between the plated through-hole and the terminal pin during re-flow processing. The electrical inter-connection further includes an eccentric aperture in the circuit board suitable for interference fit inter-connection with a protruding cylindrical feature such as on an electrical ground that has poor solderability characteristics.

Abstract: An electrical inter-connection is provided such that a terminal pin which is positioned in a pin block extends through a plated through-hole in a circuit board substrate and is connected with the circuit board using a conductive bonding agent such as solder. The terminal pin is capable of inter-connection with conductive elements located on each major side of the circuit board and eliminates the need for an interference fit between the terminal pin and circuit board. The pin block includes a body and at least one stand-off. The stand-off maintains the body a sufficient distance from the circuit board substrate to enable a solder fillet to form between the plated through-hole and the terminal pin during re-flow processing. The electrical inter-connection further includes an eccentric aperture in the circuit board suitable for interference fit inter-connection with a protruding cylindrical feature such as on an electrical ground that has poor solderability characteristics.