Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices providing for the robotic installation of vehicle electrical systems are described. A vehicle wiring harness includes first and second cables, a robotic gripping arm, and at least two pairs of stiffeners coupled to the cables to define folding points and corresponding segments that enable robotic folding and unfolding of the wiring harness. In other examples, a wiring harness is coupled to a plurality of electrical connectors carried by a carrier plate of an electrical control unit connection system (ECU), which is installed by robotically mating the plurality of electrical connectors carried by the carrier plate.

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 planar wire cable includes a first flexible planar wire having first conductor segments contained in a first longitudinal plane and second conductor segments contained in a second longitudinal plane. First connection segments extend between the first conductor segments and the second conductor segments. The first conductor segments alternate with second conductor segments along a longitudinal axis of the wire harness assembly. The cable further includes a second flexible planar wire having third conductor segments contained in the second longitudinal plane and fourth conductor segments contained in the first longitudinal plane. Second connection segments extend between the third conductor segments and the fourth conductor segments. The third conductor segments alternate with the fourth conductor segments along the longitudinal axis of the flexible planar wire cable. The cable also includes an insulating layer separating and encasing the first and second flexible planar wires.

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 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.

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 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 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: 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 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 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.

Abstract: A wiring harness assembly includes a first flexible planar wire cable. The first flexible planar wire cable has a first plurality of separated conductors formed in a first insulating layer. The first insulating layer includes a first flat exterior surface. The first flat exterior surface defines first apertures that expose at least a portion the first plurality of separated conductors. The first apertures are sized, shaped, and arranged such that arranging a second flat exterior surface of a second flexible planar wire cable in contact with the first flat exterior surface enables an electrical connection between the first plurality of separated conductors and a second plurality of separated conductors formed in a second insulating layer of the second flexible planar wire cable.

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: 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 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. The first flexible planar wire cable has a first plurality of separated conductors formed in a first insulating layer. The first insulating layer includes a first flat exterior surface. The first flat exterior surface defines first apertures that expose at least a portion the first plurality of separated conductors. The first apertures are sized, shaped, and arranged such that arranging a second flat exterior surface of a second flexible planar wire cable in contact with the first flat exterior surface enables an electrical connection between the first plurality of separated conductors and a second plurality of separated conductors formed in a second insulating layer of the second flexible planar wire cable.

Abstract: A wiring harness assembly includes a plurality of separated conductors formed of an electrically conductive material, a substrate formed of a dielectric material encasing the plurality of separated conductors, a location feature integrally formed with the substrate and an opening defined in the substrate having a predetermined size and shape. A section of the plurality of separated conductors is exposed within the opening. The opening is precisely located relative to the location feature.

Abstract: A wiring harness assembly includes a plurality of separated conductors formed of an electrically conductive material, a substrate formed of a dielectric material encasing the plurality of separated conductors, a location feature integrally formed with the substrate and an opening defined in the substrate having a predetermined size and shape. A section of the plurality of separated conductors is exposed within the opening. The opening is precisely located relative to the location feature.

Abstract: A method to electrically and mechanically connect at least one wire conductor to a terminal includes the steps of cutting and stripping a portion of an insulation outer layer along an end section of the at least one wire conductor to expose a lead of the at least one wire conductor. A further step includes applying a bonding process to the exposed lead to break down oxides disposed on the lead. A further step in the method is crimping the lead having the applied bonding process to the terminal to form a crimp connection connecting the at least one wire conductor to the terminal.