Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flat cable circuit board assembly having solder joints between the flat cable's round conductors and the solder pads of a circuit board, particularly in the clockspring of an automobile. The flat cable is formed without the use of adhesives by sonically bonding a top and bottom layer of insulating material around the round conductors. The end of the flat cable is stripped so that the round conductors can be soldered to the solder pads on the circuit board using a hot bar soldering process. The use of round conductors and solder pads on the circuit board allow for greater conductor density in the flat cable.

Abstract: A method of securing a flat cable to a circuit board including the steps of providing a flat cable with a plurality of round conductors therein and a circuit board having a plurality of solder pads. The method also includes stripping an end of the flat cable to expose the round conductors therein, placing the round conductors onto the solder pads, and soldering the round conductors to the solder pads.

Abstract: A clockspring having spring fingers so as to resistant vibratory motion of the hub. The clockspring includes a housing and a cover mounted to the housing so as to form a cavity therebetween. The hub is rotatably mounted in the cavity. Clearance is provided between the hub and both the housing and the cover. The spring fingers are attached to both the housing and the cover, the spring fingers press against the hub so as to eliminate or reduce the audible sounds due to the vibratory motion of the hub.

Abstract: A clockspring connector is provided comprising a housing defining a chamber, including a carrier member having a first roller associated with a first turned-back loop of a first flat conductor cable and a second roller associated with a second turned-back loop of a second flat conductor cable wherein said first and second flat conductor cables are alternatingly coiled at an inner diameter of the chamber adjacent the hub or along said outer diameter of the chamber adjacent the housing wall. The clockspring connector includes a complaint roller member providing compression forces against the flat ribbon cable during rotation of the clockspring connector.

Abstract: An external locking clockspring assembly including a housing and a hub rotatably mounted in the housing. The housing having a first keyway. The hub having a second keyway. The first and second keyways being substantially coaxial in a locked position of the external clockspring assembly. A key insertable into both the first and second keyways. The key having a flexible tab. The hub having an indentation which is complementary to the flexible tab of the key when the flexible tab of the key is in a non-deformed state. An insertion tool is used to deflect the flexible tab of the key so that the key can be inserted into the first and second keyways. Upon insertion of the key into the first and second keyways, the flexible tab expands toward its undeflected position so as to engage the indentation of the second keyway of the hub. The engagement of the key with the second keyway prevents the key from falling out of the first and second keyways.

Abstract: An electrical connector such as a clockspring having a seal for sealing liquids and pressurized liquids, especially water, from ruining electrical connections existing within the clockspring. In one embodiment the clockspring includes a seal, where the seal prevents the liquid from corrupting the electrical connections existing within the clockspring. In another embodiment the clockspring includes a a housing, a cover, an electrical ribbon cable attached to an outer diameter circuit board, and a seal positioned between the housing and the outer diameter circuit board.

Abstract: A clockspring connector is provided comprising a housing defining a chamber, including a carrier member having a first roller associated with a first turned-back loop of a first flat conductor cable and a second roller associated with a second turned-back loop of a second flat conductor cable wherein said first and second flat conductor cables are alternatingly coiled at an inner diameter of the chamber adjacent the hub or along said outer diameter of the chamber adjacent the housing wall. The clockspring connector includes a complaint roller member providing compression forces against the flat ribbon cable during rotation of the clockspring connector.