Abstract
News editors obtained the following quote from the background information suppli ed by the inventors: “A flexible circuit (FC) comprises one or more conductive c ircuit traces disposed within or between one or more dielectric layers. One conv entional method for electrically connecting an FC to another electrical system i nvolves permanently connecting the FC to the other electrical system via solderi ng, crimping, or similar means. FIGS. 1A-1B, for example, illustrate an example electrical system 100 according to the prior art. An electrical device system 10 2 comprises an electrical device 104 (e.g., an automotive radar device) housed b y a housing 108 to form a male electrical connector that electrically connects t o a female electrical connector 110 via a connection position assurance (CPA) fe ature 128 (e.g., a clip or notch). The female electrical connector 110 comprises a housing 112 that houses one or more round wires 116 with corresponding termin al(s) 124 that extend through the housings 108 and 112 to the electrical device 104. These round wire(s) 116 are also permanently connected to the conductive ci rcuit trace(s) of an FC 120 (not shown) via soldering, crimping, or similar mean s. It would be desirable to provide an electrical connection between an FC and a nother electrical system that is detachable or removable (e.g., when component d amage occurs). Additionally, conventional FC electrical connectors are bulky and can take up valuable packaging space and/or increase weight. Thus, while conven tional FC connection methods work for their intended purpose, there exists an op portunity for improvement in the relevant art.
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