Weiping Z Zhao from Superior Township, MI, age 64

Us Patents

Electrical Coupling Device For Aligning And Interengaging A Plurality Of Multi-Pin Connectors
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US Patent:

6361336, Mar 26, 2002
Filed:

Feb 16, 2001
Appl. No.:

09/785837
Inventors:

Weiping Zhao - Canton MI
Daniel E. Boileau - Canton MI
Assignee:

Alcoa Fujikura Limited - Franklin TN
International Classification:

H01R 1362
US Classification:

439157, 439341
Abstract:

An electrical coupling device for a vehicle that includes a tub having side ends defining an upwardly facing perimeter edge surrounding an open interior. A plurality of female connectors are mounted within the tub open interior and arranged in axially extending and predetermined spaced apart fashion. Electrical components extend from the top surface of an electrical center and electrically communicate with male connectors constructed to the bottom surface of the electrical center. A lever pivotally engages with the tub and is rotated from a first disengaged position over and across the top surface of the electrical center to a second and electrically engaged position proximate the first end, and so that each of the male connectors is drawn in successive and engaging electrical contact, and with a significant minimization of mating force with the female connectors.

Combined Four Way And Seven Way Connector Assembly For Use With A Vehicle And For Accommodating A Trailer Tow Package
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US Patent:

6642628, Nov 4, 2003
Filed:

May 23, 2001
Appl. No.:

09/862213
Inventors:

Robert C. Burdick - Romulus MI
Richard M. Siepierski - Livonia MI
Weiping Zhao - Canton MI
Assignee:

Alcoa Fujikura Limited - Franklin TN
International Classification:

B60L 100
US Classification:

307 91, 307 101, 307 108, 439 35
Abstract:

A combined four way and seven way connector assembly for communicating a towing vehicles electrical system with either a four way or seven way input harness associated with a towed vehicle. The towing vehicle includes a wire harness supplying an output of the electrical system. The connector assembly provides a three dimensional housing including a top and a plurality of interconnected sides and which is secured to a suitable rear end location of the towing vehicle. A circuit board, or other suitable component, contains a plurality of electrical circuits and is secured within the housing. A first plurality of terminals defines a four way connector and a second plurality of terminals defines a seven way connector. Each of the first and second pluralities of terminals communicates with a selected number of said plurality of circuits and further define first and second input plugs accessible through the housing by the towed vehicle input harness. An electrical supply of the towing vehicle is engaged, via a wire harness or input connector, through the housing and with the circuits and in order to electrically communicating the towing vehicles electrical supply.

Electrical Terminal Socket Assembly Including T Shaped Sealed Connectors
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US Patent:

6656002, Dec 2, 2003
Filed:

May 9, 2002
Appl. No.:

10/141389
Inventors:

Weiping Zhao - Canton MI
Duane I. Mikkola - South Lyon MI
Assignee:

Alcoa Fujikura Limited - Franklin TN
International Classification:

H01R 1122
US Classification:

439851, 439787, 439878
Abstract:

A terminal socket assembly including a T-shaped sealed connector for interconnecting electrically powered vehicular components with a male input pin and output cable. A spring cage is formed into a substantially helix âhourglass shapeâ configuration. A tubular sleeve receives the configured spring cage in axially inserting fashion and includes first and second extending bracket portions which are biased towards each other to create a compressing and interference fit with the inserted spring cage. The assembled sleeve and spring cage is receives and engaging and inserting portion of the male pin. Gripping portions extend from a selected bracket portion and fixedly engage an extending end of a cable to electrically communicate the two cables. A sealed connector housing forms a part of and encases the terminal socket assembly and extending connector cables and includes assembleable male and female housing portions and end seals.

Electrical Terminal Socket Assembly Including 90 Angled And Sealed Connectors
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US Patent:

6672911, Jan 6, 2004
Filed:

Feb 21, 2002
Appl. No.:

10/079206
Inventors:

Weiping Zhao - Canton MI
Robert F. Gutman - Fraser MI
Assignee:

Alcoa Fujikura Limited - Franklin TN
International Classification:

H01R 13187
US Classification:

439845, 439587, 439271
Abstract:

A terminal socket assembly for electrically connecting a male input blade with an output cable. The socket assembly includes a spring cage exhibiting a three dimensional rectangular and arcuate cross sectional shape having a plurality of angled and torsioned beams. A sleeve exhibits a similar rectangular configuration and receives the configured spring cage in axially inserting and interference fitting fashion and so that the assembled sleeve and spring cage is capable of biasingly receiving and engaging the male blade. Gripping portions are integrally secured to the rectangular sleeve and fixedly engage an extending end of a cable to electrically communicate the cable to the blade. A sealed connector housing encases the terminal socket assembly and extending connector cables and encloses the assembled spring cage and sleeve. Other elements of the housing including a seating terminal position assurance element, seals and retainer elements engageable with opposite open ends of the housing.

Bussed Electrical Center Incorporating Modularized Components And Sectionable Conductor Grid For Establishing Preferred High Current Flow Applications
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US Patent:

6699067, Mar 2, 2004
Filed:

Dec 16, 2002
Appl. No.:

10/319994
Inventors:

Weiping Zhao - Canton MI
Robert F. Gutman - Fraser MI
Robert S. Migrin - Livonia MI
Assignee:

Alcoa Fujikura Limited - Franklin TN
International Classification:

H01R 2700
US Classification:

439516
Abstract:

A bussed electrical center for providing customizable current flow to electrical output components. An upper insulating layer has a first and second faces and exhibits a plurality of apertures through which are engaged male terminals pins, these further in operative communication with the electrical output components. A lower insulating layer has first and second faces exhibiting an apertured pattern according to a first specified configuration. A conductive grid overlays the first face of the lower insulating layer, an apertured pattern being defined in the grid according to a second specified configuration and further defined by interconnecting web portions, exposed by the apertured pattern in the lower insulating layer. Upon assembly of the insulating layers, with the grid stacked together, exposed web portions of the grid capable of being sectioned through the apertured pattern in the lower insulating layer and to establish a selected current flow direction across the grid.

Combination Sleeve And Spring Cage Incorporated Into A One-Piece Female Terminal For Interengaging A Corresponding Male Terminal And Method Of Configuring Such A Sleeve And Spring Cage From A Blank Shape
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US Patent:

6860768, Mar 1, 2005
Filed:

May 1, 2003
Appl. No.:

10/428528
Inventors:

Weiping Zhao - Allen Park MI, US
Assignee:

Alcoa Fujikura Limited - Franklin TN
International Classification:

H01R011/22
US Classification:

439852, 439843
Abstract:

A one piece blank including a configurable and combination sleeve and spring cage, defining a first female connector, and which is interengageable with a male connector having an extending male terminal pin insertable within an opposing open end of the female connector, such that both a greater area of electrical contact and increased normal holding forces are established therebetween. The female terminal further includes a plurality of interiorly extending and elongated beams, accessible through said open end, and which are configured in a combined angled and torsional manner in order to achieve a three dimensional and substantially hourglass shaped configuration.

Electrical Terminal Socket Assembly Including Both T Shaped And 90Â° Angled And Sealed Connectors
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US Patent:

6875063, Apr 5, 2005
Filed:

Sep 14, 2001
Appl. No.:

09/951012
Inventors:

Weiping Zhao - Canton MI, US
Duane I. Mikkola - South Lyon MI, US
Assignee:

Alcoa Fujikura Limited - Brentwood TN
International Classification:

H01R011/22
US Classification:

439851, 439878, 439787
Abstract:

A terminal socket assembly for interconnecting electrically powered vehicular components with an associated input male input pin and an output cable. The socket assembly includes a spring cage blank having first and second extending edges and a plurality of spaced apart and angled beams extending between the edges. The spring cage is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, and particularly in an “hourglass shape”, configuration utilizing any of a variety of different forming and bending operations. A substantially tubular sleeve is provided for receiving the configured spring cage in axially inserting fashion. The sleeve is compressingly engageable, such as by forming an axially extending slit along the length of the sleeve with a predetermined incremental amount of spacing established between adjoining surfaces, and in order to create an interference fit with the axially inserted spring cage. The assembled sleeve and spring cage is capable of biasingly receiving and engaging an extending and inserting portion of the male pin. Gripping portions are integrally secured to the tubular sleeve and fixedly engage an extending end of a cable to electrically communicate the two cables.

Box Terminal With Extended Contact Surfaces And Controlled Damage Location During High Voltage Arcing With And Without Suppression Under A Magnetic Field
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US Patent:

6908348, Jun 21, 2005
Filed:

Nov 26, 2003
Appl. No.:

10/722995
Inventors:

Weiping Zhao - Allen Park MI, US
Robert F. Gutman - Allen Park MI, US
Assignee:

Alcoa Fujikura Limited - Franklin TN
International Classification:

H01R013/187
US Classification:

439845, 439181
Abstract:

The present invention relates generally to male to female contact terminals, particularly those in use with associated wire harnesses or cables involved in higher voltage and current carrying vehicle applications. More specifically, the present invention discloses an improved female terminal design for interengaging with a projecting blade of a male terminal and which in particular provides the combined features of improved contact area and controlled blade insertion. Additional features of the present design include the female terminal exhibiting one or more initial (sacrificial) contact points at the blade insertion end and which functions, with or without the application of a magnetic field inducing Lorentz force, to provide a controlled location at which voltage induced arcing will occur along the female terminal and without compromising the electrical interface created between the male terminal blade and the female terminal beams.