阅读说明：本技术 用于车辆除霜器系统的陷波器 (Trap for vehicle defroster system ) 是由 A.W.米勒 I.斯坦 Y.博卡迪 于 2020-09-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种陷波器(200)包括外壳(210),外壳具有包括基板(240)的基部(220)。外壳具有导线通道(250)、电感器凹部(260)和端子凹部(280)。外壳具有接收电容器(214)的电容器凹部(270)。陷波器包括除霜器导线(216),其具有接收在导线通道中的导线端(218)。除霜器导线从外壳延伸以连接至车辆除霜器电路(108)。陷波器包括由基板支撑的电感器(212)。电感器接收在电感器凹部中。电感器具有在第一端(266)和第二端(268)之间延伸的线圈(264)。第一端联接至除霜器导线的导线端。陷波器包括由基板支撑的接地端子(282)。接地端子接收在端子凹部中。接地端子电连接至接地电路。(A trap (200) includes a housing (210) having a base (220) including a substrate (240). The housing has a wire channel (250), an inductor recess (260), and a terminal recess (280). The housing has a capacitor recess (270) that receives the capacitor (214). The trap includes a defroster wire (216) having a wire end (218) received in the wire channel. A defroster conductor extends from the housing to connect to a vehicle defroster circuit (108). The trap includes an inductor (212) supported by the substrate. An inductor is received in the inductor recess. The inductor has a coil (264) extending between a first end (266) and a second end (268). The first end is coupled to a lead end of a defroster lead. The wave trap includes a ground terminal (282) supported by the substrate. The ground terminal is received in the terminal recess. The ground terminal is electrically connected to the ground circuit.)

1. A wave trap (200), comprising:

a housing (210) having a base (220) including a substrate (240), the housing having a wire channel (250), the housing having an inductor recess (260), the housing having a terminal recess (280), the housing having a capacitor recess (270) configured to receive a capacitor (214);

a defroster wire (216) having a wire end (218) received in the wire channel, the defroster wire configured to extend from the housing to connect to a vehicle defroster circuit (108);

an inductor (212) supported by the substrate, the inductor received in the inductor recess, the inductor having a coil (264) extending between a first end (266) and a second end (268), the first end coupled to a lead end of the defroster lead; and

a ground terminal (282) supported by the substrate, the ground terminal received in the terminal recess, the ground terminal electrically connected to a ground circuit.

2. The wave trap (200) of claim 1, wherein the first end (266) of the inductor (212) extends into the wire channel (250) to terminate to the wire end (218) of the defroster wire (216).

3. The wave trap (200) of claim 1, wherein the second end (268) of the coil (264) of the inductor (212) is terminated to the ground terminal (282).

4. The wave trap (200) of claim 1, wherein the ground terminal (282) is electrically connected to the ground circuit by a screw fastener (226).

5. The wave trap (200) of claim 1, wherein the ground terminal (282) is electrically connected to the ground circuit by a ground line (283) extending from the housing (210).

6. The wave trap (200) of claim 1, wherein the housing (210) comprises a cover (222) coupled to the base (220), the cover having a cavity (224) that receives the defroster wire (216), the inductor (212), and the ground terminal (282).

7. The wave trap (200) of claim 1, wherein the base (220) comprises a mounting clip (228) extending from a bottom (244) of the substrate (240) for mounting the substrate to a mounting surface.

8. The wave trap (200) of claim 1, wherein the housing (210) includes a second terminal recess (380), the ground terminal (282) being variably positionable within the housing between a first orientation and a second orientation, the ground terminal being receivable in the terminal recess (280) in the first orientation and the ground terminal being receivable in the second terminal recess in the second orientation, the second end (268) of the coil (264) of the inductor (212) being terminated to the ground terminal when the ground terminal is in the second orientation and received in the second terminal recess.

9. The wave trap (200) of claim 8, wherein the housing (210) includes a first locating feature in the terminal recess (280) and a second locating feature in the second terminal recess (380), the ground terminal (282) engaging the first locating feature when in the first orientation and received in the terminal recess (280), the ground terminal engaging the second locating feature when in the second orientation and received in the second terminal recess.

10. The wave trap (200) of claim 8 further comprising a battery terminal (284) receivable in the second terminal recess (380), the second end (268) of the coil (264) of the inductor (212) being terminated to the battery terminal when the battery terminal is received in the second terminal recess, the battery terminal being electrically connected to a battery circuit.

Technical Field

The subject matter herein relates generally to trap systems for vehicles.

Background

Vehicles, such as automobiles, include a rear window defroster system for defrosting the rear window of the vehicle. The rear window defroster system includes a heater grid across the rear window. The rear window defroster system includes a positive side coupled to a positive power supply of a battery of the vehicle and a negative side that is electrically grounded. Some vehicles utilize a heated grid of wires as the antenna circuit. Such vehicles use a trap system to electrically isolate the vehicle defroster circuit from the vehicle's battery or other electrical system. The trap system includes a positive side trap and a negative side trap. The positive side trap comprises a different component than the negative side trap, leading to a design of two completely different components, which increases the overall cost of the trap system.

The problem to be solved is to provide a cost effective and reliable trap system for a vehicle defroster system.

Disclosure of Invention

The above problem is solved by a wave trap comprising a housing having a base comprising a substrate. The housing has a wire passage, an inductor recess and a terminal recess. The housing has a capacitor recess that receives the capacitor. The trap includes a defroster wire having a wire end received in a wire channel. A defroster conductor extends from the housing to connect to the vehicle defroster circuit. The trap includes an inductor supported by the substrate. An inductor is received in the inductor recess. The inductor has a coil extending between a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to a lead end of a defroster lead. The wave trap includes a ground terminal supported by the substrate. The ground terminal is received in the terminal recess. The ground terminal is electrically connected to the ground circuit.

Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle having a vehicle defroster system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a trap system for a vehicle defroster system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a wave trap system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a wave trap according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a wave trap according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of a wave trap according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 7 is a side view of a wave trap according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 8 is a bottom view of a wave trap according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a wave trap system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of a wave trap according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of a wave trap according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of a wave trap according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 100 having a vehicle defroster system 102 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The vehicle defroster system 102 is disposed at the rear window 104 of the vehicle 100. The vehicle defroster system 102 includes a plurality of heater elements 106 that span the rear window 104. The heater element 106 is electrically connected to a vehicle defroster circuit 108 of the vehicle defroster system 102. The vehicle defroster circuit 108 is activated to heat the heater element 106, for example, with resistive heating, to defrost the rear window 104. The vehicle defroster circuit 108 includes a positive circuit 110 on a positive side 112 of the vehicle defroster circuit 108 and a negative circuit 114 on a negative side 114 of the vehicle defroster circuit 108. In various embodiments, positive circuit 110 includes a bus bar electrically connected to heater element 106 on positive side 112, and negative circuit 114 includes a bus bar electrically connected to heater element 106 on negative side 116.

In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle defroster circuit 108 is electrically connected to a battery 118 of the vehicle 100. The battery 118 supplies power to the vehicle defroster circuit 108. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 100 includes a trap system 120 for electrically isolating the vehicle defroster circuit 108 (e.g., the heater element 106) from the battery 118 or other electrical systems of the vehicle 100. The trap system 120 allows the conductors of the vehicle defroster circuit 108 to be used for radio reception purposes. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, vehicle defroster circuit 108 functions as an antenna for vehicle 100, such as an FM antenna and/or an AM antenna. The trap system 120 reduces interference from the vehicle defroster circuit 108.

In an exemplary embodiment, the trap system 120 includes a positive trap 200 electrically connected to the positive side 112 of the vehicle defroster circuit 108 and a negative trap 300 electrically connected to the negative side 116 of the vehicle defroster circuit 108. The positive trap 200 includes a housing 210 that holds components configured to be electrically connected to the positive circuit 110 of the vehicle defroster circuit 108 and configured to be electrically connected to the battery 118. The positive trap 200 may be connected to the battery 118 by wires, pluggable electrical connections, or by other types of electrical connections. The negative trap 300 includes a housing 310 that holds components configured to be electrically connected to the negative circuit 114 of the vehicle defroster circuit 108. The negative trap 300 may be connected to the negative circuit 114 by wires, pluggable electrical connections, or by other types of electrical connections.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a trap system 120 and a vehicle defroster system 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the positive trap 200 is disposed at the positive side 112 at the power supply of the positive circuit 110 of the vehicle defroster circuit 108. The negative trap 300 is disposed at the negative side 116 at the power supply of the negative circuit 114 of the vehicle defroster circuit 108.

The positive trap 200 includes a defroster conductor 202 configured to be coupled to the positive circuit 110 of the vehicle defroster circuit 108. The positive trap 200 includes a ground conductor 204 configured to be electrically grounded. The positive trap 200 includes a battery conductor 206 configured to electrically connect to the battery 118. In various embodiments, the defroster conductor 202 and/or the ground conductor 204 and/or the battery conductor 206 may include electrical wires. In various embodiments, the defroster conductor 202 and/or the ground conductor 204 and/or the battery conductor 206 may include pluggable electrical connectors. In various embodiments, the defroster conductor 202 and/or the ground conductor 204 and/or the battery conductor 206 may include screw terminal connectors.

The housing 210 holds and/or receives the defroster conductor 202, the ground conductor 204, and the battery conductor 206. The housing 210 holds an inductor 212 configured to electrically connect to the defroster conductor 202 and the battery conductor 206. The housing 210 holds at least one capacitor 214 configured to be electrically connected to the ground conductor 204 and the battery conductor 206. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 210 holds high frequency capacitors, such as for an FM antenna, and low frequency capacitors, such as for an AM antenna.

The negative trap 300 includes a defroster conductor 302 configured to be coupled to the negative circuit 114 of the vehicle defroster circuit 108. The negative trap 300 includes a ground conductor 304 configured to be electrically grounded. In various embodiments, the defroster conductor 302 and/or the ground conductor 304 may comprise a wire. In various embodiments, the defroster conductor 302 and/or the ground conductor 304 may comprise a pluggable electrical connector. In various embodiments, the defroster conductor 302 and/or the ground conductor 304 may include screw terminal connectors.

The housing 310 holds and/or receives the defroster conductor 302 and the ground conductor 304. The housing 310 holds an inductor 312 configured to electrically connect to the defroster conductor 302 and the ground conductor 304. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 310 is identical to the housing 210 such that the same housing structure can be used for either the positive trap 200 or the negative trap 300 to reduce the cost and complexity of the trap system 120. Housing 310 may be manufactured using the same mold as housing 210. The housing 310 may include space to hold the capacitors even if the negative trap housing 310 does not have any capacitors. The housing 210, 310 includes locating features to guide and locate components of the wave trap 200, 300 within the housing 210, 310. In an exemplary embodiment, the inductor 312 is the same as the inductor 212, such that the same inductor structure can be used for either the positive trap 200 or the negative trap 300 to reduce the cost and complexity of the trap system 120. In an exemplary embodiment, other components of the trap 200, 300 can be the same, such as wires, terminals, etc., such that the same components can be used for either the positive trap 200 or the negative trap 300 to reduce the cost and complexity of the trap system 120. Using the same components throughout the trap system 120 reduces the number of parts and tooling costs to produce the trap system 120.

Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the positive trap 200 showing an electrical connector 208 configured to connect to the positive trap 200, according to an exemplary embodiment. The trap 200 includes a housing 210 that holds the various components of the trap system. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 210 is a multi-piece housing having a base 220 and a cover 222 configured to be coupled to the base 220. The base 220 holds the components of the trap 200. The cover 222 includes a cavity 224 that receives the components of the wave trap 200 when the cover 222 is coupled to the base 220. The base 220 is configured to be mounted to a mounting surface using fasteners 226, such as threaded fasteners; however, the base may be mounted to the mounting surface by other means, such as adhesives, clips, or other types of fasteners. In various embodiments, the base 220 includes a mounting clip 228 (shown in phantom, also shown in fig. 7) for positioning and/or securing the base 220 to a mounting surface.

The cover 222 includes a top 230 and a sidewall 232 extending from the top 230. The cavity 224 is defined by a top 230 and sidewalls 232. The cavity 224 is open at the bottom of the cover 222. In the exemplary embodiment, side wall 232 includes a latching feature 234 for latchingly securing cover 222 to base 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching features 234 include latches extending outwardly from the side walls 232 that include ramp surfaces and catch surfaces for securing the cover 222 to the base 220. Other types of latching features may be used in alternative embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the cover 222 includes a connector port 236 for receiving the electrical connector 208. The connector port 236 provides access to the cavity 224. The connector port 236 provides access to the components of the trap 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector port 236 is disposed near a front of the cover 222. In the exemplary embodiment, cover 222 includes one or more wire ports 238 to receive wires of trap 200. For example, wires may extend into or out of the cavity 224 through a wire port 238. The wire port 238 may be open at the bottom of the cover 222.

The base 220 includes a base plate 240 having a top 242 and a bottom 244. In various embodiments, the substrate 240 may be substantially flat. The base 220 may include features extending from the substrate 240, for example, for securing various components of the trap 200 to the substrate 240. The bottom 244 is configured to be mounted to a fixed structure. The components of the wave trap 200 are mounted to the top 242 of the substrate 240. The substrate 240 positions and holds the components of the trap 200. In the exemplary embodiment, base 220 includes a latching feature 246 that extends from base plate 240. The latching features 246 interface with the latching features 234 of the cover 222 to secure the cover 222 to the base 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching feature 246 is a deflectable latching tab or clip. Other types of latching features may be used in alternative embodiments. In the exemplary embodiment, substrate 240 includes mating pads 248. The mating pads 248 are extensions that are configured to mate with another component, such as the electrical connector 208. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating pads 248 align with the connector ports 236 of the cover 222 to receive the electrical connectors 208.

In the exemplary embodiment, trap 200 includes a defroster wire 216 that extends into housing 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the defroster conductor 216 defines the defroster conductor 202 of the wave trap 200. Defroster lead 216 extends to lead end 218. Wire ends 218 terminate to inductor 212. For example, the wire ends 218 may be soldered, crimped, or otherwise electrically connected to the inductor 212. In the exemplary embodiment, housing 210 includes a wire channel 250 to receive wire end 218 of defroster wire 216. The wire channels 250 are formed by support walls 252 extending from the top 242 of the substrate 240. The support wall 252 may form a U-shaped channel having two side walls and an end wall extending between the side walls. In alternative embodiments, the wire channel 250 may have other shapes. In an exemplary embodiment, the wire channel 250 may be open at the front, with the defroster wire 216 extending from the front of the wire channel 250. Optionally, the wire channel 250 may be open at the top of the support wall 252, for example, to receive the defroster wire 216 through the open top. The wire channel 250 positions the defroster wire 216 within the housing 210, for example, for termination to the inductor 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the wire channels 250 are located near the front 254 of the substrate 240. The wire channel 250 may be located near a first side 256 of the substrate 240. Alternatively, the wire channel 250 may be located near the second side 258 of the substrate 240 or may be located generally between the first side 256 and the second side 258. In alternative embodiments, other locations are possible, such as near the rear 255 of the base plate 240.

The housing 210 includes an inductor recess 260 along the top 242 of the substrate 240. The inductor recess 260 receives the inductor 212 of the wave trap 200. The inductor recess 260 may be defined by a wall 262 extending from the top 242 that engages and supports the inductor 212 to dispose the inductor 212 within the housing 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the inductor recess 260 is located near the front 254 of the substrate 240. In alternative embodiments, other locations are possible. Optionally, an inductor recess 260 may extend between the first side 256 and the second side 258 such that the inductor 212 is disposed along an axis that is substantially parallel to the front 254.

In the exemplary embodiment, inductor 212 includes a coil 264 that extends between a first end 266 and a second end 268. The first end 266 of the inductor 212 may extend into the wire channel 250 to terminate the wire end 218 to the defroster wire 216. A second end 268 of the inductor 212 extends into another portion of the housing 210 to electrically connect to another component of the trap 200. In the exemplary embodiment, first end 266 directly engages wire end 218 of defroster wire 216 within wire channel 250. The first end 266 may be soldered to the wire end 218. In various embodiments, the first end 266 and the wire end 218 may be stacked within the wire channel 250, such as with the first end 266 above the wire end 218. In other various embodiments, the first end 266 and the wire end 218 may be arranged side-by-side. The first end 266 may be supported in the wire channel 250 by the support wall 252. The first end 266 may be received in the wire channel 250 through an open top or an open front of the wire channel 250. The support wall 252 may retain the first end 266 and/or the lead end 218 via a compression or interference fit.

The housing 210 includes a capacitor recess 270 along the top 242 of the substrate 240. The capacitor recess 270 receives the capacitor 214 of the trap 200. The capacitor recess 270 may be defined by a wall 272 extending from the top 242 that engages and supports the capacitor 214 to dispose the inductor 214 within the housing 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the capacitor recess 270 is located near the back 255 of the substrate 240. In alternative embodiments, other locations are possible. Optionally, the capacitor recess 270 may extend between the first side 256 and the second side 258 such that the capacitors 214 are arranged along an axis that is substantially parallel to the back 255. Optionally, a plurality of capacitors 214 may be disposed within the capacitor recess 270, such as high frequency capacitors and low frequency capacitors.

In the exemplary embodiment, capacitor 214 includes a capacitor body 274 having a first lead 276 extending from capacitor body 274 and a second lead 278 extending from capacitor body 274. The first and second wires 276, 278 are configured to electrically connect to components of the trap 200. The wires 276, 278 may be solder wires.

The housing 210 includes a terminal recess 280 configured to receive one or more terminals of the wave trap 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the trap 200 includes a first terminal 282 and a second terminal 284. The first terminal 282 defines the ground conductor 204 and may be referred to hereinafter as a ground terminal 282. The second terminal 284 defines the battery conductor 206 and may be referred to hereinafter as the battery terminal 284. In the exemplary embodiment, first terminal 282 is received in a first terminal recess region 280a of terminal recess 280 and second terminal 284 is received in a second terminal recess region 280b of terminal recess 280. In the illustrated embodiment, terminal recess 280 is located between inductor recess 260 and capacitor recess 270. Thus, the inductor 212 may be electrically connected to the second terminal 284 in the terminal recess 280, and the capacitor 214 may be electrically connected to the terminals 282, 284 in the terminal recess 280. In alternative embodiments, other locations are possible. In the embodiment shown, first terminal recess region 280a is located proximate first side 256 and second terminal recess region 280b is located proximate second side 258. In alternative embodiments, other locations are possible.

The housing 210 includes locating features to locate the terminals 282, 284 in the terminal recess 280. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 210 includes a positioning wall 286 that extends from the top 242 of the substrate 240 into the terminal recess 280 to engage and position the terminals 282, 284 within the terminal recess 280. The positioning walls 286 may engage one or more edges of the terminals 282, 284 to position the terminals 282, 284 within the terminal recesses 280. In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning walls 286 are L-shaped to engage two perpendicular edges of the corresponding terminals 282, 284, such as at respective corners of the terminals 282, 284. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 210 includes positioning posts 288 that extend from the top 242 of the substrate 240 into the terminal recesses 280 to engage and position the terminals 282, 284 within the terminal recesses 280. In various embodiments, locating post 288 may have a circular cross-section; however, in alternative embodiments, locating post 288 may have other shapes, such as a rectangular shape. The positioning posts 288 and the positioning walls 286 position the terminals 282, 284 within the terminal recess 280, e.g., for electrical connection to other components of the wave trap 200, such as the inductor 212, the capacitor 214, etc.

The ground terminals 282 include positioning openings 290 that receive corresponding positioning posts 288. The ground terminal 282 includes a mounting opening 291 that receives the fastener 226. In an exemplary embodiment, the ground terminal 282 is electrically connected to the fastener 226 when the fastener 226 is threadably coupled to the mounting surface and compressed against the ground terminal 282. The ground terminal 282 includes an edge 292 configured to engage the locating wall 286 to locate the ground terminal 282 within the terminal recess 280. An edge 292 extends between the top and bottom of the ground terminal 282. In an exemplary embodiment, the first lead 276 of the capacitor 214 is soldered to the top of the ground terminal 282. In alternative embodiments, the ground terminal 282 may be electrically connected to the capacitor 214 by other means.

The battery terminals 284 include positioning openings 294 that receive corresponding positioning posts 288. The battery terminal 284 includes an edge 296 configured to engage the positioning wall 286 to position the battery terminal 284 within the terminal recess 280. The edge 296 extends between the top and bottom of the battery terminal 284. In the exemplary embodiment, second lead 278 of capacitor 214 is soldered to the top of battery terminal 284. In alternative embodiments, the battery terminal 284 may be electrically connected to the capacitor 214 by other means. In the exemplary embodiment, second end 268 of inductor 212 is soldered to the top of battery terminal 284. In alternative embodiments, the battery terminal 284 may be electrically connected to the inductor 212 by other means.

In an exemplary embodiment, the battery terminals 284 include terminal tabs 298 that extend along the mating pads 248. The terminal projections 298 are configured to electrically connect to the electrical connector 208. For example, the terminal tabs 298 may be plugged into the electrical connector 208 when the electrical connector 208 is received in the connector port 236. The terminal projections 298 define a separable mating interface for mating with the electrical connector 208. In other various embodiments, the terminal tab 298 may be electrically connected to another component, such as a wire defining portion of the battery conductor 206 that extends from the housing 210 to the battery. For example, the wire may be soldered or welded to the terminal projection 298, or the terminal projection 298 may be formed as a crimp barrel configured to be crimped to the wire.

During assembly of the wave trap 200, the defroster wire 216 is received in the wire channel 250. A defroster wire 216 extends from the housing 210 to electrically connect to the vehicle defroster circuit 108 (shown in fig. 1). Battery terminal 284 and ground terminal 282 are received in terminal recess 280 and coupled to substrate 240, for example using locating features, including locating walls 286 and locating posts 288. The fastener 226 is received in the mounting opening 291 and secured to the mounting surface. The ground terminal 282 is electrically grounded to a mounting surface or another ground circuit, for example, using the fastener 226. The capacitor 214 is received in the capacitor recess 270. The capacitor 214 is electrically connected to the ground terminal 282 and the battery terminal 284. The inductor 212 is received in the inductor recess 260. The inductor 212 is electrically connected to the defroster wire 216 and to the battery terminal 284 in the wire passage 250. The cover 222 is coupled to the base 220 to cover the components of the wave trap 200. The electrical connector 208 may be mated with the wave trap 200, such as plugged into the connector port 236. The electrical connector 208 electrically connects the battery terminals 284 to the battery 118 (shown in fig. 1).

Figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a positive trap 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery wire 285 is terminated directly to the terminal tab 298 of the battery terminal 284 rather than to the electrical connector 208 (shown in fig. 3). A battery lead 285 electrically connects the trap 200 to the battery 118 (shown in figure 1). The battery lead 285 may be soldered, welded, crimped, or otherwise electrically connected to the terminal tab 298. The terminal tab 298 is readily accessible at the front of the positive trap 200 to connect the battery wire 285 directly to the terminal tab 298.

Figure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a positive trap 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a ground line 283 terminated to ground terminal 282. In the illustrated embodiment, a ground wire 283 is used in place of the fastener 226 (shown in fig. 3) to electrically ground the trap 200. The ground line 283 may extend through an opening in the cover 222. The ground line 283 may be soldered, welded, crimped, or otherwise electrically connected to the ground terminal 282. Figure 5 illustrates an electrical connector 208 configured to be coupled to a terminal tab 298 of the battery terminal 284 to electrically connect the wave trap 200 to the battery 118 (shown in figure 1).

Figure 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of a positive trap 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 6 shows a ground line 283 terminated to the ground terminal 282, rather than using the fastener 226 (shown in figure 3) to electrically ground the trap 200. Fig. 6 shows the battery wire 285 terminated to the terminal tab 298 of the battery terminal 284 rather than using the electrical connector 208 (shown in fig. 3) to electrically connect the wave trap 200 to the battery 118 (shown in fig. 1).

Figure 7 is a side view of a positive trap 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 7 shows the cover 222 ready to be mated to the base 220. The fasteners 226 are shown extending through the bottom of the base plate 240. Mounting clip 228 is shown extending from the bottom of base 240.

The defroster wire 216 extends into the housing 210 and is received in the wire channel 250. A first end 266 of the coil 264 of the inductor 212 is received in the wire passage 250 and electrically connected to the defroster wire 216. In the exemplary embodiment, first end 266 directly engages wire end 218 of defroster wire 216 within wire channel 250. The first end 266 may be soldered to the wire end 218. In various embodiments, the first end 266 and the wire end 218 may be stacked within the wire channel 250, such as with the first end 266 above the wire end 218. In other various embodiments, the first end 266 and the wire end 218 may be arranged side-by-side. The first end 266 may be supported in the wire channel 250 by the support wall 252. The first end 266 may be received in the wire channel 250 through an open top or an open front of the wire channel 250. The support wall 252 may retain the first end 266 and/or the lead end 218 via a compression or interference fit.

The inductor 212 is shown in the inductor recess 260. The capacitor 214 is shown in the capacitor recess 270. The fastener 226 is shown coupled to the ground terminal 282 and threadably coupled to the mounting surface 299. The mounting surface 299 may be the chassis of a vehicle or other electrically grounded component. The mounting clip 228 is coupled to the mounting surface 299 to position the base 220 of the housing 210 relative to the mounting surface 299 prior to coupling the fastener 226 to the mounting surface 299.

Figure 8 is a bottom view of a positive trap 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 8 shows the bottom of the substrate 240. The fasteners 226 are shown extending through the bottom of the base plate 240. Mounting clip 228 is shown extending from the bottom of base 240. The defroster wire 216 of the trap 200 is shown extending from the front 254 of the enclosure 210; however, the defroster wire 216 may extend from other areas of the enclosure 210 such as the sides 256, 258, the back 255, the bottom, or the top.

Figure 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of a negative trap 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. The negative trap 300 is similar to the positive trap 200 (shown in figure 3) and utilizes common parts and components with the positive trap 200. The trap 300 includes a housing 310 that holds the various components of the trap system. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 310 is a multi-piece housing having a base 320 and a cover 322 configured to be coupled to the base 320. The cover 322 includes a cavity 324 that receives the components of the wave trap 300 when the cover 322 is coupled to the base 320. The base 320 holds the components of the trap 300. In the exemplary embodiment, housing 310 is identical to housing 210 (fig. 3), base 320 is identical to base 220, and cover 322 is identical to cover 222. The base 320 is configured to be mounted to a mounting surface using fasteners 326, such as threaded fasteners; however, the base may be mounted to the mounting surface by other means, such as adhesives, clips, or other types of fasteners. In various embodiments, the base 320 includes a mounting clip 328 (shown in phantom) for positioning and/or securing the base 320 to a mounting surface.

The cover 322 includes a top 330 and a sidewall 332 extending from the top 330. The cavity 324 is defined by a top 330 and sidewalls 332. The cavity 324 is open at the bottom of the cover 322. In the exemplary embodiment, side wall 332 includes a latching feature 334 for latchingly securing cover 322 to base 320. In the exemplary embodiment, cover 322 includes a connector port 336 at a front portion. In the exemplary embodiment, cover 322 includes one or more wire ports 338 to receive wires of trap 300.

The base 320 includes a base plate 340 having a top 342 and a bottom 344. In the exemplary embodiment, substrate 340 is the same as substrate 240 (shown in FIG. 3). The substrate 340 positions and holds the components of the trap 300. In the exemplary embodiment, base 320 includes a latching feature 346 that extends from base plate 340. Latching features 346 interface with latching features 334 of cover 322 to secure cover 322 to base 320. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate 340 includes a mating pad 348. The mating pad 348 is an extension from the front of the base plate 340.

The trap 300 includes a defroster wire 316 that extends into the housing 310. In the exemplary embodiment, defroster lead 316 is the same as defroster lead 216 (shown in FIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the defroster conductor 316 defines the defroster conductor 302 of the wave trap 300. The defroster lead 316 extends to a lead end 318. Wire ends 318 terminate to inductor 312. In the exemplary embodiment, housing 310 includes a wire channel 350 to receive wire end 318 of defroster wire 316. The wire channels 350 are formed by support walls 352 extending from the top 342 of the substrate 340. The support wall 352 may form a U-shaped channel having two side walls and an end wall extending between the side walls. In alternative embodiments, the wire channel 350 may have other shapes. In an exemplary embodiment, the wire channel 350 may be open at the front, with the defroster wire 316 extending from the front of the wire channel 350. Optionally, the wire channel 350 may be open at the top of the support wall 352, for example, to receive the defroster wire 316 through the open top. The wire channel 350 positions the defroster wire 316 within the housing 310, for example, for termination to the inductor 312.

The housing 310 includes an inductor recess 360 along the top 342 of the substrate 340. In the exemplary embodiment, inductor recess 360 is the same as inductor recess 260 (shown in fig. 3). The inductor recess 360 receives the inductor 312 of the trap 300. The inductor recess 360 may be defined by a wall 362 extending from the top 342 that engages and supports the inductor 312 to dispose the inductor 312 within the housing 310. In the exemplary embodiment, inductor 312 is the same as inductor 212 (shown in FIG. 3). The inductor 312 includes a coil 364 extending between a first end 366 and a second end 368. The first end 366 of the inductor 312 may extend into the wire channel 350 to terminate the wire end 318 to the defroster wire 316. A second end 368 of the inductor 312 extends into another portion of the housing 310 to electrically connect to another component of the wave trap 300.

The housing 310 includes a capacitor recess 370 along the top 342 of the substrate 340. In an exemplary embodiment, capacitor recess 370 is identical to capacitor recess 270 (shown in FIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the wave trap 300 has no capacitor, but a capacitor is included as part of the wave trap 200. However, since the housing 310 is identical to the housing 210, the housing 310 includes the capacitor recess 370. The capacitor recess 370 may receive other components of the trap 300.

The housing 310 includes a terminal recess 380 configured to receive one or more terminals of the wave trap 300. In an exemplary embodiment, terminal recess 380 is identical to terminal recess 280 (shown in fig. 3). In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal recess 380 includes a first terminal recess region 380a and a second terminal recess region 380b of the terminal recess 380, both configured to receive a terminal 382 of the trap 300.

The housing 310 includes a locating feature to locate the terminal 382 in the terminal recess 380. In the illustrated embodiment, housing 310 includes positioning walls 386 that extend from top 342 of substrate 340 into terminal recess 380 to engage and position terminals 382 within terminal recess 380. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 310 includes positioning posts 388 that extend from the top 342 of the substrate 340 into the terminal recesses 380 to engage and position the terminals 382 within the terminal recesses 380. The positioning posts 388 and positioning walls 386 position the terminals 382 within the terminal recesses 380 to electrically connect to other components of the wave trap 300, such as the inductor 312, ground components, such as the fasteners 226, ground wires, and the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal 382 defines the ground conductor 304 and may be referred to hereinafter as a ground terminal 382. In various embodiments, the terminal 382 can be identical to the first terminal 282 (shown in fig. 3), or in other various embodiments (see, e.g., fig. 11), the terminal 382 can be identical to the second terminal 284 (shown in fig. 3). The terminal 382 is identical to either the first terminal 282 or the second terminal 284 so that the same components are used throughout the trap system 120 (shown in figure 1), thereby reducing the part count and tooling costs to produce the trap system 120.

The ground terminal 382 includes a positioning opening 390 that receives a positioning post 388. The ground terminal 382 includes a mounting opening 391 that receives the fastener 326. In an exemplary embodiment, the ground terminal 382 is electrically connected to and grounded through the fastener 326. The ground terminal 382 includes an edge 392 configured to engage the locating wall 386 to locate the ground terminal 382 within the terminal recess 380.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ground terminal 382 is identical to the first terminal 282. However, the ground terminal 382 is located in the second terminal recess region 380 b. In contrast to referring back to fig. 3, the first terminal 282 is located in the first terminal recess region 280 a. For example, first terminal 282 is in first orientation in first terminal recess region 280a and ground terminal 382 is in second orientation in second terminal recess region 380b (e.g., rotated 180 ° relative to the first orientation). The same terminals 382 are configured to be positioned in different areas on the terminal recess 380 using various positioning features (e.g., positioning walls 386 and positioning posts 388).

During assembly of the trap 300, the defroster wire 316 is received in the wire channel 350. A defroster wire 316 extends from the housing 310 to electrically connect to the vehicle defroster circuit 108 (shown in fig. 1). The ground terminal 382 is received in the terminal recess 380 and coupled to the substrate 340, for example using locating features including locating walls 386 and locating posts 388. The fastener 326 is received in the mounting opening 391 of the ground terminal 382 and is secured to the mounting surface. The ground terminal 382 is electrically grounded to a mounting surface or another ground circuit using a fastener 326. The inductor 312 is received in the inductor recess 360. The inductor 312 is electrically connected to the defroster wire 316 and to the ground terminal 382 in the wire passage 350. The inductor 312 is terminated to a ground terminal 382. The cover 322 is coupled to the base 320 to cover the components of the wave trap 300.

Figure 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of a negative trap 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 10 shows the ground terminal 382 received in the first terminal recess region 380a in a first orientation, the same as the orientation of the first terminal 282 in the first terminal recess region 280a of the housing 210 (as shown in fig. 3). Fig. 10 shows a ground line 383 terminated to the ground terminal 382. In the illustrated embodiment, a ground wire 383 is used in place of the fastener 326 (shown in figure 9) to electrically ground the trap 300. The ground line 383 may extend through an opening in the cover 322. The ground line 383 may be soldered, welded, crimped, or otherwise electrically connected to the ground terminal 382. The inductor 312 is terminated to a ground terminal 382. Ground line 383 is electrically connected to inductor 312 through ground terminal 382.

Figure 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of a negative trap 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 11 shows a trap 300 having a terminal 384. The terminal 384 defines the ground conductor 304 and may be referred to hereinafter as a ground terminal 384. The terminal 384 may be identical to the second terminal 284 (shown in figure 3) so that the same components are used throughout the trap system 120 (shown in figure 1), thereby reducing the part count and tooling costs for producing the trap system 120.

The ground terminal 384 includes a positioning opening 394 that receives a positioning post 388. The ground terminal 384 includes an edge 396 configured to engage the positioning wall 386 to position the ground terminal 384 within the terminal recess 380. The ground terminal 384 includes a terminal protrusion 398 that extends along the mating pad 348. The terminal projection 298 is electrically connected to the ground part through a ground line 383 extending from the housing 310. For example, the ground wire may be soldered or welded to the terminal protrusion 398, or the terminal protrusion 398 may be formed as a crimp barrel configured to be crimped to the ground wire. The inductor 312 is terminated to a ground terminal 384. The ground line 383 is electrically connected to the inductor 312 through a ground terminal 384. Fasteners 326 are used to secure the trap 300 to a mounting surface but are not part of the ground circuit.

Figure 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of a negative trap 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 12 shows a ground line 383 that is directly terminated to the second end 368 of the coil 364 of the inductor 312 using a ground terminal, such as the ground terminal 382 (fig. 9) or the ground terminal 384 (fig. 11). Fasteners 326 are used to secure the trap 300 to a mounting surface but are not part of the ground circuit.