Patent Application
20240013962
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for electrical connectors.
Over the past several decades, the number of electrical components used in automobiles, and other on-road and off-road vehicles such as pick-up trucks, commercial vans and trucks, semi-trucks, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and sports utility vehicles (collectively “motor vehicles”) has increased dramatically. Electrical components are used in motor vehicles for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, monitoring, improving and/or controlling vehicle performance, emissions, safety and creates comforts to the occupants of the motor vehicles. Considerable time, resources, and energy have been expended to develop power distribution components that meet the varied needs and complexities of the motor vehicle market; however, conventional power distribution components suffer from a variety of shortcomings.
Motor vehicles are challenging electrical environments for both the electrical components and the connector assemblies due to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, space constraints that make initial installation difficult, harsh operating conditions, large ambient temperature ranges, prolonged vibration, heat loads, and longevity, all of which can lead to component and/or connector failure. For example, incorrectly installed connectors, which typically occur in the assembly plant, and dislodged connectors, which typically occur in the field, are two significant failure modes for the electrical components and motor vehicles. Each of these failure modes leads to significant repair and warranty costs. In light of these challenging electrical environments, considerable time, money, and energy have been expended to find power distribution components that meet the needs of the markets.
An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrical connector portion, a second electrical connector portion, a latch, a magnet, and a solenoid. The second electrical connector portion is configured to be selectively coupled to the first electrical connector portion to establish an electrical connection therebetween. The latch is pivotably coupled to the first electrical connector portion at a pivot point. The first electrical connector portion and the second electrical connector portion are in a locked state when the latch is pivotably positioned to engage at least a portion of the second electrical connector portion. When the latch is pivotably positioned to engage at least a portion of the second electrical connector portion, the latch is in a latched position. When the latch is pivotably positioned to not engage at least a portion of the second electrical connector portion, the latch is in an unlatched position. The first electrical connector portion and the second electrical connector portion are in an unlocked state when the latch is pivotably positioned not to engage at least a portion of the second electrical connector portion. The magnet is coupled to the first electrical connector portion and is configured to magnetically engage the latch to cause the latch to maintain a predefined position. The solenoid is configured to, in response to receiving an electrical control signal, actuate the latch by overcoming the magnetic attraction applied on the latch by the magnet to cause the first electrical connector portion and the second electrical connector portion to be in the unlocked state.
In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a first enclosure configured to house the first electrical connector portion and a second enclosure configured to house the second electrical connector portion. The second electrical connection portion can include a multi-pin electrical connector. The multi-pin electrical connector can be one of an on-board diagnostics (OBD) electrical connector, a vehicle seat sub-assembly electrical connector, a vehicle door sub-assembly electrical connector, an electrical connector for a motor, or an electrical connector for a sensor.
In some embodiments, the magnet is disposed within the first electrical connector portion. The solenoid can be an electrically actuated solenoid. The latch can be a metal lever. The magnet can be one of a neodymium magnet, a samarium cobalt magnet, an alnico magnet, or a ferrite magnet.
An electrical connector system includes a first electrical connector portion, a second electrical connector portion, a latch, a magnet, and a solenoid. The latch is configured to lockably join together the first electrical connector portion and the second electrical connector portion to complete an electric circuit therebetween. The magnet is configured to magnetically secure the latch in a predefined position. The solenoid is configured to, in response to receiving an electrical control signal, actuate the latch to overcome magnetic force of the magnet to cause the first electrical connector portion to uncouple from the second electrical connector portion.
In some embodiments, the latch is pivotably coupled to a pivot point of the first electrical connector portion and configured to pivot relative thereto. The magnet can be disposed within the first electrical connector portion. The magnet can be selected from a list including a neodymium magnet, a samarium cobalt magnet, an alnico magnet, or a ferrite magnet. The second electrical connection portion can include a multi-pin electrical connector. The multi-pin electrical connector can be one of an on-board diagnostics (OBD) electrical connector, a vehicle seat sub-assembly electrical connector, a vehicle door sub-assembly electrical connector, an electrical connector for a motor, or an electrical connector for a sensor
An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrical connector portion, a second electrical connector portion, a magnet, and a solenoid. The second electrical connector portion is configured to be selectively coupled to the first electrical connector portion to establish an electrical connection therebetween. The first electrical connector portion and the second electrical connector portion are in a locked state when coupled together and in an unlocked state when not coupled together. The magnet is coupled to the first electrical connector portion and is configured to apply magnetic attraction to cause the first electrical connector portion and the second electrical connector portion to maintain the locked state. The solenoid is configured to, in response to receiving an electrical control signal, cause force to be applied to overcome the magnetic attraction applied by the magnet to cause the first electrical connector portion and the second electrical connector portion to be in the unlocked state.
In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a latch pivotably coupled to the first electrical connector portion at a pivot point of the first electrical connector portion. The magnet can be configured to magnetically engage the latch to cause the latch to maintain a predefined position. In some embodiments, the first electrical connector portion and the second electrical connector portion are in the locked state when the latch is in a latched position and is pivotably positioned to engage at least a portion of the second electrical connector portion, and in some embodiments, the first electrical connector portion and the second electrical connector portion are in an unlocked state when the latch is in an unlatched position and is pivotably positioned not to engage at least a portion of the second electrical connector portion.
In some embodiments, the solenoid is configured to, in response to receiving an electrical control signal, actuate the latch to overcome magnetic force of the magnet to cause the first electrical connector portion to uncouple from the second electrical connector portion. The magnet can include one of a neodymium magnet, a samarium cobalt magnet, an alnico magnet, or a ferrite magnet. The magnet can be disposed within the first electrical connector portion.
The description that follows describes, illustrates and exemplifies one or more embodiments of the present invention in accordance with its principles. This description is not provided to limit the invention to the embodiments described herein, but rather to explain and teach the principles of the invention in order to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand these principles and, with that understanding, be able to apply them to practice not only the embodiments described herein, but also other embodiments that may come to mind in accordance with these principles. The scope of the present invention is intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
The connector head 104 houses a second electrical connector end 112. In some instances, the connector head 104 may be an enclosure, such as, for example, a molded enclosure or a machined enclosure. In one example, the connector base 102 may be made of plastic or another polymer-based synthetic material that is moldable into a predefined shape. In such an example, the connector head 104 may be a plastic enclosure sized to house the second electrical connector end 112.
The first electrical connector end 110 of the connector base 102 and the second electrical connector end 112 of the connector head 104 may be interconnected, or otherwise coupled, with one another to establish an electrical connection therebetween. As described in reference to at least
As described in reference to at least
The first position of the latch 106 includes the engaging end 302 of the latch 106 being raised above the pivot point 306 of the connector head 104 and the plunger end 304 of the latch 106 being recessed into the connector base 102. The second position of the latch 106 includes both the engaging end 302 and the plunger end 304 of the latch 106 being disposed flush with a surface of the connector base 102. While the first position and the second position are described above using relative positions of both the engaging end 302 and the plunger end 304, the connector system 100 of the present disclosure is not so limited. In other instances, the latch 106 may be configured such that the first position and the second position include a position of only one of the engaging end 302 and the plunger end 304.
As illustrated, for example in
Thus, the magnet 502 becomes disengaged from the latch 106 when the connector system 100 is in the first state. In some instances, a first amount of force applied by the plunger 702 onto the plunger end 304 of the latch 106 may be equal to or greater than a second amount of magnetic attraction force provided by the magnet 502 engaged with the engaging end 302 of the latch 106. Put another way, the first amount of force applied by the plunger 702 onto the plunger end 304 of the latch 106 may be sufficient to overcome the second amount of magnetic attraction force provided by the magnet 502, such that the engaging end 302 of the latch 106 becomes separated from the magnet 502 and/or the engagement point 602 of the connector head 104.
As illustrated, for example, in
When the force applied by the plunger 702 onto the plunger end 304 of the latch 106 becomes less than a second amount of magnetic attraction force provided by the magnet 502 toward the engaging end 302 of the latch 106, the magnet 502 re-engages with the latch 106 and the connector system 100 is then in the second state. Put another way, in response to the first amount of force applied by the plunger 702 onto the plunger end 304 of the latch 106 no longer being sufficient to overcome the second amount of magnetic attraction force provided by the magnet 502, the engaging end 302 of the latch 106 is attracted by the magnet 502 to re-engage with the engagement point 602 of the connector head 104.
As illustrated, for example, in
The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with any other feature or element of any other embodiment described herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, a person skilled in the art will recognize that terms commonly known to those skilled in the art may be used interchangeably herein.
The above embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice what is claimed and it is to be understood that logical, mechanical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. The detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the presently described subject matter are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Specified numerical ranges of units, measurements, and/or values comprise, consist essentially or, or consist of all the numerical values, units, measurements, and/or ranges including or within those ranges and/or endpoints, whether those numerical values, units, measurements, and/or ranges are explicitly specified in the present disclosure or not.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms “first,” “second,” “third” and the like, as used herein do not denote any order or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The term “or” is meant to be inclusive and mean either or all of the listed items. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect.
Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. The term “comprising” or “comprises” refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method that is inclusive and does not exclude additional elements, components, and/or method steps. The term “comprising” also refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method embodiment of the present disclosure that is inclusive and does not exclude additional elements, components, or method steps.
The phrase “consisting of” or “consists of” refers to a compound, composition, formulation, or method that excludes the presence of any additional elements, components, or method steps. The term “consisting of” also refers to a compound, composition, formulation, or method of the present disclosure that excludes the presence of any additional elements, components, or method steps.
The phrase “consisting essentially of” or “consists essentially of” refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method that is inclusive of additional elements, components, or method steps that do not materially affect the characteristic(s) of the composition, compound, formulation, or method. The phrase “consisting essentially of” also refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method of the present disclosure that is inclusive of additional elements, components, or method steps that do not materially affect the characteristic(s) of the composition, compound, formulation, or method steps.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “substantially”, “approximately”, and “generally” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.
As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “may be” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances, the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used individually, together, or in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the subject matter set forth herein without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the disclosed subject matter, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the subject matter described herein should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the subject matter set forth herein, including the best mode, and also to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of disclosed subject matter, including making and using the devices or systems and performing the methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter described herein is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
This non-provisional application claims the benefit and priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) and any other applicable laws or statutes, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/359,054 filed Jul. 7, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63359054 | Jul 2022 | US |
