Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6244884
-
Patent Number
6,244,884
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, February 16, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 12, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Bradley; Paula
- Nguyen; Truc
Agents
- Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 439 188
- 439 817
- 439 260
- 439 261
- 439 262
- 439 263
- 439 264
- 439 34
- 439 660
- 200 5109
- 200 511
- 200 5112
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A self-docking connector includes first and third fixed contacts and an intermediate fixed contact. The first and third contacts are mounted on male and female connectors, respectively, and the intermediate contacts are mounted on a slideable plate. The plate is mounted on an upper tray surface of the female connector and is capable of sliding movement between a connected and a disconnected position. In the disconnected position, the intermediate contacts are resiliently biased by a biasing member away from contacting the third contacts, therefore creating an open circuit between the intermediate and third contacts. However, in the connected position, the intermediate contacts are forced into positive contact with the third contacts, thereby creating a readily disconnectable electrical connection therebetween.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to automotive electrical connections and more particularly to self-guiding electrical connections for connecting peripheral devices within an automobile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For economic reasons, automobile manufacture has become increasingly modularized and subdivided among various original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket parts suppliers. Accordingly, OEM electrical appliances within an automobile may originate from different sources. As a result, extensive efforts have been made to standardize electrical connections within the vehicle to accommodate multiple suppliers. Additionally, aftermarket appliances are increasingly made available directly to consumers. Often, installation of the aftermarket appliances requires that any electrical connection to the vehicle be made after first removing an existing component and then substituting the aftermarket appliance in its place.
For example, aftermarket vehicle console units are being made available to automobile purchasers that include various electronic and/or entertainment devices, such as sound and audio-visual entertainment systems. To replace an original equipment center console unit with an aftermarket one, the original unit first must be physically disconnected from the automobile before removal therefrom. Second, the original unit must be electrically disconnected from the vehicle before removal and before installation of the new aftermarket unit. Finally, once the new console is installed, it is not readily removable.
In existing automotive electrical system designs, disconnection of an existing appliance requires actual disconnection of wiring from the appliance, generally using a standardized plug and socket arrangement. Plug and socket connections are advantageous because they eliminate bare or open contact leads that may lead to inadvertent shorting of the automotive electrical system. However, modification of plug and socket connections once an automobile leaves a factory is extremely difficult. Also, exposed portions of plug and socket connections are always electrically charged. And plug and socket electrical connections are not conducive to repeated disconnection and removal of installed appliances, for example, as a method to prevent theft.
Additionally, often the location of an existing plug is incompatible with or remote from the socket on aftermarket appliances, or else the wire lead length is insufficient to easily interconnect to the new device. Moreover, in existing electrical system designs, electrically connecting a new device requires manually locating and physically reconnecting the socket and plug, either before or after physical installation of the new device, thereby adding to installation time and effort. Finally, in those systems where an existing appliance is not replaced, but is instead simply added, extensive time and effort are required to install the new unit, either because additional wiring must be added or because new electrical connections must be made to interface the new appliance with the automobile electrical system.
Accordingly, an easily connectable and disconnectable electrical connection is needed to provide simple and safe connection and disconnection of electrical appliances to an automobile electrical system without threatening the integrity of the electrical system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-described disadvantages of current electrical connection systems are overcome by the self docking electrical connector of the present invention. The connector of the present invention includes first and third fixed contacts and an intermediate fixed sliding contact. The first and third contacts are mounted on male and female connectors, respectively, and the intermediate contacts are mounted on a slideable plate.
In the preferred embodiment, the plate is slideably mounted on an upper tray surface of the female connector and is capable of sliding movement between a connected and a disconnected position. In the disconnected position, the intermediate contacts are resiliently biased by a biasing member away from contacting the third contacts, therefore creating an open circuit between the intermediate and third contacts. However, in the connected position, the intermediate contacts are forced into positive contact with the third contacts, thereby creating an electrical connection therebetween.
The male member includes at least one actuator post extending outwardly from a main body of the male member. A distal end of an actuator post projection includes a first cam surface designed to interact with a second cam surface located on an upper surface of the plate. Most preferably, the actuator post extends normal to the male body such that the angle of incidence of the actuator post onto the upper surface of the plate is approximately normal to the upper surface of the plate.
In operation, the male body is brought into facing contact with the female body such that the first cam surface on the actuator post projection contacts the second cam surface on the upper surface of the slideable plate. As the first and second cam surfaces interact, a lateral force is exerted on the plate sufficient to overcome the resilient biasing force of the biasing member, forcing the plate to slidably move from the disconnected to the connected position. When the actuator post is fully inserted into the female member, the slideable plate will have completely moved to the connected position, thereby causing an electrical connection between the intermediate and the third contacts. Moreover, when the actuator post is fully inserted, the first contacts mounted on the male connector are forced into positive electrical contact with the intermediate contacts, thereby forming a complete circuit between the first, intermediate and third contacts, and therefore between the male and the female connectors. Importantly, the resilient member is not itself used as an electrical conductor. Instead, opposed cam surfaces on respective male and female connectors slide a fixed intermediate contact mounted on the female connector into electrical engagement with first and third contacts rigidly retained on the male and female member, respectively. Therefore, the resiliently biased slideable plate is actuated as a cam follower by the male connector actuator post inserted at an angle normal to the sliding plate. Additionally, the actuator post may be sufficiently large to provide structural support to any device attached to the male connectors. To save space, the plate is mounted to the female connector. However, the slidable plate may be mounted in any convenient place to accomplish sliding motion between an engaged and disengaged positions. For instance, the slidable plate may be mounted to the male connector if desired, but if mounted to the male connector, which is inserted into the female connector, then the male extension would have to be made longer.
Using the self docking electrical connector of the present invention, an automotive peripheral electrical device may be quickly and easily attached and detached from the automotive electrical system. The connector is flexible, because the terminals may transmit any type of information, including electrical current or control information (including fiberoptic data transmission).
Because the slideable plate is resiliently biased to a disconnected position, the connector is preferentially uncharged. Thus, the intermediate terminals pose no danger to the automotive electrical system (through shorts or grounds) when the male connector is not attached to the female connector, and may therefore be exposed and easily accessible. The connector therefore provides a simple yet inherently stable electrical connection mechanism that may be utilized with both original equipment and aftermarket appliances such as seats, instrument clusters, switches, restraint systems or any other device requiring electrical coupling within the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill and art from the detailed description of the invention that follows and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1
is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the male and female electrical connectors of the present invention, including a mounting point for the female connector.
FIG. 2
is a second perspective view of the connectors of
FIG. 1
includes a mounting surface for the male connector.
FIG. 3
is a third perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the self docking electrical connector of the present invention.
FIG. 5A
is a first cross-sectional view of an assembled second embodiment connector showing the terminals in the disconnected position.
FIG. 5B
is a second cross-sectional view of an assembled second embodiment showing the terminals in the connected position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A first embodiment of a self-docking electrical connection system
10
is shown in
FIGS. 1
,
2
and
3
, including a male connector
12
and a female connector
14
. Male connector
12
includes a body
16
and at least one actuator post
18
extending in a direction normal to the body. As seen in
FIGS. 1 and 3
, actuator post
18
may be a single continuous post having a width identical to body
16
, or the actuator post may be of any convenient shape. Both body
16
and actuation post
18
are made of nonconductive material such as injection molded nylon or similar material that provides both electrically insulative and structural properties. Actuator post
18
includes at least one projection
20
extending distally beyond post
18
. The tip of each projection
20
includes a first cam surface
22
to help ease the coupling between the male and female members, as described more fully below.
Male connector
12
also includes terminal connection areas
24
, and may include mounting apertures
26
positioned in any convenient place. Preferably, mounting apertures
26
receive fasteners (not shown) that are used to secure male connector
12
adjacent an outer surface of an appliance
27
(see
FIG. 2
) that is to be installed in a vehicle. Additionally, connection areas
24
provide locations for interfacing electrical connections between the connector and the appliance. A first set of fixed contacts
28
are mounted on male connector
12
, and preferably include at least a portion mounted on actuator post
18
in electrical communication with connection areas
24
. The number of contacts
28
(and connection areas
24
) may be adjusted to accommodate the amount of power or information that must be transmitted to the peripheral electrical device.
Female member
14
includes a tray-shaped base
30
that includes an upper surface
32
. A plate
34
is slidably mounted relative to surface
32
. Plate
34
includes second cam surfaces
36
designed to receive and mate with the first cam surfaces
22
on actuator post
18
.
Plate
34
also includes a second or intermediate set of contacts
40
that correspond in number and align with the first contacts
28
when the actuator post
18
is properly inserted into the female member
14
. Additionally, base
30
includes a third set of fixed contacts
42
that correspond in number and align with second set
40
. At least one biasing member
37
is mounted on surface
32
and interacts with plate
34
at an edge
38
. Biasing member
37
may take the form of a leaf spring, as shown in
FIGS. 1
,
2
and
3
, or more preferably, may be one or more coil springs
137
(seen in FIG.
4
). Under the influence of biasing member
37
and absent any external force being applied, plate
34
is forced to slide along axis S in a direction away from biasing member
37
to a first, or disconnected, position. In the disconnected position, intermediate and third contacts
40
,
42
are not in electrical contact with each other because biasing member
37
forces plate
34
, including intermediate contacts
40
, away from third contacts
42
. However, if lateral force is applied to plate
34
sufficient to overcome the force applied by the biasing member, plate
34
may slide along axis S to a second, or connected position, where intermediate and third contacts
40
,
42
are forced into positive engagement with each other, thereby completing an electrical circuit.
Female member further includes at least one set of terminal connection areas
44
that allow female member
14
to interface with the existing automotive electrical system to transfer power and/or information through the connector
10
. In
FIGS. 1
,
2
and
3
, connection areas
44
are housed within a molded socket
46
that may be easily attached to a pre-existing plug
47
when female connector
14
is installed during vehicle manufacture. However, any convenient type of connection between female connector
14
and the wires
49
within a vehicle electrical system may be utilized.
Finally, female member
14
may include mounting apertures
48
that receive fasteners for mounting member
14
to corresponding apertures
50
in a vehicle tray
52
(see FIG.
1
). Optionally, tray
52
may include a cutout
54
sized to expose only a portion of plate
34
upper surface
56
, including cam surfaces
36
. Of course, a portion of second terminal set
40
may be exposed as well. However, since plate
34
is biased to the disconnected position when male connector
12
is not installed, no electrical potential is applied to second terminal set
40
when exposed, so the exposed terminals pose no danger to the vehicle electrical system.
A second and preferred embodiment of an electrical connector
110
is illustrated in
FIGS. 4 and 5
. Connector
110
has a structure similar to the connector
10
shown in
FIGS. 1
,
2
and
3
and accordingly, similar reference numbers will indicate similar structure. In particular, a male body
112
is shown having a base
116
with at least one actuator post
118
extending generally normal to base
116
. Post
118
includes distal projections
120
having first cam surfaces
122
at each projection tip. Wire leads
123
interconnect with terminal connections
124
, thereby providing an electrical interface between the male connector
112
and any peripheral electrical device. Terminal connections
124
are also electrically connected to first fixed terminals
128
mounted on actuator posts
118
.
Male body
112
includes mounting apertures
126
conveniently positioned at each of four corners of base
112
, though the mounting configuration may vary. Preferably, mounting apertures
126
receive fasteners (not shown) that are used to secure body
12
to a peripheral electrical device that is to be installed in a vehicle.
Male body
112
is adopted to engage and mate with female body
114
. Female body
114
includes a base
130
that includes a tray-shaped upper surface
132
. A plate
134
is slidably mounted on surface
132
adapted to slide along an axis S′. Plate
134
further includes second cam surfaces
136
designed to receive and mate with the first cam surfaces
122
on projections
120
. Either or both of surfaces
122
,
136
are formed so that when the surfaces mate with each other, the plate
134
is forced to move laterally.
Plate
134
also includes an intermediate set of contacts
140
that correspond in number and align with the first contacts
128
when the actuator post
118
is properly inserted into the female member
114
. Additionally, base
130
includes a third set of fixed contacts
142
that correspond in number and align with second set
140
. At least one coil spring
137
is mounted on surface
132
and interacts with plate
134
at an edge
138
. Under the influence of spring
137
, plate
134
is forced to slide along axis S′ in a direction away from spring
137
to a first, or disconnected, positions shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5A
. Therefore, in the disconnected position, intermediate and third contacts
140
,
142
are not in electrical contact with each other because spring
137
forces plate
134
, including intermediate contacts
140
, away from third contacts
142
. However, if force is applied to plate
134
sufficient to overcome the force applied by the biasing member, plate
134
may slide along axis S′ toward springs
137
to a second, or connected position (shown in FIG.
5
B), where intermediate and third contacts
140
,
142
are forced into positive engagement with each other.
Female member
114
also includes at least one set of terminal connections
144
that allow female member
114
to interface with the existing automotive electrical system to transfer power and/or information through the connector
110
. As above, connection areas
144
are housed within a molded socket
146
that may be easily attached to a pre-existing plug (not shown). Finally, female member
114
may include mounting apertures
148
that receive fasteners for mounting member
114
to the vehicle.
Proper operation of the inventive connector
110
will be described with reference to
FIGS. 5A and 5B
. It should be understood that the connector
10
of
FIGS. 1
,
2
and
3
operates in substantially the same manner. To utilize the inventive connector, male connector
112
, and any peripheral electrical component attached thereto, is aligned so that actuator post
118
is oriented above the exposed portion of plate
134
. In particular, first and second cam surfaces
122
,
136
are aligned into mating contact with each other. Under normal circumstances, plate
134
is biased in away from spring
137
to an electrically disconnected position such that second contacts
140
are biased away from contacting third contacts
142
, thus preventing an electrical interconnection between the second and third terminal sets. Accordingly, when at rest, plate
134
is biased into the disconnected position.
However, as additional force is exerted through actuator post
118
normal to the sliding axis S′ of plate
134
, the cam surfaces interact and force plate
134
to slide laterally along axis S′ toward spring
137
and away from the disconnected position. As plate
134
slides laterally, an opening sized to receive actuator post
118
is revealed in the female body member below plate
134
so that post
118
may be fully inserted into female body member
130
.
As plate
134
slides laterally, intermediate contacts
140
move with the plate along axis S′ towards the third contacts
142
. When actuator post
118
is fully inserted and plate
134
has moved a predetermined distance along axis S′ away from springs
137
, intermediate and third contacts
140
,
142
are forced into positive engagement with each other, creating an electrical contact therebetween. Additionally, when post
118
is fully inserted, first contacts
128
are forced into positive engagement with intermediate contacts
140
, thereby completing a circuit between first and third contacts
128
,
142
through intermediate contacts
140
. In this way, easy electrical interconnection may be accomplished between connection areas
144
and wires
123
(
FIG. 4
) through movement of plate
134
from a disconnected to a connected position, and therefore between a peripheral electrical device and the vehicle electrical system. Moreover, the size and length of actuator post
118
may be adjusted to provide sufficient structural support to the peripheral electrical device, if desired. Thus, the connector
110
may provide both electrical and structural interconnection between the vehicle and any peripheral electrical device.
Importantly, the resilient member
37
or
137
does not itself create an electrical connection. Instead, the slideable plate
34
,
134
is actuated as a cam follower to mechanically place three fixed electrical contacts into positive electrical communication with each other. Additionally, mounting the plate
34
,
134
to the female connector
14
,
114
saves space and minimizes the risk of inadvertent damage to any projections extending from the male connector
12
,
112
.
The self-docking and readily disconnectable nature of the inventive connector makes it ideal for removable and portable appliances. In one application, the connector of the present invention may be used in conjunction with existing socket and plug arrangements in vehicles when installing new aftermarket appliances. In another application, the connector, and especially the female portion of the connector, may be pre-installed at various locations in new vehicles to enable modification and upgrading of vehicle appliances by the manufacturer, the dealer or even the consumer, requiring only that new appliances include the male portion for proper fit and placement.
Thus, the present invention allows fast and easy mechanical and electrical coupling between any peripheral electrical component and a vehicle electrical or control system. The connector may be easily modified to couple with any type of component, and may transfer any type of electrical impulse, including power. Since both male and female connectors are fixed in place, installation of peripheral components is rapid, eliminating time consuming wiring requirements. Additionally, since the connector is dormant (i.e. not charged with electricity) until both the male and female connectors are mated, the integrity of the vehicle electrical system is not challenged by leaving a portion of the connection exposed and readily accessible.
The disclosed embodiments and examples are given to illustrate the present invention. However, they are not meant to limit the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should be limited only by the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A self-docking electrical connector, comprising:first and third fixed contacts respectively mounted on male and female bodies, said female body including a recess for receiving at least a portion of said male body; and a slidable plate including intermediate contacts fixed thereto, said plate sliding in response to insertion of said male body into said female body from a disconnected position, wherein said third and intermediate contacts are spaced apart in said disconnected position, and wherein said third and intermediate contacts positively engage each other in a connected position.
- 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein said plate is resiliently biased to said disconnected position when said male body is not inserted into said female body.
- 3. The connector of claim 1, wherein said plate is mounted on an upper surface of said female body.
- 4. A self-docking electrical connector, comprising:first and third fixed contacts respectively mounted on male and female bodies, said female body including a recess for receiving at least a portion of said male body; and a slidable plate mounted on an upper surface of said female body, said plate including intermediate contacts fixed thereto, said plate sliding in response to insertion of said male body into said female body from a disconnected position, wherein said third and intermediate contacts are spaced apart in said disconnected position, and wherein said third and intermediate contacts positively engage each other in a connected position.
- 5. The connector of claim 4, wherein said male body includes at least one actuator post for insertion into said recess, said at least one actuator post including at least one projection, a distal end of said projection including a first cam surface for interacting with an upper surface of said plate to force said plate to slide from said disconnected to said connected position.
- 6. The connector of claim 5, wherein said plate upper surface includes a second cam surface adapted to mate with said first cam surface to exert a lateral force on said plate.
- 7. The connector of claim 5, wherein said post extends generally normal to said male body such that the angle of incidence of said post onto said plate upper surface is approximately normal to the upper surface of the plate.
- 8. The connector of claim 7, wherein said plate is resiliently biased to said disconnected position when said post is not inserted into said female body.
- 9. The connector of claim 4, wherein said female body further includes a socket for coupling said third contacts to an electrical system.
- 10. A self-docking electrical connector, comprising:first and third fixed contacts respectively mounted on male and female bodies, said female body including a recess for receiving at least a portion of said male body; a slidable plate mounted on an upper surface of said female body, said plate including intermediate contacts fixed thereto, said plate sliding in response to insertion of said male body into said female body from a disconnected position, wherein said third and intermediate contacts are spaced apart in said disconnected position, wherein said third and intermediate contacts positively engage each other in a connected position; and a spring attached between a side edge of said plate and said female body upper surface wherein said spring resiliently biases said plate to said disconnected position when said post is not inserted into said female body.
- 11. The connector of claim 10, wherein said spring is a leaf spring.
- 12. The connector of claim 10, wherein said spring is a coil spring.
US Referenced Citations (11)