Patent ID: 6448778
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method for verifying proper connectivity of a plurality of components to a wiring harness within an article of manufacture, each component having a respective first component node that is to be coupled to a respective first harness node of said wiring harness via a first respective plug coupler and having a respective second component node that is to be coupled to a respective second harness node of said wiring harness via a second respective plug coupler, the method including the steps of:A. controlling, by a micro-controller, application of a test voltage signal at said respective first harness node of said wiring harness; wherein said first and second respective harness nodes are each a separate and electrically discoupled node from each-other before said component is coupled between said first and second respective harness nodes; and wherein a distinct separate set of respective first and second harness nodes are for being coupled to respective first and second component nodes of each of said plurality of components; B. detecting and inputting by said micro-controller a resulting voltage signal at said respective second harness node of said wiring harness after application of said test voltage signal at said respective first harness node, wherein said resulting voltage signal is at a first voltage level if said respective first component node is properly connected to said respective first harness node of said wiring harness via said first respective plug coupler and if said respective second component node is properly connected to said respective second harness node of said wiring harness via said second respective plug coupler; and wherein said resulting voltage signal is at a second voltage level if said respective first component node is not properly connected to said respective first harness node of said wiring harness via said first respective plug coupler or if said respective second component node is not properly connected to said respective second harness node of said wiring harness via said second respective plug coupler; and wherein said resulting voltage signal is detected by said micro-controller at said respective second harness node that is a distinct separate one of the harness nodes of said wiring harness for each of said plurality of components; C. determining by said micro-controller that a component is properly connected to said wiring harness if said resulting voltage signal is at said first voltage level, and determining by said micro-controller that said component is not properly connected to said wiring harness if said resulting voltage signal is at said second voltage level; and D. repeating said steps A, B, and C for each of said plurality of components coupled to said wiring harness.