Auxiliary power coupler

A coupler for connection of a power source to a vehicle electrical system. The coupler includes a housing arranged to be grasped by an operator, and an actuator arranged to be accessible when the housing is grasped. A plurality of electrically-conductive clasps are arranged on the housing and employ a mechanism to bias the clasps in a closed position for attachment to the vehicle electrical system. A linkage connecting the actuator to the claps is further provided to simultaneously open the clasps when the actuator is activated.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a coupler for connecting a remote auxiliary power source to a vehicle electrical system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vehicle's electrical system is designed to be powered by an on-board battery. However, there are situations when power for a vehicle electrical system must be provided from some external source other than the vehicle's battery. For example, during initial vehicle build in an assembly-plant, as the vehicle progresses through various assembly-line stages when the battery is disconnected from its electrical system for safety considerations, an external power source is required to systematically power-up a specific vehicle system to complete its construction. Additionally, after a vehicle leaves the assembly-line its battery may lose charge, and a jump start may be required from an auxiliary power source, e.g. from another vehicle.

Connecting means or devices typically used for this purpose are jumper cables of the type which have separate clamp or clip-type connectors for attaching the ends of a cable to terminals of the vehicle's electrical system or directly to its battery. Usually these connectors are alligator-type clamps, operation of which requires them to be individually squeezed to open and then released to close for either attachment to or detachment from the electrical system terminals. Operation of typical jumper cables is therefore either a two-handed, or a two-step affair that requires a certain minimum time and concentration to complete.

In view of the above it becomes apparent that elimination of auxiliary power supply attachment steps which are cumbersome and/or time-consuming would be desirable, particularly in a vehicle assembly-plant environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a power coupler is provided for engagement with a vehicle's electrical system, and includes a housing to be grasped by its operator. An actuator is arranged on the housing to be accessible when the coupler is so grasped. A plurality of electrically-conductive clasps which employ a mechanism to bias the clasps in a closed position for attachment to the vehicle electrical system are arranged on the housing. A linkage connects the actuator to the clasps, and is arranged to simultaneously open the clasps when the actuator is activated.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the foregoing clasps may be spaced on the housing to engage electrical system terminals so as to facilitate a one-handed engagement of the coupler with the vehicle electrical system. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention the coupler may further have a plurality of electrical cables attached to the clasps for connection to an auxiliary power source which may be detachable at the clasps via a quick-connect. Furthermore, the foregoing housing may be arranged as a handle, and the foregoing actuator may be positioned in that handle.

It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples which follow, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general the present invention is directed to a power coupler for connecting a remote auxiliary power source to a vehicle electrical system. More specifically, the present invention is a power coupler which is particularly well-suited for use on a vehicle assembly-line to connect a remote auxiliary power source to vehicle electrical terminals to power up a specific vehicle system to complete its construction. The present invention, however, may also be applied to power-up a vehicle electrical system from an auxiliary power source, e.g. another vehicle, in the event that the subject vehicle's battery loses charge after leaving the assembly-line.

Referring now to the drawings in which like elements of the invention are identified with identical reference numerals throughout,FIG. 1denotes a coupler10. As best seen fromFIG. 2, coupler10is held together by screw12, however any suitable fastener may be used. Coupler10includes a housing14, a cover16, and an actuator18, all made from a molded engineering plastic, or any other suitable dielectric material.

FIG. 3denotes a cross-sectional view of coupler10. Housing14has a handle-shaped upper portion14A formed to be conveniently grasped by an operator of coupler10. Actuator18is slidably positioned inside a channel which is formed by joining housing14and cover16. Actuator18is positioned on housing14to be accessible by the operator's hand with which the housing is grasped. Actuator18is activated by the operator's hand applying a squeezing force “F”, thereby sliding the actuator toward handle-shaped upper portion14aof the housing, wherein, selective attachment of the coupler to vehicle electrical system terminals can be accomplished.

As seen fromFIG. 3, a pair of electrically-conductive clasps20and22are arranged on the housing for attachment to a vehicle electrical system (not shown). Clasps20and22have respective pivotably moveable components24and26, and stationary components28and30. Pins32and34, made from steel or any other suitable material, are rigidly mounted on stationary components28and30and function as pivot axes for moveable components24and26. Clasps20and22are spaced on housing14to engage respective vehicle electrical terminals, whereby one-handed engagement of coupler10with the vehicle electrical system is affected. Respective coil springs40and42bias clasps20and22to a closed position, thereby facilitating attachment of the clasps to terminals of the vehicle electrical system (not shown), which may be positioned remote to or directly on the vehicle's battery. Linkage pins44and46, made from steel or any other suitable material, are rigidly mounted on actuator18. When actuator18is activated, linkage pins44and46simultaneously open clasps20and22by engaging and pivoting moveable components24and26via slotted openings36and38.

FIG. 6shows a bottom view of coupler10according to the present invention, whereby the coupler additionally includes two electrical cables48and50, attached to clasps20and22with fasteners13(shown inFIG. 2) for connecting the coupler to an auxiliary power source. Electrical cables48and50can be arranged with electrical connectors (not shown) allowing quick detachment from clasps20and22. As is shown inFIG. 6, clasps20and22may be arranged on housing14at angle “α” to each other, which corresponds to an arrangement of the vehicle electrical system terminals, and thereby facilitating a single particular way of coupler attachment to the vehicle electrical system.

Based on the foregoing, an operator may therefore grasp the coupler with one hand and activate the actuator by squeezing it toward the handle, thereby simultaneously opening both clasps, and permitting the coupler to be attached quickly and securely to vehicle electrical system terminals. Coupler attachment may be accomplished by attaching both clasps to the corresponding electrical system terminals simultaneously, or may be done sequentially, by initially attaching one clasp to the first terminal and subsequently the other clasp to the second terminal. Coupler's respective cables may be attached to an auxiliary power source to complete the electrical connection either prior to or after attachment of the coupler to the vehicle's electrical system.