Patent Publication Number: US-6988909-B2

Title: Actuator

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an actuator, and more particularly, to a plurality of actuators controlled independently of one another, an actuator system including a plurality of actuators, and a connector for connecting a plurality of actuators. 
   A typical actuator system, such as one used in a vehicle air conditioner, includes a plurality of actuators, each having a driving portion. The actuator system drives the driving portions of the actuators independently of one another. In such an actuator system, an address is set for each actuator. Further, the actuators are connected to one another and to a master controller through a local area network (LAN). The LAN decreases the number of wires in the actuator system. 
   Each actuator includes a connector connected to a signal line and power supply lines. Japanese Patent No. 2679209 describes an example of such a connector, which includes a plurality of terminals (contacts) and a cover. In this connector, a ribbon-shaped harness (flat cable) is sandwiched between the cover and a housing to connect the terminals to the signal line and power supply lines (wires) of the ribbon-shaped harness. More specifically, each terminal is bifurcated so as to define a slit between the bifurcated portions. The bifurcated portions penetrate through an insulation film, which covers the signal line and the power supply lines, when sandwiching the ribbon-shaped harness. This connects the signal and power supply lines to the terminal. Accordingly, the actuator, which includes such a connector, is easily connected to the ribbon-shaped harness. 
   When a plurality of actuators are connected to one another with such connectors and a single ribbon-shaped harness, each actuator is connected in parallel by the signal line. Due to the parallel connection, an address must be set beforehand for each actuator. Accordingly, there is a need for a circuit to set the ID numbers (e.g., a pattern corresponding to the addresses of the actuators must be configured on a substrate incorporated each of the actuators). This increases the cost of each actuator, which, in turn, increases the cost of an actuator system including a plurality of actuators. 
   When the above connector and single ribbon-shaped harness are not used and a plurality of actuators are daisy chain connected with one another, a different ID number does not have to be set for each actuator (the actuators may be identical to each other). If, however, the actuators are daisy chain connected, a plurality of signal lines become necessary to connect the actuators to one another. In an actuator system including a plurality of actuators, this increases the number of components and causes the connection of the actuators to become complicated. Thus, the configuration of an actuator system including a plurality of actuators is expensive. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an actuator, an actuator system, and a connector in which the number of components is decreased, the connecting operation is simplified, and the cost is lowered. 
   To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an actuator for connection to a harness including a signal line covered by a coating. The actuator has a connector body including an input terminal and an output terminal. A cover is attached to the connector body to hold the harness with the connector body. At least one of the connector body and the cover includes a cutting portion arranged between the input terminal and the output terminal to cut the signal line of the harness into two cut pieces when attaching the connector body and the cover to each other. The input terminal and the output terminal each include two contact portions that penetrate through the coating of the signal line of the harness to contact one of the two cut pieces of the signal line when attaching the connector body and the cover to each other. 
   Another aspect of the present invention is an actuator for connection to a harness including a signal line covered by a coating. The actuator includes a connector used to connect the actuator to the harness. The connector has a connector body including a first groove, which is shaped in correspondence with the harness, and an input terminal and an output terminal, which are arranged in the first groove. A cover holds the harness with the connector body. The cover includes a second groove corresponding to the first groove. A cutting portion is arranged between the input terminal and the output terminal in at least one of the first groove of the connector body and the second groove of the cover. The cutting portion cuts the signal line of the harness into two cut pieces when attaching the connector body and the cover to each other. The input terminal and the output terminal each include two contact portions that penetrate through the coating of the signal line of the harness to contact one of the two cut pieces of the signal line when attaching the connector body and the cover to each other. 
   A further aspect of the present invention is an actuator system including a harness having a signal line covered by a coating. A plurality of actuators are connected to the harness. Each of the actuators has a connector body including an input terminal and an output terminal. A cover holds the harness with the connector body. At least one of the connector body and the cover includes a cutting portion to cut the signal line of the harness into two cut pieces when attaching the connector body and the cover to each other. The input terminal and the output terminal each include two contact portions that penetrate through the coating of the signal line of the harness to contact one of the two cut pieces of the signal line when attaching the connector body and the cover to each other. 
   A further aspect of the present invention is a connector for connecting a plurality of devices by way of a harness including a signal line covered by a coating. The connector has a connector body including an input terminal and an output terminal. A cover holds the harness with the connector body. At least one of the connector body and the cover includes a cutting portion arranged between the input terminal and the output terminal to cut the signal line of the harness into two cut pieces when attaching the connector body and the cover to each other. The input terminal and the output terminal each include two contact portions that penetrate through the coating of the signal line of the harness to contact one of the two cut pieces of the signal line when attaching the connector body and the cover to each other. 
   Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing an actuator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an actuator system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of the actuator of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a process performed by a control circuit in the actuator of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a connector according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of the connector of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view taken along line  7 — 7  of the connector of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken along line  8 — 8  of the connector of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of the connector of  FIG. 5 ; and 
       FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of a connector according to a another embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Actuators A 1  to An, an actuator system  100 , and a connector  12  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 9 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the actuator system  100  includes a master controller  1  and a plurality of actuators A 1  to An (n is the quantity of the actuators and a positive integer that is two or greater). The actuator system  100  of the preferred embodiment is used in a vehicle air conditioner. The actuators A 1  to An are each arranged on an air door in an air conditioner passage (not shown) to drive the air door. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , each actuator A 1  to An has an actuator body  11  and a connector  12 . The connector  12  further includes a connector body  13  and a cover  14 . 
   The actuator body  11  includes a socket (connector receiving portion)  11   a  for receiving the connector body  13 . The socket  11   a  includes a plurality of (in the preferred embodiment, four) socket terminals  11   b.  As shown in  FIG. 3 , the actuator body  11  includes a switch  11   c,  a communication circuit  11   d,  a control circuit  11   e,  a sensor  11   f,  a drive circuit  11   g,  and a motor M, which functions as a driving portion. In the preferred embodiment, the switch  11   c,  the communication circuit  11   d,  the control circuit  11   e,  and the drive circuit  11   g  are integrated in a single customized control IC  15 . 
   The connector body  13  is made of an insulative resin material and has a substantially box-like shape. The connector body  13  has a lower portion (lower side as viewed in  FIG. 1 ,  FIGS. 5 to 9 ) fitted in the socket  11   a.    
   A pair of power supply terminals  16  and  17  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), an input terminal  18  (refer to  FIG. 7 ), an output terminal  19  (refer to  FIG. 8 ), and a metal cutter  20  ( FIG. 6 ), which functions as a cutting portion, are formed (through insert molding in the preferred embodiment) in the connector body  13 . One of the power supply terminals  16  and  17  is a high potential power supply (+) terminal and the other one is a low potential power supply (GND) terminal. 
   More specifically, three parallel grooves  13   a,    13   b,  and  13   c,  each having a substantially semi-cylindrical surface, are formed on an upper surface of the connector body  13  (as viewed in  FIG. 1 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the power supply terminal  16  projects externally (upward) from the middle portion of the groove  13   a.  The power supply terminal  17  projects externally (upward) from the middle portion of the groove  13   c.  A direction parallel to the grooves  13   a,    13   b,  and  13   c  is hereinafter referred to as a first direction. The two power supply terminals  16  and  17  linearly extend along a direction orthogonal to the first direction, as shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . A direction parallel to the power supply terminals  16  and  17  is hereinafter referred to as a second direction. Further, a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction is referred to as a third direction. A pair of contact portions  16   a  arranged along the third direction is formed at the distal portion of the power supply terminal  16 . The pair of contact portions  16   a  define a slit  16   b  having an open top end. The open top end (upper end) of the slit  16   b  is interposed between two guides  16   c.  The space between the two guides  16   c  increases at upper positions. A pair of contact portions  17   a  arranged along the third direction is formed at the distal portion of the power supply terminal  17 . The pair of contact portion  17   a  define a slit  17   b  having an open top end. The open top end (upper end) of the slit  17   b  is interposed between two guides  17   c.  The space between the two guides  17   c  increases at upper positions. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  7 , and  9 , the distal end of the input terminal  18  projects externally (upward) from the groove  13   b  at a position separated from the center of the grooeve  13   b  in the first direction. As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , a middle portion of the input terminal  18  is bent so that the lower end of the input terminal  18  is located in the vicinity of the lower end of the power supply terminal  16  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  8 , and  9 , the distal end of the output terminal  19  projects externally (upward) from the groove  13   b  at a position separated from the center of the groove  13   b  in the first direction. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a middle portion of the output terminal  19  is bent so that the lower end of the output terminal  19  is located in the vicinity of a lower end of the power supply terminal  17  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). 
   A pair of contact portions  18   a  arranged along the third direction is formed at the distal portion of the input terminal  18  (refer to  FIG. 7 ). The pair of contact portions  18   a  define a slit  18   b  having an open top end. The open top end (upper end) of the slit  18   b  is interposed between two guides  18   c.  The space between the two guides  18   c  increases at upper positions. A pair of contact portions  19   a  arranged along the third direction is formed at the distal portion of the output terminal  19  (refer to  FIG. 8 ). The pair of contact portions  19   a  defines a slit  19   b  having an open top end. The open top end (upper end) of the slit  19   b  is interposed between two guides  19   c.  The space between the two guides  19   c  increases at upper positions. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the metal cutter  20  is arranged so that the distal end of the metal cutter  20  projects externally (upward) from the central groove  13   b.  As shown in  FIG. 6 , the metal cutter  20  extends to the middle of the connector body  13  in the second direction from the central portion of the groove  13   b,  which is between the input terminal  18  and the output terminal  19  and between the power supply terminals  16  and  17  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). A blade  20   a  for cutting a wire and the like is included at the tip of the metal cutter  20 . The blade  20   a  of the preferred embodiment has two consecutive V-shaped (or W-shaped) upper ends arranged along the third direction. The exposed portion of the metal cutter  20  (excluding the blade  20   a ) is interposed between an insulator  13   d  extending from the connector body  13 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The insulator  13   d  of the preferred embodiment is integrally formed with the connector body  13 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , a tapered portion  13   e  that narrows toward the distal end of the metal cutter  20  is formed at the upper end of the insulator  13   d.    
   The basal portions of the power supply terminals  16  and  17 , the input terminal  18 , and the output terminal  19  are arranged so that the terminals  16  to  19  are connected to the corresponding socket terminals  11   b  when the connector body  13  is fitted into the socket  11   a.    
   As shown by the broken lines in  FIG. 5 , the cover  14  may be fixed to the upper end of the connector body  13  by, for example, a hook (not shown). Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the lower surface the cover  14 , or the surface facing the connector body  13 , is formed with three parallel grooves  14   a,    14   b  and  14   c,  each having a substantially semi-cylindrical surface similar to that of the grooves  13   a,    13   b  and  13   c.  Further, accommodating portions  14   d  to  14   h  for accommodating the distal ends of the power supply terminals  16  and  17 , the input terminal  18 , the output terminal  19 , and the metal cutter  20  are formed in the lower surface of the cover  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 to 8 . Therefore, the cover  14  holds the ribbon-shaped harness  21  in cooperation with the connector body  13 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the ribbon-shaped harness  21  includes a pair of parallel power supply lines  22  and  23 , a communication line (signal line)  24  arranged between the power supply lines  22  and  23 , insulation films  22   a  to  24   a  respectively covering the lines  22  to  24 , and connecting portions  25  and  26  integrally formed with the insulation films  22   a  to  24   a  to connect the adjacent insulation films  22   a  to  24   a.    
   The actuators A 1  to An are connected to the single ribbon-shaped harness  21 , which is further connected to the master controller  1 , in the order of A 1 , A 2 , . . . , and An. Each actuator A 1  to An is connected in series (daisy chain connected) with respect to the communication line  24  and connected in parallel with respect to the pair of power supply lines  22  and  23 . 
   More specifically, each actuator A 1  to An is connected to the communication line  24  and the pair of power supply lines  22  and  23  by attaching the connector body  13  and the cover  14  to each other so as to hold the ribbon-shaped harness  21  in between (connecting operation). 
   When attaching the connector body  13  and the cover  14  to each other, the communication line  24  and the insulation film  24   a  of the ribbon-shaped harness  21  held between the connector body  13  and the cover  14  are cut (sheared) with the metal cutter  20  (blade  20   a ), as shown in  FIG. 9 . The communication line  24  and the insulation film  24   a  are cut smoothly (prevented from getting caught) due to the tapered portion  13   e  formed on the insulator  13   d.  Simultaneously, the input terminal  18  and the output terminal  19  contacting the insulation film  24   a  penetrate through the insulation film  24   a  with the contact portions  18   a  and  19   a  (slits  18   b  and  19   b ) of the input terminal  18  and the output terminal  19 . Two cut pieces formed by cutting the communication line  24  respectively contact the contact portions  18   a  and  19   a  and connect to the input terminal  18  and the output terminal  19 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the contact portions  16   a  and  17   a  (slits  16   b  and  17   b ) of the power supply terminals  16  and  17  penetrate through the insulation films  22   a  and  23   a  of the power supply lines  22  and  23 . The power supply lines  22  and  23  contact the contact portions  16   a  and the  17   a  and connect to the power supply terminals  16  and  17 . Therefore, each actuator A 1  to An is daisy chain connected with respect to the communication line  24  of the ribbon-shaped harness  21  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) and connected in parallel with respect to the pair of power supply lines  22  and  23 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , in each actuator A 1  to An, the input terminal  18  and the output terminal  19  are connected to each other by the switch  11   c.  The input terminal  18  is connected to the control circuit  11   e  through the communication circuit  11   d.  The control circuit  11   e  is connected to the switch  11   c,  the sensor  11   f,  and the drive circuit  11   g.  The drive circuit  11   g  is connected to the motor M. In each actuator A 1  to An, the power supply terminals  16  and  17  are connected to the control IC  15 . Power is supplied to each component by way of the power supply terminals  16  and  17 . 
   When a vehicle ignition switch (not shown) is turned on, the actuator system  100  is provided with power (energized). As a result, the control circuit  11   e  of the preferred embodiment starts the processes of steps S 1  to S 7 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   When the actuator system  100  is energized (power ON), in step S 1 , the control circuit  11   e  is reset (i.e., the ID number is initialized and the IC SW is inactivated). More specifically, when reset, the control circuit  11   e  sets its address value to an initial value (in the preferred embodiment “0”). Further, the control circuit  11   e  opens (inactivates) the switch  11   c  and disconnects the input terminal  18  from the output terminal  19 . 
   Subsequently, the control circuit  11   e  waits until receiving a control signal via the input terminal  18  and the communication circuit  11   d.  When receiving the control signal in step S 2 , the control circuit  11   e  proceeds to step S 3 . 
   In step S 3 , the control circuit  11   e  determines whether the value of the address information included in the received control signal is an initial value (in the preferred embodiment, “0”). In step S 3 , when the control circuit  11   e  determines that the value of the address information in the control signal is the initial value (in the preferred embodiment, “0”), the control circuit  11   e  proceeds to step S 4 . 
   In step S 4 , the control circuit  11   e  determines whether the command information included in the control signal is an initial command. An initial command is a command for setting the address value of the control circuit  11   e  to a predetermined value (e.g., “1”). When determining that the command information is the initial command in step S 4 , the control circuit  11   e  proceeds to step S 5 . Further, when determining that the command information is not the initial command in step S 4 , the control circuit  11   e  proceeds to step S 2 . 
   In step S 5 , the control circuit  11   e  sets the address (i.e., the ID number is set to a predetermined number and the IC SW is activated). More specifically, the control circuit  11   e  replaces its initial address value (in the preferred embodiment, “0”) with a predetermined value (e.g., “1”), which is included in the control signal. Further, the control circuit  11   e  closes (activates) the switch  11   c  and connects the input terminal  18  and the output terminal  19  to each other. When step S 5  is completed, the control circuit  11   e  proceeds to step S 2 . 
   In step S 3 , when the control circuit  11   e  determines that the value of the address information in the control signal is not the initial value (in the preferred embodiment, “0”), the control circuit  11   e  proceeds to step S 6 . 
   In step S 6 , the control circuit  11   e  determines whether the value of the address information included in the control signal is its own address value (e.g., “1”). When the control circuit  11   e  determines that the value of the address information included in the control signal is its own address value (e.g., “1”) in step S 6 , the control circuit  11   e  proceeds to step S 7 . Conversely, when the control circuit  11   e  determines that the value of the address information included in the control signal is not its own address value (e.g., “1”) in step S 6 , the control circuit  11   e  proceeds to step S 2 . 
   In step S 7 , the control circuit  11   e  generates a drive signal for controlling the motor M in accordance with the command information included in the control signal and a sensor signal provided from the sensor  11   f.  The control circuit  11   e  provides the drive signal to the drive circuit  11   g.  The sensor  11   f  of the preferred embodiment is a Hall IC for detecting the rotational angle (position) of a rotor in the motor M. When step S 7  is completed, the control circuit  11   e  proceeds to step S 2 . 
   The operation of the entire actuator system  100  (master controller  1  and actuators A 1  to An) will now be discussed. 
   When the vehicle ignition switch is turned ON (i.e., when the actuator system  100  is energized), the control circuit  11   e  of each of the actuators A 1  to An executes steps S 1  and S 2 . This sets the address value to the initial value (in the preferred embodiment, “0”) in each of the actuators A 1  to An. Further, in each of the actuators A 1  to An, the switch  11   c  is opened (inactivated), and the input terminal  18  and the output terminal  19  are disconnected from each other. 
   After a time elapses that ensures the completion of step S 1  in the actuators A 1  to An from when the master controller  1  is energized, the master controller  1  sequentially transmits the first control signal (address setting signal), which sets an address. In the address setting signal, the value of the address information is the initial value (i.e., “0”), and the command information is the initial command. The master controller  1  sequentially changes the predetermined value in the initial command of the sequentially transmitted control signal (address setting information). 
   The actuators A 1  to An sequentially execute steps S 3  to S 5  (in response to the first control signal in the first actuator A 1 , in response to the second control signal in the actuator A 2  of the next stage). In other words, the transmission of the address setting signal sets the address values of the actuators A 1  to An respectively to “1”, “2”, . . . , and “n” and connects all of the input terminals  18  and the output terminals  19  to one another. After step S 1 , the control circuit  11   e  in each of the actuators A 1  to An waits until receiving the control signal in step S 2 . 
   When, for example, a switch (not shown) for controlling an air door is operated, the master controller  1  transmits a control signal in accordance with the switch operation. 
   For example, in accordance with a switch operation, the master controller  1  transmits a control signal indicating that the address information value is “2” and the command information is that “the rotor of the motor M is to be rotated to a predetermined position”. Subsequently, all of the actuators A 1  to An receive the control signal. In the actuators A 1 , and A 3  to An, if the value “2” of the address information in the received control signal does not match the actuator address value, steps S 3  and S 6  are executed. The actuators A 1 , and A 3  to An therefore do not take any meaningful actions. In the actuator A 2 , steps S 3 , S 6 , and S 7  are executed. That is, the drive circuit  11   g  is provided with a drive signal corresponding to the command information. Thus, in the actuator A 2 , the drive circuit  11   g  supplies the motor M with power to rotate the rotor of the motor M to the predetermined position and drive (open or close) the air door. 
   In the above mentioned actuator system  100 , a plurality of actuators A 1  to An are independently controlled without the need of a circuit to set different ID numbers for each actuator A 1  to An. 
   The preferred embodiment has the following advantages. 
   (1) When attaching the connector body  13  and the cover  14  to each other, the communication line  24  of the ribbon-shaped harness  21  held between the connector body  13  and the cover  14  is cut by the metal cutter  20  (blade  20   a ). Further, when attaching the connector body  13  and the cover  14  to each other, the insulation film  24   a  contacting the input terminal  18  and the output terminal  19  is penetrated by the contact portions  18   a  and  19   a  of the input terminal  18  and the output terminal  19 , as shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . The two cut pieces formed when cutting the communication line  24  contact the contact portions  18   a  and  19   a  and connect to the input terminal  18  and the output terminal  19 . Therefore, the actuators A 1  to An are easily (through a simple task) daisy chain connected to the communication line  24  of the single simple-shaped ribbon-shaped harness  21  (in which the power supply lines  22  and  23 , the communication line  24 , and the insulation films  22   a  to  24   a  are formed in the same manner). As a result, the cost for configuring the actuator system  100  is reduced. 
   (2) The cutting portion for cutting the communication line  24  is the metal cutter  20 , which is integrally formed with the connector body  13  and the terminals  16  to  19  through insert molding. Therefore, through the same (single) insert molding, terminals  16  to  19  and the metal cutter  20  are easily included in the connector body  13 . The portion of the metal cutter  20  exposed from the connector body  13  (excluding the blade  20   a ) is interposed between the insulator  13   d,  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Therefore, the adjacent pieces of the communication lines  24  cut by the metal cutter are prevented from being electrically connected to each other. 
   (3) The insulator  13   d  is integrally formed with the connector body  13 . Therefore, the insulator  13   d  is easily included in the connector body  13  without increasing the number of components or the number of connecting operations. 
   (4) When attaching the connector body  13  and the cover  14  to each other, the insulation films  22   a  and  23   a  of the pair of power supply lines  22  and  23  are penetrated by the contact portions  16   a  and the  17   a  of the power supply terminals  16  and  17 . The pair of power supply lines  22  and  23  then contact the contact portions  16   a  and  17   a  and connect to the power supply terminals  16  and  17 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The actuators A 1  to An are easily connected in parallel by the power supply lines  22  and  23  of the single simple-shape ribbon-shaped harness  21  (in which the power supply lines  22  and  23 , communication line  24 , and the insulation films  22   a  to  24   a  are formed in the same manner). 
   (5) When reset, the input terminal  18  and the output terminal  19  in each of the actuators A 1  to An are disconnected from each other. Subsequently, the address value of the actuators A 1  to An are sequentially set and the input and output terminals  18  and  19  are sequentially connected to each other. Thus, until the next reset, the control signal for controlling the motor M is provided to all of the actuators A 1  to An through each switch  11   c  regardless of the address information of the control signal. In the actuator in which the value of the address information of the control signal matches the set actuator address value, the drive signal is provided to the drive circuit  11   g,  in accordance with the command information of the control signal, to drive the motor M. In the actuator system  100  using the above actuators A 1  to An, all of the actuators A 1  to An receive the control signal controlling the motor M at about the same time regardless of the address information of the control signal. That is, the control signal for controlling the motor M is transmitted to all of the actuators A 1  to An at about the same time without performing various processes (a storage process for storing the control signal, address determination process for comparing the value of the address information of the control signal and the actuator address value, transmission process for transmitting the control signal to the actuator in the next stage) on the control signal in each actuator A 1  to An even when employing the daisy chain connection. Thus, the responsiveness of each actuator A 1  to An, especially the final actuator An, is satisfactory. 
   It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in the following forms. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the insulator  13   d  is integrally formed with the connector body  13 . However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and other configurations may be employed. For example, other structures may be used to prevent the adjacent pieces of the communication lines  24  cut by the metal cutter  20  from being electrically connected to each other. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , for example, an insulator  14   i  may be integrally formed with the cover  14  so as to cover the portion of the metal cutter  20  exposed from the connector body  13 . Such a configuration also facilitates the formation of the insulator  14   i  in the cover  14  while preventing the cut pieces of the communication lines  24  from being electrically connected to each other without increasing the number of components and the number of connecting operations. 
   An insulator may be formed by, for example, coating the surface of the metal cutter  20  with an insulative material. In this configuration, the surface of the metal cutter  20  is coated, for example, with the insulator (insulative material). This facilitates the formation of the metal cutter  20  including the insulator in the connector body  13  or the cover  14 . 
   The insulator  13   d  may be arranged on only one side (for example, only on the left side in  FIG. 9 ) of the metal cutter  20 . In this configuration, one cut end of the communication line  24  cut with the metal cutter  20  is electrically connected to the metal cutter  20 . However, the other cut end cut pieces of the communication lines  24  are prevented from being electrically connected to the metal cutter  20 . In other words, the cut pieces of the communication line  24  are not electrically connected to each other. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the metal cutter  20  (cutting portion) is included in the connector body  13 . However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration and the cutting portion may be included in either the connector body or the cover. For example, the cutting portion may be included in the cover  14  (through insert molding). 
   In the preferred embodiment, the cutting portion is the metal cutter  20 . However, the cutting portion may also be made of an insulative material (for example, ceramics and the like). In such a configuration, the insulator  13   d  is not necessary and the cut pieces of the communication line  24  are prevented from being electrically connected to each other. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the ribbon-shaped harness  21  includes the power supply lines  22  and  23  and the communication line  24 . However, the quantity and the types of the conductive wires are not limited in such a manner. The ribbon-shaped harness  21  may be changed as long as it includes at least one signal line for daisy chain connection. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the actuators A 1  to An each have a switch  11   c.  Further, after setting the actuator address value, the control signal for controlling the motor M is transmitted to all the actuators A 1  to An almost at about the same time regardless of the address information of the control signal. However, the configuration of the actuator is not limited to such a configuration. The storage process, the address determination process, and the transmission process may be performed on the control signal for controlling the motor M. Such a configuration also has advantages (1) to (4). 
   In the preferred embodiment, the connector body  13  and the cover  14  are separate components. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the connector body and the cover may also be integrally formed with each other by way of a thin hinge so that the connector body and the cover hold the ribbon-shaped harness  21  in between. The connector body  13  and a housing of the actuator body  11  may also be integrally molded. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the actuator system  100  is used in a vehicle air conditioner. However, the present invention is not limited to such an application and the actuator system  100  including the actuators A 1  to An may be used for other applications. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the actuators A 1  to An each include a motor M, which functions as a driving portion. However, other devices may be used as the driving portion (e.g., motor that produces linear action or an electromagnetic solenoid). 
   In the present embodiment, the connector  12  is used in the actuators A 1  to An. However, the connector including a cutting portion may also be used for other applications. 
   The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.