Patent Publication Number: US-2002008613-A1

Title: Electrical connector for vehicle wiring

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001] The present invention relates to motor vehicle seats, and more particularly to an electrical connector capable of indicating that the matable connector portions of a motor vehicle seat properly latch when coupled together.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0002] Generally, electrical components within a vehicle, such as an electric motor or heater in a seat, are coupled to the vehicle&#39;s power and control system via an applicable wiring harnesses. To promote serviceability of the various electrical components, these devices are attached to the wire harness using matable portions of an electrical connector. Such electrical connectors typically include mating pins and sockets to provide for the electrical coupling, and a housing formed with a latching mechanism that engages upon mating of the separate connector portions. In many situations, the latching mechanism is arranged to produce an audible sound, such as snapping sound, upon engagement of the latch.  
       [0003] However, a problem sometimes encountered with such electrical connectors is that during vehicle assembly, the connector portions are not always fully latched when mated together, thereby providing the potential that the connector will unmate and fail during use of the vehicle. In addition, because vehicle assembly lines are capable of producing high levels of ambient noise, the audible sound produced by latching mechanisms of the connectors cannot always be heard. Thus, verification of proper latching is typically augmented visual inspection, which is both time consuming and not always reliable.  
       [0004] Therefore, a need exists for an electrical connector capable of easy verification that the matable portions are properly latched when coupled together.  
       DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION  
       [0005] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above noted problem is overcome by utilizing a connector position assurance device (CPA) in conjunction with the matable portions of the electrical connector. Such CPA devices are generally known. In this embodiment, the housing of each portion of the electrical connector can include a slot or guide rail arrangement having a stop element arranged such that when the connector portions are properly mated and latched, the CPA device can be fully inserted and snapped into position within the guide rails, thereby ensuring that the connector portions are properly latched. In addition, once the CPA device is snapped into position, the CPA device operates to supplement the connector&#39;s normal latching mechanism to prevent subsequent unintentional disengagement of the connector portions.  
       [0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an electrical connector is provided having a built-in electrical feedback (EFB) capability such that when the connector portions are properly latched, the connector itself will be capable of automatically generating an output signal indicative of the latched condition. In one embodiment, two pins within the connector are normally shorted, but are placed into an open condition as the connector portions become fully latched. In a second embodiment, the connector is arranged so that two pins within the connector are normally in an open state, but are automatically shorted as the connector portions become fully latched. Still further, in a third embodiment, all of the various wiring connectors can be integrated into a single connection module associated with a particular vehicle component, such as an integrated seat adjuster module for a vehicle seat. Both types of EFB connectors can be advantageously used with such a module, thereby allowing the module to include a connector self-diagnostic circuit and/or program. In other words, the module will automatically receive a signal output from a connector as it is coupled and fully latched, thereby providing immediate indication that the connector is properly latched.  
       [0007] The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
     [0008]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector having electrical feedback in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0009]FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the electrical connector of FIG. 1 showing the connector portions in a fully latched position;  
     [0010]FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view of an electrical connector having electrical feedback in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0011]FIG. 4 is an elevated perspective view of the electrical connector of FIG. 3 showing the connector portions in a fully latched position;  
     [0012]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a centralized connector/control module; and  
     [0013]FIG. 6 is a block circuit diagram of a system having a plurality of EFB connectors in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION  
     [0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an EFB connector  10  is shown in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, connector  10  includes a male connector portion  12  which is mated with a female connector portion  14 . In accordance with the present invention, female connector portion  14  includes a spring biased conductor element  16  arranged to make contact between two output pins  18  and  20  when connector portions  12  and  14  are not in a latched condition. In the embodiment shown, connector device  16  includes individual metal fingers  22  and  24  which are positioned to be biased into physical contact with pins  18  and  20  when the connector is in an unlatched state. As best seen in FIG. 2, as male portion  12  is fully inserted and latched into female portion  14 , the housing of portion  12  engages fingers  22  and  24  and pushes them out of contact with pins  18  and  20 . Thus, with this embodiment, pins  18  and  20  are in a shorted condition which allows current to pass through the two pins when the connector is not fully latched. However, as the connector portions obtain a fully latched position, the two pins are then placed into an open state. The switch over from a shorted state to an open state can then be detected by a testing or a monitoring arrangement.  
     [0015] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an EFB connector  100  is shown in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, connector  100  includes a male connector portion  102  which mates within a female connector portion  104 . Each housing of connector portion  102  and  104  include cooperating latch mechanism elements  106  and  108  respectively. As best seen in FIG. 4, when male connector portion  102  is fully inserted into female portion  104 , latch portion  106  pivots or flexes so that an extension member  110  inserts within latch catch element  108 . When properly latched, a protrusion  112  on extension member  110  snaps into a corresponding opening into latch catch element  108 .  
     [0016] As best seen in FIG. 3, as extension  110  is inserted into latch element  108 , the latch element is forced downward such that a conductive element  114  incorporated into latch catch mechanism  108  is brought into physical contact with a pair of pins  116  and  118 . Thus, with this embodiment, pins  116  and  118  are normally in an open state when the connector is not fully latched, but upon proper latching of the connector portions, the pins are placed into a shorted state. In this manner, a testing or monitoring arrangement can detect the switchover from an open condition to a shorted condition to detect proper latching of the connector.  
     [0017] Referring now to FIG. 5, the EFB connectors of the present invention are advantageously used in conjunction with an integrated connector/control module  200 , such as an integrated seat adjuster module illustrated in the figure. The integrated module allows connection and control of various electrical components within the vehicle, such as a seat motor and seat heater, to be centralized in a single location. Such an arrangement improves serviceability while reducing other cost factors associated with individual wiring connections. In addition, because the EFB connectors of the present invention produce an output switchover signal upon proper latching of the connector, the integrated module can include a self-diagnostic circuit and/or programming as part of its design. With this arrangement, an output signal can be immediately generated at the time of assembly which indicates or verifies that each of the appropriate connectors have been properly latched.  
     [0018] Referring now to FIG. 6, a wiring block diagram is shown illustrating use of both EFB connectors  10  and  100  in conjunction with a continuity testing arrangement. More specifically, as shown, a testing device  300  can be connected into an input connector  302  that is attached via the wiring harness to one or more EFB connectors  10  (only one is shown), and multiple, daisy chained connectors  100 . As illustrated in the figure, when connector  10  is properly latched, the two pins are placed into an open condition. When each of the connectors  100  are properly latched, current is able to flow continuously from one pin of the input connector  302  to a second pin on the input connector  302 . In this manner, tester  300  is able to determine the proper electrical state of the various connectors.  
     [0019] In accordance with the present invention, EFB connectors  10  are particularly applicable with electronic modules and sensor type devices having a built-in processing capability. Such arrangements are easily adapted to provide a built-in detection mechanism capable of sensing the switchover to the shorted state upon latching of the connector portions. Such devices can then be made to set a fault code or flag if the connector is not fully latched.  
     [0020] EFB connectors  100  are particularly applicable to devices that do not have a built-in processing ability, such as electrical switches and motors. The ability to switchover to a shorted condition as the connector portions are fully latched allows a simply continuity tester to verify latching of the connection.  
     [0021] While the embodiments of the invention shown and described above constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, they are not intended to illustrate all possible forms thereof. For instance, the present invention has application beyond the field of vehicle seats. It should also be understood that the words used are words of description rather than limitation, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed.