Patent Publication Number: US-2015077908-A1

Title: Modular electronic device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     An on-board diagnostic (OBD) system is a computer-based system that monitors the performance of various components on the vehicle. The vehicle has a vehicle diagnostic system, including one or more separate computer control modules, and upon detection of a malfunction, the OBD system provides the owner of the vehicle with an early warning of the malfunction. For example, a check engine light could be illuminated in the dashboard indicative of the malfunction. To investigate the malfunction, a data link cable or on-board diagnostic cable serves as a communications link between the vehicle&#39;s diagnostic port and an off-board diagnostic device. The typical OBD cable has one end with a multiple pin connector which connects to the vehicle data bus and the opposite end of the cable has a multiple pin connector which connects to the test unit. One of the problems with the current OBD cable is that it is non-repairable, and must be discarded if damaged. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with one aspect, a grommet for a modular electronic device comprises a body including a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A head extends from the first side of the body. A channel extends through the body and the head. At least one buttress extends outward and along a length of the body. The buttress extends outward a first length adjacent the first side and a shorter second length adjacent the second side. 
     In accordance with another aspect, an electronic device comprises a housing including an aperture therein and a grommet. The grommet comprises a body positioned entirely outside of the housing. A head extends from the body and is at least partially received in the aperture of the housing. A passage extends through the body and head. At least one buttress extends substantially perpendicularly outward from the body and is engagable with an outer wall of the housing. A cable extends through the channel. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect, a method of installing an electrical cord to an electronic device housing comprises providing a removable grommet on the cable, the grommet comprising a body, a head extending from the body, a channel extending through the body and the head, and at least one buttress extending substantially perpendicularly outward from the body; inserting a first end of the cable through the channel of the grommet; connecting the first end of the cable to the housing; and inserting the head of the grommet into a corresponding aperture provided on the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view of an exemplary modular electronic device according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary grommet of the modular electronic device of  FIG. 1  according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the exemplary grommet of the modular electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary grommet of the modular electronic device of  FIG. 1  according to another aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a removable/replaceable first connector of the modular electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a removable/replaceable second connector of the modular electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. In general, the figures of the exemplary modular electronic device are not to scale. It will also be appreciated that the various identified components of the exemplary modular electronic device disclosed herein are merely terms of art that may vary from one manufacturer to another and should not be deemed to limit the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic assembly  100  including an electronic device  102 , such as an on-board diagnostic (OBD) cable, operably connected to a second electronic device  104 , such as an off-board diagnostic device. To investigate a vehicle malfunction, the electronic device  102  or OBD cable  102  serves as a communications link between the vehicle&#39;s diagnostic port (not shown) and the off-board diagnostic device  104 . In contrast to a known OBD cable, the exemplary electronic device  102  includes a plurality of removable and replaceable components that allow the electronic device  102  to be repaired. The replaceable components can include a grommet  110 , a cable  112 , a first connector  114 , a second connector  116 , and at least one strain relief  118  provided on the cable adjacent to one of the first and second connectors  114 ,  116 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and according to one aspect, the exemplary grommet  110  comprises a body  120  and at least one buttress  122  extending outward and along a length of the body  120 . As depicted, the body  120  can be generally rectangular shaped in cross-section and includes a first side  124  and a second side  126  opposite the first side  124 . The body  120  further includes a third side  128  and a fourth side  130  opposite the third side  128 . The third and fourth sides  128 ,  130  are oriented substantially perpendicular to and interconnect the first and second sides  124 ,  126 . According to one aspect, the at least one buttress  122  is a first buttress and the grommet  110  further includes a second buttress  138  opposite the first buttress  122 . The first buttress  122  extends outward and along a length of the third side  128  of the body  120 . The second buttress  138  extends outward and along a length of the fourth side  130  of the body  120 . The second buttress  138  can be shaped identical to the first buttress  122 , and in the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second buttresses  122 ,  138  extends outward a first length adjacent the first side  124  and a shorter second length adjacent the second side  126 . With this configuration, each of the first and second buttresses  122 ,  138  can be generally triangular shaped in cross-section; although, this is not required. 
     Each of the first and second buttresses  122 ,  138  includes a respective first side  142 ,  144  and a respective second side  146 ,  148 . The first side  142  of the first buttress  122  is secured to the third side  128  of the body  120 . The second side  146  of the first buttress extends substantially perpendicularly from the first side  142 . Similarly, the first side  144  of the second buttress  138  is secured to the fourth side  130  of the body  120 , and the second side  148  of the second buttress extends substantially perpendicularly from the first side  144 . According to one aspect, the first and second buttresses  122 ,  138  are formed integrally with the body  120  to define a one-piece grommet  110 . As shown, the second side  146 ,  148  of each of the first and second buttresses  122 ,  138  includes a respective surface  150 ,  152  which is coplanar with a contact surface  154  defined by the first side  124  of the body  120 . Further, with the depicted triangular shaped configuration of the first and second buttresses  122 ,  138 , each of the first and second buttresses  122 ,  138  includes a respective third side  156 ,  158  which spans between and interconnects the respective first sides  142 ,  144  and second sides  146 ,  148 . As best depicted in  FIG. 3 , the first buttress  122  is spaced inwardly from opposite edges  160 ,  162  of the third side  128  of the body  120 , and can be centrally located on the third side  128 . The second buttress  138  is spaced inwardly from opposite edges  164 ,  166  of the fourth side  130  of the body  120 , and can be centrally located on the fourth side  130 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the grommet  110  further includes a head  170  extending outwardly from the first side  124  of the body  120 , and particularly from the contact surface  154  of the first side  124 . As shown, the head  170  includes a base  172 , which is spaced inwardly from a peripheral edge  174  of the contact surface  154 , and a body  176  provided on the base  172 . A retention member  178  extends outwardly from at least one side wall of the body  174 . Particularly, according to one aspect, the body  174  includes a first side wall  180  and a second side wall  182  opposite the first side wall  180 . The first and second side walls  180 ,  182  are oriented substantially perpendicular to the third and fourth sides  128 ,  130  of the body  120 . The retention member  178  projects substantially perpendicularly from the first side wall  180 . A second retention member  184  projects substantially perpendicularly from the second side wall  184 . The second retention member  184  can be shaped identical to the first retention member  178 , and in the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second retention can be generally rectangular shaped in cross-section; although, this is not required. It should be appreciated that the base  172  can be positioned on the first side  124  of the body  120  such that the first and second side walls  180 ,  182  are oriented substantially parallel to the third and fourth sides  128 ,  130 . With this orientation, the retention members  178 ,  184  extend outwardly in the same direction as the respective first and second buttresses  122 ,  138 . As will be discussed below, the retention members  178 ,  184  assist in retaining the connection of the grommet  110  to a housing  190  of the second electronic device  104 . 
     The grommet  110  further includes an elongated channel or passage  194  extending through the body  120  and the head  170 . As best depicted in  FIG. 2 , the channel  194  is defined by an inner wall  196  of the body  120 . The inner wall  196  can have a stepped configuration such that the channel  194  can be separated into a first section  200  and a second section  202 . The first section  200  is dimensioned to receive an end portion  206  of the strain relief  118 , and the second section  202  is dimensioned to receive the cable  112 . As shown, a ledge  208  provided on the inner wall  196  defines the stepped configuration and can serve as an abutment for the end portion  206  of the strain relief  118 . As best depicted in  FIG. 3 , the body  120  extends outward in a direction transverse from an axis  210  defined by the channel  194  a first distance and the head  170  extends outward in the transverse direction a second distance which is shorter than the first distance. Further, each of the retention members  178 ,  184  extends outward in the transverse direction a third distance which is shorter than the first distance. This dimensioning provides for a compact and robust grommet  110  for the electronic device  102 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary grommet  110 ′ for use with the electronic device  102  or OBD cable  102  according to another aspect of the present disclosure. Similar to grommet  110 , grommet  110 ′ comprises a body  120 ′ including a first side  124 ′, a second side  126 ′ opposite the first side  124 ′, a third side  128 ′, and a fourth side  130 ′ opposite the third side  128 ′. The grommet  110 ′ further includes a first buttress  122 ′ and a second buttress  138 ′ opposite the first buttress. The first buttress  122 ′ extends outward and along a length of the third side  128 ′ of the body  120 ′. The second buttress  138 ′ extends outward and along a length of the fourth side  130 ′ of the body  120 ′. The second buttress  138 ′ can be shaped identical to the first buttress  122 ′, and in the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second buttresses  122 ′,  138 ′ extends outward a first length adjacent the first side  124 ′ and a shorter second length adjacent the second side  126 ′. The first and second buttresses  122 ′,  138 ′ can be formed integrally with the body  120 ′ to define a one-piece grommet  110 ′. The first buttress  122 ′ is spaced inwardly from an edge  162 ′ of the third side  128 ′. Similarly, the second buttress  138 ′ is spaced inwardly from an edge  166 ′ of the fourth side  130 ′. As shown, and according to the exemplary embodiment, the first and second buttresses  122 ′,  138 ′ at least partially define an end face  212  of the grommet  110 ′. The grommet  110 ′ further includes a head  170 ′ having a configuration similar to head  170  of grommet  110 . Accordingly, the head  170 ′ includes a base  172 ′ and a body  176 ′ provided on the base. Retention members  178 ′,  184 ′ extend outwardly from side walls of the body  174 ′. An elongated channel or passage  194 ′ extends through the body  120 ′ and the head  170 ′. A first section of the passage  194 ′ receives an end portion of the strain relief  118  and a second section of the passage  194 ′ receives the cable  112 . Because the structure of grommet  110 ′ is similar to that of grommet  110 , it should be appreciated that grommet  110 ′ can be used in a manner similar to the use of grommet  110  described below. 
     With reference back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , as indicated previously, the electronic device or OBD cable  102  includes the plurality of removable and replaceable components that allow the electronic device  102  to be repaired. The cable  112  has a first end  220  and a second end  222 . The first connector  114  is coupled to the cable first end. In the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the first connector  114  is a side socket connector or multiple pin connector including a base  230  and a replaceable body  232 . The base  230  includes opposed side walls  234 ,  236 , a top wall  238 , a forward wall  240 . The walls define a slot  242  for releasably receiving the body  232 . The body  232  is provided with first terminals  244  for receiving wires of the cable  112  and second terminals  246  which connect to the second electronic device or off-board diagnostic device  104 . As shown, the first connector  114  is a right angle connector with the first terminals  244  oriented perpendicular to the second terminals  246 ; although, this is not required. For example, the first connector  114  can be a straight connector with the first terminals  244  aligned with the second terminals  246 . The second connector  116  is coupled to the cable second end. In the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 6 , second connector  116  is a multiple pin connector which includes a housing  250  connected to the strain relief  118  and an opening  252  which receives replaceable floating pins  254 . The second connector  116  connects to a vehicle data bus. The pair of strain reliefs  118  is provided on the cable  112  adjacent to each of the first and second connectors  114 ,  116 . The grommet  110  interfaces or is associated with the first connector  114  which allows for the addition of the more robust and replaceable strain relief  118 . The housing  190  of the second electronic device  104  includes an aperture  260  dimensioned to at least partially releasably receive the head  170  of the grommet  110 . Once inserted into the aperture  260 , the retention members  178 ,  184  of the head  170  can releasably engage an inner surface  262  of the housing  190 . This positions the body  120  of the grommet  110  entirely outside of the housing  190  with the contact surface  154  of the first side  124  and the respective surfaces  150 ,  152  of the second sides  146 ,  148  of the first and second buttresses  122 ,  138  in engagement with an outer surface  264  of the housing  190 . 
     The present disclosure further provides a method of installing the first electronic device or electrical cord  102  to the housing  190  of the second electronic device  102 . The method generally comprises providing the removable grommet  110  on the cable  118 . Again, the grommet  110  comprises the body  120 , the head  170  extending from the body  120 , the channel  194  extending through the body  120  and the head  170 , and at least one buttress extending substantially perpendicularly outward from the body  120 . The at least one buttress is defined by the first buttress  122  and the second buttress  138  which can be a mirror image of the first buttress along the axis  210  defined by the channel  194 . The method further includes inserting the first end  220  of the cable  112  through the channel  194  of the grommet  110 ; connecting the first end  220  of the cable  112  to the housing  190 ; and inserting the head  170  of the grommet  110  into the corresponding aperture  260  provided on the housing  190 . The method further includes engaging the outer wall  264  of the housing  190  with the first and second buttresses  122 ,  138  of the grommet  110  and inserting the outwardly extending retention members  178 ,  184  of the head  170  in the aperture  260  of the housing  190  of the second electronic device  104 , the retention members releasably engaging the inner surface  262  of the housing  190 . 
     It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.