Patent Abstract:
Electrical connectors for removable vehicle seats are provided. In at least one embodiment, an electrical connector system for a removable vehicle seat including an axle and a locator mounted to the axle is provided. The system includes a first electrical connector rotatably mounted to the axle. The system also includes a second electrical connector. The locator positions the first electrical connector relative to the second electrical connector such that the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are electrically connected. The first electrical connector may include slidable spring biased contact pins or in another embodiment may include outwardly biased contact wings.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to electrical connector systems for removable vehicle seats. 
     SUMMARY 
     In at least one embodiment, the invention takes the form of a first electrical connector integrated with a latching mechanism of a removable vehicle seat and a second electrical connector integrated with a striker subassembly of a vehicle. By installing the removable vehicles seat in the vehicle, the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are aligned and electrically connected. 
     In at least one embodiment, the invention takes the form of an electrical connector system for a removable vehicle seat including an axle and a locator mounted to the axle. The system includes a first electrical connector rotatably mounted to the axle. The first electrical connector includes a first terminal, a first receiving portion including a first conductive portion electrically connected with the first terminal, and a first insert having a first conductive end and a second conductive portion electrically connected with the first end. The first insert is received by the first receiving portion. The second conductive portion is in contact with the first conductive portion if the first insert is inserted into the first receiving portion. The system also includes a second electrical connector including a third conductive portion. The locator positions the first electrical connector relative to the second electrical connector such that the first end is in contact with the third conductive portion. 
     In at least one embodiment, the invention takes the form of an electrical connector system for a removable vehicle seat including an axle and locator mounted to the axle. The system includes a first electrical connector rotatably mounted to the axle. The first electrical connector includes a tongue portion, a first terminal, and a first wing portion including a first conductive portion electrically connected with the first terminal. The first wing portion is moveable relative to the tongue portion. The system also includes a second electrical connector including a receiving portion configured to receive the tongue portion. The receiving portion includes a second conductive portion. The locator positions the first electrical connector relative to the second electrical connector in a mating position such that the first conductive portion is in contact with the second conductive portion. 
     While exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention are illustrated and disclosed, such disclosure should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  show a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  show a portion of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a portion of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a portion of the system of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  shows a portion of the system of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  show electrical connector system  10  for removable vehicle seat  12  of vehicle  14  in its environment  16 . Environment  16  includes seat latch mechanism  18 , striker tray  20 , axle  22  having axis  23 , tongue  24  rotatably mounted to axle  22 , wheel  25  mounted to axle  22 , and rivet  31 . 
       FIG. 2  shows system  10  in greater detail. System  10  includes male electrical connectors  26 ,  29  and female electrical connector  27 . Connectors  26 ,  29  are rotatably mounted to axle  22 . Connector  27  is mounted, e.g., bolted, to striker tray  20 . Recessed area  64  of connector  27  receives tongue  24 . Wheel  25  rotates about axle  22 . 
       FIG. 3  shows connector  26 . Connector  26  includes terminals  28 , that may be connected to an electrical system (not shown) for removable seat  12 , and recessed areas  32 ,  34  for receiving cylindrical pins  36 ,  38  as will be explained in detail below. Connector  29  is configured similarly to connector  26 . 
     Pin  36  has axis  39  and includes metal tip  40  and metal slider  42  located on key portion  44 . Metal slider  42 , however, may be located in any suitable position on pin  36 . Tip  40  and slider  42  are electrically connected via, for example, a metallic strip (not shown), and are insert molded with pin  36  in such materials as polypropylene, nylon, or polyethylene. Pin  36 , however, may be manufactured using any suitable technique and material. Pin  36  also includes spring  46  located on end  48  of pin  36  opposite tip  40 . Spring  46  sets in recessed area  50  configured to receive spring  46 . Pin  38  is configured similarly to pin  36  and includes metal tip  51 . 
     Recessed area  32  includes metal strip  52 . Metal strip  52  and terminal  28  are electrically connected via, for example, a metal wire (not shown). Metal strip  52  and terminal  28  may also, for example, be made from a continuous piece of metal. Metal strip  52  and terminal  28  are insert molded with connector  26  in such materials as polypropylene, nylon, or polyethylene. Connector  26 , however, may be manufactured using any suitable technique and material. Recessed area  32  includes slot  54  configured to receive key portion  44 . Metal strip  52  is located within slot  54 . Metal strip  52 , however, may be located in any suitable position within recessed area  32 . Recessed area  32  is thus configured to receive pin  36 . Recessed area  34  is configured similarly to recessed area  32  and is thus configured to receive pin  38 . 
     If pin  36  is inserted into recessed area  32 , metal slider  42  will contact metal strip  52  thereby electrically connecting terminal  28  with tip  40 , tip  40  will generally extend beyond mating surface  56  of connector  26 , and pin  36  will be moveable relative to connector  26 . Spring  46  will resist movement of pin  36  relative to connector  26  as pin  36  is seated deeper within recessed area  32 . Once inserted, axis  39  of pin  38  is generally perpendicular to axis  23  of axle  22 . 
       FIG. 4  shows connector  27 . Connector  27  includes contact surfaces  58 ,  60 , positioned on mating surface  62 . Surfaces  58 ,  60  are electrically conductive, e.g., copper, and may be connected to an electrical power system (not shown) for vehicle  14 . Surfaces  58 ,  60  may be recessed such that they may receive tips  40 ,  51  respectively. 
     Connector  27  also includes recessed area  64  configured to receive tongue  24 . As such, tongue  24  may assist in locating connector  26  relative to connector  27  such that tips  40 ,  51  are in contact with surfaces  58 ,  60  respectively thereby electrically connecting surfaces  58 ,  60  with terminals  28 ,  30  respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , wheel  25  may assist in locating connector  26  relative to connector  27  via striker tray  20  such that tips  40 ,  51  are in contact with surfaces  58 ,  60  respectively thereby electrically connecting surfaces  58 ,  60  with terminals  28 ,  30  respectively. 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment of electrical connector system  66 . The environment similarly includes axle  68 , wheel  70  mounted to axle  68 , and rivet  72 . 
     System  66  includes winged connectors  74 ,  76  and receiving connector  78 . Connectors  74 ,  76  are rotatably mounted to axle  68 . Connector  78  is mounted, e.g., bolted, to striker tray  20  ( FIG. 1 ). Connector  74  includes tongue  80 , terminals  82 ,  84 , and wings  86 ,  88 . Connector  76  is similarly configured to connector  74 . 
       FIG. 6  shows connector  74 . Wings  86 ,  88  include contact surfaces  90 ,  92  respectively. Surfaces  90 ,  92  are electrically conductive, e.g., copper, and are electrically connected with terminals  82 ,  84  respectively as will be explained in detail below. Surfaces  90 ,  92  are portions of L-shaped electrically conductive, e.g. copper, components  114 ,  116  respectively. Components  114 ,  116  are insert molded with wings  86 ,  88  respectively in materials such as polypropylene, nylon, or polyethylene. Wings  86 ,  88 , however, may be manufactured using any suitable technique and material. A portion of L-shaped components  114 ,  116  resides within slots  94 ,  96  respectively. Slots  94 ,  96  accommodate the movement of wings  86 ,  88  respectively. Terminals  82 ,  84  ( FIG. 5 ) are insert molded with tongue  80  using materials such as polypropylene, nylon, or polyethylene. Terminals  82 ,  84  extend through tongue  80  such that a portion of each of terminals  82 ,  84  contacts, e.g. overlaps, the portion of each of L-shaped components  114 ,  116  residing within slots  94 ,  96  respectively. Wings  86 ,  88  are moveable relative to tongue  80  about axle  93 . 
     Connector  74  includes springs  100 ,  102  associated with wings  86 ,  88  respectively. Springs  100 ,  102  are capable of applying forces  101 ,  103  respectively to wings  86 ,  88  respectively as will be explained in detail below. Springs  100 ,  102  are rotary torsion springs. One end of spring  100 , for example, is inserted into a hole (not shown) of wing  86 . An opposite end of spring  100 , for example, is inserted into slot  118  in tongue  80 . Prior to installation, the spring  100  is pretensioned. Spring  102 , would be similarly installed into a hole (not shown) in wing  88  and slot  120  in tongue  80 . 
       FIG. 7  shows connector  78 . Connector  78  includes recessed area  104  configured to receive tongue  80 . Connector  78  also includes contact surfaces  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  that are electrically conductive, e.g., copper, and may be connected to an electrical power system (not shown) for vehicle  14 . Surfaces  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  may be convex or concave to facilitate contact between, for example, surface  106  and surface  90 . Surfaces  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112 , however, may have any suitable shape. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7  wheel  70  may assist in positioning connectors  74 ,  76  relative to connector  78  via striker tray  20  ( FIG. 1 ) in a mating position such that surfaces  90 ,  92  are in contact with surfaces  106 ,  108  thereby electrically connecting surfaces  106 ,  108  with terminals  82 ,  84  respectively. In the mating position, wings  86 ,  88  are held in place relative to connector  78  at least by forces  101 ,  103  respectively. 
     While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1