Abstract:
A connector is provided that includes an RFID circuit. Before the connector is mated with a corresponding connector the RFID circuit is tuned so that it does not function in a desired manner at a desired frequency. Once the connector is mated the tuning of the RFID circuit is modified so that the RFID circuit functions in the desired manner at the desired frequency.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 61/968,054, filed Mar. 20, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to the field of connectors, more specifically to the field of connectors suitable for use in hard to reach locations. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Connectors for wiring harnesses are well known. Depending on the use of the wiring harness, the connector can be made more or less robust and can include seals to provide water resistance. To ensure the connectors do not become disassembled while in use, two mating connectors (which form a connecter system) can include a latch to help hold the connectors together in the mated position. When properly connected, the connectors are very reliable and can readily resistance the expected environmental conditions. 
     One issue that can arise, however, is a partially seated connector system. Depending on the insertion force experienced (which will tend to be higher if the connecter includes seals for water resistance and includes stiffer terminals to provide for a reliable mating force of over a wide range of conditions including harsh noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) environments), it may be possible for a connector to be pressed together so that the housings are secured to each other without having the connectors fully assembled. To minimize this from happening, connector systems often include a latch that provides a positive feedback (such as a snap) that includes a tactile feel and an audible sound. These feedback mechanisms, however, are only partially effective in situations where the connector system is being assembled in a noisy environment. And if the person assembling the connector system is distracted then it is still possible for a partially mated connector system to occur, which can be problematic in situations where it is more difficult to fully mate the connector system later. 
     One attempt to resolve this is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,623, which discloses the use of a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that can be shorted out when two connectors are mated (or unmated). The depicted design has certain short comings, however and therefore certain individuals would appreciate further improvements in a connector system. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an embodiment a connector system includes a first connecter and a second connector that are configured to be mated together. The first connector includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip with an antenna system that is unable to respond with the desired signal level at a frequency of interest. The second connector includes a latch with a bar that engages the antenna system when the first and second connectors are properly mated. The bar is configured to modify the antenna system&#39;s frequency response so that it responds with a desired signal level at the frequency of interest. Thus, the bar acts to configure the RFID circuit into a functioning circuit when the bar engages the antenna system. 
     In another embodiment a first connector includes a RFID chip provided on an antenna system with the antenna system having an open circuit or break such that the antenna system does not provide a desired performance at a desired frequency. The connector includes a latch with a first conductive member and a second conductive member that are not directly connected in an unmated state. The first conductive member is part of a first portion of the antenna system and the second conductive member is part of a second portion of the antenna system. When the first connector is mated to a second connector, the second conductor includes a retaining member that engages the latch and causes the first and second conductive members to become directly connected so that the antenna system becomes tuned to a desired frequency. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a connector system with an RFID circuit in an unmated condition. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective enlarged view of a portion of an antenna pattern. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the connector system of  FIG. 1  in a mated condition. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a cross section of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , taken along line  4 - 4 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4  but with one of the connectors translated. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of an antenna pattern. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top view on another antenna pattern. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a chart of antenna resonance versus frequency. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a connector system. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of the connector system depicted in  FIG. 10  with the antennas in an unmated condition. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates another perspective view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates another perspective view of the connector depicted in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a simplified perspective view of the connector depicted in  FIG. 13  with a portion of the housing removed for purposes of illustration. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates another perspective view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  illustrates another perspective view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a simplified perspective view of an embodiment of a latch arm. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the latch arm depicted in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  illustrates another perspective view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a simplified perspective view of conductive members that can be used in a latch arm. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates another perspective view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 20 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description that follows describes exemplary embodiments and is not intended to be limited to the expressly disclosed combination(s). Therefore, unless otherwise noted, features disclosed herein may be combined together to form additional combinations that were not otherwise shown for purposes of brevity. 
     Radio frequency identification (RFID) circuits, due in part to their low cost and the fact that they do not require a power source, are commonly used in situations where it is desirable to determine the location of an item. The low cost allows for the inclusion of an RFID circuit in a connector without substantially increasing the costs. As used herein, an RFID circuit includes an antenna and an integrated circuit (IC) and is configured to receive a signal via the antenna (which operational provides power), process the signal with the IC and provide an output via the antenna (as is conventional for RFID circuits). 
       FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a connector system  10  with a first connector  20  that includes an integrated RFID circuit  30 . The connector system  10  further includes a second connector  50  with a latch arm  55 . Each of the connectors  20 ,  50  includes a plurality of terminals that are configured to be electrically connected together when the connectors  20 ,  50  are in a mated position. The connector  20  includes an RFID circuit  30  formed on the connector  20  and the RFID circuit  30  includes an antenna pattern  37 . Examples of technologies that can be used to form the antenna pattern include, but are not limited to, laser direct structuring (LDS) followed by a plating, stamping, two-shot molding, any molding, including molded interconnect device (MID) technology, ink jets, nanoparticles, any other type of conductive coating, flexible circuit (adhesive), ILM, insert molding a thin layer. In other words, the method of forming the antenna pattern on the connector is not intended to be limiting. 
     As depicted, the RFID circuit  30  includes a RFID chip  31  positioned on the antenna pattern  37 . The antenna pattern  37  includes a first portion  32 , a second portion  33  and a third portion  34 . The first portion  32  includes an arm  32   a  and the second portion  33  includes an arm  33   a . The arms  32   a ,  33   a  define a break  35  and in operation a bar  57  on the latch arm  55  can bridge the break  35 . When the break  35  is open the antenna pattern  37  has a resonance that is at a first frequency that can be outside a desired operating frequency range. In other words, when the first connector  20  is not fully mated to the second connector  50  the RFID circuit  30  does not work as intended. When the break  35  is closed (which is representative of the connector system  10  being fully mated) the antenna pattern  37  has a resonance that is at a second frequency that is with a desired operating frequency range. 
     As depicted, the second connector  50  includes the latch arm  55  and the latch arm  55  includes the bar  57  provided on the bottom side. In operation, the latch arm  55  rides up over ramp  26  and then drops down so that the bar  57  shorts the break  35 . 
     As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 6-7 , which are representative of RFID circuit similar to the RFID circuit depicted in  FIGS. 1-5 , an RFID circuit  30 ′ includes a chip  31 ′ (which can be programmed to provide an output signal in response to an output signal) and a first antenna portion  32 ′, a second portion  33 ′ and a third portion  34 ′ that collectively define an antenna pattern  37 ′ and the RFID circuit  30 ′ is configured so that it is not functional at the desired frequency when there is a break  35 ′ between the first portion  32 ′ and the second portion  33 ′. However, once the break is shorted, which is shown in  FIG. 7 , (and which is representative of two connectors being fully mated such that the sets of terminals in the respective connectors are electrically connected together) the RFID circuit  30 ′ is performance is modified and the RFID circuit  30 ′ is configured to function at the desired frequency. The RFID circuit  30 ′ is provided because a bar  57 ′ bridges the break  35 ′ between the first antenna portion  32 ′ and the second antenna portion  33 ′ so as to provide the effective antenna pattern  37 ′ and the resulting RFID circuit  30 ″ is thus configured to respond to an input signal by providing an appropriate output signal at a desired frequency. Thus, the bar  57 ′ enables the RFID circuit  30  to become RFID circuit ′ 30  when the bar ′ 57  shorts the first antenna portion ′ 32  with the second portion ′ 33 . 
     As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 1-5 , the bar  57  is provided on a latch arm  55 . While the depicted latch arm  55  acts as a latch because of ramp  26 , which helps retain the connectors  20 ,  50  together, it is also possible that the latch arm  55  and bar  57  could short the break  35  between the first and second antenna portions  32 ,  33  without the ramp  26  and something else could be used to holder the connectors  20 ,  50  together once they are mated. Thus the latch arm  55  need not be configured to secure the connectors in a mated condition. As can be appreciated, if the connectors  20 ,  50  are not properly mated then the bar  57  will not short the break  35  and the connector system  10  will not respond to an input signal with an output signal that indicates the connector system is mated (at least not with the desired output at the desired frequency). The depicted system therefore allows for a wireless check of the connector system without requiring an entire wiring harness to be connected up to diagnostic equipment. And as can be appreciated, the depicted system does not require a secondary arm as the latch arm both  55  secures the connector system  10  in a mated condition and enables the RFID circuit  30  to function as desired once the connectors are fully mated. 
     As can be appreciated from  FIG. 8 , a frequency response of RFID circuit  30 ′ is shown as line  71  while a frequency response of RFID circuit  30 ″ is shown as line  72 . The resonance  71   a  has a frequency that is about 0.2 GHz different than resonance  72   a  at the peak. For many antennas it may be desirable to have a change of at least 0.1 GHz in the resonance so that the initial configuration does not create a false positive. Smaller frequency changes can also be used in situations where the antenna has a high Q, thus any shorting of a break in the antenna pattern that shifts the performance of the antenna from a non-working performance to a working performance is suitable/sufficient unless otherwise noted. 
       FIGS. 9-21  illustrate an embodiment of a connector system  110 . A first connector  120  with a first body  121  is configured to mate with a second connector  150  that has a body  151 . Both connectors are configured to support terminals that allow for an electrical connection between the first and second connectors (so as to deliver power or signals, as is common for connectors). The body  121  of the first connector  120  includes a first lip  142  and a second lip  143  that together define a cavity  144 . The cavity  144  is configured to receive an edge  152  of the body  152  of the second connector  150 . The first connector  120  can include a gasket  122  configured to provide a water resistant seal with the edge  152 . Thus the depicted connector configuration provides an interlocking sealed connector system but less robust connector body structures can also be used. In other words, the connector structure could be any suitable design and the depicted structure is merely representative of a possible mechanical design and is not intended to be limiting. Therefore, all that is required, unless otherwise noted, is that the bodies of the two connectors mate together. 
     The first connector  120  includes an antenna pattern  137  provided on the body  121  that is part of an RFID circuit  130  and the RFID circuit  130  includes a IC chip  131 . The antenna pattern  137  can be at least partially plated onto the surface of the body  121 , as depicted. The antenna pattern  137  includes a first portion  132  and a second portion  133  that are electrically separated by break  135  provided on latch arm  145  when the first connector is in an unmated condition. The break  135  is formed by a mechanical gap that is provided between a first conductive member  138  and a second conductive member  139  when the first connector  120  is in an unmated condition. Specifically, the first conductive member  138  includes a dimple  138   a  that is aligned with an aperture  139   a  in second conductive member  139 . As can be appreciated, the first conductive member  138  is part of first portion  132  while the second conductive member  139  is part of second portion  133 . Thus the first and second conductive members  138 ,  139  can be considered terminals that are electrically connected to (and part of) the antenna pattern. 
     In operation, when the latch arm  145  engages a retaining member  156  of the second connector  150  the first conductive member  138  is pressed toward the second conductive member  139  so that the dimple  138   a  engages (e.g., presses into) the aperture  139   a . This provides an electrical connection between the first portion  132  and the second portion  133  and allows the IC chip  131  (which is shown not positioned on IC location  131   a  in  FIG. 15 ) to be connected to the antenna pattern  137  with an desired resonance frequency so that the RFID circuit  130  can function as intended. 
     One benefit of the depicted design is that the dimple  138   a  has a curved surface that slides into engagement with the aperture  139   a . This helps provide a more reliable electrical connection between the first conductive member  138  and the second conductive member  139  and helps ensure the RFID circuit works as intended when the first connector  120  mates to the second connector  150 . Thus the dimple  138   a  and aperture  139   a  should also provide for a more reliable connection then just having flat portions of the first conductive member  138  engage a flat portion of the second conductive member  139 . It should be noted that the dimple  138   a , which is an example of a projection, could be provided on either conductive member and the aperture could be omitted and just a projection could be used. The benefit of the aperture is that there is less of a gap needed between the first and second conductive members  138 ,  139 , which allows for tighter tolerances and more desirable mechanical retention between the first and second connectors  120 ,  150 . 
     As can be appreciated, the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 9-21  has the benefit of being entirely self-contained on one connector. The conductive members are designed so that they have a break in an unmated form but the break can be shorted because the conductive members can contact each other when the connector is mated. This is beneficial as it allows for a design that could add or modify the RFID circuit without being concerned that the modified RFID circuit would not be compatible with the mating connector. In addition, there is no need to include a bridge on a second connector so manufacturing processes can be simplified for the second connector. 
     The disclosure provided herein describes features in terms of preferred and exemplary embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure.