Retaining Means With Distinct Movement-actuating Means To Move Coupling Part Axially Patents (Class 439/310)
  • Patent number: 11557985
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an outer structure body having an inner surface defining a cavity and an inner structure body rotatably supported within the cavity. The inner structure body has an outer surface in opposing relation to the inner surface and a central bore. Movable elements are positioned along the inner surface and movably coupled to the outer structure body. Ball elements are positioned along the outer surface and coupled to the inner structure body for movement with the inner structure body. The ball elements releasably contact the movable elements and impart motion to the movable elements in response to relative motion between the inner structure body and the outer structure body. Energy harvesters are positioned to generate electrical charges based on piezoelectric effect or magnetostrictive effect when motion is imparted to the movable elements by the ball elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignees: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Macquarie University
    Inventors: Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Subhas Mukhopadhyay, Bodong Li, Guodong Zhan, Arturo Magana-Mora, Timothy Eric Moellendick
  • Patent number: 11401768
    Abstract: A method of connecting a tubing hanger mounted in a subsea wellhead to equipment which is external to the tubing hanger. The method includes securing the tubing hanger to an end of a drill string using a tubing hanger running tool assembly, lowering the drill string from a drilling rig so as to land the tubing hanger on or in the wellhead, running an umbilical from the sea surface to the wellhead, and connecting the umbilical to at least one conduit in the tubing hanger via the tubing hanger running tool assembly. The umbilical is unconnected to the drill string other than via the tubing hanger running tool assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: AKER SOLUTIONS AS
    Inventors: Alan Kardec, Alexandre Augusto, Felipe Ehike Anastacio, Henrique Mello, Marcel Toledo, Michel Rehem
  • Patent number: 11332027
    Abstract: This disclosure describes manual release systems for electrified vehicle charge port locks. In some embodiments, a vehicle key may be used to manually override a position of the charge port lock. In other embodiments, a pull button and cable arrangement may be used to manually override the position of the charge port lock. The pull button may be packaged under a vehicle hood and, in some embodiments, may be mounted to either a cooling system component or a grille support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Leslie James Lindeman, Daniel Miller, John Marshall Penney
  • Patent number: 11005219
    Abstract: A connector system, method and apparatus for an EMI enclosure such as a Gauss/Faraday cage or chamber. The connector system, method and/or apparatus includes one or more individual conductors located within the EMI enclosure to eliminate EMI/E&H field effects with respect to applications such as a small form factor cable applications, high density cable applications, and a high speed (e.g., greater than 1 Gbps) multiconductor copper-based cable applications. This approach therefore isolates individual or multiple cable signals (e.g., single conductors) within individual Gaussian/Faraday cages to eliminate EMI/E&H field effects for small form factor, high density, high speed (e.g., >1 Gbps) multiconductor copper based cable applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Terrell Simpson
  • Patent number: 10950974
    Abstract: An electric vehicle charging cable system is provided. The system includes a charging cable assembly having an electric cable and a connector device coupled thereto. The connector device includes a connector housing and a first electric contact arrangement therein. A cable storage device stores the electric cable, and a retainer device includes a retainer housing having a first receiving opening for receiving the connector device and a socket portion arranged adjacent to the first receiving opening for receiving a DC-charging plug of a charging plug. The first receiving opening defines a cross-section corresponding to an outer contact surface of the connector housing. The connector device is positionable in a stowage position in which the connector housing is received within the first receiving opening, and in a detached position to clear the first receiving opening. The socket portion defines a second receiving opening which accommodates a second electric contact arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Schreiber, Stefan Hoffmann, Frank Wolf, Manfredo Agresti, Johannes Heichel, Humayun Yousofzy, Uwe Meinz, Balaji Sevanan Kari, Marco Favilli, Ingmar Langer, Eduardo Rates Garcia, Dennis Fleischmann
  • Patent number: 10946755
    Abstract: A plug socket includes a recess receiving a charging plug in a plug-in direction and a locking element movable from a plug-in position into a blocking position. The recess terminates in an insertion opening in the plug-in direction and has an undercut acting in the plug-in direction to latch a latching element of the charging plug. The locking element in the plug-in position is located in the recess and overlaps the undercut transverse to the plug-in direction. The blocking position is spaced apart from the plug-in position in the plug-in direction and the locking element is located closer to the insertion opening in the blocking position than in the plug-in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Schwan
  • Patent number: 10910777
    Abstract: A charging connection for a motor vehicle for connecting the motor vehicle to a connection element of a motor vehicle-side charging device in order to charge a motor vehicle-side energy storage device by the charging device. The charging device is provided with at least one current line for a current contact which is connected to the charging current, and with at least one signal line for communication between the motor vehicle and the signal contact connected to the charging device. The charging device is provided with a switching device which disconnects the signal contact from the signal line upon an actuation of the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Kevin Konradt, Sami Robert Zaki, Thomas Jobst, Florian Auberger
  • Patent number: 10899294
    Abstract: A grommet assembly includes an inner member having a first half portion and a second half portion, each having a body portion to be fitted into a mounting hole of a panel, a panel engagement portion configured to be engaged with an opening edge of the mounting hole, a grommet to be mounted to a rear side of the inner member and a first protruding part protruding from a rear side of the first half portion toward a rear wall of the wire housing portion. The inner member is to be dividable into the first and second half portions along a fitting direction of the body portion to the mounting hole. The first protruding part includes a first hook portion bent back at a protruding end of the first protruding part and includes a first pressing support portion including the protruding end of the first protruding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akitoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 10877226
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector assembly comprises at least one connector having a latching arm for coupling to an adapter, and a remote release tab having a protrusion configured to cooperate with the adapter to depress said latching arm when the remote release tab is pulled relative to the adapter. The optical fiber connector assembly may further be configured to have a deformable region at one end of the pull tab operatively connector to the latch arm assembly for releasing the connector from the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Senko Advanced Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Siu Kei Ma, Jeffrey Gniadek, Kazuyoshi Takano, Kimman Wong
  • Patent number: 10850631
    Abstract: A receptacle connector for a charging inlet assembly includes a housing and a terminal assembly coupled to the housing including cap extending from a pin. The pin is positioned in a terminal channel of the housing for mating with a charging connector. The pin has a rear flange and a rear mounting post with a base of the cap coupled thereto. A pad extends from the base configured to be coupled to a power cable. The receptacle connector includes a secondary lock assembly having a locking wall engaging and blocking rearward movement of the rear flange of the pin in a locked position. The locking wall is disengaged from the rear flange of the pin in an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Philip Myer, Aaron James de Chazal
  • Patent number: 10676035
    Abstract: A glove compartment (10) has a housing (11) and a cover (12) that is shiftable relative to the housing (11) to open or close a storage tray. A locking unit (13) either prevents or permits movement between cover (12) and housing (11). The locking unit (13) has a locking clip (14) mounted pivotably on the housing (11) and has free ends (18) that interact with locking elements (19) of the cover (12). The locking unit (13) also has an actuating element (20) mounted on the housing (11). In a first state, the actuating element (20) transfers the locking clip (14) into an unlocking position, and, in a second state, the locking clip (14) is transferable into a locking position. The locking unit (13) has an activation element (22) for the actuating element (20) to transfer the actuating element (20) between the first state and the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Berta
  • Patent number: 10644444
    Abstract: A plug-in connector part for connection to an associated mating plug-in connector part includes: a housing; a plug-in portion arranged on the housing and pluggable into an associated mating plug-in connector part in a plug-in direction and is engaged with the mating plug-in connector part when in a connected position, at least one electrical contact element being arranged on the plug-in portion and for electrically contacting the mating plug-in connector part; a locking element that is movably arranged on the housing, the locking element having a locking position for locking the plug-in connector part with respect to the mating plug-in connector part in the connected position, and being movable out of the locking position to unlock the connection between the plug-in connector part and the mating plug-in connector part; and a pressing element movably arranged on the housing, the pressing element being actuable in a first actuation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT E-MOBILITY GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Moseke
  • Patent number: 10630029
    Abstract: A charging plug-in connector is provided that comprises a housing having a through-going grip opening and an actuator for activating a charging procedure, wherein the actuator extends at least in part into the through-going grip opening. This construction renders the charging plug-in connector particularly user-friendly and is still robust. If the charging plug-in connector falls down, the sensitive actuator is protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: HARTING Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Beimdieck, Daniel Boesch
  • Patent number: 10559913
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a holding frame into which plug connector modules can be inserted. The holding frame has guiding means, whereby the holding frame can be aligned with a second holding frame in the plug-in direction so as to fit in a precise manner. Two holding frames which can be plugged together contain at least one respective pneumatic plug connector module. The first holding frame comprises a first pneumatic plug connector module, and the second holding frame comprises a second pneumatic plug connector module. The first pneumatic plug connector module is aligned with the second pneumatic plug connector module such that the modules can be plugged together. Such pneumatic plug connector modules are particularly sensitive to wear when they are plugged together without being aligned relative to one another in an exact manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: HARTING Electric GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Schönfeld, Heiko Herbrechtsmeier, Heiko Meier
  • Patent number: 10490915
    Abstract: A connector system, method and apparatus for an EMI enclosure such as a Gauss/Faraday cage or chamber. The connector system, method and/or apparatus includes one or more individual conductors located within the EMI enclosure to eliminate EMI/E&H field effects with respect to applications such as a small form factor cable applications, high density cable applications, and a high speed (e.g., greater than 1 Gbps) multiconductor copper-based cable applications. This approach therefore isolates individual or multiple cable signals (e.g., single conductors) within individual Gaussian/Faraday cages to eliminate EMI/E&H field effects for small form factor, high density, high speed (e.g., >1 Gbps) multiconductor copper based cable applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Mitas Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Terrell Simpson
  • Patent number: 10416716
    Abstract: A docking station is provided. The docking station has an engagement member, a coupling detector, a connector, an advancing and refracting mechanism, and a controller. The engagement member can be inserted into an engagement hole of a portable information device. The coupling detector detects whether or not the engagement member has been engaged with the engagement hole. The connector can be connected to a connection terminal provided in a side surface of thy portable information device. The advancing and retracting mechanism is operated by the driving force of a motor to advance and retract the connector to connect and separate the connector to/from the connection terminal. The controller operates the advancing and retracting mechanism when it is detected that the portable information device is coupled with the docking station to advance the connector to connect the connector to the connection terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shibayama, Eiji Shinohara, Tetsuo Ogawa, Shinichi Kubota, Xiangyang Liu
  • Patent number: 10396498
    Abstract: A power adapter, comprising an adapter body, a power cord and a snap-fitting cover, the adapter body is provided with a socket, the power cord is provided with a plug plugged in and connected with the socket, and the snap-fitting cover includes the snap-fitting portion and the fixing portion, the fixing portion is movably connected to the end of the adapter body, the snap-fitting portion is provided with a groove which is shapely matched with the plug, and a groove is snap-fitted to the outer side of the plug. The snap-fitting cover is connected with the plug and the adapter body at the same time to retain the plug and the adapter body, and the plug is not easily disengaged from the socket of the adapter body under the external forces, thereby making the use of the power adapter more stable and reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: LIMOSS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD
    Inventor: Christian Gassner
  • Patent number: 10389048
    Abstract: A terminal block includes a first connection member, a second connection member and a fastening handle. The first connection member includes a handle platform, a protruding plate protruding from the handle platform, and a cavity inside the handle platform. A retaining slot communicating with the cavity is formed inside the protruding plate. The second connection member includes a fastening slot into which the protruding plate is plugged and includes a fastening portion arranged near the fastening slot. The fastening handle includes an end section inserted through the retaining slot and engaged with the protruding plate, an engagement section extended from the end section and received in the cavity, and a head section protruding out of the handle platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignees: DINKLE ENTERPRISE CO., LTD., DINKLE ELECTRIC MACHINERY (CHINA) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shang-Tsai Wu
  • Patent number: 10340623
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a car charging plug-in connector for an electric vehicle, comprising at least one signal contact element and at least two power contact elements. The car charging plug-in connector has a plug-in connector body and a contact carrier. The contact carrier is arranged on the plug-in side of the plug-in connector body and is fastened to the plug-in connector body in a reversible manner. Therefore, the contact carrier can be easily replaced as required, as a result of which the car charging plug-in connector can be used in a particularly cost-effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HARTING Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Beimdieck, Alexander Bruland
  • Patent number: 10320123
    Abstract: A connector assembly, such as a shielded high voltage electrical connector assembly, includes an outer housing having a guide post extending parallel to a mating axis and an inner housing slideably attached to the outer housing. The inner housing is configured to move along the mating axis from a first position to a second position. The inner housing comprises a guide tube that extends parallel to the mating axis. The guide tube defines a guide cavity that extends through the guide tube in a direction parallel to the mating axis. At least a portion of the guide post is disposed within the guide cavity when the inner housing is in the first position and in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rangarajan Sundarakrishnamachari, Lokesh Dayalan
  • Patent number: 10305223
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing having a sub-connector accommodation hole passing through in a forward and backward direction, and a sub-connector having a cavity passing through in the forward and backward direction and assembled by being inserted into the sub-connector accommodation hole of the housing from a backward direction while a terminal connected to a wire being inserted into the cavity. A lance with flexibility to be locked with the terminal is formed on an inner wall of the cavity and in a case of halfway insertion of the terminal into the cavity. The lance projects outward from the sub-connector to abut, at an angle, against an opening exterior edge of the sub-connector accommodation hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akinori Tashiro, Yoshihiro Iwahori, Tomoyuki Kasajima
  • Patent number: 10256570
    Abstract: A lever connector includes a lever which includes a lever-side lock part configured to be elastically deformed in a first direction to be separated from a surface of a second housing and configured to be locked to a housing-side lock part of the second housing when the lever is in a fitting start position. A first housing includes a pressing part configured to move together with the first housing in a fitting direction at a time of fitting, and configured to release a lock between the lever-side lock part and the housing-side lock part by pressing the lever-side lock part in the first direction. The second housing includes a lap part configured to be brought into close contact with an edge part of the lever when the lever is in a fitting completion position, so as to prevent that the edge part is deformed in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Shinmi
  • Patent number: 10211569
    Abstract: A first connector including a pair of male terminals of which axial directions of rod-like bodies having a circumferential surface are aligned in the same direction and which is arranged at an interval, a conductive coupling member which couples one ends of the respective male terminals in the axial direction to each other, and a first housing which includes a male terminal housing chamber for each male terminal and a holding mechanism which holds the coupling member the male terminal includes a rod-like body having a male terminal fitting portion to be inserted and fitted into the female terminal on the other end and a spherical turning fulcrum body which is provided at the one end and enables the turn with respect to the coupling member in the male terminal housing chamber about the one end as a fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Aoki, Kazuhiro Maruno
  • Patent number: 10179517
    Abstract: A module system is configured for establishing a plurality of variants of a charging device of a vehicle and includes a first module type with a first interface and a second interface; multiple variants of a second module type, each having a first interface and a second interface, wherein the variants have different second interfaces; multiple variants of a third module type, each having a first interface and a second interface, wherein the variants have different second interfaces; wherein the first interface of the second module type is configured for coupling with the first interface of the first module type, wherein the first interface of the third module type is configured for coupling with the second interface of the first module type, and wherein the charging socket can be constructed from a coupling of a variant of the second module type, the first module type, and a variant of the third module type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Michael Toth
  • Patent number: 10130000
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a rack assembly including a first rail and a second rail defining a first width therebetween and a chassis that supports electronic components and is insertable between the first rail and the second rail. The chassis includes a first side and a second side defining a second width therebetween that is less than the first width. The electronic system further includes a power connector coupled to the chassis and movable between a first position and a second position. The power connector and the second side define a third width when the power connector is in the first position. The power connector and the second side define a fourth width when the power connector is in the second position. The third width is greater than the first width and the fourth width is less than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Mark Allen Johnson, Edward Clark Fontana, Charles Edward Higby
  • Patent number: 10033137
    Abstract: Herein are provided a series of embodiments of a cable management device for use with cables with end connector covers. The device provides a tapered surface between the cable and locking screws so as to eliminate right angles which catch during movement of the cord. The device facilitates easy retraction of cables with bulky terminals through constricted spaces, eliminates snagging on other cables, and simplifies cable routing and use. The device further provides a means of rotating the screws while the device is in place. The device can be affixed to existing or newly manufactured cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Invaluable Inventions
    Inventor: Kemaal Akber Esmail
  • Patent number: 9935400
    Abstract: An arc discharge prevention structure of a socket for preventing continuous occurrence of an arc discharge which can result in a fire, by using a configuration for deflecting an arc to avoid damage to a contact is provided. At least part of a pair of permanent magnets that forms a magnetic field for deflecting an arc in a connection/disconnection area where a plug pin and a socket contact are connected and disconnected is located in an opening surface side of a socket housing in which a plug insertion hole is opened. A magnetic body of the plug is attracted to bias the plug pin to a connection position where the plug pin is hot connected to the socket contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Ejiri, Haruhiko Kondo
  • Patent number: 9825397
    Abstract: A grommet-equipped connector includes a connector and a grommet. The connector includes a panel engagement portion configured to be engaged with an attachment hole of a panel and an annular flange configured to face an edge portion of the attachment hole. The grommet includes a panel contact portion configured to be fitted so as to cover the flange and intimately contact the edge portion. A flange fitting groove in which the flange is inserted over an entire perimeter is formed inside the panel contact portion. The flange has a flange protrusion portion protruding outward and guided by the flange fitting groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shoichi Watai, Motohisa Kashiyama, Takanori Yamawaki, Tetsuya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9755346
    Abstract: Provided is a plug having a first plug piece and a second plug piece. The plug pieces are designed to enter in contact with each other, a male end of plug piece being accommodated in a first female end of plug piece. When the first plug piece is in contact with the second plug piece, electric contact elements accommodated in the plug pieces are in contact with each other. An insert accommodated in the female end of the first plug piece prevents inadvertent contacts by foreign bodies in the female end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: HARTING ELECTRIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Beischer, Heiko Meier
  • Patent number: 9751414
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric plug-in connection, in particular for electric vehicles. Said plug-in connection is equipped with a plug-in connector (1, 2) substantially consisting of a socket (1) and a plug (2). The connection is also provided with a locking unit (4, 5) comprising at least one blocking element (4) and a transmission element (5) for detachably coupling the socket (1) and the plug (2). Further, an actuator (8) is provided, for actuating the transmission element (5) together with the blocking element (4) arranged at one end thereof. According to the invention, the transmission element (5) is in the form of a gear arrangement (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Bernado Erices
  • Patent number: 9716342
    Abstract: A plug-in connector part includes a housing and a plug-in portion arranged on the housing and that can be brought into plugged engagement with an associated mating plug-in connector part so as to electrically contact the plug-in connector part and the mating plug-in connector part. A locking element is movably arranged on the housing and can lock the plug-in connector part to the mating plug-in connector part, the locking element being movable between a locked position, in which the plug-in connector part is locked to the mating plug-in connector part, and an unlocked position, in which the plug-in connector part can be removed from the mating plug-in connector part. A blocking element is arranged on the housing and guided on the housing so as to be adjustable in an adjustment direction. The blocking element can block the locking element in the locked position. The blocking element includes a handle element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT E-MOBILITY GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Moseke, Frederik Effenberger
  • Patent number: 9660376
    Abstract: A magnetic connector system having a durable and reliable construction and a reduced height while maintaining sufficient holding strength. A connector insert may utilize a crimping piece to crimp a braiding of a cable. The crimping piece may be fixed to an attraction plate and a board in the insert for mechanical reliability. Retention clips may be used to fix a shell to the attraction plate. A connector receptacle may employ a magnetically conductive label to improve holding strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Joshua J. Pong, Chris Ligtenberg, Bartley K. Andre, Bradley J. Hamel, John DiFonzo, Dave Narajowski, Greg Springer, Eric Monsef, Min Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 9640900
    Abstract: A plug-in connector part for connection to an associated mating plug-in connector part includes a housing part, which has a plug-in portion and a plurality of contact openings arranged in the plug-in portion each having a contact element arranged therein. The plug-in portion being can be brought into a plug-in connection with the associated mating plug-in connector part in a plug-in direction, and has an outer surface extending peripherally around the plug-in direction. The plug-in portion includes a plurality of drainage openings which are each associated with a contact opening and extend from the associated contact opening to the outer surface so as to lead liquid from the associated contact opening to the outer surface. At least one of the drainage openings extends along a first plane and at least a second drainage opening extends along a second plane offset from the first plane in the plug-in direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT E-MOBILITY GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Moseke
  • Patent number: 9620897
    Abstract: A connector includes a locking lever that locks a fitted state with an inlet, a release button that is provided to be movable in Z-direction positive and negative directions and rotates the locking lever by moving in the Z-direction negative direction to release the locking, a release restricting portion that is provided to be movable in X-direction positive and negative directions and to be movable to an abutting position where the release restricting portion abuts against the release button, thereby restricting the movement in the Z-direction negative direction of the release button at the abutting position to restrict the release of the locking, a solenoid as a moving portion that moves the release restricting portion in the X-direction negative direction, and a coil spring that presses the release restricting portion in the X-direction positive direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventor: Youhei Takagi
  • Patent number: 9614328
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device for a plug-in connection between a plug and a socket. In accordance with the invention an actuator (4) and a blocking slide (6) are provided, wherein the actuator (4) is rotatable about an axis of rotation, the blocking slide (6) is displaceable in the longitudinal direction thereof between an unlocking position and a locking position, and the actuator (4) and the blocking slide (6) are formed in such a way and interact with each other such that a rotation of the actuator (4) is always combined with a longitudinal displacement of the blocking slide (6) and vice versa, wherein a longitudinal displacement of the blocking slide (6) by means of a rotation of the actuator (4) is always possible, whereas a rotation of the actuator (4) by means of a longitudinal displacement of the blocking slide (6) is possible only outside the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact E-Mobility GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Feldner
  • Patent number: 9604544
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a cable connector (1) for establishing an electrical connection to a device connector, in particular a device connector of an electric vehicle or a charging device for the electric vehicle, wherein the cable connector (1) comprises a mechanical locking device (7), which is designed to lock the cable connector (1) to the device connector, and the locking device (7) is disposed at least partly on an outer side of a main body (2) of the cable connector (1), wherein the cable connector (1) has a covering device (14), which is designed to cover the locking device (7) at least partly on the outer side of the main body (2), and the covering device (14) has an actuating region (16) for actuating the locking device (7) via the covering device (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Fehler, Thomas Fuhrer
  • Patent number: 9531103
    Abstract: A charging connector includes: a source-side terminal connected to a source side; an inner housing for receiving the source-side terminal; an intermediate terminal having a power source connection electrically connectable to and electrically disconnectable from the source-side terminal and an inlet connection electrically connectable to and electrically disconnectable from an inlet-side terminal connected to a side of a vehicle inlet; and a cassette housing that receives the intermediate terminal, is assembled to the inner housing, and is mateable with the vehicle inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomomi Fujita, Seiji Kozono
  • Patent number: 9509095
    Abstract: A charging connector in accordance with the present invention includes: connector cases that house a connector fitting portion; a locking arm in which a locking claw retractable from an outer peripheral surface of the connector fitting portion is provided at a tip, and that rocks centering around a shaft core between a locking position and a releasing position; and a coil spring that biases the locking arm toward the locking position. The locking arm includes a lock releasing portion that is inserted into a through hole formed in the connector cases, and with which the locking arm can be operated to the releasing position from an outside of the connector cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignees: YAZAKI CORPORATION, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takenori Ohmura, Tsuyoshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9468389
    Abstract: A connection facility for connecting an electrocardiogram electrode to a data acquisition and/or transfer facility includes a signal line and a connecting element for connecting the signal line to the electrocardiogram electrode. The connecting element has a clamping body with two clamping jaws connected by an elastic reset element between a front and a rear end of the clamping body, and a contact element for making contact with the electrocardiogram electrode arranged at the front end of the clamping body and connected in an electrically conducting manner to the signal line. The connecting element has a grip region, in which the jaw width is wider than the jaw width at the front end. The contact element is arranged centrally in the jaw width of the clamping jaws and has an extension in the direction of the jaw width, which is smaller than the jaw width at the front end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Miriam Keil
  • Patent number: 9350118
    Abstract: A charging port locking device is provided with an engagement member provided in a charging connector, for regulating the removal of the charging connector by engagement with an engagement part provided in a charging port, a restriction member provided in a vehicle, for restricting the disengagement of the engagement member, and a lock actuator for driving the restriction member. By virtue of the charging port locking device, the unintentional disconnection of the charging connector from the charging port can be avoided during charging in a state in which the charging port and the charging connector are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9292054
    Abstract: A power supply module suitable for a server is provided. The server includes a base and a main board. The main board is disposed on the base. The power supply module includes a frame and a first power connector. The frame is disposed on the base and adjacent to an edge portion of the main board. The first power connector is slidably disposed on the frame. When the first power connector slides to a first position, the first power connector protrudes from the frame and the edge portion of the main board is located between the first power connector and the base. When the first power connector slides to a second position, the first power connector is located in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Xiao-Yi Cai, Chong-Xing Zhu
  • Patent number: 9293855
    Abstract: A seal member (40) is formed of an integral body including a case split surface seal portion (41) arranged along whole circumferences of abutting surfaces (3, 7) surrounding a portion of a connector body (20) housed inside an exterior case (2) and interposed between the abutting surfaces (3, 7) of two case split bodies (2A, 2B), a connector body seal portion (42) arranged along a whole circumference of a connector fitting portion projecting hole (9) and interposed between the exterior case (2) and the connector body (20), and an electric wire seal portion (43) arranged along a whole circumference of an electric wire pullout hole (10) and interposed between the exterior case (2) and an electric wire (W1) pulled out from the connector body (20) and led outside the exterior case (2) through the electric wire pullout hole (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sawada, Norihisa Yamada
  • Patent number: 9263830
    Abstract: A charging connector includes a connector housing to be fitted to a power receiving connector, a connector case housing the connector housing, a lock arm arranged to be swingable about a swing fulcrum between a lock position and a release position, and a coil spring located toward a power receiving connector away from the swing fulcrum to bias the lock arm toward the lock position. The lock arm is provided with a spring compartment housing the coil spring in a manner such that the periphery of the coil spring is enclosed. The spring compartment is provided, on a bottom portion thereof, with a penetration hole extending in the lock arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Sugiyama, Tsutomu Sawada, Takashi Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 9231343
    Abstract: An inlet is an inlet to which a charging connector is connected when charging a power storage device mounted in a hybrid vehicle from an external power supply. The inlet includes a cylindrical guide wall that guides the charging connector to be connected to the inlet; a flange portion that is provided in a plate shape on an outer periphery of the guide wall, and is fixed to the vehicle; a lever retaining portion that is provided on the outer periphery of the guide wall, and retains the charging connector; and a recessed portion that is provided in a position overlapping with the lever retaining portion when viewed from a connecting direction of the charging connector, and is recessed toward the connecting direction of the charging connector from the flange portion. This kind of structure provides an inlet in which a protruding length from the vehicle side is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yuasa
  • Patent number: 9216656
    Abstract: A vehicle charging port locking device has a charging port and a locking mechanism. The charging port has an engaged part that engage an engaging part of a charging connector for supplying power from an external power source to the charging port when in an engaged state. A restraining member is movably mounted between a locked state in which release of the engaged part is restricted by movement of the restraining member in a locking direction to prevent the engaging part from being released from the engaging state, and an unlocked state in which release of the engaging part is permitted by movement of the restraining member in an unlocking direction that is opposite the locking direction. The restraining member can be moved in the unlocking direction by operation of an exposed part that can be operated from beneath the hood of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9197012
    Abstract: A vehicle charging port locking device has a charging port and a locking mechanism. The charging port has an engaged part that engage an engaging part of a charging connector for supplying power from an external power source to the charging port when in an engaged state. A restraining member is movably mounted between a locked state in which release of the engaged part is restricted by movement of the restraining member in a locking direction to prevent the engaging part from being released from the engaging state, and an unlocked state in which release of the engaging part is permitted by movement of the restraining member in an unlocking direction that is opposite the locking direction. The restraining member can be moved in the unlocking direction by operation of an exposed part that can be operated from beneath the hood of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9184543
    Abstract: A power-supplying electrical connector includes an engagement mechanism configured to engage a power-receiving electrical connector, the engagement mechanism having a pair of engaging members, and an indicator member configured to disengage from the engagement mechanism and move from a charging-disabled position to a charging-enabled position, when the engagement mechanism has engaged the power-receiving electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nakajima, Kenji Sekinada, Takenori Ohmura
  • Patent number: 9178312
    Abstract: A charging port locking device is provided that basically includes a charging port and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism achieves both locked and unlocked states by rotational movement of the restricting member. The restricting member is configured in the lock state with respect a reference line connecting a center of rotation of the restricting member and the center of width of the engaging portion as seen in a top view such that a top view area of the restricting member from the reference line in the rotational direction toward a restricting state is smaller than a top view area of the restricting member from the reference line in the rotational direction toward a non-restricting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9172182
    Abstract: When the grasping member 3 is moved forward with respect to the case 9, the linkage 15a joint with the grasping member 3 is pushed in to the front. Because the linkage 15a moves forward, the arm rotates with the pin 23a as its axis of rotation. With the arm 13 rotating, the connector body 11 connected to the arm 13 via linkage 15b moves in the same direction as the grasping member 3. Note that because the coupling position of the grasping member 3 and the connector body 11 with respect to the arm 13 differ, the distance of movement of the grasping member 3 and the distance of movement of the connector body 11 with respect to the case 9 differ. That is, mechanisms such as the arm 13 etc. function as a deceleration mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Toratani, Naomi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9156363
    Abstract: A charging port locking device is provided that basically includes a charging port, a lock mechanism and a cover member. The cover member has an opening into which an engaging member can be inserted. The cover member covers the lock mechanism that achieves both locked and unlocked states by rotational movement of the restricting member. An end surface of the restricting member facing the cover member is configured to be longer than a width of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nakajima