With Vehicle Structure Patents (Class 439/34)
  • Publication number: 20100109397
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an electrical connection between a vehicle seat (20) mounted head restraint (14) and an electrical system (50, 52) of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a first electrical connector (702) secured to a support member (40) of the head restraint (14), the first electrical connector (702) being adapted to deliver an electrical signal to a component (640) mounted to the head restraint. A second electrical connector (704) is associated with the electrical system (50, 52) of the vehicle (12). An auto-connect component (710) is connectable to the vehicle seat (20) and is adapted to receive the support member (40) of the head restraint (14) and the first electrical connector (702). The auto-connect component (710) is further adapted to support the second electrical connector (704) and is configured such that the first and second electrical connectors (702, 704) are interconnected automatically upon installing the head restraint (14) on the vehicle seat (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Steven Bandurksi, James M. McGowan, Joseph J. Zwolinski
  • Patent number: 7677631
    Abstract: An access assembly for a vehicle body. The access assembly includes a body panel movably mounted to the vehicle body for movement between an open position and a closed position and defining an access opening. A door assembly is provided on the body panel and has a cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A vehicle component is disposed in a substantially fixed position with respect to the vehicle body, the vehicle component having a receptacle that is substantially aligned with the access opening when the body panel is in the closed position. The access opening is exposed when the cover is in the open position, and the access opening is concealed when the cover is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Zischke, Mark D. Snyder, John Latimer, III
  • Publication number: 20100050855
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a housing having an opening, a connector unit, a moveable door, and a biasing system. The connector unit is located inside the housing. The connector unit is capable of providing an electrical connection to a complementary connector unit. The moveable door is capable of being moved into an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position covers the opening. The biasing system is capable of aligning the connector unit with the complementary connector unit and causing the connector unit to engage the complimentary connector unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald A. Kubinski, Robert I. Atmur, Thorin Arthur Rogers
  • Publication number: 20100055929
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first part, a second part, an electrical contact, and a relay. The second part is movable relative to the first part. The electrical contact is attached to the second part. The electrical contact provides an electrical connection between the first part and the second part when the second part is in a first position and breaks the electrical connection when the second part is in a second position. The relay is electrically connected to the electrical contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: George Eugene Cain, Steven George Mackin, Art L. Ma, Emily Jane Yannucci
  • Patent number: 7645145
    Abstract: Provided is a plug wherein a plurality of points in an electric circuit can be easily put into a conductive state or a nonconductive state. A system wherein such a plug is applied is also provided. The composite plug is provided with a plurality of plugs, each of which is provided with two conductive pieces connected by a conductive member. A current is carried between the two circuit terminals when the two conductive pieces are brought into contact with two circuit terminals included in the electric circuit, respectively. A current is not carried between the two circuit terminals when the two conductive pieces are separated from the two circuit terminals included in the electric circuit, respectively. The plugs are attached to a common case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaya Soma, Hiroshi Yoshida, Takeshi Mogari
  • Patent number: 7645938
    Abstract: The present invention is to prevent twisting of a wiring harness when it is assembled to a vehicle. A wiring harness fastening device for an electric supply line of a sliding door includes a rotational portion having a spherical shape for fastening the wiring harness and a case having a spherical receiving space for rotatably holding the rotational portion, wherein the rotational portion has a protrusion at an outer surface thereof, wherein the receiving space has a rib, and wherein the protrusion abuts to the rib when the wiring harness is twisted. The rotational portion has a circular-shaped rib intersecting with the rib for holding the rotational portion slidably. The case has a wiring harness guide wall with a curved shape to lead out the wiring harness. The wiring harness abuts the wiring harness guide wall prior to the protrusion abuts the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Kogure, Hiroshi Sanada
  • Publication number: 20090317984
    Abstract: There are provided a body, a rotor, a free motion spacer including a group of spacer sections arranged circularly between the body and the rotor and a reverse guide section in which a guide face is provided to be opposed to a roller in the group of spacer sections in the circumferential direction to form a reverse insert section and capable of turning with rotation of the rotor, and a flat cable which is reversed by inserting the reverse section into the reverse insert section in the free motion spacer and is wound around the outer and inner peripheral sides of the group of spacer sections where ribs 45 and 47 project from a wall face at the opposing side of a guide face toward the roller adjacent to the wall face in the circumferential direction of the reverse guide section, and a projection 49 for the stopper is provided in the rib, whereby when the reverse section of the flat cable is erroneously assembled between the wall face and the roller adjacent to the wall face, the reverse section runs on the rib a
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: NILES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oishi, Tomohiro Sato
  • Patent number: 7607220
    Abstract: A method for establishing electrical communication between a control module and a motor/generator in a hybrid electromechanical transmission includes providing a preassembled terminal subassembly including a first plurality of wire terminals sufficiently interconnected for selective, substantially unitary movement with respect to a transmission housing, aligning the preassembled terminal subassembly with a second plurality of wire terminals affixed with respect to at least one electric motor/generator, and establishing electrical communication between each of said first plurality of wire terminals and a respective one of said second plurality of terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Reed, Edward L. Kaiser, Joel E. Mowatt
  • Patent number: 7597292
    Abstract: An electric power feeding apparatus for feeding electric power to an electric device installed in a vehicle slide seat and movable together with the slide seat as the slide seat slides along a slide rail includes a cable rail disposed in parallel juxtaposed relation to the slide rail with a clearance defined therebetween, a power feeding cable disposed in the cable rail and fixed at one end to the cable rail, an opposite free end portion of the power feeding cable being drawn out from the cable rail into the clearance and extending upward through the clearance toward the slide seat for electric connection with the electric device, and a support member extending downward from the slide seat into the clearance and supporting thereon the free end portion of the power feeding cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kayumi
  • Patent number: 7597560
    Abstract: An interface assembly for an inverter of a vehicle includes an interface, a plurality of busbars, a communication medium, and a clip. The interface is for communicating with one or more vehicle systems outside of the interface assembly. The plurality of busbars are configured to receive and transport electric current. The communication medium is electrically coupled between the plurality of busbars and the interface. The communication medium is configured to provide information to the interface based at least in part on the electric current transported by the plurality of busbars. The clip assembly is electrically coupled between the plurality of busbars and the communication medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Korich, Young Doo, David Tang, Mark L. Selogie
  • Publication number: 20090246978
    Abstract: The invention relates to a headrest system for a vehicle seat, said headrest system comprising a headrest (1) supported by at least one holding rod (3), a guide component (5), which can be arrested in the backrest (11) of the vehicle seat and serves for receiving a holding rod (3), a first electric connector disposed on the free end (10) of the holding rod (3) and a second electric connector, which cooperates with the first electric connector and can be arrested in the backrest (11), the joining direction (42) of the two electric connectors running approximately coaxially to the central longitudinal axis (19) of the free end (10) of the holding rod (3), and each of said two electric connectors comprising at least two contact elements designed in a rotationally symmetrical manner in relation to the central longitudinal axis (19) or the joining direction (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Alfmeier Prazision AG Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
    Inventor: Jurgen Hofmockel
  • Patent number: 7575437
    Abstract: A wire harness for a motor vehicle is provided. The wire harness includes a primary node that includes a first pair of communication wires, and a optional slave node that includes a slave connector. The wire harness also includes a second pair of communication wires and a first connector that is operable to enable the optional slave node to communicate with the primary node when the slave connector is coupled to the first connector. The first connector enables communication with the primary node via the first pair of communication wires and the second pair of communication wires. One wire from the first pair and the second pair of communication wires are crimped together to form a first terminal and the remaining wires of the first pair and the second pair of communication wires are crimped together to form a second terminal for the first connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Mark F. Mincek
  • Patent number: 7575269
    Abstract: A door handle device (S) has a handle-side connector (30) fixed to a door handle (10) that is hinged to a handle frame (20). Thus, the door handle device (S) is displaceable as the door handle (10) is turned. A frame-side connector (40) is located in the handle frame (20) and is connectable with the handle-side connector (30) for displacement with the handle-side connector (30) as the door handle (10) is turned. A clamp (60) has a wire retaining portion (61) for retaining a wire group (80) drawn out through an end surface of the frame-side connector (40) and a handle attaching portion (62) continuous with the wire retaining portion (61) for attachment to the door handle (10). Thus, a relative position of the wire retaining portion (61) to the door handle (10) is invariable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Kobayashi, Tomoyuki Funayama, Tomoo Kakegawa, Shigeki Nishiyama, Hiroshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7561445
    Abstract: A high-voltage harness routing structure includes: a subframe; a driving power unit; an electric power distribution unit; an electrical auxiliary unit arranged to cause the driving power unit to be sandwiched between the electric power distribution unit and the electrical auxiliary unit; and a high voltage harness connecting the electric power distribution unit with the electrical auxiliary unit in a routing path. In this routing path, the high voltage harness drops from the electric power distribution unit toward the subframe and then extends along the subframe in a vehicle-width direction. The high-voltage harness routing structure further includes a driving power unit mount including a mount main body arranged apart from the subframe to form a space between the mount main body and the subframe; and a protector that covers at least a high-voltage harness's portion extending along the subframe in the vehicle-width direction and interfering with the driving power unit mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Yajima, Motoo Omori, Hironobu Sugiyama, Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7553184
    Abstract: An adapter for installing an aftermarket audio device in a vehicle. The adapter includes a first and second connectors electrically connected together, the first connector being suitable for connecting to a wiring harness in the vehicle and the second connector being unsuitable for connection to the wiring harness in the vehicle, the second connector being further suitable for connection in a different wiring harness in a different vehicle. The adapter also includes a plurality of wires electrically connected to the first and second connectors, the wires being adapted to connect to the aftermarket audio device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Scosche Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Butcher
  • Patent number: 7549873
    Abstract: An electrical junction box reduces the number of components to be contained in an electrical junction box and simplifies a structure of the box. The electrical junction box has a casing assembly including an upper casing and a lower casing. A laminated unit including bus bars and insulation plates is contained in the upper casing, while a first printed circuit board, a second printed circuit board and a spacer made of an insulation resin material are contained in the lower casing. The first printed circuit board is disposed on one side of the spacer, while the second printed circuit board is disposed on the other side of the spacer. Shorter size fixing bars and longer size fixing bars project from an inner surface on a top wall of the upper casing. The shorter size fixing bars penetrate the laminated unit, first printed circuit board and spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hayakawa, Akira Baba
  • Patent number: 7549495
    Abstract: A motorcycle that inhibits free movement of a coupler along with turning of a handle includes a leg shield that covers a head pipe. Cable groups including a brake cable and a lead wire that extend from a handle are arranged inside the leg shield. A first cable group that includes at the least the brake cable is disposed to a front side of the head pipe inside the leg shield. A second cable group includes a coupler that connects the lead wire. The coupler of the second cable group is disposed to the rear side of the head pipe inside the leg shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruhito Takahashi, Katsumi Mori, Kazuhiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090156065
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multiple ground terminal assembly for vehicles. The multiple ground terminal assembly includes a multiple ground terminal unit 100 and a ground bolt 200, and can be formed by layering multiple ground terminals 110 to be in surface contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Ki Yong Lee
  • Publication number: 20090142938
    Abstract: A transfer-connecting device has several sockets at one end, several first terminals at the other end, and several second terminals; the transfer-connecting device is interposed between a power supply and a lamp of a vehicle; the power supply supplies several different voltages through separate power cords; a connecting component is connected to the power cords and the sockets of the transfer-connecting device; the lamp has several terminals, which are connected to the first terminals respectively; the second terminals serve as output passages for the different voltages respectively, which are inputted into the transfer-connecting device through the connecting component; the second terminals are each denoted with a voltage value of electric power to pass through it; when a person is installing an accessory on the vehicle, he can find a correct one of the second terminals for the accessory to be connected and powered with a suitable voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Alan Wang
  • Patent number: 7527705
    Abstract: A method is provided for routing electrical conductors through a vehicle body having first and second body panels with panel edges attached together. The method includes placing a bead of adhesive along the edge of the first body panel; placing the electrical conductor along the edge of the first body panel; placing an edge of a second body panel onto the bead of adhesive; and curing the adhesive so that the edges of the body panels are adhered together by an adhesive joint and the electrical conductor is embedded between the body panels within the adhesive joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Hengel, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 7497691
    Abstract: The cable connection structure in an electric vehicle includes a main body of the electrical machinery having an inclined face with respect to the detaching direction; a terminal connector unit being formed contiguously to and separately from the main body and having an insertion opening through which the cable is inserted into the terminal connector unit and a contact face which intimately contacts with the inclined face; a busbar projecting into the terminal connector unit through connecting openings formed on the inclined face and the contact face and having one terminal being connected to the inside of the main body and the other terminal being electrically connected to the terminal of the cable inside the terminal connector unit; and one or more connection bolts, penetrating the inclined face and the contact face, for detachably coupling the main body and the terminal connector unit, improving maintenance efficiency and reducing the costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tohru Urano
  • Patent number: 7497690
    Abstract: The mounting device serves to receive an electrical plug coupling for the connection of an electronic circuit assembly. It has a coupling receptacle (2), which is pivotally mounted on a door handle carrier (10) and is locked against tilting in an installation position and can be pivoted into an operational position. The coupling receptacle (2) is guided by means of two formations (9) projecting on opposite sides in parallel guide slots (7). The guide slots (7) each have at least one slot constriction (8?), through which the formations (9) can be forced only after overcoming a predetermined threshold force. Rigidly connected to the coupling receptacle (2) is at least one tilt locking element (13b). The tilt locking element comes into engagement, in the installation position, with an opposing component (16) fixed to the door and then comes out of engagement with the opposing component when the formations (9) have passed the slot constrictions (8?) in the guide slots (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & C. KG
    Inventor: Cho Yong Sang
  • Patent number: 7488179
    Abstract: A holder for a component on a vehicle has two holding elements fastened independently and at a distance from each other to the vehicle. A first holding element has a first latching element which interacts perpendicular to the plane of the holding region with a first mating latching element which is complementary thereto and is formed on a first end side of the component. A second holding element has a second latching element which interacts parallel to the holding region plane with a second mating latching element which is complementary thereto and is formed on a second end side of the component. The second holding element has a receiving opening which is passed through by a protruding region, which is formed on the second end side, wherein an opening edge of the receiving opening engages around the protruding component region at least on a side remote from the holding region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Michael Baum, Thomas Wörner
  • Publication number: 20090035953
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a smooth and secure sliding operation for a sliding structure for long slide without drooping and bending a wire harness. A power supply apparatus 1 for long slide includes a case 2 for receiving a wire harness 3 folded back in a U shape, a slider 6 slidably engaged with the case 2 for holding one end (movable end) of the wire harness 3, a pulley 4 rotatably engaged with an inner surface of a turn-around portion 3b of the wire harness 3, and a compression coil spring 7 for resiliently urging the pulley 4 in a direction opposite to a return direction of the wire harness. The pulley 4 is rotatably connected with a support portion 27 and the support portion 27 is slidably engaged with the case 2 and a compression coil spring 7 is resiliently abutted on the support portion. A support rod 36 is inserted into one end of the compression coil spring 7 and the other end of thereof is received into a pair of guide walls 37.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Akira Tsubaki
  • Patent number: 7484689
    Abstract: The present technique provides a system and method for automatically releasing a power connection between an aircraft and a ground power unit. The power connection may have a release mechanism, such as a straight-pull coupling, which disconnects in response to movement of the aircraft or the ground power unit. The release mechanism also may disconnect in response to a critical tension within a power cable of the power connection. The power connection also may have a rotatable mount for the release mechanism, such that the power cable is alignable with tension in the power cable. The present technique also may have a variety of sensors to trigger a power shutdown and automatic release of the power connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Musial, John T. Mead
  • Patent number: 7482538
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus for a sliding structure, which can be arranged in a small space in the sliding structure, the power supply apparatus including a wiring harness having a vertical path portion; a harness fixing member for fixing one end of the vertical path portion of the wiring harness on the sliding structure; a fixed base fixed on the sliding structure for holding the other end of the vertical path portion; and a swing member mounted on the fixed base to swing freely in a horizontal plane for allowing the vertical path portion to be twisted along a circumferential direction of itself and leading a part of the wiring harness continued to the vertical path portion toward a fixed structure. Instead of the fixed base, a movable base 5?, and a guide rail to be engaged with the movable base can be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Naomi Kisu, Masataka Nishijima
  • Publication number: 20090023307
    Abstract: An electrical junction box reduces the number of components to be contained in an electrical junction box and simplifies a structure of the box. The electrical junction box has a casing assembly including an upper casing and a lower casing. A laminated unit including bus bars and insulation plates is contained in the upper casing, while a first printed circuit board, a second printed circuit board and a spacer made of an insulation resin material are contained in the lower casing. The first printed circuit board is disposed on one side of the spacer, while the second printed circuit board is disposed on the other side of the spacer. Shorter size fixing bars and longer size fixing bars project from an inner surface on a top wall of the upper casing. The shorter size fixing bars penetrate the laminated unit, first printed circuit board and spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hayakawa, Akira Baba
  • Publication number: 20090023305
    Abstract: An electric current connector assembly for a vehicle includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector comprises a first end portion of a first busbar and a first end portion of a second busbar. The second connector is electrically coupled to the first connector. The second connector comprises a second end portion of the first busbar and a second end portion of the second busbar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark D. KORICH, Young DOO, Mark L. SELOGIE
  • Publication number: 20090023306
    Abstract: An interface assembly for an inverter of a vehicle includes an interface, a plurality of busbars, a communication medium, and a clip. The interface is for communicating with one or more vehicle systems outside of the interface assembly. The plurality of busbars are configured to receive and transport electric current. The communication medium is electrically coupled between the plurality of busbars and the interface. The communication medium is configured to provide information to the interface based at least in part on the electric current transported by the plurality of busbars. The clip assembly is electrically coupled between the plurality of busbars and the communication medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark D. KORICH, Young DOO, David TANG, Mark L. SELOGIE
  • Publication number: 20090017643
    Abstract: An idle control system for a vehicle is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Oakes
  • Publication number: 20090011616
    Abstract: A mechanical, electrical and telecommunication system to electrically connect a vehicle to an electricity source to transfer energy to the vehicle is presented. In one rendition the system has a stationary portion on the road or infrastructure side, and a moving member on the vehicle. The system is designed to tolerate misalignments of a parked vehicle with respect to the parking stall. The infrastructure or road side component of the system being mechanically static is designed rugged and therefore is widely deployable. The system along with moving member is fail-safe and poses no threat to humans, the vehicle being charged or the vehicles sharing the road. An important component of the system is a pair of rigid, insulating strips with a series of conductors on each of them, placed at approximately right angles to each other. One of the strips is mounted on the infrastructure or road side and the other on the vehicle. The two strips cover the lateral and longitudinal misalignment of the parked vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Satyajit Patwardhan
  • Patent number: 7452226
    Abstract: A plug-in connector (10) for a control unit (100) of a window opener in a motor vehicle, including a box-like housing (1). The plug-in connector (10) includes a plurality of motor connections (2), situated in corresponding longitudinal seats (4). Each motor connection (2) includes a base (21), partially embedded in the box-like housing (1) and a terminal, clamp portion (22), which engages with a relative comb connector (3) of the complementary female connector. A longitudinal slot (25) is made in an intermediate portion (24) of the connection (2). The areas (26a, 27a) joining longitudinal prongs (26, 27) and the base (21), and the areas (26b, 27b) joining the prongs and the clamp portion (22), deform, like hinge points of a pivot parallelogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Selta S.r.l.
    Inventor: Tomasso Rabotti
  • Publication number: 20080274628
    Abstract: An arrangement for connecting an accessory to a power source and to an electronic device of a vehicle. The arrangement includes: a power connector connecting the accessory to the power source, a signal connector connecting the accessory with the electronic device of the vehicle, a locking mechanism locking the power connector in position, and a locking mechanism locking the signal connector in position. The power connector lock and the signal connector lock are configured such that the signal connector can only be locked in the connected position after the power connector has been locked in the mounted position. The arrangement is suitable, for example, for an electric power steering device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Eric Chauvelier, Frederic Marche, Jean-Claude Mollet
  • Publication number: 20080268662
    Abstract: An exemplary pass-through connector includes a connector housing a first end and a second end. A first amount of terminals extends from said first end to said second end. A supply line connects to a second amount of terminals. The supply line is located apart from the first end and the second end. The second amount of terminals is less than said first amount of terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Sergey M. Krivtsov, Otman A. Basir, Nick Makaranka
  • Publication number: 20080261435
    Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle includes a first vehicle unit and a second vehicle unit. A connection assembly, for electrically coupling a first electrical plug-in unit fixedly mounted to the first vehicle unit and a second electrical plug-in unit fixedly mounted to the second vehicle unit, includes a guide disposed on the second vehicle unit intermediate the first electrical plug-in unit and the second electrical plug-in unit. The first electrical plug-in unit has a first plurality of electrical wires and has an outer configuration. The second electrical plug-in unit has a second plurality of electrical wires. The guide has an aperture sized to accept the outer configuration of the first electrical plug-in unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Ranger All Season Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas G. Brinkhous, Craig C. Ulmer
  • Publication number: 20080261414
    Abstract: A connector includes a main body supporting a power cable, and a sound-proof member attached by a bolt to the top surface of the main body identified as the sound emitting surface to absorb sound emitted from the main body due to vibration. The main body includes a base provided with bulges in which three power cables are accommodated, respectively, and a lid over the base with power cables accommodated. The sound-proof member is effective as long as it is attached to the side face of the lid where it is expected to readily emit noise, i.e., on one side. The sound proof member can be also attached to the side face of the base. A connector having sound generated from the connector caused by vibration reduced is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Mizutani, Akira Otagaki
  • Patent number: 7438589
    Abstract: An electrical connector system for use with an electrically powered accessory mounted to a vehicle is disclosed. The electrical connector system includes a connector adapted to be mounted to the vehicle as well as a cord having a first end adapted to be electrically coupled to the accessory and a second end having a plug. The plug is adapted to be electrically coupled to a power source remote from the vehicle, is removably coupled to the connector and includes a flexible finger having a tab engaging the connector. The electrical connector system also includes an indicator mounted to the connector and in electrical communication with the plug. The indicator is operable to provide a visual indication when electrical power is present at the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Fleury, Darrell Van Mol
  • Patent number: 7439851
    Abstract: An electrical indicator system and a method for operating the system includes a plug adapted to be electrically coupled to a power source remote from the vehicle and an indicator adapted to be mounted to the vehicle at a visible location. The indicator is operable to provide a first visual indication when electrical power is present at the plug. The indicator provides a second visual indication, different from the first visual indication, when current is flowing through the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Fleury, Claudio Zubin, Sean Marleau
  • Patent number: 7435092
    Abstract: A retainer harness clip apparatus for securing a wire harness to a bezel of a vehicle bumper includes a retainer member having a ring-shaped portion configured to fit around the bezel, a securing portion configured to secure the retainer to the bezel, and a first attachment part. The retainer harness clip apparatus further includes a harness clip member engageable with the retainer member and has a wire harness securing portion and a second attachment part. Upon engagement of the retainer member and the harness clip member, the first attachment part and the second attachment part mutually engage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Switches and Detection Systems
    Inventor: Curley Grant
  • Patent number: 7436091
    Abstract: A method and system of limiting arcing of a rotating member. The method and system including provisioning an electrically conducting device to couple the electrical potential associated with the housing and rotating member so as to limiting arcing therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Darvin Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080242154
    Abstract: A powered, mobile electronics mount system has a male plug, a support arm, a connector housing, and an interconnecting wire. The male plug includes an electrical connector, wherein the plug is adapted to be inserted into an automobile electrical socket. The support arm is connected on one end to the male plug and on its opposite end to the connector housing, the connector housing having a transformer and a universal electrical connector socket, and the connector housing further including a mount for an electronics product. The interconnecting wire is in electrical connection with the automobile electrical socket through the plug and the universal electrical connector in the connector housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Steven C. Dixon, Harald Richter
  • Publication number: 20080227304
    Abstract: The cable connection structure in an electric vehicle includes a main body of the electrical machinery having an inclined face with respect to the detaching direction; a terminal connector unit being formed contiguously to and separately from the main body and having an insertion opening through which the cable is inserted into the terminal connector unit and a contact face which intimately contacts with the inclined face; a busbar projecting into the terminal connector unit through connecting openings formed on the inclined face and the contact face and having one terminal being connected to the inside of the main body and the other terminal being electrically connected to the terminal of the cable inside the terminal connector unit; and one or more connection bolts, penetrating the inclined face and the contact face, for detachably coupling the main body and the terminal connector unit, improving maintenance efficiency and reducing the costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tohru Urano
  • Patent number: 7422438
    Abstract: A bicycle wiring connector apparatus comprises a mounting portion and a connector portion. The mounting portion is structured to be mounted to an outer casing receiver of a bicycle, and the connector portion is retained to the mounting portion and is structured to retain an electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Naohiro Nishimoto
  • Publication number: 20080214022
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a vehicle connector lockout apparatus capable of being connected to the diagnostic port of a vehicle is provided. The preferred embodiment of the invention uses a raised protrusion, located in the common space below the two rows of pin spacing of the diagnostic port, as a locking point. The preferred embodiment provides a blocking mating connector with a pressure mechanism for clamping the mating connector to the protrusion. In the preferred embodiment the pressure mechanism is activated and released mechanically by operation of a key in a key lock which is an integral part of the mating connector, where rotation of the key to the locked position in the key lock applies pressure to the protrusion so as to clamp the blocking mating connector to the protrusion. A further embodiment of the invention provides a non-volatile microchip memory component to store information about the vehicle operator usable by medical personnel at the scene of a crash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas M. Kowalick
  • Publication number: 20080207009
    Abstract: A female terminal for connector is electrically connected to a pin, and the pin is electrically connected to a squib to ignite an airbag. The female terminal for connector includes a tubular external wall part and a spring part contacting the pin. A tip portion of the spring part is capable of swinging so as to deflect from a main body portion. The external wall part is formed into a shape having two curved portions disposed to face one another in a swinging direction so as to be outward convex in a radial cross section, and two joining portions to linearly joint ends of the two curved portions together, and the external wall part is formed such that an outside diameter in the swinging direction of the spring part is made larger than an outside diameter in a direction perpendicular to the swinging direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Osada
  • Patent number: 7402043
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector holding structure in which a connector is held in a door frame, the connector being mated with a mating connector attached to a fulcrum end of a door handle and pivotally held in the door frame. The connector holding structure according to the present invention allows the connector to be smoothly mated with the mating connector while permitting a change in the orientation of the connector caused by a pivoting motion of the door handle. The connector has two projections arranged on each side in a horizontal direction. A door frame has a guide groove extending along a horizontal direction in association with a direction in which the two projections are arranged, and two grooves extending downward from the guide groove in association with the two projections to permit pivoting motion of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP K.K.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Komiyama, Yoshinori Hitomi, Katsutoshi Fukunaga, Makoto Suzumura, Yukinobu Kunimatsu
  • Patent number: 7402044
    Abstract: An installation apparatus for installing a wire harness over a fixed structural body and a movable structural body which is slidably provided to the fixed structural body, the installation apparatus includes a case that receives the wire harness such that the wire harness extends in a sliding direction of the movable structural body, and is folded back into a generally U-shape, and a slider that holds a distal end-side portion of the wire harness extending from the folded-back portion toward a distal end of the wire harness, and is slidably supported on the case so as to move in the sliding direction of the movable structural body, and is movable in accordance with a sliding movement of the movable structural body. The case includes an inner face which extends in the sliding direction of the movable structural body. The slider is received within the case, and slides on the inner face of the case so that the slider is guided in the sliding direction of the movable structural body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyasu Terada
  • Publication number: 20080153316
    Abstract: A plug-in connector (10) for a control unit (100) of a window opener in a motor vehicle, including a box-like housing (1). The plug-in connector (10) includes a plurality of motor connections (2), situated in corresponding longitudinal seats (4). Each motor connection (2) includes a base (21), partially embedded in the box-like housing (1) and a terminal, clamp portion (22), which engages with a relative comb connector (3) of the complementary female connector. A longitudinal slot (25) is made in an intermediate portion (24) of the connection (2). The areas (26a, 27a) joining longitudinal prongs (26, 27) and the base (21), and the areas (26b, 27b) joining the prongs and the clamp portion (22), deform, like hinge points of a pivot parallelogram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Selta S.r.l.
    Inventor: Tommaso Rabotti
  • Patent number: 7381898
    Abstract: A power supply device for realizing an electrical connection structure includes a wire harness arranged to electrically connect a body with a sliding door and having both ends fixed thereto and a bendable middle portion. A slider is arranged to contact the middle portion of the wire harness and move in synchronization with slide movement to guide the wire harness in a parallel direction. A box-shaped protector having a housing space to house the slider together with the middle portion of the wire harness therein is disposed on the sliding door. The slider is actuated toward the side to which a bent portion protrudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehisa Ide
  • Publication number: 20080121426
    Abstract: An insertion area for an unlocking jig (D) differs depending on whether unlocking is effected using a first fulcrum portion (22) as a fulcrum or using a second fulcrum portion (27) as a fulcrum. Since this enables an unlocking operation to be carried out by inserting the unlocking jig (D) into the selected one of the different insertion areas, restriction on the insertion area for the unlocking jig (D) can be alleviated and consequently restriction in terms of the arrangement of parts can be alleviated as compared to the case where the insertion area is limited to one spot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Kobayashi, Takao Hata