Retaining Means With Distinct Movement-actuating Means To Move Coupling Part Axially Patents (Class 439/310)
  • Patent number: 9153980
    Abstract: An electrical vehicle recharging device includes an electric vehicle connector. The electric vehicle connector complies with the SAE J1772 standard and includes a first end configured to be coupled to a receptacle on an electric vehicle to recharge the batteries of that vehicle and a second end that includes a handle. The device also include a charger housing that is positioned immediately next to and coupled to the electric vehicle connector and includes an electric vehicle charging circuit positioned within the charger housing. The device further includes a power cable having a first end and a distal second end. The first end of the power cable is coupled to the electric vehicle charging circuit and the second end is coupled to an electrical plug configured to be removably coupled to a surface-mounted electrical receptacle to provide a source of power to the device for recharging the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Carlos Eduardo Restrepo, Luis F. Salas
  • Patent number: 9130324
    Abstract: A connector 1 has a housing 4 including a side wall 42 extending from a base plate 41, a pair of projections 45 projecting from the side wall, and a lever 5 including a pair of plate members 50A having a guide groove 53 and a plate connecting member 50B connecting the pair of plate members. The lever is positioned from a release position to a slide start position, at which the surface of the base plate is in parallel to and slid along the lengthwise direction of the guide groove 53, and tube members 59, 71 and locking members 46, 58 are engaged. A first surface 5a at a side apart from the guide groove is perpendicular to a slide direction at the slide position and a second surface 5b at a side near to the guide groove is perpendicular to a connecting direction Z at the release position. When the lever 5 reaches a lock position, detect connectors in tube members 59, 71 become engaged to close the power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Furuya, Hirotaka Hasegawa, Hiroyasu Matsumura
  • Patent number: 9124035
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a lock claw and a latch claw. The latch claw is provided at a nearer side than the lock claw in a fitting direction where a connector fitting portion is fitted to a power receiving connector and is provided with the lock claw along the fitting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takenori Ohmura
  • Patent number: 9106014
    Abstract: In an electrical connector, a latch claw is provided at a nearer side than a lock claw in a fitting direction of a connector fitting portion to a power receiving connector. While the latch claw is retracted into the connector fitting portion, the latch arm swings to release the latching between a latch piece and a second latch groove portion. The latch arm includes a protrusion 131A that releases the latching between the second latch groove portion and a hold latch piece of the lock-release hold portion when the second latch groove portion and the latch piece latch together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takenori Ohmura
  • Patent number: 9106015
    Abstract: A latching of a latch piece to a latch portion of a lock release unit is released with a latch claw being retracted in a connector fitting portion by swing of a latch arm. A latching of an auxiliary latch piece to the latch portion is released with a lock claw being retracted in the connector fitting portion by swing of a lock arm and an auxiliary arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takenori Ohmura
  • Patent number: 9106018
    Abstract: A half fitting prevention connector includes a cylindrical case, a connector body for supplying electric power that is slidably accommodated in a front half part of the cylindrical case, a lever rotatably attached to the cylindrical case, and a holder that has a lever receiving portion for receiving an end portion of the lever. The connector body is moved in the cylindrical case in accordance with a rotational operation of the lever. The holder is provided on a rotation locus of the lever. The end portion of the lever is received in the lever receiving portion of the holder in a state that the connector body is completely fitted with a mating connector by the rotational operation of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takenori Ohmura
  • Patent number: 9099810
    Abstract: A half fitting prevention connector includes a cylindrical case, a connector body, a lever, and a release lever. The release lever has a lock hole. An electromagnetic coil has a plunger. The plunger is arranged so as to face a microswitch. The electromagnetic coil is excited by connection between the signal terminal of the connector body and a signal terminal of a mating connector, and thereby moving the plunger toward the microswitch. The release lever is rotatable so that the plunger can enter the lock hole to press the microswitch in a state that the connector body is completely fitted with the mating connector and the plunger cannot enter the lock hole in a state that the connector body is half fitted with the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takenori Ohmura
  • Patent number: 9088110
    Abstract: In an electrical connector, a latch claw is provided at a nearer side than a lock claw in a fitting direction of a connector fitting portion to a power receiving connector. While the latch claw is retracted into the connector fitting portion, the latch arm swings to release the latching between a latch piece and a second latch groove portion. The power feedability determining mechanism includes a movable shaft moving in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction when a half-fitting state changes to a fitting state, and a regulation arm insertable into or extractable from an air gap of a lock arm according to the movement of the movable shaft. The regulation arm is inserted into the air gap to regulate swinging of the lock arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takenori Ohmura
  • Patent number: 9048567
    Abstract: A connector capable of being fitted to a partner connector is provided with a lock member, a solenoid having a plunger, a restriction member having a restricting part, and a restricted part. In a fitted state in which the connector and the partner connector are fitted to each other, the lock member engages the partner connector and locks the two connectors into a fitted state. The solenoid drives the plunger between a restriction position and a release position. The restriction member is movably supported by the plunger. The restricted part receives the restricting part when the plunger is driven into the restriction position. When the plunger is in the restriction position, movement of the restricted part is restricted by the restricting part, and thereby the restricted part directly or indirectly prevents release of the fitted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Yohei Takagi, Yoshiro Otsuka, Osamu Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 9048582
    Abstract: A half fitting prevention connector includes a cylindrical case, a connector body, a lever, and a release lever. The release lever has a lock hole. An electromagnetic coil has a plunger. The plunger is arranged so as to face a microswitch. The electromagnetic coil is excited by connection between the signal terminal of the connector body and a signal terminal of a mating connector, and thereby moving the plunger toward the microswitch. The release lever is rotatable so that the plunger can enter the lock hole to press the microswitch in a state that the connector body is completely fitted with the mating connector and the plunger cannot enter the lock hole in a state that the connector body is half fitted with the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takenori Ohmura
  • Publication number: 20150132979
    Abstract: An elbow-type medium or high voltage electrical device includes a longitudinal body, a first connector end formed substantially perpendicularly to an axial direction of the longitudinal body, and an integral grounding element end substantially perpendicularly to the axial direction of the longitudinal body and opposing the first connector end. The first connector end includes a first axial bore configured to receive a bushing element therein. The grounding element end includes a second axial bore formed therein for receiving a conductive grounding element therein. The grounding element, when inserted into the second axial bore includes an exposed portion projecting above a surface of the grounding element end. The exposed portion of the grounding element is configured for attachment by a grounded hot line clamp to ground the electrical connector assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Larry N. Siebens
  • Publication number: 20150118884
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and an electronic card connector. The housing includes a supporting wall and a number of peripheral sidewalls. The supporting wall and the number of peripheral sidewalls define an accommodating space. The peripheral sidewall defines a first through hole and a second through hole. The electronic card connector includes a tray being received in the accommodating space, a first geared rack being received in the second through hole, a cylinder gear being rotatably coupled to the supporting wall and meshed with the first geared rack, and a second geared rack being coupled to the supporting wall and meshed with the cylinder. The tray is supported by the second geared rack. The cylinder gear and the second geared rack can be both driven to move to eject the tray ejected from the accommodating space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: CHIA-JUI HU
  • Publication number: 20150104965
    Abstract: Provided is a terminal locking structure for an electrical connector excellent in assembly even when the locking position of a lance of a terminal is restricted, wherein, in the terminal locking structure that locks a terminal into a housing of the electrical connector with a lance, the terminal includes the lance and a stabilizer on an outer circumference of a cylindrical part thereof, the housing includes: an insertion part into which the terminal is inserted; a lance locking part provided only at a predetermined position along an inner circumference of the insertion part; and a guide part for the stabilizer, the guide part being inserted along the insertion part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Tetsuya Takagi
  • Patent number: 9004933
    Abstract: A detonator (14) has a printed circuit board (18) with conductive contact pads (26) which are electrically connected to conductors (32, 34) by means of a compression-type fitting. The compression-type fitting includes a cover (40), a seal (46) and a locking member (54) through which the electrical conductors in the form of a cable (12) are slidably threaded in the stated order. The detonator (14) has at its trailing end (24) a wedge-shaped part (28) having a serrated surface (28A). Locking member (54) has a tapered cavity (56) having a serrated surface (56A). Cover (40) is slid along cable (12) to force locking member (54) into locking engagement with wedge-shaped part (28) to hold conductors (32, 34) in contact with contact pads (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Detnet South Africa (Pty) Ltd
    Inventor: Christopher Malcolm Birkin
  • Publication number: 20150099386
    Abstract: An electrical connector configured to retain an electrical terminal including a terminal lock nib that projects inward into a terminal cavity from a first cavity wall for retaining the electrical terminal in the connector body and a flexible cantilever beam that projects axially into the terminal cavity from a fixed end of the cantilever beam. The cantilever beam is located opposite the terminal lock nib and is configured to push the terminal against a second cavity wall and into retaining engagement with the terminal lock nib. The connector also includes a support ridge that projects into the terminal cavity and is configured to contact and restrict movement of a free end of the cantilever beam during insertion of the terminal into the terminal cavity. The terminal has a laterally spaced lock surface engageable with the lock nib and is configured to prevent withdrawal of the terminal from the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: JOHN R. MORELLO, JAMES M. RAINEY
  • Publication number: 20150079830
    Abstract: A lever-actuated electrical connector is disclosed having a housing mateable with a mating connector having a complementary mating terminal. A mating lever is positioned on the housing and rotatable from an initial mating position to a final mating position. A lever lock is disposed on the mating lever and latches to a mating housing of the mating connector when the mating connector and electrical connector are completely mated. A mating detection terminal is positioned on the mating lever and forms a detection circuit when in contact with the mating terminal of the mating connector. The position of the mating detection terminal is controlled by the lever lock through the operation of the mating lever, and the detection circuit is only formed when the mating lever is in a final mating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Japan G.K.
    Inventor: Shingo Iwatani
  • Publication number: 20150037995
    Abstract: A housing structure is prevented from becoming complicated. A connector (A) includes: a housing (10) having a terminal accommodation chamber (11); a terminal fitting (20) inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber (11); a lance (14) which can lock the terminal fitting (20) in a detachment prevention state; a front retainer (30); a mold removal space (19) which serves to mold the lance (14); and a detection hole (35) formed in the front retainer (30), allowing insertion of a probe P from the front side and communicating with the terminal accommodation chamber (11) via the mold removal space (19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Saitou, Yukihiro Fukatsu
  • Publication number: 20150031226
    Abstract: A power distribution assembly including a seating tray and a device coupled to the seating tray and at least partially fixed relative to the seating tray. The device defines a first channel and a second channel. The device has a mechanical advantage system in communication with the first and second channels. The power distribution assembly includes a housing selectively coupled to the seating tray and an extension affixed to the housing and movably disposed in the second channel of the device. The extension engages the mechanical advantage system. A power distribution assembly includes an actuator movably disposed in the first channel of the device. The actuator engages the mechanical advantage system. The actuator is movable in a first direction to actuate the mechanical advantage system and translate movement of the actuator to movement of the extension with the housing moves toward the seating tray during the movement of the extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: AEES, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander T. Wisneski, Pat M. McCabe, Brian R. Masters, Richard J. Kakkuri, Larry Smith, Jeff Sodini
  • Publication number: 20140349504
    Abstract: A lever-type connector has an outer housing (40) includes accommodating chambers (44) and lock receiving portions (52) at position facing the accommodating chambers (44) and outer surfaces. Inner connectors (11) are connectable to a mating connector by being inserted into the accommodating chambers (44). A rotatable lever (70) is mounted on the outer surfaces of the outer housing (40). The lever (70) includes locks (76) for restricting rotation of the lever by being fit into the lock receiving portions (52) from outer sides when the lever (70) is assembled with the outer housing (40). The inner connector (10) includes a releasing portion (26) for pressing the locking portion (76) from an inner side to separate the lock (76) from the lock receiving portion (52) when the inner connector (10) is inserted into the accommodating chamber (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinya Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8882525
    Abstract: In a power feeding connector 7, a housing front side tubular part 81 of a power feeding side connector 8 to be engaged with an inner periphery of an outer tubular wall part 51 of a power receiving side connector 5 is provided, on an outer periphery at a lower end side thereof, with a raised part 86 which overrides an inner peripheral face of the outer tubular wall part 51, before an engaging length of the housing front side tubular part 81 with respect to the outer tubular wall part 51 reaches a prescribed length, and the raised part 86 corrects a backwardly inclined state of the power feeding side connector 8 due to its dead weight into a state where axes of the outer tubular wall part 51 and the housing front side tubular part 81 are aligned with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Mori, Takenori Ohmura
  • Patent number: 8858250
    Abstract: A cable assembly structure, the structure including a connector having a connector body having a back end and a front end, a cam extending from and coupled to the back end of the connector body, a wire bundle extending from and coupled to the back end of the connector body; and a pair of guidance features extending from the front end of the connector body; and a receptacle having a receptacle body having a fixed end and an open end, and a pair of cam guides positioned on a top and a bottom surface of the receptacle. The cam is operable to couple the connector with the receptacle based on the guidance features aligning the connector with the receptacle, the cam guides being operable to receive the cam associated with the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Mark Garrison Clark, Eric James McKeever, John G. Torok
  • Patent number: 8840414
    Abstract: In a power feeding connector 7, a housing front side tubular part 81 of a power feeding side connector 8 to be engaged with an inner periphery of an outer tubular wall part 51 of a power receiving side connector 5 is provided, on an outer periphery at a lower end side thereof, with a raised part 86 which overrides an inner peripheral face of the outer tubular wall part 51, before an engaging length of the housing front side tubular part 81 with respect to the outer tubular wall part 51 reaches a prescribed length, and the raised part 86 corrects a backwardly inclined state of the power feeding side connector 8 due to its dead weight into a state where axes of the outer tubular wall part 51 and the housing front side tubular part 81 are aligned with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Mori, Takenori Ohmura
  • Patent number: 8827735
    Abstract: A connector 1 includes female and male connectors 10 and 20. In the female connector 10, a female side pressure operating surface 13 is provided on which a first working surface 41 of a nipping tool 40 abuts to receive a force in a fitting direction of the female connector 10. In the male connector 20, a male side pressure operating surface 24 is provided on which a second working surface 42 of the nipping tool 40 abuts to receive a force in the first working surface 41 side of the nipping tool 40. The first working surface 41 of the nipping tool 40 is allowed to come close to the second working surface 42 to fit the female connector 10 to the male connector 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiko Shimizu, Akihiro Tsuruta
  • Publication number: 20140248788
    Abstract: A lever-fit-type connector includes: a first connector; a lever provided on the first connector; and a second connector configured to be fitted with the first connector by an operation of the lever, wherein the lever includes a U-shaped elastic member including: a proximal end portion fixed to the lever; a distal end portion projecting in a vertical direction; a projecting portion projecting in a horizontal direction in the vicinity of the distal end portion; a U-shaped portion disposed between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion; and an engaging portion disposed between the distal end portion and the U-shaped portion, the U-shaped elastic member has a clearance between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion in the horizontal direction, and one of the first and second connectors includes an engaging portion operable to be engaged with the engaging portion of the U-shaped elastic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Kodama, Keita Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8823486
    Abstract: An antitheft system of a charger for an electric vehicle that prevents theft of a charger during charging a battery of the electric vehicle is disclosed. More specifically, a first signal generating portion is provided at the charger, receives a decoupling will of the charger, and generates a decoupling signal. A second signal generating portion generates a position signal, so that anyone who is allowed to handle the electric vehicle possesses the second signal generating portion. A control portion generates an operating signal when both the decoupling signal of the first signal generating portion and the position signal of the second signal generating portion are received by the control portion. Once received, an actuator decouples the charger from the connector once the operating signal from the control portion is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yun Jae Jung, Seok Kim, Taehyoung Park
  • Publication number: 20140213087
    Abstract: In a power shutoff device, an operation lever is provided to be rotatable between a first position where a receiving connector and the plug connector are separated and a second position where the receiving connector and the plug connector are fitted. The operation lever is slidable in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction at the second position. A fitting detecting connector includes a fitting detecting receiving connector accommodating a pair of fitting detecting terminals in a pipe body penetrating and protruding from a side wall of a housing of the receiving connector, and a fitting detecting plug connector accommodating a conductive member electrically connecting the fitting detecting terminals in a pipe body. The fitting detecting plug connector is provided at a distal end part of the operation lever so as to be fitted to the fitting detecting receiving connector when the operation lever slides at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinobu FURUYA, Ryuta TAKISHITA, Go YAMADA, Masaaki IWABE, Toshiki HIRATA
  • Publication number: 20140187072
    Abstract: A connector includes a connecting terminal to be connected to another connecting terminal of another connector, a fixed contact, a movable contact provided at one end of a movable plate, a movable spring connected to the movable plate, and an operation part that moves according to an operation performed by an operator. The connecting terminal is connected to one of the fixed contact and the movable contact. The operation part applies a force to a part of the movable spring in a direction that is substantially parallel to a direction of a force applied to operate the operation part, and causes the movable contact to contact the fixed contact. The direction of the force applied to operate the operation part is substantially parallel to a direction in which the movable contact moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: NTT FACILITIES, INC., FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: SeungSeok Beak, Koichi Kiryu, Takashi Yuba, Daiel Iwamato, Akio Nakamura, Masatoshi Noritake, Keiichi Hirose
  • Patent number: 8764471
    Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a pin connector and a socket connector that each attach to a cable having multiple twisted pairs of wires. The connectors include features for shielding each pair of pin or socket contacts from the other pairs of pin or socket contacts to reduce interference and crosstalk. A contact-retaining shell of one of the connectors includes an integrally formed insertion plug having cantilever elements that electrically contact a conductive surface of the mating connector to provide a low-impedance pathway between the shell and the mating connector for purposes of grounding and/or shielding. The electrical connector system is designed to be readily disassembled and reassembled for repair or re-work without the use of special tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Carlisle Interconnect Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Phong Dang
  • Publication number: 20140179143
    Abstract: A connector element is configured in a manner of a flat connector and has a two-part connector housing extending in the longitudinal direction and a locking mechanism for forming a lockable plug-in connection with a counterpart. The locking mechanism contains a locking element having a pull tab fastened thereto. In order to enable a reliable emergency release even if the pull tab is ripped off, the locking element is led outside by a mounting part and the pull tab is irremovably fastened to the mounting part by riveting the pull tab or injection molding the pull tab onto the mounting part. This also makes it possible to easily adapt the pull element in a customer-specific manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: LEONI KABEL HOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: OLAF KAPPLA, ANDREAS JOSEPH SCHMID, KATJA SCHOEBER, CHRISTOPH UNTIEDT, ARNO FRAHMANN
  • Patent number: 8760853
    Abstract: A disconnect mechanism, an electrical component assembly including the disconnect mechanism, and an electrical circuit protector in turn including the electrical component assembly. The disconnect mechanism includes a carriage, as well as a switch actuator connected to the carriage for moving the carriage between a switch-closed position and a switch-open position. A contactor is mounted to the carriage so as to move with the carriage, the contactor including first and second contactor terminals and providing selective electrical connection between the contactor terminals. A movable disconnect switch contact is connected to the first contactor terminal, and is movable with the carriage and the contactor. A fixed disconnect switch contact is positioned for selective engagement with the movable disconnect switch contact as the carriage moves to the switch-closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Electro-Mechanical Corporation
    Inventor: Scott A. Bullock
  • Publication number: 20140113476
    Abstract: A boss drawing-in groove of a lever includes: a lever inversion groove portion configured to cause the lever drawing-in boss to rotate the lever in an opposite direction opposite to a fitting rotation direction, in response to an insertion of a male connector into a hood with the lever being positioned at an initial rotation position; a drawing-in groove portion configured to guide the lever drawing-in boss by a rotating operation of the lever in the fitting rotation direction and cause the male connector to be fitted into a female connector; and a lever inertial rotation portion configured to rotate in the fitting rotation direction due to an inertial force of the lever after rotation of the lever in the opposite direction and cause the lever drawing-in boss to move to the drawing-in groove portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiko Shimizu, Akinori Tashiro, Akihiro Tsuruta, Kazuya Terao
  • Patent number: 8696373
    Abstract: An object is to surely connect and disconnect the safety circuit for connectors with good workability. A low insertion force connector unit with a safety circuit unit 1 is adopted. The low insertion force connector unit with a safety circuit unit 1 includes: a driving lever 5 having an arc-shaped gear 6, an arc-shaped notch 34 continued to the gear, an arc-shaped cam groove 16 formed in the same radius from a center axis ‘m’, and a straight groove 17 continued to the cam groove; a gear unit 8 having a circular gear 10 meshed with the arc-shaped gear and a spiral groove 9, and attached to the one connector 2; a first driven projection 11 provided on the other connector 3, and engaged with the spiral groove; one small connector 13 of the safety circuit unit 12 provided on the one connector movably in a connector fitting direction; a second driven projection 22 provided on the one small connector; and the other small connector 14 of the safety circuit unit 12 fixed to the other connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Sachiko Yagome, Ayumu Ishikawa, Kazuki Zaitsu
  • Publication number: 20140080342
    Abstract: A half fitting prevention connector includes a cylindrical case, a connector body for supplying electric power that is slidably accommodated in a front half part of the cylindrical case, a lever rotatably attached to the cylindrical case, and a holder that has a lever receiving portion for receiving an end portion of the lever. The connector body is moved in the cylindrical case in accordance with a rotational operation of the lever. The holder is provided on a rotation locus of the lever. The end portion of the lever is received in the lever receiving portion of the holder in a state that the connector body is completely fitted with a mating connector by the rotational operation of the lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takenori Ohmura
  • Publication number: 20140080341
    Abstract: A cable assembly structure, the structure including a connector having a connector body having a back end and a front end, a cam extending from and coupled to the back end of the connector body, a wire bundle extending from and coupled to the back end of the connector body; and a pair of guidance features extending from the front end of the connector body; and a receptacle having a receptacle body having a fixed end and an open end, and a pair of cam guides positioned on a top and a bottom surface of the receptacle. The cam is operable to couple the connector with the receptacle based on the guidance features aligning the connector with the receptacle, the cam guides being operable to receive the cam associated with the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Mark Garrison Clark, Eric James McKeever, John G. Torok
  • Publication number: 20140024241
    Abstract: An elbow-type power cable electrical connector includes a connector body having a bushing receiving end projecting substantially perpendicularly from the connector body and a connection end projecting substantially perpendicularly from the connector body and oriented substantially opposite to the bushing receiving end, wherein the bushing receiving end is configured to receive a switchgear bushing therein. A grounding device is configured for insertion into the connection end of the connector, wherein the grounding device is configured to conductively connect to the switchgear bushing. The grounding devices include an exposed conductive portion configured to engage a grounded hot line clamp, during grounding of the electrical connector assembly. An insulated cap is provided to cover the exposed conductive portion of the grounding device during normal operation of the electrical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Larry N. Siebens
  • Publication number: 20130309891
    Abstract: An engagement amount of a latch lock part with respect to a signal transmission medium is sufficiently and constantly ensured by a simple configuration. A reference abutting surface having a stepped shape projecting toward an upper surface of the signal transmission medium compared with other part of an inner wall surface of a medium insertion path is formed at part of the inner wall surface of the medium insertion path facing the upper surface of the signal transmission medium, the upper surface of the signal transmission medium is caused to abut at least the reference abutting surface of the medium insertion path, and the position of the upper surface of the signal transmission medium is determined in the thickness direction while using the reference abutting surface as a reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: DAI-ICHI SEIKO CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8581599
    Abstract: A conduction check apparatus including an inspection part (4) having a main body (22) having a surface (23a), inspection pins (21) protruded from the surface (23a), a guide pin (8) provided on the surface (23a); and a protection board 6 sliding along the guide pin (8) from a first position to a second position and having a plurality of holes (28). At the first position, the protection board (6) covers a tip of each of the inspection pins (21) and, at the second position, each of the inspection pins (21) jut out from the respective one of the holes (28). The conduction check apparatus includes a connector setting part (3) relatively moving toward the inspection part (4). The protection board (6) moves between the first and the second position during the relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyuki Katoh
  • Patent number: 8568155
    Abstract: In an electrical connector for an electric vehicle, the spring latch is not sealed; instead, the connector body has holes allowing water entering the spring latch mechanism to drain harmlessly out of the connector. A forward-facing LED or other light source acts as a flashlight. Once the connector is connected, the forward-facing LED is switched off, and a rear-facing LED or other light source is switched on to confirm that the connector is connected and capable of charging the vehicle. The connector is produced by overmolding in a three-layer configuration, where each layer is formed of a material having advantageous materials for that layer's position in the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: General Cable Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Damien T. Sebald, Brian D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130280938
    Abstract: An IC socket includes a socket body, a contact pin that contacts a terminal of an IC package, and a latch that presses the IC package from an upper side thereof. An elastic piece of the contact pin is extended along substantially horizontal direction. The latch is formed with a can portion. When the latch is rotated in an opening direction thereof, the elastic piece is pressed by the cam portion so as to be elastically deformed downward so that the contact portion is displaced to be separated downward from a contacting position to the terminal of the IC package. When the latch is rotated in a closing direction thereof, a pressing force of the cam portion applied to the elastic piece is released so as to displace the cam portion upward by the elastic force of the elastic piece to thereby contact the terminal of the IC package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: ENPLAS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenji Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8562365
    Abstract: In an electrical connector for an electric vehicle, the spring latch is not sealed; instead, the connector body has holes allowing water entering the spring latch mechanism to drain harmlessly out of the connector. A forward-facing LED or other light source acts as a flashlight. Once the connector is connected, the forward-facing LED is switched off, and a rear-facing LED or other light source is switched on to confirm that the connector is connected and capable of charging the vehicle. The connector is produced by overmolding in a three-layer configuration, where each layer is formed of a material having advantageous materials for that layer's position in the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Cable Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Damien T. Sebald, Brian D. Smith
  • Patent number: 8550833
    Abstract: A security apparatus for preventing unauthorized disengagement of a charging connector from a charge port of an electric vehicle, for example during the battery charging process. A lock member is disposed on the electric vehicle and is movable between a locked position wherein it inhibits disengagement of the charging connector from the charge port and an unlocked position wherein it allows disengagement of the connector from the port. A locking actuator located adjacent to the charge port is manually actuatable to move the lock member to the locked position. An unlock actuator disposed inside a vehicle cabin is manually actuatable to move the lock member to the unlocked position. This ensures that only a person with access to the interior of the vehicle can unlock and disengage the charging connector from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Publication number: 20130231000
    Abstract: A detonator which has a printed circuit board with contact pads which are electrically connected to conductors by means of a compression-type fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: DETNET SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD
    Inventor: Christopher Malcolm Birkin
  • Patent number: 8523596
    Abstract: A power plug locking device used with a door lock drive source that locks a vehicle door includes a lock mechanism switched between a lock state, in which removal of a power plug from an inlet is prohibited, and an unlock state, in which the removal is permitted. A plug lock drive source performs an unlocking operation that switches the lock mechanism to the unlock state. A plug lock detector, which detects whether the lock mechanism is in the lock state, is connected between the plug lock drive source and an unlock terminal of the door lock drive source. A power supply circuit supplies the plug lock drive source with current and switches the lock mechanism to the unlock state when the door lock drive source is performing an unlocking operation while the plug lock detector is detecting that the lock mechanism is in the lock state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tomohiro Inoue, Shuji Ogata, Keigo Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 8517750
    Abstract: Design and integration of a UV LED curing system into a multi-station UV-curing process, such as for inkjet or offset printing. Docking ports may be permanently mounted into various stations within the UV-curing process. The UV LED lamps may be modular and may therefore be inserted into any one of the desired docking ports at variable distances from the substrate to be cured without significant loss of optical uniformity or radiant intensity. The docking ports are designed such that they can accommodate UV LED lamps of differing wavelengths and, therefore, power requirements. The insertion of a UV LED lamp into a docking port is designed such that it is accomplished without tools and may be considered a “plug and play” operation. Multiple docking ports may be mounted into a single station in the UV-curing process to allow for the installation of multiple lamps at each station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Air Motion Systems, Inc
    Inventors: Aaron D. Martinez, Stephen J. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 8506315
    Abstract: A docking station for stowing an electrical connector adapted to connect a power source to a re-chargeable battery in a vehicle powered at least partially by the battery. The connector has a first end connected to a power cable for coupling the connector to the power source, and a second end that includes multiple first electrical terminals adapted to engage mating second electrical terminals in a receptacle. The second end also includes a protruding latching element adapted to engage a cooperating latching element in a receptacle for latching the connector to the receptacle. A stowing receptacle adapted to receive the second end of the connector when the connector is not in use includes an elongated recess adapted to receive the protruding latching element when the protruding latching element is located anywhere along the length of the elongated recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Filiberto Escamilla Canedo, Vladimir Cano Rodriguez, Jorge Vladimir Silva Mata, Karla Morena Guajardo Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8502499
    Abstract: A charging device for an electrically-drivable vehicle comprises a power-supply connector (100), a power-receiving connector (200), a safety-charging-signal-generating unit provided in the charging device, a CAN control module receiving a safety-charging signal generated by the safety-charging-signal-generating unit. The charging device may be configured to be chargeable to the electrically-drivable vehicle when the charging terminal and the charging-terminal-accommodating chamber are connected to each other. The power-supply connector and the power-receiving connector are engaged with the CAN module detecting the safety-charging signal. The personal safety during maintenance or other unexpected accidents is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Xiao, Li Zhan, Ye Yuan
  • Patent number: 8500476
    Abstract: A power-feed connector comprises a tubular case that has a front end opening portion; a connector body that is housed in the tubular case and can slide along a center axis direction of the tubular case; and an operating mechanism that operates the sliding of the connector body along the center axis direction, wherein the operating mechanism at least comprises an operating lever that is pivotally supported at the tubular case rotatably and a first end of which protrudes outside of the tubular case, and a conversion mechanism that converts a rotating force of the operating lever generated by moving the first end only into a force in the center axis direction of the tubular case; and a moving direction of the first end of the operating lever is coincident with a moving direction of the connector body which moves in association with the rotation of the operating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunobu Hori, Keiji Yahagi
  • Publication number: 20130143427
    Abstract: Electrical connector assemblies, light bases with one or more electrical connector assemblies, and methods for connecting one or more electrical wires to one or more sheet-metal connectors are disclosed. An electrical connector assembly for an electrical distribution system is disclosed, which includes an electrically insulated housing with a wire-connection port and a blade-connection port. The wire-connection port is designed to receive an electrical wire, while the blade-connection port is designed to receive an electrically conductive blade. An electrical conductor is disposed within the housing, extending between the blade-connection and wire-connection ports. A first threadless fastener secures the wire in the wire-connection port and electrically couples the wire to the electrical conductor. A second threadless fastener secures the blade in the blade-connection port and electrically couples the blade to the electrical conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Paula Bulnes Abundis, Fabiola Gutiérrez Gómez
  • Publication number: 20130095683
    Abstract: An object is to surely connect and disconnect the safety circuit for connectors with good workability. A low insertion force connector unit with a safety circuit unit 1 is adopted. The low insertion force connector unit with a safety circuit unit 1 includes: a driving lever 5 having an arc-shaped gear 6, an arc-shaped notch 34 continued to the gear, an arc-shaped cam groove 16 formed in the same radius from a center axis ‘m’, and a straight groove 17 continued to the cam groove; a gear unit 8 having a circular gear 10 meshed with the arc-shaped gear and a spiral groove 9, and attached to the one connector 2; a first driven projection 11 provided on the other connector 3, and engaged with the spiral groove; one small connector 13 of the safety circuit unit 12 provided on the one connector movably in a connector fitting direction; a second driven projection 22 provided on the one small connector; and the other small connector 14 of the safety circuit unit 12 fixed to the other connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Sachiko Yagome, Ayumu Ishikawa, Kazuki Zaitsu
  • Publication number: 20130029510
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a connector (100) facilitates the interconnect between the connector and an electronic device (200). The connector (100) is formed of a plug (102), a locking sleeve (104) and an o-ring (112). The locking sleeve has a locking pattern (108) that, upon rotation of the locking sleeve, engages and disengages lock between the plug and a socket within the electronic device. Friction from the o-ring (112) on the locking sleeve (104) prevents disengagement of the connector from the electronic device while providing a seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Bayliss, Andy A. Hoang, Armando R. Zacarias