System and method for verifying assembly of a connector
a technology for assembly verification and connectors, applied in the direction of coupling device connections, optical elements, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of high cost of incorporating such position assurance or locking features on connectors, labor-intensive push-click-tug verification, and relatively unreliable implementation of labor-intensive processes such as push-click-tug verification cost prohibitive to implement, and the cost of incorporating such position assurance or locking features can become significan
Active Publication Date: 2013-10-24
GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC
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Benefits of technology
The invention is a method for verifying the assembly of an electrical connector. It involves attaching a male connector and a female connector and observing the light emitted from them. The male connector has a special region that emits light that is easily recognizable, and when the male connector is not fully assembled into the female connector, the light from this region is emitted. When the male connector is fully assembled, the female connector covers up the light from the special region, preventing it from being emitted. This technique ensures that the connectors are fully assembled and eliminates the risk of improper assembly.
Problems solved by technology
When electrical connectors are not fully seated, the faultily connected subassemblies may initially operate satisfactorily, but may fail prematurely in service.
Unfortunately, manual processes such as Push-Click-Tug-Verify can be labor intensive, tedious, and relatively unreliable.
In a motor vehicle, there may be hundreds or even thousands of connections to make, causing the implementation of labor-intensive processes like Push-Click-Tug-Verify cost-prohibitive to implement except in limited situations.
In addition, the cost of incorporating such position assurance or locking features on connectors can become significant when implemented broadly.
Method used
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[0015]The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure.
[0016]In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the present disclosure provides an improved system and method for verifying proper assembly of connectors such as electrical connectors, hydraulic connectors, pneumatic connectors and optical connectors. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary connector assembly 100 comprising a male connector 102 and a mating female connector 104. The female connector 104 includes a housing 106 having an inner surface 10...
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A connector assembly comprises a male connector and a female connector. The female connector includes a housing having an inner surface defining a cavity configured to receive the male connector. The male connector includes a housing having an outer surface configured to enable the male connector to be at least partially inserted into the cavity. The outer surface comprises a background region and an indicator region configured to emit a detectable quantity of light that is distinguishable from light emitted by the background region of the male connector and from light emitted by the housing of the female connector. The indicator region is shaped and positioned to be at least partially exposed whenever the male connector is not fully assembled into the female connector and to be completely within the housing of the female connector whenever the male connector is fully assembled into the female connector.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The subject invention relates to connector assemblies and more specifically to a system and method for verifying assembly of a connector assembly.BACKGROUND[0002]The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.[0003]In a production facility for assembling appliances, computers, motor vehicles, or other products comprising components that must be reliably joined with electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, optical, mechanical, or other connections, it is important to be able to verify that all of the connections have been made reliably. For example, where the coupling involves an electrical connection, it is ...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): H01R13/641
CPCG02B6/385H01R13/641H01R13/717
InventorHEITMANN, MICHAEL C.SLOVAN, BERNARD J.
OwnerGM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC