Connector Test Circuit for Contact Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection units for transport devices connected to motor vehicles often experience unreliable contact due to lack of use or corrosion, posing a safety risk as they fail to ensure functional lighting units, which are critical for traffic safety.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a test circuit within the connection unit that supplies a test current to individual connection sets to detect functionality, allowing for identification of electrical contact issues and functional problems in lighting units, using a current measuring unit and interrupter circuit to isolate and test each connection set independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connector is inserted into the connector receptacle for lighting control, then the lighting units can be controlled according to motor vehicle lighting, but unreliable contact may occur due to lack of use or corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a test circuit that performs preliminary functional testing of the connector contact before actual lighting operation. The test circuit checks electrical continuity and contact resistance proactively, allowing detection of potential reliability issues before they affect lighting control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the test circuit continuously monitors connector contact status and provides information about contact reliability. This feedback allows the system to detect corrosion or degradation issues and alert users or perform corrective actions before complete failure occurs.
2Reliability
If the functionality of lighting units is not detected, then the connection unit structure remains simple, but safety risks arise due to non-functional lighting units
Solution Approach 1:
The test circuit is designed to serve multiple functions: it tests connector contact reliability, checks individual lighting unit functionality, and provides diagnostic information. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive safety monitoring without requiring separate dedicated testing devices, thus limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a test circuit as an intermediary component between the connector and the lighting units. This intermediary performs functional testing by injecting test signals and measuring responses, enabling safety verification without directly modifying the lighting control operation or requiring complex integration with the motor vehicle's existing lighting system.
3Measurement precision
If individual testing of connection sets is implemented, then functionality of each lighting unit can be precisely checked, but the test circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connector into multiple separate connection sets, each with its own dedicated test path in the test circuit. This segmentation allows individual testing of each connection set and lighting unit, providing precise functionality detection. The test circuit uses multiplexing techniques to sequentially or selectively test each segment without requiring a completely separate testing system for each connection set.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables a simple and reliable method to verify the functionality of lighting units and consumers, ensuring traffic safety by detecting issues and providing a clear visual output signal indicating the test results, thus preventing potential safety hazards.
Implementation Method 1
the test circuit checks the lighting units of the transport device by means of a test current supplied to the connection sets
Implementation Method 2
the test circuit checks the lighting units by detecting an electrical resistance at the individual connection sets, i.e., that in this case the voltage drop is detected
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to design a connection unit for a connector of a transport device connectable to a motor vehicle, whose lighting units are to be controlled according to the lighting of the motor vehicle, wherein the connection unit comprises a connector receptacle having connection sets for the individual lighting units connectable to the connector and an electrical supply line for connecting the connection sets to a motor vehicle-side supply device, in such a way that, on the one hand, the functionality of the electrical contacts between the connector unit and the connector and, on the other hand, the functionality of the lighting units can be detected in the simplest possible way, it is proposed that the connection unit include a test circuit,which performs a functional test of all lighting units of the transport device supplied via the connector inserted into the connector receptacle, independent of the supply unit.