CPA Connector Detection Circuit for Accurate Mating Confirmation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connector arrangements with RFID-enabled CPA members face signal leakage issues due to covered RFID tags, which can lead to inaccurate mating confirmation and potential accidental unmating.

Innovation Solution

A connector arrangement with a CPA member and a detection device featuring an electric circuit and a spring contact with a resilient member, allowing the electric circuit to be switched on and off, indicating the closed state of the CPA member through a transmission antenna and logic block, thereby confirming proper mating and preventing accidental unmating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an RFID tag is used to detect CPA member deployment, then mating confirmation capability is improved, but signal leakage occurs due to the tag being covered by electrically conductive material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemating confirmation accuracyVSAvoidsignal leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the RFID tag from the covered position and places it on the exposed outer surface of the connector housing. This allows the RFID tag to be read wirelessly without being blocked by electrically conductive material, eliminating signal leakage while maintaining mating confirmation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reader device as an intermediary that wirelessly communicates with the RFID tag. This mediator enables detection of CPA member deployment status without physical contact or line-of-sight requirements, solving the signal leakage problem caused by conductive material coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution effectively addresses signal leakage issues by ensuring accurate mating confirmation and preventing accidental unmating, enhancing the reliability of electrical connections, especially in high-voltage applications.

Implementation Method 1

The resilient member is deflected by at least one of the connector and the mating connector when the CPA member is moved from the open state to the closed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4435979A1Connector arrangement
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 YAZAKI EUROPE LTD
  • EP4435979A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4435979A1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP4435979A1 patent drawingFigure 7~11

AI summary

Connector arrangement comprising a connector and a corresponding mating connector configured to be mated with the connector, a CPA member configured to be movable between an open state and a closed state, wherein in the closed state the CPA member is adapted to confirm a proper mating of the connector and the mating connector and prevents the connector and the mating connector from accidental unmating, and a detection device for detecting the closed state of the CPA member, the detection device comprising an electric circuit.