AU2007100531B4

AU2007100531B4 - Electrical connector assembly for vehicles

Info

Publication number: AU2007100531B4
Application number: AU2007100531A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dennis Ronald Gravolin
Original assignee: DENNIS GRAVOLIN
Current assignee: DENNIS GRAVOLIN
Priority date: 2004-03-11
Filing date: 2007-06-20
Publication date: 2007-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-11
Also published as: AU2007100531A5; AU2006100780B4; AU2006100780A5

Description

7-

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLES The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me: CN1 Electrical Connector Assembly for Vehicles N 5 Field of the Invention This invention relates to electrical connector assemblies for vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to an electrical connector assembly for a drawn or drawing vehicle and to an LED assembly for such an electrical connector assembly.

Background to the Invention There are many types of electrical vehicle or trailer connector assemblies or connectors on the market today to supply electrical connections from a hauling vehicle to a towed vehicle or trailer or vice versa. These connectors usually consist of a plastic molded plug housing, connector pins and terminations so that the connector can be attached to either the wiring of the drawing vehicle or the trailer, depending on which connection type is used. The purpose of the connector is to provide an electrical connection between the vehicle and trailer for each electrical trailer circuit, whether it is a lighting or an auxiliary circuit.

However, research has found that in all of the common trailer connectors on the market, this connection is not reliable. This is due to connector pins closing and not making contact, therefore making a trailer circuit faulty. The only way to test a faulty trailer connector is to pull the connector out of the mating connector and test each individual pin to determine if there is power getting to the pin. This can be time-consuming and costly.

AMENDED SHEET 2 Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical trailer connector assembly for a vehicle including: a housing defining a number of openings, said housing including first and second parts cooperatively defining a threaded inlet for a cable so that a fastener about the thread is able to hold the first and second parts together; a plurality of electrical connecting members fast with the housing for connection to electrical circuits of a vehicle; and a number of light sources operatively in electrical communication with respective connecting members to indicate the status of the electrical circuits; wherein the light sources are located relative to the openings for viewing from external to the housing and wherein the housing bears markings to identify which light source corresponds to which electrical circuit.

Each light source comprises an LED in series with a current limiting resistor connected to a respective connecting member via a connecting lead.

In a preferred embodiment the passive electrical trailer connector assembly as claimed includes six LEDs arranged on a circuit board, an anode of each LED being connected to a respective resistor which, in turn, is connected to a respective electrical connecting member via the connecting lead and a cathode of each LED being connected to an earthed connecting member.

The LED's may be differently coloured to differentiate said respective circuits.

The markings may be provided in any suitable manner, for example formed into the housing or alternatively provided in the form of labels.

Preferred embodiments of the invention described herein allow for instant and automated diagnosis of trailer connector circuits within a common trailer connector. Preferably the connector includes light sources in the form of LED's that are viewable from external of the housing of the trailer connector. They are viewable for example because they protrude out through apertures formed in the housing or because, while they are located within the housing, they are externally viewable through the apertures. Preferably the LED's have different colours which represent each different trailer circuit. The LED's illuminate when power is present at the connector. When current is not set up in a particular connector due to faulty connector pins or some other fault condition, the LED for that circuit will not illuminate giving instant indication of a fault condition. This happens when the connector is mated to a complementary connector so there is no need to pull the plug out and test individual connections manually. The connector can be diagnosed whilst in operation.

Embodiments of the invention can be manufactured for retro-fitting or can be incorporated in a purpose-designed trailer connector, male or female, plug or socket or adapter. A female or socket connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, can be mated with a male or plug connector, also in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and both will work and show a power status in the respective connection. The invention is not a tester nor is it aimed as being limited to a diagnostic device. The invention adds a novel safety feature to existing trailer connectors. Embodiments of the invention are passive devices which do not incorporate energy storage devices such as batteries or capacitors. Consequently batteries and the like do not have to be replenished.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed

I

Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention or the appended claims in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side plan view of the embodiment of figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan end view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an internal view of a topside of the housing of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an internal view of the topside of the housing of the embodiment of Figure 1 including a printed circuit board (PCB).

Figure 6 depicts an underside of the PCB of Figure Figure 7 depicts the topside of the PCB of Figure Figure 8 is a circuit schematic corresponding to the PCB of Figures 5-7 and 12, 13.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 is a side plan view of the embodiment of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a plan end view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 12 depicts an underside of a PCB for use in the embodiment of Figures 9- 11.

Figure 13 depicts the topside of the PCB of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 15 is a side plan view of the embodiment of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a plan end view of the embodiment of Figure 14.

Figure 17 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 18 is a plan end view of the embodiment of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a plan end view of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 20 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 19.

Detailed Description of the Invention Referring now to Figures 1 to 3 there is depicted a first embodiment of an electrical connecting assembly according to the present invention. The electrical connecting assembly includes a body 4 which is split into a lower portion 6 and a corresponding upper portion 8 as can be most clearly seen in Figures 2 and 3. A first end of the housing includes a thread 12 formed on opposing outer sides of the upper and lower portions of the body. The upper and lower thread portions of the body define an inlet port 11 (seen in Figure 3) to receive electrical cables from the electrical system of a vehicle such as a car or a trailer. A gland nut 10 is located about thread 12 and so fastens the upper and lower portions together.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is depicted the interior of the upper portion 8 revealed by removing the lower portion. A number of electrical connectors in the form of pins 18, protrude through the housing at a connection end 16 of the electrical connecting assembly and terminate as screw terminals 20 within the body of the connector assembly. Holes 21 are formed through the topside of the upper portion corresponding to lightsources in the form of LEDs 14.

Figure 5 shows the interior of the connector assembly with PCB 22 in place.

When the PCB is inserted into position, the LEDs 14, which are mounted to the PCB protrude through holes 21. Alternatively, the LEDs could be located within the body of the electrical connector assembly so that while they do not protrude through the holes, nevertheless each is visible through its corresponding hole from the exterior of the connector assembly.

Wires couple each of the screw terminals 20 to respective connection points on PCB 22. In use a cable from the electrical system of a hauling vehicle, such as a car, or a hauled vehicle, for example a trailer, enters connector assembly 2 through inlet port 11 and its conductors are connected to corresponding ones of screw terminals PCB 22 is arranged so that each one of LEDs 14, correspond to a respective circuit. Each of LEDs 14 illuminates when a current is set up in said trailer circuit, and thus in the corresponding connector 18, thereby indicating that the circuit is closed and operational. When the circuit is open due to some fault, the corresponding LED does not illuminate, indicating a fault condition in that circuit.

Figure 6 shows the underside 24 and Figure 7 the topside 26 of PCB 22. A circuit schematic of PCB 22 is shown in Figure 8. The PCB includes seven connection points ,28g which are connected to screw terminals 20 and so also to pins 18. Connection points 28a,..,28c and 28e,..,28g connect to screw terminals 20, which as has been previously mentioned, are integrally formed with pins 18. Upon installation the screw terminals are coupled to conductors of a vehicle cable that enters through port 11 (as shown in Figure Consequently the connection points 28c and 28e,..,28g are in electrical communication with the various electrical indicator circuits of the vehicle.

I

Pin 28d is an earth return pin and so is connected to a ground pin which in turn connects to the vehicle's electrical ground once installed. Each of connection points 28a-28c and 28e-28g is connected to a corresponding current limiting resistor 30, which is in turn connected to the anode of a corresponding one of the t' LEDs 14. The cathodes of the LEDs are connected to earth return connection Spoint 28d. Consequently, upon a sufficiently high voltage being applied to one of connection points 28a-28c and 28e-28g, a current flows through the associated Scurrent limiting resistor 30 and thence through its LED to ground connection point C 10 28d, thereby causing the LED to light.

It will be noted that the connector assembly is a passive device in that it does not include any energy storage devices such as batteries or capacitors.

Consequently it is able to operate directly from an attached vehicles electrical supply without any need to replenish internal batteries or the like, which is advantageous.

As previously mentioned, the light emitting diodes 14 have different colors which each represent individual vehicle circuits. For example, with reference to Figure 1, a number of electrical vehicle circuits are marked on the outside of the upper portion of the housing adjacent corresponding LEDs. These circuits and their corresponding LED colors and PCB pins are as follows: left indicator light (L Signal) green 1 stop signal (Stop) red 6 service brake (Ser Brake) blue reverse (Aux) yellow 2 tail-light (Tail) yellow 7 right indicator light (R Signal) green 4 AMENDED SHEET 8 Other embodiments of the invention are possible, for example Figures 9 to 11 depict a further vehicle electrical connector assembly wherein like indicia are used to refer to like features previously described in relation to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5. This second embodiment of Figures 9 to 11 incorporates a smaller printed circuit board as shown in Figures 12 and 13.

While the PCB of Figures 12 and 13 is physically smaller than that of Figures 6 and 7 it still incorporates the same circuit shown in the schematic of Figure 8. It will readily be appreciated that the circuit board can be supplied in other shapes and sizes depending on the trailer connector into which the board is to be inserted.

It will also be understood that embellishments and modifications to the circuit shown in Figure 8 are possible, for example, a switch could be placed in series between ground point 28d and the cathode node of LEDs 14 to disable the LEDs if desired.

A further embodiment of the invention is depicted in Figures 14 to 16 which includes a cover 9 that pivots about a pin 11 in order to protect electrical connectors when they are not coupled to a corresponding connector. The electrical connectors comprise a number of sockets that complement the pins 18 (Figure 4) of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5. Figures 17 and 18 depict the topside and vehicle end of an electrical connector according to a further embodiment of the invention. The connector of the embodiment of Figures 17 and 18 includes a number of electrical connectors in the form of sockets at end 16. Figures 19 and 20 depict the connector end and top of a final embodiment of the invention.

It is further to be appreciated that the housing 4, defined from the operatively joined first and second parts 6 and 8, is resistant to the ingress of fluids, such as water, when the threaded fastener 10 is positioned on the threaded inlet 12. This SAMENDED SHEET

O

9 water resistant feature of the housing 4 provides the advantage of protecting the PCB, the electrical connectors and the LEDs from water or similar damage. The threaded fastener or gland nut 10 may also include a seal, like a rubber, nylon or silicon seal, or the like.

It will readily be appreciated that the circuit board, 79, 80 or 88, 89 can be supplied in other shapes and sizes depending on the trailer connector into which the board is to be inserted.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An electrical trailer connector assembly for a vehicle including: a housing defining a number of openings, said housing including first and second parts cooperatively defining a threaded inlet for a cable so that a fastener about the thread is able to hold the first and second parts together; Oa plurality of electrical connecting members fast with the housing for Sconnection to electrical circuits of a vehicle; and Oa number of light sources operatively in electrical communication with S 10 respective connecting members to indicate the status of the electrical circuits; wherein the light sources are located relative to the openings for viewing from external to the housing and wherein the housing bears markings to identify which light source corresponds to which electrical circuit.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each light source comprises a LED in series with a current limiting resistor connected to a respective connecting member via a connecting lead.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, which includes six LEDs arranged on a circuit board, an anode of each LED being connected to a respective resistor which, in turn, is connected to a respective electrical connecting member via the connecting lead and a cathode of each LED being connected to an earthed connecting member.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the LED's are each differently coloured to differentiate said respective circuits. An assembly substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.