Connector identification module for mobile platform

• US 7,090,127 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2004
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Rotta, Phillip R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Application Number:
  US10/769,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20040232232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/384, 235/487, 235/486, 439/76.1, 439/946, 174/48, 174/49, 174/60
• US Class Current: 235/384
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag

Abstract

A connector for use with a mobile platform, such as an aircraft, which forms a part of the aircraft installation, and which can therefore not be readily removed from the aircraft once installed. In one preferred form the connector includes a standardized connector body that mechanically and electrically couples to an existing electronics module on the mobile platform. The connector body is attached to a backshell having a recess that houses an ID module component. The connector includes a lanyard that is secured to a portion of the mobile platform to prevent removal therefrom. The ID module component includes pre-programmed ID information pertinent to a specific mobile platform on which the connector is to be deployed. The ID module can be configured after it is installed in the system. Advantageously, the electrical connections between the ID module component and the connector itself are all contained within the recess in the backshell.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for use with an existing electrical component of a mobile platform for providing stored data concerning the mobile platform, and wherein the electrical connector forms a permanent component of the mobile platform that is not intended to be readily removable from the mobile platform, and that facilitates communication with a removable electronics subsystem of the mobile platform, the electrical connector comprising:

a connector body adapted to be removably coupled to said removable electronics subsystem;

said connector body having a portion with a recess and a plurality of conductor components for electrically interfacing with said removable electronics subsystem;

an identification module disposed within said recess and electrically coupled to said conductor components such that said identification module forms an integral, internally housed component of said connector body; and

a retaining component for permanently securing the connector body to the mobile platform.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said portion comprises a backshell, said backshell comprising said recess.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said connector body comprises a circular connector body.

4. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said connector body comprises a rectangular connector body.

5. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said retaining component comprises a flexible lanyard cable adapted to be fixedly attached to said mobile platform.

6. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said retaining component comprises a collar secured to said portion of said connector body.

7. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said identification module includes a memory module for storing information pertinent to said mobile platform.

8. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said identification module includes a controller.

9. An electrical connector for use with an existing electrical component of a mobile platform for providing stored data concerning the mobile platform, and wherein the electrical connector forms a permanent component of the mobile platform that is not intended to be readily removable from the mobile platform, and that facilitates communication with a removable electronics subsystem of the mobile platform, the electrical connector comprising:

a standardized connector body adapted to be removably, electrically coupled to said removable electronics subsystem;

said standardized connector body having a compartment and a plurality of conductor components for electrically interfacing with said removable electronics subsystem; and

an identification module containing stored information pertinent to said mobile platform on which it is being deployed, said identification module being disposed within said compartment and electrically coupled to said conductor components such that said identification module forms an integral component of said connector body.

10. The electrical connector of claim 9, further comprising a lanyard cable coupled to said connector body at one end thereof and to a portion of said mobile platform at a second end thereof, for permanently securing said electrical connector within said mobile platform.

11. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein said standardized connector body comprises a connector portion and a backshell.

12. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein said backshell comprises said compartment.

13. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein said standardized connector body comprises a circular connector body.

14. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein said standardized connector body comprises a rectangular connector body.

15. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein said identification module comprises a memory for storing said pertinent information.

16. A method for providing predetermined information to a removable electronic module disposed on a mobile platform, comprising:

using a standardized electrical connector body to removably, electrically couple to said removable electronic module;

disposing a data storage module within a portion of said standardized electrical connector body;

storing information in the data storage module that uniguely identifies the mobile platform;

electrically coupling said data storage module to electrical conductors of said standardized electrical connector; and

non-removably fastening said standardized connector to a portion of said mobile platform to prevent removal of said standardized connector from said mobile platform.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein using a standardized electrical connector comprises using a circular, standardized electrical connector.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein using a standardized electrical connector comprises using a rectangular, standardized electrical connector.

19. An electronic assembly for use within a mobile platform, comprising:

an electronic module adapted to be removed from said mobile platform for servicing;

a standardized electrical connector adapted to be mechanically and electrically releasably coupled to said electronic module, said standardized electrical connector comprising;

a connector body having a first body portion and a second body portion coupled to one another;

a memory module housed within said second body portion and containing information pertinent to said mobile platform that is transmitted to said electronic module when said connector body is coupled to said electronic module; and

a member for fixedly securing said standardized electrical connector to a portion of said mobile platform to prevent removal of said standardized electrical connector from said mobile platform.

20. The electronic module of claim 19, wherein said connector body of said standardized electrical connector comprises a circular connector body.

21. The electronic module of claim 19, wherein said connector body of said standardized electrical connector comprises a rectangular connector body.

22. The electronic module of claim 19, wherein said member comprises a flexible cable.