Universal mate-in cable interface system
First Claim
1. An intermediate mate-in interface for enabling a connection between a generic mate-in interface and a specific mate-in interface, wherein the specific mate-in interface is for connecting to harness/equipment connectors, and wherein the generic mate-in interface is for connecting to a test box unit, the intermediate mate-in interface comprising:
- a generic-to-intermediate connector for connecting the generic mate-in interface to the intermediate mate-in interface;
an intermediate-to-specific connector for connecting the intermediate mate-in interface to the specific mate-in interface; and
an input/output connector connected between the generic-to-intermediate connector and the intermediate-to-specific connector, the input/output connector providing a device connection to a device distinct from the test box unit, from the generic mate-in interface, from the intermediate mate-in interface and from the specific mate-in interface, where the device connection is between the generic-to-intermediate connector and the intermediate-to-specific connector and excludes the test box unit, where the device connection is the only connection between the device and any one of the generic-to-intermediate connector and the intermediate-to-specific connector, and for enabling at least one of;
inputting a signal into the intermediate mate-in interface by the device; and
outputting a signal from the intermediate mate-in interface to the device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present document describes an assembly for connecting a test unit to a wiring harness or equipment to be tested, and a method for testing using the assembly. The assembly may comprise a test box unit, a generic mate-in interface, an intermediate mate-in interface and at least one specific mate-in interface. The intermediate mate-in interface comprises an input/output connector connected between the generic-to-intermediate connector and the intermediate-to-specific connector, for enabling at least one of inputting a signal into the intermediate mate-in interface and outputting a signal from the intermediate mate-in interface. The assembly is used for performing tests on the equipment using at least one of a device adapted for generating a signal and a device adapted for measuring at least one attribute of a signal or circuit which is/are connected to the input/output connector of the intermediate mate-in interface.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An intermediate mate-in interface for enabling a connection between a generic mate-in interface and a specific mate-in interface, wherein the specific mate-in interface is for connecting to harness/equipment connectors, and wherein the generic mate-in interface is for connecting to a test box unit, the intermediate mate-in interface comprising:
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a generic-to-intermediate connector for connecting the generic mate-in interface to the intermediate mate-in interface; an intermediate-to-specific connector for connecting the intermediate mate-in interface to the specific mate-in interface; and an input/output connector connected between the generic-to-intermediate connector and the intermediate-to-specific connector, the input/output connector providing a device connection to a device distinct from the test box unit, from the generic mate-in interface, from the intermediate mate-in interface and from the specific mate-in interface, where the device connection is between the generic-to-intermediate connector and the intermediate-to-specific connector and excludes the test box unit, where the device connection is the only connection between the device and any one of the generic-to-intermediate connector and the intermediate-to-specific connector, and for enabling at least one of; inputting a signal into the intermediate mate-in interface by the device; and outputting a signal from the intermediate mate-in interface to the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of testing equipment having a harness/equipment connector for connection to a specific mate-in interface, the method comprising:
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connecting a generic mate-in interface to a test box unit; connecting an intermediate mate-in interface to the generic mate-in interface; connecting the specific mate-in interface to the intermediate mate-in interface; connecting the specific mate-in interface to the harness/equipment connector; connecting to the intermediate mate-in interface at least one of a device adapted for generating a signal and a device adapted for measuring at least one attribute of a signal or circuit, the device being distinct from the test box unit, from the generic mate-in interface, from the intermediate mate-in interface and from the specific mate-in interface, and providing a device connection to the intermediate mate-in interface where the device connection is between the generic-to-intermediate connector and the intermediate-to-specific connector and excludes the test box unit, where the device connection is the only connection between the device and any one of the generic-to-intermediate connector and the intermediate-to-specific connector; and performing tests on the equipment having a harness/equipment connector using the at least one of a device adapted for generating a signal and a device adapted for measuring at least one attribute of a signal or circuit. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A universal mate-in interface kit for enabling a connection between a test box unit and harness/equipment connectors, the kit comprising:
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a selection of at least two specific mate-in interfaces, each one of the at least two specific mate-in interfaces having, at one end, one intermediate connector, each one of the specific mate-in interfaces having their one intermediate connector connected, at an other end of a same specific mate-in interface, to at least two specific connectors for connecting to harness/equipment connectors, each one of the specific connectors being associated to only one specific mate-in interface, thereby providing a specific level one-to-many mate-in interface for each specific mate-in interface; and a generic mate-in interface having, at one end, at least two generic connectors each for connecting to a respective one of the intermediate connectors of the at least two specific mate-in interfaces, the generic mate-in interface having, at an other end, one test box connector for connecting to the test box unit, thereby providing a generic level one-to-many mate-in interface; wherein having two levels of one-to-many mate-in interfaces provides a greater number of specific connectors available for connecting to the harness/equipment connectors than a single level one-to-many mate-in interface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification