Digital verification of battery cable connection to power distribution module

• US 6,062,899 A
• Filed: 09/15/1998
• Issued: 05/16/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Gaynier, John M., Presley, William T., Caramagno, Norman, Lescamela, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan, Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): BYRD, EUGENE G
• Application Number:
  US09/153,708
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 439/489, 439/188, 439/187, 439/189, 439/595
• US Class Current: 439/489
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement

Abstract

A digital verification system and method is described for verifying that the terminal connector assembly of an automobile'"'"'s battery cable is properly connected to the connector assembly of a power distribution module (PDM). The terminal connector assembly is provided with an integrated CPA assembly having an engagement member, such as an elongated appendage. The PDM connector assembly is provided with a shorting bar that contacts a bus bar so as to cause a short circuit to occur when current is supplied to the PDM connector assembly through the battery'"'"'s terminal connector assembly. A sense lead in contact with the shorting bar sends a response signal through a printed circuit board to a microprocessor indicating that electrical power is flowing though the short circuit. The CPA assembly can only be engaged when the terminal connector assembly is fully mated to the PDM connector assembly. When the CPA assembly is engaged, the engagement member simultaneously contacts the shorting bar and causes the short circuit to be interrupted. The sense lead then sends a response signal to the microprocessor indicating that no electrical power is flowing through the circuit. In this manner, a technician can be assured that a proper connection has been established between the terminal connector assembly and the PDM connector assembly.

Claims

1. A system for digitally verifying the connection between a first connector assembly electrically connected to an electrical power source and a second connector assembly electrically connected to an electrical power distribution assembly, the first connector assembly being capable of mating with the second connector assembly, the second connector assembly having a first electrically conductive surface in contact with a second electrically conductive surface so as to establish a short circuit when electrical power is supplied to the second connector assembly, a third electrically conductive surface being in contact with the first electrically conductive surface, comprising:

a selectively operable connector position assurance assembly, the connector position assurance assembly being capable of securing the first connector assembly to the second connector assembly member only when the first and second connector assemblies are fully mated, the connector position assurance assembly having an engagement member capable of engaging at least a portion of the first electrically conductive surface so as to interrupt the short circuit established between the first and second electrically conductive surfaces; and

detection means for detecting whether or not the first electrically conductive surface is in contact with the second electrically conductive surface, the detection means being electrically connected to the third electrically conductive surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source comprises a battery.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection means comprises a microprocessor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the engagement member is comprised of an electrically non-conductive material.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first electrically conductive surface comprises a shorting bar.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second electrically conductive surface comprises a bus bar.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first electrical power transmission member, the first electrical power transmission member being electrically connected to the first connector assembly and the electrical power source.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first electrical power transmission member comprises a battery cable.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second electrical power transmission member, the second electrical power transmission member being electrically connected to the detection means and the third electrically conductive surface.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second electrical power transmission member comprises a printed circuit board.

11. A system for digitally verifying the connection between a battery and an electrical power distribution assembly, comprising:

a first connector assembly electrically connected to the battery;

a first electrical power transmission member, the first electrical power transmission member being electrically connected to the first connector assembly and the battery;

a second connector assembly electrically connected to the electrical power distribution assembly, the first connector assembly being capable of mating with the second connector assembly, the second connector assembly having a first electrically conductive surface in contact with a second electrically conductive surface so as to establish a short circuit when electrical power is supplied to the second connector assembly;

a third electrically conductive surface being in contact with the first electrically conductive surface;

a selectively operable connector position assurance assembly, the connector position assurance assembly being capable of securing the first connector assembly to the second connector assembly member only when the first and second connector assemblies are fully mated, the connector position assurance assembly having an engagement member capable of engaging at least a portion of the first electrically conductive surface so as to interrupt the short circuit established between the first and second electrically conductive surfaces, the engagement member being comprised of an electrically non-conductive material;

detection means for detecting whether or not the first electrically conductive surface is in contact with the second electrically conductive surface, the detection means being electrically connected with the third electrically conductive surface; and

a second electrical power transmission member, the second electrical power transmission member being electrically connected to the detection means and the third electrically conductive surface.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the detection means comprises a microprocessor.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the first electrically conductive surface comprises a shorting bar.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the second electrically conductive surface comprises a bus bar.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the first electrical power transmission member comprises a battery cable.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the second electrical power transmission member comprises a printed circuit board.

17. A method for digitally verifying the connection between a first connector assembly electrically connected to an electrical power source and a second connector assembly electrically connected to an electrical power distribution assembly, the first connector assembly being capable of mating with the second connector assembly, the second connector assembly having a first electrically conductive surface in contact with a second electrically conductive surface so as to establish a short circuit when electrical power is supplied to the second connector assembly, comprising the steps of:

providing a selectively operable connector position assurance assembly, the connector position assurance assembly being capable of securing the first connector assembly to the second connector assembly member only when the first and second connector assemblies are fully mated, the connector position assurance assembly having an engagement member capable of engaging at least a portion of the first electrically conductive surface so as to interrupt the short circuit established between the first and second electrically conductive surfaces;

providing a third electrically conductive surface being in contact with the first electrically conductive surface; and

providing detection means for detecting whether or not the first electrically conductive surface is in contact with the second electrically conductive surface, the detection means being electrically connected with the third electrically conductive surface.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of fully mating the first connector assembly with the second connector assembly.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of causing the engagement member to engage at least a portion of the first electrically conductive surface so as to interrupt the short circuit established between the first and second electrically conductive surfaces.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of determining whether the detection means indicate that the first electrically conductive surface is or is not in contact with the second electrically conductive surface.