US5034727A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monitor system for a connection of a connector in an electric system of a motor vehicle
Assignee: Subaru Corp
•
Filing: 1989-11-17
•
Granted: 1991-07-23
•
Expires: 2009-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A connector has a male connecting member and a female connecting member. A monitor element comprising a resistor and a switch which are connected in series is provided in the male connecting member. The switch is provided to be opened when the connector is in a completely connected state. A monitoring circuit including the monitor element having a pair of output terminals at ends of the circuit is provided for detecting voltage across the output terminal. A change of the voltage upon the disconnection of the connector is signaled.
Inventors
- 👤 Kunihiko Muraoka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/703; G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/50; G01R31/66; G01R31/68; G01R31/69
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A system for monitoring a connection of a connector in an electric system of a motor vehicle, the connector having a couple of connecting members and terminals provided on each connecting member so as to be coupled with terminals of the other connecting member, comprising: a monitor element comprising a resistor and a switch which are electrically connected with each other and provided in one of the connecting members; a double lock lever provided on one of the connecting members for engaging with the other connecting member; actuating means cooperating with the double lock lever for changing the state of the switch so as to change the resistance in the monitor element when the connecting members are incompletely coupled and the double lock lever is not engaged with the other connecting member; a monitoring circuit including the monitor element and having a pair of output terminals at ends of the circuit; detector means connected to the output terminals for detecting voltage across the output terminals; and alarm means connected to said detector means and being responsive to voltage dependent on the change of the resistance for alarming of a failure when the connecting members are incompletely coupled.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
197 words
A system for monitoring a connection of a connector in an electric system of a motor vehicle, the connector having a couple of connecting members and terminals provided on each connecting member so as to be coupled with terminals of the other connecting member, comprising: a monitor element comprising a resistor and a switch which are electrically connected with each other and provided in one of the connecting members; a double lock lever provided on one of the connecting members for engaging with the other connecting member; actuating means cooperating with the double lock lever for changing the state of the switch so as to change the resistance in the monitor element when the connecting members are incompletely coupled and the double lock lever is not engaged with the other connecting member; a monitoring circuit including the monitor element and having a pair of output terminals at ends of the circuit; detector means connected to the output terminals for detecting voltage across the output terminals; and alarm means connected to said detector means and being responsive to voltage dependent on the change of the resistance for alarming of a failure when the connecting members are incompletely coupled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: the resistor and the switch are connected in series.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: the resistor and the switch are connected in parallel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said switch is closed when the connecting members are incompletely coupled and the double lock lever is not engaged with the other connecting member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said switch is opened when the connecting members are completely coupled and the double lock lever is engaged with the other connecting member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said connectors adapted to be connected together, and each of said connectors having said monitor element wherein each said monitor element is connected in parallel with the output terminals, with said resistor of different resistances from that of other of said resistors of the other of said connectors, such that incomplete coupling of the connecting members of any connector is determined by the alarm means by the value of the voltage dependent on the change of the resistance for the corresponding connector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said connectors adapted to be connected together, and each of said connectors having said monitor element wherein each said monitor element is connected in series with each other monitor element and with the output terminals, with said resistor of different resistances from that of other said resistors of the other of said connectors, such that incomplete coupling of the connecting members of any connector is determined by the alarm means by the value of the voltage dependent on the change of the resistance for the corresponding connector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3697974A
Cited
US4127855A
Cited
JPS53101638A
Cited
JPS592148A
Cited
US4674814A
Cited
US4927382A
Cited
US4915648A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-22 | 1995-01-21 | 1995-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-22 | 1999-01-21 | 1999-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-22 | 2003-01-21 | 2003-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |