Aptiv Patente

Retainer for connecting electrical contact terminals, comprising a terminal casing to receive a terminal and a mating terminal; and a spring element, in particular a disc spring element, configured to exert a contact force on at least one of the terminals, when the terminal(s) is/are received in the terminal casing. The spring element includes a contact part designed to exert the contact force, and a release part designed to at least partially remove the contact force during mating of the terminal with the mating terminal when the release part is actuated.

A differential pair flat cable includes a planar substrate, signal conductors, a shield conductor, and exposed signal connection pads. The cable also features a slot in the planar substrate and shield conductor, which receives a vertical shield tab of an inner shield terminal to provide mechanical retention and electrical grounding. A connector assembly mounts to the cable end, comprising an inner signal terminal, an inner shield terminal with a vertical tab, an insulative inner housing, and an outer shield terminal. The assembly provides a robust, low-loss connection suitable for high-speed data transmission, with improved signal integrity and electromagnetic compatibility. The design enables easy assembly and reliable performance, making it ideal for various applications, including automotive and industrial networking.

The invention is directed to a mechanism (1) comprising a fixed body (2), an actuator (3), a wheel (4) and a flap (5), a first driving means through which the actuator (3) reciprocally rotationally drives the wheel (4), a second driving means through which the wheel (4) consequently reciprocally drives the flap (5), between at least a closed position (51) and an open position (52) and a bypass forcefully releasable to disconnect the second driving means so as to allow a movement of the flap (5) with respect to the wheel (4), between any of the positions (51, 52).The invention is also directed to an electric car charging connector (8) comprising such a mechanism to protect, at least some of its terminals (81, 82).

A terminal includes a first contact region, a first connection region, and a first compliant region. The first contact region includes a first flexible arm. The first compliant region is disposed between the first contact region and the first connection region. The first compliant region defines a first aperture.

A modular connector comprises a housing having at least two seats for receiving contact terminal modules; characterized in that the housing comprises a first injection-molded seal, wherein the seal is directly molded onto the connector housing, for sealing the housing against a corresponding counter connector housing; and a second injection-molded seal, wherein the seal is directly molded to the at least two seats, for sealing the housing against an inserted contact terminal module.

The present invention relates to a sealable connector arrangement (1), comprising a seal (20) with at least one fixing element (30) and a connector housing (10) with a reception space (13) for receiving the seal (20). The reception space (13) comprises an opening (11) to receive the fixing element (30), when the seal (20) is mounted onto the connector housing (10) for securing the seal (20) inside the reception space (13).

A connector assembly comprises a housing, and a plurality of inlays, each inlay being adapted to receive two terminals, wherein the housing comprises inlay reception chambers adapted to receive the inlays. A method of connecting an inlay for a connector assembly with a twisted wire pair comprises the steps: a) providing the inlay, the wire pair and a twisting machine; b) twisting the wire pair on the twisting machine; c) connecting the inlay with the twisted wire pair without removing the wire pair from the twisting machine; and d)after steps a) to c): mounting the inlay into the housing.

Modular pin block for mounting into a housing of a modular connector, the pin block comprising a pin block support having a first connection surface and a second connection surface opposite the first connection surface, and at least one pin extending through the pin block support such that it protrudes from the first connection surface and from the second connection surface.

Pin block module for insertion into a housing of a modular connector, the pin block module comprising a pin block support having a first connection surface and an opposing second connection surface, at least two pins extending through the pin block support such that each pin protrudes from the first connection surface and from the second connection surface, the pin block module further comprises at least one splice element connecting the at least two pins to each other to splice them.

A split module for a modular connector assembly, comprising: a module casing; and at least one terminal cavity that is adapted to accommodate an electrical terminal and is formed along a longitudinal axis of the module casing; wherein the module casing comprises a fastening element for fastening the module casing to a second module casing of a second split module. A mixed module comprising at least two such split modules, wherein the split modules are connected to each other by means of their fastening element. A modular connector assembly for automotive applications comprising: a connector housing with at least one module slot; wherein the at least one module slot accommodates such a mixed module. A method for manufacturing such a modular connector assembly.

A terminal position assurance, TPA, device for an electrical connector, the TPA device comprising: an assembly body configured to be attached to an electrical connector housing, and a locking body having at least one locking member extending from the locking body and corresponding to a terminal receiving cavity within the electrical connector housing, characterized in that the locking body is connected to the assembly body by means of a hinge member, wherein a first position of the hinge member defines an open state of the TPA device in which the locking member is not operable to engage a terminal within the terminal receiving cavity, and a second position of the hinge member defines a closed state of the TPA device in which the locking member is operable to engage a terminal within the terminal receiving cavity. A kit and an assembly with such a TPA device.

A computer implemented method for monitoring a driver of a vehicle includes the following steps carried out by computer hardware components: determining, from image data captured by an image sensor located in a cabin of the vehicle, at least one viewing vector of the driver; determining a distraction area of at least one source of distraction inside the cabin of the vehicle and outside a field of view of the image sensor, wherein the distraction area is determined from data captured by a position detection unit of the vehicle; determining a driver distraction value based on an extent to which the at least one viewing vector intersects the at least one distraction area of the at least one source of distraction; and triggering a warning signal in response to determining that the driver distraction value is greater than a threshold.

A power connection assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, consisting of a connector (2) and a counter-connector (3). The connector (2) and the counter-connector (3) each accommodates a power terminal (45, 7) and connection means (47, 24) integrated into an HVIL circuit. The connector (2) and the counter-connector (3) are designed to mate in multiple orientations around a central axis, and the HVIL connection means (47, 24) establish a connection regardless of the connectors' orientation.A method for mating the connector (2) and the counter-connector (3).

The present disclosure relates to a solution for protecting terminals in high-voltage interconnect systems, addressing the limitations of existing protective measures. More particularly, the solution consists in a protective sleeve (17) configured to be mounted on a terminal (6), the protective sleeve's design ensuring enhanced safety against electrocution and/or short-circuits, ease of installation, and reliability.

A technique of monitoring the condition of a vehicle occupant is presented. The technique monitors a combination of characteristics of eyes an occupant of the vehicle, and associated illumination conditions, to determine the occupant's condition, and cause a vehicle function to be performed in dependence upon the determined condition.

A connector includes a housing including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion defines a first cavity that is configured to receive (i) a first terminal module in a first configuration and (ii) a second terminal module in a second configuration. The second portion defines a first aperture in communication with the first cavity. The first aperture is configured to receive a secondary lock to secure (i) the first terminal module in the first cavity in the first configuration and (ii) the second terminal module in the first cavity in the second configuration.

The method comprises : - the acquisition (94) of a temperature of a connection terminal of the charging inlet at each instant t<i>, - the calculation (96), from the temperature acquired at an instant t<i> and a temperature acquired at an instant preceding that instant t<i> and the duration of the time interval separating these two instants, of a slope with which the temperature varies, - the comparison (98) of the calculated slope with a pre-recorded threshold, - only when this pre-recorded threshold is crossed, the detection (98) of a fault in the connection between the charging inlet and the charging coupler.

The invention is directed to an electrical base connector (1) comprising a housing (2), at least one cable (3) along a cable direction (X), as much terminal (4), a locking part (5), a seal (6) and a cover (7), each terminal (4) being connected to one associated cable (3), said housing (2) surrounding all of said at least one terminal (4) and presenting an aperture (8), allowing access to all of said at least one terminal (4) by a counter connector (M) along an inserting direction (Y) generally perpendicular to the cable direction (X), the locking part (5) being conformed to retain all said at least one terminal (4) against a traction upon one of the cable (3) along the cable direction (X), the seal (6) surrounding the aperture (8) and the cover (7) being affixed to the housing (2) so as to maintain the seal (6), wherein the locking part (5) and the cover (7) are integral, in a combined part (9).

Described herein is a retaining device for a shielding spring in an automotive (HV) inlet. The retaining device comprises: a retaining component configured to be positioned radially outside of shielding wings of a shielding spring, wherein the inner diameter of the retaining component is smaller than the distance between tips of two opposing shielding wings of the loaded shielding spring, so that a radially inward force is appliable on the shielding wings by the retaining component. Further described herein are an assembly for an automotive HV inlet, and an automotive HV inlet.

An electrical connector includes a first terminal (202) having a planar first pad (206) for connection to a power conductor (104) of a first flat electrical wire (102) and a first interface (210) for mating with a corresponding first mating terminal. The first pad (206) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first interface (210). The electrical connector also includes a second terminal (204) having a planar second pad (208) for connection to a power conductor (104) of a second flat electrical wire (102') and a second interface (212) for mating with a corresponding second mating terminal. The second pad (208) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the second interface (212).

A process for manufacturing an electrical connection terminal comprising a contact portion with a first contact area configured to establish an electrical connection with a second contact area of another connection terminal, the process comprising one or more metal deposition steps over said first contact area. Said one or more metal deposition steps comprises a deposition step of a silver-graphite layer (C), advantageously selectively carried out by electroplating, over at least said first contact area.

A release assembly includes an interactive member configured to be partially disposed within a guide portion of a housing and translatable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. The interactive member includes a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to be exposed at a first side of the housing. The second end includes a receiver configured to movably-engage a release arm to move the release arm from a locked position to an unlocked position when moved from the first position to the second position.

A technique of processing a command of an occupant of a vehicle is presented in which the command, captured at the vehicle, is serviced by a remote content generation module receiving a multimodal prompt containing the command and information relating to the context of the command. The context is determined using information from vehicle sensors, and the content generation module may be a large language model, able to provide an intuitive response to the command, taking into account the information from the vehicle sensors. A variety of functions are caused to be performed in dependence on the response which is received.

A connector assembly for automotive applications, in particular a shielded connector assembly, comprises an inner and an outer housing, the inner housing being at least partially arranged inside the outer housing; and a bridge element, the bridge element being at least partially arranged between the inner and the outer housing; wherein the inner housing comprises an outer electromagnetic shield, which is electrically connected with the bridge element; and wherein potting material is provided between the bridge element and the outer housing for providing a sealing between an inner wall of the outer housing and an outer wall of the bridge element. Part of the invention is also a method of forming a connector assembly.

The connector assembly comprises a mechanical interface (4) with a recess (50) formed in a flat upper face (10), the recess comprising:- a flat bottom (52) in which each fixing hole and each cable end passage open and against which a peripheral seal (42) is compressed, and- a peripheral wall (54) facing a flange (30) of a header and completely surrounding the flange, the peripheral wall extending only from the flat bottom to the flat upper face (10) of the mechanical interface, with the height of the peripheral wall being greater than 0.5 mm.

The invention is directed to an electrical junction (1), comprising a housing (2), a screw (3) and a nut (4), wherein the housing (2) is able to welcome an end of an upper busbar (B1) comprising a first hole (H1) and an end of a lower busbar (B2) comprising a second hole (H2), whose axis (A2) is aligned with the axis (A1) of the first hole (H1), both busbars (B1, B2) being assembled by the screw (3) engaging both holes (H1, H2) and screwing the nut (4), so as to press busbars (B1, B2) one against the other, wherein the junction (1) further comprises a first insulator (5), generally cylindrical to be inserted in both holes (H1, H2) and hollow to welcome the screw (3), in order to forbid any contact between the busbars (B1, B2) and the screw (3).

A ground terminal for a vehicle includes a plate having a surface extending in a first direction between a first side and a second side. The plate defines an aperture through the surface. A first tab extends from the first side of the plate in a second direction transverse to the first direction. The first tab is configured to attach to a housing of a vehicle wiring system.

The connector assembly contains an electromagnetic shield (70). The electromagnétic shield (70) comprises a cylindrical trunk (82), elastically deformable lances (72) arranged around an axis (50) and slots (100) which separate the lances from one another. Each lance comprises a proximal portion (90), which moves away from the cylindrical trunk, and a distal portion (92). Each slot (100) comprises a distal portion (104) situated between the distal portions of two contiguous lances. The distal portion (104) of each slot (100) comprises a bend to prevent another electromagnetic shield made from a sheet of metal from being stuck inside this slot.

A header is configured for connection with a tray. The header includes a base, a tab, and a surface. The base defines an aperture extending through the base and configured to receive a connector. The tab extends from the base in a first direction and is configured to suppress translation of the header relative to the tray in a second direction transverse to the first direction. The surface extends from the base in the second direction and is configured to suppress rotation of the header relative to the tray.

Method for assembly of an electronic camera 1, the method comprising the following steps: a. providing a camera housing 10, comprising a housing body 12, a hollow lens guidance 14 and a transparent top 16, wherein the transparent top t6 closes the lens guidance 14 at one end thereof; b. inserting a camera lens 20 into the lens guidance 14; c. inserting a printed circuit board 30, with a camera chip 40 mounted thereon, into the housing body 12, wherein the camera chip 40 is spaced apart from the camera lens 20; d. fixing the printed circuit board 30 within the housing body 12; e. inserting at least one adhesive applicator pin 50 through at least one opening i8 within the lens guidance 14 such that the adhesive applicator pin 50 contacts the camera lens 20; f. adjusting the distance D between the camera lens 20 and the camera chip 40 by moving the camera lens 20 by means of the adhesive applicator pin 50; and g. fixing the camera lens 20 within the lens guidance 14 by means of an adhesive 52 applied by the adhesive applicator pin 50. Further, an electronic camera 1 is claimed.

A connector assembly comprising: a connector housing adapted to receive a terminal, and a cover with at least one fastening means to retain the cover on the connector housing, wherein the cover comprises pivoting means designed to lead the cover around a pivoting axis when mounting the cover on the connector housing.

A radar sensor comprises an antenna layer with antenna elements, and a compound radome including an absorber layer on top of the antenna layer and a cover layer on top of the absorber layer. The absorber layer has a higher electromagnetic absorption than the cover layer. The compound radome comprises a primary region in which the absorber layer has a reference absorber thickness and the cover layer has a reference cover thickness, and a secondary region in which the absorber layer has a secondary absorber thickness and the cover layer has a secondary cover thickness. The secondary cover thickness is different from the reference cover thickness. An electromagnetic reflectivity is at a minimum within the primary region for a first incident angle and within the secondary region for a second incident angle being different from the first incident angle.

The present invention relates to a right-angled connector (1, 5,10), comprising a connector housing (100, 500, 1000) having a rearward stop surface (110, 510), the rearward stop surface (110, 510) configured to maintain at least one right-angled terminal (200, 600, 1100) within a terminal cavity (120, 520) in the connector housing (100, 500, 1000) against a movement in un-mating direction. The right-angled terminal has a connection section (210) configured to interface with a corresponding terminal along a connection axis and an attachment section (220) configured to be attached to a conductor. A retainer (300, 700, 1200) is attachable to the connector housing (100, 500, 1000), which retainer (300, 700, 1200) is configured to enclose the terminal cavity (120, 520).

A high voltage battery system for an electric vehicle, the high voltage battery system comprises a main battery section comprising a high voltage main traction battery and a main electrical circuit, configured to supply the electric vehicle traction in drive mode; and a backup battery section, comprising a high voltage backup battery and a backup electrical circuit, configured to supply the electric low voltage vehicle systems in standby mode and comprising a backup battery DC/DC converter to supply low voltage vehicle systems in drive mode and in standby mode, wherein the backup battery is configured to provide enough power to drive the vehicle in an emergency drive mode. An electric vehicle comprising such a high voltage battery system.

An end cap is described that includes a first end configured to be seated on a connector and a second end configured to receive an insulative covering of a flexible circuit. The end cap includes at least one window configured to enable access to laser weld the insulative covering to the end cap when the end cap is seated in a staged position on a connector. A method is also described that includes laser welding a terminal through at least one window of a connector, moving an end cap from a pre-staged position to a fully seated position on the connector, and laser welding the insulative covering to the end cap through at least one window of the end cap.

A U-shaped retainer includes a spring configured to exert a contact force on a terminal against a mating terminal. In some examples, the U-shaped retainer includes a strain relief feature integrated with the spring that reduces an occurrence of overstress of the spring. In some examples, the U-shaped retainer includes a spring with a first spring portion and a second spring portion, and the U-shaped retainer includes at least one opening in the second spring portion.

An electrical connector assembly (100) includes a flange (104) configured to be received within an aperture through a first surface (106) of a substrate (102). The flange (104) has a protruding portion (202) extending through the aperture and a first attachment feature. The connector (100) also includes a backing plate (204) configured to surround the aperture on a second surface (206) of the substrate (102). The backing plate (204) receiving the protruding portion (202) and having a second attachment feature configured to engage the first attachment feature. The connector (100) further includes an electrical terminal attached to the flange (104) and including a deformable tab (212) extending parallel to an insertion axis (X) of the flange (104) into the aperture. The tab (212) is bendable to engage a second retention feature in the backing plate (204).

A sealed electrical connector assembly which is to be mounted through an opening in a panel, in particular for providing a door connection of a vehicle. The assembly comprises a connector housing, a counter connector housing, and a mating mechanism adapted to facilitate engagement of the connector housing and the counter connector housing. The mating mechanism comprises a first mating element and a second mating element, wherein the first mating element is provided on the counter connector housing and the second mating element is pivotably connected to the connector housing and designed to engage the first mating element and draw the counter connector housing in mating direction upon pivoting, wherein the connector housing includes a cut-out designed to receive the first mating element when the connector housing and the counter connector housing are in engagement in the mating position. The assembly further comprises a seal arrangement associated with the connector housing and/or the counter connector housing and comprising at least one edge sealing designed to seal at a contact area between the connector housing and a panel or the counter connector housing and a panel, and at least one cut-out sealing designed to seal the connection between connector housing and counter connector housing along the contour of said cut-out.

An electrical female power terminal (1) for electrical power connections, wherein- a socket (20) is formed of a sheet metal portion rolled up around a central axis (CA), to form an inner region (3) intended to receive at least part of a contact portion of a male terminal, the socket (20) having contact blades (5), each contact blade (5) extending between a ring-shape base (8) and a free end (9), the ring-shape base (8) extending longitudinally, parallel to the central axis (CA), from an edge (11) towards the contact blades (5),- a connection support (4) has a connection portion (6) and a support portion (7), the support portion (7) having an opening (15),- the ring-shape base (8) comprises reinforcement means (17) configured to prevent the socket (20) from moving out of the opening (15).A method of manufacturing such an electrical female power terminal.

A method of determining status of health (SOH) of an ultra-capacitor cell stack having a plurality of ultra-capacitor cells. The method includes measuring a parameter of each of the plurality of ultra-capacitor cells and measuring a temperature associated with each of the ultra-capacitor cells. The parameter measured with respect to each of the plurality of ultra-capacitor cells is converted to a nominal parameter based on the measured temperature. The SOH of the UCM cell stack is calculated based on the nominal parameters associated with each of the plurality of ultra-capacitor cells.