Yazaki North America, Inc.

Bryan Donald Cole

Max Daniel McVety

Shashidhar M Kamath

Jen Vun Ng

Brian L Wagner

David Kwang

James E Dawson

Mark S Grant

Wesley Richard Corrion

Brian Christopher Schweitzer

Jonathan Mark Gregory, Ii

Vijay Keshavamurthy

Roy M Holcombe

JenVun Ng

Max Daniel Mcvety

A liquid-cooled charging system for a vehicle is configured to dissipate heat generated during charging (including fast-charging) of an electrically-powered vehicle. The liquid-cooled charging system includes a charging assembly having an interface assembly configured to support a charging plug of a charging station and an energy transfer assembly configured to electrically couple the charging station to the battery of the vehicle during charging. Components of the charging assembly and energy transfer assembly also define a fluid circuit. A coolant system of the liquid-cooled charging system is fluidly connected to the fluid circuit, allowing coolant to flow through the fluid circuit to dissipate heat from the charging assembly components during charging of the vehicle.

Liquid-cooled charging system for a vehicle

A connector assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first connector housing and a sliding mechanism. The first connector housing includes a first power terminal cavity and a retaining member. The sliding mechanism slidably engages the first connector housing and includes a first locking member fixed to a first signal terminal cavity. The first locking member includes a first projection. The retaining member may be configured to engage the first projection when the first connector is disconnected from the second connector such that the first signal terminal cavity is maintained in an axially retracted position relative to the first power terminal cavity.

Connector and terminal positioning mechanism

A connector is provided. The connector can include a first housing, which can define a bore for receipt of at least one first electrical terminal. The first housing includes a first wall defining an aperture opposite a second wall. The connector can include a second housing, which can define a bore for receipt of at least one second electrical terminal. The second housing includes a first wall including a first engagement feature opposite a second wall. The connector includes a first rotatable element retained within the aperture of the first wall. The first rotatable element includes a first feature that engages the first engagement feature and a second feature. The connector can include a mechanical assist, which can include an assist feature. The assist feature can engage the second feature so that sliding movement of the mechanical assist draws the first electrical terminal into contact with the second electrical terminal.

Connector

A universally adjustable tool for measuring the force required to throw the lever of a lever-type, two-part, electrical connector. The tool comprises a handle, a base bar to which the handle is slideably attached, and a pair of legs having adaptors to permit the tool to be mounted to the lever pivot of the connector. A load cell adjustably depends from the free end of the handle and is operably connectable to the lever by means of a catch in the form of a hook or other desired shape. Various joints and a slide bracket, along with connector adaptors, provide a universal tool adaptable for use with a wide variety of two-part matable lever type connectors.

Lever connector test fixture

An insertion-force reducing connector assembly and method for mating multi-terminal male and female connectors of the type used in automotive wiring harnesses. The female connector is movably retained in a frame-like holder by a self-actuating force reducing link that automatically couples a male connector inserted into the holder to the female connector with an insertion/withdrawal ratio in which the female connector moves away from the male connector in the terminal-mating direction more slowly than the male connector is inserted, thus allowing the connectors to be coupled over a longer than normal terminal-mating distance and reducing the insertion force needed to mate the terminals. The method includes the steps of coupling the female connector to the holder and subsequently mating the male connector to the female connector in the holder.

Low insertion force connector system

A releasable lever-mounted lock mechanism for securing an electrical connector lever in a pre-set position on a connector body. The lever has cam slots and is located on a first connector. The lock in a preferred form comprises an L-shaped, deflectable arm formed in the sidewall of the lever. A free end of the arm has a ramp-shaped stop portion. The second end of the arm is joined to the lever sidewall in cantilever fashion such that the arm deflects relative to the lever. A flat surface of the stop snaps behind an edge of the first connector in the preset position, with the arm in an undeflected position. The lever is thereby locked in the pre-set position, allowing a second connector with cam posts to be brought into initial mating contact with the first connector. The cam posts enter the slots of the lever. A release projection on the L-shaped lock arm is contacted by the shroud of the second connector. This deflects the lock arm, releasing the stop from the edge of the first connector. The lever can then be pivoted and the cam interaction between the lever slots and second connector side posts draws the connectors into electrical engagement.

Pre-set locks for a connector lever

A bussed electrical center (BEC) assembly includes a BEC having a BEC connector on its lower surface, and a lower housing adapted to be secured in position within an automobile engine compartment. Flexible retaining arms extend upwardly from the housing and engage a connector and secure it in a pre-set position in the housing. When the BEC is later mounted to the housing, the connector is automatically aligned with the BEC connector and a shroud extending downwardly from the BEC contacts the retaining arms and deflects them outwardly so that the connector is released from the pre-set position and is free to slide upwardly toward the BEC connector. A bolt passes through the BEC connector and engages a captive nut in the connector so that rotation of the bolt draws the connector upwardly into engagement with the BEC connector. The apparatus permits the BEC to be installed in an automotive vehicle without requiring that the connector be mated with the lower side of the BEC before attaching the BEC to the vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

Canton, MI, United States of America

Bryan Donald Cole