Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Joel Allen Pittenger

Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam

Swadad A Carremm

Aed M Dudar

David James Tippy

Steven Yellin Schondorf

Roy Joseph Scott

Apparatus are disclosed for vehicle connectors for monitoring connection with trailer connectors. An example connector of a vehicle for coupling a trailer to the vehicle includes a wall defining a cavity to receive a trailer connector, a seal to engage the trailer connector when the cavity receives the trailer connector, and a first trailer-connection sensor disposed in the seal to monitor engagement of the trailer connector with the seal to identify a secure connection with the trailer connector.

Vehicle connectors for monitoring connection with trailer connectors

Method and apparatus are disclosed for genderless electric terminals of vehicles. An example genderless electric terminal includes a first arm, a second arm opposite the first arm, and a wall integrally connecting the first arm and the second arm to define a slot. The example genderless electric terminal also includes a first flexible contact extending from an end of the first arm and protruding into the slot to engage a first arm of a different genderless electric terminal that is inserted into the slot.

Genderless electric terminals for vehicles

A trailer yaw sensing apparatus is provided. The trailer yaw sensing apparatus includes a housing, a yaw sensor, and a docking station. The housing is configured for installation on a trailer. The housing defines apertures that are configured to engage fasteners for mounting yaw sensors in a plurality of orientations. The yaw sensor includes an external casing and is disposed within the housing. The docking station is affixed to the housing and is configured to receive a trailer-to-vehicle electrical connector.

Trailer and packaging system for trailer electrical components

A computer is programmed to actuate an electric socket mounted to an exterior of a vehicle to close upon determining that the vehicle's speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, that a cover is open, and that the electric socket is in an electrically disengaged state.

Self-closing electric socket cover

A connector assembly includes a housing, a plurality of pins disposed on the housing, a pin chamber disposed on the housing, and a cap disposed on the chamber. The cap has a plurality of holes for receiving the pins. The pins are aligned with the holes when the cap is in an operating position and the pins are offset from the holes when the cap is in a storage position.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Joel Allen Pittenger