Yazaki Corporation

Yazaki North America, Inc.

Mark G Hill

Samuel A Lippert

Eric J Stern

Lawrence J MacLeod

A compounded injection molded plastic grommet including a rigid core and a soft elastomeric overmold defining a body portion with a soft elastomeric tube surrounding a portion of the wiring harness and exposed rigid plastic attachment tabs both fore and aft of the grommet body. The grommet and tube are split to allow side entry of the wiring harness and undercuts are provided at the top and bottom of the grommet for secure attachment to an automotive body structure. Final assembly involves putting the grommet in place and securing the wiring harness to the fore and aft attachment tabs by tape or plastic tie straps or the like.

Grommet for automotive wiring harness

A battery connecting module mountable to an automotive vehicle battery provides electrical connection between a battery post, a cable leading to an alternator, one or more cables leading to vehicle electrical systems such as a fuse box and a starter motor, and a main fuse located inside the module and connecting the alternator cable with the other components. The battery connecting module protects the major engine compartment electrical connections from solid and liquid contaminants, and locates the main fuse in a manner which protects the alternator cable from short circuit conditions. Two of the cables are connected to the module by cable terminals which extend downward and into close proximity with the vertical battery side walls, thereby adding to the security of the battery connecting module's mounting on the battery.

Battery connecting module with fuse mounting

An electrical power distribution module for use with an automotive vehicle electrical system is adapted to be mounted on the top surface of a standard automotive lead-acid storage battery and connect with a battery terminal extending therefrom. The power distribution module includes a battery post connecting assembly for housing a terminal connector for making electrical connections with the battery terminal and alternator and starter cables, a fuse block for receiving a plurality of fuses associated with separate vehicle electrical circuits, and a harness guide channel for routing a plurality of wires which connect the fuses with their associated circuits. The power distribution module is mounted to lay flat on top of the battery's upper surface with the battery terminal extending upwardly into the module to be engaged by the battery terminal connector. The module does not extend substantially above the highest point of the battery terminal, nor does it extend laterally substantially outside of the battery perimeter. A cover is attached to the power distribution module and has hinged sections which may be opened to provide access to the battery terminal connector and the fuse receptacles.

Battery-mounted power distribution module

A snap-latch mechanism for releasably connecting two components comprises a male latch member extending from a first component and a female latch frame disposed on a second component. The latch frame defines a passageway through which the latch member is inserted, and the latch member undergoes a torsional deflection as it passes therethrough to achieve locking engagement with the latch frame. The torsional deflection is caused by two oppositely inclined ramp surfaces disposed on the interior of the lock frame to apply a camming action and rotate an enlarged head portion of the latch member as it passes through the passageway. When the head portion has passed completely through the frame, it is released from the ramp surfaces and the latch member returns to its undeformed configuration and is latchingly engaged with the latch frame. In a preferred embodiment, a fulcrum rib disposed on the second component simplifies manual actuation of the latch member back to the twisted configuration to release it from engagement with the latch frame.

Torsional snap-fit latch

The present invention relates to a tethered protective cover which is detachably mounted to a multi-pin electrical connector. Specifically, the cover is mounted to a diagnostic connector located under the instrument panel of an automobile. The cover includes a shroud which is mountable to the connector. The shroud includes opposite side walls and an intermediate wall extending therebetween. The shroud has a size and shape such that clearances are created between each shroud side wall and the connector. The shroud is formed using a resilient material such that when the opposite side walls are squeezed inwardly, the clearances are reduced, causing the intermediate wall to gap outwardly from the connector. A latch button on the intermediate shroud wall interacts with a projection on the connector to secure the shroud to the connector.

Connector cover having a squeeze release

A hinged, shell-like protective cover is releasably mounted to a flanged, split-ring battery cable terminal. A method of assembling said cover to said battery cable terminal is also described. The cover surrounds the battery cable terminal, providing protection from dirt, water, salt, and other contaminants in the engine compartment of a vehicle. The cover includes a base having an aperture which is adapted to receive a battery post. The base is attached to a lid by an integrally molded hinge which allows the lid to pivot about the base between an open position and a closed position. A locking mechanism is provided to secure the lid to the base in the closed position. A pair of resilient locking arms are formed on the base and are adapted to receive a terminal bolt. A plurality of resilient tabs are formed on the base of the cover and located near the aperture in the base. The resilient tabs interact with a flange on the terminal to secure the terminal to the base.

Growing community of inventors

Novi, MI, United States of America

Mark G Hill