The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 06, 2005
Filed:
Jul. 19, 2002
Jeffrey A. Clark, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Jeffrey A. Clark, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
An electronic control unit (ECU) is mounted to a non-conductive material housing for installation in a vehicle. In order to diagnose whether or not the ECU is properly installed within the vehicle, a conductive member is placed within the housing. The conductive member includes a pair of pins that are insert molded into the housing such that one end of each pin is electrically connected to the ECU and an opposite end of each pin is exposed at a mounting surface presented by the housing. A fastener is used to mount the housing to the vehicle and includes an enlarged head portion that contacts the exposed ends of the pins, forming an electrical circuit. The ECU monitors the resistance or voltage between the two pins to determine if the ECU is properly mounted. A closed circuit indicates proper mounting and an open circuit indicates improper mounting.