Connector locking mechanism having a rotatable retention component
AssigneeI.D. Systems, Inc.
InventorsMichael L. Ehrman, Vladimir Yakhnich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A diagnostic port connector for a vehicle that includes a locking mechanism is disclosed. The system can comprise a connector body, such as a male OBD-II connector. The connector can include a plurality of connector pins, with the pins capable of passing signals and messages from the vehicle's on board diagnostic system to a device in electrical communication with the connector. The connector can also include a connection retention component. The connection retention component can be configured to maintain a connection between male connectors and female connection ports by interfering with a protruding portion of the female connection port.
Claims12
A diagnostic port connector for a vehicle comprising:
- a connector body, configured to mate with a female port associated with the vehicle;
- a plurality of connector pins, the connector pins configured to pass at least one signal or message from an on board diagnostic system of the vehicle to a device in electrical communication with the connector;
- a connection retention component, configured to move from an unlocked position to a locked position to prevent unintentional loss of connection between the connector and the female port;
- wherein the connection retention component is configured to physically interfere with a protrusion from a surface of the female port if the connector body is pulled away from the female port while the connection retention component is in the locked position;
- and
- wherein the connection retention component moves from the unlocked to the locked position by rotating within a plane parallel to the surface of the female port.
A male OBD-II connector for connecting to a vehicle comprising:
- a connector body, configured to mate with a female OBD-II port associated with the vehicle;
- a plurality of connector pins, the connector pins configured to pass at least one signal or message from an on board diagnostic system of the vehicle to a device in electrical communication with the connector;
- a connection retention component, configured to move from an unlocked position to a locked position to prevent unintentional loss of connection between the connector and the female OBD-II port;
- wherein the connection retention component is configured to physically interfere with a protrusion from a surface of the female OBD-II port if the connector body is pulled away from the female OBD-II port while the connection retention component is in the locked position;
- and
- wherein the connection retention component moves from the unlocked to the locked position by rotating about an axis perpendicular to the surface of the female port.
A method of securing a diagnostic port connector, the method comprising:
- providing a male connector comprising a connector body and a plurality of connector pins, the connector pins configured to pass at least one signal or message from an on board diagnostic system of a vehicle to a device in electrical communication with the connector;
- engaging the male connector with a female port associated with the vehicle such that the connector pins form an electrical connection between the male connector and the vehicle;
- moving a connection retention component from an unlocked position to a locked position to prevent unintentional loss of connection between the connector and the female port;
- wherein the connection retention component is configured to physically interfere with a protrusion from a surface of the female port if the connector body is pulled away from the female port while the connection retention component is in the locked position;
- and
- wherein moving the connection retention component from the unlocked to the locked position is accomplished by rotating within a plane parallel to the surface of the female port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.