US 2026/0280199 A1 · AUTOMOTIVE CONNECTOR

Abstract

An automotive connector includes a connector main body portion divided into an inner portion and a lower portion. A plurality of terminal receiving grooves is formed in the lower portion by a bottom surface. A plurality of sensing electrodes is disposed alternately at adjacent edges of the inner portion so as to have different polarities between the adjacent edges, penetrates the bottom surface, and extends to the lower portion. A printed circuit board is disposed at the lower portion and is electrically connected to the plurality of sensing electrodes. A controller is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and is configured to identify a resistance value between the plurality of sensing electrodes. When the resistance value is equal to or less than a threshold value, the controller may output a submergence warning signal. This configuration enables early detection of a trace amount of moisture inflow into the connector.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An automotive connector comprising:

a connector main body portion divided into an inner portion and a lower portion in which a plurality of terminal receiving grooves is defined by a bottom surface;
a plurality of sensing electrodes which are disposed alternately at adjacent edges of the inner portion of the connector main body portion, so as to have different polarities between the adjacent edges of the inner portion, penetrate the bottom surface, and extend to the lower portion;
a printed circuit board which is disposed at the lower portion and is electrically connected to the plurality of sensing electrodes;
and
a controller which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and is configured to identify a resistance value between the plurality of sensing electrodes.

2 more elements

An automotive connector comprising:

a connector main body portion divided into an inner portion and a lower portion in which a plurality of terminal receiving grooves is defined by a bottom surface;
a first sensing electrode group which is disposed in a first region of the inner portion, penetrates the bottom surface, and extends to the lower portion;
a second sensing electrode group which is disposed in a second region of the inner portion, penetrates the bottom surface, and extends to the lower portion;
a printed circuit board which is disposed in the lower portion and electrically connected to the first sensing electrode group and the second sensing electrode group;
and
a controller which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and is configured to identify a submergence state,
wherein the controller is configured to output a first warning signal when the submergence state is identified in either the first sensing electrode group or the second sensing electrode group, and output a second warning signal when the submergence state is identified in both the first sensing electrode group and the second sensing electrode group.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automotive connector

Life of this patent

Automotive connector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20