High voltage interlock connection
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorJames E. Tarchinski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interlock connection is provided for use in conjunction with a high voltage electrical system. The interlock connection includes a male portion, a resilient member, and a female portion adapted to receive the male portion therein. The female portion includes an access hole through which the resilient member is accessible when the male portion is received in the female portion. The resilient member is coupled to the male portion and configured to engage the female portion to prevent disconnection of the male portion from the female portion until the resilient member is deformed.
Claims18
An interlock connection for use in conjunction with a high voltage electrical system, the interlock connection configured to be disconnected with a disconnection tool, the interlock connection comprising:
- a male portion;
- a female portion adapted to receive the male portion therein, the female portion including an access hole;
- and
- a resilient member coupled to the male portion and accessible through the access hole when the male portion is received by the female portion, the resilient member configured to engage the female portion to prevent disconnection of the male portion from the female portion until the resilient member;
- wherein the resilient member is fully contained within the female portion when the male portion is received by the female portion, and wherein the resilient member is configured to be compressed toward the male portion when the disconnection tool is inserted into the female portion through the access hole.
An interlock connection for use in conjunction with a high voltage electrical system, the interlock connection configured to be disconnected with a disconnection tool, comprising:
- a female portion, comprising:
- a housing having a cavity therein;
- first and second access holes through the housing;
- and
- first and second projections disposed on the housing and extending into the cavity proximate the first and second access holes, respectively;
- a male portion adapted to be received by the cavity;
- and
- a resilient member mounted on the male portion the resilient member abuttingly engaging the projection to retain the male portion within the cavity until the disconnection tool is inserted into the access hole to deform the resilient member.
A high voltage connection system for use onboard a vehicle including a high voltage power source and a high voltage device, the high voltage connection system comprising:
- an interlock connection configured to couple the high voltage power source to the high voltage device, the interlock connection comprising:
- a female portion having an access hole therein;
- a male portion adapted to be inserted into the female portion;
- and
- a resilient member coupled to the male portion and abuttingly engaging an inner surface of the female portion to retain the male portion within the female portion until the resilient member is deformed, the resilient member configured to be accessible through the access hole;
- a high voltage interlock circuit coupled to the interlock connection, the high voltage interlock circuit configured to initiate discharge of the high voltage power source when access to the interlock connection is detected;
- and
- a cover movably coupled to the interlock connection, the cover obstructing the access hole when in a closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.