Sliding connector unit for vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025222877-A1
Application number	US-202418883385-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 12, 2024
Priority date	Jan 5, 2024
Publication date	Jul 10, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A sliding connector unit for a vehicle includes a rail groove which extends in a longitudinal direction and which is formed in a vehicle panel, a vehicle electrode portion, and a connection portion including a first side inserted into the rail groove so that the connection portion is configured to be slid on the rail groove, including a second side exposed outside the vehicle panel, including a connector electrode portion provided on the first side of the connection portion inserted into the rail groove, and being configured so that the connector electrode portion is in contact with the vehicle electrode portion so that the connection portion is electrically connected to the vehicle electrode portion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A sliding connector unit for a vehicle, the sliding connector unit comprising:
a rail groove which is recessed along a vehicle panel and which extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle panel; a vehicle electrode portion which is provided on an internal side surface of the rail groove, extends together with the rail groove in the longitudinal direction, and is electrically connected to a power source of the vehicle; and a connection portion including:
a first side inserted into the rail groove so that the connection portion is configured to be slid on the rail groove;
a second side exposed outside the vehicle panel;
a connector electrode portion provided on the first side of the connection portion inserted into the rail groove, and being configured so that the connector electrode portion is in contact with the vehicle electrode portion and the connection portion is electrically connected to the vehicle electrode portion.

2 . The sliding connector unit of claim 1 ,
wherein the vehicle panel includes an internal panel and an external panel, and wherein the rail groove is formed in at least one of the internal panel and the external panel of the vehicle.

3 . The sliding connector unit of claim 1 , wherein a weatherstrip is provided on the rail groove, covers the rail groove so that water is prevented from penetrating the rail groove, and extends in the longitudinal direction along the rail groove.

4 . The sliding connector unit of claim 3 , wherein the weatherstrip is mounted between the vehicle panel and the second side of the connection portion.

5 . The sliding connector unit of claim 3 , wherein, in response that the connection portion slides on the rail groove, the connection portion slides while deforming the weatherstrip.

6 . The sliding connector unit of claim 1 , wherein protrusions are continuously formed in the rail groove, a catching portion protrudes on the connection portion, and the connection portion is configured so that the connection portion slides while the catching portion sequentially passes over the protrusions on the rail groove in response that the connection portion slides on the rail groove.

7 . The sliding connector unit of claim 6 , wherein the protrusions of the rail groove are formed so that the protrusions of the rail groove protrude toward an internal space of the rail groove from an upper surface and a lower surface of the rail groove, and the catching portion of the connection portion protrudes toward outside from an upper surface and a lower surface of the connection portion, so that catching portion faces the protrusions of the rail groove.

8 . The sliding connector unit of claim 7 , wherein the catching portion at upper and lower portions of the connection portion is supported by an elastic portion so that the catching portion protrudes upward and downward of the connection portion.

9 . The sliding connector unit of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle electrode portion is provided on a bottom surface of the rail groove, and the connector electrode portion is formed on a corresponding surface of the connection portion facing the bottom surface of the rail groove.

10 . The sliding connector unit of claim 1 ,
wherein an entrance of the rail groove exposed on the vehicle panel includes a starting portion having a width greater than a width of the connection portion and includes an extension portion which extends from the starting portion and which has a width smaller than the width of the connection portion, and wherein the connection portion is inserted into the rail groove through the starting portion, and the connection portion is caught in the extension portion so that the connection portion is prevented from being separated while the connection portion is slid.

11 . The sliding connector unit of claim 1 , wherein a starting portion of the rail groove is formed as an inclined surface so that a depth of the rail groove is deepened.

12 . The sliding connector unit of claim 1 , wherein the connection portion includes:
an insertion portion which is inserted into the rail groove and which is provided with the connector electrode portion; an exposure portion positioned outside the rail groove; and a neck portion which is provided to penetrate an entrance of the rail groove and which connects the insertion portion and the exposure portion to each other.

13 . The sliding connector unit of claim 1 , wherein the second side of the connection portion is positioned outside the rail groove and a convenience device is connected to the second side of the connection portion.

14 . The sliding connector unit of claim 13 , wherein the convenience device is configured for exchanging electric power or data with the vehicle through the connector electrode portion of the connection portion.

15 . The sliding connector unit of claim 13 , wherein the convenience device is one of a holder, a controller, a lamp, a speaker, a storage box, and a display.

16 . The sliding connector unit of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle panel is one of a door trim, a door panel, a fender panel, and a crash pad.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Corp

Inventors

• Kim Yong Sik
• Kim Dong Joo
• Jung In Ho

Classifications

• B60R16/02

  electric {constitutive elements} · CPC title

• H01R25/14 Primary

  Rails or bus-bars constructed so that the counterparts can be connected thereto at any point along their length (supporting elements for lighting devices, displaceable along guiding elements and making electrical contact with conductors running along the guiding elements F21V21/35) · CPC title

• B60Y2410/115

  Electric wiring; Electric connectors · CPC title

• B60R2011/0084

  with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position · CPC title

• B60R11/02 Primary

  for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof · CPC title