US 12,334,693 B2
Reconfigurable connector system
James Morrison, Sebringville (CA); Lyall K. Winger, Waterloo (CA); and Agustin Velazquez Mejia, Macomb, MI (US)
Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/072,897.
Prior Publication US 2024/0186757 A1, Jun. 6, 2024
Int. Cl. H01R 31/06 (2006.01); H01R 12/71 (2011.01); H01R 12/75 (2011.01); H05K 1/02 (2006.01); H05K 1/11 (2006.01); H05K 1/14 (2006.01)
CPC H01R 31/06 (2013.01) [H01R 12/71 (2013.01); H01R 12/75 (2013.01); H05K 1/029 (2013.01); H05K 1/11 (2013.01); H05K 1/14 (2013.01); H05K 2201/10181 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A reconfigurable connector system for distributing power between an input power source and a cable harness connector having a first number M of cable harness terminals configured to carry a plurality of different currents, comprising:
an energy center module having a module housing, a printed circuit board located within the module housing and having more than M pin holes therein, a plurality of electronic fuses located within the module housing and operatively connected with the pin holes, a controller located within the module housing and operatively connected with the plurality of electronic fuses via control circuitry, and an input connector located within the module housing for receiving power from the input power source and operatively connected to one or more of the controller and the plurality of electronic fuses via power circuitry, wherein the controller is configured for running control software for controlling the plurality of electronic fuses; and
a connecting adapter having an electrically insulative body with opposed first and second sides and M electrically conductive bridging adapters within the body, wherein each bridging adapter includes:
a respective first connection point accessible from the first side of the body and configured to be directly connectable with a respective one of the cable harness terminals;
one or more respective second connection points accessible from the second side of the body and configured to be directly or indirectly connectable with a respective one or more of the pin holes; and
a respective busbar connecting the respective first connection point with the one or more respective second connection points.