US 12,459,317 B2
Vehicle hitch integrated electrical connector
Stuart Salter, White Lake, MI (US); Gabriella Jacobsen, Ferndale, MI (US); Arnav Wagh, Detroit, MI (US); Daniel Heaton, Dearborn, MI (US); Brendan Diamond, Grosse Pointe, MI (US); Robert Vitali, Sterling Heights, MI (US); David Diamond, Canton, MI (US); and Kevin King, Detroit, MI (US)
Assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Jun. 2, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/831,132.
Prior Publication US 2023/0391152 A1, Dec. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. B60D 1/64 (2006.01); H01R 13/15 (2006.01); H01R 13/642 (2006.01); B60D 1/145 (2006.01)
CPC B60D 1/64 (2013.01) [H01R 13/15 (2013.01); H01R 13/642 (2013.01); B60D 1/145 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hitch system for a vehicle comprising:
a tubular hitch receiver including an electrical connector disposed therein and defining an open end opposite the electrical connector and a cavity between the open end and electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector has a plurality of electrical contacts on a spring-loaded face thereof adjacent to the cavity; and
a tubular hitch mount including an end (i) having a plurality of electrical pins corresponding to the electrical contacts and (ii) configured to be inserted into the cavity via the open end and contact the spring-loaded face such that the electrical contacts and electrical pins are electrically connected.