Interactive connector unit for a wiring harness

Abstract

A modular interactive connector unit is provided which has a base block with an array of male pins on one side and opposed female pins on the other side for interconnection between an electronic control assembly for an automotive engine and a wiring harness otherwise intended for direct connection to the electronic control assembly. The base block contains an array of contact points and adapter points which correspond with the control circuits in the electronic control assembly. Circuit completing electrical adapters from the adapter arrays on the base member support a board element having spaced apart arrays of adapter points for insertion of a circuit altering device in selected control circuits. A cap protects the board elements. The circuit altering devices alter the voltages read by the electronic control assembly to enhance performance of an engine. The modular unit may be removed and the wiring harness connected directly to the electronic control assembly to return the control circuits to their factory settings.

We claim: 
     
       1. An interactive connector unit insertable between a wiring harness and an automotive electronic control assembly of the type which receives input from sensors of operating parameters and produces control signals in response thereto, the connector unit in operable combination comprising: first board means for electrically interconnecting a first set of contact points with a first set of adapter points, each contact point being connected to one of said adapter points;   second board means for electrically interconnecting a second set of contact points with a second set of adapter points, each contact point being connected to one of said adapter points;   third board means for electrically interconnecting spaced apart third and fourth sets of adapter points which correspond to said first and second set of adapter points;   means on said third board means for inserting circuit altering devices between selected ones of said third and fourth sets of adapter points;   electrical adapters for completing the circuit between individual ones of the adapter points on the first board means with individual ones of the adapter points on one of the third or fourth sets of adapter points on the third board means and between individual ones of the adapter points on the second board means and individual ones of the other of the third or fourth sets of adapter points.   
     
     
       2. The unit of claim 1 wherein said first and second board means are insulating boards having conductive traces joining individual ones of said contact and adapter points which comprise sets of conductive openings. 
     
     
       3. The unit of claim 2 wherein said third board means comprises an insulating board having conductive traces between individual ones of said third and fourth sets of adapter points which comprise sets of conductive openings. 
     
     
       4. The unit of claim 3 wherein the means for inserting circuit altering devices between selected ones of said third and fourth sets of adapter points comprise spaced apart conductive openings in selected ones of said traces. 
     
     
       5. The unit of claim 4 wherein said first and second board means are rectangular insulating boards mounted together with an insulator sheet in a rectangular shaped base block with the first and second sets of adapter openings arranged on opposite surfaces along one edge of the base block. 
     
     
       6. The unit of claim 5 wherein the outside opposed surfaces of the base block contain generally opposed ones of the conductive openings in said first and second sets of contact points of the first and second board means. 
     
     
       7. The unit of claim 6 wherein the circuit completing electrical adapters are stiff wires which support the third board means relative to the first and second board means and in close proximity thereto. 
     
     
       8. The unit of claim 7 wherein the third board means is covered by a cap member. 
     
     
       9. The unit of claim 7 wherein the circuit completing electrical adapters are stiff L-shaped conductors with right angled arms, one of the arms of one group being connected to the individual ones of the first set of adapter points extending above said one edge of the base block and one of the arms of a second group being connected to the individual ones of the second set of adapter points extending above said one edge of said base block, the other arm of the respective circuit completing adapter groups being connected to individual ones of the conductive openings of the third and fourth sets of adapter points on the third board means to support said third board means adjacent said one edge of the base block in a compact T-shaped arrangement. 
     
     
       10. The unit of claim 7 wherein conductive openings of the contact points on one of the first or second board means have male circuit connecting pins for connecting one of the electronic control assembly or the wiring harness, whichever has female connectors, and the other of the first or second board means has mounted thereon a pin receiving block having openings over each conductive opening of the compact points on said board means and the openings of said pin receiving block have inserted therein a cylindrical conductor for receiving male connector pins from the other of the electronic control assembly or wiring harness, whichever has male connector pins. 
     
     
       11. The unit of claim 10 wherein said male circuit connecting pins are surrounded by a protective shell which slides over an extension of a portion of the wiring harness or electronic control assembly having female connectors. 
     
     
       12. The unit of claim 11 wherein the third board means is covered with a cap member sealed around the rectangular edges of the board. 
     
     
       13. The unit of claim 10 further including at least one circuit altering device connected between said third and fourth adapter points in one or more circuits having a remote sensing element leading to a wiring harness, the unit being connectable between said wiring harness and an electronic control assembly to alter the electrical characteristics of said circuits. 
     
     
       14. The unit of claim 13 wherein the circuit altering device is selected from a group comprising resistors, diodes, transistors, and capacitors. 
     
     
       15. The unit of claim 10 having at least one control circuit alteration device connected between said third and fourth adapter points, the unit being connectable between an electronic control assembly and a wiring harness in one or more circuits leading to one or more remote control devices. 
     
     
       16. The unit of claim 15 wherein the circuit altering device is selected from a group comprising resistors, diodes, transistors, and capacitors. 
     
     
       17. An interactive connector unit insertable between a wiring harness and an automotive electronic control assembly of the type which receives input from sensors of operating parameters and produces control signals in response thereto, the connector unit in operable combination comprising: a first board element having a plurality of electrically conductive pin openings each connected to one of an array of electrically conductive sockets;   a second board element insulated from said first board element, having a plurality of electrically conductive pin openings each connected to one of an array of electrically conductive sockets;   a third board element separated from said first and second board elements having opposed spaced apart arrays of electrically conductive sockets, one laid out to correspond with the array on the first board element and one laid out to correspond with the array on the second board element;   traces connecting the opposed spaced apart arrays of conductive sockets including spaced apart conductive openings in the traces, said conductive openings having several input or output circuit altering devices;   means for connection of each of said arrays on said third board element with a corresponding array on the first and second board elements;   means for connection of the pin openings on one of said first and second board elements to an automotive electronic control assembly; and,   means for connection of the pin openings on the other of said first and second board elements with the wiring harness for said electronic control assembly.   
     
     
       18. An inline adapter for conveniently altering electrical characteristics of selected ones of a plurality of circuits each defined by one of a bundle of wires having a disconnectable pin and socket wiring harness having a pin and corresponding socket for each wire, comprising: a first insulating means having a first surface and a spaced apart second surface;   male connecting means for individually connecting the socket side of a wiring harness to a plurality of separated contact points on the first surface of said insulating means;   female connecting means for individually connecting the pin side of a wiring harness to a plurality of separated contact points on the second surface of said insulating means;   traces on said first surface leading from the contact points to means for connection on said first surface and traces on said second surface leading from the contact points to means for connection on said second surface;   a second insulating means having separated spaced apart first means for connection and second means for connection, said first means for connection corresponding to the means for connection on said first surface and said second means for connection corresponding to the means for connection on said second surface;   connector means for connecting the first means for connection on the second insulating means to the means for connection on the first surface of the first insulating means;   connector means for connecting the second means for connection on the second insulating means to the means for connection on the second surface of the first insulating means;   pathway means for electrically joining the first and second means for connection on the second insulating means including means for selectively inserting circuit altering devices between said first and second means.   
     
     
       19. An interactive connector unit insertable between a wiring harness and an automotive electronic control assembly of the type which receives input from sensors of operating parameters and produces control signals in response thereto, the connector unit in operable combination comprising: first board means for electrically interconnecting a first set of contact points with a first set of adapter points, each contact point being connected to one of said adapter points, further including a first set of contact openings which together with the first set of contact points forms a first contact point array;   second board means for electrically interconnecting a second set of contact points with a second set of adapter points, each contact point being connected to one of said adapter points, further including a second set of contact openings which together with the second set of contact points forms a second contact point array;   third board means having spaced apart third and fourth sets of adapter points which correspond in number to said first and second set of adapter points;   electrical adapters for completing the circuit between individual ones of the adapter points on the first board means with individual ones of the adapter points on one of the third or fourth sets of adapter points on the third board means and between individual ones of the adapter points on the second board means and individual ones of the other of the third or fourth sets of adapter points;   means on said third board means for inserting circuit altering devices between selected ones of said third and fourth sets of adapter points;   means for connecting the first contact point array on the first board means to one of the wiring harness or electronic control assembly; and,   means for connecting the second contact point array on the second board means to the other of the wiring harness or electronic control assembly.   
     
     
       20. The unit of claim 19 wherein said first and second board means are insulating boards having conductive traces joining individual ones of said contact and adapter points which comprise sets of conductive openings in said contact point arrays. 
     
     
       21. The unit of claim 20 wherein said third board means comprises an insulating board having conductive openings in individual ones of said third and fourth sets of adapter points which comprise sets of conductive openings. 
     
     
       22. The unit of claim 21 wherein the means for inserting circuit altering devices between selected ones of said third and fourth sets of adapter points comprise spaced apart conductive openings. 
     
     
       23. The unit of claim 22 wherein said first and second board means are rectangular insulating boards mounted together with an insulator sheet in a rectangular shaped base block with the first and second sets of adapter openings arranged on opposite surfaces along one edge of the base block. 
     
     
       24. The unit of claim 23 wherein the outside opposed surfaces of the base block contain generally opposed ones of the conductive openings and contact openings in said first and second contact point arrays of the first and second board means. 
     
     
       25. The unit of claim 24 wherein the circuit completing electrical adapters are stiff wires which support the third board means relative to the first and second board means and in close proximity thereto. 
     
     
       26. The unit of claim 25 wherein the third board means is covered by a cap member. 
     
     
       27. The unit of claim 25 wherein the circuit completing electrical adapters are stiff L-shaped conductors with right angled arms, one of the arms of one group being connected to the individual ones of the first set of adapter points extending above said one edge of the base block and one of the arms of a second group being connected to the individual ones of the second set of adapter points extending above said one edge of said base block, the other arm of the respective circuit completing adapter groups being connected to individual ones of the conductive openings of the third and fourth sets of adapter points on the third board means to support said third board means adjacent said one edge of the base block in a compact T-shaped arrangement. 
     
     
       28. The unit of claim 25 wherein the means for connecting the first contact point array is one of a set of male or female circuit connecting pins for the first set of contact points and the other of a set of male or female circuit connecting pins comprises the means for connecting the second contact point array, the contact openings in the first and second contact point arrays have modified pin connectors connected through the base block, said modified pin connectors having a male circuit connecting pin on the male connecting side and a female circuit connecting pin on the female connecting side. 
     
     
       29. The unit of claim 28 wherein said male circuit connecting pins are surrounded by a protective shell which slides over an extension of a portion of the wiring harness or electronic control assembly having female connectors. 
     
     
       30. The unit of claim 29 wherein the third board means is covered with a cap member sealed around the rectangular edges of the board. 
     
     
       31. The unit of claim 28 further including at least one circuit altering device connected between said third and fourth adapter points in one or more circuits having a remote sensing element leading to a wiring harness, the unit being connectable between said wiring harness and an electronic control assembly to alter the electrical characteristics of said circuits. 
     
     
       32. The unit of claim 31 wherein the circuit altering device is selected from a group comprising resistors, diodes, transistors, and capacitors. 
     
     
       33. The unit of claim 28 having at least one control circuit alteration device connected between said third and fourth adapter points, the unit being connectable between an electronic control assembly and a wiring harness in one or more circuits leading to one or more remote control devices. 
     
     
       34. The unit of claim 33 wherein the circuit altering device is selected from a group comprising resistors, diodes, transistors, and capacitors. 
     
     
       35. An interactive connector unit insertable between a wiring harness and an automotive electronic control assembly of the type which receives input from sensors of operating parameters and produces control signals in response thereto, the connector unit in operable combination comprising: a first board element and a second board element being mountable together with an insulating means between the first and second board elements;   a plurality of opposable pin openings on each of the first and second board elements comprising a set of straight through pin supporting passages when said boards are mounted together;   modified pins insertable in the supporting passages with the boards mounted, comprising means for connection with a wiring harness extending from one of said board elements and means for connection with an automotive electronic control assembly extending from the other of said board elements;   a plurality of electrically conductive pin openings on said first board element each connected to one of an array of electrically conductive sockets on the first board element;   a plurality of electrically conductive pin openings on said second board element each connected to one of an array of electrically conductive sockets on the second board element;   a third board element mountable adjacent said first and second elements having opposed spaced apart arrays of electrically conductive sockets, one laid out to correspond with the array on the first board element and one laid out to correspond with the array on the second board element;   means for connection of the array of sockets on each of the first and second board elements with one of the arrays of sockets on the third board element wherein selected circuit altering devices may be inserted between ones of the opposed arrays of the third board element;   means for connection of the electrically conductive pin openings on one of the said first and second board elements to an automotive electronic control assembly; and,   means for connection of the electrically conductive pin openings on the other of said first and second board elements with the wiring harness for said electronic control assembly.   
     
     
       36. An inline adapter for conveniently altering electrical characteristics of selected ones of a plurality of circuits each defined by one of a bundle of wires having a disconnectable pin and socket wiring harness having a pin side and a corresponding socket side for each wire, the inline adapter comprising: a first insulating means having a first surface and a spaced apart second surface;   a plurality of generally opposed contact points on each of said first and second surfaces, each plurality of contact points on each surface comprising a first set and a second set of contact point openings arranged in an array;   an array of adapter points on the first surface of the first insulating means and a corresponding array of adapter points on the second surface of the first insulating means;   a plurality of traces connecting the array of adapter points on the first surface of the first insulating means with the first set of contact points on said surface and a plurality of traces connecting the array of adapter points on the second surface of the first insulating means with the first set of contact points on said surface;   male connecting means for individually connecting the first set of contact points on the first surface of the insulating means with the socket side of a wiring harness;   female connecting means for individually connecting the first set of contact points on the second surface of the insulating means with the pin side of the wiring harness;   modified connecting means for the second sets of contact point openings, extending through the first insulating means, said means having a male connecting means extending from one surface and a female connecting means extending from the other surface, the male connecting portion and the female connecting portion being conformed respectively, to connect with the socket side and with the pin side of a wiring harness along with the male and female connecting means of the first set of contact points, so that the opposite halves of the wiring harness will be engageable with the male and female connecting means on the first insulating means;   a second insulating means having spaced apart first and second arrays of adapter points, each corresponding to one of the adapter point arrays on the tint or second surfaces of the first insulating means;   connecting pins between the array of adapter points on the first surface of the first insulating means and one of the spaced apart arrays of adapter points on the second insulating means; and, connecting pins between the array of adapter points on the second surface of the first insulating means and the other of the spaced apart arrays of adapter points on the second insulating means, wherein circuit altering devices may be selectively installed between individual adapter points on the second insulating means to alter a circuit when the inline adapter is connected to the wiring harness at the first and second surface of the first insulating means by means of the connecting means, whereby the modified connecting means defines a direct connection in selected circuits. .Iadd.   
     
     
       37.  In an interactive ignition modifier adapted for insertion between the terminal unit of a wiring harness and the terminal unit of an automotive electronic control assembly of the type which receives inputs from sensors of operating parameters and produces control signals in response thereto via conductors in said wiring harness, each of said terminal units having cooperative connecting terminals, the combination comprising: (a) a first connection unit having a plurality of connecting terminals conforming to corresponding connecting terminals of the wiring harness terminal unit;   (b) a second connection unit having a plurality of connecting terminals conforming to corresponding connecting terminals of the control assembly terminal unit;   (c) a control module having a plurality of primary and secondary adapter points arranged in sets having a primary adapter point and a secondary adapter point;   (d) first means for electrically connecting a first portion of the connecting terminals of said first connection unit to corresponding primary adapter points of said sets of adapter points;   (e) second means for electrically connecting a first portion of the connecting terminals of said second connection unit to corresponding secondary adapter points of said sets of adapter points;   (f) means for selectively inserting circuit altering means between primary and secondary adapter points of said sets of adapter points; and   (g) electrical connector means independent of said control module for electrically connecting a second portion of connecting terminals of said first connection unit directly to a second portion of connecting terminals of said second connection unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.   
     
     
       38.  The combination of claim 37, wherein at least one-half of the connecting terminals in said connection units are connected by said independent electrical connector means. .Iaddend..Iadd.39. The combination of claim 37, wherein said first connection unit comprises a circuit board, and said first means for electrically connecting comprises a plurality of contact points on said circuit board electrically connected to a plurality of connecting terminals of said first connection unit, a plurality of first unit adapter points on said circuit board electrically connected to at least some of said contact points, and electrical conductors interconnecting said first unit adapter points to said primary adapter points. .Iaddend..Iadd.40. The combination of claim 39, where in said direct connecting means comprises a plurality of contact openings in said circuit board connected to said second portion of the connecting terminals of said first terminal unit and separate electrical conductors extending from said contact openings to make electrical contact with said another portion of the connecting terminals of said second terminal unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.41. The combination of claim 40, wherein said contact openings are at least as great in number as said contact points. 
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.42.  The combination of claim 39, wherein said second connection unit comprises a second circuit board, and said second means for electrically connecting comprises a plurality of contact points on said second circuit board electrically connected to a plurality of connecting terminals of said second connection unit, a plurality of second unit adapter points on said second circuit board electrically connected to at least some of said contact points on said second board, and electrical conductors interconnecting said second unit adapter points to said secondary adapter points. .Iaddend..Iadd.43. The combination of claim 42, wherein said direct connecting means comprises a plurality of first unit contact openings in said first recited circuit board connected to said second portion of the connecting terminals of said first connection unit, a plurality of second unit contact openings in said second circuit board connected to said second portion of the connecting terminal of said second connection unit and electrical conductors extending from said first unit contact openings to said second unit contact openings. .Iaddend..Iadd.44. The combination of claim 43, wherein said first and second circuit boards are spaced from each other in a conforming relationship in which said first unit contact openings are aligned with corresponding second unit contact opening and at least a portion of said electrical conductor extend between said contact openings in said first and second units to rigidly support said first and second circuit board in said spaced conforming 
     
     
        relationship. .Iaddend..Iadd.45.  In an interactive ignition modifier adapted for inserting between the terminal unit of a wiring harness and the terminal unit of an automotive electronic control assembly of the type which receives inputs from sensors of operating parameters and produces control signals in response thereto via conductors in said wiring harness, each of said terminal units having cooperative connecting terminals, the combination comprising; (a) a first connection unit having a plurality of connecting terminals conforming to corresponding connecting terminals of the wiring harness terminal unit;   (b) a circuit board in said first connection unit comprising a plurality of contact points on said circuit board electrically connected to a first set of connecting terminals of said first connection unit, a plurality of contact openings in said circuit board connected to said another set of the connecting terminals of said first terminal unit, and a plurality of first unit adapter points on said circuit board electrically connected to at least some of said contact points,   (c) a second connection unit having a plurality of connecting terminals conforming to corresponding connecting terminals of the control assembly terminal unit;   (d) a control module having a plurality of primary and secondary adaptor points arranged in sets having a primary adapter point and a secondary adapter point;   (e) first means for electrically interconnecting said first unit adaptor points on said circuit board to corresponding primary adapter points of said sets of adapter points in said control module;   (f) second means for electrically connecting a first portion of the connector terminals of said second connection unit to corresponding secondary adapter points of said sets of adapter points;   (g) means for selectively inserting circuit altering means between primary and secondary adapter points of said of adapter points; and   (h) a plurality of electrical connectors connected to and extending from a plurality of said contact openings into electrical contact with a second   
     
     
        portion of terminals of said second connecting unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.46. In an interactive ignition modifier adapted for insertion between the terminal unit of a wiring harness and the terminal unit of an automotive electronic control assembly of the type which receives inputs from sensors of operating parameters and produces control signals in response thereto via conductors in said wiring harness, each of said terminal units having cooperative connecting terminals, the combination comprising: (a) a first connection unit having a plurality of connecting terminals conforming to corresponding connecting terminals of the wiring harness terminal unit;   (b) a circuit board in said first connection unit comprising a plurality of contact points on said circuit board electrically connected to a first set of connecting terminals of said first connection unit and a plurality of contact openings in said circuit board connected to said another set of the connecting terminals of said first terminal unit;   (c) a second connection unit having a plurality of connecting terminals conforming to corresponding connecting terminals of the control assembly terminal unit;   (i d) a second circuit board in said second connection unit comprising a plurality of contact points on said circuit board electrically connected to a first set of connecting terminals of said second connection unit and a plurality of contact openings in said second circuit board connected to said another set of the connecting terminals of said second terminal unit;   (e) a control module having a plurality of primary and secondary adaptor points arranged in sets having a primary adapter point and a secondary adapter point;   (f) first means for electrically interconnecting said a plurality of the contact points in said first circuit board to corresponding primary adapter points of said sets of adapter points in said control module;   (g) second means for electrically connecting a plurality of the contact points in said second circuit board to corresponding secondary adapter points of said sets of adapter points;   (h) means for electively inserting circuit altering means between primary and secondary adapter points of said sets of adapter points;   (i) a plurality of electrical connectors connected to a plurality of said contact openings in said first circuit board and extending to said circuit board and contacted to a plurality of contact openings in said second circuit board. .Iaddend..Iadd.47. In a control system for the engine of an automotive vehicle, the combination comprising:   (a) an electronic control assembly for said engine comprising means for generating engine control signals in response to signals representative of operating parameters applied to said electronic control assembly;   (b) a wiring harness having a plurality of electrical conductors adapted to convey electrical signals between said electronic control assembly and end point devices in said automotive vehicle;   (c) a first terminal unit for said wiring harness incorporating a plurality of connecting terminals;   (d) a second terminal unit for said electronic control assembly incorporating a plurality of connecting terminals;   (e) a control module having a plurality of primary and secondary adaptor points arranged in sets having a primary adapter point and a secondary adapter point;   (f) first means for electrically connecting a portion of the connecting terminals of said first wiring harness terminal unit to corresponding primary adapter points of said sets of adapter points;   (g) second means for electrically connecting a portion of the connecting terminals of said second connection unit to corresponding secondary adapter points of said sets of adapter points;   (h) means for selectively inserting circuit altering means between primary and secondary adapter points of said sets of adapter points; and   (i) means for directly connecting another portion of the connecting terminals of said first terminal unit directly to another portion of the connecting terminals of said second terminal unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.48. The control system of claim 47, wherein said first means for electrically connecting comprises a first connection unit having a first plurality of connecting terminals conforming to corresponding connecting terminals for said first terminal unit and in contact with primary adaptor points of said sets of adapter points, said second means for electrically connecting comprises a second connection unit having a first plurality of connecting terminals conforming to and in contact with the corresponding connecting terminals of said second terminal unit for said electronic control assembly and in contact with the secondary adapter points of said sets of adapter points; and said means for directly connecting comprises a second plurality connecting terminals in each of said first and second connection unit which are connected to each other through conductors remote from said control module. .Iaddend..Iadd.49. The control systems of claim 48, wherein said second plurality of connecting terminals are at least as great as said first plurality of connecting terminals for said first and second connecting units. .Iaddend..Iadd.50. The control system of claim 47 further comprising a connection unit connected to said first terminal unit and having terminals connected to the terminals of said first terminal unit, said connection unit having a circuit board, and said first means for electrically connecting comprises a plurality of contact points on said circuit board electrically connected to a plurality of terminals of said connection unit, a plurality of first unit adapter points on said circuit board electrically connected to at least some of said contact points, and electrical conductors interconnecting said first unit adapter   
     
     
        points to said primary adapter points. .Iaddend..Iadd.51.  The combination of claim 50, wherein said direct connecting means comprises a plurality of contact openings in said circuit board connected to said portion of the connecting terminals of said first terminal unit and separate electrical conductors extending from said contact openings to make electrical contact with said another portion of the connecting terminals of said second terminal unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.52. In a method for varying the operation of an automotive vehicle having an electronic control assembly of the type which receives input signals from end point sensors which monitor operating parameters of said vehicle and in response to said input signals produces output control signals to end point control units in said vehicle via a plurality of wires which extend between said end point devices and said control assembly in a wiring harness connected to said control assembly, the steps comprising: (a) disassembling said wiring harness from said electronic control assembly to expose cooperative connecting terminals in the ends of said wires and in said control assembly though which signals are applied to and transmitted from said control assembly;   (b) providing a control module having a plurality of primary and secondary adapter points arranged in sets having a primary adapter point and a secondary adapter point and incorporating circuit altering means between said primary and secondary adapter points of said sets of adapter points;   (c) transmitting a first set of selected signals between selected ones of said en point devices and the terminal of said control assembly between the terminal ends of said wires and the corresponding terminals of said electronic control assembly via said control module and said circuit altering means to change the value of the selected signals transmitted between said end point devices and said electronic control assembly; and   (d) transmitting a second set of signals between said end point devices and said electronic control module between the terminals of said wires and said electronic control assembly through conductive paths which are separate from said control module. .Iaddend..Iadd.53. The method of claim 52, wherein at least one-half of said signals are transmitted through said conductive paths in accordance with step (d). .Iaddend.