Description:

FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

“SEALING TOOL FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR”

HERO MOTOCORP LIMITED, an Indian Company at: The Grand Plaza, Plot No.2, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj- Phase -II, New Delhi, India, 110 070

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[001] The present invention relates to a sealing tool and a system incorporating the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a sealing tool and a system adapted to push a sealing cap inside connecting ports of an electrical connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[002] Generally, electrical connectors are used in a regular manner in electric or electronic circuits involving multiple electrical components, for example, in electronic circuit of a vehicle for connecting vehicular parts electronically. These electrical connectors have plurality of connecting ports adapted to receive connecting wires from one or more than one electrical component. In practice, only some of the connecting ports are utilized for connecting wires, thus some of the connecting ports are left unutilized. These unutilized ports are more vulnerable to ingress of water, dust or other contaminates, which lead to failing of the electrical connector before estimated service life.

[003] Conventionally, in order to prevent the ingress of water, dust or other contaminates, a sealing cap is inserted inside the unutilized connecting ports one by one that requires significant amount of time. Despite of insertion of sealing cap in some cases, prevention of ingress is not achieved effectively due to positioning of the sealing cap at an improper depth. Also, relative positioning of the unutilized and utilized connecting ports often changes as per the requirement of the electric circuit.

[004] The variation in number and position of unutilized connecting ports and the depth up to which the sealing cap is required to be pushed for effective sealing makes the sealing of the unutilized connecting ports a complex task. Thus, there is requirement of a sealing tool capable of solving one or more than one abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[005] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[006] In one aspect the present invention provides a sealing tool comprising a body portion comprising plurality of connecting provisions for releasably receiving a plurality of sealing cap insertion member and at least one sealing cap insertion member releasably connected to the body portion via at least one of the plurality of connecting provisions. Accordingly, the sealing tool is adapted to push the at least one sealing cap inside at least one unutilized connecting port of an electrical connector comprising a plurality of connecting ports.

[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the sealing tool adapted to push the at least one sealing cap up to a predetermined depth (P.D).

[008] In another embodiment of the invention, the sealing tool adapted to push the at least one of the sealing cap to a same depth or different depths.

[009] In yet another embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of sealing cap insertion member comprises a first portion for making a releasable connection with the one of the plurality of connecting provisions and a second portion for making a contact with one of the sealing cap and moving inside one of the unutilized connecting port.

[0010] In still another embodiment of the invention, a height of the second portion is at least equal to the predetermined depth (P.D).

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the plurality of connecting provisions are located on the body portion so as to correspond to the location of the connecting ports on the electrical connector.

[0012] In a furthermore embodiment of the invention, the sealing tool comprises at least one alignment means for allowing the body portion to come in contact with an external surface of the electrical connector with proper alignment.

[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the sealing cap insertion members are releasably connected only to the connecting provisions located at positions corresponding to unutilized connecting ports.

[0014] In other aspect on the present invention, there is a provided a system comprising a sealing tool comprising: a body portion comprising plurality of connecting provisions for receiving a plurality of sealing cap insertion member and at least one sealing cap insertion member releasably connected to the body portion via at least one of the plurality of connecting provisions ; and a motion imparting mechanism operably connected to the sealing tool for imparting motion to the sealing tool so as to bring the body portion in contact with an external surface of electrical connector, and push, , at least one sealing cap inside at least one unutilized connecting port of the electrical connector via the at least one sealing cap insertion member.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the motion imparting mechanism comprises a means for receiving power from a user.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, the motion imparting mechanism comprises at least one of a motor, a pneumatic member, and a hydraulic member for imparting motion to the sealing tool.

[0017] One of the advantages of the present invention includes restricting ingress of water and other contaminates inside the electrical connector in an effective manner that ultimately leads to increase in service life of the electrical connector. One of the other advantages of the present invention includes that the sealing tool can be used for any electrical connector irrespective of the variation in position of the unutilized connecting port and the utilized connecting port. Yet another advantage of the present invention includes the sealing tool can be used for pushing the at least one sealing cap at different depths as per the requirement.

[0018] The present invention is more versatile in terms of adaptability and can be installed irrespective of availability of production facility. Further, one of the advantages of the present invention includes sealing of the unutilized connecting port at a faster rate, which reduces the time required for sealing the unutilized connecting port and ultimately enhances the production rate.

[0019] To further clarify the advantages and features of the invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:
[0020] In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views. The figures together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present invention where:

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates a top view of an electrical connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0022] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the electrical connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] Figure 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of a sealing tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0024] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0025] Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the sealing tool and the electrical connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0026] Figure 6 illustrates a front view sealing tool showing body portion and sealing cap insertion member in a disconnected condition in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

[0027] Figure 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0028] It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to represent like elements in the drawings. Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, one or more elements may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Detailed Description of the Invention:
[0029] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0030] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

[0031] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0032] Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment”, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0033] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

[0034] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the terms "coupled to", “connected to”, “operably connected to”, and “operatively connected to” are intended to include both direct connection / coupling (in which two elements that are coupled / connected to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling / connection (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously. Similarly, the terms “connected to” and “connected with” are used synonymously.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The device, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0036] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as being essential to the practice of the invention.

[0037] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] The terms “front / forward”, “rear / rearward / back / backward”, “up / upper / top”, “down / lower / lower ward / downward, bottom”, “left / leftward”, “right / rightward” used therein represents the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride and these directions are referred by arrows F, R, U, D in the Figures.

[0039] While the present invention is illustrated in the context of a vehicle, however, cover and aspects and features thereof can be used with other types of vehicles as well. The terms “vehicle”, “two wheeled vehicle” and “motorcycle” have been interchangeably used throughout the description. The term “vehicle” comprises vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type vehicles, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and the like.

[0040] Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a top view of an electrical connector (10) comprising plurality of connecting ports (121------12n) on an external surface of the electrical connector (10) provided for connecting wires. In an embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connector (10) can be used in a vehicle for connecting multiple vehicular parts electronically or in other electric/electronic circuits involving multiple electrical components.

[0041] Referring to Figure 2, the categorization of the plurality of connecting ports (121, ------, 12n) in to unutilized connecting ports (141, ------, 14n) and utilized connecting ports (161, ------, 16n) is shown. In an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting wires are connected to each of the utilized connecting ports (161, ------, 16n) and the connecting wires are not connected to the unutilized connecting ports (141, ------, 14n).

[0042] Referring to Figure 3, a sealing tool (100) comprises a body portion (102) comprising plurality of connecting provisions (1041…..104n) for releasably receiving a plurality of sealing cap insertion member (1061...106n). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of connecting provisions (1041 ..... 104n) are located on the body portion (102) so as to correspond to the location of the connecting ports (121 ... 12n) on the electrical connector (10).

[0043] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5, at least one sealing cap insertion member (1061 ... 106n) is releasably connected to the body portion (102) via the corresponding at least one of the plurality of connecting provisions (1041... 104n). Further, the sealing tool (100) is adapted to push the at least one sealing cap (1081 ... 108n) inside at least one unutilized connecting port (141 ... 14n). According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the at least one sealing cap insertion member (1061 ... 106n) and the corresponding at least one of the plurality of connecting provision (1041 ..... 104n) both have threads (1051 ... 105n) for connecting each other releasably, as best shown in Figure 3.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing cap insertion member (1061 ... 106n) are releasably connected only to the connecting provisions (1041... 104n) located at positions corresponding to unutilized connecting ports (141... 14n).

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing tool (100) comprises at least one alignment means (114) for allowing the body portion (102) to come in contact with an external surface of the electrical connector (10) with proper alignment. The proper alignment between the external surface of the electrical connector (10) and the body portion (102) prevents deviation of the at least one sealing cap insertion member (1061 ... 106n) while pushing the at least one sealing cap (1081 ... 108n) inside the at least one unutilized connecting port (141 ... 14n).

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing tool (100) adapted to push the at least one sealing cap (1081...108n) up to a predetermined depth (P.D). By pushing the at least one sealing cap (1081...108n) up to predetermined depth (P.D), the sealing tool (100) effectively seals the unutilized connecting ports (141... 14n) to prevent ingress of water, dust or other contaminates. By way of non-restrictive example, value of the predetermined depth may be in a range of 2.5±0.1 mm to 4±0.1 mm measured from the external surface of the electrical connector (10) towards the inward direction of the unutilized connecting ports (141... 14n).

[0047] Referring to Figure 6, each of the plurality of sealing cap insertion member (1061, ..., 106n) comprises a first portion (110) for making a releasable connection with the one of the plurality of connecting provisions (1041, ..., 104n) and a second portion (112) for making a contact with one of the sealing cap (1081, ..., 108n) and moving inside one of the unutilized connecting port (141, ..., 14n).

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the releasable connection between the first portion (110) and the one of the plurality of connecting provisions(1041, ..., 104n) helps in connecting the sealing cap insertion member (1061 ... 106n) to the connecting provisions (1041... 104n) located at positions corresponding to unutilized connecting ports (141... 14n). According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first portion (110) and the one of the plurality of connecting provisions (1041, ..., 104n) may be connected with each other using threaded connection mechanism.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a height of the second portion (112) is at least equal to the predetermined depth (P.D).According to another embodiment value of the height of the second portion may change as per the depth up to which the at least one sealing cap (1081 ... 108n) is required to be pushed for effective sealing. Accordingly, the sealing tool (100) is adapted to push the at least one of the sealing cap (1081...108n) to a same depth or different depths.

[0050] Referring to Figure 7, there is provided a system (200) comprising the sealing tool (100) operably connected with a motion imparting mechanism (202). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the motion imparting mechanism (202) imparts motion to the sealing tool (100) so as to bring the body portion (102) in contact with an external surface of an electrical connector (10).

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, upon the establishment of the contact, the motion imparting mechanism (202) further pushes the at least one sealing cap (1081,... ,108n) inside at least one unutilized connecting port (141, ...,14n) of the electrical connector (10) via the at least one sealing cap insertion member (1061, ...,106n).

[0052] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the motion imparting mechanism (202) comprises a means for receiving power from a user. Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the motion imparting mechanism comprises at least one of a motor, a pneumatic member, and a hydraulic member for imparting motion to the sealing tool (100).

[0053] Since, the sealing tool (100) of the present invention is capable of pushing the sealing cap to the predetermined depth (P.D).One of the advantages of the present invention includes restricting ingress of water and other contaminates inside the electrical connector (10) in an effective manner that ultimately leads to increase in service life of the electrical connector (10).

[0054] Since, the sealing cap insertion member (1061...106n) can be releasably connected at various positions of the plurality of connecting provisions (1041…..104n). One of the other advantages of the present invention includes that the sealing tool (100) can be used for any electrical connector (10) irrespective of the variation in position of the unutilized connecting port (141... 14n) and the utilized connecting port (161... 16n). Yet another advantage of the present invention includes the sealing tool (100) can be used for pushing the at least one sealing cap (1081 ... 108n) at different depths as per the requirement.

[0055] Since, the system (200) of the present invention comprises a means for receiving power from the user and at least one of a motor, a pneumatic member, and a hydraulic member. The present invention is more versatile in terms of adaptability and can be installed irrespective of availability of production facility. Further, one of the advantages of the present invention includes sealing of the unutilized connecting port (141... 14n) at a faster rate, which reduces the time required for sealing the unutilized connecting port (141... 14n) and ultimately enhances the production rate.

[0056] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

[0057] The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.
, Claims:We claim:

1. A sealing tool (100) comprising:
a body portion (102) comprising plurality of connecting provisions (1041, ..., 104n) for releasably receiving a plurality of sealing cap insertion member (1061, ..., 106n); and
at least one sealing cap insertion member (1061, ..., 106n) releasably connected to the body portion (102) via at least one of the plurality of connecting provisions(1041, ..., 104n),
wherein the sealing tool (100) adapted to push the at least one sealing cap (1081, ..., 108n) inside at least one unutilized connecting port (141, ..., 14n) of an electrical connector (10) comprising a plurality of connecting ports (121, ..., 12n).

2. The sealing tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing tool (100) adapted to push the at least one sealing cap (1081...108n) up to a predetermined depth (P.D).

3. The sealing tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing tool (100) adapted to push the at least one of the sealing cap (1081,..., 108n) to a same depth or different depths.

4. The sealing tool as claimed in claim1, wherein each of the plurality of sealing cap insertion member (1061, ..., 106n) comprises a first portion (110) for making a releasable connection with the one of the plurality of connecting provisions (1041, ..., 104n) and a second portion (112) for making a contact with one of the sealing cap (1081, ..., 108n) and moving inside one of the unutilized connecting port (141, ..., 14n).

5. The sealing tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein a height of the second portion (112) is at least equal to the predetermined depth (P.D).

6. The sealing tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of connecting provisions (1041, ..., 104n) are located on the body portion (102) so as to correspond to the location of the connecting ports (121, ..., 12n) on the electrical connector (10).

7. The sealing tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing tool (100) comprises at least one alignment means (114) for allowing the body portion (102) to come in contact with an external surface of the electrical connector (10) with proper alignment.

8. The sealing tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing cap insertion member (1061, ..., 106n) are releasably connected only to the connecting provisions(1041, ..., 104n) located at positions corresponding to unutilized connecting ports (141, ..., 14n).

9. A system (200)comprising:
a sealing tool (100) comprising:
a body portion (102) comprising plurality of connecting provisions(1041, ..., 104n) for receiving a plurality of sealing cap insertion member (1061, ..., 106n); and
at least one sealing cap insertion member (1061, ..., 106n) releasably connected to the body portion (102) via at least one of the plurality of connecting provisions(1041, ..., 104n); and
a motion imparting mechanism (202) operably connected to the sealing tool (100) for imparting motion to the sealing tool (100) so as to bring the body portion (102) in contact with an external surface of electrical connector (10), and push, at least one sealing cap (1081, ..., 108n) inside at least one unutilized connecting port (141, ..., 14n) of the electrical connector (10) via the at least one sealing cap insertion member (1061, ..., 106n).

10. The system (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the motion imparting mechanism (202) comprises a means for receiving power from a user.

11. The system (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the motion imparting mechanism (202) comprises at least one of a motor, a pneumatic member, and a hydraulic member for imparting motion to the sealing tool (100).