ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR PROVIDED WITH A DEVICE FOR REMOTE DETECTION OF THE STATE OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, AND A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING, AND CHECKING THE STATUS OF, A PLURALITY OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS

An electrical connector (1) comprises a first connector element (2) and a second connector element (3). The open or closed state of the electrical connector (1), corresponding, respectively, to an uncoupled condition and to a correctly and fully coupled condition of the two connector elements (2, 3), is detected remotely by a reader device (R), which interacts with an RFID circuit (6) associated with one of the two connector elements (2, 3). The RFID circuit (6) is configured so as to always, and in any case, send a response signal containing an information on the open or closed state of the electrical connector, and preferably also an identification code of the electrical connector, upon receiving an input signal at the antenna (6A) of the RFID circuit (6). The RFID circuit (6) comprises two pins (7A, 7B), which are electrically connected to each other only in one of the two states of coupling or non-coupling of the two connector elements (2, 3). The RFID circuit (6) is always able to operate whatever is the state of the connector. However, an integrated circuit (6B) forming part of the RFID circuit (6) receives a response signal from the two pins (7A, 7B), indicating the state of the connector. In a production line of motor-vehicles, the open or closed state of a plurality of electrical connectors installed in an assembly station (S) can be detected remotely by at least one reader device (R), which always, and in any case, receives, from all the electrical connectors, a response signal containing the connector identification code and an information on the status of the connector.