Utility vehicle power distribution module

• US 10,040,412 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2016
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Leverett, Jr., David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan, Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): Almo, Khareem E
• Application Number:
  US15/150,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20170327064A1
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0238 Electrical distribution centers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/033 characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries for propulsion puposes B60K1/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06; testing of charge state G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/0241 Structural association of a fuse and another component or apparatus switches with built-in fuses H01H9/10, spark-gap arresters H01H85/44, transformers and inductances H01F27/402, capacitors H01G2/14, lamps H01K1/66, semiconductors H01L23/5256 or H01L23/62
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/15 Screw-in contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/083 Inlets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/16 structurally associated with support for line-connecting terminals within the box
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0043 comprising a frame housing mating with two lids wherein the PCB is flat mounted on the frame housing

Abstract

A utility vehicle power distribution module for a plurality of fuses on a first level and a second level of a multi-level housing. Each fuse may be installed between a pair of fuse connection terminals. One of each pair of fuse connection terminals may be connected to an electrical bus bar, and the other of each pair of fuse connection terminals connected to a cable extending through one of a plurality of cable entry and exit openings in an outside wall on a first side and a second side of the multi-level housing.

Claims

1. A utility vehicle power distribution module, comprising:

a multi-level housing having a first level with at least one pair of fuse connection terminals and a second level with at least one pair of fuse connection terminals that are aligned perpendicular to the fuse connection terminals on the first level; and

a plurality of cable entry/exit openings on each of at least two sides of the first level of the multi-level housing; and

a plurality of channels extending inwardly into the multi-level housing from the plurality of cable entry/exit openings and defined by a plurality of interior walls on the first level and the second level.

2. The utility vehicle power distribution module of claim 1 further comprising an upper cover and a lower cover latched to the multi-level housing.

3. The utility vehicle power distribution module of claim 1 wherein the multi-level housing includes a partition between the first level and the second level, and the fuse connection terminals are mounted to the partition.

4. The utility vehicle power distribution module of claim 1 further comprising at least one in-line fuse on the first level and at least one in-line fuse on the second level are connected to an electrical bus.

5. The utility vehicle power distribution module of claim 1 wherein each pair of fuse connection terminals on the first level is spaced apart by at least 50% more than each pair of fuse connection terminals on the second level.

6. A utility vehicle power distribution module, comprising:

a multi-level housing having a first level and a second level with in-line fuses installed parallel to a first side of the multi-level housing and parallel to a second side of the multi-level housing;

an outer wall around the first level and the second level of the multi-level housing having a plurality of cable entry and exit openings through the outer wall; and

a plurality of interior walls in the first level and the second level, with channels between the walls routing cables between the cable entry and exit openings and the in-line fuses; and

a block covering at least one of the cable entry and exit openings.

7. The utility vehicle power distribution module of claim 6 further comprising an electrical bus bar on the second level of the multi-level housing and connected to the in-line fuses.

8. The utility vehicle power distribution module of claim 6 wherein the in-line fuses are connected to threaded studs mounted to a partition between the first level and the second level of the multi-level housing.

9. The utility vehicle power distribution module of claim 6 wherein the cable entry and exit openings are through the outer walls on two sides of the multi-level housing.

10. The utility vehicle power distribution module of claim 6 wherein the cable entry and exit openings are through the outer walls on three sides of the multi-level housing.

11. The utility vehicle power distribution module of claim 6 further comprising a pair of fuse connection terminals on the first level that is spaced apart more than a pair of fuse connection terminals on the second level.

12. A utility vehicle power distribution module, comprising:

a plurality of fuses installed on a first level and a second level of a multi-level housing, with each fuse between a pair of fuse connection terminals;

one of each pair of fuse connection terminals connected to an electrical bus bar, and the other of each pair of fuse connection terminals connected to a cable extending through one of a plurality of cable entry and exit openings in an outside wall on a first side and a second side of the multi-level housing; and

a plurality of channels extending from the plurality of cable entry and exit openings inwardly into the multi-level housing, and a plurality of walls between the channels.

13. The utility vehicle power distribution module of claim 12 wherein the fuse connection terminals are threaded studs.

14. The utility vehicle power distribution module of claim 12 further comprising a top cover and a bottom cover latched to the multi-level housing.