Control system for electrical devices in a vehicle

• US 20040251743A1
• Filed: 07/29/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Carling Technologies, Inc. (Littelfuse Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Carling Technologies, Inc. (Littelfuse Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, Joseph, Sorenson, Richard, Sadowski, Walter
• Application Number:
  US10/486,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20040251743A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40039 Details regarding the setting of the power status of a node according to activity on the bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40273 the transportation system being a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

A control system for electrical devices in a vehicle has output/relay modules with processing and memory capability. The output/relay module is programmable to store configuration data corresponding to predetermined states for the various devices to be controlled. The output/relay module has memory capability including a non-volatile component (EEROM). An input module also has processing capability, and includes memory capability. The input module has selector switches for preselecting a variety of device states. The input module further provides a visual indication of the states for these devices. A data bus provides communication between said input and output modules, and a dongle is selectively connected to said relay module data bus for allowing changes to the configuration data stored therein. The dongle is programmable from a personal computer or work station. The control system includes a voltage monitoring system and circuit breakers to protect the system and devices controlled thereby.

Claims

1. A control system for electrical devices in a vehicle comprising:

a power supply;

at least one relay module coupled to said power supply, said relay module comprising a first microprocessor having a memory and at least one output for controlling said electrical devices, said relay module being programmable to store configuration data corresponding to predetermined states for the electrical devices to be controlled, said memory comprising non-volatile memory (EEROM);

at least one input module comprising a second microprocessor, said input module having a plurality of variable function switches for selecting predetermined states for said devices;

a data bus for providing communication between said relay module and said input module;

a jumper for configuring said relay module;

a programmable dongle connectable to said relay module for configuring said non-volatile memory; and

a voltage monitoring system coupled to said first microprocessor for monitoring the output voltage of said power supply and providing selective control of said electrical devices.

2. A control system for electrical devices in a vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said voltage monitoring system utilizes a stored priority level for each of said electrical devices.

3. A control system for electrical devices in a vehicle as defined in claim 2 wherein said selective control of said electrical devices includes a prioritized shut-down thereof based on said priority levels.

4. A control system for electrical devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein said voltage monitoring system further comprises a manual override wherein said selective control of one or more of said electrically devices is operated manually.

5. A control system for electrical devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein said voltage monitoring system further comprises a sleep mode wherein a portion of the control system is shut down at a predetermined time or when inactive for a minimum period of time and restarted automatically or upon a manual restart.

6. A control system for electrical devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein said voltage monitoring system further comprises preset default parameters for each of said electrical devices for said selective control and shut-down thereof.

7. A control system for electrical devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said relay module is preset in a default configuration.

8. A control system for electrical devices in a vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said relay module is configurable to include a lock-out feature wherein the control of at least one of said electrical devices is dependent on an operational status of another of said electrical devices.

9. A control system for electrical devices in a vehicle comprising:

a power supply;

at least one relay module coupled to said power supply, said relay module comprising a first microprocessor having a memory and at least one output for controlling said electrical devices, said relay module being programmable to store configuration data corresponding to predetermined states for the electrical devices to be controlled, said memory comprising non-volatile memory (EEROM);

at least one input module comprising a second microprocessor, said input module having a plurality of variable function switches for selecting predetermined states for said devices;

a data bus for providing communication between said relay module and said input module;

a jumper for configuring said relay module;

a programmable dongle connectable to said relay module for configuring said non-volatile memory; and

a circuit breaker coupled to said relay module and said electrical devices for protecting the system and the devices controlled thereby.

10. A control system for electrical devices as claimed in claim 9 wherein said circuit breaker is automatically resettable.

11. A control system for electrical devices as defined in claim 9 wherein said circuit breaker is a thermal breaker.

12. A control system for electrical devices as defined in claim 9 further comprising a sensor for determining the status of said circuit breaker.

13. A control system for electrical devices as claimed in claim 12 further comprising at least one indicator coupled to said sensor for communicating the status of said circuit breaker.

14. A control system for electrical devices in a vehicle comprising:

a power supply;

a plurality of relay modules coupled to said power supply, each said relay module comprising a microprocessor having a memory and at least one output for controlling said electrical devices, said relay module being programmable to store configuration data corresponding to predetermined states for the electrical devices to be controlled, said memory comprising non-volatile memory (EEROM);

at least one input module comprising a microprocessor, said input module having a plurality of variable function switches for selecting predetermined states for said devices;

a data bus for providing communication between said relay modules and said input module;

a jumper coupled to each said relay module for configuration thereof;

a programmable dongle connectable to said relay modules for configuring said non-volatile memory; and

wherein

at least one of said relay modules is configured to control a bilge pump.

15. A control system for electrical devices as defined in claim 14 wherein said relay module configured to control a bilge pump includes a manual override wherein the operation of said bilge pump can be controlled manually.

16. A control system for electrical devices as defined in claim 14 wherein said relay module configured to control a bilge pump is coupled to a float switch for control thereof.

17. A control system for electrical devices as defined in claim 14 further comprising at least one sensor coupled to said bilge pump for determining the operational state thereof.

18. A control system for electrical devices in a vehicle comprising:

a power supply;

at least one relay module coupled to said power supply, said relay module comprising a first microprocessor having a memory and at least one output for controlling said electrical devices, said relay module being programmable to store configuration data corresponding to predetermined states for the electrical devices to be controlled, said memory comprising non-volatile memory (EEROM);

at least one input module comprising a second microprocessor, said input module having a plurality of variable function switches for selecting predetermined states for said devices;

a data bus for providing communication between said at least one relay module and said input module;

a jumper for configuring said relay module; and

wherein

at least a portion of said variable function switches further comprise a removable cover wherein said cover includes indicia describing the function of an electrical device controlled by said switch and wherein said removable cover is interchangeable on said input module such that said input module can be utilized for controlling various devices.

19. A control system for electrical devices in a vehicle comprising:

a power supply;

at least one relay module coupled to said power supply, said relay modules each comprising a first microprocessor having a memory and at least one output for controlling said electrical devices, said relay module being programmable to store configuration data corresponding to predetermined states for the electrical devices to be controlled, said memory comprising non-volatile memory (EEROM);

at least one input module comprising a second microprocessor, said input module having a plurality of variable function switches for selecting predetermined states for said devices;

a data bus for providing communication between said at least one relay module and said input module;

a jumper for configuring said relay module; and

wherein

said input module further comprises an interface panel for coupling electromechanical switches to said microprocessor for selecting said predetermined states for said electrical devices.

20. (Canceled)

21. (Canceled)

22. (Canceled)