Self-shielding high voltage distribution box

• US 20050259408A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Ramos, Sergio, Steele, Eugene M., Souther, James P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,310,242 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/816
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0018 with provisions to reduce aperture leakages in walls, e.g. terminals, connectors, cables

Abstract

A distribution box for enclosing an electrical connection in an electrical wiring system includes a housing that is resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields and a plurality of electrical conductors that form the electrical connection. A mirror plate is disposed within the housing and generates mirror currents to suppress electromagnetic fields generated by current flowing through the plurality of electrical conductors.

Claims

1. A distribution box for enclosing an electrical connection in an electrical wiring system, comprising:

a housing that is resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields;

a plurality of electrical conductors that form said electrical connection; and

a mirror plate disposed within said housing and that generates mirror currents to suppress electromagnetic fields generated by current flowing through said plurality of electrical conductors.

2. The distribution box of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a removable lid that is resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields.

3. The distribution box of claim 2 wherein an upper edge of a perimeter wall of said housing is configured to mate with said lid to impede electromagnetic fields from passing between said housing and said lid.

4. The distribution box of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a material that is highly resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields.

5. The distribution box of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a plurality of ports for ingress and egress of said plurality of electrical conductors.

6. The distribution box of claim 5 further comprising a collar associated with each of said plurality of ports and that enable passage of at least one of said plurality of electrical conductors therethrough, said collars suppressing an emission of electromagnetic fields.

7. The distribution box of claim 6 wherein each collar includes a material that is highly resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields.

8. The distribution box of claim 6 wherein each collar extends from said housing a distance based on a diameter of an associated electrical conductor cable passing therethrough.

9. The distribution box of claim 1 further comprising a bus bar disposed within said housing and that is electrically connected to a first terminal of a power source.

10. The distribution box of claim 9 wherein said mirror plate is electrically connected to a second terminal of said power source.

11. The distribution box of claim 10 further comprising a fuse having a first terminal that is electrically connected to said bus bar and a second terminal that is electrically connected to one of said plurality of electrical conductors.

12. The distribution box of claim 1 further comprising an interlock safety switch that discharges voltage within the distribution box when said housing is opened.

13. A method for reducing electromagnetic interference within a wiring system, comprising:

enclosing at least one electrical connection included in said wiring system within an interior area of a distribution box;

shielding penetration of electromagnetic fields generated by current flowing through a plurality of conductors that form said at least one electrical connection from said distribution box; and

suppressing generated electromagnetic fields.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said shielding is achieved by constructing said distribution box from a electromagnetic resistive material.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising generating mirror currents within said distribution box, said mirror currents generating opposing electromagnetic fields for suppressing said generated electromagnetic fields.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising shielding penetration of said electromagnetic fields through ports formed in said distribution box and through which said electrical conductors pass.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising coupling a collar to said distribution box within each of said ports, each of said collars passing at least one of said electrical conductors therethrough and shielding penetration of said electromagnetic fields through said ports.

18. A mobile platform comprising:

a power source;

a function module; and

a distribution box that houses electrical connections to transfer power from said power source to said function module, comprising;

a housing that is resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields;

a plurality of electrical conductors that form said electrical connection; and

a mirror plate disposed within said housing and that generates mirror currents to suppress electromagnetic fields generated by current flowing through said plurality of wires.

19. The mobile platform of claim 18 wherein said housing includes a removable lid that is resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields.

20. The mobile platform of claim 19 wherein an upper edge of a perimeter wall of said housing is configured to mate with said lid to impede electromagnetic fields from passing between said housing and said lid.

21. The mobile platform of claim 18 wherein said housing includes a material that is highly resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields.

22. The mobile platform of claim 18 wherein said housing comprises a plurality of ports for ingress and egress of said plurality of electrical conductors.

23. The mobile platform of claim 22 further comprising a collar associated with each of said plurality of ports and that enable passage of at least one of said plurality of electrical conductors therethrough, said collars suppressing an emission of electromagnetic fields.

24. The mobile platform of claim 23 wherein each collar includes a material that is highly resistive to penetration by electromagnetic fields.

25. The mobile platform of claim 23 wherein each collar extends from said housing a distance based on a diameter of an associated electrical conductor cable passing therethrough.

26. The mobile platform of claim 18 further comprising a bus bar disposed within said housing and that is electrically connected to a first terminal of a power source.

27. The mobile platform of claim 26 wherein said mirror plate is electrically connected to a second terminal of said power source.

28. The mobile platform of claim 27 further comprising a fuse having a first terminal that is electrically connected to said bus bar and a second terminal that is electrically connected to one of said plurality of electrical conductors.

29. The mobile platform of claim 18 further comprising an interlock safety switch that discharges voltage within the distribution box when said housing is opened.