×

Method and system for distributing power across an automotive network

  • US 20070102998A1
  • Filed: 11/08/2005
  • Published: 05/10/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2005
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A system for balancing power flow in a vehicle comprising:

  • a plurality of nodes disposed at various locations within the vehicle, each node including;

    a microcontroller;

    at least two ports for coupling to different nodes, the port including power, ground and communications connections, with the communications connections coupled to the microcontroller; and

    at least two power switches, each power switch having first and second power terminals and a control connection to control a connection between the first and second power terminals, each power switch having one power terminal coupled to an associated port and the other power terminals connected together and having the control terminal coupled to the microcontroller, with at least one of the nodes for connecting to a power source; and

    a plurality of links interconnecting the plurality of nodes, each link containing power, ground and communication cables, the links adapted to connect to the ports of the nodes, at least one of the plurality of links being redundant to form a network with multiple paths, wherein the microcontrollers of the nodes communicate with each other and wherein one microcontroller is a primary microcontroller and is adapted to control the power switches in the nodes to balance current flow from the power source through the network of nodes.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×