Load control system for vehicle

• US 5,754,021 A
• Filed: 07/26/1996
• Issued: 05/19/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Kojima, Naoya
• Primary Examiner(s): IP, SHIK LUEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US08/687,923
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 318/30-89, 318/139, 318/560-696, 307/9-12
• US Class Current: 318/466
• 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: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00036 the elements or equipment being or involving switches, relays or circuit breakers circuits for indication of single switches H01H9/167
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles

Abstract

An improved load control system for controlling loads such as electric motors in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes switching circuits, each associated with particular loads and placed in close proximity to the loads'"'"' respective switches. The system also includes several load control units which are placed in various locations inside the car, so as to minimize the possibility that all the control units will be damaged in a collision. Each of the switching circuits is capable of sending commands to each of the control units, and each of the control units is capable of controlling each of the loads in the car. Thus, when a failure occurs in a particular switching circuit, the associated loads can be controlled using another switching circuit.

Claims

1. A load control system for controlling a plurality of loads provided in a vehicle comprising:

a plurality of load control units provided inside said vehicle and having electrical connection therebetween, each of said load control units further connected to at least one of said the loads;

a plurality of switches, each corresponding to one of said the loads;

a plurality of switching circuits, each connected to at least one of said load control units and relaying signals received from a subset of said plurality of switches to said at least one of said load control units;

wherein each of said load control units is responsive to signals received from one of said switching circuits connected thereto to control operations of loads connected thereto, and wherein each of said load control units is further responsive to signals received from one of said switching circuits connected thereto to relay control information to another one of said load control units to control operation of loads connected to said another one of said load control units.

2. The load control system for controlling a plurality of loads provided in a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a main load control unit interconnected to said plurality of load control units.

3. The load control system for controlling a plurality of loads provided in a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein one of said switching circuits is provided inside a driver-side door of the vehicle, and another of said switching circuits is provided in a front passenger-side door of the vehicle.

4. The load control system for controlling a plurality of loads provided in a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said loads comprise a plurality of power window motors and a plurality of power lock motors.

5. A load control system for controlling a first set of loads and a second set of loads provided in a vehicle, comprising:

a first and a second load control units provided inside said vehicle and having electrical connection therebetween, said first load control unit being connected to the first set of loads and said second load control unit being connected to the second set of loads;

a first set of switches provided in spatial close proximity to the first set of loads;

a second set of switches provided in spatial close proximity to the second set of loads;

first switching circuit connected between said first set of switches and said first load control unit, and relaying signals received from said first set of switches to said first load control unit;

second switching circuit connected between said second set of switches and said second load control unit, and relaying signals received from said second set of switches to said second load control unit;

wherein said first load control unit is responsive to signals received from said first switching circuit to control operations of the first set of loads and further responsive to signals received from said first switching circuit to relay control information to said second load control unit to control operation of the second set of loads; and

,

wherein said second load control unit is responsive to signals received from said second switching circuit to control operations of the second set of loads and further responsive to signals received from said second switching circuit to relay control information to said first load control unit to control operation of the first set of loads.

6. The load control system for controlling a first set of loads and a second set of loads provided in a vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising a main load control unit interconnected to said first and second load control units.

7. The load control system for controlling a first set of loads and a second set of loads provided in a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said first switching circuit is provided inside a driver-side door of the vehicle, and said second switching circuit is provided in a front passenger-side door of the vehicle.

8. The load control system for controlling a first set of loads and a second set of loads provided in a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the first set of loads comprises a power window motor and a power lock motor provided inside said driver-side door, and wherein the second set of loads comprises a power window motor and a power lock motor provided inside said front passenger-side door.

9. A load control system for controlling a first set of loads and a second set of loads provided in a vehicle, comprising:

a first and a second load control units provided inside said vehicle and having electrical connection therebetween, said first load control unit being connected to the first set of loads and said second load control unit being connected to the second set of loads;

a first set of switches provided in spatial close proximity to the first set of loads;

a second set of switches provided in spatial close proximity to the second set of loads;

first switching circuit connected between said first set of switches and said first load control unit, and relaying signals received from said first set of switches to said first load control unit;

second switching circuit connected between said second set of switches and said second load control unit, and relaying signals received from said second set of switches to said second load control unit;

wherein said first load control unit comprises a microprocessor preprogrammed to output control signals to the first set of loads to control operations of the first set of loads in response to signals received from said first switching circuit, and further preprogrammed to relay control information to said second load control unit to control operation of the second set of loads in response to signals received from said first switching circuit; and

wherein said second load control unit comprises a microprocessor preprogrammed to output control signals to the second set of loads to control operations of the second set of loads in response to signals received from said second switching circuit, and further preprogrammed to relay control information to said first load control unit to control operation of the first set of loads in response to signals received from said second switching circuit.