Intelligent junction box

• US 6,181,101 B1
• Filed: 03/09/2000
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Arai, Yoichi, Satake, Syuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US09/522,167
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104, 320/123, 320/128, 320/132, 320/135, 320/149
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16542 for batteries charge condition monitoring in G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm

Abstract

A junction box provided between a high voltage battery and a load supplies a high voltage to the load, generates a predetermined low voltage from that high voltage and supplies the low voltage to a low voltage battery and load. If over-current flows through the high voltage system circuit or low voltage system circuit, the junction box shuts off an input of the high voltage. The junction box is provided with an over-voltage countermeasure circuit which even if an over-voltage exceeding 36 V is supplied from the high voltage battery, suppresses it to a predetermined high voltage and outputs. Further, the junction box includes a controller for estimating a remaining capacity of each of the high voltage battery and low voltage battery by detecting respective voltages and currents of the high voltage system circuit and low voltage system circuit.

Claims

1. A junction box provided between a high voltage battery and a load and on which a predetermined high voltage is impressed by said high voltage battery, the box comprising:

a high voltage system circuit pattern which receives said predetermined high voltage and supplies to said load;

a high voltage system circuit shut-off relay for shutting off the high voltage system circuit;

a high voltage system voltage/current detecting portion for detecting a voltage impressed on said high voltage system circuit pattern and a current flowing therein;

a voltage converter which receives a voltage from a post stage of said high voltage system circuit shut-off relay of said high voltage system circuit pattern and generates and outputs at least one predetermined low voltage based on the received voltage;

a low voltage circuit pattern which receives said at least one predetermined low voltage and supplies to a low voltage battery and said load;

a low voltage system voltage/current detecting portion for detecting a voltage impressed on the low voltage circuit pattern and a current flowing therein; and

a controller for if a current flowing through said high voltage system circuit pattern detected by said high voltage system voltage/current detecting portion is over a first predetermined value or a current flowing through said low voltage system circuit pattern detected by said low voltage system voltage/current detecting portion is over a second predetermined value, controlling said high voltage system shut-off relay to shut off said high voltage system circuit pattern.

2. A junction box according to claim 1 further comprising an over-voltage countermeasure circuit which is provided at a forefront stage of said high voltage system circuit pattern and even if a voltage over a third predetermined value is inputted, outputs said predetermined high voltage to a post stage.

3. A junction box according to claim 1 further comprising an over-voltage countermeasure circuit which is provided at a forefront stage of said high voltage system circuit pattern and even if a voltage over a fourth predetermined value is inputted, outputs said at least one predetermined low voltage to a post stage.

4. A junction box according to claim 1 wherein said controller comprises:

an estimating means for estimating a remaining capacity of said high voltage battery based on a voltage and a current detected by said high voltage system voltage/current detecting portion; and

an estimating means for estimating a remaining capacity of said low voltage battery based on a voltage and a current detected by said low voltage system voltage/current detecting portion.

5. A junction box according to claim 4 wherein said controller, if a remaining capacity of said high voltage battery is estimated to be lower than a predetermined value, supplies a control signal for starting charging to an alternator which supplies a charging voltage to said high voltage battery.

6. A junction box according to claim 1 wherein said voltage converter generates and outputs AC low voltage.