Device and method for supplying power to a vehicle, semi-conductor circuit device for use in the same and collective wiring device for a vehicle or an automobile

• US 6,479,973 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2001
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Car Engineering Company Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.), Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Car Engineering Company Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.), Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Saito, Hiroyuki, Sakamoto, Shinichi, Yoshida, Tatsuya, Horibe, Kiyoshi, Koni, Mitsuru
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MATTHEW VAN
• Application Number:
  US09/840,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20010028241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 191/2, 191/3, 191/4, 191/6, 323/282, 323/283, 323/285
• US Class Current: 323/282
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0185 for failure detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/08 Failure or malfunction detecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/90 System Controller type
• 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: B60R 2016/0322 Temporary code for documents to be reclassified to G08C, H04L or H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0104 Communication circuits for data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01061 between the airbag system and other vehicle electronic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01115 specific data frames
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/02 Suppression of vibrations of non-rotating, e.g. reciprocating systems; Suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by use of members not moving with the rotating systems F16F15/005 takes precedence ; layered products B32B; suppression of vibration in ships B63; relieving load on bearings, using magnetic means F16C39/06

Abstract

A power supply line is wired in a loop from a battery power supply, and a power supply relay circuit is installed intermediately of the power supply line such that power is supplied from the power supply relay circuit to an electric load connected to a terminal unit of an intensive wiring line. By this arrangement, not only wires for control signals but also wires for power supply can be reduced. The terminal unit may serve also as the power supply relay circuit.

Claims

1. A semiconductor circuit apparatus, comprising:

a power supply input terminal to which a wire connected to one of poles of a power supply is connected;

a communication terminal to which a communication line for information transmission is connected;

a communication IC for receiving a signal inputted from said communication terminal;

a power supply output terminal to which an electric load is connected; and

a switching circuit interposed between said power supply input terminal and said power supply output terminal for connecting or disconnecting a connection state between the two terminals, said switching circuit comprising at least two switching elements connected in series to an electric power line between the power supply input terminal and the power supply output terminal;

a first output interface switching element being positioned at a side of said power supply output terminal and controlling the power supplied to the electric load corresponding to control signals; and

a second interruption circuit switching element being positioned at a side of said power supply input terminal and cutting-off the electric power line by receiving an abnormal control signal.

2. A semiconductor circuit apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a short-circuit detecting circuit, which excites said abnormal control signal by generating an abnormal short-circuit condition of the electric power line.

3. A semiconductor circuit apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising switching circuits, which switch the power supply line to said semiconductor circuit apparatus corresponding to a specified signal which a output from any one of a micro-computer and the communication IC.

4. A semiconductor circuit apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply circuit, which is supplied with electric power from the power supply line, and supplies electric to a power source for control signals and to a power source for driving said semiconductor circuit apparatus.

5. A semiconductor circuit apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising two power input lines connected to the electric power supply line;

each of said two power input lines being connected to a same input line of a control power circuit via a diode connected in a forward direction; and

each of said two power input lines being further connected to a same input line of a driver power circuit via a switching element.

6. A semiconductor circuit apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a driver circuit, which is provided with an FET having a self- protecting function as an output semiconductor switching element.