Scalable, modular architecture for automotive power distribution and body control functions
First Claim
1. A wiring, power distribution, and control system for an automotive vehicle of the type having an electrical power source and a plurality of controllable load devices in different locations throughout the vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of control nodes interconnected by a control signal network and power line, said control nodes being strategically placed in different regions in the vehicle to service selected groups of load devices associated with the individual node regions, each of said nodes comprises;
a first circuit board carrying a microcontroller having control signal inputs connected to said network, and power control signal outputs;
said first circuit board further carrying a plurality of power switches having input terminals being connected to the power control signal outputs of the microcontroller and output terminals being connected to specific load devices; and
a second circuit board having terminal connectors being connected to the control signal network, power lines and load devices; and
means interconnecting the terminal connectors to the microcontroller for control signal input purposes and the power switches to the terminal connectors for power output purposes.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The architecture of an automotive wiring, power distribution and accessory control system is described. The system comprises semi-custom two-tier nodes which are distributed in locations around the vehicle to service load devices associated with or found in different regions of the automobile topology. A multiplexed control network interconnects the nodes along with a two-wire bus. Each node consists of a first common board carrying a microcontroller and a basic number of FET driver switches associated with a basic level of accessorization for that region of the vehicle. Each node further comprises a second larger pass through board which supports the first common board in spaced parallel relationship therewith and which carries terminal connectors. The larger pass through board has vacant locations for the addition of FET drivers needed for higher levels of accessorization. These locations are preconnected to the microcontroller but are unused in vehicles with lower levels of accessorization. The pass through board is also used to optimize the wiring by incorporation of splices and pass through circuits to eliminate wire harness interconnections.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A wiring, power distribution, and control system for an automotive vehicle of the type having an electrical power source and a plurality of controllable load devices in different locations throughout the vehicle comprising:
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a plurality of control nodes interconnected by a control signal network and power line, said control nodes being strategically placed in different regions in the vehicle to service selected groups of load devices associated with the individual node regions, each of said nodes comprises;
a first circuit board carrying a microcontroller having control signal inputs connected to said network, and power control signal outputs;
said first circuit board further carrying a plurality of power switches having input terminals being connected to the power control signal outputs of the microcontroller and output terminals being connected to specific load devices; and
a second circuit board having terminal connectors being connected to the control signal network, power lines and load devices; and
means interconnecting the terminal connectors to the microcontroller for control signal input purposes and the power switches to the terminal connectors for power output purposes.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A power distribution and control node an apparatus for an automotive vehicle of the type having a control signal network comprising:
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a first circuit board carrying a microcontroller having data signal inputs for connection to said network and power control signal outputs;
said first circuit board further carrying a plurality of power switches having power terminals for connection to load devices and control signal terminals connected to the power control outputs of the microcontroller; and
a second circuit board electrically interconnected with the first circuit board and carrying terminal connectors for connecting the network to the microcontroller and the switches to load devices, wherein said first circuit board is mounted on said second circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification