Electrical junction box for tractor trailer

• US 7,643,271 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2008
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R. A. Phillips Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: R. A. Phillips Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Phillips, William A., Lewis, Patrick E., Bean, Adam B., Puluc, Oscar A., Jacobs, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duverne; Jean F
• Application Number:
  US12/025,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20090195971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 361/643, 340/431, 439 38- 39, 439/35, 364/900, 364/424
• US Class Current: 361/643
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/16 structurally associated with support for line-connecting terminals within the box

Abstract

An electrical junction box is configured to be attached to a vehicle. The box includes a container that has a front opening and a cavity located behind the front opening. A cover is movably attached to the container, so it can be moved into a closed position covering the front opening. A socket, to which an electrical supply cable can be removably connected, is fixed to the container beside the front opening. Breakers are secured to the container within the cavity. Each breaker has an input terminal and an output terminal. Each input terminal is electrically connected to the supply cable via the socket. Electrical distribution lines connect the breakers'"'"' output terminals to components of the vehicle that are outside the cavity.

Claims

1. An electrical junction box apparatus configured to be attached to a vehicle, comprising:

a container including a front opening and a cavity located behind the front opening;

a cover movably attached to the container, to be moved into a closed position covering the front opening;

a socket fixed to the container beside the front opening, to which an electrical supply cable can be removably connected;

breakers that are secured to the container within the cavity, each breaker having an input terminal and an output terminal, each input terminal being electrically connected to the supply cable via the socket; and

electrical distribution lines, each connecting a respective one of the breaker output terminals to a component, of the vehicle, that is outside the cavity;

wherein each breaker includes a breaker body from which both of the breaker'"'"'s terminals project, and the container includes a breaker-securing structure configured to removably and frictionally grasp the breaker bodies.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a side panel in which the socket is secured, the side panel being located beside the front opening and in front of the cavity.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hinge by which the cover is pivotally attached to the container, the hinge being located across the front opening from the socket.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the breakers are removably secured to the container in an orientation in which the terminals of each breaker projects toward the opening.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a control module removably secured to the container, located within the cavity, and configured to control distribution of electricity through at least one of the distribution lines.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a memory module attached to the box and configured to store repair-related information regarding the vehicle.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory module is inside the cavity.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container includes a pocket configured to hold the memory module.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory module is permanently secured to the container.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a cable by which the memory module is configured to be connected to a computer for uploading the information to the computer.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory module is removable by a user from the cavity, to be connected to a computer for communicating the repair-related information with the computer.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the service-related information is warrantee information for the vehicle.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the service-related information is repair history information for the vehicle.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the service-related information is part specification information for the vehicle.

15. An electrical junction box apparatus configured to be attached to a vehicle, comprising:

a container including a front opening and a cavity located behind the front opening;

a cover movably attached to the container, to be moved into a closed position covering the front opening;

breakers located in the cavity, each breaker having an input terminal and an output terminal;

electrical supply wiring connected to the breaker input terminals;

electrical distribution lines connecting the breaker output terminals to respective components of the vehicle outside the cavity; and

a memory module held in the box and configured to store repair-related information regarding the vehicle;

wherein each breaker includes a breaker body from which both of the breaker'"'"'s terminals project, and the container includes a breaker-securing structure configured to removably and frictionally grasp the breaker bodies.

16. An electrical junction box apparatus configured to be attached to a vehicle, comprising:

a container including a front opening and a cavity located behind the front opening;

a cover movably attached to the container, to be moved into a closed position covering the front opening;

breakers within the cavity, each having an input terminal and an output terminal projecting from a breaker body;

electrical supply wiring connected to the breaker input terminals;

electrical distribution lines connecting the breaker output terminals to respective components of the vehicle outside the cavity; and

one or more clips that frictionally hold the bodies of the breakers in an orientation in which the terminals project toward the opening, with the breakers not being held in place by their terminals, such that the front opening provides access by a user to disconnect the supply wiring and the distribution lines from the terminals without dislodging the breakers.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each clip has prongs that project inward from opposites sides of the clip and separate adjacent breakers from each other.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each clip is fastened to the container by a fastener and has raised ledges at opposite sides of the fastener that space the breakers above the fastener.