Integrated overload and low voltage interrupt module
First Claim
1. A power management module for an electrical winch system of a vehicle, the power management module comprising:
- an overload interrupt module that determines an operating current of the winch system and that provides a first interrupt signal when said current is greater than a threshold current, wherein said overload interrupt module includes a toroid that, to detect said operating current, encircles a wire that provides said operating current from a power source of said vehicle;
a low voltage interrupt module that determines a voltage of said power source and that provides a second interrupt signal when said voltage is less than a threshold voltage; and
a housing, wherein each of said overload interrupt module, said toroid, and said low voltage interrupt module are located within said housing;
a printed circuit board (PCB) located within said housing, wherein;
said PCB includes said low voltage interrupt module; and
said PCB has an annular shape and encircles said wire; and
a Hall Effect sensor that generates an output voltage indicative of said operating current, wherein;
said toroid includes an air gap; and
said Hall Effect sensor is located on said PCB within said air gap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power management module for a winch system comprises an overload and low voltage interrupt module within a housing. The overload interrupt determines operating current for the winch system and provides an interrupt signal when the current is greater than a threshold. The low voltage interrupt determines voltage of a power source and provides an interrupt signal when the voltage is less than a threshold. A method of operating the power management module comprises determining operating current of the winch system with an overload interrupt module and voltage of a vehicle power source with a low voltage interrupt module. The overload and low voltage interrupt modules are located within a housing. The overload interrupt provides an interrupt signal when the operating current is greater than a threshold. The low voltage interrupt provides an interrupt signal when the voltage is less than a threshold.
41 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A power management module for an electrical winch system of a vehicle, the power management module comprising:
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an overload interrupt module that determines an operating current of the winch system and that provides a first interrupt signal when said current is greater than a threshold current, wherein said overload interrupt module includes a toroid that, to detect said operating current, encircles a wire that provides said operating current from a power source of said vehicle; a low voltage interrupt module that determines a voltage of said power source and that provides a second interrupt signal when said voltage is less than a threshold voltage; and a housing, wherein each of said overload interrupt module, said toroid, and said low voltage interrupt module are located within said housing; a printed circuit board (PCB) located within said housing, wherein; said PCB includes said low voltage interrupt module; and said PCB has an annular shape and encircles said wire; and a Hall Effect sensor that generates an output voltage indicative of said operating current, wherein; said toroid includes an air gap; and said Hall Effect sensor is located on said PCB within said air gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of operating a power management module for an electrical winch system of a vehicle, the method comprising:
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determining an operating current of the winch system with an overload interrupt module; providing a first interrupt signal when said operating current is greater than a threshold current; determining a voltage of a power source with a low voltage interrupt module; providing a second interrupt signal when said voltage is less than a threshold voltage; locating each of said overload interrupt module and said low voltage interrupt module within a housing; detecting said operating current of the winch system with a toroid; and encircling a wire with said toroid, said wire providing said operating current from a power source of the vehicle; locating a printed circuit board (PCB) having an annular shape within said housing; arranging said low voltage interrupt module on said PCB; encircling said wire with said PCB; locating a Hall Effect sensor on said PCB within an air gap of said toroid; and using said Hall Effect sensor, generating an output voltage indicative of said operating current. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification