High voltage interlock circuit utilizing serial communications
First Claim
1. An interlock system for an electrical power cabling, comprising:
- a serial communication bus;
a circuit interrupter connected into the electrical power cabling having open and closed states;
a connector including contacts for the electrical power cabling and contacts for an interlock circuit;
the serial communication bus being routed through the contacts for an interlock circuit of the connector;
means connected to the serial communication bus for supplying signals over serial communication bus;
a signal interpreter coupled to the serial communication bus responsive to signal levels on the serial communication bus for generating a state signal having first and second states; and
means responsive to the state of the signal interpreter for opening and closing the circuit interrupter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The system provides for controlling the connection of electrical power sources to electrical loads installed on a motor vehicle and limiting exposure of personnel to relatively high electrical voltages from the electrical power sources. The system includes a serial communication bus and power cables routed through the motor vehicle. At least a first connector is provided through which the serial communication bus and a power cable are routed allowing temporary severing of the serial communication bus and the power cable. The power cable includes a circuit interrupter which isolates the connector from the electrical power source in response to certain conditions on the serial communication bus, including, but not limited to, the cessation of data traffic on the serial communication bus.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An interlock system for an electrical power cabling, comprising:
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a serial communication bus; a circuit interrupter connected into the electrical power cabling having open and closed states; a connector including contacts for the electrical power cabling and contacts for an interlock circuit; the serial communication bus being routed through the contacts for an interlock circuit of the connector; means connected to the serial communication bus for supplying signals over serial communication bus; a signal interpreter coupled to the serial communication bus responsive to signal levels on the serial communication bus for generating a state signal having first and second states; and means responsive to the state of the signal interpreter for opening and closing the circuit interrupter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of generating an interlock signal, comprising the steps of:
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routing a serial communication bus though interlock conductors of a multi-connection plug and power cabling through power conductors of the multi-connection plug; monitoring signal levels indicating ongoing communication traffic on the serial communication bus; responsive to cessation of communication traffic on the serial communication bus generating interrupting power transmission on the power cable.
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6. A system for controlling connection to electrical power sources to electrical loads installed on a motor vehicle, the system comprising:
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a serial communication bus routed through the motor vehicle; power cables routed through the motor vehicle; at least a first connector through which the serial communication bus and a power cable are routed allowing temporary severing of the serial communication bus and the power cable; a power cable interrupter located in the power cable to allow electrical isolation of the connector from an electrical power source; a signal interpreter coupled to the serial communication bus, the signal interpreter being responsive to one of communication traffic, bus impedance or a specific instruction for generating command signals for controlling the state of the power cable interrupter. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification