Electronics unit with current sensing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electronics unit operable for use within a vehicle to rectify a three-phase, AC input to a DC output, the electronics unit comprising:
- an assembly having;
i. conducting first, second, and third input terminals each operable to establish an electrical connection to one of three input busbars carrying the AC input;
ii. conducting first and second output terminals each operable to establish an electrical connection to one of two first and second output busbars carrying the DC output;
iii. a rectifier disposed between the input terminals and the output terminals, the rectifier having a plurality of switches operably connected between the input terminals and the output terminals to rectify the three-phase AC input to the DC output;
a shunt operatively coupled between the first output terminal and the first output busbar;
a current sensor operable to determine a current through the shunt;
at least one printed circuit board (PCB) having control electronics operable to manage power distribution between the electronics unit and one or more vehicle subsystems based at least in part on the current measured by the current sensor; and
a housing shaped to substantially enclose the assembly and each of the at least one PCB, the housing having a projection extending therefrom configured to supportively engage the shunt exterior to the housing.
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Abstract
A electronics unit operable to facilitate vehicle battery charging or other energy manipulation activities. The electronics unit may include a current sensor operable to determine an output current. The output current determination may be used as feedback or inputs to other electronics unit electronics, such as to facilitate battery charging related operations or other operations attendant to use of the electronics unit.
66 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronics unit operable for use within a vehicle to rectify a three-phase, AC input to a DC output, the electronics unit comprising:
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an assembly having; i. conducting first, second, and third input terminals each operable to establish an electrical connection to one of three input busbars carrying the AC input; ii. conducting first and second output terminals each operable to establish an electrical connection to one of two first and second output busbars carrying the DC output; iii. a rectifier disposed between the input terminals and the output terminals, the rectifier having a plurality of switches operably connected between the input terminals and the output terminals to rectify the three-phase AC input to the DC output; a shunt operatively coupled between the first output terminal and the first output busbar; a current sensor operable to determine a current through the shunt; at least one printed circuit board (PCB) having control electronics operable to manage power distribution between the electronics unit and one or more vehicle subsystems based at least in part on the current measured by the current sensor; and a housing shaped to substantially enclose the assembly and each of the at least one PCB, the housing having a projection extending therefrom configured to supportively engage the shunt exterior to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electronics unit operable for use within a vehicle to manage power of a battery, the electronics unit comprising:
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a rectifier operable to rectify an AC input to a DC output for charging the battery; a current sensor having; i. a shunt including a first portion and a second portion, the shunt being positioned between the DC output and the battery; ii. a measurement circuit operable to measure a current through the shunt as a function a voltage drop measured between the first portion and the second portion of the shunt; and at least one printed circuit board (PCB) having control electronics operable to manage DC output based at least in part on the measured current; and a housing enclosing the rectifier and the at least one PCB, the housing including first and second opposed and flexible tangs extending therefrom, the first and second tangs being configured to removably position the shunt between the DC output and the battery, the housing having a projection extending therefrom adjacent the flexible tangs, the projection configured to supportively engage the shunt exterior to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. An electronics unit operable for use within a vehicle to manage a battery, the electronics unit comprising:
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a rectifier operable to rectify an AC input to a DC output used to charge the battery; a current sensor having; i. a shunt electrically connected between the DC output and the battery; ii. a hall effect sensor operable to measure a current through the shunt as a function a voltage drop measured between a first portion and a second portion of the shunt; and a housing enclosing the rectifier and having a terrace-shaped structure extending therefrom, the terrace-shaped structure configured to supportively engage an underside of the hall effect sensor and one end of the shunt exterior to the housing proximate the hall effect sensor. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification