Device and process for protection against excessive voltage and/or current in systems having USB connections and the like
First Claim
1. An apparatus for electrically protecting a vehicle diagnostic circuit, comprising:
- a plurality of electrical conductors, including a first power line, a first ground point, a second ground point, and a first data line, wherein the first data line has a first portion and a second portion;
a common ground line positioned between the first ground point and the second ground point;
a first voltage limiting device electrically arranged within a vehicle control interface between an external connection and a vehicle and connected to the first power line, the first ground point, and the first portion of the first data line, the first voltage limiting device having a first Zener diode directly connected to the common ground line; and
a plurality of current limiting devices, wherein a first current limiting device is electrically connected to the first ground point and to the second ground point, and a second current limiting device is electrically connected to the first portion of the first data line and to the second portion of the first data line.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is provided to electrically protect a circuit for USB protection against excessive voltage and/or current such as ground loop damage. A circuit is connected between electrical components where at least one of the connections is a USB connection. There is a possibility for the ground points of the electrical components to be at different voltage potentials and can create a ground loop. The apparatus can include a voltage limiting circuit connected to circuit lines which connect to the USB connection, and circuit breakers or resistors can be connected to the circuit lines between the USB connection and the connection to the other electrical component. In some aspects, the connections at either end of the circuit can all be USB connections. The components of the apparatus protect the connected electrical components from receiving more power than they can tolerate, and protect a user of the electrical components from injury caused by excess power.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for electrically protecting a vehicle diagnostic circuit, comprising:
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a plurality of electrical conductors, including a first power line, a first ground point, a second ground point, and a first data line, wherein the first data line has a first portion and a second portion; a common ground line positioned between the first ground point and the second ground point; a first voltage limiting device electrically arranged within a vehicle control interface between an external connection and a vehicle and connected to the first power line, the first ground point, and the first portion of the first data line, the first voltage limiting device having a first Zener diode directly connected to the common ground line; and a plurality of current limiting devices, wherein a first current limiting device is electrically connected to the first ground point and to the second ground point, and a second current limiting device is electrically connected to the first portion of the first data line and to the second portion of the first data line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for electrically protecting a vehicle diagnostic circuit, comprising:
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a plurality of means for conducting, including a first power line, a first ground point, a second ground point, and a first data line, wherein the first data line has a first portion and a second portion; a common ground line positioned between the first ground point and the second ground point; a first voltage limiting device electrically arranged within a vehicle control interface between an external connection and a vehicle and connected to the first power line, the first ground point, and the first portion of the first data line, the first voltage limiting device having a first Zener diode directly connected to the common ground line; and a plurality of current limiting circuits, wherein a first current limiting circuit is electrically connected to the first ground point and to the second ground point, and a second current limiting circuit is electrically connected to the first portion of the first data line and to the second portion of the first data line. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A process for electrically protecting a vehicle diagnostic circuit, comprising:
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arranging a plurality of electrical conductors, including a first power line, a first ground point, a second ground point, and a first data line, wherein the first dataline has a first portion and a second portion; a common ground line positioned between the first ground point and the second ground point; arranging a first voltage limiting device electrically arranged within a vehicle control interface between an external connection and a vehicle and connected to the first power line, the first ground point, and the first portion of the first data line, the first voltage limiting device having a first Zener diode directly connected to the common ground line; and arranging a plurality of current limiting devices, wherein a first current limiting device is electrically connected to the first ground point and to the second ground point, and a second current limiting device is electrically connected to the first portion of the first data line and to the second portion of the first data line.
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Specification