POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE FOR PERSONAL RECREATIONAL VEHICLE

• US 20060256543A1
• Filed: 06/28/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arctic Cat Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Arctic Cat Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Larson, James, Schoenfelder, Raymond A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,420,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/826
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0239 Electronic boxes

Abstract

A power distribution module for a personal recreational vehicle includes a housing and a cover. The housing defines an interior and includes a wall having an array of receptacle openings. The receptacle openings are adapted to receive and secure electrical components inside the housing. A distribution harness includes a plurality of electrical conductors and is coupled to the housing wherein the electrical conductors are in electrical communication with the electrical components inside the housing. The power distribution module can optionally include a decal to assist quick and accurate placement of the electrical components during the manufacturing process. A method for producing a personal recreational vehicle having a standardized housing over a range of models. The housing includes a component arrangement guide for locating and installing electrical components.

Claims

1. A power distribution module for a personal recreational vehicle comprising:

a housing defining an interior, including a component attachment portion and a cover, the housing further including a plurality of receptacle openings in a wall in the component attachment portion, wherein the receptacle openings are spaced-apart and adapted for receiving and securing electrical components within the housing; and

a distribution harness having a plurality of electrical conductors, wherein the electrical conductors electrically cooperate with the receptacle openings to connect to the electrical components, wherein the conductors are adapted to distribute power.

2. The power distribution module of claim 1, wherein the receptacle openings are spaced-apart in an array.

3. The power distribution module of claim 1, wherein each array has four columns and each column contains ten receptacle openings.

4. The power distribution module of claim 1, wherein the cover is a removable cover.

5. The power distribution module of claim 3, wherein the removable cover is removably secured to the component attachment portion with a latch and a catch arrangement.

6. The power distribution module of claim 3, wherein the cover is removable with one hand by a user.

7. The power distribution module of claim 1, further including a plurality of electrical components, each electrical component seated in a corresponding receptacle opening, and wherein the electrical components are selected from a group comprising resistors, capacitors, diodes and fuses.

8. The power distribution module of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a component arrangement guide located adjacent the wall having the receptacle openings, wherein the component arrangement guide indicates the location of the electrical components to be integrated with the harness.

10. The power distribution module of claim 1, wherein the housing is waterproof when the cover is secured to the component attachment portion.

11. The power distribution module of claim 1, further including:

a plurality of cable ties securing the harness to the housing, a first cable tie securing a first section of the harness to a first tie down, and a second cable tie securing a second section of the harness to a second tie down.

9. The power distribution module of claim 9, wherein the component arrangement guide is a decal.

12. A personal recreational vehicle comprising:

an electrical distribution system for distributing electrical signals and power, the electrical distribution system including a power distribution module, wherein at least a portion of the electrical signals and power passes through the power distribution module, the power distribution module including;

a housing having a plurality of receptacle openings in a wall, wherein the receptacle openings are spaced-apart in an array and adapted for receiving electrical components; and

a distribution harness having a plurality of electrical conductors, wherein the electrical conductors electrically cooperate with the receptacle openings for receiving electrical components.

13. The personal recreational vehicle of claim 12, wherein the housing further includes:

first and second mating portions adapted to be secured together;

the first mating portion including a catch;

the second mating portion including a latch, wherein the latch engages the catch to secure the first and second portions together when latch and catch are engaged.

14. The personal recreational vehicle of claim 13, wherein the first and second mating portions form a waterproof interior section when secured together.

15. The personal recreational vehicle of claim 13, wherein the first and second mating portions are adapted to be disengaged by a user using one hand.

16. The personal recreational vehicle of claim 12, further including a plurality of electrical components, each electrical component seated in a corresponding receptacle opening, and wherein the electrical components are selected from a group comprising resistors, capacitors, diodes and fuses.

17. The personal recreational vehicle of claim 12, wherein the housing further includes a component arrangement guide located adjacent the wall having the receptacle openings, wherein the component arrangement guide indicates the location of the electrical components to be integrated with the harness.

18. The personal recreational vehicle of claim 17, wherein the component arrangement guide is a decal.

19. A power distribution system for an ATV comprising:

a distribution harness for distributing power and electrical signals adapted to be connected to electrical components; and

means for connecting the distribution harness to the electrical components.

20. The power distribution system of claim 19, wherein the means includes first and second mating portions adapted to form a waterproof interior section.

21. The power distribution system of claim 19, wherein the means includes a plurality of receptacle openings spaced-apart in an array.

22. The power distribution system of claim 21, wherein the array has four columns and each column contains ten receptacle openings.

23. A method of producing a plurality of personal recreational vehicle models, each model having a common housing for a power distribution module, wherein the power distribution module includes a plurality of receptacle openings passing from an interior to an exterior of the housing, the method comprising:

placing a component arrangement guide adjacent the receptacle openings on the interior side of the housing, the component arrangement guide having a schematic indicating placement of electrical components;

installing a plurality of electrical components into a plurality of positions in the receptacle openings, each component being installed in a position indicated by the component arrangement guide; and

connecting each electrical component to an associated electrical conductor, each electrical conductor disposed outside the housing.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of placing the component arrangement guide includes placing a decal.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of installing includes installing electrical components including at least one fuse and at least one component selected from the group consisting of resistors, capacitors, and diodes.