Device and method for supplying power to a vehicle, semi-conductor circuit device for use in the same and collective wiring device for a vehicle or an automobile

• US 6,182,807 B1
• Filed: 08/21/1997
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Car Engineering Company Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.), Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Car Engineering Company Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.), Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Saito, Hiroyuki, Sakamoto, Shinichi, Yoshida, Tatsuya, Horibe, Kiyoshi, Koni, Mitsuru
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MATTHEW VAN
• Application Number:
  US08/894,285
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 191/2, 191/3, 191/4, 191/6, 323/282, 323/283, 323/285
• US Class Current: 191/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0185 for failure detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/08 Failure or malfunction detecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/90 System Controller type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2016/0322 Temporary code for documents to be reclassified to G08C, H04L or H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0104 Communication circuits for data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01061 between the airbag system and other vehicle electronic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01115 specific data frames
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/02 Suppression of vibrations of non-rotating, e.g. reciprocating systems; Suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by use of members not moving with the rotating systems F16F15/005 takes precedence ; layered products B32B; suppression of vibration in ships B63; relieving load on bearings, using magnetic means F16C39/06

Abstract

A power supply line is wired in a loop from a battery power supply, and a power supply relay circuit is installed intermediately of the power supply line such that power is supplied from the power supply relay circuit to an electric load connected to a terminal unit of an intensive wiring line. By this arrangement, not only wires for control signals but also wires for power supply can be reduced. The terminal unit may serve also as the power supply relay circuit.

Claims

1. An intensive wiring apparatus in a vehicle, comprising:

A. two or more control units for controlling an electric load carried on said vehicle;

B. a communication line for transmitting information as a digital signal between said control units;

C. a power supply line for distributing power from a power supply carried on said vehicle to said control units;

D. a power supply relay circuit for connecting or disconnecting said electric load to or from said power supply line; and

E. a power supply control apparatus for controlling said power supply relay circuit by said digital signal which is transmitted via said communication line to supply or to stop a supply of power to said electric load.

2. An intensive wiring apparatus for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said communication line and said power supply line are bundled into a single wire.

3. An intensive wiring apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

A. two or more control units for controlling an electric load carried on said vehicle;

B. a communication line for transmitting information said control units;

C. a power supply line for distributing power from a power supply carried on said vehicle to said control units;

D. a power supply relay circuit for connecting or disconnecting said electric load to or from said power supply line;

E. a power supply control apparatus for controlling said power supply relay circuit via said communication line to supply or to stop a supply of power to said electric load;

said communication line and said power supply line being bundled into a single wire;

a braided wire which covers over an outer periphery of said wire into which said communication line and said power supply line are bundled;

a voltage power supply circuit for supplying a predetermined voltage to said braided wire;

a potential detection apparatus for detecting a potential of said braided wire; and

an abnormal state detection apparatus for detection an abnormal state of said wire from the detected potential.