Power supplying apparatus for vehicle and intensive wiring apparatus

• US 7,282,810 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2004
• Issued: 10/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1998
• 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, Kuramochi, Yuichi, Okamoto, Kaneyuki, Sakamoto, Shinichi, Yoshida, Tatsuya, Horibe, Kiyoshi, Ohsaka, Ichiro, Kon'l, Mitsuru
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis; Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/891,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20040257732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/91
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• 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: B60W 50/0205 Diagnosing or detecting failures; Failure detection models

Abstract

An electric power supply system for a vehicle has an electric power line wired in a loop configuration. From the electric power line power is supplied to a load, and to another system which supplies control system power supply. One shutdown circuit is provided in a module connected to the loop configured power supply line. When the electric power line and the load are short circuited, the shutdown can isolate and shut down only the failure point. Further, when the car is not in use, by stopping the power supply to the load, current consumption can be restrained. In response to detection of a ground short and a failure of a connection of a connector, an over-current prevention of an electric power line, a simple construction can be provided and a low current consumption can be realized.

Claims

1. A vehicle load control module comprising:

a power supply input terminal for receiving electric power supplied from a battery;

a power supply output terminal for supplying a load with electric power received from said power supply input terminal;

a load power supply shutdown circuit for enabling/disabling a coupling between said power supply input terminal and said power supply output terminal;

a communication circuit connected with plural modules;

a control circuit for controlling said load power supply shutdown circuit in accordance with a signal which is inputted through said communication circuit; and

a driver for driving said load between said load power supply shutdown circuit and a load electric power supply terminal.

2. The load control module according to claim 1, wherein:

the load control module further comprises an eddy current detection circuit provided said load between power supply shutdown circuit and a load electric power supply terminal; and

said control circuit controls said load power supply shutdown circuit in accordance with an output of said eddy current detection circuit.

3. The load control module according to claim 1, further comprising a short detection circuit for detecting a short abnormality of a power supply line which is connected to said power supply input circuit.

4. A vehicle load control module comprising:

a power supply input terminal for receiving electric power supplied from a battery;

a power supply output terminal for supplying a load with electric power received from said power supply input terminal;

a load power supply shutdown circuit for enabling/disabling a coupling between said power supply input terminal and said power supply output terminal;

a communication circuit connected with plural modules; and

a control circuit for controlling said load power supply shutdown circuit in accordance with a signal which is inputted through said communication circuit;

wherein

said load power supply shutdown circuit comprises a relay;

said relay has a relay coil;

electric power is supplied to said coil from another power supply input terminal different from said power supply input terminal;

said load control module further comprises a constant voltage power supply circuit for supplying electric power to said control circuit; and

electric power is supplied to said constant voltage power supply circuit from said another power supply input terminal.

5. The load control module according to claim 4, wherein electric power is supplied to said communication circuit from said constant voltage power supply circuit.

6. The load control module according to claim 4, wherein

the load control module further comprises a short detection circuit for detecting a short abnormality of a power supply line that is connected to said power supply input circuit;

and

electric power is supplied to said short detection circuit from said constant voltage power supply circuit.