Network node with integrated power distribution
First Claim
1. A hierarchical control network, comprising:
- a plurality of network nodes arranged in a plurality of tiers, said network nodes comprising a plurality of first-tier hub nodes and a plurality of lower tier nodes;
a master control bus interconnecting said first-tier hub nodes in a loop configuration;
an input power line electronically coupled to said first-tier hub nodes, said input power line providing a power signal derived from a high voltage power source; and
one or more lower-tier buses interconnecting said first-tier hub nodes to groups of said lower tier nodes, said lower-tier buses including both data lines and a power source line, said power source line derived from said input power line for providing high power to said lower tier nodes for local distribution;
wherein each lower-tier bus interconnects one of said first-tier hub nodes with one or more of said lower tier nodes, at least one of said lower-tier buses interconnecting one of said first-tier hub nodes with more than one of said lower tier nodes in a daisy chain configuration;
wherein data signals and high voltage are communicated over the data lines and power source line, respectively, from the first-tier hub node to the respective lower tier nodes with which it is connected over the first-tier hub node'"'"'s respective lower-tier bus; and
wherein said lower tier nodes selectively distribute power from the power source line to local loads.
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Abstract
A control network comprises a plurality of network nodes arranged in a plurality of tiers, with first-tier nodes and lower tier nodes. A master control bus interconnects the first-tier nodes, which are also connected to a power source. Lower-tier buses interconnect groups of the lower tier nodes. The lower-tier buses include both data lines and a power source line derived from the power source, allowing the lower tier nodes to selectively distribute power to local loads. A first-tier node may be embodied as a hub controller configured to be connected to one or more of said lower-tier buses. The hub controller may comprise a plurality of internal hub nodes (including a hub master node and hub slave nodes) integrated within the same physical unit.
34 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A hierarchical control network, comprising:
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a plurality of network nodes arranged in a plurality of tiers, said network nodes comprising a plurality of first-tier hub nodes and a plurality of lower tier nodes; a master control bus interconnecting said first-tier hub nodes in a loop configuration; an input power line electronically coupled to said first-tier hub nodes, said input power line providing a power signal derived from a high voltage power source; and one or more lower-tier buses interconnecting said first-tier hub nodes to groups of said lower tier nodes, said lower-tier buses including both data lines and a power source line, said power source line derived from said input power line for providing high power to said lower tier nodes for local distribution; wherein each lower-tier bus interconnects one of said first-tier hub nodes with one or more of said lower tier nodes, at least one of said lower-tier buses interconnecting one of said first-tier hub nodes with more than one of said lower tier nodes in a daisy chain configuration; wherein data signals and high voltage are communicated over the data lines and power source line, respectively, from the first-tier hub node to the respective lower tier nodes with which it is connected over the first-tier hub node'"'"'s respective lower-tier bus; and wherein said lower tier nodes selectively distribute power from the power source line to local loads.
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2. A hierarchical control network, comprising:
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a plurality of first-tier hub nodes having a master-slave relationship, with at least one of said first-tier hub nodes configured to operate as a master node for one or more first-tier hub nodes configured to operate as a slave node; a master bus interconnecting said first-tier hub nodes in a loop configuration; and connected to each first-tier hub node, one or more lower-tier buses interconnecting said first-tier hub node to one or more lower tier nodes, wherein each first-tier hub node is configured to operate as a master node for its lower tier nodes, and wherein its lower tier nodes are configured to operate as slave nodes; wherein said lower-tier buses include both low voltage data lines and a high voltage power line, said first-tier hub nodes operable to communicate data signals and high voltage power over the low voltage data lines and high voltage power line, respectively, to their respective lower tier nodes; and wherein said lower tier nodes selectively distribute power from the high voltage power line to local loads. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A vehicle control network, comprising:
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a plurality of first-tier hub controllers, each first-tier hub controller comprising a housing and a plurality of output ports, wherein at least one of said first-tier hub controllers is configured to operate as a master node for one or more first-tier hub controllers configured to operate as a slave node; a master bus interconnecting said first-tier hub controllers; an on-vehicle battery providing a high-power voltage source electronically coupled to said first-tier hub controllers; a plurality of lower-tier network nodes; and a plurality of lower-tier buses connected to said first-tier hub controllers, each of said lower-tier buses (i) connecting one or more of the lower-tier network nodes to one of the output ports of a first-tier hub controller, and (ii) including both low voltage data lines and a high voltage power line, said high voltage power line derived from said high-power voltage source; wherein said lower-tier network nodes receive both low voltage data signals and high voltage power from their respective first-tier hub controller over the lower-tier bus to which it is connected; and wherein said lower-tier network nodes distribute power to local loads in response to the low voltage data signals. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for controlling a vehicle and distributing power with a control network, comprising:
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interconnecting a plurality of hub controllers over a master bus, each of the hub controllers having a plurality of output ports; operating one of said hub controllers as a master node with respect to one or more other hub controllers connected to the master bus; electronically coupling a high-power source to said hub controllers, said high-power source derived from a vehicle battery; connecting a plurality of lower-tier buses to said hub controllers, each of said lower-tier buses (i) connecting one of the output ports of the hub controller to one or more lower-tier network nodes, and (ii) including both low-voltage data lines and a high-voltage power line, wherein said lower-tier network nodes receive both low-voltage data signals and high-voltage power from their respective hub controller; operating each hub controller as a master node with respect to its lower-tier slave nodes; and distributing high-voltage power from said lower-tier network nodes to local loads in the vehicle in response to the low-voltage data signals from the hub controller carried over the lower-tier buses. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification