WO1996038322A1 - An improved wire harness architecture with a distributed junction box - Google Patents
An improved wire harness architecture with a distributed junction box Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1996038322A1 WO1996038322A1 PCT/US1996/006699 US9606699W WO9638322A1 WO 1996038322 A1 WO1996038322 A1 WO 1996038322A1 US 9606699 W US9606699 W US 9606699W WO 9638322 A1 WO9638322 A1 WO 9638322A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- box
- decentralized
- devices
- wire harness
- improved
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
- B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
- B60R16/03—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for
- B60R16/0315—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for using multiplexing techniques
Definitions
- the present invention relates to electrical wire harnesses for use in automobiles, aircraft, electronic equipment, and the like, and more particularly to a distributed junction box system for eliminating splicing electrical wire harnesses.
- a typical wire harness comprises a bundle of wires of varying gauges and wire types arranged in a particular order terminated by an electrical connector/terminator. These bundles of wire are then bound together for facilitate installation, as well as replacement.
- a second wire harness approach is commonly referred to as "functional partitioning.”
- each of the devices are grouped together functionally.
- Each functional group is then assigned a main wire or artery from which the members of the group are connected thereto.
- the connecting of each member to the main artery is commonly referred to as splicing.
- Splicing is significantly labor intensive. As such, splicing has been considered a substantial limitation in process control.
- FIG. 1 A wire harness employing functional partitioning is illustrated in Figure 1.
- a wire harness 2 is shown comprising a series of components 6, 7, 8 and 9, all interconnected with a main wire at a splicing point 3.
- the main wire is then coupled with a switch 5 which operates to enable/disable a positive terminal of a battery 4.
- Another wire harness technique for interconnecting a plurality of devices is commonly referred to as "geographic partitioning.” This approach involves grouping each of the devices by location. Each geographic group is then assigned a main wire or artery from which the members of the group are electrically coupled. While reducing the amount of splicing required, geographic partitioning still necessitates a substantial limitation in process control.
- a spliceless wire harness architecture 10 is illustrated.
- a first device 12 is electrically coupled with a second device 14, which is coupled with a third device 16, which in turn is coupled with a fourth device 18. It should be noted that each of the devices are also grounded.
- First device 12 is additionally coupled with a positive and negative terminal of power source 20 by means off a enable/disable switch 21 such that a single pathway is essentially created.
- a specialized multiplexing scheme may be utilized to enable a user to activate any combination of devices simultaneously.
- the instant architecture requires devices with a degree of intelligence to recognize activation commands which in turn adds cost to the overall end product cost.
- each device is electrically coupled with either a first or second decentralized multiplexor control box 30 or 40.
- First and second decentralized multiplexor control boxes 30 and 40 are each coupled with the positive terminal of a power source 50 by way of enable/disable switch 51. Further, the negative terminal of the source 50 is coupled to ground.
- both decentralized multiplexor control boxes control the operating status of each of their respectively coupled devices, 22, 24, 26 and 28.
- the multiplexing wire harness architecture of Figure 3 provides a more cost effective alternative to the elementary spliceless architecture of Figure 2, as smart devices are not required.
- the capacity of each decentralized multiplexor control boxes is significantly limited.
- additional components are required which have a substantially impact on the design's cost benefits.
- the primary advantage of the present invention is to overcome the limitations of the prior art.
- Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a junction box design that is both cost effective and not labor intensive.
- the improved wire harness architecture comprises an improved decentralized box for use in conjunction with an electrical wire harness architecture and power supply to enable each device of a number of devices in response to said control signal .
- the improved decentralized box comprises a multiplexing system for selecting each device of the number of devices to be enabled in response to the control signal, a first distributed junction box for providing a dedicated means for coupling the multiplexing system with a first set of the number of devices, and a second distributed junction box for providing a dedicated means for coupling the multiplexing system with a second set of the number of devices.
- Figure 1 illustrates a first known electrical wire harness architecture scheme
- Figure 2 illustrates a known spliceless electrical wire harness architecture scheme
- Figure 3 illustrates a known alternate spliceless electrical wire harness architecture scheme
- Figure 4 illustrates an improved electrical wire harness architecture of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 5 illustrates a detailed drawing of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- improved wire harness architecture 55 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
- improved wire harness architecture 55 comprises a power source or battery 50 and first and second improved decentralized control box 60 and 70 for accessing an increased number of devices.
- First and second decentralized control boxes 60 and 70 are each coupled to battery 50 by means of a enable/disable switch 51. Moreover, the negative terminal of battery 50 is coupled to ground. Further, first decentralized control box 60 is coupled with each of a first group of devices 61-68, and second decentralized control box 70 is coupled with each of a second group of devices 71-78.
- each decentralized control box controls the individual operating status of each device of its respective grouping. This signaling system is designed using a multiplexing scheme to enable a user to activate any combination of devices simultaneously.
- Improved decentralized control box 80 depicts the internal configuration of boxes 60 and 70 illustrated in Figure 4.
- Improved decentralized control box 80 comprises three essential components for accessing an increased number of devices over the known art.
- Box 80 first comprises a multiplexing control box 85.
- Box 85 comprises a first and 88 and a second line 89.
- First line 88 couples the box 85, and thus box 80, to a power source, such as battery 50 of Figure 4.
- Second line 89 couples box 85 as well as box 80 to a subsequent decentralized control box.
- Box 80 is additionally coupled with a first and second distributed junction box, 90 and 100.
- a distributed junction box provides a dedicated means for accessing a number of devices.
- First junction box 90 comprises a series of output lines 92
- junction box 100 similarly comprises a series of output lines 102.
- Each of the output lines 92 and 102 directly interface with a subset of the number of devices shown in Figure .
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Connection Or Junction Boxes (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention teaches an improved decentralized box for use in conjunction with an electrical wire harness architecture and power supply to enable each device of a number of devices in response to said contol signal. The improved decentralized box comprises a multiplexing system for selecting each device of the nubmer of devices to be enabled in response to the control signal, a first distributed junction box for providing a dedicated means for coupling the multiplexin system with a first set of the number of devices, and a second distributed junction box for providing a dedicated means for coupling the multiplexing system with a second set of the number of devices.
Description
AN IMPROVED WIRE HARNESS ARCHITECTURE WITH A DISTRIBUTED JUNCTION BOX
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electrical wire harnesses for use in automobiles, aircraft, electronic equipment, and the like, and more particularly to a distributed junction box system for eliminating splicing electrical wire harnesses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical wire harnesses are commonly used for interconnecting various relevant components ultimately to a power supply or signal generator. To realize this functional purpose, a typical wire harness comprises a bundle of wires of varying gauges and wire types arranged in a particular order terminated by an electrical connector/terminator. These bundles of wire are then bound together for facilitate installation, as well as replacement.
Several approaches are known for interconnecting devices by means of an electrical wire harness. In its simplest design, the wire harness structure directly interconnects each component individually with the power source. By doing so, parallel conductive path are created for those devices coupled through a common electric circuit. This technique, while rudimentary, requires a large amount of wire, which can be both cost prohibitive and add substantial weight to the end product.
A second wire harness approach is commonly referred to as "functional partitioning." Here, each of the devices are grouped together functionally. Each functional group is then assigned a main wire or artery from which the members of the
group are connected thereto. The connecting of each member to the main artery is commonly referred to as splicing. Splicing is significantly labor intensive. As such, splicing has been considered a substantial limitation in process control.
A wire harness employing functional partitioning is illustrated in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 1, a wire harness 2 is shown comprising a series of components 6, 7, 8 and 9, all interconnected with a main wire at a splicing point 3. The main wire is then coupled with a switch 5 which operates to enable/disable a positive terminal of a battery 4.
Another wire harness technique for interconnecting a plurality of devices is commonly referred to as "geographic partitioning." This approach involves grouping each of the devices by location. Each geographic group is then assigned a main wire or artery from which the members of the group are electrically coupled. While reducing the amount of splicing required, geographic partitioning still necessitates a substantial limitation in process control.
As a result of the above limitations of the some of the wire harness approaches, several solutions have been proposed for overcoming the limitations of splicing wires from a harness. Referring to Figure 2, a spliceless wire harness architecture 10 is illustrated. Here, a first device 12 is electrically coupled with a second device 14, which is coupled with a third device 16, which in turn is coupled with a fourth device 18. It should be noted that each of the devices are also grounded. First device 12 is additionally coupled with a positive and negative terminal of power source 20 by means off a enable/disable switch 21 such that a single pathway is essentially created.
By this spliceless arrangement, a specialized multiplexing scheme may be utilized to enable a user to activate any combination of devices simultaneously. The
instant architecture, however, requires devices with a degree of intelligence to recognize activation commands which in turn adds cost to the overall end product cost.
Referring to Figure 3, an alternative multiplexing wire harness architecture is shown. Here, each device is electrically coupled with either a first or second decentralized multiplexor control box 30 or 40. First and second decentralized multiplexor control boxes 30 and 40 are each coupled with the positive terminal of a power source 50 by way of enable/disable switch 51. Further, the negative terminal of the source 50 is coupled to ground. By means of a signaling system (not shown) , both decentralized multiplexor control boxes control the operating status of each of their respectively coupled devices, 22, 24, 26 and 28.
The multiplexing wire harness architecture of Figure 3 provides a more cost effective alternative to the elementary spliceless architecture of Figure 2, as smart devices are not required. However, the capacity of each decentralized multiplexor control boxes is significantly limited. As a result of this drawback, additional components are required which have a substantially impact on the design's cost benefits.
Thus, a demand exists for a wire harness architecture alternative which eliminates splicing, yet is cost effective and not labor intensive. Further, a need exists for a wire harness architecture alternative which has a significantly increased capacity.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The primary advantage of the present invention is to overcome the limitations of the prior art.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a junction box design that is both cost effective and not labor intensive.
In order to achieve the advantages of the present invention, an improved wire harness architecture is disclosed. The improved wire harness architecture comprises an improved decentralized box for use in conjunction with an electrical wire harness architecture and power supply to enable each device of a number of devices in response to said control signal . The improved decentralized box comprises a multiplexing system for selecting each device of the number of devices to be enabled in response to the control signal, a first distributed junction box for providing a dedicated means for coupling the multiplexing system with a first set of the number of devices, and a second distributed junction box for providing a dedicated means for coupling the multiplexing system with a second set of the number of devices.
These and other advantages and objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the appended claims and the drawings attached hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be better understood from reading the following description of non-limitative embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:
Figure 1 illustrates a first known electrical wire harness architecture scheme;
Figure 2 illustrates a known spliceless electrical wire harness architecture scheme;
Figure 3 illustrates a known alternate spliceless electrical wire harness architecture scheme;
Figure 4 illustrates an improved electrical wire harness architecture of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 5 illustrates a detailed drawing of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
It should be emphasized that the drawings of the instant application are not to scale but are merely schematic representations and are not intended to portray the specific parameters or the structural details of the invention, which can be determined by one of skill in the art by examination of the information herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figure 4, an improved wire harness architecture 55 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Here, improved wire harness architecture 55 comprises a power source or battery 50 and first and second improved decentralized control box 60 and 70 for accessing an increased number of devices.
First and second decentralized control boxes 60 and 70 are each coupled to battery 50 by means of a enable/disable switch 51. Moreover, the negative terminal of battery 50 is coupled to ground. Further, first decentralized control box 60 is coupled with each of a first group of devices 61-68, and second decentralized control box 70 is coupled with each of a second group of devices 71-78.
By means of a signaling system (not shown) , each decentralized control box controls the individual operating status of each device of its respective grouping. This signaling system is designed using a multiplexing scheme to enable a user to activate any combination of devices simultaneously.
Referring to Figure 5, an expanded view of an improved decentralized control box is shown. Improved decentralized control box 80 depicts the internal configuration of boxes 60 and 70 illustrated in Figure 4.
Improved decentralized control box 80 comprises three essential components for accessing an increased number of devices over the known art. Box 80 first comprises a multiplexing control box 85. Box 85 comprises a first and 88 and a second line 89. First line 88 couples the box 85, and thus box 80, to a power source, such as battery 50 of Figure 4. Second line 89 couples box 85 as well as box 80 to a subsequent decentralized control box. By the above arrangement, and in conjunction with a signaling system (not shown) , two or more decentralized multiplexor control boxes can control the operating status of each of a number of devices, as shown in Figure 4, respectively coupled to one of the boxes.
Box 80 is additionally coupled with a first and second distributed junction box, 90 and 100. A distributed junction box provides a dedicated means for accessing a number of devices. First junction box 90 comprises a series of output lines 92, while junction box 100 similarly comprises a series of output lines 102. Each of the output lines 92 and 102 directly interface with a subset of the number of devices shown in Figure .
By incorporating a first and second distributed junction box into the decentralized box, several benefits become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Firstly, the number of devices from which decentralized box 80 can access is substantially increased. Second, a simplified manufacturing process is realized, as splicing is virtually eliminated within the harness. Third, as splicing is eliminated, the number of manufacturing errors and defects diminishes, and as a result, the overall cost of the harness itself drops accordingly.
While the particular invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. It is understood that although the present invention has been described in a preferred embodiment, various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as additional embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description without departing from the spirit of the invention, as recited in the claims appended hereto. Thus, it should be apparent to tone of ordinary skill in the art, upon understanding the present invention, that more than two distributed junction boxes may be employed within an improved multiplexor control boxes detailed herein. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An improved wire harness architecture comprising:
a first set of devices, each of said devices of said first set being selectively enabled and disabled by a control signal;
a first decentralized box for enabling each device of said first set in response to said control signal, said first decentralized box comprising a first distributed junction box for providing a dedicated means for coupling said first decentralized box with each device of said first set;
a second set of devices, each of said devices of said second set being selectively enabled and disabled by said control signal; and
a second decentralized box for enabling each device of said second set in response to said control signal, said second decentralized box comprising a second distributed junction box for providing a dedicated means for coupling said second decentralized box with each device of said second set.
2. The improved wire harness architecture of claim 1, wherein said first and said second decentralized boxes each further comprise:
a multiplexing system for selecting each device associated with said respective decentralized box to be enabled in response to said control signal.
3. The improved wire harness architecture of claim 2, wherein said multiplexing system of each of said first and said second decentralized boxes are coupled together.
4. The improved wire harness architecture of claim 3, wherein said improved wire harness architecture is employed in at least one of an automobile, an aircraft, and electronic equipment.
5. An improved decentralized box for use in conjunction with an electrical wire harness architecture and power supply to enable each device of a number of devices in response to said control signal, the improved decentralized box comprising:
a multiplexing system for selecting each device of said number of devices to be enabled in response to said control signal;
a first distributed junction box for providing a dedicated means for coupling said multiplexing system with a first set of said number of devices; and
a second distributed junction box for providing a dedicated means for coupling said multiplexing system with a second set of said number of devices.
6. The improved decentralized box of claim 5, wherein said first and second sets each comprise an equal number of elements.
7. The improved wire harness architecture of claim 5, wherein said improved decentralized box is employed in at least one of an automobile, an aircraft, and electronic equipment.
8. An electrical wire harness architecture for coupling a number of devices and having a power supply comprising:
a first set of said number of devices, each of said devices of said first set being selectively enabled and disabled by a control signal;
a first improved decentralized box for enabling each device of said first set in response to said control signal, said first decentralized box comprising:
a first distributed junction box for providing a dedicated means for coupling said first decentralized box with each device of said first set; and
a first multiplexing system for selecting each device of said first set of devices to be enabled in response to said control signal, said first multiplexing system being coupled with said power supply;
a second set of said number of devices, each of said devices of said second set being selectively enabled and disabled by said control signal; and
an improved second decentralized box for enabling each device of said second set in response to said control signal, said second decentralized box comprising:
a second distributed junction box for providing a dedicated means for coupling said second decentralized box with each device of said second set; and a first multiplexing system for selecting each device of said second set of devices to be enabled in response to said control signal, said second multiplexing system being coupled with both said power supply and said first multiplexing system.
9. The electrical wire harness architecture of claim 8, wherein said first and second sets each comprise an equal number of elements.
10. The electrical wire harness architecture of claim 8, wherein said improved decentralized box is employed in at least one of an automobile, an aircraft, and electronic equipment.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US45353495A | 1995-05-30 | 1995-05-30 | |
| US08/453,534 | 1995-05-30 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1996038322A1 true WO1996038322A1 (en) | 1996-12-05 |
Family
ID=23800933
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US1996/006699 WO1996038322A1 (en) | 1995-05-30 | 1996-05-10 | An improved wire harness architecture with a distributed junction box |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2169703A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996038322A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6291770B1 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2001-09-18 | Leoni Wiring Systems, Inc. | Wiring system and method therefor |
| FR2822130A1 (en) * | 2001-03-14 | 2002-09-20 | Labinal | Aircraft with electrical cabling for control and passenger comfort functions, uses standard wiring lengths joined by interconnection modules along length of fuselage, and takes short runs of wiring from module to local function |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS61102350A (en) * | 1984-10-24 | 1986-05-21 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Automotive signal transmission equipment |
| FR2626116A1 (en) * | 1988-01-19 | 1989-07-21 | Renault Vehicules Ind | Electrical energy distribution device |
| GB2277618A (en) * | 1993-04-28 | 1994-11-02 | Henlys Group Plc | Multiplexed data transmission for motor vehicle |
-
1996
- 1996-02-16 CA CA 2169703 patent/CA2169703A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-05-10 WO PCT/US1996/006699 patent/WO1996038322A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS61102350A (en) * | 1984-10-24 | 1986-05-21 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Automotive signal transmission equipment |
| FR2626116A1 (en) * | 1988-01-19 | 1989-07-21 | Renault Vehicules Ind | Electrical energy distribution device |
| GB2277618A (en) * | 1993-04-28 | 1994-11-02 | Henlys Group Plc | Multiplexed data transmission for motor vehicle |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
| Title |
|---|
| "QUATRE POUR SOIXANTE OU LE MULTIPLEXAGE", REVUE TECHNIQUE AUTOMOBILE, vol. 46, no. 528, June 1991 (1991-06-01), BOUL. BILLANCOURT ,FR, pages XLVIII - LVI, XP000231235 * |
| PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 10, no. 281 (M - 520)<2337> 25 September 1986 (1986-09-25) * |
| WOLFF: "HALBLEITER KONZEPTE FÜR DIE AUTOMOBILELEKTRONIK", RADIO FERSEHEN ELEKTRONIK, vol. 41, no. 12, December 1992 (1992-12-01), BERLIN, pages 838 - 841, XP000368025 * |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6291770B1 (en) | 1999-05-14 | 2001-09-18 | Leoni Wiring Systems, Inc. | Wiring system and method therefor |
| FR2822130A1 (en) * | 2001-03-14 | 2002-09-20 | Labinal | Aircraft with electrical cabling for control and passenger comfort functions, uses standard wiring lengths joined by interconnection modules along length of fuselage, and takes short runs of wiring from module to local function |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2169703A1 (en) | 1996-12-01 |
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