AU2008101114A4

AU2008101114A4 - Wiring loom assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2008101114A4
Application number: AU2008101114A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Pal Nador
Original assignee: Brown and Watson International Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Brown and Watson International Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-11-27
Filing date: 2008-11-17
Publication date: 2009-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2016-11-17

Description

P/00/009A Section 29

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Invention Title: Applicant: WIRING LOOM ASSEMBLY Brown Watson International Pty Ltd The invention is described in the following statement: 1 7019 2 00 WIRING LOOM ASSEMBLY The present invention relates generally to a wiring loom assembly for

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Z fitting lamps to vehicles.

In a motor vehicle, electric devices located in the passenger department, such as control knobs, levers, electric window mechanisms and the like must be connected together and with other electric devices located in the engine compartment. To achieve this connection, a wiring loom of one or more flexible electric conductors are arranged in a layer or forming an octopus 00 of arms which extend between the various electric devices. Each of the ends c-I of these arms is provided with one or more connectors or termination points.

Such wiring looms are typically pre-wired and terminated so that when the wiring loom is run between the passenger and engine compartments, the various electric devices are simply required to be connected or fitted at predetermined locations in the wiring loom.

However, differences in wiring standards and practices between automotive manufacturers and also between different countries have to date meant that a number of alternate wiring looms must be manufactured for a single model. For example, headlamps or other auxiliary lamps can be positively switched or negatively switched. In positively switched vehicles, an on/off switch is connected in series with a relay interconnecting a positive power supply terminal and one terminal of the headlamp, whilst the other terminal of the headlamp is connected to ground. In negatively switched vehicles, the on/off switch is connected in series with a relay interconnecting ground and one terminal of the headlamp, whilst the other terminal of the headlamp is connected to a positive power supply terminal. Australian, European and North American wiring systems are typically positively switched, whilst Japanese and Korean wiring systems are typically negatively switched.

However, in recent times both positively and negatively switched wiring systems have been manufactured for vehicles in each of these countries/regions.

Use of wiring loom intended for a positively switched wiring system in a vehicle equipped with a negatively switched wiring system will result in 842205 innovalan sped 00 incorrect operation of the headlamps. It would therefore be desirable to provide 0 0 a wiring loom assembly suitable for operation in both positively and negatively switched wiring systems that enable correct operation of the headlamps or

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Z other lamps without causing harm to the system or vehicle.

It would also be desirable to provide a wiring loom assembly which can be quickly and conveniently re-configured to suit either positively or negatively switched wiring systems.

It would also be desirable to provide a wiring loom assembly which was simple to connect to a vehicle's existing wiring harness.

00 0 10 It would also be desirable to provide a wiring loom assembly which could be configured in a number of different ways to provide for various direct and indirect lamp switching systems.

With this in mind, one aspect of the invention provides a wiring loom assembly for fitting lamps to vehicles. The assembly includes an enablement section and a configuration section. The enablement section includes a control element; an enablement switch that opens and closes under control of the control element; and enablement circuitry connecting the enablement switch in series with one or more of the lamps across an electric potential difference.

The configuration section includes a configuration switch configured to adopt first and second switched conditions; and configuration circuitry configured so that, when the configuration switch is in the first switched condition, the control element is connected between an input terminal and a negative power supply terminal and, when the configuration switch is in the second switched condition, the control element is connected between an input terminal and a positive power supply terminal.

In a wiring loom assembly having these features, the wiring loom assembly can be adapted to suit vehicles having either positively or negatively switched wiring systems by selecting one of two configuration switch positions.

A control element, such as a relay coil, is connected between a single input terminal and either a positive power supply terminal or a negative power supply terminal. The position of a configuration switch can easily be selected 842205 innovation spec 00 so as to establish an electric potential difference across the control element so as to cause operation of the vehicle lamp or lamps.

O Moreover, the wiring loom assembly can be connected to an existing Z trigger or switching wire via only a single terminal.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the wiring loom assembly further includes an activation section including an activation switch; and activation circuitry configured so that, when the configuration switch is in the first switched condition, the activation switch is connected in series with the control element between the input terminal and the negative power supply 0O terminal and, when the configuration switch is in the second switched condition, the activation switch is connected in series with the control element between the input terminal and the positive power supply terminal.

The activation section provides an additional switching mechanism that can be used in conjunction with the existing trigger or switching wire to control operation of the lamp or lamps regardless of the position of the configuration switch.

Conveniently, the activation module may further include an indicator lamp shunt-connected across the control element.

The wiring loom assembly may further include a lamp connection section including lamp connection circuitry for connecting the one or more lamps to the enablement section.

The control element may be a relay coil but may alternately be an electromagnet or other suitable device for causing the enablement switch to open and close.

The following description refers in more detail to the various features of the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings where the wiring loom assembly is illustrated in preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that the wiring loom assembly of the present invention is not limited however to the preferred embodiments as shown in the drawings.

In the drawings: 842205 innovabon specd 0 Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a wiring loom Sassembly according to the present invention; o Figures 2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a wiring Z loom assembly according to the present invention; and Figures 3 is a schematic diagram of a variation to the activation section of the wiring loom assembly shown in Figure 2.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown generally a wiring loom assembly 10 including an enablement section 12, a configuration section 14 00oO and lamp connection section 16. The wiring loom interconnects auxiliary 0 10 lamps 18 and 20 to a switching or trigger wire 22 via an input terminal 24.

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The enablement section 12 includes a relay coil 26 or other control element, such as an electromagnet, able to cause selective opening and closing of an enablement switch 28. The relay coil 26 and enablement switch 28 form part of a relay 30 connected to a base 32. The enablement section 12 also includes enablement circuitry 34 connecting the enablement switch 28 in series with the lamps 18 and 20 between a positive power supply terminal 36 and a negative power supply terminal, or earth connection, 38. In that regard, the positive power supply terminal 36 is connected to a fuse 40 which is then connected a first side of the enablement switch 28. The second side of the enablement switch 28 is connected to one terminal of each of the lamps 18 and 20. The other terminal of each of the lamps 18 and 20 are connected together to the ground terminal 38. In operation, whenever current flows through the relay coil 26 to cause closing of the enablement switch 28, current flows from the positive power supply terminal 36 across the terminals of each of the lamps 18 and 32 to the ground terminal 38.

It will be appreciated that because each of the lamps 18 and 20 are non-polarised, the direction of current flow between the terminals of the lamps is unimportant. It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments of the invention, the polarity of the positive power supply terminal 36 and negative power supply terminal 38 may be inversed. Moreover, in other embodiments of the invention one lamp only, or alternatively three or more lamps may be connected to the wiring loom assembly.

842205 invaon sped 0 In the example shown in Figure 1, the enablement section, configuration 0section and lamp connection section are modular and are interconnected via cooperating male and female connections. The lamp connection section 16

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Z includes lamp connection circuitry 42 for connecting the lamps 18 and 20 to 5 the enablement section 12 by means of cooperating male and female members 44. Similarly, the enablement circuitry 34 of the enablement section 12 is interconnected between the lamp connection section 16 and the configuration section 14 by the male and female cooperating members 44 and _by male and female cooperating members 46 which interconnect the 00 10 enablement section 12 and configuration section 14.

N The configuration section 14 includes a configuration switch 48 configured to adopt first and second switched conditions. In the first switched condition, switch contacts interconnect the upper left and upper central terminals, and the lower left and lower central terminals, of the switch. In a second switched condition, contacts interconnect the upper central and upper right switch terminals, as well as the lower central and lower right switch terminals (this condition is depicted in Figure 1).

The configuration section 14 also includes a configuration circuitry configured so that, when the configuration switch 48 is in the first switched condition, the relay coil 26 is connected between the input terminal 24 and a negative power supply, or ground terminal 52. However, when the configuration switch adopts the second switched condition, the configuration circuitry is configured to connect the input terminal 24 to the positive power supply terminal 36.

Figure 1 depicts four alternative configurations of the trigger or switching wire 22. In the first configuration 54, the vehicle to which the wiring loom assembly 10 is fitted is positively switched and the input terminal 24 is adapted to be connected directly to a positive power supply terminal 56. In the second configuration 58, the vehicle to which the wiring loom assembly 10 is adapted to be fitted is negatively switched, and the input terminal 24 is adapted to be directly connected to a negative power supply terminal 60. It will be appreciated that if the input terminal 24 is directly connected to the positive power supply terminal 56, and the configuration switch 48 is configured to 842205 innovation sped 0adopt the second switched condition, the relay coil 26 will be connected between the positive power supply terminal 56 and the positive power supply terminal 36, so that no current flow will occur across the relay coil rendering 0 Z the lamps 18 and 20 inoperative. In this situation, the configuration switch is 5 simply placed in the first switched condition by a user so that the relay coil 26 is connected between the positive power supply terminal 56 and the negative I- power supply terminal 52, thereby causing current to flow across the relay coil 26 and thereby cause operation of the lamps 18 and If the input terminal 24 is directly connected to the negative power 00 0 10 supply terminal 60 whilst the configuration switch placed in the first switched N condition, then the relay coil 26 will be connected between the negative power supply terminal 60 and the negative power supply terminal 52. Current will once again be prevented from flowing through the relay coil 26 and the lamps 18 and 20 will be inoperative. In this situation, the configuration switch 48 can simply be placed in the second switch condition by the user, to thereby connect the relay coil 26 between the negative power supply terminal 60 and the positive power supply terminal 36, thereby causing current to flow through the relay coil 26 and the lamps 18 and 20 to be operative. It can be seen that by simple operation of the configuration switch 48, the wiring loom assembly 10 can conveniently placed in a configuration suitable for use in either positively or negatively switched vehicle wiring systems.

In a further variation 62, the trigger or switching wire includes a positive power supply terminal 64 and a series connected operating switch 66 may be closed by activation of the vehicle ignition system or any other manually or automatically operable switch.

In a still further variation, the trigger or switching wire includes a negative power supply terminal 70 connected in series with an operating switch 72. Operation of the variation 62 and 68 are identical respectively to the variations 54 and 58, with the exception that operation of the lamps 18 and 20 is dependent upon closure of the operating switches 66 and 72. Operating switches 66 and 72 may typically be a vehicle high-beam dip switch or control relay, or alternatively a vehicle ignition switch. It will be appreciated though that 842205 InnovatJon speci 00 the terminal 24 may be connected to any desired switch, device or terminal in other embodiments.

O Figure 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention, in which the Z wiring loom assembly, here referenced 100, includes an activation section 102 connected to the configuration section 14 by means of cooperating male and female electrical members 104. The activation section 102 includes an activation switch 106 and activation circuitry 108 configured so that, when the configuration switch 48 is in the first switched condition, the activation switch 106 is connected in series with the relay coil 26 between the input terminal 24 00 and the negative power supply terminal 52. The activation switch may typically N be an unused existing vehicle switch or alternatively an after-market auxiliary switch supplied, for example, with the wiring loom assembly. It will be appreciated though that any existing or additional switch may form part of the activation section 102 according to the desired operating conditions of the wiring loom assembly.

When the configuration switch 48 is in the second switched condition, the activation circuitry 108 is configured so that the activation switch 106 is connected in series with the relay coil 26 between the input terminal 24 and the positive power supply terminal 36. The activation switch 106 is thus connected in series in the "active" branch of the wiring loom assembly 100. In other words, when the configuration switch 48 is placed in which ever of the first or second switched conditions is required to enable current to flow through the relay coil 26, the activation circuitry 108 is configured so that the activation switch 106 is placed in series to therefore provide an additional switching mechanism that can be used with the existing vehicle trigger or switching wire 22 to control operation of the lamps 18 and Figures 3 depicts an alternative configuration of the activation section 102 shown in Figure 2. In Figure 3, an alternative activation section 120 is depicted which includes a double-throw activation switch 122 and activation circuitry 124 configured so that, when the configuration switch 48 is in the first switched condition, a first contact 126 of the activation switch 122 is connected in series with the relay coil 26 between the input terminal 24 and the negative power supply terminal 52. When the configuration switch 48 is in the second 842205 innovaon speci 0 switched condition, the activation circuitry 124 is configured so that the first Scontact 126 of the activation switch 122 is connected in series with the relay coil 26 between the input terminal 24 and the positive power supply terminal

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Z 36. Accordingly, when the configuration switch 48 is placed in which ever of 5 the first or second switched conditions is required to enable current to flow through the relay coil 26, the activation circuitry 124 is configured so that the 1- first contact 126 of the activation switch 122 is placed in series to therefore provide an additional switching mechanism that can be used with the existing vehicle trigger or switching wire 22 to control operation of the lamps 18 and 00oo The activation circuitry 124 also includes two indicator lights 128 and C 130 respectively for indicating a "powered mode" and a "standby mode" of the wiring loom assembly. When the first contact 126 and second contact 132 of the activation switch 122 are in a first switched condition (as shown in Figure the upper central terminal of the configuration switch 48 is connected to the relay 26 to enable a voltage to be established across the relay 26 (depending upon the condition of the configuration switch 48). In this case, the activation circuitry 124 is configured to connect the "powered" indicator light 128 across the relay 26.

However, when the first contact 126 and second contact 132 of the activation switch 122 are in a second switched condition, the upper central terminal of the configuration switch 48 is disconnected from the relay 26 to prevent current flowing through the relay 26. In this case, the activation circuitry 124 is configured to illuminate the "standby" indicator light 130.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be many variations or modifications of the wiring loom assembly described herein which are within the scope of the present invention.

842205 innovation spea

Claims

1. A wiring loom assembly for fitting lamps to vehicles, the assembly including: Z an enablement section including 5 a control element; an enablement switch that opens and closes under control of the control element; and enablement circuitry connecting the enablement switch in series with one or more of the lamps across an electric potential 00 10 difference, and a configuration section including a configuration switch configured to adopt first and second switched conditions; and configuration circuitry configured so that, when the configuration switch is in the first switched condition, the control element is connected between an input terminal and a negative power supply terminal and, when the configuration switch is in the second switched condition, the control element is connected between an input terminal and a positive power supply terminal.

2. A wiring loom assembly according to claim 1, and further including: an activation section including an activation switch; and activation circuitry configured so that, when the configuration switch is in the first switched condition, the activation switch is connected in series with the control element between the input terminal and the negative power supply terminal and, when the configuration switch is in the second switched condition, the activation switch is connected in series with the control element between the input terminal and the positive power supply terminal.

3. A wiring loom according to claim 2, wherein the activation module further includes: an indicator lamp shunt-connected across the control element. 842205 innovaton sped 11 0 o

4. A wiring loom assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, and further including: a lamp connection section including lamp connection circuitry for O Z connecting the one or more lamps to the enablement section. A wiring loom according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control element is a relay coil. oO 842205 innovtion sped