AU2014100780A4 - Trailer Wiring Loom - Google Patents

Abstract

WIRING LOOM Abstract A trailed vehicle electrical wiring loom for attachment to a trailed vehicle is described. The wiring loom includes a main cable portion including a plurality of main electrical wires, the main cable portion at a proximal end being electrically connected to a main electrical connector configured to cooperate with a cooperating main electrical connector on a main extension cable; and a plurality of branch cable portions disposed at a distal end of the main cable portion and extending therefrom, each one of the plurality of branch cable portions including a plurality of branch electrical wires electrically connected to at least some of the plurality of the main electrical wires in the main cable portion, each one of the plurality of branch cable portions at a distal end thereof being electrically connected to a branch electrical connector configured to cooperate with an electrical connector on an electrical lamp. 2!44 N'ur

Description

1 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 Ark Corporation Pty Ltd COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: Wiring loom The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method known of performing the invention: 2 WIRING LOOM Technical Field [001] The present invention relates generally to an electrical wiring loom for connecting electrical services to trailed vehicles. Trailed vehicles include caravans, various kinds of trailers including box trailers, boat trailers, cage trailers and other kinds of trailer. Background [002] Known wiring looms comprise electrical wires that are configured to extend from a coupling end at a proximal extremity to one or more distal extremities to connect electrical services such as indicator lights, brake lights, and other illuminators such as registration plate lights. The known systems are individually designed and cut to length to suit the dimensions of a particular trailed vehicle, which increases inventory and cost when a range of trailed vehicles and trailers are to be accommodated. Wires in cables of known looms are individually attached to electrical devices such as lights, which requires tools and increases cost and assembly time because of the cumbersome nature of wiring connection. [003] The present inventor has developed a new wiring loom. Disclosure of Invention [004] In one aspect, the present invention provides a trailed vehicle electrical wiring loom for attachment to a trailed vehicle, the wiring loom including: a main cable portion including a plurality of main electrical wires, the main cable portion at a proximal end being electrically connected to a main electrical connector configured to cooperate with a cooperating main electrical connector on a main extension cable; a plurality of branch cable portions disposed at a distal end of the main cable portion and extending therefrom, each one of the plurality of branch cable portions including a plurality of branch electrical wires electrically connected to at least some of the plurality of the main electrical wires in the main cable portion, each one of the plurality of branch cable portions at a distal end thereof being electrically connected to a branch electrical connector configured to cooperate with an electrical connector on an electrical component.

3 [005] In one embodiment the electrical component is selected from the group consisting of: a tail lamp; a registration plate illuminator; an indicator lamp; a brake lamp; an illuminator. [006] In one embodiment the branch electrical connector is either a branch electrical plug or a branch electrical socket. [007] In one embodiment the plurality of main electrical wires include five wires, each individually sheathed in electrical insulation so that they extend along the main cable portion from the proximal to the distal end without shorting across to one another over that length. [008] In other embodiments the plurality of main electrical wires include 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or20 electrical wires, although any pluralityof wires would be suitable. [009] In one embodiment each one of the plurality of branch cable portions includes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 branch electrical wires, but any plurality of branch electrical wires would be suitable. In one embodiment the branch cable portion includes 4 wires configured to connect to a tail lamp disposed at one rear corner of a trailed vehicle. In one embodiment the branch cable portion includes 2 wires configured to connect to a registration plate illumination lamp disposed at a rear of a trailed vehicle. [010] In one embodiment there are two branch cable portions of a first kind connected to the main cable portion, each branch cable portion of the first kind including 4 wires, the branch cable portions configured to connect to a tail lamp disposed at a rear of the trailed vehicle. [011] In one embodiment the branch electrical connector is a four-pin connector to correspond with a four-wire branch cable portion, the four-pin connector including connector pins disposed in a square arrangement when viewed from the plug end. [012] In one embodiment the branch electrical connector is a two-pin connector to correspond with a two-wire branch cable portion. [013] In one embodiment the main electrical connector at the proximal end is a plug or a socket. In one embodiment the main electrical connector at the proximal end is a plug. In one embodiment, the main electrical plug is in the form of a 5-pin plug. [014] In one embodiment the wherein a second type of branch cable portion is provided and includes 2 wires and is configured to connect to a registration plate lamp disposed at a rear end of the trailed vehicle 4 [015] In one embodiment the main extension cable includes a socket at a distal end and a plug at a proximal end for connecting to a cooperating vehicle connector on a towing vehicle. In one embodiment the main extension cable includes a plurality of electrical wires. In one embodiment the main extension lead includes 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 electrical wires, although any plurality of wires may be acceptable, to correspond with or cooperate with the main cable portion. [016] In one embodiment the main electrical plug is in the form of a 7-pin round plug. In one embodiment the first electrical plug is in the form of a 5-pin round plug. In other embodiments the first electrical plug is in the form of any suitable multi-pin plug. [017] In one embodiment the main extension cable includes a 7-pin round plug disposed at its proximal end. In one embodiment the main extension cable includes a 7-pin flat plug disposed at its proximal end. In one embodiment the main extension cable includes a 5-pin round plug disposed at its proximal end, the type of plug suitable for cooperating with a vehicle electrical socket. [018] In one embodiment there is provided a branch extension cable. In one embodiment each one of the plurality of branch cable portions includes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 branch electrical wires, but any suitable plurality of branch electrical wires would be suitable. [019] In one embodiment the main electrical connector and the branch electrical connector include a sheath to inhibit dust and water from entry to the connector to inhibit electrical shorting between pins. In one embodiment the sheath includes a threaded closure adjacent a connecting end of the connector. In one embodiment the sheath is a resilient compound such as nitrile rubber or like material to facilitate sealing at either end of the connector. [020] In one embodiment the main and branch electrical connectors include a locator to align cooperating portions of the connector. In one embodiment the locator is a key in one connector element and a cooperating keyway in the other connector element. [021] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a wiring loom kit which includes: a wiring loom comprising a main cable portion including a plurality of main electrical wires, the main cable portion at a proximal end being electrically connected to a main electrical connector configured to cooperate with a main electrical connector on a main extension cable; and a plurality of branch cable portions disposed at a distal end of the main cable portion, each one of the plurality of branch cable portions including a plurality of 5 branch electrical wires electrically connected to at least some of the plurality of the main electrical wires in the main cable portion, each one of the branch cable portions at a distal end thereof being electrically connected to a branch electrical connector configured to cooperate with an electrical connector on an electrical component; and a main extension cable including a cooperating main electrical connector at a distal end and a vehicle connector plug at a proximal end. [022] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. [023] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this specification. [024] In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments will be described with reference to the following Figures. Brief Description of the Figures [025] Figure 1 is a plan view of a wiring loom and wiring loom kit in accordance with one embodiment and one aspect of the present invention, the Figure including end views of plugs and sockets disposed at extremities of main and branch cables portions; [026] Figure 2 is a plan view of a wiring loom and wiring loom kit in accordance with one embodiment and one aspect of the present invention, the Figure also showing end views of plugs and sockets disposed at extremities of main and branch cable portions; and [027] Figure 3 shows a side elevation view of a cable end of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and end and side elevation views of a plug for use with the preferred embodiments. Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention [028] Referring to the Figures there is shown an electrical wiring loom for attachment to a trailed vehicle, the wiring loom generally indicated at 10.

6 [029] The wiring loom 10 includes a main cable portion 12 including a plurality of main electrical wires (not shown) extending therealong inside the main cable portion 12 and the main cable portion 12 at a proximal end 14 is electrically connected to a main electrical connector 16, itself configured to cooperate with a cooperating main electrical connector 18 on a main extension cable 20. [030] A plurality of branch cable portions 21, 22, 23 are disposed at a distal end 24 of the main cable portion 12, each one of the plurality of branch cable portions 21, 22, 23 including a plurality of branch electrical wires (not shown) extending therealong inside the branch cable portion 21, 22, 23 and electrically connected to at least some of the plurality of the main electrical wires in the main cable portion 12. [031] Each one of the plurality of branch cable portions 21, 22, 23 at a distal end 26 thereof is electrically connected to a branch electrical connector 28 which is configured to cooperate with a cooperating electrical connector 30 on an electrical component (not shown) which in preferred embodiments is a tail light, an indicator light, a tail light assembly, a registration plate light, or side illumination lights. Usually these lamps are LEDs, but they could be incandescent lamps or halogen, or other suitable lamps. They could equally be intermittent lamps, brake lamps or sound emitters. [032] The connection between each one of the plurality of branch cable portions 21, 22, 23 and the main cable portion 12 is a fixed connection, such as a junction 21, and not intended to be releasable. [033] The branch electrical connector 28 is a branch electrical plug 29 and the branch electrical connector on the electrical component is an electrical socket 31. [034] The main electrical cable includes five wires, each individually sheathed in electrical insulation so that they extend along the main cable portion from the proximal to the distal end without shorting across to one another over that length. The plurality of main electrical wires may include 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 electrical wires, although any plurality of wires may be acceptable. [035] The main electrical connector 16 may be in the form of a 7-pin flat plug or a 7-pin round plug or a 5-pin round plug. In other embodiments the first electrical plug is in the form of any suitable multi-pin plug. [036] Each one of the plurality of branch cable portions may include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 branch electrical wires, but any suitable plurality of branch electrical wires would be suitable. The branch cable portions 21, 23 in the Figures includes 4 wires configured to connect to a tail lamp disposed at one rear corner of the 7 trailed vehicle. One branch cable portion 22 includes 2 wires configured to connect to a registration plate illumination lamp disposed at a rear of a trailed vehicle. [037] The branch electrical connector 28 is a four-pin plug 29 to correspond with the four wire branch cable portion, the four-pin plug including terminal pins disposed in a square arrangement when viewed from the plug end as shown in the Figures. [038] The branch electrical connector 129 is a two-pin connector to correspond with a two wire branch cable portion 22. [039] The main electrical connector 16 at the proximal end 14 is a plug 17. [040] The main extension cable 20 includes a socket 19 at a distal end and a plug 9 at a proximal end 18 for connecting to a cooperating vehicle connector (not shown) on a towing vehicle (not shown). The main extension cable 20 includes a plurality of electrical wires. The main extension lead may include 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11, 12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19 or 20 electrical wires, although any plurality of wires may be acceptable, to correspond with or cooperate with the main cable portion 12. [041] There is provided a branch extension cable (not shown). Each one of the plurality of branch cable portions may include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 branch electrical wires, but any suitable plurality of branch electrical wires would be suitable. The branch extension cables include plugs and sockets at their ends as hereindescribed. [042] The main electrical connector 16 and the branch electrical connectors 129, 29, and indeed all example embodiments of connectors shown in the Figures include a sheath 50 to inhibit dust and water from entry to respective connectors 16,129, 29 to inhibit electrical shorting between pins. [043] The sheath 50 includes a threaded fastener 52 adjacent a connecting end of the connector. [044] The sheath 50 comprises a resilient compound 54 a resilient compound such as nitrile rubber or like material to facilitate sealing at either end of the connector. [045] The connectors 16, 129, 29, include a locator 56 to align cooperating portions of the connector. The locator 56 is a key 58 in one connector element and a cooperating keyway 59 in the other connector element. [046] A wiring loom kit is shown in the drawings which includes a wiring loom 10 as abovedescribed and the main extension cable 20.

8 [047] In operation preferred embodiments of the wiring loom provide a simple plug- and unplug environment for connection of electrical services to various electrical devices on a trailed vehicle. Preferred embodiments of the wiring loom reduces assembly times and alleviates the need for tools and reduces cumbersome and costly assemblies. [048] Advantageously preferred embodiments of the present invention facilitate fast replacement of damaged parts and looms on existing trailers. The preferred embodiments of the present invention obviate the need for a company or person to buy their own individual components and assemble them, or to cut and measure those components. The invention is "Plug and play" in that it works straight away and the parts are connected without tools and only with hands to connect the component parts together. A kit may be purchased off the shelf, which includes a basic loom and some extension cables. The wires don't have to be cut and stripped, and the preferred embodiments facilitate the provision of a quick and easy way to wire up a trailer, since the loom includes connectors that are crimped and pre-assembled, and kits of various lengths may be provided for OEMs, say, for 4 different trailers.

Claims (5)

1. A trailer electrical wiring loom for attachment to a trailer, the trailer wiring loom including: a main cable portion including a plurality of main electrical wires, the main cable portion at a proximal end being electrically connected to a main electrical connector configured to cooperate with a cooperating main electrical connector on a main extension cable; a plurality of branch cable portions disposed at a distal end of the main cable portion and extending therefrom, each one of the plurality of branch cable portions including a plurality of branch electrical wires electrically connected to at least some of the plurality of the main electrical wires in the main cable portion, each one of the plurality of branch cable portions at a distal end thereof being electrically connected to a branch electrical connector configured to cooperate with an electrical connector on an electrical lamp.

2. The trailer wiring loom of claim 1 wherein the main cable portion includes 5 wires and there are two branch cable portions of a first kind, each branch cable portion of the first kind including 4 wires, the branch cable portions configured to connect to a tail lamp disposed at a rear of the trailed vehicle.

3. The trailer wiring loom of claim 2 wherein a second type of branch cable portion is provided and includes 2 wires and is configured to connect to a registration plate lamp disposed at a rear end of the trailed vehicle.

4. The trailer wiring loom of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the main electrical connector and the branch electrical connector include a sheath to inhibit dust and water from entry to the connector to inhibit electrical shorting between pins, the sheath constructed from a resilient compound to facilitate sealing and further including a threaded fastener adjacent a connecting end of the connector for cooperating with a fastener on the connector on the electrical lamp.

5. A wiring loom kit which includes: a wiring loom comprising a main cable portion including a plurality of main electrical wires, the main cable portion at a proximal end being electrically connected to a main electrical connector configured to cooperate with a main electrical connector on a main extension cable; and a plurality of branch cable portions disposed at a distal end of the main cable portion, each one of the plurality of branch cable portions including a plurality 10 of branch electrical wires electrically connected to at least some of the plurality of the main electrical wires in the main cable portion, each one of the branch cable portions at a distal end thereof being electrically connected to a branch electrical connector configured to cooperate with an electrical connector on an electrical component; and a main extension cable including a cooperating main electrical connector at a distal end and a vehicle connector plug at a proximal end.