AU2018232986B2 - Electrical distribution box with stepped face plate - Google Patents
Electrical distribution box with stepped face plate Download PDFInfo
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- AU2018232986B2 AU2018232986B2 AU2018232986A AU2018232986A AU2018232986B2 AU 2018232986 B2 AU2018232986 B2 AU 2018232986B2 AU 2018232986 A AU2018232986 A AU 2018232986A AU 2018232986 A AU2018232986 A AU 2018232986A AU 2018232986 B2 AU2018232986 B2 AU 2018232986B2
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- distribution box
- electrical power
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- connection
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Abstract
This disclosure relates to an electrical distribution box 10 that comprises a housing 12 and a face plate or control panel 14 that has a number of electrical connectors and switches 18 mounted in apertures formed in the metal plate of the control panel 14. The distribution box 10 is mounted to a battery box 20 that houses a 12V motor vehicle battery and, together, the battery box 20 and control box 10 make up a portable power pack 24 that includes built-in circuitry to prevent short-circuits, reverse polarity and overloading of the vehicle alternator. The control panel 14 has a stepped configuration, with a number of operatively upwardly and downwardly facing steps 14.1, 14.2. This allows mounting of the most frequently used electrical items 18 on operatively upwardly facing steps 14.1 of the control panel 14. Figure 3 for publication 18.9 Fig ure 3
Description
ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION BOX WITH STEPPED FACE PLATE
FIELD
[001] This disclosure relates to an electrical distribution box.
[002] In particular, the disclosure relates to an electrical distribution box for use with portable electrical power packs and/or vehicle dual battery systems.
DEFINITION
[003] In the specification the term “comprising” shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term “including” and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term “comprising” such as “comprise” and “comprises”.
BACKGROUND
[004] There are some portable power packs on the market. In the main, these power packs are used with vehicles, particularly 4x4 vehicles, trailers, caravans and boats.
[005] One example of such a product is a portable power pack manufactured and sold by the applicant that, typically, are used in vehicles that cannot accommodate a second battery in the engine compartment. The power pack is an assembly of a motor vehicle battery housed within a portable battery box, complete with built-in battery monitors that feature low-battery and over-charge warnings. The assembly includes input power couplers, all the necessary cables, power fuses and an automatic split-charger and isolator, across which the power pack is connected to the vehicle electrical system. The power pack also includes fused accessory plugs that can be used for low-power accessories such as refrigerators, pumps, compressors, lights and other 12-volt
2018232986 21 May 2020 electronic devices. The pock might also include high-current input-outputs that can be used for higher power requirements such as inverters or battery chargers. The built-in split-charge isolator is fully automatic and does not require additional hardware in the vehicle.
[006] Portable power packs such as this have numerous electrical connections and connectors, as well as switches and monitors. In products available on the market, these connectors, connections, switches and monitors are either housed along the sides of the battery box or, in some instances, within the box. In some instances where power packs such as this are used, these power packs may be packed or located in areas of the vehicle that are relatively inaccessible, which renders the connectors, connections, switches and monitors likewise inaccessible.
[007] The reference to prior art in the background above is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or in any other country.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[008] Applicant has recognized it would be beneficial if at least one shortcoming discussed above in the background could be ameliorated to some extent.
[009] The disclosure provides an electrical distribution box comprising an electrical power input configured for connection to a vehicle electrical power supply system, an electrical power output configured for connection to a plurality of electrical power storage cells and a control panel including mounting means configured to mount electrical connectors and electrical switches in or on the control panel, the control panel having a stepped configuration and a number of the mounting means being located on operatively upwardly facing
2018232986 21 May 2020 steps of the control panel.
[0010] The distribution box electrical power input may conveniently comprise, in addition to a vehicle electrical power supply input, one or more additional electrical power supply inputs.
[0011] The additional electrical power supply inputs may comprise a mains electrical power input, the distribution box including means to rectify the alternating current mains input to direct current.
[0012] In this form of the disclosure, the distribution box preferably includes a suitable AC/DC converter.
[0013] The distribution box electrical power input may include, in addition to the vehicle electrical power supply and alternating current mains electrical power inputs, a renewable energy power source input.
[0014] A further additional electrical power supply input may be provided for connection to an electrical power supply constituted by a renewable energy power source, including one or more of a photovoltaic panel, a wind turbine or a similar renewable power supply source.
[0015] The electrical distribution box may comprise at least one electrical power output that is configured for connection to an electrical power storage cell.
[0016] The distribution box may comprise electrical power outputs configured for connection to electrical power storage cells constituted by electrochemical cells or batteries.
[0017] The portable power packs available on the market are typically used in 4x4 vehicles, trailers, caravans and boats in which the power pack is used to control a dual battery system.
2018232986 21 May 2020
[0018] In the preferred form of the disclosure, therefore, the distribution box comprises electrical power outputs configured for connection to the batteries in a dual battery system.
[0019] In another preferred form of the disclosure, the electrical distribution box may be configured for installation and use in a vehicle with a dual battery system and may comprise electrical power outputs configured for connection to the batteries in the dual battery system and the electrical distribution box including programmable logic means programmed to control the dual battery system.
[0020] According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a distribution box of the type comprising a plurality of electrical inputs and outputs that include at least one input configured for connection to an electrical power supply and a plurality of outputs each configured for connection to at least one of a multiplicity of electrical loads, the inputs and outputs being configured for concurrent connection, in use, to the respective input electrical supplies and output electrical loads; the at least one electrical power input being configured for connection to an input electrical supply constituted by a vehicle electrical power supply system, at least one electrical power output being configured for connection to an output electrical supply constituted by a plurality of electrical power storage cells, the inputs and outputs being configured for concurrent connection, in use, to the vehicle electrical power supply and the electrical power storage cells, respectively, a control panel having a stepped configuration in which the angles between adjacent steps are at least right angles, thereby to define a plurality of operatively upwardly facing steps interposed between a plurality of operatively downwardly facing steps and the control panel including mounting means configured to mount electrical connectors and electrical switches in or on the control panel, on at least one of the operatively upwardly facing steps of the control panel.
[0021]
According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a
2018232986 21 May 2020 vehicle dual battery system comprising an electrical distribution box as described in any preceding aspect of the disclosure defined above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The disclosure will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic exploded isometric view of an electrical power distribution box, according to the disclosure, for use in conjunction with a portable power pack;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic isometric view of the distribution box of Figure 1; and
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the distribution box of Figures 1 and 2 mounted on the battery box of a portable power pack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The electrical distribution box of the disclosure will be described with reference to a portable electrical power pack as a specific, non-limiting example of a particular implementation of the invention.
[0024] The applicant manufactures and sells a range of portable power packs under the trade mark NATIONAL LUNA, for use in vehicles that cannot accommodate a second battery in the engine compartment or where the vehicle owner prefers to have a portable power pack instead of a dual battery system permanently mounted in the vehicle.
[0025] A NATIONAL LUNA power pack typically consists of a 12V motor vehicle battery housed within a portable battery box with an electrical distribution box mounted on one side of the battery box. The distribution box includes input power couplers, electrical switchgear and overcharge and overload fuses and
2018232986 21 May 2020 circuit breakers that are accessible from a side-facing control panel. The power pack includes an automatic split-charger and isolator by means of which the power pack is connected to the vehicle electrical system.
[0026] The electrical distribution box 10 illustrated in the drawings comprises a housing 12 and a face plate or control panel 14 configured to house electrical connectors and electrical switches.
[0027] The control panel 14 includes mounting means configured to mount electrical connectors and electrical switches in or on the control panel 14. The mounting means illustrated in the drawings are constituted by pierced apertures 16 formed in the metal plate of the control panel 14. The apertures 16 take on a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the electrical connectors, switches and other electrical items 18 to be mounted in the apertures 16.
[0028] As illustrated in Figure 3, the distribution box 10 is configured for mounting against the short side of a battery box 20 that includes a battery compartment 20.1 for a 12V motor vehicle battery (not shown) and a slide lock lid 20.2 to close the battery compartment 20.1.
[0029] Together, the battery box 20 and control box 10 make up a portable power pack 24. As with existing power packs, the power pack 24 includes builtin circuitry to prevent short-circuits, reverse polarity and overloading of the vehicle alternator.
[0030] The control panel 14 has a stepped configuration, with a number of operatively upwardly facing steps 14.1 and a number of operatively downwardly facing steps 14.2.
[0031] Whilst some of the apertures 16 (mounting means) are located on operatively downwardly facing steps 14.2 of the control panel 14, the mounting apertures 16 for the most frequently used electrical items 18 are located on operatively upwardly facing steps 14.1 of the control panel 14.
2018232986 21 May 2020
[0032] Less frequently used electrical items are mounted (in mounting apertures 16) on operatively downwardly facing steps 14.2 of the control panel 14. These items include a charge input plug 18.1 and high-current outputs that can be used to plug any electrical appliances with higher power requirements such as inverters or battery chargers, including 50A power outputs 18.2.
[0033] The power pack 24 also includes fused accessory plugs that can be used for low-power accessories such as refrigerators, pumps, compressors, lights and other 12-volt devices. Since these items are more frequently used, these items are mounted (in the mounting apertures 16) on operatively upwardly facing steps 14.1 of the control panel 14. These items include HELLA™ plugs 18.4, a cigar plug 18.5 and a USB power plug 18.6, as well as a digital voltage indicator 18.7.
[0034] The accessory plugs 18.4, 18.5, 18.6 are fuse-protected by output fuses 18.3 that are connected in line with the power outputs 18.4, 18.5, 18.6.
[0035] Besides locating the more frequently used accessory plugs 18.4, 18.5, 18.6 on upwardly facing steps 14.2, the stepped configuration of the control panel face plate accommodates the relatively bulky male plugs required to fit into the charge input plug 18.1 and the high-current outputs (50A power outputs) 18.2 without protruding into the space around the power pack 24.
[0036] Figure 3 illustrates a power pack 24 that includes only one of each of the power outputs described above. However, the control panel 14 includes additional mounting apertures 16 for additional power outputs which, in Figure 3, are shown closed by means of plastic blanking plugs 18.8.
[0037] As with conventional power packs, the power pack 24 includes an automatic split-charger and isolator (not shown) by means of which the power pack 24 is connected to the vehicle electrical system. The built-in split-charge isolator is fully automatic and does not require additional hardware in the
2018232986 21 May 2020 vehicle.
[0038] The power pock 24 includes a battery charger plug 18.9 by means of which a mains-connected battery charger can be plugged into the power pack 24 to charge the battery in the battery box 20, preferably by means of a dedicated plug on the battery charger (not shown) that is configured to mate with the dedicated battery charger plug 18.9.
[0039] In this specification, the term “operatively” is intended, regardless of actual orientation of the distribution box 10, to describe the surface or side of the distribution box 10 that is intended to be the upper-, lower- or side surfaces of the box 10 when the box 10 and the battery box, in use or in operation, are resting, on the lower surface of the battery box on a horizontal plane.
[0040] In addition, and when used in this specification, the terms “up” or “down” (and related terms) are not intended to restrict the orientation of the distribution box 10, the control panel 14 or the battery box to an absolute orientation. These terms are used figuratively and refer to the distribution box 10, the control panel 14 and the battery box, in use, in relation to a notional horizontal working plane and assuming a notional horizontal working orientation of the distribution box 10 and battery box, so that “up” and “down” are up and down, respectively, relative to the notional horizontal working plane. In the event that a working plane or orientation other than horizontal is contemplated, the orientation implied by these terms must be adjusted accordingly.
Claims (9)
1. An electrical distribution box of the type comprising a plurality of electrical inputs and outputs that include at least one input configured for connection to an electrical power supply and a plurality of outputs each configured for connection to at least one of a multiplicity of electrical loads, the inputs and outputs being configured for concurrent connection, in use, to the respective input electrical supplies and output electrical loads:
the at least one electrical power input being configured for connection to an input electrical supply constituted by a vehicle electrical power supply system;
the at least one electrical power output being configured for connection to an output electrical supply constituted by a plurality of electrical power storage cells;
the inputs and outputs being configured for concurrent connection, in use, to the vehicle electrical power supply and the electrical power storage cells, respectively:
a control panel having a stepped configuration in which the angles between adjacent steps are at least right angles, thereby to define a plurality of operatively upwardly facing steps interposed between a plurality of operatively downwardly facing steps; and the control panel including mounting means configured to mount electrical connectors and electrical switches in or on the control panel, on at least one of the upwardly facing steps of the control panel.
2. The electrical distribution box of claim 1, in which the distribution box electrical power input comprises, in addition to the vehicle electrical power supply input, an alternating current mains electrical power input, the ίο
2018232986 21 May 2020 distribution box including means to convert the alternating current mains input to direct current.
3. The electrical distribution box of claim 2, in which the means to convert the alternating current mains input to direct current is an AC-to-DC converter.
4. The electrical distribution box of either of claim 2 or claim 3, in which the distribution box electrical power input comprises, in addition to the vehicle electrical power supply and alternating current mains electrical power inputs, a renewable energy power source input.
5. The electrical distribution box of claim 4, in which the renewable energy power source input is configured for connection to one or more of a photovoltaic panel and/or a wind turbine.
6. The electrical distribution box of any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one electrical power output that is configured for connection to an electrical power storage cell.
7. The electrical distribution box of claim 6, in which the electrical power output is configured for connection to an electrical power storage cell constituted by an electrochemical cell.
8. The electrical distribution box of any one of the preceding claims, configured for installation and use in a vehicle with a dual battery system, the electrical distribution box comprising electrical power outputs configured for connection to the batteries in the dual battery system and the electrical distribution box including programmable logic means programmed to control the dual battery system.
9. A vehicle dual battery system comprising an electrical distribution box
2018232986 21 May 2020 according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA201706341 | 2017-09-20 | ||
| ZA2017/06341 | 2017-09-20 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2018232986A1 AU2018232986A1 (en) | 2019-04-04 |
| AU2018232986B2 true AU2018232986B2 (en) | 2020-06-25 |
Family
ID=65908639
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2018232986A Active AU2018232986B2 (en) | 2017-09-20 | 2018-09-20 | Electrical distribution box with stepped face plate |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2018232986B2 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA201806290B (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2909053B1 (en) | 2012-10-19 | 2019-09-25 | Agility Fuel Systems LLC | System and method for mounting a fuel system |
| AU2019325602B2 (en) | 2018-08-24 | 2022-06-30 | Hexagon Purus North America Holdings Inc. | Battery system for heavy duty vehicles |
| BR112021020928A2 (en) | 2019-04-19 | 2022-01-25 | Hexagon Purus North America Holdings Inc | Electric front end accessory device set |
| PE20220267A1 (en) | 2019-04-19 | 2022-02-23 | Hexagon Purus North America Holdings Inc | ELECTRIC MOTOR PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR HEAVY VEHICLES |
| EP4041589A4 (en) | 2019-11-26 | 2023-11-08 | Hexagon Purus North America Holdings Inc. | Electric vehicle power distribution and drive control modules |
| US11926207B2 (en) | 2020-10-09 | 2024-03-12 | Hexagon Purus North America Holdings Inc. | Battery and auxiliary components for vehicle trailer |
| WO2022125929A1 (en) | 2020-12-11 | 2022-06-16 | Hexagon Purus North America Holdings Inc. | Trailer hookup breakaway mitigation systems and methods |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5077513A (en) * | 1990-10-30 | 1991-12-31 | Century Mfg. Co. | Portable battery power source |
| US20020041174A1 (en) * | 2000-10-10 | 2002-04-11 | Bruce Purkey | Apparatus for providing supplemental power to an electrical system and related methods |
| US20080265586A1 (en) * | 2007-04-27 | 2008-10-30 | Nathan Like | Energy storage device |
| US20160149177A1 (en) * | 2013-07-02 | 2016-05-26 | Sony Corporation | Power storage device, power storage system, electronic apparatus, electric vehicle, and electric power system |
-
2018
- 2018-09-19 ZA ZA2018/06290A patent/ZA201806290B/en unknown
- 2018-09-20 AU AU2018232986A patent/AU2018232986B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5077513A (en) * | 1990-10-30 | 1991-12-31 | Century Mfg. Co. | Portable battery power source |
| US20020041174A1 (en) * | 2000-10-10 | 2002-04-11 | Bruce Purkey | Apparatus for providing supplemental power to an electrical system and related methods |
| US20080265586A1 (en) * | 2007-04-27 | 2008-10-30 | Nathan Like | Energy storage device |
| US20160149177A1 (en) * | 2013-07-02 | 2016-05-26 | Sony Corporation | Power storage device, power storage system, electronic apparatus, electric vehicle, and electric power system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2018232986A1 (en) | 2019-04-04 |
| ZA201806290B (en) | 2019-06-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| TH | Corrigenda |
Free format text: IN VOL 32 , NO 38 , PAGE(S) 5291 UNDER THE HEADING COMPLETE APPLICATIONS FILED - NAME INDEX UNDER THE NAME SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLATION AND EQUIPMENT SUPPLIES (PTY) LTD T/AS NATIONAL LUMA, APPLICATION NO. 2018232986, UNDER INID (71) CORRECT THE APPLICANT NAME TO SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLATION AND EQUIPMENT SUPPLIES (PTY) LTD |
|
| FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) |