CN115335875A

CN115335875A - Integrated electrical enclosure

Info

Publication number: CN115335875A
Application number: CN202180022634.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·普拉卡萨姆苏雷什; K·森提纳坦; D·拉贾拉姆萨加拉; B·雷恩加尔简
Original assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-27
Filing date: 2021-03-26
Publication date: 2022-11-11
Also published as: EP4128172A4; BR112022019507A2; EP4128172A1; WO2021191931A1

Abstract

An integrated electrical enclosure for a vehicle is disclosed. The integrated electrical enclosure (100) has a housing (110), the housing (110) having a first chamber (110 a) for receiving a diagnostic port (120) and a second chamber (110 b) for receiving a low voltage power outlet (130). Thus, the first chamber (110 a) has a first opening (112 a) for receiving a diagnostic adapter connectable to the diagnostic port (120). Further, the second chamber (110 b) has: a first inlet (114 a) for receiving a plug connectable to a low voltage power outlet (130); and a second inlet (114 b) for receiving at least one pair of electrical wires from the vehicle wiring system (400) and connected to the low voltage receptacle (120).

Description

Integrated electrical enclosure

Technical Field

The invention relates to an integrated electrical enclosure for a diagnostic port and a low-voltage power outlet of a vehicle

Background

Vehicles such as two-wheelers, light trucks, etc. often include on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems provided by the respective manufacturers. These diagnostic systems monitor various parameters that affect the overall function of the vehicle and generate data for further processing.

Generally, OBD systems have an onboard network of sensors that monitor the vehicle's electrical, mechanical, and exhaust systems and in response generate data that is processed by the vehicle control unit. The data is used, for example, to detect a malfunction or deterioration in vehicle performance.

Thus, OBD systems include standardized connectors, referred to as "OBD connectors," which provide access to data processed by the control unit. In this regard, the OBD connector is connected to a part-side connector that is further connected to the vehicle wiring system. The vehicle wiring system allows data communication from the control unit to the OBD connector. A conventional scanning tool may be inserted into the OBD connector to retrieve diagnostic data from the control unit of the vehicle.

The OBD connector is typically positioned near the engine of the vehicle. As such, ready accessibility of OBD connectors during maintenance procedures is a continuing concern. Further, replacement and repair of OBD connectors requires disassembly of multiple parts of the vehicle to gain access. Vehicles equipped with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) systems require frequent diagnostics to correct any fault codes that may be present. Typically, such data is stored in an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle. However, direct access to the ECU is not always possible and preferred, which makes the positioning of the OBD connector in the vehicle layout critical. In addition, the OBD connector should be positioned to prevent the ingress of foreign particles (e.g., dust, moisture, water, contaminants, etc.).

Further, the development of technology has multiplied the number of electronic products that people use at one time. In the modern times, vehicle users are likely to use a variety of electronic products, such as mobile phones, electronic watches, tablet computers, electronic book readers, and the like. Since such devices operate on electricity, frequent charging is required. Accordingly, vehicle manufacturers are beginning to provide USB chargers on vehicles for users to charge their products/devices. A typical USB charging device is mounted separately on a vehicle and connected to a part-side connector. The part-side connector is further connected to a vehicle wiring system to obtain a power supply and supply power to the USB charging device.

In view of the above, adding another port to the vehicle would incur additional wiring from the vehicle's main wiring system. This would also require a further part side connector to facilitate the connection of the ports. In addition, the additional ports also require additional mounting structures, thereby increasing manufacturing costs, assembly time, and the like.

Therefore, there is a need in the art to address at least the above-mentioned problems.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides, in one aspect, an integrated electrical enclosure. The integrated electrical enclosure has a housing with a first chamber for receiving the diagnostic port and a second chamber for receiving the low voltage power outlet.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first chamber has a first opening for receiving a diagnostic adapter connectable to the diagnostic port and a second opening for receiving a multi-wire cable from the vehicle wiring system and connected to the diagnostic port.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the second chamber has: a first inlet for receiving a plug connectable to a low voltage power outlet; and a second inlet for receiving at least one pair of wires from the vehicle wiring system and connected to the low voltage receptacle.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a low voltage power outlet receives a pair of wires from a multi-wire cable. Further, the low-voltage power supply socket has a USB port having a step-down converter connected to the pair of wires, and a USB socket connected to the step-down converter and connectable to the plug.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second chamber is configured to accommodate a USB socket and a buck converter.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the multi-wire cable has a plurality of wires, each wire having a first end connected to the diagnostic port and a second end connected to a part-side connector that is connected to the vehicle wiring system.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises a selectively openable and closable protective cap for the first opening of the first chamber. In another embodiment, the housing comprises a selectively openable and closable protective cap for the first opening of the second chamber.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a vehicle having a front end, a rear end, and a vehicle wiring system extending between the front end and the rear end. The vehicle has an integrated electrical enclosure. The housing has a housing, and the housing has a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is configured to receive a diagnostic port and has a first opening that receives a diagnostic adapter connectable to the diagnostic port and a second opening that receives a multi-wire cable from a vehicle wiring system and connected to the diagnostic port. The second chamber is configured to receive a low voltage power outlet and has a first inlet for receiving a plug connectable to the low voltage power outlet and a second inlet for receiving at least one pair of wires from the vehicle wiring system and connected to the low voltage outlet.

In an embodiment of the invention, the housing is positioned in a tool box of a vehicle, or in a glove box of a vehicle, or in a speedometer housing of a vehicle, or on a body below a handle of a vehicle.

Drawings

Reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are illustrative and not restrictive. While the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle body of a saddle-type two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2a illustrates the positioning of an integrated electrical enclosure inside a tool box of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2b shows the positioning of the housing under the handle of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2c shows the positioning of an integrated electrical enclosure inside a glove box of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2d illustrates the positioning of an integrated electrical enclosure inside a speedometer housing of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of an integrated electrical enclosure according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 shows an assembly view of an integrated electrical enclosure according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of wiring connected to an integrated electrical enclosure of a vehicle wiring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of wiring connected to an integrated electrical enclosure of a vehicle wiring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

An integrated electrical enclosure for a diagnostic port and a low voltage power outlet of a vehicle is disclosed.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a saddle type vehicle 500. The vehicle 500 is a two-wheeled motor vehicle on which two persons sit. The vehicle 500 has a front end 200 and a rear end 300, and the wiring system (not shown in fig. 1) of the vehicle 500 extends between the front end 200 and the rear end 300. The vehicle 500 has a floor 540 that serves as a rider's foot pedal. On the rear end 300, the vehicle 500 has rear tail lights 530. As shown in fig. 1 and 2b, in an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle 500 has an integrated electrical enclosure 100 positioned on the rear side of a front cover 510 of the vehicle 500, typically under the handle (not shown) of the vehicle 500. In various embodiments of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 2a, 2c and 2d, the housing 100 is positioned in a tool box of the vehicle 500, or in a glove box of the vehicle 500, or on a speedometer housing of the vehicle 500.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the integrated electrical enclosure 100 has a housing 110. Housing 110 is configured to receive diagnostic port 120 and low voltage power receptacle 130. In this regard, the housing has a first chamber 110a configured to receive the diagnostic port 120 and a second chamber 110b configured to receive the low voltage power outlet 130. The first and

second chambers

110a and 110b are configured according to respective forms of components accommodated in each chamber. Thus, the components housed in the housing 110 are located entirely inside the respective chambers of the housing 110. Therefore, as shown in fig. 3, 4 and 6, the external forms of the first and

second chambers

110a and 110b are also different from each other.

The diagnostic port 120 accommodated in the first chamber 110a of the housing 110 is connected to a control unit of the vehicle 500 through a vehicle wiring system 400. The control unit monitors various performance parameters of the vehicle and provides relevant data to the diagnostic port 120 through the vehicle wiring system 400. In this regard, diagnostic port 130 is connected to vehicle wiring system 400 by multi-wire cable 160. Thus, the first chamber 110a has a first opening 112a and a second opening (not shown). First opening 112a receives a diagnostic adapter that is connectable to diagnostic port 120 and the second opening receives multi-wire cable 160 from vehicle wiring system 400.

Typically, and as shown in fig. 5, a main wiring network (referred to as a vehicle wiring system 400) comprising bundled multi-wire cables extends from the front end 200 of the vehicle 500 to the rear end 300 of the vehicle 500. Then, the vehicle wiring system 400 of the wire harness is branched as desired, i.e., a plurality of electric wires from the vehicle wiring system 400 are branched, and further the wire harness is wired and connected to various components of the vehicle 500. In an embodiment of the invention, the wire branching from the vehicle wiring system is a multi-wire cable. Thus, the branched main wiring 400 is connected to the wiring side connector 410. Generally, a vehicle has a plurality of wiring-side connectors. Thus, the wiring side connector 410 is essentially a set of a plurality of ports. The various components of the vehicle 500 are thus connected to these ports of the wiring-side connector 410 by their respective part-side connectors so as to be connected to the main wiring 400. Thus, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, the first end 160a of the multi-wire cable 160 is connected to the diagnostic port 120 and the second end 160b of the multi-wire cable 160 is connected to the accessory-side connector 170. Thus, the diagnostic connector 130 is connected to the vehicle wiring system 400 of the vehicle.

To retrieve vehicle performance data, a diagnostic adapter is received through the first opening 112a of the first chamber 110a and connected to the diagnostic port 120. The diagnostic port 120 will then transmit all data received from the control unit of the vehicle 500. In an embodiment of the present invention, the diagnostic port 120 is an on-board diagnostic (OBD) connector. In another embodiment, the OBD connector uses 6-pole connectors, i.e., power, ground, CAN high, CAN low, test switch, and K-wire.

Further, referring to fig. 3, the housing 100 has a low voltage power receptacle 130. Thus, the low voltage power receptacle 130 is located entirely within the second chamber 110b of the housing 110. The user typically connects the plug to a low voltage power outlet 130. In this regard, the second chamber 110b has a first inlet 114a and a second inlet 114b. The first inlet 114a receives a plug that is connectable to a low voltage power outlet. In an embodiment of the present invention, the low voltage power receptacle 130 is a USB port. Thus, as shown in fig. 3, the USB port 130 has a USB socket 130a and a buck converter 130b. The USB socket 130a is essentially a female connector and has a front end and a rear end. The front end receives a male USB connector, wherein the male USB connector is connected to an external electronic device. The rear end of the USB socket 130a is connected to the buck converter 130b. The buck converter 130b receives a high DC voltage (explained below) from the wires connected to it and steps down to a lower DC voltage. A lower DC voltage is desirable for charging external electronic devices. Thus, in an embodiment, the USB socket 130a receives power from the buck converter 130b and transmits the power to the male USB connector of the external electronic device, thereby charging the external electronic device. In further embodiments, the buck converter steps down 12V (received from the battery of the vehicle 500) to 5V in order to charge the external electronic device plugged into the USB socket 130 a. In an embodiment of the present invention, the power and ground lines are common to the diagnostic port 120 and the USB port 130 of the on-board diagnostic (OBD) connector.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the USB port 130 is connected to the part-side connector 170 (and subsequently to the main wiring 400 of the vehicle) by a multi-wire cable 160. Thus, the second inlet 114b of the second compartment 110b receives at least one wire/wires from the vehicle wiring system 400 and connected to the low voltage power outlet 130. In an embodiment of the present invention, low voltage power receptacle 130 receives a pair of wires from a multi-wire cable 160. In another embodiment, the plurality of wires required to power the USB port 130 are routed from the multi-wire cable 160 connected to the diagnostic port 120 and connected to the USB port 130. Further, in an embodiment, the placement of the diagnostic port 120 and the USB port 130 adjacent to each other within the enclosure 100 ensures that data transfer between the diagnostic port 120 and any external electronic device via wireless communication can be achieved when the external electronic device is charged via the USB port 130.

Referring to fig. 3, the housing 100 has a shielding member 140. The shielding member 140 is received on the first and

second chambers

110a and 110b of the housing 100. The shielding member 140 is configured to circumferentially shield each component located inside the housing 110, i.e., the diagnostic port 120 and the low-voltage power outlet 130; thereby having a hollow space for each of the aforementioned components allowing access by a user. The shielding member 140 thus prevents undesired foreign substances, such as dust, moisture, contaminants, etc., from entering the housing 110.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the housing 110 has a protective cap 150. The protective cap 150 has a bushing 150a that receives the protective cap 150. Thus, the bushing 150a is circumferentially located around the shield member 140 so as to receive the protective cap 150. The protective cap 150 is thus received on top of the housing 110, completely covering the various components of the enclosure 100, i.e. the diagnostic port 120 or the low voltage power socket 130 or both. In an embodiment of the invention, the housing 110 has a selectively openable and closable protective cap for the first opening 112a of the first chamber 110 a. In another embodiment, the housing 110 has a selectively openable and closable protective cap 150 for the first inlet 114a of the second chamber 110b. Accordingly, the protective cap 150 further prevents undesired foreign substances (such as dust, moisture, contaminants, etc.) from entering the case 110.

Advantageously, the housing of the present invention requires a single part-side connector to be connected to the main wiring of the vehicle, thereby eliminating the use of an additional part-side connector. Further, due to the configuration of the housing, and thus the diagnostic port and the low voltage power outlet, may be positioned at any desired location on the vehicle, thereby saving space. In addition, due to the configuration and location of the housing of the present invention, the housing provides easy accessibility to a user. Additionally, the housing of the present invention also provides easy access for vehicle manufacturers during repair and/or replacement. Furthermore, due to the single integrated electrical enclosure for the diagnostic port and the low voltage power outlet, assembly time for installing such a port and outlet will be reduced.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. An integrated electrical enclosure (100), the integrated electrical enclosure (100) comprising: a housing (110), the housing (110) having a first chamber (110 a) for receiving a diagnostic port (120), the housing (110) having a second chamber (110 b) for receiving a low voltage power outlet (130).

2. The integrated electrical enclosure (100) of claim 1, wherein the first chamber (110 a) includes a first opening (112 a) for receiving a diagnostic adapter connectable to the diagnostic port (120) and a second opening for receiving a multi-wire cable (160) from a vehicle wiring system (400) and connected to the diagnostic port (120).

3. The integrated electrical enclosure (100) of claim 1, wherein the second chamber (110 b) comprises: a first inlet (114 a) for receiving a plug connectable to the low voltage power outlet (130); and a second inlet (114 b) for receiving at least one pair of wires from the vehicle wiring system (400) and connected to the low voltage receptacle (120).

4. The integrated electrical enclosure (100) of claim 3, wherein the low voltage power receptacle (130) receives the pair of wires exiting the multi-wire cable (160).

5. The integrated electrical enclosure (100) of claim 1 or 3, wherein the low voltage power outlet (130) comprises: a USB port having a buck converter (130 b) connected to the pair of wires; and a USB socket (130 a), the USB socket (130 a) being connected to the buck converter (130 b) and connectable to the plug.

6. The integrated electrical enclosure (100) of claim 5, wherein the second chamber (110 b) is configured to house (110) the USB socket (130 a) and the buck converter (130 b).

7. The integrated electrical enclosure (100) of claim 2, wherein the multi-wire cable (160) includes a plurality of wires, each wire having a first end (160 a) connected to the diagnostic port (120) and a second end (160 b) connected to a part-side connector (170), the part-side connector (170) being connected to the vehicle wiring system (400).

8. The integrated electrical enclosure (100) of claim 1, wherein the housing (110) comprises a selectively openable and closable protective cap (150) for the first opening (112 a) of the first chamber (110 a).

9. The integrated electrical enclosure (100) of claim 1, wherein the housing (110) comprises a selectively openable and closable protective cap (150) for the first inlet (114 a) of the second chamber (110 b).

10. A motor vehicle (500) having a front end (200), a rear end (300) and a vehicle wiring system (400) extending between the front end (200) and the rear end (300), the vehicle (500) comprising an integrated electrical enclosure (100), the enclosure (100) comprising: a housing (110), the housing (110) having a first chamber (110 a) for housing the diagnostic port (120), the first chamber (110 a) having a first opening (112 a) for receiving a diagnostic adapter connectable to the diagnostic port (120) and a second opening for receiving a multi-wire cable (160) from the vehicle wiring system (400) and connected to the diagnostic port (120); the housing (110) has a second chamber (110 b) for accommodating the low voltage power socket (130), the second chamber (110 b) having a first inlet (114 a) for receiving a plug connectable to the low voltage power socket (130) and a second inlet (114 b) for receiving at least one pair of wires from the vehicle wiring system (400) and connected to the low voltage socket (120).

11. The motor vehicle (500) of claim 10, wherein the housing (100) is positioned in a toolbox of the vehicle (500).

12. The motor vehicle (500) of claim 10, wherein the housing (100) is positioned in a glove box of the vehicle (500).

13. The motor vehicle (500) of claim 10, wherein the housing (100) is positioned in a speedometer enclosure of the vehicle (500).