CA2297883A1 - Apparatus and method for connecting load center controls - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for connecting load center controls Download PDFInfo
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- CA2297883A1 CA2297883A1 CA 2297883 CA2297883A CA2297883A1 CA 2297883 A1 CA2297883 A1 CA 2297883A1 CA 2297883 CA2297883 CA 2297883 CA 2297883 A CA2297883 A CA 2297883A CA 2297883 A1 CA2297883 A1 CA 2297883A1
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- load center
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- load
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Abstract
In a vehicle, such as a truck (10), inexpensive and reliable electrical control communication can be made between a load center (16) in one part of the vehicle and a load center (18) in another part of the vehicle by a conventional multiconductor cable (22) formed by a D-sub connector cable of the type used in the computer industry to connect various components of a personal computer (PC).
The design has the advantage of being inexpensive, reliable, and providing for ready replacement by the commonly available cable. The cable can carry control signals, such as needed to activate the solenoid of a relay (26), can be used in fused circuits, such as a type using polymeric positive coefficient circuit protectors (28) or can be used to directly power a load.
The design has the advantage of being inexpensive, reliable, and providing for ready replacement by the commonly available cable. The cable can carry control signals, such as needed to activate the solenoid of a relay (26), can be used in fused circuits, such as a type using polymeric positive coefficient circuit protectors (28) or can be used to directly power a load.
Description
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
CONNECTING LOAD CENTER CONTROLS
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to providing electrical communication between load centers, particularly in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In conventional automotive and truck construction, it is common to utilize separate wires to power devices within the vehicle. Typically, power will be provided to a fuse block where a number of fuses are mounted, each fuse rated for a S particular circuit to be handled by that fuse. The individual wires extend from the fuse block to the particular device to be operated. This leads to the existence of large, complicated wiring harnesses which are difficult to repair and expensive to replace. Further, the increase in electrical components in recent models of automobiles and trucks have made the wiring harnesses even more complex. A
need exists to simplify the provision of power to devices and simplify replacement and repair.
CONNECTING LOAD CENTER CONTROLS
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to providing electrical communication between load centers, particularly in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In conventional automotive and truck construction, it is common to utilize separate wires to power devices within the vehicle. Typically, power will be provided to a fuse block where a number of fuses are mounted, each fuse rated for a S particular circuit to be handled by that fuse. The individual wires extend from the fuse block to the particular device to be operated. This leads to the existence of large, complicated wiring harnesses which are difficult to repair and expensive to replace. Further, the increase in electrical components in recent models of automobiles and trucks have made the wiring harnesses even more complex. A
need exists to simplify the provision of power to devices and simplify replacement and repair.
2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a circuit device is provided for electrical communication between a first load center and a second load center. The first load center has a first circuit and the second load center has a second circuit which is to be connected to the first circuit through an electrical connection. The circuit device includes a multiconductor cable having a first connector at one end of the cable and a second connector at the other end of the cable. The first connector is secured to the first load center and at least one of the conductors in the cable is in electrical communication with the first circuit:
The second connector at the other end of the cable is secured to the second load center with the conductor in electrical communication with the second circuit in the second load center. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the multiconductor cable is a D-subminiature (D-sub) connector cable. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each of the first and second connectors are D-sub male connectors. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the D-sub connectors can be 25 or 37 pin connectors. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a power cable separate from the multiconductor cable is secured between a power source and the second load center to provide power to the second load center.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for electrically communicating between a first load center having a first circuit and a second load center having a second circuit, with the first and second circuits to be electrically connected. The method includes the step of connecting a first connector at a first end of a multiconductor cable to the first load center with a first one of the conductors in said multiconductor cable in electrical communication with the first circuit and securing a second connector at the other end of the multiconductor cable to the second load center with the first conductor in electrical communication with the second circuit of the second load center. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method includes the step of securing the first connector, the first connector being a D-sub connector to a D-sub connector mounted on the first load center and connecting the second connector,
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a circuit device is provided for electrical communication between a first load center and a second load center. The first load center has a first circuit and the second load center has a second circuit which is to be connected to the first circuit through an electrical connection. The circuit device includes a multiconductor cable having a first connector at one end of the cable and a second connector at the other end of the cable. The first connector is secured to the first load center and at least one of the conductors in the cable is in electrical communication with the first circuit:
The second connector at the other end of the cable is secured to the second load center with the conductor in electrical communication with the second circuit in the second load center. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the multiconductor cable is a D-subminiature (D-sub) connector cable. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each of the first and second connectors are D-sub male connectors. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the D-sub connectors can be 25 or 37 pin connectors. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a power cable separate from the multiconductor cable is secured between a power source and the second load center to provide power to the second load center.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for electrically communicating between a first load center having a first circuit and a second load center having a second circuit, with the first and second circuits to be electrically connected. The method includes the step of connecting a first connector at a first end of a multiconductor cable to the first load center with a first one of the conductors in said multiconductor cable in electrical communication with the first circuit and securing a second connector at the other end of the multiconductor cable to the second load center with the first conductor in electrical communication with the second circuit of the second load center. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method includes the step of securing the first connector, the first connector being a D-sub connector to a D-sub connector mounted on the first load center and connecting the second connector,
3 the second connector being a D-sub connector, to a D-sub connector on the second load center.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a truck cab incorporating a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cab load center;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cover of the cab load center;
Fig. 4 is a partial representative schematic of the cab load center;
Fig. S is a perspective view of a multiconductor cable;
Fig. 6 is an end view of the connector end of the cable of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a sleeper load center;
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the cover of the sleeper load center; and Fig. 9 is a schematic of the sleeper load center.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to Figure 1, a truck 10 is illustrated which incorporates a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the truck 10 is a conventional semi-trailer type vehicle which has a front mounted engine and rear drive axles (not shown). Within the truck 10 are numerous electrical requirements. A battery box 12 is mounted on the side of the truck containing the batteries necessary for operation of the vehicle. Rather than having a central fuse box or center of power distribution, the truck 10 has a number of load centers distributed at strategic points throughout the vehicle. For example, a chassis load center 14 is mounted within the engine compartment, for example on the right hand side of the firewall. A cab load center 16 is mounted within the cab of the vehicle, for example behind a glove box.
A sleeper load center 18 is mounted within the sleeper compartment, for example at the right hand side of the compartment door. A trailer load center 20 is located with ready access to the trailer, for example under the sleeper. Individual power 1 S cables may run between the battery, the vehicle alternator or other power source, and the individual load centers. Alternatively, power can be provided between load centers by suitable power cables.
A multiconductor cable 22 can interconnect one load center to another, as for example in connecting cab load center 16 to sleeper load center 18 as illustrated in Figure 1. As will be described, the multiconductor cable can be a conventional D-sub connector cable, such as used in personal computers (PCs), which is easily attached to D-sub connectors mounted on the load centers. The D-sub connector cables of this type are relatively inexpensive, are well made and reliable, and can be replaced very quickly if a fault develops.
With reference now to Figures 2-4, the details of the cab load center 16 will be described. The cab load center 16 includes a circuit board 24 on which are mounted a number of electrical components, including relays 26, polymeric positive temperature coe~cient circuit protectors 28, such as sold by Raychem Corporation of Menlo Park, California as Models RGE and RUE PolySwitch, LEDs 50, diodes 30, capacitors 32 and various connectors such as a female D-sub connector 34 having 25 pins and a female D-sub 36 having 37 pins. The various components are connected electrically through the circuit board in the circuit partially represented in Figure 4. A.nonconductive back cover 38 protects the circuit board 24 from external contact which may cause shorts, and the circuit board is supported and mounted to the vehicle by standoff mounts 40. A cover 42 is mounted to the circuit board 24 through spacers 44 which allow the cover to be sufficiently spaced from the circuit board to provide room for the various circuit components. A seen in Figure 3, the cover 42 has a series of labels 46 which identify various components on the circuit board 24 and has various apertures 48 to view LEDs 50 associated with each of the polymeric positive temperature coefficient surge protectors 28. As noted in copending patent application Serial No. , (identified as Sidley &
Austin File Number 12204/1401) filed the same day as the present application entitled Electrical Circuit Protection, and naming as inventors Kevin J.
Allen, Roy J.
Gravely, Richard A. Mauk, Richard R. Mihelic and James W. Whitt, and assigned to the same assignee, said copending patent application being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, the LEDs are connected in parallel with the polymeric positive coefficient circuit protectors 28 so that if a particular circuit protector 28 is tripped, i.e., transitions to an amorphous high resistance state acting as a blown fi~se, the LED associated in parallel therewith will be provided with sufficient voltage to light the LED, which lighted LED will show through the appropriate aperture 48 to indicate to the operator that the fizse for that particular circuit has been blown. An advantage of the surge protectors 28 is that, when the excessive current is removed therefrom, and the surge protectors cool, they revert to their crystalline conductive state, providing very low resistance to current flow therethrough. In the crystalline state, insufficient voltage exists across the parallel LED to light the LED.
With reference to Figures 7, 8, and 9, the sleeper load center 18 will be described in detail. Again, the sleeper load center 18 includes a printed circuit board 52. Various components, including relays 26, polymeric positive temperature coe~cient circuit protectors 28, LEDs SO and various connectors, including a female D-sub connector 34 having 25 pins, are mounted on the circuit board and connected in the electrical circuit illustrated in Figure 9. A nonconductive cover 54 protects the back of the circuit board and standoff mounts 56 mount the printed circuit board 52 to the vehicle. As with load center 16, the sleeper load center 18 is provided with a cover 58 spaced by spacers 60 from the printed circuit board.
The cover 58 has labels 62 identifying the various circuits on the load center and apertures 64 aligned with the LEDs 50 mounted on the printed circuit board S associated with each of the circuit protectors 28. The fixnction of each of the circuits illustrated in the sleeper load center 18 is described in copending patent application Serial No. , (Sidley & Austin application file 12204/1401) filed the same day as the present application which disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the multiconductor cable 22 will be described. The cable includes a first connector 66, a second connector 68 and cable 70 between the connectors 66 and 68. The cable can have any number of connectors desired, each conductor being connected to a pin 72 in the first connector 66 and the second connector 68 for engagement with a mating connector on the load centers. Preferably, the cable 22 is a D-sub cable commonly utilized in the computer industry to interconnect computer units for a personal computer (PC) such as a printer and motherboard, monitor and motherboard, and the like. One advantage of use of this type of cable is that they are readily available, relatively inexpensive because of their mass production, and generally of very high reliability because of the demanding requirements of the computer industry. For example, depending on the desired length of the cable 70, such cables can be provided from Rodgers Specialists, GC Electronics, and Belden Cable. Also, circuit board mounted standard D-sub connectors, such as connectors 34 and 36 mounted on the circuit boards 24 and 52, are readily available and relatively inexpensive, yet reliable.
The first connector 66 is connected with the female D-sub connector 34 on the printed circuit board 52 while the second connector 68 is connected with the female D-sub 34 on the circuit board 24. The length of the intervening cable would be selected to provide sufficient length to be routed between the location of the sleeper load center 18 and the cab load center 16. As is well understood, each connector 66 and 68 has permanently mounted threaded screws 74 which are used to secure the connectors 66 and 68 to their respective connectors 34. The use of the screws 74 insure the connectors will remain together, despite vibration and movement of the vehicle. Because of the particular D-like shape of the D-connector shell 76, as best seen in Figure 6, the connector is virtually impossible to connect incorrectly.
In application, the various conductors in the multiconductor cable 22 can be used for a multitude of purposes. For example, the conductors connected to pins 7 and 8 of the connector 34 on circuit board 52 carry current to operate the solenoids of relays 26 on the circuit board 52. Thus, those conductors are required to carry only the relatively small circuit necessary to activate the solenoid of the relay.
Other conductors, such as conductors that go to pins 2, 3, S and 6 on the connector 34 of printed circuit board 52 actually provide power to a particular load, usually a low current load, such as a light.
Power can be supplied to the load centers 16 and 18 through cables separate from cable 22. For example, power cables can be secured to connectors 80 and on load centers 16 and 18, respectively. In a vehicle, power is typically supplied as 12 or 24 volt D.C. either directly from the battery, through the ignition circuit by the ignition switch or through an accessory position on the ignition switch.
If desired, a power cable separate from cable 22 can extend directly between centers 16 and 18 and be secured to connectors at each center, allowing cable 22 to act as a control cable to control various functions on board 18. However, if desired, cable 22 can act, in part or in whole, as a power cable. For example, a number of the conductors in the multiconductor cable 22 can be connected in parallel to carry larger current loads than would be possible by a single conductor alone.
As can be readily appreciated, a fault in the cable can be fixed by simply replacing the cable, which is relatively simple and inexpensive, rather than attempting to remedy a fault which lies within the cable itself. Also, use of screws 74 to positively secure the cable 22 to the load centers reduces the likelihood of vibrations interrupting a circuit. Another feature is that the cable can be replaced easily because it is so commonly available.
Although a single embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a truck cab incorporating a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cab load center;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cover of the cab load center;
Fig. 4 is a partial representative schematic of the cab load center;
Fig. S is a perspective view of a multiconductor cable;
Fig. 6 is an end view of the connector end of the cable of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a sleeper load center;
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the cover of the sleeper load center; and Fig. 9 is a schematic of the sleeper load center.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to Figure 1, a truck 10 is illustrated which incorporates a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the truck 10 is a conventional semi-trailer type vehicle which has a front mounted engine and rear drive axles (not shown). Within the truck 10 are numerous electrical requirements. A battery box 12 is mounted on the side of the truck containing the batteries necessary for operation of the vehicle. Rather than having a central fuse box or center of power distribution, the truck 10 has a number of load centers distributed at strategic points throughout the vehicle. For example, a chassis load center 14 is mounted within the engine compartment, for example on the right hand side of the firewall. A cab load center 16 is mounted within the cab of the vehicle, for example behind a glove box.
A sleeper load center 18 is mounted within the sleeper compartment, for example at the right hand side of the compartment door. A trailer load center 20 is located with ready access to the trailer, for example under the sleeper. Individual power 1 S cables may run between the battery, the vehicle alternator or other power source, and the individual load centers. Alternatively, power can be provided between load centers by suitable power cables.
A multiconductor cable 22 can interconnect one load center to another, as for example in connecting cab load center 16 to sleeper load center 18 as illustrated in Figure 1. As will be described, the multiconductor cable can be a conventional D-sub connector cable, such as used in personal computers (PCs), which is easily attached to D-sub connectors mounted on the load centers. The D-sub connector cables of this type are relatively inexpensive, are well made and reliable, and can be replaced very quickly if a fault develops.
With reference now to Figures 2-4, the details of the cab load center 16 will be described. The cab load center 16 includes a circuit board 24 on which are mounted a number of electrical components, including relays 26, polymeric positive temperature coe~cient circuit protectors 28, such as sold by Raychem Corporation of Menlo Park, California as Models RGE and RUE PolySwitch, LEDs 50, diodes 30, capacitors 32 and various connectors such as a female D-sub connector 34 having 25 pins and a female D-sub 36 having 37 pins. The various components are connected electrically through the circuit board in the circuit partially represented in Figure 4. A.nonconductive back cover 38 protects the circuit board 24 from external contact which may cause shorts, and the circuit board is supported and mounted to the vehicle by standoff mounts 40. A cover 42 is mounted to the circuit board 24 through spacers 44 which allow the cover to be sufficiently spaced from the circuit board to provide room for the various circuit components. A seen in Figure 3, the cover 42 has a series of labels 46 which identify various components on the circuit board 24 and has various apertures 48 to view LEDs 50 associated with each of the polymeric positive temperature coefficient surge protectors 28. As noted in copending patent application Serial No. , (identified as Sidley &
Austin File Number 12204/1401) filed the same day as the present application entitled Electrical Circuit Protection, and naming as inventors Kevin J.
Allen, Roy J.
Gravely, Richard A. Mauk, Richard R. Mihelic and James W. Whitt, and assigned to the same assignee, said copending patent application being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, the LEDs are connected in parallel with the polymeric positive coefficient circuit protectors 28 so that if a particular circuit protector 28 is tripped, i.e., transitions to an amorphous high resistance state acting as a blown fi~se, the LED associated in parallel therewith will be provided with sufficient voltage to light the LED, which lighted LED will show through the appropriate aperture 48 to indicate to the operator that the fizse for that particular circuit has been blown. An advantage of the surge protectors 28 is that, when the excessive current is removed therefrom, and the surge protectors cool, they revert to their crystalline conductive state, providing very low resistance to current flow therethrough. In the crystalline state, insufficient voltage exists across the parallel LED to light the LED.
With reference to Figures 7, 8, and 9, the sleeper load center 18 will be described in detail. Again, the sleeper load center 18 includes a printed circuit board 52. Various components, including relays 26, polymeric positive temperature coe~cient circuit protectors 28, LEDs SO and various connectors, including a female D-sub connector 34 having 25 pins, are mounted on the circuit board and connected in the electrical circuit illustrated in Figure 9. A nonconductive cover 54 protects the back of the circuit board and standoff mounts 56 mount the printed circuit board 52 to the vehicle. As with load center 16, the sleeper load center 18 is provided with a cover 58 spaced by spacers 60 from the printed circuit board.
The cover 58 has labels 62 identifying the various circuits on the load center and apertures 64 aligned with the LEDs 50 mounted on the printed circuit board S associated with each of the circuit protectors 28. The fixnction of each of the circuits illustrated in the sleeper load center 18 is described in copending patent application Serial No. , (Sidley & Austin application file 12204/1401) filed the same day as the present application which disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the multiconductor cable 22 will be described. The cable includes a first connector 66, a second connector 68 and cable 70 between the connectors 66 and 68. The cable can have any number of connectors desired, each conductor being connected to a pin 72 in the first connector 66 and the second connector 68 for engagement with a mating connector on the load centers. Preferably, the cable 22 is a D-sub cable commonly utilized in the computer industry to interconnect computer units for a personal computer (PC) such as a printer and motherboard, monitor and motherboard, and the like. One advantage of use of this type of cable is that they are readily available, relatively inexpensive because of their mass production, and generally of very high reliability because of the demanding requirements of the computer industry. For example, depending on the desired length of the cable 70, such cables can be provided from Rodgers Specialists, GC Electronics, and Belden Cable. Also, circuit board mounted standard D-sub connectors, such as connectors 34 and 36 mounted on the circuit boards 24 and 52, are readily available and relatively inexpensive, yet reliable.
The first connector 66 is connected with the female D-sub connector 34 on the printed circuit board 52 while the second connector 68 is connected with the female D-sub 34 on the circuit board 24. The length of the intervening cable would be selected to provide sufficient length to be routed between the location of the sleeper load center 18 and the cab load center 16. As is well understood, each connector 66 and 68 has permanently mounted threaded screws 74 which are used to secure the connectors 66 and 68 to their respective connectors 34. The use of the screws 74 insure the connectors will remain together, despite vibration and movement of the vehicle. Because of the particular D-like shape of the D-connector shell 76, as best seen in Figure 6, the connector is virtually impossible to connect incorrectly.
In application, the various conductors in the multiconductor cable 22 can be used for a multitude of purposes. For example, the conductors connected to pins 7 and 8 of the connector 34 on circuit board 52 carry current to operate the solenoids of relays 26 on the circuit board 52. Thus, those conductors are required to carry only the relatively small circuit necessary to activate the solenoid of the relay.
Other conductors, such as conductors that go to pins 2, 3, S and 6 on the connector 34 of printed circuit board 52 actually provide power to a particular load, usually a low current load, such as a light.
Power can be supplied to the load centers 16 and 18 through cables separate from cable 22. For example, power cables can be secured to connectors 80 and on load centers 16 and 18, respectively. In a vehicle, power is typically supplied as 12 or 24 volt D.C. either directly from the battery, through the ignition circuit by the ignition switch or through an accessory position on the ignition switch.
If desired, a power cable separate from cable 22 can extend directly between centers 16 and 18 and be secured to connectors at each center, allowing cable 22 to act as a control cable to control various functions on board 18. However, if desired, cable 22 can act, in part or in whole, as a power cable. For example, a number of the conductors in the multiconductor cable 22 can be connected in parallel to carry larger current loads than would be possible by a single conductor alone.
As can be readily appreciated, a fault in the cable can be fixed by simply replacing the cable, which is relatively simple and inexpensive, rather than attempting to remedy a fault which lies within the cable itself. Also, use of screws 74 to positively secure the cable 22 to the load centers reduces the likelihood of vibrations interrupting a circuit. Another feature is that the cable can be replaced easily because it is so commonly available.
Although a single embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims (22)
1. A circuit device for electrical communication between a first vehicle load center and a second vehicle load center, the first load center having a first circuit and the second load center having a second circuit, the first and second circuit to be connected through an electrical connection, comprising:
A multiconductor cable having a first connector at one end of the cable and a second connector at the other end of the cable, the first connector secured to the first vehicle load center with a first of the conductors in said cable in electrical communication with the first circuit, the second connector secured to the second vehicle load center with said first of the conductors of the cable in electrical communication with the second circuit.
A multiconductor cable having a first connector at one end of the cable and a second connector at the other end of the cable, the first connector secured to the first vehicle load center with a first of the conductors in said cable in electrical communication with the first circuit, the second connector secured to the second vehicle load center with said first of the conductors of the cable in electrical communication with the second circuit.
2. The circuit device of claim 1 where the multiconductor cable is a D-sub connector cable.
The circuit device of claim 2 wherein a D-sub connector is mounted on each of said load centers to mate with said D-sub connector cable.
4. The circuit device of claim 2 wherein the D-sub connector cable is a 25 pin conductor cable.
The circuit device of claim 2 wherein the D-sub connector is a 37 pin connector cable.
6. The circuit device of claim 1 further comprising a power cable separate from the multiconductor cable for supplying power from a power source to said second load center.
7. The circuit device of claim 1 further comprising a power cable separate from the multiconductor cable secured between said first load center and said second load center for carrying power between said load centers.
8. The circuit device of claim 1 wherein the second circuit on the second load center is a relay.
9. The circuit device of claim 1 wherein the second circuit on the second load center is a polymeric positive temperature coefficient circuit protector.
10. The circuit device of claim 1 wherein the second circuit is a conductor providing power to a source separate from the second load center.
11. The circuit device of claim 1 wherein the load centers are mounted on a vehicle and the multiconductor cable is routed between the load centers within the vehicle.
12. The circuit device of claim 1 wherein the first load center is a cab load center and the second load center is a sleeper load center.
13. A circuit device, comprising:
a first vehicle load center having a first circuit;
a second vehicle load center having a second circuit; and a multiconductor cable having a first connector at one end thereof secured to the first load center, said cable having a first conductor in electrical communication with the first circuit in the first load center, the cable further having a second connector at the end of the cable opposite the first connector, the second connector secured to the second load center, the first conductor in the cable being electrically connected to the second circuit in the second load center.
a first vehicle load center having a first circuit;
a second vehicle load center having a second circuit; and a multiconductor cable having a first connector at one end thereof secured to the first load center, said cable having a first conductor in electrical communication with the first circuit in the first load center, the cable further having a second connector at the end of the cable opposite the first connector, the second connector secured to the second load center, the first conductor in the cable being electrically connected to the second circuit in the second load center.
14. The circuit device of claim 13 wherein the multiconductor cable is a D-sub connector cable.
15. The circuit device of claim 14 wherein a D-sub connector is mounted on said first load center and a D-sub connector is mounted on said second load center to mate with the first connector and said second connector of said multiconductor cable, respectively.
16. The circuit device of claim 15 wherein the multiconductor cable is a 25 conductor cable.
17. The circuit device of claim 13 further comprising a power cable separate from the multiconductor cable secured between a power source and said second load center to provide power to said second load center.
18. The circuit device of claim 13 wherein said second circuit in said second load center is a solenoid of a relay.
19. The circuit device of claim 13 wherein said second circuit in said second load center includes a polymeric positive temperature coefficient circuit protector.
20. A method for connecting a circuit in a vehicle having a first load center with a first circuit therein and a second load center with a second circuit therein comprising the steps of:
connecting a first connector of a multiconductor cable to the first load center with a first conductor in said multiconductor cable in electrical communication with the first circuit in the first load center; and securing a second connector on the other end of the multiconductor cable to the second load center with the first conductor in the multiconductor cable in electrical communication with the second circuit in the second load center.
connecting a first connector of a multiconductor cable to the first load center with a first conductor in said multiconductor cable in electrical communication with the first circuit in the first load center; and securing a second connector on the other end of the multiconductor cable to the second load center with the first conductor in the multiconductor cable in electrical communication with the second circuit in the second load center.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of connecting the first and second connectors to the first and second load centers includes the step of inserting a male D-sub connector forming the first connector into a female D-sub connector mounted on the first load center and inserting a male D-sub connector forming the second connector into a female D-sub connector mounted on the second load center.
22. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of removing the first connector from the first load center and the second connector from the second load center to replace the multiconductor cable.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US33483399A | 1999-06-17 | 1999-06-17 | |
| US09/334,833 | 1999-06-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2297883A1 true CA2297883A1 (en) | 2000-12-17 |
Family
ID=31888031
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2297883 Abandoned CA2297883A1 (en) | 1999-06-17 | 2000-02-03 | Apparatus and method for connecting load center controls |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2297883A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6483200B1 (en) * | 1999-05-28 | 2002-11-19 | R. A. Phillips Industries, Inc. | Electrical cable system for truck tractor cabs with sleeper boxes |
-
2000
- 2000-02-03 CA CA 2297883 patent/CA2297883A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6483200B1 (en) * | 1999-05-28 | 2002-11-19 | R. A. Phillips Industries, Inc. | Electrical cable system for truck tractor cabs with sleeper boxes |
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