An electric vehicle power distribution module including a chassis containing electric power distribution components. A battery connector is disposed on the chassis for electrically connecting the power distribution components to a battery. A safety cover is secured to the chassis and includes an aperature in a side wall for receiving an electric cable from the battery to be selectively engaged with the battery connector. The aperture is positioned with respect to the battery connector so as to preclude removal of the safety cover from the chassis without disengagement of the electric cable from the battery connector.
A power system includes power inputs, power outputs and power protection and/or power conditioning adapted between the power inputs and power outputs. In some embodiments, a graphics display is included in the system for displaying graphic images from an external video source. The power system is configurable such that the power inputs appear on the left side and outputs on the right side or the opposite with power inputs on the right side and outputs on the left.
A junction box and distributor assembly includes an external connector that is mounted on a distributor device for connection with a mating companion connector that is mounted in an opening contained in a wall of the junction box, whereby remotely located sensors may be connected via the distribution device and the mating connectors with a programmable operating module contained within the junction box. In order to prevent the penetration of moisture into the junction box, a first seal is arranged about the housing opening between the distributor device and the outer surface of the housing wall. A second seal may be provided in compressed relation concentrically between the peripheral surface of the housing opening and the outer peripheral surface of the second connector.
A PCU having an inverter and the like includes a connector electrically connecting the PCU and external equipment located outside the PCU, a safety bar attaching the connector for preventing the connector from being touched, and an ECU detecting that an interlock circuit is opened via an interlock signal line in response to detachment of the safety bar to shut off supply of electric power to the PCU.
A fuse box for motor vehicles includes a housing that is adapted to contain electrical fuses mounted to a common busbar for connecting one end of the fuses directly to a pole of an electric battery in the vehicle. The housing includes lateral surfaces for providing torsional protection to the fuses against twisting or bending when the nuts holding the fuses in place are tightened. Screening zones are defined in the housing for screening off fusable portions of the fuses so that melted material is prevented from migrating into the housing beyond the screening zone where the melted material may cause damage. Mechanical coding structures are provided in the housing to ensure that only cable terminals having a shape corresponding to the coding structures can be installed in selected regions of the fuse box. This prevents inadvertent misuse of cross-connection of cables having inadequate or excessive current carrying capacity. A removable intermediary bottom member carries the lateral surfaces, screening zones and other mechanical coding structures so that the subject fuse box can be easily reconfigured.
A digital verification system and method is described for verifying that the terminal connector assembly of an automobile's battery cable is properly connected to the connector assembly of a power distribution module (PDM). The terminal connector assembly is provided with an integrated CPA assembly having an engagement member, such as an elongated appendage. The PDM connector assembly is provided with a shorting bar that contacts a bus bar so as to cause a short circuit to occur when current is supplied to the PDM connector assembly through the battery's terminal connector assembly. A sense lead in contact with the shorting bar sends a response signal through a printed circuit board to a microprocessor indicating that electrical power is flowing though the short circuit. The CPA assembly can only be engaged when the terminal connector assembly is fully mated to the PDM connector assembly. When the CPA assembly is engaged, the engagement member simultaneously contacts the shorting bar and causes the short circuit to be interrupted. The sense lead then sends a response signal to the microprocessor indicating that no electrical power is flowing through the circuit. In this manner, a technician can be assured that a proper connection has been established between the terminal connector assembly and the PDM connector assembly.