Patent ID: 6791207
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: B60R,B60W

Abstract:
A power supply apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:an electric power line comprising a plurality of sequentially connected segments wired in an interior of a vehicle from a battery, for supplying power to various kinds of loads of said vehicle via a plurality of modules which are connected to receive electric power via respective segments of said electric power line; a semiconductor switching element connected between each respective segment and a load supplied by said segment for controlling electric power to said load; a plurality of short sensors for detecting a short circuit in at least one of said plurality of segments of said electric power line, said at least one segment connecting respective modules; a power supply shutdown means connected in series with each segment of said electric power line connecting respective modules, said power supply shutdown means being connected in series with said semiconductor switching element to supply electric power to said semiconductor switching means; a control circuit for specifying a short circuited segment of said electric power line in accordance with a short detection condition of said plurality of short sensors; and means responsive to signals from said control circuit for cutting off the power supply cutoff means, and removing the short circuited segment from said electric power line for supplying power to said loads; wherein, the electric power line includes a plurality of sensor electric lines which form outer layer portions of the respective segments of the electric power line, and are provided with a short detecting potential; the sensor lines are divided into connecting portions for the respective control modules of the electric power line, or in connecting portions at a midpoint of the electric power line; and a short circuit in a particular segment is predicted based on a change of the potential of the plurality of sensor lines.