Patent ID: 6963146
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A vehicle assembly for use with a modular power control apparatus and a plurality of peripheral devices with the peripheral devices controlling one or more features of the vehicle assembly, said vehicle assembly comprising; a support structure adapted to be mounted within said vehicle assembly; a housing secured to said support structure; a plurality of modules supported by said housing; a connection port extending from each of said modules for electrically connecting each module to an associated peripheral device; an interface module supported by said housing and having a communication processor to selectively interface with said plurality of modules for routing data to an appropriate module and peripheral device; a data communication cable connected to said interface module and disposed outside of said housing for transferring data between said interface module and anyone of a variety of devices within said vehicle assembly; a power source connected to said housing; and a modular connector supported by said housing and electrically connected to said power source, said modular connector including a plurality of identical slots, said plurality of modules and said interface module being electrically connected to any one of said identical slots to transfer data between said modules and to provide electrical power to at least one of said modules, thereby facilitating communication with the peripheral devices and providing electrical power to at least one of the peripheral devices within said vehicle assembly.