Patent ID: 6469404
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: B60R,H02J

Abstract:
An intelligent control system for current distribution in a vehicle, said system comprising:a number of current-consuming actuators (7), at least two cable branches (4) with current conductors (15) for supplying power to the actuators, intelligent connecting sockets (3) between each cable branch (4) and the actuators (7), the intelligent connecting sockets further comprising a processor, an electronic memory operably connected to the processor, and control software residing on the memory and executable by a processor to control the actuators, a communication bus (4/17) in each cable branch for communication between the intelligent connecting sockets (3) connected to any cable branch (4), current switches (16) present in the connecting sockets and control electronics (22-24) therefore, and a central unit between a current source (1) and each of the cable branches (4) wherein the central unit is a single assembly and is divided into structurally separate junction modules (2), each of which connects to its own cable branch (4), wherein each junction module (2) controls independently the power supply of a cable branch (4) attached thereto and its upper current limit, wherein each junction module (2) includes a programmably controlled solid state ON/OFF switch element (14) for controlling the upper current limit of the cable branches, and wherein there are first terminals (12) for the power supply between the junction modules (2) and second terminals (9a) for establishment of a communication connection (9, 9a) between the junction modules (2) and between the communication busses (4/17) in each cable branch, whereby the number of junction modules in the central unit can be increased or reduced without breaking the power supply or the communication connection (9, 9a) between the cable branches.