Water resistant USB connection system for vehicles

The present disclosure provides a USB connection system for an open cab vehicle such as a golf car, turf-care vehicle, small maintenance vehicle, shuttle vehicle, cargo vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, utility terrain vehicle, motorcycle, and/or other utility vehicle, and/or other outdoor/off-road vehicle. The USB connection system comprises a module structured and operable to receive and retain at least one USB port, a water protected circuit board located remotely from the USB port(s) and electrically and communicatively connected to the USB port(s). The USB connection system additionally comprises a laterally rotatable slide-away cover that is pivotally connected to the module via a pivot pin longitudinally disposed within a module housing such that the cover can be laterally rotated, between an opened and a closed position about the pivot pin. Furthermore, in various implementations, the module includes at least one water drainage channel structured and operable to drain water away from the USB port(s).

FIELD

The present teachings relate to utility vehicles, e.g., golf cars, turf-care vehicles, small maintenance, shuttle or cargo vehicles, etc., and more particularly to a water resistant universal serial bus (USB) connection system for such vehicles.

BACKGROUND

In light of contemporary technology and the need for instant information access and connectivity, it has become important that users of utility vehicles, such as golf cars, turf-care vehicles, and small maintenance, shuttle or cargo vehicles, (e.g., golfers, golf course superintendents, maintenance crews of golf courses, sporting venues, parks, consumer lawns, etc.) be able to charge and use their electronic devices, e.g., phones, tablets, laptops, range finders and other accessories, while using and operating such vehicles. Currently, universal serial bus (USB) connections are commonly used to provide information connectivity and/or for charging such devices. However, USB ports that provide such USB connections are not typically provided in environments that are readily exposed to weather, water and harsh environmental conditions. That is, such known USB ports are not typically protected from water, rain, moisture, dirt and other debris while in use in the respective outdoor environment and during maintenance and cleaning or washing of the respective vehicle. In the rare instances where USB ports are provided in such environments, a door or cap is typically utilized to cover the ports when not in use. However, such protective doors/caps are typically manually removed and replaced, or designed to open and close via a swing-away biased hinge, in a typical swing-away door-like or clam shell-like manner, i.e., in a swing-away manner in which a typical passage door in a home opens and closes. With such known doors/caps it is common for operators to not replace/close the doors/caps. Additionally, in the cased of biased doors/caps, when the door/cap is opened and the device USB connector is plugged into the USB port, the biased door/cap places unwanted forces on the wires of the USB connector and the USB port that can damage the connector and/or port.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a USB connection system for an open cab vehicle such as a golf car, a turf-care vehicle, a small maintenance vehicle, a shuttle vehicle, a cargo vehicle, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), a motorcycle and/or any other utility vehicle, and/or any other outdoor/off-road vehicle. In various, embodiments, the USB connection system comprises a housing structured and operable to receive and retain at least one USB port, a water protected circuit board located remotely from the USB port(s) and electrically and communicatively connected to the USB port(s). The USB connection system additionally comprises a laterally rotatable slide-away cover that is pivotally connected to the housing via a pivot pin longitudinally disposed within the housing such that the cover can be laterally rotated, between an opened and closed position about the pivot pin. Furthermore, in various implementations, the housing includes at least one water drainage channel structured and operable to drain water away from the USB port(s).

Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present teachings, application, or uses. Throughout this specification, like reference numerals will be used to refer to like elements.

FIG. 1depicts an open cab vehicle10, such as a golf car, a turf-care vehicle, a small maintenance vehicle, a shuttle vehicle, a cargo vehicle, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), a motorcycle and/or any other utility vehicle, and/or any other outdoor/off-road vehicle, having a water resistant universal serial bus (USB) system14in accordance with the various embodiments. Generally, the vehicle10comprises a pair of front wheels18operably connected to a steering wheel22for steering the vehicle10, and a pair of rear wheels26, at least one of which is operably connected to a prime mover (e.g., an internal combustion engine or electric motor) (not shown) and drivetrain (not shown) for providing motive force to the vehicle10. Additionally, the vehicle10generally includes at least one seat30for accommodating a driver and/or a passenger, e.g., a single bench seat or a pair of side-by-side seats.

Referring toFIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 7, in various embodiments the system14includes a USB connector assembly30(shown inFIGS. 2 and 3) and a water protected, e.g., water resistant or waterproof, circuit board assembly34(e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly) (shown inFIG. 7) to which the USB connector assembly30is removably connectable. Importantly, the circuit board assembly34is located remotely from a USB port module70of the USB connector assembly30(described below) such that any moisture sensitive electronics of the circuit board assembly34are physically separated from any water or moisture that may enter the USB port module70, which is exposed to external elements, e.g., water, rain, dirt, dust, moisture and other environmental debris. For example, in various embodiments, the circuit board assembly34can be mounted under a cowl36of the vehicle10, a significant distance (e.g., 4 inches to 3 feet, or greater) away from the USB port module mounted to a dashboard panel82(shown inFIG. 4) of the vehicle and exposed to the outdoor environment.

Referring particularly toFIG. 7, generally, the circuit board assembly34comprises a power converter and communication circuit38, e.g., a power converter and communication printed circuit board (PCB). As described below, the power converter and communication circuit38comprises a regulated USB power supply circuit40(shown inFIG. 8A) that can receive a wide range of input voltages, e.g., 5 volts to 100 volts, and output a regulated voltage, e.g., 5 volts, that can be utilized by a user device, e.g., a phone, tablet, laptop, range finder or other portable electronic device, (not shown) when such a device is connected to the USB connector assembly30. In various embodiments, the water protected power converter and communication circuit38can be encapsulated within a water protective housing or coating42, e.g., water resistant or waterproof housing or coating. For example, in various implementations, the power converter and communication circuit38can be encapsulated within a thermoplastic material.

The circuit board assembly34additionally includes a power supply and vehicle communication harness50that is connected to the power converter and communication circuit38at a proximal end and connectable to a main electrical and communication harness (not shown) of the vehicle10at a distal end. Particularly, the power supply and vehicle communication harness50is structured and operable to convey power (e.g., 5 to 48 volts) from a vehicle onboard power source or supply, and bidirectional communication signals from various vehicle systems and devices, to the power converter and communication circuit38. For example, in various embodiments, the power supply and vehicle communication harness50includes at least one harness cable62, wherein each harness cable62is connected to the power converter and communication circuit38at a proximal end, and is connectable to the vehicle main electrical and communication harness via a vehicle power supply and communication connector46disposed at a distal end. Via the connection to the vehicle main electrical and communication harness, the power converter and communication circuit38is electrically connected to the vehicle onboard power source or supply, i.e., a 12 to 48 volt battery54A or battery pack54B (i.e., a plurality of electrically connected batteries) of the vehicle10(shown inFIGS. 1 and 8B). Importantly, in various embodiments, the circuit board assembly34, i.e., the power converter and communication circuit38, is designed to accept input voltages ranging from 5 volts to 100 volts without damaging the power converter and communication circuit38or a user device connected to the USB system14.

The circuit board assembly34further includes at least one first USB harness connector58A that is connectable to a respective second USB harness connector58B of the USB connector assembly30. The first and second USB harness connectors58A and58B are structured and operable (via removable connection therebetween) to: 1) supply power, e.g., 5 volts, from the power converter and communication circuit38to a user device, e.g., a phone, tablet, laptop, range finder or other portable electronic device (not shown); and 2) convey bidirectional communication signals (i.e. data input/output signals) between the power converter and communication circuit38and the user device when such a device is connected to the USB connector assembly30, via the USB port module70, as described below. In various embodiments, the bidirectional input/output communication signals between the user device and the power converter and communication circuit38can be of any desired data protocol suitable for enabling Internet connection of the user device and/or the power converter and communication circuit38(e.g., WiFi or LAN or WAN connection), and to enable control and configuration data dumps or uploads between the user device, the power converter and communication circuit38and other systems of the vehicle10.

Referring particularly toFIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the USB connector assembly30generally comprises a USB port module70and the USB connection harness66that is connectable to the USB port module70. In various embodiments, the USB connection harness66includes at least one USB power and communication cable64. Each power and communication cable64having a second USB harness connector58B disposed at a proximal end and a USB port74, e.g., a female USB port, disposed at an opposing distal end. As described above, each second USB harness connector58B is removably connectable to a respective first USB harness connector58A to electrically and communicatively connect each respective USB port74to the power converter and communication circuit38.

The USB port module70generally comprises a USB port housing or body78that is removably mountable to the front panel82of a dashboard of the vehicle10. The USB port module70additionally comprises a laterally rotatable slide-away protective cover86that is pivotally connected to the housing78such that the cover86can be bidirectionally laterally rotated in a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direction, relative to a front face110of a housing head98of the USB port housing78, between an opened position (shown inFIG. 3) and a closed position (shown inFIG. 2). The housing78can be mountable to the dashboard panel82via any suitable connection means, e.g., bolted, riveted, screwed, glued, etc., to the dashboard panel82. For example, in various embodiments, as exemplarily illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the housing78can include a threaded neck90extending from a back face94of a head98of housing78. In such instances, the threaded neck90is sized to extend through a hole (not shown) in the dashboard panel82, whereafter a threaded nut102, and optionally a washer106, can be placed over (in the case of the washer106) and threaded onto (in the case of the nut102) the threaded neck90. Consequently, the nut102can be tightened to clamp the dashboard panel82between the housing head back face94and the nut102, thereby mounting the USB housing78to the dashboard panel82.

Referring further toFIGS. 2, 3 and 4, as described above, the laterally rotatable slide-away protective cover86is pivotally connected to the housing78such that the cover86can be bidirectionally laterally rotated in a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direction, relative to a front face110of a housing head98of the USB port housing78, between the opened and closed positions. More particularly, the cover86is pivotally connected to the housing78such that the cover86can be laterally rotated in an Open direction, e.g., a clockwise direction, to rotationally slide the cover86across the front face110of the housing head98to rotate the cover86about a pivot pin114and expose the front face110, thereby allowing access to the USB port(s)74disposed within the housing head98(seeFIG. 4). Conversely, the cover86can be laterally rotated in a Close direction, e.g., a counter-clockwise direction, to slide the cover86over the housing head front face110to cover the front face110of the housing head98and protect the USB port(s)74from water, moisture, dirt and debris. As used herein, the term laterally rotated, i.e., lateral rotation of the cover86, will be understood to mean rotation of the cover86about a longitudinal axis X such that the cover86bidirectionally rotates in a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction in a plane that is coplanar to the housing head front face110.

The cover86can be pivotally connected to the housing78, e.g., to the housing head98, via any suitable pivotal connection means. For example, in various embodiments, as exemplarily illustrated inFIG. 4, the cover can be pivotally connected to the housing head98via the pivot pin114that extends through pivot pin hole118in the protective cover86and is longitudinally disposed (e.g., along the axis X) and retained within a pin receptor122(best illustrated inFIG. 5) of the housing head98. The pivot pin114can be retained within the pin hole118and the pin receptor122using any suitable retention device, such as a spring clip or spring washer (not shown). In various embodiments, the cover86can be pivotally biased to the Closed position via a biasing spring126, or other suitable biasing device or mechanism. Importantly, when in the Open position, due to the lateral rotation of the cover86between the Open and Closed positions, the biasing spring126and cover86will not place any undesirable force on a user device USB cable connector mated with the USB port74, as described below, and therefore will not cause damage to the user device USB connector or the USB port74.

Referring now toFIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, in various embodiments, the cover86can include a cylindrical centering stem130and the housing head98can include a stem receiving well134. The center stem130is sized and shaped to be tactually and rotationally received within the well130and is structured and operable to stabilize (e.g., prevent wobbling), align and control rotation of the cover86between the Open and Closed positions. In various embodiments, the cover86includes a first water barrier lip138formed around a portion of the perimeter thereof, and longitudinally extending (e.g., extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis X) from an underside142of the cover86. The first water barrier lip138is structured and operable to provide a barrier to water, moisture dirt and debris penetrating and accumulating between the cover underside142and the housing head face front110when the cover is in the closed position. In such embodiments, the housing head98includes a second water barrier lip146formed around a portion of the perimeter thereof, and longitudinally extending (e.g., extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis X) from, the housing head front face110. Like the first water barrier lip138, the second water barrier lip138is structured and operable to provide a barrier to water, moisture, dirt and debris penetrating and accumulating between the cover underside142and the housing head face front110when the cover is in the closed position. More specifically, when the cover86is in the Closed position, the first and second water barrier lips138and146contact each other, e.g., meet, to form a barrier around the entire circumference of the housing head front face110, thereby providing a circumferential barrier to water, moisture, dirt and debris penetrating and accumulating between the cover underside142and the housing head face front110when the cover is in the closed position.

Referring now toFIGS. 4 and 5, the housing head98includes at least one USB port receptacle150that is structured and operable to receive and retain the USB port(s)74disposed on the distal end of the USB power and communication cable64of the USB harness66(shown inFIGS. 2 and 3). The USB port(s)74and receptacle(s)150are structured and operable to interlocking mate with each other via any suitable connection means, e.g., the USB port(s) can snap-fit into the USB port receptacle(s)150. Accordingly, when the USB system14is installed in the vehicle10, and the slide-away protective cover86is laterally pivoted to the Open position, the USB port(s)74are exposed and accessible to receive and mate with a connector, e.g., a male connector, of a standard USB device cable (not shown) to electrically and communicatively connect the user device to the power converter and communication circuit38, whereby the user device can receive charging power and/or send/receive communication signals (e.g., data input/output signals) to/from the power converter and communication circuit38.

Referring now toFIG. 5, in various embodiments, the housing head98can include at least one water drainage channel154that is/are structured and operable to divert water and moisture away from the USB port(s)74. Particularly, the drainage channel(s)154is/are structured and operable to divert any water/moisture that may enter and penetrate the USB port receptacles150away from the respective USB port(s)74. By diverting the water/moisture away from the respective USB port(s)74, the risk of: 1) electrical shorts between the pins of the USB port(s)74and the connector of the user device USB cable that could potentially damage the user device and/or the USB port(s)74; and/or 2) electrolysis/corrosion of the USB port pins, is reduced or prevented. In various implementations, the drainage channel(s)154is/are formed internally in the housing head98beneath each USB port receptacle150such that any water/moisture entering the respective USB port receptacle150will be diverted away from the respective USB port receptacle150, and user device USB cable connector, via gravity.

Moreover, that the drainage channel(s)154are structured and operable to divert any water/moisture entering the respective USB port receptacle150regardless of the orientation of the USB port receptacle(s)150. That is, although the USB port receptacle(s)150are exemplarily illustrated as being formed within the housing78in a horizontal orientation, the USB port receptacle(s)150can be formed within the housing78in a vertical orientation and the drainage channel(s)154would similarly divert any water/moisture entering the USB port receptacle(s)150. Furthermore, the drainage channel(s)154are structured and operable such that if the housing78were rotated 90° and mounted to the dashboard front panel82, such that the USB port receptacle(s) was/were vertically oriented, the drainage channel(s)154would similarly divert any water/moisture entering the USB port receptacle(s)150. Still further, it is envisioned that the housing head98can include one or more other water drainage channels that can be exteriorly formed, e.g., have at least a portion of the drainage channel terminate at, or be formed within, the front face110of the housing head98.

Additionally, in various embodiments, as part of the connection means to connect the USB port(s)74within the USB port receptacle(s)150, the housing78can further include a metal or plastic connection sleeve158that is disposed within, e.g., molded within, each USB port receptacle150. It is envisioned that in such embodiments, the sleeve(s)158can comprise a drainage channel access opening162formed in a bottom side of the sleeve(s)158.

Referring now toFIGS. 7, 8A and 8B,FIG. 8Aprovides an exemplary illustration of the regulated USB power supply circuit40disposed on the encapsulated power converter and communication circuit38, andFIG. 8Bprovides an exemplary illustration of a power supply circuit for providing power from the vehicle onboard power supply to the power converter and communication circuit38and regulated USB power supply circuit40. In various embodiments, the regulated USB power supply circuit40generally comprises the input power supply connector88, e.g., an 8 pin connector, for connection to the input power source54A/54B, via the power supply and vehicle communication harness50. As described above, the circuit40is structured and operable to accept/receive 5 to 100 volts input and output 5 volts, e.g., 5 volts at 1 amp, to each USB port74. In various embodiments, the output current is limited to 1 Amp per USB port74in order to limit the power and heat of the electronic components of the circuit40. This is sufficient to power and charge most known USB connectable user devices.

In various implementations, the power supply connector88includes a power, a ground, and a signal line for each of USB port74. The voltage on the signal line(s) is set to a specific value, e.g., 5 volts, in order to signal the user device that charging and/or communication is available. A USB port controller166(e.g., a Texas Instruments TPS2511) is provided for each USB port74to set the signal levels correctly so that all common cell phones, tablets and other user devices can be charged. In order to handle the wide nominal voltage range as well as transients of up to 100 volts, in various embodiments, the circuit40incorporates two stages, wherein a 5 volt switching regulator170is preceded by a linear regulator174. This combination allows USB system14to operate on both gasoline vehicles with a 12 volt battery and electric vehicles with up to 48 volt battery packs.

In various implementations, the power converter and communication circuit38, i.e., the circuit40, can include overvoltage protection, thermal protection, and fault tolerance circuitry. Additionally, in various embodiments, the circuit40can include reverse polarity protection circuitry186that prevents damage when the input is connected backwards. Furthermore, a common failure mode of non-isolated power supplies is a short circuited power transistor, which conducts input voltage directly to the output, and can damage or destroy any connected user device. To prevent user devices from being damaged from such short circuits internal fuse protector circuitry182is incorporated in to the circuit40that includes a fuse, e.g., a 10 Amp fuse, and an avalanche diode. If voltage at the output to the power converter and communication circuit38exceeds 7.5 volts then a transient voltage suppressor, such as, the avalanche diode, conducts enough current to blow the fuse182in the path of current flow, thereby rendering the power converter and communication circuit38and circuit40permanently inoperable. However, any connected user device will not be damaged. Additionally, in various implementations the power to the power converter and communication circuit38and circuit40, e.g., power from the battery/battery pack54A/54B of vehicle10, is supplied through a vehicle key switch194. On gasoline cars this is typically 12 volts DC. On electric cars it is typically 48 volts DC. Having the power supply connected to the power converter and communication circuit38and circuit40through the vehicle key switch194prevents drainage of the vehicle battery/battery pack54A/54B when the key switch is off and a user device is connected to the USB port74.

As described above, the water resistant USB system14is suitable for implementation in any open cab utility, outdoor and/or off-road recreational vehicle, such as golf cars, turf-care vehicles, small maintenance, shuttle or cargo vehicles, ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, etc. And furthermore is suitable for implementation into any such vehicle regardless of whether the vehicle is gas powered or electric powered, and regardless of the onboard voltage of such the respective vehicle. That is, the water resistant USB system14is suitable for use with gas and electric vehicles, and can be connected to onboard power supplies having a wide range voltage output, for example, onboard supply voltages ranging from 5 volts to 100 volts.

The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is described are intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the teachings.