POWER DELIVERY APPARATUS

Abstract

A power delivery apparatus (100) for a vehicle includes an upstream delivering portion (10) and a downstream delivering portion (20). The upstream delivering portion (10) includes: an internal input terminal (11); an external input terminal (12); and a connecting terminal (13). The internal input terminal (11), the external input terminal (12) and the connecting terminal (13) are different terminals from one another. The downstream delivering portion (20) includes: a connected terminal (23); a fuse portion (22a-22e) connected to the connected terminal (23); and a downstream output terminal (21a-21e) outputting the electric power via the fuse portion (22a-22e). The upstream delivering portion (10) and the downstream delivering portion (20) are independent members each other and are assembled to be integrated with each other to allow connecting the connecting terminal (13) and the connected terminal (23).

Claims

1. A power delivery apparatus for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an upstream delivering portion delivering electric power supplied from a power source; and a downstream delivering portion delivering the electric power via the upstream delivering portion, the upstream delivering portion including: an internal input terminal connected to an on-vehicle power source; an external input terminal connected to an external power source outside the vehicle; and a connecting terminal outputting electric power inputted from at least one of the internal input terminal and the external input terminal to the downstream delivering portion, the internal input terminal, the external input terminal and the connecting terminal being different terminals from one another, the downstream delivering portion including: a connected terminal receiving the electric power outputted from the connecting terminal; a fuse portion connected to the connected terminal; and a downstream output terminal outputting the electric power via the fuse portion to an electric device mounted on the vehicle, the upstream delivering portion and the downstream delivering portion being independent members each other and being assembled to be integrated with each other to allow connecting the connecting terminal and the connected terminal.

2. The power delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upstream delivering portion includes: an upstream output portion outputting electric power to another electric device than the electric device connected to the downstream output terminal.

3. The power delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the downstream delivering portion further includes: a direct output terminal outputting the electric power inputted to the connected terminal without passing through the fuse portion.

4. The power delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the downstream delivering portion includes: a plurality of the downstream output terminals; and a specific fuse portion as the fuse portion connected to one of the plurality of the downstream output terminals, the specific fuse portion having capacity enough to serve as a main fuse in a relay box mounted on the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example in which a power delivery apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention has been applied to a vehicle.

[0041] FIGS. 2A and 2B are views for explaining the overall configuration of the power delivery apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A is a perspective view in which the power delivery apparatus is observed from a front direction, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view in which the power delivery apparatus is observed from a back direction.

[0042] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing a state in which a downstream delivering portion of the power delivery apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 has been separated from an upstream delivering portion. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the downstream delivering portion, and FIG. 3B is a front view of the downstream delivering portion.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a state in which the power delivery apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B has been connected to a relay box.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram in which a modification of the power delivery apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 has been connected to a relay box.

[0045] FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing a state in which a downstream delivering portion of a power delivery apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention has been separated from an upstream delivering portion. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the downstream delivering portion, and FIG. 6B is a front view of the downstream delivering portion.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a state in which the power delivery apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B has been connected to a relay box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] A power delivery apparatus according to each embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which a power delivery apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as “power delivery apparatus 100”) according to a first embodiment of the invention has been applied to a vehicle 200.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the power delivery apparatus 100 is disposed in a front part of a vehicle body 201 of a vehicle 200 (in particular in an engine room), and a battery 202 (on-vehicle power source) is disposed in a rear part of the vehicle body 201 (in particular in a lower portion of a trunk room). By the power delivery apparatus 100, electric power supplied from the battery 202 through a power path 203 can be supplied to a relay box 205 through a power path 204, and supplied to a starter motor 207 through a power path 206. In addition, the power delivery apparatus 100 may be configured to supply electric power to other electric devices (not-illustrated) in addition to the relay box 205 and the starter motor 207.

[0050] The power delivery apparatus 100 has a jump post 12 (external input terminal) which is to be connected to a battery (external power source) of a rescue vehicle through a power line such as a booster cable when battery exhaustion occurs in the vehicle 200 (details will be described later).

[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in the power delivery apparatus 100, an upstream delivering portion 10 and a downstream delivering portion 20 have been assembled and integrated to each other. The upstream delivering portion 10 and the downstream delivering portion 20, however, are members independent of each other, and can be separated from each other (for example, see FIGS. 3A and 3B). In this embodiment, the upstream delivering portion 10 is a common part (general-use component) independent of the type of the vehicle 200, and the downstream delivering portion 20 is an individual part (optional component) designed based on a specification defined uniquely for the type of the vehicle 200.

[0052] The upstream delivering portion 10 includes a power source connection terminal 11 (internal input terminal) that can be connected to the battery 202, the jump post 12 (external input terminal), an output terminal 13 (connecting terminal) from which electric power can be outputted to the downstream delivering portion 20, and an output terminal 14 from which electric power can be outputted to the starter motor 207. The power source connection terminal 11 and the output terminals 13 and 14 are terminals shaped like columns, and the jump post 12 is a terminal shaped like a thin plate.

[0053] An end portion of the power path 203 extending from the battery 202 is connected to the power source connection terminal 11. An end portion of a power path (such as a booster cable) connected to a battery (external power source) of a rescue vehicle is connected to the jump post 12. An input terminal 23 (connected terminal) of the downstream delivering portion 20, which will be described later, is connected to the output terminal 13. An end portion of the power path 206 extending from the starter motor 207 is connected to the output terminal 14.

[0054] The downstream delivering portion 20 includes a plurality (five in this embodiment) of output terminals 21a to 21e (downstream output terminals), fuse portions 22a to 22e (also see FIG. 3B), and the input terminal 23 (connected terminal). A plurality of power paths connected to electric devices of the vehicle 200 can be connected to the output terminals 21a to 21e. The fuse portions 22a to 22e are connected to the output terminals 21a to 21e respectively. Electric power to be supplied to the output terminals 21a to 21e through the fuse portions 22a to 22e respectively is inputted to the input terminal 23. The input terminal 23 (connected terminal) is connected to the output terminal 13 (connecting terminal) of the upstream delivering portion 10. In addition, the number of the output terminals 21a to 21e, the number of the fuse portions 22a to 22c, the capacities of the fuse portions 22a to 22e for the respective output terminals 21a to 21e may be set desirably in accordance with the vehicle model, the type, the specification, etc. of the vehicle 200.

[0055] The overall shape of the downstream delivering portion 20 will be described here. The downstream delivering portion 20 includes a front face portion 24 like a longitudinal plate, and a projection portion 25 like a transverse plate. The output terminals 21a to 21e are provided in a central portion in an up/down direction of the front face portion 24. The fuse portions 22a to 22e are located and housed near the upper end of the front face portion 24 (also see FIG. 3B). The projection portion 25 projects rearward from the left half part of the upper end portion of the front face portion 24. The input terminal 23 like a flat plate is provided in a central portion in a left/right direction of the projection portion 25.

[0056] The upstream delivering portion 10 has an overall shape as follows. Fringe portions 15 and 16 like fences are provided in an upper end portion of the upstream delivering portion 10 so that the fringe portions 15 and 16 can be fitted to the circumferential edge of an upper end rear portion of the downstream delivering portion 20 when the upstream delivering portion 10 and the downstream delivering portion 20 are assembled. Further, the upstream delivering portion 10 is configured so that a part of the upper face of the upstream delivering portion 10 can come into contact with the lower face of the projection portion 25 of the downstream delivering portion 20 when the upstream delivering portion 10 and the downstream delivering portion 20 are assembled.

[0057] As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a circular insertion hole 23a is provided in the input terminal 23 of the downstream delivering portion 20. The columnar output terminal 13 of the upstream delivering portion 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 23a, and the output terminal 13 and the input terminal 23 are fastened by a nut 30 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B). Thus, the output terminal 13 of the upstream delivering portion 10 and the input terminal 23 of the downstream delivering portion 20 can be electrically connected to each other, while the upstream delivering portion 10 and the downstream delivering portion 20 can be assembled to each other.

[0058] As an example of a use state of the power delivery apparatus 100, an example in which the relay box 205 has been connected to the power delivery apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a branch circuit 17 connected from the power source connection terminal 11 (internal input terminal) to the jump post 12 (external input terminal), the output terminal 13 (connecting terminal) and the output terminal 14 is formed in the upstream delivering portion 10. In the embodiment, not only the input terminal 23 of the downstream delivering portion 20 but also an end portion 204a of the power path 204 extending from the relay box 205 are connected to the output terminal 13. In particular, the end portion 204a of the power path 204 is fastened and fixed to the output terminal 13 together with the input terminal 23 by the nut 30.

[0060] The relay box 205 is provided with an output terminal 41 to which a power source system such as an alternator (not illustrated) is connected, a main fuse 42, and a connecting terminal 43 of the power path 204. The power path 204 is connected to the connecting terminal 43 of the relay box 205.

[0061] In addition, the plurality (five in the embodiment) of fuse portions 22a to 22e of the downstream delivering portion 20 are connected in series to the input terminal 23 and connected in parallel with one another. Electric devices (not illustrated) can be connected to the output terminals 21a to 21e corresponding to the fuse portions 22a to 22e.

[0062] As has been described above, the power delivery apparatus 100 is integrally provided with the power source connection terminal 11 (internal input terminal) that can be connected to the battery 202, the jump post 12 (external input terminal) that can be connected to an external power source, and the fuse portions 22a to 22e corresponding to electric devices of the vehicle 200. Thus, when the power delivery apparatus 100 is, for example, disposed in an engine room and the battery 202 and the power source connection terminal 11 are connected through the power path 203, the jump post 12 can be located in the engine room even if the battery 202 is located outside the engine room. Hence, handling at the time of battery exhaustion is not different from that in the background art. Further, the fuse portions 22a to 22e are also located in the engine room in the same manner as in the background art. Thus, change of design of peripheral components can be avoided as far as possible.

[0063] Hence, according to the power delivery apparatus 100, handling at the time of battery exhaustion can be made easy and change of design of various kinds of components can be avoided as far as possible even when the battery 202 is disposed outside the engine room.

[0064] Further, according to the power delivery apparatus 100, the upstream delivering portion 10 and the downstream delivering portion 20 are separate parts, which are independent of each other. When the upstream delivering portion 10 is set as a common part (general-purpose component) independent of the type of the vehicle 200 and the downstream delivering portion 20 is set as an individual part (optional component) designed based on a specification required uniquely for the type of the vehicle 200, change of design all over the power delivery apparatus 100 is not required uniquely for the type of the vehicle 200 in comparison with a case where the upstream delivering portion 10 and the downstream delivering portion 20 are not separate parts. Thus, change in the specification of the vehicle 200 can be dealt with easily and at a low cost.

[0065] In addition, the upstream delivering portion 10 has the power source connection terminal 11 corresponding to the battery 202, as another terminal than the output terminal 13 (connecting terminal) corresponding to the input terminal 23 (connected terminal) of the downstream delivering portion 20. Accordingly, for example, no other terminal is connected to the power source connection terminal 11 in a state where the upstream delivering portion 10 and the downstream delivering portion 20 have been assembled to each other (a state where the output terminal 13 of the upstream delivering portion 10 and the input terminal 23 of the downstream delivering portion 20 have been connected to each other). Thus, the power delivery apparatus 100 and the battery 202 can be connected to each other only if the battery 202 and the power source connection terminal 11 are connected to each other in a subsequent step (for example, a step of installation on a vehicle in a product delivery destination such as a car maker). Accordingly, workability in the subsequent step can be improved.

[0066] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the upstream delivering portion 10 includes an output portion (also used as the output terminal 13) from which electric power can be outputted to another electric device (relay box 205) than the electric devices connected to the output terminals 21a to 21e. Hence, the electric device (relay box 205) to which electric power is supplied from the upstream delivering portion 10 and the electric devices to which electric power is supplied from the downstream delivering portion 20 (the electric devices connected to the output terminals 21a to 21e) can be selected individually and desirably. Accordingly, electric devices to which supplying electric power may be suspended when the main fuse 42 in the relay box 205 is melt down and an electric device to which supplying electric power should be continued can be kept separate from each other. In this manner, the power delivery apparatus 100 can deal with design concept such as power supply line of each vehicle flexibly.

Modification of First Embodiment

[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 5, an output terminal 26 (the output terminal 14 in FIG. 4) connected to the starter motor 207 may be provided not in the upstream delivering portion 10 but in the downstream delivering portion 20. The output terminal 26 (direct output terminal) is connected to an upstream circuit position from the fuse portions 22a to 22e so that electric power can be outputted directly not through the fuse portions 22a to 22e of the downstream delivering portion 20.

[0068] According to this configuration, electric power from the battery 202 can be supplied to the starter motor 207 from the downstream delivering portion 20 directly not through the fuse portions 22a to 22e. Accordingly, electric power can be supplied through the downstream delivering portion 20 to an electric device such as the starter motor 207 for which the fuse function in the power delivery apparatus 100 is dispensable. Thus, change of design of such an electric device can be avoided.

Second Embodiment

[0069] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrates a downstream delivering portion 20 of a power delivery apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “power delivery apparatus 100A”) according to a second embodiment of the invention. The power delivery apparatus 100A according to the second embodiment is different from the power delivery apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment at the point that the downstream delivering portion 20 includes a specific fuse portion 22f having capacity high enough to serve as the main fuse 42 in the relay box 205.

[0070] In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the downstream delivering portion 20 is provided with an output terminal 21f, an output terminal 27, and the specific fuse portion 22f. The power path 204 connected to the relay box 205 of the vehicle 200 can be connected to the output terminal 21f. A power path connected to an alternator (not illustrated) is connected to the output terminal 27. The specific fuse portion 22f can serve as a main fuse (maximum capacity fuse) in the relay box 205. In this embodiment, the output terminal 21f is provided in the front face portion 24 of the downstream delivering portion 20, and the output terminal 27 is provided in the projection portion 25. The specific fuse portion 22f is disposed near an upper part of the output terminal 21f of the front face portion 24 of the downstream delivering portion 20.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the specific fuse portion 22f is provided between the input terminal 23 and the output terminal 21f of the downstream delivering portion 20. The power path 204 is connected to connect the output terminal 21f with a downstream circuit position from the position where the main fuse 42 of the relay box 205 should be located (see FIG. 5). In addition, the main fuse 42 is not provided in the relay box 205.

[0072] According to this configuration, the power delivery apparatus 100A (downstream delivering portion 20) can serve for the function as the main fuse 42 usually disposed in the relay box 205. Accordingly, in a case where the capacity of the main fuse 42 must be, for example, increased (to increase the size of the main fuse 42 itself) with the vehicle made highly functional, the shape and internal wiring of the relay box 205, etc., do not have to be changed substantially. It will go well if the relay box 205 is connected to the output terminal 21f corresponding to the specific fuse portion 22f of the power delivery apparatus 100A. In addition, an extremely large number of components, circuits, etc. are generally built in the relay box 205. Hence, the cost for changing the design of the relay box 205 is higher than the cost for changing the design of the power delivery apparatus 100A. Thus, it is not necessary to change the design of the relay box 205 for each vehicle 200, but it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the relay box 205 (and hence the manufacturing cost of the vehicle 200).

Other Forms

[0073] In addition, the invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, but various modifications can be used within the scope of the invention. For example, the invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, but changes, improvements, etc. can be made on the invention suitably. In addition, materials, shapes, dimensions, numbers, arrangement places, etc. of respective constituent elements in the aforementioned embodiments are not limited. Any materials, any shapes, any dimensions, any numbers, any arrangement places, etc. may be used as long as the invention can be attained.

[0074] Here, the features of the aforementioned embodiments of the “power delivery apparatus” will be summarized and listed briefly in the following paragraphs (1) to (4).

(1)

[0075] A power delivery apparatus (100) for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

[0076] an upstream delivering portion (10) delivering electric power supplied from a power source; and a downstream delivering portion (20) delivering the electric power via the upstream delivering portion (10),

[0077] the upstream delivering portion (10) including:

[0078] an internal input terminal (11) connected to an on-vehicle power source (202); an external input terminal (12) connected to an external power source outside the vehicle; and a connecting terminal (13) outputting electric power inputted from at least one of the internal input terminal (11) and the external input terminal (12) to the downstream delivering portion (20),

[0079] the internal input terminal (11), the external input terminal (12) and the connecting terminal (13) being different terminals from one another,

[0080] the downstream delivering portion (20) including:

[0081] a connected terminal (23) receiving the electric power outputted from the connecting terminal (13); a fuse portion (22a-22e) connected to the connected terminal (23); and a downstream output terminal (21a-21e) outputting the electric power via the fuse portion (22a-22e) to an electric device mounted on the vehicle,

[0082] the upstream delivering portion (10) and the downstream delivering portion (20) being independent members each other and being assembled to be integrated with each other to allow connecting the connecting terminal (13) and the connected terminal (23).

(2)

[0083] The power delivery apparatus (100) according to item (1), wherein

[0084] the upstream delivering portion (10) includes:

[0085] an upstream output portion (the connecting terminal 13 serves as this portion, in the above embodiment, see FIGS. 4 and 5) outputting electric power to another electric device (205) than the electric device connected to the downstream output terminal (21a-21e).

(3)

[0086] The power delivery apparatus (100) according to item (1) or item (2), wherein

[0087] the downstream delivering portion (20) further includes:

[0088] a direct output terminal (26) outputting the electric power inputted to the connected terminal (23) without passing through the fuse portion (22a-22e).

(4)

[0089] The power delivery apparatus (100A) according to any one of item (1) to item (3), wherein

[0090] the downstream delivering portion (20) includes:

[0091] a plurality of the downstream output terminals (21a-21e); and a specific fuse portion (22f) connected to one of the plurality of the downstream output terminals (21a-21e),

[0092] the specific fuse portion (22f) having capacity enough to serve as a main fuse (42 in FIGS. 4 and 5) in a relay box (205) mounted on the vehicle.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0093] 100 power delivery apparatus

[0094] 10 upstream delivering portion

[0095] 11 power source connection terminal (internal input terminal)

[0096] 12 jump post (external input terminal)

[0097] 13 output terminal (connecting terminal)

[0098] 20 downstream delivering portion

[0099] 21a-21e, 21f output terminal (downstream output terminal)

[0100] 22a-22e fuse portion

[0101] 22f specific fuse portion

[0102] 23 input terminal (connected terminal)

[0103] 26 output terminal (direct output terminal)

[0104] 42 main fuse

[0105] 200 vehicle

[0106] 202 battery (on-vehicle power source)

[0107] 205 relay box

[0108] 207 starter motor