US5198696A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive electrical systems
Assignee: PIFCO
•
Filing: 1990-04-13
•
Granted: 1993-03-30
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Expires: 2010-04-13
Abstract
Abstract An electrical system for an automobile comprises a plurality of slave modules connected to one or more respective loads and/or sensors, a power bus connecting the slave modules to a power supply and a signal bus connecting the slave modules to a control module operable to remotely control the switching of power supplied to the loads by the slave modules and/or the sampling of signals from the sensors wherein at least one of the slave modules and/or the control means comprises a thick film printed circuit formed on a metal substrate. The system simplifies the wiring loom of a vehicle and provides circuits which are resistant to vibration and electrical interference.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael E. Dennis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:28
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/03; B60R16/0315; B60R16/023; B60R16/0231; B60R16/0232; H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/03; H05K1/05; H05K1/056; H05K3/00; H05K3/46; H05K3/4644; H05K3/4664; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/4913; Y10T29/49144
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An electrical system for an automobile comprising a plurality of slave modules connected to one or more respective loads and/or sensors, a power bus connecting the slave modules to a control module operable to remotely control the switching of power supplied to the loads by the modules and/or the sampling of signals from the sensors, at least one of the slave modules and/or the control means comprising a thick film printed circuit formed on a stainless steel substrate and wherein the circuit comprises a composite layer selectively applied to one or more surface portions of the substrate and is mounted with a remaining uncoated surface portion of the substrate in contact with a body panel of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An electrical system for an automobile comprising a plurality of slave modules connected to one or more respective loads and/or sensors, a power bus connecting the slave modules to a control module operable to remotely control the switching of power supplied to the loads by the modules and/or the sampling of signals from the sensors, at least one of the slave modules and/or the control means comprising a thick film printed circuit formed on a stainless steel substrate and wherein the circuit comprises a composite layer selectively applied to one or more surface portions of the substrate and is mounted with a remaining uncoated surface portion of the substrate in contact with a body panel of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a plate forming a structural element of a component of the automobile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the structural element is a housing of the slave module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the structural elements is a housing of the control module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrical system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the structural element is a housing of a keyboard connected to the control module for the input of commands thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrical system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the structural element is a component of an electrical device of the automobile defining one or more loads switched by the circuit formed on the substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the electrical device comprises a headlamp or taillamp assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrical system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control module, the slave modules and the signal bus together comprise a multiplexed telemetry system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electrical system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the signal bus comprises two conducting wires connected in parallel between the slave modules and the control module, the telemetry system being such that digital signals are applied in antiphase to the respective wires.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-03-29 | 1996-09-28 | 1997-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-29 | 2000-09-28 | 2001-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-29 | 2004-09-28 | 2005-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |