U.S. patent application number 09/862489 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-01 for apparatus for displaying electrical measurement of distributor of motor vehicle.
Invention is credited to Tsai, Liao-Tai.
Application Number | 20010035819 09/862489 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23924577 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010035819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsai, Liao-Tai |
November 1, 2001 |
Apparatus for displaying electrical measurement of distributor of
motor vehicle
Abstract
An apparatus for displaying electrical measurement of
distributor of motor vehicle comprises a distributor and a circuit
module including at least one display unit and a circuit board in
distributor under input and output terminals and electrically
connected thereto by contacting. Display unit is electrically
connected to circuit board and located on a side of distributor for
ease of reading. Thus current representing an electrical
measurement of distributor may be shown on display unit.
Inventors: |
Tsai, Liao-Tai; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
23924577 |
Appl. No.: |
09/862489 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09862489 |
May 23, 2001 |
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09484541 |
Jan 18, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/439 ;
340/438; 340/691.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01R 31/006 20130101;
G01R 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/439 ;
340/438; 340/691.6 |
International
Class: |
G08B 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for displaying electrical measurement of electrical
means of a motor vehicle comprising: a distributor for distributing
power to said electrical means having an input terminal and a
plurality of output terminals; and a circuit module including at
least one display unit and a circuit board; wherein said circuit
board is provided in said distributor under said input and output
terminals and is electrically connected thereto by contacting, and
said display unit is electrically connected to said circuit board
and is located on a side of said distributor, thereby showing
current representing an electrical measurement of said distributor
on said display unit via circuit board.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said distributor comprises a
plurality of fuse blocks each provided in a branch of said
distributor.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display unit comprises a
plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said display unit further
comprises a digital display.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said digital display is a
liquid crystal display (LCD).
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said circuit module further
comprises a button being operative to switch values shown on said
digital display.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a casing extended
from a side of said distributor and a window on said casing
disposed corresponding to said display unit.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said display unit is disposed
vertically on a side of said distributor.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said display unit is disposed
slantwise on said side of said display unit.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said circuit board comprises
a plurality of electrical elements in said casing.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said electrical elements are
under said circuit board.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of
slots on bottom of said distributor for receiving said electrical
elements.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a recess on
bottom of said distributor for receiving said electrical
elements.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said distributor further
comprises a cover.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuous application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/484,541 entitled "Apparatus for
Displaying Electrical Measurement of Distributor of Motor Vehicle."
The teaching thereof is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the distributor of motor
vehicles, and more particularly to an apparatus for displaying
electrical measurements of distributors of motor vehicles, so that
user may see the desired electrical measurement directly, thereby
eliminating the need to use a multimeter for detecting a
malfunctioned component.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, power supplied by battery 20 of a motor
vehicle is distributed to the electrical devices such as stereo,
head light, directional light, and brake light, etc. by a
distributor. Above related Patent Application discloses a circuit
module in addition to distributor. The circuit module comprises at
least one display unit, a circuit board, and a plurality of
flexible pins wherein pins are electrically connected between
circuit module and distributor such that circuit board may be
enabled by the power supplied by distributor through the pins.
Further, an appropriate representation is displayed on the display
unit. Hence, user may see the desired electrical measurement on the
display unit directly, thereby eliminating the need to use a
multimeter for detecting a malfunctioned component.
[0006] As best illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of pins 60 are
between circuit module 40 and distributor 10. Hence, manufacturing
cost is increased due to the provision of circuit board 43, display
unit 412 and pins 60. Further, in assembly it is required to first
mount pins 60. Then mount circuit board 43 on pins 60. Furthermore,
user has to bend the back in order to see electrical measurement on
display unit 412 clearly which is mounted on distributor 10. As
shown in FIG. 2, if fuse is melted user has to open cover 12 prior
to detaching circuit board 43. Thereafter, it is possible to
replace the melted fuse with a good one. Finally, mount circuit
board 43 and cover 12 sequentially. In view of this, it is
inconvenient in use and quite bothering.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an apparatus for displaying electrical measurement of
distributor of motor vehicle such that user may see desired
electrical measurement directly, thereby eliminating the need to
use a multimeter for detecting a malfunctioned component.
[0008] The advantages of the present invention are realized by
providing an apparatus for displaying electrical measurement of
distributor of motor vehicle comprising a distributor and a circuit
module. Circuit module comprises at least one display unit and a
circuit board. Circuit board is provided in distributor under input
and output terminals and electrically connected thereto by
contacting. Display unit is electrically connected to circuit board
and located on a side of distributor. Hence, current may be shown
on display unit via circuit board and thus eliminating pins which
is connected to circuit module as disclosed in the related Patent
Application. As an end, the manufacturing cost is reduced and
assembly is further simplified. Preferably, display unit is slanted
or mounted on the side of the display unit for ease of reading.
Moreover, circuit module is mounted within distributor. Thus user
may replace a malfunctioned fuse with a good one without detaching
circuit module.
[0009] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
However, it should be understood that the detailed description and
specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the
invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various
changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will become fully understood from the
detailed description given hereinbelow illustration only, and thus
are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating a referenced
apparatus for displaying electrical measurement of distributor of
motor vehicle;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled FIG. 1
apparatus;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment
of apparatus for displaying electrical measurement of distributor
of motor vehicle according to the invention where cover is
removed;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the assembled apparatus shown
in FIG. 3;
[0015] FIGS. 5A and 5B are views similar to FIG. 4 schematically
illustrating an electrical connection between circuit board and
distributor;
[0016] FIGS. 6A and 6B are views similar to FIGS. 5A and 5B
schematically illustrating an electrical connection between output
terminal and circuit board;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of apparatus for displaying electrical measurement of
distributor of motor vehicle according to the invention where cover
is removed; and
[0018] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the assembled apparatus shown
in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6 in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2
a first embodiment of an apparatus of the invention is illustrated.
The apparatus comprises a distributor 10 and a circuit module 40.
Distributor 10 includes an input terminal 111, a plurality of
output terminals (four are shown for the purpose of illustration)
112, a cover 12 for preventing dust and foreign bodies from
entering the distributor 10, and a plurality of fuse blocks 113
having fuses with each fuse block 113 provided in the connection
(i.e., branch) between input terminal 111 and an associated output
terminal 112 as a safeguard for preventing overload. Circuit module
40 comprises at least one display unit 412 and a circuit board 43.
Circuit board 43 is provided in distributor 10 under input terminal
111 and output terminals 112 and electrically connected thereto by
contacting. Display unit 412 is electrically connected to circuit
board 43 and located on a side of distributor 10. Hence, current
may be shown on display unit 412 via circuit board 43 and thus
eliminating pins disclosed in the related Patent Application. As an
end, the manufacturing cost is reduced and assembly is further
simplified. Circuit board 43 is shaped like an L so that display
unit 412 can be mounted on a side of distributor 10. It is
appreciated that circuit board 43 may have any other shape in other
embodiments as long as circuit board 43 is under input terminal 111
and output terminals 112. Further, display unit 412 is in front of
circuit board 43. A casing 13 is extended from a side of
distributor 10 for protecting circuit module 40. A window 131 is on
top of casing 13 so that user may see the desired electrical
measurement shown on display unit 412 directly. Preferably, display
unit 412 on top of casing 13 is slanted at a desired angle for ease
of reading. Moreover, display unit 412 may be provided on the other
side of distributor 10 (i.e., left as seen in FIG. 3 while top and
bottom sides are provided for input/output.)
[0020] Moreover, circuit board 43 is mounted within distributor 10.
Electrical elements 431 such as ICs, capacitors, resistors, etc.
may be provided in casing 13 in the right side of distributor 10
since there are sufficient space in casing 13 for mounting such
elements 431 (FIG. 3). In FIG. 5A, a plurality of rectangular slots
101 are provided on bottom of distributor 10 for receiving
electrical elements 431. Alternatively in FIG. 5B, a recess is
provided on bottom of distributor 10 for receiving electrical
elements 431. In either of above configurations shown in FIGS. 5A
and 5B, the depth and size of slot 101 or recess may be designed to
conform to the mounted electrical elements 431.
[0021] FIG. 6A illustrates an electrical connection between each
output terminal 112 and circuit board 43. In detail, output
terminal 112 is coupled to a contact 432 of circuit board 43 for
establishing an electrical connection. Contact 432 may be a welded
spot, exposed lead, or the like. The electrical connection between
input terminal 111 and circuit board 43 is similarly configured as
that between each output terminal 112 and circuit board 43. Thus a
description of such is omitted for the sake of brevity. Hence,
current may be shown on display unit 412 via circuit board 43. In
addition, a riser 1121 is provided on bottom of output terminal 112
(FIG. 6B). Riser 1121 is projected from a hole on circuit board 43
for forming an electrical connection between output terminal 112
and circuit board 43. Hole on circuit board 43 is electrically
connected to circuitry of circuit board 43, or alternatively a
plurality of electrical contacts are around hole on circuit board
43. Above are only exemplary embodiments for forming an electrical
connection between each output terminal 112 and circuit board 43.
It is appreciated that such connection may have any other form in
other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention.
[0022] The display unit 412 is implemented as a plurality of light
emitting diodes (LEDs) 42 each corresponding to a fuse block 113 on
the distributor 10. An on/off or a selected color (i.e., green
means normal, red means abnormal, etc.) may be used to represent
whether a corresponding fuse is normal or not. Optionally, a liquid
crystal display (LCD) 41 may be provided to display current or
voltage value of distributor 10 in a digital manner. Further, a
button 45 (FIG. 3) is provided on the circuit module 40 for user to
conveniently switch between voltage and current values, or show
current of a branch. It is understood that branches are connected
parallel. Hence, all branches have the same voltage, while current
may be different depending on the resistance value of respective
branch.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, user may replace a malfunctioned fuse in
fuse block 113 with a good one by removing cover 12 without
detaching circuit board as disclosed in the related Patent
Application since circuit module 40 is under input terminal 111 and
output terminals 112. This is quite convenient.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a second embodiment of an
apparatus of the invention is illustrated. The features of the
second embodiment are that display unit 412 is provided on a side
of distributor 10, i.e., the vertical wall to the right of output
terminals 112 as shown. This may also facilitate reading the
desired electrical measurement shown on display unit 412 which is
provided to the right of circuit board 43. Similarly, display unit
412 may comprises a plurality of LEDs 42 and an LCD 41 for
displaying current or voltage value of distributor 10. Further, a
button 45 (FIG. 7) is provided on the circuit module 40 for user to
conveniently switch between voltage and current values, or show
current of a branch. As stated above, display unit 412 is provided
on the side of distributor 10 rather than disposed at an angle with
respect thereto (i.e., slanted). Hence, space to the right of
distributor 10, i.e., inner space of casing 13 is reduced. The
total space of the apparatus is reduced accordingly (FIG. 8). Thus
there is not sufficient space inside casing 13 to receive
electrical elements 431 of circuit board 43. A solution to this is
to provide a plurality of rectangular slots 101 on bottom of
distributor 10 for receiving electrical elements 431 (FIG. 5A).
Alternatively in FIG. 5B, a recess is provided on bottom of
distributor 10 for receiving electrical elements 431.
[0025] Also, an electrical connection between each output terminal
112 (or input terminal 111) and circuit board 43 is effected by
contacting. In detail as shown in FIG. 4A, output terminal 112 is
coupled to a contact 432 of circuit board 43 for establishing an
electrical connection. Contact 432 may be a welded spot, exposed
lead, or the like. Hence, current may be shown on display unit 412
via circuit board 43. In addition, a riser 1121 is provided on
bottom of output terminal 112 (FIG. 6B). Riser 1121 is projected
from a hole on circuit board 43 for forming an electrical
connection between output terminal 112 and circuit board 43. Hole
on circuit board 43 is electrically connected to circuitry of
circuit board 43, or alternatively a plurality of electrical
contacts are around hole on circuit board 43. Above are only
exemplary embodiments for forming an electrical connection between
output terminal 112 and circuit board 43. It is appreciated that
such connection may have any other form in other embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0026] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims.
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