U.S. patent application number 11/757813 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for shore power wire harness.
This patent application is currently assigned to SHUREPOWER, LLC. Invention is credited to Jeffrey C. Kim, Vincent Mangano, Michael T. Panich.
Application Number | 20070224843 11/757813 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38226970 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070224843 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Jeffrey C. ; et
al. |
September 27, 2007 |
SHORE POWER WIRE HARNESS
Abstract
A wire harness for a truck, truck and trailer, a recreational
vehicle or bus includes a rear removable connector positioned
adjacent to the rear of the vehicle, a first cable attached to the
bottom of the vehicle having one end attached to the rear removable
connector and the other end attached to the vehicle's electrical
load. The vehicle's electrical load is enabled when the rear
removable connector is connected to an external power source, which
is generally known as shore power.
Inventors: |
Kim; Jeffrey C.; (Portland,
OR) ; Panich; Michael T.; (Columbia, MD) ;
Mangano; Vincent; (North Bend, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP
10 ST. JAMES AVENUE
11th Floor
BOSTON
MA
02116-3889
US
|
Assignee: |
SHUREPOWER, LLC
Rome
NY
|
Family ID: |
38226970 |
Appl. No.: |
11/757813 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11376529 |
Mar 15, 2006 |
7241146 |
|
|
11757813 |
Jun 4, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 16/0207
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/035 |
International
Class: |
H01R 33/00 20060101
H01R033/00 |
Claims
1. A wire harness for a vehicle having a bottom surface, a front
end, a back end, and an electrical load, the wire harness
comprising: a rear removable connector positioned adjacent the back
end of the vehicle; a first cable attached adjacent to the bottom
surface of the vehicle and extending at least a portion of a length
of the vehicle, the first cable having a first end and a second
end; the first end of the first cable attached to the rear
removable connector; and the second end of the first cable attached
to the electrical load, the electrical load enabled by an external
power source when the rear removable connector is connected to the
external power source.
2. The wire harness of claim 1 further comprising a protective
cover attached adjacent to the bottom surface of the vehicle, the
protective cover having an inner surface and an outer surface, the
protective cover surrounding at least a portion of the first
cable.
3. The wire harness of claim 2 wherein the protective cover is
selected from the group consisting of metal conduits, plastic
conduits, box-shaped conduits, and U-shaped channels.
4. The wire harness of claim 1 further comprising a winding wheel
adjacent the back end of the vehicle, the winding wheel enabling
the rear removable connector to move away from the back end of the
vehicle when the winding wheel is unwound and pulls the rear
removable connector towards the back end of the vehicle when the
winding wheel is wound.
5. The wire harness of claim 1 wherein the electrical load is
selected from the group consisting of a heater, an air conditioner,
a television, a microwave, a computer, a fan, a radio, a compact
disc player, a VCR, a DVD player, an engine heater, a telephone, a
light, a refrigerator, a refrigeration unit and other
appliances.
6. The wire harness of claim 1 wherein the first cable comprises
multiple wires, including electrical wires and data wires.
7. The wire harness of claim 1 further comprising a front removable
connector located adjacent the front end of the vehicle; a
removable plug; a load cable, the load cable having a load cable
first end attached to the removable plug and a load cable second
end attached to the electrical load, wherein the removable plug is
removably attached to the front removable connector; and the second
end of the first cable attached to the front removable connector,
thereby operably attaching the second end of the first cable to the
electrical load through the load cable.
8. The wire harness of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is selected from
the group consisting of a semi-truck, a truck, a bus and a
recreational vehicle.
9. The wire harness of claim 1 further comprising a generator
adjacent the bottom surface of the vehicle; an extension cable
having an extension cable first end and an extension cable second
end, the extension cable first end attached to the rear removable
connector and the extension cable second end attached to the
generator; and the first end of the first cable attached to the
generator that supplies electrical power to the electrical load
when not connected to the external power source and the generator
is off when connected to the external power source.
10. A wire harness for a semi-truck having a tractor, a trailer
including a bottom surface, a front end, and a back end, and an
electrical load, the wire harness comprising: a rear removable
connector located adjacent the back end of the trailer; a front
removable connector located adjacent the front end of the trailer;
a protective cover attached adjacent to the bottom surface of the
trailer, the protective cover having an inner surface and outer
surface; an extension cable having a distal end and a proximal end,
the extension cable located within the protective cover adjacent to
the protective cover inner surface, the proximal end of the
extension cable attached to the rear removable connector and the
distal end of the extension cable attached to the front removable
connector; and a tractor cable having a distal end and a proximal
end, the distal end connected to the electrical load and the
proximal end attached to a tractor cable removable connector, the
tractor cable removable connector removably attached to the front
removable connector, wherein the electrical load may be driven by
an external power source when the rear removable connector is
connected to an external power source.
11. The wire harness of claim 10 further including a winding reel
adjacent the back end of the trailer; and a windable cable on the
winding reel, the extension cable attached to the rear removable
connector by the windable cable, the winding reel being capable of
moving the rear removable connector from a position adjacent the
back end of the trailer to a position spaced from the back end of
the trailer such that the rear removable connector can be connected
to external power, and the winding wheel being capable of moving
the rear removable connector from a position spaced from the back
end of the trailer to a position adjacent the back end of the
trailer.
12. The wire harness of claim 10 further comprising an auxiliary
cord having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end
removably connectable to the rear removable connector and the
proximal end removably connectable to an external source of
power.
13. The wire harness of claim 10 wherein the electrical load is
selected from the group consisting of a heater, an air conditioner,
a television, a microwave, a computer, a fan, a radio, a compact
disc player, a VCR, a DVD player, an engine heater, a telephone, a
light, a refrigerator, a refrigeration unit and other
appliances.
14. The wire harness of claim 10 wherein the extension cable
includes a plurality of wires capable of transmitting electrical
current and data signals.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/376,529, filed Mar. 15, 2006, entitled
"Shorepower Wire Harness," the entire disclosure of which is herein
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to wire harnesses and more
specifically to wire harnesses to connect a truck, a truck and
trailer, a recreational vehicle or a bus to shore power.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Long-haul truck drivers typically idle their engines at
truck stops or other locations to maintain power to the sleeping
compartment of the tractor and, in colder climates, to keep the
motor warm to avoid starting problems that might delay delivery of
the cargo. Further, some trucks have a trailer that includes a
refrigeration unit that requires constant power to avoid spoilage
of cargo, which requires power from a diesel powered Trailer
Refrigeration Unit (TRU), external power or a separate generator.
External power is generally known as shore power.
[0004] Federal hours-of-service rules regulate mandatory rest
periods for truck drivers, but state and local laws, in an effort
to reduce fuel consumption and toxic emissions, may limit the time
trucks and buses can idle. Therefore, there is a need to have an
easy way for truck drivers to connect to shore power to maintain
power to the sleeping compartment of the tractor and accessories
used to keep the truck engine warm, as well as power refrigeration
units on trailers that have them.
[0005] Truck drivers typically prefer to back into parking spaces
so that they can easily pull out with other vehicles parked in
close proximity, thereby reducing the risk that they will hit one
of those vehicles. Also, when unloading a trailer, trucks are often
backed towards a building and into a loading dock. In either
situation, an external power source is then located at the rear of
the truck. However, truck connections for external power are
typically located on the tractor, which is at the front of the
truck. In trailers with refrigeration units, which are typically
located at the front of the trailer, connections to external power
are usually located on the refrigeration unit itself or close to
it. Both situations require a truck driver who backs into a parking
space or loading dock to carry a long extension cord to run the
length of the trailer to connect to an external power source.
Trailers can be sixty feet long, resulting in a large and heavy
extension cord that is difficult to handle. Further, a lose
extension cord lying on the ground along the trailer can be a
hazard for those walking by the truck as well as a hazard for the
truck driver if the extension cord is lying in water or debris on
the ground.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention provides a permanently mounted wire
harness on a truck trailer to provide a connection, such as an
inlet, to an external power source at the rear of the truck.
[0007] In general, in one aspect, the invention features a wire
harness for a vehicle having a bottom surface, a front end, a back
end, and an electrical load, the wire harness includes a rear
removable connector positioned adjacent the back end of the
vehicle, a first cable attached to the bottom surface of the
vehicle having a first end attached to the rear removable connector
and a second end attached to the electrical load, so that the
electrical load may then be enabled by an external power source
when the rear removable connector is connected to the external
power source.
[0008] In embodiments, the wire harness may also include a
protective cover having an inner surface and an outer surface that
may be attached adjacent to the bottom surface of the vehicle and
surrounds at least a portion of the first cable. In certain
embodiments, the protective cover may be metal conduits, plastic
conduits, box-shaped conduits, or U-shaped channels.
[0009] In other embodiments, the wire harness may also include a
winding wheel adjacent to the back end of the vehicle to move the
rear removable connector away from the back end of the vehicle when
the winding wheel is unwound and pull the rear removable connector
towards the back end of the vehicle when the winding wheel is
wound.
[0010] In embodiments, the electrical load may be a heater, an air
conditioner, a television, a microwave, a computer, a fan, a radio,
a compact disc player, a VCR, a DVD player, an engine heater, a
telephone, a light, a refrigerator, a refrigeration unit or other
appliances. In still other embodiments, the first cable may be
multiple wires, including electrical wires and data wires.
[0011] In certain embodiments, the wire harness may also include a
front removable connector located adjacent the front end of the
vehicle. In such embodiments, the second end of the cable attaches
to the electrical load through the front removable connector, a
removable plug, and a load cable having a load cable first end
attached to the removable plug and a load cable second end attached
to the electrical load, such that the removable plug is removably
attached to the front removable connector. In embodiments, the
vehicle may be a semi-truck, a truck, a bus or a recreational
vehicle.
[0012] In other embodiments, the wire harness may also include a
generator adjacent the bottom surface of the vehicle, an extension
cable having a extension cable first end attached to the rear
removable connector and an extension cable second end attached to
the generator. The first end of the first cable is attached to the
generator, which supplies electrical power to the electrical load
when not connected to the external power source and is off when
connected to the external power source.
[0013] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a wire
harness for a semi-truck having a tractor, a trailer including a
bottom surface, a front end, and a back end, and an electrical
load. The wire harness includes a rear removable connector located
adjacent to the back end of the trailer and a front removable
connector located adjacent to the front end of the trailer. A
protective cover is attached adjacent to the bottom surface of the
trailer and has an inner surface and outer surface. An extension
cable with a distal end attached to the front removable connector
and a proximal end attached to the rear removable connector is
located within the protective cover adjacent to the protective
cover inner surface. A tractor cable with a distal end connected to
the electrical load and a proximal end attached to a tractor cable
removable connector is removably attached to the front removable
connector. The electrical load may thus be driven by an external
power source when the rear removable connector is connected to an
external power source.
[0014] In embodiments, the wire harness also has a winding reel
adjacent to the back end of the trailer and a windable cable on the
winding reel. The extension cable may be attached to the rear
removable connector by the windable cable, and the winding reel may
move the rear removable connector from a position adjacent the back
end of the trailer to a position spaced from the back end of the
trailer such that the rear removable connector can be connected to
external power, and the winding wheel may move the rear removable
connector from a position spaced from the back end of the trailer
to a position adjacent the back end of the trailer.
[0015] In other embodiments, the wire harness also includes an
auxiliary cord with a distal end removably connectable to the rear
removable connector and a proximal end removably connectable to an
external source of power. In embodiments, the electrical load may
be a heater, an air conditioner, a television, a microwave, a
computer, a fan, a radio, a compact disc player, a VCR, a DVD
player, an engine heater, a telephone, a light, a refrigerator, a
refrigeration unit or other appliances. In other embodiments, the
extension cable may be a plurality of wires capable of transmitting
electrical current and data signals.
[0016] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a wire
harness for a semi-truck having a tractor, a trailer including a
bottom surface, a front end, a back end, a generator attached to
the bottom surface between the front end and the back end, a
refrigeration unit, and an electrical load. The wire harness
includes a rear removable connector located adjacent to the back
end of the trailer and a front removable connector located adjacent
to the front end of the trailer. A first protective cover with an
inner surface and outer surface is attached adjacent to the bottom
surface of the trailer with a forward cable having a distal end
attached to the front removable connector and a proximal end
attached to the generator within the first protective cover
adjacent the first protective cover inner surface. A second
protective cover is attached adjacent to the bottom surface of the
trailer and has an inner surface and outer surface and an extension
cable, having a distal end attached to the generator and a proximal
end attached to the rear removable connector, is located within the
second protective cover adjacent to the second protective cover
inner surface. A tractor cable having a distal end connected to the
electrical load and a proximal end attached to a tractor cable
removable connector is removably attached to the front removable
connector. A refrigeration cable has a distal end connected to the
refrigeration unit and a proximal end attached to the front
removable connector. The electrical load and the refrigeration unit
may thus be driven by an external power source when the rear
removable connector is connected to the external power source.
[0017] In embodiments, the wire harness also includes a winding
reel adjacent the back end of the trailer and a windable cable on
the winding reel. The extension cable is attached to the rear
removable connector by the windable cable so the winding reel may
move the rear removable connector from a position adjacent the back
end of the trailer to a position spaced from the back end of the
trailer and the rear removable connector can be connected to
external power. The winding wheel may move also the rear removable
connector from a position spaced from the back end of the trailer
to a position adjacent the back end of the trailer.
[0018] In other embodiments, the wire harness also includes an
auxiliary cord having a distal end removably connectable to the
rear removable connector and a proximal end removably connectable
to an external source of power. In embodiments, the electrical load
may be a heater, an air conditioner, a television, a microwave, a
computer, a fan, a radio, a compact disc player, a VCR, a DVD
player, an engine heater, a telephone, a light, a refrigerator, a
refrigeration unit or other appliances.
[0019] In other embodiments, the extension cable may be several
wires capable of transmitting electrical current and data signals.
In still other embodiments, the proximal end of the refrigeration
cable may be permanently attached to the front removable
connector.
[0020] The invention can be implemented to realize one or more of
the following advantages. A wire harness mounted to the trailer of
a truck allows drivers to back into parking spaces and eliminates
the need for a truck driver to carry a long, heavy extension cord
in the truck which has to be uncoiled and recoiled every time the
truck driver stops for a mandatory rest period. The wiring harness
helps prevent the truck driver from being potentially exposed to
bad weather for an extended period of time and having to spend time
in a busy parking lot where there is a danger of being struck by an
adjoining truck. Further, the need to lift a heavy extension cord
in and out of the truck is eliminated, thereby alleviating the
possibility of truck driver injury from such heavy lifting. Also,
the wire harness eliminates the possibility of injury from a frayed
extension cord lying along the trailer, as well as eliminates a
tripping hazard. Further still, the wire harness may include
additional cables for easier access to telephone, internet and
cable television lines which long-haul trucks often incorporate
into the tractors.
[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent
from the following description, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary truck with a wire
harness according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the exemplary trailer of FIG.
1.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the exemplary trailer of FIG.
1.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a front view of the exemplary trailer of FIG.
1.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary truck with a tractor
cable removable connector according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a cross section view of an exemplary cable within
an exemplary protective cover.
[0028] Like reference numbers and designations in the various
drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a semi-truck 10 includes a
tractor 12 and a trailer 14. The exemplary trailer 14 includes an
electric-capable trailer refrigeration unit 16, generally known as
an eTRU, at a front end 18 of the trailer 14. During transit, the
refrigeration unit 16 may be powered by a generator 20 mounted to a
bottom surface 22 of the trailer 14. The refrigeration unit 16 uses
the generator 20 during transit of the trailer 14 to keep the
refrigeration unit 16 operational when not connected to shore power
or other source of power, such as when on a ship.
[0030] The refrigeration unit 16 is connected to the generator 20
by a forward cable 24 and a refrigeration cable 30. The forward
cable 24 may include wires to carry higher voltage 3-phase power,
120V power, cable television, internet or telephone service, or any
combination thereof to both the refrigeration unit 16 or the
tractor 12, as described below. The forward cable 24 is run in a
protective cover 26 (FIG. 6), such as a metal or plastic conduit,
which is attached adjacent to the bottom surface 22 of the trailer
14. The protective cover 26 can be attached to a frame, a floor
panel or any other suitable structure along the bottom surface 22
of the trailer 14. The protective cover 26 helps protect the
forward cable 24 from weather, road debris and other hazards that
could degrade or damage the forward cable 24. Also, the protective
cover 26 may incorporate strain relief devices to further protect
the forward cable 24. The forward cable 24 connects to the
generator 20 at a first end 32 and to a service outlet 28 at a
second end 34. A refrigeration cable 30 is attached at a first end
38 to the refrigeration unit 16 and to the service outlet 28 at a
second end 40. The portion of the forward cable 24 that carries the
higher voltage 3-phase power is hardwired to an outlet 42 (FIG. 4),
such as a female plug connector. The second end 40 of the
refrigeration cable 30 includes a removable connector 44 (FIG. 4),
such as a male plug connector. Since most electric-capable trailer
refrigeration units require a higher voltage 3-phase power, the
removable connector should include a circuit interlock to ensure
that the electrical load is removed before the removable connector
44 is removed from the outlet 42.
[0031] An extension cable 50 is provided in a second protective
cover 52 (FIG. 6), such as a metal or plastic conduit, which is
attached adjacent the bottom surface 22 of the trailer 14. The
extension cable 50 may include wires to carry higher voltage
3-phase power, 120V power, cable television, internet or telephone
service, or any combination thereof. The second protective cover 52
can be attached to the frame, the floor panel or any other suitable
structure along the bottom surface 22 of the trailer 14. The second
protective cover 52 helps protect the extension cable 50 from
weather, road debris and other hazards that could degrade or damage
the extension cable 50. Also, the second protective cover 52 may
incorporate strain relief devices to further protect the extension
cable 50. The extension cable 50 attaches to the generator 20 at a
second end 54 and attaches to a windable cable 64 within a cord
winding reel 60 at a first end 56. The windable cable 64 may
include wires to carry higher voltage 3-phase power, 120V power,
cable television, internet or telephone service, or any combination
thereof. The cord winding reel 60 is located near or adjacent to a
back end 62 of the trailer 14. While the cord winding reel 60 is
shown on the passenger side of the trailer 14, the cord winding
reel 60 may be mounted at any point adjacent to the back end 62 of
the trailer 14. For example, if the trailer 14 is to be used at a
loading dock, the cord winding reel 60 is preferably facing a
driver's side 91 of the trailer 14 to enable access and visibility
to the truck driver. The windable cable 64 includes a second
removable connector 66 at its distal end. The windable cable 64 is
capable of being wound and un-wound on the cord winding wheel 60.
The cord winding reel 60 may be a manually operated unit or an
electrically powered unit. When in the wound position, the windable
cable 64 is stored within the cord winding wheel 60 and the second
removable connector 66 is adjacent the cord winding reel 60. When
in the un-wound position, the windable cable 64 extends from the
back end 62 of the trailer 14 so that the windable cable 64 can be
connected to shore power, such as at a shore power pedestal 70
through the second removable connector 66.
[0032] The shore power pedestal 70 may provide the higher voltage
3-phase power for the refrigeration unit 16 as well as 120V power
for any hotel load in the tractor 12. Hotel load is any electrical
equipment within the tractor 12, such as televisions, heaters, air
conditioners, microwaves, computers or any other electrical
equipment a truck driver might use in the tractor. Further, the
shore power pedestal may provide cable, internet or telephone
connections, or any combination thereof. The windable cable 64, the
second removable connector 66 and the extension cable 50 are each
capable of carrying any one or all of these loads.
[0033] When connected to the shore power pedestal 70, the
refrigeration unit 16 is powered from the higher voltage 3-phase
power provided and the generator 20 is bypassed. If 120V power is
provided, the portion of extension cable 50 that carries the 120V
may be connected directly to the portion of the forward cable 24
that carries the 120V, or connected through the generator 20. If
connected through the generator, the 120V only passes through the
generator 20. Similarly, if internet, cable television or telephone
service is provided by the shore power pedestal 70, the portion of
the extension cable 50 that carries the specific load may be
connected directly to the portion of the forward cable 24 that
carries the corresponding load, or connect through the generator
20.
[0034] The forward cable 24 carries the various loads to a second
outlet 72 in service outlet 28. The second outlet 72 may include
female plug connectors for 120V power, internet, cable television
or telephone service, or any combination thereof. These hotel loads
are then connected to the tractor 12 by a tractor cable 80 that
includes wires for each of the provided loads. The tractor cable 80
has a distal end 82 connected to the electrical load and a proximal
end 84 attached to a tractor cable removable connector 86 which is
removably attached to the service outlet 28 (FIG. 5).
[0035] The refrigeration cable 30 and the tractor cable 80 may both
be connected to the service outlet 28 at the time the trailer 14 is
attached to tractor 12. With the refrigeration unit 16 and tractor
12 connected to the service outlet 28, a truck driver only has to
walk to the back of the truck 10, unwind the necessary length of
the windable cable 64 and plug into the shore power pedestal 70 or
other shore power source, such as at a loading dock. This
connection will then power the refrigeration unit 16 and hotel
loads during the truck driver's mandatory rest period without
idling the truck's engine. Further, by having the connection at the
back of the truck, there is no long extension cord to be run
alongside the trailer 14, or on the ground.
[0036] It is to be understood that the foregoing description is
intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention,
which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other
embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For
example, while the protective covers 26, 52 have been described as
attaching to the bottom surface 22 of the trailer 14, the
protective covers 26, 52 can be attached adjacent the bottom
surface, such as to a lower edge 90 of the trailer 14. Further,
while the protective covers 26, 52 are shown attached to the right
side of the bottom surface 22, they can attach anywhere along the
bottom surface 22, and preferably along the driver's side 91 of the
trailer 14.
[0037] Also, while, the portion of the forward cable 24 that
carries the higher voltage 3-phase power and the refrigeration
cable 30 were described as being removably connected at service
outlet 28, they may be hard wired together at the service outlet
28.
[0038] Further still, while a cord winding wheel 60 and windable
cable 64 have been disclosed, the extension cable 50 may terminate
at the back 62 of the trailer 14 in a removable connector. The
truck driver would then use a short extension cord to connect the
extension cable 50 to the shore power pedestal 70 or other shore
power source.
[0039] Also, the extension cable 50 and forward cable 24 may be a
single cable with multiple wires to carry the various loads or may
be broken down into multiple cables within the conduit. Further, on
trailers without refrigeration units or without generators, the
extension cable 50 and the forward cable 24 may be a single cable
running the length of the trailer in a single protective cover.
Also, while the protective covers have been described as conduits,
the protective covers can also be box channels or "U-shaped"
covers.
[0040] Further still, while the wire harness has been described as
being used with a semi-truck (i.e., truck with a tractor and a
trailer), the wire harness may be used with other types of trucks
and buses. Also, while the refrigeration unit 16 has been described
as using an external generator 20, the refrigeration unit 16 may
have an internal generator instead, which can be powered by shore
power through the wire harness.
* * * * *