Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-06
2001-01-30
Tolin, Gerald (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C307S010100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181563
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a vehicle instrumentation system and, more particularly, to fabrication of electronic component units in a vehicle by classification and integration and to an associated structure of instrumentation system.
BACKGROUND ART
In a vehicle, various electronic components and devices, such as a computer for measuring time, an illuminated key entry system, a defogger timer, a seat belt warning system, a light turning-off reminding warning system, a key takeout reminding warning system, a power door lock, and a keyless entry system, are independently installed and distributed. These electronic components are electrically connected with a meter block mounted in front of the driver's seat. The electronic components are controlled by system means such as a microcomputer incorporated in the meter block in accordance with a program previously stored in a ROM of the meter block. The state of the vehicle detected by the electronic components is displayed on the meter block if necessary (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 203553/1995.)
Integration of the distributed independent electronic components is considered as means for achieving cost reduction. The combination of the required electronic components differs according to the vehicular specifications for specific climatic areas or the vehicle grade. Therefore, if electronic components are integrated simply according to the combination, then the number of variations increases. Consequently, large cost reduction cannot be expected.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 276571/1994 discloses a multiplexed transmission device for a vehicular electric system. This multiplexed transmission device is separate from electronic components, unlike the prior art device. Since these two kinds of systems can be separately developed and manufactured, it is possible to prevent the electronic components and the multiplexed transmission device from increasing in total number. Even with this structure, however, the number of variations described above cannot be sufficiently decreased.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides electronic component units obtained by classifying electronic components other than a meter block into the plural integrated electronic component units. A display portion for providing a display according to signals from the electronic component units, a control portion for controlling the electronic component units, and a power supply portion for supplying electric power to the electronic component units are mounted in the meter block. A mounting reference portion is mounted to permit the meter block and the electronic component units to be attached and detached. The electronic component units are controlled and electrically energized via the mounting reference portion.
The present invention also provides electronic component units obtained by classifying electronic components other than a meter block into the plural integrated electronic component units. A display portion in the form of a unit for providing a display according to signals from the electronic component units, a control portion in the form of a unit for controlling the electronic component units, and a power supply portion in the form of a unit for supplying electric power to the electronic component units are mounted in the meter block. A mounting reference portion is mounted to permit the meter block and the electronic component units to be attached and detached. The electronic component units are controlled and electrically energized via the mounting reference portion.
In one feature of the invention, the mounting reference portion assumes a plug-in connector structure between the meter block and the electronic component units and is made of a mother board consisting of a printed wiring board having electric circuitry having a pattern formed by printing of a conductive material.
In another feature of the invention, the mother board forms a plug-in connector structure with a junction box prepared in front of the driver's seat in a vehicle. When the mother board is connected with the junction box, electrical connection of the electronic component units with terminals of sensors, actuators, etc. is completed. The display portion is placed in front of the driver's seat.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5154617 (1992-10-01), Suman et al.
patent: 5239700 (1993-08-01), Guenther et al.
patent: 5353190 (1994-10-01), Nakayama et al.
patent: 5475566 (1995-12-01), Rada et al.
patent: 5663866 (1997-09-01), Ichikawa
patent: 5884202 (1999-03-01), Arjomand
patent: 5916287 (1999-06-01), Arjomand et al.
patent: 2 276 038 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 2-45238 (1990-02-01), None
patent: 6-276571 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 6-276644 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 7-47869 (1995-02-01), None
patent: 7-96774 (1995-04-01), None
patent: 7-203553 (1995-08-01), None
Shimbo Yasuo
Tamura Shigeaki
McDermott & Will & Emery
Nippon Seiki Co. Ltd.
Tolin Gerald
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