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US 12,016,161 B2Granted
Power conductor and vehicle power distribution circuit incorporating the same
AssigneeAptiv Technologies AG
InventorsGuillaume Tournabien, Leo Delas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power conductor for conducting electricity between a power source and a load is disclosed. A conductive body connects between the power source and the load. A sealed chamber is provided in the interior of the conductive body and contains a working fluid for changing phase when heated. A circuit, a vehicle power distribution circuit, and a vehicle incorporating the same are also disclosed.
Claims22
A power conductor for conducting electricity, the power conductor comprising:
- a conductive body configured to connect a power source and a load in a vehicle distribution circuit within a vehicle structure;
- a sealed chamber in an interior of the conductive body;
- a working fluid contained within the sealed chamber, the working fluid configured to change phase responsive to being heated;
- a heatsink connector distinct and separate from the conductive body and thermally connecting the conductive body to the vehicle structure, wherein the heatsink connector surrounds i) a circumference of the conductive body, and ii) only a portion of the conductive body, and wherein the vehicle structure functions as a heatsink;
- and
- an electrical insulator distinct and separate from the heatsink connector and disposed between the conductive body and a first portion of the heatsink connector in an area adjacent the vehicle structure, wherein the electrical insulator is not disposed between a second portion of the heatsink connector and the conductive body, and wherein the second portion is on an opposite side of the conductive body than the vehicle structure.
3 more elements
A circuit comprising:
- a power source connection terminal configured to deliver a current from a power source;
- a load connection terminal configured to deliver the current to a load in a vehicle distribution circuit within a vehicle structure;
- and
- a power conductor configured to conduct electricity between the power source connection terminal and the load connection terminal, the power conductor including:
- a conductive body configured to connect between the power source connection terminal and the load connection terminal;
- a sealed chamber in an interior of the conductive body;
- a working fluid contained within the sealed chamber, the working fluid configured to change phase responsive to being heated;
- a heatsink connector distinct and separate from the conductive body and configured to connect the conductive body to the vehicle structure, wherein the heatsink connector surrounds i) a circumference of the conductive body, and ii) only a portion of the conductive body, and wherein the vehicle structure is configured to function as a heatsink;
- and
- an electrical insulator distinct and separate from the heatsink connector and disposed between the conductive body and a first portion of the heatsink connector in an area adjacent the vehicle structure, wherein the electrical insulator is not disposed between a second portion of the heatsink connector and the conductive body, and wherein the second portion is on an opposite side of the conductive body than the vehicle structure.
7 more elements
A vehicle comprising:
- a power source connection terminal configured to deliver a current from a power source;
- a load connection terminal configured to deliver the current to a load in a distribution circuit of the vehicle within a structure of the vehicle;
- and
- a power conductor configured to conduct electricity between the power source and the load, the power conductor including:
- a conductive body configured to connect between the power source connection terminal and the load connection terminal;
- a sealed chamber in an interior of the conductive body;
- a working fluid contained within the sealed chamber, the working fluid configured to change phase responsive to being heated;
- a heatsink connector distinct and separate from the conductive body and configured to connect the conductive body to the structure of the vehicle, wherein the heatsink connector surrounds i) a circumference of the conductive body, and ii) only a portion of the conductive body, and wherein the structure of the vehicle is configured to function as a heatsink;
- and
- an electrical insulator distinct and separate from the heatsink connector and disposed between the conductive body and a first portion of the heatsink connector in an area adjacent the structure of the vehicle, wherein the electrical insulator is not disposed between a second portion of the heatsink connector and the conductive body, and wherein the second portion is on an opposite side of the conductive body than the vehicle structure.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.