Modular Power Distribution Backplane, System, and Method
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsCharles T. Disaverio, Timothy Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular power distribution backplane, system, and method. The modular power distribution backplane can be configured with a plurality of dual-operation tags for placement of components in the backplane. The system and method also can automatically and electronically ensure and verify proper placement or replacement of components in the backplane.
Claims16
A modular power distribution backplane for a controller area network (CAN) of a vehicle having a J1939 bus, the modular power distribution backplane being configured to be housed in a housing with an access portion to physically access the modular power distribution backplane, and the modular power distribution backplane comprising:
- a base substrate having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side and being sized to fit entirely inside the housing;
- a plurality of receptacles coupled to the first side of the base substrate, each said receptacle being configured to receive a modular power component, at least one of said receptacles being configured to receive a modular power component in the form of a circuit board, and at least one of said receptacles being configured to receive a modular power component in the form of a power element;
- a controller coupled to the base substrate;
- and
- a plurality of dual-operation tags in one-to-one relationship with said receptacles, each said dual-operation tag being configured with a visual indicator and as a key for coupling modular power components to correct ones of said receptacles,
- wherein each said dual-operation tag is physically configured as the key for coupling modular components to the modular power distribution backplane,
- wherein each said dual-operation tag is physically configured as the visual indicator,
- wherein the visual indicators are visible via the access portion of the housing,
- wherein said controller is configured to generate information for the physical and electrical coupling of modular power components to receptacles of the modular power distribution backplane, to verify that the modular power components have been properly coupled, and to facilitate an indication of the verifying, and
- wherein said controller is configured to verify that the modular power components have been coupled based on the generated information for physical and electrical coupling, the generated information including instructions for placement of modular power components in the backplane.
A method for replacing power components coupled to a modular power distribution backplane for a controller area network (CAN) of a vehicle having a bus, the method comprising:
- automatically and electronically determining that a power component coupled to the backplane requires removing;
- providing electronically generated information for decoupling the power component determined to require removing from the backplane, the electronically generated information being in at least one of visual form and audio form;
- identifying a power component to replace the power component determined to require decoupling from the backplane;
- providing electronically generated information associated with the identified power component, the electronically generated information including information for physically coupling and electrically coupling the identified power component to a receptacle of the backplane, the electronically generated information being in at least one of visual form and audio form, the information including instructions for physically coupling and electrically coupling the identified power component to a receptacle of the backplane;
- electronically verifying that the identified power component has been coupled based on the electronically generated information for coupling;
- and
- providing an electronic indication of said electronically verifying, the electronic indication being in at least one of visual form and audio form.
A system for intelligent placement of electronic components in a backplane for a vehicle, the system comprising:
- outputting means for outputting electronically generated information, the electronically generated information including information for physically placing and electrically placing electronic components in the backplane;
- verifying means for electronically verifying placement of electronic components in the backplane, the electronically verifying being based on the information for physically placing and electrically placing electronic components in the backplane;
- and
- outputting means for outputting electronically generated verification information of the placement of components in the backplane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.