The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 10, 1998
Filed:
Sep. 21, 1995
Trevor Williams, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
In one embodiment of the present invention, a motor vehicle electrical system has a plurality of electronic modules. The electrical power input of each module is coupled to the output of a switching power supply. Further, the electrical power input of each module is switchably coupled to vehicle system voltage. During 'key-on', the switchable connection to vehicle system voltage is closed, thereby providing 'key-on' power for the modules from system voltage. During 'key-off', the switchable connection is opened, thereby providing 'key-off' power for the modules from the switching power supply. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a motor vehicle electrical system has at least one electronic module with a normal power input and a 'key-off' power input. The normal power input is coupled to vehicle system voltage, and the 'key-off' power input is coupled to the output of a switching power supply. Systems embodying the present invention can reduce 'key-off' current draw from the vehicle battery.