Accessory base plate with power connection routing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12565160-B2
Application number	US-202318206657-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 7, 2023
Priority date	Jun 7, 2023
Publication date	Mar 3, 2026
Grant date	Mar 3, 2026

Abstract

A power routing system includes a base plate having a surface to support an accessory, a power source configured to provide power to the accessory, the power source having at least one first power outlet, and a power connection member mounted to the base plate. The power connection member includes at least one second power outlet. An adaptor is associated with the power source such that an electrical connector can connect the at least one first power outlet to the power connection member to power the accessory via the at least one second power outlet.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A power routing system, comprising:
a base plate that includes a surface to support an accessory, wherein the base plate is movable relative to a fixed structure between a retracted position and an extended position; a power source configured to provide power to the accessory, the power source having at least one first power outlet that is mounted to the fixed structure; a power connection member mounted to the base plate, wherein the power connection member is fixed for movement with the base plate, and wherein the power connection member includes at least one second power outlet; and an adaptor associated with the power source such that an electrical connector can connect the at least one first power outlet to the power connection member to power the accessory via the at least one second power outlet.

2 . The power routing system of claim 1 , including a power panel mounted on the fixed structure, wherein the power panel includes the at least one first power outlet that receives power from the power source and a cover plate that is movable between an open position to provide access to the at least one first power outlet and a closed position to cover the at least one first power outlet, and wherein the cover plate is resiliently biased to the closed position.

3 . The power routing system of claim 2 , wherein the cover plate includes a retaining feature that facilitates holding the adaptor against the power panel when the cover plate is in the open position, and wherein the adaptor comprises a housing with an internal cavity, wherein an outer wall surface of the housing includes a shoulder that is associated with the retaining feature of the cover plate.

4 . The power routing system of claim 1 , including a power panel mounted on the fixed structure, wherein the power panel includes the at least one first power outlet that receives power from the power source, and wherein the adaptor comprises a housing with an internal cavity defined at least by a rear wall and a front wall that are connected to each other by first and second side walls, and wherein the rear wall includes an opening that is aligned with the at least one first power outlet, and wherein the electrical connector comprises a cord that is connected to a plug that is located within the internal cavity and is connected to the at least one first power outlet.

5 . The power routing system of claim 4 , wherein one of the first and second side walls includes an opening through which the cord extends to connect to the power connection member.

6 . The power routing system of claim 4 , wherein one of the first and second side walls includes a removable portion that is selectively removable to provide access to the internal cavity.

7 . The power routing system of claim 4 , wherein the front wall includes an additional power outlet that is powered via the power source.

8 . The power routing system of claim 4 , wherein the rear wall includes a seal that surrounds the opening.

9 . The power routing system of claim 4 , wherein the front wall is non-perpendicular to the surface of the base plate.

10 . The power routing system of claim 4 , including a connection tower that is mounted on the fixed structure at a location that is above the base plate, and wherein the connection tower provides a connection support interface for the electrical connector to connect to a coiled power cord that is connected to the power connection member.

11 . The power routing system of claim 10 , wherein an opposite end of the cord from the plug is connected to a locking connector that is received within a locking receiver that is associated with the connection tower, and wherein the locking receiver is connected to the coiled power cord that connects to the power connection member such that the locking connector and locking receiver remain in a fixed position relative to the base plate while the coiled power cord coils and uncoils in response to movement of the base plate relative to the fixed structure.

12 . The power routing system of claim 1 , including:
a first track structure configured to extend along one side of a vehicle cargo area; a second track structure configured to extend along an opposite side of the vehicle cargo area; and the base plate having a first edge and a second edge opposite of the first edge, wherein the first edge is supported by the first track structure and the second edge is supported by the second track structure such that the base plate slides along the first track structure and the second track structure to move between the extended position and the retracted position.

13 . The power routing system of claim 1 , wherein the base plate includes a plurality of power interface locations configured to interface with an accessory, and wherein each power interface location includes an inductive charging member configured to interface with an inductive charging member on the accessory, and wherein inductive charging members on the base plate are charged via the power source.

14 . The power routing system of claim 13 , wherein the power connection member includes one or more connectors connected to a wiring harness for the inductive charging members that are associated with the base plate such that the inductive charging members for the base plate can receive power from the power source via the power connection member.

15 . The power routing system of claim 14 , wherein the power connection member includes a bottom wall, a first set of side walls extending up from one set of opposing edges of the bottom wall, a second set of side walls extending up from another set of opposing edges of the bottom wall and connecting the first set of side walls to each other, and a cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position to define an internal cavity in which the at least one first power outlet is located, and wherein the one or more connectors extend outwardly of the bottom wall, and wherein one of the first and second sets of side walls includes an opening through which an accessory electrical connector can extend to connect the accessory to the at least one second power outlet.

16 . The power routing system of claim 1 , wherein the base plate is mounted within a vehicle cargo area and includes a plurality of mounting apertures configured to receive one or more cleats associated with the accessory.

17 . The power routing system of claim 1 , wherein:
the electrical connector includes a first connector that connects the at least one first power outlet to a connector interface and a second connector that connects the connector interface to the at least one second power outlet; and the first connector remains in a fixed position relative to the base plate while the second connector extends and retracts in response to movement of the base plate.

18 . The power routing system of claim 17 , including a bracket or box structure mounted to the fixed structure that provides a support and/or mounting location for the connector interface, and wherein the first connector comprises a first power cord and the second connector comprises a second power cord that coils and uncoils in response to movement of the base plate.

19 . The power routing system of claim 1 , wherein:
the base plate includes a plurality of mounting apertures configured to receive one or more cleats associated with the accessory; the base plate includes a plurality of power interfaces configured to power an accessory, and wherein each power interface includes an

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Levine Eric Scott
• Rutman Matthew B
• Choi Ming Hong
• Salter Stuart C
• Sturges Jeffrey
• Lozano Michael

Classifications

• B60P7/0815

  Attachment rails or trellis · CPC title

• B60J7/1607

  for covering load areas, e.g. rigid panels for pick-up truck beds · CPC title

• H02G3/045

  provided with perforations or slots permitting introduction or exit of wires · CPC title

• B60R16/0215 Primary

  Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor · CPC title

• H01R43/26

  for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device (structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629) · CPC title