IP Library Granted Patent US 12,384,222
Granted Patent B1
US 12,384,222 · App. 17/565,751 · Granted Aug 12, 2025

Recreational vehicles with on-board intelligence

Inventors: Jamie Sorenson (Hanlontown, IA); William Cavanaugh (Nashotah, WI); Logan Hall (Ames, IA); Joshua Kossel (Verona, WI)
Assignee: Winnebago Industries, Inc.
B60H1/00792B60R16/0238B60R16/033H02G3/18B60P3/32
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,384,222
App. No.
17/565,751
Granted
Aug 12, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A recreational vehicle includes a power source, a first electrical junction box, a second electrical junction box, a chassis power subsystem, and a recreational vehicle (RV) power subsystem. The first electrical junction box is electrically coupled between the power source and the second electrical junction box, the first electrical junction box is electrically coupled between the power source and the chassis power subsystem, and the second electrical junction box is electrically coupled between the first electrical junction box and the RV power subsystem.

Claims (33)

1. A recreational vehicle comprising:

a power source, a first electrical junction box, a second electrical junction box, a chassis power subsystem, and a recreational vehicle (RV) power subsystem, wherein:

the first electrical junction box is electrically coupled between the power source and the second electrical junction box,

the first electrical junction box is electrically coupled between the power source and the chassis power subsystem,

the second electrical junction box is electrically coupled between the first electrical junction box and the RV power subsystem, and

the first electrical junction box and the second electrical junction box are arranged and electrically connected such that the power source can selectively provide power to the chassis power subsystem but not the RV power subsystem.

2. The recreational vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the chassis power subsystem facilitates power supply to brake lights, headlights, and dash lights.

3. The recreational vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the chassis power subsystem comprises electrical motors arranged to directly or indirectly rotate wheels.

4. The recreational vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the RV power subsystem comprises a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) subsystem.

5. The recreational vehicle of claim 4 , wherein the HVAC system comprises a heater and an air-conditioner.

6. The recreational vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the power source provides 60-750 volts to the first electrical junction box.

7. The recreational vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the second electrical junction box includes a switch, a power input, and a power output.

8. The recreational vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the switch is configured to be switched between an off position and an on position.

9. The recreational vehicle of claim 8 , wherein, in the off position, the power input and the power output are not electrically coupled to each other.

10. The recreational vehicle of claim 8 , wherein, in the off position, the switch has caused electrical contacts to physically separate from each other.

11. The recreational vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the switch is configured to disconnect power between the power source and the RV power subsystem.

12. The recreational vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the second electrical junction box comprises a housing with an interior space, wherein the switch is accessible from outside the housing.

13. The recreational vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the first electrical junction box and the second electrical junction box are positioned under a hood of the recreational vehicle.

14. The recreational vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a body that houses a cab area and a living space.

15. The recreational vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the chassis power subsystem facilitates power supply to headlights, wherein the chassis power subsystem includes electrical motors arranged to directly or indirectly rotate wheels, wherein the RV power subsystem comprises a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) subsystem.

16. The recreational vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the first electrical junction box has a first housing, wherein the second electrical junction box has a second housing separate from the first housing, wherein the first housing houses a first set of bus bars, fuses, and electrical contacts: wherein the second housing houses a second set of bus bars, fuses, and electrical contacts.

17. A recreational vehicle comprising:

a power source, a first electrical junction box, a second electrical junction box, a chassis power subsystem, and a recreational vehicle (RV) power subsystem, wherein:

the first electrical junction box is electrically coupled between the power source and the second electrical junction box,

the first electrical junction box is electrically coupled between the power source and the chassis power subsystem,

the second electrical junction box is electrically coupled between the first electrical junction box and the RV power subsystem,

the second electrical junction box includes a switch, a power input, and a power output,

the second electrical junction box includes a housing with an interior space, and the switch is accessible from outside the housing.

18. The recreational vehicle of claim 17 , wherein:

the chassis power subsystem facilitates power supply to brake lights, headlights, and dash lights; and

the RV power subsystem comprises a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) subsystem.

19. The recreational vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the first electrical junction box and the second electrical junction box are positioned under a hood of the recreational vehicle.

20. The recreational vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the switch is configured to disconnect power between the power source and the RV power subsystem.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2023
From: WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 062823/0367 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2022
From: SORENSON, JAMIE
To: WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 060149/0669 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2022
From: CAVANAUGH, WILLIAM; HALL, LOGAN
To: WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 060150/0172 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2022
From: KOSSEL, JOSHUA
To: WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 060150/0300 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 63139166 · Jan 19, 2021
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US 12,739,499