纯电动车数据库
检索词 1："pure electric vehicle": 88 patents.
PAT. NO. Title
1 7,890,240 Brake system fault pedal gain change method and system
2 7,867,653 Alkaline storage battery system
3 7,867,125 Rear wheel drive apparatus for four wheel drive (4WD)
hybrid electric vehicle
4 7,863,789 Brushless permanent magnet motor/generator with axial
rotor decoupling to eliminate magnet induced torque losses
5 7,830,689 Power converter
6 7,829,220 Hydrogen storage alloy for alkaline battery and production
method thereof, as well as alkaline battery
7 7,820,327 Lithium titanate and lithium cells and batteries including
the same
8 7,820,137 Lithium titanate and method of forming the same
9 7,804,277
Apparatus for estimating state of charge of secondary
battery
10 7,750,640 Electromotive force computing device and state of charge
estimating device
11 7,742,303 Electric power converter
12 7,739,023 Adaptive cruise control system and method for vehicle
13 7,728,598 Method and apparatus for estimating the charge/discharge
electricity amount of secondary batteries
14 7,710,073
Secondary battery module, battery information
management device, battery information management system, secondary
battery reuse system, secondary battery recovery and sales system,
secondary battery reuse method, and secondary battery recovery and sales
method
15 7,688,033
Method for detecting state of secondary battery and
device for detecting state of secondary battery
16 7,651,177 Method for controlling regenerative braking of electric
vehicle
17 7,630,842
Secondary battery charge/discharge electricity amount
estimation method and device, secondary battery polarization voltage
estimation method and device and secondary battery remaining capacity
estimation method and device
18 7,624,828 Vehicle power transfer system and method, and vehicle
using the same
19 7,607,501 Cooling system for a vehicle battery
20 7,606,053
DC-to-DC converter and electric motor drive system
using the same
21 7,597,408 Method for compensating regenerative braking amount
when regenerative braking of vehicle fails
22 7,586,288 Manufacturing method of secondary battery, restraining
jig for secondary battery, charging/discharging device for secondary
battery, and charging device for secondary battery
23 7,573,219 Drive belt slip detection
24 7,561,448 Power inverter
25 7,557,584
Method and device for estimating charge/discharge
electricity amount of secondary cell
26 7,541,016 Lithium titanate and method of forming the same
27 7,528,575 Method and apparatus for correcting voltage of secondary
battery, and method and apparatus for estimating state of charge of
secondary battery
28 7,523,770
Service station for serving requirements of multiple
vehicle technologies
29 7,521,824 Contactor control apparatus and contactor control method
for use in electric vehicle
30 7,475,747
Electric or hybrid vehicle with a spare electric motor
power source
31 7,464,780 System and method for recovering regenerative power in
a vehicle, and vehicle using the same
32 7,456,612 Method for estimating polarization voltage of secondary
cell, method and device for estimating remaining capacity of secondary
cell, battery pack system, and vehicle
33 7,355,411 Method and apparatus for estimating state of charge of
secondary battery
34 7,339,351 Method and apparatus for estimating remaining capacity
of secondary battery
35 7,288,868 Motor generator
36 7,242,196 Power supply controller apparatus for detecting welding
of contactors
37 7,238,446 Active electrode composition with conductive polymeric
binder
38 7,198,335 Method and system for controlling regenerative braking
of a four wheel drive electric vehicle
39 7,196,493
Closed loop control of battery power limits based on
voltage
40 7,167,783
Apparatus and method for controlling regenerative
braking of an electric vehicle
41 7,112,387 Battery power supply device
42 7,074,470 Protective sleeve for motor component
43 7,026,792 Apparatus and method for controlling output of secondary
battery, battery pack system, and electric vehicle
44 7,025,159 Cooling system for a vehicle battery
45 6,997,096 Binding cord for motor for electric vehicle
46 6,984,909 Motor
47 6,953,638 Fluid-cooled battery pack system
48 6,933,728 Method and apparatus for measuring voltage of battery
module of electric vehicle
49 6,919,726 Leakage detection apparatus and motor car
50 6,909,216 Motor generator
51 6,893,771 Battery assembly
52 6,886,356 Car air-conditioning system
53 6,841,972 Method for resetting a state of charge of a battery of a
hybrid electric vehicle
54 6,837,321
Hybrid electric vehicle incorporating an integrated
propulsion system
55 6,820,706
Method and system for hydrogen powered internal
combustion engine
56 6,812,670 Battery control device
57 6,759,832
Device for detecting a battery condition based on
variations in batter voltage
58 6,759,034 Very low emission hybrid electric vehicle incorporating
an integrated propulsion system including a hydrogen powered internal
combustion engine and a high power Ni-MH battery pack
59 6,727,670 Battery current limiter for a high voltage battery pack in a
hybrid electric vehicle powertrain
60 6,702,678 Power transmission by magnetized ball coupling
61 6,639,798 Automotive electronics heat exchanger
62 6,639,409 Battery voltage measurement device
63 6,639,408 Battery voltage measurement device
64 6,611,128 Device for detecting a battery condition
65 6,586,940
Capacity estimation method, degradation estimation
method and degradation estimation apparatus for lithium-ion cells, and
lithium-ion batteries
66 6,575,258 Electric current and controlled heat co-generation system
for a hybrid electric vehicle
67 6,565,836 Very low emission hybrid electric vehicle incorporating
an integrated propulsion system including a hydrogen powered internal
combustion engine and a high power Ni-MH battery pack
68 6,557,655 Hybrid electric vehicle
69 6,504,342 Battery pack
70 6,501,250
Device and method for controlling input/output of
secondary battery
71 6,484,833 Apparatus and method for maintaining state of charge in
vehicle operations
72 6,478,100 Supercharged hybrid electric vehicle
73 6,465,988
Charging/discharging control device and method for
canceling memory effect in secondary battery
74 6,459,980
Vehicle braked with motor torque and method of
controlling the same
75 6,417,670
Accurate battery current measurement system for a
battery care unit
76 6,413,670
High power nickel-metal hydride batteries and high power
alloys/electrodes for use therein
77 6,330,925
Hybrid electric vehicle incorporating an integrated
propulsion system
78 6,313,592 Method for controlling a motor vehicle having an electric
drive mechanism
79 6,291,100 Electrode composition comprising doped tungsten oxides
and electrochemical cell comprising same
80 5,915,801
Regenerative brake controller for controlling value of
regenerative braking torque simulating engine braking torque
81 5,856,047 High power nickel-metal hydride batteries and high power
electrodes for use therein
82 5,851,698
Nickel-metal hydride batteries having high power
electrodes and low-resistance electrode connections
83 5,619,956 Auxiliary power unit for hybrid electric vehicle
84 5,606,946 Auxiliary power unit for a hybrid electric vehicle
85 5,497,323 Trip computer with retroactive reset
86 5,469,820 Auxiliary power unit for a hybrid electrical vehicle
87 5,363,939 Safe, low emissions, low cost, automobile
88 5,264,764 Method for controlling the operation of a range extender
for a hybrid electric vehicle
检索词 2："battery vehicle": 3504 patents.
PAT. NO. Title
1 7,947,387
Temperature controlling apparatus for battery, vehicle
apparatus using the same, and controlling method therefor
United States Patent
Saito ,
7,947,387
et al.
May 24, 2011
Abstract
In an ECU, a coolant fan performs cooling operation such that a control
DUTY value is limited by a control DUTY value according to tolerable noise
level of the cooling fan based on a vehicle speed in a case in which the
temperature in the high-voltage battery is lower than a predetermined
limitation for highest temperature. In a case in which the temperature
in the high-voltage battery is higher than the predetermined limitation
for highest temperature, the cooling fan performs the cooling operation
by using an energy storage device cooling operation requirement value and
an IPU cooling operation requirement value such that performance in the
high-voltage battery is not affected. By doing this, a temperature
controlling apparatus for batteries in which it is possible to cool the
battery and solve temperature difference among a plurality of batteries
can be provided.
Inventors: Saito; Mitsunobu (Shioya-gun, JP), Kayano; Morio (Utsunomiya,
JP), Maeda; Tomohiko (Utsunomiya, JP), Murakami; Hiroshi
(Saitama, JP), Ota; Kazushi (Utsunomiya, JP)
Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo, JP)
Keihin Corporation (Tokyo, JP)
Appl. No.: 12/793,818
Filed:
June 4, 2010
Related U.S. Patent Documents
Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date<TD< TD>
10315080
Dec., 2002
7767354
<TD< TD>
Foreign Application Priority Data
Dec 12, 2001 [JP]
2001-379063
Current U.S. Class:
429/62 ; 429/61
Current International Class:
H01M 10/50
(20060101)
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
6138466
October 2000
Lake et al.
6444350
September 2002
Toya et al.
Foreign Patent Documents
09-092347
Apr., 1997
JP
9-92347
Apr., 1997
JP
10-341505
Dec., 1998
JP
2000-36327
Feb., 2000
JP
Other References
Machine translation of JP09-092347. cited by examiner .
Office Action issued on Jul. 3, 2007, on the counterpart Japanese
Patent Application No. 2001-379063, with English translation.
cited by other.
Primary Examiner: Lee; Cynthia
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Westerman, Hattori, Daniels & Adrian, LLP
Parent Case Text
INCORPORATED-BY-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/315,080,
filed Dec. 10, 2002, and is based upon and claims the benefit of priority
from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-379063, filed Dec. 12,
2001, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A temperature controlling apparatus for batteries of a vehicle,
comprising: a plurality of batteries connected to each other; a cooling
fan for sending cooling air to the plurality of batteries; a plurality
of temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature of each of the
plurality of batteries; a temperature difference calculating means for
calculating a temperature difference among the plurality of batteries;
a controlling means for setting and controlling an electric current
supplied to the cooling fan according to the temperature difference among
the plurality of batteries, an current limiting device configured to limit
the electric current to the cooling fan according to the driving speed
of the vehicle, a speed measuring means for measuring driving speed of
the vehicle, and a limitation cancelling device configured to cancel the
limitation of the electric current to said cooling fan made by the current
limiting device when the driving speed of the vehicle cannot be obtained
from the speed measuring means for a predetermined period of time during
which electricity is charged to or discharged from the plurality of
batteries, wherein the plurality of batteries are configured to supply
electric power to a motor for driving the vehicle or are configured to
support an output of an engine of the vehicle and store energy which is
regenerated by the motor during deceleration of the vehicle.
2. The temperature controlling apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a limitation clearing device configured to cancel the
limitation of the electric current to said cooling fan made by the current
limiting device when the temperature of the plurality of batteries rises
higher than a predetermined limit for highest temperature.
3. A method for controlling a temperature controlling apparatus,
comprising: measuring a temperature of each of a plurality of batteries
which are connected to each other; calculating temperature differences
among said plurality of batteries; measuring a driving speed of the
vehicle; setting and controlling a first current value sent to a cooling
fan for sending cooling air to said plurality of batteries according to
the temperature differences among said plurality of batteries, said first
current value being set such that if the detected temperature of the
battery having the highest temperature exceeds a predetermined
temperature value or if the estimated heat generation of the battery
having the highest temperature exceeds a predetermined heat generation
value, then the first value is set as a function of the detected
temperature of the battery having the highest temperature and the
estimated heat generation of the battery having the highest temperature
in a three-dimensional map; setting and controlling a second current value
sent to the cooling fan according to the temperature difference between
the highest temperature and lowest temperature among said plurality of
batteries; choosing the larger current value between the first current
value and the second current value; limiting the current according to the
driving speed of the vehicle; and controlling said cooling fan according
to the current value chosen in said choosing step, wherein the plurality
of batteries are configured to supply electric power to a motor for driving
a vehicle, or are configured to support an output of an engine of the
vehicle and store energy which is regenerated by the motor during the
deceleration of the vehicle, wherein as the temperature of the plurality
of batteries becomes higher, the amount of electric current being supplied
to the cooling fan is increased, and wherein as the temperature difference
among the plurality of batteries becomes larger, the amount of electric
current being supplied to the cooling fan is increased.
4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising canceling the
limitation of the electric current to said cooling fan made in the current
limiting step if the temperature of the batteries rises higher than a
predetermined limitation for highest temperature.
5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising canceling the
limitation of the electric current to said cooling fan made by the current
limiting device when the driving speed of the vehicle cannot be obtained
in the measuring step for a predetermined period of time during which
current is charged to or discharged from the plurality of batteries.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a temperature controlling apparatus for
batteries for cooling a power supplying device which is carried on a
vehicle. Also, the present invention relates to a vehicle apparatus using
the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Ordinarily, driving force of electric energy for vehicles such as an
Electric Vehicles (hereinafter called EVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles
(hereinafter called HEVs) can be obtained by generating a three-phase
alternating current (hereinafter called 3-phase AC) by inverting the
current sent from a high-voltage battery by an inverter so as to rotate
a 3-phase AC motor. Also, in contrast, the vehicle uses the energy
efficiently by storing the energy which is regenerated by regenerating
operation of the 3-phase AC motor in the battery when the vehicle is
decelerated.
However, such high-voltage batteries which are used in the EVs and the
HEVs use a plurality of battery module which are connected. In the battery
module, a plurality of nickel-hydrogen batteries are connected in series.
Therefore, there is a problem in that battery temperatures differ, and
because of this, current-charging function and current-discharging
function decrease in the battery. In particular, in cold area, when a
vehicle is used under low temperature conditions, temperature differences
between a battery module which is disposed on a cabin floor of the vehicle
and a battery module which is disposed on an opposite surface of the cabin
floor tends to increase.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, conventionally, there has
been proposed a temperature controlling apparatus for a battery which is
disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication
No. Hei 9-92347. In this apparatus, a cooling fan is controlled according
to temperature and heat is generated in a battery.
However, an object of a conventional temperature controlling apparatus
for a battery was to cool the entire battery. Thus, a cooling fan was
controlled by monitoring heat generated in the battery, although, it was
not considered to control the temperature among a plurality of batteries
uniformly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was made in consideration of the problem explained
above. An object of the present invention is to provide a temperature
controlling apparatus for a battery which can cool the battery and control
the temperature among a plurality of batteries uniformly.
In order to solve the problem explained above, in a first aspect of the
present invention, a temperature controlling apparatus for battery, which
is provided with a cooling fan (for example, a cooling fan 18 in
embodiments) for sending cooling air to a plurality of batteries which
are connected to each other, comprises a temperature measuring device (for
example, temperature sensors 21a, 21b, and 21c in the embodiments) for
measuring the temperature in each battery, a temperature difference
calculating device (for example, a step S7 in the embodiments) for
calculating temperature differences among batteries, a controlling
device (for example, steps S8 to S10 in the embodiments) for setting and
controlling current value sent to the cooling fan according to the
temperature difference among batteries. In the temperature controlling
apparatus for a battery having structure explained above, it is possible
to set the current which is sent to the cooling fan according to
temperature difference among a plurality of batteries which are connected
to each other.
In a second aspect of the present invention, a temperature controlling
apparatus for batteries (for example, high-voltage battery 1 in the
embodiments), which is provided with a cooling fan (for example, a cooling
fan 18 in the embodiments) for sending cooling air to a plurality of
batteries which are connected to each other, comprises a temperature
measuring device (for example, temperature sensors 21a, 21b, and 21c in
the embodiments) for measuring the temperature of each battery, a
temperature difference calculating device (for example, a step S7 in the
embodiments) for calculating temperatures difference among batteries, a
first setting device (for example, steps S1 to S6 in the embodiments) for
setting and controlling a first current value sent to the cooling fan
according to the temperature difference among batteries, a second setting
device (for example, a step S8) for setting and controlling a second
current value sent to the cooling fan according to the temperature
difference among batteries, and a comparison controlling device (for
example, steps S9 to S10 in the embodiments) which chooses the larger
current value between the first current value and the second current value
so as to control the cooling fan. In the temperature controlling apparatus
for a battery having a structure explained above, it is possible to set
the current which is sent to the cooling fan according to conditions such
as temperature difference among the batteries and temperature of each
battery among a plurality of batteries which are connected to each other
so as to control the cooling air.
In a third aspect of the present invention, in a temperature controlling
apparatus for batteries, an current measuring device (for example, an
current sensor 28 in the embodiments) for measuring current which is
charged to or discharged from the batteries is provided, and the first
setting device sets the first current value according to the temperature
of the batteries and the current which is measured by the controlling
device. In the temperature controlling apparatus for batteries having the
structure explained above, it is possible to set the current which is sent
to the cooling fan by determining the condition of each battery according
to conditions such as temperature differences among the batteries and
temperature of each battery.
In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a vehicle apparatus, having
a motor (for example, a 3-phase AC motor 4 in the embodiments) for driving
a vehicle or supporting an output from the vehicle's engine (for example,
an engine 5 in the embodiments) and a plurality of batteries (for example,
a high-voltage battery 1 in the embodiments) which are connected to each
other for storing energy which is generated by the motor and energy which
is regenerated by regenerating operation of the motor when the vehicle
is decelerated and a cooling fan (for example, a cooling fan 18 in the
embodiments) which sends cooling air to the batteries, comprises a
temperature measuring device (for example, temperature sensors 21a, 21b,
and 21c in the embodiments) for measuring the temperature of each battery,
a temperature difference calculating device (for example, a step S7 in
the embodiments) for calculating temperature difference among batteries,
a controlling device (for example, steps S8 to S10 in the embodiments)
for setting and controlling current value sent to the cooling fan
according to the temperature difference among batteries, a speed
measuring device (for example, a vehicle speed sensor in the embodiments)
for measuring driving speed of the vehicle; and an current limiting device
(for example, steps S35, and S41 to S46 in the embodiments) for limiting
the current according to the driving speed of the vehicle.
In the vehicle apparatus having structure explained above, it is possible
to set the current which is sent to the cooling fan according to the
temperature difference among a plurality of batteries which are connected
to each other and change the current which is sent to the cooling fan
according to the vehicle speed so as to control the cooling air.
In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a vehicle apparatus is provided
with a limitation clearing device (for example, steps S43 and S 46 in the
embodiments) for canceling the limitation for the current made by the
current limiting device under conditions that the temperature of the
batteries rises higher than a predetermined limitation for highest
temperature.
In the vehicle apparatus having a structure as explained above, it is
possible to send a cooling air to the battery regardless of the vehicle
speed because the limitation for the current which is sent to the cooling
fan is cleared when the temperature of the battery rises higher than the
predetermined limitation for the highest temperature.
In a sixth aspect of the present invention, a vehicle apparatus is provided
with a limitation canceling device (for example, steps S34, S42, and S46
in the embodiments) which cancels the limitation made by the current
limiting device when information for the driving speed of the vehicle
cannot be obtained from the speed measuring device for a predetermined
period of time under conditions in which electricity is charged to or
discharged from the batteries.
In the vehicle apparatus having the structure explained above, it is
possible to send a cooling air to the battery regardless of the vehicle
speed because the limitation for the current which is sent to the cooling
fan is cleared when information for the driving speed of the vehicle cannot
be obtained from the speed measuring device for a predetermined period
of time.
Furthermore, in addition to the vehicle apparatus explained above, the
present invention can provide a vehicle having the following structure.
That is, in a vehicle apparatus according to the present invention having
an inverter device (for example, an inverter 3 for driving a motor in the
embodiments) for controlling a motor (for example, a 3-phase AC motor 4
in the embodiments) for driving a vehicle or supporting an output from
an engine (for example, an engine 5 in the embodiments), batteries (for
example, high-voltage battery 1 in the embodiments) which are disposed
in a plurality of arrays for storing energy which is generated by the motor
and energy which is regenerated by regenerating operation of the motor
when the vehicle is decelerated, a cooling fan (for example, a cooling
fan 18 in the embodiments) for introducing an air to both the batteries
and the inverter device, the vehicle apparatus according to the present
invention comprises temperature measuring devices (for example,
temperature sensors 21a, 21b, and 21c) for measuring the temperature of
each battery, a first current setting device (for example, steps S1 to
S6 in the embodiments) for setting the first current which is sent to the
cooling fan according to the temperature of the batteries, a temperature
difference calculating device (for example, a step S7 in the embodiments)
for calculating difference of temperature among batteries, a second
current setting device (for example, step S8 in the embodiments) for
setting the second current which is sent to the cooling fan according to
the difference in the temperatures among the batteries, a first selecting
device (for example, steps S9 and S10 in the embodiments) for comparing
the first current and the second current so as to select a larger current,
a speed measuring device (for example, a vehicle speed sensor in the
embodiments) for measuring a driving speed of the vehicle, a third current
setting device (for example, a step S41 in the embodiments) for setting
the third current which is sent to the cooling fan according to the driving
speed of the vehicle, a second selecting device (for example, step S44
in the embodiments) for comparing the current which is selected by the
first selecting device and the third current so as to select the smaller
current, an inverter temperature measuring device (for example, a
temperature sensor 23 in the embodiments) for measuring temperature of
components in the inverter device, a fourth current setting device (for
example, a step S32 in the embodiments) for setting the fourth current
which is sent to the cooling fan according to the temperature of the
components in the inverter device, and a controlling device (for example,
a step S58 in the embodiments) for selecting a larger current between the
current which is selected by the second selecting device and the fourth
current so as to control the cooling fan.
In the vehicle apparatus which is provided with the above-explained
structures, the current which is sent to the cooling fan is controlled
under conditions that the temperature differences among the batteries
takes priority over the temperature of each battery. Also, the current
which is sent to the cooling fan is controlled under conditions in which
the vehicle speed takes priority over the temperature difference among
batteries. Furthermore, the vehicle apparatus controls the current which
is sent to the cooling fan under conditions in which the temperature of
the components in the inverter device is the top priority among the
above-explained conditions.
Also, in the vehicle apparatus according to the present invention, an
current measuring device (for example, an current sensor 28 in the
embodiments) for measuring current which is charged to or discharged from
the batteries is provided, and the first setting device sets the first
current value according to the temperature of the batteries and the
current which is measured by the controlling device.
In the vehicle apparatus having the above-explained structure, it is
possible to determine the condition of the batteries from view points of
the temperature of the batteries and the heat generated therein so as to
set the current which is sent to the cooling fan.
In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, a controlling
method for the temperature controlling apparatus for battery, which is
provided with a cooling fan for sending cooling air to a plurality of
battery which are connected to each other, comprises steps of a
temperature measuring step for measuring temperature in each battery, a
temperature difference calculating step for calculating temperature
difference among batteries, a controlling step for setting and
controlling current value sent to the cooling fan according to the
temperature difference among batteries.
By doing this, it is possible to realize the same effects as those in the
first aspect of the present invention.
In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, a controlling
method for the temperature controlling apparatus for battery, which is
provided with a cooling fan for sending cooling air to a plurality of
battery which are connected to each other, comprises steps of a
temperature measuring step for measuring temperature in each battery, a
temperature difference calculating step for calculating temperature
difference among batteries, a first setting step for setting and
controlling a first current value sent to the cooling fan according to
the temperature difference among batteries, a second setting step for
setting and controlling a second current value sent to the cooling fan
according to the temperature difference among batteries, and a comparison
controlling step which chooses larger current value between the first
current value and the second current value so as to control the cooling
fan.
By doing this, it is possible to realize the same effect as that in the
second aspect of the present invention.
In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, in a controlling
method for the temperature controlling apparatus for battery, an current
measuring step for measuring current which is charged to or discharged
from the batteries is provided, and the first setting step sets the first
current value according to the temperature of the batteries and the
current which is measured in the controlling step.
By doing this, it is possible to realize the same effects as those in the
third aspect of the present invention.
In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, a controlling method
for the vehicle apparatus, having a motor for driving a vehicle or
supporting an output from the vehicle's engine and a plurality of
batteries which are connected to each other for storing energy which is
generated by the motor and energy which is regenerated by regenerating
operation of the motor when the vehicle is decelerated and a cooling fan
which sends cooling air to the batteries, comprises steps of a temperature
measuring step for measuring the temperature in each battery, a
temperature difference calculating step for calculating temperature
difference among batteries, a controlling step for setting and
controlling current value sent to the cooling fan according to the
temperature difference among batteries, a speed measuring step for
measuring driving speed of the vehicle, and an current limiting step for
limiting the current according to the driving speed of the vehicle.
By doing this, it is possible to realize the same effects as those in the
fourth aspect of the present invention.
In an eleventh aspect according to the present invention, a controlling
method for the vehicle apparatus has a limitation clearing step for
canceling the limitation for the current made in the current limiting step
under conditions in which the temperature of the batteries rises higher
than a predetermined limitation for highest temperature.
By doing this, it is possible to realize the same effects as those in the
fifth aspect of the present invention.
In a twelfth aspect according to the present invention, a controlling
method for the vehicle apparatus has a limitation canceling step which
cancels the limitation made by the current limiting device when
information for the driving speed of the vehicle cannot be obtained from
the speed measuring device for a predetermined period of time under
conditions in which electricity is charged to or discharged from the
batteries.
By doing this, it is possible to realize the same effects as those in the
sixth aspect of the present invention.
As explained above, according to a temperature controlling apparatus for
battery according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is
possible to set the current which is sent to the cooling fan according
to the temperature difference among a plurality of batteries which are
connected to each other so as to control the cooling air.
Therefore, there is an effect in that the temperature of each battery can
be lowered by generating an air flow by using a cooling air which is sent
from the cooling fan when the temperature is different among a plurality
of batteries. Also, there is an effect in that the temperature difference
among the batteries can be solved.
Such effects can be obtained by performing a controlling method according
to the seventh aspect of the present invention.
According to a temperature controlling apparatus for batteries according
to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set the
current which is sent to the cooling fan according to the priority between
the temperature difference among a plurality of batteries which are
connected to each other and the temperature of the battery so as to control
the cooling air.
Therefore, an effect in that the temperatures of the batteries can be
controlled reliably when temperature of all the batteries rise without
temperature difference among a plurality of battery. That is, by
generating an air flow by using a cooling air which is sent form the cooling
fan, it is possible to deal with a case in which the temperatures of all
the batteries rise and a case in which the temperature of any battery rises.
Such an effect can be obtained by performing the controlling method
according to the eighth aspect of the present invention.
According to a temperature controlling apparatus for batteries according
to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine
the condition of the each battery from viewpoints of the temperature of
the battery and the heat generated so as to set the current which is sent
to the cooling fan.
Therefore, there is an effect in that the heat generation and the
temperature of the battery can be forecasted so as to anticipate the
increase of the battery temperature according to the heat generation in
advance to the actual increase of the temperature of the battery.
Therefore, it is possible to control the cooling air without control time
lag.
Such effect can be obtained by performing the controlling method according
to the ninth aspect of the present invention.
According to a vehicle apparatus according to the third aspect of the
present invention, it is possible to set the current which is sent to the
cooling fan according to the temperature difference among a plurality of
batteries which are connected to each other and change the current which
is sent to the cooling fan according to the driving speed of the vehicle.
Thus, it is possible to control the cooling air.
Therefore, there is an effect in that it is possible to lower the
temperature of each battery by generating an air flow by using an air which
is sent from the cooling fan so as to solve the temperature differences
among batteries when the temperature is different among a plurality of
batteries which are carried in the vehicle. Also, it is possible to control
the cooling air such that the air noise is restricted so as not to affect
the passengers in the vehicle according to the driving speed (driving
condition) of the vehicle.
Such effects can be obtained by performing the controlling method
according to the tenth aspect of the present invention.
According to a vehicle apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the
present invention, it is possible to send a cooling air to the battery
regardless of the driving speed of the vehicle because the limitation for
the current which is sent to the cooling fan is cleared when the
temperature of the battery exceeds the predetermined limitation for
highest temperature in the battery.
Therefore, there is an effect in that it is possible to control the cooling
air from the cooling fan such that the performance of the battery is not
deteriorated while restricting the air noise within tolerable range for
the passengers in the vehicle during the control of the cooling air from
the cooling fan. Thus, it is possible to control the temperature of the
battery reliably.
Such effects can be obtained by performing the controlling method
according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention.
According to a vehicle apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the
present invention, it is possible to send a cooling air to the battery
regardless of the driving speed of the vehicle because the limitation for
the current which is sent to the cooling fan is cleared when information
for the driving speed of the vehicle cannot be obtained for a predetermined
period of time.
Therefore, there is an effect in that it is possible to control the cooling
air from the cooling fan according to the temperature of batteries such
that the performance of the battery is not deteriorated while restricting
the air noise within a tolerable range for passengers in the vehicle during
the control of the cooling air from the cooling fan. Thus, it is possible
to control the temperature of the battery reliably.
Such effects can be obtained by performing the controlling method
according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention.
In the vehicle apparatus according to the present invention, the current
which is sent to the cooling fan is controlled under conditions that the
temperature difference among the batteries takes priority over the
temperature of each battery. Also, the current which is sent to the cooling
fan is controlled under conditions that the vehicle speed takes priority
over the temperature difference among batteries. Furthermore, the vehicle
apparatus controls the current which is sent to the cooling fan under
conditions that the temperature of the components in the inverter device
is the top priority among the above-explained conditions.
Therefore, there is an effect in that it is possible to control the cooling
air from the cooling fan such that the performance of the inverter device
which supplies current to a power supply for driving the vehicle is not
deteriorated while restricting the air noise within a tolerable range for
passengers in the vehicle. Thus, it is possible to control the temperature
of the battery reliably.
Also, by determining the condition of the each battery from viewpoints
of the temperature of the battery and the heat generated so as to set the
current which is sent to the cooling fan, there is an effect in that the
heat generation can be forecasted so as to anticipate the increase of the
battery temperature according to the heat generation in advance of the
actual increase of the temperature of the battery. Therefore, it is
possible to control the cooling air without control time lag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure and wiring for the electric
components for a vehicle including a temperature controlling apparatus
for batteries according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a structure which is used for carrying the
temperature controlling apparatus for batteries according to the first
embodiment in the vehicle.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an energy storage device cooling requirement
DUTY value searching operation for a temperature controlling apparatus
for batteries according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a cooling operation start determining
process for a temperature controlling apparatus for batteries according
to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a control DUTY value outputting operation
for a temperature controlling apparatus for batteries according to the
first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operational noise tolerance DUTY
determining process for a temperature controlling apparatus for batteries
according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing fan mode cooperative process for a
temperature controlling apparatus for batteries according to the first
embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a waveform as a result for a controlling operation
for a cooling fan for a temperature controlling apparatus for batteries
according to the first embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereafter, the embodiments according to the present invention are
explained with reference to the drawings as follows.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure and wiring for the electric
components for a vehicle including a temperature controlling apparatus
for batteries according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a high-voltage (for example,
144[V]) battery of which voltage is higher than 12 [V] in which a plurality
(for example, three pieces) of battery are connected in series as an
electric power supply for supplying electrical power to each component
in the vehicle. Reference numeral 2 indicates a high-voltage switch for
switching a wiring so as to determine whether or not the current of the
high-voltage battery 1 is supplied to each component in the vehicle.
Reference numeral 3 indicates an inverter for driving a motor for
inverting the current which is supplied from the high-voltage battery 1
via the high-voltage switch 2 into 3-phase current which is to be supplied
to a 3-phase AC motor 4 for generating a driving force for driving the
vehicle.
Also, to the 3-phase AC motor 4, an engine which is used for driving a
car by combusting a fuel not by using current is connected. Here, a vehicle
is driven only by the engine 5 or by the engine 5 and the 3-phase AC motor
which support the output from the engine 5.
Here, the high-voltage battery 1 is charged by a regenerated energy which
is produced by the 3-phase AC motor 4 via the inverter 3 for driving the
motor. Also, it is acceptable that an alternator for generating current
by using a rectifying circuit and the engine can be connected to the
high-voltage battery 1 via a high-voltage switch 2 when the voltage in
the high-voltage battery 1 is, for example, 42 [V].
Also, a DC/DC converter 6 converts the current which is supplied from the
high-voltage battery 1 via the high-voltage switch 2 into an current
having 12 [V] which is supplied as a power supply to a computers provided
at various parts in the vehicle for controlling the vehicle and
accessories such as lighting devices, air conditioners, and fuel pumps.
Also, to an output line of the DC/DC converter 6, a 12V battery 7 to which
the converted current having 12 [V] is charged is connected. Furthermore,
to the output line (both ends of the 12V battery 7) of the DC/DC converter
6, the accessories for the vehicle such as a lighting device 8 and the
air conditioner 9 are connected in parallel via switches.
Connection for accessories is explained in detail as follows. A light 8
is a head light for lighting ahead of the vehicle. The light 8 is connected
to the DC/DC converter 6 and the 12V battery 7 via a light switch 10 which
is operated by an occupant in the vehicle. An air conditioner 9 is used
in the vehicle. The air conditioner 9 is connected to the DC/DC converter
6 and the 12V battery 7 in parallel via an air conditioner switch 11 which
is operated by an occupant in the vehicle. Here the light switch 10 and
the air conditioner switch 11 are inserted into a plus terminal for a
connection line 13 which connects the DC/DC converter, the 12V battery
7, and accessories therefor. The light switch 10 and the air conditioner
switch 11 perform switching operation between the DC/DC converter 6, the
12V battery 7, and the accessories by operation performed by the occupant
in the vehicle.
Also, to an output line (both ends of the 12V battery 7) of the DC/DC
converter 6, vehicle accessories 14 such as fuel pump motor which are
carried on various part of the vehicle are connected via an ignition switch
15 for switching the current which is supplied to the vehicle accessories
14. Here, the ignition switch 15 is inserted into a plus terminal for the
connection line 16 which connects the DC/DC converter 6, the 12V battery,
and the vehicle accessories 14. The current is supplied to the vehicle
accessories 14 when the ignition switch 15 is closed by the passenger in
the vehicle.
Furthermore, to the output line (both ends of the 12V battery 7) of the
DC/DC converter 6, a plurality of electric control unit (hereinafter
called ECU) 17-1 to 17-n (n is an integer) which are computers provided
in various part in the vehicle for controlling the vehicle are connected
in parallel.
Also, a cooling fan 18 cools the high-voltage battery 1, the inverter 3
for driving a motor, and DC/DC converter 6. A connection line 19 which
notifies the rotating speed of the cooling fan from the cooling fan 18
is connected only to the ECU 17-1 among a plurality of ECU 17-1 to 17-n.
Also, between the ECU 17-1 and the cooling fan 18, a connection line 20
which is used for the ECU 17-1 to control the rotation speed of the cooling
fan 18 by a control DUTY value (current which is sent to the cooling fan
18) for Pulse Width Modulation (hereinafter called PWM) is connected. Here,
the ECU 17-1 absorbs the slight change in the rotation which is caused
by difference of accuracy existing in the products which is produced in
the mass-production and the increase of friction in the rotational axis
of the cooling fan 18 by monitoring the rotation of the cooling fan by
the connection line 19 and feeding back the monitoring result to the
control DUTY value so as to maintain the cooling air uniformly.
Also, near the high-voltage battery 1, temperature sensors 21a, 21b, and
21c are provided which measure the temperature of each battery contained
in the high-voltage battery 1 which is used for determining the control
DUTY value of the cooling fan 18 by the ECU 17-1. From the temperature
sensors 21a, 21b, and 21c, connection lines 22a, 22b, and 22c which notify
the measured temperature to the ECU 17-1 are connected to the ECU 17-1.
Here, in the embodiments of the present invention, a total of 3 temperature
sensors are prepared so as to correspond to the 3 batteries which are
connected in series in the high-voltage battery 1.
Similarly, near the inverter 3 for driving a motor and the DC/DC converter
6, temperature sensors 23 and 24 are provided which measures the
temperature of the inverter 3 for driving a motor and the DC/DC converter
6 such that the measured temperature value is used for the ECU-1 to
determining the control DUTY value for the cooling fan 18. From the
temperature sensors 23, 24, connection lines 25 and 26 which notify the
ECU 17-1 of the measured temperature are connected to the ECU 17-1.
Also, to the connection line 27 which connects the high-voltage battery
1 and the high-voltage switch 2, an current sensor 28 is provided for
measuring the current which is charged to and discharged from the
high-voltage battery 1 such that the ECU 17-1 forecasts the heat
generation in the high-voltage battery 1 which is used for determining
the control DUTY value of the cooling fan 18. The amount of the current
which is charged to and discharged from the high-voltage battery 1 is
notified to the ECU 17-1 via the connection line 29. Here, the heat
generation W in the high-voltage battery 1 can be determined by a following
formula F1 under condition that r[.OMEGA.] is an internal resistance in
the high-voltage battery 1 and I[A] is an current which is charged to and
discharged from the high-voltage battery 1. W=r.times.(I.sup.2) F1 Here,
it is understood that W is in proportion to a value such as (I.sup.2);
thus, the W can be forecasted in advance. Here, when r as an internal
resistance is used, W as a heat generation can be forecasted accurately.
If (I.sup.2) is calculated while omitting the r as an internal resistance,
degree of heat generation in the high-voltage battery 1 can be forecasted.
Here, (I.sup.2) indicates a square of I as an current which is charged
to and discharged from the high-voltage battery 1.
Also, to the ECU 17-1, a vehicle speed information V which is used for
the ECU 17-1 to determine the control DUTY value of the cooling fan 18
is input from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown in FIG. 1) which measures
the driving speed of the vehicle.
Structure and the wiring condition of the electrical component such as
a temperature controlling apparatus for the battery in the vehicle of an
embodiment according to the present invention are explained as above. Next,
an example for carrying the temperature controlling apparatus for a
battery in the present embodiment is explained with reference to the
drawings as follows.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a structure of a high-voltage electric components
cooling apparatus 50 which is used for carrying the temperature
controlling apparatus for batteries according to the first embodiment on
the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, a high-voltage electric components
cooling apparatus 50 is provided with a suction duct 51, a battery box
52, a heat sink case 53, an exhaust duct 54, and an exterior enclosure
box 55. Here, a cooling fan 18 which is explained with reference to FIG.
1 is provided on the tip of the exhaust duct 54. Also, an electric component
box is made from the battery box 52, the heat sink case 53, and the exterior
enclosure box 55.
Here, the suction duct 51 has a cooling air intake port 61 which is opened
and closed by a shutter 60. The battery box 52 has a box structure. A top
opening section 62 is communicated through a bottom opening section 63
in the suction duct 51. Inside of the battery box 52, the high-voltage
battery 1 which was explained with reference to FIG. 1 is attached such
that the cooling air can communicate therethrough. Heat sink 53 also has
a box structure. A top opening section 64 is communicated through a bottom
opening section 65 in the exhaust duct 54. In the heat sink case 53, the
heat sink is provided such that the cooling air can pass therethrough.
On the outside of the heat sink case 53, the inverter 3 for driving a motor
shown in FIG. 1 and the DC/DC converter 6 are provided.
In addition, the battery box 52, the heat sink case 53, the inverter 3
for driving motor, and the DC/DC converter 6 are enclosed by the exterior
enclosure box 55. The exterior enclosure box 55 has an air-tight box which
has openings 66 and 67 on its top. One of the opening 66 communicates a
connected section in a sealing manner at which the bottom opening 63 of
the suction duct 51 and the top opening 62 of the battery box 52 are
connected. The other opening 67 communicates a connected section in a
sealing manner at which the bottom opening 65 of the exhaust duct 54 and
the top opening 64 of the heat sink case 53 are connected. Also, in an
internal space of the exterior enclosure box 55, a bottom opening 68 of
the battery box 52 and the bottom opening 69 of the heat sink case 53 are
communicating.
The exhaust duct 54 has a cooling air exhaust port 70. In the cooling air
exhaust port 70, a cooling fan 18 is provided. Also, the cooling fan and
the shutter 60 acts synchronously; thus, when the cooling fan 18 rotates,
the shutter 60 opens, and when the cooling fan 18 stops, the shutter 60
is closed.
In the high-voltage electric components cooling apparatus 50, when the
cooling fan 18 rotates, the shutter 60 is opened; thus, the cooling air
is introduced from the cooling air intake port 61 into the suction duct
51. The cooling air which is introduced into the suction duct 51 is
exhausted to the exterior enclosure box 55 from the bottom opening 68
through the battery box 52 from the suction duct 51. Consequently, the
cooling air exchanges heat with the high-voltage battery 1 when the
cooling air passes in the battery box 52. As a result, the high-voltage
battery 1 is cooled, and the temperature of the cooling air slightly rises;
thus, the cooling air is exhausted to the exterior enclosure box 55. Here,
because the operational temperature of the high-voltage battery 1 is low,
even if the temperature of the cooling air rises during the cooling
operation for the high-voltage battery 1, it is still low enough to cool
the inverter 3 for driving motor and the DC/DC converter 6.
The cooling air which is exhausted to the exterior enclosure box 55 is
introduced into the heat sink case 53 because the exterior enclosure box
55 has an air tight structure. That is, the inside of the exterior
enclosure box 55 becomes a cooling air flow path 71 for introducing the
cooling air after cooling the high-voltage battery 1 into the inverter
3 for driving motor. The cooling air which is introduced into the heat
sink case 53 is exhausted to the exhaust duct 54 through the heat sink
case 53. Furthermore, the cooling air is absorbed by the cooling fan 18
via the cooling air exhaust port 70 so as to be exhausted the outside.
In addition, the cooling air exchange heat with the heat sink when the
cooling air passes in the heat sink case 53. Heat in the inverter 3 for
driving motor and the DC/DC converter 6 is transferred to the heat sink
via the heat sink case 53; therefore, the inverter 3 for driving motor
and the DC/DC converter 6 are cooled by the heat exchange between the
cooling air and the heat sink.
As explained above, in the high-voltage electric components cooling
apparatus 50, the cooling air is enforced to pass by a cooling fan 18 so
as to cool the inverter 3 for driving motor and the DC/DC converter 6 by
the cooling air after cooling the high-voltage battery 1 while taking a
fact that the temperature in the inverter 3 for driving motor and the DC/DC
converter 6 are higher than the operational temperature of the
high-voltage battery 1 into account. Therefore, it is possible to cool
the high-voltage battery 1, inverter 3 for driving motor, and the DC/DC
converter 6 efficiently by less cooling energy in an efficient manner.
In a vehicle apparatus having a temperature controlling apparatus for
battery according to the present embodiment, a high-voltage electric
components cooling apparatus 50 is provided between, for example, the rear
seat and a trunk room of an automobile so as to introduce the air in the
vehicle room into the suction duct 51 from the cooling air intake port
61 in the suction duct 51 via an opening section which is formed in a rear
tray of the automobile.
Next, movement in the present embodiment is explained with reference to
drawings as follows.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an energy storage device cooling requirement
DUTY value searching operation for a temperature controlling apparatus
for battery according to the first embodiment. Here, for an energy storage
device, a battery and a capacitor can be named. Also, an energy storage
device cooling requirement DUTY value searching operation indicates a
movement in which a control DUTY value which is required for driving the
cooling fan 18 based on the temperature and the heat generation of the
high-voltage battery 1 is determined for cooling the high-voltage battery
1.
In FIG. 3, first, the ECU 17-1 measures current which is charged to and
discharged from the high-voltage battery 1 flowing in the connection line
27 by the current sensor 28 so as to calculate the average heat generation
of the high-voltage battery 1 based on the above-mentioned formula F1
(step S1).
Next, the ECU 17-1 performs a cooling operation start determining
operation (step S2) in which whether or not the temperature of the
high-voltage battery 1 which is measured by the temperature sensors 21a,
21b, and 21c, and the average heat generation in the high-voltage battery
1 which is calculated in the step S1 are higher than the predetermined
limitation for highest temperature or the predetermined limitation for
highest heat generation is determined.
Consequently, as a result of the cooling operation start determining
process, it is determined whether a cooling operation start temperature
determining flag, which indicates that the temperature of the
high-voltage battery 1 is higher than the predetermined limitation for
highest temperature, indicates "1 (one)" (when the temperature of the
high-voltage battery 1 is higher than the predetermined limitation for
highest temperature, the flag indicates "1 (one)") (step S3).
In the step S3, in case in which the temperature of the high-voltage
battery 1 is not higher than the predetermined limitation for highest
temperature (No in the step S3), it is determined whether a cooling
operation start heat generation determining flag, which indicates that
the heat generation of the high-voltage battery 1 is higher than the
predetermined limitation for highest heat generation, indicates "1 (one)"
(when the heat generation of the high-voltage battery 1 is higher than
the predetermined limitation for highest heat generation, the flag
indicates "1 (one)") (step S4).
In the step S3, in case in which the temperature of the high-voltage
battery 1 is higher than the predetermined limitation for highest
temperature (YES in the step S3), or in the case in which the heat
generation of the high-voltage battery 1 is higher than the predetermined
limitation for the highest heat generation in the step S4 (YES in the step
S4), in order to cool the high-voltage battery 1, an energy storage device
cooling operation requirement DUTY map searching process is performed
(step S5) so as to determine the energy storage cooling operation
requirement DUTY value (a first setting value, a first current) based on
the temperature and the heat generation so as to notify the cooling fan
18.
In the energy storage cooling operation requirement DUTY map searching
process, the control DUTY value is determined on a Z-axis which is required
for PWM control for the cooling fan 18 according to a three dimensional
map in which the highest temperature which is represented on an X-axis
and the generate heat of the high-voltage battery 1 on a Y-axis. Here,
the above-mentioned three-dimensional map is set such that the control
DUTY value which is required for PWM control for the cooling fan 18
increases (rotation of the cooling fan 18 increase) when the highest
temperature in the high-voltage battery 1 rises, or the heat generation
in the high-voltage battery 1 increases.
On the other hand, in the step S4, in a case in which the heat generation
in the high-voltage battery 1 is not higher than the predetermined
limitation for highest heat generation (NO in step S4), "0 (zero)" is set
for the energy storage cooling operation requirement DUTY value (step S6).
Also, after the energy storage device cooling operation requirement DUTY
value is determined in the steps S5 or S6, next, the ECU 17-1 deducts the
lowest temperature which is shown in one of the batteries from the highest
temperature which is shown in other one of the batteries in the temperature
which is measured by the temperature sensors 21a, 21b, and 21c so as to
determine differences in the temperature among a plurality of battery in
the high-voltage battery 1 (step S7).
Accordingly, a temperature difference DUTY table search is performed
according to the measured temperature difference (step S8).
According to the result of the temperature difference DUTY table search,
in order to solve the temperature difference among a plurality of
batteries, after the difference requirement DUTY value (a second setting
value, a second current) which is required for the cooling fan 18 is
obtained, it is determined whether or not the present energy storage
device cooling operation requirement DUTY value is larger than the
difference requirement DUTY value (step S9).
In the step S9, in a case in which the present energy storage device cooling
operation requirement DUTY value is larger than the difference
requirement DUTY value (YES in the step S9), the energy storage device
cooling operation requirement DUTY value searching operation is over
without performing any particular operation.
Also, in a case in which the present energy storage device cooling
operation requirement DUTY value is smaller than the difference
requirement DUTY value (NO in the step S9), the difference requirement
DUTY value is set for the energy storage device cooling operation
requirement DUTY value (step S10), and the energy storage device cooling
operation requirement DUTY value searching operation is over.
Next, the cooling operation start determining process for the energy
storage device cooling operation requirement DUTY value searching
operation in the temperature controlling apparatus for batteries is
explained with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a cooling operation start determining
process for a temperature controlling apparatus for batteries according
to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 4, first, the ECU 17-1 determines whether or not the cooling
operation starting temperature determining flag is "1 (one)" (when the
temperature in the high-voltage battery 1 is higher than the predetermined
limitation for highest temperature, the flag is "1 (one)") (step S21).
In the step S21, in a case in which the cooling operation starting
temperature determining flag is not "1 (one)" (NO in the step S21), it
is determined whether or not the highest temperature in the high-voltage
battery 1 is higher than the cooling operation starting temperature
determination value (step S22).
In the step S22, in a case in which the highest temperature in the
high-voltage battery 1 is lower than the cooling operation starting
temperature determination value (YES in the step S22), "0 (zero)" is set
for the cooling operation starting temperature determination flag (step
S23).
Also, in the step S22, in a case in which the highest temperature in the
high-voltage battery 1 is higher than the cooling operation starting
temperature determination value (NO in the step S22), "1 (one)" is set
for the cooling operation starting temperature determination flag (step
S24).
On the other hand, in the step S21, in case in which the cooling operation
starting temperature determination flag is "1 (one)" (YES in the step S21),
nothing particular is performed in the step so as to progressed to the
next step S25.
Next, the ECU 17-1 determines whether or not the cooling operation
starting heat generation determination flag is "1 (one)" (when the heat
generation in the high-voltage battery 1 is higher than the predetermined
limitation for highest heat generation, the flag is "1 (one)") (step S25).
In the step S25, in a case in which the cooling operation starting heat
generation determination flag is not "1 (one)" (NO in the step S25), it
is determined whether or not the heat generation in the high-voltage
battery 1 is lower than the cooling operation starting heat generation
determination value (step S26).
In the step S26, in a case in which the heat generation in the high-voltage
battery 1 is lower than the cooling operation starting heat generation
determination value (YES in the step S26), "0 (zero)" is set in the cooling
operation starting heat generation determination flag so as to finish the
cooling operation starting determining process (step S27).
Also, in the step S26, the heat generation in the high-voltage battery
1 is higher than the cooling operation starting heat generation
determination value (NO in the step S26), "1 (one)" is set for the cooling
operation starting heat generation determining flag so as to finish the
cooling operation starting determining process (step S28).
On the other hand, in the step S25, in a case in which the cooling operation
heat generation flag is "1 (one)" (YES in the step S25), no particular
process is performed and the cooling operation starting determining
process is finished.
Next, an operation for the control DUTY value output in the temperature
controlling apparatus for battery according to the present embodiment is
explained with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a control DUTY value outputting operation
for a temperature controlling apparatus for batteries according to the
present embodiment. Here, in the control DUTY value outputting operation,
actual control DUTY value for the cooling fan 18 is obtained so as to drive
the cooling fan 18 by taking the energy storage device cooling requirement
DUTY value which is determined by the energy storage device cooling
operation requirement DUTY value searching operation in the steps S1 to
S10 and a tolerable noise level in the cooling fan 18 into account
according to the cooling requirement from a power supply unit such as the
inverter 3 for driving motor and the DC/DC converter 6.
In FIG. 5, first, the ECU 17-1 determines whether or not the temperature
control relay operation requirement is under idle stop condition (step
S31).
In the step S31, in a case in which the temperature control relay operation
requirement is under idle stop condition (YES in the step S31), it is
determined whether or not there is an Integrated Power Unit (hereinafter
called IPU) cooling operation requirement (step S32). Here, for an IPU,
a power supply unit such as inverter 3 for driving motor or DC/DC converter
6 can be named. Also, the IPU cooling operation requirement is a signal
for requiring for cooling the inverter 3 for driving motor and the DC/DC
converter 6 in a case the temperature which is measured by the temperature
sensors 23 and 24 which are provided in the inverter 3 for driving motor
and the DC/DC converter 6 which are enclosed together with the battery
box 52 and the heat sink case 53 by the exterior enclosure box 55 is higher
than the predetermined limitation for highest temperature for components
such as inverter 3 for driving motor and DC/DC converter 6. That is, the
IPU cooling operation requirement DUTY value which is explained later (a
fourth current) is a control DUTY value for the cooling fan 18.
Therefore, in the step S32, in a case in which there is not the IPU cooling
operation requirement (NO in the step S32), the high-voltage battery 1
does not have to cool the inverter 3 for driving motor and the DC/DC
converter 6; thus, "0 (zero)" is set for the control DUTY value (step S33).
On the other hand, in the step S33, in a case in which the temperature
control relay operation requirement is not under idle stop condition (NO
in the step S31), or in a case in which there is an IPU cooling operation
requirement in the step S32 (YES in the step S32), at first, a vehicle
speed zero cooling operation determining process is performed (step S34).
Here, in the vehicle speed zero cooling operation determining process,
it is determined whether or not a vehicle speed information is correct
so as to determine whether or not a vehicle speed information which can
be a reference for determining whether or not a tolerable level is realized
in the operational noise tolerance DUTY determining process which is
explained later. When the vehicle speed information is abnormal, "1 (one)"
is set for a low vehicle speed flag.
Next, the operational noise tolerance DUTY determining process is
performed (step S35) for determining the control DUTY value according to
the tolerable noise level of the cooling fan 18 based on the vehicle speed.
Here, the detail of the operational noise tolerance DUTY determining
process is explained later.
Also, the actual control DUTY value is determined according to the
tolerable noise level of the cooling fan 18 dependent on the vehicle speed
is determined for the control DUTY value which is required for the
temperature and the heat generation of the high-voltage battery 1 in the
operational noise tolerance DUTY determining process. Consequently, the
control DUTY value which is required for the high-voltage battery 1
(energy storage device) are cooperated to the control DUTY value which
is required for the inverter 3 for driving motor and the DC/DC converter
6 (IPU) and the like. Furthermore, a fan mode cooperative process is
performed for determining the final control DUTY value (step S36). The
detail of the fan mode cooperative process is explained later.
In addition, after the control DUTY value is determined in the
above-explained step S33 or the step S36, it is outputted to the cooling
fan 18 so as to perform the cooling fan control according to the determined
control DUTY value (step S37).
Next, an operational noise tolerance DUTY determining process in the
control DUTY value outputting operation for the temperature controlling
apparatus for batteries is explained with reference to drawings.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operational noise tolerance DUTY
determining process for a temperature controlling apparatus for batteries
according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 6, at first, the ECU 17-1 performs the operational noise tolerance
DUTY value table search (step S41) for determining the operational noise
tolerance DUTY value (a third current) in the vehicle speed which is shown
in the vehicle speed information according to the operational noise
tolerance requirement table which shows the control DUTY value limit for
the cooling fan 18 such that the operational noise of the fan is tolerable
for an occupant in the vehicle according to the vehicle speed based on
the vehicle speed information which is obtained by the vehicle speed
sensor (not shown in the drawing).
Next, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed information is
normal according to the low vehicle speed which is set in the vehicle speed
zero cooling operation determining process (step S42).
In the step S42, in case in which the low vehicle speed flag is set at
"0 (zero)" and the vehicle speed information is normal (YES in the step
S42), it is determined whether or not the highest temperature in the
high-voltage battery 1 is lower than battery temperature determining
threshold (step S43).
Next, in the step S43, in a case in which the highest temperature in the
high-voltage battery 1 is lower than the battery temperature determining
threshold (YES in the step S43), it is determined whether or not the energy
storage device cooling operation requirement DUTY value is higher than
the operational noise tolerance DUTY value (step S44).
In addition, in the step S44, in a case in which the energy storage device
cooling operation requirement DUTY value is higher than the operational
noise tolerance DUTY value (YES in the step S44), the operational noise
tolerance DUTY value is set for the battery cooling operation requirement
DUTY value (step S45) so as to end the operational noise tolerance DUTY
determining process.
On the other hand, the energy storage device cooling operation requirement
DUTY value is set at the battery cooling operation requirement DUTY value
(step S46) so as to end the operational noise tolerance DUTY determining
process if either one of the following conditions occur such as, in the
step S42, in a case in which the low vehicle speed flag is set at "1 (one)"
and the vehicle speed information is abnormal (NO in the step S42), or
in the step S43, in a case in which the highest temperature in the
high-voltage battery 1 is higher than the battery temperature determining
threshold (NO in the step S43), and furthermore, in the step S44, in a
case in which the energy storage device cooling operation requirement DUTY
value is lower than the operational noise tolerance DUTY value (NO in the
step S44).
Next, a fan mode cooperative processing operation in the control DUTY
value outputting operation for the temperature controlling apparatus for
batteries is explained with reference to drawings.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing fan mode cooperative process for a
temperature controlling apparatus for battery according to the present
embodiment.
In FIG. 7, at first, the ECU 17-1 performs a anti-high temperature idling
process so as to prevent the high-voltage battery 1 from being heated
because the cooling fan 18 works when a high-temperature air is introduced
in the suction duct 51 from the cooling air intake port 61 in the suction
duct 51 when an engine is under idle condition in high temperature
atmosphere.
Here, in the anti-high temperature idling process, the cooling fan 18 is
stopped when the temperature in the high-voltage battery 1 is higher than
the predetermined limitation for highest temperature so as not to
deteriorate the performance of the high-voltage battery 1 when
temperature in the high-voltage battery 1 rises due to the cooling fan
18.
That is, at first, it is determined whether or not the highest temperature
in the high-voltage battery 1 is lower than the battery cooling operation
stop threshold (step S51).
In the step S51, in a case in which the highest temperature in the
high-voltage battery 1 is higher than the battery cooling operation stoop
threshold (NO in the step S51), it is determined whether or not a passenger
is in the vehicle (step S52) according to signals which is outputted, for
example, from the seat sensor (such as a load sensor or an infrared sensor)
which are provided to the seats in the vehicle.
Consequently, in the step S52, in a case in which a passenger is not in
the vehicle (NO in the step S52), "0 (zero)" is set at the battery cooling
operation requirement DUTY value (step S53).
Also, in the step S51, in a case in which the highest temperature in the
high-voltage battery 1 is lower than the battery cooling operation stop
threshold (YES in the step S51), it is determined whether or not the
highest temperature in the high-voltage battery 1 is lower than an IPU
cooling operation stop threshold (step S54).
In the step S54, in a case in which the highest temperature in the
high-voltage battery 1 is higher than the IPU cooling operation stop
threshold (NO in the step S54), it is determined whether or not an occupant
is in the vehicle (step S55) according to signals which are outputted from
the seat sensors (such as a load sensor and an infrared sensor) which are
provided to the seat as similar to the case in the step S52.
Additionally, in the step S55, in a case in which a passenger is not in
the vehicle (NO in the step S55), "0 (zero)" is set for the IPU cooling
operation requirement DUTY value (step S56), and "1 (one)" is set for the
battery high temperature FAN stop flag (step S57) so as to stop the cooling
fan 18.
On the other hand, the anti-high temperature idling process is finished
so as to perform a fan mode cooperative process when either one of
following conditions occurs in which, in a case in which a passenger is
in the vehicle (YES in the step S52) in the step S52, or in a case in which
a passenger is in the vehicle (YES in the step S55) in the step S55,
furthermore in a case in which the highest temperature in the high-voltage
battery 1 is lower than the IPU cooling operation stop threshold (YES in
the step S54) in the step 54.
In the fan mode cooperative process, at first, it is determined whether
or not the battery cooling operation requirement DUTY value is higher than
the IPU cooling operation requirement DUTY value (step S58).
In the step S58, in a case in which the battery cooling operation
requirement DUTY value is higher than the IPU cooling operation
requirement DUTY value (YES in the step S58), the battery cooling
operation requirement DUTY value is set for the control DUTY value (step
S59) so as to end the fan mode cooperative process.
Also, in the step S58, in a case in which the battery cooling operation
requirement DUTY value is lower than the IPU cooling operation requirement
DUTY value (NO in the step S58), the IPU cooling operation requirement
DUTY value is set for the control DUTY value (step S60) so as to end the
fan mode cooperative process.
Next, the result of cooling fan control shown in the above-explained flow
chart for the temperature controlling apparatus for battery according to
the present embodiment is explained with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a waveform as a result for a controlling operation
for a cooling fan for a temperature controlling apparatus for battery
according to the present embodiment. In (1) in FIG. 8, a graph for
transitional change temperature in the high-voltage battery 1 is shown.
A continuous line shown in (2) in FIG. 8 indicates a transitional change
of the control DUTY value for the cooling fan 18. In (3) in FIG. 8, a
transitional change for the vehicle speed is shown. In (4) in FIG. 8, a
transitional change of the IPU cooling operation requirement value is
shown.
At t1 in FIG. 8, when the temperature or the heat generation in the
high-voltage battery 1 is higher than the cooling operation start
determination threshold, the cooling fan 18 starts cooling operation.
Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the cooling fan 18 is controlled by the control
DUTY value (DUTY value which is indicated by a dot-line shown in (2) in
FIG. 8) which is determined by the temperature in the high-voltage battery
1 during a period t1 to t5. The cooling fan 18 is controlled by the control
DUTY value (DUTY value which is indicated rough-dot-line shown in (2) in
FIG. 8) according to the tolerable noise level of the cooling fan 18 based
on the vehicle speed during period t5 to t6.
Also, during period t2 to t3, the cooling fan 18 is controlled according
to an LO mode forcibly according to the IPU cooling operation requirement
value regardless of the control DUTY value which takes the control DUTY
value according to the battery temperature and the tolerable noise level
of the cooling fan 18 according to the vehicle speed into account. During
period t3 to t4, the cooling fan 18 is controlled according to HI mode
forcibly by the IPU cooling operation requirement value.
By doing this, in the temperature controlling apparatus for batteries
according to the present embodiment, the cooling fan 18 performs the
cooling operation such that the control DUTY value which is required for
the temperature and the heat generation in the high-voltage battery 1 is
limited by the control DUTY value according to the tolerable noise level
of the cooling fan based on the vehicle speed in a case in which the
temperature in the high-voltage battery 1 is lower than the predetermined
limitation for highest temperature. However, in a case in which the
temperature in the high-voltage battery 1, the temperature in the inverter
3 for driving motor, and the temperature in the DC/DC converter 6 are
higher than the predetermined limitation for highest temperature, the
cooling fan 18 is driven so as to perform the cooling operation such that
the performance in the high-voltage battery 1, inverter 3 for driving
motor, and the DC/DC converter 6 is not affected according to the energy
storage device cooling operation requirement value and the IPU cooling
operation requirement value.
As explained above, by the temperature controlling apparatus for battery
according to the present embodiment, and by a vehicle apparatus provided
with the temperature controlling apparatus for battery, it is possible
not only to lower the temperature of each battery but also to solve the
difference in the temperatures among each of a plurality of batteries by
generating an air flow which flows in the battery box 52, the exterior
enclosure box 55, and the heat sink case 53 by using the air which is sent
from the cooling fan 18 in a case in which there is temperature difference
among a plurality of batteries which are contained in the high-voltage
battery 1. Also, there is an effect in that the high-voltage battery 1,
the inverter 3 for driving motor, and the DC/DC converter 6 can be cooled
efficiently with less cooling energy by cooling the inverter 3 for driving
motor and the DC/DC converter 6 by using the cooling air which is used
after cooling the high-voltage battery 1 according to a fact that the
temperature in the inverter 3 for driving motor and the DC/DC converter
6 is higher than the operational temperature in the high-voltage battery
1.
Furthermore, there is an effect in that it is possible to control the
cooling fan 18 in a seamless control manner instead of conventional step
controlling manner so as to perform finer air control by determining the
control DUTY value which is required for PWM control for the cooling fan
18 on a Z-axis in a seamless manner according to a three-dimensional map
on which the highest temperature in the high-voltage battery 1 is
indicated on the X-axis and the heat generation in the high-voltage
battery 1 is indicated on the Y-axis.
Also, there is an effect in that it is possible to deal with the
high-voltage battery 1 having high temperature so as to perform reliable
temperature control for batteries by generating an air flow by using an
air which is sent from the cooling fan even if there is no temperature
difference among a plurality of batteries contained in the high-voltage
battery 1 and the temperature in the entire high-voltage battery 1 is high.
Furthermore, there is an effect in that it is possible to set the current
which is sent to the cooling fan 18 by determining the condition of the
batteries contained in the high-voltage battery 1 based on both the
temperature and the heat generation in the battery so as to estimate the
heat generation in the battery. Thus, it is possible to detect the rise
in the temperature in the battery based on the heat generation before the
temperature in the battery actually rises so as to realize air control
without control time lag.
Also, when the cooling fan 18 sends air to the high-voltage battery 1,
it is possible to control the cooling air from the cooling fan according
to the temperature in the battery such that the performance of the battery
is not affected when the temperature in the high-voltage battery 1 is
higher than the predetermined limitation for highest temperature and the
information for the driving speed of the vehicle which is used for a
reference for the air control cannot be obtained due to the disconnection
of the wiring while controlling the air by maintaining the operational
noise in the cooling fan 18 at a tolerable level for the occupants in the
vehicle according to the driving speed (driving condition) of the vehicle.
Thus, it is possible to realize a reliable temperature control for
batteries.
Furthermore, in the vehicle apparatus according to the present embodiment,
the current which is sent to the cooling fan is controlled under conditions
that the temperature difference among the batteries takes priority over
the temperature of each battery. Also, the current which is sent to the
cooling fan is controlled under condition that the vehicle speed takes
priority over the temperature difference among batteries. Furthermore,
the vehicle apparatus controls the current which is sent to the cooling
fan under conditions that the temperature of the components in the
inverter device is the top priority among the above-explained conditions.
By doing this, there is an effect in that it is possible to control the
air which is sent from the cooling fan 18 while maintaining the air noise
in tolerable level for the occupants in the vehicle and control the air
from the cooling fan 18 such that the performance of the inverter 3 for
driving motor for supplying current to the 3-phase AC motor for driving
the vehicle is not affected.
Here, in the present embodiment, the ECU 17-1 is provided with a
temperature difference calculating device according to the present
invention, the control apparatus, a first setting device, a second setting
apparatus, and a comparison controlling device. Also, the ECU 17-1 is
provided with a limiting device, a limitation clear device, and a
limitation cancel device. Furthermore, the ECU 17-1 is provided with a
first current setting device, a second current setting device, a first
selecting device, a third current setting device, a second selecting
device, a fourth current setting device, and a control apparatus for
controlling the wind apparatus (cooling fan 18) by selecting either one
of the current which is selected by the second selecting device and the
fourth current.
More specifically, S7 in the FIG. 3 is equivalent to the temperature
difference calculating device. The steps S8 to S10 in FIG. 3 are equivalent
to the control apparatus. The steps S1 to S6 in FIG. 3 are equivalent to
the first setting device. The step S8 in FIG. 3 is equivalent to the second
setting device. The steps S9 to S10 in FIG. 3 are equivalent to the
comparison controlling apparatus.
Also, the step S35 in FIG. 5 and the steps S41 to S46 in FIG. 6 are
equivalent to the control device. The steps S43 and the step S46 in FIG.
6 are equivalent to the limitation clearing device. The steps S43 and the
step S46 in FIG. 6 are equivalent to the limitation clearing device. The
step S34 in FIG. 5 and the steps S42 and the step S46 in FIG. 6 are
equivalent to the limitation cancel device.
Furthermore, the steps S1 to S6 in FIG. 3 are equivalent to the first
current setting device. The step S8 in FIG. 3 are equivalent to the second
current setting device. The steps S9 to S10 in FIG. 3 are equivalent to
the first selecting device. The step 41 in FIG. 6 is equivalent to the
third current setting device. The step S44 in FIG. 6 is equivalent to the
second selecting device. The step S32 in FIG. 5 is equivalent to the fourth
current setting device.
Furthermore, the step S58 in FIG. 7 is equivalent to the control apparatus
for controlling the air apparatus (cooling fan 18) by selecting either
one of the current which is selected by the second selecting device and
the fourth current.
2 7,945,415 Detection of faults in an injector arrangement
( 2
United States Patent
of
3504 )
7,945,415
Perryman
May 17, 2011
Abstract
A fault detection method for detecting short circuit faults in an injector
arrangement at engine start-up. The injector arrangement comprises one
or more piezoelectric fuel injectors, which are connected in a drive
circuit. In one aspect of the invention, the potential at a bias point
in the drive circuit is determined and compared with a predicted voltage.
A short circuit fault signal is generated if the potential at the bias
point is not within a predetermined tolerance voltage of the predicted
voltage. In another aspect of the invention, a first charge pulse is
applied to the injectors to charge the injectors. A discharge current path
is provided during a delay period following the first charge pulse by
closing a discharge switch. A faulty injector will discharge through the
discharge current path during the delay period. A second charge pulse is
applied to the injectors following the delay period. Current flow is
sensed during the second charge pulse, and a short circuit warning signal
is generated if the current flow during the second charge pulse exceeds
a predetermined threshold current.
Inventors: Perryman; Louisa J. (Rainham, GB)
Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl (Troy, MI)
Appl. No.: 12/157,543
Filed:
June 11, 2008
Foreign Application Priority Data
Jun 22, 2007 [EP]
07252534
Current U.S. Class:
702/115 ; 701/101; 702/33
Current International Class:
Field of Search:
G01R 31/308
(20060101)
702/115,33 701/101-102,115 123/408,406.02
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
5595215
January 1997
Wallace et al.
6487505
November 2002
Mock et al.
6560528
May 2003
Gitlin et al.
2001/0039484
November 2001
Freudenberg et al.
2004/0008032
January 2004
Rueger et al.
Foreign Patent Documents
1 843 027
Oct., 2007
EP
2002-246667
Aug., 2002
JP
2005/028836
Mar., 2005
WO
2005/106227
Nov., 2005
WO
Other References
Japan Office Action dated Dec. 2, 2010. cited by other.
Primary Examiner: Dunn; Drew A
Assistant Examiner: Vo; Hien X
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Twomey; Thomas N.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A fault detection method for detecting faults in an injector
arrangement at engine start-up, the injector arrangement comprising at
least one piezoelectric fuel injector, and the method comprising:
charging the injector during a charge phase; allowing a delay period to
elapse following the charge phase; providing a discharge current path
during the delay period through which the injector can discharge if there
is an injector low side to ground short circuit; attempting to recharge
the injector during a recharge phase following the delay period; sensing
a current through the injector during the recharge phase; and generating
a first fault signal if the sensed current exceeds a first predetermined
threshold current.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first fault signal is either
indicative of a short circuit between the terminals of the injector, or
indicative of an injector low side to ground short circuit.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a discharge current
path includes connecting the injector arrangement to a discharge circuit.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of connecting the injector
arrangement to a discharge circuit includes closing a discharge switch
associated with the discharge circuit.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein said injector has an associated selector
switch for individually selecting said injector into the discharge
circuit to discharge the selected injector, wherein the steps in claim
1 are performed with said selector switch open such that said injector
is deselected from the discharge circuit.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if a first fault signal is
generated: (g) charging the injector during a further charge phase; (h)
allowing a further delay period to elapse without forming the discharge
current path; (i) attempting to recharge the injector during a further
recharge phase; (j) sensing the current through the injector during the
further recharge phase; and (k) generating a second fault signal
indicative of a short circuit between the terminals of the injector if
the current sensed exceeds a second predetermined threshold current.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising (l) generating a third fault
signal indicative of an injector low side to ground short circuit if the
current sensed during the further recharge phase does not exceed the
second predetermined threshold current.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sensing a discharge current
in the discharge current path during the delay period; and generating a
fourth fault signal indicative of an injector low side to ground short
circuit if a discharge current exceeding a third predetermined threshold
current is sensed in the discharge current path during the delay period.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising monitoring the current in
a plurality of current paths during the delay period and recording the
location of the low side to ground short circuit in a memory device in
response to the fourth fault signal.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first fault signal is indicative
of a short circuit between the piezoelectric stack terminals of the
injector if a discharge current exceeding the third predetermined
threshold current is not sensed in the discharge current path during the
delay period.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of charging the injector
includes connecting the injector arrangement to a charge circuit.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of connecting the injector
arrangement to the charge circuit includes closing a charge switch
associated with the charge circuit.
13. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing computer
instructions stored therein for causing a computer processor to perform
the method of claim 1.
14. A microcomputer provided with the computer readable medium of claim
13.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method for detecting faults in a fuel
injector arrangement, and particularly to a method for detecting short
circuits in a fuel injector arrangement at engine start-up.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Automotive vehicle engines are generally equipped with fuel injectors for
injecting fuel (e.g. gasoline or diesel fuel) into the individual
cylinders or intake manifold of the engine. The engine fuel injectors are
coupled to a fuel rail which contains high pressure fuel that is delivered
by way of a fuel delivery system. In diesel engines, conventional fuel
injectors typically employ a valve needle that is actuated to open and
to close in order to control the amount of fluid fuel metered from the
fuel rail and injected into the corresponding engine cylinder or intake
manifold.
One type of fuel injector that offers precise metering of fuel is the
piezoelectric fuel injector. Piezoelectric fuel injectors employ
piezoelectric actuators made of a stack of piezoelectric elements
arranged mechanically in series for opening and for closing an injection
valve needle to meter fuel injected into the engine. Piezoelectric fuel
injectors are well known for use in automotive engines.
The metering of fuel with a piezoelectric fuel injector is generally
achieved by controlling the electrical voltage potential applied to the
piezoelectric actuators to vary the amount of expansion and contraction
of the piezoelectric elements. The voltage is applied to the actuator via
positive and negative terminals on the piezoelectric stack. The amount
of expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric elements varies the
travel distance of a valve needle and, thus, the amount of fuel that is
passed through the fuel injector. Piezoelectric fuel injectors offer the
ability to meter precisely a small amount of fuel.
Typically, the fuel injectors are grouped together in banks of one or more
injectors. As described in EP1400676, each bank of injectors has its own
drive circuit for controlling the operation of the injectors. The drive
circuit includes a power supply, such as a transformer, which steps-up
the voltage generated by a power source, i.e. from 12 Volts to a higher
voltage, and storage capacitors for storing charge and, thus, energy. The
higher voltage is applied across the storage capacitors which are used
to power the charging and discharging of the piezoelectric fuel injectors
for each injection event. Drive circuits have also been developed, as
described in WO 2005/028836A1, which do not require a dedicated power
supply, such as a transformer.
The use of these drive circuits enables the voltage applied across the
storage capacitors, and thus the piezoelectric fuel injectors, to be
controlled dynamically. This is achieved by using two storage capacitors
which are alternately connected to an injector bank. One of the storage
capacitors is connected to the injector bank during a charge phase when
a charge current flows through the injector bank to charge an injector,
thereby initiating an injection event in a `charge-to-inject` fuel
injector, or terminating an injection event in a `discharge-to-inject`
fuel injector. The other storage capacitor is connected to the injector
bank during a discharge phase, to discharge the injectors, thereby
terminating the injection event in a charge-to-inject fuel injector, or
initiating an injection event in a discharge-to-inject fuel injector. The
expressions "charging the injectors" and "discharging the injectors" are
used for convenience and refer to the processes of charging and
discharging, respectively, the piezoelectric actuators of the fuel
injectors.
A regeneration switch is used during a regeneration phase at the end of
the charge phase, and before a later discharge phase, to replenish the
storage capacitors.
Like any circuit, faults may occur in a drive circuit. In safety critical
systems, such as diesel engine fuel injection systems, a fault in the drive
circuit may lead to a failure of the injection system, which could
consequentially result in a catastrophic failure of the engine. Such
faults include short circuit faults and open circuit faults in the
piezoelectric actuators of the fuel injectors. Three main types of short
circuit fault may occur:
i) a short circuit between the terminals of the piezoelectric actuator;
otherwise referred to as a `stack terminal` short circuit;
ii) a short circuit from the positive terminal of the piezoelectric
actuator to a ground potential; the positive terminal is also referred
to as the `high` terminal, and this type of short circuit is generally
referred to as a `high side to ground` short circuit; and
iii) a short circuit from the negative terminal of the piezoelectric
actuator to a ground potential; the negative terminal is also referred
to as the `low terminal, and this type of short circuit is generally
referred to as a `low side to ground` short circuit.
Diagnostic systems for detecting short circuit, and open circuit faults
in the piezoelectric actuators are disclosed in applicant's co-pending
patent applications EP 06251881.6, EP 06253619.8, and EP 06256140.2, the
contents of each document being incorporated herein by reference.
However, there remains a need for a robust diagnostic system able to detect
the various types of short circuit fault described above at engine
start-up, that is at key-on, before the injectors are charged and before
an injection event takes place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a fault
detection method for detecting faults in an injector arrangement at engine
start-up, the injector arrangement comprising at least one piezoelectric
fuel injector, and the method comprising: (a) determining a bias voltage
at a bias point between the injector arrangement and a known potential
prior to charging the injector at engine start-up; (b) comparing the bias
voltage to a predicted voltage; and (c) generating a fault signal if the
bias voltage is not within a predetermined tolerance voltage of the
predicted voltage.
The fault detection method is particularly suitable for detecting high
side to ground short circuits. If the bias voltage is substantially equal
to the predicted bias voltage, this indicates that the or each injector
is `good`, that is non-faulty. However, if one or more of the injectors
has a high side to ground short circuit, then the bias voltage will be
lower than the predicted bias voltage. The resistance of the short circuit
affects the amount by which the bias voltage deviates from the predicted
voltage, the deviation being greatest for short circuits of least
resistance. The tolerance voltage can be set so that only short circuits
below a predetermined resistance trigger the fault signal.
The present method is suitable for detecting high side to ground short
circuit faults having a wide range of resistances, from very low
resistances, of the order of milliohms (m.OMEGA.), to high resistances
of the order of several hundred kiloohms (k.OMEGA.).
The injector arrangement may include multiple fuel injectors forming an
injector bank. The or each injector is connected in a drive circuit which
may include a charge circuit and a discharge circuit for charging and
discharging the or each injector. The injector bank may be selectively
connectable to the charge circuit and to the discharge circuit.
The short circuit detection method may be used in any circuit having a
point that is biased to a particular voltage. As such, the method is
suitable for use in a drive circuit for discharge-to-inject, or
charge-to-inject type injectors. Preferably the or each injector is of
the discharge-to-inject type.
The charge circuit includes a high voltage rail, the bias voltage being
determined at engine start-up before a high voltage is generated on the
high voltage rail and before the injector bank is connected to the charge
circuit. Before a high voltage is generated on the high voltage rail, the
potential on the high voltage rail is known, which allows the predicted
voltage to be calculated.
The predicted voltage is the potential that would be expected at the bias
point at engine start-up before the high voltage rail is generated if all
the injectors on the injector bank are functioning correctly, that is
without short circuits. The predicted voltage is not affected by the
voltages on the piezoelectric stacks of the injectors. This is
advantageous because these voltages are generally not known at engine
start-up.
A resistive bias network may be used to measure the potential at the bias
point. The resistive bias network may comprise a resistor or resistors
of known resistance connected between the bias point and a ground
potential. For example, a single resistor of high resistance may be
connected between the bias point and the ground potential. Alternatively,
a pair of resistors having a high combined resistance may be connected
in series between the bias point and the ground potential. The potential
difference across the pair of resistors can be inferred from a measurement
of the potential difference across one of the pair of resistors. The
resistors in the pair may each have an individual resistance lower than
the resistance of an aforesaid single resistor, and hence lower
specification components may be used in the voltage measurement circuitry
which may have an associated cost saving.
The resistive bias network may also have a resistor or resistors of known
resistance connected between the bias point and the known potential. The
known potential may be provided by a battery, such as a vehicle battery
and may be stepped up to a suitable potential, for example about 55 Volts.
The values of the resistors in the resistive bias network may determine
the maximum detectable resistance of a short circuit. Short circuits of
higher resistance may be detected if higher resistance resistors are used
in the resistive bias network. A short circuit in the order of about 100
k.OMEGA. is detectable when the resistive bias network comprises
resistors in the order of about 100 k.OMEGA..
A charge switch may be provided in the drive circuit, the charge switch
being operable to connect the injector bank to the charge circuit when
the charge switch is closed. In one embodiment of the invention, the bias
voltage is measured with the injector bank disconnected from the charge
circuit, that is with the charge switch open.
A discharge switch may be provided in the drive circuit, the discharge
switch being operable to connect the injector bank to the discharge
circuit when closed. In one embodiment of the invention, the bias voltage
is measured with the injector bank disconnected from the discharge circuit,
that is with the discharge switch open.
The or each injector may be individually selectable into the discharge
circuit. An injector select switch may be provided in series with the or
each injector, the injector select switch being operable to select the
associated injector into the discharge circuit when closed. In one
embodiment of the invention, the bias voltage is measured with the or each
injector deselected from the discharge circuit, that is with the or each
injector select switch open.
A major short circuit fault, e.g. a short circuit of relatively low
resistance, may prevent the injectors from being charged when the injector
bank is connected to the charge circuit. A minor short circuit fault, e.g.
one of relatively high resistance, may not prevent the injectors from
charging, but may have an adverse affect on the amount of fuel injected,
which in turn may affect performance or emissions of the vehicle. The
method may include shutting down the associated injector bank if an
extreme short circuit fault is detected. The injector bank may not be shut
down if only a minor short circuit is detected. The method may further
comprise defining two tolerances voltages, and generating a minor fault
signal if the voltage at the bias point is outside the first tolerance
but within the second tolerance, and generating a major fault signal if
the voltage at the bias point is outside the second tolerance. The method
may also include alerting a user, such as a vehicle operator, when a minor
fault and/or a major fault is detected, for example by illuminating a
warning light on an instrument panel of the vehicle.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided
a fault detection method for detecting faults in an injector arrangement
at engine start-up, the injector arrangement comprising at least one
piezoelectric fuel injector, and the method comprising: (a) charging the
injector during a charge phase; (b) allowing a delay period to elapse
following the charge phase; (c) providing a discharge current path during
the delay period through which the injector can discharge if there is an
injector low side to ground short circuit; (d) attempting to recharge the
injector during a recharge phase following the delay period; (e) sensing
a current through the injector during the recharge phase; and (f)
generating a first fault signal if the sensed current exceeds a first
predetermined threshold current.
A non-faulty injector should not discharge substantially during the delay
period. Therefore substantially no current should flow during the
recharge phase for a non-faulty injector. However, if a substantial
current does flow during the recharge phase, that is a current in excess
of the first predetermined threshold current, then this indicates that
one or more of the injectors in the injector bank has discharged during
the delay period, and hence a current flows during the recharge phase to
recharge the or each faulty injector.
The first fault signal is generated if one or more of the injectors in
the injector bank has a stack terminal short circuit or an injector low
side to ground short circuit. The provision of the discharge current path
allows an injector having a low side to ground short circuit to discharge
through that short circuit during the delay period. This is then detected
by the current flow during the delay period which flows to recharge the
discharged injector.
The discharge current path may be provided by connecting the injector bank
to the discharge circuit during the delay period, for example by closing
the discharge switch associated with the discharge circuit. If a low side
to ground short circuit is present, then closing the discharge switch
effectively serves to complete a discharge current loop comprising the
low side to ground short circuit.
A number of factors will determine the amount by which a faulty injector
discharges during the delay period. These factors include the inherent
resistance of the short circuit, the length of the delay period, and the
charge on the injector after the charge phase. The first predetermined
threshold current level may be set so that only short circuits below a
predetermined resistance trigger the first fault signal. As described
above in relation to the first aspect of the invention, on detection of
a fault, activity on the injector bank may be suspended.
The injectors may be fully charged or only partially charged during the
charge phase. A small calibratable voltage, for example about 20 V, may
be generated in the charge circuit and the injector charged to this voltage
during the charge phase. If only a small voltage is applied to the
piezoelectric stack during the charge phase, only a very low fuel pressure
is required to perform the tests; this makes the method suitable for use
at engine start-up because the fuel will not yet have been pressurised
to a high level.
In one embodiment of the invention, the bias voltage is measured with the
or each injector deselected from the discharge circuit, that is with the
or each injector select switch open.
If a first fault signal is generated, then in order to identify whether
the fault is a stack terminal short circuit or an injector low side to
ground short circuit, the method may comprise further diagnostic steps,
but this time without providing a discharge current path, so that if the
fault is a low side to ground short circuit, the injector is prevented
from discharging. Therefore, if a fault is still detected, it can be
attributed to a stack terminal short circuit. The further method steps
comprise: (g) charging the injector during a further charge phase; (h)
allowing a further delay period to elapse without forming the discharge
current path; (i) attempting to recharge the injector during a further
recharge phase; (j) sensing the current through the injector during the
further recharge phase; and (k) generating a second fault signal
indicative of a short circuit between the terminals of the injector if
the current sensed exceeds a second predetermined threshold current.
If a second fault signal is not generated, then it can be deduced that
the first fault signal was attributable to a low side to ground short
circuit. Hence the method may further comprise: (l) generating a third
fault signal indicative of an injector low side to ground short circuit
if the current sensed during the further recharge phase does not exceed
the second predetermined threshold current.
As a further step, upon generation of the second or third fault signals,
the method may comprise recording in a memory device that the first fault
signal represents, respectively, a stack terminal short circuit or an
injector low side to ground short circuit.
Alternatively, or additionally, stack terminal short circuits can be
differentiated from low side to ground short circuits by monitoring
current flow in the discharge current path during the delay period of step
(b). If a current is detected, or at least a current exceeding a
predetermined threshold level is detected, then this indicates that there
is a low side to ground short circuit. Therefore, the method may further
comprise the following steps: sensing a discharge current in the discharge
current path during the delay period of step (b); and generating a fourth
fault signal indicative of an injector low side to ground short circuit
if a discharge current exceeding a third predetermined threshold current
is sensed in the discharge current path during the delay period.
If a discharge current is not detected in the discharge current path, but
an injector still discharges during the delay period of step (b), then
it can be deduced that the first fault signal is indicative of a stack
terminal short circuit. Therefore, in this case, the method may further
comprise recording in a memory device that the first fault signal
represents a stack terminal short circuit.
For the avoidance of doubt, the second and third predetermined threshold
currents may be the same as, or different to, the first predetermined
threshold current.
The current in the discharge path may be detected by a current sensing
device at any one of a number of points in the drive circuit. For example
individual current sensors may be connected in series with the injectors.
This allows the short circuit to be tracked to a particular injector. The
method may therefore comprise monitoring the current in a plurality of
current paths and recording the location of the low side to ground short
circuit in the memory device in response to the fourth fault signal.
It will be appreciated that the first and second aspects of the invention,
and the optional steps associated therewith, may be combined in any
suitable combination to form a diagnostic routine for detecting and
diagnosing a range of short circuit faults at engine start-up. Such a
diagnostic routine would provide a robust method of detecting both high
side to ground and low side to ground short circuits at engine start-up,
in addition to stack terminal short circuits.
The diagnostic methods of the invention are capable of detecting a variety
of short circuit faults having a wide-range of resistance values. The
ability to detect a wide-range of resistance values is particularly
advantageous, because it enables the diagnostic methods of the invention
to detect short circuit faults that would otherwise remain undetected at
engine start-up, but which may prevent the engine from being started. The
diagnostic methods of the invention can be performed rapidly, and as such
have substantially no net effect on the time to first fire at engine
start-up.
The inventive concept encompasses a computer program product comprising
at least one computer program software portion which, when executed in
an executing environment, is operable to implement any or all of the
methods described above. The inventive concept also encompasses a data
storage medium having the or each computer software portion stored thereon,
and a microcomputer provided with said data storage medium.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a drive circuit for controlling
an injector arrangement comprising a bank of piezoelectric fuel injectors
in an engine;
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating the drive circuit in FIG. 1 in
more detail, including a bias point PB;
FIG. 3 is the drive circuit of FIG. 2, but in which one of the injectors
has a high side to ground short circuit;
FIG. 4a is a plot of the potential determined at the bias point PB versus
the resistance RSC of the high side to ground short circuit in FIG. 3;
FIG. 4b is a plot similar to that in FIG. 4a, showing how major and minor
short circuits may be distinguished;
FIG. 5 is the drive circuit of FIG. 2, but in which one of the injectors
has a low side to ground short circuit, and in which a discharge current
path is shown;
FIG. 6a is a flow chart of a diagnostic routine for detecting injector
low side to ground short circuits, and stack terminal short circuits, at
engine start-up;
FIG. 6b is a flow chart of a diagnostic subroutine for distinguishing
between an injector low side to ground short circuit and a stack terminal
short circuit;
FIG. 7 is a drive circuit similar to the drive circuit of FIG. 2, but
including a pair of current sensors connected in series with the
respective injectors for detecting injector low side to ground short
circuits;
FIG. 8 is a drive circuit similar to the drive circuit of FIG. 2, and
indicating three possible locations for a current sensor connected in
series with the injector bank for detecting injector low side to ground
short circuits; and
FIG. 9 is a drive circuit in which a high side to battery, and a low side
to battery short circuit are shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, an engine 10, such as an automotive vehicle engine,
is shown having a fuel injector arrangement comprising a first fuel
injector 12a and a second fuel injector 12b. The fuel injectors 12a, 12b
each have an injector valve needle 14a, 14b respectively, and a
piezoelectric actuator 16a, 16b respectively. The piezoelectric
actuators 16a, 16b are operable to cause the injector valve needle 14a,
14b of the associated injector 12a, 12b to open and close to control the
injection of fuel into an associated cylinder of the engine 10. The fuel
injectors 12a, 12b may be employed in a diesel internal combustion engine
to inject diesel fuel into the engine 10, or they may be employed in a
spark ignited internal combustion engine to inject combustible gasoline
into the engine 10.
The fuel injectors 12a, 12b form an injector bank 18 and are controlled
by a drive circuit 20. In practice, the engine 10 may be provided with
more than one injector bank 18, and each injector bank 18 may have one
or more fuel injectors 12a, 12b. For reasons of clarity, the following
description relates to only one injector bank 18. In the embodiments of
the invention described below, the fuel injectors 12a, 12b are of a
negative-charge displacement type, i.e. `discharge-to-inject` injectors.
The fuel injectors 12a, 12b are therefore opened to inject fuel into the
engine cylinder during a discharge phase and closed to terminate injection
of fuel during a charge phase.
The engine 10 is controlled by an Engine Control Module (ECM) 22, of which
the drive circuit 20 forms an integral part. The ECM 22 includes a
microprocessor 24 and a memory 26 which are arranged to perform various
routines to control the operation of the engine 10, including the control
of the fuel injector arrangement. Signals are transmitted between the
microprocessor 24 and the drive circuit 20 and data which is comprised
in the signals received from the drive circuit 20 is recorded in the memory
26. The ECM 22 is arranged to monitor engine speed and load. It also
controls the amount of fuel supplied to the injectors 12a, 12b and the
timing of operation of the injectors 12a, 12b. The ECM 22 is connected
to a vehicle battery (not shown) which has a battery voltage of about 12
Volts. Further detail of the operation of the ECM 22 and its functionality
in operating the engine 10, particularly the injection cycles of the
injector arrangement, is described in detail in WO 2005/028836A1.
FIG. 2 shows the drive circuit 20 for the pair of fuel injectors 12a, 12b
in further detail. The drive circuit 20 includes high, low and ground
voltage rails VH, VL and VGND respectively. The drive circuit 20 is
generally configured as a half H-bridge with the low voltage rail VL
serving as a bi-directional middle current path 21. The piezoelectric
actuators 16a, 16b of the injectors 12a, 12b (FIG. 1) are connected in
the middle circuit branch 21. The piezoelectric actuators 16a, 16b are
located between, and coupled in series with, an inductor L1 and a current
sensing and control device 28.
The piezoelectric actuators 16a and 16b (hereinafter referred to simply
as `actuators`) are connected in parallel. Each actuator 16a, 16b has the
electrical characteristics of a capacitor and is chargeable to hold a
voltage which is the potential difference between its high (+) and low
(-) terminals. Each actuator 16a, 16b is connected in series with a
respective injector select switch SQ1, SQ2, and each injector select
switch SQ1, SQ2 has a respective diode D1, D2 connected across it.
Voltage source VS is connected between the low voltage rail VL and the
ground rail VGND of the drive circuit 20. The voltage source VS may be
provided by the vehicle battery (not shown) in conjunction with a step-up
transformer (not shown) for increasing the voltage from the battery to
the required voltage of the low voltage rail VL.
A first energy storage capacitor C1 is connected between the high and low
voltage rails VH, VL, and a second energy storage capacitor C2 is connected
between the low and ground voltage rails VL, VGND. The capacitors C1, C2
store energy which is used to charge and discharge the actuators 16a, 16b
during the charge and discharge phases respectively. A charge switch Q1
is connected between the high and low voltage rails VH, VL, and a discharge
switch Q2 is connected between the low voltage and ground rails VL, VGND.
Each switch Q1, Q2 has a respective diode RD1, RD2 connected across it
for allowing current to return to the capacitors C1, C2 during a
regeneration phase to replenish the capacitors C1, C2. For brevity, the
regeneration process is not described herein, but is described in detail
in co-pending applications WO 2005/028836A1 and EP 06256140.2.
A fault trip resistor RF, for detecting certain types of low resistance
short circuits to ground in the injector arrangement, is connected between
the ground rail VGND and ground. The fault trip resistor RF is of very
low resistance, of the order of milliohms, and hence the voltage on the
ground rail VGND is substantially zero Volts. It should be appreciated
that the fault trip resistor RF is not essential to this invention, and
accordingly its operation is not described herein, but is described in
the co-pending patent application EP 06251881.6.
A resistive bias network 30 is connected across the high voltage rail VH
and ground rail VGND and intersects the middle circuit branch 21 at a bias
point PB. The resistive bias network 30 includes first, second and third
resistors R1, R2, R3 connected together in series. The first resistor R1
is connected between the high voltage rail VH and the bias point PB, and
the second and third resistors R2 and R3 are connected in series between
the bias point PB and the ground rail VGND. The second resistor R2 is
connected between the bias point PB and the third resistor R3; and the
third resistor R3 is connected between the second resistor R2 and the
ground rail VGND.
The first, second and third resistors R1, R2, R3 each have a known
resistance of a high order of magnitude. The first resistor R1 has a
resistance which is hereafter referred to as RH, and the second and third
resistors R2, R3 have a combined resistance (R2+R3) hereafter referred
to as RG. RH and RG are each typically of the order of hundreds of kiloohms.
It will be appreciated that a single resistor could replace R2 and R3.
The voltage across R3 is measured, and from this, the bias voltage VB
across the combined resistance RG of the second and third resistors R2,
R3, is inferred. Alternatively, the bias voltage VB could be determined
directly, by measuring the potential difference across RG. The voltage
measurement is carried out by an analogue to digital (A/D) module of the
microprocessor 24. In this example, the A/D module has a maximum input
voltage of 5 V, and so the scaling of R2 and R3 is such that the voltage
across R3 should not exceed 5 V.
In essence, the drive circuit 20 comprises a charge circuit and a discharge
circuit. The charge circuit comprises the high and low voltage rails VH,
VL, the first capacitor C1 and the charge switch Q1, whereas the discharge
circuit comprises the low voltage and ground rails VL, VGND, the second
capacitor C2 and the discharge switch Q2. The operation of the drive
circuit is described in co-pending patent applications EP 06254039.8 and
EP 06256140.2, and the contents of each of these documents is incorporated
herein by reference. However, for ease of reference, the charge and
discharge phases of operation of the drive circuit 20 are briefly outlined
below.
To charge the actuators 16a, 16b during the charge phase, the charge switch
Q1 is closed and the discharge switch Q2 remains open. The first capacitor
C1, when fully charged, has a potential difference of about 200 Volts
across it, and so closing the charge switch Q1 causes current to flow
around the charge circuit, from the positive/high terminal of the first
capacitor C1, through the charge switch Q1 and the inductor L1 (in the
direction of the arrow `I-CHARGE`), through the actuators 16a and 16b
(from the high sides + to the low sides -) and associated diodes D1 and
D2 respectively, through the current sensing and control device 28, and
back to the negative/low terminal of the first capacitor C1.
To commence an injection event, the drive circuit 20 operates in the
discharge phase, wherein one of the previously charged actuators 16a, 16b
is discharged. During the discharge phase, an injector 12a or 12b (FIG.
1) is selected for injection by closing the associated injector select
switch SQ1 or SQ2 respectively, the discharge switch Q2 is closed and the
charge switch Q1 remains open. For example, to inject from the first
injector 12a, the first injector select switch SQ1 is closed and current
flows from the positive terminal of the second capacitor C2, through the
current sensing and control device 28, through the actuator 16a of the
selected first injector 12a (from the low side - to the high side +),
through the inductor L1 (in the direction of the arrow `I-DISCHARGE`),
through the discharge switch Q2 and back to the negative side of the second
capacitor C2. No current is able to flow through the actuator 16b of the
deselected second injector 12b because of the diode D2 and because the
associated injector select switch SQ2 remains open.
To terminate the injection event, the selected injector 12a or 12b is
deselected by opening the associated injector select switch SQ1 or SQ2,
the discharge switch Q2 is opened and the charge switch Q1 is closed to
recharge the previously discharged injector 12a or 12b, thereby causing
the piezoelectric stack to expand and thus the injector valve needle 14a,
14b of the associated injector 12a, 12b (FIG. 1) of the injector 12a to
close.
There now follows a description of a high side to ground short circuit
detection method.
Referring to FIG. 3, this is the drive circuit 20 of FIG. 2, but in which
the second injector 12b has a high side to ground short circuit 34. In
order to detect a high side to ground short circuit 34 at engine start-up,
the resistive bias network 30 is used to determine the bias potential VB
at the bias point PB before a high voltage is generated on the high voltage
rail VH for charging the injectors 12a, 12b. The bias potential VB is
measured with no injector 12a, 12b selected, that is when both injector
select switches SQ1 and SQ2 are open.
The measured bias potential VB is compared to a predicted voltage VPB,
which is the potential that would be expected at the bias point PB if both
the injectors 12a, 12b in the injector bank 18 are functioning correctly,
that is in the absence of any high side to ground short circuits 34.
If the measured bias potential VB is substantially equal to the predicted
voltage VPB, or within a predetermined tolerance of the predicted voltage
VPB, then this indicates that there are no high side to ground short
circuits 34 in the injector bank 18. However, if the measured bias voltage
VB is lower than the predicted voltage VPB, or below a predetermined
tolerance voltage of the predicted voltage VPB, then this indicates that
one or both of the injectors 12a, 12b has a high side to ground short
circuit 34.
The predicted voltage VPB at the bias point PB is derived as follows:
V.sub.PB=IR.sub.G 1 and V.sub.H=I(R.sub.H+R.sub.G) 2 where I is the
current through the resistive bias network 30.
Hence the bias potential is calculated by equation 3 below:
.times. ##EQU00001##
However, at engine start-up, the potential difference across the first
capacitor C1 is substantially zero Volts before the high voltage rail VH
is generated, hence the potential of the high voltage rail VH is
substantially equal to the voltage of the voltage source VS.
Therefore, the value of the predicted bias voltage VPB with no injector
12a, 12b selected is given by equation 4 below:
.times. ##EQU00002##
Since VS, RH and RG are all known, VPB can be calculated using equation
4 above.
If either of the injectors 12a or 12b has a high side to ground short
circuit 34, then this acts as if there is a resistor connected in parallel
with the resistance RG in the resistive bias network 30, as shown in FIG.
3.
The effective resistance RG* between the bias point PB and the ground rail
VGND would then be calculated by equation 5 below:
##EQU00003##
Where RSC is the resistance of the high side to ground short circuit 34.
The measured bias voltage VB with no injector 12a, 12b selected, that is
with both injector select switches SQ1 and SQ2 open, would then be given
by equation 6 below:
.times. ##EQU00004##
FIG. 4a is a plot of the measured bias voltage VB versus the resistance
RSC of the high side to ground short circuit 34. It can be seen from FIG.
4a, that the measured bias voltage VB decreases from the predicted voltage
VPB as the resistance RSC of the high side to ground short circuit 34
decreases. Therefore if the measured bias voltage VB is lower than the
predicted bias voltage VPB, this may be indicative of a high side to ground
short circuit 34. The measured bias voltage VB will always be lower than
the predicted bias voltage VPB if there is a high side to ground short
circuit 34, regardless of the voltages on the piezoelectric stacks of the
injectors 12a, 12b. This makes this technique particular useful at engine
start-up because the voltages on the piezoelectric stacks are generally
not known at start-up.
In practice, the measured bias voltage VB is compared to the predicted
voltage VPB, and if the measured bias voltage VB is outside a tolerance
range VTOL of the predicted voltage VPB, then a fault is reported. The
tolerance range can be calibrated so that the range of faults detected
can be varied according to the particular requirements of the system. A
tolerance voltage range VTOL is indicated on FIG. 4a, and it can be seen
that the tolerance voltage range VTOL defines a maximum short circuit
resistance RMAX. The tolerance voltage range VTOL is set so that short
circuits faults of lower resistance than the maximum short circuit
resistance RMAX cause a fault signal to be generated.
FIG. 4b is a plot similar to that of FIG. 4a, and illustrates how major
short circuits (of relatively low resistance) and minor short circuits
(of relatively high resistance) can be distinguished. A pair of voltage
thresholds VTOLA and VTOLB is indicated in FIG. 4b. VTOLA corresponds to
an upper short circuit resistance threshold RSCA, and VTOLB corresponds
to a lower short circuit resistance threshold RSCB. A minor short circuit
fault, i.e. one having a resistance between RSCA and RSCB, is detected
if the voltage measured at the bias point PB is between the first and second
voltage thresholds VTOLA and VTOLB; a major short circuit fault, i.e. one
having a resistance less than RSCB, is detected if the voltage at the bias
point PB is less than the second voltage threshold VTOLB.
A method for detecting short circuits between the stack terminals (+/-)
of the piezoelectric actuators 16a, 16b of the injectors 12a, 12b at engine
start-up is disclosed in the co-pending patent application EP 06256140.2,
the content of which is incorporated herein by reference as aforesaid.
The method uses a `charge pulse` technique including generating a charge
voltage on the high voltage rail VH; performing a first charge pulse on
the injector bank 18 by closing the charge switch Q1 for a predetermined
period of time; performing a second, or `recharge`, charge pulse on the
injector bank 18 after a predetermined delay period .DELTA.t, again by
closing the charge switch Q1; and monitoring the current through the
injectors 12a, 12b using the current sensing and control device 28. This
method is performed with the injector bank 18 disconnected from the
discharge circuit, that is with the discharge switch Q2 open.
If a current is detected during the second charge pulse, or at least if
a current in excess of a predetermined threshold current is detected, this
indicates that the voltage on at least one piezoelectric stack 1 6a or
1 6b on the injector bank 18 has decayed since the first charge pulse,
and hence at least one of the injectors 12a, 12b has a short circuit between
its piezoelectric stack terminals (+/-). This is because a `good` injector
12a, 12b, that is a non-faulty injector 12a, 12b, should hold its charge
during the delay period .DELTA.t, whereas an injector 12a, 12b with a stack
terminal short circuit will discharge at least partially through the short
circuit during the delay period .DELTA.t, hence a current will flow during
the second charge pulse to recharge the faulty injector 12a, 12b.
There now follows a description of a low side to ground short circuit
detection method.
Although the charge pulse method described in EP 06256140.2 enables stack
terminal short circuit faults to be detected at engine start-up, it cannot
detect injector low side to ground short circuits in the injector bank
18. A low side to ground short circuit 36 on the second injector 12b is
shown in the drive circuit 20 of FIG. 5. To detect a low side to ground
short circuit 36, a modified charge-pulse method is used as described
below. As with the charge-pulse method described above, the modified
charge-pulse method is also able to detect stack terminal short circuit
faults.
The modified charge-pulse method comprises closing the discharge switch
Q2 during the delay period .DELTA.t following the first charge pulse, as
shown in FIG. 5. The individual injectors 12a, 12b are not selected into
the discharge circuit during the delay period .DELTA.t, that is the
injector select switches SQ1 and SQ2 remain open. For a non-faulty
injector 12a, 12b, a current should not flow if only the discharge switch
Q2 is closed, and the other switches (Q1, SQ1, SQ2) are open. However,
the second injector 12b in FIG. 5 is faulty and has an injector low side
to ground short circuit 36. In this case, closing the discharge switch
Q2 completes a discharge current loop, as indicated by the arrows 38 in
FIG. 5. The discharge current loop 38 comprises the low side to ground
short-circuit 36, and closing the discharge switch Q2 causes the faulty
second injector 12b to discharge, or at least partially discharge, through
this low side to ground short circuit 36 during the delay period .DELTA.t.
When the second charge pulse is performed by opening the discharge switch
Q2 and closing the charge switch Q1 after the delay period .DELTA.t, a
current (IS) flows to recharge the discharged faulty injector 12b. This
current is detected during the second charge pulse using the current
sensing and control device 28, and indicates that at least one of the
injectors 12a, 12b in the injector bank 18 has a short circuit and is hence
faulty. If a current (IS), or at least a current exceeding a predetermined
threshold current level is detected during the delay period .DELTA.t, then
the microprocessor 24 generates a short-circuit fault signal, and this
is recorded in the memory 26.
The current through the current sensing and control device 28 is monitored
using a chop feedback method and circuitry as described in co-pending
application EP 06256140.2, the content of which is incorporated herein
by reference, as aforesaid. Essentially, the current sensing and control
device 28 monitors current flow when the second charge pulse is performed.
If there is a short circuit fault, then a current should flow when the
second charge pulse is performed to recharge the faulty injector which
will have discharged at least partially during the delay period .DELTA.t.
The inherent resistance of the short circuit fault, and the length of the
delay period .DELTA.t, together determine to what extent the faulty
injector discharges, and hence how much current flows during the second
charge pulse.
If the current sensed by the current sensing and control device 28 exceeds
a predetermined threshold current level, this is indicative of a short
circuit fault in the drive circuit with an inherent resistance below a
predetermined resistance value. A control signal is generated at least
during the second charge pulse. The control signal is fed back to the
microprocessor and is variable between two discrete states. If the current
sensed by the current sensing and control device 28 exceeds the
predetermined threshold current level, then the control signal is chopped.
The microprocessor 24 monitors for a chop in the control signal and
generates a short circuit fault signal if a chop is detected.
It will be appreciated that if the injectors 12a, 12b are not faulty, then
closing the discharge switch Q2 during the delay period .DELTA.t will not
complete a discharge current loop 38 because a low side to ground short
circuit 36 is not be present and because the injector select switches SQ1
and SQ2 remain open during the delay period .DELTA.t. Therefore,
non-faulty injectors should substantially retain their charge during the
delay period .DELTA.t, in which case the second charge pulse does not cause
a current above the predetermined threshold current level to be detected,
and hence a fault signal is not generated.
An example of a diagnostic routine comprising the modified charge pulse
method for detecting low side to ground short circuits 36 is described
below with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 6a and to the drive circuit
in FIG. 5. In addition to the method steps for detecting low side to ground
short circuits 36, the diagnostic routine also includes method steps for
detecting open circuit faults associated with the various injectors 12a,
12b. It should be appreciated that testing for open circuit faults is not
essential to this invention, but is described in co-pending application
EP 06256140.2.
[Step A1] With the injector select switches SQ1, SQ2 open, a small
calibratable voltage, of about 20 V, is generated on the high voltage rail
VH.
[Step A2] Both injectors 12a, 12b on the injector bank 18 are then charged
to the same voltage as the high voltage rail VH by closing the charge switch
Q1 to perform a first charge pulse on the injector bank 18.
[Step A3] The charge switch Q1 is opened and the discharge switch Q2 is
then closed. A predetermined time period .DELTA.t is allowed to elapse
(the delay period .DELTA.t) [Step A4] before opening the discharge switch
Q2 [Step A5].
[Step A6] The charge switch Q1 is re-closed after the predetermined time
period .DELTA.t in order to attempt to perform a second charge pulse on
the injector bank 18.
[Step A7] The current (IS) flowing during the second charge pulse is sensed
using the current sensing and control device 28.
[Step A8] The sensed current (IS) is compared with a predetermined current
level.
[Step A9] Finally, if the sensed current exceeds the predetermined current
level, or is outside a tolerance of the predetermined current level, then
one or more of the injectors 12a, 12b on the injector bank 18 has a short
circuit; the short circuit is either a stack terminal short circuit or
an injector low side to ground short circuit.
However, if the sensed current (IS) does not exceed the predetermined
current level, or is not outside the tolerance of the predetermined
current level, then neither of the injectors 12a, 12b on the injector bank
18 has a short circuit and the diagnostic routine proceeds to test the
individual injectors 12a, 12b for open circuit faults as follows:
[Step A10] One of the injectors 12a or 12b on the injector bank 18 is
selected into the discharge circuit by closing its associated injector
select switch SQ1 or SQ2, and the discharge switch Q2 is closed during
a discharge phase.
[Step A11] The selected injector 12a or 12b should discharge during the
discharge phase as described earlier with reference to FIG. 2, and this
discharge current is sensed using the current sensing and control device
28.
[Step A12] The discharge current sensed during the discharge phase is
compared to a predetermined discharge current level.
[Step A13] Finally, if the sensed discharge current is less than the
predetermined discharge current level, or is below a tolerance of the
predetermined discharge current level, then the selected injector 12a or
12b has an open circuit fault. However, if the sensed discharge current
exceeds the predetermined discharge current level, or exceeds the
tolerance of the predetermined discharge current level, then the selected
injector 12a or 12b does not have an open circuit fault.
[Step A14] If the selected injector 12a or 12b is not found to have an
open circuit fault, then that injector 12a or 12b is deselected by opening
its injector select switch SQ1 or SQ2 and another injector 12a or 12b is
selected and tested for open circuit faults by repeating steps A10 to A12
above.
It will be appreciated that the short circuit faults detected in the
methods described above could either be stack terminal short circuits or
injector low side to ground short circuits 36 because both faults cause
the associated injector 12a or 12b to discharge during the delay
period .DELTA.t and, hence, a current to flow during the second charge
phase.
In some instances it is desirable to be able to distinguish between stack
terminal short circuits and injector low side to ground short circuits
36. These two types of short circuit fault can be distinguished from one
another using either software or hardware methods as described in further
detail below.
In one embodiment of the invention, a software solution is provided to
distinguish between a stack terminal short circuit and an injector low
side to ground short circuit 36. The software solution is a diagnostic
subroutine which is executed in response to the detection of a short
circuit at step A9 in the diagnostic routine of FIG. 6a. The subroutine
essentially involves repeating the test sequence of charging the
injectors 12a, 12b, waiting for a delay period .DELTA.t2, and attempting
to recharge the injectors 12a, 12b, but this time leaving the discharge
switch Q2 open during the delay period .DELTA.t2.
If the short circuit detected during the main diagnostic routine of steps
A1 to A8 of FIG. 6a is a low side to ground short circuit 36, then the
faulty injector will not discharge during the delay period .DELTA.t2 of
the diagnostic subroutine. Therefore, if no current, or a current not
exceeding the predetermined threshold level, is detected by the current
sensing and control device 28 during the second charge pulse of the
diagnostic subroutine, there is an injector low side to ground short
circuit 36 associated with one or more injectors 12a and/or 12b on the
injector bank 18.
Otherwise, if a current exceeding the predetermined threshold current is
still detected during the second charge pulse of the diagnostic subroutine,
it can be deduced that there is a stack terminal short circuit on the
injector bank 18, because this type of short circuit is detected
irrespective of whether the discharge switch Q2 is open or closed during
the delay period .DELTA.t/.DELTA.t2.
FIG. 6b is a flow chart showing the method steps of the diagnostic
subroutine. The diagnostic subroutine is executed if a fault signal is
generated in the main diagnostic routine of FIG. 6a, and the subroutine
comprises the following steps:
[Step B1] A charge pulse is performed on the injector bank 18 by closing
the charge switch Q1, thereby charging both injectors 12a, 12b to the
potential of the high voltage rail VH.
[Step B2] The charge switch Q1 is opened, and a calibratable delay
period .DELTA.t2 is allowed to elapse, during which period the discharge
switch Q2 remains open.
[Step B3] A second charge pulse is performed on the injector bank 18 by
re-closing the charge switch Q1.
[Step B4] The current (IS) flowing during the second charge pulse is
detected using the current sensing and control device 28.
[Step B5] The sensed current (IS) during the second charge pulse is
compared to a predetermined threshold current.
[Step B6] If the sensed current (IS) exceeds the predetermined threshold
current level, then there is a stack terminal short circuit and a stack
terminal fault signal is generated.
[Step B7] If the sensed current (IS) does not exceed the predetermined
threshold current level, then there is a low side to ground short circuit
and a low side to ground fault signal is generated.
The fault signals generated in the above methods are stored in the memory
26 together with a label identifying with which injector bank 18 the fault
is associated with. Also stored in the memory 26 are any signals relating
to the diagnoses of an open circuit fault associated with any of the
injectors 12a or 12b.
Referring now to FIG. 7, this shows a hardware solution for distinguishing
between injector low side to ground short circuits 36 and stack terminal
short circuits. The drive circuit 20a in FIG. 7 is similar to the drive
circuits 20 in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, but also includes a pair of current sense
resistors R4 and R5 connected in series with, and on the high sides (+)
of, the respective injectors 12a and 12b. The current sense resistors R4,
R5 can be used for monitoring current flow when the discharge switch Q2
is closed during the delay period .DELTA.t of step A4 in the main
diagnostic routine of FIG. 6a.
As shown in FIG. 7, the second injector 12b has a low side to ground short
circuit 36 and hence when the discharge switch Q2 is closed during the
delay period .DELTA.t, the second injector 12b discharges, or discharges
at least partially through this short circuit 36. A discharge current (ID)
is detected by the second current sense resistor R5, which is connected
in series with the second injector 12b. The detection of the discharge
current (ID) is indicative of a low side to ground short circuit 36, and
this is recorded in the memory 26 along with a record that the fault is
associated with the second injector 12b.
If neither of the current sense resistors R4, R5 detected a low side to
ground short circuit 36, then a fault detected by the current sensor 28
connected on the low side of the injectors 12a, 12b during the second
charge pulse would indicate that one or both of the injectors 12a, 12b
has a stack terminal short circuit.
It is also possible to distinguish between low side to ground short
circuits 36 and stack terminal short circuits using just R4 and R5, and
without the current sensor 28. For example, if a fault current 38 and a
recharge current are detected through either R4 or R5, this would indicate
a low side to ground short circuit. However, if a fault current 38 is not
detected through either R4 or R5, but a recharge current is detected
through R4 or R5, then this would indicate that there is a stack terminal
short circuit.
Alternative hardware solutions for distinguishing between injector low
side to ground short circuits 36 and stack terminal short circuits are
shown in the drive circuit 20b of FIG. 8. The drive circuit 20b shows three
possible locations for a current sense resistor R6 connected in the middle
circuit branch 21 and in series with the injector bank 18 on the high side
(+) of, the injectors 12a, 12b. The current sense resistor R6 may be
located either between the injector bank 18 and the resistive bias network
30 (R6a); or between the resistive bias network 30 and the inductor L1
(R6b); or between the inductor L1 and the discharge switch Q2 (R6c).
The current sense resistor (R6a,b or c) in FIG. 8 is used to monitor current
flow in the discharge current loop 38 during the delay period .DELTA.t
between the first and second charge pulses in much the same way as the
current sense resistors R4 and R5 described above with reference to FIG.
7. If a current is detected in the discharge loop 38 above a predetermined
threshold current level, this indicates that one or both of the injectors
12a and/or 12b in the injector bank 18 has a low side to ground short
circuit 36. Although the fault can be tracked to a particular injector
bank 18, it cannot be tracked to a particular injector 12a, 12b, unlike
with the arrangement shown in FIG. 7.
It will be appreciated that the opening and closing of the switches in
the various methods and diagnostic routines described above is controlled
by the microprocessor 24, and the various fault signals are output by the
microprocessor 24 and recorded in the memory 26. Any of the methods
described above may further comprise reading the memory device 26 to
diagnose the fault. This step may be performed by an automotive engineer
some time after the fault has been recorded in the memory, for example
during engine servicing.
It will also be appreciated that if a fault signal is generated, then
depending on the particular fault detected, the microprocessor may be
programmed to disable all further activity on the injector bank 18; this
may include the disabling of all subsequent discharge, charge and
regeneration phases.
It should be appreciated that the diagnostic methods described above for
detecting high side to ground short circuits can also detect high side
to ground short circuits via the vehicle battery voltage, also referred
to as `high side to battery` short circuits. Further, the diagnostic
methods described above for detecting low side to ground short circuits
can also detect low side to ground short circuits via the battery voltage,
also referred to as `low side to battery` short circuits. FIG. 9 shows
an example of a high side to battery short circuit 40, and a low side to
battery short circuit 42. Short circuits via the battery such as those
shown in FIG. 9 are of low impedance.
Further, it will be appreciated that the various methods and diagnostic
routines described herein can be combined in any combination in order to
test for the various different types of short circuit at engine start-up,
that is stack terminal, injector low side to ground, injector high side
to ground, injector low side to battery and injector high side to battery
short circuits.
3 7,944,169 Solar-panel apparatus for a vehicle
( 3
United States Patent
of
3504 )
7,944,169
Shirai
May 17, 2011
Abstract
The positive and negative pole of the DC-battery 2-1 is allowed to connect
the solar panel 2-11 and the solar panel 2-14 when the key position of
the ignition switch 2-15 is in positions of "on" and "acc". The positive
and negative pole of the DC-battery 2-1 is not connected to the solar panel
2-11 and the solar panel 2-14 when the key position of the ignition switch
2-15 is in the position of "lock" and "start". To attain such a
configuration, lead wire connects the ignition switch 2-15 utilizing
relay 2-4-a and fuse box 2-4-b. When the position of the ignition key is
in "on" and "acc", positive pole of the solar panels 2-11 and the solar
panel 2-14 are connected to the positive pole of the DC battery 2-1 via
the relay 2-4-b. Relays 3-4, 3-15, 3-16, 4-4, 4-15, and 4-16 are similar
to the relay 2-4-b.
Inventors: Shirai; Tsukasa (Toyohasi, JP)
Appl. No.: 11/845,636
Filed:
August 27, 2007
Related U.S. Patent Documents
Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date<TD< TD>
PCT/JP2006/304035
Feb., 2006
<TD< TD>
11400133
Apr., 2006
<TD< TD>
Foreign Application Priority Data
Mar 31, 2004 [JP]
2004-132209
Feb 26, 2005 [JP]
2005-089737
Current U.S. Class:
320/101 ; 320/103; 320/104
Current International Class:
H01M 10/44
(20060101)
Field of Search:
320/101
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
4911257
March 1990
Kajimoto et al.
5726505
March 1998
Yamada et al.
5779817
July 1998
Wecker
5986429
November 1999
Mula, Jr.
6448740
September 2002
Kirkpatrick
Foreign Patent Documents
59-155843
Oct., 1984
JP
60-65157
May., 1985
JP
61-50015
Apr., 1986
JP
63-124732
May., 1988
JP
63-133839
Jun., 1988
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1-157536
Oct., 1989
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2-85009
Mar., 1990
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2-79142
Jun., 1990
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3-118140
Dec., 1991
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7-164870
Jun., 1995
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7-316850
Dec., 1995
JP
8-76865
Mar., 1996
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10-234102
Sep., 1998
JP
10-237358
Sep., 1998
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Aug., 1999
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11-342731
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3098306
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Primary Examiner: Tso; Edward
Assistant Examiner: Torres Ruiz; Johali A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Matthias Scholl, PC Scholl; Matthias
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of International PCT Patent
Application No. PCT/JP2006/304035 filed on Feb. 24, 2006 and is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.
11/400,133 filed on Apr. 10, 2006. This application further claims
priority benefits to Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-132209 filed
on Mar. 31, 2004 and to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-089737 filed
on Feb. 26, 2005. The contents of the specifications of all of these
applications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A solar-panel apparatus for a vehicle comprising: an ignition switch;
a battery; a solar panel; and an electrical circuit connecting said
ignition switch, said battery and said solar panel; wherein said electric
circuit connects said battery and said solar panel when said ignition
switch is in "on" or "acc" positions; and said solar panel is provided
with a switch for switching a supply state when electric output is supplied
from said solar panel to said battery and a circulation state when a
positive pole and a negative pole of said solar panel are connected to
both ends of a body metal of said vehicle, respectively so that said solar
panel functions as an electric current circulation apparatus.
2. A solar-panel apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a battery; a solar
panel; and an electric circuit connecting said battery and said solar
panel; wherein both ends of a body metal of the vehicle are connected to
a positive pole and a negative pole of said solar panel, respectively,
so as to circulate electrical current through said body metal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a solar panel apparatus for a motor vehicle which
improves energy efficiency and battery lifetime, and can protect the
exterior coating of a vehicle from corrosion.
2. Brief Description of the Related Arts
Japanese unexamined Utility Model Publication No. H02-79142 to Mikihiko
Onda discloses a charging device comprising a battery, a solar panel on
roof of an automobile for providing electricity for the battery, a
dynamo-electric generator providing electricity for the battery, and a
bypass circuit absorbs an overcharged electricity of the battery.
Japanese published unexamined patent application H07-316850 discloses
the method of electric anticorrosion of the external power source system
in which a solar battery provides anticorrosion current so that rust
prevention can constantly be done at time zone such as nighttime.
The method of H07-316850 as the general method of the electric
anticorrosion is comprised of seven elements in the FIG. 2 thereof. The
elements are a solar panel, an electric cable from a positive pole of the
solar panel to an anode plate, an insulator with this anode plate, water,
a defended material against the corrosion, and an electric cable from the
defended material against the corrosion to a negative pole of the solar
panel.
In such conventional invention, improved fuel-efficiency is relatively
low, a battery has low rates of life expectancy, and a coated surface of
an exterior of a vehicle has a high affinity toward dust and dirt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the
above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object
of the present invention to provide an electric supplemental apparatus
for a vehicle, which can improve energy efficiency and lifetime of the
battery, and can attain anticorrosion exterior coating of a vehicle.
It is another object of this invention is to improve the efficiency of
an air conditioner for a vehicle.
To accomplish the above object, there is provided an electric supplemental
apparatus for a vehicle comprising: an ignition switch for the vehicle;
a battery for the vehicle; a solar panel being provided with the vehicle;
and an electric circuit connecting the ignition switch, the battery and
the solar panel; wherein the electric circuit connects the battery and
the solar panel in the case when a key in the ignition switch is in
positions of "on" and "acc".
The ignition switch has positions for "LOCK", "ACC", "ON", and "START".
Since the electricity is supplied from the solar panel to the battery,
fuel efficiency is improved. Since the electric circuit connects the
battery and the solar panel in case that a key in the ignition switch is
in position of "on" and "acc", overcharge of electricity from the solar
panel to the battery is prevented and lifetime of the battery is improved.
In the position of "START", the electric circuit connects the battery and
the solar panel.
Moreover, the decrease of the engine rotation occurs, and tiredness of
vehicle driving is decreased.
Electricity output of the solar panel is set to be between 0.05 W and 1
kW, preferably between 2 W and 1 kW for a compact car. The solar panel
is installed at the top of the bonnet, the roof, or the trunk.
The upper limit of the solar panel is set to the extent possible on the
vehicle. In consideration of durability of AC dynamo, the electric current
value of the recharge electricity of the battery. The solar panel can cover
the upper whole part of the vehicle without being remodeled in the existing
parts of the automobile. A large-sized track loads a solar panel with the
power rating above 1 kW.
In the case that the solar panel provides too much amount of electricity
output to the battery, the durability of the devices of the automobile
needs be exchanged at the existing devices of the automobile, or the
electric power is decreased by control apparatus such as a shutter
apparatus or a resistor or an on/off switch etc. When there is provided
a plurality of solar panels, it is possible to decrease electric current
by providing a countercurrent prevention circuit.
It is preferred that the electric circuit has a switch which sets the
electric power input to the battery at least two steps.
It is possible to send a great deal of electric power to the automobile
battery from the solar panel, and it is possible to do a little or no
electricity supply to the automobile battery from the solar panel, thereby
prolonging the lifetime of the battery. A way of an electricity input by
at least two steps from the solar panel to the automobile battery is
preferably attained by opening and shutting of the shutter apparatus which
covers a solar panel.
The solar panel has a first solar panel and a second solar panel that is
smaller than the first solar panel, the first solar panel is connected
to the battery when the key is in the position, and the second solar panel
is constantly connected to the battery.
A switch is provided between the battery and the solar panel so that a
connection state in the key position is switched to an always-connection
state between the battery and the solar panel during driving.
Since the connection state can be switched, the solar panel can powerfully
charge to the DC-battery before vehicle start.
An on/off switch is provided between the battery and the solar panel so
that all connection between the battery and the solar panel is cutoff in
case that an overcharge of the battery occurs during driving, stopping,
and parking.
The on/off switch can cut the connection between the solar panel and the
battery. The on/off switch is preferably installed such that a driver is
able to operate from an operation seat. The on/off switch is preferably
controlled by a microcomputer. With this on/off switch, the overcharge
to the battery can be prevented. The generated electricity from the AC
dynamo to the battery can fully be stopped. It is preferable that the
on/off switch is provided with both of the wiring of the negative and
positive poles of the solar panel.
The solar panel is provided with a switch for switching a supply state
where electric output is supplied from the solar panel to the battery and
a circulation state where a positive pole and a negative pole of the solar
panel are connected to both ends of a body metal of the vehicle,
respectively, so that the solar panel functions as an electric current
circulation apparatus.
The solar panel has a first solar panel and a second solar panel such that
the output of the second panel is lower than that of the first solar panel,
an electric power which is generated at the second solar panel can be
adjusted by a shutter apparatus which cover the second solar panel, or
by a potentiometer or a combination of resistors which lowers the output
of the second solar panel, and the second solar panel is in
always-connection with the battery irrespective of the position of the
key in the ignition switch, and the solar panel is smaller than the first
solar panel.
This mechanism to charge the battery prevents the overcharge from the
solar panel to the battery. Output of the second solar panel is preferably
less than 0.6 W, more preferably between 0.01 and 0.3 W.
In additional embodiments, provided is an electric supplemental apparatus
for a vehicle comprising: a battery for the vehicle; a solar panel being
provided with the vehicle; a shutter apparatus for covering the solar
panel so that light input into the panel is adjusted; and an electric
circuit connecting the battery and the solar panel; and potentiometer,
a resistor, or an on/off switch, or a combination thereof which lowers
the output of the solar panel to the battery.
In additional embodiments, provided is an electric supplemental apparatus
for a vehicle comprising: a battery for the vehicle; a solar panel being
provided with the vehicle; and an electric circuit connecting the battery
and the solar panel; wherein both ends of a body metal of the vehicle are
connected to a positive pole and a negative pole of the solar panel,
respectively, so as to circulate electrical current through the body metal.
It is preferable that the switch provided for switching a first state the
solar panel is connected to the battery to charge the battery, and a second
state where electricity is circulated through the body metal from the
charging to a battery by the solar panel. The coated surface of the vehicle
receives the circulation and discharge of the electricity so that the
anticorrosion phenomenon of the vehicle and the effective functioning of
the vehicle body are attained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solar apparatus according to the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of a first embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of a second embodiment of this
invention;
FIG. 4 is a block schematic diagram of a third embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shutter apparatus according to this
invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a solar panel F1-c of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a shutter apparatus of this invention;
FIG. 9 is a block schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 10 is a block schematic diagram of a sixth embodiment of this
invention;
FIG. 11 is a block schematic diagram of an eighth embodiment of this
invention;
FIG. 12 is a block schematic diagram of a ninth embodiment of this
invention;
FIG. 13 is a block schematic diagram of a tenth embodiment of this
invention;
FIG. 14 is a block schematic diagram of an eleventh embodiment of this
invention;
FIG. 15 is a block schematic diagram of a twelfth embodiment of this
invention;
FIG. 16 is a block schematic diagram of a thirteenth embodiment of this
invention; and
FIG. 17 is an illustration of the structure of an ignition switch (an
Ignition key cylinder) of commonly used type having the positions of "LOCK,
ACC, ON, START".
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1-17, the structure of an electric
supplemental apparatus for a vehicle will be described in detail. FIG.
1 shows the appearance of the automobile provided with a front solar
apparatus F1-a, a rear solar apparatus F1-b, and a solar apparatus F1-c
for an anticorrosion system. In order to utilize sunlight in addition to
a gasoline or diesel oil, etc, the front solar apparatus F1-a is provided
with a solar panel apparatus on the inner place of a dashboard of an
automobile, the rear solar apparatus F1-b is provided with a solar panel
apparatus on the inner place of a rear part of the automobile, and the
solar apparatus F1-c is provided with a solar panel apparatus as shown
in FIG. 6 in which the electricity is circulated through the automobile
metal body while the solar panels F1-a and F1-b generate electricity to
charge the battery.
The solar panels F1-a, and F1-b are installed inside the automobile to
avoid visually undesirable appearance, short life time, non-waterproof,
high cost, and complicated structure. The solar panels F1-a and F1-b are
provided near the window because of fuel consumption improvement, the
driving stability, and light-receiving stability.
Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of an electric
supplemental apparatus for a vehicle will be described in detail. In FIG.
2, the DC-battery 2-1 is a GS BATTERY of JIS 38B19 made of GS Yuasa Battery
Ltd. in Japan. The maximum size is, e.g., length 187 mm, width 127 mm,
and height 203 mm (overall height 227 mm). A positive pole of a DC-battery
2-1 is connected to a toggle switch 2-2. The toggle switch 2-2 is changed
over as shown reference numeral 2-3. At a B position of the toggle switch
2-2, the positive pole of the DC-battery 2-1 is connected to the toggle
switch 2-2 via a relay 2-4a with a fuse 2-4b to which an ignition switch
2-15, the so called an Ignition key cylinder, is connected. At the A
position of the toggle switch 2-2, the positive pole of the DC-battery
2-1 is connected to the toggle switch 2-2 without the relay 2-4a and the
fuse 2-4b. The toggle switch 2-2 is connected to a semiconductor diode
2-10 via an on/off switch 2-5, and to a semiconductor diode 2-13 via the
on/off switch 2-5, respectively. The positive pole of the DC-battery 2-1
is connected to a semiconductor diode 2-8 via an on/off switch 2-6. The
diode 2-8 is connected to a solar panel 2-9. A front solar apparatus 2-7
comprises the diode 2-8, a solar panel 2-9, the diode 2-10, and a solar
panel 2-11. A rear solar apparatus 2-12 comprises the diode 2-13 and a
solar panel 2-14. A negative pole of the DC-battery 2-1 is connected to
negative poles of the solar panel 2-9, the solar panel 2-11 and the solar
panel 2-14, respectively.
The solar apparatus 2-7 is placed on the dashboard of the automobile and
the solar apparatus 2-12 is placed in the rear part of the automobile.
The board for placing the solar apparatus 2-7 and 2-12 and the diode,
preferably, made of a material which is non-conductive (for example
plastics), is not deformed by daylight, and flame-retardant. The
dimension of the apparatus 2-7 is 200 mm wide by 341 mm long, and between
4 mm and 13 mm in thickness. The dimension of the apparatus 2-12 is 200
mm wide by 680 mm long, and between 4 mm and 13 mm in thickness.
As shown in FIG. 2, the solar panel 2-9 is constantly connected to the
DC-battery 2-1 with voltage 15 V, current intensity 0.02 A, and power of
0.3 W. The panels 2-7 and 2-12 are not constantly connected to the
DC-battery 2-1. The panel 2-9 is smaller than the panels 2-11, and the
panel 2-11 is smaller than the panel 2-12. The size of the panel 2-9 is
preferably set smaller than 15 mm in length and 30 mm in width. The panel
2-9 is provided with a shutter apparatus 5-1 as shown in FIG. 5. A solar
panel 3-9 and a solar panel 4-9 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are also provided
with the shutter apparatus 5-1. The shutter apparatus 5-1 controls the
amount of light received by the solar panels 2-9, 3-9, and 4-9 installed
therein. The diode 2-8 having a maximum rating of 30 V and 0.45 A prevents
electric current to flow from the battery 2-1 to the solar panel 2-9. All
semiconductor diodes shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 have the same function
as the diode 2-8.
The diode 2-8 and the shutter apparatus 5-1 suppress the charge of the
battery 2-1 by the solar panel 2-9. Battery life is prolonged, and the
cost and the effort of DC-battery exchange decrease generally. The
user-friendliness is better in the period of a half year or one year in
case the amount of light received is restricted to some extent. Such a
configuration of the solar panel of always-connection is also set not only
in the 1st embodiment but also in the 2nd embodiment and the 3rd embodiment.
While running, the on/off switch 2-6 is switched off by the driver in the
case of overcharge due to input from an AC dynamo and the DC-battery 2-1.
The switch 2-6 is installed in the place near a driver's seat suitable
for operating the switch 2-6. For the same purpose, the on/off switches
2-5, 3-5, 3-6, 3-20, 4-5, 4-6, and 4-20 are also installed in the place
near the driver's seat.
As shown in FIG. 2, during daytime operation of automobile, the solar panel
2-11 outputs 14 V, 0.4 A, and 5.6 W and the solar panel 2-14 outputs 15
V, 0.07 A, and 1.05 W. The solar panel 2-11 is connected to the diode 2-10
of maximum rating of 40 V and 3 A as an anti-reverse current function.
The solar panel 2-14 is connected to the diode 2-13 having a maximum rating
of 40 V and 5 A as an anti-reverse current function.
The positive and negative poles of the DC-battery 2-1 are allowed to
connect the solar panel 2-11 and the solar panel 2-14 when the key position
of the ignition switch 2-15 is in positions of "on" and "acc". The positive
and negative pole of the DC-battery 2-1 is not connected to the solar panel
2-11 and the solar panel 2-14 when the key position of the ignition switch
2-15 is in the position of "lock" and "start". To attain such a
configuration, lead wire connects the ignition switch 2-15 utilizing
relay 2-4-a and fuse box 2-4-b. Relays 3-4, 3-15, 3-16, 4-4, 4-15, and
4-16 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are substantially the same in function
and capabilities as the relay 2-4-a, the fuse, and the fuse box 2-4-b.
When the position of the ignition key is in "on" and "acc", positive pole
of the solar panels 2-11 and the solar panel 2-14 are connected to the
positive pole of the DC battery 2-1 via the relay 2-4-b. Relays 3-4, 3-15,
3-16, 4-4, 4-15, and 4-16 are similar to the relay 2-4-b.
Toggle switch 2-2 is switched from a position A to a position B, or vice
versa as shown in the direction 2-3. In FIG. 2, the toggle switch 2-2 is
connected to the relay 2-4-a and fuse 2-4-b at the position B. This
connection means a connection at the time of automobile driving in
positions of the above-mentioned "ON" and "ACC". In case that the toggle
switch 2-2 is in turn over the position A, the solar panel 2-11 and 2-14
are always connected to the positive pole of the DC battery 2-1. The
connection between the solar panel 2-9 and the battery 2-1 means an
always-on connection. When the automobile is not in use, the toggle switch
2-2 should be set to position B. At this time, the electricity from the
solar panel 2-11 and the solar panel 2-14 is not inputted. When the
automobile is driven, it does not make any difference whether position
A and B is selected. The electrical input from the solar panel 2-11 and
the solar panel 2-14 are accepted at that time. The way of riding with
good fuel efficiency, for example, the switch 2-2 is turned to position
A 5 minutes before to start charging the solar panels 2-11 and 2-14, and
when arriving at the destination, the engine is stopped and the switch
2-2 is turned to the position B. Another friendly way of riding, neither
the toggle switch nor the on/off switch are operated with the switch 2-2
being the position B. The electricity is input to the battery 2-1 from
the solar panels 2-11 and 2-14 during "on" position of the ignition switch
2-15. Those who do not know the system of this automobile could also drive
this automobile freely, and fuel consumption is also able to be run well.
The switch 2-2 is installed near the on/off switches 2-5 and 2-6, and the
driver can operate the switch 2-2 from the driver's seat.
FIG. 3 shows a solar apparatus of a second embodiment which is similar
to the apparatus of the first embodiment of FIG. 2. Hereinafter,
differences between the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described.
According to the 2nd embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the solar panel apparatus
3-7, and 3-12 are placed separately inside the vehicle at the front and
the rear window pane, respectively, same as in the solar apparatus 2-7
and 2-12 arrangement of the 1st embodiment, but this 2nd embodiment
features a different size and number of pieces of the solar panels, and
is designed so as to enlarge the size.
The all time connection "always-on connection" is made with respect to
the first solar panel 3-9 with 15V, 0.02 A, 0.3 W, small output in the
daytime, and the panel 3-9 has the light income control shutter plate (a
generating power stepless modification controller with the shutter plate)
which shows only this first solar panel 3-9 in FIG. 3. A first
semiconductor diode 3-8 of maximum rating 30 V, and 0.45 A, prevents
electric current to flow from the battery 3-1 to a solar panel 3-9 of a
38B19 mold DC-battery. The diode 3-8 prevents the electrical and electric
apparatus of the DC-battery 3-1 being opened, and passing along the inside
of a solar panel. The wiring of the diode 3-8 and a stepless light income
control shutter 5-1 of FIG. 5 has been described. During running, power
is stably inputted from an AC dynamo, and also inputted from the solar
panel 3-7. The on/off switch 3-6 can be turned off manually by the driver
to prevent overcharging.
The second solar panel 3-11 outputs 15 V, 0.07 A, and 1.05 W, during daytime.
The third solar panel 3-14 outputs 14 V, 0.4 A, and 5.6 W during daytime.
The fourth solar panel 3-24 outputs 14 V, 0.85 A, and 11.9 W during daytime.
The fifth solar panel 3-26 outputs 14 V, 1.0 A, and 14 W during daytime.
The second solar panel 3-11 is accompanied by the second semiconductor
diode 3-10 having a maximum rating of 40 V and 3 A for preventing reverse
current. The solar panel 3-14 is accompanied by the semiconductor diode
3-13 having a maximum rating of 40 V and 5 A for preventing a reverse
current. The solar panel 3-24 is accompanied by the semiconductor diode
3-23 having a maximum rating of 100 V and 3 A for preventing reverse current.
The solar panel 3-26 is accompanied by the semiconductor diode 3-25 having
a maximum rating of 100 V and 3 A for preventing a reverse current.
In order to be the solar panels 3-11, 3-14, 3-24, and 3-26 as connection
at the time of automobile use, an ignition switch 17 as shown in FIG. 17
and a relay function are used. When the key of the automobile is twisted
in ignition, the solar panels 3-11, 3-14, 3-24, and 3-26 are connected
to positive pole of the DC-battery 3-1 in the case of the positions "on"
and "acc", and are not connected to the positive pole of the DC-battery
3-1 in the case of the positions of "lock" and "start." For example, the
fuse allows the connection only in the case of "on" and "acc" when ignition
is twisted. Relays 3-4, 3-15, 3-16 allow the connection at the time of
automobile use in case keys are "on" and "acc".
Toggle switches 3-2, 3-17 and 3-18 choose either the position "always-on
connection" as shown in position A where the toggle switch does not have
a relay, or the position "connect at the time of automobile use" as shown
in position B with a relay with a switch tongue. Code 3-3 denotes the
changeover of the switch tongue. The switch 3-2 is changed over the relay
3-4 of the position B in FIG. 3. In case the switch 3-2 is switched to
position A, the solar panels are always connected to the positive pole
of battery 3-1. The toggle switches 3-17 and 3-18 are similar to the switch
3-2. Toggle switches are switched over to position B with a relay circuit
during non-use of the automobile. The reason for this has been stated.
The tongue of a toggle switch itself is put in a place where the driver
can operate it from the driver's seat. It is installed immediately in the
on/off switch tongue group side. The driver can change freely the tongue
of toggle switches. The reason or this has been described.
The specification of the 2nd embodiment differs from that of the 1st
embodiment in that the semiconductor diodes 3-21 and 3-22 have a maximum
rating of 200 V and 60 A at the time of automobile use of the 1st embodiment.
For a further enlargement of the solar panels, the diode 3-21 and 3-22
are attached in order to prevent much electrical input to the DC-battery
from the solar panels. Too much overcharge of the DC-battery is
undesirable. The DC-battery 3-1 should be first taken into consideration
when the overcharge occurs in the 2nd embodiment of FIG. 3. The capacity
of the DC-battery 3-1 is much larger than that of the 1st embodiment due
to the solar panel 3-24 of 4 14 V, 0.85 A, and 11.9 W output and the solar
panel 3-26 of 5 14 V, 1.0 A, and 14 W output. In order to prevent much
generation of electric power input into the DC-battery 3-1, the
semiconductor diodes 3-21 and 3-22 are attached. Although connection of
the AC dynamo 3-28 and the DC-battery 3-1 are connected with the dotted
line which means the connection of positive poles.
The toggle switch 3-19 shown in FIG. 3 is provided for the strong sunlight
of season such as a summer. In such a season, the switch 3-19 is switched
to another position from the position shown in FIG. 3 so as not to supply
the electric generating power of the solar panels 3-11 and 3-14 to the
DC-battery 3-1. The position shown in FIG. 3 makes the electric generating
power for standard or weak sunlight to output of the panels 3-11 and 3-14
is input to the DC-battery 3-1. The reference numeral 3-27 denotes an
example of electrical and electronic apparatus for light.
According to the 3rd embodiment of FIG. 4, the solar panel apparatus 4-7
and 4-12 are separately placed in the inside of the front and the rear
windowpane, respectively and are fundamentally the same structure as the
apparatus 2-7 and 2-12 of the 1st embodiment. All of the panels are unable
to be installed in the inside of the automobile due to the enlargement
of the panels as compared with the 2nd embodiment. Part of the solar panels
is premised to install outside the automobiles, such as a roof. The solar
panels 4-24 and 4-26 are divided to be placed on inside and outside of
the automobile.
FIG. 4 shows a solar apparatus of a third embodiment which is similar to
the apparatus of the second embodiment of FIG. 3. Hereinafter, differences
between the apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4 will be mainly described. In FIG.
4, the all time connection of "always-on connection" is made with respect
to the solar panel 4-9 with 15 V, 0.02 A, and 0.3 W of small output in
the daytime, and this panel 4-9 has the light income control shutter plate,
a generating power stepless modification controller with the shutter
plate as shown in FIG. 5. The semiconductor diode 4-8 having a maximum
rating of 30V and 0.45 A prevents current flow from the battery 4-1 to
the solar panel 4-9. The diode prevents the electrical and electric
apparatus of the DC-battery 4-1 being opened, and passing along the inside
of the solar panel 4-9. The wiring of the diode 4-8 and a stepless light
income control shutter 5-1 of FIG. 5 has been mentioned. During running,
power is stably inputted from an AC dynamo, and also inputted from the
solar panel 4-9. The on/off switch 4-6 can be turned off manually by the
driver to prevent an overcharge of the power.
The solar panel 4-11 outputs 15V, 0.07 A, and 1.05 W during daytime. The
solar panel 4-14 outputs 14 V, 0.4 A, and 5.6 W during daytime. The solar
panel 4-24 outputs more power than the panel 3-24 of the 2nd embodiment
of FIG. 3, 14 V, 0.85 A, and 11.9 W. The solar panel 4-26 outputs more
than the panel 3-26 of the 2nd embodiment of FIG. 3 14 V, 1.0 A, and 14
W. The solar panel 4-11 is accompanied by the semiconductor diode 4-10
having a maximum rating of 40 V and 3 A for preventing reverse current.
The solar panel 4-14 is accompanied by the semiconductor diode 4-13 having
a maximum rating of 40 V and 5 A for preventing reverse current. The solar
panel 4-24 is accompanied by the semiconductor diode 4-23 which has three
or more times of the electrical voltage and current which the solar panel
4-24 outputs in the maximum rating for preventing reverse current. The
solar panel 4-26 is accompanied by the semiconductor diode 4-25 which has
three or more times of the electrical voltage and current which the solar
panel 4-26 outputs in the maximum rating for preventing reverse current.
Solar panels 4-11, 4-14, 4-24, and 4-26 connected at the time of automobile
use, an ignition switch and a relay function are used. That is, when the
key of an automobile is twisted in the ignition, the current flows to the
positive pole of a DC-battery only in the case of "on" and "acc", and wiring
of not being connected is used, when the electrical and electric apparatus
is an outflow and keys are "lock" and "start." For embodiment, this wiring
can be made, if approaches, such as the flowing fuse tying to the positive
pole of a DC-battery only in the case of "on" and "acc", are taken when
ignition is twisted. With a relay 4-4, 4-15, and 4-16, connection is made
at the time of automobile use in case position of the ignition switch 4-34
is "on" and "acc".
About toggle switches 4-2, 4-17, and 4-18 what can choose electric flow
as the direction "always-on connection" of position A where this toggle
switch does not have a relay, or the direction "connect at the time of
automobile use" of position B with a relay with a switch tongue. It is
shown that wiring changes if 4-3 moves a toggle switch tongue. The place
by which through connection is made in lead wire in "FIG. 4" to the relay
4-4 of the direction of position B. If a tongue is changed and it is the
direction of position A, it will be connected from a toggle switch through
lead wire to the positive pole of a DC-battery 4-1, and will always be
connected. The position A connection means "always-on connection." The
position B connection means "connecting at the time of automobile use."
The toggle switches 4-2, 4-17, 4-18 of how to catch the concept of the
direction "always-on connection" of the position A without a relay and
the direction "to connect at the time of automobile use" of position B
with a relay is the same, and when not riding in an automobile, the toggle
switch is surely moved in the direction of position B with a relay circuit.
The reason for this has been described. The tongue of a toggle switch
itself was put in a place which can be operated from the driver's seat,
and it was installed immediately in the on/off switch tongue group side.
The change which a designer considers although what is necessary is just
to change it freely if the change of the tongue of a toggle switch
understands the automobile operator for reason.
FIG. 4 (the 3rd embodiment) and FIG. 2 (the 1st embodiment) differ notably
in that the 3rd embodiment features attached semiconductor diodes 4-21
and 4-22 having a maximum rating of 200 V and 60 A, and a maximum rating
of 200 V and 60 A, respectively. At the time of automobile use of (the
1st embodiment), for the further enlargement of a connected solar panel,
this was attached in order not to move a large amount of electrical input
to a DC-battery from a solar panel. A DC-battery does not desire too much
overcharge. Moreover, put in another way, although the cure against
overcharge should be first taken into consideration when the big
electrical and electric apparatus occurs by the specification of this the
3rd embodiment FIG. 4, it will become a DC-battery 4-1. The 1st embodiment
with respect to the 3rd embodiment comprises solar panel No. 4 4-24 solar
panel No. 5 4-26 and the solar panel generator are large. 4-24 4-26 in
order not to make electric generating power input into a DC-battery 4-1,
semiconductor diode 4-21 and 4-22 are attached. Although connection of
an AC dynamo 4-28 and the DC-battery 4-1 is indicated with the dotted line,
which means the connection of positive poles.
The toggle switch 4-19 of FIG. 4 is similar to that of FIG. 3. This toggle
switch being what was prepared for the strong day of strong seasons of
sunlight, such as a summer, and sunlight, and not making the electric
generating power of a part connected solar panels 4-11 and 4-14 to the
direction side where FIG. 4 is not connected input into a DC-battery 4-1
for a strong season of sunlight and in the daytime. The overcharge to a
DC-battery is avoided. The state of connection of FIG. 4 is making the
electric generating power of panels 4-11 and 4-14 input into a DC-battery
4-1 is a setup for weak sunlight.
In FIG. 4, in case that the user would like to cut a connection between
the solar panel and the automobile, and use the electricity power of the
solar panel for the notebook computer used in the automobile and the
electric appliances which lengthen and take the electrical and electric
apparatus from the automobile in code, and are used outdoor. An output
terminal 4-33 is taken out from the wiring connecting the battery 4-1 and
the panels. The voltage of the terminal 4-33 is set to DC 12V or more.
The user can increase the voltage from DC 12V to AC 100V by using the
converter which is sold at a low price at local stores. In consideration
of possibility that an unstable element will be generated with respect
to the electricity which flows to and from the automobile, the on/off
switch 4-29 and 4-30 are attached in order to cut the unstable element.
Toggle switches 4-31 and 4-32 are provided to cut the unstable element
by the electricity with the automobile, and are set to change between
"always-on connection with a DC-battery", and "the power source for the
exteriors which is independent of the automobile".
FIG. 5 shows a shutter apparatus 5-1 in which a solar panel 5-2 is installed.
The solar panel 5-2 is selected from either one of the solar panels 2-9,
3-9, and 4-9. The shutter apparatus 5-1 comprises a container 5-3, a
shutter plate 5-4, a gap 5-5, a slot 5-6, a lead wire 5-7 and 5-8. Light
income can be adjusted by sliding the shutter plate 5-3 in longitudinal
direction to change width of the gap 5-5. Light passes through a gap so
that the light reaches the solar panel 5-2. The shutter plate 5-4 consists
of lightproof material. The container 5-3 holds the shutter plate 5-4 at
the upper portion such that the plate 5-4 can slide. An additional shutter
(not shown), such as ground-glass appearance or blue transparent plate,
may be provided under the plate 5-4. The additional plate is taken in and
out under the shutter plate 5-1. Variable effectiveness can be enjoyed.
The gap 5-5 is basically narrow in this embodiment. Lead wire 5-7 connects
to the negative pole of the DC-battery with parallel connection. Lead wire
5-8 connects to the positive pole of the DC-battery with parallel
connection.
FIG. 6 shows a solar apparatus of a fourth embodiment. FIG. 6 shows the
apparatus F1-c of FIG. 1. While a solar panel 6-1 of the "always-on
connection" generates electricity, and the electricity circulates to the
automobile body and the part among the grounding points which are
connected with the automobile end 6-3 and the end 6-4, respectively. The
solar panel 6-1 is provided for the purpose of electrically preventing
corrosion.
The maximum output of the solar panel 6-1 is between 14 V, 3 A and 0.25
V, 0.03 A, i.e., at values at which electricity does not usually have an
effect on the human body and does not cause fire.
An on/off switch 6-2 is connected to the panel 6-2 and end 6-4. The driver
can operate the on/off switch 6-2 to stop the flow of electricity under
circumstances. A reason why a semiconductor diode is not installed in this
circuit is that it may make the driver feel unpleasant. According to the
apparatus of FIG. 6, electricity flows in the automobile metal body on
which an anticorrosive coat is deposited, thereby exhibiting an electric
anticorrosion phenomenon, the reduction of the dirt adhesion to the
automobile and automobile parts, the effect of the automobile body
protection pill coated on the anticorrosive coat to be more powerful, long
life time, and the increase of gloss. The apparatus of FIG. 6 cannot
directly contribute to the improvement of the mileage. Terminals of the
solar panel 6-1 are connected ground 6-3 at one end of the body, and are
connected to ground 6-4 via the switch 6-2 at the other end of the body.
According to the above-mentioned structure of the body ground 6-3 and 6-4,
electric resistance becomes relatively low, and the firing of the sparking
plug is more clean and strong at the gasoline engine automobile thereby
contributing the improvement of the mileage indirectly.
FIG. 7 shows a solar apparatus of a fifth embodiment which is similar to
the apparatus of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 6. Hereinafter, differences
between the apparatus of FIGS. 6 and 7 will be mainly described. FIG. 7
shows an apparatus for the electric output from a solar panel 7-2 by means
of equal to or more than two steps. The dotted line part 7-1 of the square
dotted line shows the switch and wiring. The dotted line parts 9-6, 10-9,
11-7, 12-8, 13-13, 14-12 are similar structure to the dotted line part
7-1. The switch and the wiring are changed in the respective figure. Wiring
turns into the interior of the automobile for the driver to touch the
switch from inside the automobile. The large size or the medium size solar
panel 7-2 is joined to the automobile battery 7-3 in parallel connection
through the circuit 7-1 and a semiconductor diode 7-4 which is the
countercurrent prevention circuit by the semiconductor such a Schottky
diode and so on. The electricity supplied from the panel 7-2 to the battery
7-3 can be cutoff by operating the switch of the circuit 7-1. The output
of the panel 7-2 can be controlled by the shutter apparatus as shown in
FIG. 8 in which the panel 7-2 is installed so as to decrease electric power.
A negative terminal of the battery 7-3 is connected to ground 7-5. A
negative pole of the panel 7-6 is connected to ground 7-6 via the circuit
7-1. The negative pole from the solar panel 7-2 may be connected to the
negative pole of the battery 7-3 as shown in FIGS. 9-14, or may be connected
to the cylinder head of a gasoline engine. The ground 15-9-15-11 of FIG.
15 and the ground 16-9-16-11 of FIG. 16 are similar to the ground 7-5 and
7-6 of FIG. 7. In FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, the balance with the
resistance value of the resistors must be considered.
FIG. 8 shows a shutter apparatus 8-1 which is equal or similar to the
shutter of FIG. 5, and so, hereinafter, differences between the shutter
5-1 and the shutter 8-1 will be mainly described. The shutter plate 8-4
of the metal and cloth and so on, which can be bended or rolled up in a
longitudinal end for compact size. The shutter apparatus 8-1 can cover
the solar panels as shown in FIGS. 9-16, and preferably used to the solar
panels as shown in FIGS. 9, 15 and 16. In FIGS. 10-14, it is possible to
generate the feeble electricity power input by wiring without shutter
apparatus 8-1. In FIG. 5, there is provided with an on/off switch 9-5,
and in FIGS. 15 and 16, there is provided a toggle switch. The apparatus
as shown in FIGS. 9 can be used with the shutter apparatus 8-1 by deleting
a switch 9-5 and wiring directly a solar panel 9-2 and a diode 9-4. The
apparatus as shown in FIGS. 9 can be used without the shutter apparatus
8-1 because there is provided with an on/off switch 9-5. The apparatus
as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 can be used without the shutter apparatus 8-1
because there is provided with toggle switch of FIGS. 15 and 16.
According to FIG. 9 of a solar apparatus of a sixth embodiment, a positive
pole of a solar panel 9-2 is connected to a positive pole of a DC battery
9-1 via a diode 9-4 and an on/off switch 9-5. A negative pole of the solar
panel 9-2 is connected to a negative pole of the DC battery 9-1. The diode
9-4 has a countercurrent prevention function by the semiconductor such
as a Schottky diode and so on. The large-sized solar panel apparatus 9-3
is put on the roof and so on of the automobile. To avoid the overcharge
of the battery 9-1, the switch 9-5 is cut off when the automobile is not
used or the enough charging is finished. When there is shortage of the
charge of the battery 9-1, the battery 9-1 is switched on. It is preferable
to control the charging amount by using a microcomputer. The dotted line
part in FIG. 9 functions like the block 7-1 in FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 shows a solar apparatus of a seventh embodiment which is similar
to the apparatus of FIG. 9, and so, hereinafter, differences between the
apparatuses of FIGS. 9 and 10 will be mainly described. A potentiometer
10-3 and ground line 10-4 is provided in the dotted line part 10-9. The
potentiometer 10-3 is connected to the battery 10-1, a diode 10-5, and
terminals 10-7, 10-8. An amount of electric voltage and current is
controlled by the potentiometer 10-3 of three pole type and of the
ground-type. It is preferable for the potentiometer 10-3 to handle small
amount of electric power. The large-sized solar panel 10-2 is 70 W class
d an electric current mainly or small. An electrical apparatus 10-6 is
provided with the battery 10-1.
FIG. 11 shows a solar apparatus of the eighth embodiment which is similar
to the apparatus of FIG. 10, and so, hereinafter, differences between the
apparatuses of FIGS. 10 and 11 will be mainly described. A potentiometer
11-3 which doesn't have the ground connect, and so on, is a type of two
pole, and is provided with a dotted line part 11-7. To prevent the
overcharge of the battery 11-1 when not using an automobile, the
potentiometer 11-3 send small amount of electric power, on the other hand,
when using a automobile, it send large amount of electric power. The
reference numeral 11-5 denotes a negative terminal and 11-6 denotes a
positive terminal.
FIG. 12 shows a solar apparatus of the ninth embodiment which is similar
to the apparatus of FIG. 11, and so, hereinafter, differences between the
apparatuses of FIGS. 11 and 12 will be mainly described. A resistor 12-3
and an on/off switch 12-4 are provided in a dotted line part 12-8. In case
the on/off switch 12-4 is open, electric current passes through the
resistor 12-3. The resistance value and the maximum durability of the
resistor 12-3 are set in consideration of the generation of electricity
of the solar panel 12-2 and the internal resistance of the diode 12-5.
When the automobile is not in use, the switch 12-4 is cut off. The
resistance value of the resistor 12-3 is set between 0.01 W and 0.04 W
to avoid overcharging the battery 12-1.
FIG. 13 shows a solar apparatus of the tenth embodiment which is similar
to the apparatus of FIG. 12, and so, hereinafter, differences between the
apparatuses of FIGS. 12 and 13 will be mainly described. The quantity of
the electricity is adjusted according to three-step model via three
resistors 13-3, 13-4, 13-5 and four on/off switches 13-6, 13-7, 13-8, and
13-12 which are provided in the dotted line part 13-13. The quantity is
set to "all of nothing", or "a few", or "the quantity as much as the half"
model as the example and so on. The resistance values and the maximum
durability of the resistors 13-3, 13-4, 13-5 are set in consideration of
the generation of electricity of the solar panel 13-2 and the internal
resistance of the diode 13-9.
FIG. 14 shows a solar apparatus of an eleventh embodiment which is similar
to the apparatus of FIG. 13, and so, hereinafter, differences between the
apparatuses of FIGS. 13 and 14 will be mainly described. Resistors 14-3,
14-4, 14-5 and on/off switches 14-6, 14-7, 14-8 and 14-9 in parallel
connection are provided in a dotted square line part 14-12 of the three
pole type. Values of the resistors 14-3, 14-4 are greater than a value
of the resistor 14-5. By selecting state of the on/off switches 14-6, 14-7,
14-8 and 14-9, charge amount can be selected at three different settings:
small, medium, and large.
FIG. 15 shows a solar apparatus of a twelfth embodiment which is similar
to the apparatus of FIG. 9, and so, hereinafter, differences between the
apparatuses of FIGS. 15 and 9 will be mainly described.
A toggle switch 15-5 is a three pole type switch. In case that the toggle
switch 15-5 is in position 15-6, the positive pole of a solar panel 15-2
connects to a positive pole of the DC battery 15-1 so that the battery
15-1 is charged by the solar panel 15-2. When the toggle switch 15-5 is
in a position 15-7, no current is conducted so that the switch is in off
state. When the toggle switch 15-5 is in a position 15-8, the positive
pole of the solar panel 15-2 is grounded via ground 15-9, ground 15-10,
the body metal, and ground 15-11. The electric power, which is generated
at the solar panel 15-2, circulates in the body metal of the automobile,
and the electric anticorrosion phenomenon occurs on the automobile body
thereby improving the mileage. A negative pole of the DC-battery is
provided with the ground 15-10. The ground 15-11 is preferably the
cylinder head of the gasoline engine. The position 15-7 can be deleted
so that the switch 15-5 is a two pole type switch.
FIG. 16 shows a solar apparatus of the thirteenth embodiment which is
similar to the apparatus of FIG. 15, and so, hereinafter, differences
between the apparatuses of FIGS. 15 and 16 will be mainly described.
A toggle switch 16-5 is a three pole type switch. In case that the toggle
switch 16-5 is in a position 16-6, a positive pole of a solar panel 16-2
connects to a positive pole of DC-battery 16-1 via a diode 16-4 so that
the battery 16-1 is charged by the solar panel 16-2. When the toggle switch
16-5 is in a position 16-7, the positive pole of the solar panel 16-2
connects to the positive pole of DC-battery 16-1 via a diode 16-13 and
a relay 16-14 to which the key cylinder 16-15 connects, so that the battery
16-1 is charged by the solar panel 16-2. When a key inserted into the key
cylinder 16-15 is in a position of "ON", "ACC", the battery 16-1 is charged.
In case that the toggle switch 16-5 is in a position 16-8, the poles of
the solar panel 15-2 are grounded via a ground 16-9, the body metal, and
a ground 16-11 so that the electric power, which is generated at the solar
panel 16-2, circulates in the body metal of the automobile. A negative
pole of the DC-battery is provided with a ground 16-10. The ground 16-11
is preferably the cylinder head of the gasoline engine. Such a switching
may be attained by computer control. The position 16-7 can be deleted so
that the switch 15-5 is a two pole type switch.
FIG. 17 shows the key cylinder (ignition key cylinder) where the reference
numeral 17-1 denotes a LOCK position, the reference numeral 17-2 denotes
an accessory position, ("ACC"), the reference numeral 17-3 denotes the
ON position ("ON"), and the reference numeral 17-4 denotes the START
position.
This invention may be applied to a diesel automobile, a propane automobile,
an LPG automobile, a hybrid automobile, an ambulance vehicle, an airplane,
e.g., a jet airliner, a Cessna or a structurally similar airplane, or an
auxiliary device of an auxiliary power unit APU.
It is possible that smooth electricity inflow is attained and the driver
need not switch an on/off switch and a toggle switch with his hand when
a microprocessor controls electric power supplied by the solar panel. It
is possible to adjust electric power quantity by the combination of the
set resistors and the microcomputer. A wide variety of switching features
described in the various above embodiments may be controlled by a
microprocessor.
While there has been described what is at present considered to be
preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various
modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the
appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true scope of
the invention.
4 7,944,117 Device and method for driving an ultrasound piezoelectric
actuator
( 4
United States Patent
Ripoll ,
of
3504 )
7,944,117
et al.
May 17, 2011
Abstract
A device for driving ultrasound piezoelectric actuators, on the basis of
a DC voltage. The device includes an impedance matching branch mounted
in parallel with the actuators and including a capacitor in series with
a selection switch, which is closed and opened, at the same time as the
selection switch of the actuator to be excited, so that the voltage across
the terminals of the matching capacitor and the voltage across the
terminals of the selected actuator are almost zero before the start and
after the end of the injection. A method of controlling the matching switch
makes it possible to benefit from the capacitive charge during the pulse
train causing the injection, while circumventing abrupt discharges at the
start of the train. Such a device and method may find application to the
engines of motor vehicles, as one example.
Inventors:
Ripoll; Christophe (Viroflay, FR), Nouvel; Clement
(Verneuil sur Seine, FR)
Assignee:
Renault S.A.S (Boulogne Billancourt, FR)
Appl. No.:
12/296,793
Filed:
March 8, 2007
PCT Filed:
March 08, 2007
PCT No.:
PCT/FR2007/050892
371(c)(1),(2),(4)
December 10, 2008
Date:
PCT Pub. No.:
WO2007/116159
PCT Pub. Date:
October 18, 2007
Foreign Application Priority Data
Apr 10, 2006 [FR]
Current U.S. Class:
06 03143
310/317 ; 310/316.01; 310/316.03
Current International Class:
H02N 2/06
Field of Search:
(20060101)
310/316.01,316.03,317,318
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
4784102
November 1988
Igashira et al.
5969464
October 1999
Nakano et al.
6060814
May 2000
Hoffmann et al.
6078198
June 2000
Gerken et al.
6212053
April 2001
Hoffmann et al.
6441535
August 2002
Freudenberg et al.
6564771
May 2003
Rueger et al.
2001/0038256
November 2001
Grehant
Foreign Patent Documents
1 109 304
Jun., 2001
EP
1 276 159
Jan., 2003
EP
Other References
Thompson, M. et al., "Application Of The Genetic Algorithm And
Simulated Annealing To LC filter Tuning", IEE Proceedings:
Circuits Devices and Systems, vol. 148, No. 4, pp. 177-182 (2001).
cited by other.
Primary Examiner: Benson; Walter
Assistant Examiner: Gordon; Bryan P
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt,
L.L.P.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A device for driving plural ultrasound piezoelectric actuators,
electronically driven from a control computer and a DC voltage source,
comprising: a first amplification stage for the voltage source to generate
a high voltage; a second stage, fed by the high voltage, for generating
a current source to feed the injectors associated with a selector that
can be controlled by the computer; and an impedance matching branch
including a reactive capacitance in series with a selection switch,
mounted in parallel with the actuators, the selection switch of the
reactive capacitance being closed and opened, by the control computer,
at the same time as the selection switch of the actuator to be excited.
2. The driving device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reactive
capacitance is dimensioned to increase the capacitance of the
injector/reactive capacitance assembly having to resonate with the
inductance of the amplification stage and supply an AC excitation voltage
with a duty cycle at least equal to 1/2.
3. A method of driving plural ultrasound piezoelectric actuators,
controlled by a device as claimed in claim 1, comprising: controlling the
opening of the switch of the impedance matching branch at an instant later
than an instant of cancellation of the excitation voltage of the actuators,
itself later than an end-of-injection control instant, while the switch
of the second stage of the driving device is longer activated, a first
time interval between the instants being defined for the voltage across
the terminals of the matching capacitance and the voltage across the
terminals of the selected actuator to be zero or less than the excitation
voltage of the actuators, the reactive capacitance retaining an almost
zero charge between two injection trains of duration.
4. The method of driving plural ultrasound piezoelectric actuators as
claimed in claim 3, wherein closing of the switch of the impedance matching
branch must take place at an instant later than the instant of closure
of the switch of the second stage of the driving device, and prior to the
instant of its opening, so that the time interval between the instants
depends on the technology of the switch and is determined so that the
voltage across the terminals of the matching capacitance and the voltage
across the terminals of the selected actuator are zero or less than the
excitation voltage of the actuators, the reactive capacitance retaining
an almost zero charge between two injection trains of duration.
5. The method of driving plural ultrasound piezoelectric actuators as
claimed in claim 3, wherein the first time interval is defined on the basis
of the instant of cancellation of the excitation voltage and a second time
interval is defined on the basis of the instant of closure of the switch
of the second stage of the driving device, so that the voltage across the
terminals of the matching capacitance and the voltage across the terminals
of the selected actuator are zero or less than the excitation voltage of
the actuators, of the order of 1/10th of the latter at the end and at the
start of injection respectively.
6. The method of driving plural ultrasound piezoelectric actuators as
claimed in claim 5, wherein the first time interval between the instants
of cancellation of the excitation voltage of the actuators and of opening
of the switch of the impedance matching branch is less than 1/10th of the
control period applied to the switch of the second stage of the injector
driving device.
7. The driving method as claimed in claim 3 applied to driving of fuel
injectors with piezoelectric stage driven by electronic injection
computer of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle.
Description
The present invention relates to a device for driving an
electronically-driven ultrasound piezoelectric actuator, and more
particularly a fuel injector with piezoelectric stage driven by the
electronic injection computer of an internal combustion engine in a motor
vehicle. It moreover relates to a method of driving such an actuator
controlled by said device.
More specifically, the problem that the invention seeks to resolve is the
impedance matching to optimize the control of the piezoelectric cells
intended to make the structure of the ultrasound injectors vibrate, as
described in the French patent application, filed under the number 99
14548 in the name of the Applicant.
Such an ultrasound injector comprises, among other things, a cylindrical
nozzle fed with fuel and at the end of which is provided an injection
orifice, and means of cyclically vibrating the nozzle, such as a
transducer, comprising a ceramic piezoelectric stage across the terminals
of which the electric voltage is varied to modify its thickness between
two extreme positions corresponding to the opening and the closure of the
injector, within the tolerance of a low-gearing ratio. An injector
piezoelectric element is perfectly equivalent to a capacitance with a high
charging voltage, greater than 100 or so volts.
This type of injector sprays the fuel very finely in droplets, calibrated
to provide a precise dosage, and small enough to ensure the complete and
uniform vaporization of the injected fuel. To spray the fuel more finely,
an opening oscillating at ultrasound frequency is produced at the nose
of the nozzle. An alternating signal of high frequency must be generated
to excite the piezoelectric cells.
The driving electronic circuitry for the injectors generates a periodic
high voltage v.sub.pi, greater than 100 or so volts, and at high frequency
F.sub.pi, greater than 10 or so kHz, on a piezoelectric cell from a DC
voltage source, in this case the battery of the vehicle or the output of
a power DC converter, in a motor vehicle, the supply voltage has the value
12 or 42 volts, which means increasing this voltage to charge and discharge
the element.
There are currently transformerless driving devices, such as that
represented in FIG. 1, which is fed by a DC voltage source E, the battery
of the vehicle for example, the terminal B- of which is linked to the ground
and the terminal B+ of which is linked to a first amplification stage
E.sub.1 of said DC voltage.
The N injectors I.sub.i of an internal combustion engine, N being an
integer number, generally 4, 6 or 12, are mounted in parallel and
controlled in sequence by selection switches S.sub.i, each mounted in
series with an injector I.sub.i. An electronic injection computer sends
a logic control signal to each selection switch for the high voltage output
of the voltage step-up converter to be correctly applied to the terminals
of the selected injector.
The driving device comprises a first branch B.sub.1 consisting of a first
inductance L.sub.1 and a chopping switch T.sub.1, across the terminals
of which is mounted in anti-parallel a freewheeling diode d.sub.1. A first
terminal of the inductance L.sub.1 is linked to the DC voltage source E
and the other terminal is linked to a second branch B.sub.2 consisting
of a rectifying diode D in series with a filtering capacitance C, across
the terminals of which is delivered a high voltage V.sub.boost feeding
a second stage E.sub.2 of the step-up converter.
The second stage comprises a second inductance L.sub.r linked to a second
chopping switch T.sub.2 and a second freewheeling diode d.sub.2 mounted
in anti-parallel.
The voltage step-up converter generates a periodic high voltage V.sub.pi,
greater than 100 or so volts, with a high frequency F.sub.pi, greater than
10 or so kHz, intended to excite the ultrasound injectors I.sub.i. A
temporal representation of the excitation voltage V.sub.pi of the
injectors is the subject of FIG. 2.
The value of the inductance L.sub.r is a function of the acoustic
excitation resonance of the piezoelectric actuator, so it is chosen for
the inductance to be charged sufficiently to provoke a high excitation
voltage V.sub.pi, of the order of 1200 v. As for the filtering capacitance
C, its dimensions are such that it has a very strong reactivity to the
rise in voltage V.sub.boost.
FIG. 2 is a representation of this free resonance between the inductance
L.sub.r and the input capacitance of the selected injectors in the case
where it is theoretical. However, in reality, it is dampened by the real
nature of the piezoelectric injector, which leads to an observable damping
of the voltage V.sub.pi, as shown by FIG. 3b, which is a temporal
representation. A non-zero voltage level is, in fact, observed at the
moment when the switch T.sub.2 closes, which is reflected in high
oscillations on the current at its terminals, at that instant. This
non-zero voltage level is linked to the damped nature of the resonance
between the charge and the inductance L.sub.r. It will also be noted that
the current I.sub.r circulating in the injector is extremely disturbed
at the time of the damping, as shown by FIG. 3a.
To obtain a zero voltage level at the moment when the switch T.sub.2
switches over, which is preferable to facilitate the switchovers and
therefore reduce the losses in the transistor, the value of the resonance
inductor L.sub.r is reduced, from 1 MHz to 200 .mu.H for example, and the
opening time of the switch T.sub.2 is reduced. Thus, it is possible to
overcome this voltage damping and this current disturbance, as shown by
the temporal representations of FIGS. 4b and 4a.
However, this dimensioning of the inductance L.sub.r that takes account
of the critical damping of the inductance/injector assembly leads to an
injector driving waveform with a duty cycle T.sub.on/T.sub.off, which is
the ratio between the open time and the closed time, that is less than
1/2. This is a notable drawback because the displacement of the injector's
sonotrode, and therefore the throughput performance of the injector,
becomes all the greater when the duty cycle is equal to or greater 1/2.
The problem is therefore how to reduce the losses and the
over-oscillations in the chopping transistor T.sub.2 in the second stage
at the time of its switching, while preserving the duty cycle guaranteeing
the performance levels of the injector.
Currently, the piezoelectric injectors do not operate on a resonance
principle, but they exhibit resonance phenomena linked to the capacitive
elements, such as the stack, or inductive elements, such as the
interlinking wires, which are not functional. Furthermore, they exhibit
very much less high characteristic frequencies. In the patent application
DE 199 31 235, in the name of SIEMENS, the invention described proposes
switching capacitive charges to enhance the operation of a transient
charge. The object is to change the appearance of the rising or falling
edges of certain signals. However, the objective of that invention is not
to perform impedance matching to control an actuator at its resonance
frequency.
The aim of the invention is to overcome this drawback, by adding a
capacitive charge to the terminals of each injector while it is being
driven to enhance the trend of the resonance signals in favor of the
chopping transistor of the second stage of the device, by reducing its
thermal losses and its stresses, and in favor of the resonator, by
increasing its performance. It further makes it possible to converge
towards the ideal duty cycle, equal to 1/2, without critical damping.
For this, a first subject of the invention is a device for driving at least
one ultrasound piezoelectric actuator, electronically driven from a
control computer and a DC voltage source, comprising a first amplification
stage for said voltage to generate a high voltage and a second stage, fed
by said high voltage, for generating a current source to feed the injectors
associated with selection means that can be controlled by said computer,
characterized in that it moreover comprises an impedance matching branch
consisting of a reactive capacitance in series with a selection switch,
mounted in parallel with the actuators, said selection switch of the
reactive capacitance being closed and opened, by the control computer,
at the same time as the selection switch of the actuator to be excited.
According to another characteristic of the driving device, the reactive
capacitance is dimensioned to increase the capacitance of the
injector/reactive capacitance assembly having to resonate with the
inductance of the amplification stage and supply an AC excitation voltage
with a duty cycle at least equal to 1/2.
A second subject of the invention is a method of driving several ultrasound
piezoelectric actuators, controlled by a device according to the
preceding characteristics, such that the opening of the switch of the
impedance matching branch is controlled at an instant later than the
end-of-injection control instant and prior to the new-injection control
instant, while the switch of the second stage of the driving device is
no longer activated, after a time interval defined from the instant for
the voltage across the terminals of the matching capacitance and the
voltage across the terminals of the selected actuator to be zero or very
much less than the excitation voltage of the actuators, the reactive
capacitance retaining an almost zero charge between two injection trains
of duration.
According to another characteristic of the driving method, it is such that
the closing of the switch of the impedance matching branch must take place
on the one hand after the instant of closure of the switch of the second
stage of the driving device, and on the other hand before the instant of
its opening, so that the time interval between the instants depends on
the technology of the switch and is determined so that the voltage across
the terminals of the matching capacitance and the voltage across the
terminals of the selected actuator are zero or very much less than the
excitation voltage of the actuators, the reactive capacitance retaining
an almost zero charge between two injection trains of duration.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from reading the description, illustrated by the following
figures which are, in addition to the FIGS. 1, 2, 3a and 3b, 4a and 4b
which have already been described:
FIG. 5: the electronic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a device for
driving an ultrasound piezoelectric actuator according to the invention;
FIGS. 6a to 6d: the temporal representation of the injection control
signals and the actuator excitation voltage.
The diagram of FIG. 5 repeats the configuration of the device of FIG. 1,
namely a voltage source E feeds a first amplification stage E.sub.1 of
this voltage, in order to generate a high voltage V.sub.boost across the
terminals of a second stage E.sub.2 for generation of a current source
i.sub.r intended to feed the piezoelectric injectors I.sub.i. These
parallel-mounted injectors are selected by switches S.sub.i that can be
controlled by the vehicle's injection computer.
The first stage for generation of a high voltage V.sub.boost comprises
two branches, the first B.sub.1 consisting of an inductance L.sub.1 and
a chopping switch T.sub.1 in parallel with a diode d.sub.1 mounted in
anti-parallel.
Between the ground and the junction point J of the inductance L.sub.1 with
the switch T.sub.1 is mounted the second branch B.sub.2 consisting of a
rectifying diode D in series with a filtering capacitance C across the
terminals of which is delivered a high voltage V.sub.boost feeding the
second stage E.sub.2. The latter consists of a second inductance L.sub.r
and a second chopping switch T.sub.2. A second freewheeling diode d.sub.2
is mounted in anti-parallel with the terminals of this switch T.sub.2.
The essential characteristic of the invention consists in adding, mounted
in parallel to the chopping switch T.sub.2, an impedance matching branch
B.sub..LAMBDA.I, consisting of a reactive capacitance C.sub.H,
associated with a selection switch T.sub.R which is driven to open and
close at the same time as the selection switch S.sub.i of the injector
chosen by the injection computer. This additional branch consisting of
a capacitance C.sub.R and a switch T.sub.R is mounted at the terminals
of the injector selection branches to assist in driving them voltage-wise.
Other topologies of the first two stages of the control device are
applicable to the invention.
The reactive capacitance C.sub.R is dimensioned to increase the
capacitance of the injector/reactive capacitance assembly that has to
resonate with the inductance 1.sub.R of the amplification stage and supply
an AC excitation voltage V.sub.pi for the injectors with a duty cycle that
can reach the value 1/2.
The invention proposes a method of controlling the switch T.sub.R of this
additional branch that makes it possible to benefit from the capacitive
charge during the pulse train provoking the injection, by circumventing
the abrupt discharges at the start of a train. For this, the opening of
the switch T.sub.R is ordered after the end-of-injection command, the
chopping switch T.sub.2 of the second stage of the injector driving device
remaining open, after a time interval d.sub.o determined from the
cancellation of the voltage V.sub.R across the terminals of the matching
capacitance C.sub.R and the voltage V.sub.pi across the terminals of the
selected injector so that the latter do not have time to rise significantly
again, and the closing of the switch T.sub.R is delayed by a time interval
d.sub.F relative to the closing of the switch T.sub.2 for these same
voltages V.sub.R and V.sub.pi to be almost zero at the start of injection.
The matching reactive capacitance C.sub.R thus retains an almost zero
charge between two injection trains of duration D.sub.t and the problem
of its violent discharge is avoided.
FIG. 6a represents the signal S.sub.Cl controlling the injection of
duration D.sub.t, beginning at the instant t.sub.0 and ending at the
instant t.sub.3 and FIG. 6b represents the signal S.sub.T2 controlling
the second stages of the driving device, starting at the instant t.sub.0
and consisting of several pulses of duration D and of period T.sub.com,
the end of injection having to be ordered during an opening pulse of the
switch T.sub.2, that is, when the voltage V.sub.pi across the terminals
of the selected injector is positive.
FIG. 6c represents the signal S.sub.TR controlling the selection switch
S.sub.i of an injector and the switch T.sub.R associated with the matching
capacitance C.sub.R, and the voltages V.sub.pi across the terminals of
the selected injector and V.sub.R across the terminals of the matching
capacitance are represented in FIG. 6d. The voltage V.sub.pi across the
terminals of the selected injector is zero or very much less than the
excitation voltage V.sub.boost, of the order of 1/10 of the latter, from
the instant t.sub.4 after the end-of-injection command.
The signal S.sub.TR controlling the selection switch S.sub.i of an
injector and the switch T.sub.R of the matching branch starts at the
instant t.sub.1 different from the instant t.sub.0 controlling the start
of injection, from which it is separated by a time interval d.sub.F, and
their opening is ordered at the instant t.sub.5 later than the instant
t.sub.4 of cancellation of the voltage V.sub.pi across the terminals of
the selected injector, which would have given rise to a new injection
command. These two instants t.sub.4 and t.sub.5 are separated by a time
interval d.sub.0, which must be less than 1/10 of the control period
T.sub.com applied to the chopping switch T.sub.2 of the second stage of
the injector driving device.
The end-of-injection command can occur, at the instant t.sub.3, only
during an open phase of the switch T.sub.2 of the second stage of the
driving device, so the selection switch S.sub.i of an injector and the
switch T.sub.R associated with the matching capacitance C.sub.R are
activated on opening at the instant t.sub.5, later than the instants
t.sub.3 and t.sub.4, and earlier than a new injection command, while the
switch T.sub.2 is no longer activated.
Concerning the instant t.sub.1 of closure of the matching switch T.sub.R,
it must take place on the one hand after the instant t.sub.0 of closure
of the switch T.sub.2 of the second stage of the driving device, because
its technology is not truly closed at the instant to therefore the start
of injection is a little delayed, and on the other hand before the instant
t.sub.2 of its opening, so that the time interval d.sub.F between the
instants t.sub.0 and t.sub.1 depends on the technology of the switch
T.sub.2.
According to the invention, the voltage V.sub.pi across the terminals of
the selected injector and the voltage V.sub.R across the terminals of the
matching capacitance, represented in FIG. 6d, are zero or very much less
than the excitation voltage V.sub.boost, of the order of 1/10 of the latter,
on the one hand from the instant t.sub.4, after the end-of-injection
command, and on the other hand before the instant t.sub.2 of closure of
the switch T.sub.R. The energy stored in the capacitance of the selected
piezoelectric injector and in the matching capacitance is discharged on
closure of the selection switch S.sub.1 and of the switch T.sub.R at the
start of injection, and when they open at the instant t.sub.5, at the end
of injection.
The life of the components is preserved and the thermal dissipation
corresponding to the switching actions of the switches is minimized while
the controlling duty cycles remains as close as possible to 1/2 to retain
good injection performance characteristics.
5 7,940,052 Electronic battery test based upon battery requirements
( 5
of
3504 )
United States Patent
Vonderhaar ,
7,940,052
et al.
May 10, 2011
Abstract
An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test
circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test
criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing
batteries used in a string of multiple batteries.
Inventors: Vonderhaar; J. David (Bolingbrook, IL), Bertness; Kevin I.
(Batavia, IL)
Assignee: Midtronics, Inc. (Willowbrook, IL)
Appl. No.: 12/698,375
Filed:
February 2, 2010
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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<TD< TD>
<TD< TD>
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Nov., 1999
<TD< TD>
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May., 1999
<TD< TD>
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Nov., 1999
<TD< TD>
60175762
Jan., 2000
<TD< TD>
60132622
May., 1999
<TD< TD>
60165208
Nov., 1999
<TD< TD>
60175762
Jan., 2000
<TD< TD>
Current U.S. Class:
324/426
Current International Class:
G01N 27/416
(20060101)
Field of Search:
320/107,114,116,132,149
324/426,427,430,433
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5216550
Aug., 1993
JP
7-128414
May., 1995
JP
09061505
Mar., 1997
JP
10056744
Feb., 1998
JP
10232273
Sep., 1998
JP
11103503
Apr., 1999
JP
2089015
Aug., 1997
RU
WO 93/22666
Nov., 1993
WO
WO 94/05069
Mar., 1994
WO
WO 96/01456
Jan., 1996
WO
WO 96/06747
Mar., 1996
WO
WO 97/01103
Jan., 1997
WO
WO 97/44652
Nov., 1997
WO
WO 98/04910
Feb., 1998
WO
WO 98/58270
Dec., 1998
WO
WO 99/23738
May., 1999
WO
WO 00/16083
Mar., 2000
WO
WO 00/62049
Oct., 2000
WO
WO 00/67359
Nov., 2000
WO
WO 01/59443
Feb., 2001
WO
WO 01/16614
Mar., 2001
WO
WO 01/16615
Mar., 2001
WO
WO 01/51947
Jul., 2001
WO
WO 03/047064
Jun., 2003
WO
WO 03/076960
Sep., 2003
WO
WO 2004/047215
Jun., 2004
WO
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Primary Examiner: Tso; Edward
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Westman, Champlin & Kelly, P.A.
Parent Case Text
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a Divisional of and claims priority of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/896,834, filed Jul. 22, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No.
7,656,162, which is a Continuation of and claims priority of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/441,271, filed May 19, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No.
7,557,586, which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/703,270, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,566,883, which claims priority to
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/163,013, filed Nov. 1, 1999 and
entitled AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM TESTER, application Ser. No.
10/896,834 is also a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/271,342, filed Oct. 15, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,850,037, which
is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/960,117,
filed Sep. 20, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,633,165, which is a
Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/564,740,
filed May 4, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,762, which claims the benefit
of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/132,622, filed May 5, 1999,
and provisional Ser. No. 60/165,208, filed Nov. 12, 1999, and provisional
Ser. No. 60/175,762, filed Jan. 12, 2000, and is also a
Continuation-In-Part of patent application Ser. No. 08/962,754, filed Nov.
3, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,098, application Ser. No. 10/271,342 is
also a Continuation-In-Part of patent application Ser. No. 10/046,659,
filed Oct. 29, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,909,287, which is a Divisional
of patent application Ser. No. 09/564,740, filed May 4, 2000, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,331,762, which claims the benefit of provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/132,622, filed May 5, 1999, and provisional Ser.
No. 60/165,208, filed Nov. 12, 1999, and provisional Ser. No. 60,175,762,
filed Jan. 12, 2000, application Ser. No. 10/046,659 is also a
Continuation-In-Part of patent application Ser. No. 09/575,627, filed May
22, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,313,608, which is a Continuation-In-Part
of patent application Ser. No. 08/962,754, filed Nov. 3, 1997, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,081,098; application Ser. No. 10/896,834 is also a
Continuation-In-Part of patent application Ser. No. 10/791,141, filed Mar.
2, 2004, which is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No.
10/098,741, filed Mar. 14, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,885,195 which is a
Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/575,629,
filed May 22, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,158, which is a
Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 09/293,020, filed Apr. 16, 1999, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,351,102; application Ser. No. 09/575,629 is also a
Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 09/426,302, filed Oct. 25, 1999, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,091,245; which is a Divisional of Ser. No. 08/681,730, filed
Jul. 29, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,976, the contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for testing a storage battery for use in a vehicle, comprising:
measuring at least one parameter of the battery; receiving input data
related to battery requirements; retrieving test criteria from a memory
containing a plurality of test criteria associated with battery
requirements, the retrieved test criteria selected based upon input data
related to battery requirements; and providing an output related to
battery condition as a function of the at least one parameter, the
retrieved test criteria and the battery requirements.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the requirements comprise battery service
requirements.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the requirements comprise requirements
for a particular application.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter comprises a dynamic
parameter.
5. The method of claim 1 including applying an electrical load to the
storage battery.
6. The method of claim 1 including displaying an equivalent rating of the
battery.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CCA
rating.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a SAE
rating.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a DIN
rating.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a IEC
rating.
11. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a EN
rating.
12. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CA
rating.
13. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a MCA
rating.
14. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a JIS
rating.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the measuring is through a Kelvin
connection.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the input data comprises user input data.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the output related to battery
condition is based upon a step of comparing.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic
conductance.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic
resistance.
20. An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery for use
in a vehicle, comprising: means for measuring at least one parameter of
the battery; means for receiving input data related to battery
requirements; means for retrieving a test criteria from a memory
containing a plurality of test criteria associated with battery
requirements, the retrieved test criteria selected based upon input data
related to battery requirements; and means for providing an output related
to battery condition as a function of the at least one parameter, the
retrieved test criteria and the battery requirements.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the requirements comprise battery
service requirements.
22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the requirements comprise
requirements for a particular application.
Description
The present invention relates to storage batteries. More specifically,
the present invention relates to a battery system tester for testing
storage batteries.
Many attempts have been made to test storage batteries. One technique
which has been pioneered by Dr. Keith S. Champlin and Midtronics, Inc.
of Burr Ridge, Ill. relates to measuring the conductance of batteries to
determine their condition. This technique is described in a number of U.S.
patents, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. U.S. Pat. No. 3,873,911, issued Mar.
25, 1975, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE; U.S.
Pat. No. 3,909,708, issued Sep. 30, 1975, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC
BATTERY TESTING DEVICE; U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,768, issued Mar. 28, 1989,
to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE; U.S. Pat. No.
4,825,170, issued Apr. 25, 1989, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY
TESTING DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE SCALING; U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,038,
issued Nov. 14, 1989, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING
DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE SCALING TO DETERMINE DYNAMIC CONDUCTANCE;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,416, issued Mar. 27, 1990, to Champlin, entitled
ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE WITH STATE-OF-CHARGE COMPENSATION; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,140,269, issued Aug. 18, 1992, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC
TESTER FOR ASSESSING BATTERY/CELL CAPACITY; U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,380,
issued Aug. 30, 1994, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPRESSING TIME
VARYING SIGNALS IN BATTERIES UNDERGOING CHARGING OR DISCHARGING; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,572,136, issued Nov. 5, 1996, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER
WITH AUTOMATIC COMPENSATION FOR LOW STATE-OF-CHARGE; U.S. Pat. No.
5,574,355, issued Nov. 12, 1996, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
DETECTION AND CONTROL OF THERMAL RUNAWAY IN A BATTERY UNDER CHARGE; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,585,728, issued Dec. 17, 1996, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY
TESTER WITH AUTOMATIC COMPENSATION FOR LOW STATE-OF-CHARGE; U.S. Pat. No.
5,592,093, issued Jan. 7, 1997, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING
DEVICE LOOSE TERMINAL CONNECTION DETECTION VIA A COMPARISON CIRCUIT; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,598,098, issued Jan. 28, 1997, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY
TESTER WITH VERY HIGH NOISE IMMUNITY; U.S. Pat. No. 5,757,192, issued May
26, 1998, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A BAD CELL IN A
STORAGE BATTERY; U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,756, issued Oct. 13, 1998, entitled
ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH TAILORED COMPENSATION FOR LOW
STATE-OF-CHARGE; U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,435, issued Nov. 3, 1998, entitled
BATTERY TESTER FOR JIS STANDARD; U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,605, issued Jun. 22,
1999, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,829, issued
Aug. 31, 1999, entitled MIDPOINT BATTERY MONITORING; U.S. Pat. No.
6,002,238, issued Dec. 14, 1999, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
MEASURING COMPLEX IMPEDANCE OF CELLS AND BATTERIES; U.S. Pat. No.
6,037,777, issued Mar. 14, 2000, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
DETERMINING BATTERY PROPERTIES FROM COMPLEX IMPEDANCE/ADMITTANCE; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,051,976, issued Apr. 18, 2000, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS
FOR AUDITING A BATTERY TEST; U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,098, issued Jun. 27, 2000,
entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY; U.S. Pat. No.
6,091,245, issued Jul. 18, 2000, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
AUDITING A BATTERY TEST; U.S. Pat. No. 6,104,167, issued Aug. 15, 2000,
entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY; and U.S. Pat. No.
6,137,269, issued Oct. 24, 2000, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
ELECTRONICALLY EVALUATING THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL
CELL OR BATTERY.
With the advent of accurate battery testing, it has become apparent that
in some instances the battery testing technique may not be appropriate
for the particular purpose of the battery or configuration of multiple
batteries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery, includes a
dynamic measurement circuit configured to measure at least one dynamic
parameter of the battery. A memory is configured to store a plurality of
test criteria and an input is configured to receive input data related
to a selected test criteria. A test circuit provides an output related
to battery condition as a function of the dynamic parameter an the selected
test criteria. In another aspect, a memory is configured to store a first
dynamic parameter from the measurement circuitry related to a first
battery of a battery pack. Balance circuitry provides an in-balance output
if a second battery in the pack has a dynamic parameter which is
substantially equal to the first dynamic parameter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a battery tester in accordance
with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating a tester in accordance with
the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram illustrating a tester in accordance with
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a battery tester 10 in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention coupled to a vehicle 12.
Vehicle 12 includes a battery 14 having positive and negative terminals,
an alternator with internal regulator 16, various vehicle loads 18, and
a starter motor 20. In operation, battery 14 provides power to starter
20 and vehicle loads 18 when the engine in vehicle 12 is not running. When
the engine in vehicle 12 is running, alternator 16 is used to power vehicle
loads 18 and provide a charging current to battery 14 to maintain the
charge of battery 14.
Charging system tester 10 includes a microprocessor 30 which controls
operation of tester 10 and provides instructions and test result
information to an operator through, for example, a display 32. Tester 10
includes a battery testing section 34 which is illustrated generally as
conductance amplifier 36. Section 34 operates in accordance with, for
example, the conductance based battery testing techniques described in
Champlin patents U.S. Patent Nos. U.S. Pat. No. 3,873,911, issued Mar.
25, 1975, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE; U.S.
Pat. No. 3,909,708, issued Sep. 30, 1975, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC
BATTERY TESTING DEVICE; U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,768, issued Mar. 28, 1989,
to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE; U.S. Pat. No.
4,825,170, issued Apr. 25, 1989, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY
TESTING DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE SCALING; U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,038,
issued Nov. 14, 1989, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING
DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE SCALING TO DETERMINE DYNAMIC CONDUCTANCE;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,416, issued Mar. 27, 1990, to Champlin, entitled
ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTING DEVICE WITH STATE-OF-CHARGE COMPENSATION; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,140,269, issued Aug. 18, 1992, to Champlin, entitled ELECTRONIC
TESTER FOR ASSESSING BATTERY/CELL CAPACITY; U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,380,
issued Aug. 30, 1994, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPRESSING TIME
VARYING SIGNALS IN BATTERIES UNDERGOING CHARGING OR DISCHARGING; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,572,136, issued Nov. 5, 1996, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER
WITH AUTOMATIC COMPENSATION FOR LOW STATE-OF-CHARGE; U.S. Pat. No.
5,585,728, issued Dec. 17, 1996, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH
AUTOMATIC COMPENSATION FOR LOW STATE-OF-CHARGE; U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,098,
issued Jan. 28, 1997, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH VERY HIGH
NOISE IMMUNITY; U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,756, issued Oct. 13, 1998, entitled
ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH TAILORED COMPENSATION FOR LOW
STATE-OF-CHARGE. Section 34 is illustrated in very simplified form and
conductance amplifier 36 provides an output to an analog to digital
converter 38 which is related to the internal conductance of battery 14.
A DC voltage sensor 40 includes voltage scaling resistors 42 and 44 and
is coupled to battery 14 to provide an output to analog to digital
converter 38 which is representative of the DC voltage across battery 14.
Further, an AC ripple detector amplifier 46 is coupled to battery 14
through capacitors 48 and 50 and provides an output to analog to digital
converter 38 which is representative of the AC ripple voltage across
battery 14.
Microprocessor 30 controls analog to digital converter 38 to select which
of the three inputs to digitize. Microprocessor 30 includes firmware,
memory, and a software program in accordance with the invention. The user
input 54 is coupled to microprocessor 30 to provide the information to
microprocessor 30 from an operator.
Preferably, tester 10 is portable such that it may be easily moved between
vehicles or otherwise transported. Portability of tester 10 is achieved
because tester 10 does not require large internal carbon pile loads to
load the battery charging system. Instead, as described herein, tester
10 utilizes loads internal to the vehicle 12 in testing the charging system.
Further, the battery tester performed by tester 10 is in accordance with
the non-load battery testing technique as described above.
In another aspect of the present invention, microprocessor 30 includes
a memory which is capable of storing a number of different decision making
algorithms or test criteria. The particular test criteria or algorithm
can be selected through user input 54. For example, in one aspect, the
test criteria is selected based upon the particular type of battery or
rated reserve capacity of the battery. For example, if a battery is rated
as having a particularly robust design with a large reserve capacity, the
test criteria can be made more stringent such that an indication that the
battery is "good" is only provided if the battery meets the higher test
criteria.
FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of tester 10 in accordance with such
an embodiment. In FIG. 2, tester 10 includes dynamic parameter measurement
circuitry 80 which couples to battery 14 through Kelvin connections 82.
Dynamic parameter measurement circuitry 80 can be any circuit
configuration which measures a dynamic parameter of battery 14. As used
herein, a dynamic parameter is one which is related to a signal having
an AC component. The signal can be either applied directly or drawn from
battery 14. Example dynamic parameters include dynamic resistance,
conductance, impedance, admittance, etc. This list is not exhaustive, for
example, a dynamic parameter can include a component value of an
equivalent circuit of battery 14. Memory 84 is configured to store a
plurality of different test criteria. For example, the test criteria can
be a number of different thresholds or errors which are used to provide
an indication as to whether the battery 14 is "good." Input 54, which can
comprise a user input, is coupled to test circuitry 86. Test circuitry
86 applies a selected test criteria for memory 84 based upon user input
54 to the dynamic parameter measured by dynamic parameter measurement
circuitry 80. Based upon this comparison, an output is provided. FIG. 2
is a very simplified block diagram and in actual practice a number of the
individual elements can be implemented in a single microprocessor and
other circuit configurations. Input 64 can be any type of input and is
not limited to a user input.
In this aspect of the invention, the criteria used to test battery 14 can
be adjusted based upon a particular aspect of battery 14. For example,
if battery 14 is a new battery, a more stringent test can be applied to
battery 14. Additionally, if battery 14 is intended to be used in an
industrial vehicle or other situation which is very demanding of a battery,
a more "difficult" or stringent test criteria can be provided. The test
criteria can be based upon other factors to the dynamic parameter such
as temperature or "static" parameters. The input from input 54 can be any
type of input data and does not need to be user generated. Example input
data includes every make, model, type, construction date, present date,
temperature, vehicle type, VIN code, battery service requirements,
requirements for a particular application, etc.
Tester 10 can test a battery which is formed by more than one individual
battery. This is called a "battery pack". For example, some vehicles such
as large industrial vehicles include multiple batteries which are
connected in series, parallel or series-parallel. In such an embodiment,
element 14 in FIGS. 1 and 2 can represent such a pack such batteries can
be particularly difficult to test and, in many prior art battery testers,
have required the batteries to be disconnected and individually tested.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, microprocessor
30 tests the multiple batteries using a variety of appropriate techniques.
Microprocessor 30 is capable of determining the configuration of the
batteries (parallel, series or series-parallel) by measuring the voltage
at the terminals of the "battery pack" and through receiving user input
through input 54 indicating the number of batteries in the pack.
Additionally, in some instances microprocessor 30 may also need to receive
information related to the voltage of the individual batteries in the pack
in order to make a determination as to the configuration of the pack. There
are some instances where the configuration of the pack cannot be
determined by simply knowing the voltage of individual batteries and
taking measurements. A series of standard known configurations can be
stored in the memory in tester 10, and a user can select one such
configuration. Configurations of battery packs include up to 12 batteries
in parallel, three batteries in series and 12 batteries in series-parallel
configurations. Microprocessor 30 is capable of determining the CCA
rating and/or conductance of the entire battery pack using the information
it has determined regarding the configuration of the battery pack. For
example, in parallel configurations the CCA measurement is additive as
is conductance, while in series-parallel or series configurations the
voltage can be additive but the CCA/conductance can remain the same.
In one aspect, tester 10 is capable of detecting a good battery, a
discharged battery, a bad cell, a bad battery, a marginal and/or defective
wiring within a battery pack without disconnecting the pack. In one such
embodiment, multiple test connections are used to connect to the battery
pack. For example, one pair of connections can be used to connect to either
end of the battery pack while another connection can be used to connect
to points within the battery pack or to measure current flowing between
points within the battery pack. Using this technique, the various currents
flowing within the battery pack can be determined and this information
can be used to detect a bad connection, such as a bad cable or poor physical
connection between two points within the battery pack. Additionally,
microprocessor 30 can instruct the user using display 32 to make various
measurements at various points along the battery pack to more fully
determine the condition of various portions of the battery pack.
In some instances, the microprocessor 30 can instruct the user to
disconnect a certain battery within the battery pack in order to perform
an isolated test on that battery.
In another aspect, microprocessor 30 uses advanced testing criteria or
testing techniques such as fuzzy logic, neural networks or other
artificial intelligence techniques to detect and make decisions regarding
the health of a battery or a battery pack. Such techniques can also be
used in evaluating time varying signals such as signals generated by the
operation of alternator 16 or starter 20 in vehicle 12.
In another aspect, tester 10 includes a load such that a traditional load
test can be performed on the battery 14. Such a load test is known in the
art and is performed by applying a load to a battery and observing the
effect of the applied load to the voltage or current flowing from the
battery. In such an embodiment, such information can be used in
conjunction with a resistance, impedance, conductance or admittance test
of the battery 14 to identify a defect in the battery or otherwise
determine the condition of the battery. This technique can also be used
to measure the remaining or reserve capacity of the battery or battery
pack. Such a testing technique provides additional information to
microprocessor 30 which can then be used to make more advanced decisions
regarding battery condition.
Microprocessor 30 can also compute, store, display or print out equivalent
rating information regarding equivalent ratings of battery 14. Such
equivalent ratings include CCA, SAE, DIN, IEC, EN, CA, MCA, JIS or others
of the battery. In such an embodiment, microprocessor 30 can adjust for
variations in the measured conductance of a battery pack due to cables
between batteries in the pack or the connectors between the cables and
the battery which can insert series resistances into the measurement. The
adjustment can be based upon compensation data stored in a memory which
is determined empirically by measuring different types of batteries or
through other techniques. Particular compensation information can be
determined through determining the configuration of batteries within a
battery pack as described above. The compensation information can in the
form of a multiplier which is used to multiply a conductance measurement.
In another aspect, measurements of battery conductance are used to
"balance" the various batteries in a battery pack such that they are
selected and arranged for delivering optimized current and/or receiving
optimized charge current. This aspect is illustrated in FIG. 3. For
example, if a 600 CCA battery is placed in series with a 500 CCA battery,
one of the batteries will tend to become overcharged while the other
battery will tend to be undercharged. Tester 10 can alert an operator
regarding the unbalanced condition of the batteries within the pack.
Tester 10 can prompt a user to disconnect certain batteries within the
pack and perform individual tests on the batteries to determine which
battery is unbalanced from the others. This will also assist in selecting
the batteries used in the battery pack.
FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified diagram of this aspect of tester 10 and
includes a dynamic parameter measurement circuit 80 coupled to battery
14 through connection 90. Battery 14 is illustrated as multiple batteries,
in this case three separate batteries 14A, 14B and 14C. These batteries
can be connected in series, parallel or series parallel. Connection 90
can be a single pair of Kelvin connectors which are selectively positioned
between or on various batteries in pack 14. There can be more than two
Kelvin connections which are coupled to pack 14. Memory 94 stores a first
dynamic parameter from dynamic parameter measurement circuit 80 related
to a dynamic parameter of at least one battery 14A, 14B or 14C within
battery pack 14. Balance circuit 92 provides an in-balance output if a
second dynamic parameter of a second battery or batteries within pack 14
is "substantially equal" to the dynamic parameter stored in memory 94.
As used in this context, the term "substantially equal" means that the
two dynamic parameters are within a predetermined or adjustable
percentage or fixed amount from one another. If the two dynamic parameters
are measured simultaneously, memory 94 is not required to store a dynamic
parameter. In a further embodiment of this a aspect of the invention, a
static parameter such as voltage is used in determining if the batteries
are within balance. For example, the two batteries are within 0.1 volts
of each other (i.e., 12.5 and 12.6 volts) and the conductance within 10%,
an in-balance indication is provided. In another example, less than a 0.05
volt difference is required in addition to the dynamic parameter
requirement. Additionally, data from multiple batteries can be stored in
memory 94 and a preferred configuration of the batteries can be provided
by balance circuitry 92 on its output. Information regarding the
configuration of battery pack 14 can be received through the input 54 shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the output from balance circuit 92 adjusted
accordingly.
The condition of cables or connectors can be determined by applying a large
load, such as through an internal load in battery tester 10 or through
application of a vehicle load 18, or through the application of a large
resistance, for example more than about 0.1 ohms. An amp clamp measurement
can also be used. Further, microprocessor 30 can prompt a user to measure
voltage drops across various cables in the pack and make a decision (i.e.,
good/bad) regarding a cable or connection in the battery pack.
Microprocessor 30 can store, display, print and manage multiple test
results associated with the multiple test measurements made when
measuring a number of batteries which make a battery pack. This can be
partial measurement, parameter, or other items related to individual
batteries within the pack.
In one aspect, battery tester 10 is configured to determine the CCA rating
of a battery or battery pack having a relatively large CCA value, for
example, up to 5000 CCA. In such an embodiment, sensitive amplifiers
and/or relatively large current values can be used to obtain the CCA or
conductance measurement. In another aspect, tester 10 can perform a test
on vehicle 12 by instructing an operator to apply a load (i.e., head lights,
blower, etc.) or a combination of loads and reserve the response from
battery 14. This information can be used to determine diagnostic
information regarding battery 14 out of the operation of components within
vehicle 12.
With one aspect of the invention, the tester can be used to test the
"straps" that are used to couple individual batteries together to form
a battery pack. For example, a dynamic parameter can be measured with the
Kelvin probes applied directly to the battery. A second dynamic parameter
can be measured in which one of the straps separates a Kelvin probe from
the battery. A microprocessor can then compute the dynamic parameter of
the strap alone and provide an output if the strap is poor. For example,
if the strap dynamic conductance is too low, a warning can be provided.
This technique can be extended to test multiple straps. In addition to
testing straps within the pack, this technique can also be used to test
cables that connect to the battery. Dynamic parameters can be stored in
the memory for use in subsequent computations, or multiple Kelvin probes
can be used to simultaneously measure multiple dynamic parameters.
In some aspects, a separate current probe can be used, such as a shunt,
amp clamp or Hall effect sensor, to measure the current flowing into or
out of a battery or group of batteries under test. This data can be paired
with voltage measurements to obtain static or dynamic parameters.
The tester can store measurements in memory such that the battery pack
can be ranked in terms of performance.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that
changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention.
6 7,939,952 Automotive auxiliary power system
( 6
United States Patent
of
3504 )
7,939,952
Borghi
May 10, 2011
Abstract
An auxiliary power system for a vehicle, having an auxiliary internal
combustion engine with a starter is described. An auxiliary alternator
driven by the auxiliary engine and connected to a battery of the vehicle
and a control unit, which is connected to the battery, and activates the
starter of the auxiliary engine in the event the voltage of the battery
is below a reference value, may be included.
Inventors:
Borghi; Gianni (Albinea, IT)
Assignee:
Lombardini S.r.L. (Reggio Emilia, IT)
Appl. No.:
11/884,550
Filed:
February 17, 2005
PCT Filed:
February 17, 2005
PCT No.:
PCT/IT2005/000085
371(c)(1),(2),(4) May 19, 2008
Date:
PCT Pub. No.:
WO2006/087739
PCT Pub. Date:
August 24, 2006
Current U.S. Class:
290/1A
Current International Class:
Field of Search:
F02B 63/04
(20060101)
290/1A,1B,2 165/42,43,44,202 62/236
123/41.06
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
3841108
October 1974
Pierrat
3844130
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Wahnish
4531379
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Diefenthaler, Jr.
4756359
July 1988
Greer
4762170
August 1988
Nijjar et al.
4825663
May 1989
Nijjar et al.
RE33687
September 1991
Greer
5127576
July 1992
Weatherhead et al.
5177978
January 1993
Brown
5296799
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Davis
5332927
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Paul et al.
6530426
March 2003
Kishita et al.
6796367
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Blacquiere et al.
6932148
August 2005
Brummett et al.
7150159
December 2006
Brummett et al.
7259469
August 2007
Brummett et al.
2002/0056993
May 2002
Kennedy
2004/0000161
January 2004
Khelifa et al.
2004/0169374
September 2004
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Foreign Patent Documents
198 31 787
Jan., 1999
DE
199 53 940
May., 2000
DE
1 505 709
Feb., 2005
EP
WO 03/064202
Aug., 2003
WO
Primary Examiner: Gonzalez; Julio
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An auxiliary power system for a vehicle having a main engine and a main
air conditioning system, comprising an auxiliary internal combustion
engine having a starter; an auxiliary current generator driven by said
auxiliary engine and connectable to a battery of the vehicle; an auxiliary
cooling circuit having a compressor driven by said auxiliary engine;
control means comprising comparing means connected to said battery to
determine the voltage of the battery; further control means for activating
said starter of said auxiliary engine said control means generating an
enabling signal to activate said starter of said auxiliary engine in
response to a voltage value of said battery below a reference value;
further control means for measuring time from the start of the auxiliary
engine; further control means for turning off said auxiliary engine; said
control means generating a control signal, for said means for turning off
said auxiliary engine, when the measured time reaches a predetermined
charge time; said control means providing for an automatic recharge of
said battery even when said main engine is turned off.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said cooling
circuit is reversible.
3. A system as claimed claim 1, characterized by being divided into a first
unit installable in an interior compartment of said vehicle and comprising
aid evaporator and a relative electric fan; and into a second unit
installable outside said compartment and comprising the rest of the
components of said cooling circuit, said auxiliary engine, and said
auxiliary alternator.
4. A vehicle comprising a main engine; a main air conditioning system;
a battery; and an auxiliary power system, in turn comprising an auxiliary
internal combustion engine with a starter, a current generator driven by
said auxiliary engine and connectable to the battery of the vehicle; an
auxiliary cooling circuit having a compressor driven by said auxiliary
engine; control means for controlling the auxiliary power system
comprising comparing means connected to said battery to determine the
voltage of the battery; and further control means for activating said
starter of said auxiliary engine in response to a voltage value of said
battery below a reference value; further control means for measuring time
from the start of the auxiliary engine; further control means for turning
off said auxiliary engine; said control means generating a control signal,
for said means for turning off said auxiliary engine, when the measured
time reaches a predetermined charge time; said control means providing
for an automatic recharge of said battery even when said main engine is
turned off.
5. A vehicle as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said cooling
circuit is reversible.
6. A method of charging a battery of a vehicle having a main engine, a
battery, and an auxiliary power system including an auxiliary internal
combustion engine, characterized by comprising the steps of: a) acquiring
the voltage of the battery; b) comparing the acquired voltage value with
a reference value; c) commencing a charge cycle to charge the battery by
automatically starting the auxiliary internal combustion engine in the
event the acquired voltage value is below the reference value even when
the main engine is turned off; d) measuring time from the start of the
auxiliary internal combustion engine, e) turning the auxiliary engine off
when the measured time reaches a predetermined charge time.
7. A method as claimed claim 6, characterized by cyclically repeating the
steps from a) to e).
Description
This application is a national stage application of co-pending PCT
application PCT/IT2005/000085 filed Feb. 17, 2005. The disclosure of this
application is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an automotive auxiliary power system.
The invention is preferably, though not exclusively, applied to an
auxiliary air conditioning system of the interior compartment of an
industrial vehicle, in particular a truck, to which the following
description refers purely by way of example.
BACKGROUND ART
As is known, motor vehicles, and particularly trucks, are equipped with
an air conditioning system, hereinafter referred to as the "main" air
conditioning system, comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion
valve, and an evaporator, which together define in known manner a main
cooling circuit in which a cooling fluid flows. The compressor is driven
by the vehicle engine, which must therefore be kept running for the
compressor to operate when the vehicle is stationary. In addition to
inefficient use of the engine, this obviously also results in increased
fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.
By way of a solution to the problem, an auxiliary air conditioning system
has been proposed comprising an auxiliary heat engine of lower power than
the vehicle engine; and an auxiliary cooling circuit, in turn comprising
an auxiliary compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporator. When
the vehicle is stationary, the auxiliary engine need therefore simply be
kept running. Besides consuming less fuel than the main vehicle engine,
the auxiliary engine can also be run in maximum-efficiency conditions,
thus minimizing consumption and pollutant emissions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,901 describes an auxiliary air conditioning system
of the type briefly described above, and which also comprises an auxiliary
alternator driven by the auxiliary engine and connected to the vehicle
battery to charge it while the auxiliary air conditioning system is
running.
Though useful, the alternator battery charge function is only performed
when the auxiliary air conditioning system is running, whereas modern
trucks are equipped with high-consumption electric user devices which
must be kept operative even when the vehicle is stationary and regardless
of whether or not the air conditioning system is running. Typical examples
of such devices are satellite security devices, which draw current when
the vehicle is parked and the air conditioning system may be turned off.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an automotive auxiliary
power system, designed to provide a solution to the above problems.
According to the present invention, there is provided an auxiliary power
system for a vehicle, comprising an auxiliary internal combustion engine
having a starter; a current generator driven by said auxiliary engine and
connectable to a battery of the vehicle; and control means; characterized
in that said control means comprise comparing means connected to said
battery to determine the voltage of the battery; and further control means
for activating said starter of said auxiliary engine; said control means
generating an enabling signal to activate said starter of said auxiliary
engine in response to a voltage value of said battery below a reference
value.
According to an essential characteristic of the invention, therefore, the
auxiliary engine can be started automatically upon detection of a low
battery charge condition. The system therefore also provides for
automatically charging the battery, so that relatively high-consumption
electric user devices, such as satellite security devices, can be operated
even for prolonged periods and in the absence of the driver.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the power system comprises
an auxiliary cooling circuit for air conditioning the interior
compartment of the vehicle, and the compressor of which is driven by the
auxiliary engine.
According to a further preferred characteristic of the invention, the
auxiliary cooling circuit is fully independent of the cooling circuit of
the main air conditioning system of the vehicle, so that the auxiliary
power system can be installed with no alterations required to existing
on-vehicle systems.
The present invention also relates to a method of automatically charging
a battery of a vehicle by means of an auxiliary power system comprising
an auxiliary internal combustion engine, and an auxiliary current
generator driven by said auxiliary engine; characterized by comprising
the steps of:
a) acquiring the voltage of said battery;
b) comparing the acquired voltage value with a reference value;
c) commencing a charge cycle to charge the battery by automatically
starting said auxiliary engine in the event the acquired voltage value
is below the reference value.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the
further steps of turning the auxiliary engine off after a predetermined
charge time, and again acquiring the voltage of the battery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be
described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a truck equipped with an auxiliary
power system in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a preferred embodiment of the FIG. 1 auxiliary
system;
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a battery charge method in accordance with
the present invention and using the FIG. 1 auxiliary system.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Number 1 in FIG. 1 indicates as a whole a truck comprising a frame 2; and
a cab 3 supported on frame 2 and having a rear bunk compartment 4.
Truck 1--which is only described as strictly necessary for a clear
understanding of the present invention--comprises a main engine 5
supported on frame 2 and located beneath cab 3; a battery 6 (FIG. 2); a
main air conditioning system (not shown) of cab 3; and an auxiliary power
system 7, which has the dual function of air conditioning cab 3 and
charging battery 6.
Auxiliary system 7 (FIG. 2) substantially comprises an auxiliary,
preferably diesel, engine 8; an auxiliary alternator 9 driven by auxiliary
engine 8 via a first belt drive 10; and a known cooling circuit 11.
Cooling circuit 11 comprises a compressor 12, driven by auxiliary engine
8 via a second belt drive 13, a condenser 14, an expansion valve 16, and
an evaporator 17, which are cascade-connected to form a closed circuit
in which cooling fluid flows. Condenser 14 and evaporator 17 have
respective electric fans 18, 19.
Cooling circuit 11 is conveniently reversible, i.e. can operate as a
cooling circuit or heat pump, as explained in detail later on.
Accordingly, cooling circuit 11 also comprises a cycle switch or inversion
valve 20 interposed between compressor 12, condenser 14, and evaporator
17. More specifically, valve 20 has an inlet 21 connected to a delivery
conduit 22 of compressor 12; an outlet 23 connected to an intake conduit
24 of compressor 12, conveniently via a dehydration filter 25; and an inlet
26 and outlet 27 connected to condenser 14 and evaporator 17 respectively.
System 1 is divided into an external unit 28 located outside cab 3, e.g.
supported on frame 2; and an internal unit 29 housed inside cab 3,
preferably in bunk compartment 4.
The internal unit comprises evaporator 17 and relative electric fan 19,
and the external unit contains all the other components of cooling circuit
11, auxiliary engine 8, and auxiliary alternator 9. External unit 28
preferably also comprises a resistor 30 associated with condenser 14, and
which is powered when cooling circuit 11 operates in reverse cycle mode,
i.e. as a heat pump, in which case, condenser 14 actually operates as an
evaporator and may reach very low temperatures with the formation of ice.
Auxiliary engine 8 has a starter 34; preferably a fuel tank 35 independent
of the main tank 36 (FIG. 1) of truck 1; and a fuel pump 37 for feeding
the injectors (not shown). An on-off fuel valve 38 is conveniently located
along a low-pressure line between fuel tank 35 and the intake side of pump
37.
Auxiliary alternator 9 has a positive pole connected to the positive pole
of battery 6, preferably via a decoupling diode 40 for decoupling
auxiliary alternator 9 from the main alternator (not shown).
Auxiliary system 7 is controlled by a programmable control unit 41
associated with a data entry device 42, which may be, for example, a remote
control or a control panel located in cab 3 and integrated in internal
unit 29.
Device 42 conveniently comprises an operating mode (AIR CONDITIONING,
BATTERY CHARGE, OFF) selection button 43; reference temperature setting
buttons 44 for controlling the temperature of cab 3 when the AIR
CONDITIONING function is activated; a temperature setting display 45; and
respective light indicators 46, 47 indicating activation of the AIR
CONDITIONING and BATTERY CHARGE functions.
Control unit 41 is also connected to a temperature sensor 48 located in
the bunk compartment 4 of cab 3, preferably integrated in internal unit
29, and which supplies the control unit with an input signal T related
to the temperature in the bunk compartment. Control unit 41 is also
connected to battery 6, preferably via a precision resistive divider (not
shown) from which it receives a signal V related to the battery voltage
but appropriately lower in level, and is connected to the positive pole
of auxiliary alternator 9, the voltage of which is determined and
constitutes a signal E indicating auxiliary engine 8 is turned on.
By means of a power board 50, to which it is connected by a data bus 51,
control unit 41 controls starter 34 of auxiliary engine 8, on-off fuel
valve 38, and cooling circuit 11, as a function of the parameters set by
device 42.
Auxiliary system 7 operates as follows.
System 7 can be set to AIR CONDITIONING or BATTERY CHARGE mode by means
of button 43.
In AIR CONDITIONING mode, auxiliary engine 8 is started to drive
compressor 12 and auxiliary alternator 9. The temperature in bunk
compartment 4 is closed-loop controlled on the basis of the reference
temperature value set by buttons 44, and the temperature value detected
by sensor 48; and, depending on the sign of the difference between the
above values, control unit 41 sets valve 20 to the position corresponding
to cooling cycle mode to cool cab 3 (delivery conduit 22 of compressor
12 connected to condenser 14), or to the position corresponding to heat
pump mode to heat cab 3 (delivery conduit 22 of compressor 12 connected
to evaporator 17). Control of cooling circuit 11 is conventional and
therefore not described in detail.
Since auxiliary engine 8 also drives auxiliary alternator 9 in AIR
CONDITIONING mode, battery 6 is constantly charged.
According to the present invention, a function can also be set by which
to charge the battery automatically even when cooling circuit 11 is
disabled.
When AUTOMATIC CHARGE mode is set by means of button 43, control unit 41
operates according to the program described below with reference to the
FIG. 3 flow chart.
Following a start block 54, a block 55 determines whether or not the
automatic charge function is enabled. If it is, block 55 goes on to a block
56, which acquires signal V (voltage of battery 6). The next block 57
compares signal V with a reference value V.sub.rif: if V is less than
V.sub.rif, block 57 goes on to a block 58, which starts auxiliary engine
8 by energizing starter 34; conversely, if V is greater than V.sub.rif,
block 57 goes back to the start of the cycle.
Block 58 goes on to a block 59, which determines whether the auxiliary
engine is started, by acquiring signal E. If it is not started, block 59
goes back to block 58; if it is started, block 59 goes on to a hold block
59', which allows a given charge time T.sub.r, e.g. 30', to elapse, after
which, block 59' goes on to the next block 60, which turns the engine off
by switching on-off fuel valve 38.
Block 60 then goes back to block 56 to acquire a further battery voltage,
after which, the program proceeds as described, and may perform one or
more charge cycles, depending on the outcome of the comparison in block
57.
In short, the voltage of battery 6 is determined and compared with a
reference value; if less than the reference value, auxiliary engine 8 is
started to drive auxiliary alternator 9, and a first charge cycle of given
duration is performed. At the end of the cycle, auxiliary engine 8 is
turned off and the battery charge checked. The engine must be turned off
to ensure signal V represents the actual charge voltage of battery 6, and
not the voltage of auxiliary alternator 9.
If necessary, the charge cycle is repeated and the heat engine started
again. Otherwise, charging is completed.
Clearly, changes may be made to auxiliary system 7 according to the present
invention without, however, departing from the scope as defined in the
accompanying Claims.
In particular, cooling circuit 11 may be dispensed with, and system 7 may
be limited to battery charge function components.
Auxiliary alternator 9 and compressor 12 may be driven by a single belt.
Cooling circuit 11 may have no cycle inversion valve 20, and may be used
solely to cool the cab.
Finally, starter 34 and auxiliary alternator 9 may be replaced by a single
reversible electric machine.
Internal unit 29 may be located anywhere inside a vehicle, e.g. may be
used to cool a refrigeration compartment. Two or more units 29 may be
provided for different environments or for different portions of the same
environment, e.g. different parts of the cab, to ensure a more even
temperature.
Auxiliary tank 35 may be eliminated, and auxiliary engine 8 fuelled
directly from main tank 36.
The system may also be used for vehicles other than trucks, e.g. cars or
campers.
7 7,937,667 Multimedia mirror assembly for vehicle
( 7
United States Patent
Kramer ,
of
3504 )
7,937,667
et al.
May 3, 2011
Abstract
A user-interactive display system for a vehicle includes an interior
rearview mirror assembly, a portable hand-held device, and a display
device. The portable hand-held device is operable to communicate a first
signal to a vehicle-based receiver. A user input is actuatable so that
a user can select an item from a listing of choices displayed by the display
device, whereby the user-interactive display system (a) displays at the
display device data associated with the selected item in response to the
user-selection of the selected item from the listing of choices, and/or
(b) audibly plays at an audio device of the vehicle data associated with
the selected item in response to the user-selection of the selected item
from the listing of choices.
Inventors: Kramer; Mark E. (Zeeland, MI), Lynam; Niall R. (Holland, MI),
O'Connell; David P. (Ada, MI), Nise; Vernon R. (Caledonia, MI)
Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Holland, MI)
Appl. No.: 11/861,904
Filed:
September 26, 2007
Related U.S. Patent Documents
Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date<TD< TD>
60896134
Mar., 2007
<TD< TD>
60902280
Feb., 2007
<TD< TD>
60901514
Feb., 2007
<TD< TD>
60900282
Feb., 2007
<TD< TD>
60879619
Jan., 2007
<TD< TD>
60850700
Oct., 2006
<TD< TD>
60847502
Sep., 2006
<TD< TD>
Current U.S. Class:
Current International
Class:
Field of Search:
715/781 ; 715/744
G06F 13/00
(20060101); G06F 15/00
(20060101)
715/700,780,851-853,863-864,855,744,746,748,810
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Other References
Li C. [LICCI] Vehicle Borne Mirror Print Circuit Board
Installation Shell Bottom Case Connect Plate Function Module. CN
201042943 2007. 4 pages. cited by examiner.
Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Cao "Kevin"
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/896,134, filed Mar. 21, 2007; Ser. No. 60/902,280,
filed Feb. 20, 2007; Ser. No. 60/901,514, filed Feb. 13, 2007; Ser. No.
60/900,282, filed Feb. 8, 2007; Ser. No. 60/879,619, filed Jan. 10, 2007;
Ser. No. 60/850,700, filed Oct. 10, 2006; and Ser. No. 60/847,502, filed
Sep. 27, 2006, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A user-interactive display system for a vehicle, said user-interactive
display system comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly
comprising a mounting structure and a reflective element; a portable
hand-held device capable of being carried into and out of the vehicle;
wherein said portable hand-held device, when carried into the vehicle,
is operable to communicate a first signal to a vehicle-based receiver;
a display device at or adjacent said interior rearview mirror assembly,
said display device being operable to display a listing of choices in
response to said communication of said first signal; wherein said listing
of choices displayed by said display device comprises at least one of (a)
a listing of voice mail messages of a portable phone, (b) a listing of
phone numbers of a portable phone, (c) a listing of received or transmitted
emails, and (d) a listing of titles or tracks stored in the memory of a
portable playback device or downloadable from an external provider; said
interior rearview mirror assembly further comprising a user input, said
user input comprising a touch screen, said user input being actuatable
by a user touching appropriate locations on said touch screen to select
an item from said listing of choices displayed by said display device,
wherein said user input of said mirror assembly is actuatable to navigate
menus of said portable hand-held device to select an item from said listing
of choices; and wherein said user-interactive display system is operable
to at least one of (a) display at said display device data associated with
the selected item in response to said user-selection of the selected item
from said listing of choices, and (b) audibly play at an audio device of
the vehicle data associated with the selected item in response to said
user-selection of the selected item from said listing of choices.
2. The user-interactive display system of claim 1, wherein said
user-interactive display system comprises a text to voice converter
operable to convert textual data associated with the selected item into
a converted voice message.
3. The user-interactive display system of claim 1 further comprising a
docking device for said portable hand-held device, said docking device
being located in the interior cabin of the vehicle and communicating said
first signal to said vehicle-based receiver.
4. The user-interactive display system of claim 3, wherein said docking
device communicates a first signal indicative of audio data to a first
vehicle-based receiver and communicates a second signal indicative of
textual data to a second vehicle-based receiver, said second signal being
indicative of display information being displayed at said portable
hand-held device, said second signal being communicated to said second
vehicle-based receiver via a wireless communication protocol.
5. The user-interactive display system of claim 1, wherein said display
is at or near a driver side portion of said reflective element of said
interior rearview mirror assembly.
6. The user-interactive display system of claim 1 further comprising a
text to voice converter operable to convert textual data associated with
the selected item into a converted voice message, and wherein said user
input is actuatable by a user so that a user can select at least one of
(a) displaying data associated with a selected textual item at said
display device and (b) audibly playing data associated with a converted
voice message of a selected textual item.
7. The user-interactive display system of claim 1, wherein said interior
rearview mirror assembly includes a video display device operable to
display images representative of a scene occurring rearward of the vehicle,
said video display device displaying said images on a display screen, said
video display device comprising a non-electronic graphic overlay means
that is viewable when said video display device is activated, wherein said
graphic overlay means comprise indicia established in front of an
illumination source of said video display device and viewable at said
display screen when said video display device is activated and
substantially not viewable at said display screen when said video display
device is deactivated.
8. The user-interactive display system of claim 1 comprising a navigation
device support structure for supporting a portable navigation device,
wherein said navigation device support structure comprises an
articulatable receiving structure that is articulatable to adjust an
orientation of the portable navigation device supported thereon
independent of adjustment of an orientation of said reflective element
of said interior rearview mirror assembly, wherein said navigation device
support structure is articulatable between a stowed position, where said
receiving structure is articulated such that said receiving structure and
a portable navigation device supported thereon are generally along the
windshield at a mounting base of said mirror assembly, and a use position,
where said receiving structure is articulated such that said receiving
structure and a portable navigation device supported thereon are
generally below said reflective element and readily viewable by the driver
of the vehicle.
9. The user-interactive display system of claim 8, wherein said
user-interactive display system is operable to display information at
said portable navigation device in a Consumer Hand-held Display Format
when said portable navigation device is not supported on said navigation
device support structure and to display information at said portable
navigation device in an In-vehicle Display Format when said portable
navigation device is supported on said navigation device support
structure.
10. A user-interactive display system for a vehicle, said
user-interactive display system comprising: an interior rearview mirror
assembly comprising a mounting structure and a reflective element; a
portable hand-held device capable of being carried into and out of the
vehicle; wherein said portable hand-held device, when carried into the
vehicle, is operable to communicate a first signal to a vehicle-based
receiver; a docking device for said portable hand-held device, said
docking device being located in the interior cabin of the vehicle, said
portable hand-held device being dockable at said docking device when
carried into the vehicle; a display device at or adjacent said interior
rearview mirror assembly, said display device being operable to display
a listing of choices in response to said communication of said first signal,
said display device displaying said listing of choices at or near a driver
side portion of said reflective element of said interior rearview mirror
assembly; said interior rearview mirror assembly further comprising a
user input, said user input comprising a touch screen, said user input
being actuatable by a user touching appropriate locations on said touch
screen to select an item from said listing of choices displayed by said
display device, wherein said user input of said mirror assembly is
actuatable to navigate menus of said portable hand-held device to select
an item from said listing of choices; and wherein said user-interactive
display system is operable to at least one of (a) display at said display
device data associated with the selected item in response to said
user-selection of the selected item from said listing of choices, and (b)
audibly play at an audio device of the vehicle data associated with the
selected item in response to said user-selection of the selected item from
said listing of choices.
11. The user-interactive display system of claim 10, wherein said listing
of choices displayed by said display device comprises at least one of (a)
a listing of voice mail messages of a portable phone, (b) a listing of
phone numbers of a portable phone, (c) a listing of received or transmitted
emails, and (d) a listing of titles or tracks stored in the memory of a
portable playback device or downloadable from an external provider.
12. The user-interactive display system of claim 10, wherein said interior
rearview mirror assembly includes a video display device operable to
display images representative of a scene occurring rearward of the vehicle,
said video display device displaying said images on a display screen, said
video display device comprising a non-electronic graphic overlay means
that is viewable when said video display device is activated.
13. The user-interactive display system of claim 12, wherein said graphic
overlay means comprise indicia established in front of an illumination
source of said video display device and viewable at said display screen
when said video display device is activated and substantially not viewable
at said display screen when said video display device is deactivated.
14. The user-interactive display system of claim 10 comprising a
navigation device support structure for supporting a portable navigation
device.
15. The user-interactive display system of claim 14, wherein said
navigation device support structure comprises an articulatable receiving
structure that is articulatable to adjust an orientation of the portable
navigation device supported thereon independent of adjustment of an
orientation of said reflective element of said interior rearview mirror
assembly.
16. The user-interactive display system of claim 15, wherein said
navigation device support structure is articulatable between a stowed
position, where said receiving structure is articulated such that said
receiving structure and a portable navigation device supported thereon
are generally along the windshield at a mounting base of said mirror
assembly, and a use position, where said receiving structure is
articulated such that said receiving structure and a portable navigation
device supported thereon are generally below said reflective element and
readily viewable by the driver of the vehicle.
17. The user-interactive display system of claim 15, wherein said
user-interactive display system is operable to display information at
said portable navigation device in a Consumer Hand-held Display Format
when said portable navigation device is not supported on said navigation
device support structure and to display information at said portable
navigation device in an In-vehicle Display Format when said portable
navigation device is supported on said navigation device support
structure.
18. The user-interactive display system of claim 10 further comprising
a text to voice converter operable to convert textual data associated with
the selected item into a converted voice message, and wherein said user
input is actuatable by a user so that a user can select at least one of
(a) displaying data associated with a selected textual item at said
display device and (b) audibly playing data associated with a converted
voice message of a selected textual item.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to an interior rearview mirror
assembly and, more particularly, to an interior rearview mirror assembly
having multimedia capabilities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to use a personal entertainment device or digital playback
device (such as an iPOD.RTM. or MP3 player or the like) with a vehicle
audio system to play songs or other audio signals through the vehicle audio
system. For example, a playback device may be connected to or may include
a transmitter that transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal that is
received by the vehicle radio for playback through the vehicle audio
system. Alternately, it is know to provide a wired connection between a
docking station and the radio so that the playback device (docked to the
docking station) communicates the signal to the radio via a wired
connection. The playback device is accessed by the user to select the
desired song or playlist or the like, whereby the selected tracks are
played through the radio and vehicle audio system. The user thus may have
to look down at the docking station and playback device (typically at the
instrument panel or a floor-mounted center console of the vehicle or the
like) to select the desired songs from a small screen of the playback
device (such as is common on the likes or an iPOD.RTM.), such that the
driver of the vehicle may have to look away from his or her forward field
of view to select the desired track or playlist or the like.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a multimedia system for playing
tracks from a playback device through the vehicle's audio system that
overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and that allows the driver
to readily view a menu or list of options or selections associated with
the playback device, such as a listing of song titles or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a multimedia mirror system or
user-interactive display system for a vehicle that provides display (such
as a display of song titles or of a menu or the like) and/or control of
a digital playback device (such as an iPOD.RTM. or a similar personal
entertainment device such as an MP3 player) at the interior rearview
mirror assembly of the vehicle so that the driver of the vehicle may
navigate the menus of the playback device while viewing the menus or
listings or information/data associated with the playback device at the
mirror-associated display. The mirror assembly may include a control or
user input to allow the driver of the vehicle to control or navigate the
menus of the personal, hand-portable playback device (such as an iPOD.RTM.)
by accessing the control or user input at the mirror. The driver thus may
navigate the playback device menus and select a desired song or track or
playlist while maintaining his or her generally forward field of view
through the vehicle windshield.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a user-interactive
display system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly
having a mounting structure and a reflective element, a portable hand-held
device capable of being carried into and out of the vehicle, and a display
device at or adjacent the interior rearview mirror assembly. The portable
hand-held device, when carried into the vehicle, is operable to
communicate a first signal to a vehicle-based receiver. The display device
is operable to display a listing of choices in response to the
communication of the first signal. The interior rearview mirror assembly
further includes a user input, which is actuatable by a user so that a
user can select an item from the listing of choices displayed by the
display device. The user-interactive display system is operable to at
least one of (a) display at the display device data associated with the
selected item in response to the user-selection of the selected item from
the listing of choices, and (b) audibly play at an audio device of the
vehicle data associated with the selected item in response to the
user-selection of the selected item from the listing of choices.
The listing of choices displayed by the display device may include at least
one of (a) a listing of voice mail messages of a portable phone, (b) a
listing of phone numbers of a portable phone, (c) a listing of received
emails, and (d) a listing of songs of a portable playback device. The user
input may be actuatable by a user so that a user can select at least one
of (a) displaying at the display device data associated with a selected
textual item and (b) audibly playing at the audio device data associated
with a converted voice message of a selected textual item.
Optionally, the interior rearview mirror assembly may include a video
display device that is operable to display images representative of a
scene occurring rearward of the vehicle (such as in response to image data
captured by a camera or imaging sensor generally at or near the rear of
the vehicle and/or having a rearward field of view). The video display
device may display the images on a display screen, and may include a
non-electronic graphic overlay means that is viewable when the video
display device is activated. The graphic overlay means may comprise
indicia established in front of an illumination source of the video
display device and viewable at the display screen when the video display
device is activated and substantially not viewable at the display screen
when the video display device is deactivated.
Optionally, the user-interactive display system may include a navigation
device support structure for supporting a portable navigation device. The
navigation device support structure may comprise an articulatable
receiving structure that is articulatable to adjust an orientation of the
portable navigation device supported thereon independent of adjustment
of an orientation of the reflective element of the interior rearview
mirror assembly. For example, the navigation device support structure may
be articulatable between a stowed position, where the receiving structure
is articulated such that the receiving structure and a portable navigation
device supported thereon are generally along the windshield at a mounting
base of the mirror assembly, and a use position, where the receiving
structure is articulated such that the receiving structure and a portable
navigation device supported thereon are generally below the reflective
element and readily viewable by the driver of the vehicle.
Optionally, the user-interactive display system is operable to display
information at the portable navigation device in a Consumer Hand-held
Display Format (where the display may display details, such as map details,
street name details, addresses, and/or the like) when the portable
navigation device is not supported on the navigation device support
structure, and to display information at the portable navigation device
in an In-vehicle Display Format (where the display may display larger
icons or the like and/or reduced information for quick viewing by the
driver of the vehicle while the driver is driving the vehicle) when the
portable navigation device is supported on the navigation device support
structure.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a multimedia mirror
system or user-interactive display system for a vehicle includes an
interior rearview mirror assembly having a mounting structure and a
reflective element and a docking station for a digital playback device.
The docking station communicates a first signal to a radio or similar audio
device of the vehicle. The first signal is indicative of an audio signal
associated with a selected track of the digital playback device. The
docking station communicates a second signal to a receiver of the mirror
assembly. The second signal is indicative of display information being
displayed at the digital playback device. The second signal preferably
is communicated to the receiver via a wireless communication protocol
(such as a BLUETOOTH.RTM. restricted-range RF communication protocol).
The interior rearview mirror assembly further comprises a display device
(such as a liquid crystal video screen or a dot matrix display or the like)
that is operable to display the display information in response to the
second signal.
Optionally, the interior rearview mirror assembly may include a user input
(such as buttons or a control wheel or joystick or the like) that is
operable to adjust the display information at the display device. The
interior rearview mirror assembly communicates (preferably wirelessly,
such as via an IR or RF wireless transmission) an adjustment output to
the docking station via the wireless communication protocol to adjust the
display information at the digital playback device (such as in a manner
similar to adjustments that may typically be accomplished via the
thumbwheel at the digital playback device). The user input of the mirror
assembly thus may be adjustable to navigate menus of the digital playback
device to select a desired track for playing the selected track via the
vehicle audio system.
Therefore, the present invention provides a multimedia mirror system or
user-interactive display system having an interior rearview mirror
assembly that is in communication with a playback device docking station
and/or a portable telephone and/or telephone docking station to provide
display and control capabilities of the playback device and/or telephone
at the mirror assembly. The interior rearview mirror provides an enhanced
or improved location for the display of the menus of the playback device
and/or telephone so that the driver of the vehicle may readily navigate
the menus and select the desired songs or playlists while maintaining a
sufficient forward field of view via the driver's peripheral vision while
viewing the display. The radio of the vehicle would provide the audio
controls, such as volume, tone, etc., such as in a typical or known manner.
Thus, the mirror assembly and display may complement or supplement the
playback device at the docking station so as to allow the driver of the
vehicle or user of the playback device to access and control the menus
and make the desired selections for playback by the playback device while
viewing the display at the mirror assembly, and thus while maintaining
his or her forward field of view forwardly through the windshield of the
vehicle, such as while driving the vehicle in a forward direction of travel.
These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present
invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification
in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a multimedia mirror system in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation and partial sectional view of mirror assembly
and electronics module useful with the multimedia mirror system of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is another diagram of the multimedia mirror system of the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagram of a hands free telephone mirror system in accordance
with the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagram of a navigation mirror system in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 6 is a diagram of another navigation mirror system of the present
invention, with a slide out video display;
FIG. 7 is a diagram of another navigation mirror system of the present
invention, with a detachable navigation device at the mirror assembly;
FIG. 8 is a side elevation of a mirror assembly and support assembly of
the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of another mirror assembly and support
assembly of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is another side perspective view of the mirror assembly and support
assembly of FIG. 9, with the support flipped down to a use position;
FIGS. 11A and 11B are front elevations of a display that may be displayed
by a portable navigation device docked at the support assembly of the
mirror assembly and support assembly of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assembly in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a schematic of an interior rearview mirror assembly having an
embedded speaker and a PC card interface or connector therein for
connecting to a removable or insertable PC card in accordance with the
present invention;
FIGS. 13A-L are schematics of different PC cards and circuitry or
accessories or functions thereof that are useful with the interior
rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 13;
FIG. 14 is a schematic of an interior rearview mirror assembly having an
embedded microphone and a PC card interface or connector therein for
connecting to a removable or insertable PC card in accordance with the
present invention;
FIGS. 14A-L are schematics of different PC cards and circuitry or
accessories or functions thereof that are useful with the interior
rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 14;
FIG. 15 is a schematic of an interior rearview mirror assembly having a
PC card interface or connector therein for connecting to a removable or
insertable PC card in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 15A-N are schematics of different PC cards and circuitry or
accessories or functions thereof that are useful with the interior
rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 15;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a HUD device incorporated in or at or
near an interior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle in accordance with
the present invention;
FIG. 17 is an illustration of a graphic overlay suitable for use with the
present invention;
FIG. 18 is a front elevation of a video display screen with the graphic
overlay of FIG. 17 disposed thereat in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 19 is a front elevation of a video display screen with another graphic
overlay disposed thereat in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a graphic overlay system in accordance with
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted
therein, a vehicle-based multimedia system or user-interactive display
system 10 for a vehicle 11 includes an interior rearview mirror assembly
12 mounted at an interior portion of the vehicle, a docking station 14,
such as a docking station for a portable hand-held device 15, such as a
digital playback device, such as an iPOD.RTM. or MP3 player or the like,
or other portable hand-held device, such as a portable telephone device
or a portable internet access or communication device or the like, and
a vehicle-based radio 16 (FIGS. 1 and 3). The term "portable phone" or
"portable communication device" or the like as used herein is intended
to encompass any portable or hand-held communication device, such as a
cellular telephone or other communication device including personal data
assistants (PDA's) such as BlackBerry.RTM. wireless hand-held devices or
the like. Docking station 14 includes a connector or socket or plug or
receiving port 18 for connecting to or docking with the playback device
and a transmitter 20, such as a BLUETOOTH.RTM. transmitter or other
suitable transmitter or protocol, such as, for example, ZIGBEE.RTM. or
the like, for wireless communication to and with a receiver 22 at the
mirror assembly 12. The mirror assembly 12 and receiver 22 may receive
a communication from the docking station 14, and may communicate a signal
to the radio 16 for playback of the selection on the playback device
through the vehicle audio system, as discussed below. The information
displayed at the playback device (which displays the menu or menus and
tracks or playlists or the like and which is typically controlled by a
user input or thumbwheel of the playback device) may be displayed at a
display screen or display element 24 of the mirror assembly 12, such that
the driver of the vehicle may select the desired songs or tracks or
playlists by viewing the display at the mirror assembly and thus
maintaining his or her generally forward field of view, as also discussed
below. Optionally, the multimedia mirror system or user-interactive
display system may include a text to voice converter operable to convert
textual data associated with the selected item into a converted voice
message.
The portable hand-held device or playback device may comprise any portable
hand-held device that is capable of being carried into and out from the
vehicle by a user of the device. For example, the device may comprise a
digital playback device, such as an iPOD.RTM. or MP3 player or the like,
or a portable telephone device or a portable internet access or portable
hand-held communication device (such as a BlackBerry.RTM. wireless device)
or the like. The device may generate a listing of choices, which may be
displayed by the display device, and which may include at least one of
(a) a listing of voice mail messages of a portable phone, (b) a listing
of phone numbers of a portable phone, (c) a listing of received emails,
and (d) a listing of titles or tracks (such as of songs or stories or other
files) stored in the memory of a portable playback device or downloadable
from an external provider. The listing of choices thus may include textual
data (such as emails or phone listings or the like) or audio data (such
as voice mail messages or the like) or songs or audio tracks or the like.
The mirror assembly 12 may be mounted at the inner surface of the vehicle
windshield (referred to generally at 11a in FIG. 1) or the like, while
the radio 16 is typically mounted or installed at the instrument panel
(referred to generally at 11b in FIG. 1) of the vehicle. The docking
station 14 may be disposed or located or installed at the instrument panel
or a floor mounted center console or the like (such as shown in FIG. 1),
or may be located at a windshield electronics module or accessory module
36 or the like (such as shown in FIG. 2) or other location where it is
readily accessible by the driver of the vehicle (when sitting in the
driver's seat 11c of the vehicle).
Docking station 14 may be similar to known docking stations and includes
a docking port 18 for connecting to the playback device. The docking
station is connected to a power source, such as to the vehicle power source
or battery and vehicle ground, and preferably to the vehicle ignition so
that the docking station is powered when the vehicle ignition is on. The
docking station may be hardwired to the vehicle radio or may include an
FM modulator 37 to transmit an FM signal that the radio may receive for
audio playback of the selected songs or tracks or playlists. Optionally,
and preferably, the docking station includes a charging device 42 (FIG.
3) to charge the battery of the playback device when the playback device
is docked at the docking station, and preferably only when the vehicle
ignition is on (so as to limit drain on the vehicle battery when the vehicle
is parked).
The driver thus may access the radio to select the desired input or radio
station (so that the radio may receive a signal for playback of tracks
from the playback device if desired) and/or to adjust the volume of the
audio system, such as in a known manner. The radio 16 may receive an output
signal from the docking station 14 (when the playback device 15 is docked
thereat and activated), such as via a wired connection between the radio
and docking station and/or via a RF signal and/or via other wireless
communication interfaces or via a vehicle bus interface, such as a LIN
or LAN interface or network or the like.
The user of the playback device thus may dock or plug in the playback device
to the docking station or cradle, such as via known connection means and/or
by utilizing aspects of the systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,012,727;
6,902,284; 6,648,477; 6,428,172; 6,026,162; and/or 5,940,503, and/or U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005, which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The docking
station may communicate an output signal to the radio (such as via FM
modulator 37 of the docking station or via a hard-wire connection with
the radio) for playing of the selected track through the vehicle audio
system, and may also communicate an output signal via the transmitter 20
that is received by receiver 22 at the mirror assembly 12 (such that there
is a wireless interface between the docking station or cradle and the
multimedia mirror assembly). The output signal transmitted by transmitter
20 to receiver 22 of mirror assembly 12 may be indicative of the
information or menu/menus displayed at the display screen of the playback
device, and may be received by receiver 22 at the mirror assembly 12,
whereby the display element or display screen 24 of mirror assembly 12
may display the information for viewing by the driver of the vehicle. The
driver may use the user input or thumbwheel at the playback device to
scroll through the menus and select the desired track or playlist or the
like while viewing the menus and other displayed information at the
display element 24 of the mirror assembly 12, or optionally may use a user
input 26, such as a button or dial or thumbwheel or the like, at the mirror
assembly to scroll through the menus being displayed at the display
element 24 of mirror assembly 12.
The driver thus may plug in or dock the playback device 15 into the docking
station 14 (and thereby also preferably electrically recharging/powering
the docked/connected device), whereby the docking station 14 may
communicate with the playback device and may transmit the display
information signal to the mirror assembly for viewing of the display menus
at the mirror assembly. The driver of the vehicle thus may navigate or
scroll through the playback device menus to make a desired selection for
playback while enhancing the driver's forward field of view and peripheral
vision of the road ahead of the vehicle (since the driver does not have
to look down to the docking station to see the menus).
The docking station may communicate the playback signal/signals to the
radio (such as via an RF signal or wired signal or wireless communication)
or to a receiver of another audio device of the vehicle, and/or to the
receiver 22 of mirror assembly 12. Optionally, the docking station 14 may
communicate the playback signal or signals to the mirror assembly 12,
whereby a transmitter of the mirror assembly (or other suitable
communication device or element) may communicate the signal or signals
to the radio (such as via a wired connection between the mirror assembly
and the radio or via a wireless communication interface or protocol) for
playing the selected track or tracks through the vehicle's audio system.
Optionally, the mirror assembly may include a speaker or speakers for
playing the selected tracks without connection to the vehicle audio system.
For example, the mirror assembly may include small high-fidelity speakers
or thin film speakers (such as substantially flat speaker film capable
of generating high quality sound), which may be disposed at selected or
desired locations at the mirror assembly. Optionally, the audio playback
may be through a speaker or speakers of the portable hand-held device
itself, depending on the particular application.
Optionally, and desirably, the mirror assembly 12 includes the user input
26, such as a button or dial or thumbwheel or joystick or proximity sensor
or the like, that allows the driver or user of the system to control or
scroll through the menus of the playback device at the mirror, whereby
the menus and playlists and the like (of the playback device) are displayed
at the display element 24 of mirror assembly 12 and adjusted via the user
input 26 of mirror assembly 12. Optionally, the display screen may
comprise a touch screen 24' (FIG. 3) to allow the user to control and select
menu options and the like by touching the appropriate display item or menu
at the display screen 24 of the mirror assembly. The user of the playback
device thus may control the playback device and view the display
information of the playback device at the rearview mirror 12. Thus, the
driver of the vehicle may select display information (that may include
video imagery and/or textural or iconistic information) and/or audio
playback tracks or selections while maintaining a forward field of view.
Optionally, the multimedia mirror system or user-interactive display
system of the present invention may include a text to voice converter that
is operable to convert textual data associated with a selected item (as
selected by the user from the playlist or list of items) into a converted
voice message, such that the user can listen to a selected text message
if desired. Optionally, a user input (such as at the user input at the
mirror assembly) may be actuatable by a user so that a user can select
at least one of (a) displaying at the display device data associated with
a selected textual item and (b) audibly playing at the audio device data
associated with a converted voice message of a selected textual item. For
example, the user may select an email from a list of emails, and may elect
to view the email on the display or may select a conversion of the selected
email into an audio message (such as an audio message output by the
speakers of the vehicle's radio or other vehicle or mirror speakers or
by the speaker or speakers of the portable playback device), whereby the
user may hear an audible signal indicative of or representative of the
text of the selected email. Optionally, the email may also be displayed
at the display device, if desired or selected by the user of the system.
Thus, the mirror assembly 12 and display 24 may complement or supplement
the playback device at the docking station 14 so as to allow the driver
of the vehicle or user of the playback device to access and control the
menus and make the desired selections for playback by the playback device
while viewing the display at the mirror assembly 12. The multimedia mirror
system of the present invention thus provides a display and control
function for playback devices such as iPODs and MP3 players and the like,
while allowing the driver to see the playback device menus at the mirror
and, at least peripherally, the forward field of view of the road ahead
of the vehicle. Thus, the complementary or supplementary mirror assembly
allows for control and selection of playback items or tracks or playlists
by the driver of the vehicle while the driver maintains his or her forward
field of view forwardly through the windshield of the vehicle, such as
while driving the vehicle in a forward direction of travel.
Optionally, the display of the mirror assembly may be voice controlled,
so that the driver or user may vocalize a desired command, such as "scroll
down" or "select" or "play" or "stop" or "pause" or the like to scroll
through the menus and make the desired selection. The mirror assembly thus
may include a microphone for receiving the voice command, whereby a
control or signal processor of the mirror assembly may process the
received command to identify or recognize the command and to control the
display and/or the playback device accordingly.
Optionally, an image sensor or camera device may be incorporated into the
mirror with a field of view toward the driver or passenger area of the
front seats so as to capture images of an occupant in the front seat or
seats. The image sensor may capture images, and an image processor may
process image data and may function to recognize movement, such as simple
hand gestures or the like, for alternative human-machine interface (HMI)
control. An image processor such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,877,897 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/651,726, filed Jan. 10,
2007 by Schofield et al. for IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE, now U.S.
Pat. No. 7,311,406, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties, may be used. For example, an EyeQ.TM. vision
system-on-a-chip image processor, available from MobilEye N.V. (see
www.mobilieye-vision.com), may be used. Such hand gesture recognition may
offer potential safety benefits for some types of secondary controls and
special conditions, such as, for example, where a noisy environment which
may impede voice commands, or where the physical location of the mirror
is too far to reach for touch screen control or the like. Also, such hand
gesture recognition allows the driver to control the device or mirror
without having to shift his or her visual concentration from the road
ahead--to the task--and back to the road again. Because some tasks require
more than one glance, and because each glance from the road could take
between about 0.5 seconds and about 2 seconds, limiting such distractions
is a benefit to the driver of the vehicle. Optionally, a laser device or
a glove-based device (where sensors may be worn by the driver to detect
the hand motions) or other sensors may also or otherwise be used instead
of a camera. Optionally, the image processor may be operable to recognize
the gestures as defused by ASL (American Sign Language), in order to assist
the deaf community.
Optionally, the mirror system of the present invention may include a user
input or control at the rear passenger compartment of the vehicle so that
a passenger in the rear vehicle seat may control the audio device at the
docking station. For example, a touch screen may be embedded at the rear
of the headrest of the front seat or seats of the vehicle, whereby a
passenger at the rear seat may control the audio device or iPOD.RTM. for
music selection or the like. Optionally, the rear seat control screen may
receive a video feed from the docking cradle (such as via a hard wired
connection or a RF communication link, such as BLUETOOTH.RTM. or the like,
or other suitable communication link) so that the rear passenger or
passengers may view at the rear of the vehicle front seats the same video
images and other informational displays as are displayed on the screen
of the portable electronic device (such as a hand-held portable GPS
navigational device) brought into the vehicle by the driver or another
occupant of the vehicle (and removable therefrom at journey's end).
Mirror assembly 12 includes a reflective element 28 and casing 30 and is
adjustably mounted to the interior surface of the windshield of the
vehicle via a mounting structure or mirror support structure 32.
Optionally, the mounting structure 32 may mount or attach to the vehicle
windshield via a conventional channel mount or mounting button (not shown
in FIG. 1), such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,820,097; 5,487,522;
5,671,996; 5,820,097; 5,615,857; 5,330,149; 5,100,095; 4,930,742, which
are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, which
may provide a break-away mounting or release mechanism as is known in the
art. Although shown and described as being mounted to the vehicle
windshield, it is envisioned that, optionally, the mirror assembly may
be located or attached elsewhere at the vehicle, such as at an overhead
console or headliner of the vehicle or the like. Optionally, the mounting
structure may mount to the windshield and/or headliner and/or overhead
console or the like via other suitable mounting means, such as by utilizing
aspects of the mounting elements described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,824,281;
5,487,522; 5,615,857; or 5,671,996, and/or U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/958,087, filed Oct. 4, 2004 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLE
ACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,963; and/or Ser. No. 11/226,628,
filed Sep. 14, 2005, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference
in their entireties.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, mirror assembly 12 comprises an
asymmetric mirror assembly with the mirror reflective element 28 being
off-center relative to the support structure 32 and toward the driver side
of the vehicle, and the display 24 being at the passenger side of the
vehicle when the mirror assembly is installed in the vehicle. Such a mirror
assembly may provide enhanced display characteristics by positioning the
display outside of the direct field of view through the rear window of
the vehicle, such as described in PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/042718,
filed Oct. 31, 2006 and published May 10, 2007 as International
Publication No. WO 2007/053710; and U.S. provisional application Ser. No.
60/836,219, filed Aug. 8, 2006 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW
MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY; and Ser. No. 60/759,992, filed Jan. 18, 2006,
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
For example, the reflective element (typically a prismatic mirror element
or an electrochromic mirror element) of a typical interior rearview mirror
assembly may be aligned so as to have a rearward field of view through
the rear window of the vehicle. The length of the reflective element of
the mirror assembly may be increased in size so that the passenger-side
length is increased by about 21/2 to 3 inches (relative to where the
support arm attaches) so as to accommodate a video display element or
screen (such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The video screen may
be located at the outer, expanded passenger side region of the asymmetric
mirror assembly, and thus may have a field of view that is outside the
field of view through the rear window (and thus not directly subject to
sunlight streaming in through the rear window on a sunny day). By placing
the video screen outside the direct field of view through the rear window,
the mirror assembly may significantly reduce display washout on sunny days.
Display element or screen 24 of mirror assembly is thus located at or
toward the passenger side of the vehicle when mirror assembly 12 is mounted
at the vehicle. The display element 24 may comprise a video display element
or device or may be display-on-demand or transflective type display or
other display, such as by utilizing aspects of the displays described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 5,668,663 and/or 5,724,187, and/or U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel et al. for
ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE; and/or Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14,
2005 by Karner et al., and/or PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2006/018567,
filed May 15, 2006 by Donnelly Corp. et al. and published Nov. 23, 2006
as International Publication No. WO 2006/124682, which are all hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, or may include or
incorporate video displays or the like, such as the types described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268 and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/538,724,
filed Jun. 13, 2005; and/or Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005 and
published Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No. US-2006-164230-A1,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/042718,
filed Oct. 31, 2006 and published May 10, 2007 as International
Publication No. WO 2007/053710; and U.S. provisional application Ser. No.
60/836,219, filed Aug. 8, 2006 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW
MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY; Ser. No. 60/759,992, filed Jan. 18, 2006;
and Ser. No. 60/732,245, filed Nov. 1, 2005, which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties. Optionally, the mirror assembly
may include a video display that is selectively positionable, such as
extendable/retractable or pivotable or foldable so as to be selectively
positioned at a side or below the mirror casing when in use and storable
within or at least partially within the mirror casing when not in use.
The display may be automatically activated and/or may automatically
extend/pivot to an in-use position in response to an actuating event, such
as when the playback device is activated (and/or optionally, when the
display is associated with a rearward vision system or back up aid, when
the vehicle is shifted into its reverse gear).
Optionally, for example, the display may comprise a 3.5 inch (or larger
or smaller depending on the particular application) touch screen and/or
video display. For example, the display may comprise a backlit video
display such as the types described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005; and/or Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov.
22, 2005 and published Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No.
US-2006-164230-A1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983; and/or PCT Application
No. PCT/US2006/042718, filed Oct. 31, 2006 and published May 10, 2007 as
International Publication No. WO 2007/053710; and U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/836,219, filed Aug. 8, 2006 by Weller et al. for
INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY; Ser. No. 60/759,992,
filed Jan. 18, 2006; and Ser. No. 60/732,245, filed Nov. 1, 2005, which
are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Optionally, the intensity of the display may be automatically adjusted
to automatically dim the backlighting of the display element, such as in
response to a photo sensor 44 (FIG. 3) at the mirror assembly. The
intensity of the display may thus be increased when the photo sensor senses
a increase in ambient lighting so that the user may readily view and
discern the display in high ambient lighting conditions, such as a sunny
day, and may be decreased when the photo sensor senses an decrease in
ambient lighting so that the display is not too bright in low lighting
conditions to avoid being a distraction to the driver of the vehicle.
Optionally, the display may be operable to display information for viewing
by the driver of the vehicle and also to display information or video for
viewing by the passenger of the vehicle. For example, the output of the
docking station that is received by the receiver at the mirror assembly
may include video data (such as a movie or the like that is played by the
playback device) for viewing by the passenger of the vehicle while the
driver is driving the vehicle. Thus, the display may be configured such
that the video is viewable by the passenger but substantially or
principally not viewable by the driver of the vehicle (while other
information, such as the selection menus and the like, may be viewed by
the driver of the vehicle). The display may include louvers or
microlouvers (such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,764,410; 4,766,023;
4,906,085; 5,254,388; 5,303,322; 5,313,335; and 5,481,409, and/or PCT
Application No. PCT/US2006/018567, filed May 15, 2006 by Donnelly Corp.
et al. and published Nov. 23, 2006 as International Publication No. WO
2006/124682, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/042718, filed Oct. 31,
2006 and published May 10, 2007 as International Publication No. WO
2007/053710; and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/836,219, filed
Aug. 8, 2006 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH
DISPLAY; Ser. No. 60/759,992, filed Jan. 18, 2006; and Ser. No. 60/732,245,
filed Nov. 1, 2005, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties), such as at a video display portion of the display to
direct the video display toward the passenger side (and maybe downward
as well) to enhance viewing of the video display by a person sitting in
the front passenger seat of the vehicle, while another display portion
includes louvers or microlouvers that direct the menu information at the
other display portion toward the driver of the vehicle for viewing by the
driver.
Optionally, the display may be configured such that the viewed information
or display changes depending on the viewing angle of the display, such
that the driver views the display and sees the menu/selection information,
while the passenger views the display and sees the video (or other display
information as desired). Optionally, the display may selectively display
the desired or appropriate display images or video images toward the
driver or passenger side of the vehicle via a mechanical selective tilting
or angling or canting of the display element toward the selected side (such
as via a pivot actuator that adjusts the display element or display module
within the mirror casing relative to the reflective element to set the
display element), such that the projected images are projected or emitted
at the desired or appropriate or selected angle. Thus, the passenger may
watch a video at the interior rearview mirror assembly (with the audio
to the movie being output through the vehicle audio system as described
above or through headphones or ear-buds connected to the playback device
and/or docking station), while limiting interference or distraction to
the driver while the driver is driving the vehicle.
Preferably, the mirror-located (or optionally windshield electronics
module (WEM)-located) single video screen is a multi-viewing video screen,
such as a dual-viewing screen or such as a Triple Directional Viewing LCD
Screen, such as are available from Sharp Corporation and Sharp
Laboratories of Europe, Ltd., who have developed a Triple Directional
Viewing LCD that comprises a display that controls the viewing angle so
that the display can show different images from the left, right, and center
simultaneously. Alternatively, a two-way viewing-angle LCD screen with
switchable viewing-angle LCD construction can be used. Such Triple
Directional Viewing LCD screens from Sharp control the viewing-angle via
a parallax barrier on a standard thin film transistor liquid crystal
display (TFT LCD) video display element, whereby the screen splits light
in three directions (such as left, right, and center) and displays three
separate images on the same screen (and preferably over substantially the
entire or full screen) at the same time. For example, the driver can view
the interior mirror-located or WEM-located video screen for playlists
and/or driver information and/or the like (preferably on-demand or
episodically so that when a song or a menu selection is chosen, the image
at a display on demand transflective mirror reflector, for example, is
no longer seen by the driver), while the person in the passenger seat sees
a different image (maybe a TV show), and the person in the back seat enjoys
a movie on DVD, with all of the displays being displayed in full-screen
view at the mirror-located or WEM-located display. Such a triple
directional viewing screen thus provides at the mirror or WEM a single
LCD video screen that plays three roles at once.
Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 2, the mirror assembly 12' of a
playback system 10' may be supported via a support structure 32' at a
windshield electronics module (WEM) or accessory module 36, which in turn
may be mounted to or affixed to the interior surface of the vehicle
windshield 11a. The mirror assembly may be supported in a button-on-button
mounting arrangement with the windshield electronics module, such as by
utilizing aspects of U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,281 and U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/958,087, filed Oct. 4, 2004 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLE
ACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,963, which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Optionally, the
mirror assembly may be mounted to the interior surface of the windshield
and the windshield electronics module may attach to the mirror mounting
structure or to the windshield at or near the mounting location of the
mirror assembly, without affecting the scope of the present invention.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, support structure 32' comprises
a double ball mounting or support structure and includes a support arm
32a' that is pivotally attached to the mirror head or casing 30' (such
as at a pivot joint 33a') and to a mirror support base 32b' (such as at
a pivot joint 33b'). The mirror head or casing thus may be pivoted relative
to the windshield to adjust the rearward field of view of the driver via
the mirror reflective element 28', such as is known in the automotive
mirror art. The mirror support base 32b' is mounted to a rearward surface
of windshield electronics module 36, such as at a conventional or known
channel mount or mounting button 38a', while a forward surface of
windshield electronics module 36 is mounted to the interior surface of
the vehicle windshield at another channel mount or mounting button 38b'
(typically adhered or bonded to the interior surface of the windshield
of the vehicle, such as in a manner known in the vehicle mirror art).
As shown in FIG. 2, windshield electronics module 36 may include a docking
station or port 40 for receiving or docking a digital playback device (such
as an iPOD.RTM. or MP3 player or the like), such as in a similar manner
as described above with respect to docking station 14. Docking station
40 may be in communication with the radio and/or the mirror display in
a similar manner as described above, and may communicate signals
wirelessly or via a wired connection, depending on the particular
application of the windshield electronics module and mirror assembly.
Optionally, in such an application, the windshield electronics module may
include a user input or thumbwheel or the like (such as at a lower portion
of the module where the user input may be readily accessible by the driver
of the vehicle) to allow the driver to control the menu/display at the
mirror assembly, or the user input may be disposed at the mirror assembly
and near the display element such as described above. Optionally, the
docking port of the mirror system may be disposed at the mirror assembly
itself, such as at an elongated foot or cowling at the mounting base of
the mounting structure, or the docking port may be disposed at a fixed
casing or housing of a mirror assembly, such as a fixed casing of the type
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/842,328, filed Aug. 21,
2007 by DeWard et al. for VEHICLE INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH
ACTUATOR, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,722,199, which is hereby incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety, while remaining within the spirit and scope
of the present invention.
Optionally, with a microphone and a phone docking station or cradle, a
hands free telephone system may be integrated with the mirror system and
mirror assembly. Optionally, such a hands free telephone system may work
with a BLUETOOTH.RTM. compatible telephone such that the phone docking
station would not be needed. Such a hands free telephone and mirror system
would provide a display and control function for a portable telephone.
The mirror provides an enhanced location for the user to navigate menus
and/or phone number listings/contact information to allow the user to
select the desired contact while maintaining the user's (such as the
driver of the vehicle) forward field of view through the windshield.
For example, and with reference to FIG. 4, a telephone mirror system 110
includes an interior rearview mirror assembly 112 and a telephone docking
station or cradle 114 (each of which may be connected to the ignition and
ground of the vehicle). The telephone docking station 114 includes a
docking port for docking a portable telephone (such as a cellular
telephone or the like) and may include a charging device or element 142
for charging the battery of the telephone when the telephone is docked
at the docking station. The phone docking station includes a transmitter
120, such as a BLUETOOTH.RTM. or ZIGBEE.RTM. compatible transmitter, for
transmitting menu or display information from the docked telephone to a
receiver 122 at the mirror assembly 112. The mirror assembly includes a
display 124 (such as a static touch screen display) for displaying the
telephone display and includes a user input that is operable to allow the
user to navigate the telephone menus and to scroll through contact
listings and the like, such as via a thumbwheel or joystick or touch screen
or the like. Optionally, and desirably, the display 124 may comprise an
automatic dimming backlit display that is operable to increase/decrease
the intensity of the display in response to an output of a photo sensor
144 that senses the light or glare at or near the mirror assembly.
Optionally, the mirror assembly and/or display may also or otherwise have
manual dimming controls for manually adjusting the intensity of the
display.
The mirror assembly may include a speaker 146 for providing an audio output
to the user and a microphone 148 for receiving an audio input or voice
signal from the user. The wireless communication interface between the
docking station and the mirror allows the user to speak toward the mirror
whereby the voice signal is received by the microphone and the voice signal
is transmitted or communicated to the docking station and to the docked
telephone at the docking station. Likewise, the communication interface
allows the audio signal from the telephone to be communicated to the
speaker at the mirror assembly (via the docking station) so that the user
may hear the audio signal.
Thus, a user may dock the portable telephone at the docking station and
may navigate the telephone menus to select and dial the desired contact.
The user may then converse with the dialed or connected person or contact
via the mirror-based speaker and mirror-based microphone without having
to look down to the docked telephone and thus without having to take his
or her eyes off the road ahead of the vehicle. Optionally, a BLUETOOTH.RTM.
compatible telephone may communicate directly with the mirror and the
radio (whereby the audio signals from the telephone may be output through
the vehicle audio system) thus eliminating the need for the docking
station. Optionally, the vehicle may be integrated with a bus (such as
CAN, MOST, and/or the like), and the system may have an automatic radio
mute function to automatically mute the vehicle radio or audio system when
an incoming call is detected or when the user selects the telephone
function.
Therefore, the mirror assembly may be in communication with a playback
device docking station and/or a portable telephone and/or telephone
docking station to provide display and control capabilities of the
playback device and/or telephone at the mirror assembly. The interior
rearview mirror provides an enhanced or improved location for the display
of the menus of the playback device and/or telephone so that the driver
of the vehicle may readily navigate the menus and select the desired songs
or playlists while maintaining a sufficient forward field of view via the
driver's peripheral vision while viewing the display. The radio of the
vehicle would provide the audio controls, such as volume, tone, etc., such
as in a typical or known manner. Optionally, the display may be a slideout
video display or a display on demand transflective display, and may be
controlled by a user input (such as a thumbwheel or joystick control or
the like) at the mirror assembly. Optionally, the display may be
controlled via a voice activated control, wherein the mirror assembly or
windshield electronics module may include a microphone for receiving the
voice commands. Thus, the mirror assembly and display may complement or
supplement the playback device at the docking station so as to allow the
driver of the vehicle or user of the playback device to access and control
the menus and make the desired selections for playback by the playback
device while viewing the display at the mirror assembly. The multimedia
mirror system of the present invention thus provides a display and control
function for playback devices such as iPODs and MP3 players and the like,
while allowing the driver to see the playback device menus at the mirror
and, at least peripherally, the forward field of view of the road ahead
of the vehicle. Thus, the complementary or supplementary mirror assembly
allows for control and selection of playback items or tracks or playlists
by the driver of the vehicle while the driver maintains his or her forward
field of view forwardly through the windshield of the vehicle, such as
while driving the vehicle in a forward direction of travel.
Optionally, a vehicle navigation system may be integrated with the mirror
system and mirror assembly. Optionally, the navigation system may include
a docking station for docking a portable hand-held navigation device, or
such a vehicle navigation system may work with a BLUETOOTH.RTM. compatible
navigation device (such as a hand-held or portable navigation device with
wireless communication capabilities or other communication capabilities,
such as wired communication), such that a docking station would not be
needed. Such a navigation mirror system would provide a display and
control function for a navigation device. The mirror provides an enhanced
location for the user to navigate menus and/or routes or waypoint
information to allow the user to select the desired destination and/or
route while maintaining the user's (such as the driver of the vehicle)
forward field of view through the windshield. Optionally, the navigation
device or docking station may be in wireless (or wired) communication with
the vehicle radio, whereby audible information provided by the navigation
device may be heard through the vehicle sound system and may be controlled
(such as volume, tone and the like) via the radio controls.
For example, and with reference to FIG. 5, a navigation mirror system 210
includes an interior rearview mirror assembly 212 and a navigation device
or navigation "black box" 214 (or optionally, a navigation device docking
station or cradle for receiving a portable hand-held navigation device),
each of which may be connected to the ignition and ground of the vehicle.
The navigation device 214 includes a transmitter 220, such as a
BLUETOOTH.RTM. or ZIGBEE.RTM. compatible transmitter, for transmitting
menu or display information from the navigation device 214 to a receiver
222 at the mirror assembly 212. The mirror assembly 212 includes a display
224 (such as a static touch screen display with auto dimming backlight)
for displaying the navigation display and includes a user input 226 that
is operable to allow the user to navigate the navigation menus and to
scroll through waypoints, destinations, routes and the like, such as via
a thumbwheel or joystick or touch screen or the like. Optionally, and
desirably, the display 224 may comprise an automatic dimming backlit
display that is operable to increase/decrease the intensity of the display
in response to an output of a photo sensor 244 that senses the light or
glare at or near the mirror assembly.
The navigation device 214 includes navigational circuitry 214a and a GPS
antenna 214b to determine the geographical location of the vehicle and
to provide routes to targeted or selected destinations, such as by
utilizing aspects of known navigational devices and/or the devices of the
types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,862,594; 4,937,945; 5,131,154;
5,255,442; 5,632,092; 5,798,688; 5,971,552; 5,924,212; 6,243,003;
6,278,377; 6,420,975; 6,946,978; 6,477,464; 6,678,614; and/or 7,004,593,
and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/645,762, filed Aug. 20, 2003
by Taylor et al. for VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A TELEMATICS
SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,796; Ser. No. 10/529,715, filed Mar. 30,
2005 by Larson et al, for MICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,657,052; Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel et al.
for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE; and/or Ser. No. 10/964,512, filed Oct.
13, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,308,341, which are all hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties. Optionally, the mirror or
navigation device may include a microphone, whereby the mirror or
navigation device may provide voice activated control of the navigation
device.
Optionally, navigation device 214 may include an FM modulator 214c (or
other suitable transmitter or communication device) so that the
navigation device can communicate wirelessly to the vehicle radio 216.
For example, audio messages or signals (such as voice instructions such
as "turn right at maple street") may be communicated by navigation device
214 to radio 216 and may be heard via the vehicle audio system. The audio
messages or signals may be controlled via the radio controls to control
the volume or tone or the like of the audio signal. The mirror system may
have an override function where the normal radio function or program is
muted and the navigation audio signal is played through the vehicle sound
system to enhance the driver's ability to hear and discern the audible
navigation instructions or signals. Optionally, the navigation device may
include a speaker, and thus may eliminate the connection (either wireless
or hardwired) between the navigation device and the vehicle radio.
Optionally, the radio may be hardwired to the navigation device or the
mirror, and/or the navigation device may be hardwired to the mirror to
eliminate the wireless links. Optionally, the navigation circuitry may
be incorporated into the mirror, thereby eliminating the navigation
device or docking station or "black box". In such an application, the
mirror may include or may be connected to a GPS antenna and may be in
communication with the vehicle radio, such as in a similar manner as
described above.
Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 5, the display 224 may comprise a static
display, such as a static video display screen (such as a display utilizing
aspects of the displays described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240 and/or
6,329,925, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties, or a display-on-demand or transflective type display or other
display utilizing aspects of the displays described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,690,268; 5,668,663 and/or 5,724,187, and/or U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING
SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381; Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23,
2004 by McCabe et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,255,451; Ser. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,274,501; Ser. No. 10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,184,190; Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel et al. for
ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE; Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005
by Karner et al.; Ser. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,338,177; and/or Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005 and
published Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No. US-2006-164230-A1,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983, and/or PCT Patent Application No.
PCT/US2006/018567, filed May 15, 2006 by Donnelly Corp. et al. and
published Nov. 23, 2006 as International Publication No. WO 2006/124682;
and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/042718, filed Oct. 31, 2006 and
published May 10, 2007 as International Publication No. WO 2007/053710;
and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/836,219, filed Aug. 8, 2006
by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY; Ser.
No. 60/759,992, filed Jan. 18, 2006; and Ser. No. 60/732,245, filed Nov.
1, 2005, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003
by Donnelly Corp. et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE and published
Jul. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/058540, which are
all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties).
Alternately, the display screen may comprise a display (such as a backlit
LCD video display) that is movable to extend from the mirror casing when
activated. For example, and with reference to FIG. 6, a navigation mirror
system 210' includes an interior rearview mirror assembly 212' with a
slide out display 224', which may extend sidewardly (preferably toward
the passenger side of the vehicle so as to not interfere with the driver's
forward field of view when extended) for viewing by the driver of the
vehicle. Such a slide out display 224' may comprise an analog liquid
crystal display (such as a 3.5 inch analog LCD) with an auto dimming
backlight, and may utilize aspects of the display devices described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel
et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE; and/or Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed
Nov. 22, 2005 and published Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No.
US-2006.164230-A1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983, and/or PCT Patent
Application No. PCT/US2006/018567, filed May 15, 2006 by Donnelly Corp.
et al. and published Nov. 23, 2006 as International Publication No. WO
2006/124682; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/042718, filed Oct. 31,
2006 and published May 10, 2007 as International Publication No. WO
2007/053710; and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/836,219, filed
Aug. 8, 2006 by Weller et al, for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH
DISPLAY; Ser. No. 60/759,992, filed Jan. 18, 2006; and Ser. No. 60/732,245,
filed Nov. 1, 2005, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference
in their entireties. Navigation mirror system 210' may otherwise be
substantially similar to navigation minor system 210, discussed above,
such that a detailed discussion of the navigation mirror systems need not
be repeated herein. The similar or common components or elements or
devices of the navigation minor systems are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 with
like reference numbers. Optionally, and preferably, the display is
episodically extended, such as to display driving instructions to the
driver as the vehicle approaches a waypoint or turn along the selected
route, and then retracted after the vehicle has passed the waypoint and
continues along the selected route.
Optionally, the display on the video screen may be operable to display
an alert to the driver of a potential hazardous condition detected ahead
of or in the forward path of the vehicle. For example, an output of a
forward-viewing active night vision system incorporating an imaging
sensor or camera device and near-IR floodlighting (such as those described
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,897 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/651,726,
filed Jan. 10, 2007 by Schofield et al. for IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM FOR A
VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,406, which are hereby incorporated herein
by reference in their entireties), or an output of another suitable
forward facing sensor or system such a passive far-IR thermal imaging
night vision sensor/camera, may be processed by an image processor, such
as, for example, an EyeQ.TM. image processing chip available from Mobileye
Vision Technologies Ltd. of Jerusalem, Israel. Such image processors
include object detection software (such as the types described in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,038,577; and/or Ser. No. 11/315,675, filed Dec. 22, 2005 by
Higgins-Luthman for OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,720,580, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties), and they analyze image data to detect objects. The image
processor or control may determine if a potentially hazardous condition
(such as an object or vehicle or person or deer or the like) may exist
in the vehicle path and may provide an alert signal (such as by actuation
of a visual indicator or an audible indicator or by an enhancement/overlay
on a video display screen that is showing a video image to the driver of
what the night vision sensor/camera is seeing) to prompt/alert the driver
of a potential hazard (such as a deer or a pedestrian or a fallen rock
or the like) as needed or appropriate. The display thus may provide an
episodal alert so that the driver's attention is drawn to the display alert
only when there is a potential hazard detected. Such a system avoids the
driver from having to look forward out the windshield while often looking
to or watching a monitor running a video of the camera's output, which
is not particularly consumer-friendly and simply loads the driver with
yet another task.
Using an image processor coupled to a forward-facing night vision sensor,
the likes of a display-on-demand or transflective video mirror (or any
other suitable display device viewable by the driver in the cabin of the
vehicle) can be used such that the night vision video image is turned on
for display to and for viewing by the driver of the video images being
captured by the night vision sensor/camera only when the image processor
determines that there is a potential hazard ahead. Because the night
vision image is presented for view by the driver episodically and
"on-demand" only when the image processor has determined that a
potentially hazardous condition may exist, the driver's attention is
automatically drawn to the night vision image by its episodal appearance,
and so driver fatigue and overload is obviated by only having the night
vision image be presented to the driver when the image processor (such
as an EyeQ.TM. vision system-on-a-chip image processor or the like)
determines and decides there may be a potential hazard on the road ahead
and beyond the visible range of the vehicle's headlighting.
Optionally, the video display may be supplemented or augmented with an
audible or haptic/tactile alert. Optionally, and particularly for a
low-cost night vision system, the video display may be obviated and an
alert device may optionally be provided with and/or a visual alert (such
as an iconistic indicator of a hazard ahead), which may be generated based
on an output of the image processor.
Optionally, the display by the display screen may be episodically enhanced
in response to a detection of a potentially hazardous condition in the
vehicle path. For example, the display system may enhance the display of
the forward field of view when an object is detected in the road ahead
of the vehicle. For example, the display may be enhanced by highlighting
or automatically zooming into or enlarging the image of the detected
object in the display or zooming and framing the image of the detected
object or flashing the image of the detected object or otherwise modifying
or enhancing the display and particularly the image of the detected object,
so as to rapidly draw the driver's attention to the image of the detected
object. For example, if a deer (or other object) is detected in the road
ahead of the vehicle, the image of the deer (which may be captured by an
image sensor supplemented with a near infrared illumination source, such
as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,897 and U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/651,726, filed Jan. 10, 2007 by Schofield et al. for IMAGE SENSING
SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,406, which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties) may be enlarged or
flashed or highlighted or framed or the like, so that the driver is quickly
alerted to the detection of a deer (or other object) in the road. Thus,
by using an image processor (as described above), the cost and complexity
of providing an actual video display to the driver of the images captured
by the imaging sensor (such as a night vision sensor) can be obviated.
Instead of displaying on an actual video screen, the video images captured
by the likes of a night vision imaging sensor/camera are fed to an image
processor (such as an EyeQ.TM. video system-on-a-chip), and object
detection/pattern recognition/scenic analysis/spatial differentiation
and similar image processing techniques are use by the image processor
to distinguish that an object may be ahead of and in the forward path of
travel of the vehicle, whereupon a visual/audible/haptic alert may be
generated to alert the driver to look carefully ahead and/or to slow down
because there may be a hazard ahead (and if the driver is ignoring such
an alert, then the vehicle may optionally be automatically
decelerated/stopped). The image processor thus takes the role of the
driver's "eyes and brain" in terms of analyzing the imaged data. Also,
because there is machine vision at play here, the resolution of the imaging
sensor (such as a night vision sensor/camera, such as a passive
thermal-pile far-IR multipixel sensor) may be reduced/degraded because
a human is not viewing the imaged data, thus enhancing economical
provision of the likes of a night vision system. Optionally, a monochrome
imager may be used (when an image is being displayed on a video screen,
most consumers want and desire a color image) for such an application.
Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 7, a navigation mirror system 210''
may include a fully integrated Personal Navigation Device (PND) 214'',
such as available from TomTom, Garmin and/or Navman, can be stored or
disposed or docked at the interior mirror assembly 212'' or at a WEM, such
as by a locking mechanism or docking cradle or port 240'' of the mirror
assembly 212''. The unit or device can be ejected (such as via a tab or
the like) when the vehicle is in park (or ignition off). The stored/docked
unit/device may include a small speaker located in its back, and
preferably includes a touch screen or touch proximity/contact controls,
text-to-speech conversion and auto brightness of the stored/docked
display, which are controlled such as by mirror electronics or windshield
electronics module (WEM) electronics or other electronics or circuitry
of the vehicle that control via the mirror/WEM docking element.
Optionally, for example (and as shown in FIG. 7), the PND may be statically
housed in a pocket or receiving portion on the driver's side (or on the
passenger's side) of the interior mirror, or may be statically housed in
a pocket or receiving portion at the mirror mounting portion of the
interior mirror assembly (typically at the windshield of the vehicle),
or at a fixed mirror housing or casing, such as a fixed mirror casing of
the type described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/842,328, filed
Aug. 21, 2007 by DeWard et al. for VEHICLE INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR
ASSEMBLY WITH ACTUATOR, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,722,199, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Electrical and/or
mechanical connectivity to the mirror/WEM and vehicle is preferably via
a quick connect element(s)/member(s), such as at either the back or side
of the PND. Preferably, locking tabs hold the PND in place at the mirror.
These locking tabs preferably are robust enough to pass crash testing and
repeated customer use. The pocket or receptacle within or at the mirror
assembly (or WEM) that houses/receives/docks the PND may have
perforations or small holes (such as at the back) to allow sound from
loudspeakers' to travel from the PND toward or to the windshield for
amplification.
Optionally, for example, the PND may be attached to or may be attachable
to an extendable/retractable arm or slider or the like, such as via locking
tabs, so that the PND can extend or retract such as from the passenger's
side of the interior mirror assembly. Electrical and/or mechanical
connectivity to the mirror assembly/WEM and vehicle can also be made
through a quick connect at the side or on the extendable arm. Again, the
locking tabs should be robust enough to pass crash testing. Mechanically,
such a slideout version may be more complicated than the embodiment
described above, and such a slideout version may not be as user friendly,
since drivers will have to look further to their right to see the display.
Note that in either application, the screen of the PND is preferably a
touch-screen. Optionally, another embodiment may have an FM modulator
integrated, such as with an adjustable locking tab, into or at the rearview
mirror assembly or WEM. Optionally, another embodiment may have a
BLUETOOTH.RTM. HFCK module integrated into or at the rearview mirror
assembly or WEM. Such a module may include voice recognition, a hard wired
audio line, FM modulation and/or an integrated speaker. By adding a low
cost GPS module to a HFCK module, a low-cost telematics unit can be formed.
For example, the interior mirror located-unit can use the driver's
personal cell phone to call a remote service call center. Optionally, the
PND may be configured to receive WIFI transmission so as to be able to
receive advertisements and other information pertinent to the location
of the vehicle and PND. For example, the PND may receive restaurant
information and the mirror assembly may display information about
restaurants near where the vehicle is located or along the selected route
that the vehicle is traveling, so as to assist the driver as he or she
travels the selected route.
Optionally, the mirror assembly or docking station or port may include
a satellite radio head or circuitry, and may have an satellite radio
antenna (such as an XM or SIRIUS antenna and circuitry). Such a mirror
assembly and system may display the radio stations and the track that is
playing (via the satellite radio transmission) at the display of the
mirror assembly, and may provide for control of the satellite radio
circuitry via a user input at the mirror assembly (such as at the touch
screen or elsewhere at the mirror assembly) or WEM or the like. Optionally,
the portable hand-held navigation device may have such a satellite head
incorporated therein, whereby the satellite radio station feed may be
communicated through the vehicle audio system or speakers at the mirror
assembly or WEM or the like.
Thus, a navigation mirror system may provide a display and control
function for navigation, and may provide an enhanced location for the
driver of the vehicle to navigate and view routes while maintaining his
or her forward field of view. Optionally, and desirably, the navigation
device of the mirror assembly may be detachable from the mirror so that
it can be used outside of the vehicle, and may be attachable to the vehicle
for use while driving the vehicle. Optionally, and desirably, the portable
navigation device may be substantially or entirely self-contained with
the user interfaces and features, such as a touch screen display, speaker
and microphone, so that it can be removed from the mirror assembly and
taken out of the vehicle for external use.
Optionally, the mirror assembly may be connected to an external GPS
antenna 250'', so that the portable navigation device may have better GPS
reception when attached/docked to the mirror, thereby providing enhanced
system performance when the driver is driving the vehicle. Such an
external GPS antenna may also further enhance system performance by
providing satellite radio reception, such as reception of traffic
channels, weather channels and the like, whereby the traffic and/or
weather for locations along the selected or navigated route may be
provided to the driver of the vehicle (such as at the display at the mirror
assembly or WEM).
Optionally, the mirror system may provide a docking station or docking
cradle or support or receiving cradle for receiving and/or supporting a
portable or personal navigation device or other portable digital device
or unit (such as a personal audio playback device, such as an iPOD.RTM.
or MP3 player or the like), whereby the docking station may be at or near
the mirror assembly and not attached to the windshield of the vehicle.
In some states, such as California and Minnesota, it is illegal to mount
or attach or adhere such portable devices to the vehicle windshield, such
as via suction mounts (such as set forth in California Vehicle Code Section
26708 (a) and Minnesota Statutes 2005, Section 169.71, which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties). Thus, such
portable or hand-held electronic devices or units (such as consumers might
buy in the likes of a Best Buy or a Circuit City consumer electronics store,
or may buy on-line via the INTERNET) may not be attached or adhered to
the windshield of the vehicle, such as via a suction mount cradle or the
like, or otherwise mounted in a manner that may otherwise impede the
driver's forward field of view.
In order to provide a mounting arrangement for such portable or hand-held
electronic devices that does not attach or adhere the device to the
windshield yet supports the device at a location that is readily viewable
by the driver of the vehicle and without significantly impeding the
driver's forward field of view, the present invention provides a docking
station or mounting support or cradle that is a part of the interior
rearview mirror assembly (such as by utilizing aspects of the mirror
assemblies described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), and by so doing, a
portable electronic device may be supported by the interior rearview
mirror assembly and may be at a location that is readily viewable by the
driver of the vehicle without impeding the driver's forward field of view,
and without having to attach the portable device to the interior surface
of the windshield, whereby such a mounting arrangement may be allowable
under various state laws. The support may be movable or pivotable between
a stowed position (where the support may be generally at the mirror support
or mounting base of the mirror assembly and thus at least partially out
of the view of the driver of the vehicle and at least partially behind
the mirror housing of the interior mirror assembly) and a use position
(where the support may be lowered or moved to a location generally below
the mirror assembly for holding the portable device for viewing by the
driver of the vehicle), such as via a mechanical pivot or articulating
or swivel configuration or the like.
For example, and with reference to FIG. 8, a mirror system 310 of a vehicle
includes an interior rearview mirror assembly 312 and a docking station
or receiving cradle 314, which is disposed at a support assembly 360 or
the like of the mirror assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, docking
station or receiving cradle 314 is pivotally or adjustably attached at
an end of support assembly 360, which is adjustable to move the docking
station between a use position (as shown in FIG. 8), where the docking
station 314 and the portable device 315 (that can be the same as the
consumer bought at the likes of a shopping mall or on-line) docked thereat
are at a location generally below the mirror casing and thus readily
viewable by the driver of the vehicle, and a stowed position (not shown),
where the support assembly is pivoted or swiveled or folded or articulated
or moved upward so as to be generally at the mirror casing or mirror support
and not readily viewed by the driver of the vehicle, such as for when the
portable device 315 is not docked at the docking station 314.
Optionally, the support assembly and docking station may mount at the
mirror mounting base or mirror support base 332b or the mirror mounting
button or element 362 (typically adhered or bonded to the interior surface
of the windshield) so as to be part of the interior rearview mirror
assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, support assembly 360 includes
a base portion 364 attachable at the mirror mounting button 362, where
the base portion 364 includes a second mirror mounting button or element
364a and a base support arm or portion 364b. The mirror assembly 312 may
be mounted at the second mirror mounting button 364a so that the mirror
assembly and support assembly are mounted at the vehicle windshield via
a button-on-button mounting arrangement, such as described above and such
as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268 and 6,824,281 and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/958,087, filed Oct. 4, 2004 by Schofield et al.
for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,963, which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
As shown in FIG. 8, mirror assembly 310 includes a mirror mounting assembly
or support structure 332, which adjustably supports the mirror casing 330
and reflective element 328. Support structure 332 comprises a double ball
mounting or support structure and includes a support arm 332a that is
pivotally or adjustably attached to the mirror head or casing 330 (such
as at a pivot or swivel joint 333a) and to a mirror support base 332b (such
as at a pivot or swivel joint 333b). The mirror head or casing thus may
be pivoted or swiveled relative to the windshield to adjust the rearward
field of view of the driver via the mirror reflective element 328, such
as is known in the automotive mirror art. The mirror support base 332b
is mounted to a rearward surface of base portion 364, such as at a
conventional or known channel mount or mounting button 364a, while a
forward surface of base portion 364 is mounted to the interior surface
of the vehicle windshield at another channel mount or mounting button 362
(typically adhered or bonded to the interior surface of the windshield
of the vehicle, such as in a manner known in the vehicle mirror art).
In the illustrated embodiment, support assembly 360 includes a second
support arm 366 that is pivotally or adjustably mounted at an end of
support arm 364b and is pivotable or adjustable about a pivot joint 366a
to adjust the orientation of the support arm 366 relative to the base
portion 364. Although shown as a fixed support arm, it is envisioned that
support arm 364b may be pivotable or adjustable relative to the mounting
button to provide an additional pivot or swivel joint for the support
assembly, if desired. Also, the support assembly may include more pivot
joints, or one or more swivel joints or the like, such as ball and socket
joints or other pivot/swivel type joints, while remaining within the
spirit and scope of the present invention. The receiving cradle 314 is
preferably pivotally or adjustably attached at an end of support arm 366
(such as at a pivot or swivel joint 366b) so that the receiving cradle
314 is adjustably mounted at the windshield and is adjustable to provide
the driver a desired viewing angle of the navigation device docked at the
docking station.
Optionally, and desirably, the receiving cradle 314 is configured to
removably receive the portable device or unit 315, such as via a snap
connection or the like. For example, the portable device may be snapped
into the receiving cradle, and electronic connections (such as for
charging or for communications between the portable device and mirror
circuitry or vehicle circuitry or a display) between the portable device
and receiving cradle may be made as the portable device is snapped into
the cradle. Thus, when the portable device is docked at the receiving
cradle 314, power is provided to the portable device and to the docking
station, and a communication linkage between the portable device and the
mirror circuitry and/or vehicle is also preferably provided. Note that
the receiving cradle 314 may be a purely mechanical support for the
self-contained, hand-held portable electronic device (such as a portable
GPS navigation system that comes with its own integrated video screen user
actuations buttons/controls/touch screen, its own microphone and
loudspeaker for hands free usage, its own BLUETOOTH.RTM. or
equivalent/similar wireless communication port, its own battery power
supply, and the like).
Optionally, an FM modulator may be provided at the docking station or
receiving cradle so that the portable device is connected to the FM
modulator when the portable device is docked at the receiving cradle,
whereby an audio output of the portable device or unit may be transmitted
to the audio system of the vehicle (or to the mirror) wirelessly.
Optionally, such an FM modulator may be attached to the portable device
or unit, and may provide for wireless communication from the portable
device to the vehicle system or mirror system even when the portable device
is not docked at the receiving cradle.
Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a mirror system 410 may
include a support assembly 460 for supporting a portable or hand-held
device or unit (such as a portable navigation device, such as a Garmin
StreetPilot c580 or a Garmin c540 unit or the like, or such as a portable
digital playback device or unit, such as an iPOD.RTM. or MP3 player or
the like) at the mirror assembly 412. In the illustrated embodiment, the
support assembly 460 (which may utilize aspects of the mirror assemblies
and systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) is part of the mirror
mounting base or support base and includes a docking station or receiving
cradle 414 that is pivotable between a stowed position (FIG. 9), where
the receiving cradle is articulated or pivoted or swiveled upward and
generally along the windshield at the mounting base of the mirror assembly,
and a use position (FIG. 10), where the receiving cradle (and portable
unit docked thereat) is pivoted or articulated or swiveled downward so
as to be readily viewable by the driver of the vehicle. As shown in FIG.
10, the receiving cradle may be pivoted or swiveled or canted toward the
driver side of the vehicle to enhance viewing of the docked/supported unit
by the driver of the vehicle.
Thus, the mirror system of the present invention provides a docking
station or cradle or support for receiving or docking or supporting a
portable hand-held device or unit at a location where it is readily
viewable by a driver of the vehicle during use, and that may be moved to
a stowed position generally out of the direct view of the driver of the
vehicle when not in use. The receiving cradle and support assembly are
part of the mirror assembly, and may be attached at the mirror mounting
button or the mirror mounting or support base (or optionally to the mirror
support arm or mirror casing if desired), so as to be part of the mirror
assembly and not adhered to the vehicle windshield.
The receiving cradle may receive or dock a portable navigation unit, such
as the types commercially available from Garmin International Inc. (such
as shown in FIG. 10). Such portable navigation units typically provide
information for the user to read and discern while walking and carrying
the hand-held unit. However, such information often takes time for the
user to read and discern as such devices are primarily designed to be used
by a consumer carrying the unit in his or her hand while walking or the
like, and thus may not be optimally suitable for viewing while driving
a vehicle, where the driver may have difficulty in dwelling on the screen
a sufficient amount of time to discern all of the information being
provided by the navigation unit. Optionally, the hand-held unit or docking
station or receiving cradle or mirror system of the present invention may
provide an information display screen that is adapted for the habitat or
environment at which it is used. For example, the display may display
detailed information when used outside of the vehicle, such as when the
user is walking and has time to review the information being displayed,
and may display a reduced set of information when the unit is docked in
the vehicle. For example, the portable unit may display multiple streets
(such as the streets and other map data within a particular distance of
the portable unit or a particular distance along the selected navigation
route) and street names and navigation instructions when used outside of
the vehicle, and may be adapted to display a reduced amount of information,
such as the immediate driving instruction or street name for the next turn
or a "zoomed in" map portion (such as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11A) of the
area at which the vehicle is located (and optionally with an arrow
indicating the direction in which the vehicle is to be driven) or the like,
when used in the vehicle or when docked at the receiving cradle.
Preferably, only a sparse sub-set of the likes of the map data shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11A is shown to the driver when the unit is operated within
the confines of the vehicle. For example, the detail shown in FIG. 11A
may be the display shown when outside the vehicle (such as via a Consumer
Hand-held Display Format, which shows additional details for viewing by
a consumer when the consumer is not driving a vehicle, such as street names
and addresses and/or other map or directional/instructional data), but
when the device or unit is used within the vehicle by the driver, only
the arrow may be displayed in a "turn-by-turn" format, but now larger to
fill the screen so that the driver can tell at a glance whether to keep
driving ahead, or to turn left, or to turn right, or to take a left fork
or take a right fork, or the like (and thus, the display is re-formatted
to an In-Vehicle Display Format and shows a reduced degree of information
(such as large arrows indicating a turn is approaching or the like) so
that the driver may readily discern and understand the displayed
information via a quick glance at the display while the driver is driving
the vehicle). Optionally, only the next instruction (such as "Left on
Woolwich Church Street ahead") may be displayed when the device is used
in the vehicle, such as in large font so as to alert the driver that the
next cross street is ahead, and to turn left (or other driving instruction).
Thus, the Consumer Hand-held Display Format may change to an In-vehicle
Display Format where there is less information/detail displayed by the
device and where the images/information displayed are larger and less
cluttered. The display format may be selectable by the user, such as via
a user input or the like, or may automatically set to the Consumer
Hand-held Display Format when the portable device is not in communication
with the vehicle-based system (such as when the portable device is
external the vehicle and being carried by the user) and may automatically
set to the In-vehicle Display Format when the portable device is in
communication with the vehicle-based system or when the portable device
is located in the vehicle or the like.
Thus, the information that is critical or highly relevant to the driver
of the vehicle is displayed as an enlarged display that may encompass all
or a substantial portion of the display screen so that it is readily
viewable and discernible by the driver of the vehicle. Since the display
screens of such portable hand-held navigation devices are typically sized
in the range of about two inches diagonal to about four and one half inches
diagonal, the display screen is relatively small, such that detailed
information may be displayed in a manner that is too small or busy for
a driver to quickly view and discern while driving the vehicle. By adapting
the display to be a more focused, lower-detail but larger
font/character/icon size display that displays only the critical or
highly relevant information to the driver (but larger than when the unit
is typically used outside the vehicle), the present invention may display
such critical or highly relevant information as large as possible (and
with little to no auxiliary or background map or point-of-interest
data/information shown) so that it is quickly viewable and discernible
by the driver of the vehicle when the driver quickly glances over at the
display while he or she is driving the vehicle (and thus the driver may
quickly redirect his or her attention back to road to enhance the driving
of the vehicle).
Optionally, the display may be dynamically adapted or dynamically
scalable, whereby the display scale (such as the degree of zoom of the
map portion being displayed) may vary depending on how far away the vehicle
is from a waypoint or a destination of the selected route. For example,
the closer the GPS detects that the vehicle is to the next waypoint, the
larger the display information (such as a map or depiction of the road
or intersection that the vehicle is approaching) gets, so that the
information being displayed is dynamically scalable and/or map data may
automatically change to a simpler turn-by-turn arrow or the like that gets
bigger as the turn to be taken is approached (and that flashes or otherwise
highlights if the driver misses the turn). Thus, as the vehicle approaches
a waypoint or destination or point-of-interest along the selected route,
the driver may more readily view and discern the next driving instruction,
since the display information pertaining to the next driving instruction
will be enlarged as the vehicle approaches the next waypoint.
Optionally, and desirable, the hand-held unit or docking station or
receiving cradle or mirror system of the present invention may be
dynamically adapted to switch between the detailed information display
and the reduced information display. For example, the receiving cradle
may cause the portable navigation unit to switch to the reduced
information display when the portable navigation unit is docked at the
receiving cradle (such as via a mechanical means such as a switch or the
like, or via a non-mechanical means such as a proximity sensor such as
a Hall-effect sensor or the like), or the portable navigation unit may
receive a signal from the mirror system (such as via a BLUETOOTH.RTM.
receiver or the like of the portable navigation unit) when within a
particular range of the mirror assembly or docking station or vehicle
whereby the signal causes the portable unit to switch to the reduced
information display for use while the vehicle is being driven. Other means
for adapting or switching the display of the portable navigation device
or unit between the detailed information display and the reduced
information display may be implemented while remaining within the spirit
and scope of the present invention. Optionally, the hand-held unit or
docking station or receiving cradle or mirror system of the present
invention may include a manual or user input (such as a switch or button),
so that a user of the device or unit may manually select the display mode
of the portable navigation device or unit.
Such portable navigation units, such as the nuvi 680 and the StreetPilot
c580 commercially available from Garmin International Inc., provide
personal navigation devices that provide map data and navigational
instructions, and that may incorporate real-time traffic reports, gas
prices, weather conditions, and movie times (such as can be seen in FIG.
11B) from Microsoft's MSN Direct network. The portable devices or units
may receive up-to-date traffic incident and flow information for major
cities across the United States. Once the vehicle driver programs a
destination into the device, MSN Direct traffic data helps select a route
that avoids traffic accidents, road closures, and construction. If
conditions change during the trip, the device may automatically alter the
route to minimize trip time. Optionally, and desirably, the device may
provide an alert to the driver of the vehicle to alert the driver that
the route has been altered.
Optionally, such devices may also receive gas price data from gas stations,
and/or may receive weather information or other information that the
driver may find relevant as the driver navigates the selected route, so
that the driver of the vehicle is informed of weather and gas prices and
other information along the selected route. Optionally, and desirably,
the portable navigation device may include a video display screen, such
as a super-bright 4.3-inch touch screen, with easy-to-use interface,
travel and entertainment capabilities, and may provide an audio output
(for spoken street names). Such portable navigation devices typically
include a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, BLUETOOTH.RTM. hands-free
calling capability, an FM transmitter (so that the device is capable of
playing voice prompts and entertainment over a car stereo or the like).
Optionally, and with respect to any of the above described mirror systems,
the radio (audio line in) and/or mirror may be hardwired depending on the
particular application, thereby eliminating the wireless communication
links. Optionally, the vehicle may be equipped or integrated with a bus
(such as CAN, MOST or the like) and the communication lines between the
components may be made over the vehicle bus, thereby eliminating hardwires
and/or wireless modules. Optionally, digital photographs and/or videos
may be displayed at the mirror display utilizing the vehicle bus or a
higher end wireless module, such as a wireless module that provides
ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communication that is capable of providing
a high speed data transfer link between the components, such as described
below.
Optionally, a FM modulator may be incorporated into the mirror assembly
to make it a substantially stand alone system, such as for the hi fidelity
stereo audio output, without a hardwire interface to the vehicle's audio
system. Such a configuration may ease the installation complexity at the
vehicle. Typically, the radio would need an auxiliary audio input, or
optionally the installer may tap directly into the speaker wires, to
provide an audio connection for audio output through the vehicle speakers.
By providing a FM modulator at the mirror assembly, the audio output of
a personal navigation device or personal audio device may be played
through the vehicle's speaker system without additional hardwire
connections between the docking station and the vehicle's audio system.
Such a configuration may be especially useful for a mirror that docks a
personal audio device, such as an iPOD.RTM. or the like, where a high
fidelity audio output is highly desirable. Also, a personal navigation
device (PND) could communicate the navigation information directly and
wirelessly to the mirror assembly and/or to the vehicle's audio system.
Today, many cell phones are offering navigation service as well. When such
phones are capable of transmitting navigational information, the mirror
assembly of the present invention may function to display/control such
information that is communicated from the hand-held device (such as a PND,
cell phone and/or the like).
Optionally, a reverse aid camera or image sensor may be integrated with
an additional analog/digital (A/D) circuit and reverse input (where the
mirror circuitry or WEM circuitry may receive an input indicative of the
vehicle being shifted into its reverse gear). The mirror display may be
activated (and/or extended/retracted) in response to the reverse input,
so that the display may extend and activate when the vehicle is shifted
into the reverse gear so as to display images of the scene captured by
the rearward facing camera. Optionally, the mirror display may also or
otherwise display other vehicle characteristics or functions, such as a
compass heading of the vehicle, an outside temperature (in response to
an external temperature sensor of the vehicle), a tire pressure of at least
one of the vehicle tires, a passenger side airbag status, and/or the like,
while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Optionally, an interior rearview mirror assembly 470 (FIG. 12) may include
a slot or receiving portion 472 for receiving a PC card or plug-in module
474 to provide the desired or selected or appropriate electronic content
or features to the mirror assembly. The plug-in module 474 is inserted
or plugged into the receiving portion to electrically connect the
circuitry of the module to the circuitry of the mirror assembly (such as
circuitry of a printed circuit board or the like within the mirror
assembly). The card may provide a variety of features or functions or
content, as discussed below. In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror
assembly 470 includes a reflective element 476 and a video display screen
478, such as a touch screen or the like. The video display screen 478 may
be associated with a navigational feature or function, and may display
driving instructions or navigation information or map data or the like.
Optionally, the video display screen 478 may display navigational
information provided by the plug-in module 474 when the plug-in module
474 is inserted into or plugged into the receiving portion 472 of the
mirror assembly 470 (such as a slot or socket or the like at a side or
end of the mirror assembly). Optionally, for example, the plug-in module
474 may provide road or street or map data for a particular geographical
region or regions, whereby the driver of the vehicle may insert an
appropriate module when driving in the respective geographical region to
which the module is associated (such that the mirror circuitry need not
include extensive map data, since the appropriate map data may be provided
by selecting an appropriate plug-in module). Other plug-in modules or
cards may be provided for map data of other geographical regions, or for
other electronic content or features for the mirror assembly, such as
discussed below.
Optionally, the plug-in module or card may have GPS capability (such as
by including a GPS antenna and/or sensors and/or circuitry and the like
on the module or card). Such a GPS card or module may be provided from
various hand-held GPS device suppliers, such as Garmin or the like, and
may be sold separately as an aftermarket unit. Such plug-in cards or
modules may be used for different vehicles (with similarly equipped mirror
assemblies or accessory modules or the like), whereby a user may readily
transfer the GPS function or navigation functions to another vehicle. Such
plug-in modules or cards may also provide an upgradeable feature for the
vehicles, whereby a user may purchase upgraded levels of plug-in modules
or cards if desired and depending on the particular application and
features desired or selected by the user or driver of the vehicle.
The plug-in module 474 thus may be inserted into the receiving portion
of the mirror assembly, and may be retained within or at least partially
within the mirror assembly when plugged into the receiving portion. The
mirror assembly or card or module may include a releasing element, such
as a releasing button or element 480 that a user may depress or actuate
to release the module or card from the mirror (optionally, the receiving
portion may be spring-loaded or otherwise biased so as to partially eject
the card or module when the releasing element is actuated by a user so
that the user may readily grasp the card or module to remove the card or
module from the mirror assembly). Optionally, and desirably, the slot or
opening for the card or module may have a flap or cover that may move to
close or substantially close the slot when the card or module is removed
therefrom, and may readily move to an open position (such as via pivoting)
when a card or module is inserted into the slot or opening.
Referring now to FIGS. 13-13L, an interior rearview mirror assembly 510
(or a windshield electronics module or accessory module) includes a
circuit board 552, such as a printed circuit board or the like with
circuitry disposed on a circuit substrate or the like, and with a PC card
interface 554 at or in connection with the circuit board 552. The PC card
interface 554 provides for electrical connection (such as via multi-pin
or multi-terminal connection) to a PC card or plug-in module 556a-l (FIGS.
13A-L) to provide various optional circuitry or accessories or features
to the mirror assembly 510 via selection of a desired or appropriate PC
card (or other type of circuitry card or element or the like) and insertion
of or connection of the card to the interface, as discussed below.
In the illustrated embodiment, mirror assembly 510 includes an
electro-optic (such as electrochromic) reflective element assembly or
cell 528 that is electrically connected to EC drive circuitry 528a of
circuit board 552, and with a video image display screen 524, which may
also be connected to video drive circuitry 524a of circuit board 552.
Mirror assembly 510 may also include a forward facing photo sensor or
ambient light sensor 544a and a rearward facing photo sensor or glare
sensor 544b and may include a microprocessor or control 558 for
controlling one or more accessories or circuitry elements or the like of
the mirror assembly. Mirror assembly 510 also includes a speaker 546 for
generating an audio output, and includes an electrical connector 560 for
connecting to a power supply or vehicle ignition and ground and/or to a
camera video input or the like (such as an input from a camera or image
sensor of the vehicle that has a forward or rearward or interior field
of view) and/or to an audio line out (such as an output of an audio signal
to the vehicle sound system or the like, and such as an audio output that
may optionally bypass the mirror speaker) and/or the like.
The base mirror functions (without the PC card or plug-in module inserted
therein) thus may provide a variably reflective mirror reflective element
and a reverse aid video (or other video image display) and an embedded
speaker, while the PC card or plug-in module may provide other features,
as discussed below. As shown in FIG. 13A, a PC card or plug-in module 556a
includes a PC card connector 557 for electrically connecting the card 556a
to the PC connector 554 of mirror assembly 510. For example, the mirror
casing (not shown) may have a slot formed therethrough that is generally
aligned with the PC connector 554, whereby the PC card 556a may be inserted
into the slot and connected to or plugged into the connector to
electrically connect the PC card to the mirror circuitry and thus to
selectively provide the features of the particular PC card being inserted
into or connected to the mirror assembly. Other means for connecting the
card to the connector may be implemented (such as various forms of cards
being removably inserted into or snapped into or onto a mirror casing or
mirror assembly whereby the electrical connection is made as the card is
mechanically snapped or attached or secured to the mirror assembly),
without affecting the scope of the present invention.
The PC card or plug-in module thus may be selected and implemented
depending on the features or accessories provided on the card and on the
desired features or content of the mirror assembly. For example, and as
shown in FIG. 13A, PC card or plug-in module 556a may provide navigation
features and may include a navigation engine or control circuitry 557a,
GPS antenna 557b and optionally a GPS antenna connector 557c to enhance
the system performance. The navigation card may also include a USB
receptacle 557d to facilitate updating of the navigation data or map data
in the memory or data storage 557e of the PC card 556a. The PC card 556a
may also include touch screen controls 557f and menus and the like, so
that the user inputs of the mirror assembly are adapted or configured to
control the display or touch screen in the appropriate manner as dictated
by the PC card inserted into the mirror assembly and connected to mirror
circuitry. Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 13B, an upgraded
navigation PC card or plug-in module 556b may include additional circuitry,
such as BLUETOOTH.RTM. hardware 557g (or other short range communication
protocol) and a microphone jack 557h or the like, and may provide for hands
free communication and echo cancellation and the like, such as via a hands
free and echo cancellation engine 557k.
Other features may be provided by different selected PC cards or plug-in
modules (such as PC cards or plug-in modules 556c-l of FIGS. 13C-L or the
like), depending on the particular mirror content desired. For example,
an image storage and viewer card or plug-in module 556c (FIG. 13C) may
provide a storage capability for storing digital images or photos (such
as in a JPEG format or the like), whereby the images may be stored to the
card (such as via the USB receptacle 557d or the like) and then may be
selectively displayed on the video display screen of the mirror assembly.
Optionally, for example, a modular hands free PC card or plug-in module
556d (FIG. 13D) may provide for hands free communication via BLUETOOTH.RTM.
hardware 557g and a microphone jack 557h, such as in a similar manner as
described above with respect to card 556b, but without the navigational
features.
The PC card or plug-in module and mirror of the present invention may
provide for selective use of the mirror for playing or outputting songs
or tracks from a digital playback device or the like. For example, a
modular digital music playback PC card or plug-in module 556e (FIG. 13E)
may include a playback engine 557i for playing back stored digital songs
or tracks from a digital playback device, such as an iPOD.RTM. or the like,
which may communicate the songs or tracks to the PC card and the mirror
assembly via a BLUETOOTH.RTM. communication link or the like. The music
or track may be output by the card or the mirror (such as via the mirror
speaker 546 or via streaming of the audio output to the vehicle radio
speakers or other speakers via a streaming output 557j). Optionally, an
upgrade version of a music playback card or plug-in module 556f (FIG. 13F)
may include a microphone jack 557h and hands free and echo cancellation
engine 557k for hands free communication or the like. Optionally, for
example, a modular MP3 player PC card or plug-in module 556g (FIG. 13G)
may provide for playback of digital tracks via processing circuitry 557l,
whereby the card and mirror may cooperate to playback digital tracks
stored on the card or on a remote MP3 player or the like, and whereby the
stored songs or tracks may be altered or updated via a USB receptacle 557d
or the like.
Optionally, a PC card or plug-in module 556h (FIG. 13H) may provide a cell
antenna 557m or the like and may provide for internet connection or
broadband cell connection. Optionally, a PC card 556i or plug-in module
(FIG. 13I) may include a Wi-Fi antenna 557n to provide for an internet
connection or broadband connection and to allow for control or operation
of the connection, such as for basic searches or one touch access to
"favorite" sites or the like, such as Google maps or email or the like,
and may utilize a remote wireless connection or the like. Optionally, a
PC card or plug-in module 556j (FIG. 13J) may include a microphone jack
557h and BLUETOOTH.RTM. hardware 557g and may provide a wireless camera
card for receiving images from a camera or the like. Optionally, a PC card
556k (FIG. 13K) may include one or more video input jacks 557o and may
provide a video switching feature and may be configured to input and
display two or more video sources (in addition to the video input of the
mirror assembly). Optionally, a PC card or plug-in module 556l (FIG. 13L)
may provide a satellite radio feature and may include a satellite radio
engine 557p and satellite antenna connector 557q so as to provide a
satellite radio feature for the mirror assembly and vehicle. Other
features may be provided on other PC cards or the like while remaining
within the spirit and scope of the present invention, such that the mirror
assembly provides a customized or convertible or adaptable or
reconfigurable mirror assembly depending on the desired or appropriate
mirror content and allows the consumer or end user of the mirror assembly
to select the features that are desirable to the consumer without having
to select or receive other features that are not as desired.
Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 14-14L, a mirror assembly 510'
may be substantially similar to mirror assembly 510, discussed above, but
may include an embedded microphone 548' instead of the embedded speaker.
The similar components and features of the mirror assembly 510' are shown
in FIG. 14 with similar reference numbers as used in FIG. 13. Because the
mirror assemblies may be similar to one another, a detailed discussion
of the mirror assemblies need not be repeated herein. Likewise, the PC
cards or plug-in modules 556a'-556l' for use with mirror assembly 510'
may be similar to PC cards or plug-in modules 556a-556l discussed above,
such that a detailed discussion of the PC cards or plug-in modules also
need not be repeated herein. Suffice it to say that some of the PC cards
or plug-in modules, such as PC cards or plug-in modules 556b', 556d', 556f
and 556j' would not need or likely include a microphone jack, since the
mirror assembly 510' includes the embedded microphone 548'.
Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 15-15N, a mirror assembly 510''
may include a video display screen 524'' and a back light power supply
524a'' and EC microprocessor and backlight PWM control 558 for controlling
the back light power supply 524a'' in response to an input from the
selected and connected PC card or plug-in module 556a''-556n'', discussed
below. Optionally, mirror assembly 510'' may include a microphone cover
region 548a'' (such as slots or grating formed at the mirror casing or
the like), such that a microphone may be provided on a PC card or plug-in
module and disposed on the card at a location that generally aligns with
cover region 548a'' when the card is connected to the PC connector 554''
of mirror assembly 510''. The display at the video screen may include touch
screen inputs that vary with the selected PC card or plug-in module. When
the mirror assembly 510'' does not have any PC card inserted therein or
connected thereto, the display may provide touch screen controls or inputs
for the EC reflective element and/or settings of the mirror assembly. When
a PC card or plug-in module is inserted into the mirror assembly, the video
display may be controlled to provide other touch screen controls depending
on the particular card that is selected and inserted into or plugged into
or connected to the mirror assembly, as discussed above and below.
Mirror assembly 510'' may otherwise be substantially similar to mirror
assembly 510, discussed above, but may not include either the embedded
microphone or embedded speaker discussed above. The similar components
and features of the mirror assembly 510'' are shown in FIG. 15 with similar
reference numbers as used in FIG. 13. Because the mirror assemblies may
be similar to one another, a detailed discussion of the mirror assemblies
need not be repeated herein. Likewise, the PC cards or plug-in modules
556a''-556l'' for use with mirror assembly 510'' may be similar to PC cards
or plug-in modules 556a-556l discussed above, such that a detailed
discussion of the PC cards also need not be repeated herein. Some of the
PC cards or plug-in modules 556a''-556n'' are discussed further below,
and those that are not specifically discussed below may be similar to the
respective PC card or plug-in module 556a-556l, discussed above.
Optionally, a navigation PC card or plug-in module 556a'' (FIG. 15A) for
mirror assembly 510'' may be similar to PC card 556a, discussed above,
and may include an optional FM modulator 557r'' so that the mirror and/or
PC card may provide an output to the vehicle radio without requiring a
hard wire connection. Optionally, an upgrade navigation PC card or plug-in
module 556b'' (FIG. 15B) may be similar to PC card 556a, discussed above,
and may include a BLUETOOTH.RTM. streaming output 557j'' and/or an FM
modulator 557r''. As shown in FIG. 15B, PC card 556b'' may include a
microphone 548'', which may generally align with cover area 548a'' of
mirror assembly 510'' when PC card is connected to or plugged into mirror
assembly 510''. Similarly, a hands free PC card or plug-in module 556d''
(FIG. 15D) may be similar to PC card 556d, discussed above, and may include
the microphone 548'' and optionally an FM modulator 557r''.
Optionally, a digital playback device PC card or plug-in module 556e''
(FIG. 15E) may be similar to PC card 556e, discussed above, and may include
an FM modulator 557r'' instead of the streaming output, if desired.
Optionally, an upgrade digital playback device PC card or plug-in module
556f' (FIG. 15F) may be similar to the PC card 556e'', but may include
a microphone 548'' and a hands free and echo cancellation engine 557k''
or the like to provide for sound enhancement algorithms or processing,
such as to compensate gains related to microphone/speaker position.
Optionally, an MP3 player PC card or plug-in module 556g'' (FIG. 15G) may
be similar to PC card 556g discussed above, and may include an MP3 player
engine 557s'' and an FM modulator 557r''.
Optionally, a camera card or plug-in module 556j'' (FIG. 15J) may be
similar to PC card 556j discussed above, and may include video drivers
or controls 557t'', which may include an LCD driver and/or composite video
decoder and/or an on screen display driver, such that the PC card may
receive a video input (such as via a wireless input) and may control the
backlight of the display device of the mirror assembly 510'', since the
mirror assembly may not include such circuitry embedded therein.
Optionally, a video switcher PC card or plug-in module 556k'' (FIG. 15K)
may be similar to video switcher card 556k discussed above, and may include
the video drivers or controls 557t'', such as a video decoder and/or LCD
driver or the like, similar to camera card 556j''.
Optionally, the module may receive a wireless communication of video data
for displaying on the video display device. For example, a wireless module
may be provided that provides ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communication
that is capable of providing a high speed data transfer link between the
components. Such an ultra-wideband communication link provides radio
technology that can be used in vehicle for short-range high-bandwidth
communications by using a large portion of the radio spectrum in a way
that doesn't interfere with other more traditional `narrow band` uses.
Such a short-range wireless communications technology may be used in
vehicles to eliminate the wires between devices and provide a high-speed
data transfer link to remote sources, such as to outside information and
entertainment sources that are external to the vehicle. For example, a
UWB wireless link may function to wirelessly download a DVD-quality movie
from a transmitter remote from the vehicle, such as, for example, a
transmitter located at a service or gas station for downloading the movie
while the vehicle is being refueled. Once downloaded to the vehicle, the
video data may be wirelessly streamed to one or more wireless video screens
in the vehicle for viewing by the occupants of the vehicle. While a short
range communication protocol such as BLUETOOTH.RTM. is suitable for
wireless connections and communications between cell phones and the
vehicle audio system, the low data transfer rate (about
700-kilobit/second data transfer rate) is not as suitable for video data
transfer. Thus, a UWB wireless link (having a data transfer rate on the
order of megabits/second) is preferred for such applications.
Optionally, a reverse aid PC card or plug-in module 556m'' (FIG. 15M) may
include the video drivers or controls 557t'' and may control the video
display 524'' of mirror assembly 510'' when the vehicle is shifted to
reverse, whereby the video display is activated to display images of a
rearward vision system of the vehicle (such as in response to an input
from a rearward facing camera or image sensor of the vehicle). The video
drivers or controls 557t'' may be operable to generate on-screen displays,
such as warnings or bumper grid lines or the like (such as by utilizing
aspects of U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,935, which is hereby incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety). Optionally, an FM modulator PC card or
plug-in module 556n'' (FIG. 15N) may include an FM antenna 557u'', an FM
engine 557v'' and an FM memory 557w'', such that the mirror assembly (when
PC card 556n'' is plugged into the mirror assembly) may provide an audio
output to an FM radio station for playing the audio output through the
vehicle audio system.
Therefore, the mirror assembly of the present invention provides a
reconfigurable or customizable mirror assembly, whereby the desired
feature or features may be provided on separate PC cards or plug-in modules
or the like. The user or vehicle owner thus may select a desired PC card
or plug-in module and insert or plug the card into the slot (or other
receiving element or port or receptacle or the like) at the mirror assembly
to provide the desired feature or content to the mirror assembly. The user
may remove the card or module from one mirror assembly of one vehicle and
take the card or module to another vehicle similarly equipped with a
reconfigurable or customizable mirror assembly and may then insert or plug
the card into the other mirror assembly of the other vehicle, whereby the
mirror assembly of the other vehicle would then provide similar content
as in the first vehicle (and the playback content or memory content of
the card thus is portable between the two mirror assemblies and vehicles).
The consumer or user may select or purchase more than one of the available
PC cards or plug-in modules to provide the desired features or content
to the mirror assembly without having to purchase multiple features (such
as in a package deal) that may not be desired by the particular individual
consumer. Optionally, it is envisioned that the mirror assembly may have
a connection or port for more than one plug-in module or card, such that
two (or more) cards or modules may be plugged into or connected to the
mirror assembly and circuitry thereof, whereby the cards or modules may
cooperate to control or provide multiple features or may individually
provide selected or particular features or functions to the mirror
assembly.
Thus, in accordance with this aspect of the present invention, an interior
rearview mirror (or windshield electronics module or accessory module or
the like) incorporating a video screen (that may be a slide out video
screen or a transflective display on demand video screen, such as the types
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268 and/or U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM
FOR VEHICLE; Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 by Karner et al.;
and/or Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005 and published Jul. 27,
2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No. US-2006-164230-A1, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,370,983, and/or PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2006/018567, filed May
15, 2006 by Donnelly Corp. et al. and published Nov. 23, 2006 as
International Publication No. WO 2006/124682; and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2006/042718, filed Oct. 31, 2006 and published May 10, 2007 as
International Publication No. WO 2007/053710, which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties) is provided.
Optionally, and preferably, the video screen is connected to or operable
by a back up or reversing system of the vehicle, preferably with a graphic
overlay system or feature that applies a graphic overlay to the displayed
images, such as by utilizing aspects of the rear vision systems described
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,935, which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
Additionally, a plug-in navigational module (that preferably is removable
so as to be usable in another mirror assembly of another vehicle or in
another accessory or device, such as a hand-held video device or the like)
is provided for those vehicle owners that desire to have navigational
information (such as turn-by-turn instructions or the like) in addition
to the reverse aid or backup display via the mirror provided video screen.
The plug-in navigational module or card thus may be plugged into or
connected to the mirror assembly (and the circuitry thereof) so as to
provide navigational information at the mirror provided video screen.
Furthermore, a hands free link to the likes of an iPOD.RTM. or an MP3 player
or the like or a cell phone or the like may be provided, preferably as
a separate plug-in module, or more preferably as an added feature or
features of the same navigational plug-in module, so that the likes of
song titles, address menus and/or the like may be made available to the
driver or occupant of the vehicle at the mirror provided video display,
and with the user inputs for controlling the menus and display being
provided at the mirror assembly, such as via touch screen inputs at the
video display.
Thus, a pick and play modular feature may be provided at the mirror
assembly so that the video screen of the mirror assembly may be used for
one or more or all of the multiple features/tasks (such as, for example,
navigational information or entertainment information or camera-based
information such as reversing information or the like), and with the owner
of the vehicle or mirror assembly being able to opt for or purchase or
select individual plug-in (and removable) modules or cards that each
individually contain the circuitry and components (such as a GPS antenna,
navigational memory or data storage, and/or the like) as required for the
particular tasks. The mirror assembly and plug-in modules or cards thus
allow the user or owner of the vehicle to select or customize the mirror
content (so that the mirror assembly provides the desired or selected
features or content) via selection of one or more plug-in modules or cards.
The mirror reflective element may comprise a prismatic mirror reflector
or an electrically variable reflectance mirror reflector, such as an
electro-optic reflective element assembly or cell, such as an
electrochromic reflective element assembly or cell. For example, the
rearview mirror assembly may comprise an electro-optic or electrochromic
reflective element or cell, such as an electrochromic mirror assembly and
electrochromic reflective element utilizing principles disclosed in
commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 5,140,455; 5,151,816;
6,178,034; 6,154,306; 6,002,544; 5,567,360; 5,525,264; 5,610,756;
5,406,414; 5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012; 5,117,346; 5,724,187;
5,668,663; 5,910,854; 5,142,407; 4,824,221; 5,818,636; 6,166,847;
6,111,685; 6,392,783; 6,710,906; 6,798,556; 6,554,843; 6,420,036;
5,142,406; 5,442,478; and/or 4,712,879, and/or 4,712,879, and/or U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et
al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381; Ser. No.
11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004 by McCabe et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR
CELL, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; Ser. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17,
2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501; Ser. No. 10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,190; Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 by
Hutzel et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE; Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed
Sep. 14, 2005 by Karner et al.; Ser. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,177; and/or Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22,
2005 and published Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No.
US-2006-164230-A1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983, and/or International Pat.
Publication Nos. WO 2004/098953, published Nov. 18, 2004; WO 2004/042457,
published May 21, 2004; WO 2003/084780, published Oct. 16, 2003; and/or
WO 2004/026633, published Apr. 1, 2004, which are all hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties, and/or such as disclosed in the
following publications: N. R. Lynam, "Electrochromic Automotive
Day/Night Mirrors", SAE Technical Paper Series 870636 (1987); N. R. Lynam,
"Smart Windows for Automobiles", SAE Technical Paper Series 900419 (1990);
N. R. Lynam and A. Agrawal, "Automotive Applications of Chromogenic
Materials", Large Area Chromogenics: Materials and Devices for
Transmittance Control, C. M. Lampert and C. G. Granquist, EDS., Optical
Engineering Press, Wash. (1990), which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
Optionally, and preferably, the mirror reflective element may comprise
a frameless reflective element, such as by utilizing aspects of the
reflective elements described in PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/018567,
filed May 15, 2006 by Donnelly Corp. et al and published Nov. 23, 2006
as International Publication No. WO 2006/124682; PCT Application No.
PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR
ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and published on Dec. 2, 2004, as International
Publication No. WO 2004/103772; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/140,396, filed May 27, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,932; Ser. No.
11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005; Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; Ser. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501; Ser. No. 10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005, now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,190; and/or Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005,
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Optionally, the reflective element may include a metallic perimeter band
around the perimeter of the reflective element, such as by utilizing
aspects of the reflective elements described in PCT Application No.
PCT/US2006/018567, filed May 15, 2006 by Donnelly Corp. et al. and
published Nov. 23, 2006 as International Publication No. WO 2006/124682;
PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp.
et al. for ELECTROCHROMIC MIRROR ASSEMBLY and published Apr. 1, 2004 as
International Publication No. WO 2004/026633; and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US03/35381, filed Nov. 5, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for
ELECTRO-OPTIC REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY and published May 21, 2004 as
International Publication No. WO 2004/042457; and/or U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004 by McCabe et al. for
ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; and/or Ser. No.
11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 by Karner et al. for MOUNTING ASSEMBLY
FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR MIRROR, which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties. The frameless reflective element thus is
aesthetically pleasing to a person viewing the mirror assembly, since the
reflective element (as recessed or partially recessed in the opening of
the bezel portion of the mirror casing) does not include a separate frame
or bezel portion around its perimeter edge. The metallic perimeter band
may be selected to have a desired color or tint to match or contrast a
color scheme or the like of the vehicle, such as described in PCT
Application No. PCT/US2006/018567, filed May 15, 2006 by Donnelly Corp.
et al. and published Nov. 23, 2006 as International Publication No. WO
2006/124682; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18,
2004 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and
published on Dec. 2, 2004, as International Publication No. WO 2004/103772,
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Optionally, use of an elemental semiconductor mirror, such as a silicon
metal mirror, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,286,965; 6,196,688;
5,535,056; 5,751,489; and 6,065,840, and/or in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004 by Lynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVE
ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,177, which are all hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, can be advantageous
because such elemental semiconductor mirrors (such as can be formed by
depositing a thin film of silicon) can be greater than 50 percent
reflecting in the photopic (SAE J964a measured), while being also
substantially transmitting of light (up to 20 percent or even more). Such
silicon mirrors also have the advantage of being able to be deposited onto
a flat glass substrate and to be bent into a curved (such as a convex or
aspheric) curvature, which is also advantageous since many passenger-side
exterior rearview mirrors are bent or curved.
Optionally, the electrochromic circuitry and/or a glare sensor (such as
a rearward facing glare sensor that receives light from rearward of the
mirror assembly and vehicle through a port or opening along the casing
and/or bezel portion and/or reflective element of the mirror assembly)
and circuitry and/or an ambient light sensor and circuitry may be provided
on one or more circuit boards of the mirror assembly.
Optionally, the mirror assembly may comprise a prismatic mirror assembly,
such as a prismatic mirror assembly utilizing aspects described in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,318,870; 6,598,980; 5,327,288; 4,948,242; 4,826,289;
4,436,371; and 4,435,042; and PCT Application No. PCT/US04/015424, filed
May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corporation et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE
and published on Dec. 2, 2004 as International Publication No. WO
2004/103772; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep.
3, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860, which are hereby incorporated herein
by reference in their entireties. Optionally, the prismatic reflective
element may comprise a conventional prismatic reflective element or prism,
or may comprise a prismatic reflective element of the types described in
PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp.
et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY and published Apr. 1, 2004
as International Publication No. WO 2004/026633; U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/709,434, filed May 5, 2004 by Lynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVE
ELEMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,420,756; Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3,
2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,249,860; Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004 by McCabe et al.
for ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; Ser. No.
10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501; and/or Ser.
No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004 by Lynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT
FOR A VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,177, and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR
ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE and published on Dec. 2, 2004 as International
Publication No. WO 2004/103772, which are all hereby incorporated herein
by reference in their entireties, without affecting the scope of the
present invention.
Such prismatic mirror reflective elements may be formed from various
materials such as plastic or glass, and typically have a planar front
surface extending at an angle to a planar rear surface. The rear surface
is coated with a reflective layer of metal (such as chromium, aluminum
or alloys thereof or other suitable materials) as is conventionally known
in the industry. The reflective element is pivotable relative to a
mounting assembly of the mirror to pivot the reflective surface in order
to reduce glare during nighttime conditions. When the reflective element
is pivoted from a full reflectivity day position to a reduced reflectivity
night position, the reflective surface is rotated such that uncoated front
surface is aligned for viewing by the vehicle driver instead of reflective
surface. Preferably, the reflective surface reflects at least about 60
percent to about 95 percent of the light incident thereon, while the
uncoated front surface reflects a reduced amount of light, such as about
4 percent of the light incident thereon, thereby significantly reducing
glare from headlights or other bright lights to the rear of the vehicle
to the driver's eyes.
Optionally, the reflective element may comprise a bent, wide-angle mirror
reflector rather than a flat mirror reflector. If a bent, wide-angle
mirror reflector is used, it is preferable that the mirror reflector
comprise a glass substrate coated with a bendable reflector coating (such
as of silicon as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,065,840; 5,959,792;
5,535,056 and 5,751,489, which are hereby incorporated by reference
herein in their entireties.
Optionally, the mirror casing and/or windshield electronics module may
be suitable for supporting larger or heavier components or circuitry that
otherwise may not have been suitable for mounting or locating at or in
a mirror casing. For example, the mirror casing or module may house or
support a battery or power pack for various electronic features or
components, and/or may support a docking station for docking and/or
holding a cellular telephone or hand-held personal data device or the like,
such as by utilizing aspects of the systems described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,824,281, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003
by Donnelly Corporation for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE and published
Jul. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/058540, and/or U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/510,813, filed Aug. 23, 2002 by Berberich
et al. for COVER MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,306,276, and/or U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/842,328, filed Aug. 21, 2007 by DeWard et al. for
VEHICLE INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH ACTUATOR, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,722,199, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
Optionally, for example, the mounting structure and/or mirror casing
and/or windshield electronics module may support compass sensors, such
as compass sensors of the types described in may utilize aspects of the
compass systems described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/305,637,
filed Dec. 16, 2005 by Blank et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM
WITH COMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,329,013; Ser. No. 10/352,691, filed Jan.
28, 2003 by Schierbeek et al. for VEHICLE COMPASS COMPENSATION, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,922,902; Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005 and published
Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No. US-2006-164230-A1, now U.S.
Pat. No. 7,370,983; Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005; and/or Ser.
No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW
MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860; and/or U.S. Pat. Nos.
7,004,593; 4,546,551; 5,699,044; 4,953,305; 5,576,687; 5,632,092;
5,677,851; 5,708,410; 5,737,226; 5,802,727; 5,878,370; 6,087,953;
6,173,508; 6,222,460; 6,513,252; and 6,642,851, and/or PCT Application
No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corp. et al, for
MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE and published on Dec. 2, 2004, as
International Publication No. WO 2004/103772, and/or European patent
application, published Oct. 11, 2000 under Publication No. EP 0 1043566,
which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
The compass circuitry may include the compass sensor, such as a
magneto-responsive sensor, such as a magneto-resistive sensor, such as
the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,255,442; 5,632,092; 5,802,727;
6,173,501; 6,427,349; and 6,513,252 (which are hereby incorporated herein
by reference in their entireties), a magneto-capacitive sensor, a
Hall-effect sensor, such as the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,278,271; 5,942,895 and 6,184,679 (which are hereby incorporated herein
by reference in their entireties), a magneto-inductive sensor, such as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,370 (which is hereby incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety), a magneto-impedance sensor, such as the
types described in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/076971 A2, published Sep.
10, 2004 (which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety), or a flux-gate sensor or the like, and/or may comprise a compass
chip, such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/226,628,
filed Sep. 14, 2005; and/or Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005 and
published Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No. US-2006-164230-A1,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983, which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties. By positioning the compass sensors at a
fixed location, further processing and calibration of the sensors to
accommodate adjustment or movement of the sensors is not necessary.
Optionally, the mounting structure and/or mirror casing and/or windshield
electronics module may support one or more imaging sensors or cameras,
and may fixedly support them with the cameras set with a desired or
appropriate forward and/or rearward field of view. For example, the camera
may be operable in conjunction with a forward facing imaging system, such
as a rain sensing system, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,968,736;
6,806,452; 6,516,664; 6,353,392; 6,313,454; 6,250,148; 6,341,523; and
6,824,281, and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/958,087, filed Oct.
4, 2004 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,188,963; and/or Ser. No. 11/201,661, filed Aug. 11, 2005 by DeWard
et al. for ACCESSORY MODULE FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,149, which
are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The
mounting structure and/or mirror casing may be pressed or loaded against
the interior surface of the windshield to position or locate the image
sensor in close proximity to the windshield and/or to optically couple
the image sensor at the windshield. The mounting structure and/or mirror
casing may include an aperture or apertures at its forward facing or
mounting surface and the windshield may include apertures through the
opaque frit layer (typically disposed at a mirror mounting location of
a windshield) or the windshield may not include such a fit layer, depending
on the particular application.
Optionally, the image sensor may be operable in conjunction with a forward
or rearward vision system, such as an automatic headlamp control system
and/or a lane departure warning system or object detection system and/or
other forward vision or imaging systems, such as imaging or vision systems
of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,038,577; 7,005,974; 7,004,606;
6,690,268; 6,946,978; 6,757,109; 6,717,610; 6,396,397; 6,201,642;
6,353,392; 6,313,454; 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,796,094; 5,715,093;
5,877,897; 6,097,023; and 6,498,620, and/or U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/441,341, filed Nov. 16, 1999 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLE
HEADLIGHT CONTROL USING IMAGING SENSOR, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,339,149; Ser.
No. 10/422,512, filed Apr. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,123,168; Ser.
No. 11/239,980, filed Sep. 30, 2005; Ser. No. 11/672,070, filed Feb. 7,
2007; and/or Ser. No. 11/315,675, filed Dec. 22, 2005 by Higgins-Luthman
for OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,720,580,
and/or U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/628,709, filed Nov. 17,
2004 by Camilleri et al. for IMAGING AND DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE; Ser.
No. 60/614,644, filed Sep. 30, 2004; Ser. No. 60/618,686, filed Oct. 14,
2004 by Laubinger for VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM; Ser. No. 60/731,183, filed
Oct. 28, 2005 by Gibson for CAMERA MODULE FOR VEHICLE VISION SYSTEM; and/or
Ser. No. 60/765,797, filed Feb. 7, 2006 by Briggance for CAMERA MOUNTED
AT REAR OF VEHICLE, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties. The mirror casing thus may support one or more rearward
facing imaging sensors or cameras, such as for rearward vision or imaging
systems, such as for a rear vision system or back up aid of the types
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,717,610 and/or 6,201,642 (which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties), and/or a cabin
monitoring system or baby view system of the types described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,690,268 (which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety), and/or the like.
Optionally, the fixed mounting structure and/or mirror casing and/or
windshield electronics module may house or support a display device, such
as a heads up display device (such as the types described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/105,757, filed Apr. 14, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,526,103; and Ser. No. 11/029,695, filed Jan. 5, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,253,723, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties) that is operable to project a display at the area in front
of the driver to enhance viewing of the display information without
adversely affecting the driver's forward field of view. For example, the
mirror casing may support a heads up display (HUD), such as a MicroHUD.TM.
head-up display system available from MicroVision Inc. of Bothell, Wash.,
and/or such as a HUD that utilizes aspects described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/105,757, filed Apr. 14, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,526,103; and Ser. No. 11/029,695, filed Jan. 5, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,253,723, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties. For example, MicroVision's MicroHUD.TM. combines a
MEMS-based micro display with an optical package of lenses and mirrors
to achieve a compact high-performance HUD module that reflects a virtual
image off the windscreen that appears to the driver to be close to the
front of the car. This laser-scanning display can outperform many
miniature flat panel LCD display screens because it can be clearly viewed
in the brightest conditions and also dimmed to the very low brightness
levels required for safe night-time driving. For example, such a display
device may be located at or in the mirror casing/mounting
structure/windshield electronics module and may be non-movably mounted
at the mirror casing or mounting structure or windshield electronics
module, and may be operable to project the display information at the
windshield of the vehicle so as to be readily viewed by the driver of the
vehicle in the driver's forward field of view.
Optionally, for example, and with reference to FIG. 16, a HUD display
device 610 may be incorporated into or at an interior rearview mirror
assembly 612, such as at or in a mirror casing or housing or at or in a
windshield electronics module or accessory module or the like. As shown
in FIG. 16, the HUD device 610 is operable to project illumination or image
information via a light source at the mirror assembly or windshield
interior mirror or module onto the instrument panel 614 that would create
a HUD display effect on the windshield 616 for viewing by the driver of
the vehicle. The instrument panel may receive and redirect or project the
illumination from the HUD device 610 generally upward toward the
windshield and at a region generally at or in the driver's forward field
of view, or optionally the instrument panel may have a reflective or
partially reflective surface for reflecting or redirecting the
illumination from the HUD device 610 generally upward toward the
windshield and at a region generally at or in the driver's forward field
of view.
The mounting structure and/or mirror casing and/or windshield electronics
module may be fixedly attached to or supported at the vehicle windshield
and may extend upward toward the headliner of the vehicle. Thus, the mirror
assembly of the present invention may have enhanced wire management and
may substantially conceal the wiring of the electronic
components/accessories between the circuitry within the mirror casing and
the headliner at the upper portion of the vehicle windshield. Optionally,
the mirror assembly may include wire management elements, such as the
types described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep.
14, 2005; and/or Ser. No. 11/584,697, filed Oct. 20, 2006, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,510,287; and/or U.S. provisional application, Ser. No. 60/729,430,
filed Oct. 21, 2005, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference
in their entireties, to conceal the wires extending between an upper
portion of the mirror casing and the vehicle headliner (or overhead
console). Optionally, the mirror casing and/or mounting structure and/or
windshield electronics module may abut the headliner and/or may be an
extension of an overhead console of the vehicle (such as by utilizing
aspects described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed
Jun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and/or
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/510,813, filed Aug. 23, 2002 by
Berberich et al. for COVER MODULE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication
No. US2005/0151396A1, published Jul. 14, 2005, which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties). The mirror
assembly of the present invention thus may allow for utilization of the
area above the mirror reflective element for additional mirror content,
such as additional electronic accessories or circuitry, and thus may
provide for or accommodate additional mirror content/circuitry and/or
vehicle content/circuitry.
Optionally, the mirror assembly and/or reflective element assembly may
include one or more displays, such as for the accessories or circuitry
described herein. The displays may comprise any suitable display, such
as displays of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240 and/or
6,329,925, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties, or may be display-on-demand or transflective type displays
or other displays, such as the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268;
5,668,663 and/or 5,724,187, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING
SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381; Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23,
2004 by McCabe et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,255,451; Ser. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,274,501; Ser. No. 10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,184,190; Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel et al. for
ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE; Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005
by Karner et al.; Ser. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,338,177; and/or Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005 and
published Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No. US-2006-164230-A1,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983, and/or PCT Patent Application No.
PCT/US2006/018567, filed May 15, 2006 by Donnelly Corp. et al and
published Nov. 23, 2006 as International Publication No. WO 2006/124682;
and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/042718, filed Oct. 31, 2006 and
published May 10, 2007 as international Publication No. WO 2007/053710;
and/or U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/836,219, filed Aug. 8,
2006 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLAY;
Ser. No. 60/759,992, filed Jan. 18, 2006; and Ser. No. 60/732,245, filed
Nov. 1, 2005, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19,
2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE and
published Jul. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/058540,
which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties,
or may include or incorporate video displays or the like, such as the types
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268 and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for ACCESSORY
SYSTEM FOR and published Jul. 15, 2004 as International Publication No.
WO 2004/058540, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun.
13, 2005; and/or Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005 and published
Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No. US-2006-164230-A1, now U.S.
Pat. No. 7,370,983, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties. Optionally, the mirror assembly may include a video
display that is selectively positionable, such as extendable/retractable
or pivotable or foldable so as to be selectively positioned at a side or
below the mirror casing when in use and storable within or at least
partially within the mirror casing when not in use. The display may
automatically extend/pivot to the in-use position in response to an
actuating event, such as when the vehicle is shifted into its reverse gear
for a rear vision system or back up aid.
Such a video mirror display (or other display) may be associated with a
rearward facing camera at a rear of the vehicle and having a rearward field
of view, such as at the license plate holder of the vehicle or at a rear
trim portion (such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/672,070, filed Feb. 7, 2007 and provisional application Ser. No.
60/765,797, filed Feb. 7, 2006, which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties). The image data captured by the rearward
facing camera may be communicated to the control or video display at the
rearview mirror assembly (or elsewhere in the vehicle, such as at an
overhead console or accessory module or the like) via any suitable
communication means or protocol. For example, the image data may be
communicated via a fiber optic cable or a twisted pair of wires, or may
be communicated wirelessly, such as via a BLUETOOTH.RTM. communication
link or protocol or the like, or may be superimposed on a power line, such
as a 12 volt power line of the vehicle, such as by utilizing aspects of
the systems described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/239,980,
filed Sep. 30, 2005 by Camilleri et al. for VISION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE,
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Optionally, and desirably, such rear vision systems are operable to
display the images of the rearward scene in response to the driver of the
vehicle placing the gear selector in the reverse gear position so as to
provide an episodic display that is only activated when the driver may
be interested in the displayed rearward images. The rearward facing camera
(such as at a rear portion of the vehicle) and the display device (such
as at the interior rearview mirror assembly) thus may each be connected
to a respective input wire that provides a signal indicative of the vehicle
gear selector being shifted to the reverse gear position. Such a
configuration may have a wire or lead to the rearview mirror or display
device to provide a signal indicative of the vehicle gear selector being
shifted to the reverse gear position.
Optionally, the rear vision system or reverse or back up aid may include
a camera that has a rearward field of view (such as a camera mounted at
a rear portion of the vehicle) and that is in wireless communication with
the display system or display device (such as a video display screen or
module at the interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle). The
rearward camera or image capture device may be powered by the power line
or feed to the reverse lights of the vehicle, such that the camera is
automatically and episodically powered or activated or triggered when the
vehicle gear selector is shifted to the reverse position. The image data
thus may be communicated to the display system or module or device
wirelessly so as to reduce the wiring requirements of the vehicle.
Optionally, the display device may be activated to display the captured
images in response to the image data signal being received from the
rearward facing camera. For example, a receiver at or of or associated
with the display device may receive the image data signal from the rearward
facing camera (which is automatically generated upon shifting of the gear
selector to the reverse gear position), and the display screen may be
automatically and episodically activated to display the captured and
received images in response to the receiver receiving the image data
signal. The receipt of such a signal by the receiver or display device
may activate the video display screen for displaying the captured images
(such as by displaying images behind a transflective reflective element
such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268; and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2006/042718, filed Oct. 31, and published May 10, 2007 as
International Publication No. WO 2007/053710; and/or U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005; and/or Ser. No.
11/284,543, filed Nov. 22, 2005 and published Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat.
Publication No. US-2006-164230-A1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983, which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties), or may
trigger an extension of the video display screen from the mirror casing
(such as for applications with a video slide-out mirror such as described
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005; and/or Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov.
22, 2005 and published Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No.
US-2006-164230-A1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983; and/or PCT Application
No. PCT/US2006/042718, filed Oct. 31, 2006 and published May 10, 2007 as
International Publication No. WO 2007/053710, which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties). Such an
arrangement may eliminate the need for a reverse wire or feed to the
display device at the rearview mirror or accessory module.
The camera thus may be automatically and episodically powered and operated
to detect and transmit or communicate image data in response to the vehicle
gear selector being shifted to or placed in the reverse gear position,
whereby the display device may be automatically and episodically
activated to show the reverse aid video images when the camera is powered.
Optionally, the display device or screen may be automatically activated
in response to image data signals from other cameras or image capture
devices of the vehicle, whereby the display screen may be automatically
and episodically activated to display images of other areas at or near
or in the vehicle when other triggering or activating events actuate the
other cameras or image capture devices. For example, the wireless
communication and triggering or activating of the display screen may be
implemented in conjunction with other wireless devices, such as for other
interior or exterior cameras of the vehicle, such as for a camera or
cameras at the exterior mirror or mirrors for automatic blind spot alert
or warning or object detection, whereby the camera or cameras may send
a triggering signal in response to a detection of an object at a blind
spot of the vehicle (and optionally in response to activation of a turn
signal indicator by the driver or in response to a signal from a lane
departure warning system or lane change aid or the like) so as to activate
the display device (or other display device or alert device) to alert the
driver of the vehicle as to the presence of the detected object. Other
triggering applications (such as, for example, a manual input to activate
an interior rearview monitor or the like) may be implemented while
remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Optionally, the display, such as a video display screen, may be
incorporated with or associated with a rearward facing video camera or
image sensor, such as for a rear vision system or a back up aid or the
like. Optionally, the display may include a graphic overlay feature or
capability for, overlaying graphics, such as grid lines or the like, that
assist the driver of the vehicle in viewing and discerning distances
between the vehicle and objects rearward of the vehicle that are displayed
on the display for viewing by the driver of the vehicle, such as in response
to the vehicle being shifted into a reverse gear or the like. The graphic
overlay feature may be electronically generated at or in the image, such
as by utilizing aspects of the vision systems described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,670,935; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov.
22, 2005 and published Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No.
US-2006-164230-A1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983, and/or U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/971,397, filed Sep. 11, 2007, which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Optionally, a non-electronically generated graphic overlay may be
provided at the display that is viewable or discernible only when the
display is activated and is substantially non-viewable or non-visible
when the display is deactivated. For example, a graphic overlay (such as
grid lines or the like that provide reference points in the display to
assist the driver in discerning or estimating relative distances between
objects or between the vehicle and an object that are shown in the
displayed image) may be established at an element that is disposed at or
in front of the display device (such as a backlit LCD video screen such
as the types referenced above) and behind a front surface of the interior
rearview mirror assembly (which is the surface facing the driver of the
vehicle when the mirror assembly is installed in the vehicle). Thus, when
the display device is deactivated (or not extended if the display device
is a slideout or extendable/retractable video display), the graphic
overlay is not readily viewable or discernible by the driver of the vehicle.
Optionally, for example, the graphic overlay may be etched or painted or
otherwise established at an element or portion that is rearward of the
front surface of the mirror reflective element. For example, the graphic
overlay may be established via printing or etching at a rear surface of
the display on demand transflective reflective element or at the front
or rear surface of a polarizer that is disposed at the front of the display
screen or at a front surface of the display screen (or the graphic overlay
may be established as a masking element at the front surface of the display
screen) or the like. The non-electronically established etched or painted
or otherwise established graphic overlay thus is always present at the
display but is only viewable or discernible when the display is activated
for viewing by the driver of the vehicle (such as in response to the driver
shifting the vehicle transmission into a reverse gear). For applications
with a slideout or extendable/retractable video display screen (that is
retractable into the mirror casing when not in use and extended therefrom
when in use or when the display screen is activated), the graphic overlay
may be established at the front of the display screen (such as at a
polarizer or at a masking element or the like), whereby the graphic overlay
is moved with the display screen between the stored or non-use position
(where the screen and overlay are within the mirror casing and not viewable
by the driver of the vehicle) and the extended or use position (where the
screen and overlay are at least partially extended from the mirror casing
and are viewable by the driver of the vehicle).
The non-electronically established graphic overlay thus is provided in
front of a video display screen and is thus backlit by the video display
screen, whereby the graphic overlay icons or indicia or the like (which
may be screened or printed onto a mask at the video display screen) appear
as shadows with the illumination from the video display screen being
viewable (such as through the transflective reflective element) through
the mask and around the overlay portions or icons or indicia or reticule
pattern or the like. Because the graphic overlays are established at the
display screen and behind the front surface of the reflective element,
the non-electronically established graphic overlays of the present
invention avoid the parallax effect that may otherwise be encountered when
the driver views a graphic overlay that is at the front surface of the
reflective element and that is spaced from the video display screen
disposed behind the reflective element.
The non-electronically established graphic overlay may be established
(such as by painting or printing or screen printing or etching techniques
or the like) to add grid lines to the display viewed by the driver of the
vehicle, and may be particularly beneficial to displays utilizing a
wide-angle lens at the rearward facing video camera, since such lenses
may distort the image that is captured by the camera and displayed to the
driver of the vehicle. Such "fish eye" lenses thus may give the driver
of the vehicle a distorted rearward view of the back up area, particularly
if the camera is mounted off-center at the rear of vehicle relative to
a centerline of the vehicle. The grid lines or other overlays may help
the driver to judge distances between the vehicle bumper or trailer hitch
and an object rearward of the vehicle, and may provide guide lines (such
as parallel or converging guide lines) to help reference the sides of the
vehicle. Optionally, the graphic overlay may be established or painted
or printed in different colors to enhance viewability and discernibility
of the graphic overlay.
Examples of such graphic overlays are shown in FIGS. 17-19. For example,
and with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, a non-electronically generated
graphic overlay 650 may be provided or established at or near or in front
of a video display screen so as to be viewable by the driver of the vehicle
when the display screen is activated. As shown in FIG. 18, the graphic
overlay 650 is viewable at the display screen 660 when the display screen
is activated, so as to provide a reference to the side regions and center
of the vehicle during a back up operation. Optionally, and as shown in
FIG. 19, the graphic overlay 650' at or in front of a display screen 660'
may include horizontal grid lines or references that include numbers that
indicate a distance along the road surface at the rear of the vehicle and
relative to the rear bumper (or other reference point or object) of the
vehicle.
The present invention thus provides for a static graphic overlay that may
be established (such as via painting or printing or etching or the like)
on any surface of the mirror glass substrates or the display module or
on a graphic overlay substrate or element. For example, the graphic
overlay may be printed (or otherwise established) on the first surface
(or front surface of the first or front substrate) of the electro-optic
(such as electrochromic) reflective element, or on the second surface (or
rear surface of the front substrate) or on the third surface (or front
surface of the rear substrate) or on the fourth surface (or rear surface
of the rear substrate) of the reflective element or cell. Optionally, for
example, the graphic overlay may be printed or established on any of the
laminate surfaces or the TFT glass surfaces of the display module (such
as a back lit liquid crystal video screen or module or the like) so as
to be disposed at the display module and back lit by the illumination
source or sources of the display module. Optionally, a graphic overlay
element or substrate, such as a Mylar element (or other suitable material)
with pad printing (or other printing or painting or etching) of the graphic
overlay or overlays on the substrate or element, may be disposed at or
in front of the display module and behind the front surface of the mirror
reflective element, such as between the front and rear substrates of the
reflective element assembly or cell or between the fourth surface of the
reflective element and the front of the display module, or elsewhere in
front of the display module so as to be backlit by the illumination source
or sources of the display module.
The graphic overlay or overlays of the present invention thus may be
printed or established in front of the display device or module (such as
in front of the illumination source of the display device or module) so
as to be viewable by the driver of the vehicle at the display screen. The
graphic overlays may be color printed or may be spectrally selective so
as to be viewable in color at the display screen.
The static graphic overlays thus may be provided for a display screen or
display device that is dedicated to a reverse aid system of back up system
or rear vision system or the like, whereby the graphic overlays may be
configured so as to provide the desired information or indicia to assist
the driver in viewing and discerning images of the area rearward of the
vehicle, such as during a reverse maneuver. For example, the graphic
overlays may provide perspective indicia to give the driver perspective
when viewing the display screen and may provide indicia to indicate
distances rearward of the vehicle. For example, the graphic overlay may
provide grid lines or markings at predetermined spacings to provide
enhanced viewing and understanding of the displayed images. The graphic
overlays thus provide a fixed or static or non-dynamic indicia that will
assist the driver in viewing and discerning or understanding the displayed
images.
The graphic overlays thus may provide a conversion reference to the actual
area at the rear of the vehicle. The non-electronically generated graphic
overlays thus may provide an economical graphic overlay at the display
screen of a rear vision system or back up aid, without the increased costs
typically associated with the electronically generated graphic overlays.
The static graphic overlay at the video mirror display thus provides a
relatively simple and cost effective way to implement a graphic overlay
at a display of a rear vision system. The present invention thus provides
any mirror with a display screen (such as an LCD video screen or the like)
with mapping or grid lines to assist the driver in performing back up
operations.
Optionally, the display system of the present invention may provide other
forms of a graphic overlay, such as icons or text or indicia or the like,
at the display screen. In applications with digital cameras or digital
camera outputs, the digital signals from the digital camera or digital
environment may be readily digitally married with computer graphics or
the like and displayed on a display screen. Such digital signals may be
communicated from the camera to the display device (which is remote from
the camera) via various protocols or nodes, such as BLUETOOTH.RTM., SCP,
UBP, J1850, CAN J2284, Fire Wire 1394, MOST, LIN, FlexRay.TM., Byte Flight
and/or the like, or other vehicle-based or in-vehicle communication links
or systems (such as WIFI and/or IRDA) and/or the like.
However, in many applications, a camera or image sensor may be selected
or used that provides a non-digital or analog video signal, such as an
NTSC signal or a PAL signal or the like. For example, such non-digital
or analog communications may be desired to communication the video signal
from a rear portion of the vehicle to a display system at or near a front
portion of the vehicle cabin (typically via wires connected between the
camera and the display device). When the analog video signal or images
are displayed, it may be desired to provide such graphic or text or
iconistic overlays at the display to enhance the information provided by
the display screen, such as by utilizing aspects of the display system
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/284,543, filed Nov. 22,
2005 and published Jul. 27, 2006 as U.S. Pat. Publication No.
US-2006-164230-A1, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The screen display and graphic overlay or overlay screen display of the
present invention provides an economical video on-screen character or
iconistic or graphical overlay for vehicle rear vision assist (such as,
for example, a forward, sideward or rearward parking assist or backup aid
or the like) and other vehicle-based video or imaging applications. The
low cost wiring between the analog camera and the display device may be
utilized, while still providing the graphic overlays on the video images
being displayed. The overlay screen display thus comprises economical
circuitry that generates an on-screen display that overlays user-defined
text or icons or graphical overlays in real-time onto either an incoming
NTSC or PAL video signal feed (such as is output from an analog video camera)
or onto a self-generating background screen, directly onto a video mirror
display or other vehicular rear vision application or any NTSC or PAL
(video in) television signal, DVD signal, VCR signal or the like.
Optionally, in one embodiment, a fixed grid or reticule pattern may be
overlayed onto the real-time rear camera image to indicate one or more
physical reference points (such as, for example, a vehicle bumper, the
sides of vehicle, a virtual trailer hitch location, and/or the like) or
distance information or other relevant or desired information. The
overlay screen display could also overlay monochrome text or colored text
onto an incoming video source or could display colored text on a
self-generated colored background screen (such as, for example, a blue
screen). Text color, blinking, zoom level, cursor positioning, and the
background color may be controlled from user inputs, such as push-button
controls or the like, or by the vehicle's multiplexed communication system
or the like.
Other commands for controlling the video display screen and overlay may
include screen clearing, showing/hiding the text, scrolling the text,
blinking or flashing or intermittently displaying the text and
enabling/disabling translucent text (a feature that allows video to pass
through the text, such as in a similar manner as some television networks
do with their logos). The overlay information may comprise various vehicle
information to display such information for viewing by the driver of the
vehicle. For example, the overlay information may include GPS coordinates
indicating the vehicle's location or a location of another place, such
as a waypoint of a programmed travel route or a destination location or
the like, a compass or directional heading of the vehicle, the outside
temperature, or warnings or alerts, or other information that a driver
may wish to see while driving the vehicle. Optionally, the overlay
information may comprise telematics information, such as, for example,
hands free commands, turn by turn instructions, caller ID, traffic
information, and/or the like.
The overlay screen display controller circuitry may be incorporated in
the rearview mirror or at an interface module located between the video
source or camera and the display. For example, and as shown in FIG. 20,
a graphic overlay system 700 may include a video signal 710, such as a
video source NTSC composite signal or the like, which may be provided from
a camera or image sensor to the overlay screen display (OSD) controller
720, such as a microprocessor or FPGA or the like. The controller 720 may
generate the overlay information and the video signal and overlay
information may be provided to the display 730. The controller 720 thus
may function to receive the composite video signal, add the appropriate
information (such as icons or indicia or text or the like) and resends
the composite signal out to be displayed at the video display screen.
Using the present invention, graphical overlays and the like may be
economically generated and overlayed/displayed on a video screen viewable
by the driver (such as an interior mirror slide-out video screen) by a
overlay screen display (OSD) video controller that is receiving a
non-digital analog video signal from a non-digital, analog video camera
(such as an NTSC analog camera or PAL camera or the like) mounted at the
vehicle, such as at the rear of the vehicle to view rearward when reverse
gear is engaged, and that generates the video feed to the video display
screen seen by the driver, with a graphic overlay superimposed onto the
NTSC or similar TV-protocol video feed from the rear mounted analog video
camera (or other camera mounted elsewhere at the vehicle with a
corresponding field of view).
Optionally, a non-digital or analog video signal (such as an NTSC or PAL
signal) may be fed or communicated to an analog to digital (A/D) converter
to digitize or convert the signal to a digital format. The digitized signal
may then be fed or communicated to a microprocessor or controller for
digital processing, such as for adding a digital graphic overlay to the
images of the video signal. The digitized signal, with digital graphic
overlays, may then pass to a digital to analog (D/A) converter to convert
the digitized signal with graphic overlays to a non-digital or analog
signal, which is then communicated to the display device or element or
screen, such as via known analog signals, such as an NTSC or PAL signal
or the like). The display system thus may provide graphic overlays to an
analog camera signal so that the video images and graphic overlays, such
as text, indicia, icons or the like, may be viewed at the display screen
by the driver of the vehicle. The A/D converter, microprocessor and/or
D/A converter may be located at any location between the analog camera
and the display device, such as at the interior rearview mirror assembly
or proximate to or near or associated with the interior rearview mirror
assembly, or elsewhere at the vehicle, without affecting the scope of the
present invention.
Optionally, the mirror assembly may include one or more user inputs for
controlling or activating/deactivating one or more electrical
accessories or devices of or associated with the mirror assembly. For
example, the mirror assembly may comprise any type of switches or buttons,
such as touch or proximity sensing switches, such as touch or proximity
switches of the types described in PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611,
filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corporation for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR
VEHICLE and published Jul. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO
2004/058540; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18,
2004 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE and published
on Dec. 2, 2004, as International Publication No. WO 2004/103772, and/or
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,001,486; 6,310,611; 6,320,282; and 6,627,918; and/or U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,255,451; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/817,874, filed
Mar. 26, 2001 by Quist et al. for INTERACTIVE AUTOMOTIVE REARVISION SYSTEM,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,224,324; Ser. No. 10/956,749, filed Oct. 1, 2004 by
Schofield et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY INCLUDING
ELECTRONIC COMPONENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,446,924; Ser. No. 10/933,842,
filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860; Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; and/or Ser. No. 11/140,396, filed May 27,
2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,932, which are hereby incorporated herein
by reference in their entireties, or the inputs may comprise other types
of buttons or switches, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,501,387,
and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/029,695, filed Jan. 5, 2005,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,253,723; and/or Ser. No. 11/451,639, filed Jun. 13,
2006 by Uken for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,403,
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties,
or such as fabric-made position detectors, such as those described in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,504,531; 6,501,465; 6,492,980; 6,452,479; 6,437,258; and
6,369,804, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties. Other types of switches or buttons or inputs or sensors may
be incorporated to provide the desired function, without affecting the
scope of the present invention. The manual inputs or user actuatable
inputs or actuators may control or adjust or activate/deactivate one or
more accessories or elements or features. For touch sensitive inputs or
applications or switches, the mirror assembly or accessory module or input
may, when activated, provide a positive feedback (such as activation of
an illumination source or the like, or such as via an audible signal, such
as a chime or the like, or a tactile or haptic signal, or a rumble device
or signal or the like) to the user so that the user is made aware that
the input was successfully activated.
Optionally, the user inputs or buttons may comprise user inputs for a
garage door opening system, such as a vehicle based garage door opening
system of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,023,322; 6,396,408;
6,362,771; and 5,798,688, which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties. The user inputs may also or otherwise
function to activate and deactivate a display or function or accessory,
and/or may activate/deactivate and/or commence a calibration of a compass
system of the mirror assembly and/or vehicle. Optionally, the user inputs
may also or otherwise comprise user inputs for a telematics system of the
vehicle, such as, for example, an ONSTAR.RTM. system as found in General
Motors vehicles and/or such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,862,594;
4,937,945; 5,131,154; 5,255,442; 5,632,092; 5,798,688; 5,971,552;
5,924,212; 6,243,003; 6,278,377; 6,420,975; 6,946,978; 6,477,464;
6,678,614; and/or 7,004,593, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/645,762, filed Aug. 20, 2003 by Taylor et al. for VEHICLE NAVIGATION
SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A TELEMATICS SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,796; Ser.
No. 10/529,715, filed Mar. 30, 2005 by Larson et al. for MICROPHONE SYSTEM
FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,657,052; Ser. No. 10/538,724, filed Jun.
13, 2005 by Hutzel et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE; and/or Ser.
No. 10/964,512, filed Oct. 13, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,308,341, which
are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Optionally, the display and inputs may be associated with various
accessories or systems, such as, for example, a tire pressure monitoring
system or a passenger air bag status or a garage door opening system or
a telematics system or any other accessory or system of the mirror assembly
or of the vehicle or of an accessory module or console of the vehicle,
such as an accessory module or console of the types described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,877,888; 6,690,268; 6,824,281; 6,672,744; 6,386,742; and
6,124,886, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003
by Donnelly Corporation for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE and published
Jul. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/0585404, and/or
PCT Application No. PCT/US04/15424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly
Corporation et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE and published on Dec.
2, 2004, as International Publication No. WO 2004/103772, and/or U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/510,813, filed Aug. 23, 2002 by Berberich
et al. for COVER MODULE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
US2005/0151396A1, published Jul. 14, 2005, which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties,
Optionally, the mirror assembly or accessory module may fixedly or
non-movably support one or more other accessories or features, such as
one or more electrical or electronic devices or accessories. For example,
illumination sources or lights, such as map reading lights or one or more
other lights or illumination sources, such as illumination sources of the
types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 5,938,321; 5,813,745;
5,820,245; 5,673,994; 5,649,756; 5,178,448; 5,671,996; 4,646,210;
4,733,336; 4,807,096; 6,042,253; 6,971,775; and/or 5,669,698, and/or U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,195,381; and/or Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas
et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860,
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties,
may be included in the mirror assembly. The illumination sources and/or
the circuit board may be connected to one or more buttons or inputs for
activating and deactivating the illumination sources.
Optionally, the mirror assembly may also or otherwise include other
accessories, such as microphones, such as analog microphones or digital
microphones or the like, such as microphones of the types disclosed in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003; 6,278,377; and/or 6,420,975, and/or in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/529,715, filed Mar. 30, 2005 by Larson et
al. for MICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,657,052.
Optionally; the mirror assembly may also or otherwise include other
accessories, such as a telematics system, speakers, antennas, including
global positioning system (GPS) or cellular phone antennas, such as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552, a communication module, such as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, a voice recorder, a blind spot
detection and/or indication system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
7,038,577; 6,882,287; 5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772, and/or U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/315,675, filed Dec. 22, 2005 by Higgins-Luthman
for OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,720,580;
and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/026148, filed Jul. 5, 2006 for
VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH BLIND SPOT INDICATOR and published.
Jan. 11, 2007 as International Publication No. WO 2007/005942,
transmitters and/or receivers, such as for a garage door opener or a
vehicle door unlocking system or the like (such as a remote keyless entry
system), a digital network, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575,
a hands-free phone attachment, an imaging system or components or
circuitry or display thereof, such as an imaging and/or display system
of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268 and 6,847,487; and/or
U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/614,644, filed Sep. 30, 2004;
Ser. No. 60/618,686, filed Oct. 14, 2004; and/or Ser. No. 60/628,709,
filed Nov. 17, 2004; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/105,757,
filed Apr. 14, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,526,103; Ser. No. 11/334,139,
filed Jan. 18, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,400,435; and/or Ser. No.
11/239,980, filed Sep. 30, 2005, a video device for internal cabin
surveillance (such as for sleep detection or driver drowsiness detection
or the like) and/or video telephone function, such as disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,760,962 and/or 5,877,897, an occupant detection system and/or
interior cabin monitoring system (such as the types described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,019,411 and/or 6,690,268, and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2005/042504, filed Nov. 22, 2005 and published Jun. 1, 2006 as
international Publication No. WO 2006/058098 A2; and/or PCT Application
No. PCT/US94/01954, filed Feb. 25, 1994, a heating element, particularly
for an exterior mirror application, such as the types described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/334,139, filed Jan. 18, 2006, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,400,435, a remote keyless entry receiver, a seat occupancy detector,
a remote starter control (such as a starter system utilizing aspects of
U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/859,680, filed Nov. 17, 2006,
and Ser. No. 60/944,917, filed Jun. 19, 2007, a yaw sensor, a clock, a
carbon monoxide detector, status displays, such as displays that display
a status of a door of the vehicle, a transmission selection (4wd/2wd or
traction control (TCS) or the like), an antilock braking system, a road
condition sensing system (that may warn the driver of icy road conditions
and/or the like, such as black ice conditions, such as described in U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 60/872,270, filed Dec. 1, 2006, a trip
computer, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) receiver (such as
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,124,647; 6,294,989; 6,445,287; 6,472,979;
and/or 6,731,205; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/232,324,
filed Sep. 21, 2005 by O'Brien et al. for TIRE PRESSURE ALERT SYSTEM, now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,423,522, and/or an ONSTAR.RTM. system and/or any other
accessory or circuitry or the like (with all of the above-referenced U.S.
patents and PCT applications and U.S. patent applications and U.S.
provisional applications being commonly assigned to Donnelly Corporation,
and with the disclosures of the referenced U.S. patents and PCT
applications and U.S. patent applications and U.S. provisional
applications being hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties).
Changes and modifications to the specifically described embodiments may
be carried out without departing from the principles of the present
invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the
appended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law.
8 7,937,195 System for managing a power source in a vehicle
( 8
United States Patent
of
3504 )
7,937,195
Kozarekar
May 3, 2011
Abstract
A system for managing a power source in a vehicle having an engine and
an electric machine can set first and second discharge limits for the power
source, where the second discharge limit is higher than the first
discharge limit. A buffer value can be determined as a function of at least
the second discharge limit and an engine-on power requirement. A driver
demand for power can be determined, and the engine started when the engine
is off and the driver demand for power exceeds the buffer value.
Inventors: Kozarekar; Shailesh (Novi, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Dearborn, MI)
Appl. No.: 12/847,663
Filed:
July 30, 2010
Related U.S. Patent Documents
Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date<TD< TD>
11278028
Mar., 2006
Current U.S. Class:
7797089
<TD< TD>
701/22 ; 180/65.25; 180/65.265; 180/65.29;
180/65.6; 180/65.7; 701/51; 701/54; 701/55;
701/56
Current International Class:
Field of Search:
G05D 3/00
(20060101)
701/22,51,54,55,56
180/65.265,65.6,65.7,65.25,65.29
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Primary Examiner: Hellner; Mark
Assistant Examiner: Mawari; Redhwan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kelley; David B. Brooks Kushman P.C.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/278,028 filed 30 Mar. 2006, now Pat. No. 7,797,089, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A system for managing a power source in a vehicle including an engine,
an electric machine, and an accelerator pedal for indicating a driver
demand for power, each of the engine and the electric machine being
operable to output torque to at least one vehicle wheel, the engine having
an engine-on power requirement for starting the engine, the power source
being operable to supply power to the electric machine and having a first
operating temperature range, a second operating temperature range above
the first operating temperature range, and a third operating temperature
range below the first operating temperature range, the system comprising:
a sensor for measuring a temperature related to the temperature of the
power source; and a control system in communication with the sensor and
the accelerator pedal, and including at least one controller, the control
system being programmed with first and second discharge limits for the
power source, the first discharge limit being at least partly based on
an amount of power supplied by the power source for a first predetermined
period of time, and being substantially constant over the first operating
temperature range and decreasing over the second and third operating
temperature ranges, the second discharge limit being higher than the first
discharge limit, and at least partly based on the temperature of the power
source and an amount of power supplied by the power source for a second
predetermined amount of time that is less than the first predetermined
amount of time, and which is based on an amount of time required to start
the engine, the control system being configured to: determine a buffer
value as a function of at least the second discharge limit and the
engine-on power requirement, determine a driver demand for power, and
start the engine when the engine is off and the driver demand for power
exceeds the buffer value.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured
to inhibit engine shutdown when the engine is on and the driver demand
for power exceeds the buffer value.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured
to limit torque output of the electric machine when at least one
predetermined condition is met, the at least one predetermined condition
including the driver demand for power being less than the first discharge
limit for the temperature of the power source, and the temperature of the
power source being within a predetermined temperature range.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one predetermined condition
includes the accelerator pedal being depressed by at least a predetermined
amount.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first discharge limit is further
based on a usage factor, the control system being further configured to
increase the first and second discharge limits when the usage factor
exceeds a predetermined value.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured
to inhibit use of the electric machine when the driver demand for power
exceeds the second discharge limit.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured
to allow the engine to be shut down when the driver demand for power is
less than the buffer value.
8. A system for managing a power source in a vehicle including an engine,
an electric machine, and an accelerator pedal for indicating a driver
demand for power, each of the engine and the electric machine being
operable to output torque to at least one vehicle wheel, the engine having
an engine-on power requirement for starting the engine, the power source
being operable to supply power to the electric machine and having a first
operating temperature range, a second operating temperature range above
the first operating temperature range, and a third operating temperature
range below the first operating temperature range, the system comprising:
a sensor for measuring a temperature related to the temperature of the
power source; and a control system in communication with the sensor and
the accelerator pedal, and including at least one controller, the control
system being programmed with first and second discharge limits for the
power source, the first discharge limit being at least party based on an
amount of power supplied by the power source for a first predetermined
period of time, and being substantially constant over the first operating
temperature range and decreasing over the second and third operating
temperature ranges, the second discharge limit being higher than the first
discharge limit, and at least partly based on the temperature of the power
source and an amount of power supplied by the power source for a second
predetermined amount of time that is less than the first predetermined
amount of time, and which is based on an amount of time required to start
the engine, the control system being further programmed with a power
buffer, the power buffer being a function of at least the second discharge
limit and the engine-on power requirement, the control system being
configured to: determine a temperature of the power source at least partly
based on input from the sensor, determine a buffer value from the power
buffer for the determined temperature of the power source; determine a
driver demand for power; and start the engine when the engine is off and
the driver demand for power exceeds the buffer value.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the control system is further configured
to inhibit engine shutdown when the engine is on and the driver demand
for power exceeds the buffer value.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the control system is further configured
to limit torque output of the electric machine when at least one
predetermined condition is met, the at least one predetermined condition
including the driver demand for power being less than the first discharge
limit for the temperature of the power source, and the temperature of the
power source being within a predetermined temperature range.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one predetermined
condition includes the accelerator pedal being depressed by at least a
predetermined amount.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein the first discharge limit is further
based on a usage factor, the control system being further configured to
increase the first and second discharge limits when the usage factor
exceeds a predetermined value.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein the control system is further configured
to inhibit use of the electric machine when the driver demand for power
exceeds the second discharge limit.
14. The system of claim 8, wherein the control system is further configured
to allow the engine to be shut down when the driver demand for power is
less than the buffer value.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for managing a power source in
a vehicle.
2. Background Art
With the ever increasing need to produce vehicles that are more fuel
efficient, hybrid electric vehicles (HEV's) have provided an improvement
in fuel economy over many conventional vehicles that utilize only an
internal combustion engine to drive the vehicle. One of the primary
advantages of an HEV is that it allows the vehicle to be powered by an
electric motor under certain operating conditions. For example, if the
speed of the vehicle is relatively moderate, and the battery or other
electrical power source is sufficiently charged, the engine may be shut
off, and the vehicle powered exclusively by one or more electric motors.
As operating conditions change, the engine may be started to provide
additional power, and if needed, charge the battery.
An electrical power source, such as a battery, may be charged and
discharged many times over the span of its useful life. Although in theory
it may be possible to charge the battery to 100% of its capacity, and
discharge the battery until there is zero charge remaining, in practice,
it may be beneficial to limit the amount by which the battery can be charged
and discharged. For any given power source, such as a battery, the charge
and discharge limits may change according to operating conditions. For
example, the ability of a battery to accept a charge, or to be discharged,
may be dependent on a number of factors, such as the temperature of the
battery and the battery state-of-charge (SOC). Moreover, if the battery
is made up of a number of individual cells, the voltage of the cells may
be another factor that affects the ability of the battery to accept a
charge or to be discharged. Therefore, the charge and discharge limits
placed on a battery may change as a function of, for example, the battery
temperature. Specifically, at relatively low and relatively high battery
temperatures, it may be desirable to reduce the charge and discharge
limits to reflect the battery's reduced capacity at these temperatures.
In the case of an HEV, which may be powered by an electric motor, an engine,
or some combination of the two, a reduced battery discharge limit means
that operation of the motor will be limited, and a greater reliance on
the engine will be necessary. Of course, increased use of the engine
increases the use of fuel, thereby reducing the benefit otherwise obtained
by operating an HEV. Thus, at relatively low or relatively high battery
temperatures, the battery discharge limit may be met or exceeded with very
little output from the motor. When the discharge limit is approached, the
engine is started, and use of the motor is prohibited or reduced. This
helps to keep the battery temperature under control, and further, helps
to keep the battery from being damaged by over discharge.
Setting a discharge limit for a battery in an HEV, and appropriately
controlling the electrical loads, including the motor, when the discharge
limit is approached, can help increase battery life, by ensuring that the
battery does not overheat or over discharge. One problem with this
approach is that conventional discharge limits are set without
considering very short term, transient outputs of the motor. For example,
using a motor in an HEV to start the engine may require approximately 0.5
seconds of motor use. A conventional discharge limit for a battery may
be set based on continuous use of a motor for two or more seconds. Thus,
a conventional battery discharge limit may be set lower than necessary
for purposes of starting an engine. In such a case, the engine may be
started sooner than is required, thereby unnecessarily using fuel. In
addition, use of a conventional battery discharge limit may cause an
engine to remain on in an HEV, when it might otherwise be able to be shut
off, thereby increasing fuel economy.
Therefore, a need exists for a system and method for managing a power
source in a vehicle that sets a discharge limit for the power source at
a level that facilitates reduced use of an internal combustion engine,
thereby increasing overall fuel economy, while still protecting the
battery from overheating and over discharging.
SUMMARY
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for managing a power
source in a vehicle in which two discharge limits are set for the power
source, the higher of the two discharge limits being used for an engine
on/off strategy.
The invention also provides a system for managing a power source in a
vehicle that includes a temperature sensor and a control system in
communication with the sensor, wherein the control system is programmed
with two discharge limits for the power source, and is configured to
control operation of the engine at least in part based on the higher of
the two discharge limits.
The invention further provides a method for managing a power source in
a vehicle including an engine and an electric machine. Each of the engine
and the electric machine is operable to output torque to at least one
vehicle wheel. The engine has an engine-on power requirement for starting
the engine, and the power source is operable to supply power to the
electric machine. The method includes setting a first discharge limit for
the power source as a function of at least one condition of the power source.
A second discharge limit for the power source is set, and is higher than
the first discharge limit. A buffer value is determined as a function of
at least the second discharge limit and the engine-on power requirement.
A driver demand for power is determined, and the engine is started when
the engine is off and the driver demand for power exceeds the buffer value.
The invention also provides a method for managing a power source in a
vehicle, where the power source includes a battery operable to supply
power to an electric machine capable of providing torque to at least one
vehicle wheel. The method includes setting a first discharge limit for
the battery as a function of at least one battery condition, including
a temperature of the battery. The method also includes setting a second
discharge limit for the battery as a function of at least one battery
condition, including the temperature of the battery. The second discharge
limit is higher than the first discharge limit, and is at least partly
based on the engine-on power requirement. A temperature of the battery
is determined, and the engine is started when the engine is off and the
driver demand for power exceeds a respective buffer value for the
determined battery temperature.
The invention further provides a system for managing a power source in
a vehicle including an engine, an electric machine, and an accelerator
pedal for indicating a driver demand for power. The system includes a
sensor for measuring a temperature related to the temperature of the power
source, and a control system in communication with the sensor and the
accelerator pedal. The control system includes at least one controller,
and is programmed with first and second discharge limits for the power
source. The first discharge limit is a function of at least one condition
of the power source, and the second discharge limit is higher than the
first discharge limit. The control system is further programmed with a
power buffer, the power buffer being a function of at least the second
discharge limit and the engine-on power requirement. The control system
is configured to determine a temperature of the power source at least
partly based on input from the sensor. It also determines a buffer value
from the power buffer for the determined temperature of the power source.
A driver demand for power is determined, and the engine is started when
the engine is off and the driver demand for power exceeds the buffer value.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a hybrid electric vehicle
including a system for managing a power source in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates various discharge limits changing as a function of
battery temperatures; and
FIG. 3 shows a graph of power delivered to a vehicle versus the position
of an accelerator pedal, and illustrates both a normal pedal map and a
limited-performance pedal map for various pedal positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 10 including an engine
12 and an electric machine, or generator 14. The engine 12 and the
generator 14 are connected through a power transfer unit, which in this
embodiment is a planetary gear set 16. Of course, other types of power
transfer units, including other gear sets and transmissions, may be used
to connect the engine 12 to the generator 14. The planetary gear set
includes a ring gear 18, a carrier 20, planet gears 22, and a sun gear
24.
The generator 14 can also be used as a motor, outputting torque to a shaft
26 connected to the sun gear 24. Similarly, the engine 12 outputs torque
to a crankshaft 28, which is connected to a shaft 30 through a passive
clutch 32. The clutch 32 provides protection against over-torque
conditions. The shaft 30 is connected to the carrier 20 of the planetary
gear set 16. Having the generator 14 operatively connected to the engine
12, as shown in FIG. 1, allows the speed of the engine 12 to be controlled
by the generator 14.
The ring gear 18 is connected to a shaft 34, which is connected to a first
set of vehicle drive wheels, or primary drive wheels 36, through a second
gear set 38. The vehicle 10 includes a second electric machine, or motor
40, which can be used to output torque to a shaft 42. Other vehicles within
the scope of the present invention may have different electric machine
arrangements, such as more or fewer than two electric machines. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the electric machine arrangement--i.e., the
motor 40 and the generator 14--can both be used as motors to output torque.
Alternatively, each can also be used as a generator, outputting electrical
power to a high voltage bus 44 and to an electrical power source, or battery
46.
The battery 46 is a high voltage battery that is capable of outputting
electrical power to operate the motor 40 and the generator 14. As shown
in FIG. 1, the battery 46 includes its own controller, or battery control
module (BCM). Other types of power sources and/or output devices can be
used with a vehicle, such as the vehicle 10. For example, a device such
as a capacitor can be used, which, like a high voltage battery, is capable
of both storing and outputting electrical energy. Alternatively, a device
such as a fuel cell may be used in conjunction with a battery and/or
capacitor to provide electrical power for the vehicle 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, the motor 40, the generator 14, the planetary gear
set 16, and a portion of the second gear set 38 may generally be referred
to as a transmission 48. To control the engine 12 and components of the
transmission 48--i.e., the generator 14 and motor 40--a control system,
shown generally as controller 50, is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the
controller 50 is a vehicle system controller/powertrain control module
(VSC/PCM). Although it is shown as a single controller, it may include
multiple controllers. For example, the PCM portion of the VSC/PCM 50 may
be software embedded within the VSC/PCM 50, or it can be a separate
hardware device.
A controller area network (CAN) 52 allows the VSC/PCM 50 to communicate
with the transmission 48 and the BCM of the battery 46. Just as the battery
46 includes a BCM, other devices controlled by the VSC/PCM 50 may have
their own controllers. For example, an engine control unit (ECU) may
communicate with the VSC/PCM 50 and may perform control functions on the
engine 12. In addition, the transmission 48 may include one or more
controllers, such as a transmission control module (TCM), configured to
control specific components within the transmission 48, such as the
generator 14 and/or the motor 40. Some or all of these various controllers
can make up a control system contemplated by the present invention.
Also shown in FIG. 1 is a temperature sensor 54 attached to the battery
46. The sensor 54 communicates a temperature of the battery to the BCM,
which in turn, communicates with the VSC/PCM 50. As described more fully
below, the sensor 54 determines the temperature of the battery 46, so that
desired control of the motor 40 and/or the generator 14 can be implemented.
Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 uses a temperature sensor to
directly measure the temperature of the battery 46, for purposes of the
present invention, the VSC/PCM 50 could determine a temperature related
to the battery 46 through other information, such as the temperature of
a battery compartment, or some combination of measured temperatures or
conditions from which a temperature related to the temperature of the
battery 46 could be inferred. Also shown in FIG. 1 is an accelerator pedal
56 which communicates to the VSC/PCM 50 a driver demand for power, based
on its position.
The present invention includes a system for managing a power source in
a vehicle, such as the battery 46 in the vehicle 10, shown in FIG. 1. In
one embodiment, the system includes the sensor 54 and the VSC/PCM 50. The
VSC/PCM 50 can be preprogrammed with discharge limits for the battery 46.
These discharge limits can be a function of various battery conditions,
such as the battery temperature, the SOC, the voltage of the various cells
which make up the battery 46, or some combination of these different
conditions. Moreover, other conditions may be included in the function
that defines the discharge limits for the battery 46. Although some or
all of these various conditions may be read directly by the VSC/PCM 50,
in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it is contemplated that the temperature
of the battery 46 will be determined by the sensor 54, which communicates
directly with the BCM. The BCM communicates this temperature, and other
battery conditions, to the VSC/PCM via the CAN 52.
As discussed above, an HEV will generally shut down its engine when it
is not needed, in order to improve fuel economy. In the vehicle 10 shown
in FIG. 1, the VSC/PCM 50 is programmed with the control strategy for
controlling the engine 12 and other components of the vehicle 10. The
strategy depends, in part, on driving conditions. For example, if the
position of the accelerator pedal 56 indicates a low driver demand for
power, the vehicle 10 may be driven exclusively by one or more of the
electric machines--i.e., the motor 40 and the generator 14. Conversely,
if the driver demands a high level of power, both the engine 12 and one
or both of the motor 40 and the generator 14 can be used to drive the vehicle
10.
Where there is a transient demand for power--e.g., intermittent periods
of driving and coasting--the engine 12 and/or motor 40 and generator 14
may be used separately, or in combination, as needed. Finally, when
braking is demanded--e.g., during coasting or during a brake pedal
request--the vehicle kinetic energy is recovered to the battery 46 via
regenerative braking. Depending on the operating state of the battery 46,
one or more of these desired operating modes may need to be altered. As
explained below, the present invention provides a system and method for
taking into account the battery conditions, without undue sacrifice of
the fuel economy.
FIG. 2 shows a graph of discharge limits for the battery 46, which can
be programmed into the VSC/PCM 50, the BCM, or some other controller or
controllers, where they will be accessible to the VSC/PCM 50. On the right
side of the graph shown in FIG. 2 are two discharge limits: a Vehicle Usage
Discharge Limit and an Engine On/Off Discharge Limit, each of which are
functions of at least the battery temperature. The left side of the graph
in FIG. 2 also shows the two discharge limits, over a much lower
temperature range then shown on the right side of the graph. The middle
portion of the graph illustrates a first predetermined temperature range,
or a "normal battery temperature range" for the battery 46. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2, this temperature range is from 15 C to 45 C.
These values are used for illustrative purposes only, and the actual
"normal" battery temperature range for any particular battery may be
different.
As shown in FIG. 2, the Vehicle Usage Discharge Limit is relatively
constant over the normal battery temperature range. Over this range, the
battery 46 can be discharged for much longer periods of time--e.g., 10-20
seconds--without encountering the discharge limit. Conversely, over a
second predetermined temperature range, which in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2 is 45 C to 55 C, the Vehicle Usage Discharge Limit decreases sharply.
The same is true over a third predetermined temperature range, 15 C to
-15 C. Above the 55 C and below -15 C, the Vehicle Usage Discharge Limit
is again relatively constant, but it is very low. Thus, FIG. 2 clearly
illustrates that at relatively high and relatively low temperatures, the
ability of an HEV, such as the vehicle 10, to use its electric machines
to operate the vehicle can be limited because of the limited functionality
of the battery at these more extreme temperatures.
In particular, if a load such as the generator 14 or the motor 40 is allowed
to discharge the battery 46 beyond the Vehicle Usage Discharge Limit, the
battery 46 could overheat, or be over discharged. Thus, use of electric
machines, such as the generator 14 and the motor 40, is generally limited
when the battery 46 is at a very high or very low temperature. A control
strategy may be programmed into, for example, the VSC/PCM 50 to
automatically inhibit use of the generator 14 and the motor 40 when the
Vehicle Usage Discharge Limit is exceeded.
The Vehicle Usage Discharge Limit shown in FIG. 2 may be indicative of
a conventional discharge limit provided for a power source, such as the
battery 46 shown in FIG. 1. The present invention, however, goes beyond
the use of a single discharge limit, and also includes a second discharge
limit, labeled in FIG. 2 as "Engine On/Off Discharge Limit." As shown in
FIG. 2, the Engine On/Off Discharge Limit is higher than the Vehicle Usage
Discharge Limit over the entire temperature range shown in FIG. 2. This
does not need to be the case, so that in some embodiments, the Engine On/Off
Discharge Limit may be greater than the Vehicle Usage Discharge Limit only
over a certain temperature range. In fact, even in FIG. 2, the difference
between the two discharge limits is very little over the normal battery
temperature range, but is much greater over the relatively high and
relatively low temperature ranges where the Vehicle Usage Discharge Limit
is sharply reduced.
Also shown in FIG. 2 is a "Engine On/Off Discharge Limit with Buffer."
This buffer is determined based on an engine-on power requirement.
Specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the generator 14 is used
to spin the engine 12 during engine startup. The amount of power the
generator 14 uses to start the engine 12 can be considered the engine-on
power requirement. If, for example, the generator 14 uses 10 kilowatts
(kW) to start the engine 12, the engine-on power requirement would be 10
kW. Therefore, the Engine On/Off Discharge Limit with Buffer, which may
be conveniently called a "power buffer," will be set such that it is always
at least 10 kW lower than the Engine On/Off Discharge Limit.
When the engine is off and the driver demand for power exceeds the value
of the power buffer, the VSC/PCM 50 will cause the engine 12 to be started.
This may briefly cause the discharge level to exceed the Vehicle Usage
Discharge Limit, but this discharge will occur only briefly, and once the
engine 12 is started, operation of the generator 14 and motor 40 can be
reduced or completely prohibited so that the battery 46 maintains its
temperature and is not over discharged. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2, the Vehicle Usage Discharge Limit is based on a continuous
discharge of the battery 46 for some predetermined amount of time--e.g.,
two seconds. In contrast, the Engine On/Off Discharge Limit is higher
because it is based on a much shorter duration of battery discharge--e.g.,
0.5 seconds. Thus, the present invention allows the battery 46 to be
discharged at a higher level if the discharge is very brief. This allows
the engine 12 to remain off for longer periods and to be shut off more
frequently than conventional battery management systems.
If a control strategy used only one discharge limit, such as the Vehicle
Usage Discharge Limit, the values of the power buffer would be reduced,
thereby causing the engine to be started sooner than is necessary.
Similarly, if the engine 12 is operating, and a driver demand for power
is below the power buffer for a given battery temperature, the engine 12
can be shut down, since there will be power available to restart it. The
higher power buffer of the present invention allows the engine 12 to be
shut down more frequently than it could be if a single discharge limit,
and thus a lower power buffer, were used. Any time that the engine 12 is
operating, and the driver demand for power exceeds the power buffer,
engine shutdown will be inhibited.
Another way in which the present invention manages a power source, such
as the battery 46, is by reducing the torque output of either or both of
the generator 14 and the motor 40 over the battery temperature ranges where
the Vehicle Usage Discharge Limit is reduced. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2, these ranges are 45 C to 55 C on the high end, and 15 C to -15
C on the low end. As noted above, the VSC/PCM 50 receives a driver demand
for power as indicated by a position of the accelerator pedal 56.
In order to reduce the output of the electric machines 14, 40, the VSC/PCM
50 can be programmed to provide a reduced torque output command to the
electric machines 14, 40 when the temperature of the battery 46 is within
one of the predetermined temperature ranges. FIG. 3 shows a graph of the
amount of power delivered to the vehicle 10 by the electric machines 14,
40 for a normal pedal map, and a limited-performance pedal map. Limiting
the performance of the electric machines 14, 40, in accordance with the
present invention, provides another way by which the battery 46 can be
kept from overheating, while still allowing the engine 12 to remain
shutdown.
In the graph shown in FIG. 3, the normal pedal map graphically illustrates
the delivered power versus pedal position for various positions of the
accelerator pedal 56. The limited-performance pedal map modifies the
delivered power by using a battery temperature modifier. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 3, the battery temperature modifier is equal to 1 if the
accelerator pedal position is between 0 and 5 degrees. This means that
when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal 56 only a small
amount--i.e., demands only a small amount of power--the normal pedal map
and a limited performance pedal map are coincident.
Beyond five degrees, however, the battery temperature modifier reduces
the normal pedal map such that the VSC/PCM 50 will reduce its request to
the electric machines 14, 40 so they draw less power from the battery 46,
which helps to maintain the temperature of the battery 46. The battery
temperature modifier can be any modifier effective to reduce the normal
pedal map so that the power requested from the electric machines 14, 40
is reduced. Thus, the battery temperature modifier can be a constant value,
or a function of the batter temperature and pedal position, as shown in
FIG. 3. FIG. 3 also illustrates that in some situations, the
limited-performance pedal map may be allowed to intersect with the normal
pedal map at a fully open pedal position to deliver at 100% of the power
requested by the driver. This is illustrated at point 58 in FIG. 3.
Conversely, the limited-performance pedal map may be limited to some value,
indicated by line 60 in FIG. 3, such that it does not allow 100% of the
delivered power even when the accelerator pedal 56 is fully open.
Because the driving habits of different drivers may cause a disparity
between how much of the time an engine is used and how much of the time
a motor is used in an HEV, the useful life of a battery may vary widely
among vehicles, even when the vehicles are the same age. For this reason,
the present invention also contemplates application of a battery usage
factor to account for some of these different driving habits. For example,
if a vehicle is generally low mileage, or if the vehicle is used primarily
at high speeds on a highway, the motor or motors may be used infrequently,
and the battery supplying them power may have a longer remaining life span
than indicated by its calendar age. In such cases, it may be possible to
increase the discharge limits to further increase fuel economy.
Two different ways of calculating a usage factor are now described. In
the first, a calendar age estimate (CAE) is calculated. Although this
value may be calculated according to different formulas, one such formula
calculates the CAE as follows: CAE=(Total Life Estimate*Calendar
Time)/(Current Life Estimate*Vehicle Life Expectation). In this formula,
the Total Life Estimate and the Current Life Estimate are estimated
according to a predetermined criteria, such as amp-hours throughput, or
by a cumulative stress function, both of which are techniques known to
those in the art. The Calendar Time represents the age of the battery,
and the Vehicle Life Expectation, for purposes of this formula, can be
set to some high value greater than the actual program life
expectation--e.g., 18 years or 200,000 miles, depending on the units being
used.
As described below, the CAE can then be used to create a usage factor
applied to the discharge limits. Another way to calculate a usage factor
is by first calculating a Mileage Age Estimate (MAE) as follows:
CAE=(Total Life Estimate*Current Mileage)/(Current Life
Estimate*Vehicle Life Expectation). In this formula, the Current Mileage
of the vehicle replaces the variable "Calendar Time" in the first formula,
with the remaining variables being the same as in the CAE calculation.
The MAE provides an alternative to the CAE for deciding when to increase
the discharge limits.
By way of example, if a CAE value is calculated, and that value is less
than one, it indicates that the usage of the battery in the vehicle is
not low enough to warrant increasing the discharge limits. Conversely,
if it is greater than one, the CAE can be used to determine a usage factor
using the following formula: Usage Factor=(1/CAE)*(Max Allowed Battery
Temperature-Normal Set Point).
In this formula, the Max Allowed Battery Temperature may be determined
empirically, or may be a value provided, for example, by the battery
manufacturer. The Normal Set Point is the value of the discharge limit
at the battery temperature being examined. Although it is called a
"factor" the calculated usage factor is not multiplied by the original
discharge limit, but rather, it is added to it. Of course, different types
of usage factors could be calculated, and used to increase the discharge
limits by multiplying the original discharge limits by the usage factor.
The usage factor can be calculated for any number of points along the
discharge curve, thereby generating an entirely new discharge curve based
on battery usage. As noted above, the MAE can be used in place of the CAE
to determine a usage factor based on mileage, rather than calendar age.
Increasing the discharge limits according to this method, allows the
engine to be shut off and kept off more frequently, thereby further
increasing the fuel economy of the vehicle.
While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described in
detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will
recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the
invention as defined by the following claims.
9 7,936,145 Electronically commutated asynchronous motor
( 9
United States Patent
of
3504 )
7,936,145
Schmid
May 3, 2011
Abstract
An electronically commutated asynchronous motor (12) features a stator
(202), a short-circuit rotor (204), a controller (FOR 20) for
field-oriented regulation of the motor (12), a sensor magnet (274) in
thermally conductive connection with the short-circuit rotor (204), a
rotor position sensor (14A; 18; 18') arranged at a predetermined distance
(d) from the sensor magnet (274) to generate an output signal (HALL, U,
U1, U2) that is dependent upon the spatial orientation of the sensor magnet
(274), and a temperature evaluation apparatus (CALC_T 44) configured to
ascertain, during operation, from the sensor output signal (HALL, U, U1,
U2), a temperature value (T) that characterizes a temperature (T_SM, T_S)
in the motor (12).
Inventors: Schmid; Harald (Emmingen, DE)
Assignee: EBM-Papst St. Georgen GmbH & Co. KG (St. Georgen, DE)
Appl. No.: 12/112,130
Filed:
April 30, 2008
Foreign Application Priority Data
May 14, 2007 [DE]
10 2007 024 244
Aug 15, 2007 [DE]
10 2007 039 366
Current U.S. Class:
Current International
Class:
Field of Search:
318/727 ; 318/471; 318/783; 318/798
H02P 1/24
(20060101)
318/727,772,783,798,822,823,825,471,472,473
References Cited [Referenced By]
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3848466
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4567419
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5119071
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Ogden et al.
5418451
May 1995
Maass et al.
5811957
September 1998
Bose et al.
6718273
April 2004
Tschentscher et al.
7199549
April 2007
Kleinau et al.
7268514
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DeLange et al.
7475557
January 2009
Yoshioka et al.
7770406
August 2010
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Foreign Patent Documents
3205460
Feb., 1983
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41 37 559
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195 39 711
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199 42 205
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DE
0 780 964
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2 261 518
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JP
Other References
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May 14, 1987 (1 page). cited by other .
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11, 2008, retrieved Apr. 30, 2008. cited by other .
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16, 2008. cited by other .
Philips Semiconductors, "KMZ43T Magnetic Field Sensor" 9-page
datasheet dated Sep. 15, 2003. cited by other .
Sensitec GmbH, "GF705 Magnetoresistive Field Sensor," 5-page
datasheet dated May 3, 2007. cited by other .
Asahi Kasei EMD Corp. "HW-101A InSb Hall Element," 2-page
datasheet , date unknown. cited by other .
Patent Abs. of Japan, abstract of JP 10-174276-A, Jun. 26, 1998.
cited by other .
Patent Abs. of Japan, abstract of JP 2004-222387-A, Aug. 5, 2004.
cited by other .
Patent Abs. of Japan, abstract of JP 2005-061709-A, Mar. 10, 2005.
cited by other.
Primary Examiner: Benson; Walter
Assistant Examiner: Dinh; Thai
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oliver, Esq.; Milton Oliver Intellectual
Property LLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronically commutated asynchronous motor (12) comprising: a
stator (202), a short-circuit rotor (204), a controller (20) for
field-oriented regulation (FOR) of the motor (12), a sensor magnet (274)
that is in thermally conductive connection with the short-circuit rotor
(204), a rotor position sensor (14A; 18; 18') arranged at a distance (d)
from said sensor magnet (274) to generate, during operation, an output
signal (HALL, U, U1, U2) that is dependent upon the spatial orientation
of the sensor magnet (274), a temperature evaluation apparatus (CALC_T
44) that is configured to ascertain during operation, from the output
signal (HALL, U, U1, U2), a temperature value (T) that is suitable for
characterizing a temperature (T_SM, T_S) in the motor (12), and a data
memory (25, 320) for storing motor system data measured at the motor (12)
during operation at a predetermined temperature.
2. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the temperature value (T) is
adapted for characterizing the temperature of the short-circuit rotor
(204) within the motor.
3. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the temperature evaluation
apparatus (CALC_T 44) is configured to apply the ascertained temperature
value (T) to the controller for field-oriented regulation (20).
4. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the temperature evaluation
apparatus (CALC_T 44) is configured to generate, as a function of the
stored motor system data and of the output signal of the rotor position
sensor (14A; 18; 18'), a value (T) characterizing the temperature (T_SM,
T_S) in the motor (12).
5. The motor according to claim 1, which is implemented to also ascertain
the rotor position of the short-circuit rotor (204) from the output signal
(HALL, U, U1, U2) of the rotor position sensor (14A).
6. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the temperature evaluation
apparatus (CALC_T 44) is implemented to ascertain the temperature value
(T) from the amplitude of the output signal (HALL, U, U1, U2).
7. The motor according to claim 1, further comprising a separating member
(122) between the sensor magnet (274) and the rotor position sensor (14A).
8. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the rotor position sensor (14A)
is a galvanomagnetic sensor.
9. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the rotor position sensor (14A)
is a Hall sensor.
10. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the rotor position sensor (14A)
is implemented to generate an output signal (110) that depends upon an
absolute value of the magnetic flux density (B 108) generated by the sensor
magnet (274).
11. The motor according to claim 10, wherein the amplitude of the output
signal (110) depends on the absolute value of the magnetic flux density
(B 108) generated by the sensor magnet (274).
12. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the rotor position sensor (14A)
is implemented to ascertain an output signal value (HALL, U) that is
dependent upon the temperature (T_SM) of the sensor magnet (274).
13. The motor according to claim 1, wherein a separating member (122) made
of plastic is provided between the sensor magnet (274) and the rotor
position sensor (14A).
14. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the rotor position sensor (18,
18') is an MR sensor.
15. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the rotor position sensor (18,
18') is implemented to generate, in operation, an output signal (U1, U2)
that depends upon the direction of the magnetic flux density (B(phi))
generated by the sensor magnet (274).
16. The motor according to claim 15, wherein the rotor position sensor
(18, 18') is implemented to generate an output signal (U1, U2) whose
amplitude depends on the direction of the magnetic flux density (B(phi))
generated by the sensor magnet (274).
17. The motor according to claim 15, wherein the rotor position sensor
(18, 18') is implemented to generate an output signal (U1, U2) that is
dependent on the temperature of the rotor position sensor (18, 18').
18. The motor according to claim 1, wherein a separating member (122) that
enables good thermal transfer between the sensor magnet (274) and the
rotor position sensor (18, 18') is provided between the sensor magnet (274)
and the rotor position sensor (18, 18').
19. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the motor has a sensor housing
(124) for the rotor position sensor (14A), the rotor position sensor (14A)
being connected in a thermally insulated manner to said sensor housing
(124).
20. An electronically commutated asynchronous motor (12) comprising: a
stator (202); a short-circuit rotor (204); and a controller (20) for
field-oriented regulation of said motor (12); a sensor magnet (274) being
provided in thermally conductive connection with the short-circuit rotor
(204), a galvanomagnetic sensor (14A), whose output signal (HALL) is a
function of the magnetic flux density (B) generated by the sensor magnet
(274) at the galvanomagnetic sensor (14A), and thus of the temperature
of the short-circuit rotor (204), being provided on the stator (202) at
a predetermined distance (d) from said sensor magnet (274); and a
temperature evaluation apparatus that is implemented to generate, from
the output signal of the galvanomagnetic sensor, a value characterizing
the temperature of the short-circuit rotor (204), and to deliver said
value to the controller for field-oriented regulation (20).
21. The motor according to claim 20, wherein the galvanomagnetic sensor
(14A) is a Hall sensor.
22. The motor according to claim 20, further comprising a data memory (25,
320) for storing motor data measured at the motor (12) during operation
at a predetermined temperature.
23. The motor according to claim 20, further comprising a data memory (25)
for storing motor data measured at the motor (12) during operation at a
predetermined temperature, and wherein the temperature evaluation
apparatus (20) is implemented to generate the value characterizing the
temperature of the short-circuit rotor (204) as a function of the stored
motor data and of the output signal of the galvanomagnetic sensor (14A).
24. The motor according to claim 20, which is implemented also to ascertain,
from the output signal of the galvanomagnetic sensor (14A), the angular
position (phi) of the short-circuit rotor (204).
25. The motor according to claim 20, wherein the sensor magnet (274) also
has, associated with it, a magnetoresistor (18, 18') whose output signal
(MR) serves to supply a datum regarding the rotational position (phi) of
the short-circuit rotor (204).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
This application claims priority of German patent applications DE 10 2007
024 244.3 & 10 2007 039 366.2, filed respectively 14 May 2007 and 15 Aug.
2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an electronically commutated asynchronous motor
(ASM) having a stator, a short-circuit rotor, and a controller for
field-oriented regulation (FOR) of said motor.
BACKGROUND
Sensing of the electrical parameters of asynchronous motors (ASMs) is
important for field-oriented regulation of the motors that are produced.
Although field-oriented regulation (FOR) of asynchronous motors is known,
its vulnerability or sensitivity to changes in parameters represents a
problem that has not satisfactorily been solved. In FOR, regulation takes
place in a coordinate system oriented on the rotor-flux space-vector, so
that the flux-forming and torque-forming current components can be
influenced separately. The instantaneous position and instantaneous
absolute value of the rotor-flux space-vector are usually determined with
the aid of an analog or digital software model of the motor. All the
rotor-flux estimating methods which are based upon a model have the
disadvantage, however, that the parallel model can correctly reproduce
the motor state only when the parameter values used in the software model
agree with the instantaneous parameter values in the particular motor
being operated.
During operation, the stator resistance and rotor resistance can change
by up to 50% as a function of temperature. Changes in main inductance must
be compensated for when the ASM is also operated in the field-weakening
region.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel
electronically commutated asynchronous motor that is particularly
adapted to operate using field-oriented regulation.
According to the present invention, this object is achieved by building
the motor with a short-circuit rotor which is in thermally conductive
relation to a sensor magnet, arranging a rotor position sensor at a
predetermined distance from the sensor magnet to produce an output signal
dependent upon the spatial orientation of the sensor magnet, evaluating
the output signal to ascertain a motor temperature, and using the
ascertained motor temperature and the rotor position output signal in a
controller for field-oriented regulation (FOR) of the motor. The
temperature of the rotor can thereby very easily be measured in a
contact-free manner.
A preferred refinement is to employ a galvanomagnetic sensor as the rotor
position sensor. The use of a galvanomagnetic rotor position sensor
enables a measurement of the temperature of the sensor magnet, and thus
allows inferences as to the motor's temperature.
A further preferred refinement is to employ a magnetoresistive sensor as
the rotor position sensor. The use of a magnetoresistive sensor enables,
for example, a simultaneous measurement of temperature and of rotational
angle or position of the rotor, and thus reduces cost.
A further manner of achieving the object is to place the sensor magnet
in thermally conductive relation with the short-circuit rotor, so that
the magnetic flux density generated by the sensor magnet in the
galvanomagnetic rotor position sensor varies with sensor magnet
temperature, and the rotor position output signal amplitude thus becomes
a function of temperature. This measurement is based on arranging the
sensor magnet in thermally conductive connection with the short-circuit
rotor, so that the magnetic flux density generated by said sensor magnet
is a direct function of rotor temperature.
Because individual motors differ from one another as produced, it is
particularly advantageous to calibrate or compensate at the end of motor
fabrication, i.e. during production, motor-specific data are stored in
a permanent memory, and this measurement and storage occur at a
standardized motor temperature, usually at 20.degree. C. with the aid of
these stored data, the temperature that is sensed at the galvanomagnetic
sensor can then reliably be calculated, and a motor model is obtained that
enables accurate field-oriented regulation.
BRIEF FIGURE DESCRIPTION
Further details and advantageous refinements of the invention are evident
from the exemplifying embodiments, in no way to be understood as a
limitation of the invention, that are described below and depicted in the
drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a geared motor 200 that operates with field-oriented
regulation (FOR);
FIG. 2 schematically depicts a FOR system;
FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction to explain the invention;
FIG. 4 schematically depicts measurement of a motor temperature by means
of a galvanomagnetic sensor;
FIG. 5 shows an output voltage/magnetic flux density characteristic curve
of a galvanomagnetic sensor;
FIG. 6 shows an output voltage/temperature characteristic curve of the
galvanomagnetic sensor of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 schematically depicts the measurement of motor temperature by means
of an MR (Magneto-Resistive) sensor 18'; and
FIG. 8 schematically depicts an evaluation apparatus for processing the
temperature-dependent signal from a sensor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows the basic design of a geared motor 200 that contains a
three-phase ASM 12. Said motor has a motor housing 123, a stator 202 having
a three-phase winding, a rotor 204 that is implemented as a so-called
short-circuit rotor, and a sensor arrangement 14A, 18 that preferably sits
on a circuit board and is surrounded on the outer side by a sensor housing
124. Rotor 204 has a short-circuit ring 206 at the left end, and a
short-circuit ring 208 at the right end. Rings 206, 208 are connected in
the usual way by short-circuit bars 210 to form a cage in which a rotor
current i.sub.R flows during operation, the magnitude of said current
being dependent on the temperature of rotor 204 because the resistance
of bars 210 increases with increasing temperature. For this reason, the
level of the current must be adapted as a function of the rotor temperature
and, for this reason, a temperature sensor (the position of which is
indicated with the reference character 214) has hitherto been integrated
into the stator winding, said sensor indirectly sensing the temperature
of rotor 204. The signal from this sensor 214 is delivered to a controller
20, depicted in FIG. 2, for the field-oriented regulation (FOR) system.
FIG. 2 shows a control arrangement 10 for ASM 12. The latter has a sensor
arrangement 14 for generating a rotation speed signal n, as well as a
sensor arrangement 14A (FIG. 1) for generating a Hall signal HALL and a
signal MR of a magnetoresistive resistor 18 (FIG. 2). A sensor magnet 274
(FIG. 3) is part of sensor arrangement 14.
The various signals n, HALL, MR are delivered to an associated multi-pin
input 17 (FIG. 2) of a field-oriented regulator (FOR) 20 of known design.
The latter contains a specific ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated
Circuit) 22 that processes the MR signal in order to calculate therefrom
the instantaneous rotational position of motor 12. The ASIC furthermore
processes the HALL signal in order to calculate therefrom the
instantaneous temperature of rotor 204. The HALL signal could also be sent
directly outward to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 33 (FIG. 4), where
temperature calculation would then occur.
For this, as shown in FIG. 3, at a predetermined temperature, e.g.
20.degree. C., the HALL signal is delivered to a measurement arrangement
270. The latter generates therefrom a signal uStand, which is delivered
to two inputs SCL and SDA of ASIC 22 as a motor data value, and stored
there in an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory)
25 or another, preferably nonvolatile, memory. This signal is dependent
on the distance d (FIG. 3) between Hall sensor 14A and sensor magnet 274
that is arranged on an end face of rotor 204 or is thermally conductively
connected thereto, and is consequently at the temperature of the rotor.
The value uStand therefore indicates the standardized value of the Hall
signal HALL for the sensor magnet 274 that is being used, at a temperature
of 20.degree. C. and at distance d (which is always subject to small
manufacturing variations among a series of motors). These variations are
largely compensated by the calibration operation. Instead of "motor
data," the term "motor system data" could also be used, in order to clarify
that these are data relevant to the particular motor and the sensor as
manufactured.
Sensor magnet 274 also controls magneto-resistor 18, which serves for
exact sensing of the rotor position. The rotor position can, however, also
be calculated directly from the Hall signal HALL.
A value n* for the desired rotation speed of motor 10 is also delivered
at an input 50 to FOR 20. Also delivered thereto are, at inputs 52, 54,
values i1, i2, i3 for the phase currents, and at inputs 56, 58, values
u1, u2, u3 for the phase voltages of the respective phases of motor 12.
Currents i1 etc. are measured, for example, by means of current
transformers or measuring resistors 24 of known design, only one of which
is depicted since FIG. 1 is a usual symbolic depiction of such a motor.
In this example, motor 12 is supplied with electrical energy via a
rectifier 26 from a three-phase network U, V, W. Rectifier 26 feeds into
a DC link circuit lead 28 (negative) and lead 30 (positive), to which a
capacitor 32 is connected as a reactive current source. DC link circuit
28, 30 could of course be connected in the same fashion directly to a
battery, e.g. to the battery of a vehicle, as is well known to the skilled
artisan.
Connected to DC link circuit 28, 30 is a three-phase inverter 34, only
one of whose three branches is depicted. The latter contains power MOSFETs
(Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors) 36, 38, which are
controlled via associated outputs 40, 42 of FOR 20 by means of PWM (Pulse
Width Modulation) pulses that are indicated symbolically in FIG. 2.
Because ASIC 22 of Hall sensor 14A (FIG. 3) receives the HALL signal that
is dependent on temperature, and because a baseline value corresponding
to a temperature of 20.degree. C. is stored in EEPROM 25, ASIC 22 can
continuously recalculate the instantaneous temperature and, proceeding
therefrom, control the currents in motor 12 so as to yield the desired
torque or desired rotation speed. In FIG. 3, magneto-resistor 18 is also
controlled by the same sensor magnet 274, so that in this manner both the
instantaneous rotation angle position of rotor 204 and the instantaneous
rotor temperature can be calculated using only one sensor magnet 274,
resulting in a very compact design.
FIG. 4 schematically depicts stator 202; rotor 204, having short-circuit
bars 210 and sensor magnet 274; galvanomagnetic sensor 14A; MR sensor 18
for sensing the rotor position angle phi; and ECU (Electronic Control Unit)
33, which has a FOR controller 20 and a temperature evaluation apparatus
44.
Stator 202 generates a magnetic flux density B 100 by which a current
i.sub.R 102 is induced in short-circuit rotor 204. A torque at rotor 204
is also generated thereby, with the result that the rotor rotates and rotor
position angle phi changes. Especially as a result of the resistance of
short-circuit bars 210, current i.sub.R causes a power dissipation that
increases temperature T_M 104 of rotor 204 and of motor 12 in general.
As a result of thermal transfer 105, in particular thermal conduction,
temperature T_M 104 influences temperature T_SM 106 of sensor magnet 274,
so that T_SM=T_M (1). For this purpose, sensor magnet 274 is nonrotatably
secured to rotor 204, for example by way of a thermally conductive material.
Sensor magnet 274 rotates along with rotor 204 and generates a magnetic
flux density B(phi,T_SM) 108 that is dependent on rotor position angle
phi and on temperature T_SM 106 of sensor magnet 274, the amplitude of
magnetic flux density B 108 decreasing with increasing temperature T_SM
106 of sensor magnet 274.
Galvanomagnetic sensor 14A detects magnetic flux density B 108 at the
location of sensor 14A, and generates an output signal HALL 110 whose
voltage U 112 takes substantially the form U=f(T.sub.--SM)*sin(phi) (2).
Voltage U112, that is ascertained, is delivered to temperature evaluation
apparatus CALC_T 44. By evaluating the amplitude f(T_SM), it is now
possible to determine temperature T_SM 106 of sensor magnet 274, which
temperature corresponds, to a good approximation, to temperature T_M 104
of short-circuit rotor 204. Temperature value T 45 that is ascertained
is then delivered to FOR controller 20, and the latter can perform improved
field-oriented regulation with the aid of value T 45 and rotor position
angle phi ascertained by MR sensor 18.
A measurement of the temperature-dependent magnetic flux density 108
using a galvanomagnetic sensor 14A reacts more quickly to temperature
changes in motor 12 than a measurement of the temperature at the location
of sensor 14A (for example using an "NTC" Negative Temperature Coefficient
resistor), since thermal transfer does not occur instantaneously, and a
temperature measurement at the location of sensor 14A is therefore delayed
in time with respect to the temperature of the motor.
Predetermined distance d (FIG. 3) between sensor magnet 274 and
galvanomagnetic sensor 14A is preferably selected in such a way that it
is approximately two-thirds of radius r_SM 120 of sensor magnet 274. For
a preferred sensor magnet 274, r_SM is approximately 7 mm, and d is thus
approximately 5 mm.
If a stator-side separating member or partition or cap 122 (FIG. 1) is
provided between sensor 14A and sensor magnet 274, e.g. in order to protect
sensor 14A from internal motor media such as, for example, oil, cap 122
is preferably implemented using a poorly thermally conductive material
such as, for example, plastic, in order to reduce heating of sensor 14A.
Additionally or alternatively, sensor 14A can be thermally connected in
highly thermally conductive fashion to sensor housing 124 (FIG. 1), in
order to keep the temperature of sensor 14A approximately at external
temperature. In the case of galvanomagnetic sensors 14A having an output
signal 110 that is dependent on the temperature of sensor 14A, this reduces
the influence on output signal 110 due to heating of sensor 14A, thus
simplifying evaluation.
Galvanomagnetic sensors 14A with compensation for dependence on the
sensor temperature are preferably used. Such compensation is possible,
for example, in the silicon of sensor 14A.
A suitable galvanomagnetic sensor 14A is, for example, the HW-101A Hall
sensor of the Asahi Kasei EMD Corporation (AKE).
An approach without an MR sensor 18 or 18' is also possible. For this,
two galvanomagnetic sensors 14A operating in an analog manner are used
in order to generate two non-identical sine-wave signals, preferably a
sine signal and a cosine signal. The temperature can then be ascertained
either from one signal or from both signals.
FIG. 5 shows, from the data sheet of the HW-101A Hall sensor, a V.sub.H-B
characteristic curve with output voltage V.sub.H and magnetic flux
density B; and FIG. 6 shows a V.sub.H-T characteristic curve with output
voltage V.sub.H and temperature T. As is evident from curve 142 of FIG.
5, output voltage V.sub.H rises linearly with the absolute value of
magnetic flux density B, provided the input voltage V.sub.C is held
constant. It is evident from curve 144 in FIG. 6 that the value of output
voltage V.sub.H remains substantially constant in the operating
temperature region from -40.degree. C. to +110.degree. C. for a constant
input voltage V.sub.C.
Voltage U112 (FIG. 4) generated by Hall sensor 14A thus depends
substantially on the (directionally independent) magnetic flux density
B.
FIG. 7 schematically depicts a measurement of motor temperature T_M 104
using an MR sensor 18' arranged centrally with respect to rotor axis 150.
The mechanisms in stator 202 and rotor 204 relevant to the heating of motor
12 correspond to those of FIG. 4, and will not be described again.
The starting point is once again the fact that temperature T_SM of sensor
magnet 274 represents a sufficient mapping of temperature T_M 104 of
short-circuit rotor 204.
Unlike FIG. 4, MR sensor 18' (e.g. an Anisotropic Magneto-Resistive (AMR),
a Giant Magneto-Resistive (GMR), or a Colossal Magneto-Resistive (CMR)
sensor) is positioned relative to sensor magnet 274 in such a way that
a thermal transfer 134 takes place from sensor 274 to sensor 18', in
particular by thermal radiation and convection. Model GF705 from Sensitec
GmbH of Lahnau, Germany is suitable as a GMR sensor.
When an MR sensor 18' having outputs 130, 132 is used, output signals 136,
138 U1=f(T.sub.--S)sin(phi) (3) U2=f(T.sub.--S)cos(phi) (4) depend on
rotor position angle phi and on temperature T_S 140 of sensor 18', and
they are delivered to ECU 33, in which, for example, output voltage U1
is delivered to temperature evaluation apparatus CALC_T in order to
ascertain temperature T, and output voltages U1 and U2 are delivered to
FOR controller 20 in order to ascertain rotor position angle phi.
It is preferred to use MR sensors 18' whose output signals 130, 132 depend,
in the specified region, very little on the strength of magnetic flux
density B 108, but instead principally on the direction thereof (also
called the magnetic field direction), or to use sensors in which the
dependence on magnetic flux density B at least is less than the dependence
on the temperature of MR sensor 18'.
In the case of the KMZ43T MR sensor of Philips Electronics NV, for example,
the output voltage drops by approximately 0.29%/K as temperature T_S rises,
and in the working region (usually in the saturation region with respect
to magnetic flux density B), said voltage is substantially independent
of the magnitude of magnetic flux density B. The working region with
respect to temperature is -40.degree. C. to +125.degree. Celsius.
By evaluating amplitude f(T_S) in CALC_T 44, temperature (T_S) 140 of
sensor 18' can be determined, said temperature corresponding
approximately to temperature T_SM 106 of sensor magnet 274; this
temperature in turn corresponds, to a good approximation, to temperature
(T_M) 104 of short-circuit rotor 204.
Because of the double indirect measurement, the measurement is not as
accurate as, for example, a direct measurement in short-circuit rotor 204
or a measurement using a galvanomagnetic sensor as in FIG. 4, especially
in a context of rapidly changing temperatures, but is still accurate
enough for many applications. The approach is very favorable because both
rotor position angle phi and the approximate temperature (T_M) 104 of
short-circuit rotor 204 can be ascertained using MR sensor 140.
Predetermined distance d between sensor magnet 274 and MR sensor 18' is
preferably selected to be small, e.g. 1 mm to 4 mm, more preferably 1.5
to 3 mm, in order to enable good thermal transfer 134.
As in the case of the variant having galvanomagnetic sensor 14A, here as
well, a stator-side partition or cap 122 (FIG. 1) can be provided between
sensor 18' and sensor magnet 274 in order to protect sensor 18'.
For good thermal transfer 134, partition 122 is fabricated from a highly
thermally conductive material such as, for example, a metal, in particular
aluminum.
In addition, sensor 18 or 18' can be thermally insulated with respect to
the usually highly-thermally-conductive sensor housing 124 (FIG. 1), in
order to reduce cooling caused by the latter.
FIG. 8 shows an exemplifying embodiment of a temperature evaluation
apparatus (temperature ascertaining apparatus, temperature sensing
apparatus) 44 for evaluating a temperature-dependent sensor signal U1
from a galvanomagnetic sensor 14A (FIG. 4) or from an MR sensor 18' (FIG.
7).
Apparatus 44 is implemented here as an ASIC, but can also be embodied,
for example, in a microprocessor or microcontroller.
The temperature-dependent signal U1 is delivered to an A/D
(Analog-to-Digital) converter 304, where it is digitized. Output signal
U1_dig is delivered to a FIND_MAX function 308 and to a FIND_MIN function
310 that ascertain, for example over a predetermined time span, the
maximum value MAX_U1 312 and minimum value MIN_U1 314. This is done by,
for example, ascertaining the greatest value and smallest value during
one period of the sinusoidal signal U1. Amplitude AMPL is then calculated
at 316 by calculating half the difference between maximum value MAX_U1
and minimum value MIN_U1.
At 318 temperature T is then ascertained by means of a function g(AMPL,
PAR), from amplitude AMPL and, if applicable, from further parameters PAR
that are dependent on the motor or sensor. Motor-dependent parameters PAR
are stored, for example, in an EEPROM 320 (FIG. 8). The temperature
determination can be dependent, for example, on the measurement method,
sensor type, sensor arrangement, production series variations during
sensor manufacture, etc. For applications with lesser accuracy
requirements or low tolerances, parameters PAR 320 can be predefined for
the motor type; for greater accuracy requirements or high tolerances,
however, an at least partial stipulation of parameters ascertained for
each individual rotor 204 may also be necessary, in which context, for
example, measurements are performed at predetermined temperatures.
If two rotor position signals are present, as is the case for example when
an MR sensor or two galvanomagnetic sensors are used, the temperature can
be ascertained either from only one of the two signals, or from both. When
a sine signal and cosine signal are detected, they can be plotted in known
fashion as a circle, and the temperature is determined from the radius
of the circle.
The present method of temperature measurement can also be used with BLDC
(Brush-Less Direct Current) motors or electronically commutated DC motors
to permit, in such motors, regulation with a more accurate motor model.
It is also possible to use sensors 14A or 18, 18' that are dependent, inter
alia, both on the absolute value of magnetic flux density B and on
temperature T_S of sensor 18, 18'. This may complicate evaluation, however,
and the effects can cancel or negatively affect one another. When such
a sensor is used, the characteristic curve of the ascertained voltage as
a function of motor temperature must be measured beforehand, as applicable,
in motor 12.
When at least two sensors are used, it is advantageous to arrange both
on a common circuit board. With two galvanomagnetic sensors, both are
preferably arranged on the same side of the circuit board; with one
galvanomagnetic and one MR sensor, preferably either both sensors are
arranged on the same side of the circuit board, or one of the sensors is
arranged on the front side of the circuit board and the other on its back
side. MR sensors are preferably arranged in the region of rotation axis
150 (FIG. 4, FIG. 7) of the rotor or of sensor magnet 106, and thus
centrally; while galvanomagnetic sensors, especially when used
exclusively to ascertain temperature, can be positioned relatively freely
provided the magnetic flux density at the selected position is high enough.
Many variants and modifications are of course possible within the scope
of the invention.
10 7,932,638
Reliable contact and safe system and method for
providing power to an electronic device
( 10
United States Patent
of
3504 )
7,932,638
Randall
April 26, 2011
Abstract
An electronic system which includes a power delivery surface that delivers
electrical power to an electrical or electronic device. The power delivery
surface may be powered by any electrical power source, including, but not
limited to: wall electrical outlet, solar power system, battery, vehicle
cigarette lighter system, direct connection to electrical generator
device, and any other electrical power source. The power delivery surface
delivers power to the electronic device wirelessly. The power delivery
surface may deliver power via a plurality of contacts on the electrical
device conducting electricity from the power delivery surface. The
electrical device may be mobile device. Each contact may be shaped to
improve power delivery reliability. The power delivery surface may
further include circuitry to protect against accidental electrocutions.
Inventors: Randall; Mitch (Longmont, CO)
Assignee: Pure Energy Solutions, Inc. (Boulder, CO)
Appl. No.: 11/800,427
Filed:
May 3, 2007
Related U.S. Patent Documents
Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date<TD< TD>
11682309
Mar., 2007
<TD< TD>
11672010
Feb., 2007
<TD< TD>
11670842
Feb., 2007
<TD< TD>
11672010
Feb., 2007
<TD< TD>
10732103
Feb., 2007
7172196
<TD< TD>
10732103
Feb., 2007
7172196
<TD< TD>
60797140
May., 2006
<TD< TD>
60778761
Mar., 2006
<TD< TD>
60781456
Mar., 2006
<TD< TD>
60776332
Feb., 2006
<TD< TD>
60444826
Feb., 2003
<TD< TD>
60441794
Jan., 2003
<TD< TD>
60432072
Dec., 2002
<TD< TD>
Current U.S. Class:
307/75 ; 307/150; 320/108
Current International Class:
Field of Search:
H02J 1/00
(20060101); H02J
7/00 (20060101)
370/75,150 174/268 320/108
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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Groner
5527637
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Nakazawa et al.
5868076
February 1999
Myus et al.
5890717
April 1999
Rosewarne et al.
5999410
December 1999
Weiler
6037750
March 2000
Von Novak
6044767
April 2000
Myus et al.
6459175
October 2002
Potega
6509717
January 2003
Lee
6768288
July 2004
Rosenquist et al.
6824281
November 2004
Schofield et al.
6851961
February 2005
Lin
6913477
July 2005
Dayan et al.
7176655
February 2007
Kogan et al.
7392068
June 2008
Dayan et al.
7474875
January 2009
Dayan et al.
2004/0048511
March 2004
Dayan et al.
2004/0082369
April 2004
Dayan et al.
2006/0205381
September 2006
Beart et al.
Other References
International Search Report of PCT/US08/062717, dated Aug. 18,
2008. cited by other.
Primary Examiner: Kaplan; Hal I.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Young; James R. Cochran Freund & Young LLC
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/797,140, filed May 3, 2006, all of which is incorporated herein by
reference, and it is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/670,842, filed Feb. 2, 2007, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/672,010, filed on Feb. 6, 2007 which additionally claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/776,332, filed Feb. 24, 2006, and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/682,309, filed on Mar. 5, 2007 which
additionally claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/778,761, filed Mar. 3, 2007, U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/781,456, filed Mar. 10, 2007, which are a divisional patent application
and two continuation-in-part patent applications, respectively, wherein
the divisional application is a divisional from U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/732,103, filed on Dec. 10, 2003, which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/432,072, filed Dec. 10, 2002, U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/441,794, filed Jan. 22, 2003, and U.S.
Provisional No. 60/444,826, filed Feb. 4, 2003, all of which are also
incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Electrical apparatus, comprising: a power delivery surface that
comprises at least a part of a support surface, said power delivery surface
being connected to an electrical power source, said power delivery surface
being capable of supplying electrical power, and said power delivery
surface having a plurality of pads, wherein some of said pads are at a
first voltage level and others of said pads are at a second voltage level;
and an electrical device, which is supplied electricity and is
positionable in any location on the support surface, said electrical
device obtaining electrical power from said power delivery surface that
is at least part of said support surface; and a power receiver device
comprising a flexible, printed curcuit that is attachable to a battery
of the electrical device and is electrically connected to said electrical
device and said battery in order to provide a plurality of contacts to
said electrical device, wherein said plurality of contacts are spaced
apart in relation to each other in positions to make power delivery capable
contact with said power delivery surface; and a back cover of said
electrical device that has contact fingers on an inside portion of said
back cover that are electrically connected to said plurality of contacts
on an outside of said back cover such that said contact fingers
electrically connect to said back cover such that said contact fingers
electrically connect to said flexible printed circuit when said back cover
is placed on said electrical device and there is an electrical connection
from said plurality of contacts to said battery.
2. The electrical apparatus of claim 1 further comprising power and
receiver electronics built into said back cover to regulate power
delivered to said mobile device battery.
3. The electrical apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible printed
circuit board is positionable between the battery and the electrical
device and has a cutout in an area where electrical contacts of the battery
make contact with mating electrical contacts in the electrical device to
accommodate battery connections between said mobile device and said
mobile device battery.
4. The electrical apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power receiver device
may be removed from said electrical device and said power receiver
contains a plug to plug into a power receptacle on said electrical device.
5. The electrical apparatus of claim 4 wherein said power receiver device
comprises a hardened structure capable of supporting said electrical
device such that said plug does not solely support said electrical device.
6. Electrical apparatus , comprising: a power delivery surface that
comprises at least part of a support surface, said power delivery surface
being connected to an electrical power source, said power delivery surface
being capable of supplying electrical power, and said power delivery
surface having a plurality of pads, wherein some of said pads are at a
first voltage level and others of said pads are at a second voltage level;
an electrical device, which is supplied electricity and is positionable
in any location on a support surface, said electrical device obtaining
electrical power from said power delivery surface and that is at least
part of said support surface; and a power receiver device that is removably
attachable and electrically connectable via a plug to said electrical
device in order to provide a plurality of contacts to said electrical
device, said plurality of contacts being spaced apart in relation to each
other in positions to make power delivery capable contact with said power
delivery surface, wherein said plug is spring loaded to further alleviate
weight stress on said plug.
7. Electrical apparatus, comprising: a power delivery surface that
comprises at least a part of a support surface, said power delivery surface
being connected to an electrical power source, said power delivery surface
being capable of supplying electrical power, and said power delivery
surface having a plurality of pads, wherein some of said pads are at a
first voltage level and others of said pads are at a second voltage level;
and an electrical device that includes: (a) an electronic device circuit
which enables operable functions of the electrical device; (b) a
rechargeable battery electrically connected to the electronic device
circuit for providing electric power to the electronic device circuit;
(c) a housing containing the electronic device circuit and the
rechargeable battery; and (d) a detachable cover of said electrical device
that has an inside surface and an outside surface and comprises power
receiver apparatus and circuitry, wherein said power receiver apparatus
and circuitry includes: (i) a plurality of external contacts extending
outwardly from the external surface of the back cover in a spatial relation
to each other that enables power transfer from the power delivery surface
to the power receiver apparatus and circuitry when the back cover of the
electrical device is positioned on the power delivery surface and
interface; (ii) a plurality of internal contacts that are physically
located to align and make electrical contact with interfacing electrical
contacts electrically connected to the electronic device circuit and/or
the rechargeable battery when the cover is attached to the housing for
transmitting electric power from the external contacts to the electronic
device circuit and/or the rechargeable battery when the electrical device
is placed on the power delivery surface with the external contacts in
electrical contact with the power delivery surface.
8. The electrical apparatus of claim 7, wherein the internal contacts
include contact fingers.
9. The electrical apparatus of claim 7, including an interface contact
assembly interposed between a mating set of contacts of the rechargeable
battery and of the electronic device circuit, said interface contact
assembly including the interfacing electrical contacts and a set of traces
for electrically connecting the interfacing electrical contacts with the
mating set of contacts of the rechargeable battery and of the electronic
device circuit.
10. The electrical apparatus of claim 9, wherein the interface contact
assembly includes a flexible printed circuit board comprising the
interfacing electrical contacts and the set of traces.
11. The electrical apparatus of claim 10, wherein the flexible printed
circuit board comprises a flexible, non-conductive substrate supporting
the traces on opposite surfaces of the substrate, and wherein a paired
set of the traces on the opposite surfaces are electrically connected
together such that, when the printed circuit board is interposed between
the mating contacts of the battery and of the electronic circuit with one
of the set of paired traces positioned in contact with one of the mating
battery contacts and the other of the paired traces is positioned in
contact with one of the mating electronic circuit contacts, the mating
battery contact and the mating electronic circuit contact are
electrically connected together by the interposed paired set of traces
on the printed circuit board.
12. The electrical apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flexible printed
circuit board has a portion of the non-conductive substrate cut out
adjacent the paired sets of traces to allow additional mating contacts
of the battery and the electronic circuit to be in direct electronic
contact with each other.
13. An electrically powered device that has a housing containing an
electronic operating circuit which enables functions of the device and
a rechargeable battery assembly with battery contacts located to
interface and make electrical contact with mating contacts of the
electronic operating circuit to provide electrical power to the
electronic operating circuit, comprising: a detachable cover assembly
that has an inside surface and an outside surface and is attachable to
the housing adjacent the battery, said cover assembly including power
receiver apparatus and circuitry comprising: (i) a plurality of external
contacts extending outwardly from the external surface of the detachable
cover assembly in a spatial relation to each other that is adapted to
receive electric power from an electric power source; and (ii) a plurality
of internal contacts that are physically located to align and make
electrical contact with interfacing contacts of the battery assembly
and/or the electronic operating circuit when the cover assembly is
attached to the housing.
14. The electrically powered device of claim 13, wherein the internal
contacts include contact fingers.
15. The electrically powered device of claim 13, including an interface
contact assembly interposed between a mating set of contacts of the
rechargeable battery assembly and of the electronic operating circuit,
said interface contact assembly including a set of traces for electrically
connecting the internal contacts of the cover assembly to the contacts
of the battery assembly and/or the electronic operating circuit.
16. The electrically powered device of claim 15; wherein the interface
contact assembly includes a printed circuit board comprising a
non-conductive substrate interposed between the battery assembly
contacts and the electronic operating circuit contacts with electric
traces on opposite surfaces of the non-conductive substrate aligned to
make electric contact with the respective battery assembly contacts on
one side of the non-conductive substrate and with the respective
electronic operating circuit contacts on the opposite side of the
non-conductive substrate, said respective traces on the opposite sides
of the non-conductive substrate being electrically connected to each
other so that electric power from the external contacts applied to the
traces of the printed circuit board is effectively applied to both the
battery contacts and the electronic operating circuit contacts when the
cover assembly is attached to the housing.
17. The electrically powered device of claim 16, wherein the
non-conductive substrate has a cut-out portion adjacent the traces to
accommodate other contacts of the battery assembly to make electrical
contact with mating other contacts of the electronic operating circuit
without interruption by the non-conductive substrate interposed between
the battery assembly and the electronic operating circuit.
18. The electrically powered device of claim 16, wherein the
non-conductive substrate is flexible and formable around edges of the
battery assembly with the traces in contact with respective contacts of
the battery assembly.
19. The electrically powered device of claim 16, including adhesive on
the non-conductive substrate for adhering the non-conductive substrate
to the battery assembly.
20. A method of equipping an electronic device, which has a rechargeable
battery assembly and an electronic device circuit contained in a housing
with contacts of the rechargeable battery assembly in physical alignment
and electrical contact with mating contacts of the electronic device
circuit, to be capable of receiving electric power from a power delivery
surface, including: attaching a cover assembly, which has power receiver
apparatus and circuitry comprising a plurality of external contacts in
a spatial relationship adapted to receive power from the power delivery
surface and a plurality of internal contacts that are located to align
and make electrical contact with interfacing contacts of the rechargeable
battery assembly and/or the electronic device circuit, onto the housing
adjacent the rechargeable battery assembly with the internal contacts of
the cover assembly in alignment to make electrical contact with exposed
contacts of the battery assembly and/or the electronic device circuit.
21. The method of claim 20, including interposing a printed circuit board
having paired sets of electrically connected traces on opposite sides of
the printed circuit board between the battery assembly and the electronic
circuit with the paired sets of traces spatially aligned and in electrical
contact with respective battery contacts and mating electronic device
circuit contacts so that the battery contacts and the mating electronic
device circuit contacts are electrically connected to each other through
the traces of the printed circuit board, and providing bare interface
contacts on the printed circuit board as part of, or electrically
connected to, the traces in alignment with the internal contacts of the
power receiver apparatus and circuitry so that attaching the cover
assembly to the housing places the internal contacts in electrical contact
with the bare interface contacts to provide electric power from the
external contacts to rechargeable battery assembly and/or electronic
device circuit via the printed circuit board.
22. The method of claim 21, including adhering the printed circuit board
on the rechargeable battery assembly.
23. The method of claim 21, including wrapping the printed circuit board
around a portion of the rechargeable battery assembly with the paired
traces aligned and in contact with respective ones of the rechargeable
battery assembly contacts.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic systems and methods for
providing electrical power to one or more electronic devices with a power
delivery surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of electronic devices, such as toys, game devices, cell phones,
laptop computers, cameras and personal digital assistants, have been
developed along with ways for powering them. Mobile electronic devices
typically include a battery which is rechargeable by connecting it through
a power cord unit to a power source, such as an electrical outlet. A
non-mobile electronic device is generally one that is powered through a
power cord unit and is not intended to be moved during use.
In a typical set-up for a mobile device, the power cord unit includes an
outlet connector for connecting it to the power source and a battery
connector for connecting it to a corresponding battery power receptacle
of the battery. The outlet and battery connectors are in communication
with each other so electrical signals flow between them. In this way, the
power source charges the battery through the power cord unit.
In some setups, the power cord unit also includes a power adapter connected
to the outlet and battery connectors through AC input and DC output cords,
respectively. The power adapter adapts an AC input signal received from
the power source through the outlet connector and AC input cord and outputs
a DC output signal to the DC output cord. The DC output signal flows through
the battery power receptacle and is used to charge the battery.
Manufacturers, however, generally make their own model of electronic
device and do not make their power cord unit compatible with the electronic
devices of other manufacturers, or with other types of electronic devices.
As a result, a battery connector made by one manufacturer will typically
not fit into the battery power receptacle made by another manufacturer.
Further, a battery connector made for one type of device typically will
not fit into the battery power receptacle made for another type of device.
Manufacturers do this for several reasons, such as cost, liability
concerns, different power requirements, and to acquire a larger market
share.
This may be troublesome for the consumer because he or she has to buy a
compatible power cord unit for their particular electronic device. Since
people tend to switch devices often, it is inconvenient and expensive for
them to also have to switch power cord units. Further, power cord units
that are no longer useful are often discarded which leads to waste. Also,
people generally own a number of different types of electronic devices
and owning a power cord unit for each one is inconvenient because the
consumer must deal with a large quantity of power cord units and the tangle
of power cords the situation creates.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention may comprise an electrical
apparatus, comprising: a power delivery surface that comprises at least
a part of a support surface, the power delivery surface being connected
to an electrical power source, the power delivery surface being capable
of supplying electrical power, and the power delivery surface having a
plurality of pads, wherein some of the pads are at a first voltage level
and others of the pads are at a second voltage level; an electrical device,
which is supplied electricity and is positionable in any location on a
support surface, the electrical device obtaining electrical power from
the power delivery surface that is at least part of the support surface;
a plurality of contacts that are part of the electrical device, the
plurality of contacts are spaced apart in relation to each other in
positions to make power delivery capable contact with the power delivery
surface; and a contact face for each contact of the plurality of contacts
that has a plurality of raised regions that act as independent contact
regions for power delivery capable contact with the power delivery surface.
An embodiment of the present invention may further comprise an electrical
apparatus, comprising: a power delivery surface that comprises at least
a part of a support surface, the power delivery surface being connected
to an electrical power source, the power delivery surface being capable
of supplying electrical power; an electrical device, which is supplied
electricity and is positionable in any location on a support surface, the
electrical device obtaining electrical power from the power delivery
surface that is at least part of the support surface; a capacitive load
detection circuit that detects a capacitive load on the power delivery
surface; and a shut down circuit that turns off the power delivery surface
when a capacitive load exceeds a preset capacitive load limit.
An embodiment of the present invention may further comprise an electrical
apparatus, comprising: a power delivery surface that comprises at least
a part of a support surface, the power delivery surface being connected
to an electrical power source, the power delivery surface being capable
of supplying electrical power, and the power delivery surface having a
plurality of pads, wherein some of the pads are at a first voltage level
and others of the pads are at a second voltage level; and an electrical
device, which is supplied electricity and is positionable in any location
on a support surface, the electrical device obtaining electrical power
from the power delivery surface that is at least part of the support
surface; a power receiver device that is attached and electrically
connected to the electrical device in order to provide a plurality of
contacts to the electrical device, the plurality of contacts are spaced
apart in relation to each other in positions to make power delivery capable
contact with the power delivery surface.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will
become better understood with reference to the following drawings,
description, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a power delivery system, in accordance
with the invention, which includes a power delivery support structure
operatively coupled with an electronic device.
FIG. 1b is a top view of another embodiment of an electronic system with
a power delivery surface for providing power to an electronic device.
FIG. 1c is a perspective view of the bottom of an electronic device with
contacts designed to obtain power from a power delivery surface.
FIG. 1d is a side view of an electronic device with contacts designed to
obtain power from a power delivery surface.
FIG. 2a is a schematic perspective view of a contact shaped to improve
power delivery capable contact with a power delivery surface.
FIG. 2b is a schematic top view of the face of a contact shaped to improve
power delivery capable contact with a power delivery surface.
FIG. 2c is a side view of the physical shape of a contact shaped to improve
power delivery capable contact with a power delivery surface.
FIG. 2d is a topographical top view of the face of a contact shaped to
improve power delivery capable contact with a power delivery surface.
FIG. 3a is a schematic illustration of a hand on a power delivery surface.
FIG. 3b is an electrical schematic of an equivalent circuit of a power
delivery surface with a combined resistive (R) and capacitive (C) load.
FIG. 3c is a graphical representation of a voltage waveform for a power
delivery surface without a load.
FIG. 3d is a graphical representation of a voltage waveform for a power
deliver surface when a hand or other body part of a person or animal is
resting on the power delivery surface.
FIG. 4a is schematic diagram of a typical mobile device where a battery
is accessible behind a removable back cover.
FIG. 4b is schematic diagram of a typical battery of a typical mobile
device.
FIG. 4c is schematic diagram of the top side of a flexible printed circuit
that adds contacts for use with a power delivery surface to an existing
battery.
FIG. 4d is schematic diagram of the bottom side of a flexible printed
circuit that adds contacts for use with a power delivery surface to an
existing battery.
FIG. 4e is schematic diagram of a flexible printed circuit that adds
contacts for use with a power delivery surface being attached to an
existing battery.
FIG. 4f is schematic diagram of a flexible printed circuit that adds
contacts for use with a power delivery surface attached to an existing
battery.
FIG. 5a is a schematic diagram of a removable power receiver that adds
contacts for use with a power delivery surface attached to a larger host
mobile device.
FIG. 5b is a schematic diagram of a side view of a removable power receiver
that adds contacts for use with a power delivery surface to a larger host
mobile device.
FIG. 5c is a schematic diagram of a front view of a removable power receiver
that adds contacts for use with a power delivery surface to a larger host
mobile device.
FIG. 5d is a schematic diagram of a bottom view of a removable power
receiver that adds contacts for use with a power delivery surface to a
larger host mobile device.
FIG. 5e is a schematic diagram of a three dimensional view of a removable
power receiver that adds contacts for use with a power delivery surface
to a larger host mobile device.
FIG. 5f is a schematic diagram of a removable power receiver with a spring
loaded shelf that adds contacts for use with a power delivery surface
attached to a larger host mobile device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a power delivery system 100, in accordance
with the invention, for providing power to an electrical or electronic
device 112 with a power delivery surface 111a. System 100 has many
different embodiments that provide the features discussed herein and as
well as other features. Several embodiments are discussed in co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/670,842 filed on Feb. 2, 2007,
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/672,010 filed Feb. 6, 2007,
and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/682,309 filed Mar. 5,
2007. Power delivery system 100 can power more than one electronic device
made by the same or different manufacturers. It can also power different
types of electronic devices. This reduces the need for the consumer to
have a power cord unit for each electronic device they use. Electronic
device 112 can be of many different types, such as a toys, game devices,
cell phone, laptop computer, camera, personal digital assistant, etc.
Most of these devices are mobile and powered by a rechargeable battery.
However, the invention is also applicable to electronic devices, such as
a desktop computer, that are not generally considered to be mobile.
System 100 includes a power delivery support structure 111 connected to
a power source (not shown, but indicated as S.sub.Power) through a power
cord unit 113. The power source S.sub.Power can be of many different types,
such as an electrical outlet or battery, and provides a potential
difference through the power cord unit 113 to separate conductive regions
in structure 111. The potential difference is provided to electronic
device 112 in response to device 112 being carried by structure 111 on
surface 111a. In this way, surface 111a operates to deliver power to
electronic device 112.
Electronic device 112 can be powered in many different ways by the power
delivery surface. For example, surface 111a can provide charge to a
battery included in device 112, which is often the case for mobile devices.
Device 112 can also be powered directly by surface 111a. This is useful
in situations where device 112 is not battery operated or it is desirable
to operate device 112 with its battery removed. An example of this is when
using a laptop computer, which can operate if power is provided to it by
surface 111a after its battery has been removed.
Power delivery support structure 111 can include many different materials,
but it preferably includes an insulative material with separate
conductive regions which define at least a portion of surface 111a. As
discussed in more detail below, the conductive regions, are, for example,
by a gap G, so they provide the potential difference to electronic device
112.
In this embodiment, electronic device 112 includes and carries contacts
and an electronic circuit which are in communication with each other. In
operation, the circuit receives the potential difference from the power
delivery surface through the contacts when they engage surface 111a. The
potential difference is rectified by the electronic circuit to provide
a desired voltage potential which is used to power electronic device 112.
It is advantageous that the circuit be carried by device 112 so it can
be designed to receive the potential difference from the power delivery
surface and provide device 112 with the desired voltage potential.
This feature is useful because sometimes it is desirable to power multiple
electronic devices with the power delivery surface. These devices may
operate in response to different ranges of voltage potentials. In some
situations, the electronic devices are the same type of device (i.e. two
cell phones). The electronic devices can be the same models and have the
same voltage requirements or they can be different models and have
different voltage requirements. The different models can be made by the
same or different manufacturers. In other situations the electronic
devices are different types of devices (i.e. a cell phone and laptop
computer). Different types of devices generally require different ranges
of voltage potentials, although they can be the same in some examples.
The different types of devices can be made by the same or different
manufacturers. Hence, the electronic circuit for each device is designed
so the power delivery surface can provide power to multiple electronic
devices having many different voltage requirements.
In accordance with the invention, the contacts are arranged so the
potential difference is provided to the electronic circuit independently
of the orientation of device 112 on power delivery surface 111a. In other
words, the potential difference is provided to the electronic circuit for
all angles .phi.. This feature is advantageous for several reasons. For
example, the contacts can engage surface 111a without the need to align
them with it, so at least two contacts are at different potentials. In
this example, angle .phi. corresponds to the angle between a side, for
example, side 115c, of structure 111 and a reference line 142, for example,
a longitudinal axis extending through device 112 and parallel to surface
111a. It should be noted, however, that another reference line other than
the longitudinal axis can be used. Here, angle .phi. can have values
between about 0.degree. and 360.degree., as the device 112 is oriented
or reoriented angularly about a vertical axis 143.
This feature is also advantageous when powering multiple electronic
devices because they can be arranged in many more different ways on surface
111a. This allows surface 111a to be used more efficiently so more devices
can be carried on and charged by the power delivery surface 111a. This
is useful in situations where there are not enough electrical outlets
available to charge the multiple electronic devices individually. In
general, structure 111 can carry more electronic devices when length L
and/or width W are increased and fewer when length L and/or width W are
decreased. The number of devices that structure 111 can carry also depends
on their size. For example, cell phones are typically smaller than laptop
computers, so more cell phones than laptop computers could be positional
at the same time on a given power delivery surface 11la.
Power delivery support structure 111 can have many different shapes, but
here it is shown with surface 111a being rectangular so structure 111
defines a cubic volume. Surface 111a is shown as being substantially flat
and the separate conductive regions 114, 118 define continuous surfaces
separated from each other by an insulative material region. The distance
between the conductive regions 114, 118 is referred to as the gap G.
Surface 111a extends between opposed sides 115a and 115b, as well as
between opposed sides 115c and 115d. Opposed sides 115c and 115d extend
from opposite ends of sides 115a and 115b and between them. Sides 115a
and 115b are oriented at non-zero angles relative to sides 115c and 115d.
In this particular example, the non-zero angle is about 90.degree. since
surface 111a is rectangular. In other examples, surface 111a can be curved,
triangular, etc. When surface 111a is circular, structure 111 defines a
cylindrical volume.
FIG. lb is a top view of an electronic system, embodied as a power delivery
system 101, for providing power with a power delivery surface 111a to
electronic device 112. System 101 is similar to system 100 and includes
power delivery support structure 111 and power cord unit 113. In this
embodiment, the power delivery surface, denoted as surface 111a, includes
two separate conductive regions, denoted as regions 116 and 117. Regions
116 and 117 are separated from each other by an electrically insulative
region 119 in the gap G and define separate continuous surfaces. In this
document, the distance of the separation between conductive regions
achieved by the insulative region 119 is generally referred as the gap
G.
Region 119 provides electrical isolation between conductive regions 116
and 117 so a potential difference can be provided between them. If a
current flows between conductive regions 116 and 117, it also flows
through the electronic circuit carried by electronic device 112 when the
contacts engage surface 111a. In this way, power is provided to device
112 when it is carried by power delivery support structure 111. If a
current flows between regions 116 and 117 without flowing through the
electronic circuit, then it is typically an undesirable leakage current.
In general, as the separation between regions 116 and 117 increases, the
leakage current decreases. Similarly, as the separation between regions
116 and 117 decreases, the leakage current increases. The leakage current
also depends on the material included in insulative region 119.
In this embodiment, conductive region 116 includes a base contact 114
which extends along side 115a and between sides 115c and 115d. Region 116
also includes a first plurality of contact pads, some of which are denoted
as contact pads 114a, 114b and 114c. These contact pads are connected to
base contact 114 and extend outwardly from it and towards side 115b.
Conductive region 117 includes a base contact 118 which extends along side
115b and between sides 115c and 115d. Region 117 also includes a second
plurality of contact pads, some of which are denoted as contact pads 118a,
118b and 118c. These contact pads are connected to base contact 118 and
extend outwardly from it and toward side 115a. It should be noted that
contacts 114 and 118 extend all the way between sides 115c and 115d.
However, in other embodiments, they can extend partially between sides
115c and 115d. It should also be noted that base contacts 114 and 118 are
shown as being rectangular in this example, but they can have other shapes,
such as curved or triangular, in others.
In this example, contact pads 114a-114c and 118a-118c extend parallel to
each other and are interleaved so contact pad 114a is positioned between
contact pad 118a and 118b, and contact pad 114b is positioned between
contact pads 118b and 118c. As shown in FIG. 1b, the other contact pads
in regions 116 and 117 are interleaved in the same manner. It should be
noted that in some examples, the different contact pads in regions 117
and 118 can be connected together with vias.
Power cord unit 113 includes conductive lines 113a and 113b which are
connected to conductive regions 116 and 117, respectively. In one mode
of operation, the power supply provides conductive regions 116 and 117
with different voltage potentials through corresponding conductive lines
113a and 113b. In this mode, there is a potential difference between
regions 116 and 117, and device 112 is provided with power in response
to it, when device 112 is carried on surface 111a and the contacts engage
surface 111a. In this way, surface 11la is arranged so a potential
difference is provided between at least two of the contacts carried by
device 112.
It should be noted that more than two potentials can be provided to surface
111a' by power cord unit 113 and the use of two here is for illustrative
purposes. For example, power cord unit 113 can include three conductive
lines which provide positive, negative, and zero potentials to a
corresponding number of conductive regions the same or similar to regions
116 and 117.
FIG. 1c is a perspective view of the bottom of an electronic device 112
with contacts 120 designed to obtain power from a power delivery surface
111a. The contacts 120 on the electronic device 112 appear on the surface
of the electronic device 112 which is intended to be placed on the power
delivery surface 111a. The contacts 120 on the electronic device may be
configured such that at least one contact is in electrical contact with
a first conductive zone 116 of the power delivery surface 111a and a second
contact is in electrical contact with a second conductive zone 117 of the
power delivery surface 111a.
FIG. 1d is a side view of an electronic device 112 with contacts 120
designed to obtain power from a power delivery surface 111a. The contacts
120 may extend below the electronic device 112 to facilitate electrical
contact with the power delivery surface 111a. FIGS. 1c and 1d show the
relative structure of an electronic device 112 with contacts 120 in order
to assist the reader in understanding the overall structure of the system
prior to a more detailed discussion of specific portions of an embodiment.
A more detailed disclosure regarding the structure, geometry and
additional features of the power support structure 111 and the structure,
geometry and additional features of the electronic device 112 is given
in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/670,842 filed on Feb.
2, 2007, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/672,010 filed Feb.
6, 2007, and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/682,309 filed
Mar. 5, 2007.
FIG. 2a is a diagrammatic perspective view of a contact 120 shaped to
improve power delivery capable contact with a power delivery surface 111a.
The three-dimensional aspect of the drawing in FIG. 2a is indicated by
the x-y-z axis shown at 299. The shaped contact 120 of the electronic
device 112 is used for power delivery capable contact between the
electronic device 112 and the power delivery surface 111a. The shaped
contact uses a special geometry to attain multiple, independent, contact
redundancy, thereby improving power delivery reliability. For a shaped
contact, the contact point for is not a point at all, instead, the contact
point may be further subdivided into distinct contact regions. The shaped
contact shown 120 appears as a circular disk. Other embodiments may use
other shapes. The circular face 201 visibly depicts the face of the shaped
contact 120 that will come in contact with the substantially planar power
delivery surface 111a. Shown on the face 201 are three "x" marks 204
corresponding to desired independent contact regions of the shaped
contact 120. While three contact regions permits three-fold, independent
contact redundancy, other embodiments may have a different number of
contact regions. For at least one embodiment it is assumed that a means
is provided by which the contact button 120 can pivot within a solid
angle .theta. 203 as shown in FIG. 2a. The vertical vector 202 represents
the normal to the shaped contact face surface 201. The three regions of
contact 204 are marked by "x's". However, for clarity, FIG. 2a does not
show the contact regions 204 raised above the shaped contact's planar face
surface 201.
FIG. 2b is a diagrammatic top view of the face 201 of a contact 120 shaped
to improve power delivery capable contact with a power delivery surface.
The three desired contact locations 204 are shown forming an equilateral
triangle, with each point located and equal distance R from the center
205 of the shaped contact 120 . For embodiments one could choose to locate
the contact regions at other points and could use other geometric shapes
and a different number of contact regions. Each shaped contact 120 may
be pivotably mounted to the electronic device 112 to allow the contact
regions 204 to align and rest on the power deliver surface 111a.
Generally, the outer diameter of the shaped contact 120 is chosen to be
as large as possible without allowing the shaped contact 120 to short two
adjacent electrodes 116, 117 of the power delivery surface 111a. The gap
between electrodes 116 and 117 of the power delivery surface 111a is
designated G. The parameter W.sub.max defines the greatest distance
spanned by the shaped contact 118. W.sub.max must be less than the
electrode gap G. For the equilateral triangle placement of the contact
regions 204, W.sub.max is 1.732 times the radius R, and W.sub.min is 1.5
times R. Therefore, the radius R must be less than the gap G divided by
1.732 (i.e. which equals 0.577 * G).
FIG. 2c is a side view of the physical shape of a contact 120 shaped to
improve power delivery capable contact with a power delivery surface. In
accordance with FIGS. 2a and 2b, there are three raised regions 204. The
highest point of each contact region 204 is located at the projection of
the "x" marks in FIGS. 2a and 2b.
FIG. 2d is a topographical top view 210 of the face of a contact 120 shaped
to improve power delivery capable contact with a power delivery surface
111a. As shown, the contour lines of the contact regions 204 show an
increasing height from the center 205 of the shaped contact 120 to the
most elevated points of the contact regions 204. The contour lines
indicate a constant change in height in the Z-dimension.
FIG. 3a is a schematic illustration of a hand 301 on a power delivery
surface 111a. For a conductive based power delivery surface 111a, if a
person or animal makes electrical contact with both conductive zones 116,
117. the person or animal may be electrically shocked. When human or animal
flesh comes in contact with the power delivery surface the output load
typically has an unusually high capacitive component. To reduce the
potential damage from electrical shock, a capacitive load detection
circuit may be employed by the power delivery surface to detect unusually
high capacitive loads. If an unusually high capacitive load is detected,
a shut down circuit may shut down the power delivery surface to either
avoid electrical shock or minimize the damage from an electrical shock.
The shutdown circuit may use a preset capacitive load limit as the
threshold for shutting down the system. The preset capacitive load limit
may be set to a capacitive load threshold that is indicative of a person
or animal being in contact with the power delivery system. There are many
potential embodiments for a capacitive load detection and shutdown system.
One embodiment is described in the disclosure with respect to FIG. 3b
through 3d.
FIG. 3b is an electrical schematic of an equivalent circuit of a power
delivery surface 111a with a combined resistive (R.sub.EQ) and capacitive
(C.sub.EQ) load. A human hand 301, or flesh in general, may be represented
by an equivalent capacitive and resistive component connected in parallel.
Thus, a human hand 301 resting on a set of electrodes such as those
contained in a power delivery surface 111a may be represented by the
equivalent circuit depicted in FIG. 3b, where R.sub.EQ and C.sub.EQ
represent the load of the hand 301. A control unit (not shown) may contain
the capacitive load detection circuit and the shut down circuit for a power
delivery surface 111a. The control unit would measure the voltage
(V.sub.OP) across the output terminals 303, which, here, consists of
R.sub.EQ and C.sub.EQ. If the control unit detects an unusually high
capacitive load, the control unit would operate the switch 302 to shut
down the power delivery surface 111a.
FIG. 3c is a graphical representation of a voltage waveform for a power
delivery surface 111a without a load. The control unit closes the switch
302 which applies V.sub.OP to the output terminals 303. Periodically, the
control unit opens the switch 302 and, after a time, measures the voltage
(V.sub.OP) at the output terminals 303. This voltage (V.sub.OP) must be
within the preset limits of the applied test voltage V.sub.TEST.
Specifically, the switch 302 is opened at a time t.sub.OFF. After a time
interval elapses, the output voltage (V.sub.OP) is measured at time
t.sub.TEST. At time t.sub.TEST, the control unit determines if it is
appropriate to close the switch 302 again to start the process over again.
The switch is not actually turned on until time t.sub.ON accounting for
the time it takes the control unit to decide to open the switch and to
actually open the switch. With no load, the output voltage (V.sub.OP)
drops immediately to V.sub.TEST when the switch 302 is opened. Practically,
the amount of time it takes to go to V.sub.TEST depends on the value of
the resistor 304 connecting the test voltage (V.sub.TEST) to the output
terminals 303. To some degree the amount of time it takes to go to
V.sub.TEST also depends on the stray capacitance present in the system.
FIG. 3d is a graphical representation of a voltage waveform for a power
deliver surface when a hand 301 or other body part of a person or animal
is resting on the power delivery surface 111a. The capacitance of a hand
301 or arm with typical electrode patterns suitable for a conductive based
power delivery surface 111a is considerably greater than the stray
capacitance intrinsically present in the power delivery surface 111a
apparatus. In the presence of a significant capacitive load, as would be
the case with a hand 301 or arm resting on the power delivery surface 111a,
the voltage follows an exponential curve 305 characteristic of a
Resistive-Capacitive (RC) discharge. Provided that a predetermined time
delay exists between t.sub.OFF and t.sub.TEST, and provided that there
exists a voltage threshold below which the output must fall during the
delay, a capacitance threshold may be implemented. If the capacitance
present on the output terminals 303 is greater than a predetermined value,
then the voltage at time t.sub.TEST will be greater than the predetermined
threshold voltage value (V.sub.TEST). Since the voltage did not fall below
the V.sub.TEST threshold value at time t.sub.TEST, the control unit did
not close the switch 301 and the system is shut down. Thus, in FIG. 3d,
the control unit did not turn the system back on since the voltage at time
t.sub.TEST was greater than V.sub.TEST. Once the capacitive load is
removed, the system may automatically turn back on.
Generally, an electrical device may be retrofitted for use with a power
delivery surface by attaching a power receiver to the electrical device
that electrically connects the electrical device to a plurality of
contacts that are part of the power receiver. The plurality of contacts
are capable of receiving power from the power delivery surface, thus,
enabling the electrical device to receive power from the electrical
delivery surface.
FIG. 4a is schematic diagram of a typical mobile device 112 where a battery
401 is accessible behind a removable back cover 403. In general, it is
considered usual that the mobile device 112 rests on the mobile device's
back cover 403 and back surface when set on a support surface 111a (FIGS.
1 and 2) with the back cover 403 properly attached on the device. 112 as
indicated by broken lone arrows 490, 491. For a mobile device 112 that
rests on the back cover 403, it is practical and convenient to deliver
wire free power according to the system shown in FIG. 4a. A wire-free power
receiver and electronics 404 may be integrated into the back cover 403
such that when the mobile device 112. with the back cover 403 properly
attached, is at rest on a power delivery surface 111a, power can be
sufficiently received by the mobile device 112. The power receiver
includes a plurality of contacts, for example, the contacts 120 described
above, designed for power delivery between a power delivery surface 111a
and an electrical device 112. The plurality of contacts would be on the
outside of the back cover 403 so that the contacts rest on the power
delivery surface 111a. Contact fingers 405 on the inside of the back cover
403 make contact with contact assembly 406 attached to the mobile device
battery 401. The contact assembly 406 is electrically connected to the
mobile device battery 401. The contact assembly 406 has exposed contacts
407 that permit the contact assembly to make electrical contact with the
contact fingers 405 on the back cover 403, that in turn, make electrical
contact with the plurality of contacts that are part of the power receiver
and electronics 404. A temperature sensor 402 may also be included in the
power receiver and electronics 404 to monitor the heat of the mobile device
battery 401 to ensure the mobile device battery 401 does not overheat while
charging. The temperature sensor 402, or other sensors, may be included
to increase safety and/or charging efficiency.
FIG. 4b is diagrammatic isometric view of a typical battery 401 of a
typical mobile device 112. The battery shown 401 has connections on the
side 409 intended to connect the host mobile device 112 to the battery
for power transfer and battery management. The battery connections 409
to the mobile device 112 may appear in other locations for other
embodiments. The exposed battery contacts 408 on top of the battery 401
allow charging current to flow into the battery 401 from the power receiver
404 integrated into the back cover 403. In one embodiment, the battery
401 is a smart battery and implements a data bus between itself and the
host mobile device 112. In one variation of the embodiment, the power
receiver 404 does not have access to data available from the battery 401
on the smart data bus. When the power receiver 404 does not have access
to the-smart data bus, the power receiver 404 does not have complete
information on the system status, including information that the battery
401 may be receiving about charging current from the host mobile device
112. The power receiver 404 may not have access to the smart data bus if
the host mobile device 112 is plugged into a USB cable (for example) and
is being charged via the USB power source. If the mobile device 112 back
cover 403, with its contacts 120 (FIGS. lc -2d, is simultaneously resting
on a power delivery surface 111a (FIGS. la -lb) the power receiver 404
may also be supplying charging current to the battery 401 resulting in
a potentially unsafe situation in which the battery 401 could be damaged
or destroyed. A temperature sensor 402 in the power receiver 404 arranged
to monitor the battery temperature may be used to maintain safety. The
temperature sensor 402 shuts down the charging current from the power
receiver 404 if the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold.
The contacts {408} on the battery 401 may be built into the battery from
the manufacturer, as illustrated in FIG. 4b, using techniques known to
those skilled in the art. Alternatively, such contacts may be added to
an existing battery using a flexible circuit 413, as illustrated in FIGS.
4c -4f FIG. 4c is a schematic diagram of the top side of an example flexible
printed circuit 413 that can be used to add contacts, 411, similar to
contacts 408, to an existing battery 401 for receiving power from a
delivery surface 111a (FIGS. la -b. The "top" side of the flexible circuit
board 413 provides the bare contacts 411 on the battery 401 for connection
to the power receiver 404 while simultaneously allowing connection of the
battery 401 to the host mobile device 112. This is enabled by the cutout
412, and by traces 471, 472, 473, 474 on both sides of the printed circuit
413 that are connected together (e.g., trace 471 to trace 473 and trace
472 to trace 474) to form a pass-through connection by vias 410 between
the top and bottom sides of the flexible printed circuit 413. FIG. 4d is
schematic diagram of the bottom side of the flexible printed circuit 413
that adds contacts 411 for use with a power delivery surface 111a to an
existing battery 401
FIG. 4e is schematic diagram of the flexible printed circuit 413 that adds
contacts for use with a power delivery surface 111a being attached to an
existing battery 401. Adhesive on the "bottom" of the flexible printed
circuit 414 can be used to keep the flexible printed circuit 413 affixed
to the battery 401. There is no adhesive on the exposed traces 473, 474
that would interfere with the electrical connection to the battery 404.
FIG. 4f is schematic diagram of the flexible printed circuit 413 attached
to an existing battery 401. The traces 473, 474 and cutout 412 of the
flexible printed circuit 413 are arranged to align with the battery
contacts 409 when the flexible printed circuit board 113 is mounted on
and adhered to the battery 401 with the portion including the cutout 412
and the traces 471, 472, 473, 474 adjacent the cutout 412 folded over the
edges 416, 417 of the battery 401. The cutout 412 allows certain of the
battery contacts 409 to remain exposed for connection to the host mobile
device 112. Where the flexible circuit board 413 covers selected battery
contacts 409, the circuit traces 473, 474 on the bottom side of the
flexible circuit board 413 are aligned over the battery contacts 409 to
make electrical connections with the battery contacts 409, while the
top-side 471, 473 are also aligned over the selected battery contacts 409
to duplicate the battery connection to the host mobile device 112. In one
embodiment, the top-side traces 471, 472 and the bottom-side traces 473,
474 over given battery contacts 409 are connected through the via 410 in
the flexible printed circuit 413. The via 410 provides a tap into the
selected battery contacts 409 without affecting operation with the host
mobile device 112. In other embodiments, other circuitry may be provided
between the top and bottom-side traces to provide alternative
functionality. The connections of the bottom-side traces 473, 474 to the
corresponding battery contacts 409 are realized through the contact
pressure supplied by the spring-loaded contact fingers (not shown and not
the contact fingers 405 on the back cover 403) that are normally present
in the host mobile device 112 to make the connection of the electronics
of the host mobile device 112 to the battery 401. The flexible printed
circuit 413 is compliant sufficiently to not significantly react against
the pressure of the host mobile device's contact fingers. In addition,
gold plating may be used on the traces 471, 472, 473, 474 to ensure good
electrical connections.
FIG. 5a is a schematic diagram of a removable power receiver 501 that adds
contacts for use with a power delivery surface 111a attached to a larger
host mobile device 112, for example, the laptop computer illustrated in
FIG. 5a. The removable power receiver 501 may be designed to support the
weight of the larger mobile device 112 when the system is resting on the
power delivery surface 111a (FIGS. la -1b). The removable power receiver
501 plugs into the host mobile device's existing power input port.
FIGS. 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5e are diagrams of a side view, a front view, a bottom
view, and an isometric view, respectively, of a removable power receiver
501 that adds contacts for use with a power delivery surface 111a to a
larger host mobile device 112. The plug 502 on the power receiver 501 plugs
into the power receptacle on the larger mobile device 112. The plug 502
on the power receiver 501 is able to slide up and down in a slot 570 such
that the height H of the plugs 502 with respect to the weight bearing
surface 503 may vary as needed. Varying the height H of the plug 502 allows
the host mobile device 112 to rest on the portion of the power receiver
(e.g., the weight bearing surface 503) that lies below the host mobile
device 502 without applying significant pressure to the electrical plug
501.
FIG. 5f is a schematic diagram of a removable power receiver 501 with a
spring loaded shelf 504 that adds contacts for use with a power delivery
surface 111a attached to a larger host mobile device 112. The electrical
plug 502 may be spring loaded slightly in such a way as to minimize H when
at rest. The slight pressure of the spring would keep the power receiver
501 attached to the host mobile device 112. Alternatively a spring loaded
shelf 504 may be used to clamp onto the host mobile device 112. For the
spring loaded shelf 504, the plug 502 on the power receiver 501 would be
free-floating and would not need to be spring loaded as discussed above.
An embodiment may be designed such that the power receiver 501 would be
compatible with many types of host mobile devices 112. The plug 502 of
the power receiver 501 that connects to the power input of the host mobile
device 112 would be interchangeable such that many types of plugs would
fit on the power receiver 501.
Since these and numerous other modifications and combinations of the
above-described method and embodiments will readily occur to those
skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to any of
the exact construction and process shown and described above. While a
number of example aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those
of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations,
additions, and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that
the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are
interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions,
and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope. The words
"comprise," "comprises," "comprising," "has," "have," "having,"
"include," "including," and "includes" when used in this specification
and in the following claims are intended to specify the presence of stated
features or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or addition of
one or more other features, steps, or groups thereof.
11 7,932,629
Method for controlling a generation of an alternating
current in a vehicle
Abstract
In a method for controlling a generation of an alternating current in a
vehicle equipped with a battery and an inverter, the inverter is
electrically connectable to the battery in order to generate an
alternating current from a direct current of the battery for electrical
devices that are electrically connectable to the inverter, and the battery
is recharged when a charging state of the battery is equal to or less than
a threshold value that is sufficient to generate an alternating current
required for the electrical devices.
12 7,931,324 Vehicle side article transporter device
Abstract
The present invention is a container for a light-duty automobile such as
a light-duty pickup truck or sport-utility vehicle having at least one
opening, operably associated with the quarter panel of an automobile, an
inner wall operably associated with the container, and a cover having a
closed position and an open position operably associated with the opening.
The cover includes a door inner, and a door outer. The invention also
includes a first rail positioned between the container and the quarter
panel. The container is integrally formed with the first rail, and is
located between the first rail and the inner wall. The first rail supports
the container, and the cover can be moved from the open position to the
closed position, allowing access to the container.
13 7,930,929
Method of transmitting information relating to the
operation of an internal combustion engine
Abstract
A method of transmitting information making it possible to monitor the
operation of an internal combustion engine, includes the steps of:
measuring the angular position of a crankshaft via an absolute position
sensor provided with a digital output, and transmitting at a frequency
f1 to an engine control unit the measured angular position information,
encoded in a data string containing N1 bits, transmitting at a frequency
f2 of the measured angular position information, encoded in a data string
containing N2 bits, the number N2 of bits being greater than the number
N1, the frequency f2 being less than or equal to the frequency f1. The
encoding in N1 bits allows transmission of angular position information
at low resolution, whereas the encoding in N2 bits allows the transmission
of high resolution information, able to detect misfirings.
14 7,928,693
Plugin hybrid electric vehicle with V2G optimization
system
Abstract
In one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle comprises: a consumable
fuel powered engine, a battery and an electric motor powered by the battery.
The battery is rechargeable both from an external electric power source
(such as an electric power grid) and from the consumable fuel powered
engine. A computer receives data as inputs and providing outputs, wherein
the input data includes an expected state of the electric power source
at a time when the vehicle is expected to be coupled to the electric power
source. The outputs include control signals to control the state of charge
of the battery during the time the vehicle is expected to be coupled to
the electric power source.
15 7,928,160 Coating composition of polyurea, polyurethane and flame
retardant
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a coating composition comprising
polyurea and polyurethane. Further, the present invention is directed to
a coating composition comprising polyurea or, polyurea and polyurethane,
and flame retardant. The polyurea is formed from a reaction mixture
comprising isocyanate and amine wherein the ratio of equivalents of
isocyanate groups to equivalents of amine groups is greater than 1 and
the isocyanate-functional component and the amine-functional component
can be applied to a substrate at a volume mixing ratio of 1:1.
16 7,925,417 Control apparatus and method for internal combustion
engine
Abstract
An engine ECU (280) and an HV_ECU (320) control a throttle motor (296)
such that the throttle valve opening degree (TH) does not exceed a
prescribed limit (THlim) and a rate of increase (Ta/t) in the throttle
valve opening degree is equal to or lower than a predetermined opening
degree increase rate (Tb/t) for a predetermined time period after start-up
of the engine (120) is initiated. Thus, power output from the engine is
controlled so as not to increase significantly for the predetermined time
period. Accordingly, while the engine starts up, a shock that can be felt
by a driver can be suppressed. In addition, variation in the amount of
air taken into the engine when the engine is started is also reduced, which
reduces variation in the amount of pollutants in the exhaust gas emitted
while the engine starts up.
17 7,923,951 Vehicle power controller
Abstract
An ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating regenerative
power value P based on a brake pressure; calculating limit charging power
WIN(B) to a battery; calculating limit charging power WIN(C) to a
capacitor; when it is determined that regenerative power value P is larger
than the sum of WIN(B) and WIN(C), estimating that a large regenerative
energy sufficient to fully charge the capacitor even if the battery is
charged with priority would be generated; and transmitting a control
signal to set output voltage of a boost converter to be not higher than
the voltage of the capacitor so as to charge the battery with priority.
18 7,923,152 Nonaqueous electrolyte battery, battery pack and vehicle
Abstract
A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode containing
a lithium-transition metal oxide having a layered crystal structure; a
negative electrode containing a lithium-titanium composite oxide having
a spinel structure; and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode
and the negative electrode satisfy the formula (1) given below:
1.25.ltoreq.X (1), where X is a ratio of an available electric capacity,
represented by "(B/A)", A is an available electric capacity (mAh) at
25.degree. C. per cm.sup.2 of the positive electrode, and B is an available
electric capacity (mAh) at 25.degree. C. per cm.sup.2 of the negative
electrode.
19 7,921,950 Electric traction retrofit
Abstract
A drive train includes an internal combustion engine ("ICE") coupled to
a transmission having a power takeoff port. A transfer device couples an
electric motor to the transmission via the port. The electric motor is
enabled in a certain configuration to selectively power the drive train
during at least certain intervals when the ICE is powered off.
20 7,921,945 Vehicular switching, including switching traction modes
and shifting gears while in electric traction mode
Abstract
A vehicle has an internal combustion engine (ICE) and a electric traction
motor (ETM) coupled by a standard transmission through a differential to
drive traction wheels. A control system receives sensor signals including
speed sensors, a load sensor, and an incline sensors. The control system
processes the speed signals to generate indicator signals corresponding
to speed of the ETM, the vehicle speed, the shifting gears and the speed
of the transmission output shaft. One or more displays present indications
of when the speed of a shifting gear corresponding to the speed of the
ETM matches the speed of the vehicle thus the speed of the transmission
output shaft. An operator may shift, without clutching, from neutral and
to a next shifting gear when there is an indication that the speed of the
next shifting gear matches the speed of a shifting collar coupled to the
transmission output shaft.
21 7,920,585 Vehicular communication device and control information
generating device
22 7,918,085
Fuel-injection control device for internal-combustion
engine
23 7,916,009 Accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle
24 7,915,998 Vehicle control system and vehicle control apparatus
25 7,915,856 Battery testing and/or charging system with integrated
receptacle and pass-through power for booster pack and method of using
same
26 7,915,753 Power supply apparatus and vehicle
27 7,913,978 Portable powered winch
28 7,912,618 Backup relay cut control system
29 7,909,662 Battery clamp for use with top post and side post batteries
and methods for using the same
30 7,909,124 Power systems for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)
31 7,908,101
Integrated circuit and method for monitoring and
controlling power and for detecting open load state
32 7,908,054 Device for managing power supply of a motor vehicle
multimedia system
33 7,907,431
Devices and methods for converting or buffering a
voltage
34 7,905,813 Electronically controlled engine generator set
35 7,905,640 Light bar and method for making
36 7,905,542
Modular tilt slide sunroof assembly and method of
manufacture
37 7,904,236 Electronic apparatus and electronic system
38 7,902,798 Electric power generation control apparatus for vehicle
alternator
39 7,902,793 Method for determining the internal resistance of a battery
40 7,901,311
Belt drive assembly for driving accessory parts of an
internal combustion engine, drive belt and pulleys suited to be used in
said assembly
41 7,900,724 Hybrid drive for hydraulic power
42 7,900,722 Electrically driven industrial vehicle
43 7,900,607 Fuel vapor storage and recovery apparatus
44 7,900,464
Humidity detecting apparatus and vehicular air
conditioner having the same
45 7,899,631
Method and device for estimating battery residual
capacity, and battery power supply system
46 7,899,610
System and method for reconfiguring an electronic
control unit of a motor vehicle to optimize fuel economy
47 7,899,588 Externally chargeable electric/hybrid vehicle
48 7,899,501 Auxiliary power management method for cellular based
device
49 7,898,268
Circuit and method for capacitor effective series
resistance measurement
50 7,897,084 Manufacturing method of valve unit
51 7,896,543 Battery condition detection apparatus
52 7,895,294 Multimedia system and navigation unit terminal
53 7,892,680
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and battery
module
54 7,890,243
Method for controlling an automatic shut-off process
and/or start-up process of an internal combustion engine in a motor
vehicle
55 7,890,218
Centralized multi-zone cooling for increased battery
efficiency
56 7,888,912 Battery SOC estimation program, wireless transit system,
and method of charging the battery
57 7,887,955 Nonaqueous electrolyte battery, battery pack and vehicle
58 7,887,113
Powered patient support and fastening system with
inductive based power system
59 7,886,857
charging cable
Vehicle equipped with electrical storage device, and
60 7,886,669 Method and system for wind-harnessed battery charging
in a locomotive
61 7,885,739 Open-ended vehicle diagnostic device interface
62 7,885,057 Electronic device and electronic system
63 7,884,577
Apparatus for controlling temperature of secondary
battery, vehicle battery pack, and system and program for heating
secondary battery
64 7,883,136 Two-wheeled vehicle
65 7,881,604
Image recording device, image managing system, and
image recording control program
66 7,880,597 Hybrid vehicle battery information display device
67 7,878,512 Alignment changing control device
68 7,878,484 Vehicle-mountable hoist
69 7,878,279 Hybrid golf car
70 7,878,104 Armored shell kit and associated method of armoring a
vehicle
71 7,876,200 In-vehicle call apparatus
72 7,874,170 Intelligent lighting supply
73 7,872,451 Apparatus for charging on-vehicle battery and apparatus
for controlling generating operation of on-vehicle generator
74 7,869,912 Controlling device of hybrid vehicle
75 7,869,911 Vehicle control unit and vehicle control method
76 7,869,196 Electronic apparatus
77 7,868,742 On-board emergency reporting apparatus and auxiliary
battery device for the same
78 7,868,478 Electronic power stabilizer
79 7,866,555 Transport monitoring system
80 7,866,082 Incapacitating high intensity incoherent light beam
81 7,865,935 Electronic apparatus having security function
82 7,865,298 System and method for providing route information to a
driver of a vehicle
83 7,864,028 In-vehicle emergency call apparatus
84 7,862,931
Lead-based alloy for lead-acid battery, substrate for
lead-acid battery and lead-acid battery
85 7,860,643 In-vehicle detachably electronic apparatus and in-vehicle
electronic system
86 7,859,394 Shift light system and method
87 7,859,224
Charge control circuit for a vehicle vacuum cleaner
battery
88 7,857,081 Control system and method for hybrid vehicle
89 7,856,701 Manufacturing method of a coil assembly
90 7,853,218 Vehicle locating unit with improved power management
method
91 7,852,203 Vehicular flasher unit operative to provide a heartbeat
flasher scheme
92 7,852,089
Ground-fault detection system for vehicles with a
high-voltage power net
93 7,850,138 Battery security device
94 7,846,130 Portable intravenous fluid heating system
95 7,844,375 Vehicle hybrid power system and method for creating
simulated equivalent fuel consumption multidimensional data applicable
thereto
96 7,843,891 Mobile node data transmission rate selection
97 7,843,384 Vehicle communication terminal
98 7,843,310 Power management systems, methods, and programs for
in-vehicle devices
99 7,841,762 Liquid mixing apparatus and method of liquid mixing
100 7,841,625 Off-road competition motorcycle
101 7,840,284
Information processing system and associated
methodology of surveillance event monitoring
102 7,839,013
Power supply device for vehicle and method of
controlling the same
103 7,836,802 Centrifugal electric impact wrench
104 7,836,696 Fluid machine, rankine cycle and control method
105 7,834,756
module
Failure current measurement for electronic control
106 7,834,745 Remote ignition, theft deterrence, and records keeping
system for a vehicle
107 7,833,664 Nonaqueous electrolyte battery, battery pack and vehicle
108 7,833,658 Battery and battery container
109 7,832,516 Adjustable foot control for vehicle
110 7,832,288 Method for determining a force at the hub of a wheel of
a vehicle while traveling and wheel suitable for allowing said method to
be carried out
111 7,832,262 Method of detecting an occurrence of hydroplaning of a
tire on a road
112 7,831,363 Wireless control system for a load handling vehicle
113 7,831,150 Secure covert combat identification friend-or-foe (IFF)
system for the dismounted soldier
114 7,830,410 Information processing system and method, information
processing apparatus, image-capturing device and method, recording
medium, and program
115 7,830,119 Adaptive battery estimator and method
116 7,829,224 Nonaqueous electrolyte battery, battery pack and vehicle
117 7,828,098 Battery arrangement structure of a vehicle
118 7,825,779 Remote entry chirp sound reduction method and system
119 7,825,607 D-c to d-c converter circuit
120 7,823,972 Recliner adjustment utilizing active material sensors
121 7,823,672 Structure of hybrid vehicle
122 7,823,670
Hybrid drive train and hybrid vehicle equipped with
same
123 7,817,383 Windscreen wiper comprising a protection device for the
electric motor thereof
124 7,817,024 Vehicle tire warning system
125 7,815,546 Method and device for activating an electric parking
brake
126 7,815,448 Service plug
127 7,814,757 Operating algorithm for refrigerant safety system
128 7,813,769 Onboard wireless communication system
129 7,813,128 Method for cooling a static electronic power converter
device and corresponding device
130 7,812,474 Automobile
131 7,811,703 Nonaqueous electrolyte battery, battery pack and vehicle
132 7,810,699 Method and system for optimized vibration welding
133 7,810,595 System and method for initiating operation of a fuel cell
hybrid vehicle
134 7,808,375 Battery run down indicator
135 7,808,372 Detection device for vehicles
136 7,808,371 Vehicle fleet security system
137 7,808,121 Vehicle with electricity generating, braking wind turbine
138 7,806,427 Fastener for air bags and other uses
139 7,805,264
Method of calculating internal resistance of secondary
battery for vehicle
140 7,805,228 Vehicle diagnostic device
141 7,804,277 Apparatus for estimating state of charge of secondary
battery
142 7,803,483
Hermetically sealed high capacity nonaqueous
electrolyte battery and battery pack with the same
143 7,800,244
Device for managing the supply to a network of
power-consuming elements for a motor vehicle
144 7,798,270 Method and vehicle electric system of a motor vehicle
with a pre-emptive temporary increase in the idling speed of the internal
combustion engine
145 7,798,262 Electrically propulsed vehicle
146 7,797,958
HVAC system controlled by a battery management
system
147 7,797,089 System and method for managing a power source in a
vehicle
148 7,795,841 Charging system including user proximity detection to
start or stop charging
149 7,795,838 User interface system and method for jump assist of
hybrid vehicles
150 7,793,881 Portable multiple hose roller
151 7,793,539
Electrostatic charge control for in-tank fuel module
components
152 7,791,853 Control apparatus of semiconductor switch
153 7,791,460 Tire pressure monitoring system with reliable wireless
communication
between
wheel-based
transceivers
and
vehicle
body-based transceiver
154 7,791,352
Generator regulator having a diagnostic function for
semiconductor components
155 7,791,310
Vehicle electrical system including battery state of
charge detection on the positive terminal of the battery
156 7,791,292
Vehicle comprising a battery drive and a method for
operating a vehicle of this type
157 7,789,720 Electrical terminal assembly and method of using the
electrical terminal assembly
158 7,789,523 Receptacle positioned rechargeable flashlight
159 7,789,446 Moveable storage assembly for motor vehicles
160 7,788,925 Vehicle power supply system
161 RE41,597 System and method to maintain charge of vehicle battery
using light energy
162 7,787,903
Portable radio vehicular installation apparatus with
back-up battery power and method
163 7,786,705 System and method for automatically synchronizing and
acquiring content for battery-powered devices
164 7,786,704 System for battery charging based on cost and life
165 7,785,116 Rescue terminal structure
166 7,784,576 Selective closing of at least one vehicle opening at a
front portion of a vehicle
167 7,784,207 Display framing systems and related methods
168 7,783,396 Hybrid cruising control system
169 7,782,026 Regulator circuit and corresponding uses
170 7,782,021 Battery charging based on cost and life
171 7,777,495 Method and a device for detecting signal lamps in a
vehicle
172 7,777,447
Battery powered welder system utilizing vehicle
powered AC inverter
173 7,775,602 Automotive vehicle seat insert
174 7,774,104 Electronic apparatus and electronic system
175 7,771,075 Electronic device for vehicles
176 7,770,678 Hybrid vehicle drive control system
177 7,770,673 Battery powered shuttle car
178 7,770,286
Manufacturing method for a winding assembly of a
rotary electrical machine
179 7,768,384
Power management device and computer readable
medium
180 7,768,234 System and method for automatically synchronizing and
acquiring content for battery powered devices
181 7,768,176 Power storage system with low voltage and high voltage
windings for a vehicle driving system
182 7,768,148 Anti-theft battery switch box system
183 7,767,354 Temperature controlling apparatus for battery, vehicle
apparatus using the same, and controlling method therefor
184 7,767,348 Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and battery
pack using the same
185 7,766,779 Switching device for a motor vehicle and use of this
device
186 7,766,673 Fusible link busbar for starter and alternator with dual
battery application
187 7,766,111 Selective closing of at least one vehicle opening at a
front portion of a vehicle
188 7,765,046 In-vehicle electronic apparatus and in-vehicle electronic
system
189 7,765,043 Power supply control apparatus and method
190 7,762,601 Vehicle container interface
191 7,761,205 Height controlling apparatus
192 7,760,108 Methods and systems for remotely starting engines of
vehicles
193 7,759,816 Cigarette lighter adapter device that interfaces with an
external device via a port interface
194 7,759,811 Electronic control for a hydraulically driven generator
195 7,759,005 Bipolar battery and vehicle that contains the batteries
196 7,755,331
Storage battery managing apparatus and vehicle
controlling apparatus providing the same
197 7,753,150 Control system for a hybrid electric vehicle to anticipate
the need for a mode change
198 7,751,964 Control unit for controlling an automatic shut-off and/or
start-up process of a vehicle power plant
199 7,751,953
Cellular phone configured with off-board device
capabilities and starter/charger and battery testing capabilities
200 7,748,763 Slide out for a vehicle and a vehicle including the slide
out
251 7,688,808 Mobile access node routing selections through a mesh
network
252 7,688,582 Electrical device cooling structure in vehicle
253 7,688,201 Detection device for vehicles
254 7,688,074 Energy management system for automotive vehicle
255 7,688,023 Battery pack management method for HEV and EV
256 7,687,934
System and method for managing energy use in an
electric vehicle
257 7,684,906 Method of controlling hybrid vehicle
258 7,684,200 Electronic apparatus and electronic system
259
7,683,579
Method
and
apparatus
of
controlling
for
charge/discharge power of battery
260 7,683,503 Dead battery preventing device for preventing engine
start failure of vehicle having economy running function and dead battery
prevention method
261 7,681,684 On-vehicle component fixation-release apparatus
262 7,681,100 System and method for retransmission of voice packets
in wireless communications
263 7,679,336 Interactive battery charger for electric vehicle
264 7,679,327 Method of estimating state of charge of battery
265 7,678,497 Multiple cell battery
266 7,677,636
Method for controlling a power-operated vehicle
accessory, in particular a power-operated folding hardtop roof
267 7,677,123 Impact absorbing device
268 7,676,334 Battery condition monitor
269 7,671,755 Battery current sensor for a motor vehicle
270 7,671,483 Remote isolator interface
271 7,669,682 Rear suspension for a two wheeled vehicle
272 7,669,676 Hybrid propulsion system and method for its operation
273 7,668,576
Incorporating a portable digital music player into a
vehicle audio system
274 7,666,006 Electric connection box
275 7,665,559 Inputs for optimizing performance in hybrid vehicles
276 7,665,557 Hybrid electric powertrain with anti-idle function
277 7,662,515 Nonaqueous electrolyte battery, battery pack and vehicle
278 7,661,504 Vehicle seatbelt apparatus
279 7,661,210 Plow
280 7,660,694 Arrangement for determining an initial internal battery
temperature
281 7,660,103 Electronic device and electronic system
282 7,659,698 System and method for controlling a state of charge of
an energy storage system
283 7,659,690 Vehicular battery charging method
284 7,659,680 Motor battery systems
285 7,658,395 Tip over structure for a two wheeled vehicle
286 7,658,083 Cooling system and method for cooling a battery in a
vehicle
287 7,657,374 In-vehicle emergency report apparatus
288 7,657,366 Method of inhibiting the automatic stop control system
of the heat engine of a vehicle in the absence of a driver
289 7,656,294
Disablement of camera functionality for a portable
device
290 7,656,162 Electronic battery tester with vehicle type input
291 7,656,134 B-plus patch and voltage transient spike suppressor for
an automotive voltage regulator
292 7,656,118
Microprocessor controlled booster apparatus with
polarity protection
293 7,654,603 Raisable truck box cover
294 7,654,039 Method of controlling a closure drive system of a motor
vehicle
295 7,653,486
Surroundings exhibiting system and surroundings
exhibiting method
296 7,652,563 Optical input device
297 7,651,267 Sensor arrangement and method for using same
298 7,647,908 Methods and systems for remotely starting engines of
vehicles with bi-directional control
299 7,646,158 Device for controlling opening/closing body for vehicle
300 7,644,873 Fuel transfer arrangement
301 7,644,609 Exhaust sensor apparatus and method
302 7,642,787 Automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic device
303 7,642,009 Holder for battery modules
304 7,642,004 Holder for cooling battery modules
305 7,641,369 Emergency under-lighting systems for vehicles
306 7,641,013 Battery mounting structure for hybrid vehicles
307 7,640,080 Protection device for load circuits
308 7,639,124 Wheel identifying apparatus and tire inflation pressure
detecting apparatus with function of wheel identification
309 7,639,019
Method and configuration for monitoring a vehicle
battery
310 7,637,781 Fusible link unit with hinge section
311 7,631,512 Vehicle cooling system
312 7,629,794 Leakage detection circuit and battery electronic control
unit
313 7,629,558
Systems and methods for modifying an ice-to-object
interface
314 7,629,081 Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
315 7,624,493 Manufacturing apparatus for a winding assembly of a
rotating electrical machine
316 7,621,262
Hybrid thermal energy conversion for HCCI heated
intake charge system
317 7,619,508 Video mirror system for a vehicle
318 7,618,291 Electrical plug connection with a transponder provided
in a coding PIN
319 7,616,108 Vehicle light system
320 7,616,003
Method for determining deterioration of accumulator
battery, method for measuring internal impedance of secondary battery,
equipment for measuring internal impedance of secondary battery,
equipment for determining deterioration of secondary battery, and power
supply system
321 7,615,967 Method and apparatus of estimating state of health of
battery
322 7,615,885 Power connection device for battery terminal clamp
323 7,611,267 Wheel illumination device
324 7,610,129 Remote vehicle starter and method for remotely starting
vehicle
325 7,610,035
System and method for controlling the power in a
wireless client device
326 7,609,032 Device and method for ascertaining the temperature in
an electrical battery
327 7,609,029 Battery, assembled battery unit, vehicle equipped with
battery, and battery voltage adjusting method
328 7,607,963 Control apparatus for opening/closing vehicle door
329 7,607,638 EGR valve having rest position
330 7,607,503 Operating a vehicle with high fuel efficiency
331 7,607,501 Cooling system for a vehicle battery
332 7,607,346 Tire pressure indicator
333 7,605,841 Information processing system and method, information
processing apparatus, image-capturing device and method, recording
medium, and program
334 7,604,898 Positive electrode material, its manufacturing method
and lithium secondary battery
335 7,604,382 Vehicle component assembly for a straddle type vehicle
336 7,604,303 Pedal travel audit system
337 7,603,979 Valve unit for internal combustion engine
338 7,602,413 Information processing system and method, information
processing apparatus, image-capturing device and method, recording
medium, and program
339 7,601,463 Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
340 7,599,764
Vehicle remote starting apparatus and method for
executing registration process
341 7,598,860 Scanning device with sensors and camera or tricorder
342 7,598,743 Battery maintenance device having databus connection
343 7,597,408 Method for compensating regenerative braking amount
when regenerative braking of vehicle fails
344 7,596,366
System and method for controlling the power in a
wireless client device
345 7,595,607 Battery charging system and methods
346 7,594,868 Split-power transmission with mode shift
347 7,594,524 Concrete wash out and slurry capture method and system
348 7,593,711 Vehicle locating unit with improved power management
method
349 7,592,735 Alternator having Lundell type rotor
350 7,591,692 Battery clamp and associated method
351 7,589,437 Control unit in a vehicle
352 7,586,726 Switching element overcurrent protection circuit which
operates within a high-voltage system that incorporates the switching
element
353 7,586,291 System and method for controlling power of a computer
terminal with an external power source
354 7,584,521
Dust mitigation and surface cleaning system for
maintaining a surface free from dust and other materials
355 7,584,025
In-vehicle device, computer readable medium for
controlling the same, and method for controlling navigation device
356 7,583,567 Information retrieval device
357 7,583,184 Video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle
358 7,582,983
Method of controlling the operation of an electrical
machine forming the starter of a heat engine and of electrical equipment
359 7,582,386 Nonaqueous electrolyte battery, battery pack and vehicle
360 7,579,940 Information display system for a vehicle
361 7,579,939 Video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle
362 7,578,483
Conformable skin element system for active vortex
control
363 7,576,512
Secondary battery charging system capable of
preventing drop of charged electric power
364 7,575,080 Telematic method and apparatus with integrated power
source
365 7,573,241 Vehicle having a battery with multiple cells and method
for operating such a battery
366 7,573,230 Method and apparatus for utilizing recycled batteries to
surface charge an automobile battery
367 7,573,222 Motor control apparatus
368 7,572,549 Prismatic battery made of multiple individual cells
369 7,572,107 Ultra low volume chemical delivery system and method
370 7,570,012 Energy storage device for loads having variable power
rates
371 7,568,538 Children's ride-on vehicle charging assemblies with back
feed protection
372 7,562,928 Automated vehicle sunshade
373 7,562,925 Vehicle side article transporter device
374 7,562,731 Electric power generation system for vehicle
375 7,561,978 Device and method for battery state determination
376 7,561,967 Navigation receiver with functional extensibility
377 7,561,448 Power inverter
378 7,561,389 Alternating-current voltage output apparatus
379 7,561,070 Removable electronic tablet for vehicle instrument panel
380 7,560,935
Ground-fault resistance measurement circuit and
ground-fault detection circuit
381 7,560,905
Vehicle steering wheel power switch apparatus and
method
382 7,560,885 Method and apparatus for controlling motor
383 7,559,386 Vehicle hybrid propulsion system
384 RE40,820
Multi-battery fuel saving and emissions reduction
system for automotive vehicles
385 7,557,694 Vehicle tire tread depth determining system
386 7,557,460 Electric power source for motor vehicle
387 7,556,656 Battery and related manufacturing method
388 7,556,408 Exhaust tailpipe flame effect device
389 7,554,817 Inverter apparatus suitable for battery vehicle
390 7,552,718 Electrical drive arrangement for a fuel injection system
391 7,550,869 On-vehicle apparatus theft deterrence system
392 7,550,867 Method and safety system for a displacement device of a
motor vehicle
393 7,548,805 Vehicle control apparatus, vehicle control method and
vehicle slip suppressing apparatus
394 7,548,491 Personalized key system for a mobile vehicle
395 7,546,151
Expandable, modular communications apparatus with
wireless interchangeable device authentication
396 7,545,258 Vehicle theft prevention system
397 7,545,123 Control apparatus for vehicular AC generator
398 7,545,121 Auxiliary vehicle power supply
399 7,544,030 ATV ball-hitch connected hay bale spike and hay bale
suspension system
400 7,543,666 Battery mount
401 7,543,454 Method and auxiliary system for operating a comfort
subsystem for a vehicle
402 7,542,827 Scheduling remote starting of vehicle
403 7,540,641 Apparatus and method for dimming function to control
LED intensity
404 7,538,687 Emergency warning system for approach of right of way
vehicle
405 7,538,522
Specially improved automotive replacement voltage
regulator
406 7,538,517 Method for detecting battery stratification
407 7,537,070
Autonomous portable range extender
408 7,536,457 System and method for wireless delivery of event data
409 7,535,181 Method and device for ballast management in particular
for a motor vehicle headlamp
410 7,533,998 Vehicle accessory module
411 7,533,890
Damping adjusting/controlling system for wireless
adjustment of shock-absorbers for vehicle
412 7,532,823
Light emitting diode driving circuit and optical
transmitter for use in optical fiber link
413 7,532,110 Air spring distance indicating system and method
414 7,532,098 Actuator
415 7,531,992 Control system for controlling output of power generator
416 7,531,852
Electronic unit with a substrate where an electronic
circuit is fabricated
417 7,529,608 Vehicle drive control device
418 7,529,080 Electronic device and electronic system
419 7,528,593 Current measuring device
420 7,528,584 Power MOS voltage regulator for batteries
421 7,527,705 Method for routing electrical conductor between panels
422 7,527,244 Water well serving system
423 7,525,418 Segmented brake light
424 7,525,289 System and method for automatically synchronizing and
acquiring content for battery-powered devices
425 7,525,286 Method and device for vehicle battery protection with
battery power source noise pattern analysis
426 7,525,284
Charging rate estimating method, charging rate
estimating unit and battery system
427 7,521,936 Diagnostic system for power converter
428 7,521,935
Powertrain battery life predicting and warning
apparatuses
429 7,521,817 System and method for reducing the chance of fires
and/or explosions
430 7,520,000 Information reproducing apparatus
431 7,517,123 Motorized lamp adjuster
432 7,516,764 Color changing system for vehicle
433 7,515,900 Method and apparatus for communication
434 7,515,040 Wheel identifying apparatus and tire inflation pressure
detecting apparatus with function of wheel identification
435 7,514,904 System and method for determining battery temperature
436 7,511,457 Multi-series battery control system
437 7,511,455 Power supply unit having uniform battery characteristic
438 7,509,929
System and method to control temperature of an
alternator and/or an engine in a vehicle
439 7,509,849 Tire pressure gauge with data transmitter
440 7,508,302 Wheel identifying apparatus and tire inflation pressure
detecting apparatus with function of wheel identification
441 7,508,298 Automatic crash notification using prerecorded messages
442 7,508,163 Portable AC power supply with multiple uses
443 7,508,091 Vehicle battery protection device
444 7,506,708
Apparatus for protecting a high-voltage wire in an
electric vehicle
445 7,504,934 Tire condition information collection appartus and relay
apparatus thereof
446 7,504,926 Fuse module
447 7,504,917 Electromagnetic switch of starter
448 7,502,672
Wireless vehicle diagnostics with service and part
determination capabilities
449 7,501,206
Bipolar battery, assembled battery, combination
assembled battery, and vehicle using the assembled battery or the
combination assembled battery
450 7,500,931 All-wheel drive vehicle
501 7,458,368 Engine fuel efficiency improvements
502 7,457,136 Overcurrent protective device for switching element
503 7,456,730
Anomaly judgment system for operator detection device
and process for judging normality/anomaly of operator detection device
504 7,453,240 Generating apparatus and motor control apparatus
505 7,451,852
Vehicle sobriety interlock system with personal
identification element
506 7,449,998 Electronic display panels for automobiles
507 7,449,846
Ballast for a gas discharge lamp and a method of
controlling this ballast
508 7,447,572 Control apparatus for vehicle having fuel cell mounted
thereon
509 7,446,674 Emergency warning system for approach of right of way
vehicle
510 7,446,650 Accessory system suitable for use in a vehicle
511 7,446,536 Scan tool for electronic battery tester
512 7,446,425 Cooperative control apparatus
513 7,444,771 Display device for use with vehicle
514 7,444,192 Reactive replenishable device management
515 7,443,643 Inverter device for automobile
516 7,443,139 Battery state-of-charge estimator
517 7,443,127 Apparatus and method for motor control using table
518 7,443,049
Bi-directional inverter control for high voltage
charge/discharge for automobiles
519 7,439,992 Communication terminal
520 7,438,989 Flat cell, battery, combined battery, and vehicle
521 7,438,318 Industrial vehicle
522 7,431,368 Vehicle side article transporter device
523 7,430,465 Open-ended PC host interface for vehicle data recorder
524 7,429,431 Battery and related manufacturing method
525 7,429,122 Lighting device
526 7,427,093 Mounting structure for vehicle battery pack
527 7,427,080 Shopping trolleys
528 7,425,769 Engine start method of vehicle having starter motor and
ISG
529 7,425,025 Recessed door lock actuator assembly for a vehicle
530 7,422,408 Lighted vehicle access system and method
531 7,420,502 Forward-looking radar system
532 7,420,462 Air spring distance indicating system and method
533 7,420,291 Security apparatus
534 7,419,022 Thermionic power unit
535 7,417,344 Electronic package for electrical machine
536 7,417,331 Combustion engine driven electric generator apparatus
537 7,415,870
Movable unit and system for sensing at least one
characteristic parameter of a tyre
538 7,414,529
Disablement of camera functionality for a portable
device
539 7,412,309 Electric vehicle
540 7,411,382 Current detection apparatus
541 7,411,371 Battery charger and method of charging a battery
542 7,411,175 Spotlight mounted motion detector
543 7,411,140 Inertial mass detection device
544 7,410,448 Exercise belt for stomach muscles
545 7,408,464 System and method for identifying component parts in
an assembly
546 7,408,272 Method and device for supplying electric energy power
to an appliance
547 7,407,149 Winch unit
548 7,407,026 Control system for a hybrid electric vehicle to anticipate
the need for a mode change
549 7,405,922 Double layer capacitor
550 7,405,540
Secondary power supply system and method of
activating subsystems from a vehicle steering wheel
551
7,405,537
Apparatus
and
methods
for
estimating
the
state-of-charge of a power source
552 7,404,372 Emergency signaling device
553 7,404,097 Vehicle-installed microcomputer system that interrupts
power to higher accuracy power supply circuit for sensor A/D converter
in sleep mode
554 7,402,916
Method of controlling a reversible, polyphase rotary
electrical machine for a motor vehicle having a heat engine
555 7,401,532 Passenger detection system
556 7,400,111 Battery and electric unit assembly for vehicle
557 7,400,060
558 7,398,845
Power supply system for a vehicle
Controller and control method for a hybrid electric
vehicle powertrain
559 7,398,176 Battery testers with secondary functionality
560 7,397,359
Remote control for battery electrical system tester
apparatus and method
561 7,397,207 Electric supercharger for vehicle
562 7,395,096 Combined rear view mirror and telephone
563 7,393,610 Laminate packaging flat cell
564 7,393,609 Battery
565 7,392,132 Position notifying device
566 7,391,180 Pulse width modulation control circuit for a multimode
electrical machine, and a multimode electrical machine equipped with
such a control circuit
567 7,390,115 LED blinker load assembly
568 7,389,826 Firefighting agent delivery system
569 7,389,168 Speed ratio control apparatus and method for a hybrid
transmission
570 7,388,349 Multiple battery switching method and apparatus
571 7,387,727 Contaminated liquid filtration system vehicle
572 7,387,414 Light bar for mounting to a vehicle
573 7,386,370 Temperature management in ring topology networks
574 7,384,093 System for lifting various objects in a vehicle
575 7,380,619 Handlebar steered vehicle having a starting circuit
576 7,380,537 Control apparatus for vehicle
577 7,378,766
Rotating electrical machine, such as an alternator,
particularly for an automobile
578 7,377,352 Vehicle ignition interlock systems with mouth alcohol
contamination sensor
579 7,375,692 Serigraphed antenna for a motor vehicle
580 7,371,687 Electronic circuit device
581 7,366,551
Expandable, modular communications apparatus with
interchangeable device authentication
582 7,364,220 Aerodynamic drag reduction systems
583 7,364,190 Igniter for air bag system
584 7,364,144 Sensing and communication system and method
585 7,363,806 Tire parameter monitoring system with inductive power
source
586 7,362,074
Method for determining deterioration of accumulator
battery, method for measuring internal impedance of secondary battery,
equipment for measuring internal impedance of secondary battery,
equipment for determining deterioration of secondary battery, and power
supply system
587 7,362,005 Isolated dual battery system
588 7,360,401 Leak detector for evaporated fuel
589 7,360,303
Method manufacturing for a winding assembly of a
rotating electrical machine
590 7,358,701 Method and system for modeling energy transfer
591 7,358,625 Power strip with 12 volt outlet
592 7,357,539 Proportional brake light display system
593 7,356,305 Vehicle enabled networks
594 7,355,628
Method and apparatus of maintaining a video signal
through brief interruptions of a related control signal
595 7,355,506 Systems and methods for deterring theft of electronic
devices
596 7,354,182 Lighting assembly and a wheel rim including a lighting
assembly
597 7,353,900 Battery cooling system
598 7,352,091 Electronic package for electrical machine
599 7,351,119 Battery cable clamp
600 7,350,880 Anti-lock brake system for vehicles
601 7,350,850 Bed that moves vertically and converts into a couch
602 7,348,927
Serigraphed antenna for the rear window of a
saloon-type car
603 7,348,878
Tire pressure monitoring system with permanent tire
identification
604 7,348,741
Method and device for controlling fan for cooling
vehicle-mounted battery
605 7,346,994
Adaptive cruise control sensor alignment tool and
method
606 7,345,861 Capacitor circuit with surge protection
607 7,345,579 Trailer illumination system test drive and method of use
608 7,345,450
Microprocessor controlled booster apparatus with
polarity protection
609 7,344,284 Lighting system for a vehicle, with high-intensity power
LED
610 7,343,662
Manufacturing method of stator coil composed of
conductor segments
611 7,342,762 Resettable circuit protection apparatus
612 7,342,325 Universal fleet electrical system
613 7,339,774 Automatic battery disconnect system
614 7,339,463 Infant alert system and methods thereof
615 7,339,321
Discharge-lamp ballast in particular for a vehicle
headlight
616 7,338,328 Cigarette lighter adapter device that interfaces with an
external device via a port interface
617 7,336,018
Circuit configuration for charging and discharging a
plurality of capacitive actuators
618 7,336,002 Vehicle power supply system
619 7,335,131
Vehicle and method for controlling an engine in a
vehicle
620 7,334,463
Tire parameter sensing system having a tire rotation
dependent transmission scheme
621 7,332,243 Battery and battery container
622 7,330,102 Method of customizing a vehicle with decals, a vehicle
decal assembly and a vehicle customized with decals in accordance with
the method
623 7,329,966
Vehicle-mounted electrical generator control system
enabling suppression of supply voltage spikes that result from
disconnecting electrical loads
624 7,329,157
Mechanically advantaged band clamp and associated
method
625 7,328,051 Global video audio system
626 7,324,550 Scan tool can adapter
627 7,324,408 Repelling pests
628 7,323,970 Method and system for remote interaction with a vehicle
via wireless communication
629 7,323,771 Electronic circuit device
630 7,321,214 Motor control system
631 7,320,846 Bipolar battery and method for manufacturing the same
632 7,319,848 Technique for collecting data from vehicles for analysis
thereof
633 7,319,847 Bitwise monitoring of network performance
634 7,319,304 Shunt connection to a PCB of an energy management
system employed in an automotive vehicle
635 7,318,979 Polymer battery and related method
636 7,318,618 Reinforced tonneau cover
637 7,317,299 Method of calculating aging factor of battery for hybrid
vehicle
638 7,316,219 Control apparatus for vehicle
639 7,311,681 Motor vehicle massage seat
640 7,311,315 Apparatus for controlling stiffness of anti-roll bar for
vehicle
641 7,310,043 System for automatically moving access barriers and
methods for adjusting system sensitivity
642 7,309,079
Method of determining charging capacitance of
capacitor
643 7,308,959 Displacement on demand with regenerative braking
644 7,308,202 Secure covert combat identification friend-or-foe (IFF)
system for the dismounted soldier
645 7,306,421 Inside vehicle lift
646 7,304,444 Battery vehicle and method of controlling the same
647 7,302,799 Drive system for a vehicle
648 7,301,925 Combined LAN and WAN system for mobile resource
management
649 7,300,086 Slide out for a motor home
650 7,299,890 Vehicle ignition interlock systems having transdermal
alcohol sensor
651 7,296,825 Multiple output buckle switch
652 7,296,495 Mechanical system for power change between the input
and output thereof
653 7,296,427 Hybrid compressor device for a vehicle
654 7,295,849 Vehicle two way remote communication system
655 7,295,136 Communication system
656 7,294,000
Adaptable junction box applicable to automotive
vehicles
657 7,293,888 Rearview mirror assembly with utility functions
658 7,292,042 Ground fault detector for vehicle
659 7,291,933 Double alternator and electrical system for a vehicle
660 7,290,924 Non-boil boiling point indicator
661 7,290,912 Thermal insulation structure for vehicle room lamp
662 7,290,628 Personal transport vehicle system and method
663 7,288,853
Power control center with solid state device for
controlling power transmission
664 7,287,617 Vehicle ignition interlock systems with multiple alcohol
sensors
665
7,285,071
Downshift
control
for
automotive
automatic
transmission
666 7,283,034 Object sensor and controller
667 7,279,806 Ignition system with driver identification
668 7,279,640 Wiring harness
669 7,276,313 Battery and related method
670 7,273,229
Apparatus for driving on-vehicle occupant-protecting
airbag device
671 7,272,519
Systems and methods for monitoring and storing
performance and maintenance data related to an electrical component
672 7,272,303 Method and control circuit for driving an electric motor
of a seatbelt retractor
673 7,268,447
Power control center with solid state device for
controlling power transmission
674 7,268,446
Power control center with solid state device for
controlling power transmission
675 7,268,309 Horn switch gear and airbag system
676 7,267,190 Electrically-driven vehicle
677 7,265,699 Nine-position resistor ladder switch assembly
678 7,265,665 Vehicle proximity alarm system and method
679 7,265,505 Control apparatus for selectively driving plural stator
windings of synchronous motor
680 7,264,073 Battery mounting structure for an electric vehicle, and
vehicle incorporating same
681 7,262,947 Low voltage interrupter for electric winch
682 7,261,171 Apparatus and method for converting movements of a
vehicle wheel to electricity for charging a battery of the vehicle
683 7,260,457 Secondary power supply for telematics terminal
684 7,259,663 Wheel state adjustment system and method thereof
685 7,258,470 Vehicle sun visors having lighting devices
686 7,258,086 Four-cylinder, four-cycle, free piston, premixed charge
compression ignition, internal combustion reciprocating piston engine
with a variable piston stroke
687 7,256,516 Battery charging system and method
688 7,256,514 Device and method for operating an electrical machine
for a motor vehicle
689 7,253,584
Isolated high voltage battery charger and integrated
battery pack
690 7,252,748 NOx measurement apparatus
691 7,250,749 Current sensor
692 7,246,015 Alternator tester
693 7,244,036 Vehicular lamp
694 7,243,907 Vehicle-mounted hydro-electric jack system
695 7,243,533
Movable unit and system for sensing at least one
characteristic parameter of a tyre
696 7,237,936
Vehicle light assembly and its associated method of
manufacture
697 7,237,935 Light source module and vehicular lamp
698 7,237,932 Vehicle and trailer lighting system
699 7,237,827 Control system for pressure drag reduction system
700 7,233,474
Vehicle electrical protection device and system
employing same
701 7,233,221 Magnetic wheel for vehicles
702 7,231,813 Leak detector for evaporated fuel
703 7,230,395 Voltage converting circuit for electric vehicles
704
7,224,145
Control
and
power
module
for
integrated
alternator-starter
705 7,224,078 Electric rotating machine for vehicle
706 7,221,456 Surface plasmon resonance sensor
707 7,219,497 Hybrid car and control method of the same
708 7,218,236
Vehicle ignition interlock systems that detect the
presence of alcohol within vehicles
709 7,217,017 Vanity for a vehicle
710 7,216,945 Recording apparatus and method of controlling the same
711 7,216,733 Small-sized vehicle
712 7,216,616 Engine start system and method thereof
713 7,211,227 Plasma reactor, production method thereof, and emission
control apparatus of a vehicle
714 7,210,049 Controller area network wake-up system and method
715 7,209,816 System for remote control of vehicle functions and/or
inquiry of vehicle status data
716 7,208,914
Apparatus and method for predicting the remaining
discharge time of a battery
717 7,208,912 Inductive battery recharging system with peak voltage
detection
718 7,208,847 Vehicular electric power generating system
719 7,204,529 Recessed door lock actuator assembly for a vehicle
720 7,204,335 Vehicle sobriety interlock device
721 7,203,583 Electric power steering unit
722 7,202,445 Door mirror heater
723 7,199,704 Vehicular flasher unit having selectable flasher schemes
illuminated with pulse width modulated signals
724 7,199,588 Method and system for determining the buffer action of
a battery
725 7,198,762
Device for treating an internal combustion engine
exhaust gases
726 7,198,588
vehicle
System and method for controlling engine idle in a
727 7,198,512 Power distribution for luggage
728 7,198,320 System for moving a bed using a rack and gear
729 7,196,493 Closed loop control of battery power limits based on
voltage
730 7,195,381 Vehicle interior LED lighting system
731 7,195,304 Roll tarp system
732 7,192,290 Room lamp provided with insulating structure between
bus bars thereof
733 7,192,148 Illuminated logo unit with reflective device
734 7,190,253 Door control system and method for vehicles
735 7,188,963 Vehicle accessory module
736 7,188,887 Roll tarp system
737 7,188,591 Power supply method for electrical equipment
738 7,188,005
Vehicle capable of auditorily informing its state and
method for auditorily informing state of vehicle
739 7,187,284 Active anti-theft device for securing property
740 7,187,271 Operational omission alarm system and apparatus for
vehicle
741 7,185,944 Pressure drag reduction system with an internal duct
742 7,185,722 Power transmission apparatus of motor vehicles
743 7,183,903 Security storage locker for a vehicle
744 7,183,746 Cart charge system
745 7,183,737 Motor control device and motor control method
746 7,182,386 Vehicle cap power transfer
747 7,180,272 Malfunction detecting apparatus for on-vehicle charging
system
748 7,180,205 Dual-voltage vehicle electric system
749 7,176,780 Fuse unit
750 7,176,588 Starter drive device
751 7,175,936 Lithium secondary battery and assembled structure of
lithium secondary batteries
752 7,170,210 Alternator equipped with stator having twisted inputs
753 7,170,193 Emergency situation power management system applied
to an automotive vehicle
754 7,169,489 Hydrogen storage, distribution, and recovery system
755 7,168,737 Integrated circuit for air bag system
756 7,167,104
System and method to wirelessly communicate
information between traffic control signs and vehicles
757 7,165,804 Methods for reducing the aerodynamic drag of vehicles
758 7,164,272 Modular unit connectable to the battery of a vehicle for
monitoring its condition and protecting the electrical system of said
vehicle
759 7,164,235 Vehicular lamp
760 7,163,312 Spotlight system and method
761 7,161,134
Procedure for scanning identifying badges for
automotive vehicle
762 7,157,806
System and method for controlling and distributing
electrical energy in a vehicle
763 7,156,453 Pressure drag reduction system with a side duct
764 7,155,353
Method for determining charging capacitance of
capacitor
765 7,155,329
Vehicle deceleration display system and calculation
method
766 7,154,733 Low cost squib driver for airbag application
767 7,154,276 Method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a
vehicle electrical system
768 7,154,068 Method and system for a vehicle battery temperature
control
769 7,153,234 Twin-clutch gearbox and method for controlling at least
two clutches in a twin-clutch gearbox of a motor vehicle
770 7,153,014 Knite-lite
771 7,152,908
Systems, methods, and media for reducing the
aerodynamic drag of vehicles
772 7,152,636 Brake flush accelerator
773 7,152,272 On-board vehicle vacuum cleaner
774 7,151,441 Vehicle burglar alarm system with GPS recognition
775 7,150,539 Illuminated pattern device
776 7,150,187 System and method for monitoring deformations of a
moving tire
777 7,150,159 Hybrid auxiliary power unit for truck
778 7,148,793
Tire parameter sensing system having auto-location
feature and associated method
779 7,146,265 Control device with time measuring function
780 7,144,657 Electrical rechargeable battery
781 7,142,889 Communication terminal
782 7,142,849 Process for remote communication between a command
transmitter and a command receiver
783 7,142,407 Squib driver for airbag application
784 7,140,359
Spark plug capable of removing remaining electric
charges
785 7,140,247
Electrostatic charge control for in-tank fuel module
components
786 7,138,904 Biometric system and method for vehicle security and
operation
787 7,135,801 Motor apparatus having rotational position detector
788 7,134,715 Vehicle seat heating arrangement
789 7,134,516 Method for setting a desired operating condition of a
hybrid drive for a vehicle
790 7,134,241
Entrapment detecting device for opening-closing
member that includes strain gauge
791 7,133,762 Control device for engine driven vehicle incorporating
generator
792 7,132,934 Ignition safety device and method therefor
793 7,132,761 Universal fleet electrical system
794 7,129,706 Part tester and method
795 7,127,413 Charge processing device charge processing system and
charge processing card
796 7,127,276 Communication terminal
797 7,126,485 Sleep prevention device while driving
798 7,126,341 Automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic device
799 7,126,245 Polyphase armature for a rotary electrical machine, and
its method of manufacture
800 7,124,741 Method for controlling an injector with verification that
plunger movement has occurred
801 7,124,628 Injection pressure regulator test system
802 7,124,006
Vehicle identification means detection and evasion
system
803 7,124,002
Tire air pressure abnormality warning device and
method
804 7,123,947 Communication terminal
805 7,122,993 Regulated voltage control override
806 7,121,700 Vehicle advertising sign illumination apparatus
807 7,121,613 Vehicle including multiple items that move vertically
808 7,121,612 Vehicle including multiple items that move vertically
809 7,120,472 Communication terminal
810 7,116,078 Protection system of a vehicle battery
811 7,116,020 Alternator, in particular for motor vehicle
812 7,114,786 Trailer brake system and method
813 7,114,745 Monitoring system for detent connections
814 7,113,078 Emergency lights for towed vehicles
815 7,111,955 Illuminated logo unit with reflective film
816 7,110,483 Communication method
817 7,109,855 Method and apparatus for monitoring parameters of an
easily ignited gas
818 7,109,687 Three-phase ac generator for vehicle
819 7,109,676 Control for electric motor in vehicles
820 7,108,301 Door handle equipped with an automatic retractable flap
821 7,108,087 Power transmitting apparatus for hybrid vehicle
822 7,107,976 Inductive load powering arrangement
823 7,107,472 Mobile data system having automated shutdown
824 7,106,047 Electric current detection apparatus
825 7,105,938 Electronically controlled engine generator set
826 7,104,272 Vehicle battery fluid supply system with vacuum source
827 7,104,234 Engine ground system
828 7,103,459 Vehicular abnormality detecting device
829 7,102,356 Electrical leakage detection circuit
830 7,102,304
Control device for a reversible rotating electrical
machine
831 7,101,066 Automatic on, off, and recharging vehicle wheel lighting
device
832 7,100,719 Hybrid-powered vehicle
833 7,098,665 Method for prediction of the internal resistance of an
energy storage battery, and a monitoring device for energy storage
batteries
834 7,097,935 Rechargeable battery
835 7,097,226 Safety system for a compartment of a vehicle
836 7,096,984 Electric vehicle
837 7,096,724 Fuel injector testing system
838 7,096,683 Vehicle cooling system
839 7,096,628 Collapsible vehicle storage structure
840 7,095,628 Fuse box for a vehicle
841 7,095,599 Fuel injector and its control method
842 7,095,320 Wireless alarm system for contributing security network
843 7,095,135
Capacitor-based powering system and associated
methods
844 7,094,496 Electrical accumulator batteries
845 7,093,300
Electronic apparatus having security function
846 7,091,598 Electronic circuit device
847 7,090,277 Gear drive and linkage for power operated seat assembly
848 7,089,127 Integrated battery service system
849 7,089,097 Vehicle control system and automobile using the same
850 7,088,225
Emergency information terminal and emergency
information system including terminal
851 7,086,136 Method of manufacturing a sequential segment joining
type stator coil
852 7,085,946
Backup memory control unit with reduced current
consumption having normal self-refresh and unsettled modes of operation
853 7,084,609 Alternator controlled rectifier
854 7,083,543 Method for setting a desired operating state of a hybrid
drive of a vehicle
855 7,083,214
Movable seat for vehicles
856 7,083,193 Igniter for air bag system
857 7,082,772
Peltier temperature control system for electronic
components
858 7,082,018 Power supply apparatus in electric vehicle
859 7,081,811 Multiple sensor heat alarm
860 7,081,755
Battery tester capable of predicting a discharge
voltage/discharge current of a battery
861 7,081,738 Generating device having magneto generator
862 7,078,881
Vehicle AC generator apparatus having improved
generator control apparatus
863 7,078,829 Self-powering input buffer
864 7,076,349
Vehicle identification means detection and evasion
system
865 7,075,237
Illumination control apparatus and failure detecting
apparatus
866 7,073,923 Vehicle charger/flashlight
867 7,073,377
Tire parameter sensing system with signal relay device
and associated method
868 7,072,668 Durable global asset-tracking device and a method of
using the same
869 7,071,819 Remote control lock operation system for vehicles
870 7,070,212 Latch arrangement
871 7,069,860 Igniter for air bag system
872 7,066,016 Camshaft position sensor testing system
873 7,064,525 Method for improved battery state of charge
874 7,064,461 Electromagnetic power device
875 7,062,923
Cooling method for interior portion of vehicle and
cooling apparatus thereof
876 7,062,300 Cellular phone holder with charger mounted to vehicle
dashboard
877 7,061,246 Battery monitoring system and method
878
7,061,208
Storage
battery
temperature
regulator
having
thermoelectric transducer, and vehicle including the storage battery
temperature regulator
879 7,061,150 Drive unit comprising an electric motor for adjusting
devices in motor vehicles
880 7,059,997 Engine system with cylinder number variable engine and
method for controlling the engine system
881 7,059,306 Method and system of evaporative emission control for
hybrid vehicle using activated carbon fibers
882 7,057,376 Power management system for vehicles
883 7,055,878 Multipurpose trailer system
884 7,055,636 Drive control device for hybrid vehicle
885 7,053,823 System and method for cargo protection
886 7,053,761 Vehicular tire pressure monitoring system
887 7,053,498 Electronic control for a hydraulically driven generator
888 7,052,331
Symmetrically adjustable corrosion-resistant battery
cable connector
889 7,049,948 Tire pressure monitoring system
890 7,048,423 Integrated light and accessory assembly
891 7,046,814
Impedance adapter preamplifier device for electronic
tube audio frequencies able to be inserted on line on the path of the low
frequency signal
892 7,045,236 Heat and gas exchange system for battery
893 7,044,487 Heated anti-slip step for a motor vehicle
894 7,043,359 Vehicle navigation system
895 7,043,358 Vehicle navigation system adapted to improved system
upgrade procedure
896 7,042,115 Power supply control system for vehicle and method
897 7,040,716 Anti-lock brake system for vehicles
898 7,040,296 Engine start control system and a method thereof
899 7,038,413 Trapping detection device of opening/closing member
900 7,037,034 Safety door system and method for a hopper body
901 7,034,705
Emergency information terminal and emergency
information system including terminal
902 7,034,657 Vehicular door lock remote control apparatus
903 7,034,504
Battery status monitoring apparatus which monitors
internal battery resistance, saturation polarization detecting method and
dischargeable capacity detecting method
904 7,034,257 Methods for modifying friction between an object and
ice or snow
905 7,033,209 Vehicle accessory power connector
906 7,030,510 Power-supply control apparatus
907 7,028,493 Vehicle air conditioner having a seat air conditioning
unit
908 7,026,923 Vehicle signalization retrofit kit
909 7,026,787
Method and device for determining the starting
capability of a vehicle
910 7,026,733
Drive system for a motor vehicle having an electric
machine
911 7,025,597 Battery conducting device for motorized scooter
912 7,025,159 Cooling system for a vehicle battery
913 7,024,871 Strategy for minimizing noise perception in a vehicle
914 7,023,174
Industrial truck with integrated vehicle control and
battery charging system
915 7,023,143 Ballast apparatus and ballasting method of high intensity
discharge lamp
916 7,022,647 Methods of fabricating cermet materials and methods of
utilizing same
917 7,021,418 Electric power steering apparatus
918 7,021,409 Control system for a hybrid electric vehicle to anticipate
the need for a mode change
919 7,019,424
Current rectifier assembly for rotating electrical
machines, in particular motor vehicle alternator
920 7,017,983 Method and apparatus for moving multipart sliding roof
for a motor vehicle
921 7,017,694
Electrically operated power unit, electric vehicle and
electric motorcycle
922 7,016,268
Optical reproducing system having resume function
based on recording time of each program on the medium
923 7,016,172
Method of detecting an arc and protecting the load
against said arc
924 7,014,002 Battery holding structure for vehicle
925 7,012,512 OBDII readiness status notification device
926 7,011,768
Methods for hydrogen storage using doped alanate
compositions
927 7,009,824 Electrically-operated actuator system
928 7,009,401
Battery apparatus and method for monitoring battery
state of a secondary battery
929 7,009,368
Voltage booster circuit having back-up circuit and
battery voltage boosting method
930 7,008,469
Portable air filtration system utilizing a conductive
coating and a filter for use therein
931 7,004,607 Motorized lamp adjuster
932 7,004,155 Ignition apparatus for internal combustion engine
933 7,003,289 Communication interface device for managing wireless
data transmission between a vehicle and the internet
934 7,001,445 Ambient air pollution trap
935 7,000,967
Slidable vehicle seat provided with automotive
electronic parts
936 6,999,871 Vehicle navigation system adapted to improved system
upgrade procedure
937 6,999,855 Vehicle control system and automobile using the same
938 6,997,591 Synchronized flashing lighting device
939 6,995,731 Multiple coil antenna for a tire parameter sensing system
with inductively coupled tire-based units
940 6,995,682 Wireless remote control for a winch
941 6,995,486 Electronic package for electrical machine
942 6,995,328 Horn switch gear and airbag system
943 6,994,646 Electro-mechanical infinitely variable transmission
944 6,994,360
Controller and control method for a hybrid electric
vehicle powertrain
945 6,994,223 Diagnostic readout for operation of a crane
946 6,993,350 Navigation system using mobile terminal
947 6,989,978 Power circuit device for vehicles and control method
thereof
948 6,989,644
Regenerative braking system and method using air
conditioning system of electric vehicle
949 6,989,635 Vehicular lamp with current limiting circuit
950 6,989,051 Portable air filtration system
951 6,988,760 System for moving a bed using a chain
952 6,988,506 Fluid transfer system
953 6,988,475 Methods for starting an internal combustion engine
954 6,987,369 Motor assembly for providing an electrically powered
engine
955 6,986,595 Plug-in light
956 6,986,247 Thermoelectric catalytic power generator with preheat
957 6,984,783 Power control unit for a vehicle
958 6,983,980 System for moving a bed using an endless drive
959 6,983,979 System for moving beds
960 6,983,653 Flow sensor having thin film portion and method for
manufacturing the same
961 6,981,555 Modular fire detection and extinguishing system
962 6,979,020 Air bag system
963 6,978,753 Automated combustion chamber decarboning squid
964 6,975,215 Vehicular header console system
965 6,975,070 Power source apparatus and vehicular lamp
966 6,973,383 Control apparatus and method for automatically stopping
and starting internal combustion engine mounted in vehicle
967 6,970,807 Diagnostic system and method for electric leak detecting
device
968 6,968,268 Misfire detector for an internal combustion engine
969 6,967,813 Method of mounting magnetic disk device, cabinet for
magnetic disk device, and magnetic disk device
970 6,965,487
Controller for information recording and reproducing
device and control method for the information recording and reproducing
device
971 6,963,275 Portable warning light apparatus
972 6,963,186 Battery charger and method of charging a battery
973 6,963,182 Motor control device and motor control method
974 6,963,177 Open circuit detection for vehicular lamp
975 6,962,223 Flywheel-driven vehicle
976 6,960,008 Proportional brake light display system
977 6,959,592 Method and system for monitoring the deformations of a
tire in motion
978 6,959,282 Charging device for transferring information relating to
the collection of a toll on a moving body
979 6,958,675 Vehicle remote controller
980 6,955,511 Retractable anchor device and method of mounting the
anchor device
981 6,952,060
Electromagnetic linear generator and shock absorber
982 6,951,480 Mobile device battery charger mounting unit
983 6,951,054 Manufacturing method of a coil member
984 6,950,739 Motor controller of deceleration idling-cylinder engine
vehicle
985 6,949,882 Vehicle light controller
986 6,949,841 System for managing electric power in a hybrid motor
vehicle
987 6,949,021 Vehicle air conditioner and vehicle ventilation system
988 6,948,982 Battery fuse-containing box
989 6,948,578 Motor in wheel electric drive system
990 6,946,959 Wireless alarm system for contributing security network
991 6,946,816 Method and system for controlling the charging of a
vehicle battery
992 6,945,742 Portable manhole cover remover
993 6,943,723 Combined radar and laser detector having GPS receiver
and using wireless communication
994 6,943,666 Recharging key based wireless device
995 6,943,460 Control device for hybrid vehicle
996 6,942,015 Body heating/cooling apparatus
997 6,941,969 Vehicle fluid change apparatus
998 6,941,802 Vehicle spare tire pressure detection assembly
999 6,941,197
Vehicle sharing system and method with vehicle
parameter tracking
1000 6,940,197 Rotary electric machine for vehicle and control device
thereof
1001 6,939,396 Ambient air pollution trap
1002 6,938,468 Tire parameter sensing system having a magnetically
conductive rim and an associated method
1003 6,936,995 Battery voltage reduction
1004 6,936,982 Device for actuating a plurality of electric motors
1005 6,936,934 Power generating controller of a vehicle
1006 6,936,373 Monobloc battery having a number of interconnected
electrochemical cells
1007 6,933,694 Control for electric motor in vehicles
1008 6,932,738 Drive control apparatus for hybrid vehicle
1009 6,932,174 Capacity indicating device and method thereof
1010 6,930,409 Electromechanical switching device
1011 6,928,280
Method and system for measuring data quality of
service in a wireless network using multiple remote units and a back end
processor
1012 6,926,601 Apparatus and method for deodorizing compartment of
vehicle
1013 6,924,737
Vehicle engine status detection mechanism for
presenting engine status to third-party automotive accessories
1014 6,924,629
Device and method for controlling a generator
1015 6,924,621 System and method for controlling electric load and
battery charge in a vehicle
1016 6,923,279 Power supply apparatus and electric vehicle using the
same
1017 6,920,675
Process for attachment and/or disengagement of
components
1018 6,919,791 Electronic key device for vehicle and starting control
method for vehicle
1019 6,918,941 Cermet materials, self-cleaning cermet filters, apparatus
and systems employing same
1020 6,918,376 Fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine
1021 6,917,178 Electric actuator system
1022 6,917,166 Vehicular lamp
1023 6,914,413 Alternator tester with encoded output
1024 6,914,217 Device and method for heating of a seat
1025 6,912,861 Vehicle air conditioner
1026 6,912,353 Brushless DC ring motor cooling system
1027 6,911,825 Battery tester with CCA lookup table
1028 6,911,750 Electronic package for electrical machine
1029 6,910,795 Overmolded low voltage lamp assembly
1030 6,910,788 LED vehicle wheel well illumination device
1031 6,910,677 Portable power jack device
1032 6,909,287 Energy management system for automotive vehicle
1033 6,907,893
Appliance for treating articles, particularly nursing
bottles and accessories
1034 6,907,857
Fuel supply and injection system and method for
controlling the same
1035 6,906,522 Battery tester with battery replacement output
1036 6,906,483 Electric power steering apparatus
1037 6,906,437
Current rectifier assembly for rotating electrical
machines, in particular motor vehicle alternators
1038 6,902,284 Interior rearview mirror system including a pendent
accessory
1039 6,901,741 Diagnosis of deterioration in air/fuel ratio sensor
1040 6,900,605 Motor control circuit for mirror device
1041 6,900,554
Circuit configuration for control of the current
consumption of one or more heavy current consumption devices in a
motor vehicle
1042 6,897,558 Power electronic component module and method for
assembling same
1043 6,895,310
Vehicle related wireless scientific instrumentation
telematics
1044 6,894,439 Portable power converter pack
1045 6,892,653 Securing an enclosed area
1046 6,892,128 Control apparatus for hybrid vehicle
1047 6,889,126 Drive force control for hybrid electric vehicle
1048 6,889,064 Combined rear view mirror and telephone
1049 6,888,468 Apparatus and method for protecting a battery from
overdischarge
1050 6,888,462 System and method for identifying component parts in
an assembly
1051 6,886,648 Power output device, hybrid vehicle, and method of
controlling them
1052 6,885,295 Reversing alarm
1053 6,885,167 Method and apparatus for determining cold cranking
amperes value
1054 6,884,541 Lithium secondary battery and manufacturing method
thereof
1055 6,884,084 Conductive interior liner for a vehicle
1056 6,883,508 Method for controlling the primary ignition current of
an internal combustion engine with controlled ignition
1057 6,883,306 Emission treatment system and control method
1058 6,881,911 Horn switch gear and airbag system
1059 6,881,172 Method and arrangement for automatically restarting a
drive unit
1060 6,880,539 Ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine
and a manufacturing method therefor
1061 6,879,248
Back-up warning system for a vehicle and related
method
1062 6,877,490
Engine control unit operable under ignition switch
turn-off
1063 6,877,311 Catalyst degradation determining apparatus and method
1064 6,874,328
Hybrid compressor device
1065 6,873,253 Device for warning drivers of automobiles of excessive
speed of turning around a curve
1066 6,870,328 LED lamp apparatus for vehicles
1067 6,870,139 Systems and methods for modifying an ice-to-object
interface
1068 6,870,134 Heatable vehicle windshield with bus bars including
braided and printed portions
1069 6,868,900
Multiple zone automatic HVAC control system and
method
1070 6,868,815 Reciprocating piston engines
1071 6,868,318 Method for adjusting battery power limits in a hybrid
electric vehicle to provide consistent launch characteristics
1072 6,867,893 Process for producing a transparent pane structure for
motor vehicles and a transparent pane structure
1073 6,867,557 Lighting circuit
1074 6,866,350
Regenerative braking on an electrical vehicle when
towed
1075 6,864,846 Satellite locator system
1076 6,864,784 Vehicle speed and safety warning system
1077 6,864,782
Backup aid system and method for detecting the
presence of a trailer attached thereto
1078 6,861,949
Device and method for sensing and indicating
inclination of an automotive vehicle
1079 6,859,702 Suspension control apparatus
1080 6,859,695
Method and device for interpreting events and
outputting operating instructions in motor vehicles
1081 6,859,009 Urban transportation system
1082 6,857,914 Battery post connector apparatus
1083 6,856,820 In-vehicle device for wirelessly connecting a vehicle to
the internet and for transacting e-commerce and e-business
1084 6,856,344 Vehicle undercarriage inspection and imaging method
and system
1085 6,856,116
System and method to maintain charge of vehicle
battery using light energy
1086 6,855,897 Water treatment apparatus and components
1087 6,854,543
Semicircular battery for a vehicle
1088 6,853,894
Global network based vehicle safety and security
telematics
1089 6,851,736 Vehicle console
1090 6,851,496 Motor in wheel electric drive system
1091 6,850,037 In-vehicle battery monitor
1092 6,848,559 Shift locking apparatus for an automatic transmission
1093 6,846,349 Air filter and method of using same
1094 6,844,827 Vehicle tracker including a connector for an upgrade
device and related methods
1095 6,843,426 Automobile radiant heating apparatus
1096 6,843,337 Control system and method for hybrid vehicle
1097 6,841,913 Stator coil including sequentially-connected conductor
segments for an electric rotary machine and manufacturing method
thereof
1098 6,840,051 Electronic evaporator dryer for eliminating odors in
vehicle air conditioning systems
1099 6,840,050 Thermal jacket for battery
1100 6,836,046 Stator coil including sequentially-connected conductor
segments for an electric rotary machine
1101 6,834,969 Heated mirror
1102 6,834,221 Method of operating a motor vehicle
1103 6,832,793 Safety system for opening the trunk compartment of a
vehicle
1104 6,832,140
Obtaining vehicle usage information from a remote
location
1105 6,831,221 System and method for power generation
1106 6,830,357 Illuminated holiday vehicle wreath
1107 RE38,665 Wireless snow plow control system
1108 6,828,914 In-use unambiguously determining the near-end-of-life
state of a combustion engine battery
1109 6,827,665 Mechanical system for power change between the input
and output thereof
1110 6,827,661 Clutch system and differential with same
1111 6,827,642 Vehicle remote control and air treatment system and
associated methods
1112 6,826,457
Apparatus for electrically controlling device, and a
method of operating it
1113 6,825,589
Sequential segment joining stator coil type electric
rotating machine
1114 6,825,575 Electronically controlled engine generator set
1115 6,824,281 Vehicle accessory module
1116 6,824,176 Latch arrangement
1117 6,822,425
operating same
High frequency battery charger and method of
1118 6,821,075 Hoist with trailer hitch attachment
1119 6,820,557 Igniter for air bag system
1120 6,819,269
Vehicle tracker including battery monitoring feature
and related methods
1121 6,819,236 Vehicle monitoring system
1122 6,818,842
Seat foam humidity compensation for vehicle seat
occupant weight detection system
1123 6,817,964 Control apparatus of hybrid vehicle
1124 6,817,432 Hybrid vehicle
1125 6,814,170 Hybrid vehicle
1126 6,814,024
Method and device for the visual simulation of
exploding bodies
1127 6,809,501 Method of improving fuel economy
1128 6,808,450
Solar powered heating and ventilation system for
vehicle
1129 6,807,471
Steering wheel position compensating apparatus in
steering apparatus
1130
6,806,687
Vehicle
motor-generator
apparatus
utilizing
synchronous machine having field winding
1131 6,806,608 Motor-driven bicycle and brushless motor thereof
1132 6,805,623 Apparatus for providing air flow within a vehicle
1133 6,805,090 Charge control system for a vehicle battery
1134 6,804,590
Electronic apparatus and data recording method in
electronic apparatus
1135 6,803,672 Automatic vehicle ventilation device
1136 6,802,573 Parking control circuit
1137 6,801,021
Voltage regulator having enhanced regulation over
vehicle charging system
1138 6,799,993 Portable electrical energy source
1139 6,798,094 Rotary electric machine, and in particular motor vehicle
alternator, comprising a stator elastically mounted in a heat-conductive
resin
1140 6,796,412 Differential apparatus
1141 6,796,367 Vehicle battery charging and air conditioning operating
unit
1142 6,795,297
Electrode sheet, method for manufacturing thereof,
polarizable electrode and electric double-layer capacitor
1143 6,794,876 Method and device for estimating open circuit voltage
of battery
1144 6,793,603
Power transmission system with sub transmission
mechanism
1145 6,791,295
Method and apparatus for charging a high voltage
battery of an automotive vehicle having a high voltage battery and a low
voltage battery
1146 6,789,863
Recording apparatus and method of controlling the
same
1147 6,788,069 Method for calculating the parameters of the power
battery of an electric motor vehicle
1148 6,788,068 Method and device for measuring pure resistance of
on-vehicle battery by periodically measuring a discharge current and
terminal voltage while a rush current flows into a constant load
1149 6,788,021 Control method for switched reluctance motor
1150 6,786,226 Battery fluid supply system
1151 6,786,212 Method for preventing a reverse rotation of an engine
1152 6,785,122 Method for preparing electrolytic solution, electrolytic
solution and electric double-layer capacitor
1153 6,784,586
Hybrid alternator with an axial end retainer for
permanent magnets
1154 6,783,266 Hitch receiver with integral lighting, accessory ports
and towing hooks
1155 6,783,167 Safety system for a closed compartment of a vehicle
1156 6,782,739 Method and system for monitoring the deformations of
a tire in motion
1157 6,781,345 Battery module
1158 6,781,272 Integrated torque converter and starter-generator
1159 6,780,224 Method and apparatus for anti-microbial and related
treatments
1160 6,778,899 Process and control unit for determining the crankshaft
angle of an engine and drive train
1161 6,778,379
Granules for electrode, method for manufacturing
thereof, electrode sheet, polarizable electrode and electric double-layer
capacitor
1162 6,777,909 Device for generating electric energy in a motor vehicle
by means of a fuel cell and method for operating such a device
1163 6,776,117 Signal device for positioning a vehicle
1164 6,774,774 Tire inflation assistance monitoring system
1165 6,773,310 Battery terminal connection with quick-release lever
1166 6,769,979 Automotive air cleaning system
1167 6,768,310 Method and device for detecting a current
1168 6,766,874 System for driving hybrid vehicle, method thereof and
electric power supply system therefor
1169 6,765,312 Dual battery system
1170 6,764,259 Retractable anchor device and method of mounting the
anchor device
1171 6,763,293
Calibration procedure for a permanently powered
relative steering wheel angle sensor with power-loss indication
1172 6,762,676 Vehicle compartment occupancy detection system
1173 6,762,582
System and method to power an electric-powered
device using light energy
1174 6,761,384 Device for opening a trunk of a motor vehicle
1175 6,761,248 Adjustable height platform suitable for installation on a
vehicle
1176 6,760,846
System for determining and supplying stabilized
voltage from a power supply to a data processor after a fluctuating period
1177 6,760,706 Point of sales systems for vehicles
1178 6,760,655 Automatic engine stop/restart-type vehicle, method of
controlling the same, and automatic engine stop apparatus
1179 6,759,833 Charger capable of switching polarity
1180 6,756,764 Portable jumper system and method
1181 6,756,698 Switch device for vehicle
1182 6,756,697 Mounting structure including communication system
for transmitting multiplex control signal to vehicle electrical devices
1183 6,752,226 System for driving hybrid vehicle, method thereof and
electric power supply system therefor
1184 6,752,112 Engine-starting and stopping system in vehicle
1185 6,751,452 Internet based vehicle data communication system
1186 6,749,267 Truck bed dumping system
1187 6,748,908 Thermal exhaust throttle
1188
6,747,371
METHOD
OF
REGULATING
POWER
CONSUMPTION BY ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT CONTAINING
INTEGRAL RECHARGEABLE BACKUP BATTERIES AND USED IN
SYSTEMS WHERE THE EQUIPMENT OPERATES FROM A
VEHICLE ENGINE BATTERY AND THE LIKE, AND IMPROVED
APPARATUS THEREFOR
1189 6,746,352
Method and apparatus for tensioning a chain of an
internal combustion engine
1190 6,746,140 Rear-view mirror and interior lighting system
1191 6,744,820 Communication system and method utilizing message
frames having multiple thresholds for a multi-device vehicle occupant
protection system
1192 6,744,361 Vehicular safety brake light system
1193 6,742,350 Hybrid compressor device
1194 6,741,065
Electric device and method for charging and
discharging battery unit of the same
1195 6,739,601 Trailer tongue jack having manually powered guidance
1196 6,739,580 Electrically operable vehicle jacks
1197 6,739,232 Towed airborne vehicle control and explosion damage
assessment
1198 6,738,952
Navigational map data object selection and display
system
1199 6,737,960 Recreational equipment rack with automatic reminder
alarm
1200 6,734,792 Hitch-mounted warning sign apparatus for a vehicle
1201 6,734,651 Battery backup system with remote switch for actuating
backup battery
1202 6,734,577 Vehicle auxiliary accessory system
1203 6,733,163 Vehicle auxiliary light assembly
1204 6,732,941 Air conditioner for vehicle
1205 6,732,285
Method and device for controlling processes in
conjunction with a drive
1206 6,731,081 Vehicle alternator having rectifier circuit using diode
and FET
1207 6,731,021 Two-battery system
1208 6,729,853 Displacement control device for variable displacement
compressor
1209 6,727,809
Methods for providing information, messages and
advertisements to a user of a fuel pump that is coupled to remote
computers through a data communications network
1210 6,727,708 Battery monitoring system
1211 6,723,920 Fuse box mounting structure
1212 6,722,230 Power transmission apparatus of motor vehicles
1213 6,722,148
Vehicle seat air conditioning system having electric
heater and blower unit
1214 6,721,553
Emergency alarm terminal and emergency alarm
system
1215 6,720,868 Back-up warning system in a license plate holder and
related method
1216 6,720,862
Apparatus and method for preventing un-authorized
starting of a vehicle
1217 6,718,996
Filling pod for a battery, vehicle and method of
supplying fluid to a battery
1218 6,718,958 Ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine
1219 6,717,527 Vehicle location system
1220 6,717,412 Ignition signal pickup interface box
1221 6,717,291
Capacitor-based powering system and associated
methods
1222 6,715,471 Electric fuel pump
1223 6,714,340 Vehicle license plate cover
1224
6,713,888
Vehicle
motor-generator
apparatus
utilizing
synchronous machine having field winding
1225
6,713,729
Electric
load
control
system
and
vehicle
air-conditioning system having the same
1226 6,711,891
Apparatus for controlling air-fuel ratio of internal
combustion engine
1227 6,710,749 Satellite locator system
1228 6,710,575 Method for controlling a charging state of a battery for
an electric vehicle
1229 6,710,492
Concentrically arranged single stator dual rotor
motor/generator
1230 6,710,313 Planar heating element
1231 6,709,326 Hot air purge system
1232 6,708,789 System for a hybrid vehicle; hybrid vehicle operated by
the system and device for power
1233 6,708,710 Vehicle fluid change apparatus and method
1234 6,708,537 Door lock assembly with free floating paddle
1235 6,708,429
Method and device for powering a motor vehicle
electric starting switch with determinable behavior
1236 RE38,464
Alternating current generator having a plurality of
independent three-phase windings
1237 6,707,278 Transition voltage start regulator
1238 6,706,446 Non-aqueous electrolytic solution secondary battery
1239 6,704,622 Vehicle stability control
1240 6,703,941
Trainable transmitter having improved frequency
synthesis
1241 6,702,404 Hybrid electromagnetic/friction actuation system
1242 6,701,229 Vehicle drive system
1243 6,700,432
Two-terminal switch circuit and voltage threshold
responsive circuit component
1244 6,700,355
Method for controlling a vehicular generator, an
external controller and a vehicular power generation controlling device
1245 6,698,777 Dynamically adjustable motion stabilizer
1246 6,698,729 Gas spring having a controllable output force
1247 6,698,634 Vehicle mounted camping unit
1248 6,698,389 Electrolyzer for internal combustion engine
1249 6,698,186 Air-fuel ratio controller for internal combustion engines
1250 6,697,722 Steering apparatus in vehicle and industrial vehicle
1251 6,696,982
Vehicle terminal apparatus and an information
transmitting system
1252 6,696,938
Vehicle security system including a strobe light
confirmation indicator and related methods
1253 6,695,289 Motor driven scissor jack with limit switches
1254 6,693,563 Vehicle tracking unit providing theft alert notifications
and related methods
1255 6,693,369
Energy distribution, especially to elements of a
motorvehicle air-conditioning device
1256 6,693,367 Single-hand held diagnostic display unit
1257 6,692,278 Multicontact electrical connector and rotating electrical
machine bearing same
1258 6,692,130
Solar powered heating and ventilation system for
vehicle
1259 6,692,056 Safety release for a trunk of a vehicle
1260 6,691,435 Plow system including a hydraulic fluid diverter
1261 6,690,268
Video mirror systems incorporating an accessory
module
1262 6,690,259 Security system to enable authenticated access of an
individual to a protected area
1263 6,689,507 Battery and equipment or device having the battery as
part of structure and locally distributed power generation method and
power generation device therefor
1264 6,688,288 Internal combustion engines
1265 6,688,125 Refrigerating apparatus for use in vehicles, using an
engine as power source
1266 6,688,120
Vehicle air conditioner with cold storage and cold
release
1267 6,686,882 Apparatus and method for transferring DC power and
RF energy through a dielectric for antenna reception
1268 6,685,421 Hitch-mounted lift assembly
1269 6,684,970 Hybrid system for vehicle with 4WD start mode
1270 6,683,526 Pager-based communications system
1271 6,679,708 Vehicle junction box having power distribution center
with terminal for jump-starting vehicle
1272 6,679,212 Capacitive remote vehicle starter
1273 6,678,179 Circuit arrangement for gaining a direct voltage using
full bridge rectifier and coupling capacitors
1274 6,677,710 DC output regulator using dual pulse modulation
1275 6,675,873 Automotive air-conditioner having electric heater and
electrically driven compressor
1276 6,675,780 Fuel saving and pollution emission reduction system
for internal combustion engines
1277 6,675,124 Rotational angle measuring apparatus
1278 6,674,962 Limited-pool random frequency for DC brush motor
low frequency PWM speed control
1279 6,674,362
Emergency informing terminal and emergency
informing system including the terminal
1280 6,672,641 Tool box
1281 6,672,147 Method for detecting clogging in a fuel filter in an
internal combustion engine supply circuit
1282 6,670,883 Remote control system for a vehicle door
1283 6,668,954 Electric hybrid vehicle
1284 6,664,757 Method and assembly for selectively charging a high
voltage vehicular battery
1285 6,664,518 Device and method for heating a vehicle seat
1286 6,663,269 Lighted exhaust pipe extension
1287 6,663,195 Electrically operated parking brake control systems
1288 6,662,123 Method and apparatus for identification of an external
power supply in a motor vehicle
1289 6,662,090 Protective maintenance service system for vehicles
1290 6,661,202
Degradation degree computing method and unit for
battery
1291 6,661,116
Battery switching device and emergency alerting
system comprising this
1292 6,659,423 Device for controlling an actuator in particular for a
vehicle
1293 6,659,213 Control device for hybrid vehicle
1294 6,658,871 Electronic evaporator dryer for eliminating odors in
vehicle air conditioning systems
1295 6,657,839 Protective relay
1296 6,657,536 Process for the bidirectional transmission of data and
system for the implementation thereof
1297 6,655,342 Pre-lubrication system
1298 6,653,843 Battery acid level alarm
1299 6,653,819 Refresh charge control device and method
1300 6,651,581 Back-up range guide for vehicles
1301 6,650,242 Mobile plant proximity detection and warning system
1302 6,650,232 Sounder control system
1303 6,648,489 Removable helmet light system
1304 6,646,845 Battery protection system and method
1305 6,646,561 Method and device for in-use detecting low cranking
strength of a combustion engine battery during engine starting
1306 6,642,838 Safety system for automobiles
1307 6,641,276 Illuminating device
1308 6,641,233 Hydraulic brake apparatus for a vehicle
1309 6,640,890
Multiple zone automatic HVAC control system and
method
1310 6,639,994 Loudspeaker having adjustable motor strength
1311 6,639,947 EMI reduction for isolated bus systems
1312 6,637,530
Hybrid vehicle control apparatus wherein battery is
charged based on required charging amount and/or energy conversion
efficiency of electric generator
1313 6,636,015 Watertight portable auxiliary power source
1314 6,634,053
Apparatus for activating a heat conductive wire by
detecting a rotating angle of a wiper arm
1315 6,633,165 In-vehicle battery monitor
1316 6,633,089 Engine room harness routing structure
1317 6,632,156
Method of controlling continuously variable
transmission
1318 6,630,813 Method and apparatus for monitoring the state of the
battery of a hybrid electric vehicle
1319 6,626,477 Vehicle conversion system and method
1320 6,625,553 Vehicle safety and security system
1321 6,625,522 Vehicle control system and automobile using the same
1322 6,625,516 Electric load driving device and method of using the
same
1323 6,625,426 Combined rear view mirror and telephone
1324 6,624,604 Wiper controller with fault detector device
1325 6,622,744
Filling pod for a battery, vehicle and method of
supplying fluid to a battery
1326 6,621,411 Compartment sensing system
1327 6,621,271 Device for controlling operation of a vehicle battery
1328 6,621,249 Battery charge and discharge system for inhibiting or
permitting charging of an auxilary battery
1329 6,621,244 Control apparatus for hybrid vehicle
1330 6,617,822
System and method to maintain charge of vehicle
battery using light energy
1331 6,615,186
Communicating interactive digital content between
vehicles and internet based data processing resources for the purpose of
transacting e-commerce or conducting e-business
1332 6,614,204 Charging station for hybrid powered vehicles
1333 6,611,229 Vehicle tracking system, vehicle-theft warning system,
stolen-vehicle tracking system, and theft-warning vehicle tracking system
1334
6,608,553
Remote
vehicle
monitoring
system
and
vehicle-mounted device therefor
1335 6,608,486 Automotive test device for detecting a short circuit in
automotive wiring
1336 6,606,227 High voltage battery cutout circuit for a motor vehicle
electrical system
1337 6,605,921 Electric power supply system for engine starters
1338 6,605,390 Lithium ion battery utilizing carbon foam electrodes
1339 6,604,416
Tire monitoring transmitter with various operation
modes
1340 6,603,999 Vehicularly integrated cardiac care system
1341 6,601,571 System for vaporizing liquefied petrol gas heated by
engine lubricating oil
1342 6,600,410 Security arrangement for motor vehicle equipped with a
programmed hands-free monitoring system
1343 6,600,293 Battery control system
1344 6,600,249 Brushless DC ring motor cooling system
1345 6,600,236 Universal fleet electrical system
1346 6,599,655
Procedure for performing battery reconditioning on a
space vehicle designed with one battery
1347 6,598,168 Computer auto shut-off control method
1348 6,597,168
Less current consuming non-contact type 2-channel
rotary positioning sensor
1349 6,597,149 Battery system
1350 6,596,941
A.C. electrical power delivery system for a pickup
truck bed utility box
1351 6,594,571 Occupant determining device for a vehicle seat
1352 6,593,671 Process and apparatus for supplying electric energy to
the wiring of a motor vehicle
1353 6,592,447 Ventilation system for a vehicle interior
1354 6,592,230 Truck rearview mirror assembly having a display for
displaying trailer coupling status information
1355 6,592,229 Exterior rearview mirror
1356 6,591,176 Backup power supply for a crash notification system
for an automotive vehicle and method of operating the same
1357 6,590,367 External type regulator for vehicle alternator
1358 6,585,541 Electrical connection box
1359 6,584,403
Automated vehicle tracking and service provision
system
1360 6,577,024 Electric power steering controller
1361 6,575,753 Firearm laser training system and method employing an
actuable target assembly
1362 6,575,258
Electric current and controlled heat co-generation
system for a hybrid electric vehicle
1363 6,575,131 Safety fuel tank and filler cap apparatus
1364 6,574,126 Communicator power source
1365 6,573,692 Device for regulating the current passing through an
inductive element, in particular an solenoid valve
1366 6,573,614 Device and method for control of motor vehicle engine
idle RPM to prevent disruptive battery discharge
1367 6,571,893 Light vehicle for sporting and off-road biking
1368 6,571,626 Fuel level sensor
1369 6,571,481 Automatic low tire pressure detector
1370 6,566,883 Electronic battery tester
1371 6,566,842
System and method to power an electric-powered
device using light energy
1372 6,565,381 Portable booster battery device
1373 6,564,893
Pre-wired battery box for rapid installation and
connection of batteries
1374 6,563,291 Set battery charging condition detecting apparatus
1375 6,563,086 Vehicle lights defroster device
1376 6,561,219 Portable fluid transfer conduit
1377 6,560,803
Pressure relief pneumatic area support device and
system
1378 6,559,419 Multi-zone arrangement for heatable vehicle window
1379 6,558,283 Hybrid transmission, especially for motor vehicles
1380 RE38,100 Tachometer based on electrical ripple and calibrated by
mechanical engine signals
1381 6,556,337 Vehicle license plate cover
1382 6,556,124 Knocking activated device and method for operating an
electromechanical device responsive to a control signal
1383 6,552,649 Vehicle control system
1384 6,552,534
Device for determining the absolute angular position of
a turning component
1385 6,552,513 Portable charging device for coupling portable phones
to vehicle and for attaching portable phones to user
1386 6,549,793 Combined rear view mirror and telephone
1387 6,549,387 Power breaker
1388 6,549,116
Vehicle key-verifying apparatus and method with
decreased verification time period feature
1389 6,548,972 Control unit and method of manufacturing the same
1390 6,544,116 Ventilation apparatus
1391 6,541,943 Regulator for boosting the output of an alternator
1392 6,538,612 Satellite locator system
1393 6,538,609
Glass-mountable antenna system with DC and RF
coupling
1394 6,538,235 De-icing system
1395 6,534,959 Voltage sensing for automotive voltage regulator
1396 6,532,940 Fuel injection control system for cylinder injection type
internal combustion engine
1397 6,531,875
Vehicle battery's open circuit voltage estimating
method and a system therefor
1398 6,531,844 Power source with evaporative emission recovery
1399 6,531,838
Front-wheel-mounted electric motor for a wheeled
vehicle
1400 6,531,789 Electric energy source having safety control device
1401 6,527,585 Jumper cable system
1402 6,525,653 Vehicle security and monitoring system
1403 6,525,510 Vehicle operating system
1404 6,525,508 Charging system for watercraft
1405 6,522,960 Vehicle with power source system mounted thereon,
power source system controller, method of controlling power source
system, and method of controlling start of such vehicle
1406 6,520,279
Current-carrying control device and electric power
steering apparatus
1407 6,519,937 Control method for continuously variable transmission
1408 6,519,584 Dynamic display advertising
1409 6,519,513 Hybrid vehicle control apparatus
1410 6,519,128 Gas-type power breaker
1411 6,518,735 Method and apparatus for measuring pure resistance of
in-vehicle battery
1412 6,518,713 Method of illuminating incandescent lamp, and circuit
for illuminating the same
1413 6,517,045 Valve assembly
1414 6,516,767 Method for gradually driving a motor vehicle starter
switch
1415 6,516,664 Rain sensor mount for use in a vehicle
1416 6,515,582 Pyroelectric intrusion detection in motor vehicles
1417 6,515,456 Battery charger apparatus
1418 6,515,448 Air conditioner for hybrid vehicle
1419 6,512,466 Vehicle tracker with power saving features and related
methods
1420 6,509,719
Children's ride-on vehicle having a battery with an
internal circuit breaker
1421 6,507,973 Heated wiper system
1422 6,507,162 Motor for moving a flap of a heating, ventilation and/or
air conditioning installation of a motor vehicle, with improved control
1423 6,506,518 Lithium secondary battery
1424 6,502,405 Fluid heat exchanger assembly
1425 6,501,277 Automotive harness and audio system analyzer
1426 6,500,582
Method of producing electrode for battery and
electrode produced by method
1427 6,499,190 Handle for electric accumulator battery
1428 6,498,984 Locating positions on maps
1429 6,497,505 Light manifold assembly
1430 6,497,430 Mass profiling system
1431 6,496,768 Vehicular brake control apparatus and control method
therefor
1432 6,496,153 Driver of a magnetic-field sending antenna with RLC
circuit
1433 6,494,801 Control system for hybrid drive unit
1434 6,494,748 Butt type contact terminal
1435 6,493,128 Chromogenic window assembly construction and other
chromogenic devices
1436 6,492,619 Dual zone bus bar arrangement for heatable vehicle
window
1437 6,491,490 Method of apparatus for lifting and towing a load
1438 6,491,121 Power-generating control apparatus for vehicle
1439 6,490,995 Air-conditioned animal transporter
1440 6,490,513
Automobile data archive system having securely
authenticated instrumentation data storage
1441 6,489,897 Vehicle location system
1442 6,489,883 Non-contact data carrier system
1443 6,489,786 Non-isolated type voltage sensor
1444 6,489,724 Dimmer switch with electronic control
1445 6,488,608 Hybrid vehicle
1446 6,488,532 Charger-to-battery connector
1447 6,488,343 Parking control circuit
1448 6,486,571
Power delivery and connection circuit for an
automotive vehicle
1449 6,485,081 Safety system for a closed compartment of a vehicle
1450
6,483,273
AC-powered
recharging
device for cigarette
lighter-adapted rechargeable appliances
1451 6,481,516 Electric hybrid vehicle
1452 6,481,404 Vehicle starting method and system
1453 6,480,103 Compartment sensing system
1454 6,477,454 Method and apparatus for controlling a power window
system using a motor torque parameter
1455 6,476,527 Alternator system
1456 6,474,552
Process and device for avoiding fraud in a taxi
equipped with a taximeter of extractable type
1457 6,474,429 Frame structure of battery powered industrial vehicle
1458 6,472,999 Apparatus and method for remote convenience message
reception with signal strength determination
1459 6,472,979 Tire inflation assistance monitoring system
1460 6,472,879 Method for diagnosing a battery of a vehicle and a
system thereof
1461 6,472,875 Method for detecting a motor vehicle battery failure
1462 6,472,859 Capacitively coupled electrical ground detection circuit
1463 6,472,636 Bus bar arrangement for heatable vehicle window
1464 6,471,619 Transmission control method
1465 6,470,985 Generator control device for an electrical automobile
1466 6,470,680 Manifold alternator generator
1467 6,470,393 Interface for a data node of a data network
1468 6,470,256 Fuel economizing cruise control
1469 6,469,512
System and method for determining battery
state-of-health
1470 6,469,468 SR motor controlling method and SR motor having low
peak of current flowing therein
1471 6,466,137 Apparatus and method for remote convenience message
reception with adjustable pulse detection receiver portion
1472 6,466,024
Multi-battery fuel saving and emission reduction
system for automotive vehicles
1473 6,465,962 Vehicle auxiliary lamps installation kit
1474 6,462,674
COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND ITS
CURRENT POSITION COMMUNICATION METHOD, NAVIGATION
APPARATUS
FOR
A
VEHICLE
AND
ITS
INFORMATION
COMMUNICATION METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT,
AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM
1475 6,460,906 Safety handle for opening the trunk of a vehicle from
inside
1476 6,459,233 Cable attachment assembly for battery of vehicle
1477 6,459,166 Warm-up control device of hybrid electric vehicle
1478 6,456,514 Alternator jump charging system
1479 6,456,194
Device and method for sensing and indicating
inclination of an automotive vehicle
1480 6,456,151
Capacitive charge pump device and method for
controlling the same
1481 6,456,047 Method of charging slide door-contained battery
1482 6,454,434 Flashlight unit with externally supported battery
1483 6,453,733
Method of identifying combustion engine firing
sequence without firing spark plugs or combusting fuel
1484 6,452,772 Auto remote control with signal strength discrimination
1485 6,452,483
Vehicle security system having advanced wireless
function-programming capability
1486 6,452,361 Battery system
1487 6,452,286 Control device of a hybrid vehicle
1488 6,450,411
Environmental stabilization system and method for
maintenance and inventory
1489 6,449,943
Method of evaluating deteriorated state of catalytic
converter for purifying exhaust gas
1490 6,449,499
Dual-mode radio connected to an apparatus for
communicating through in analog mode
1491 6,448,892
Receiver for monitoring vehicle tire pressure and
associated transmitter for remote control of other elements of the vehicle
1492 6,448,740 System and method to charge electric-powered vehicle
using light energy
1493 6,446,537 Vacuum brake booster
1494 6,445,287 Tire inflation assistance monitoring system
1495 6,445,158 Vehicle electrical system tester with encoded output
1496 6,442,458 Method and apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle
1497 6,441,679 Semiconductor active fuse operating at higher supply
voltage employing current oscillation
1498 6,439,733 Removable helmet light system
1499 6,439,623 Door lock of a motor vehicle or the like with an electric
locking aid and opening aid
1500 6,438,900 Storage chamber
1501 6,434,400 Method and apparatus for data communication using a
multi-number mobile telephone
1502 6,434,032 Power supply with plug-receiving receptacles carried
on bracket affixed to battery casing
1503 6,433,507 Spread spectrum motor control circuit
1504 6,433,442 Method and apparatus for operating a safety device for
motor vehicles
1505 6,431,201
Wet battery and vehicle-based water management
system
1506 6,428,919 Fuel cell system having a defrosting function
1507 6,427,749 Power-driven shutter assembly
1508 6,427,639 Method and apparatus for warming intake air to an
internal combustion engine
1509 6,426,606
Apparatus for providing supplemental power to an
electrical system and related methods
1510 6,426,601 Power supply system of an electronic switching electric
motor for air-conditioning devices to be installed inside the motor
vehicles
1511 6,426,465 Protective cover for battery connection terminal, and
assembly of the protective cover and battery connection terminal
1512 6,425,727 Quick mount truck lift
1513 6,424,253 Vehicle protection system and device
1514 6,424,157 System and method for monitoring a vehicle battery
1515 6,420,837 Antenna driver with constant peak current
1516 6,418,985
System and methods for delivering fuel and for
aligning elements of a fuel delivery system
1517 6,418,374 Navigation device
1518 6,417,668 Vehicle battery condition monitoring system
1519 6,415,657 Switch monitoring system
1520 6,415,210 Vehicle information communication system and method
capable of communicating with external management station
1521 6,413,101 Power outlet adapter
1522 6,411,873 Method and apparatus for determining motor rotation in
a power window system
1523 6,411,212 Transponder arrangement
1524 6,408,968 Control system for hybrid vehicle
1525 6,406,102 Electrically operated parking brake control system
1526 6,400,255 Vehicle lock apparatus
1527 6,400,125
Device for regulating the voltage at which an
automobile battery is charged by an alternator
1528 6,400,041
Device for interlocking the steering column of an
automotive steering mechanism
1529 6,398,592 Butt type contact terminal and connector employing the
same
1530 6,397,085 Telephone with key-click sound volume control
1531 6,396,380 Electrical fuse box for motor vehicles
1532 6,396,230 Windshield wiper device
1533 6,396,226 Electronically commutated DC motor
1534 6,394,614 Vehicle automatic anti-glare device
1535 6,394,414 Electronic control circuit
1536 6,394,210 Temperature controller for vehicular battery
1537 6,392,473 Voltage protection and biasing circuit
1538 6,392,316 Emergency informing apparatus
1539 6,390,529 Safety release for a trunk of a vehicle
1540 6,390,222 Theft prevention device for pedal operated vehicles
1541 6,389,721 Foldable safety sign
1542 6,389,337
Transacting e-commerce and conducting e-business
related to identifying and procuring automotive service and vehicle
replacement parts
1543 6,388,409 Electronically commutatable motor
1544 6,386,600 Vehicle door latch
1545 6,386,413 Apparatus and method for mounting a computer system
in a vehicle
1546 6,386,305 Propulsion motor control apparatus for battery vehicle
1547 6,384,573 Compact lightweight auxiliary multifunctional reserve
battery engine starting system (and methods)
1548 6,384,569 Layout and procedure of charging of batteries
1549 6,381,522 Method for controlling a hybrid vehicle
1550 6,380,717
secondary battery
Device and method for controlling charging of
1551 6,380,712 Battery booster with preconditioning and temperature
compensation
1552
6,380,617
Electrode
terminal
connection
structure
of
semiconductor module
1553 6,377,026 Battery for a children's ride-on vehicle
1554 6,376,118 Fuel cell having an electrode with gas-permeable pores
1555 6,375,519 Electric coupler for battery of vehicle or the like
1556 6,373,380
Communication method and system for configuring
electric powered vehicles
1557 6,373,144 Method and device for controlling a prime mover
1558 6,371,230 Device for the combined renting of electrically driven
vehicles, especially scooters, and the exchange and recharging of the
vehicle batteries
1559 6,371,067 Capacitor assisted starter circuit
1560 6,369,584
Signal correction apparatus and signal correction
method
1561 6,369,366 Portable DC and AC electric cooking apparatus
1562 6,367,949 Par 36 LED utility lamp
1563 6,367,270 Vehicle air-conditioning system
1564 6,366,055 Power supply system and state of charge estimating
method
1565 6,363,303 Alternator diagnostic system
1566 6,362,599
Method and apparatus for sensing the status of a
vehicle
1567 6,362,580 Controller of vehicle propulsion system
1568 6,360,550
Air conditioning system and method of controlling
same
1569 6,357,244
Air conditioning control system for vehicles for
common use
1570 6,356,052 Waterproof inductive charging paddle
1571 6,356,050 Portable booster supply with wireless remote control
activation
1572 6,354,843
Electrical connector for a vehicle body side having
engaging and recess portions for connection
1573 6,351,209 Security system
1574 6,351,102 Automotive battery charging system tester
1575 6,348,820 High-side, low-side configurable driver
1576 6,347,958 Connecting device to vehicle battery terminals
1577 6,346,890 Pager-based communications system
1578 6,346,792 Battery charging and maintenance system
1579 6,344,733
Portable jump-starting battery pack with charge
monitoring system
1580 6,342,093 Air drier arrangement
1581 6,340,870 Lighting circuit for discharge lamp
1582 6,335,575 Electrical voltage supply system
1583 6,333,686 Indicator sensor for anti-whiplash system
1584 6,331,822 Communication control apparatus
1585 6,331,762 Energy management system for automotive vehicle
1586 6,330,463
Voltage supply apparatus, in particular for a radio
telephone in a motor vehicle
1587 6,329,791
Power supply system and control method for the
system
1588 6,326,702 Output control system for series hybrid vehicle
1589 6,325,657 Contact element for connecting a ribbon cable with
circular conductors and rotary connector with such contact element
1590 6,324,749 Vehicle assembly line
1591 6,323,608 Dual voltage battery for a motor vehicle
1592 6,321,593 Electronic fuel pump, sender and pressure transducer
tester
1593 6,321,145 Method and apparatus for a fuel cell propulsion system
1594 6,320,358 Bidirectional energy management system independent
of voltage and polarity
1595 6,320,352 Electric coupling apparatus for charging device
1596 6,320,351 Intelligent switch for battery
1597 6,318,487 Regeneration control device of hybrid electric vehicle
1598 6,316,908 Battery charger with wiring opening for conducting
wire connection therethrough
1599 6,316,746 Defrosting assembly for a mirror of a vehicle
1600 6,314,355 Steering angle detecting mechanism
1601 6,314,346 Control system for hybrid vehicle
1602 6,313,592
Method for controlling a motor vehicle having an
electric drive mechanism
1603 6,313,438 Solar heated sleeping bag
1604 6,312,135 Electric external rear view mirror
1605 6,307,357
Direct current step-up circuit for use with battery
powered equipment
1606 6,307,347 Apparatus and method for recharging a vehicle
1607 6,305,506
Braking system including motor-driven disc brake
equipped with self-servo mechanism
1608 6,305,357 Universal surrogate fuel pump system
1609 6,304,819 Locating positions on maps
1610 6,304,174 Emergency auto visual communication system
1611 6,304,043 Circuit arrangement for signal coupling between circuit
parts having supply lines isolated from one another
1612 6,304,012 Alternator
1613 6,301,534 Method and system for vehicle directional control by
commanding lateral acceleration
1614 6,297,614 Charging paddle
1615 6,294,989 Tire inflation assistance monitoring system
1616 6,294,843 Control system for a hybrid vehicle
1617 6,291,969 Charging paddle which prevents damage of the surface
of the primary core and method of manufacturing the same
1618 6,290,269 Vehicle door locking system
1619 6,288,635 Vehicle security system
1620 6,285,931 Vehicle information communication system and method
capable of communicating with external management station
1621 6,285,163
Means for estimating charged state of battery and
method for estimating degraded state of battery
1622 6,284,404 Battery and gas effluent system therefor
1623 6,281,786 Obstacle detection system for a vehicle
1624 6,281,663 Battery charging method
1625 6,281,660 Battery charger for electric vehicle
1626 6,281,600
Jump start system for vehicles having different
operating voltages
1627 6,279,947 Heater for air bag inflator
1628 6,278,363 Method and system for monitoring air pressure of tires
on a vehicle
1629 6,278,090 Device and method for heating of a seat
1630 6,275,161 Method and apparatus for automotive battery condition
indication
1631 6,275,001 Dual-battery system
1632 6,274,942 Apparatus for retarding the increase in braking torque
associated with connecting an electrical consumer to a power supply of a
drive system in a vehicle
1633 6,273,499 Vehicle headliner
1634 6,273,225 Multipurpose wire winding device for vehicles
1635 6,271,642 Advanced battery controller with state of charge control
1636 6,269,011 Power supply system having semiconductor active fuse
1637 6,265,851 Ultracapacitor power supply for an electric vehicle
1638 6,265,828 Hand lamp
1639 6,262,559 Portable auxiliary charging battery pack for thin metal
film battery power pack
1640 6,262,491 Control system for hybrid vehicle
1641 6,257,909 Rotary joint with flat conductor and circular conductor
1642 6,257,211 Engine cooling device
1643 6,254,261 Illuminated safety handle for opening the trunk of a
vehicle from inside
1644 6,254,179 Air conditionable vehicle seat
1645 6,253,127 Engine startup control device and control method
1646 6,252,497 Coupling alignment warning system
1647 6,252,406 Programmable event limit detector for computer system
power control
1648 6,252,320 Alternator system
1649 6,249,161 Method and device for generating a pulse signal with
modulable-width pulses
1650 6,249,106
Apparatus and method for maintaining a threshold
value in a battery
1651 6,247,936
Electrical distribution system with fuse selectable
circuits
1652 6,246,875
Use of cellular digital packet data (CDPD)
communications to convey system identification list data to roaming
cellular subscriber stations
1653 6,246,314 Vehicle locator device
1654 6,246,216 Battery charge control device having function to decide
gassing without temperature sensor
1655 6,245,461 Battery package having cubical form
1656 6,244,714 Adjusting mechanism for an external rear view mirror
for motor vehicles
1657 6,242,921 Alternator testing apparatus and method
1658 6,242,891 Battery charge indicator
1659 6,240,365
Automated vehicle tracking and service provision
system
1660 6,239,577 Electromagnetic induction type charging device
1661 6,238,016 Device for controlling brake system of vehicle with
checking of battery condition
1662 6,236,850 Apparatus and method for remote convenience function
control with increased effective receiver seek time and reduced power
consumption
1663 6,236,554
Electroactuator control device and method for
controlling this control device
1664 6,236,134 Hybrid alternator
1665 6,235,254 Hybrid catalyst heating system with water removal for
enhanced emissions control
1666 6,232,733
Engine-motor hybrid vehicle control apparatus and
method having power transmission device operation compensation
function
1667 6,232,729 Motor control device for an electric vehicle capable of
preventing a battery of the vehicle from being overcharged
1668 6,231,135 Hybrid brake system
1669 6,231,133 Vehicle brake controller
1670 6,231,077 Dynamic control valve system adapted for inflatable
restraint systems for vehicles
1671 6,230,834 Battery mounting system
1672 6,230,833 Storage battery tuning of engine air intake system
1673 6,229,415 Contactor for a motor vehicle starter, having improved
protection for an electronic circuit of the contactor
1674 6,229,279 Dual battery system
1675 6,227,997 Hybrid Vehicle
1676 6,227,914 Power distribution block assembly for accommodating
multiple gauge wires
1677 6,227,791 Assist mechanism for loading and unloading containers
of compressed gas
1678 6,225,893 Alarm system for engine block heater
1679 6,225,784 Battery control apparatus for battery carried by hybrid
vehicle
1680 6,222,341 Dual battery charge maintenance system and method
1681 6,222,169
Surge-resistant magnetron circuit for use with DC
power source
1682 6,220,646 Canvas rolling and unrolling system for goods transport
vehicles
1683 6,218,738 Ignition control method in passive safety device for
vehicle
1684 6,217,478
Position and/or angle control method and device
without absolute positions sensor
1685 6,217,340 Electrical connector assembly
1686 6,216,732 Portable fluid transfer conduit
1687 6,216,465 Control system for hybrid vehicle
1688 6,215,310 Glow plug circuit tester
1689 6,215,284 Control device of A.C. generator for vehicle
1690 6,215,282 Battery charging system employing multi-mode low
power fast charge process
1691 6,215,273 Portable electrical energy source
1692 6,212,457 Mixed parallel and daisy chain bus architecture in a
vehicle safety system
1693 6,211,681 Apparatus for diagnosing electric power source while
power is supplied to load device from the power source
1694 6,211,578 Instrumentation for vehicles
1695 6,211,577 Jump start circuit for a vehicle battery
1696 6,211,476 Air bag cover with horn switch
1697 6,209,573
Wet battery and vehicle-based water management
system
1698 6,208,931 Power distribution system in a vehicle
1699 6,208,245 Engine oil change indicator system
1700 6,205,036 Energy transfer unit, charge unit, and power supply unit
1701 6,204,652
Voltage regulating system for electrical loads in a
motor vehicle
1702 6,202,948 Apparatus for handling mercury containing lamps
1703 6,202,712
System and methods for delivering fuel and for
aligning elements of a fuel delivery system
1704 6,202,615
Methods and apparatus for starting an internal
combustion engine
1705 6,201,318 Headlight warning system
1706 6,199,957 Device for controlling brake system of vehicle with
care for battery
1707 6,199,391 Magnetic clutch method and apparatus for driving a
vehicle air conditioner
1708 6,198,995 Sleep mode for vehicle monitoring system
1709 6,198,386 Vehicle guidance assembly and method
1710 6,198,191 Brush assembly for an alternator
1711 6,196,472 Fuel Injector
1712 6,195,605 Impact monitor
1713 6,195,276 Controller for a Graetz switch bridge rectifier for an
alternator
1714 6,195,000 Emergency auto visual communication system
1715 6,193,380 Vehicle blind spot mirror
1716 6,189,394 On-line power sliding door test method
1717 6,189,057 Motor vehicle accessory interface for transferring serial
data with and supplying DC power to external accessory device
1718 6,188,314
Energy distribution and communication system and
method utilizing a communication message frame for a multi-device
vehicle occupant protection system
1719 6,188,225 Circuit and method for checking the contacting of a
switch or pushbutton
1720 6,188,221 Method and apparatus for transmitting electromagnetic
waves and analyzing returns to locate underground fluid deposits
1721 6,186,884 Apparatus for handling mercury containing lamps
1722 6,185,934 Device and method for filtering internal combustion
engine exhaust gases and vehicle equipped with such a device
1723 6,185,501
Methods and apparatus for loading or modifying a
vehicle database from a remote computer via a communications network
and a fuel or current dispenser
1724 6,185,099 Cooling device for an electronic power system
1725 6,181,021 Device for driving the triggering device of a restraint
system
1726 6,179,036 Automatic overhead door opening system with dual
motor drive and automatic door lock
1727 6,178,677
Vehicle-mounted, rear-directed message display
apparatus
1728 6,177,879 Battery rental system and apparatus
1729 6,175,212 Charging paddle
1730 6,172,486 Battery life extender with engine heat
1731 6,170,585 Trailer driver
1732 6,169,942
Process for determining the time elapsed between
stopping a motor vehicle engine and restarting the engine.
1733 6,169,938 Transponder communication of ORVR presence
1734 6,166,625 Pyroelectric intrusion detection in motor vehicles
1735 6,166,517 Control system for hybrid vehicle
1736 6,166,453 Apparatus for driving electrical loads provided at a
vehicle
1737 6,165,067 Method for handling mercury containing lamps
1738 6,164,560 Lawn applicator module and control system therefor
1739 6,163,711 Method and apparatus for interfacing a mobile phone
with an existing audio system
1740 6,163,079 Structure of electric equipment for vehicle
1741 6,162,142 Drive apparatus for sunroof
1742 6,161,810 Torsion rod holddown apparatus for a battery
1743 6,160,333 Alternator
1744 6,160,319 Vehicle key with integrated electrical components
1745 6,158,977 Air cycle cooling system
1746 6,158,656 Final accommodation device for power-source drop
1747 6,157,372
Method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of
controllable devices
1748 6,157,315 Vehicle rental system
1749 6,157,288 Current breaking system for vehicle
1750 6,155,359 Vehicle mounted post hole digger
1751 6,154,994 Portable illuminated sign
1752 6,154,351 Apparatus for detecting abnormality in direct current
motor driving system
1753 6,153,329 Battery terminal cover
1754 6,152,785 Battery terminal post connector
1755 6,150,923 Alarm system
1756 6,150,796 Low current vehicular adapter charger
1757 6,150,793 System and method for managing the electrical system
of a vehicle
1758 6,148,910 Battery heating system
1759 6,145,875 Igniter for air bag
1760 6,144,903 Electrical fault recognition system for vehicles
1761 6,144,185 Method and apparatus for determining the condition of
a battery through the use of multiple battery tests
1762 6,140,933
Rearview mirror assembly with internally mounted
compass sensor
1763 6,140,722 Alternator system
1764 6,140,608
Heated windshield wiper with removable heating
element
1765 6,139,399 System for, and of, maintaining operative voltage levels
in a toy vehicle movements
1766 6,139,398
System for, and method of, minimizing the
consumption of battery energy in a toy vehicle
1767 6,138,059 Vehicle control system and unit for preventing power
supply cutoff during re-programming mode
1768 6,135,422 Portable vehicular hydraulic jack
1769 6,135,098 Flow-through controllable air charger
1770 6,133,702
Multi-function vehicle starter and alternator and
method therefor
1771 6,133,653
Recirculating driver control circuit and method of
operating the same
1772 6,133,645 Electronic device disconnect circuit
1773 6,131,701 Apparatus and method for cleaning and fluid exchange
of a low-flow automatic transmission
1774 6,130,522
Pulse modified invariant current battery charging
method and apparatus
1775 6,128,804 Vacuum system for a motor vehicle
1776 6,128,489
Use of cellular digital packet data (CDPD)
communications to convey system identification list data to roaming
cellular subscriber stations
1777 6,125,326 Navigation system
1778 6,124,809 Safety system for marine vehicle
1779 6,124,785 Pressure gauge for a pneumatic tire
1780 6,124,577 Method for heating a seat
1781 6,123,576 Safety jumper cables
1782 6,120,115 Vehicle braking energy control apparatus and method
1783 6,119,408 Storage chamber
1784 6,118,252
Process for determining the starting capacity of the
starter battery of a motor vehicle
1785 6,117,587 Battery and battery suspending jig
1786 6,116,704 Regenerative braking apparatus for battery vehicle
1787 6,116,266 Liquid collection tray
1788 6,114,985 Automotive forward looking sensor test station
1789 6,114,833
Monitoring and controlling system for battery and
battery charger
1790 6,113,342
Self-aligning battery changing system for electric
battery-powered vehicles
1791 6,113,243 Driver information lights
1792 6,112,859 Brake system warning device
1793 6,111,731
Motor controller for preventing excessive battery
discharging
1794 6,111,375 Apparatus for regenerating energy from the dynamic
interactions between ground and running vehicles
1795 6,111,327
Automatic power cut-off device for emergency
situations
1796 6,110,617 Flooded lead acid battery with roll-over capability
1797 6,110,072 Oil pump control device for automatic transmission
1798 6,107,956 Automotive forward looking sensor architecture
1799 6,107,933
Security system for vehicle navigation system and
method of detecting identification code
1800 6,107,788 Power supply unit for use by on-vehicle equipment
1801 6,104,308
Communication system and method utilizing an
interface protocol for a multiple device vehicle occupant restraint system
1802 6,104,282 Daily log device
1803 6,102,356 Battery retainer
1804 6,102,150 Vehicle steering mechanism
1805 6,099,027 Decorative emblem for air bag module cover
1806 6,098,741 Controlled torque steering system and method
1807 6,095,078 Submarine propulsion control system
1808 6,094,028
Battery charging and handling system for electric
vehicles
1809 6,093,992 Electrical machine with dual excitation, especially a
motor vehicle alternator
1810 6,092,548 Fluid delivery hose recovery system
1811 6,091,484 Oil quantity and quality indicator
1812 6,091,340 Remote on/off disable parts and system
1813 6,089,649 Opening and closing device for vehicle slide door
1814 6,089,341 Electric powered vehicle
1815 6,087,806 Electric vehicle
1816 6,087,805
Monitoring and controlling system for battery and
battery charger
1817 6,086,438 Propeller hitch cover
1818 6,086,131 Safety handle for trunk of vehicle
1819 6,085,825 Power-driven shutter assembly
1820 6,084,317
Keyless access control system with wireless,
induction-powered keypad module and methods
1821 6,082,630 Vehicle mounted high pressure cleaning apparatus
1822 6,081,185 Motor vehicle equipped with a system for detecting the
approach of a user
1823 6,081,103 Method for regulating the excitation current in a motor
vehicle alternator by digital processing, and a regulating device for
carrying out the method
1824 6,081,095 Voltage balancer device for combination battery
1825 6,081,082 Rotatable inverter
1826 6,079,485 Vehicle air-conditioning system with seat heating and
cooling device
1827 6,078,271
Multiple-frequency programmable transmitter
1828 6,076,964 Prediction of internal temperature of a battery using a
non-linear dynamic model
1829 6,074,306 Amusement park vehicle for the physically disabled
1830 6,073,502 Power takeoff device
1831 6,072,153
Air conditioning apparatus having electric heating
member integrated with heat exchanger
1832 6,070,953 Braking system for a vehicle
1833 6,070,549 Pointer type indicating device
1834 6,069,753 Flip-out safety reflector
1835 6,068,339 Vibrating vehicle seat synchronized with engine
1836 6,068,288 Dynamic control valve system adapted for inflatable
restraint systems for vehicles
1837 6,067,008
Methods and apparatus for inputting messages,
including advertisements, to a vehicle
1838 6,066,899
Resetable battery drain limitation circuit with
complementary dual voltage setpoints
1839 6,065,567 Apparatus and method for cleaning and fluid exchange
of a low-flow automatic transmission
1840 6,065,557 Power assist assembly for wheeled vehicles
1841 6,059,016 Thermal energy storage and delivery system
1842 6,058,339 Autonomous guided vehicle guidance device
1843 6,057,760 Method and device for detecting intruders by emitting
and receiving ultrasound waves in an automobile vehicle
1844 6,057,666 Method and circuit for controlling charging in a dual
battery electrical system
1845 6,056,076 Control system for an automotive vehicle having at
least one electrically operated door lock
1846 6,055,726 Method of forming a piston
1847 6,054,838 Pressurized electric charging
1848 6,052,005 Low current drain switch interface circuit
1849 6,050,597 Horn switch for air bag module
1850 6,045,940 Flooded lead acid battery with tilt-over capability
1851 6,045,235
DC power suppy device with rechargeable cellular
telephone battery in flashlight with connection for remote electrical
device
1852 6,044,922 Electric hybrid vehicle
1853 6,039,390 Chromogenic window assembly construction and other
chromogenic devices
1854 6,039,343 Air bag cover with horn switch
1855 6,037,749 Battery monitor
1856 6,037,746
Charging device on a vehicle to charge an electric
bicycle
1857 6,037,676
Electrical current measuring and circuit breaking
device
1858 6,036,827 Electrolyzer
1859 6,036,250
drag thereon
Trailer for reducing boundry layer normal-pressure
1860 6,035,902 Fail-safe power steering service machine
1861 6,034,464 Vehicle alternator
1862 6,034,445 Power source transfer lockout circuit
1863 6,026,773
Antitheft interrupt system for vehicle starter power
circuit
1864 6,025,655 Control system, particularly for a motor vehicle
1865 6,023,136 Adaptive motor control circuit and method
1866 6,020,696 Control device and method for controlling synchronous
motor of electric vehicle
1867 6,018,293
Methods and apparatus for providing securities and
stock quotations to an occupant of a vehicle
1868 6,018,234 Regulating system for an alternator voltage
1869 6,018,202 Ignition output stage
1870 6,011,468 Garage door alarm
1871 6,011,321 Page receiver security system
1872 6,010,148 Air bag cover with membrane type horn switch
1873 6,008,998 AC/DC power supply circuit
1874 6,007,130 Vehicle having strut assemblies and collapsible support
members
1875 6,006,951 Chemical measuring tank
1876 6,006,146 Method and apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle
1877 6,005,538 Vacuum fluorescent display driver
1878 6,005,369
Method and apparatus for testing a vehicle charge
storage system
1879 6,003,308 Air-fuel ratio control system for internal combustion
engines
1880 6,000,821 Illuminated truck bed liner
1881 5,998,963
Electric vehicle service center and method for
exchanging and charging vehicle batteries
1882 5,998,960 Power supply system for electric vehicle
1883 5,998,891 Alternator with an improved battery terminal assembly
1884 5,998,884 Driving system for electric vehicles having a plurality
of batteries
1885 5,996,721 Steering wheel and air bag protection device
1886 5,996,402 Fuel cap leakage tester
1887 5,996,339 Device for catalytic purification of exhaust gases
1888 5,995,888
Apparatus and method responsive to the on-board
measuring of haulage parameters of a vehicle
1889 5,994,787 Control system for a power supply changeover switch
1890 5,994,669 Battery warmer with timer switch
1891 5,993,983 Portable power supply using hybrid battery technology
1892 5,992,552 Vehicle frame
1893 5,991,669 Method and arrangement for controlling a vehicle
1894 5,990,771 Contactor for a motor vehicle starter, having improved
protection for an electronic circuit of the contactor
1895 5,990,569 System for triggering a protecting device
1896 5,986,548 Radio-linked intrusion alarm system
1897
5,986,416
Apparatus
and
method
for
driving
a
mechanically-driven device in an electrical vehicle
1898 5,986,359 Power delivery circuit with short circuit protection
1899 5,986,243 Outdoor electric personal heating system
1900 5,985,481 Reserve battery assembly and related method of use
1901 5,985,009
Automatic carpet cleaning waste water disposal
apparatus
1902 5,984,718 Safety jumper cables
1903 5,984,347 Accessory in the form of an attache case for motor
vehicle
1904 5,983,850
Methods and apparatus for controlling cut-off of a
motor vehicle starter
1905 5,982,155 Method for regulating the excitation current in a motor
vehicle alternator by digital processing, and a regulating device for
carrying out the method
1906 5,982,138 Portable electrical energy source
1907 5,979,779 Air conditioning system for vehicle
1908 5,979,617 Strut assemblies having heating means
1909 5,979,158
Method of operating an internal combustion engine
plant
1910 5,977,744 Vehicle battery controller
1911 5,977,654 Anti-theft System for disabling a vehicle engine that
includes a multi-contact switch for disconnecting the battery and loading
the vehicle electrical system
1912 5,977,498 Submersible switch with static seal
1913 5,975,423
Portable fully self-contained pressure wash-down
system and method
1914 5,974,368 Remote vehicle data interface tag system
1915 5,973,593
Device for marking the position of automatic
transmission gearshift lever arms
1916 5,973,499
Method for testing electrical loads in a vehicle
electrical system
1917 5,971,088 Battery charging apparatus
1918 5,969,239
Device for monitoring the tires of a vehicle with
electromagnetically coupled antennas
1919 5,968,456 Thermoelectric catalytic power generator with preheat
1920 5,967,736 Equipment handling device
1921 5,967,734 Four-wheel hand truck with elevator
1922 5,967,225 Body heating/cooling apparatus
1923 5,965,954 Anti-theft system for disabling a vehicle engine
1924 5,965,953 Superlocking vehicle door lock/unlock system
1925 5,965,292 Battery terminal case
1926 5,964,815
Occupant restraint system having serially connected
devices, a method for providing the restraint system and a method for
using the restraint system
1927 5,964,601 On-vehicle holder of a portable terminal device
1928 5,964,477 Air bag cover with horn switch
1929 5,964,122 Dual control device for selectively actuating the brake
and/or clutch and/or accelerator of a driving school vehicle
1930 5,964,089
Diagnostics and control of an on board hydrogen
generation and delivery system
1931 5,963,013 Storage battery charging apparatus and methods
1932 5,960,888 Engine fire suppression system
1933 5,959,570 Automotive forward looking sensor blockage detection
system and related techniques
1934 5,957,488 Air bag cover with horn switch
1935 5,957,397 Method for handling mercury containing lamps
1936 5,957,230 Cooling system for snowmobile engine
1937 5,956,259 Intelligent fueling
1938 5,955,805 Motor vehicle alternator having a water cooled rear
bearing
1939 5,952,813
Battery charging system and electric vehicle with
battery charging system
1940 5,951,229 Battery charging and transfer system for electrically
powered vehicles
1941 5,950,752
1942 5,950,149
Heating system for a hybrid electric vehicle
Method for testing vehicle electrical system during
manufacturing
1943 5,949,148 D.C. power distribution and fuse panel unit
1944 5,947,512 Tethered horn switch for air bag module
1945 5,947,148 Fluid delivery hose recovery system
1946 5,945,745 Activation control for an automotive electronic module
1947 5,945,647
Electrical control apparatus with a member having
rotary and axial operation
1948 5,944,133 Snowmobile frame
1949 5,942,886 Power device with a short-circuit detector
1950 5,942,127 Fuel oil treatment unit and associated method
1951 5,941,353 Non-contact type electric power supplying system for
vehicle
1952 5,940,767
Intelligent docking station for use with a portable
wireless receiver to provide expanded short message services
1953 5,939,807 Cap mounted drive for a brushless DC motor
1954 5,939,795 Seat sensor operating safety system for a motor vehicle
1955 5,939,794 Engine control system for hybrid vehicle
1956 5,936,390 Control circuit
1957 5,936,314 Failure detecting device for a power supply changeover
switch
1958 5,935,180 Electrical test system for vehicle manufacturing quality
assurance
1959 5,934,702 Horn switch for air bag module
1960 5,934,237
Methods and systems for controlling the automatic
cut-off of a motor vehicle starter
1961 5,934,176 Hydraulic operating system
1962 5,934,092 Device for cooling a motor vehicle interior
1963 5,933,225 Vehicular optical radar apparatus
1964 5,933,010 Device to detect charging condition of a storage battery
1965 5,932,942 DC motor drive with improved thermal characteristics
1966 5,932,932 Storage battery voltage control apparatus
1967 5,929,802 Automotive forward looking sensor application
1968 5,929,613 Regulator for an alternator of a vehicle
1969 5,929,609 Vehicular power management system and method
1970 5,929,604
Battery-discharge-protection system for electronic
accessories used in vehicles containing a battery
1971 5,928,539 Cigar lighter with locking means, especially for motor
vehicles
1972 5,928,538 Cigar lighter with a protective device, especially for a
motor vehicle
1973 5,928,020 Power connector system for a ride-on vehicle
1974 5,927,938 Battery charging and transfer system for electrically
powered vehicles
1975 5,927,416 Method for operating a non-railborne hybrid vehicle
1976 5,920,821
Use of cellular digital packet data (CDPD)
communications to convey system identification list data to roaming
cellular subscriber stations
1977 5,920,167
Ultrasound detection device in particular for an
automatically controlled windscreen cleaning system
1978 5,918,581
Evaporative emission control system for internal
combustion engines
1979 5,917,419 Jumper rack system for keeping track of jumpers used
by a railroad
1980 5,916,287 Modular automotive diagnostic, test and information
system
1981 5,914,654
Methods and apparatus for inputting messages,
including advertisements, to a vehicle
1982 5,914,651 Vehicle safety emergency flasher system
1983 RE36,225
Battery recharge interconnection system with safety
cut-out
1984 5,910,716 Brushless DC motor drive
1985 5,909,960 Mounting assembly for light duty snow plow
1986 5,909,921 Lift device and system for a pick-up truck cargo cover
1987 5,909,096 Control system for a vehicle screen wiping apparatus
1988 5,905,433 Trailer communications system
1989 5,903,817 Automated hard-copy mobile remote communication
apparatus, system and method
1990 5,903,135 Cellular telephone battery recharger device with digital
recording system and speaker phone
1991 5,900,697
Vehicle discharge lamp lighting circuit with
current-limiting DC impedance
1992 5,899,947 Current check module for hand-held vehicle tester
1993 5,899,082 Method and apparatus for odor elimination in vehicle
air conditioning systems
1994 5,898,282 Control system for a hybrid vehicle
1995 5,898,231 Anti-theft device for a vehicle
1996 5,897,156 Method of protecting a planetary rover vehicle
1997 5,896,750
Device for the air conditioning of a vehicle when
running and parked
1998 5,895,590 Lubricating oil heater apparatus for an electric motorcar
1999 5,894,272 Lighting and/or indicating means for use in fog
2000 5,893,893 Device for the computerized recording of mileage and
expenses in vehicles
2001 5,893,437
Non-contact electric power supplying system for a
vehicle
2002 5,892,893 Device for the bus-networked operation of an electronic
unit with microcontroller, and its use
2003 5,892,433 Timing circuit for air bag disable switch
2004 5,892,340 Vehicle sliding door opening/closing control device
2005 5,886,625 Residual fuel amount-estimating system for fuel tank of
internal combustion engine
2006 5,885,159 System for, and method of, controlling the operation of
toys
2007 5,884,597 Fuel feeding apparatus for internal combustion engine
and vehicle using the fuel feeding apparatus
2008 5,884,008 Portable hair dryer for use in a vehicle with handle
switch responsive to pivoting and vehicle battery voltage indicator
2009 5,881,428
Windshield and windshield wiper heating apparatus
assembly
2010 5,880,614 Circuit arrangement for evaluating the output signal of
an active sensor
2011 5,878,353
Radio frequency communication device including a
mirrored surface
2012 5,876,526 Automotive flat tire repair system improvement
2013 5,875,966 Dual mode input signal conditioner
2014 5,874,889 System and methods for triggering and transmitting
vehicle alarms to a central monitoring station
2015 5,870,020
Vehicle alarm for providing remote indication of
infiltration
2016 5,869,950 Method for equalizing the voltage of traction battery
modules of a hybrid electric vehicle
2017 5,867,094 Warning light accessory
2018 5,867,009 Control system for electric power generating apparatus
on hybrid vehicle
2019 5,866,274 Multiple battery comprising a cranking battery and an
auxiliary battery
2020 5,864,105
Method and apparatus for controlling an adjustable
device
2021 5,862,662
Engine exhaust system including internal expansion
chambers around the exhaust branch pipes
2022 5,861,801 Vehicle theft deterrent apparatus and method
2023 5,860,466 Windshield shelter
2024 5,860,243 Device for explosive extermination of rodents
2025 5,859,628
Apparatus and method for a personal onboard
information system
2026 5,857,451
Launcher apparatus for spherical and disc-shaped
objects
2027 5,857,385 Vehicle parking brake
2028 5,856,732 Servosystem
2029 5,855,467 Pivot locking device
2030 5,855,261
Non-contact electric power supplying system for
vehicle
2031 5,855,128 Steering wheel protection device
2032 5,853,068 Apparatus for exchange of automotive fluids
2033 5,853,025 Windshield fluid delivery system
2034 5,850,135 Connecting system and a connection method
2035 5,848,577 Internal-combustion engine starter device
2036 5,847,911 Self-protecting switch apparatus for controlling a heat
element of a vehicle seat and a method for providing the apparatus
2037 5,845,583 Dual-mode transporation system and power unit
2038 5,845,578 Ignition element
2039 5,845,485 Method and apparatus for injecting hydrogen into a
catalytic converter
2040 5,844,384 Electronic charger-starter for vehicles
2041 5,844,325 Vehicle dual battery controller utilizing motion sensor
2042 5,842,361 Vehicle security device
2043 D401,551 Battery for a vehicle
2044 5,839,231 Window assembly with light
2045 5,838,228 System for preventing rear end collisions
2046 5,838,136 3-pole battery switches
2047 5,836,748
Swash plate type variable displacement compressor
utilizing a spool for controlling the inclination
2048 5,836,609 Horn switch for air bag module
2049 5,836,186 Steering wheel protection device
2050 5,836,151 Method and device for reducing harmful gas emissions
from a motor vehicle internal combustion engine
2051 5,833,929 Automatic air freshener and deodorizer
2052 5,833,301 Powered sliding device for vehicle sliding door
2053 5,832,669 Latch device for vehicle sliding door
2054 5,831,246 Lighter body for a cigar lighter, especially for motor
vehicles
2055 5,829,547 Power steering apparatus with pump driven by pulse
width modulated controlled, brushless d.c. electric motor
2056 5,828,201 Method for maintaining the charge capacity of traction
battery modules of a hybrid electric vehicle
2057 5,827,036 Wheelchair lift
2058
5,825,304
Emergency
vehicle
proximity
warning
and
communication system
2059 5,823,805 Electrical connector for a light source
2060 5,823,502 Fastening device for a battery in a vehicle
2061 5,821,731
Connection system and connection method for an
electric automotive vehicle
2062 5,821,706
Control apparatus and method for initiating power
generation for hybrid electric automobile
2063 5,818,119 Alternator control system
2064 5,818,117
Engine induction air driven turbine-alternator
incorporating speed control of the turbine in response to alternator output
voltage
2065 5,816,643 Charge coupling for electric vehicle
2066 5,814,994 Circuit layout for ion current measurement
2067 5,811,887 Electrical antitheft system for motor vehicle
2068 5,810,896 Air filtration and purification system for vehicle
2069 5,810,213 Portable pressurized reservoir supply tank
2070 5,809,941
High efficiency hot water heater for recreational
vehicles
2071 5,808,543 Electrical anti-theft security system, especially for a
motor vehicle
2072 5,808,375 Method of operating an electrical control system for an
automotive vehicle having a service-facility mode
2073 5,806,629 Apparatus and method for service of an automotive
automatic transmission
2074 5,806,307 Exhaust gas-purifying system for internal combustion
engines
2075 5,806,018
Methods and apparatus for updating navigation
information in a motorized vehicle
2076 5,805,807 Multilevel data communication system including local
and host systems
2077 5,805,054 Automobile theft prevention and protection device
2078 5,803,760 Releasable connector
2079 5,803,215
Method and apparatus for charging a plurality of
electric vehicles
2080 5,802,485 Control device including an electrically programmable
memory
2081 5,802,480 Actuation apparatus for actuating the protective devices
for the safety of vehicle occupants
2082 5,801,621 Method for re-initializing vehicle parameters after a
power loss in a motor vehicle
2083 5,801,618 Vehicle alarm and lot monitoring system
2084 5,801,607 Starter contactor having improved fixed contacts, and a
motor vehicle starter having such a contactor
2085 5,799,516 Apparatus for unlocking doors of a motor vehicle
2086 5,798,689 Tire pressure indicator
2087 5,798,687 Vehicular safety system
2088 5,798,629 Apparatus for diagnosing low voltage battery
2089 5,798,577
method
Tractor/trailor cranking management system and
2090 5,796,175 Power supply control device for electric vehicle
2091 5,795,182 Polarity independent battery jumper cables or charger
with automatic polarity detector and built-in automatic safety features
2092 5,793,420 Video recording system for vehicle
2093 5,793,284 Portable radio paging alarm apparatus and associated
method for a vehicle containing an animal
2094 5,793,283 Pager vehicle theft prevention and recovery system
2095 5,793,189 Apparatus for preventing over-discharge of batteries
used in an electric vehicle
2096 5,793,185 Jump starter
2097 5,793,121 Low resistance current interrupter
2098 5,790,976 Route selection apparatus for a motor vehicle
2099 5,790,952
Beacon system using cellular digital packet data
(CDPD) communication for roaming cellular stations
2100 5,789,881 Power source control apparatus for hybrid vehicles
2101 5,788,597 Process and apparatus for braking a hybrid-drive motor
vehicle
2102 5,788,341 Vehicle brake
2103 5,788,008 Actuator for 4-wheel drive vehicle
2104 5,787,711
Motor-assisted turbo-cooling system for internal
combustion engines
2105 5,783,988 Vehicle security system
2106 5,782,217 Piston for two cycle engine
2107 5,781,104 Pressure gauge with self-generating power capability
for a tire pressure indicator
2108 5,780,937 Safety management system for a motor vehicle
2109 5,780,813 Lighter body for cigar lighter, with axially oriented
protuberancess allowing movement of bimetallic blades
2110 5,780,810 Alternator power supplied electric heater
2111 5,778,567 Mounting assembly for light duty snow plow
2112 5,775,229
On-board generator system
2113 5,775,227 Electric vehicle transport system
2114 5,774,044 Alarm device having integrated battery
2115 5,773,977
Method of testing an electric storage battery by
determining a bounce-back voltage after a load has been removed
2116 5,773,962 Battery energy monitoring circuits
2117 5,772,468 Clamp assembly for a battery booster cable
2118 5,768,826 Air window apparatus
2119 5,764,469 Apparatus for protecting eletronic devices in a vehicle's
electronic system and for preventing discharge of the vehicle's battery
2120 5,764,026 Spare cellular telephone charging unit
2121 5,762,129 Portable liquid cooling and heating apparatus
2122 5,757,256 Starter and contactor therefor
2123 5,756,988 Device for checking lateral views at front/rear ends of
vehicle
2124 5,755,123 Steering wheel protection device
2125 5,754,074 Protected switch
2126 5,754,032 Alternator control system
2127 5,754,030 Duty ratio control for a vehicular generator responsive
to low and high power loads
2128 5,753,989 Hybrid alternator
2129 5,753,873
Parking brake for a vehicle provided with a
self-cleaning ground contactor
2130 5,752,844 Cable type electric connector
2131 5,752,843 Cable type electric connector
2132 5,751,488 Motorized sunscreen for motor vehicles
2133 5,747,909 Hybrid alternator
2134 5,745,191 Switching degaussing circuit for television set
2135 5,745,027 Data communication system employing carrier currents,
in particular for a motor vehicle
2136 5,744,938
Method and apparatus for testing a vehicle charge
storage system
2137 5,742,914
Apparatus and method responsive to the on-board
measuring of haulage parameters of a vehicle
2138 5,742,229 Methods and apparatus for dispensing a consumable
energy source to a vehicle
2139 5,738,049 Apparatus for detecting a malfunction in a radiator fan
system
2140 5,737,706 Power system supporting CDPD operation
2141 5,736,816 Automatic on-off vehicle headlight system
2142 5,736,793 Control system for electrical components of a motor
vehicle
2143 5,735,149 Steering wheel protection device
2144 5,735,121
Air pump abnormality-detecting system for internal
combustion engines
2145 5,734,320
Emergency warning gear having a multitude of
functions
2146 5,732,371
Vehicle attitude control device capable of changing
upper limit of its output depending upon whether another vehicle attitude
control device is available
2147 5,731,689 Control system for A.C. generator
2148 5,731,669
Control apparatus for electric vehicle
2149 5,729,196 Personal location and message system and unit
2150 5,726,885 Hire vehicle transportation system
2151 5,725,062 Vehicle top solar power generator
2152 5,719,552 Automatic trailer illuminating lighting control system
2153 5,719,486
Generating apparatus for providing different rated
output voltages to a plurality of electric loads
2154 5,719,483 Inductive coupling wand having a molded magnetic
core
2155 5,717,374
Methods and apparatus for inputting messages,
including advertisements, to a vehicle
2156 5,716,726 Electrolyte starved metal-air battery
2157 5,715,093
Automatic rearview mirror system with automatic
headlight activation
2158 5,713,213 Refrigeration cycle device having accurate refrigerant
deficiency detection capability
2159 5,711,648 Battery charging and transfer system
2160 5,711,605
Method and apparatus for predicting battery
temperature
2161 5,710,702 Apparatus for transmitting information for vehicle
2162 5,710,471 Hybrid alternator with full output at idle
2163 5,708,411 Tire monitoring system, device and method
2164 5,708,312 Magnetic bearing system including a control system for
a flywheel and method for operating same
2165 5,707,250
Apparatus and method for storage battery cable
connector
2166 5,704,323 Arrangement in - and method for starting - an internal
combustion engine
2167 5,703,598 Method and system for tracking stolen property
2168 5,703,551 Starter contactor having an electronic control circuit,
and a vehicle starter having such a contactor
2169 5,703,461 Inductive coupler for electric vehicle charger
2170 5,702,107 Toy vehicle game and methods of playing the game
2171 5,700,165 Fused high ampacity electrical quick disconnect
2172 5,700,079 Headlight for vehicle
2173 5,698,905 Hybrid propulsion system for a motor vehicle and a
method of operating the hybrid propulsion system
2174 5,696,438
Electrical hybrid vehicle battery charging system
arrangement
2175 5,696,367 Charging batteries of electric vehicles
2176 5,694,335 Secure personal applications network
2177 5,694,111 Tire pressure indicator
2178 5,694,100 Motor vehicle starter having an auxiliary control relay,
and a contactor for such a starter
2179 5,693,995 Hybrid alternator
2180 5,693,986
Method and device for disconnecting loads from a
motor vehicle body
2181 5,689,820 Vehicle location unit
2182 5,686,839 Equipment and method for detecting electrical leakage
in electric vehicle
2183 5,684,470 Control apparatus for powered vehicle door systems
2184 5,683,107 Container of vehicle air bag inflator having fluid with
combustible portion
2185 5,681,668
Dual wall storage battery system having air
passageways in the bottom of the battery
2186 5,681,495 Alternator power-supply type electric heating control
apparatus
2187 5,681,057 Crash energy-management structure
2188 5,680,783 Door lock device with anti-theft mechanism
2189 5,677,960 On-vehicle sound control apparatus
2190 5,677,612 Lead-acid battery desulfator/rejuvenator
2191 5,677,520 Rotary vacuum electric switch
2192 5,676,868 Heating windshield wiper shroud system
2193 5,675,237 Output control device for vehicle AC generator
2194 5,673,019 Automatic turn signal and safety device
2195 5,672,101 Solar operated vent cover
2196 5,670,861 Battery energy monitoring circuits
2197 5,669,699 Exterior vehicle security light
2198 5,668,460 Battery recharger turntable
2199 5,666,900
Method and apparatus for deploying an expendable
autonomous underwater vehicle from a submarine
2200 5,666,103
vehicles
Wireless safety indicator control system for towed
2201 5,664,932 Pivoted lifting device
2202 5,664,929 Article transportation system
2203 5,661,391
Apparatus for charging a propulsion battery of an
electrically powered vehicle
2204 5,659,305 Backup traffic signal management system and method
2205 5,659,240
Intelligent battery charger for electric drive system
batteries
2206 5,656,922 Vehicle based AC power system
2207 5,656,918 Apparatus for controlling a load connected to an engine
2208 5,655,790 Air bag inflator
2209 5,654,689 Electric anti-theft security system
2210 5,654,686 Electronic vehicle theft detection system employing a
magnetic field sensor
2211 5,654,621
Method and arrangement for automatic contactless
charging
2212 5,653,528 Headlight for a vehicle
2213 5,650,930
Apparatus and method responsive to the on-board
measuring of haulage parameters of a vehicle
2214 5,650,928
Apparatus and method responsive to the on-board
measuring of haulage parameters of a vehicle
2215 5,650,713 Control device for a hybrid automobile
2216 5,649,316 In-vehicle antenna
2217 5,647,534 Device for heating an interior of an electric vehicle
2218 5,646,523 Apparatus for determining angular position of a motor
vehicle steering wheel
2219 5,646,507 Battery charger system
2220 5,644,489 Apparatus and method for identifying containers from
which material is collected and loaded onto a haulage vehicle
2221 5,641,898 Distributorless ignition system ignition module tester
2222 5,640,086 Tachometer based on electrical ripple and calibrated by
mechanical engine signals
2223 5,637,978 Battery booster
2224 5,637,977 Connector assembly used in supplying electricity to a
receiver
2225 5,635,818 Safety jumper apparatus
2226 5,635,817 Vehicle battery charging system
2227 5,635,629 Knock sensor
2228 5,633,796
Method and apparatus for inferring engine oil
temperature for use with an oil change indicator
2229 5,633,095 Battery holding structure
2230 5,632,917 Electric windshield defroster
2231 5,632,352 Electric traction motor vehicle
2232 5,631,835 Apparatus for identifying containers from which refuse
is collected and compiling a historical record of the containers
2233 5,631,832
Apparatus and method responsive to the on-board
measuring of haulage parameters of a vehicle
2234 5,631,544 Hybrid alternator with voltage regulator
2235 5,630,723 Cable type electric connector
2236 5,629,603 Electric system of electric vehicle
2237 5,626,984 Battery terminal system
2238 5,625,337 Supplementary vehicle warning system
2239 5,621,277
Automatic light control and battery protection on a
vehicle
2240 5,618,068
Door lock apparatus with automatic door closing
mechanism
2241 5,617,315 Active vibration damping system for a vehicle
2242 5,617,003
Method and apparatus for charging a battery of an
electric vehicle
2243 5,615,076
Apparatus for protecting electronic devices and
associated methods of manufacturing
2244 5,614,809 Electric generation control system for hybrid vehicle
2245 5,614,808
Electric vehicle charging connector, connector
assembly and electric vehicle charging system
2246 5,613,383 Vehicle security device
2247 5,613,352
system
Electronic combine harvesting head status display
2248 5,612,669 Vehicle security system having enhanced false alarm
compensation
2249 5,612,667 In-vehicle barometric pressure detection system
2250 5,611,392 Power fluid heating system
2251 5,610,499
Multi-battery fuel saving and emission reduction
system for automotive vehicles
2252 5,608,309 Vehicle-use alternating current generator control system
2253 5,607,221 Hook-up light for a truck tractor
2254 5,607,080 Chemical measuring system
2255 5,606,955 Apparatus for disposing of fuel vapor
2256 5,606,243 Battery state judging apparatus
2257 5,602,459 Fuel saving multi-battery charging system and method
2258 5,602,457 Photovoltaic solar cell laminated in vehicle windshield
2259 5,602,371 Motor vehicle electrical system deactivating switch
2260 5,601,058 Starting apparatus for internal combustion engines
2261 5,598,098 Electronic battery tester with very high noise immunity
2262 5,598,088 Method for determining the charge state of a battery, in
particular a vehicle starter battery
2263 5,598,084 Charging batteries of electric vehicles
2264 5,598,083
Battery changing system for electrically powered
vehicle
2265 5,598,065 Lighting system for snowmobiles and the like
2266 5,597,989
Switch assembly including cam operated pivoted
contact
2267 5,594,318 Traction battery charging with inductive coupling
2268 5,593,310 Cable type electric connector
2269 5,590,718 Anti-fire system for vehicles
2270 5,588,041 Cellular speakerphone and method of operation thereof
2271 5,585,782 Light bar for a vehicle
2272 5,583,418
Battery charging station for electric vehicles and
electric vehicle usable therewith
2273 5,581,171 Electric vehicle battery charger
2274 5,580,675 Method and apparatus for indicating electric charge
remaining in batteries based on electrode weight and center of gravity
2275 5,580,258 Vehicle charging connector and a receptacle enclosing
the connector
2276 5,579,684 Efficient compaction system
2277 5,577,920 Charge coupling for electric vehicle
2278 5,577,373
Agricultural vehicle including a system for
automatically moving an implement and improved ground height sensing
to a predetermined operating position
2279 5,577,070
Apparatus for generating high power, low energy
pulses across the terminals of a large capacity, low impedance battery
2280 5,574,316 Vehicle battery disabling apparatus
2281 5,572,964 Control process for an internal combustion engine fuel
pump
2282 5,572,188 Distress warning signal device
2283 5,572,186 Boat security system
2284 5,572,109 Charging batteries of electric vehicles
2285 5,571,253 Seat belt retractor system
2286 5,570,127 Video recording system for passenger vehicle
2287 5,569,999 System for monitoring the current drawn from traction
batteries in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles
2288 5,569,993 Charging batteries of electric vehicles
2289 5,569,552
Lead-acid battery having a fluid compartment for
reducing convection-induced heat transfer
2290 5,569,053
Connector for connecting an electronic device to a
vehicle electrical system
2291 5,568,939 Seat belt retractor system
2292 5,568,137 Vehicle lane guide and alerting device
2293 5,567,544 Battery
2294 5,567,001 Automotive vehicle seat for disabled persons
2295 5,566,774 Operating method for a hybrid vehicle
2296 5,566,224
Radio frequency communication device including a
mirrored surface
2297 5,565,755 Charging batteries of electric vehicles
2298 5,565,282 Battery gang vent system
2299 5,564,767 Motorized extendible drawer apparatus for a vehicle
2300 5,563,576 Vehicle security system siren with backup rechargeable
battery
2301 5,563,492 Vehicular battery charging switch
2302 5,562,568 Brake-transmission-ignition key interlock system
2303 5,562,490 High ampacity electrical quick disconnect
2304 5,559,379
Induction air driven alternator and method for
converting intake air into current
2305 5,556,284 Charge coupling for electric vehicle
2306 5,555,950 Body structure for electric vehicle
2307 5,554,819 Method and apparatus for the thermoelectric generation
of electricity
2308 5,552,989
Portable digital map reader
2309 5,552,988 Power unit for motor vehicles
2310 5,552,692
Charging rechargeable batteries of a mobile
communication device using a charge pump with a low noise oscillator to
reduce interference
2311 5,550,415 Vehicular alternating current generator
2312 5,549,443 Battery charging and transfer system
2313 5,548,200
Universal charging station and method for charging
electric vehicle batteries
2314 5,547,208 Vehicle safety exit apparatus
2315 5,544,862 Rescue tool
2316 5,544,484 Engine induction air driven alternator
2317 5,543,674 Dynamoelectric machine composed of sectors having
transverse fluxes
2318 5,543,248 Thermal stabilization shield for storage batteries
2319 5,542,589 Desk structure for vehicles
2320 5,542,488 Electric vehicle having multiple replacement batteries
2321 5,542,387 Component layout for engine
2322 5,541,495 Battery polarity connection adaption solid state switch
2323 5,539,639 Device for dynamically controlling the trim of a vehicle
2324 5,539,399 Display device for electric vehicle
2325 5,539,296 Method and system of charging a propulsion battery of
an electrically powered vehicle
2326 5,539,289
Ultrasonic detection device, notably for an
automatically controlled windscreen cleaning system
2327 5,538,298 Actuator with an anti-theft mechanism for vehicle door
locks
2328 5,538,098 Magnetically controlled retractor
2329 5,537,959 Lubricating system for engine
2330 5,535,844 Vehicle anti-theft device
2331 5,534,847 Bicycle alarm system
2332 5,532,671 Method and apparatus for informing a driver of the
propulsive capability of a vehicle powertrain
2333 5,529,027 Liquid-cooled internal combustion engine
2334 5,528,499
Apparatus and method responsive to the on-board
measuring of haulage parameters of a vehicle
2335 5,528,148
Battery monitoring and deceleration dependent
fuel-saving charging system
2336 5,525,991 Mobile object identification system
2337 5,525,891 Power-supply-apparatus in a vehicle
2338 5,525,881 Method and apparatus for the thermal control of an
electric motor in a vehicle, and their application to a power assisted
steering system
2339 5,525,875
Power supplying apparatus for a powered latching
mechanism for vehicle doors
2340 5,524,424 Electronic area counter for a combine
2341 5,523,923 Vehicle reflector illuminating system
2342 5,523,672
Voltage-regulator for regulating the voltage of an
alternator
2343 5,523,664 System for alleviating fatigue in a seat
2344 5,523,630 Wiper and headlight control circuit
2345 5,521,486 Charging generator with self-diagnosis function
2346 5,519,383 Battery and starter circuit monitoring system
2347 5,518,283 Protective guard assembly for vehicles
2348 5,518,069 Sorption apparatus and method for cooling and heating
2349 5,517,682 Class I cellular mobile telephone apparatus
2350 5,516,182 Retractable top for a bed of a pick-up truck
2351 5,515,939 Metal-air battery-powered electric vehicle
2352 5,514,914 Electronic antitheft device for a motor vehicle
2353 5,513,105 Vehicle security system
2354 5,512,876 Device for the timed lighting of signal triangles on
vehicles and of triangles for emergency stops
2355 5,512,874 Security device
2356 5,511,929 Portable winch system
2357 5,506,562
Apparatus and method for disabling an internal
combustion engine from a remote location
2358 5,506,489 Inductive coupler having a tactile feel
2359 5,503,642 Method of assembling a protective cover to battery
cable terminal
2360 5,502,368 Hybrid alternator with voltage regulator
2361 5,502,329 Protection component for automobile circuit
2362 5,501,190 Lubricating system for engine
2363 5,499,181 Methods and apparatus for inputting information to a
vehicle
2364 5,495,868 Rotary vacuum-electric switch
2365 5,495,503 Storage battery memory and communication device
2366 5,495,159 Charging apparatus for driverless transporting vehicle
2367 5,493,498 Positioning apparatus
2368 5,492,780 Battery terminal clamp
2369 5,492,190 Operating method for a hybrid vehicle
2370 5,491,470 Vehicle security apparatus and method
2371 5,490,048 Modular element for motor vehicle indicator lights
2372 5,488,285 Gas-controlled battery charging device for a driverless
transport vehicle
2373 5,487,002 Energy management system for vehicles having limited
energy storage
2374 5,481,460 Controller for electric vehicle
2375 5,481,176 Enhanced vehicle charging system
2376 5,481,175 System and method for charging auxiliary batteries
2377 5,481,139 Safety circuit breaker for vehicles
2378 5,476,310 Braking apparatus for electric vehicle
2379 5,473,870 Header control for returning to height or float control
2380 5,473,515 Photo-coupled control apparatus for vehicle auxiliary
lighting
2381 5,471,894 Shifting method and controller for controlling a shifter
assembly in a drag racing vehicle
2382 5,471,825
Combine head position control system with float
override
2383 5,471,823 Electronic combine head float control system
2384 5,470,002 Food container self-leveling device
2385 5,469,694
Agricultural vehicle including a system for
automatically moving an implement to a predetermined operating
position
2386 5,469,134 Safety systems for abating the theft of vehicles
2387 5,465,560
Electronic combine harvesting head status display
system
2388 5,465,394
Device for fixing the duration of waiting periods
between attempts to establish a connection between a terminal and a
mobile radio system
2389 5,462,439 Charging batteries of electric vehicles
2390 5,461,664 Emergency wireless telephone
2391 5,461,299 Weatherized curb-side charger
2392 5,461,291
Vehicle screen wiping control system comprising a
control signal emitter and a slave receiver
2393 5,460,900
Lead-acid battery having a fluid compartment for
reducing convection-induced heat transfer
2394 5,458,496 Charge coupling for electric vehicle
2395 5,458,095 Air pump-assisted hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell for use
with internal combustion engine
2396 5,458,063 Demining device
2397 5,457,347 Headlights "ON" control for motor vehicles
2398 5,455,769 Combine head raise and lower rate control
2399 5,455,716 Vehicle mirror with electrical accessories
2400 5,455,571 Fail safe system for a mechanical lock key set with
electronic interlock
2401 5,455,463 Method and apparatus for regulating the power supply
voltage in motor vehicles
2402 5,451,925 Passive instant automatic vehicle anti-theft device
2403 5,451,848 Motor drive circuit
2404 5,451,758 Automatic non-computer network no-stop collection of
expressway tolls by magnetic cards and method
2405 5,450,772 Valve lifter adjustor tool
2406 5,450,321 Interactive dynamic realtime management system for
powered vehicles
2407 5,449,957 Self-contained anti-theft device for motor vehicles
2408 5,448,925 Shifting apparatus for controlling a transmission in a
vehicle
2409 5,448,152 Battery management system
2410 5,447,184 Portable transmission fluid exchanging system
2411 5,444,978 Catalyst warming up device of an internal combustion
engine
2412 5,442,244 Starting circuit of passenger protecting apparatus
2413 5,441,122 Hybrid car and an operating method therefor
2414 5,439,759 Cover for battery cable terminal
2415 5,438,315 Security alarm system
2416 5,438,311 Anti-carjacking device triggered by a switch in the seat
belt latch
2417 5,436,809 Indicating light unit having modular luminous elements,
for a motor vehicle
2418 5,435,748 Connector with fitting detection function
2419 5,433,660 Automatic vehicular ventilating system
2420 5,432,026 Cooling system for high temperature battery
2421 5,431,823 Process for supporting and cleaning a mesh anode bag
2422 5,431,487 Hydraulic brake lock with electric valve controller
2423 5,428,353 Road use charging apparatus
2424 5,428,344 Crane hoist safety deactivator
2425 5,427,202 Apparatus and method for flushing transmission fluid
2426
5,423,077
Radio
telephone
suitable
for
portable
and
vehicle-mounted use
2427 5,422,624
Methods and apparatus for inputting messages,
including advertisements, to a vehicle
2428 5,421,295
Method and device for automatic injection of an
additive into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle
2429 5,420,568 Wireless door locking and unlocking system for motor
vehicles having theft alarm device
2430 5,416,886 Portable chain drying apparatus
2431 5,416,706 Apparatus for identifying containers from which refuse
is collected and compiling a historical record of the containers
2432 5,416,704 Controller for interior system for use in automotive
vehicle
2433 5,416,286 High amperage, high efficiency electrical slide switch
assembly with plug and socket contacts
2434 5,414,407 Turn signal monitor circuit
2435 5,414,386 Muting apparatus in car audio system
2436 5,413,541 Shift control device retrofitted to inhibit a downshift to
first gear in an L-position for automobile automatic transmission
2437 5,413,279 Vehicle heating
2438 5,411,243 Hydraulic antivibration devices
2439 5,410,604
System for reducing noise sounding in passenger
compartment of vehicle
2440 5,408,353
Controllable transparency panel with solar load
reduction
2441 5,408,211 Timed vehicle disabling system
2442 5,406,154 Power unit for motor vehicles
2443 5,406,126
Hybrid drive system with regeneration for motor
vehicles and the like
2444 5,404,129 Anti-theft battery system for vehicles
2445 5,402,302 Supply circuit for electromagnetic relays
2446 5,402,108 Driver alerting system
2447 5,402,007 Method and apparatus for maintaining vehicle battery
state-of-change
2448 5,401,924 Remote battery switch
2449 5,399,061 Battery changer on a mobile machine
2450 5,397,991
Multi-battery charging system for reduced fuel
consumption and emissions in automotive vehicles
2451 5,396,928 Rotary vacuum electric switch
2452 5,396,422 Method for detecting malfunctions in a motor vehicle
2453 5,390,728 Air conditioner for use in a vehicle
2454 5,389,920 Control apparatus for powered vehicle door systems
2455 5,389,870
Method and apparatus for filtering alternator ripple
using synchronous sampling
2456 5,386,146 In-line auger driven charging system
2457 5,385,102
Vehicle for the automatic laying of a track by a vehicle
travelling on said track and track designed for installation by such a
vehicle
2458
5,381,096
Method
and
state-of-charge of a battery system
apparatus
for
measuring
the
2459 5,378,977
Device for making current measurements used in
determining the charging of a vehicle storage battery
2460 5,378,119
Air compressor having ventilated housing and
motor/compressor pulley adjustment
2461 5,374,035 Winch with power train, manual operation option, and
particular brake assembly
2462 5,373,910
Method of operation for an electric vehicle having
multiple replacement batteries
2463 5,373,196 Combination static/dynamic inverter
2464 5,371,445 Switching device for controlling two electric motors at
different speeds
2465 5,369,540 Electric vehicle drive train with contactor protection
2466 5,367,455 Running performance control apparatus and method for
an electric vehicle
2467 5,367,250 Electrical tester with electrical energizable test probe
2468 5,367,243 Jumper cable attachment for battery
2469 5,363,405
Vehicle communications network transceiver, bus
driver therefor
2470 5,363,086 Motor vehicle anti-theft device
2471 5,361,612 Hood lock with reel and cable
2472 5,361,593
Method and apparatus for reducing the temperature of
air in the cabin of a stationary vehicle
2473 5,360,461 Polymeric storage bed for hydrogen
2474 5,357,143 Electronic door locking mechanism
2475 5,352,966 Battery charging device
2476 5,349,279 Speed-dependent traction motor controller for vehicles
2477 5,349,267 Lighting and/or indicating apparatus for use in foggy
conditions
2478 5,348,125
Self-contained hydraulic power unit for waste
compactor containers
2479 5,344,354 Flight-simulating airplane toy
2480 5,343,974 An electrically powered motor vehicle
2481
5,337,042
Vehicle
communications
network
transceiver,
transmitter circuit therefor
2482 5,336,031 Car parking system
2483 5,333,512 Multistage transmission with an automatic load-shift
spur gear
2484 5,331,898 Vehicle for the automatic laying of a track by a vehicle
travelling on said track and track designed for installation by such a
vehicle
2485 5,331,257 Commutated electro-dynamic machine such as a d.c.
motor, having an auto-synchronizing sensor, and a screen wiping
apparatus employing such a motor
2486 5,329,204 Attachment for automatic light switching
2487 5,327,347
Apparatus and method responsive to the on-board
measuring of haulage parameters of a vehicle
2488 5,327,066 Methods and apparatus for dispensing a consumable
energy source to a vehicle
2489 5,325,078 Gravity actuated magnetic switch
2490 5,323,099 Wall/ceiling mounted inductive charger
2491 5,321,389 Battery charge monitor
2492 5,320,190 Arrangement for cooling the battery of a motor vehicle
2493 5,319,299 Charging control apparatus for vehicle
2494 5,317,311 Traffic congestion monitoring system
2495 5,315,645
Communication apparatus utilizing digital optical
signals
2496 5,315,285 Alarm system for sensing and vocally warning a person
approaching a protected object
2497 5,312,538 Device for controlling the electrical power supply of an
oxygen pump of a linear oxygen probe
2498 5,309,141 Emergency deceleration warning device
2499 5,309,083 Circuit for generating a reference voltage that varies as
a function of temperature, in particular for regulating the voltage at which
a battery is charged by an alternator
2500 5,307,658 Key cylinder device
2501 5,305,513 Vehicle battery decking device
2502 5,305,215 Expandable, mobile, modular microcomputer system
for an off-road vehicle
2503 5,303,866 Integrated modular spraying system
2504 5,303,163 Configurable vehicle monitoring system
2505 5,301,993 Automotive vehicle seat for disabled persons
2506 5,301,907 Cable clamp
2507 5,299,327 Sewer ventilator system for recreational vehicles, boats
and the like
2508 5,297,780 Rescue spreading tool
2509 5,296,997 System for protecting a battery
2510 5,296,869 Digital engine analyzer
2511 5,296,798
Method of regulating an excitation current of an
inductor of a motor vehicle alternator
2512 5,293,952 Hydraulic fluid supply system for an installation in a
motor vehicle having power assisted steering with a pressure regulation
value connected to the main and secondary circuits
2513 5,293,527 Remote vehicle disabling system
2514 5,293,076 Vehicle control apparatus
2515 5,289,907 Shift lever interlock system
2516 5,289,605 DC powered scrubber
2517 5,289,182
vehicle
Electronic anti-collison device carried on board a
2518 5,289,103 Battery charger for towed vehicle
2519 5,287,098 Fail safe system for a mechanical lock and key set with
electrical interlock
2520 5,285,963 Intelligent controller for equipment heater
2521 5,285,500 Car amplifier with optional plug-in modules
2522 5,283,513 Battery charging device for electric vehicles
2523 5,282,387 Shock sensor
2524 5,282,361 Device for facilitating exhaust action of an internal
combustion engine
2525 5,281,919 Automotive battery status monitor
2526 5,281,904 Multi mode cordless battery charger
2527 5,281,792 Battery warmer
2528 5,275,525 Battery changer on a mobile machine
2529 5,275,388 Vibration control system
2530 5,274,876 Universal windshield wiper mechanism
2531 5,272,602 Device for mounting a supplemental stop lamp or the
like to a windowpane with ease of connection to a power supply
2532 5,272,464 Centralized automotive resource management system
2533 5,272,380 Electrical supply control system for a motor vehicle
2534 5,269,709 Battery terminal post clamp adapted for connection to
an external electric power source or consumer
2535 5,266,930 Display apparatus
2536 5,266,902 High or low voltage electrical resistance tester
2537 5,266,873 Automatically controlled cleaning device, notably for a
motor vehicle windscreen
2538 5,264,962 Sideview mirror for vehicles
2539 5,264,776 Electric vehicle inductive coupling charge port
2540 5,264,763 Optimizing system for vehicle traction motors
2541 5,264,306 Lead-acid storage cell grid
2542 5,258,753 Digital engine analyzer
2543 5,256,956 Power supply apparatus for automotive vehicles
2544 5,250,935
Waveform peak capture circuit for digital engine
analyzer
2545 5,250,849 Device for monitoring the closure of the opening points
of a motor vehicle
2546 5,250,770 Rotary vacuum-electric switch
2547 5,249,623 Rubber heat exchanger
2548 5,249,130 Air-fuel ratio control apparatus for an alcohol engine
2549 5,247,287 Digital engine analyzer
2550 5,245,694
User-programmable voice notification device for
security alarm systems
2551 5,245,324 Digital engine analyzer
2552 5,243,322 Automobile security system
2553 5,242,190 Unitary sensor assembly for automotive vehicles
2554 5,241,242 Power-supply circuit apparatus for high pressure gas
discharge lamps in motor vehicles
2555 5,239,954 Starter protection circuit
2556 5,239,779 Control apparatus for powered vehicle door systems
2557 5,239,520 Booting circuit arrangement for a microprocessor
2558 5,237,307 Non-contact tamper sensing by electronic means
2559 5,233,227 Solar battery systems for vehicles
2560 5,232,796 Battery with multiple position handle
2561 5,230,397
Discontinuous power assistance mechanism for a
steering column of a vehicle having steerable wheels
2562 5,229,703
Battery recharge interconnection system with safety
cut-out
2563 5,229,579 Motor vehicle heated seat control
2564 5,225,761 Battery management system
2565 5,224,872 Switch connector assembly with waterproof structure
2566 5,218,347 Apparatus for detecting hazardous gases
2567 5,216,838 Control apparatus for powered vehicle door systems
2568 5,216,284 Passenger safety device for vehicles
2569 5,215,156
Electric vehicle with downhill electro-generating
system
2570 5,208,526 Electrical power storage apparatus
2571 5,207,807
Regenerable filter for exhaust gases of an
internal-combustion engine
2572 5,204,992 Motor vehicle battery discharge load current control
2573 5,204,991 Automotive on/off circuit for automatic control of the
power supply to electric automotive accessories
2574 5,202,811 Electrical power system with high voltage protection
responsive to plural control voltages
2575 5,202,617 Charging station for electric vehicles
2576 H1,172 Vehicle battery jumper system
2577 5,200,877 Battery protection system
2578 5,199,731 Step assembly for vehicles
2579 5,198,697
Device for controlling the electrical power supply of a
plurality of electrical apparatuses from a direct current source
2580 5,196,824 Float actuated liquid level monitoring apparatus
2581 5,196,275 Electrical power storage apparatus
2582 5,195,813 Wireless control for auxiliary lighting
2583 5,194,799 Booster battery assembly
2584 5,193,893 Illuminated vehicle hood deflector
2585 5,191,228 Vehicle battery disconnect antitheft device
2586 5,189,839 Control apparatus for powered vehicle door systems
2587 5,189,753 Automobile vacuum cleaner
2588 5,189,361
High voltage DC power generation circuit powered
from the alternator of a motor vehicle
2589 5,187,631 Precharger for short circuit detector
2590 5,187,426 Device for limiting the terminal voltage in an alternator
2591 5,187,382 Apparatus for detecting the existence of an abnormality
in a vehicle operator protection system
2592 5,181,592 Shift lever interlock system
2593 5,176,213 Driving force distribution system for hybrid vehicles
2594 5,175,529 Fast event detector
2595 5,175,484 Electrical power distribution
2596 5,172,856 Control apparatus for air-conditioning
2597 5,172,067
Apparatus for determining DC resistance in high
voltage winding with nonlinear resistance energy dissipation circuit
2598 5,170,125 Tester for the ignition module of a vehicle
2599 5,168,666 Drive device of slide door
2600 5,167,573 Preliminary ventilation device for vehicles
2601 5,167,308
Combination brake/park lockout and steering
mechanism and system
2602 5,163,537 Battery changing system for electric battery-powered
vehicles
2603 5,162,164 Dual battery system
2604 5,161,505 Method and arrangement for detecting measured values
in motor vehicles
2605 5,161,112 Device for sensing and discriminating operational faults
in an electrical power supply
2606 5,159,272
Monitoring device for electric storage battery and
configuration therefor
2607 5,159,257 Vehicle power supply apparatus for protecting a battery
from excessive discharge
2608 5,157,841 Portable electronic compass
2609 5,157,271 Apparatus for controlling a power supply of an electric
machine in a vehicle
2610 5,156,451 Apparatus having a high center of gravity with energy
absorbing device
2611 5,154,563 Wheel chair carrier
2612 5,151,634 Device for controlling a gas-discharge lamp for use in a
motor vehicle
2613 5,150,349 Disc loading structure
2614 5,147,106 Reinforced vehicle rear gate with optional hydraulic
operation
2615 5,140,316 Control apparatus for powered vehicle door systems
2616 5,137,411 Apparatus and method for transporting motor scooters
and the like on a motor vehicle
2617 5,137,365 Water metering system for concrete mixer
2618 5,136,570 Disc ejecting structure with plurality of disk position
sensors
2619 5,136,232 Automatic on switch and battery protector
2620 5,136,230 Battery power cut-off circuit
2621 5,135,359 Emergency light and sump pump operating device for
dwelling
2622 5,133,426 Security system
2623 5,133,425 Passive seat belt system
2624 5,132,666 Vehicle-mounted electronic display system
2625 5,132,551 Self-contained anti-theft device for motor vehicles
2626 5,131,851 Vehicle mounted battery connector assist unit
2627 5,128,650 Automotive burglar alarm that recycles after its initial
alarm production
2628 5,128,551 Electrical supply control systems for a motor vehicle
2629 5,126,659 Enablement of a test mode in an electronic module with
limited pin-outs
2630 5,122,723 Charging control apparatus for vehicles
2631 5,121,044 Electrical energy system
2632 5,120,617 Vehicle battery having integral safety switch
2633 5,119,918 Electromagnetic clutch with permanent magnet brake
2634 5,117,217 Alarm system for sensing and vocally warning a person
to step back from a protected object
2635 5,116,538 Battery terminal corrosion protection
2636 5,115,116 Vehicle preheating system
2637 5,111,329
Solar load reduction panel with controllable light
transparency
2638 5,111,289 Vehicular mounted surveillance and recording system
2639 5,111,130 Clamp activated jumper cable switch
2640 5,111,025 Seat heater
2641 5,108,123 Vehicle docking device using sensor matrix
2642 5,105,303 Arrangement for a transparent covering element with
an electrochromatic layer
2643 5,104,295 Electric air pump with photo-electric cutoff of pressure
dial
2644 5,103,474 Drive-by personnel monitoring system with radio link
2645 5,103,411 Electronic odometer wherein medium order digit data
addresses locations which store high and low order digit data
2646 5,102,514 Cathodic protection system using carbosil anodes
2647 5,099,222 Volume increasing flasher unit for turn signal system
2648 5,099,182 Brushless DC motor powered fogging apparatus
2649 5,096,242 Shock-absorbing bumper system
2650 5,096,033 Lockout mechanism and system for vehicle shifter
2651 5,095,750 Accelerometer with pulse width modulation
2652 5,089,764
Solar panel driven air purging apparatus for motor
vehicles
2653 5,087,885 Lighting arrester tester
2654 5,087,851 Device for driving a part on a vehicle
2655 5,086,870 Joystick-operated driving system
2656 5,086,860 Vehicular battery retainer and shield
2657 5,085,407
Motorized jack
2658 5,085,061 Anti-theft device for motor vehicles
2659 5,081,912 Vehicle vent
2660 5,080,492 Mirror and apparatus for positioning mirror
2661 5,079,496 Multifunction regulator synchronized to an alternator
2662 5,076,633 Automatic sun screen for motor vehicles
2663 5,076,016 Powered sliding door system
2664 5,072,962 Front/rear mounted portable load-bearing winch
2665 5,072,098 Electrically heated windshield controller
2666 5,070,283 Traction motor controller for forklift vehicles
2667 5,067,395 Device for preparing hot drinks
2668 5,066,866 Power converter system
2669 5,065,604 Ignition interlock system
2670 5,065,072 Power supply circuit for an arc lamp, in particular for a
motor vehicle headlight
2671 5,064,029 Eddy current retarder
2672 5,064,022
Ladder apparatus and method for large mobile
equipment
2673 5,063,277 Waterproof and dustproof push switch
2674 5,058,428 Process for the determination of unbalance
2675 5,058,044 Automated maintenance checking system
2676 5,056,621 Fluid transfer apparatus and method
2677 5,056,484 Regulating device for adjusting a regulating member
2678 5,055,656
Battery heating system using instantaneous excess
capacity of a vehicle electrical power generating subsystem
2679 5,054,119 Anti-theft system for a radio receiver used particularly
in a motor vehicle
2680 5,053,677 Parking lamp operating system
2681 5,052,198 Battery lock and hold-down device
2682 5,051,921 Method and apparatus for detecting liquid composition
and actual liquid level
2683 5,051,068 Compressors for vehicle tires
2684 5,050,548 Diesel engine shut-down device
2685 5,049,867 Vehicle security apparatus
2686 5,049,802 Charging system for a vehicle
2687 5,046,449 Vehicle spray apparatus
2688 5,045,838
Method and system for protecting automotive
appliances against theft
2689 5,045,835 Apparatus and method for determining the existence of
an abnormality in a vehicle operator protection system
2690 5,043,700 Multi-input electrical monitor
2691 5,042,520 Protective device for gas pressure vessels
2692 5,041,940
Power transistor control circuit particularly for
switching incandescent lamps
2693 5,040,488 Vehicle interior aquarium
2694 5,039,927 Storage battery and heater combination
2695 5,039,924 Traction motor optimizing system for forklift vehicles
2696 5,038,006 Electrical switch
2697 5,036,938 Disassemblable riding scooter
2698 5,036,821 Fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine
2699 5,036,444 High intensity lamp
2700 5,034,620 Vehicle battery safety switch
2701 5,033,109 Pocket transceiver
2702 5,030,899 Wiper control device
2703 5,029,468
Elements necessary for the excitation and the
monitoring of wheel modules in a system for monitoring the wheels of a
vehicle
2704 5,027,276 Electric power steering device having a fail-safe relay
2705 5,018,799 Anti-lock air brake system for wheeled vehicles
2706 5,014,811 Battery retaining system
2707 5,012,689 Vehicle foot pedal actuator apparatus and method
2708 5,012,070
heating system
Vehicle preheating system using existing vehicle
2709 5,011,437 Battery terminal connector
2710 5,010,454 Portable light assembly for an automobile
2711 5,010,289 Anti-frost system for a windshield of a motor vehicle
2712 5,004,979 Battery tach
2713 5,004,081 Battery restraint system
2714 5,004,061 Electrically powered motor vehicle
2715 5,002,840 Switched emergency battery system
2716 5,002,142 Vehicle steering system
2717 5,001,456 Time and distance measurement apparatus
2718 4,998,091 Animal warning alarm
2719 4,992,836 Device for controlling the electrical supply to a load, in
a "smart" power integrated circuit
2720 4,990,890 Vehicle security system
2721 4,989,565
Speed control apparatus for an internal combustion
engine
2722 4,989,146 Automotive trouble diagnosing system
2723 4,987,522 Illumination device and roof member for a forklift
2724 4,987,402 Alarm system for sensing and vocally warning of an
unauthorized approach towards a protected object or zone
2725 4,986,646 Electric rearview mirror device for a vehicle
2726 4,984,663 Transfer apparatus for 4-wheel driving
2727 4,983,904 Battery charger for vehicle-mounted equipment using
engine operation as start timing determination
2728 4,983,473 Auxiliary power source with charger and integral light
source
2729 4,980,557
Method and apparatus surface ionization particulate
detectors
2730 4,979,774 Dashboard device retraction system
2731 4,976,327
Battery module for the engine compartment of an
automobile
2732 4,972,135 Switching system for battery jumper cables
2733 4,969,834 Jumper cable apparatus
2734 4,968,942 Method for monitoring aircraft battery status
2735 4,967,143 System for diagnosing anomalies or breakdowns in a
plurality of types of electronic control systems installed in motor vehicles
2736 4,966,262 Transmission safety locking lever apparatus
2737 4,964,485 Back-up safety device and method
2738 4,962,523
Radio telephone set used as portable set and
vehicle-mounted set
2739 4,962,462 Fuel cell/battery hybrid system
2740 4,961,151 Fuel cell/battery control system
2741 4,960,996 Rain sensor with reference channel
2742 4,958,084 Self-contained anti-theft device for motor vehicles
2743 4,955,450 Lifting device for motor vehicles
2744 4,952,831 Device for waterproofing around terminal bolt
2745 4,951,632 Exhaust gas component concentration sensing device
and method of detecting failure thereof
2746 4,950,372 Cathodic protection system using carbosil anodes
2747 4,949,186 Vehicle mounted surveillance system
2748 4,948,986 Electrical feeding device of a central unit by at least
one control signal, the said unit being connected with a receiving local
station
2749 4,947,392 Malfunction diagnostic apparatus for vehicle control
system
2750 4,944,343 Apparatus for heating fuel
2751 4,944,158 Method of defrosting a refrigerating circuit for use in
cooling a vehicular chamber
2752 4,943,034 Power jack and method
2753 4,942,806 Vehicular internal air exhausting device
2754
4,941,258
Method
of
electrically
interconnecting
door
components to main power supply in vehicle
2755 4,940,964
Vehicle control and theft deterrent with remote
transmitter
2756 4,940,962 Front mounted vehicle braking indicator
2757 4,940,414 Antitheft car audio set with removable control box
2758 4,937,528 Method for monitoring automotive battery status
2759 4,937,527 Lead assembly for a distributorless ignition interface
2760 4,935,689 Vehicle mounted engine generator system
2761 4,934,957 Automotive battery terminal clamp for a battery jumper
cable
2762 4,933,805 Circuit for controlling inductive loads, particularly for
the operation of the electro-injectors of a diesel-engine
2763 4,933,610 Device for automatically closing a power roof of a
vehicle
2764 4,933,570 Circuit arrangement for triggering a safety system
2765 4,932,896 Cable with a jumper terminal
2766 4,932,829 Articulated motorcycle carrier
2767 4,932,387 Emergency ignition system for motor vehicles
2768 4,931,947
Fuel cell/battery hybrid system having battery
charge-level control
2769 4,930,392 Ballistic stream electrical stunning systems
2770 4,928,053 Control circuit for an inductive load
2771 4,927,316 Cargo space utilization
2772 4,926,953 Battery hold-down structure
2773 4,926,332 Locking device for vehicles
2774 4,925,750 Reserve battery
2775 4,924,827 Diesel engine shut-down device
2776 4,918,425 Monitoring and locating system for an object attached
to a transponder monitored by a base station having an associated ID code
2777 4,914,038 Apparatus and method for avoiding circumvention of
an identity confirming breath tester
2778 4,912,458 Sobriety interlock with service reminder
2779 4,912,447 Transformer with channels in bobbin
2780 4,908,846 Mobile telephone terminal having function to perform
call clear process
2781 4,907,552
Forced air induction system
2782 4,906,969
Method and system for protecting automotive
appliances against theft
2783 4,905,154 Method for compensating for cable length in a vehicle
electronic speed control system
2784 4,904,205 Retractable booster cables
2785 4,902,956 Safety device to prevent excessive battery drain
2786 4,902,955 Portable battery charger
2787 4,902,628
Apparatus and method to deter circumvention of a
breath sobriety test
2788 4,901,058 Sobriety interlock with bypass detection
2789 4,899,554 Refrigerator with plural storage chambers
2790 4,898,140 Devices for eliminating water from diesel oil supplying
a diesel engine
2791 4,897,632 Power door lock interlock circuit
2792 4,897,044 Battery jumper cable
2793 4,896,267 Electronic speed control system for vehicles, a method
of determining the condition of a manual transmission clutch and of a
park/neutral gear in an automatic transmission
2794 4,894,755 Retractable tire change lights for automotive vehicles
2795 4,893,550 Dynamic vent for automobiles
2796 4,892,204 Automatic coupler control system
2797 4,891,796
Icing preventive device for ultrasonic wave
transmitting and receiving unit for vehicle
2798 4,891,270 Pressure release system for electric storage batteries
2799 4,890,231 Method of disabling a resume switch in an electronic
speed control system for vehicles
2800 4,890,037 Apparatus for controlling a vehicle headlamp
2801 4,889,379
Arrangement for supporting and adjusting seats in
vehicles
2802 4,889,098
Air-fuel ratio detecting apparatus for an internal
combustion engine equipped with a heater controller
2803 4,887,007 DC-AC converter for supplying a gas and/or vapour
discharge lamp
2804 4,885,524 Vehicle battery system
2805 4,883,973 Automotive electrical system having a starter/generator
induction machine
2806 4,883,104 Studded tire apparatus
2807 4,878,042 Apparatus for flashing vehicle lights to warn of engine
stall
2808 4,869,688 Battery jumper cable
2809 4,867,282 Vehicle anti-roll back device
2810 4,867,045 Vehicle deodorizer
2811 4,865,059
Headlamp washing device for a motor vehicle
headlamp
2812 4,864,173 Assembly formed by an electromagnetic retarder and
its electric supply means
2813 4,864,154
System for automatically shutting down auxiliary
power devices in a vehicle
2814 4,862,175 Police radar signal band discrimination circuitry for a
police radar warning receiver
2815 4,862,011
Electrical planar cable interconnection between
vehicular door and body
2816 4,861,966 Method and apparatus for electrically heating diesel
fuel utilizing a PTC polymer heating element
2817 4,860,210 Method of determining and using a filtered speed error
in an integrated acceleration based electronic speed control system for
vehicles
2818 4,857,820 Cordless battery charger
2819 4,857,807 Auxiliary light module for vehicles
2820 4,855,891 Power supply design
2821 4,855,736 Electronic parking sensor apparatus
2822 4,854,540 Vehicle battery mounting apparatus
2823 4,852,540 High-efficiency charging and regulating system
2824 4,852,469 Automatic venting system
2825 4,849,892
Method of determining and using an acceleration
correction in an integrated acceleration based electronic speed control
system for vehicles
2826 4,847,563 Distributorless ignition interface
2827 4,847,545 Method and an apparatus for boosting battery
2828 4,846,529 Swivel seat
2829 4,846,135 Device for recovering gasoline vapors
2830 4,845,620 Control arrangement for vehicle memory seat
2831 4,844,029 Heater for starting engine
2832 4,842,108 Power retract electric cord reel
2833 4,839,909 Register access decade counting technique
2834 4,836,323 Vehicular voltage regulating system
2835
4,835,541
Near-isotropic
low-profile
microstrip
radiator
especially suited for use as a mobile vehicle antenna
2836 4,834,446 Packing and storing device for a flexible cover of a
road vehicle
2837 4,831,503 Modular rear deck lighting cluster
2838 4,831,310 Automatic headlight control system
2839 4,830,579 Portable compressor kit with detachable lamp
2840 4,829,223 Vehicle battery charger
2841 4,829,221 Method of controlling a motor-driven clutch
2842 4,828,665 Cathodic protection system using carbosil anodes
2843 4,825,226 Power antenna adapter for replacement antenna
2844 4,825,139 Electric power supply unit, in particular for a motor
vehicle, and an electric rotary machine for such a unit
2845 4,817,767 Hydraulic brake system for automotive vehicles
2846 4,817,418 Failure diagnosis system for vehicle
2847 4,816,804 School bus stop sign control apparatus
2848 4,816,627 Fluid damped acceleration sensor
2849 4,815,786 Combined camper/pickup-truck
2850 4,815,426
Engine heater, small, portable
2851 4,814,753 Attitude detection device
2852 4,812,838 Vehicle seat drive control device
2853 4,810,953
Electronic interface device between a sensor and a
display unit
2854 4,808,897 Apparatus for controlling a seat for vehicles
2855 4,808,058 Battery handling machine
2856 4,807,895 Protected automotive battery access terminals
2857 4,805,954 Driver wheelchair lockdown
2858 4,805,520 Vehicle deodorizer
2859 4,803,626 Universal controller for material distribution device
2860 4,803,459
Electronic multi-purpose warning device for motor
vehicles and motor boats
2861 4,803,417 Vehicle battery discharging indicator
2862 4,802,350 Assembly of a door latch and anti-theft and anti-attack
deactivating device for said latch, and latch which is part of said
assembly
2863 4,802,069 Retractable tire change lights for automotive vehicle
2864 4,801,860 Voltage stabilizer with a minimal voltage drop designed
to withstand high voltage transients
2865 4,800,328 Inductive power coupling with constant voltage output
2866 4,799,573 Adjustable personnel platform
2867 4,798,968 Battery disconnect apparatus
2868 4,795,358 Motion actuated connector apparatus
2869 4,794,058 Reserve battery
2870 4,793,175
Humidity sensor, sensor material, method of
manufacture and humidity sensing system, especially for automotive use
2871 4,791,420 Radar detector/security device for automobiles
2872 4,790,713 Articulated motorcycle carrier
2873 4,790,593
Protective support assembly for an occupant of a
vehicle
2874 4,790,276 Idling revolution control device for internal combustion
engine
2875 4,789,946 System for measuring the level of filling
2876 4,789,904 Vehicle mounted surveillance and videotaping system
2877 4,789,851 Power door lock interlock circuit
2878 4,787,163 Vehicle mounted sign
2879 4,785,658 Method and apparatus for sensing hydrocarbon gases
2880 4,785,227 Mobile emergency medical vehicle
2881 4,783,619 Method and apparatus for maintaining auto voltage
2882 4,783,089 Air spring control system and method
2883 4,781,267 Passive restraint control system
2884 4,780,705 Overfill sensing system
2885 4,780,189
Electronic control circuit for a cathodic protection
system
2886 4,779,700 Passive seat belt arrangement for a vehicle
2887 4,778,200 Emergency safety device for automatic seat belt system
2888 4,777,377 Vehicle anti-theft system
2889 4,776,766 Portable air pump assembly and detechable safety lamp
for automotive vehicle
2890 4,773,494 Hydraulically drive wheelchair
2891 4,769,586 Battery jumper cable apparatus
2892 4,766,413 School bus stop sign control apparatus
2893 4,763,109 Acoustical vehicle horn with improved vent
2894 4,762,511 Toy crash vehicle with skewable front wheels
2895 4,761,718 Signal light for automotive vehicle
2896 4,758,959 Vehicle navigation system provided with an adaptive
inertial navigation system based on the measurement of the speed and
lateral acceleration of the vehicle and provided with a correction unit for
correcting the measured values
2897 4,758,735 DC touch control switch circuit
2898 4,757,542 Speech synthesizer method and apparatus
2899 4,757,301 Light prewarning system for diesel vehicles
2900 4,757,249 Vehicle dual electrical system
2901 4,755,791 Corner pole device for vehicles
2902 4,754,730 Motor vehicle starting system
2903 4,754,154 Electric generator for vehicles
2904 4,751,978 Electric assist steering system with alternator power
source
2905 4,750,215 Police radar signal detection circuitry for a police radar
warning receiver
2906 4,747,455 High impact device and method
2907 4,745,390 Four-wheel drive engagement detector
2908 4,742,988
Electrical apparatus including solenoid device and
energization control circuit therefor
2909 4,742,326 Disc brake assembly having an electrical lining wear
indicator
2910 4,741,575 Pneumatically actuated dumping bin
2911 4,741,417 Apparatus and method for bleeding a hydraulic brake
system
2912 4,741,185 Vehicular tape deck locking and lock-state indicating
arrangement
2913 4,740,775 Automobile burglar alarm
2914 4,740,178 Battery terminal connection apparatus
2915 4,739,245 Overvoltage alarm circuit for vehicle generator with
false actuator prevention
2916 4,738,906 Storage battery heating and heat maintenance apparatus
2917 4,734,831 Visor with concealed removable vanity mirror
2918 4,733,159 Charge pump voltage regulator
2919 4,733,145
Drive control system for vehicle mounted, electrically
driven devices
2920 4,730,135 Vehicular-type alternator with contamination-protected
slip rings
2921 4,727,620 Retractable carrying handle for a storage battery
2922 4,726,786 Direct current battery connector
2923 4,726,002 Dashboard clock
2924 4,723,107 Hydraulic lifting mechanism
2925 4,721,479 Safety jumper cables
2926 4,717,906 Electric horn with improved pole piece and adjusting
cap
2927 4,717,905
Warning system including means for remotely
energizing condition sensing device
2928 4,710,745 Vehicle warning system
2929 4,709,960 Reclinable children's chair
2930 4,709,855 Recirculating heating system
2931 4,702,620
Methods of and apparatus for testing internal
combustion engines by monitoring the cooling systems thereof
2932 4,702,511 Tailgate closure mechanism
2933 4,702,083 Control system and method for controllable output type
hydraulic fluid pump of automatic transmission providing decreased
pump output in association with the engine starting condition
2934 4,700,973
Trigger system for a vehicular passenger restraint
system
2935 4,700,961 Protected automotive battery access terminals
2936 4,700,801 Vehicle antitheft device
2937 4,697,853 Pressure-medium braking system for vehicles
2938 4,697,360 Ski boot with self-powered ski boot control devices
2939 4,696,508 Device holding seat in raised position
2940 4,696,334 Deflating device for pneumatic tires of vehicles
2941 4,694,809
Method and system for internal combustion engine
oxygen sensor heating control with time smoothing
2942 4,694,687 Vehicle performance analyzer
2943 4,693,693 Toy crash vehicle
2944 4,692,882 Apparatus for recording the speed of a vehicle
2945 4,692,590
Aroma-generating automobile cigarette lighter
2946 4,691,157 Battery charging apparatus
2947 4,690,118 Device for continuous fuel injection
2948 4,688,825 Seat belt retractor mechanism
2949 4,687,956 Liquid crystal element driving apparatus
2950 4,686,855 Inflation pressure indicator for vehicle tires
2951 4,686,353 Aroma-generating automobile cigarette lighter
2952 4,683,780 Saw chain sharpener
2953 4,683,462
Device for protecting audio equipment in vehicle
against theft
2954 4,682,097 Charging system for an automotive engine
2955 4,679,648 Alarm device for automobiles and similar vehicles
2956 4,678,906
Device for transmitting through an optical coupling
data issuing from a steering wheel to an element mounted on a vehicle
2957 4,677,263 Air spring position switch
2958 4,673,937
Automotive collision avoidance and/or air bag
deployment radar
2959 4,673,914
Keyless automobile door lock/unlock, ignition
switching and burglar alarm system
2960 4,673,912
Vehicle-mounted triggering device and method of
preventing false malfunction alarms in such a triggering device
2961 4,673,862 Method of recharging a rechargeable battery
2962 4,673,776 Locking switch for automobile electrical systems and
the like
2963 4,672,296
Mobile emergency medical vehicle with auxiliary
engine/generator providing AC/DC output
2964 4,671,524 Drive motor, which is supplied by an energy source, for
disk-shaped or wheel-shaped members with a control mechanism
2965 4,671,386 Lubricating apparatus
2966 4,671,004 Vehicle mounted portable sign
2967 4,668,874 Method and apparatus for disabling a starter
2968 4,667,932 Electrohydraulic jack
2969 4,667,767
Four wheel drive system including disengagement
means
2970 4,667,141 Coin or token operated portable car starter
2971 4,667,129 Method and device for automatically switching on and
off the headlights of a motor vehicle
2972 4,664,584 Rotary wheelchair lift
2973 4,662,095 Roof mounted foldable sign
2974 4,661,759 Nickel-oxygen monitor cell system
2975 4,659,977
Microcomputer controlled electronic alternator for
vehicles
2976 4,658,732
Pneumatic propulsion system for freight and/or
passenger vehicles
2977 4,655,182
Method and system for internal combustion engine
oxygen sensor heating control which provide maximum sensor heating
after cold engine starting
2978 4,653,833 Retractable booster cable device
2979 4,652,247 Amphibious self-powered toy vehicle with integrated
four-wheel and steering-water-jet drive
2980 4,651,838 Air spring control system and method
2981 4,650,962
Cigar or cigarette lighter, particularly for motor
vehicles
2982 4,650,274 Weld-on nut for grounding terminal
2983 4,649,286 Power supply circuit for vehicle
2984 4,647,139
Extention cord charging device for connecting tools
and appliances to plug receptacle in vehicle
2985 4,644,179 Electronically controlled electromagnetic safety battery
cut-out for transport of dangerous or other materials
2986 4,642,976 Lawn mower trimmer and edger attachment
2987 4,641,722 Control circuit to inhibit harmful transmission shifting
2988 4,638,174 Switching device for lighting the interior of a motor
vehicle
2989 4,637,965 Anticorrosion battery terminal
2990 4,637,359 Electronic detection device for motorized vehicles
2991 4,635,166 Chemical emergency light
2992 4,629,169
Hydropneumatic oleopneumatic vehicle suspension
element
2993 4,627,407
Ignition coil for multi-cylinder internal combustion
engine
2994 4,626,696 Flywheel propulsion system for automotive vehicles or
the like
2995 4,626,020 Retractable vehicle backlight apparatus
2996 4,623,160 Extensible step assembly for vehicles
2997 4,620,736 Adaptor plate for vehicle bumper
2998 4,617,626 Charge control microcomputer device for vehicles
2999 4,617,506 Battery charging apparatus and methods
3000 4,613,822 Variable high-current electrical load bank with rapid
adjustment over a wide range of currents
3001 4,613,550 Venting system for electric storage batteries
3002 4,612,492
controlled device
Constant voltage power circuit for a remotely
3003 4,611,562
Method and system for internal combustion engine
oxygen sensor heating control which provide sensor heating limited for
reliable operation
3004 4,611,461 Olive picker with speed control and selected picker
dimensions
3005 4,607,336 Change control microcomputer device for vehicle
3006 4,607,312 Radio control security system for automobile doors,
trunk and hood locks and engine power
3007 4,606,307 Automatic starting system
3008 4,606,073 Assistance summoning system
3009 4,599,985
Ignition coil for multi-cylinder internal combustion
engine
3010 4,598,192 Electrically heated handle for fishing rods
3011 4,595,842 Protection device for electronic components in vehicles
3012 4,593,544 Central locking system with two-door control for motor
vehicles
3013 4,592,443 Sobriety interlock
3014 4,591,823 Traffic speed surveillance system
3015 4,591,692 Battery warmer
3016 4,591,202 Front assembly for motor vehicles
3017 4,588,386 Toy crash vehicle
3018 4,585,712
Battery comprising high temperature rechargeable
electrochemical cells and support means
3019 4,581,988 Protective device for work in polluted environment
3020 4,581,504 Circuit breaker cable and battery post switch
3021 4,575,673 Solid state electronic switch for motor vehicles
3022 4,574,181 Aroma-generating automobile cigarette lighter
3023 4,568,131 Modulator for hydraulic brakes
3024 4,566,555 Vehicle control safety system
3025 4,564,798 Battery performance control
3026 4,563,991
Engine air/fuel ratio control method and system
selectively providing feedback control or open loop control according to
oxygen sensor heating condition
3027 4,561,402
Method and system for internal combustion engine
oxygen sensor heating control, synchronizing heater voltage detection
with heater energization, and calculating power loss
3028 4,559,517 Warning system for school buses
3029 4,559,455 Accessory carrying type starting motor
3030 4,558,281 Battery state of charge evaluator
3031 4,555,657 Voltage regulator for alternator of vehicle
3032 4,555,656 Generator and rechargeable battery system for pedal
powered vehicles
3033 4,550,988 Side rear view mirror cleaning system
3034 4,547,718 Vehicle seat positioning system with entry-facilitating
feature
3035 4,547,166 Amphibious self-powered miniature car with unusual
climbing capability
3036 4,546,903 Portable car wash unit
3037 4,544,385 Air dryer device for compressed air system of vehicle
3038 4,543,521 Charge control microcomputer device for vehicle
3039 4,542,462 Device for controlling a vehicle charging system
3040 4,542,450 Electrical converter including gain enhancing means
for low gain transistors
3041 4,542,335 Electronic control circuit systems analyzer
3042 4,538,697 Vibration-absorbing system for an automotive vehicle
3043 4,538,036 Electrical switching apparatus
3044 4,537,049 Control circuit for locking mechanism of vehicle door
3045 4,535,334 Apparatus for visually indicating the travel route of an
automotive vehicle
3046 4,534,577 Remotely adjustable steering compensator
3047 4,534,169 Power transmission system
3048 4,533,030 Clutch actuating system
3049 4,533,016 Antitheft ignition system and solenoid apparatus for use
therewith
3050 4,531,398 Calibration system for gas analyzers
3051 4,531,379 Auxiliary power system for vehicle air conditioner and
heater
3052 4,527,519 Method and system for controlling intake flow between
direct and helical intake passages of intake port of internal combustion
engine
3053 4,523,743 Automatic pneumatic hydraulic jack
3054 4,521,034
Lockable moving belt anchor for passive vehicle
occupant restraint belt systems
3055 4,514,712 Ignition coil
3056 4,514,694 Quiescent battery testing method and apparatus
3057 4,511,973 Navigator for vehicles
3058 4,511,831 Speed control of a D.C. electric motor
3059 4,511,792 Voltage control circuit for protecting glow plug from
overheating
3060 4,509,623 Retarder equipment for vehicles
3061 4,505,344 Multi-axle vehicle
3062 4,504,820 Flasher unit
3063 4,502,710
Lockable moving belt anchor for passive vehicle
occupant restraint belt systems
3064 4,500,977 Method and apparatus for measuring a distance using
ultrasonic echo signals, particularly for use on a motor vehicle
3065 4,497,395
Anti creep vehicle braking system allowing further
additional braking action application
3066 4,497,291 Full economizer for vehicles
3067 4,496,896 Vehicle battery charging apparatus
3068 4,495,931 Engine ignition system
3069 4,494,184 Process and device for servo-control
3070 4,494,106 Pressure monitor
3071 4,493,298
Glow plug quick heating control device
3072 4,493,001 Motor vehicle battery rundown protection system
3073 4,491,768 Pulse width modulation inverter with battery charger
3074 4,489,294 Starter solenoid terminal cover
3075 4,489,242 Stored power system for vehicle accessories
3076 4,489,223 Battery jump cable apparatus
3077 4,488,147 Battery jumper cable system
3078 4,487,446 Combined bumper and air storage system
3079 4,486,516
Low silhouette venting system for electric storage
battery
3080 4,484,760 Remote control hitch
3081 4,478,322 Lockup clutch control system
3082 4,476,530 Microcomputer electronic control system for automatic
transmission of motor vehicle
3083 4,474,862 Heat rechargeable iron battery system
3084 4,469,952 Adapter for diesel-engine-timing meter
3085 4,467,426 Air lumbar support
3086 4,466,521 Electric control system for automobile transmission
3087 4,463,787 Electric log splitter
3088 4,462,648 Apparatus for providing a reliable electrical connection
3089 4,462,217 Process and apparatus for the control of a volume of
fluid moving through a duct system
3090 4,461,249 Method and apparatus of starting a cold engine
3091 4,460,056 Engine-driven auxiliary system for a motor vehicle
3092 4,458,194
Method and apparatus for pulse width modulation
control of an AC induction motor
3093 4,458,156 Flywheel propulsion system for automotive vehicles or
the like
3094 4,454,851 Device for economically preheating fuel by recovering
energy from the fuel itself
3095 4,450,545 Voice responsive door lock system for a motor vehicle
3096 4,449,385
Electro-mechanical anti-theft device for automobile
vehicles
3097 4,449,162 Drive circuit
3098 4,448,469 Battery securing device
3099 4,447,767 SCR Motor speed control
3100 4,445,603
Safety circuit for an electronic throttle control of
internal combustion engines
3101 4,445,469 Engine heater
3102 4,444,856 Battery for vehicle
3103 4,442,780 Clipboard and shield
3104 4,441,476 Charge air cooling system
3105 4,437,622 Wire roller
3106 4,435,486
Quick disconnect battery installation and charging
system
3107 4,431,931 Motor-vehicle alternator having a rotary inductor
3108 4,430,638 Automobile safety light
3109 4,427,967 Electronic signaling device
3110 4,425,834 Munitions dispenser
3111 4,424,477 Apparatus for preventing a vehicle battery from being
overdischarged
3112 4,424,464 Combination DC/AC generator for automotive vehicles
3113 4,424,452 Fluid-driven power generator
3114 4,423,378 Automotive battery test apparatus
3115 4,422,619 Remote valve operating system
3116 4,420,212 Polarity indicating battery booster cable assembly
3117 4,417,152 Electric switching device
3118 4,413,234 Battery-operated condition monitor
3119 4,413,174 Glow plug duty cycle modulating apparatus
3120 4,411,448 Passive type vehicle occupant restraint belt system with
electrical braking
3121 4,411,240
Method and apparatus for the prevention of low
temperature diesel engine failure
3122 4,410,775 Snap-action battery cable switch
3123 4,409,525 Vehicle
3124 4,407,398 Drive unit
3125 4,405,891 Control system for electric powered vehicle
3126 4,403,671 Front axle bearing block
3127 4,399,200
Device for controlling a pump in a storage battery
3128 4,398,526 Plasma ignition system for internal combustion engine
3129 4,398,081
Stand-by heating/power supply system for a motor
vehicle
3130 4,392,746 Portable photometer
3131 4,391,320
Method and an apparatus for air conditioning for
vehicles by controlling circulation of inside air and introduction of
outside air
3132 4,391,262 Ignition system for an internal combustion engine
3133 4,390,759 Tilt-sensitive ignition switch
3134 4,390,749 Noise control system for FM radio
3135 4,390,049 Apparatus for reciprocating liquid in a cooling system
of an internal combustion engine
3136 4,389,563 Taximeter system for avoiding operator fraud in the
computation and display of trip fares
3137 4,388,977 Electric drive mechanism for vehicles
3138 4,387,670
Cooling systems for internal combustion engine
comprising a radiator equipped with an expansion-tank
3139 4,384,512 Beverage heater and cooler
3140 4,382,431
Circuit for decreasing oscillatoins in the primary
winding of an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine
3141 4,381,483 Change system for vehicle battery with relay actuated
charge indicator
3142 4,380,970 Combustion engines
3143 4,379,989 System for preventing damage to a battery charger due
to application of a battery with wrong polarity
3144 4,379,443 Intake manifold mounted air and fuel mixture heater
3145 4,378,087 Apparatus for and a method of air conditioning vehicles
by controlling circulation of inside air and introduction of outside air
3146 4,378,034 Method of cleaning, and filling liquid accommodating
apparatus
3147 4,376,809 Sodium sulphur batteries and cell modules therefor
3148 4,376,261 Two-pulse brushless d.c. motor
3149 4,374,347 Brushless d-c motor system
3150 4,373,149 Pulse-controlled electric window raiser
3151 4,367,699 Boiling liquid engine cooling system
3152 4,366,430 Battery booster cable assembly
3153 4,365,233 Direction indicator systems for vehicles
3154 4,364,370 Method and apparatus for supplying fluid to an internal
combustion engine
3155 4,363,524 Braking system with anti-lock circuit
3156 4,363,304 Engine ignition system with anti-knock timing shift
3157 4,362,016 Pollution control device for automobile exhaust
3158 4,360,941 Electrically heated windshield wiper assembly
3159 4,360,772 Generator voltage regulator
3160 4,360,753 Motor having concentric ring rotor
3161 4,360,307 Device for vertical and/or horizontal transport of loads
into and out of a vehicle or the like
3162 4,359,073 Mobile station for distributing beverages
3163 4,358,947
Method and apparatus for volumetric calibration of
liquid flow sensor output signals
3164 4,357,790 Method and apparatus for picking olives or other fruits
3165 4,357,594 Vehicular hazard warning system
3166 4,357,525 Glow plug duty cycle modulating apparatus
3167 4,355,504
Apparatus for reducing particles discharged by
combustion means
3168 4,355,296
Electric vehicle performance sensor and shift point
indicator
3169 4,354,791 Wheelchair construction
3170 4,354,726
Battery terminal connector with an uneven interior
surface
3171 4,353,968 Battery water-filling systems and check valves therefor
3172 4,353,177 Control for snowplow blade
3173 4,351,405 Hybrid car with electric and heat engine
3174 4,351,309
Safety gap for an ignition system in an internal
combustion engine
3175 4,350,746 Auxiliary power source for starting a motor vehicle
3176 4,347,497
3177 4,347,472
A.C. Operated signalling device for mopeds
Apparatus and method for charging a battery in a
vehicle
3178 4,346,686 Idle controller for an internal combustion engine
3179 4,346,335 Speed control of a D.C. electric motor
3180 4,345,557 Idle speed control method and system for an internal
combustion engine of an automobile vehicle
3181 4,344,588 Seat belt retractor assembly with post emergency spool
release
3182 4,342,533
Reciprocal method and apparatus for transferring
vehicle batteries
3183 4,341,967 Charging generator for vehicle
3184 4,338,784 Method of recycling collected exhaust particles
3185 4,337,907 Seat belt retractor with electrical switch
3186 4,337,389 Glow plug control device for diesel engines
3187 4,334,974
Electrochemical oxygen sensor, particularly for use
with exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, and especially for
polarographic application
3188 4,334,819 Battery charging system
3189 4,333,430 Engine brake
3190 4,331,911 Method of equalizing the voltages of the individual
cells of storage batteries
3191 4,331,109 Preheating device for starting an internal combustion
engine of the diesel type or the like
3192 4,330,742
Circuitry for recovering electrical energy with an
electric vehicle DC propulsion motor when braking
3193 4,330,716 Automatic vehicle headlight control system
3194 4,329,951 Fuel injection system
3195 4,328,451 Device for controlling the electric drive motor of a
window raiser in particular in an automobile vehicle
3196 4,327,809 Battery tray
3197 4,327,316
Battery recharging solar cell arrangement for an
automotive vehicle
3198 4,325,107 Rechargeable flashlight
3199 4,325,010 Battery state of charge indicator device
3200 4,325,007 Hazard warning circuit
3201 4,322,787 Closed loop low voltage up-converter
3202 4,321,646 Voltage disconnect and supplemental heater device
3203 4,321,522 Vehicle starting method
3204 4,321,438 Safety switch for vehicle electrical system
3205 4,320,383 Fault detector for vehicle brake lights
3206 4,319,230 Radio alarm system
3207 4,319,220
Alarm system for monitoring pressurized vehicular
tires
3208 4,319,179 Voltage regulator circuitry having low quiescent current
drain and high line voltage withstanding capability
3209 4,318,657
Vehicle for loading and transporting heavyweight
objects in particular automotive vehicles
3210 4,318,288 Steering column lock
3211 4,317,165 Inverter having improved efficiency and regulation
3212 4,316,360 Apparatus for recycling collected exhaust particles
3213 4,316,095 Engine starting apparatus
3214 4,315,217 Battery analyzer for electric golf carts
3215 4,314,767 Dispenser of hot beverages prepared from water soluble
extracts
3216 RE30,858 Ignition systems for internal combustion engines
3217 4,313,080
batteries
Method of charge control for vehicle hybrid drive
3218 4,312,307 Glow plug duty cycle modulating apparatus
3219 4,310,817 Automatic circuit breaking accessory for an electric
storage battery
3220 4,309,644 Electric vehicle controller adapted for charge station
connection
3221 4,309,622 Portable electric automotive engine cranking unit
3222 4,308,994 Energy saving circulating system for vehicle heaters
3223 4,308,492 Method of charging a vehicle battery
3224 4,307,789
Installation for controlling openable panels of an
automobile vehicle
3225 4,306,126 Battery cable switch
3226 4,305,360 Engine automatic idle speed control apparatus
3227 4,304,096
Method for reducing particulates discharged by
combustion means
3228 4,303,051 Fuel economizer
3229 4,301,390 Automatic headlight switch
3230 4,300,117 Alarm device for an odometer
3231 4,299,526 Battery changing apparatus
3232 4,295,052 Circuit for motor vehicles
3233 4,293,759 Electric heating system for heating the interior of a
motor vehicle prior to starting
3234 4,292,840 Fuel consumption efficiency gauge
3235 4,292,483 Ignition switch with starter lockout
3236 4,291,302 Lamp monitoring circuits
3237 4,289,346 Collapsible protective cover mechanism
3238 4,289,226 Electric vehicle battery recharging station
3239 4,289,176 Battery filler
3240 4,286,126 Ignition switch
3241 4,284,885 Optical potentiometer
3242 4,282,957 Sub-transmission control system for providing engine
braking
3243 4,282,475 Automotive charger system
3244 4,280,748 Fusible terminal
3245 4,279,230 Fuel control systems for internal combustion engines
3246 4,276,914 Cleaning apparatus and method
3247 4,275,618
Control device for motor road vehicle automatic
change-speed transmission mechanism
3248 4,274,409 Dispensing of fluent materials
3249 4,273,260 Dispensing of fluent materials
3250 4,272,716 Device for simulating the operation of an accumulator
battery, in particular a traction battery for an electric vehicle
3251 4,267,668 Power window lift assembly
3252 4,267,547 Theft prevention apparatus for vehicles
3253 4,266,189 Current measuring apparatus and method
3254 4,263,909 Dispensing of fluent materials
3255 4,263,488 Pneumatic spring including an electric switch
3256 4,262,769 Universal command signal producing means
3257 4,262,279 Alarm system for use in a vehicle and method
3258 4,261,817 Sieving
3259 4,261,634 Booster cable adapter
3260 4,261,614 Telescoping camper
3261 4,259,939 Four lead monolithic Darlingtons
3262 4,259,622 Circuit arrangement for driving and for independent
recuperation braking of a vehicle
3263 4,258,819 Vehicular brake system
3264
4,258,816
Installation
for
the
accommodation
of
an
interchangeable energy-storage device in a motor vehicle
3265 4,258,352 Control device for vehicle locks
3266 4,258,306 State of battery charge indicator circuit
3267 4,258,305 Emergency battery charger device
3268 4,256,992 Electric device for starting and feeding a metal vapor
discharge lamp provided with a preheatable electrode
3269 4,256,060 Manifold hydrogen generator units for automotive I.C.
engines
3270 4,255,645 Electric cigarette-lighter device
3271 4,253,442 Ignition system with improved temperature and voltage
compensation
3272 4,252,547 Gas cleaning unit
3273 4,246,519 D.C. Motor control for an electrically powered vehicle
3274 4,244,335
Control of vehicle engine fuel feed by electro-stress
means
3275 4,244,122 Modified power unit for snow plows
3276 4,232,755 Electric motor vehicle
3277 4,232,288 Vehicle alarm
3278 4,231,598 Latch assembly
3279 RE30,418
Opto-electronic ignition systems for internal
combustion engines
3280 4,223,298 Anti-theft and alarm device for a vehicle
3281 4,222,615 Low voltage inhibit for adaptive braking system
3282 4,221,420 Car and boat trailer
3283 4,220,907 Electromagnetic power generator
3284 4,218,763 Electronic alarm signaling system
3285 4,218,717 Electric control system for motor vehicle
3286 4,217,872
Multiple spark ignition system for an internal
combustion engine
3287 4,215,306 Electrical testing apparatus
3288 4,214,324 Human waste storage and disposal systems for railroads
or the like
3289 4,214,308 Closed loop sensor condition detector
3290 4,213,432 Device for vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon fuel
3291 4,213,180 Closed loop sensor condition detector
3292 4,209,709 Anti-theft ignition system
3293 4,209,196 Sun roof for cars
3294 4,207,611
Apparatus and method for calibrated testing of a
vehicle electrical system
3295 4,207,511 Circuit for constant voltage power source
3296 4,206,635 Injection timing nozzle with poppet valve
3297 4,206,409 Motor vehicle communication apparatus
3298 4,205,376 Method and apparatus for initializing vehicle-mounted
computers
3299 4,204,203 Level indicator
3300 4,203,098 Device for preventing dozing while driving a car
3301 4,201,342
Mobile refractory apparatus for repairing interior
furnace walls
3302 4,200,080 Automatic starting system
3303 4,198,945 Internal combustion engine starter disconnect system
3304 4,195,551
Hydraulic control valve including electromagnetic
detent
3305 4,194,603 Trolley rail and flying pickup
3306 4,193,026 Method and apparatus for measuring the state of charge
of a battery by monitoring reductions in voltage
3307 4,192,269 Device for vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon fuel
3308 4,190,130 Dual steering system for off-highway vehicles
3309 4,188,931 Automotive self-starting device
3310 4,188,926 Automotive internal combustion engine servo control
system, particularly for automatic speed control arrangement
3311 4,188,621 Alarm system
3312 4,188,598 Electrical filter
3313 4,188,527 Automotive electric quick heat system
3314 4,185,868 Electrically operated hatch roofs
3315 4,185,849 Retractable step for motor vehicle
3316 4,183,341 Remotely controlled starting system for model engines
3317 4,182,990 Radar receiver and method of indicating range to a
radar source
3318 4,182,499 Macerator pump
3319 4,181,112 High-voltage ignition system to generate a spark for an
internal combustion engine, and method to generate the spark energy
3320 4,180,796 Vehicular burglar alarm system
3321 4,179,649
Voltage supply apparatus powered from a vehicular
electrical system
3322 4,177,770 Compensation of sensor voltage for reference potential
variation
3323 4,177,530 Buoy system for vertical ocean profiling
3324 4,177,420 Major and minor short leakage detector
3325 4,176,609 Electric transportation system
3326 4,176,284 Automotive battery power circuit breaker
3327 4,174,873 Electrical connector for a vehicle
3328 4,171,730 Electric motor vehicle
3329 4,170,752 System for determining and calculating the work done
by a mobile electrical machine at an energy supply station
3330 4,170,153 Hydromechanical transmission
3331 4,167,170
Turn-off protected ignition system for internal
combustion engines
3332 4,166,431 Reservoirs for liquids
3333 4,164,780 Apparatus for a removable lamp
3334 4,164,690 Compact miniature fan
3335 4,158,874 Safety interlock system
3336 4,158,802
Rechargeable battery powered electric car and
recharging station therefor
3337 4,158,483 Remote controlled rearview mirror
3338 4,155,276 High-ratio speed-reduction transmission
3339 4,153,869 Dual voltage network electrical power supply system,
particularly for automotive vehicles
3340 4,151,507 Vehicle alarm system
3341 4,150,569 Level indicator for liquid contained in a reservoir
3342 4,150,356 Indication apparatus
3343 4,150,267 Master electric switch
3344 4,149,733 Fuel tanks and bumper for loader
3345 4,146,933 Conditioned-air suit and system
3346 4,146,825 Electric battery powered vehicle
3347 4,146,282 Vehicle battery accessory device
3348 4,146,001 Angular position transducers for use in engine timing
controls
3349 4,143,313 Automotive voltage regulator to control voltge supply
to an on-board vehicle network
3350 4,142,135 Fork lift truck with balance weight using batteries as
power source
3351 4,141,242 Apparatus for dynamically timing a diesel engine
3352 4,140,970 Apparatus for controlling an odometer and speedometer
system of a vehicle
3353 4,138,023 Vehicle wheelchair lift
3354 4,136,389 Fuel consumption rate indicating system for a vehicle
3355 4,136,381 DC Trouble lamp
3356 4,131,100 Multiple spark discharge circuitry
3357 4,130,298
automotive vehicle
Occupant restraint and protection system for an
3358 4,128,801
Voltage regulator structure for automotive-type
generators
3359 4,127,803
Charging circuit for an auxiliary battery on an
electrically-propelled vehicle
3360 4,122,814
Opto-electronic ignition systems for internal
combustion engines
3361 4,121,376 Propeller driven toy
3362 4,120,411 Portable battery cart
3363 4,120,373 Vehicle speed control system with dual interrupt safety
circuit
3364 4,118,907
Lifting equipment having telescopic boom with
automatic extension limiting
3365 4,117,903 Vehicle speed control system
3366 4,117,807
Fuel injection cut off means for over temperature
protection of exhaust treatment device
3367 4,117,450
Device for automatic signalling of an automotive
vehicle damaged by collision
3368 4,116,183 Fuel atomizing unit with oven chamber
3369 4,115,723 Control circuit for vehicle compartment light
3370 4,112,890 Controlled ignition system for an internal combustion
engine to provide, selectively, one or more ignition pulses for any ignition
event
3371 4,110,718 Magnetic structure, particularly permanent magnet for
motor fields, and method
3372 4,110,629
Indoor automobile starting system
3373 4,107,962 Auto anti-theft device
3374 4,105,928
Sequential control circuit capable of sequencing
through a number of stable states in a predetermined order
3375 4,105,158 Preheating and warming apparatus for use with vehicles
3376 4,099,510 Ignition coil for internal combustion engine
3377 4,099,158 Electronic burglar alarm for vehicles
3378 4,096,624 Method of making a variable reluctance A.C. electrical
generator
3379 4,096,470
Alternating lamp flashing system with lamp failure
indicator
3380 4,095,208 Intermittently operable electrical switch assembly
3381 4,092,506 Theft prevention switch device
3382 4,091,848 Safety warning system for an LP gas transport vehicle
3383 4,091,250 Electro-mechanical liquid level sensor
3384 4,088,949 Batteryless ohmmeter
3385 4,088,882 Fluorescent bike lamp
3386 4,088,398
Device for the simultaneous control of the
driving-mirrors of an automobile vehicle
3387 4,087,895 Device for rapidly exchanging an accumulator battery
on an electric vehicle
3388 4,087,776 Accelerator switch assembly
3389 4,086,564 Electronic alarm circuitry
3390 4,081,725 Lift truck control providing time delay in operation of
directional contactor
3391 4,079,317 Safeguard sentry
3392 4,079,304 Battery jumper system for vehicles
3393 4,078,798 Toy vehicle
3394 4,077,642 Movable bed trailer
3395 4,077,485 Vehicle battery mounting apparatus
3396 4,075,998 Electrical on-off-starting operation control system for
engines requiring pre-heat time, such as automotive Diesel engines
3397 4,075,470 Emergency lamp
3398 4,075,368 Battery terminal construction
3399 4,074,785 Battery enclosure
3400 4,072,091 Portable electric heating device for popping corn
3401 4,070,901 Speedometer and ratio testing apparatus
3402 4,066,968 Method and apparatus for providing a periodic control
signal, especially for controlling the ignition of an internal combustion
engine
3403 4,064,413 Relay adapter circuit for trailer lamps
3404 4,062,155 Spark plug cleaner
3405 4,061,956 Electronic DC battery charger
3406 4,061,839
Warning device for indicating critical condition of
starter batteries in vehicles
3407 4,058,182 Electrically driven vehicle, especially passenger motor
vehicle
3408 4,055,845 Antenna erecting system
3409 4,055,260 Battery extractor for vehicles
3410 4,054,352
Electrical power take-off unit for cigarette lighter
socket of vehicle
3411 4,053,869 Burglar alarm system
3412 4,053,683 System for fuel supplementation
3413 4,050,502
Method for continuously casting a strip of alloyed
metal
3414 4,049,998 Control circuit for an electrically driven vehicle
3415 4,048,911 Air supply apparatus
3416 4,048,662 Device for avoiding accidents when closing a movable
panel, for example the panel of an electrically controlled sliding roof
3417 4,047,267 Device in connection with locks for safety belts
3418 4,047,018 Lamp assembly
3419 4,045,769 Lighting systems for vehicles
3420 4,038,955 Automatic choke systems for carburetors
3421 4,037,684 Mobile lift apparatus with electric power system
3422 4,037,194 Current sensing alarm circuit for a motor vehicle
3423 4,034,337 Vehicle alarm apparatus
3424 4,033,733 Air filter gauge
3425 4,033,616
Automotive vehicle door retarding and closing
mechanism
3426 4,033,424 Article hold-down device
3427 4,030,066 Automatic cancellation means for vehicle turn indicator
signals
3428 4,028,616 Battery analyzer
3429 4,025,960
Variable reluctance A.C. electrical generator and
method of making same
3430 4,025,860 Control system for battery hybrid system
3431 4,024,796 Float control electrical circuit for a blade
3432 4,023,029 Distance indicating mirror device
3433 4,020,815 Engine carburetor air intake heater apparatus
3434 4,020,812 Fuel atomizing unit
3435 4,019,486 Motor ignition system with magnetically selectable gas
discharge devices
3436 4,019,171 Safety lighting system
3437 4,017,765 Short circuit protected electronic control system
3438 4,017,724
Apparatus for measuring battery depletion by
monitoring reductions in voltage
3439 4,016,535 Tilt alarm for tractor vehicle or the like
3440 4,013,995 Vehicle burglar alarm
3441 4,012,681 Battery control system for battery operated vehicles
3442 4,010,939 Melting pot apparatus for use in a continuous casting
process
3443 4,010,407 Energy exchanger for an electrical vehicle
3444 4,009,389 Apparatus for the automatic counting of passengers
3445 4,007,402 Three phase full wave rectifier assembly
3446 4,007,315 Battery cell cooling system
3447 4,006,450 Vehicle burglar alarm with interior control switch
3448 4,004,827 Gas bag safety apparatus
3449 4,004,298 Magnetically aligned releasable connector
3450 4,004,273 Engine speed responsive anti-theft device for vehicle
3451 4,004,272 Optical pressure switch
3452 4,004,270 Electronic tire pressure alarm circuitry
3453 4,004,114 Horn switch for motor vehicles steering wheels
3454 4,002,983 Vehicle-emergency call system
3455 4,000,408 Vehicular electrical safety apparatus
3456 4,000,388 Breaker switch for auto battery
3457 3,999,241 Vehicle rear windshield wiper device
3458 3,997,870 Vehicle anti-theft alarm system
3459 3,997,833 Voltage regulator for a magneto AC generator
3460 3,996,579 Battery electrolyte level indicator
3461 3,993,942 Forced commutation chopper having current limit
3462 3,993,362 Anti-jackknifing and skidding control system
3463 3,990,235
Hybrid vehicle with hydrostatic transmission and
hydropneumatic power reserve
3464 3,990,040 Apparatus for transmitting distress signals
3465 3,989,544 Quick disconnect battery
3466 3,989,287
Automotive vehicle door retarding and closing
mechanism
3467 3,989,268 Anti-jack knife system for trailer trucks
3468 3,989,118 Battery support with roll out frame
3469 3,986,119 Emergency communication system
3470 3,986,095
Apparatus for recharging a self-running vehicle for
loading and/or unloading a working machine, employing as a power
source a storage battery
3471 3,984,808 Pneumatic tire trouble indicator with ball/socket switch
3472 3,980,934 Control circuits for electrically driven vehicles
3473 3,980,843 Rotary electric switch in particular for an automobile
vehicle luggage boot
3474 3,979,657
Battery monitor with automatic scale and recycle
prevents
3475 3,978,542 Wiper arm assembly
3476 3,977,908
Indicator in use with a lead storage battery for
indicating the overdischarge of the same and the lowered level of the
electrolyte therein
3477 3,974,660 Power supply for refrigeration units
3478 3,968,666 Auto anti-theft device
3479 3,968,414 Bypass contactor control
3480 3,967,133 Power supply means
3481 3,965,971 Cooling system for semiconductors
3482 3,964,045 Operator alerting device
3483 3,963,987
Method and apparatus for digital calculation of
rotational speed of an internal combustion engine
3484 3,962,677 Safety belt warning system
3485 3,954,010 Visual and electronic battery hydrometer
3486 3,953,831 Alarm system for use with cigarette lighter receptacle
of vehicle
3487 3,953,740 Remote power supply units for vehicles
3488 3,951,144
Motor ignition distribution system with controllable
auxiliary gaps
3489 3,950,726 Low tire pressure alarm system for pneumatic tires
3490 3,950,098 Safe distance visual warning device
3491 3,949,717 Pressure reduction limiter in a combustion engine
3492 3,949,284 Control circuits for electrically driven vehicles
3493 3,949,236 Engine automatic control system for vehicles
3494 3,944,899 Control circuit for electrically driven vehicles
3495 3,944,898 Control circuits for electrically driven vehicles
3496 3,944,249 Inflating device for use with vehicle safety systems
3497 3,943,507 Vehicle back-up alarm
3498 3,943,420 Electric vehicles
3499 3,938,079 Anti-theft device for a vehicle
3500 3,938,020 Charger circuit for accessory battery
3501 3,938,018 Induction charging system
3502 3,935,853 Internal combustion engine cold-start fuel injector
3503 3,934,188 Self-testing battery discharge indicator
3504 3,932,797 Self-testing battery discharge indicator