GB2452491A

GB2452491A - Vehicle battery voltage charge sensing and isolating device

Info

Publication number: GB2452491A
Application number: GB0717156A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Wilkinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-04
Filing date: 2007-09-04
Publication date: 2009-03-11
Also published as: GB0717156D0

Abstract

A battery monitoring device 3 measures the charge status of a battery determining the voltage or current thereof. If the battery charge status goes below a threshold value then the monitoring device will isolate the battery from the remainder of the electrical system to prevent further discharge of said battery. The device may be configured to reconnect the battery to the electrical system when a user attempts to start the vehicle. Said device may be electronic in nature and may be provided with a manually selectable on off switch 4 and may have a adjustable threshold value set via an adjuster 5. The device may be mounted inside the engine or passenger compartments and may be fitted when the vehicle is manufactured or retrofitted.

Description

VEHICLE SAFE START

This invention relates to a device that prevents total discharge of a vehicle battery to ensure the engine will start.

When a vehicle has stopped and the driver leaves equipment such as exterior lights, radio or interior lights on, the battery will over a period of time drain and ultimately the engine will not start due to a flat battery'. This sanario can happen as a result of accidentally leaving the items switched on or misjudging the amount of time the battery can be used with the engine off before encountering difficulty. Due to the nature of some of the equipment (lights) this is often at a time when the driver and passengers are at risk or in a hurry such as late night or early morning. To overcome this problem the present invention proposes a device to attach to the vehicle battery which will monitor the battery charge and cut of supply, by means of an electronic switch, to the car equipment at a prescribed level and retain the minimal charge required to start the vehicle.

The monitoring and control of charge would be through an electronic unit set to activate and cut off power when a pre-determined level of charge remains in the battery.

The device can be activated, monitoring and controlling charge, by use of the on' switch, this will monitor the charge in the battery and once it falls below a prescribed level will prevent the charge passing through to the equipment in the car. The device can then be deactivated, allowing free flow of charge, by using the off' switch, this will mean either you can now start your vehicle after leaving equipment on or alternatively you do not require the charge controlling.

The unit once installed requires neither maintenance nor adjustment and will only require attention if the driver experiences difficulty starting the engine, this would be through the simple flicking to the off position which will enable the vehicle to be started. Once started and the battery has been charged the switch will require setting back to the on' position to continue monitoring the charge.

Included in this would be the option to fit the device as part of the Vehicle set up at point of manufacture As an addition activating the device will also control any loss of charge through faulty equipment in the car.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with the reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows an aerial view of' Vehicle Safe Start' device Figure 2 shows a side view of the' Vehicle Safe Start" device Figure 3 shows an on/off switch that may be fitted inside the vehicle Figure 4 shows a Vehicle Safe Start' device with an alternative digital adjustment In figure 1, a! Vehicle Safe Start' device which is attached to the vehicle battery using the fitting 1 and then attached to the vehicle battery lead using fitting 2 (these would be modified if installed at point of manufacture). The unit comprises of an electronic control unit 3 that has an on/off switch 4 and adjusters 5 to set the reserve charge and control the charge passing through. This unit is then protect from the elements with a water proof casing 6 and has a sealable lid 7. Once closed the connecting wire for the battery 8 will be visible.

The device is fitted with standard battery terminal fittings 1, 2 making it suitable for all vehicles using these fittings without modification (including cars, vans, mini buses, mpv's, 4 x 4,s), however these may be modified to fit any type of vehicle.

In figure 2, a Vehicle Safe Start' device which is closed I showing a water proof seal 2. The wire to the battery 3 is shown with the battery attachment 4.

In figure 3, a switch 1 is shown inside the vehicle which may be wired to the device for ease of use, particularly if installed at point of manufacture, this would enhance the benefit of the unit through activation whilst the driver has the security of being inside the vehicle.

In figure 4, an alternative digital adjustment 1 to set the reserve charge and control the charge passing through to the vehicle equipment.

Claims

Claims 1. A power saving device that prevents the total discharge of a vehicle battery to ensure starting of the engine.
2. A power saving device according to claim one, that will electronically measure the charge in a vehicle battery and activate when the charge drops below a prescribed level.
3. A power saving device according to claim two, that will cut off power from the vehicle battery when power has been drained to the level required to start the vehicle engine.
4. A power saving device according to claim one, that can be activated or deactivated either inside the vehicle or at the connection point of the battery.

5. A power saving device as described in claim 4 that can be fitted in 3 ways, along side the battery with onloff switch on the unit or alongside the battery and wired to an on/off switch inside the vehicle or alongside the battery with an on/off switch both on the unit and inside the vehicle.
5. A power saving device according to claim one, that can be adjusted to suit individual vehicle requirement to retain the power required to start the engine.
6. A power saving device according to claim one, that is suitable for all vehicle types that use the standard battery terminal fittings.
7. A power saving device according to claim one, that may be modified and fitted as part of vehicle assembly at point of manufacture.
8. A power saving device according to claim six, that may have the terminal fittings modified to fit any vehicle.