CA2014314C - Room air cleaner for a vehicle - Google Patents
Room air cleaner for a vehicleInfo
- Publication number
- CA2014314C CA2014314C CA 2014314 CA2014314A CA2014314C CA 2014314 C CA2014314 C CA 2014314C CA 2014314 CA2014314 CA 2014314 CA 2014314 A CA2014314 A CA 2014314A CA 2014314 C CA2014314 C CA 2014314C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- air cleaner
- generator
- power source
- battery
- detection
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Landscapes
- Combined Controls Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
- Filtering Of Dispersed Particles In Gases (AREA)
Abstract
A room air cleaner for an automobile is disclosed. The room air cleaner comprises: a main power source switch through which the electric power is supplied from the battery of the automobile to the main unit of the air cleaner; a pulsation detection unit for detecting the operation of a generator of the automobile; and a control circuit for controlling the main power source switch in response to the output of the pulsation detection unit. The main power source switch is controlled to close when the operation of the generator is detected by the pulsation detection unit, and to open when the operation of the generator is not detected by the pulsation detection unit.
Description
This invention relates to a room air cleaner for a vehicle such as an automobile, and, more particularly, to a room air cleaner for a vehicle which has an automatically operated main power source switch.
This conventional air cleaner for cleaning the air in a room or passenger compartment of an automobile has a main power source switch for switching the main power supply from a battery mounted in the automobile. The user can manually operate the main power source switch as required to switch On or OFF the air cleaner. When the user stops the running of the engine and gets out of the automobile without turning back the main power source switch of the air cleaner from the ON state to the OFF state, however, the battery mounted in the automobile continues to supply power to the air cleaner and finally becomes subjected to overdischarge. An excessive discharge of the battery will result in the engine's failure to restart.
Another type of conventional air cleaner is not provided with a main power source switch. In such an air cleaner, the power is supplied via the accessory power source line connected to the ignition switch of the automobile. Only when the ignition switch is at the "ACC (accessory)" position or at the "ON" position, the air cleaner is energized. When X, f ~
20~3l ~
the ignition switch remains at the "ACC" position for a long time, the above-mentioned problem of overdischarge of the battery arises also from an air cleaner of this type. When an air cleaner of this type is to be installed at a position remote from the accessory power source line, moreover, longer electric wiring between the air cleaner and the accessory power source line must be provided, causing the electric system of the automobile to be complicated.
The air cleaner of the invention can be used in a vehicle which includes a generator driven by an engine, a rectifier, and a battery which can be charged by the output of said generator via said rectifier, and comprises: a main power source switch means through which the electric power is supplied from said battery to the main unit of said air cleaner; a detection means for detecting the operation of said generator; and a control means for controlling said main power source switch means in response to the output of said detection means, said main power source switch means being controlled to close when the operation of said generator is detected by said detection means, said main power source switch means being controlled to open when the operation of said generator is not detected by said detection means.
In a preferred embodiment, the input of said detection means is connected to said battery, and said detection means ~' "~.. ... ~, comprises a pulsation detection unit for detecting a pulsating component in the output of said battery.
In a preferred embodiment, the control means comprises:
a confirmation means for confirming that the detection of the operation of said generator continues for a predetermined period of time after the start of the operation of said engine by delaying the start of the close control of said control means until said confirmation means confirms that the detection has continued for a predetermined period of time.
In a preferred embodiment, the detection level of said detection means is adjustable.
Thus, the invention described herein makes possible:
(1) providing a room air cleaner for a vehicle which can prevent overdischarge of a battery mounted in the vehicle;
This conventional air cleaner for cleaning the air in a room or passenger compartment of an automobile has a main power source switch for switching the main power supply from a battery mounted in the automobile. The user can manually operate the main power source switch as required to switch On or OFF the air cleaner. When the user stops the running of the engine and gets out of the automobile without turning back the main power source switch of the air cleaner from the ON state to the OFF state, however, the battery mounted in the automobile continues to supply power to the air cleaner and finally becomes subjected to overdischarge. An excessive discharge of the battery will result in the engine's failure to restart.
Another type of conventional air cleaner is not provided with a main power source switch. In such an air cleaner, the power is supplied via the accessory power source line connected to the ignition switch of the automobile. Only when the ignition switch is at the "ACC (accessory)" position or at the "ON" position, the air cleaner is energized. When X, f ~
20~3l ~
the ignition switch remains at the "ACC" position for a long time, the above-mentioned problem of overdischarge of the battery arises also from an air cleaner of this type. When an air cleaner of this type is to be installed at a position remote from the accessory power source line, moreover, longer electric wiring between the air cleaner and the accessory power source line must be provided, causing the electric system of the automobile to be complicated.
The air cleaner of the invention can be used in a vehicle which includes a generator driven by an engine, a rectifier, and a battery which can be charged by the output of said generator via said rectifier, and comprises: a main power source switch means through which the electric power is supplied from said battery to the main unit of said air cleaner; a detection means for detecting the operation of said generator; and a control means for controlling said main power source switch means in response to the output of said detection means, said main power source switch means being controlled to close when the operation of said generator is detected by said detection means, said main power source switch means being controlled to open when the operation of said generator is not detected by said detection means.
In a preferred embodiment, the input of said detection means is connected to said battery, and said detection means ~' "~.. ... ~, comprises a pulsation detection unit for detecting a pulsating component in the output of said battery.
In a preferred embodiment, the control means comprises:
a confirmation means for confirming that the detection of the operation of said generator continues for a predetermined period of time after the start of the operation of said engine by delaying the start of the close control of said control means until said confirmation means confirms that the detection has continued for a predetermined period of time.
In a preferred embodiment, the detection level of said detection means is adjustable.
Thus, the invention described herein makes possible:
(1) providing a room air cleaner for a vehicle which can prevent overdischarge of a battery mounted in the vehicle;
(2) providing a room air cleaner for a vehicle which operates only when the engine of the vehicle is running; (3) providing a room air cleaner for a vehicle which operates automatically in response to the operation of the engine of the engine of the vehicle; and (4) providing a room air cleaner for a vehicle which eliminates the necessity of a complicated electric wiring arrangement.
; ~ ,.
. ,.. ~ ' 2 01~3I~
This invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a circuit diagram showing a room air cleaner according to the invention.
Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the control of another room air cleaner according to the invention.
Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing a further room air cleaner according to the invention.
Figure l shows a room air cleaner according to the invention. The air cleaner is installed in an automobile in which an engine (not shown), and AC generator l, a voltage regulator 2, a diode 3, and a battery 4 are mounted. The air cleaner comprises a pulsation detection unit 18, a transistor 14, and a main unit 15 incorporating circuits for performing the cleaning operation. The generator 1 is mechanically coupled to the engine so that the rotor rotates following the rotation of the engine to generate an AC voltage. The generator l has a pair of output terminals, one of which is electrically connected to the ground (the body of the automobile). The other terminal is connected to the anode of the diode 3 for rectifying the AC voltage generated by the AC
generator 1. The cathode of the diode 3 is connected to the plus terminal of the battery 4 and also to the voltage regulator 2. The minus terminal of the battery 4 is grounded. A battery line 16 is X
.. ...
20143~ 4 electrically connected at one end to the cathode of the diode 3 and also to the plus terminal of the battery 4.
The other end of the battery line 16 is connected to an input terminal 19 of the pulsation detection unit 18.
The collector of the transistor 14 is connected to the input terminal 19, and the emitter of the transistor 14 to the main unit 15.
The pulsation detection unit 18 comprises a capacitor 5, resistors 6 - 8 and 17, a comparator 9, a diode 10, a smoothing capacitor 11, a micro-processor 12, and a holding power source 13. The input terminal 19 is connected also to a minus terminal of the comparator 9 through the capacitor 5 and to the holding power source 13. The capacitor 5 blocks the DC
component of the current flowing from the battery line 16 to pass only a pulsating component of the current to the comparator 9. A plus terminal of the comparator 9 is connected to the holding power source 13 through the resistor 8, and to the capacitor 5 through the resistor 6. The minus terminal of the comparator 9 is biased to the ground by resistors 6 and 17. The output terminal of the comparator 9 is connected to input a of the microprocessor 12 through the diode 10. The capacitor 11 for smoothing the output of the diode 10 is interposed between the cathode of the diode lO and the ground. The output of the holding power source 13 is supplied also to input b so that the microprocessor 12 continues to operate even when the power supply from the other power source is OFF.
Output c of the microprocessor is connected to the base of the transistor 14, and output e is connected to the 2Q1 4~1 A
main unit 15 so that the main unit 15 is controlled by signals transmitted from the output e.
~r A The operation of the air cleaner-C-havlng above-described structure will be described. Prior to the starting of the engine, the AC generator 1 outputs no AC voltage because the rotor of the AC generator 1 is not in rotation. Only a DC voltage from the battery 4 is applied to the battery line 16 so that there is no voltage applied to the minus terminal of the comparator 9. Under this condition, the output c of the microprocessor 12 is low, and therefore the transistor 14 is OFF, with the result that the main unit 15 does not operate. Then, the engine is started, whereupon the rotor of the AC generator 1 which is mechanically coupled to the rotating part of the engine goes into rotation, thereby generating alternating current. The AC output is rectified by the diode 3 into pulsating current. The pulsating current is applied to the battery line 16. In this embodiment, the amplitude of the pulsating component appearing on the battery line 16 is about 0.1 to 0.2 volts.
The pulsating component of the current applied to the battery line 16 is applied to the minus terminal of the comparator 9 through the capacitor 5.
On the other hand, an output voltage from the holding power source 13 which has been divided into voltages of specified magnitudes by means of the resistors 7 and 8 is applied to the plus terminal of the comparator 9.
As the potential at the minus terminal of the comparator 9 becomes higher than that at the plus terminal as a result of the pulsating component being 3 ~ ~
applied to the minus terminal, the output of the comparator 9 is inverted.
When the output of the comparator 9 is inverted, the microprocessor 12 operating under the holding voltage from the holding power source 13 causes the level of output c to be high, thereby turning the transistor 14 ON. Thereupon, the voltage from the battery line 16 is applied to both the main unit 15 and also to the microprocessor 12 via input d. In this way, as a result of the starting of the engine, the A~ main power supply of the air cleaner ~ is switched from the OFF condition to the ON condition to cause the main unit 15 to start operation. The main unit 15 continues to operate while the engine is running.
When the engine stops running, the generator 1 also stops the generation of AC output.
Consequently, the pulsating component on the battery line 16 disappears, and accordingly the output of the comparator 9 returns to the condition previous to the start of the engine. In response to the change in the output of the comparator 9, the level of the output c of the microprocessor 12 becomes low to turn the transistor 14 OFF. Thus, upon the stopping of engine, the power supply of the main unit 15 is switched from the ON condition to the OFF condition.
In this way, the main power supply of the air cleaner C-is kept in the ON condition to allow the air cleaner C to operate only while the engine is running, thereby preventing overdischarge of the battery 4.
2~143~
When installing the air cleaner ~ in an ; automobile, it is required as a wiring arrangement to connect the input terminal 19 to the battery line 16.
Such wiring can be performed very simply as compared with the case of an air cleaner of a conventional type which usually involves elaborate wiring work.
The microprocessor 12 may be modified so that the level change of output c is delayed for a predetermined period of time (preferably 1 to 10 sec.) after the detection of a pulsating component by the pulsation detection unit 18, thereby confirming that the pulsation is not a transient one caused by an external disturbance. Figure 2 shows the control flow of the modified microprocessor 12. Through the provision of such a confirmation function it is possible to eliminate the influence of any single pulse or short-time disturbing signal and thus to accurately detect the generation of a pulsating component resulting from the operation of the engine. Any malfunction of the air cleaner-e~can be positively prevented.
Figure 3 shows another air cleaner according to the invention. In the air cleaner shown in Figure 3, a variable resistor 6A is used instead of the resistor 6. The voltage of the plus terminal of the comparator 9 with respect to that of the minus terminal can be changed with varying the value of the resistor 6A as shown in Figure 4, so that the detection level can be modified while the magnitude A of the pulsating component passing through the capacitor 5 remains constant. According to this embodiment, hence, the detection level of the pulsation detection unit 18 can be arbitrarily selected so as to be suitable to any noise environment.
_ 9 _ ~ .. ......
; ~ ,.
. ,.. ~ ' 2 01~3I~
This invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a circuit diagram showing a room air cleaner according to the invention.
Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the control of another room air cleaner according to the invention.
Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing a further room air cleaner according to the invention.
Figure l shows a room air cleaner according to the invention. The air cleaner is installed in an automobile in which an engine (not shown), and AC generator l, a voltage regulator 2, a diode 3, and a battery 4 are mounted. The air cleaner comprises a pulsation detection unit 18, a transistor 14, and a main unit 15 incorporating circuits for performing the cleaning operation. The generator 1 is mechanically coupled to the engine so that the rotor rotates following the rotation of the engine to generate an AC voltage. The generator l has a pair of output terminals, one of which is electrically connected to the ground (the body of the automobile). The other terminal is connected to the anode of the diode 3 for rectifying the AC voltage generated by the AC
generator 1. The cathode of the diode 3 is connected to the plus terminal of the battery 4 and also to the voltage regulator 2. The minus terminal of the battery 4 is grounded. A battery line 16 is X
.. ...
20143~ 4 electrically connected at one end to the cathode of the diode 3 and also to the plus terminal of the battery 4.
The other end of the battery line 16 is connected to an input terminal 19 of the pulsation detection unit 18.
The collector of the transistor 14 is connected to the input terminal 19, and the emitter of the transistor 14 to the main unit 15.
The pulsation detection unit 18 comprises a capacitor 5, resistors 6 - 8 and 17, a comparator 9, a diode 10, a smoothing capacitor 11, a micro-processor 12, and a holding power source 13. The input terminal 19 is connected also to a minus terminal of the comparator 9 through the capacitor 5 and to the holding power source 13. The capacitor 5 blocks the DC
component of the current flowing from the battery line 16 to pass only a pulsating component of the current to the comparator 9. A plus terminal of the comparator 9 is connected to the holding power source 13 through the resistor 8, and to the capacitor 5 through the resistor 6. The minus terminal of the comparator 9 is biased to the ground by resistors 6 and 17. The output terminal of the comparator 9 is connected to input a of the microprocessor 12 through the diode 10. The capacitor 11 for smoothing the output of the diode 10 is interposed between the cathode of the diode lO and the ground. The output of the holding power source 13 is supplied also to input b so that the microprocessor 12 continues to operate even when the power supply from the other power source is OFF.
Output c of the microprocessor is connected to the base of the transistor 14, and output e is connected to the 2Q1 4~1 A
main unit 15 so that the main unit 15 is controlled by signals transmitted from the output e.
~r A The operation of the air cleaner-C-havlng above-described structure will be described. Prior to the starting of the engine, the AC generator 1 outputs no AC voltage because the rotor of the AC generator 1 is not in rotation. Only a DC voltage from the battery 4 is applied to the battery line 16 so that there is no voltage applied to the minus terminal of the comparator 9. Under this condition, the output c of the microprocessor 12 is low, and therefore the transistor 14 is OFF, with the result that the main unit 15 does not operate. Then, the engine is started, whereupon the rotor of the AC generator 1 which is mechanically coupled to the rotating part of the engine goes into rotation, thereby generating alternating current. The AC output is rectified by the diode 3 into pulsating current. The pulsating current is applied to the battery line 16. In this embodiment, the amplitude of the pulsating component appearing on the battery line 16 is about 0.1 to 0.2 volts.
The pulsating component of the current applied to the battery line 16 is applied to the minus terminal of the comparator 9 through the capacitor 5.
On the other hand, an output voltage from the holding power source 13 which has been divided into voltages of specified magnitudes by means of the resistors 7 and 8 is applied to the plus terminal of the comparator 9.
As the potential at the minus terminal of the comparator 9 becomes higher than that at the plus terminal as a result of the pulsating component being 3 ~ ~
applied to the minus terminal, the output of the comparator 9 is inverted.
When the output of the comparator 9 is inverted, the microprocessor 12 operating under the holding voltage from the holding power source 13 causes the level of output c to be high, thereby turning the transistor 14 ON. Thereupon, the voltage from the battery line 16 is applied to both the main unit 15 and also to the microprocessor 12 via input d. In this way, as a result of the starting of the engine, the A~ main power supply of the air cleaner ~ is switched from the OFF condition to the ON condition to cause the main unit 15 to start operation. The main unit 15 continues to operate while the engine is running.
When the engine stops running, the generator 1 also stops the generation of AC output.
Consequently, the pulsating component on the battery line 16 disappears, and accordingly the output of the comparator 9 returns to the condition previous to the start of the engine. In response to the change in the output of the comparator 9, the level of the output c of the microprocessor 12 becomes low to turn the transistor 14 OFF. Thus, upon the stopping of engine, the power supply of the main unit 15 is switched from the ON condition to the OFF condition.
In this way, the main power supply of the air cleaner C-is kept in the ON condition to allow the air cleaner C to operate only while the engine is running, thereby preventing overdischarge of the battery 4.
2~143~
When installing the air cleaner ~ in an ; automobile, it is required as a wiring arrangement to connect the input terminal 19 to the battery line 16.
Such wiring can be performed very simply as compared with the case of an air cleaner of a conventional type which usually involves elaborate wiring work.
The microprocessor 12 may be modified so that the level change of output c is delayed for a predetermined period of time (preferably 1 to 10 sec.) after the detection of a pulsating component by the pulsation detection unit 18, thereby confirming that the pulsation is not a transient one caused by an external disturbance. Figure 2 shows the control flow of the modified microprocessor 12. Through the provision of such a confirmation function it is possible to eliminate the influence of any single pulse or short-time disturbing signal and thus to accurately detect the generation of a pulsating component resulting from the operation of the engine. Any malfunction of the air cleaner-e~can be positively prevented.
Figure 3 shows another air cleaner according to the invention. In the air cleaner shown in Figure 3, a variable resistor 6A is used instead of the resistor 6. The voltage of the plus terminal of the comparator 9 with respect to that of the minus terminal can be changed with varying the value of the resistor 6A as shown in Figure 4, so that the detection level can be modified while the magnitude A of the pulsating component passing through the capacitor 5 remains constant. According to this embodiment, hence, the detection level of the pulsation detection unit 18 can be arbitrarily selected so as to be suitable to any noise environment.
_ 9 _ ~ .. ......
Claims (4)
1. A room cleaner for a vehicle which comprises a generator driven by an engine, a rectifier, and a battery which can be charged by the output of said generator via said rectifier, comprising:
a main power source switch means through which the electric power is supplied from said battery to the main unit of said air cleaner;
a detection means for detecting the operation of said generator; and a control means for controlling said main power source switch means in response to the output of said detection means, said main power source switch means being controlled to close when the operation of said generator is detected by said detection means, said main power source switch means being controlled to open when the operation of said generator is not detected by said detection means.
a main power source switch means through which the electric power is supplied from said battery to the main unit of said air cleaner;
a detection means for detecting the operation of said generator; and a control means for controlling said main power source switch means in response to the output of said detection means, said main power source switch means being controlled to close when the operation of said generator is detected by said detection means, said main power source switch means being controlled to open when the operation of said generator is not detected by said detection means.
2. A room air cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the input of said detection means is connected to said battery, and said detection means comprises a pulsation detection unit for detecting a pulsating component in the output of said battery.
3. A room air cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises: a confirmation means for confirming that the detection of the operation of said generator continues for a predetermined period of time after the start of the operation of said engine by delaying the start of the close control of said control means until said confirmation means confirms that the detection has continued for a predetermined period of time.
4. A room air cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the detection level of said detection means is adjustable.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP9017089A JPH02270628A (en) | 1989-04-10 | 1989-04-10 | On-vehicle air cleaner |
| JP1-90170 | 1989-04-10 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2014314A1 CA2014314A1 (en) | 1990-10-10 |
| CA2014314C true CA2014314C (en) | 1994-10-25 |
Family
ID=13991017
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2014314 Expired - Fee Related CA2014314C (en) | 1989-04-10 | 1990-04-10 | Room air cleaner for a vehicle |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH02270628A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2014314C (en) |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS6092108A (en) * | 1983-10-26 | 1985-05-23 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Operation controller for auxiliaries of car |
-
1989
- 1989-04-10 JP JP9017089A patent/JPH02270628A/en active Pending
-
1990
- 1990-04-10 CA CA 2014314 patent/CA2014314C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH02270628A (en) | 1990-11-05 |
| CA2014314A1 (en) | 1990-10-10 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| EP0709953B1 (en) | Control system for AC generator | |
| EP0878890B1 (en) | Vehicle generator controller | |
| EP0724321B1 (en) | Control apparatus for AC generator of motor vehicle | |
| JPH0950893A (en) | Discharge lamp controller for vehicle | |
| JP2000350458A (en) | Power supply unit | |
| US5229745A (en) | Oil pressure alarm device for motor vehicle | |
| US4362983A (en) | Generation control system for vehicles | |
| US5512812A (en) | Vehicle generator control device | |
| US4739244A (en) | Vehicle generator with acceleration control override | |
| JPS6127983B2 (en) | ||
| CA2014314C (en) | Room air cleaner for a vehicle | |
| US6204643B1 (en) | Controller for car AC generator | |
| EP0448065B1 (en) | A battery-recharging system for a motor vehicle | |
| JP3299380B2 (en) | Control device for vehicle alternator | |
| US6225790B1 (en) | Apparatus and method for motion-based activation of a voltage regulator | |
| US4572973A (en) | AC Current detection circuit for a rotor driving supply source of a rotating anode X-ray tube | |
| US4634955A (en) | Malfunction detector for detecting open-circuit condition at DC generator output terminal | |
| US6486634B2 (en) | Vehicle use charging generator | |
| US4418311A (en) | Battery charge indicating system | |
| KR920006115Y1 (en) | Control device of ac generator for cargo | |
| JP2819586B2 (en) | Alarm system for electric vehicles | |
| KR0113964Y1 (en) | Temperature control circuit of refrigerators using direct current motor | |
| US5796181A (en) | Alternating current generator control apparatus for vehicle | |
| JP3038746B2 (en) | Vehicle charge control device | |
| JP3856059B2 (en) | Engine start detection device for moving body |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |