EP0038837A1 - Circuit for automatic discharge protection of a passive current source - Google Patents

Circuit for automatic discharge protection of a passive current source

Info

Publication number
EP0038837A1
EP0038837A1 EP80902172A EP80902172A EP0038837A1 EP 0038837 A1 EP0038837 A1 EP 0038837A1 EP 80902172 A EP80902172 A EP 80902172A EP 80902172 A EP80902172 A EP 80902172A EP 0038837 A1 EP0038837 A1 EP 0038837A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
current source
circuit
resistor
zener diode
transistor
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP80902172A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Poul Pedersen Dunch
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0038837A1 publication Critical patent/EP0038837A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H7/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions
    • H02H7/18—Emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions for batteries; for accumulators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J6/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices on cycles; Mounting or supporting thereof; Circuits therefor
    • B62J6/01—Electric circuits
    • B62J6/015—Electric circuits using electrical power not supplied by the cycle motor generator, e.g. using batteries or piezo elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H3/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection
    • H02H3/24—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to undervoltage or no-voltage
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/14—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
    • H02J7/1407—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle on vehicles not being driven by a motor, e.g. bicycles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a circuit for automatic discharge protection of a passive current source, which is loaded by e.g. bicycle lamps.
  • the bicycle lamps can only emit light during bicycling, i.e. when the dynamo lamp is activated.
  • the lamps are off which means that the cyclist is running a great risk of being overlooked in the traffic.
  • a secondary current source in the form of a passive current source furnishing the lamps with current when the cyclist is stopping.
  • the change-over between these two power sources may take place electronically for instance so that the secondary power source is cut in when the voltage of the dynamo falls below a certain level. This is known from e.g. the specification to DT-OS No.
  • the circuit consists of an emitter follower which by means of a zener diode functions as excess-voltage protection for battery and lamps.
  • the circuit does not protect the battery which most advantageously is constituted by rechargeable Ni-Cd-cells, against a considerable discharging, shortening the lifetime of the cells considerably, reducing the efficiency and perhaps causing a change in polarizing.
  • the electronic circuit performing this cutting out consists of a transistor circuit in the collector emitter circuit of which a relay coil is adapted to operate a switch for cutting out and cutting in the load .
  • the base voltage of the transistor is provided by the current source via a voltage divider whi ch thus loads the current source whether the load is cut in or cut out .
  • This idle load is not very heavy, however , but enough as to make the device unfit for delivering the power supply to a bicycle, as a bicycle often remains unused for a very long period . Even a moderate discharging of the Ni-Cd-cells may thus cause damage to them.
  • This is achieved in that the current source feeds the load via the emitter collector circuit of a transistor, that the basis of this transistor is connected to a zener diode via a resistor, and that the joint point of the resistor and the zener diode is connected to the current source via a resistor.
  • This construction is simple and inexpensive to produce and secures the current source completely against discharging when the supply voltage falls below the threshold value determined by the zener diode.
  • the circuit is thus especially suitable for being mounted on bicycles .
  • a dynamo 1 is shown, which is connected to two electrical bulbs 4 and 5, e.g. the front and rear lights of a bicycle, via a resistor 2 and a relay switch 3.
  • the dynamo 1 is furthermore via a diode 6 connected to a number of Ni-Cd-cells 7, which are connected in series to a circuit breaker 3.
  • a capacitor 9 is earthed parallel to the cells 7.
  • a relay 10 is connected to the dynamo 1 in series with another diode 11, the relay 10 being connected in parallel to another capacitor 12.
  • the Ni- Cd-cells 7 are connected to the electrical bulbs 4 and 5 via the emitter collector circuit of a transistor 13 and the switch 3, and loaded by a resistor 14 and a zener diode 15 connected in series.
  • the basis of the transistor 13 is via a resistor 16 connected to the zener diode 15 and thus to the cells 7 via the resistor 14.
  • the circuit is functioning in the following manner .
  • the re lay swit c h 3 is in a position of rest , shown with a dot -and-dash line , so that the electrical bulbs 4 and 5 under certain conditions , which will be explained later , are fed by the Ni-Cd-cells 7 via the emitter collector circuit of the transistor 13 .
  • the capacitor 12 is first charged through the diode 11 , whereupon power starts to run through the relay 10 , which draws the relay switch 3 to the position shown with the solid line .
  • the electrical bulbs 4 and 5 are now fed by the dynamo 1 , whic h simultaneously charges the Ni-Cd-cells , which are protected against a too powerfull charging by the circuit breaker 8.
  • the relay switch 3 switches back to the position shown with the dot-and-dash line, whereby the Ni-Cd-cells 7 take over the feeding of the electrical bulbs 4 and 5. If the voltage of the Ni-Cd-cells 7 falls to a voltage below the puncture voltage of the zener diode 15, power cannot pass through the zener diode 15, which means that the emitter basis voltage drop of the transistor 13 is switched off. Thus the switch-off of the transistor 13 will follow the characteristic of the zener diode 15.
  • the construction shown in the example can be used within a large voltage range by suitably dimensioning the components.
  • the invention is not limited to the use shown in the example, i.e. protection of the secondary current source of bicycle lamps, as the construction may be used in connection with all kinds of current sources.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
  • Protection Of Static Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Dans un circuit de protection de decharge d'une source de courant passive (7), une charge (4, 5) est alimentee via le circuit collecteur emetteur d'un transistor (13), la base du transistor (13) etant connectee a une diode de Zener (15) via un resistor (16), le point de connexion du resistor (16) et de la diode de Zener (15) etant connectes a la source de courant (7) via un resistor (14). Ainsi, une simple coupure effective de la charge (4, 5) est obtenue, lorsque la tension de la source de courant (7) tombe sous une valeur seuil determinee par la diode de Zener (15).In a discharge protection circuit of a passive current source (7), a load (4, 5) is supplied via the collector circuit emitting a transistor (13), the base of the transistor (13) being connected to a Zener diode (15) via a resistor (16), the connection point of the resistor (16) and the Zener diode (15) being connected to the current source (7) via a resistor (14). Thus, a simple effective cut-off of the load (4, 5) is obtained, when the voltage of the current source (7) falls below a threshold value determined by the Zener diode (15).

Description

CIRCUIT FOR AUTOMATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION OF A PASSIVE CURRENT SOURCE.
The invention relates to a circuit for automatic discharge protection of a passive current source, which is loaded by e.g. bicycle lamps.
When using dynamo lamps on a bicycle, the bicycle lamps can only emit light during bicycling, i.e. when the dynamo lamp is activated. When the bicycle is at a standstill, the lamps are off which means that the cyclist is running a great risk of being overlooked in the traffic. In order to solve this problem it is known to use a secondary current source in the form of a passive current source furnishing the lamps with current when the cyclist is stopping. The change-over between these two power sources may take place electronically for instance so that the secondary power source is cut in when the voltage of the dynamo falls below a certain level. This is known from e.g. the specification to DT-OS No.
2,443,415 describing a circuit for charging a battery and feeding a load in the form of bicycle lamps. The circuit consists of an emitter follower which by means of a zener diode functions as excess-voltage protection for battery and lamps. The circuit does not protect the battery which most advantageously is constituted by rechargeable Ni-Cd-cells, against a considerable discharging, shortening the lifetime of the cells considerably, reducing the efficiency and perhaps causing a change in polarizing.
From the specification to US Patent No . 3 , 648 , 145 a circuit is already known which causes a break in the connection between a power circuit and a load when the voltage of the current source falls below a predetermined threshold value . The electronic circuit performing this cutting out consists of a transistor circuit in the collector emitter circuit of which a relay coil is adapted to operate a switch for cutting out and cutting in the load . The base voltage of the transistor is provided by the current source via a voltage divider whi ch thus loads the current source whether the load is cut in or cut out . This idle load is not very heavy, however , but enough as to make the device unfit for delivering the power supply to a bicycle, as a bicycle often remains unused for a very long period . Even a moderate discharging of the Ni-Cd-cells may thus cause damage to them.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a circuit for automatic discharge protection of a secondary current source of a bicycle, and which is not encumbered with the abovementioned disadvantages. This is achieved in that the current source feeds the load via the emitter collector circuit of a transistor, that the basis of this transistor is connected to a zener diode via a resistor, and that the joint point of the resistor and the zener diode is connected to the current source via a resistor. This construction is simple and inexpensive to produce and secures the current source completely against discharging when the supply voltage falls below the threshold value determined by the zener diode. The circuit is thus especially suitable for being mounted on bicycles .
In the following the invention will be further described with reference to the drawing which shows a circuit according to the invention, which is coupled with a generally known circuit for charging a secondary passive current source.
On the drawing a dynamo 1 is shown, which is connected to two electrical bulbs 4 and 5, e.g. the front and rear lights of a bicycle, via a resistor 2 and a relay switch 3. The dynamo 1 is furthermore via a diode 6 connected to a number of Ni-Cd-cells 7, which are connected in series to a circuit breaker 3. A capacitor 9 is earthed parallel to the cells 7. A relay 10 is connected to the dynamo 1 in series with another diode 11, the relay 10 being connected in parallel to another capacitor 12. The Ni- Cd-cells 7 are connected to the electrical bulbs 4 and 5 via the emitter collector circuit of a transistor 13 and the switch 3, and loaded by a resistor 14 and a zener diode 15 connected in series. The basis of the transistor 13 is via a resistor 16 connected to the zener diode 15 and thus to the cells 7 via the resistor 14.
The circuit is functioning in the following manner . When the dynamc 1 does not produce power , the re lay swit c h 3 is in a position of rest , shown with a dot -and-dash line , so that the electrical bulbs 4 and 5 under certain conditions , which will be explained later , are fed by the Ni-Cd-cells 7 via the emitter collector circuit of the transistor 13 . When the dynamo 1 starts to produce power , the capacitor 12 is first charged through the diode 11 , whereupon power starts to run through the relay 10 , which draws the relay switch 3 to the position shown with the solid line . The electrical bulbs 4 and 5 are now fed by the dynamo 1 , whic h simultaneously charges the Ni-Cd-cells , which are protected against a too powerfull charging by the circuit breaker 8. When the dynamo 1 again stops producing power, or produces too little power, the relay switch 3 switches back to the position shown with the dot-and-dash line, whereby the Ni-Cd-cells 7 take over the feeding of the electrical bulbs 4 and 5. If the voltage of the Ni-Cd-cells 7 falls to a voltage below the puncture voltage of the zener diode 15, power cannot pass through the zener diode 15, which means that the emitter basis voltage drop of the transistor 13 is switched off. Thus the switch-off of the transistor 13 will follow the characteristic of the zener diode 15. The construction shown in the example can be used within a large voltage range by suitably dimensioning the components.
The invention is not limited to the use shown in the example, i.e. protection of the secondary current source of bicycle lamps, as the construction may be used in connection with all kinds of current sources.

Claims

C L A I M
Circuit for automatic discharge protection of a current source which is loaded by e.g. bicycle lamps, c h a r a ct e r i z e d i n that the current source (7) feeds the load (4, 5) via the emitter collector circuit of a transistor (13), that the basis of this transistor (13) via a resistor (lβ) is .connected to a zener diode (15), and that the joint point of the resistor (16) and the zener diode (15) is connected to the current source via a resistor (14).
EP80902172A 1979-10-31 1981-05-19 Circuit for automatic discharge protection of a passive current source Withdrawn EP0038837A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK4610/79 1979-10-31
DK461079A DK144397C (en) 1979-10-31 1979-10-31 CIRCUIT FOR AUTOMATIC DISPLAY PROTECTION OF A PASSIVE POWER SOURCE

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0038837A1 true EP0038837A1 (en) 1981-11-04

Family

ID=8135102

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP80902172A Withdrawn EP0038837A1 (en) 1979-10-31 1981-05-19 Circuit for automatic discharge protection of a passive current source

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0038837A1 (en)
DK (1) DK144397C (en)
NL (1) NL8020418A (en)
NO (1) NO812212L (en)
SE (1) SE423586B (en)
WO (1) WO1981001349A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8412897D0 (en) * 1984-05-21 1984-06-27 Mackinnon J M Electrical power supply device
DE59100747D1 (en) * 1990-06-07 1994-02-03 Ver Drahtwerke Ag Biel Bicycle light system with dynamo.
JP2002262473A (en) * 2001-02-28 2002-09-13 Shimano Inc Charging control circuit for bicycle

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3648145A (en) * 1970-05-08 1972-03-07 Singer Co Undervoltage protection device
DE2304555A1 (en) * 1973-01-31 1974-08-01 Licentia Gmbh CIRCUIT FOR MONITORING THE CHARGE STATE OF AN ACCUMULATOR
DE2443415A1 (en) * 1974-09-11 1976-03-25 Miebach Christian Dynamo and battery bicycle lights - has electronic controls and switchgear to selectively connect battery into light circuit
DE2507780A1 (en) * 1975-02-22 1976-09-02 Marbach Geb Mensinger Johanna Battery charge monitor and switching circuit - comprises potential divider network having two diodes in series with zener diode

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO8101349A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK144397C (en) 1982-08-02
NL8020418A (en) 1981-09-01
DK144397B (en) 1982-03-01
WO1981001349A1 (en) 1981-05-14
DK461079A (en) 1981-05-01
SE423586B (en) 1982-05-10
NO812212L (en) 1981-06-29
SE8104050L (en) 1981-06-29

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Legal Events

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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Effective date: 19810624

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): FR

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

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Designated state(s): FR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

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18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19840131