GB2341985A - Battery disconnection system - Google Patents

Battery disconnection system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2341985A
GB2341985A GB9912258A GB9912258A GB2341985A GB 2341985 A GB2341985 A GB 2341985A GB 9912258 A GB9912258 A GB 9912258A GB 9912258 A GB9912258 A GB 9912258A GB 2341985 A GB2341985 A GB 2341985A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
annular member
rod
cylindrical member
annular
battery
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB9912258A
Other versions
GB2341985B (en
GB9912258D0 (en
Inventor
Thomas Schaller
Jens Brake
Juergen Dinger
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.)
Delphi Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Delphi Technologies Inc
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 Delphi Technologies Inc filed Critical Delphi Technologies Inc
Publication of GB9912258D0 publication Critical patent/GB9912258D0/en
Priority to EP99202817A priority Critical patent/EP0989033B1/en
Priority to DE69912711T priority patent/DE69912711T2/en
Priority to US09/404,514 priority patent/US6166454A/en
Publication of GB2341985A publication Critical patent/GB2341985A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2341985B publication Critical patent/GB2341985B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
    • B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
    • B60R16/023—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
    • B60R16/0231—Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle
    • 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
    • H02J1/00—Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
    • H02J1/10—Parallel operation of dc sources
    • H02J1/122—Provisions for temporary connection of DC sources of essentially the same voltage, e.g. jumpstart cables
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/22—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism
    • H01H3/26—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using dynamo-electric motor
    • H01H3/264—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using dynamo-electric motor using a travelling nut mechanism

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)

Abstract

A battery disconnection system (10) for a motor vehicle having a battery, a starter motor, and a generator, the system comprising a rod (12) having a longitudinal axis (A), an external screw threaded surface (14) extending from one end, and a cylindrical member (16) extending from the other end and coaxial with the rod; reversible drive means (20,22,24) engaging the threaded surface of the rod; a first annular member (30) coaxial with the cylindrical member and in sliding contact with the external surface (36) of the cylindrical member; a second annular member (32) coaxial with the cylindrical member and slidably engageable with the external surface of the cylindrical member; one of the first annular member or the second annular member being electrically connectable with the battery (40); the other of the first annular member or the second annular member being electrically connectable with the starter motor and/or the generator (38); the rod being movable in a longitudinal direction (X) by the reversible drive means between a first position in which the cylindrical member engages and electrically connects the first annular member and the second annular member, and a second position in which the cylindrical member is disengaged from the second annular member. Provides automatic battery disconnection.

Description

1 2341985 BATTERY DISCONNECTION SYSTEM
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a battery disconnection system 5 for use with a battery in a motor vehicle.
Background of the Invention
There is a need to provide a battery disconnection system which can operate automatically to disconnect the power supply from the battery to certain electrical loads in a motor vehicle.
SummaKy of the Invention The object of the present invention is to provide such a battery disconnection system.
A battery disconnection system in accordance with the present invention for a motor vehicle having a battery, a starter motor, and a generator, comprises a rod having a longitudinal axis, an external screw threaded surface extending from one end, and a cylindrical member extending from the other end and coaxial with the rod; reversible drive means engaging the threaded surface of the rod; a first annular member coaxial with the cylindrical member and in sliding contact with the external surface of the cylindrical member; a second annular member coaxial with the cylindrical member and slidably engageable with the external surface of the cylindrical member; one of the first annular member or the second annular member being electrically connectable with the battery; the other of the first annular member or the second annular member being electrically connectable with the starter motor and/or the generator; the rod being movable in a longitudinal direction by the reversible drive means between a first position in which the cylindrical member engages and electrically connects the first annular member and the second annular member, and a second position in which the cylindrical member is disengaged from the second annular member.
2 The present invention provides a system which will electrically disconnect the power supply to certain electrical loads in the motor vehicle. The present invention can provide such disconnection at predetermined and/or sensed operating conditions of the motor vehicle. The disconnection system 5 may be directly mounted on the vehicle battery.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of battery disconnection system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of battery disconnection system in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of battery disconnection system in accordance with the present invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring to Figure 1, the first embodiment of battery disconnection system 10 comprises a rod 12 which has a longitudinal axis A, and which has an external threaded surface 14 along at least part of its length; and a cylindrical member 16 integral with, and axially aligned with, the rod.
A pinion 20 has an internal threaded surface 18 in threaded engagement with the threaded surface 14 of the rod 12 and external teeth in engagement with a gear 22 which can be rotatably driven by a reversible electric motor 24. Operation of the electric motor 24 is controlled by a control unit 26, which actuates the motor dependent on signals from one or more sensors 28.
Actuation of the electric motor 24 causes the pinion 20 to rotate about axis A, thereby causing the rod 12 and the cylindrical member 16 to move in the 3 longitudinal direction X, the actual direction being dependent on the direction of rotation of the electric motor.
The disconnection system 10 further comprises first, second and third annular members 30,32,34 respectively. The first annular member 30 is positioned around the cylindrical member 16 and engages the external surface 36 of the cylindrical member. The second annular member 32 is normally positioned around the cylindrical member 16 and engages the external surface 36 of the cylindrical member. The third annular member 34 is positioned adjacent the pinion 20 around (and normally radially spaced from the threaded portion 14 of) the rod 12. The second annular member 32 is positioned between the first annular member 30 and the third annular member 34, with the annular members coaxial on axis A.
The first annular member 30 is electrically connectable to the starter motor and/or generator 38 of the motor vehicle. The second annular member 32 is electrically connectable to a terminal 40 of the vehicle battery (not shown), and to electrical loads 42 in the vehicle by way of a fuse system 44. The third annular member 34 is electrically connectable to a jump start terminal 46. The annular members 30,32,34 and the cylindrical member 16 are formed from electrically conducting material. The first annular member 30 usually remains in engagement with the cylindrical member 16.
During normal operation of the motor vehicle, the battery disconnection system 10 is arranged as shown in Figure 1. In this position, the battery terminal 40 is electrically connectable with the starter motor and/or generator 38 (by way of the cylindrical member 16) and with the electrical loads 42.
If an adverse operating condition (or any other predetermined operating condition) is sensed by the sensor(s) 28, for example, a vehicle crash, the electric motor 24 is operated to move the rod 12 and cylindrical member 16 towards the left (as shown in Figure 1) to disengage the cylindrical member 16 from the second annular member 32. In this position, the starter motor and/or generator 38 is electrically disconnected from the battery 4 terminal 40. A stop member 48 on the end of the rod 12 remote from the cylindrical member 16 can engage the pinion 20 to restrict movement of the rod in the leftward direction to prevent the rod from becoming disengaged from the pinion, and to substantially prevent rotation of the rod about its 5 longitudinal axis A.
If the vehicle battery loses power (goes flat), the electric motor 24 can be operated, or the pinion 20 can be rotated manually, to move the rod 12 and the cylindrical member 16 towards the right (as shown in Figure 1) to bring the end face 50 of the cylindrical member (or an adjacent enlarged portion of the rod, not shown) into engagement with the third annular member 34. In this position, the jump start terminal 46 is electrically connected with the battery terminal 40, and the starter motor and/or generator 38, by way of the cylindrical member 16.
Referring to Figure 2, the second embodiment of battery disconnection system 100 is substantially the same as the first embodiment with like parts being given the prefix 100. In this second embodiment, the battery terminal 140 is electrically connectable to the first annular member 130, and the starter motor and/or generator 138 is electrically connectable to the second annular member 132 either by way of the fuse system 144, as shown, or directly.
During normal operation of the motor vehicle, the battery disconnection system 100 is arranged as shown in Figure 2. In this position, the battery terminal 140 is electrically connectable with the starter motor and/or generator 138 and with the electrical loads 142 by way of the cylindrical member 116.
If an adverse operating condition (or any other predetermined operating condition) is sensed by the sensor(s) 128, for example, a vehicle crash, the electric motor 124 is operated to move the rod 112 and the cylindrical member 116 towards the left (as shown in Figure 2) to disengage the cylindrical member from the second annular member 132. In this position, the starter motor and/or generator 138 and the electrical loads 142 are electrically disconnected from the battery terminal 140. The stop member 148 limits leftward movement of the rod 112, and substantially prevents rotation of the rod about its longitudinal axis A.
Similarly, for transportation of the motor vehicle before normal use or during servicing of the motor vehicle, the electric motor 124 can be operated, or the pinion 120 can be rotated manually, to move the rod 112 and the cylindrical member 116 towards the left (as shown in Figure 2) to disengage the cylindrical member from the second annular member 132. Again, in this position, the starter motor and/or generator 138 and the electrical loads 142 are electrically disconnected from the battery terminal 140. Again, the stop member 148 limits leftward movement of the rod 112, and substantially prevents rotation of the rod about its longitudinal axis A.
If the vehicle battery loses power (goes flat), the electric motor 124 can be operated, or the pinion 120 can be rotated manually, to move the rod 112 and the cylindrical member 116 towards the right (as shown in Figure 2) to bring the end face 150 of the cylindrical member (or an adjacent enlarged portion of the rod, not shown) into engagement with the third annular member 134. In this position, the jump start terminal 146 is electrically connected with the battery terminal 140, and the starter motor and/or generator 138, by way of the cylindrical member 116.
Referring to Figure 3, the third embodiment of battery disconnection system 200 is substantially the same as the second embodiment with like parts being given the prefix 200. In this third embodiment, the fuse system 244 and electrical loads 242 are electrically connected to a fourth annular member 260 positioned between the first and second annular members 230,232. The fourth annular member 260 is engageable with the outer surface 236 of the cylindrical member 216. The starter motor and/or generator 238 are electrically connectable to the second annular member 232. This third embodiment can provide electrical disconnection of the battery terminal 240 from the starter motor and/or generator 238, but leave electrical connection of the battery terminal with the electrical loads 242, during a sensed adverse 6 vehicle condition, by restricting the amount of movement towards the left of the rod 212 and cylindrical member 216. That is, during a sensed adverse vehicle condition, the cylindrical member 216 disengages from the second annular member 232 but remains in engagement with the fourth annular member 260. Whereas during transportation or servicing, the cylindrical member 216 is move to be disengaged from both the second and fourth annular members 232,260.
The battery disconnection systems 10, 100,200 described above may be mounted directly on the vehicle battery. The fuse system 44,144,244 may be an integral part of the disconnection system. One or more of the annular members 30,32,34,130,132,134,230,232,234,260 may include a portion which is stamped and folded from sheet metal to include an integral terminal for crimping or soldering, as required.
The present invention provides a battery disconnection system which can automatically and quickly disconnect the power supply from the battery to certain electrical loads when a predetermined operating condition of the vehicle is sensed. The disconnection operation can be easily reversed to restore power to the electrical loads. The system is easy to assemble, using only a single electric motor, and can be adapted to disconnect power under numerous conditions. The system can be adapted, as indicated in the above embodiments, to also provide a electrical connection between the electrical loads and the battery terminal when jump starting is required.
7

Claims (9)

Claims
1. A battery disconnection system for a motor vehicle having a battery, a starter motor, and a generator, the system comprising a rod having a longitudinal axis, an external screw threaded surface extending from one end, and a cylindrical member extending from the other end and coaxial with the rod; reversible drive means engaging the threaded surface of the rod; a first annular member coaxial with the cylindrical member and in sliding contact with the external surface of the cylindrical member; a second annular member coaxial with the cylindrical member and slidably engageable with the external surface of the cylindrical member; one of the first annular member or the second annular member being electrically connectable with the battery; the other of the first annular member or the second annular member being electrically connectable with the starter motor and/or the generator; the rod being movable in a longitudinal direction by the reversible drive means between a first position in which the cylindrical member engages and electrically connects the first annular member and the second annular member, and a second position in which the cylindrical member is disengaged from the second annular member.
2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising a third annular member coaxial with the rod, normally positioned around the threaded portion thereof, and connectable with the cylindrical member; the second annular member being positioned between the first annular member and the third annular member; the third annular member being electrically connectable with a jump start terminal; wherein in the first and second positions of the rod, the cylindrical member is disconnected from the third annular member; and wherein the rod is movable to a third position by the reversible drive means in which the cylindrical member electrically connects with the first, second and third annular members.
8
3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the rod is movable from the first position to the second position on sensing of a predetermined vehicle operating condition by a sensor connected to a control unit which operates the reversible drive means.
4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reversible drive means comprises a pinion and a reversible electric motor, the pinion having teeth in threaded engagement with the threaded surface on the rod.
5. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rod has a stop member which limits longitudinal movement of the rod relative to the first annular member and which substantially prevents rotation of the rod about its longitudinal axis.
6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first annular member is electrically connectable to the starter motor and/or generator, the second annular member is electrically connectable to the battery, and the second annular member is electrically connectable to other electrical loads in the motor vehicle.
7. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the first annular member is electrically connectable to the battery, the second annular member is electrically connectable to the starter motor and/or generator, and the second annular member is electrically connectable to other electrical loads in the motor vehicle.
8. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, further comprising a fourth annular member positioned between the first and second annular members, coaxial with the cylindrical member, and slidably engageable with the external surface of the cylindrical member; wherein the 9 first annular member is electrically connectable to the battery, the second annular member is electrically connectable to the starter motor and/or generator, and the fourth annular member is electrically connectable to other electrical loads in the motor vehicle; wherein in the first and second positions of the rod, the cylindrical member engages and electrically connects with the fourth annular member; and wherein the rod is movable to an additional position by the reversible drive means in which the cylindrical member is disengaged from the second and fourth annular members.
9. A battery disconnection system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
GB9912258A 1998-09-24 1999-05-27 Battery disconnection system Expired - Fee Related GB2341985B (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99202817A EP0989033B1 (en) 1998-09-24 1999-08-31 Battery disconnection system
DE69912711T DE69912711T2 (en) 1998-09-24 1999-08-31 Battery disconnection system
US09/404,514 US6166454A (en) 1998-09-24 1999-09-23 Battery disconnection system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9820731.9A GB9820731D0 (en) 1998-09-24 1998-09-24 Battery disconnection system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9912258D0 GB9912258D0 (en) 1999-07-28
GB2341985A true GB2341985A (en) 2000-03-29
GB2341985B GB2341985B (en) 2002-04-10

Family

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB9820731.9A Ceased GB9820731D0 (en) 1998-09-24 1998-09-24 Battery disconnection system
GB9912258A Expired - Fee Related GB2341985B (en) 1998-09-24 1999-05-27 Battery disconnection system

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB9820731.9A Ceased GB9820731D0 (en) 1998-09-24 1998-09-24 Battery disconnection system

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB9820731D0 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2374709A (en) * 2001-01-31 2002-10-23 Leslie Earl Scott Accident warning system providing ignition disconnection and hazard light illumination
ES2184589A1 (en) * 2000-12-20 2003-04-01 Cables Perti Sa Device for disconnecting the battery on a vehicle
US7166990B2 (en) 2003-05-12 2007-01-23 Kare Hong Kong Limited Battery low-voltage protecting device
WO2014196917A1 (en) * 2013-06-07 2014-12-11 Autoliv Development Ab Battery module disconnect arrangement
WO2015078049A1 (en) * 2013-11-27 2015-06-04 Qoros Automotive Co., Ltd. A connection device and method for vehicle

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4876417A (en) * 1988-01-25 1989-10-24 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Combined high voltage connecting and grounding switch
GB2263204A (en) * 1989-04-17 1993-07-14 Otis Eng Co Method of emplacement or retrieval of downhole objects
EP0687041A1 (en) * 1994-06-10 1995-12-13 Rotelec Disconnectable electrical connection system for a mobile assembly

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4876417A (en) * 1988-01-25 1989-10-24 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Combined high voltage connecting and grounding switch
GB2263204A (en) * 1989-04-17 1993-07-14 Otis Eng Co Method of emplacement or retrieval of downhole objects
EP0687041A1 (en) * 1994-06-10 1995-12-13 Rotelec Disconnectable electrical connection system for a mobile assembly

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2184589A1 (en) * 2000-12-20 2003-04-01 Cables Perti Sa Device for disconnecting the battery on a vehicle
GB2374709A (en) * 2001-01-31 2002-10-23 Leslie Earl Scott Accident warning system providing ignition disconnection and hazard light illumination
US7166990B2 (en) 2003-05-12 2007-01-23 Kare Hong Kong Limited Battery low-voltage protecting device
WO2014196917A1 (en) * 2013-06-07 2014-12-11 Autoliv Development Ab Battery module disconnect arrangement
US9789782B2 (en) 2013-06-07 2017-10-17 Autoliv Development Ab Battery module disconnect arrangement
WO2015078049A1 (en) * 2013-11-27 2015-06-04 Qoros Automotive Co., Ltd. A connection device and method for vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9820731D0 (en) 1998-11-18
GB2341985B (en) 2002-04-10
GB9912258D0 (en) 1999-07-28

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20050527