WO2003023934A2

WO2003023934A2 - Switching arrangement for back-up accumulator and control device for a battery

Info

Publication number: WO2003023934A2
Application number: PCT/AT2002/000258
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heimo KÖBERL; Herman JAZBEC
Original assignee: Koeberl Heimo
Priority date: 2001-09-07
Filing date: 2002-09-05
Publication date: 2003-03-20
Also published as: AU2002340601A1; WO2003023934A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a switching arrangement for back-up accumulators, especially for an auxiliary battery (HB) for a battery, especially a starter battery (SB) for a motor vehicle. In order to maintain operation in the event of a failure of the starter battery (SB), the batteries (SB, HB) can be interlinked via a controlled switch (V1) that is open in the normal operation. A sensor (Tp3) controls the voltage of the starter battery (SB) and a circuit element, for example a comparator (K3), evaluates the signals of said sensor. The output thereof is linked with a control input (G) of the controlled switch (V1).

Description

Switching arrangement for reserve memory and control device for a battery

The invention relates to a switching arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1.

In known switching arrangements of this type, the two batteries are optionally connected to the consumers, e.g. connectable to a starter. In this case, a manually operated changeover switch is provided for controlling the batteries, which is operated by the user when necessary.

However, there is the disadvantage that each of the two batteries must have sufficient capacity to be able to supply the consumers alone. This means that the auxiliary battery usually has the same capacity as the starter battery. This also results in a corresponding space requirement.

The aim of the invention is to avoid this disadvantage and to propose a switching arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset in which it is possible to keep the space requirement low.

According to the invention, this is achieved in a switching arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset by the characterizing features of claim 1.

The proposed measures make it possible to use an auxiliary battery with a smaller capacity compared to the starter battery, which is only used as a buffer battery. Such a buffer battery can be designed accordingly and, on the one hand, have a long service life and be characterized by only a very low self-discharge, a high current draw being possible for a short time.

If necessary, i.e. if the voltage of the starter battery drops too much during a start attempt, e.g. if the starter battery is in a bad state of charge, and therefore a start attempt can hardly be completed successfully, this condition is recognized by the energy-saving sensor and the auxiliary battery is connected to the starter battery and is therefore supported accordingly. This provides sufficient capacity for a start attempt.

The features of claim 2 give the possibility of adapting the control of the controllable switch in a simple manner according to the respective requirements. It is only necessary to program the microprocessor accordingly. In addition, a signal device can be activated in a simple manner, if the conditions for triggering the controllable switch and thus interconnecting the two batteries are present. In addition, a corresponding signaling of the fact that the auxiliary battery had to be switched on is a hint for the user to replace the starter battery or at least to have it tested.

The features of claim 3 result in the advantage that the condition of the auxiliary battery when it is loaded by being connected to the starter battery can be detected in a simple manner, in particular a load capacity which is below a defined value and which can be recognized by falling below a certain voltage value when loaded , In such a case, the corresponding display of the signaling device is an indication for the user to also replace the auxiliary battery or at least to have it tested.

By means of the features of claim 4, the auxiliary battery can be monitored for aging that has progressed too far and thus diminishing operational reliability even without being switched on. Thus, if the voltage of the auxiliary battery drops too much in the idle state, this circumstance is recognized and displayed in a simple manner, after which the user can take care of checking the auxiliary battery and replacing it if necessary.

The features of claim 5 avoid that brief voltage drops in the starter battery lead to unnecessary connection of the auxiliary battery.

In order to avoid damage to the starter battery and the auxiliary battery due to a too deep discharge or a too long extraction of high currents, it is advantageous to provide the features of claim 6.

The features of claim 7 result in the advantage that the microprocessor is protected against any repercussions of switching operations.

The invention further relates to a control device for a battery according to the preamble of claim 8.

In known such control devices, e.g. monitor the state of charge or also certain signs of aging of the battery, the sensors for detecting the current drawn from the battery are usually arranged close to the connected consumer or in the course of the electrical conductor for supplying the consumer.

However, there is the disadvantage that such an arrangement takes up a considerable amount of space and that subsequent installation is usually not possible. The aim of the invention is to avoid this disadvantage and to propose a control device of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the required current sensors can also be easily retrofitted and take up very little space.

According to the invention, this is achieved in a control device of the type mentioned at the outset by the characterizing features of claim 8.

The proposed measures make it possible to accommodate a sensor for recording the load current drawn from the battery or also charging current in a very space-saving manner, with the possibility of retrofitting, e.g. in the course of retrofitting. Any current sensor can be used, e.g. Shunts or Hall sensors.

The features of claim 10 result in a very simple solution in terms of construction. In this case, a connection piece of the electrical conductor provided for the connection of a consumer, which is customary for the respective battery type, can be used, so that practically no changes result from the installation of the shunt for the connection of the provided lines. Since such shunts, especially in the case of smaller batteries, can usually be kept very small, it is also possible to install such sensors in cases in which the batteries are arranged in very narrow spaces.

Another structurally very simple possibility results from the characterizing features of claim 11. There is the possibility of sliding a Hall sensor onto the battery rejection, and there is also the possibility of rejecting the rejection, e.g. can be designed in the form of a bolt, to mount an extension on the end face of the diversion and to slide the Hall sensor onto it. The connection of the electrical conductor can then be made on the front side of this extension.

The features of claim 12 result in the advantage that the shunt can be arranged in a very space-saving manner on the discharge of a battery.

Due to the features of claim 13, it is also possible in a simple manner to arrange a Hall sensor in the area where the battery is discharged, with the possibility of simple retrofitting.

Another object of the invention is to propose a Slrom sensor arrangement which is characterized by a simple structure.

Starting from an arrangement according to the preamble of claim 14, the characterizing features of claim 14 are proposed according to the invention. The proposed measures result in a structurally very simple solution that is also suitable for any retrofitting of battery systems.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show:

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the function of the device according to FIG. 1;

La and 2a schematically a first arrangement of a sensor;

3 to 19 schematically show further arrangements of a sensor in the area of a battery rejection and

20 shows a further arrangement of a sensor.

In the illustrated embodiment of a device according to the invention, a starter battery SB is connected to an auxiliary battery HB via an electronic switch VI, which is connected to the positive pole of the starter battery S B and is formed in the exemplary embodiment shown by a MOSFET transistor. These two batteries SB and HB are connected in parallel. The electronic switch VI, which can basically be formed by any component, is bridged by a series circuit formed by a resistor Rl and a Schottky diode Dl.

This bridging makes it possible to charge the auxiliary battery HB from an alternator (not shown) in addition to the starter battery SB in normal operation.

The control input G of the electronic switch VI is connected to an oscillator OSC via a diode D2, the diode D2 being followed by a smoothing circuit formed by a resistor R2 and a capacitor C1 connected in parallel therewith. The oscillator OSC is connected to the positive pole of the starter battery SB. In conjunction with the diode D2, the oscillator acts as a DC / DC converter with potential isolation.

The oscillator OSC is formed by a transformer Trl provided with three windings nl, n2, n3, a switch V2 and the resistors R3, R4, R5, R6 and the capacitors C2, C3, C4. The capacitors C3 and C4 are connected in series, the resistor R3 being connected to the connection point of these capacitors C3, C4, which is further connected to the emitter of the switch V2, to the base of which the winding n1 is connected. This is also connected to the parallel connection of the resistor R4 with the capacitor C4 and the resistor R5 connected in series with it. The emitter of the switch V2 is connected to the winding n2 and the capacitor C2 connected in parallel with it. The winding n2 is further connected to the resistor R6 and the capacitor C3, the resistor R6 being connected to a Reference voltage output + 5V of a reference voltage source IC3 is connected and is connected to outputs of comparators Kl, K2, K3 via resistors R14, R15, R16. The comparators K1, K2, K3 are combined in an integrated circuit IC1.

The oscillator OSC is controlled via a control output P5 of a microprocessor IC2, which is connected to a reference voltage source IC3, to the zero potential of which the oscillator OSC is also connected with its connection point of the capacitors C3, C4 and the resistors R3, R4.

This reference voltage source IC3 is connected on the input side to the auxiliary battery HB, a capacitor C5 being connected between an input + 12V and zero potential output OV and a capacitor C6 being connected between the zero potential output OV and the reference voltage output + 5V. Furthermore, a series connection of a resistor R7 and a capacitor C7 is connected between the input + 12V and the zero potential output OV. The voltage supply of the integrated circuit IC1, which is further connected to the reference voltage output + 5V, is connected to the connection point of the resistor R7 and the capacitor C7. The voltage supply of the comparators Kl, K2, K3 is only shown for the comparator Kl.

The reference inputs of the three comparators Kl, K2, K3 are connected to the reference voltage output + 5V. The outputs of the comparators K1, K2, K3 are fed back via resistors R11, R12, or R13 to their non-inverting inputs +.

The non-inverting input + of the comparator Kl is connected via a resistor R8 to the tap of a voltage divider Tpl and the non-inverting input of the comparator K2 is connected via a resistor R9 to a tap of a voltage divider Tp2, the two voltage dividers Tpl, Tp2 being connected in parallel are connected to the auxiliary battery HB.

Another voltage divider Tp3 is connected to the positive pole of the starter battery SB and the zero potential output OV, which is connected to the negative pole of the starter battery SB and the auxiliary battery HB. The non-inverting input + of the third comparator K3 is connected to the tap of this third voltage divider Tp3 via a resistor RIO. The voltage dividers Tpl, Tp2, Tp3 serve as voltage sensors, the signals of which are examined in the downstream comparators K1, K2, K3 according to predetermined criteria.

The inputs P1, P2, P3 of the microprocessor IC2 are connected to the outputs of the comparators K1, K2 and K3, respectively. An output P4 of the microprocessor IC2 is connected to a signal device S and the second output P5 to the resistor R5 of the oscillator OSC.

The comparator Kl in conjunction with the voltage divider Tpl monitors the open-circuit voltage of the auxiliary battery HB and the comparator K2 in conjunction with the voltage divider Tp2 a predetermined minimum voltage when the auxiliary battery HB is under high load, as given when the same was connected to the starter battery SB in the course of a start attempt is. The comparator K3 in connection with the voltage divider Tp3 monitors a predetermined minimum voltage of the starter battery during a start attempt.

If the auxiliary battery HB, which in normal operation only acts as a backup battery and is used for the energy supply e.g. a motor vehicle does not cooperate, drops below a predetermined voltage value, the comparator K1 emits a signal to the microprocessor IC2. This activates its output P4, as a result of which the signaling device S responds and indicates that the auxiliary battery HB is not sufficiently charged or is no longer sufficiently reliable. The signal device can briefly emit an acoustic signal and at the same time an optical display can be activated, which can preferably only be reset in the course of maintenance or repair of the vehicle. For example, the optical display could be a flap held by a relay, which changes its position when the relay is activated even for a short time and remains in it until it is reset manually.

If a start attempt (time T1 in Fig. 2) due to a drop in the voltage of the starter battery SB below a certain value, for example 8V, which is determined according to the characteristics of the starter battery SB, a corresponding signal is output at the output of the comparator K3 and sent to the Input P3 of the microprocessor IC2 (time T2 in FIG. 2), it outputs a direct voltage at its output P5 after a predetermined period of time, for example lsec (time T3 in FIG. 2), which causes the oscillator OSC to start and due of its frequency-determining elements starts to oscillate at its resonance frequency, for example 30 kHz. As a result, the winding n3 supplies a corresponding alternating voltage, which is rectified via the diode D2 and by the Smoothing circuit R2, Cl is smoothed. This rectified voltage, which is at the control input G of the electronic switch VI, causes the latter to be switched through between its electrodes S and D. Thus, the auxiliary battery HB is connected to the starter battery SB and supports it.

At the same time, the microprocessor IC2 emits a signal at its output P4 and activates the signal device S. Depending on the design of the signal device, this can have separate displays for the starter battery and the auxiliary battery or a common display for the batteries. In the first case, different signal trains can be emitted at the output P4 for the starter and auxiliary batteries, the corresponding signal devices selectively responding to these signal trains.

Due to the higher voltage due to the connection of the auxiliary battery, the start attempt will usually be successful. If this is within a certain time, e.g. 5sec, which is selected according to the data of the batteries and the vehicle, the control of the oscillator OSC is interrupted and the electronic switch VI interrupts the connection between the starter and the auxiliary battery SB, HB. At the same time, the signal device S is controlled accordingly by the output P4 of the microprocessor IC2 and this fact is displayed.

After the successful start, the batteries SB, HB are recharged by the alternator (not shown) (FIG. 2).

In the embodiment according to FIGS. La and 2a, a battery 1 has an angled diversion 2. A platelet-shaped shunt 5 held between two connecting pieces 3, 4 bears against this discharge line 2. This shunt 5 is fastened with a screw 6 and a nut 7. The screw penetrates bores of the diversion 2, the connecting pieces 3, 4 and the shunt 5, the screw being insulated from these electrically conductive parts by a sleeve 8 made of electrically insulating material is. The nut 7 is also insulated from the connector 4 by an electrically insulating washer 9. This ensures that there is no electrical shunt to the shunt 5.

The connecting piece 4 has in its free end region a connection 4 ′ which has the same shape as the connection formed on the free end region of the outlet 2, so that the same plug contact 10 which is connected to an electrical conductor 11 for Connection of a consumer or a charger is attached, both for connection to the connector 4, as well as to the outlet 2 could be used.

Signal lines 12, which lead to an evaluation circuit (not shown), are connected to the connecting pieces 3 and 4.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, a Hall sensor 13 is pushed onto an outlet 2 of a battery 1, which is connected to an evaluation circuit via signal lines (not shown).

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, a connecting piece 14 is connected in an electrically conductive manner by means of screw 6 and nut 7 to a diversion 2. A Hall sensor 13 is pushed onto the connector 14. An electrical conductor leading to a consumer is connected in the region of the free end of the connecting piece 14.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6 essentially corresponds to that according to FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the connecting pieces 3, 4 are angled in this embodiment and instead of a plug contact 10 a cable lug 10 'is provided for the connected electrical conductor 11, which is fastened with a screw 30 and a nut 31, which represent a connection for the electrical conductor 11. Furthermore, the signal lines 12 with cable lugs 13 are connected to the connecting pieces 3, 4, which are fastened with screws and nuts.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 7 and 8, the battery 1 has essentially conical leads 2. A Hall sensor 13 is pushed onto such a diversion 2. In this case, a connector 14 is placed on the conical outlet 2, which is located above the Hall sensor 13. The connector 14 is held by clamping on the outlet 2. For this purpose, a receptacle 15 is provided, to which an edge-open slot 16 leads, which can be narrowed with a clamping screw 20 and nut 21.

The connector 14 also carries an evaluation device 17, which is connected to the Hall sensor 13 and from which a control line 18 leads, which is provided with a plug 19.

In this embodiment, a clamping bracket 22, which is fastened with screws, is provided on the connecting piece 14 for connecting an electrical conductor 11 leading to a consumer or a charger. The embodiment according to FIG. 9 differs from that according to FIGS. 7 and 8 only in that the Hall sensor 13 is not integrated in the evaluation device but is pushed onto the lead-out 2 separately from it and is arranged under the evaluation device 17. The Hall sensor 13 lies in a recess in a housing of the battery 1.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 10 and 11, a connector 14 provided with a slot 16 is provided, which can be clamped on the lead 2 with a clamping screw 20 and nut 21. An evaluation device 17 is held on this connector 14. A current sensor designed as a Hall sensor 13 is arranged on the connection piece 14, which is further provided with a connection designed as a clamping bracket 22 for an electrical conductor 11 for connecting a consumer and / or a charger. The clamp bracket 22 is held on a web 40 on which the Hall sensor 13 is seated. This web 40 is inserted in the remaining part of the connection piece 14, preferably pressed in or shrunk in. But it is also possible to screw in the web 40.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 12, an extension 23 is fastened by means of a screw 24 to an outlet 2 provided with a threaded bore 25. A Hall sensor 13 is pushed onto this extension 23 and the screw 24 is used at the same time for connecting a cable lug 10 'of an electrical conductor 11. The Hall sensor 13 is connected to an evaluation device (not shown).

If necessary, the Hall sensor can also extend over part of the diversion 2.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 13, a connecting piece 14 with a receptacle 15 for an essentially cylindrical or conical diversion 2 and an adjoining edge-open slot 16 is provided, which can be narrowed by means of a clamping screw 20 and nut 21. This connecting piece 14 has a clamping bracket 22 for connecting an electrical conductor 11, a Hall sensor 13 being arranged between the outlet 2 and the clamping bracket 22 and seated on a web 40 of the clamping bracket 22. This web 40 is held in the remaining part of the connector 14.

Furthermore, an evaluation device 17 is held on the connection piece 14 and is connected to a display or signal device via a control line 18, which is provided with a plug 19. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 14 and 15, a connecting piece 14 is provided, which is clamped onto a cylindrical or conical outlet 2. The connecting piece 14 has a receptacle 15 for the discharge 2 and an adjoining edge-open slot which can be narrowed by means of a screw 20. A connector block 33 is fastened to this connector, which is kept insulated from the connector 14 by means of an electrically insulating intermediate layer 34. The connection block 33 is fastened with screws 35 which are guided in electrically insulating sleeves 36 which pass through the connection block 33, the sleeves 36 having flanges 37, as a result of which these or their heads are kept electrically insulated from the connection block ,

The connection block 33 is electrically connected via a shunt 5 to the connection piece 14, which is soldered to these two parts. The connection of the shunt 5 with the adjacent parts can also be done by welding or by means of screw or rivet connections or the like.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 16 and 17, a connecting piece 14 with a receptacle 15 for an essentially cylindrical or conical diversion 2 and an adjoining edge-open slot 16 is provided, which can be narrowed by means of a clamping screw 20 and nut 21. This connecting piece 14 has a clamping bracket 22, which is connected to the remaining part of the connecting piece 14 via a shunt 5 formed from two webs. The connection piece 14 and the shunt 5 can also be formed in one piece with a holder for the clamping bracket 22, the shunt 5 e.g. can be worked out by milling. However, it is also possible to cast the connecting piece 14 together with the shunt 5 and the receptacle for the clamping bracket 22 in one piece.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 18, the connection piece 14, which is provided with a receptacle 15 for a diversion 2 and a slot 16 adjoining it, has an extension 41. A Hall sensor 13 is arranged on this extension 41 and a clamping bracket 22 is detachably attached to the front side of the extension 41 by means of a screw 42.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 19, which is provided for a conventional monocell, a shunt 5 is held between two connecting pieces 3, 4. The connecting pieces 3, 4 and the shunt 5 are held by a contact cap 43 on the end face of the discharge line 2 of the battery 1. The signal lines 12 pass through the contact cap 43. 20 shows a solution in which a shunt 5 is arranged in a conductor piece or cable 44. The core 45 of the cable 44 is interrupted and the two parts are insulated from one another, but are connected to one another via the shunt 5. The signal lines 12 connected to the shunt 5 are connected to an evaluation device 17 which is arranged in the sheath 46 of the cable 44. A control line 18 is connected to the evaluation device 17 by means of a plug 19.

Claims

PATENT REPRESENTATION

1. Switching arrangement for reserve memory, in particular an auxiliary battery (HB) for a battery, in particular a starter battery (SB) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that the batteries (SB, HB) can be connected to one another via a controllable switch (VI) which is open in normal operation are, at least one sensor (Tp3) monitoring the voltage of the starter battery (SB) and a circuit evaluating its signals, eg a comparator (K3) are provided, the output of which is connected to a control input (G) of the controllable switch (VI).

2. Switching arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the comparator (K3) is connected to a microprocessor (IC2), the output (P5) of which controls the controllable switch (VI), a second output (P4) being a signal device (S) controls.

3. Switching arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one further voltage sensor (Tp2) is provided which detects the voltage of the auxiliary battery (HB) and which a circuit evaluating its signals, e.g. a comparator (K2) is connected downstream, which is connected to the signal device (S), preferably via the microprocessor (IC2).

4. Switching arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a further voltage sensor (Tpl) is provided which detects the voltage of the auxiliary battery (HB) and which further evaluates its signals with regard to the open-circuit voltage of the auxiliary battery (HB) Circuit (K3) is connected downstream, which is connected to the signal device (S), preferably via the microprocessor (IC2).

5. Switching arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the microprocessor (IC2) the controllable switch (VI) after reaching a falling below a predetermined voltage of the starter battery (SB) Signals of the voltage sensor (Tp3) monitoring the starter battery (Tp3) controls the controllable switch (VI) after an adjustable delay time.

6. Switching arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the microprocessor (IC2) interrupts the activation of the controllable switch (VI) after a certain time.

7. Switching arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control input (G) of the controllable switch (VI) is preceded by a DC-DC converter (OSC, D2) with potential isolation.

8. Control device for a battery with leads (2) and connections (4 *, 22, 30, 31, 33) for electrical conductors (11), wherein the control device comprises at least one sensor for detecting the battery current, which is connected to an evaluation device via signal lines (17), characterized in that the measuring sensor (5, 13) is arranged directly in the area of a diversion (2) and an associated connection (4 22, 30, 31) for an electrical conductor (11) is connected to this measuring sensor (5, 13) is subordinate.

9. Control device according to claim 8, characterized in that the sensor is formed by a shunt (5).

10. Control device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that in the case of a battery (1) with an outlet (2) for receiving a contact piece, e.g. of a plug contact (10), the shunt (5) is arranged between the outlet (2) and a further connection piece (4) for receiving the contact piece of the electrical conductor (11) and these parts are held under pressure, preferably by means of one in one Parts penetrating sleeve (4) made of an electrically insulating material and held against at least one of the outer parts (3, 4) electrically isolated screw (6).

11. Control device according to claim 8, characterized in that a Hall sensor (13) is arranged on the outlet (2) of the battery (1).

12. Control device according to claim 8, characterized in that a connection piece (14) is held on a diversion (2), which is provided with a connection block (33) for an electrical conductor (11) which is electrical on the connection piece (14) attached insulated and connected to it electrically via a shunt (5).

13. Control device according to claim 8, characterized in that a connection piece (14) is held on a diversion (2) on which between a receptacle for the diversion (2) of the battery (1) and the connection for the electrical conductor (11 ) a Hall sensor (13) is held.

14. Sfrom sensor arrangement with an evaluation device (17), which is connected via signal lines (12) to an Sfrom sensor (5), characterized in that the sensor (5) is arranged in a cable piece (44) and the measuring device ( 17) is arranged in the casing (46) of the cable piece (44).

15. Current sensor arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the Sfrom sensor is designed as a shunt (5) which bridges an interruption of a core (45) of the cable piece (44).