ELECTRICALLY CRANKED ENGINE SYSTEMS

Abstract

An electrically cranked internal combustion engines, and particularly an internal combustion engine cranked using an electrical starter connected to a storage battery.

Claims

1. A system for augmenting the power output of a battery configured to power a starter motor of an internal combustion engine, the system comprising a supplementary power source, the system configured to form an electrical connection between the supplementary power source and the starter motor before, at the time of, or within 1000 ms of starter motor actuation so as to augment the power output of the battery thereby limiting the current drawn from the battery when powering the starter motor.

2. The system of claim 1, configured to form an electrical connection between the supplementary power source and the starter motor within 400 ms, 100 ms, or 10 ms of starter motor actuation.

3. The system of claim 1, configured such that power output of the battery is augmented by at least about 10% by the supplementary power source during starter motor operation as compared with the situation where no supplementary power source is provided.

4. The system of claim 3, configured such that power output of the battery is augmented by at least about 20%, 30% or 40% during starter motor operation as compared with the situation where no supplementary power source is provided.

5. The system of claim 1, configured such that the current drawn from the primary battery during starter motor operation is decreased by at least about 10% as compared with the situation where no supplementary power source is provided.

6. The system of claim 5, configured such that the current drawn from the primary battery during starter motor operation is decreased by at least about 20% or 30% as compared with the situation where no supplementary power source is provided.

7. The system of claim 1 comprising a detector configured to detect starter motor actuation.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the detector detects any one or more of: a voltage drop in a circuit connecting the battery to the starter motor, a current in a circuit connecting the battery to the starter motor, closure of a circuit connecting the battery to the starter motor, or actuation of a switch configured to close a circuit connecting the battery to the starter motor.

9. The system of claim 1 comprising a voltage sensor configured to sense the voltage of the battery before actuation of the starter motor, wherein the system is configured such that where the sensed voltage is relatively low and therefore indicative of potential difficulty in cranking the internal combustion engine, the system is configured to connect the supplementary power source to the starter motor.

10. The system of claim 9, comprising a switch being operable so as to connect and disconnect the supplementary power source to and from the starter motor.

11. The system of claim 10, comprising a detector configured to detect starter motor actuation wherein the detector is in operable communication with the switch such that when the detector outputs a signal indicative of starter motor actuation the switch connects the supplementary power source to the starter motor.

12. The system of claim 10 comprising a voltage sensor configured to sense the voltage of the battery before actuation of the starter motor, wherein where the sensed voltage is relatively low and therefore indicative of potential difficulty in cranking the internal combustion engine, the switch connects the supplementary power source to the starter motor.

13. The system of claim 1, comprising a microprocessor configured to detector starter motor actuation and rapidly cause connection of the supplementary power supply to the starter motor.

14. The system of claim 13, comprising a detector configured to detect starter motor actuation and/or a voltage sensor wherein the processor is configured to accept the output of the detector and/or the voltage sensor, and furthermore where indicated by the output of the detector and/or voltage sensor output a signal causing the rapid connection of the supplementary power supply to the starter motor.

15. The system of claim 1 comprising: a remote switch allow a user to manually cause connection of the supplementary power source to the starter motor, and a user-comprehensible indicator of the battery condition.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the indicator is a visual indication being on or proximal to the remote switch.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the battery condition is battery voltage or is derived from battery voltage.

18. A method for augmenting the power output of a battery configured to power a starter motor of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising the step of connecting a supplementary power source to the starter motor before, at the time of, or within 1000 ms of starter motor actuation so as to augment the power output of a battery used to power the starter motor thereby limiting the current drawn from the battery when powering the starter motor.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising the step of connecting the supplementary power source to the starter motor within 400 ms, 100 ms or 10 ms of starter motor actuation.

20. The method of claim 18, comprising the step of a user assessing the state of the battery and causing the connection of the supplementary power source to the starter motor where the state of the battery is indicative of the need for augmentation of the power output of the battery.

Description

ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0078] The present invention will now be more fully described by reference to the following non-limiting examples. The present invention will now be more fully described by reference to the following illustrative embodiments.

[0079] FIG. 1A shows a schematic block diagram of a preferred battery assistance system of the present invention comprising a secondary battery, a processor, a detector configured to rapidly detect starter motor operation and a manual switch having an LED battery condition indicator. The system is shown installed into the starting circuit of a vehicle having a primary battery.

[0080] FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of a system similar to that shown in FIG. 1A, except having a wireless remote switch that is actuatable by a user.

[0081] FIG. 2 shows comparative graphs detailing current flow in a vehicle starting circuit for a vehicle not fitted with the present system (FIG. 2A), a vehicle fitted with the present system capable of providing supplementary power source assistance within about 400 ms of starting (FIG. 2B), and a vehicle fitted with the present system capable of providing supplementary power source assistance within about 400 ms of starting (FIG. 2C).

[0082] FIG. 3 shows schematics of the three means for use in triggering the connection of the supplementary power source to the primary internal combustion engine starting battery is a circuit diagram.

[0083] FIG. 4A shows a schematic of voltage detecting circuitry to detect the primary battery voltage and the supplementary power source voltage by control unit.

[0084] FIG. 4B shows a schematic of primary battery low-voltage alarm circuitry.

[0085] FIG. 5 shows a schematic of charge and discharge current circuitry.

[0086] FIG. 6 shows a schematic of power supply circuitry and emergency jump start circuitry.

[0087] FIG. 7 shows microchip control unit and LED indication circuitry, control unit is in charge of the entire system and LED is to indicate the working condition.

[0088] One preferred embodiment comprises a supplementary power source and internal combustion engine start rapid detection circuitry for use in a vehicle. Reference is made to FIG. 1B showing one possible installation scheme. The system is contained within a housing 10 containing a module 12 which rapidly detects internal combustion engine starting according to a significant voltage drop across the terminals of the primary internal combustion engine starting battery 14. The detection circuitry module 12 is connected across the primary battery 14 via the electronic control unit 16. Also connected to the control unit 16 is a receiver module 18 configured to receive a wireless signal transmitted from a remote device 20. The vehicle ignition switch 22 is also connected to the control unit 16. Thus, the control unit can receive a positive signal form any one or more of the remote device 20, the ignition switch 22 or the detection circuitry module 12. The supplementary power source 24 is a lithium ion battery capable of effectively cranking the vehicle internal combustion engine, and connected in parallel to the primary battery via the controllable switch 26. In the drawing, the switch is shown in the open position such that the supplementary power source 24 is isolated from the primary battery 14. The controllable switch 26 is actuated by the control unit 16 to be alterable from the open state to the closed state thereby alternately isolating and connecting the supplementary power source 24. The System further comprises a manual jump start switch 28 which is also connected to the control unit 16. Actuation of the jump start switch 28 at any time sends a signal to the control unit 16, the control unit 16 in turn causing the controllable switch 26 to close thereby connecting the supplementary power source 24 to the primary battery 14, and therefore the internal combustion engine starting circuit.

[0089] While the vehicle internal combustion engine is starting (and the starter is cranking the internal combustion engine), the voltage of main battery will rapidly drop, and the rapid detection module 12 will detect this voltage variation and then send a positive signal to the control unit 16.

[0090] In addition, the control unit 16 is capable of continuously sensing the primary battery 14 voltage and the supplementary power source 24 voltage. Where the control unit 16 detects the primary battery 14 voltage less than a certain value, for example, less than 12.2V, the control unit will alter the driver by way of buzzer (not shown). If the control unit 16 detects the supplementary power source 24 is less than a certain value, for example, less than 10.0V, and further detects whether the internal combustion engine is running (for example by checking for a current or voltage from the vehicle generator), and where the internal combustion engine is running and the supplementary power source 24 voltage is less than 10.0V, the supplementary power source 24 will be automatically connected to the primary battery 14 in parallel and accept the charging current from the main battery.

[0091] An alternative to the embodiment of FIG. 1B is that shown in FIG. 1A being distinguished by the use of remote hard wired switch which is typically disposed in the cabin of a vehicle and therefore easily accessible by a driver. The switch has an LED indicator light thereon which is instructed by the MCU to become lit when the battery voltage is less than a predetermined acceptable value. Further discussion on the operation of embodiments having an indicator on or proximal to a switch is provided supra.

[0092] FIG. 3 shows schematics of the three means for use in triggering the connection of the supplementary power source to the primary internal combustion engine starting battery. As included in the boxed area 100, the port of SV is the signal input port of ignition, when the internal combustion engine starts, the internal combustion engine will send a signal to SV port, and then transfer it to control unit to rapidly actuate control unit, and then rapidly connect the supplementary power source to the primary battery.

[0093] Alternatively (as shown in the boxed area marked 200), the port of COM1 is the interface of the remote receiver; it consists of four ports with VCC, SCL, SDA, GND, when the remote signal is received, it is transferred to control unit through this interface to rapidly actuate control unit, and then rapidly connect the supplementary power source to the primary battery.

[0094] Alternatively (as shown in the boxed area marked 300) there is shown internal combustion engine start detection circuitry comprising operational amplifier U3, resistor R12-R14, capacitor C5, C11, diode D1, resistor R16. This circuitry functions to rapidly detect changes in the main battery voltage. When the internal combustion engine starts, the voltage of main battery drops, the voltage of the positive polarity of the primary battery (B+) is divided by resistor R12, R14, R13 and filtered by capacitor C5 and then transferred to the Pin 2 and Pin 3 of U3. U3 is an operational amplifier, the voltage of Pin2 is higher than the voltage of Pin3, the pin 1 of U3 will output a low voltage signal, and then send it to Pin14 (FV pin) of control unit through the diode D1, and then rapidly connect the supplementary power source to the primary battery.

[0095] Turning now to FIG. 4A there is shown voltage detecting circuitry, consisting of resistor R1-4, capacitor C2-3, which is to detect the primary battery voltage and the supplementary power source voltage by control unit. When the primary battery voltage is less than 12.2V, the voltage of B+ is divided by the resistor R3 and R4 and filtered by capacitor C3 and then transferred to Pin 19 (ADB pin) of control unit U1, control unit determines if the primary battery is under-voltage, and controls the buzzer shown in FIG. 4B. When the voltage of supplementary power source in is less than 10V, the voltage of LB+ is divided by resistor R1, R2 and filtered by capacitor C2 and then transferred to Pin 20 (ADLB pin) of control unit U1, control unit determines the supplementary power source is under-voltage, and then control the circuitry in FIG. 5 to cause charging of the supplementary power source.

[0096] Turning to FIG. 4B there is shown schematic of a primary battery low-voltage alarm circuitry, consisting of transistor Q5, resistor R28, R29, diode D8, buzzer P5-6. When control unit detects the main battery voltage less than 12.2V via the voltage detecting circuit of FIG. 4A, the Pin 14 (BUZ pin) of control unit outputs a driving pulse, through R28 and R29, and then turn on Q5, after that, Q5 will turn on P5-6 buzzer to alarm and indicate the main battery is under charge.

[0097] Turning to FIG. 5 there is shown charge and discharge current circuitry consisting of MOSFET Q2, Resistor R18, R19, diode D6, and Relay K1-2. When the internal combustion engine starts, control unit is rapidly actuated by the circuitry of FIG. 3, the pin 13 (RLY pin) of control unit outputs a driving voltage to the gate of MOSFET Q2, turn on Q2; the primary battery B+ is through the coil of relay K1 and K2, and R18, R19, Q2 DS to the ground, when the coil of K1 and K2 is closed, the supplementary power source (LB+) will be connected to the primary battery (B+) in parallel through the coil K1 and K2, thereby rapidly start the internal combustion engine with the supplementary power source and primary battery connected in parallel. On the other hand, when the supplementary power source is less than 10V, the pin 13 (RLY) of control unit outputs a driving voltage to the gate of Q2, then Q2 is turned on, the primary battery (B+) is through the coil of Relay K1 and K2, R18, R19, Q2 DS to the ground, the coil of K1 and K2 is closed, the primary battery (B+) is connected to the supplementary power source (LB+) in parallel to realize the primary battery to charge the seconding battery automatically when the internal combustion engine is running.

[0098] FIG. 6 shows the power supply circuitry and emergency jump start circuitry, consisting of the resistor R6, manual jump start switch S1, diode D2-4, MOSFET Q3, voltage stabilized chip U2, zener diode Z1, capacitor C9-10, C1, C4, resistor R7-11, transistor Q1, resistor R26-27. When the system is connected, the primary battery (B+) is isolated by D4, filtered by C9, and then stabilized the voltage by U2, and further filtered by C1 and C4, outputs a stabilized voltage of 3.3V, thereby supply to pin 9 of control unit. If the main battery voltage is less than 5V or OV, and the internal combustion engine cannot start, then user presses the jump start switch S1, the supplementary power source (LB+) will turn on the transistor Q1 after R6, S1, R9 and R11; and then Q1 will turn on the MOSFET Q3 through R7 and R8, the supplementary power source (LB+) is through R6, S1, Q3 and isolated by D3, filtered by C9, stabilize the voltage by U2, further filtered by C1 and C4, supply a stabilized voltage of 3.3V to pin 9 (Vdd) of control unit. In the meantime, the supplementary power source voltage (LB+) is through R6, S1, divided by R26 and R27, filtered by 010, send it to pin 3 (SV pin) of control unit, control unit determines it is at emergency state, and then control unit pin 1 (ON pin) and outputs a driving voltage, this driving voltage makes the transistor Q1 turn on after D2 and R10, further, lock up the status of Q1 turning on, also, the pin 13 (RLY pin) of control unit outputs a driving voltage to the gate of Q2, and Q2 is turned on, the primary battery (B+) is through the relay coil K1 and K2, R18, R19, Q2 DS to the ground, K1 and K2 will be closed, and supplementary power source (LB+) is connected to the primary battery (B+) in parallel through the coil of K1 and K2, thereby the supplementary power source is independently to start the internal combustion engine at this condition. In FIG. 6, alternatively, the Relay K1 and K2 can be MOSFETs control switch.

[0099] FIG. 7 shows microchip control unit and LED indication circuitry, control unit is in charge of the entire system and LED is to indicate the working condition. The stabilized voltage of 3.3V supplied to pin 9 of control unit from the circuitry of FIG. 6, the capacitor C6 and C7 is wave filtered capacitor, R5 and R15 is the pull-up resistor for control unit communication ports, C13 and C14 is the anti-interference capacitor. When the battery assist starts, the pin 5 of control unit will output a low voltage, the voltage of 3.3V is through LED LD1, resistor R22, control unit pin 5, the green LED LD1 turns on, indicating the battery assist is in the working status and supplementary power source is delivering output current. When the supplementary power source is accepting the charging current, the pin 6 of control unit outputs a low voltage signal, the voltage of 3.3V is through LED LD2, resistor R23, control unit pin 6, the blue LED LD2 turns on, indicating that the supplementary power source is automatically accepting the charging current.

[0100] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0101] Similarly it should be appreciated that the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following are hereby expressly incorporated into this description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0102] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and from different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art.

[0103] In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a method comprising step A and step B should not be limited to methods consisting only of methods A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

[0104] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[0105] In the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.