Electrical accessory device controlling system for a motor vehicle and process for operation thereof

• US 20030052649A1
• Filed: 07/11/2002
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Webasto Thermosysteme International GmbH
• Original Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
• Inventors: Hupfer, Robert, Landgraf, Hans-Peter
• Granted Patent: US 6,762,513 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/135
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/14 for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1438 in combination with power supplies for loads other than batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

An electrical accessory device controller system and process for controlling for a motor vehicle having a vehicle battery and an alternator. The system is provided with an electrical interface for an electrical accessory device, a device for detecting the voltage of the vehicle electrical system, and a power supply control unit to connect the electrical accessory device to the battery according to the detected battery voltage or to disconnect the electrical accessory device from it. Furthermore, there is an auxiliary energy storage device rechargeable by the alternator and which is connected to the power supply control unit. The power supply control unit is made such that depending on the detected voltage of the vehicle electrical system it electrically connects the auxiliary power storage device to the electrical accessory device to the battery or disconnects the electrical accessory device from it.

Claims

1. Process for operating an electrical accessory device in a motor vehicle having a vehicle battery and a associate alternator, the electrical accessory device being interfaced to electronic controls, a means for detecting the voltage of the vehicle electrical system, a power supply control unit connected to the electrical accessory device and the vehicle battery, and an auxiliary energy storage device rechargeable by the alternator and is connected to the power supply control unit, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) separating the electrical accessory device from the vehicle battery by means of the power supply control unit, when detected battery voltage has fallen below a given first threshold value for a given first time interval;

(b) connecting the electrical accessory device to the auxiliary power storage device by means of the power supply control unit, and after expiration of a second time interval, disconnecting the electrical accessory device from the auxiliary power storage device;

(c) reconnecting the electrical accessory device to the vehicle battery by means of the power supply control unit, and after expiration of a third time interval, disconnecting the electrical accessory device from the vehicle battery; and

(d) reconnecting the electrical accessory device to the vehicle battery by means of the power supply control unit when the detected voltage of the vehicle electrical system has exceeded a given second threshold value which is greater than the first threshold value for a given fourth time interval,

wherein steps a) to c) are performed in succession and step (d) is given priority over steps (b) and (c).

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the second time interval is predetermined.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the third time interval is predetermined.

4. The process of claim 2, wherein at least one of the second and third time intervals are set by an operator via remote control.

5. An electrical accessory device system for a motor vehicle having a vehicle battery and an alternator, an electrical interface for an electrical accessory device, a means for detecting the voltage of the vehicle electrical system, and a power supply control unit for connecting the electrical accessory device to the vehicle battery according to detected battery voltage and for disconnecting the same from the battery, comprising:

an auxiliary energy storage device that is adapted to be recharged by the alternator and which is connected to the power supply control unit, the power supply control unit being adapted to electrically connects the auxiliary energy storage device to the electrical accessory device to the vehicle battery based on the detected voltage of the vehicle electrical system and to disconnect the electrical accessory device from the vehicle battery.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the electrical interface is a wireless data transmission device.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the data transmission means is based on a mobile telecommunications standard.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the electrical interface is a control device for the electrical accessory device.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the electrical accessory device is an auxiliary heating device.

10. The device of claim 5, wherein the power supply control unit is a common power supply control unit for a plurality of electrical accessory devices and associated electrical interfaces.