Intelligent switch for connecting power to a load
First Claim
1. A switching circuit for controlling the supply of power from an exhaustible power source to a load which includes a control circuit, a power switch which is controlled by the control circuit or a man-machine-interface (MMI) and which, when closed, connects the power source to the load, and at least one signal switch input to the control circuit which can detect if a switch is open or closed and does not form a serial part of an energy transfer circuit from the power supply to the load and wherein the control circuit further provides at least one function selected from the following functions:
- (a) a power source level indication which is determined by comparing a fixed reference voltage to a closed circuit supply voltage and which is displayed to a user, even at times when the load is disconnected from the power source; and
(b) a function wherein the control circuit compares the voltage of the power source to a fixed reference voltage and, in response to the comparison, controls a duty cycle of the power switch to provide a substantially constant supply of power from the power source to the load over a voltage range of the power source.
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Abstract
A switching circuit includes a microchip which, in response to a signal from a signal switch, controls the operation of a power switch which, when closed, connects a load to a battery. The microchip can monitor the status of the battery and control the power switch to ensure optimum operation of the load and optimum usage of the energy in the battery. The microchip can control the connection of the load to the battery in different ways according to the manner of operation of the signal switch.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A switching circuit for controlling the supply of power from an exhaustible power source to a load which includes a control circuit, a power switch which is controlled by the control circuit or a man-machine-interface (MMI) and which, when closed, connects the power source to the load, and at least one signal switch input to the control circuit which can detect if a switch is open or closed and does not form a serial part of an energy transfer circuit from the power supply to the load and wherein the control circuit further provides at least one function selected from the following functions:
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(a) a power source level indication which is determined by comparing a fixed reference voltage to a closed circuit supply voltage and which is displayed to a user, even at times when the load is disconnected from the power source; and
(b) a function wherein the control circuit compares the voltage of the power source to a fixed reference voltage and, in response to the comparison, controls a duty cycle of the power switch to provide a substantially constant supply of power from the power source to the load over a voltage range of the power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification