Circuit arrangement for monitoring the state of charge of an accummulator

• US 20040056634A1
• Filed: 09/29/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Schoch, Eberhard, Wenger, Christoph, Seils, Wolfgang, Brand, Martin, Schoettle, Juergen, Schmucker, Clemens
• Granted Patent: US 6,850,034 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/185 with compensation or feedback windings or interacting coils, e.g. 0-flux sensors using galvano-magnetic field sensors G01R15/20; conversion of DC into AC using transductors G01R19/20
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC

Abstract

A circuit configuration for monitoring the state of charge of an accumulator battery, which is installed in particular in a motor vehicle, has a control unit that records and evaluates the flow of current out of or into the accumulator battery. The control unit is able to be shifted into a state with low current consumption (sleep mode), out of which it may be brought again by an activation signal. Moreover, a sensor is provided that emits a signal in response to a flow of current out of or into the accumulator battery.

Claims

1. A circuit configuration for monitoring the state of charge of an accumulator battery, which is installed in particular in a motor vehicle, comprising a control unit (1) that records and evaluates the flow of current out of or into the accumulator battery,

wherein the control unit (1) is able to be shifted into a state with low current consumption (sleep mode), out of which it may be brought again by an activation signal;

and a sensor is provided that emits a signal in response to a flow of current out of or into the accumulator battery.

2. The circuit configuration as recited in claim 1, wherein primary winding (2a) of a transformer (2) is connected in lead (3) of the accumulator battery.

3. The circuit configuration as recited in claim 2, wherein the primary winding (2a) is formed by the lead of the accumulator battery.

4. The circuit configuration as recited in claim 3, wherein the transformer (2) is a component of a compensation-current sensor that measures the flow of current out of or into the accumulator battery.

5. The circuit configuration as recited in one of claims 1 through 4,

wherein the sensor signal is given directly to a comparator (4). consumption, the control unit being further adapted to be brought out of the state with low current consumption by an activation signal;

and

a sensor for emitting a signal in response to a flow of current out of or into the accumulator battery, the sensor including at least one primary winding of a transformer, the primary winding being situated in a lead of the accumulator battery and being used to detect a flow of current in the lead.

6. (New) The circuit configuration according to claim 5, wherein the state with low current consumption is a sleep mode.

7. (New) The circuit configuration according to claim 5, wherein the primary winding is formed by the lead of the accumulator battery itself.

8. (New) The circuit configuration according to claim 7, wherein the transformer is a component of a compensation-current sensor, by which the flow of current out of or into the accumulator battery is measured.

9. (New) The circuit configuration according to claim 5, further comprising a comparator for receiving the sensor signal.

Remarks

This Preliminary Amendment cancels without prejudice original claims 1-5 and substitute claims 1-4, in the underlying PCT Application No. PCT/DE01/03082, and adds new claims 5-9. The new claims conform the claims to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rules and do not add new matter to the application.

In accordance with 37 C.F.R. §

1.121(b)(3), the Substitute Specification (including the Abstract, but without the claims) contains no new matter. The amendments reflected in the Substitute Specification (including Abstract) are to conform the Specification and Abstract to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rules or to correct informalities. As required by 37 C.F.R. §

1.121(b)(3)(iii) and §

1.125(b)(2), a Marked Up Version Of The Substitute Specification comparing the Specification of record and the Substitute Specification also accompanies this Preliminary Amendment. Approval and entry of the Substitute Specification (including Abstract) is respectfully requested.