Automotive jump starter with polarity detection and current routing circuitry

• US 20050110467A1
• Filed: 11/03/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bon-Aire Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bon-Aire Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Thomason, Lincoln
• Application Number:
  US10/980,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20050110467A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/165
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/122 Provisions for temporary connection of DC sources of essentially the same voltage, e.g. jumpstart cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 Overheat or overtemperature protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0031 using battery or load disconnect circuits H02J9/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0034 using reverse polarity correcting or protecting circuits mechanical means of polarity protection H02J7/0045
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A battery charger for use on lead acid and dry cell batteries having a polarity detection mechanism, automated current routing circuitry and excessive voltage protection. The battery charger of the present invention is configured to provide safe, spark free jump starting.

Claims

1. A circuit configured for use in an automobile jump-starter having an internal battery comprising:

a bridge rectifier configured to provide correct polarity to a regulator, said bridge rectifier connected to a regulator;

said regulator connected to a current leakage protection circuit and to a microcontroller;

said current leakage protection circuit connected to said internal battery, said current leakage protection circuit configured to provide a ground for voltage reference and to prevent current from being drawn from said internal battery when said jump-starter unit is not in use, said current leakage protection device further comprising a switched capacity voltage converter; and

a polarity detection circuit, said polarity detection circuit configured to provide either a high or a low input to a microcontroller;

said microcontroller having at least two analog to digital inputs and a signal creating portion configured to direct a signal to said current leakage protection circuit, said microcontroller configured to detect polarity and a minimum amount of voltage;

to measure amount of voltage, and to determine whether said current leakage protection circuit should be shut off according to said measured amount of voltage and a pre-selected criteria.

2. The circuit of claim 1 wherein said current leakage protection circuit contains at least one MOSFET device.

3. The circuit of claim 1 wherein said polarity detection circuit device contains at least one MOSFET.

4. The circuit of claim 1 further comprising a heat sensing and regulating device.

5. The circuit of claim 1 further comprising an oscillator.

6. The circuit of claim 1 further comprising a charge pump.

7. A self contained automobile jump starter comprising:

an attaching device configured to attach said jump starter to a vehicle to be jump started;

a power providing device configured to provide a designated amount of electrical power through said attaching device;

a polarity detection device configured to determine the polarity of a quantity of power through said jump starter;

a regulator configured to regulate the polarity of power through said jump starter;

a controller configured to receive inputs from said attaching device and to provide dispersal of power out of said device according to a designated protocol and according to a desired program;

a current leakage protection device configured to prevent loss of power from said power providing device when said jump starter is not in use.