SAFETY CIRCUIT FOR MULTI-FUNCTION PORTABLE POWER CHARGER

• US 20160072323A1
• Filed: 09/09/2015
• Published: 03/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bollinger Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Halo2Cloud
• Inventors: Miller, Garold C., Weinstein, Nathan Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 10,075,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0029 with safety or protection devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00304 Overcurrent protection
• 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 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034

Abstract

A safety circuit is provided for a portable charger having a charger battery operatively connected by a power supply to positive and negative jumper cable jacks capable of jump starting a 12V car battery as well as at least one USB port capable of charging 5V portable electronic devices. The safety circuit includes a jump start relay operatively connecting the power supply to the positive and negative jumper cable jacks; a microprocessor, and a voltage input analyzer operatively connected with the microprocessor to enable or disable the jump start relay.

Claims

1. A safety circuit for a portable charger having a charger battery operatively connected by a power supply to positive and negative jumper cable jacks capable of jump starting a 12V car battery as well as at least one USB port capable of charging 5V portable electronic devices, comprising:

a jump start relay operatively connecting the power supply to the positive and negative jumper cable jacks;

a microprocessor; and

a voltage input analyzer operatively connected with the microprocessor to enable or disable the jump start relay.

2. The safety circuit of claim 1 wherein the voltage input analyzer is operatively connected between the power supply positive output and the negative jumper cable jack, and is operatively connected with a voltage input terminal of the microprocessor via a voltage divider from the positive jumper cable jack, such that the voltage input analyzer sends a portion of the positive jumper cable jack voltage to the microprocessor voltage input terminal for enabling the jump start relay in case the microcontroller detects a voltage differential of at least about 11 V from the charger battery positive terminal to the negative jumper cable jack.

3. The safety circuit of claim 1 further comprising a reverse polarity detector operatively connected with the microprocessor to enable or disable the jump start relay.

4. The safety circuit of claim 3 wherein the reverse polarity detector comprises a light emitting diode connected in electrical series between ground and the positive jumper cable jack, and comprises a phototransistor in optical communication with the light emitting diode and connected in electrical series between ground and a reverse polarity detection terminal of the microprocessor.

5. The safety circuit of claim 1 further comprising a differential voltage amplifier operatively connected with the microprocessor to enable or disable the jump start relay.

6. The safety circuit of claim 5 wherein the differential voltage amplifier signals the microprocessor to disable the jump start relay in case of an over current condition.

7. The safety circuit of claim 1 further comprising a reverse current protector operatively connected with the microprocessor to enable or disable the jump start relay.

8. The safety circuit of claim 7 wherein the reverse current protector comprises an operational amplifier operatively connected to the negative terminal of the charger battery.

9. The safety circuit of claim 1 further comprising a thermistor operatively connected with a temperature cutout terminal of the microprocessor to enable or disable the jump start relay.

10. The safety circuit of claim 1 wherein the safety circuit detects polarity across the jumper cable jacks, and disables the operative connection of the jumper cable jacks with the power supply, in case there is a reverse polarity.

11. The safety circuit of claim 10 wherein the safety circuit detects reverse polarity by energization of a light emitting diode connected between the positive jumper cable jack and ground.

12. The safety circuit of claim 1 wherein the safety circuit disables the operative connection of the jumper cable jacks with the power supply, in case there is a reverse current to the charger battery terminals.

13. The safety circuit of claim 12 wherein the safety circuit detects reverse current by monitoring an operational amplifier operatively connected to one of the charger battery terminals.

14. The safety circuit of claim 1 wherein the safety circuit disables the operative connection of the jumper cable jacks with the power supply, in case the charger battery exceeds a pre-determined temperature.

15. The safety circuit of claim 14 wherein the predetermined temperature is 65°

C.

16. A safety circuit for a portable charger that includes a charger battery, positive and negative +12 V DC charger jacks of different shapes, and a power supply operatively connecting the charger jacks with the charger battery, comprising:

a voltage analyzer;

a reverse polarity detector;

a reverse current protector; and

a temperature sensitive circuit,

wherein the safety circuit interrupts at least the operative connections of the charger jacks with the power supply, in case any of the following shut off conditions occurs;

(i) insufficient voltage across the positive and negative charger jacks;

(ii) reverse polarity of the positive and negative charger jacks;

(iii) reverse current to the charger battery;

(iv) excess temperature of the charger battery.

17. The safety circuit of claim 16 wherein the safety circuit initiates a jump start safety check sequence in response to a user actuation of a jump start button.

18. The safety circuit of claim 17 wherein upon successful completion of the jump start safety check sequence the portable charger provides 12 V DC current from the charger battery to the charger jacks.

19. The safety circuit of claim 17 wherein upon successful completion of the jump start safety check sequence the portable charger remains ready to provide 12 V DC current during a pre-determined period of time.

20. The safety circuit of claim 19 wherein during the pre-determined period of time the portable charger provides 12 V DC current from the charger battery to the charger jacks in response to a second user actuation of the jump start button.

21. The safety circuit of claim 19 wherein the pre-determined period of time is sufficient for three discrete jump start attempts.

22. The safety circuit of claim 21 wherein the portable charger discontinues readiness after three discrete jump start attempts.