Jump start circuit for a vehicle battery

• US 6,211,577 B1
• Filed: 09/23/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kriegesmann, Stefan, Alksnat, Holger, Larisch, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US09/404,513
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 290/37 R, 290/36 A, 290/38 C, 290/38 E, 290/33, 322/13, 322/16, 320/133, 320/134, 320/135
• US Class Current: 290/37.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• 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 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0034 using reverse polarity correcting or protecting circuits mechanical means of polarity protection H02J7/0045

Abstract

A jump start circuit (26) for electrical connection between a battery (12) of a motor vehicle and jump start terminals (22,24) in the motor vehicle, the jump start circuit comprising a switch (28) for positioning in an electrical line (18) between one (22) of the jump start terminals and the battery, the switch being biased to a normally open position; and a logic circuit (32) having means for monitoring the polarity of a voltage across the jump start terminals, means for closing the switch on detection of a predetermined polarity, and a timer circuit for opening the switch after closing for a predetermined period of time. Provides protection against incorrect polarity connection during jump starting.

Claims

1. A jump start circuit (26) for electrical connection between a battery (12) of a motor vehicle and jump start terminals (22, 24) in the motor vehicle, the jump start circuit comprising a switch (28) for positioning in an electrical line (18) between one (22) of the jump start terminals and the battery, the switch being biased to a normally open position;

and a logic circuit (32) having means for monitoring the polarity of a voltage across the jump start terminals, means for closing the switch on detection of a predetermined polarity, and a timer circuit for opening the switch after closing for a predetermined period of time.

2. A jump start circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch (28) is an electromechanical switch, and the means for closing the switch includes a relay (30).

3. A jump start circuit as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a status light (34) connected to the logic circuit (32) and being illuminated by the logic circuit on closing of the switch (28).

4. A jump start circuit as claimed in any one of claim 3, further comprising a manual override switch (36) connected to the logic circuit (32) for manually actuating the logic circuit to close the switch (28).

5. A jump start circuit as claimed in any one of claim 4, wherein the logic circuit (32) includes means for monitoring the size of the voltage across the jump start terminals (22, 24) and to open the switch (28) on detection of a voltage above a predetermined voltage.