Battery supply control unit

• US 6,347,030 B1
• Filed: 07/27/1999
• Issued: 02/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Matsuura, Kimihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Ballato, Josie
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARQUIS, VAUGHN
• Application Number:
  US09/361,531
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.6, 307/10.7, 307/10.8, 307/39, 307/41, 307/141, 307/10.1, 307/9.1, 361/86, 361/18, 361/83, 361/92, 361/195-198, 361/192-202, 361/160, 361/166, 361/167, 361/168.1, 361/170, 361/189, 361/191, 315/82, 320/127, 320/131, 320/133, 320/135, 320/136
• US Class Current: 361/166
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/18 for batteries; for accumulators

Abstract

A disclosed battery supply control unit comprises a large current relay in which an excitation current continuously flows when it is in its connecting state and a small current relay in which a limited excitation current flows only at the time of changeover between its connecting state and non-connecting state. If loads require a large current, the large current relay and small current relay are maintained in the connecting state, and if the loads do not require the large current, the large current relay is maintained in the non-connecting state while the small current relay is maintained in the connecting state at least in a predetermined time.

Claims

1. A battery supply control for controlling current supplied from a battery to at least one load, comprising:

an input for receiving a demand signal indicating when a current is demanded by the at least one load;

a first relay, disposed between the battery and the at least one load, capable of substantially passing the current demanded by the at least one load when the first relay is closed;

a second relay, connected in parallel to the first relay, capable of passing a fraction of the current demanded by the at least one load when the second relay is closed; and

a controller for closing the first and second relays when the demand signal indicates the at least one load demands the current, such that the current is supplied to the at least one load, and for opening the first relay and maintaining the second relay closed when the demand signal indicates the at least one load does not demand current, such that the fraction of the current is supplied to the at least one load.

2. The battery supply control of claim 1, further comprising:

a transistor, connected between the controller and the first relay, providing an excitation signal for closing the first relay.

3. The battery supply control of claim 1, wherein the controller maintains the second relay closed for a predetermined time when demand signal indicates the at least one load does not demand the current.

4. The battery supply control of claim 1, further comprising:

a resistor connected between the second relay and the battery.

5. A system for supplying a plurality of currents from a battery to at least one load, comprising:

a battery;

at least one load; and

a battery supply control, connected between the battery and the at least one load, comprising;

an input for receiving a demand signal indicating when a current is demanded by the at least one load;

a first relay, disposed between the battery and the at least one load, capable of substantially passing the current demanded by the at least one load when the first relay is closed;

a second relay, connected in parallel to the first relay, capable of passing a fraction of the current demanded by the at least one load when the second relay is closed; and

a controller for closing the first and second relays upon receiving a signal indicating the at least one load demands the current such that the current is supplied to the at least one load and for opening the first relay and maintaining the second relay closed upon receiving a signal indicating the at least one load does not demand the current such that the fraction of the current is supplied to the at least one load.