Electronic battery tester with vehicle type input

• US 7,656,162 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I., Vonderhaar, J. David
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Application Number:
  US10/896,834
• Publication Number:
  US 20040263176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,021 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104, 320/132, 320/110, 320/DIG.19, 320/DIG.21, 324/426, 324/430, 324/433
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/005 Testing of electric installations on transport means
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3647 for determining the ability of a battery to perform a critical function, e.g. cranking
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/367 Software therefor, e.g. for battery testing using modelling or look-up tables
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/374 with means for correcting the measurement for temperature or ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/378 specially adapted for the type of battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/379 for lead-acid batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3835 involving only voltage measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/386 using test-loads
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3865 related to manufacture, e.g. testing after manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/389 Measuring internal impedance, internal conductance or related variables
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00041 in response to measured battery parameters, e.g. voltage, current or temperature profile
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00712 the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/163 with special means for initiating or limiting the excitation current

Abstract

An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing batteries used in a string of multiple batteries.

Claims

1. An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery for use in a vehicle, comprising:

a circuitry configured to measure at least one parameter of the battery;

an input configured to receive input data related to a type of the vehicle; and

test circuit configured to provide an output related to battery condition as a function of the dynamic parameter and the vehicle type.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the parameter comprises a dynamic parameter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the test circuitry includes an electrical load.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the test circuit includes a microprocessor which operates in accordance with an equivalent rating of the battery.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CCA rating.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a SAB rating.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a DIN rating.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a IEC rating.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a EN rating.

10. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CA rating.

11. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a MCA rating.

12. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a JIS rating.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the test circuitry is configured to couple to the battery through a Kelvin connection.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input comprises a user input.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 including a memory configured to store a plurality of test criteria each associated with a vehicle type.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the test circuitry is configured to retrieve test criteria from the memory based upon the vehicle type input.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the test circuitry provides the output related to battery condition based upon a comparison.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic conductance.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic resistance.

20. An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery for use in a vehicle, comprising:

a circuitry configured to measure at least one parameter of the battery;

an input configured to receive input data related to a VIN code of the vehicle; and

test circuit configured to provide an output related to battery condition as a function of the dynamic parameter and the VIN code of the vehicle.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the parameter comprises a dynamic parameter.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the test circuitry includes an electrical load.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the test circuit includes a microprocessor which operates in accordance with an equivalent rating of the battery.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CCA rating.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a SAB rating.

26. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a DIN rating.

27. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a IEC rating.

28. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a EN rating.

29. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CA rating.

30. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a MCA rating.

31. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a JIS rating.

32. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the test circuitry is configured to couple to the battery through a Kelvin connection.

33. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the input comprises a user input.

34. The apparatus of claim 20 including a memory configured to store a plurality of test criteria each associated with a vehicle type.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the test circuitry is configured to retrieve test criteria from the memory based upon the VIN code of the vehicle.

36. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the test circuitry provides the output related to battery condition based upon a comparison.

37. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic conductance.

38. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic resistance.

39. An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery for use in a vehicle, comprising:

a circuitry configured to measure at least one parameter of the battery;

an input configured to receive input data related to battery requirements of the vehicle; and

test circuit configured to provide an output related to battery condition as a function of the dynamic parameter and the battery requirements of the vehicle.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the requirements comprise battery service requirements.

41. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the requirements comprise requirements for a particular application.

42. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the parameter comprises a dynamic parameter.

43. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the test circuitry includes an electrical load.

44. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the test circuit includes a microprocessor which operates in accordance with an equivalent rating of the battery.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CCA rating.

46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a SAE rating.

47. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a DIN rating.

48. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a IEC rating.

49. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a EN rating.

50. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CA rating.

51. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a MCA rating.

52. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a JIS rating.

53. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the test circuitry is configured to couple to the battery through a Kelvin connection.

54. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the input comprises a user input.

55. The apparatus of claim 39 including a memory configured to store a plurality of test criteria each associated with battery requirements of the vehicle.

56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the test circuitry is configured to retrieve test criteria from the memory based upon the VIN code of the vehicle.

57. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the test circuitry provides the output related to battery condition based upon a comparison.

58. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic conductance.

59. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic resistance.

60. A method for testing a storage battery for use in a vehicle, comprising:

measuring at least one parameter of the battery;

receiving input data related to a type of the vehicle; and

providing an output related to battery condition as a function of the dynamic parameter and the vehicle type.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein the parameter comprises a dynamic parameter.

62. The method of claim 60 including applying an electrical load.

63. The method of claim 60 wherein providing an output related to battery condition is based upon an equivalent rating of the battery.

64. The method of claim 60 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CCA rating.

65. The method of claim 63 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a SAB rating.

66. The method of claim 63 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a DIN rating.

67. The method of claim 63 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a IEC rating.

68. The method of claim 63 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a EN rating.

69. The method of claim 63 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CA rating.

70. The method of claim 63 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a MCA rating.

71. The method of claim 63 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a JIS rating.

72. The method of claim 60 wherein the measuring is through a Kelvin connection.

73. The method of claim 60 wherein the input data comprises user input data.

74. The method of claim 60 wherein providing an output related to battery condition is a function of one of a plurality of test criteria each associated with a VIN code.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein test circuitry is configured to retrieve test criteria from the memory based upon the vehicle type input.

76. The method of claim 60 wherein providing the output related to battery condition is based upon a step of comparing.

77. The method of claim 60 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic conductance.

78. The method of claim 60 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic resistance.

79. A method for testing a storage battery for use in a vehicle, comprising:

measuring at least one parameter of the battery;

receiving input data related to a VIN code of the vehicle; and

providing an output related to battery condition as a function of the dynamic parameter and the VIN code of the vehicle.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein the parameter comprises a dynamic parameter.

81. The method of claim 79 including applying an electrical load.

82. The method of claim 79 wherein providing an output related to battery condition is based upon an equivalent rating of the battery.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CCA rating.

84. The method of claim 82 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a SAB rating.

85. The method of claim 82 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a DIN rating.

86. The method of claim 82 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a IEC rating.

87. The method of claim 82 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a EN rating.

88. The method of claim 82 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CA rating.

89. The method of claim 82 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a MCA rating.

90. The method of claim 82 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a JIS rating.

91. The method of claim 79 wherein the measuring is through a Kelvin connection.

92. The method of claim 79 wherein the input data comprises user input data.

93. The method of claim 79 wherein providing an output related to battery condition is a function of one of a plurality of test criteria each associated with a VIN code.

94. The method of claim 93 wherein test circuitry is configured to retrieve test criteria from the memory based upon the vehicle type input.

95. The method of claim 79 wherein providing the output related to battery condition is based upon a step of comparing.

96. The method of claim 79 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic conductance.

97. The method of claim 79 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic resistance.

98. An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery for use in a vehicle, comprising:

means for measuring at least one parameter of the battery;

means for receiving input data related to a type of the vehicle; and

means for providing an output related to battery condition as a function of the dynamic parameter and the vehicle type.

99. An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery for use in a vehicle, comprising:

means for measuring at least one parameter of the battery;

means for receiving input data related to a VIN code of the vehicle; and

means for providing an output related to battery condition as a function of the dynamic parameter and the VIN code of the vehicle.