Method for detecting the connection between the energy storage mechanism and the electrical system of a vehicle

• US 20060028180A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Merkle, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,459,911 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/137
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/67 Testing the correctness of wire connections in electric apparatus or circuits

Abstract

A method for detecting the state of electrical connection of an energy store, e.g., a battery, to a vehicle'"'"'s electrical system includes ascertaining operating variables, e.g., battery current I_B and generator current I_G, essentially in time synchronous fashion. When there is a change in the generator current I_G of the generator during a transitional time, the energy store is checked for the value of the battery current I_B for the detection of a compensating effect in the form of a current delivery or a current consumption.

Claims

1. A method for detecting the state of electrical connection of a battery to a vehicle'"'"'s electrical system, comprising:

recording, in approximately synchronous manner, operating variables including a battery current and a generator current of a generator coupled to the electrical system;

ascertaining the value of the battery current when a change occurs in the generator current of the generator during a specified transitional period, whereby a compensating effect of the battery current in the form of one of a current supply and a current consumption is ascertained.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the transitional period is equivalent to a characteristic time constant of the generator and a controller associated with the generator.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein, if the ascertained value of the battery current is substantially zero, the ascertained value is checked against a tolerance range.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein, if the generator current is changed by a predetermined current amount during a predetermined time span, an analysis of the battery current during the specified transitional period is made.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the existence of the compensating effect of the battery indicates an electrical connection of the battery to the electrical system.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein, if the ascertained value of the battery current is substantially zero and within a tolerance range, a conclusion is made that the battery is electrically disconnected from the electrical system.

7. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the predetermined current amount is greater than 5 Amps and less than 150 Amps, and wherein the predetermined time span is less than the characteristic time constant of the generator and the controller associated with the generator.

8. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the change in the generator current is one of:

a) caused by switching on and off of at least one electrical load within electrical system; and

b) impressed by a superordinated controller.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the values of the battery current and the generator current are recorded cyclically at a time interval of several 10 ms.