LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE ALERT SYSTEM

• US 20100244766A1
• Filed: 02/23/2010
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Old World Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: Old World Industries LLC
• Inventors: Olsberg, Alan
• Granted Patent: US 8,664,912 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/105
• 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 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

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for alerting a low battery charge condition in a jump-starter. In an embodiment, the system is portable. The system includes a first battery. The first battery is configured to provide a first battery voltage across a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the first battery. The system also includes a voltage comparison circuit that is electrically connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the first battery. The voltage comparison circuit is configured to compare a reference voltage to the first battery voltage. The system includes an alert circuit electrically connected to the voltage comparison circuit and configured to generate an output signal for a speaker. The system also includes a switch configured to toggle between an enabled state and a disabled state. In an embodiment, the switch includes a stopper tap. The alert circuit is configured to cause an audible alert when the first battery voltage is less than the reference voltage, and when the enabled state is true. When the enabled state is false (or the disabled state is true), the alert circuit will not cause the audible alert. In an embodiment, the system includes a display circuit to visually indicate the first battery voltage.

Claims

1. A system for alerting a low battery charge condition in a jump-starter, the system comprising:

a first battery comprising a rechargeable lead-acid battery, a positive terminal, and a negative terminal, wherein the first battery is configured to provide a first battery voltage across the positive terminal and the negative terminal;

a voltage comparison circuit electrically connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal, wherein the voltage comparison circuit is configured to compare a reference voltage to the first battery voltage;

an alert circuit electrically connected to the voltage comparison circuit and configured to generate an output signal for a speaker; and

a switch configured to toggle between an enabled state and a disabled state,

wherein the alert circuit is configured to cause an audible alert when the first battery voltage is less than the reference voltage and when the enabled state is true.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a stopper tap.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the stopper tap comprises male portion configured to be inserted into a jack.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a pair of connectors configured to connect to a second battery;

wherein the second battery comprises a rechargeable lead-acid battery, a positive terminal, and a negative terminal;

wherein the pair of connectors comprises a positive connector for electrically connecting the positive terminal of the first battery with the positive terminal of the second battery;

wherein the pair of connectors also comprises a negative connector for electrically connecting the negative terminal of the first battery with the negative terminal of the second battery, and

wherein the first battery is configured to recharge the second battery when the positive terminal of the first battery is electrically connected to the positive terminal of the second battery, and when the negative terminal of the first battery is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the second battery.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the reference voltage comprises substantially 10.5 Volts.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a display circuit for visually indicating the first battery voltage.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is portable.

8. A method for detecting a low battery charge condition, the method comprising:

toggling with a switch to enable an audible alert and to disable the audible alert;

measuring a first battery voltage, wherein the first battery voltage comprises a difference between a voltage of a positive terminal of a first lead-acid rechargeable battery and a voltage of a negative terminal of the first lead-acid rechargeable battery;

establishing a reference voltage;

comparing the first battery voltage to the reference voltage;

determining if the first battery voltage is less than the reference voltage; and

generating an audible alert when the first battery voltage is less than the reference voltage and when the switch is toggled to enable the audible alert.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the switch comprises a stopper tap.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising inserting a male portion of the stopper tap into a jack.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising electrically connecting a positive connector between the positive terminal of the first lead-acid rechargeable battery and a positive terminal of a second lead-acid rechargeable battery;

and electrically connecting a negative connector between the negative terminal of the first lead-acid rechargeable battery and a negative terminal of the second lead-acid rechargeable battery; and

recharging the second lead-acid rechargeable battery.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the reference voltage comprises substantially 10.5 Volts.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising displaying a visual indicator corresponding to the first battery voltage.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

providing a system for performing each of the steps; and

shipping the system with the switch toggled to disable the audible alert.

15. A system for communicating a low battery charge, the system comprising:

a means for toggling between an enabled state and a disabled state;

a means for measuring a first battery voltage, wherein the first battery voltage comprises a difference between a voltage of a positive terminal of a first lead-acid rechargeable battery and a voltage of a negative terminal of the first lead-acid rechargeable battery;

a means for establishing a reference voltage;

a means for comparing the first battery voltage to the reference voltage;

a means for determining if the first battery voltage is less than the reference voltage; and

a means for generating an audible alert when the first battery voltage is less than the reference voltage, and when the switch is toggled to enable the audible alert.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for toggling comprises a stopper tap.

17. The method of claim 18, wherein the stopper tap comprises male portion configured to be inserted into a jack.

18. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

a means for electrically connecting a positive terminal of the first lead-acid rechargeable battery with a positive terminal of a second lead-acid rechargeable battery; and

a means for electrically connecting the negative terminal of the first lead-acid rechargeable battery with a negative terminal of the second lead-acid rechargeable battery; and

a means for recharging the second battery.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the reference voltage comprises substantially 10.5 Volts.

20. The system of claim 15 further comprising a means for displaying a visual indicator corresponding to the first battery voltage.