System for recharging the battery of a motor vehicle

• US 5,132,605 A
• Filed: 03/22/1991
• Issued: 07/21/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marelli Autronica SPA
• Original Assignee: Marelli Autronica SPA
• Inventors: Boella, Marcello, Vercesi, Roberto
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Peckman, Kristine
• Application Number:
  US07/673,546
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 322/28, 322/99, 320/61, 320/64, 320/68
• US Class Current: 322/99
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/16 Regulation of the charging current or voltage by variation of field

Abstract

A system for recharging a battery includes a current generator, a switch operable by a key and connected to the battery, an indicator lamp connected in series with the switch, and a voltage regulator with first and second inputs connected to the output of the generator and to the lamp, respectively. The regulator includes a circuit for regulating the current supplied to the field winding of the alternator in dependence on the voltage supplied by the generator, a supply circuit for supplying the voltage regulator circuit, and control circuit for enabling the supply circuit to operate when a current is flowing in the lamp and when the generator is in operation. The control circuit includes a comparator connected to the second input of the regulator, and hence to the lamp, and adapted to supply an enabling signal to the supply circuit when the voltage at the second terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A system for recharging a battery of a motor vehicle, including:

a current generator including an alternator with an armature winding and a field winding, and a rectifier, the output of the generator being connected to a terminal of the battery,

a switch connected to said terminal of the battery,

an indicator lamp connected in series with the switch, and

a voltage regulator which has first and second inputs connected to the output of the generator and to the lamp respectively, and which is activated through the switch and the lamp, the regulator including

a circuit for regulating a current supplied to the field winding of the alternator in dependence on the voltage supplied by the generator,

a supply circuit for supplying the voltage regulator, and

control circuitry connected to the lamp for enabling the supply circuit to operate when the lamp is on and when the generator is operating;

the control circuitry including first comparator means connected to the second input of the voltage regulator, and hence to the lamp, and supplying a first enabling signal to the supply circuit when the voltage at the second input exceeds a first predetermined threshold.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the control circuitry also includes:

sensor means for supplying an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of current flowing in the lamp, and

second comparator means connected to the sensor means and supplying a second enabling signal to the supply circuit when the intensity of the current in the lamp exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the outputs of the first and second comparator means are connected to an activating input of the supply circuit through an OR circuit.