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Battery condition detecting apparatus and charge control apparatus for automobile

  • US 5,280,231 A
  • Filed: 07/01/1991
  • Issued: 01/18/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A charge control apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

  • a starter driven by a battery mounted on a vehicle, for starting an engine;

    an alternator for the vehicle, driven by said engine, for charging said battery;

    battery current detecting means for detecting charge/discharge currents of said battery;

    battery voltage detecting means for detecting a terminal voltage of the battery;

    battery current accumulating means for accumulating the charge/discharge currents of said battery which have been detected by said battery current detecting means;

    first battery capacity detecting means for detecting a first battery capacity based on the terminal voltage of the battery when the charge current of said battery detected by said battery current detecting means reaches a predetermined value during commencement of said starter;

    second battery capacity detecting means for detecting a second battery capacity by adding the charge/discharge currents accumulated by said battery current accumulating means after the detection of the first battery capacity to an initial capacity;

    initial capacity setting means for comparing the first battery capacity with a previously detected second battery capacity, for setting as the initial capacity of the battery the smaller of the first battery capacity and the previously detected second battery capacity, and for setting the first battery capacity as the initial battery capacity when the previously detected second battery capacity fails to exist;

    target value setting means for setting a target value of the battery after the engine has started in response to the initial capacity; and

    generation controlling means for controlling power generated by the alternator for the vehicle in such a manner that said battery is charged at the target value set by said target value setting means.

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