Power-supply-apparatus in a vehicle

• US 5,525,891 A
• Filed: 07/02/1993
• Issued: 06/11/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Frey, Wunibald, Doege, Mathias, Meyer, Friedhelm
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Law, Patrick B.
• Application Number:
  US08/087,688
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 320/15, 320/16, 320/17
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A power supply for a motor vehicle includes an additional voltage storage associated with the starter and the starter is separated from the rest of the vehicle supply system during the starting process by a charging/separating module. Since different variables of the vehicle supply system are supplied to this charging/separating module and corresponding measurements and detection take place within this module, the charging/separating module itself switches off or switches over in a manner which is optimally adapted to requirements.

Since the voltage storage associated with the starter and the rest of the vehicle supply battery can be operated completely independently from one another, they can be freely selected based on requirements (starting or buffering). A particularly reliable and safe charging of this voltage storage is ensured at a reduced nominal voltage of the voltage storage, also designated as starter storage.

Claims

1. A power supply device for a motor vehicle, comprising a first voltage storage for supplying a motor vehicle supply system;

a second voltage storage electrically connected to said first voltage storage and electrically connectable with a starter;

at least one generator for charging said voltage storages; and

a charging/separating module establishing an electrical connection of said voltage storages with one another and with said at least one generator and interrupting the electrical connection between said voltage storages and between at least one of said voltage storages and said at least one generator as a function of predeterminable parameters, said charging/separating module having an amplifier circuit and a power switch which is controlled by said amplifier circuit and is in a conductive or blocking state depending on a control signal of said amplifier circuit.

2. A power supply device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said storages is connectable with additional electrical consumers.

3. A power supply device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said storages is connectable with additional short-time electrical consumers.

4. A power supply device as defined in claim 1, wherein said voltage storages have different nominal voltages.

5. A power supply device as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising a second generator; and

a third voltage storage connected with said second generator and charged by the latter.

6. A power supply device as defined in claim 1, wherein said charging/separating module also has a switching element which is controlled by said amplifier circuit.

7. A power supply device as defined in claim 1, wherein said charging/separating module has a step-up transformer which is connected in parallel with said power switch, and said conductive or blocking state of said power switch is controlled via said amplifier circuit by the control signal.

8. A power supply device as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising means for feeding at least one signal to said amplifier circuit to form said control signal.

9. A power supply device as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for feeding said at least one signal includes means for feeding said at least one signal selected from the group consisting of current intensity signal, output voltage signal, temperature of said power switch signal, ambient temperature signal, engine running/stopped signal, input voltage and ignition "on"/"off" signal.

10. A power supply device as defined in claim 9;

and further comprising means for delaying the engine running/stopped signal and feeding the delayed signals to said amplifier circuit.