Method and configuration for monitoring a vehicle battery

• US 7,639,019 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2007
• Issued: 12/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen Of America (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen Of America (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Cleymans, Guy, Kado, Mark, Bosse, Rolf
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIGGUSH, AARON C
• Application Number:
  US11/784,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20080246488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 324/426, 324/427, 324/429, 320/104, 320/134
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16542 for batteries charge condition monitoring in G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/371 with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method for monitoring a battery includes the steps of activating a power conservation mode of an electrical system of a motor vehicle, measuring a duration of activation of the power conservation mode of the electrical system, and measuring a quiescent voltage of a vehicle battery of the motor vehicle. A battery status is determined based on the duration of activation of the power conservation mode and based on the quiescent voltage of the vehicle battery. Information indicative of the battery status is provided such that the information is perceivable outside the motor vehicle. A flashing pattern of a light emitting diode may for example indicate the battery status. A motor vehicle having a battery monitoring configuration is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a battery, the method which comprises:

activating a power conservation mode of an electrical system of a motor vehicle, the power conservation mode being a transport mode for reducing consumption of electric power during transport or storage of the motor vehicle;

measuring a duration of activation of the power conservation mode of the electrical system;

repeatedly measuring a quiescent voltage of a vehicle battery of the motor vehicle when the power conservation mode of the electrical system of the motor vehicle is activated;

determining a battery status based on the duration of activation of the power conservation mode and based on the quiescent voltage of the vehicle battery; and

providing information indicative of the battery status such that the information is perceivable outside the motor vehicle when the power conservation mode of the electrical system of the motor vehicle is activated and an ignition lock of the motor vehicle has no vehicle key inserted therein.

2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises providing the information indicative of the battery status by using a visual indicator device mounted in the interior of the motor vehicle and visible from outside the motor vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1, which comprises:

providing the information indicative of the battery status by using a light emitting diode mounted adjacent to a vehicle window such that the light emitting diode is visible from outside the motor vehicle; and

controlling the light emitting diode such that the light emitting diode provides information that is not indicative of the battery status when the power conservation mode is deactivated.

4. The method according to claim 1, which comprises providing the information indicative of the battery status by using a flashing code such that a respective flashing pattern indicates a respective battery status.

5. The method according to claim 1, which comprises:

allocating the quiescent voltage of the vehicle battery to a voltage range selected from the group consisting of a voltage less than 11.6V, a voltage between 11.6V and 12.2V, a voltage between 12.2V and 12.5V, a voltage between 12.5V and 12.65V, and a voltage greater than 12.65V; and

determining the battery status based on the duration of activation of the power conservation mode and based on the voltage range.

6. A motor vehicle configuration, comprising:

a motor vehicle having a vehicle electrical system including an ignition lock, a vehicle key, a control device, a vehicle battery, a voltage sensor and an indicator device;

said control device being configured to selectively operate said vehicle electrical system in a power conservation mode and in a normal operating mode, the power conservation mode being a transport mode for reducing consumption of electric power during transport or storage of said motor vehicle;

said control device including a timer and being configured to determine a power conservation mode activation duration when operating said vehicle electrical system in said power conservation mode;

said voltage sensor being operatively connected to said vehicle battery and being configured to repeatedly measure a quiescent battery voltage when said vehicle electrical system operates in said power conservation mode;

said control device determining a battery status as a function of the quiescent battery voltage and the power conservation mode activation duration; and

said indicator device being operatively connected to said control device and being configured to provide information indicative of the battery status such that the information is perceivable from outside said motor vehicle when said vehicle electrical system operates in the power conservation mode and said vehicle key is not inserted in said ignition lock.

7. The motor vehicle configuration according to claim 6, wherein said motor vehicle has a vehicle interior, said indicator device is a visual indicator device disposed in said vehicle interior.

8. The motor vehicle configuration according to claim 6, wherein:

said motor vehicle has a vehicle interior and a vehicle window; and

said indicator device is a light emitting diode disposed in said vehicle interior, adjacent to said vehicle window.

9. The motor vehicle configuration according to claim 6, wherein:

said indicator device provides information indicative of the battery status when said vehicle electrical system operates in the power conservation mode; and

said indicator device provides information that is not indicative of the battery status when said vehicle electrical system operates in the normal operating mode.

10. The motor vehicle configuration according to claim 6, wherein:

said motor vehicle has a vehicle door with an inside door panel, said indicator device is a light emitting diode mounted on said inside door panel;

said light emitting diode provides information indicative of the battery status when said vehicle electrical system operates in the power conservation mode; and

said light emitting diode provides information indicative of said vehicle door being locked when said control device operates in the normal operating mode.

11. The motor vehicle configuration according to claim 6, wherein said indicator device is a visual indicator device configured to selectively flash in at least a first flashing pattern indicating that said vehicle battery needs to be checked and in a second flashing pattern indicating that said vehicle battery does not need to be checked.