Electricity: single generator systems – Automatic control of generator or driving means – Voltage of generator or circuit supplied
Patent
1992-07-10
1994-12-20
Hickey, R. J.
Electricity: single generator systems
Automatic control of generator or driving means
Voltage of generator or circuit supplied
320 35, 320 64, 322 21, 322 33, H02J 714
Patent
active
053748867
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a voltage regulator for an alternator. A voltage regulator for an alternator is known which charges a battery via a charging cable and supplies a vehicle mains with voltage. The output voltage of an alternator in a motor vehicle which is used for charging a battery and for supplying the consuming devices in the vehicle is controlled to remain at a constant value with the aid of a voltage regulator. Since the charging voltage required for optimal charging of the battery at low temperatures is higher than that required at high temperatures, the charging voltage and accordingly also the alternator output voltage are adapted to the temperature of the battery. For this purpose it is known e.g. from DE-0S 32 43 075 to measure the temperature of the battery with a temperature sensor which is fastened in the immediate vicinity of the battery and to influence the charging voltage with the aid of the output signal of this temperature sensor. A separate temperature sensor which must be connected by a relatively long cable from the vicinity of the battery to the regulator is disadvantageous. This results in added costs and is troublesome.
Since a drop in voltage which should likewise be taken into account for an optimal charging of the battery, occurs on the charging cable between the alternator and the battery, it is known from DE-OS 32 43 075 to measure the voltage at the positive pole of the battery also. However, an additional sensor and connection cable is required for this.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved voltage regulator of the above-described type, which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of regulating voltage generated by alternator, preferably in a motor vehicle.
According to the invention, a voltage regulator for an alternator connected to a battery via a charging
In contrast, the voltage regulator according to the invention cable and to consuming devices to supply the consuming devices with a voltage includes a control means having data storage means for storing data and simulation means cooperating with the data storage means so that a temperature of the battery and/or a voltage drop on the charging cable can be calculated by simulation in the simulation means from the stored data in the data storage means.
The control means advantageously can include a microcomputer having a memory which can provide the data storage means and the voltage can be determined in the control means by a temperature of the battery according to a predetermined relationship between the temperature and the voltage for optimum charging of the battery.
The control means, in a preferred embodiment, also includes a time measuring means for measuring time periods from at least one of a starting and shutdown of the alternator and the simulation means is structured to perform calculations of the temperature of the battery from the stored data in the data storage means and the measured time periods.
Means for determining a temperature of the voltage regulator can, in another embodiment, be included in the control device and the control means can use the determined temperature of the voltage regulator in calculating the temperature of the battery.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the voltage regulator includes a switching transistor connected to the alternator for controlling an alternator current delivered by the alternator to the battery via the charging cable, means for measuring an alternator rotation speed and means for measuring a pulse-duty factor of the switching transistor. The data storage means is structured to store an alternator current determined from measured values of the alternator rotation speed and the pulse-duty factor and a resistance in the charging cable so that the simulating means can be structured to determine the voltage drop from the resistance in the charging cable and the alternator current.
The inv
REFERENCES:
patent: 4342963 (1982-03-01), Karnowski
patent: 4992722 (1991-02-01), Maruyama et al.
patent: 5079716 (1992-01-01), Lenhardt et al.
Kohl Walter
Meyer Friedhelm
Mittag Rainer
Hickey R. J.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Striker Michael J.
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