Portable vehicle power conversion device

Abstract

A portable vehicle power converter is disclosed for installation in a vehicle to power a vehicle device, or for carrying as a portable backup power source. It includes an input port, an output port, a battery module, and a control circuit coupled to the input port, the output port, and the battery module. The output port provides a first voltage. When the portable vehicle power converter is installed in a vehicle, the input port is coupled to a start signal ACC and a generator output voltage. The control circuit selects the generator output voltage as the input power source when the start signal ACC is active, and selects the battery module as the input power source when the start signal ACC is inactive. The control circuit converts the input power source into the first voltage to power the vehicle device via the output port.

Description

Portable vehicle power conversion device Technical Field

[0001] This work relates to automotive batteries, and more particularly to a portable automotive power conversion device. Prior Technology

[0002] A car engine typically relies on a power source, such as a lead-acid battery, to start. Therefore, ideally, when the car is turned off, the car's power consumption should immediately drop to zero to ensure that the lead-acid battery can restart the car.

[0003] However, due to the inclusion of electronic door locks, anti-theft systems, satellite navigation, and surveillance cameras, the standby power consumption of modern cars has increased significantly. Furthermore, the self-discharge effect of lead-acid batteries also causes power loss. Therefore, the risk of a car failing to start has greatly increased.

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, there is an urgent need in this field for a novel portable automotive power conversion device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main purpose of this invention is to provide a portable vehicle power conversion device to provide backup power to a vehicle device, or to act as a mobile power source to power an electronic device.

[0006] Another objective of this invention is to provide a portable vehicle power conversion device that can automatically determine whether there is a generator output voltage or an external charging power source connected to obtain an input power source, and can perform a power management operation according to the type of input power source to determine whether to charge the internal battery module of the vehicle equipment or an electronic device at the same time while powering the vehicle equipment or an electronic device.

[0007] Another objective of this invention is to provide a portable vehicle power conversion device that can automatically determine whether the battery module is overheating or overcharged, and issue a warning signal when the battery module is overheating or overcharged to prevent the battery module from exploding or burning, thereby ensuring the safe use of the portable vehicle power conversion device.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, a portable vehicle power converter is proposed for installation in a vehicle to power a vehicle device, or for carrying as a portable backup power source. The portable vehicle power converter includes an input port, an output port, a battery module, and a control circuit coupled to the input port, the output port, and the battery module. The output port provides a first voltage. When the portable vehicle power conversion device is installed in a vehicle, the input port is coupled to a start signal ACC and a generator output voltage; the control circuit selects the generator output voltage as the input power when the start signal ACC is active, and can select the battery module as the input power when the start signal ACC is inactive; and the control circuit converts the input power into the first voltage to supply power to the vehicle equipment via the output port.

[0009] In one embodiment, the output port further provides a second voltage to power an electronic device carried into the vehicle via the output port; and when the portable vehicle power conversion device is removed from the vehicle, the control circuit can select the battery module as the input power source and convert the input power source into the second voltage to power an external electronic device via the output port.

[0010] In one embodiment, the control circuit has a microcontroller module and a voltage conversion circuit.

[0011] In one embodiment, the portable vehicle power conversion device further includes: an alarm unit coupled to the microcontroller module, wherein when the microcontroller module receives a first abnormal state signal of the battery module or a second abnormal state signal of the generator output voltage, the microcontroller module drives the alarm unit to issue an alarm signal.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first abnormal state signal is generated when the battery module experiences overheating or overcharging.

[0013] In one embodiment, the warning signal is a flashing light signal or an audible signal.

[0014] In one embodiment, the portable vehicle power conversion device further includes: a display unit coupled to the microcontroller module, for displaying at least one operating parameter of the battery module under the control of the microcontroller module, the operating parameter being a parameter selected from a group consisting of voltage, current, temperature, the SOC value, and the SOH value; and for displaying the remaining battery cycle life of the battery module, or displaying warning text when the battery module is overheated or overcharged.

[0015] In one embodiment, the display unit is a liquid crystal display.

[0016] In possible embodiments, the battery module may have a lithium-ion battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, or a nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0017] In one embodiment, the control circuit further includes a charging module coupled to the input port to convert an external power supply into a charging voltage, and the control circuit is capable of performing a power management operation by detecting the start signal ACC and the charging voltage.

[0018] In one embodiment, the power management operation includes: when the control circuit detects the start signal ACC, it charges the battery module using the generator output voltage, and generates the first voltage and the second voltage according to the generator output voltage.

[0019] In one embodiment, the power management operation includes: when the control circuit does not detect the start signal ACC and does not detect the charging voltage generated by the charging module, it generates the first voltage and the second voltage according to the output voltage of the battery module.

[0020] In one embodiment, the power management operation includes: when the control circuit does not detect the start signal ACC but detects the charging voltage generated by the charging module, it uses the charging voltage to charge the battery module and generates the first voltage and the second voltage according to the charging voltage.

[0021] To enable your review committee to further understand the structure, features, purpose, and advantages of this work, detailed descriptions of the drawings and preferred embodiments are attached below. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0022] Figure 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the portable vehicle power conversion device of this invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the portable vehicle power conversion device of this invention; and Figure 3 is a block diagram of yet another embodiment of the portable vehicle power conversion device of this invention. Implementation

[0023] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a block diagram of one embodiment of the portable vehicle power conversion device of this invention. As shown in Figure 1, a portable vehicle power conversion device 100 includes a control circuit 110, a battery module 120, an input port 130, an output port 140, an alarm unit 150, and a display unit 160.

[0024] The control circuit 110 has a microcontroller module 111 and a voltage conversion circuit 112, wherein the voltage conversion circuit 112 converts an input voltage provided by the input port 130 into a first voltage VO1 under the control of the microcontroller module 111.

[0025] The battery module 120 may contain a lithium-ion battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, or a nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0026] Input port 130 is used to couple to a vehicle power supply starting signal ACC and a generator output voltage VS1, and transmits the starting signal ACC and the generator output voltage VS1 to the control circuit 110.

[0027] The output port 140 series is used to provide the first voltage VO1 to the outside.

[0028] The warning unit 150 is coupled to the microcontroller module 111. When the microcontroller module 111 receives a first abnormal state signal from one of the battery modules 120 or a second abnormal state signal from one of the generator output voltages VS1, the microcontroller module 111 drives the warning unit 150 to issue a warning signal. The first abnormal state signal is generated when the battery module 120 is overheated or overcharged. The warning signal can be a flashing light or an audible signal.

[0029] The display unit 160, which may be a liquid crystal display, is coupled to the microcontroller module 111 and is used to display at least one operating parameter of the battery module 120 under the control of the microcontroller module 111. That is, it displays at least one of the following parameters of the battery module 120: voltage, current, temperature, SOC value, and SOH value. In addition, the display unit 160 may also display the remaining battery cycle life of the battery module 120, or display warning text when the battery module 120 is overheated or overcharged.

[0030] When the portable vehicle power conversion device 100 is installed in a vehicle, the input port 130 is coupled to the start signal ACC and the generator output voltage VS1. The control circuit 110 selects the generator output voltage VS1 as the input power when the start signal ACC is active, and can select the battery module 120 as the input power when the start signal ACC is inactive. The control circuit 110 converts the input power into a first voltage VO1 to supply power to a vehicle device via the output port 140.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a block diagram of another embodiment of the portable vehicle power conversion device of this invention. As shown in Figure 2, a portable vehicle power conversion device 200 includes a control circuit 210, a battery module 220, an input port 230, an output port 240, an alarm unit 250, and a display unit 260.

[0032] The control circuit 210 has a microcontroller module 211 and a voltage conversion circuit 212, wherein the voltage conversion circuit 212 converts an input voltage provided by the input port 230 into a first voltage VO1 and a second voltage VO2 under the control of the microcontroller module 211.

[0033] The battery module 220 may contain a lithium-ion battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, or a nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0034] Input port 230 is used to couple to a starting signal ACC of a vehicle power supply and an output voltage VS1 of a generator, and transmits the starting signal ACC and the output voltage VS1 of the generator to the control circuit 210.

[0035] The output port 240 is used to provide the first voltage VO1 and the second voltage VO2 to the outside.

[0036] The warning unit 250 is coupled to the microcontroller module 211. When the microcontroller module 211 receives a first abnormal state signal from one of the battery modules 220 or a second abnormal state signal from one of the generator output voltages VS1, the microcontroller module 211 drives the warning unit 250 to issue a warning signal. The first abnormal state signal is generated when the battery module 220 is overheated or overcharged. The warning signal can be a flashing light or an audible signal.

[0037] Display unit 260, which may be a liquid crystal display, is coupled to microcontroller module 211 and is used to display at least one operating parameter of battery module 220 under the control of microcontroller module 211. That is, it displays at least one of the following parameters of battery module 220: voltage, current, temperature, SOC value, and SOH value. In addition, display unit 260 may also display the remaining battery cycle life of battery module 220, or display warning text when battery module 220 is overheated or overcharged.

[0038] When the portable vehicle power conversion device 200 is installed in a vehicle, the input port 230 is coupled to the start signal ACC and the generator output voltage VS1. The control circuit 210 selects the generator output voltage VS1 as the input power when the start signal ACC is active, and can select the battery module 220 as the input power when the start signal ACC is inactive. The control circuit 210 converts the input power into a first voltage VO1 and a second voltage VO2 to supply power to a vehicle device and an electronic device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet computer) carried into the vehicle via the output port 240.

[0039] In addition, when the portable vehicle power conversion device 200 is removed from the vehicle, the control circuit 210 can select the battery module 220 as the input power source and convert the input power source into a second voltage VO2 to supply power to an external electronic device via the output port 240.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a block diagram of another embodiment of the portable vehicle power conversion device of this invention. As shown in Figure 3, a portable vehicle power conversion device 300 includes a control circuit 310, a battery module 320, an input port 330, an output port 340, an alarm unit 350, a display unit 360, and a charging module 370.

[0041] The control circuit 310 includes a microcontroller module 311 and a voltage conversion circuit 312, wherein the voltage conversion circuit 312 converts an input voltage provided by the input port 330 into a first voltage VO1 and a second voltage VO2 under the control of the microcontroller module 311.

[0042] The battery module 320 may contain a lithium-ion battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, or a nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0043] Input port 330 is used to couple to a vehicle power supply starting signal ACC, a generator output voltage VS1 and a charging voltage VIN, and transmits the starting signal ACC, the generator output voltage VS1 and the charging voltage VIN to the control circuit 310.

[0044] The output port 340 is used to provide the first voltage VO1 and the second voltage VO2 to the outside.

[0045] The warning unit 350 is coupled to the microcontroller module 311. When the microcontroller module 311 receives a first abnormal state signal from one of the battery modules 320 or a second abnormal state signal from one of the generator output voltages VS1, the microcontroller module 311 drives the warning unit 350 to issue a warning signal. The first abnormal state signal is generated when the battery module 320 is overheated or overcharged. The warning signal can be a flashing light or an audible signal.

[0046] The display unit 360, which may be a liquid crystal display, is coupled to the microcontroller module 311 and is used to display at least one operating parameter of the battery module 320 under the control of the microcontroller module 311. That is, it displays at least one of the following parameters of the battery module 320: voltage, current, temperature, SOC value, and SOH value. In addition, the display unit 360 may also display the remaining battery cycle life of the battery module 320, or display warning text when the battery module 320 is overheated or overcharged.

[0047] The charging module 370 series is used to convert an external power supply VAC into a charging voltage VIN.

[0048] During operation, the control circuit 310 can perform a power management operation by detecting the start signal ACC and the charging voltage VIN. This power management operation includes:

[0049] (a) When the control circuit 310 detects the start signal ACC, it uses the generator output voltage VS1 to charge the battery module 320 and generates a first voltage VO1 and a second voltage VO2 according to the generator output voltage VS1.

[0050] (ii) When the control circuit 310 does not detect the start signal ACC and does not detect the charging voltage VIN generated by the charging module 370, it generates a first voltage VO1 and a second voltage VO2 based on the output voltage of the battery module 320.

[0051] (iii) When the control circuit 310 does not detect the start signal ACC but detects the charging voltage VIN generated by the charging module 370, it uses the charging voltage VIN to charge the battery module 320 and generates the first voltage VO1 and the second voltage VO2 according to the charging voltage VIN.

[0052] Based on the above design, this creation has the following advantages:

[0053] 1. The portable vehicle power conversion device of this invention can provide backup power to a vehicle device, or act as a mobile power source to power an electronic device.

[0054] 2. The portable vehicle power conversion device of this invention can automatically determine whether there is a generator output voltage or an external charging power source connected to obtain an input power source, and can perform a power management operation according to the type of input power source to determine whether to charge the internal battery module at the same time as powering vehicle equipment or an electronic device.

[0055] Third, the portable vehicle power conversion device of this invention can automatically determine whether the battery module is overheated or overcharged, and issue a warning signal when the battery module is overheated or overcharged to prevent the battery module from exploding or burning, thereby ensuring the safe use of the portable vehicle power conversion device.

[0056] The embodiments disclosed in this case are preferred embodiments. Any partial changes or modifications that originate from the technical ideas of this case and can be easily deduced by those skilled in the art are not outside the scope of the patent rights of this case.

[0057] In conclusion, this case demonstrates a significant difference from conventional technology in terms of purpose, means, and effectiveness. Furthermore, its original creation is practical and meets the requirements for a utility model patent. We earnestly request that your esteemed examiner carefully review the case and grant the patent as soon as possible to benefit society. This is our sincere prayer.

[0058] 100: Portable vehicle power conversion device 110: Control Circuit 111: Microcontroller Module 112: Voltage conversion circuit 120: Battery Module 130: Input Port 140: Output Port 150: Warning Unit 160: Display Unit 200: Portable vehicle power conversion device 210: Control Circuit 211: Microcontroller Module 212: Voltage conversion circuit 220: Battery Module 230: Input Port 240: Output Port 250: Warning Unit 260: Display Unit 300: Portable vehicle power conversion device 310: Control Circuit 311: Microcontroller Module 312: Voltage conversion circuit 320: Battery Module 330: Input Port 340: Output Port 350: Warning Unit 360: Display Unit 370: Charging Module ACC: Start Signal VS1: Generator output voltage VO1: First voltage VO2: Second voltage VIN: Charging voltage VAC: External power supply

Claims

1. A portable vehicle power conversion device for installation in a vehicle to power a vehicle-mounted device, or for carrying as a portable backup power source, comprising an input port, an output port, a battery module, and a control circuit coupled to the input port, the output port, and the battery module, wherein the output port provides a first voltage; wherein, When the portable vehicle power conversion device is installed in a vehicle, the input port is coupled to a start signal and a generator output voltage; the control circuit selects the generator output voltage as the input power when the start signal is active, and can select the battery module as the input power when the start signal is inactive; and the control circuit converts the input power into the first voltage to supply power to the vehicle device via the output port.

2. The portable vehicle power conversion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output port further provides a second voltage to power an electronic device carried into the vehicle via the output port; and when the portable vehicle power conversion device is removed from the vehicle, the control circuit is capable of selecting the battery module as the input power source and converting the input power source into the second voltage to power an external electronic device via the output port.

3. The portable vehicle power conversion device as described in claim 1, wherein the control circuit has a microcontroller module and a voltage conversion circuit.

4. The portable vehicle power conversion device as described in claim 3, further comprising: an alert unit coupled to the microcontroller module, wherein, When the microcontroller module receives a first abnormal state signal from one of the battery modules or a second abnormal state signal from one of the generator output voltages, the microcontroller module drives the warning unit to issue a warning signal.

5. The portable vehicle power conversion device as described in claim 4, wherein the first abnormal state signal is generated when the battery module is overheated or overcharged.

6. The portable vehicle power conversion device as described in claim 4, wherein, The warning signal is either a flashing light or an audible sound.

7. The portable vehicle power conversion device as described in claim 4, further comprising: a display unit coupled to the microcontroller module for displaying at least one operating parameter of the battery module under the control of the microcontroller module, said operating parameter being a parameter selected from a group consisting of voltage, current, temperature, SOC value and SOH value; and for displaying the remaining battery cycle life of the battery module, or displaying warning text when the battery module is overheated or overcharged.

8. The portable vehicle power conversion device as described in claim 7, wherein, The display unit is a liquid crystal display.

9. The portable vehicle power conversion device as described in claim 1, wherein, The battery module has at least one battery, which is selected from the group consisting of lithium-ion batteries, lithium iron batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries.

10. The portable vehicle power conversion device as described in claim 1, wherein, The output port further provides a second voltage, and the control circuit further has a charging module coupled to the input port to convert an external power supply into a charging voltage, and the control circuit can perform a power management operation by detecting the start signal and the charging voltage.

11. The portable vehicle power conversion device as described in claim 10, wherein, The power management operation includes: when the control circuit detects the start signal, it charges the battery module using the generator output voltage, and generates the first voltage and the second voltage according to the generator output voltage.

12. The portable vehicle power conversion device as described in claim 10, wherein, The power management operation includes: when the control circuit does not detect the start signal and does not detect the charging voltage generated by the charging module, it generates the first voltage and the second voltage according to the output voltage of the battery module.

13. The portable vehicle power conversion device as described in claim 10, wherein, The power management operation includes: when the control circuit does not detect the start signal but detects the charging voltage generated by the charging module, it uses the charging voltage to charge the battery module and generates the first voltage and the second voltage according to the charging voltage.

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