Jumper cross start device and jumper cross start current sharing method with jumper cross start current sharing system

Abstract

A jumper cross start device for charging a depleted discharge battery, the device comprising a rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch comprising a jumper cross start current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and a battery clamp electrically connected to the jumper cross start current sharing circuit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a jump starting device having a jump starting current sharing feature or system and a jump starting current sharing method, for example, a jump starting current sharing method for use with a jump starting device. Background Art

[0002] High currents are required to jump-start a vehicle. Generally, the larger the vehicle, the higher the current required. Cold weather makes jump-starting a vehicle even worse, as the engine's mechanical components are more difficult to move in cold conditions. Delivering this high current to the vehicle battery presents a challenge. Lithium-ion batteries are delivering increasing power, and if not properly designed, they can damage conductors and switchgear.

[0003] To increase safety during jump starter use, a safety switch should be included in the design. This safety switch prevents power from being delivered to the jump starter battery clamps when open. When the safety switch is closed, the power required to jump start the vehicle is supplied to the battery clamps. Safety switches are typically designed as relays or field-effect transistors (FETs). The advantage of relays is that they are very durable. The disadvantages of relays are that the contacts may stick and they are relatively slow to open or close. Another disadvantage of relays is that they typically take up a large amount of space within the jump starter.

[0004] The advantages of FETs are that they are small in size and that they open and close very quickly. The disadvantages of FETs are that they tend to be more fragile (ie, subject to thermal runaway and load sharing between FETs is critical).

[0005] A need exists to provide improved jump starters and methods to overcome the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The jumper jump start device and jumper jump start current sharing method according to the present invention include one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) or are composed of one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) to combine or concentrate the strength of one or more relays and one or more FETs while eliminating the weaknesses of the relays and / or FETs. One or more FETs can be added in parallel with one or more relays to share current and minimize the space required for larger relays. One or more FETs can be turned on and off when needed and can also be pulse width modulated (PWM) to control how much current is shared between one or more FETs and one or more relays.

[0007] Conductors can be used to connect the one or more relays to the one or more FETs and can be sized to control the amount of current flowing through the one or more relays and the one or more FETs to the battery clip (e.g., the negative battery clip). For example, the conductors can be copper or some other conductive metal and can be stamped or formed into a shape for optimal connection (e.g., a copper conductor, bus, plate, rod, beam, pole, conduit, pipe, cable) and positioned between the one or more relays and the one or more FETs.

[0008] The presently described subject matter relates to an improved jump starting device for charging a dead or discharged battery.

[0009] The presently described subject matter relates to an improved jump-starting device for charging a depleted or discharged battery that includes a switch having one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs).

[0010] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump-starting device for charging a dead, discharged battery, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch including a jump-starting current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and a battery clamp electrically connected to the jump-starting current sharing circuit.

[0011] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting device for charging a dead, discharged battery, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch comprising a jump starting current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and a battery clamp electrically connected to the jump starting current sharing circuit, wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) arranged in parallel in the jump starting current sharing circuit.

[0012] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump-starting device for charging a dead, discharged battery, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch including a jump-starting current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and a battery clamp electrically connected to the jump-starting current sharing circuit, wherein the switch comprises a single relay and a plurality of field effect transistors (FETs) arranged in parallel in the jump-starting current sharing circuit.

[0013] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting device for charging a dead and discharged battery, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch including a jump starting current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and a battery clamp electrically connected to the jump starting current sharing circuit, wherein the switch comprises a plurality of relays and a single field effect transistor (FET) arranged in parallel in the jump starting current sharing circuit.

[0014] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting device for charging a dead and discharged battery, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch including a jump starting current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and a battery clamp electrically connected to the jump starting current sharing circuit, wherein the switch comprises a plurality of relays and a plurality of field effect transistors (FETs) arranged in parallel in the jump starting current sharing circuit.

[0015] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump-starting device for charging a dead, discharged battery, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch including a jump-starting current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and a battery clamp electrically connected to the jump-starting current sharing circuit, wherein one or more relays and one or more FETs are configured to selectively switch on or off.

[0016] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump-starting device for charging a dead, discharged battery, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch including a jump-starting current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and a battery clamp electrically connected to the jump-starting current sharing circuit, further comprising an electrical conductor or bus for electrically connecting the battery clamp to the jump-starting current sharing circuit.

[0017] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting device for charging a dead and discharged battery, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch including a jump starting current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and a battery clamp electrically connected to the jump starting current sharing circuit, further comprising an electrical conductor or bus for electrically connecting the battery clamp to the jump starting current sharing circuit, wherein the electrical conductor or bus is a copper plate.

[0018] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump-starting device for charging a dead, discharged battery, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch including a jump-starting current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and a battery clamp electrically connected to the jump-starting current sharing circuit, wherein the switch is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the rechargeable battery.

[0019] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump-starting device for charging a depleted battery, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch including a jump-starting current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and a battery clamp electrically connected to the jump-starting current sharing circuit, the rechargeable battery being a lithium-ion battery.

[0020] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump-starting device for charging a dead or discharged battery, the device comprising: a rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch including a jump-starting current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and a battery clamp electrically connected to the jump-starting current sharing circuit, wherein the battery clamp is a negative polarity battery clamp connectable to the negative terminal of a dead or discharged battery to be charged.

[0021] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting current sharing method for use in a jump starter for charging a dead or discharged battery, the method comprising: providing a rechargeable battery; providing a battery clamp connectable to the dead or discharged battery; and providing a switch between the rechargeable battery and the battery clamp, wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) connected together in parallel.

[0022] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting current sharing method for use in a jump starter for charging a dead or discharged battery, the method comprising: providing a rechargeable battery; providing a battery clamp connectable to the dead or discharged battery; and providing a switch between the rechargeable battery and the battery clamp, wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) connected together in parallel, and wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) arranged in parallel in a jump starting current sharing circuit.

[0023] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting current sharing method for use in a jump starter for charging a dead or discharged battery, the method comprising: providing a rechargeable battery; providing a battery clamp connectable to the dead or discharged battery; and providing a switch between the rechargeable battery and the battery clamp, wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) connected together in parallel, and wherein the switch comprises a single relay and multiple field effect transistors (FETs) arranged in parallel in the jump starting current sharing circuit.

[0024] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting current sharing method for use in a jump starter for charging a dead or discharged battery, the method comprising: providing a rechargeable battery; providing a battery clamp connectable to the dead or discharged battery; and providing a switch between the rechargeable battery and the battery clamp, wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) connected together in parallel, and wherein the switch comprises a plurality of relays and a single field effect transistor (FET) arranged in parallel in a jump starting current sharing circuit.

[0025] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting current sharing method for use in a jump starter for charging a dead or discharged battery, the method comprising: providing a rechargeable battery; providing a battery clamp connectable to the dead or discharged battery; and providing a switch between the rechargeable battery and the battery clamp, wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) connected together in parallel, and wherein the switch comprises a plurality of relays and a plurality of field effect transistors (FETs) arranged in parallel in a jump starting current sharing circuit.

[0026] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting current sharing method for use in a jump starter for charging a dead or discharged battery, the method comprising: providing a rechargeable battery; providing a battery clamp connectable to the dead or discharged battery; and providing a switch between the rechargeable battery and the battery clamp, wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) connected together in parallel, and wherein the one or more relays and one or more FETs can be selectively switched on or off.

[0027] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting current sharing method for use in a jump starter for charging a dead or discharged battery, the method comprising: providing a rechargeable battery; providing a battery clamp connectable to the dead or discharged battery; and providing a switch between the rechargeable battery and the battery clamp, wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) connected together in parallel and further comprising electrical conductors or buses for electrically connecting the battery clamp to the jump starting current sharing circuit.

[0028] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting current sharing method for use in a jump starter for charging a dead or discharged battery, the method comprising: providing a rechargeable battery; providing a battery clamp connectable to the dead or discharged battery; and providing a switch between the rechargeable battery and the battery clamp, wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) connected together in parallel, and further comprising an electrical conductor or bus for electrically connecting the battery clamp to the jump starting current sharing circuit, and wherein the electrical conductor or bus is a copper plate.

[0029] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting current sharing method for use in a jump starter for charging a dead or discharged battery, the method comprising: providing a rechargeable battery; providing a battery clamp connectable to the dead or discharged battery; and providing a switch between the rechargeable battery and the battery clamp, wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) connected together in parallel, and wherein the jump starting current sharing circuit is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the rechargeable battery.

[0030] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting current sharing method for use in a jump starter for charging a dead or discharged battery, the method comprising: providing a rechargeable battery; providing a battery clamp connectable to the dead or discharged battery; and providing a switch between the rechargeable battery and the battery clamp, wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) connected together in parallel, wherein the rechargeable battery is a lithium ion battery.

[0031] The presently described subject matter relates to a jump starting current sharing method for use in a jump starter for charging a dead or discharged battery, the method comprising: providing a rechargeable battery; providing a battery clamp connectable to the dead or discharged battery; and providing a switch between the rechargeable battery and the battery clamp, wherein the switch comprises one or more relays and one or more field effect transistors (FETs) connected together in parallel, wherein the battery clamp is a negative polarity battery clamp connectable to a negative terminal of the dead or discharged battery to be charged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of a jumper-start current sharing system and circuit according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 A jump starting current sharing system 10 for use in a jump starter according to the present invention is shown in FIG.

[0034] The jumper-start current sharing circuit system 10 includes or consists of the following:

[0035] 1) Switch 12, including a jumper connected across a startup current sharing circuit, the jumper connected across a startup current sharing circuit including or consisting of the following:

[0036] i) a relay 14 having a switch arrangement 14A, 14B, 14C and a coil arrangement 14D, 14F, 14E;

[0037] ii) FET1 16 having a gate 1 16A, FET1 16 being connected in parallel with the relay 14;

[0038] iii) FET2 18 having a gate 2 18A, FET2 18 being connected in parallel with respect to the relay 14;

[0039] iv) FETN 20 having gate N 20A, FETN 20 connected in parallel with respect to relay 14; and

[0040] v) An electrical conductor (eg, copper) 22 is connected between the relay 14 , FET1 16 , FET2 18 , FETN 20 , and the black (negative) battery clip 26 .

[0041] 2) a lithium-ion battery 24 having a negative terminal connected to the switch 12; and

[0042] 3) Black (negative) battery clip 26 , connected to switch 12 .

[0043] The relay 14 of the switch 12 may be, for example, a single relay or a plurality of relays. The FETs 16, 18, 20 of the switch 12 may be, for example, a single FET or a plurality of FETs.

[0044] The electrical conductor 22 is, for example, a metal cable or a metal plate (eg, made of copper metal). The electrical conductor 22 is selected or configured to accommodate the significant current flow from the jumper jump start current sharing circuit 12 to the black (negative) battery clip 26 .

[0045] The switch 12 may be provided with various switches to selectively connect the relay 14, FET1 16, FET2 18, and FETN 20, for example, depending on operating environmental conditions (e.g., ambient temperature, jump-start temperature), conditions under which the depleted or discharged battery is being charged (e.g., depleted or discharged voltage, current, battery temperature), and / or current demand for charging the depleted or discharged battery.

Claims

1. A jump-starting device for charging a dead or discharged battery, the device comprising: A rechargeable battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a switch including a jump start current sharing circuit electrically connected to the rechargeable battery, the jump start current sharing circuit including a single relay and a plurality of field effect transistors arranged in parallel and configured to provide current from the rechargeable battery to the depleted or discharged battery during a jump start operation, wherein the plurality of field effect transistors are pulse width modulated to control how much current is shared between the single relay and the plurality of field effect transistors; as well as The battery clip is electrically connected to the jumper wires connecting the jumper to start the current sharing circuit.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein The single relay and the plurality of field effect transistors are configured to be selectively turned on or off.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an electrical conductor or bus for electrically connecting the battery clamp to the jumper starting current sharing circuit.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein The electrical conductors or buses are copper plates.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein The switch is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the rechargeable battery.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein The rechargeable battery is a lithium-ion battery.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein The battery clip is a negative polarity battery clip that can be connected to the negative terminal of a dead or discharged battery to be charged.

8. A jump starting current sharing method for use in a jump starter for charging a dead or discharged battery, the method comprising: Provide rechargeable batteries; providing a battery clip connectable to the dead or discharged battery; as well as providing a switch between the rechargeable battery and the battery clamp; wherein the switch comprises a single relay and a plurality of field effect transistors arranged in parallel in a jumper jumper startup current sharing circuit; The plurality of field effect transistors are pulse width modulated to control how much current is shared between the single relay and the plurality of field effect transistors.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The single relay and the plurality of field effect transistors can be selectively turned on or off.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein The jump starter also includes electrical conductors or busses for electrically connecting the battery clamps to the jump starting current sharing circuit.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The electrical conductors or buses are copper plates.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein The jumper jumper startup current sharing circuit is electrically connected to the negative terminal of the rechargeable battery.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein The rechargeable battery is a lithium-ion battery.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein The battery clip is a negative polarity battery clip connectable to the negative terminal of the depleted or discharged battery to be charged.

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