Portable Jump Starter Polarity Detection for Short-Circuit Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jump-start devices for vehicles often suffer from issues such as short circuits, sparking, and potential damage due to incorrect polarity connections or accidental contact between jumper terminals.
Innovation Solution
A handheld vehicle battery boost apparatus featuring an internal power supply, polarity detection sensors, and a microcontroller that ensures safe connection by verifying the presence and correct polarity of a vehicle battery before allowing power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual connection of jumper cables is used, then the jump-starting function is achieved, but the risk of short circuits and incorrect polarity connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of battery presence and correct polarity connection before enabling power transfer. The microcontroller checks sensor inputs to verify proper connection, and only then activates the power switch to connect the internal power supply to the output port, preventing short circuits before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor the connection status and polarity of the vehicle battery. The microcontroller receives feedback from these sensors and dynamically controls the power switch based on the detected conditions, ensuring safe operation by adjusting the power connection state according to real-time connection status.
2Reliability
If polarity detection sensors and microcontroller control are added, then connection safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical connection verification with automated electronic sensing and microcontroller-based control. Sensors electronically detect polarity and battery presence, and the microcontroller automatically manages the power connection, eliminating the need for manual checking and reducing human error while maintaining manageable complexity through integrated control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively prevents short circuits and damage by ensuring proper polarity connections, thereby ensuring safe and reliable jump-starting of vehicle engines.
Implementation Method 1
a vehicle battery isolation sensor connected in circuit with the positive and negative polarity outputs, to detect presence of a vehicle battery connected between the positive and negative polarity outputs
Implementation Method 2
a reverse polarity sensor connected in circuit with the positive and negative polarity outputs, to detect polarity of a vehicle battery connected between the positive and negative polarity outputs
Data Source
AI summary
A hand held, portable jump starter device includes a housing having a multi-cell rechargeable battery including at least three battery cells connected in series, a USB input port for receiving a charging current from an external source to recharge the multi-cell rechargeable battery, and an output port for providing jump starting current to an external vehicle; a USB charge circuit connected to the USB input port, the USB charge circuit including a DC-to-DC converter circuit for upconverting an input voltage on the USB input port to a higher charging voltage for recharging the multi-cell rechargeable battery; a pair of series connected transistor devices coupled between the USB charge circuit and the multi-cell rechargeable battery for controlling current flow into and out of the multi-cell rechargeable battery; a control circuit for detecting the voltage of the multi-cell rechargeable battery and configured to turn off the USB charge circuit to prevent over charging of the multi-cell rechargeable battery if the detected voltage exceeds a threshold value; and a battery charge controller coupled to the multi-cell rechargeable battery and the pair of series connected transistor devices and configured to prevent over discharging of the multi-cell rechargeable battery.