초록 ▼

A method and an apparatus for monitoring a vehicle battery installed on a motor vehicle and indicating the condition of the battery is provided which does not require removal of the battery from the vehicle. Upon initial movement of the ignition key from off to on, open circuit voltage is measured a

A method and an apparatus for monitoring a vehicle battery installed on a motor vehicle and indicating the condition of the battery is provided which does not require removal of the battery from the vehicle. Upon initial movement of the ignition key from off to on, open circuit voltage is measured and compared to an allowable range. If open circuit voltage is acceptable, the possibility that polarization is skewing the result is determined, and if the possibility is indicated, a load test is imposed on the engine. Results of testing are maintained as data records to provide updates of the comparison values used for subsequent tests.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Apparatus for monitoring a battery having negative and positive terminals, comprising:a current sensor connected to a terminal of the battery for measuring current passing into and out of the battery; a voltmeter connected across the terminals of the battery for measuring battery voltage; a tempe

1. Apparatus for monitoring a battery having negative and positive terminals, comprising:a current sensor connected to a terminal of the battery for measuring current passing into and out of the battery; a voltmeter connected across the terminals of the battery for measuring battery voltage; a temperature sensor located near the battery for providing readings of ambient temperature; a data processing system receiving data from the current sensor, the voltmeter and the temperature sensor and including memory for the storage of programs and data; an engine starter system coupled for energization by the battery; a battery history table including records of battery condition during prior starts of the apparatus; an engine cranking power specification table: stored in the memory for providing an estimate of cranking power required to start an engine; a battery capacity table stored in the memory for providing estimates of battery capacity as a function of battery history, ambient temperature, open circuit voltage of the battery, voltage after a period T of cranking and current discharge during cranking; and a comparator utilizing the estimate of cranking power and an estimate of battery capacity as inputs to determine if battery capacity exceeds the cranking power estimate.