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US 11,539,233 B2Granted
Smart battery backup system
AssigneeSplice Energy Solutions, LLC
InventorsNolan C. Heatley, Steven J. Bach
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an example, a smart battery backup system is disclosed. The system is configured to be installed on or within a vehicle and connected to a main battery of the vehicle. The system includes a housing, a lithium-ion battery disposed at least partially within the housing, and a controller disposed at least partially within the housing and including a set of momentary switches. The controller is configured to jump start the main battery using the lithium-ion battery. The controller is also configured to maintain the lithium-ion battery such that, based on a charge state of the lithium-ion battery and a charge state of the main battery, the lithium-ion battery is charged using the main battery.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a housing;
- a lithium-ion battery disposed at least partially within the housing, wherein the housing defines a plurality of first charging ports configured to receive a plurality of first cables that connect the lithium-ion battery to a main battery of a vehicle;
- and
- a controller disposed at least partially within the housing and including a set of momentary switches and a charging switch,
- wherein the set of momentary switches are configured such that, when the set of momentary switches are activated, the set of momentary switches connect the lithium-ion battery in parallel with the main battery,
- wherein the charging switch is configured such that, when the charging switch is activated, the charging switch connects the lithium-ion battery to the main battery,
- wherein the controller is configured to perform a set of jump-starting operations comprising:
- receiving a signal indicative of activation of the set of momentary switches, and
- in response to receiving the signal, and within a predetermined startup window from receiving the signal, jump starting the main battery using the lithium-ion battery, and
- wherein the controller is further configured to perform a set of self-maintaining operations comprising:
- determining that a charge state of the lithium-ion battery is below a first predetermined system threshold,
- determining that a charge state of the main battery exceeds a first predetermined vehicle threshold, and
- in response to determining that the charge state of the lithium-ion battery is below the first predetermined system threshold and determining that the charge state of the main battery exceeds the first predetermined vehicle threshold, automatically activating the charging switch to connect the lithium-ion battery to the main battery and charging the lithium-ion battery using the main battery.
10 more elements
A system comprising:
- a housing;
- a lithium-ion battery disposed at least partially within the housing, wherein the housing defines a plurality of first charging ports configured to receive a plurality of first cables that connect the lithium-ion battery to a main battery of a vehicle, and wherein the housing further defines a second charging port configured to receive a second cable that connects the lithium-ion battery to an external power source and electrically couples the main battery to the external power source via the system;
- and
- a controller disposed at least partially within the housing and including a charging switch,
- wherein the charging switch is configured such that, when the charging switch is activated, the charging switch connects the lithium-ion battery to the main battery,
- wherein the controller is configured to perform a set of self-maintaining operations comprising:
- determining that a charge state of the lithium-ion battery is below a first predetermined system threshold,
- determining that a charge state of the main battery exceeds a first predetermined vehicle threshold, and
- in response to determining that the charge state of the lithium-ion battery is below the first predetermined system threshold and determining that the charge state of the main battery exceeds the first predetermined vehicle threshold, automatically activating the charging switch to connect the lithium-ion battery to the main battery and charging the lithium-ion battery using the main battery, and
- wherein the controller is further configured to trickle charge the main battery using the external power source.
7 more elements
A method comprising:
- determining, by a controller, that a charge state of a lithium-ion battery is below a first predetermined system threshold, wherein the lithium-ion battery and the controller are disposed at least partially within a housing, wherein the housing defines a plurality of first charging ports configured to receive a plurality of first cables that connect the lithium-ion battery to a main battery of a vehicle, and wherein the housing further defines a second charging port configured to receive a second cable that connects the lithium-ion battery to an external power source and electrically couples the main battery to the external power source;
- determining, by the controller, that a charge state of the main battery exceeds a first predetermined vehicle threshold, and
- in response to determining that the charge state of the lithium-ion battery is below the first predetermined system threshold and determining that the charge state of the main battery exceeds the first predetermined vehicle threshold, automatically activating a charging switch to connect the lithium-ion battery to the main battery and charging the lithium-ion battery using the main battery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.