Smart jumper cables
AssigneeOx Partners, LLC
InventorScott Rumbaugh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments include smart jumper cables for jump-starting a vehicle. A jumper cable is configured with an electronic control module that monitors the connection at each end of the jumper cable, and only closes the circuit when a battery or vehicle electrical system is detected as properly connected to each end. In some embodiments, the electronic control module opens the circuit when a successful jump-start is detected. In some embodiments, the electronic control module further monitors the temperature of the jumper cable, and modulates the power transfer or opens the circuit if the temperature exceeds a predetermined level.
Claims16
A cable for jump-starting between two vehicles, comprising:
- a first set of connectors;
- a second set of connectors;
- and
- an electronic control module in electrical connection with the first and second set of connectors,
- wherein the electronic control module electrically connects the first set of connectors to the second set of connectors when a voltage is detected across the first set of connectors and second set of connectors, and
- wherein the electronic control module gradually begins to modulates the electrical connection in response to a sensed temperature of the cable exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold.
A method for jump-starting a vehicle using a cable equipped with a control module, comprising:
- connecting a first set of connectors to a positive terminal and a negative terminal of a battery of a first vehicle;
- connecting a second set of connectors to a positive terminal of a battery of a second vehicle and a negative contact of the second vehicle;
- connecting electrically, by the control module, the first set of connectors to the second set of connectors when a first voltage is detected across the first set of connectors and a second voltage is detected across the second set of connectors;
- detecting, by the control module, a temperature of the cable;
- and
- modulating, by the control module, a current flow through the cable when the temperature of the cable exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold by gradually limiting the current flow, the limiting increasing in aggressiveness as the temperature rises above the predetermined temperature threshold.
A cable for jump-starting between two vehicles, comprising:
- a first set of clamps;
- a second set of clamps;
- a first indicator to indicate a status of the first set of clamps, a second indicator to indicate a status of the second set of clamps, and a third indicator to indicate whether the first set of clamps is electrically connected to the second set of clamps;
- and
- an electronic control module in electrical connection with the first and second set of connectors and configured to electrically connect the first set of clamps to the second set of clamps when a voltage is detected across the first set of clamps and second set of clamps,
- wherein the third indicator comprises a button, the button configured to electrically connect the first set of clamps to the second set of clamps regardless of whether a voltage is detected across the first set of clamps or second set of clamps.
A cable for jump-starting between two vehicles, comprising:
- a first set of connectors;
- a second set of connectors;
- and
- an electronic control module in electrical connection with the first and second set of connectors and configured to electrically connect the first set of connectors to the second set of connectors,
- wherein the electronic control module is further configured to gradually begin to modulate a current flow through the cable when the temperature of the cable exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.