Vehicle battery with a self-contained backup capability

A method for providing a voltage source to a vehicle using a vehicle battery with a self-contained backup capability, the method comprising:

• receiving a command for transferring energy from a backup battery portion of a vehicle battery unit to a main battery portion of the vehicle battery unit or detecting that a voltage or other health indicator level of a main battery portion is below a reference level, wherein the backup battery portion is mechanically attachable to the main battery portion of the vehicle battery unit using an interlocking system;
• communicating a transfer of energy from the backup battery portion to the main battery portion using a relay switch;
• forming a first circuit path so as to place the main battery portion in parallel with the backup battery portion and that an alternator of the vehicle is enabled to charge both the main battery portion and the backup battery portion contemporaneously until at least the voltage or other health indicator level of the main battery portion is determined to be greater than or equal to a reference threshold;
• and
• when the voltage or other health indicator level of the main battery portion is determined to be greater than or equal to the reference threshold, forming a second circuit path such that the backup battery portion is external to the second circuit path and is enabled to provide the voltage source for the vehicle,
• wherein both the main battery portion and the backup battery portion are each directly re-chargeable contemporaneously via an alternator of the vehicle.

A system for providing a voltage source to a vehicle using a vehicle or other system battery with a self-contained backup capability, comprising:

• at least one processor configured to:
• receive a command for transferring energy from a backup battery portion of a vehicle battery unit to a main battery portion of the vehicle battery unit or detect that a voltage or other health indicator level of the main battery portion is below a reference level, wherein the backup battery portion is mechanically attachable to the main battery portion of the vehicle battery unit using an interlocking system;
• communicate a transfer of energy from the backup battery portion to the main battery portion using a relay switch;
• form a first circuit path so as to place the main battery portion in parallel with the backup battery portion and that and alternator of the vehicle is enabled to charge both the main battery portion and the backup battery portion contemporaneously until at least the voltage level or other health indicator of the main battery portion is determined to be greater than or equal to a reference threshold;
• determine whether or not a voltage level or other health indicator of the main battery portion is greater than or equal to the reference threshold;
• and
• when the voltage level or other health indicator of the main battery portion is determined to be greater than or equal to the reference threshold, form a second circuit path such that the backup battery portion is external to the second circuit path and the main battery portion is enabled to provide the voltage source for the vehicle,
• wherein both the main battery portion and the backup battery portion are each directly re-chargeable contemporaneously via an alternator of the vehicle.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing thereon computer executable instructions for providing a voltage source to a vehicle, using a vehicle or other system battery with a self-contained backup capability, including instructions for:

• receiving a command for transferring energy from a backup battery portion of a vehicle battery unit to a main battery portion of the vehicle battery unit or detecting that a voltage level or other health indicator of the main battery portion is below a reference level, wherein the backup battery portion is mechanically attachable to the main battery portion of the vehicle battery unit using an interlocking system;
• communicating a transfer of energy from the backup battery portion to the main battery portion using a relay switch;
• forming a first circuit path so as to place the main battery portion in parallel with the backup battery portion and an alternator of the vehicle is in enabled to charge both the main battery portion and the backup battery portion contemporaneously until at least the voltage level or other health indicator of the main battery portion is determined to be greater than or equal to a reference threshold;
• determining whether or not the voltage level or other health indicator of the main battery portion is greater than or equal to the reference level;
• and
• when the voltage level or other health indicator of the main battery portion is greater than or equal to the reference level, forming a second circuit path such that the backup battery portion is external to the second circuit path and the main battery portion is enabled to provide the voltage source for the vehicle,
• wherein both the main battery portion and the backup battery portion are each directly re-chargeable contemporaneously via an alternator of the vehicle.