Patent ID: 9415732
Filing Date: 2016-08-16
CPC Classification: B60L,B60R,H02J,Y02T

Claim Text:
1. A vehicle power unit configured to be installed in a vehicle that includes an engine, a starter for starting the engine, and a battery for driving the starter, the vehicle power unit comprising: a first switch configured to be connected to a positive electrode of the battery; a first capacitor having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the positive electrode of the first capacitor being configured to be connected to the positive electrode of the battery via the first switch, the negative electrode of the first capacitor being connected to a ground; a second switch connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor; a second capacitor having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the negative electrode of the second capacitor being connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor via the second switch, the negative electrode of the second capacitor being connected to the second switch at a node; a third switch connected between the ground and the node at which the second switch is connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor; a fourth switch connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor; a fifth switch configured to be connected between the starter and the positive electrode of the battery; a semiconductor switching element connected to the a controller for controlling the first switch, the second switch, the third switch, the fourth switch, and the fifth switch, wherein the positive electrode of the second capacitor is configured to be connected to the starter via the fourth switch, wherein the controller is operable to: