Patent ID: 7180272
Filing Date: 2007-02-20
Classification: G01R,H02J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detecting a malfunction in an on-vehicle charging system provided with a generator driven by an on-vehicle engine and an on-vehicle battery connected with the generator via a charging line so that the battery is charged with power from the generator, the apparatus comprising: a first control unit controlling a generated condition of the generator and including a first voltage detector detecting a voltage generated by the generator; a second control unit including a second voltage detector detecting a voltage across the battery; a communication line connecting the first and second control units; a communication device communicating, in a form of a digital signal, via the communication line between the first and second control units, information about both the generated voltage detected by the first voltage detector and the battery voltage detected by the second voltage detector; and a malfunction determination unit determining whether or not a malfunction occurs in the charging system on the basis of the communicated information.