Patent ID: 7952471
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle having an engine and a generator, comprising: a generating condition detector that determines whether or not an operating condition of the generator is in an abnormal operating condition; an alarm issuing unit that issues an alarm to a driver of the automotive vehicle about an abnormal operating condition of the generator when the generating condition detector detects evidence that the generator is running under the abnormal operating condition; an alarm controller that invalidates an operation of the alarm issuing unit until a predetermined time elapses after the generator starts to generate electric power even if the alarm issuing unit stops issuing the alarm to the driver of the automotive vehicle based on a result of whether or not the operating condition of the generator is in the abnormal operating condition determined by the generating condition detector; and a temperature sensor that detects environmental temperature of the apparatus, wherein the alarm controller sets the predetermined time over which the operation of the alarm issuing unit is invalidated such that if the environmental temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes higher, the predetermined time becomes shorter.