Method for managing the excitation of an automobile alternator by means of a regulator

A system and method are provided to manage the excitation of an automobile alternator through the use of its regulator which delivers to the inductor of the alternator a pulse width modulation excitation signal. The regulator receives, from an external management unit, a pulse width modulation excitation control signal with a frequency less than that of the excitation signal. The regulator delivers an excitation signal with a pre-programmed cycle ratio for a sufficient duration to enable the regulator to determine the control information carried by the control signal from the management unit. The regulator continues the excitation signal with the pre-programmed cycle ratio until receipt of instruction from the management unit to regulate the battery voltage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a method for managing the excitation of an 
automobile alternator by means of a regulator delivering to said 
alternator a pulse width modulation excitation signal. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
One aim of the invention is to propose a management method which is suited 
to the case of a regulator receiving, in the form of a pulse width 
modulation signal, control instructions transmitted to it by an external 
management unit, which is for example the vehicle engine control computer. 
The signal emitted by a management unit of the engine control computer type 
often has a frequency lower (around 5 to 10 Hz) than that of the 
excitation signal emitted by the regulator (around 50 Hz). 
A certain amount of time therefore elapses after the activating of the 
regulator before the latter has determined the control information carried 
by the signal transmitted by the computer. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the present invention there is provided a method for managing 
the excitation of an automobile alternator by means of its regulator, said 
regulator delivering to the inductor of the alternator a pulse width 
modulation excitation signal, wherein, the regulator receiving, from an 
external management unit, a pulse width modulation excitation control 
signal with a frequency less than that of the excitation signal, it 
delivers, in a triggering phase, a pre-excitation signal with a 
pre-programmed cycle ratio, this triggering phase being of sufficient 
duration to enable the regulator to determine the control information 
carried by the signal emitted by the management unit, and wherein, at the 
end of this initiation phase, the regulator continues this pre-excitation 
until it receives, from the management unit, the instruction to regulate 
the battery voltage. 
In the method proposed by the invention, the regulator delivers, in an 
initiation phase, a pre-excitation signal with a pre-programmed cycle 
ratio, this triggering phase being of sufficient duration to enable the 
regulator to determine the control information carried by the signal 
emitted by the management unit and, at the end of this initiation phase, 
the regulator continues this pre-excitation until it receives, from the 
management unit, the instruction to regulate the battery voltage. 
With such an operating sequence, the regulator is in action as soon as it 
is activated and even before it has determined the control information 
carried by the signal emitted by the management unit. 
This method is advantageously supplemented by the following different 
characteristics taken alone or in all their technically possible 
combinations: 
the pre-programmed cycle ratio is around 12.5%; 
during the phase of continuing the pre-excitation, the regulator measures 
the charge voltage of the battery and reduces the cycle ratio of the 
excitation signal when the voltage measured becomes greater than a given 
threshold; 
when the voltage measured becomes greater than the threshold, the regulator 
gives to the excitation signal a minimum cycle ratio of around 4.5%; 
the cycle ratio of the signal emitted by the management unit corresponds, 
beyond a given threshold, to the voltage value at which the regulator must 
regulate the charging voltage of the battery, the regulator continuing the 
pre-excitation as long as the cycle ratio is below the threshold; 
the frequency of the signal emitted by the management unit is variable and 
defines the charging rate of the regulator when this regulator has a 
progressive charging function; 
when the signal emitted by the management unit has a cycle ratio and/or a 
frequency outside a given range, the regulator regulates the battery 
charging voltage at a pre-programmed value; 
the regulator transmits in return to the management unit information 
relating notably to the excitation signal and/or to the presence of an 
operating fault; 
the signal emitted by the regulator corresponds to the superimposition of 
the excitation signal on the pulses of the signal transmitted by the 
management unit; 
the signal emitted by the regulator corresponds to the signal transmitted 
by the management unit, the pulses of which are amplitude modulated as a 
function of the cycle ratio of the excitation signal; 
the signal emitted by the regulator is a three-level signal corresponding 
to the mixing of the signal transmitted by the management unit and the 
excitation signal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 depicts a possible structure for a regulation device which has--in 
addition to a regulator 11 proper, which delivers excitation signals to 
the inductor 14a of an alternator 14--a management unit 15 external to the 
regulator 11 and to the alternator 14, which controls the regulator 11. 
The regulator 11 is formed on the one hand by a control circuit 12 
receiving a phase signal, which corresponds to a voltage between two 
phases of an armature 14b of the alternator 14 (inputs .phi..sub.1 and 
.phi..sub.2), and on the other hand a power circuit 13, which delivers an 
excitation current to the inductor 14a of the alternator 14. 
The management unit 15 is connected both to the control circuit 12 and to 
the power circuit 13 (wired connections 16). 
This management unit 15 is advantageously the engine control computer. It 
transmits to the control and power circuits 12 and 13 a pulse width 
modulation (PWM) signal. 
The power circuit 13, which is connected directly to the management unit 
15, generates by itself, on receiving the signal emitted by the management 
unit 15, an excitation signal which magnetizes the alternator. 
As for the control circuit 12, this is activated by the appearance of the 
phase signal between the inputs .phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2, that is to 
say when the alternator 14 is in rotation--and therefore capable of 
charging the battery. 
More particularly, the control circuit 12 includes a computer comprising a 
microcontroller 17, a phase signal detection circuit 18 whose output is 
connected to an input RS of the microcontroller 17, a voltage filtering 
circuit 19 (divider bridge R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and capacitor 
C.sub.1) which connects the output voltage of the alternator to an input 
CAN of the microcontroller 17 via a power supply terminal B+, and a 
circuit 20 for regulating the phase signal. 
The phase signal detection circuit 18 includes a signal detector 21, which 
receives as an input the voltage between the inputs .phi..sub.1 and 
.phi..sub.2. It generates a high-level signal when this voltage is above 
0.6 volts. The signal RAZ.sub.1 output from this detector 21 is sent to a 
timing device TEMP.sub.1 which is connected in series with a logic 
inverter Inv1, whose output is itself injected onto the input RS of the 
microcontroller 17. 
The phase signal regulation circuit 20 also comprises a phase signal 
detector 22 connected to a timing device TEMP.sub.2 in series with a logic 
inverter Inv2. The phase detector 22 generates a signal RAZ.sub.2, which 
is at high level when the voltage between the inputs .phi..sub.1 and 
.phi..sub.2 is above 7 volts. 
The power circuit 13 for its part has a circuit 23 (logic inverter Inv3 and 
NOR gate (NOR.sub.1)) for enabling the signal emitted by the management 
unit 15, a circuit 24 (NOR gate NOR.sub.2) for enabling the phase 
regulation, a collector 25 for the different excitation signals (OR gate), 
and a power amplifier 26 which supplies the excitation current Iex to the 
inductor. 
When the alternator is not rotating, the phase detector 21 does not 
initiate the timer TEMP.sub.1, whose output level remains at 1. The output 
of the inverter Inv1 remains at zero and the microcontroller 17 is not 
activated. Thus, when the management unit 15 delivers a signal PWM, the 
microcontroller 17 takes no account of it. On the other hand, this signal 
PWM is reconstituted at the output (Ext) of the gate NOR.sub.1. At the 
same time, the output (Exc) of the microcontroller 17 remains at zero 
since the latter is not activated. For the same reason, the output 
OUT.sub.1 is at level 1, which forces the level 0 at the output (Exph) of 
the gate NOR.sub.2. The only excitation signal available for the amplifier 
26 is therefore the signal PWM reconstituted at the output (Ext) of the 
gate NOR.sub.1. Consequently, when the alternator is not rotating, the 
excitation signal corresponds to the sole signal PWM. 
When the alternator starts to rotate, the phase detector 21 detects the 
presence of a phase signal at the inputs .phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2, and 
resets the timer TEMP.sub.1 to zero. The output of the inverter Inv1 goes 
to 1, as well as the input RS of the microcontroller 17, which is then 
activated. 
The microcontroller 17 then manages the excitation of the armature 14a 
according to the operating sequence which corresponds to the flow diagram 
of FIG. 2. 
This sequence comprises three parts: 
initiation of the regulator (BLOCK 1), 
maintenance of the pre-excitation (BLOCK 2), and 
normal regulation (BLOCK 3). 
Triggering of Regulator (BLOCK 1) 
This triggering phase takes place as soon as the phase signal has an 
amplitude above 0.6 volts, that is to say the input (RS) of the 
microcontroller 17 changes from level 0 to level 1, while the signal Ext 
goes to level 0. 
After initialization of the different variables (step 30), the regulation 
of the phase signal is inhibited (the output OUT1 goes from level 0 to 
level 1) (step 31). 
Then the microcontroller 17 supplies its own pre-excitation signal at the 
output Exc. This signal is for example advantageously a signal with a 
frequency of 50 Hz, whose cycle ratio is equal to 12.5% (step 32). 
This pre-excitation lasts at least sufficient time to enable the 
microcontroller 17 to calculate the value of the cycle ratio, and of the 
period of the control signal PWM transmitted by the management unit 15 via 
the connection 16 (step 33). 
It will be noted that the control signal PWM has a frequency of around 5 Hz 
to 10 Hz, so that the duration of this calculation time is at least around 
one second. 
Maintenance of Pre-excitation (BLOCK 2) 
Provision is made for the pre-excitation state to be able to be maintained, 
on instruction from the management unit 15, so as not to charge the 
battery and reduce the torque of the alternator during the acceleration of 
the engine. 
To this end, the management unit 15 emits a control signal PWM whose cycle 
ratio is below 15%. 
The value of the cycle ratio of the signal PWM is compared with this 
threshold of 15% (test 34) just after the step 33 of determining the cycle 
ratio and the period of the the signal. 
If the cycle ratio of the signal PWM is indeed below this threshold of 15%, 
the microcontroller 17 implements the different steps of block 2. 
Firstly, the microcontroller 17 waits until a measurement of the voltage B+ 
is performed by a sampling at its input CAN, to which the filtering 
circuit 19 is connected: a sampling flag goes to the value 1 when a 
measurement can be performed, and then drops to 0 again (35, 36, 37). 
The value of the battery voltage B+ is then compared with a programmed 
internal reference value, for example around 14 volts (test 38): 
if the value of the battery voltage B+ is less than the value of the 
internal reference, the pre-excitation signal with a cycle ratio equal to 
12.5% is kept (decision step 39), 
if the value of the battery voltage B+ is equal to or greater than the 
value of the internal reference, the cycle ratio of the pre-excitation 
signal is reduced to a minimum value, for example around 4.5%, in order 
not to overcharge the battery (decision step 40). 
Then the microcontroller 17 resumes the processing at step 33 by once again 
measuring the cycle ratio of the signal PWM in order to compare it with 
the threshold of 15%. 
Normal Regulation (BLOCK 3) 
On instruction from the management unit 15, provision is made to quit the 
pre-excitation state in order to effect a normal regulation of the battery 
voltage. 
This instruction is given when the management unit 15 has recognized that 
the engine is no longer in start-up phase and that it can withstand the 
torque of the alternator 14 when the latter is charging the battery. 
In this case, the management unit 15 emits a signal PWM, whose cycle ratio: 
is greater than or equal to the threshold of 15%, 
represents the regulation voltage provided by the management unit 15. 
The response to test 34 being "no", the microcontroller 17 implements the 
steps of block 3. 
It first of all once again enables the regulation of the phase signal at 7 
volts, its output (OUT 1) changing from level 1 to level 0 (step 41). 
Thus, if the voltage between .phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2 falls below 7 
volts, the phase detector 22 does not reset to zero the timer TEMP.sub.2, 
whose output goes to level 1, which sets to zero the output of the 
inverter Inv2. The output OUT1 also being at zero, the output of the gate 
NOR.sub.1 delivers an excitation signal Exph at level 1, which increases 
the excitation current Iex via the OR gate 25 and amplifier 26. 
After this resetting of the output OUT1 to zero, the microcontroller 17 
waits until a measurement of the voltage B+ is effected by a sampling at 
its input CAN, to which the smoothing circuit 19 is connected: a sampling 
flag goes to the value 1 when a measurement can be carried out, and then 
drops to 0 again (steps 42, 43, 44). 
Then, in a step 45, the microcontroller calculates the duration of the 
pulses of the excitation signal Exc as a function of the voltage reference 
provided by the management unit 15 (cycle ratio of the control signal PWM) 
and as a function of the actual value of the battery voltage measured at 
the time of sampling. 
In a step 46, the cycle ratio of the signal PWM is once again determined 
and processing is resumed at step 42, or preferably at step 41, in order 
to determine a new measurement of the voltage B+. 
Naturally, in a variant, step 46 could not exist, the processing being 
resumed at step 33 directly after the end of calculation of step 45, which 
makes it possible to return at any time to the pre-excitation step on 
instruction from the management unit 15. 
The processing is stopped only when the phase signal disappears (input RS 
at level 0), which corresponds to the stoppage of the engine. 
When the signal PWM disappears or does not correspond to certain 
characteristics (frequency and/or cycle ratio), the calculation of the 
duration of the excitation signal is established from a reference internal 
to the regulator. For example, account is not taken of the signal PWM if 
its frequency is not between 3 and 15 Hz and if its cycle ratio is not 
between 5% and 95%. In this case, a reference corresponding to 14 volts, 
internal to the regulator, is used. 
Parameters other than the voltage reference can be introduced in order to 
define the period of the excitation signal. In particular, the duration of 
the pulses of this signal can vary progressively. This progressiveness can 
be defined: 
by parameters internal to the regulator, 
as a function of the frequency of the phase signals, 
by the management unit 15 via the control signal PWM. For example, the 
duration of the pulses of the signal PWM can vary between 5 and 10 Hz, its 
value defining the progressive charging rate, that is to say the slope of 
a charging straight line, making it possible pass progressively from a 
zero charge to full excitation in a time between 1 and 10 seconds. 
For an example of control with a progressive charging function, reference 
can advantageously be made to the patent FR 2 701 609. 
The microcontroller 17 can also include timing circuits of the type 
described notably in patent applications FR 96 04855 and FR 96 04856, 
whose teachings are included here by reference, in order to generate the 
external interruptions by the phase signals and the control signal, as 
well as the clock signal interruptions triggering the rising and falling 
edges of the excitation signal and the samplings measuring the battery 
voltage B+. 
In addition, provision is advantageously made for the connection 16 between 
the regulator 11 and the management unit 15 to be bidirectional and for 
the regulator 11 to transmit, to the management unit 15, information 
notably on the cycle ratio of the excitation signal emitted by the 
microcontroller 17, and on the appearance of any operating faults. 
To this end, provision can be made for the regulator 11 to emit, in the 
direction of the management unit, a signal which corresponds to the 
superimposition of the excitation signal and pulses of the signal 
transmitted by the management unit 15. 
A signal of this type has been illustrated in FIG. 3a. The excitation 
signal is there superimposed on the signal of the management unit 15 above 
an amplitude equal to half the voltage UB+ of the battery. 
In order to signal the appearance of an operating fault, the regulator 11 
forces to earth the potential of the connection between said regulator 11 
and the management unit 15. The management unit 15 interprets this 
earthing as an operating fault in the regulator 11 or as a break in the 
connection 15. 
In a variant, as illustrated in FIG. 3b, the signal transmitted by the 
regulator 11 can be a signal which corresponds to the signal PWM emitted 
by the management unit 15 amplitude modulated as a function of the cycle 
ratio of the excitation signal. This amplitude is then an analogue 
representation of the excitation rate and can be used by an analogue to 
digital converter included in the management unit 15. 
In another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 3c, the signal iii returned to 
the management unit 15 can be a signal on three levels, corresponding to 
the mixing of the excitation signal ii and the signal i transmitted by the 
management unit 15. 
Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it 
will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to what has 
been described. Rather the invention extends to the full scope of the 
appended claims.