Patent Publication Number: US-2023134140-A1

Title: Backup Vehicle Battery

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention generally relates to vehicle power systems and, more particularly, to vehicle batteries. 
     2. Related Applications 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application 63/275,818, filed on Nov. 4, 2021, titled Backup Vehicle Battery, and is incorporated by reference herein. 
     RELATED ART 
     A problem exists that fossil fuel vehicles require a battery to start their engines. At times the battery runs down or fails to charge to a level to start an engine adequately. What often occurs is the owner of the vehicle must open the hood and have jumper cables available to “jump” start the car. Another problem that can also happen is that a contractor with battery-operated tools is at an off-grid job site and needs to charge the batteries for his tools. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for an approach to start a vehicle and charge removable batteries. 
     SUMMARY 
     Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide an approach for “jumping” a vehicle to get it started without opening the hood or even exiting the vehicle using a removable rechargeable battery. Further, that battery may be recharged while the vehicle is operating. This approach is described using a fossil fuel vehicle. Still, it may also be used to temporarily power an electric vehicle to enable it to work long enough to get to a charging station or a safe stopping location and call for further aid. 
     Other methods, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram  100  of a removable rechargeable battery  102  in accordance with an example implementation of the invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a diagram  200  of a battery port  202  for securing the rechargeable battery  102  of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an example implementation of the invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram  300  of the port  202  of  FIG.  2    in accordance with an example implementation of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIG.  1   , a diagram  100  of a removable rechargeable battery (RRB)  102  is depicted in accordance with an example implementation of the invention. The RRB  102  is typically a dry cell battery with a plastic enclosure with a plurality of cells grouped to achieve a predetermined voltage and amperage. The cells may be zinc—carbon battery, nickel—cadmium battery (Ni—Cd battery or NiCad battery), alkaline battery (zinc metal and manganese dioxideor), or lithium-ion battery (Li-ion battery), to give but a few examples. The typical voltage for removable batteries is 12V, 18V, or 40V. Other types of cells, such as wet or fuel cells, may be used in other implementations. The RBB  102  has a plurality of contacts that include at least a positive contact  104  and negative contact  106 . 
       FIG.  2    is a diagram  200  of a battery port  202  for securing the rechargeable battery  102  of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an example implementation of the invention. The battery port  202  is able to secure the RRB  102 , such that the RRB&#39;s positive contact  104  contacts the battery port positive contact  204  and the RRB&#39;s negative contact contacts the battery port negative contact  206 . The battery port in the current implementation is made out of plastic, but in other implementations, it may be made out of metal, wood, resin, or a combination of any of plastic, metal, wood, and resin. The battery port  202  also includes circuitry  212  that enables the safe and efficient operation of the battery port  202  when charging the battery  102  or providing power to the vehicle via negative lead  208  and positive lead  210 . 
       FIG.  3    is a block diagram  300  of the circuitry  212  port  202  of  FIG.  2    in accordance with an example implementation of the invention. The battery  102  connects with the battery port  202  with battery positive contact  104  and negative contact  106  contacting battery port positive contact  204  and battery port negative contact  206  respectively. The negative lead  208  and positive lead  210  are coupled to the battery of a vehicle. The negative lead  208  and positive lead  210  connect with a voltage regulator  302  in the battery port  202  that regulates the voltage between the vehicle and battery  102 . A vehicle battery is typically between 12-14 volts, and the battery  102  is an 18-volt battery in this example, but in other implementations, other voltages may be used, such as 12, 20, and 40 volts. The voltage regulator  302  is coupled to a voltage charge monitor  304 . The voltage charge monitor  304  monitors the condition of the battery  102 . When the battery port  202  operates in a “charging” mode, the voltage charge monitor  302  charges the battery to a predetermined point of 80% and then trickle charges to a full charge. The voltage charge monitor  302  may also monitor the temperature of the charging port  202  and the battery  102  with sensors  306 , such as electronic temperature probes. In the charging mode, voltage moves from the vehicle to the battery  102 . In the “powering” mode, battery  102  provides power via the battery port  202  to the vehicle. When in the “powering” mode, the voltage charging monitor  304  still monitors the condition of the battery  102 , such as temperature. The change between the “charging” mode and “powering” mode is controlled and detected by the voltage regulator  302  in the current implementation. The voltage regulator can detect if the external voltage of the vehicle is below a predetermined level, such as 12 volts. 
     If a vehicle has a “dead” battery, a battery  102  may be placed in battery port  202 , and the battery port  202  will automatically determine that the battery port should operate in the “powering” mode and provide voltage and current at the battery port leads  208  and  210 . The current from battery  102  controlled by the voltage regulator  302  enables the vehicle&#39;s starter to turn and start. Once the vehicle has been started, the alternator creates a voltage and current that is detectable on the battery port leads  208  and  210  and causes the voltage regulator  302  to switch to the “charging” mode to charge the battery  102 . 
     The battery port  202  is preferably mounted in the interior of the vehicle. The advantage of such place and mounting is a person can place and remove the battery  102  without the risk of being outside of their vehicle where they would be subject to weather, crime, and other vehicles. Another advantage of the battery port  202  is that while a person is driving to a job site, they can charge their battery  102 , which may be used in a battery-operated tool. In other implementations, the battery port may accept a plurality of batteries and/or types of batteries. Yet another advantage is the battery  102  may be brought inside with a person and kept warm on cold days and provide the voltage and current to their vehicle when their vehicle battery is adversely affected by the cold. 
     In some implementations, the battery port may also have a receptacle that enables current flow from battery  102  through the battery port to the receptacle. A cable that functions as a jumper cable may be coupled to the receptacle and connected to another vehicle. The connection to the other vehicle may be via a direct connection to the other vehicle&#39;s battery or a connection to what is commonly referred to as a cigarette lighter. Typically, the cable will be able to handle  12  volts at high amperage. 
     The foregoing description of an implementation has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.