CA1296761C - Battery jumper cable - Google Patents
Battery jumper cableInfo
- Publication number
- CA1296761C CA1296761C CA000545841A CA545841A CA1296761C CA 1296761 C CA1296761 C CA 1296761C CA 000545841 A CA000545841 A CA 000545841A CA 545841 A CA545841 A CA 545841A CA 1296761 C CA1296761 C CA 1296761C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- voltage
- conductor
- jumper cable
- low
- battery jumper
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
- H02H9/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection
- H02H9/04—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection responsive to excess voltage
- H02H9/045—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection responsive to excess voltage adapted to a particular application and not provided for elsewhere
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R11/00—Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts
- H01R11/11—End pieces or tapping pieces for wires, supported by the wire and for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal or conductive member
- H01R11/22—End pieces terminating in a spring clip
- H01R11/24—End pieces terminating in a spring clip with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J1/00—Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
- H02J1/10—Parallel operation of dc sources
- H02J1/122—Provisions for temporary connection of DC sources of essentially the same voltage, e.g. jumpstart cables
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A battery jumper cable comprises a first electrically insu-lated flexible low-voltage conductor having two end portions each electrically connected to an insulated pair of pole pliers and a second electrically insulated flexible low-voltage conductor hav-ing two end portions each electrically connected to an insulated pair of pole pliers. To prevent the occurence of high peak vol-tages which may affect vehicle electronics during a jumper oper-ation temporarily transmitting electrical power for starting a first vehicle with a discharged storage battery from a storage battery of a second vehicle, there is provided an electical con-nection between the first low-voltage conductor and the second low-voltage conductor. This electrical connection has a voltage-dependent resistor exhibiting a forward voltage in excess of the operating voltage of conventional starting batteries for auto-motive vehicles. The voltage-dependent resistor may be accommo-dated within a housing.
A battery jumper cable comprises a first electrically insu-lated flexible low-voltage conductor having two end portions each electrically connected to an insulated pair of pole pliers and a second electrically insulated flexible low-voltage conductor hav-ing two end portions each electrically connected to an insulated pair of pole pliers. To prevent the occurence of high peak vol-tages which may affect vehicle electronics during a jumper oper-ation temporarily transmitting electrical power for starting a first vehicle with a discharged storage battery from a storage battery of a second vehicle, there is provided an electical con-nection between the first low-voltage conductor and the second low-voltage conductor. This electrical connection has a voltage-dependent resistor exhibiting a forward voltage in excess of the operating voltage of conventional starting batteries for auto-motive vehicles. The voltage-dependent resistor may be accommo-dated within a housing.
Description
~Z~67~i 1 The invention relates to battery jumper cables and particularly to those comprising a first electrically insulated flexible low-voltage conductor having each end portion electrically connected to a pair of electrically insulated pole pliers, and a second electrically insulated flexible low-voltage conductor having each end portion electrically connected to a pair of electrically insulated pole pliers.
Known conventional battery jumper cables (see for instance DIN 72,553 in the draft version of February l9R7) are intended for use with a first vehicle having internal comhustion enyines for temporarily transmitting electrical power required ~or starting from a storage battery of a second vehicle German Patent Speci~ications 2,718,188 and 3,228,~71 disclose surge arresters for diverting lightning stroke currents, comprising a varistor and a surge arrester which is electrically connected in parallel therewith and having a lightning stroke current-carrying air spark gap. Furthermore, the German Laid-open Publication 2,920,979 discloses a surge arrester for protecting low-voltage switchgear, including a metal oxide varistor and a surge arrester connected in parallel therewith and having an air spark gap. However, such surge arresters have not been used so far in conjunction with battery jumper cables.
` For many years motor vehicles have included electronic systems and components, for instance in ignition electronics and in fuel injection systems. Anti-skid and anti-slip systems developed recently also comprise a considerable number of electronic components.
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Known conventional battery jumper cables (see for instance DIN 72,553 in the draft version of February l9R7) are intended for use with a first vehicle having internal comhustion enyines for temporarily transmitting electrical power required ~or starting from a storage battery of a second vehicle German Patent Speci~ications 2,718,188 and 3,228,~71 disclose surge arresters for diverting lightning stroke currents, comprising a varistor and a surge arrester which is electrically connected in parallel therewith and having a lightning stroke current-carrying air spark gap. Furthermore, the German Laid-open Publication 2,920,979 discloses a surge arrester for protecting low-voltage switchgear, including a metal oxide varistor and a surge arrester connected in parallel therewith and having an air spark gap. However, such surge arresters have not been used so far in conjunction with battery jumper cables.
` For many years motor vehicles have included electronic systems and components, for instance in ignition electronics and in fuel injection systems. Anti-skid and anti-slip systems developed recently also comprise a considerable number of electronic components.
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It has been found that considerable reactive peak voltages may occur when conventional battery jumper cables are used. Especially when the skorage battery of the second vehicle i5 the starting battery and the engine of the second vehicle is running its engine, upon initial removal of a pair of pole pliers, after the jumping operation has been successful, when it is necessary to remove the pairs of pole pliers from the battery terminals, that high peak voltages may occur which are accompanied by considerable spark formation. Within a range of micro- and milli-seconds, voltages in excess of 1000 V may occur, which present a grave risk to expensive electronic parts and components of modern vehicles.
It ls the obJect of the present invention to provide a battery jumper cable which can be used, universally in varied ; types of motor vehicles while reliably preventing the occurrence of high peak voltages affecting the vehicle electronics when a jumper operation is to be performed.
According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a battery jumper cable comprising:
a first electrically insulated flexible low-voltage conductor having a first end portion and a second end portion electrically connected to a first pair of electrically insulated pole pliers and a second pair of electrically insulated pole pliers, respectively;
a second electrically insulated low-voltage conductor having a first end portion and a second end portion electrically connected to a first pair of electrically insulated pole pliers ~ .
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2a 69207-9 and a second pair of electrically insulated pole pliers, respectively;
a third electrically insulated conductor connecting the first low voltage conductor and the second low-voltage conductor in close proximity to said first pairs of pole pliers; and a fourth electrically insulated conductor connecting the first low voltage conductor and the second low-voltage conductor in close proximity to said second pairs of pole pliers;
each of said thlrd and fourth conductors comprising a voltage-dependent resistor having a forward voltage which exceeds the operating voltage of conventlonal starting batteries for motor vehicles, so as to prov:Lde a current flow path for short time peak voltages and block current flow for battery operatincJ voltages.
Preferably, the forward voltage exceeds the battery operating voltage by a least 20 to 60 V.
~29~ 91 The electrical connection preferabl`y is a third electrically insulated flexible conductor. Alternatively, the electical con-nection consist of the two connecting sections through which each voltage-dependent resistor is connected to the first low-voltage conductor, on the one hand, and to the second low-voltage conduc-tor, on the other hand.
The voltage-dependent resistors may, for instance, be varis-tors, especially metal oxide varistors, and an analogously acting array of circuit elements. Such analogously acting arrays of cir-cuit elements may be, for example, two anti-parallel connected Z-diodes, thyristors or an array comprising two anti-parallel con-nected thyristors (Triac). Preferably, the voltage-dependent re-sistor is a parallel-connected arra~v of a metal oxide varistor and a gas-filled surge arrester. The forward voltage of the met-al oxide varistor is preferably in the range of about 40 to 60 V, and the forward or response voltage of the gas-filled surge arres-ter is 90 V or more, so that, especially in the case of high peak voltages, the gas-filled surge arrester serves as a protective circuit ~ the metal oxide varistor.
The battery jumper cable with protective electronic circuit according to the present invention is well suited for 12 V and 24 V starting batteries, typically employed in conventional motor ve-hicles with spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines.
Safety requirements for battery jumper cables are specified, for instance, in DIN 72,553 (in the draft version of ~ebruary 1987).
Typically, the low-voltage conductors have conductor cross-sections of 16, 25 or 35 mm2. The conductor material and the in-~Z~6~
It ls the obJect of the present invention to provide a battery jumper cable which can be used, universally in varied ; types of motor vehicles while reliably preventing the occurrence of high peak voltages affecting the vehicle electronics when a jumper operation is to be performed.
According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a battery jumper cable comprising:
a first electrically insulated flexible low-voltage conductor having a first end portion and a second end portion electrically connected to a first pair of electrically insulated pole pliers and a second pair of electrically insulated pole pliers, respectively;
a second electrically insulated low-voltage conductor having a first end portion and a second end portion electrically connected to a first pair of electrically insulated pole pliers ~ .
~Z967~
2a 69207-9 and a second pair of electrically insulated pole pliers, respectively;
a third electrically insulated conductor connecting the first low voltage conductor and the second low-voltage conductor in close proximity to said first pairs of pole pliers; and a fourth electrically insulated conductor connecting the first low voltage conductor and the second low-voltage conductor in close proximity to said second pairs of pole pliers;
each of said thlrd and fourth conductors comprising a voltage-dependent resistor having a forward voltage which exceeds the operating voltage of conventlonal starting batteries for motor vehicles, so as to prov:Lde a current flow path for short time peak voltages and block current flow for battery operatincJ voltages.
Preferably, the forward voltage exceeds the battery operating voltage by a least 20 to 60 V.
~29~ 91 The electrical connection preferabl`y is a third electrically insulated flexible conductor. Alternatively, the electical con-nection consist of the two connecting sections through which each voltage-dependent resistor is connected to the first low-voltage conductor, on the one hand, and to the second low-voltage conduc-tor, on the other hand.
The voltage-dependent resistors may, for instance, be varis-tors, especially metal oxide varistors, and an analogously acting array of circuit elements. Such analogously acting arrays of cir-cuit elements may be, for example, two anti-parallel connected Z-diodes, thyristors or an array comprising two anti-parallel con-nected thyristors (Triac). Preferably, the voltage-dependent re-sistor is a parallel-connected arra~v of a metal oxide varistor and a gas-filled surge arrester. The forward voltage of the met-al oxide varistor is preferably in the range of about 40 to 60 V, and the forward or response voltage of the gas-filled surge arres-ter is 90 V or more, so that, especially in the case of high peak voltages, the gas-filled surge arrester serves as a protective circuit ~ the metal oxide varistor.
The battery jumper cable with protective electronic circuit according to the present invention is well suited for 12 V and 24 V starting batteries, typically employed in conventional motor ve-hicles with spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines.
Safety requirements for battery jumper cables are specified, for instance, in DIN 72,553 (in the draft version of ~ebruary 1987).
Typically, the low-voltage conductors have conductor cross-sections of 16, 25 or 35 mm2. The conductor material and the in-~Z~6~
sulating material are designed for an operating temperature range from -25 C to +70 C.-25 C the battery jumper cable must be ca-pable of being unbent from a wound ring-like state to the elong-ated state necessary for the jumping operation. The pairs of pole pliers are preferably -Eully insulated; this means that with a closed, non-terminated pair of pole pliers no electrical contact may be made when electrically conductive surfaces or another pair of pole pliers are touched. Such fully-insulated pairs of pole pliers preferably comprise two shell-like halves of plastic mat-erial with clamping pieces in which metallic jaws are inserted to electrically connect an end portion oE a low-voltage conductor.
Alternatively, pairs oE pole pliers - especially those intended for export - may consist of sheet steel pliers or the like wherein only the handles are electrically insulated with a plastic sheath.
The voltage-dependent resistor provided in the protective electronic circuit of the jumper cable according to the present invention has the function of a "voltage-dependent switch". selow its forward voltage, this voltage-dependent resistor or switch blocks the electrical connection so that during the normal jumping operation, in which voltages of up to 30 V may typically occur, no current will flow via the electrical connection so that, in spite of the presence of an electrical connection, a short-circuit between the first and the second low-voltage conductor is reliably prevented. Above its forward voltage, which is preferably in the range of about 40 to 60 V, the resistance of the voltage-dependent resistor or of the analogously acting array of circuit elements will rapidly decrease so that on occurence of higher voltages current may flow via the electrical connection. The currents cor-7~
responding to the short-time peak voltages are thereby shorted via the electrical connection between the first and the second low-voltage conductor and cannot affect the expensive components of vehicle electronics.
Preferably, the battery jumper cable according to the present invention comprises two electrical connections in each of which at least one voltage-dependent resistor is disposed. The voltage-dependent resistor preferably is a parallel-connected array of a varistor, especially of a metal oxide varistor, and a gas-filled surge arrester.
The electrical connection preferably may be a third electric-ally insulated flexible conductor which is electrically connected to the first low-voltage conductor and to the second low-voltage conductor and/or to the first and second pole pliers thereof.
The cross-section of such a third conductor may be signific-antly smaller than the cross-section of the low-voltage conductors, which typically have cross-sections of 16, 25 or 35 mm , whereas the third conductor preferably has a cross-section in the range of about 2 to 8 mm~ so that, upon completion of a jumper operation, the self-induction within said third conductor is minimized.
The end portions or terminals of each third conductor are el-ectrically connected to the first and, the second low-voltage con-ductor, respectively. Preferably, the connection is in close proximity to the two adjacent end portions of the first and the second low-voltage conductor. It is especially preferred that the terminals of each third conductor directly engage the conductive metallic portions of the first and second pole pliers electrically connected to the adjacent end portions of the first and the second ` ~3~76~
low-voltage conductors. This arrangement likewise helps to min-imize self-induction.
On the one hand, the length of each third conductor should be small so as to minimize self-induction while, on the other hand, it should be sufficient to ensure unimpeded manipulation and universal use of the jumper cable even when the pairs of first and second pole pliers at the two adjacent ends of the first and second low-voltage conductors are interconnected via such a third conductor. In such a case, a length of about 60 to 100 cm, es-pecially 80 cm, for each third conductor has proved satisfactory and is preferable, Then, even the distance between the poles oE
multi-cell starting batteries of trucks can readily be bridged and convenient handling is ensured.
For the insulation of the third conductor the typical flex-ible insulating materials are ~sed such as are employed for the low-voltage conductors of conventional jumper cables. The insul-ating material is required to have flame-retardant properties and ' must be flexible at least within a temperature range of -25 C to +70 C. The insulating material must be resistant to lubricants and fuel.
The voltage-dependent resistor is preferably arranged approx-imately in the middle between the two "outer" terminals of a third conductor. The arrangement and connection between the "inner"
terminals of the third conductor(~) adjacent the resistor and the voltage-dependen-t resistor are provided such that a current flow-ing through the third conductor must necessarily pass through the voltage-dependent resistor. ~hen a third conductor has two or, in some cases, even more voltage-dependent resistors associated ~ ~3676~
therewith, a mutually parallel conneation or array of all voltage-dependent resistors is provided so that at least one resistor may serve as protective means for another resistor.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, each electrical connection between the first and the second low-voltage conductors may consist merely of the two connecting portions through which each voltage-dependent resistor is electrically con-nected, on the one hand, to the first low-voltage conductor and, on the other hand, to the second low-voltage conductor. For in-stance, the corresponding portions of the first and the second low-voltage conductor can be mechanically fixed within a housing in which at least one voltage-dependent resistor is provided, the forward voltage of which is in excess of the operating voltage oE
conventional starting batteries. This voltage-dependent resistor is electrically connected via its one connecting portion to the c, ~t) n ~ c~
first low-voltage conductor while it is electrically ~ff~t via its other connecting portion to the second low-voltage conductor.
Said connecting portions may, for instance, be configured as con-ductive track sections on a p.c. board on which the two low-vol-tage conductors are secured by terminals or the like and on which ; at least one voltage-dependent resistor is arranged or formed.
Furthermore, these connecting portions may be the contacts of a conventional insulation-piercing connector for piercing the in-sulation of the low-voltage conductor and making contact with the copper wire thereof. Moveover, each connecting portion may be a connector pin injection-moulded in the housing and making elect-rical contact with the wires of the low-voltage conductors when the housing is closed.
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Preferably, this alternative embodime~t also comprises two housings disposed at an approximate distance of about 4Q to 60 cm from the respective pairs of pole pliers, the two lo~-voltage con-ductors extending into the housing where they are mechanically secured and the housing having disposed therein, for instance, a varistor such as a metal oxide varistor and a gas-filled surge arrester which - being electrically parallel-connected - are ele-ctrically connected via corresponding connecting portions both to the first low-voltage conductor and to the second low-voltage con-ductor.
The protective circuit of the jumper cable according to the invention comprises at least a voltage-dependent resistor having a forward voltage which is about 20 to 60 V in excess of the op-erating voltage of conventional starting batteries for mo-tor ve-hicles. Preferably, a voltage-dependent resistor having a forward voltage of about 40 to 60 V is provided; it is especially prefer-red that the forward voltage is about 40 V. Such a resistor should exhibit a fast response so that even short-time peak vol-tages of hut a few microseconds are reliably arrested via said re-sistor. The response of the voltage-dependent resistor should therefore be within the microsecond range, preferably within the nanosecond range.
Battery jumper cables are designed for a long life of ten and more years. The voltage-dependent resistor must have a repeated load capability, wherein voltages of up to more than 1000 V may occur. The currents normally do not exceed 1 milli-ampere. Even repeated loading must not affect the current/volta~e characteris-tic of the resistor, and, especially, this characteristic must not 6~
decrease to reliably exclude any leakage current already at a ty-pical operating voltage of a conventional 24 V starting battery.
Conventional, commercially available varistors, especially metal oxide varistors, satisfy these requirements and may be selected in accordance with such requirements.
Instead of a varistor, the protective circuit provided in ac-cordance with the present invention may also comprise other, ana-logously acting arrays of electronic parts and components. Such an array, for instance, is an anti-parallel connected array of two Z-diodes. Such Z-diodes are available with precisely defined for-ward voltage and have an extremely fast response ~n the nanosecond range. Furthexmore, the voltaye-dependent resistors or "voltage-dependent switches" may be thyristors. While being of comparativ-ely small design, such thyristors are able to carry high loads.
In case of a sufficiently dimensioned thyristor an additional pro-tective circuit need not be provided. The gate current for the additional switching of the thyristor may be derived from the vol-tage impulse. Advantageously, it is also possible to use an array of two anti-parallel connected thyristors, a so-called Triac cir-cuit.
In addition to the above-defined voltage-dependent resistor ~ b~
with a forward voltage of a~bu~ 40 to 60 V and a fast response in the nanosecond or microsecond range, the protective circuit pro-vided in accordance with the present invention may comprise a pro tective device for protecting the resistor from higher current/
voltage influences. Such a protective device is especially a gas-filled surge arrester. The response or forward voltage of the surge arrester is higher than the forward voltage of the voltage-~2gq~
dependent resistor, especially the metal oxide varistor, and should preferably be at least 90 V. The surge arrester should likewise have a fast response at least in the microsecond range.
A parallel circuit of such a voltage--dependent resistor and its protective means, for instance of a metal oxide varistor and a gas-filled surge arrester, is provided. The advantages of such surge arresting devices including a parallel connection of var-istor and spark gap are known to those skilled in the art and are specified, for instance, in the above-mentioned patentspecifica-tions - such as DE-OS 2,920,979, DE-PS 2,718,188 or DE-PS 3,228,-~71 - so that no further discusslon is required in this respect.
The voltage-dependent resistor and the se:Lectively provided protective means therefor are preferably permanently mounted on a p.c. board, an assembly aid or other substrate where also the inner connecting contacts of the two conductor sections of the third conductor, which lead to the first and second low-voltage conductor, respectively, terminate. Preferably, these conductor sections are mechanically secured to the p.c. board, the assembly aid or other substrate by means of connection clamps, connectors or the like so as to provide an assembly of high tensile strength.
Adjacent each voltage-dependent resistor, a heat-dissipating terminal or other heat sink may be provided which is preferably also secured to the p.c. board, the assembly aid or other sub~
strate.
The entire assembly, which is composed of substrate, voltage-dependent resistor, connecting contacts of the third conductor or connecting sections of the resistor and/or the selectively pro-vided protective means as well as heat-dissipating terminal or the --" lZ~6~6~
like, is preferably embedded or encapsulated in a plastic material that is resistant to water, lubricant and fuel. Inside of the housing, a respective section of the two low-voltage conductors is preferably mechanically fixed to the substrate or the like.
The plastic material of the housing is hermetically bonded to the insulating material of the low-voltage conductors and/or the sel-ectively provided third conductor, for instance by welding or bon-ding. A durable, robust and stable assembly is obtained which is able to withstand the typically rough service conditions of a bat-tery jumper cable.
Below, preferred embodiments oE the invention will be descri-bed in detail with reference to the drawings.
Figure 1 is a schematic view oE the components of a convention-al battery jumper cable;
Figure 2 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the bat-tery jumper cable according to the present invention, comprising an electrical connection configured as a third conductor in which a voltage-dependent resistor is disposed;
Figure 3 is a schematic and fragmentary view o~ a further em-bodiment of the battery jumper cable according to the present invention including two third conductors each having a parallel-connected circuit composed of a vol-tage-dependent resistor and a gas-filled surge arres-ter disposed therein;
Figure ~ is a schematic practical embodiment of a battery jum-per cable according to the present invention, in which lZ9676~
the electrical connections merely consist of the terminal portions of each voltage-dependent resistor;
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective and partially broken view o~
a pair of fully-insulated pole pliers the metallic jaw of which has mountecl thereon both the end portion of a low-voltage conduetor and the end portion of a third conductor;
Figure 6 is a schematic vlew o~ a further practical embodiment of the battery jumper cable accordiny to the present lnvention; and Flgure 7 illustrates the uYe of the battery jumper cable of Figure 6 in practlce.
Figure 1 illustrates schematlcally the component parts of a conventional battery jumper cable. These components comprise ; a first low-voltage eonductor 10 having provided on each of the two conductor ends a pair of electrically insulated pole pliers 12 and 14. Said components further comprise a second low-voltage conduetor 11 having provided on each of the two conductor ends a pair of electrically insulated pole pliers 13 and 15. Further details of such conventional jumper cables and the safety specifications therefore, may be found in DIN 72,553 in the draft version of February 1987.
Figure 2 illustrates schematically a first embodiment of the jumper cable according to the present invention. In addition to ~he above-mentioned eomponent parts 10 to 15, an electrieal ,....
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12a 69207-9 connection is provided which in the present case takes the form of : a third conductor 20 having disposed therein a voltaye-dependent ; resistor 30, for instance a metal-oxide varistor (MOV) or a Triac ~Z96761 circuit made up of thyristors. Said third conductor 20 comprises two conductor sections 21 and 25. The end portion 22 of the one conductor section 21 is electrically connected to the first low-voltage conductor lO. The terminal 23 of said conductor section 21 is electrically connected to one side of the voltage-dependent resistor 30. The terminal 27 of the other conductor section 25 i is electrically connected to the other side of the voltage-depen-dent resistor 30. The end portion 26 of said conductor section 25 is electrically connected to the second low-voltage conductor 11.
The voltage-dependent resistor 30 typically has a :Eorward voltage of about 40 V. When volta~e peaks of a si~nificantly higher voltage occur during the typical use o:E the jumper cable, especially when the ~7d_}{~ pole pliers are removed from the battery poles, the current may flow via the third conductor 20 and the voltage-dependent resistor 30 between the first and the second low-voltage conductors lO and 11, respectively, so that , these peak voltages are reduced and made harmless before being able -to affect any components of the expensive vehicle electron-ics~
Figure 3 illustrates schematically a section of a further ~ embodiment of the jumper cable according to the present invention.
:~ Here, the protective electronic circuit comprises two respective third conductors 20 in which a voltage-dependent resistor 30 and a gas-filled surge arrester 35, which are connected in parallel, are respectively disposed. The one third conductor 20 connects the first low-voltage conductor lO to the second low-voltage con-ductor ll in close proximity to the two pairs of pole pliers -~ .
7 ~J~
not illustrated - which in use are mounted on the same vehicle or the starting battery thereof. The other third conductor 20 like-wise connects the first low-voltage conductor 10 to the second low-voltage conductor 11 in close proximity to the two other pairs of pole pliers - not illustrated -which in use are mounted on the other vehicle or the starting battery thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the two voltage-dependent resistors 30 are metal ox-ide varistors having a forward voltage of about 40 V. The gas-filled surge arrester 35 has a switching impulse sparkover voltage of at least 90 V and can withstand temporary current surges of several kilo-amperes. This surge arrester 35 is able to switch within the microsecond range and thus protects the metal oxide varistor 30 from excessive current influences. Surge arresters 35 of this type are commercially available.
As indicated schematically in Figure 3, the metal oxide var-~ istor 30, the gas-filled surge arrester 35 and the terminals 23 ; and 27 of the third conductors 20 may be mounted on a p.c. board, an assembly aid or other substrate accommodated within an encap-sulated housing ~0 which is schematically indicated by dashed ; 20 lines.
Figure 4 illustrates a practical embodiment of a battery jumper cable according to the present invention the protective electronic circuit of which comprises two identical devices. Each device is disposed at a distance of about 40 to 60 cm from two adjacent pairs of pole pliers 12, 13 or 14, 15 and comprises a housing 40 through which sections of the first and the second low-voltage conductors 10 and 11 are passed. Connectors - not illus-trated - provide for a mechanically strong connection between the ~;~9~i75~
housing 40 and the sections of the two low-voltage conductors 10 and 11. Within each housing 40 there are provided on a p.c. board - not illustrated - or on another substrate a metal oxide varistor 30 and a gas-filled surge arrester 35. Both the metal oxide var-istor 30 and the surge arrester 35 are electrically connected via respective connecting portions 21 to the first low-voltage con-ductor 10 and vîa respective further connecting portions 25 to the second low-voltage conductor 11. The connecting portions 21 and 25, which are associated with a predetermined voltage-depen-dent resistor 30, 35, together constitute an electrical connec tion 20 in which said resistor 30 or 35 is respectively disposed.
Each connecting portion 21, 25 may be formed as a conductive track on a p.c. board or as a contact of an insulation piercing device, as a connector pin or other terminal element.
Figure 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of mounting a third conductor on the metallic jaw of a pair of pole pliers to which a low-voltage conauct~r is electrically connected.
All of the pairs of pole pliers 12 to 15 are of identical and preferably fully insulated design which will be explained be-low with reference to Figure 5 in conjunction with the pole pliers 50. Each pair o~ pole pliers 50 substantially comprise two shell-like halves 51 and 52 and a spring 53. Each shell-like half 51, 52 is made of a dimensionally s~able, electrically non-conducting plastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide and includes a handle 54, a grip 55 and two bearing disks 56. In the centre of both bearing disks 56 bores 57 are formed through which in the assembled state a pin 58 is passed which serves as a pivot and retaining means for the spring 53 the ILZ9~`7~
terminal legs of which are in engagement inside the handle 54 of each shell-like half 51 and 52 and the spring tension of which continuously tends to urge ~he grips 55 towards each other.
Within each plastic grip 55 a metal jaw 60 is secured.
; The jaw 60 includes two metallic connectors 61 and 62. The one connector 61 is in engagement around the parallel bared wires 16 of the low-voltage conductors 10, 11 and the bared terminal 22 of the third conductor 20. Good electrical contact between the conductors 16, 22 and the remaining metallic jaw 60 is provided by strong mechanical crimping of the legs of said clamp 61. The second connector 62 is in engagement about the insulation 18 of the low-voltage conductors 10, 11 and the insulation 29 o~ the third conductor 20. By su~flcient compression of the legs of the second clamp 62 a connection of high tensile strength between tha low-voltage conductors 10, 11 and the third conductor 20, on the one hand, and the metallic jaw 60 and thus the pair of pole pliers 50, on the other hand, is provided.
The direct connection of the end portion or terminal contact 22 of the third conductor 20 to the metallic jaw 60 of a pair of pole pliers 50 reduces self-induction to minlmum.
Figure 6 illustrates a further practical embodiment of a jumper cable according to the present invention comprising a protective electronic circuit.
The first two pairs of pole pliers 12 and ls are electrically interconnected via first low-voltage conductor 10.
The second two pairs of pole pliers 13 and 15 are electrically ~29676~
16a 69207-9 interconnected via a second low-voltage conductor 11. A
re~pective third conductor 20 electrically interconnects the first low-voltage conductor 10 and the ` ~L2~7~
second low-voltage conductor 11. The connection can preferably be made by joint termination of the copper wires o~ the low-vol~
tage conductors 10 and 11, respectively, and the third conductor 20 to a metallic jaw in each of the pairs of pole pliers 12, 13, 14, 15, as explained above with reference to Figure 5.
Each third conductor 20 includes a parallel array of a metal oxide varistor 30 and a gas-filled surge arrester 35 therein.
Each of these arrays is provided within a housing 40 which also surrounds corresponding sections of the -two low-voltage conductors 10 and 11 in a force fit.
Figure 7 illustrates schematically the manner ln which a jumper cable according to the present invention is used. Both a first vehicle 5 including a discharged storage battery 6 and a second vehicle 1 including a powering storage battery 2 are il-lustrated schematically in a fragmentary view showing the engine compartments.
When the jumper cable is to be used, the pole pliers 14 are ~ixed to the positive pole of the discharged storage battery 6 while the pole pliers 12 are fixed to the positiue pole of the powering battery 2. Then pole pliers 13 are fixed to the negative pole of the powering battery 2 and thereafter pole pliers 15 are fixed to the negative pole or to the ground strap or another un-insulated location grounded to the engine block of the vehicle 5 having the discharged storage battery 6. Pole pliers 12 and 14 are electrically interconnected via low-voltage conductor 10.
Pole pliers 13 and 15 are electrically interconnected via low-voltage conductor 11. The engine of the powering vehicle 1 is started and operated until an intermedia~e speed of revolution , , ~
~L2~?~i751 ~, 1~ 9207-9 has been reached. Subsequently, the engine of the disabled vehi-cle 5 is started. ~hen the latter engine runs smoothly, the pole pliers of the jumper cable are removed in reverse of the above order.
Although the present invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited to these embodi-ments. Alternative embodiments and modifications which would still be encompassed by the invention may be made by those skill-ed in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.
Therefore, the following claims are intended to cover any alter-native embodiments, modiEications, or equivalents which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
;:
Alternatively, pairs oE pole pliers - especially those intended for export - may consist of sheet steel pliers or the like wherein only the handles are electrically insulated with a plastic sheath.
The voltage-dependent resistor provided in the protective electronic circuit of the jumper cable according to the present invention has the function of a "voltage-dependent switch". selow its forward voltage, this voltage-dependent resistor or switch blocks the electrical connection so that during the normal jumping operation, in which voltages of up to 30 V may typically occur, no current will flow via the electrical connection so that, in spite of the presence of an electrical connection, a short-circuit between the first and the second low-voltage conductor is reliably prevented. Above its forward voltage, which is preferably in the range of about 40 to 60 V, the resistance of the voltage-dependent resistor or of the analogously acting array of circuit elements will rapidly decrease so that on occurence of higher voltages current may flow via the electrical connection. The currents cor-7~
responding to the short-time peak voltages are thereby shorted via the electrical connection between the first and the second low-voltage conductor and cannot affect the expensive components of vehicle electronics.
Preferably, the battery jumper cable according to the present invention comprises two electrical connections in each of which at least one voltage-dependent resistor is disposed. The voltage-dependent resistor preferably is a parallel-connected array of a varistor, especially of a metal oxide varistor, and a gas-filled surge arrester.
The electrical connection preferably may be a third electric-ally insulated flexible conductor which is electrically connected to the first low-voltage conductor and to the second low-voltage conductor and/or to the first and second pole pliers thereof.
The cross-section of such a third conductor may be signific-antly smaller than the cross-section of the low-voltage conductors, which typically have cross-sections of 16, 25 or 35 mm , whereas the third conductor preferably has a cross-section in the range of about 2 to 8 mm~ so that, upon completion of a jumper operation, the self-induction within said third conductor is minimized.
The end portions or terminals of each third conductor are el-ectrically connected to the first and, the second low-voltage con-ductor, respectively. Preferably, the connection is in close proximity to the two adjacent end portions of the first and the second low-voltage conductor. It is especially preferred that the terminals of each third conductor directly engage the conductive metallic portions of the first and second pole pliers electrically connected to the adjacent end portions of the first and the second ` ~3~76~
low-voltage conductors. This arrangement likewise helps to min-imize self-induction.
On the one hand, the length of each third conductor should be small so as to minimize self-induction while, on the other hand, it should be sufficient to ensure unimpeded manipulation and universal use of the jumper cable even when the pairs of first and second pole pliers at the two adjacent ends of the first and second low-voltage conductors are interconnected via such a third conductor. In such a case, a length of about 60 to 100 cm, es-pecially 80 cm, for each third conductor has proved satisfactory and is preferable, Then, even the distance between the poles oE
multi-cell starting batteries of trucks can readily be bridged and convenient handling is ensured.
For the insulation of the third conductor the typical flex-ible insulating materials are ~sed such as are employed for the low-voltage conductors of conventional jumper cables. The insul-ating material is required to have flame-retardant properties and ' must be flexible at least within a temperature range of -25 C to +70 C. The insulating material must be resistant to lubricants and fuel.
The voltage-dependent resistor is preferably arranged approx-imately in the middle between the two "outer" terminals of a third conductor. The arrangement and connection between the "inner"
terminals of the third conductor(~) adjacent the resistor and the voltage-dependen-t resistor are provided such that a current flow-ing through the third conductor must necessarily pass through the voltage-dependent resistor. ~hen a third conductor has two or, in some cases, even more voltage-dependent resistors associated ~ ~3676~
therewith, a mutually parallel conneation or array of all voltage-dependent resistors is provided so that at least one resistor may serve as protective means for another resistor.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, each electrical connection between the first and the second low-voltage conductors may consist merely of the two connecting portions through which each voltage-dependent resistor is electrically con-nected, on the one hand, to the first low-voltage conductor and, on the other hand, to the second low-voltage conductor. For in-stance, the corresponding portions of the first and the second low-voltage conductor can be mechanically fixed within a housing in which at least one voltage-dependent resistor is provided, the forward voltage of which is in excess of the operating voltage oE
conventional starting batteries. This voltage-dependent resistor is electrically connected via its one connecting portion to the c, ~t) n ~ c~
first low-voltage conductor while it is electrically ~ff~t via its other connecting portion to the second low-voltage conductor.
Said connecting portions may, for instance, be configured as con-ductive track sections on a p.c. board on which the two low-vol-tage conductors are secured by terminals or the like and on which ; at least one voltage-dependent resistor is arranged or formed.
Furthermore, these connecting portions may be the contacts of a conventional insulation-piercing connector for piercing the in-sulation of the low-voltage conductor and making contact with the copper wire thereof. Moveover, each connecting portion may be a connector pin injection-moulded in the housing and making elect-rical contact with the wires of the low-voltage conductors when the housing is closed.
gl Z967$~
Preferably, this alternative embodime~t also comprises two housings disposed at an approximate distance of about 4Q to 60 cm from the respective pairs of pole pliers, the two lo~-voltage con-ductors extending into the housing where they are mechanically secured and the housing having disposed therein, for instance, a varistor such as a metal oxide varistor and a gas-filled surge arrester which - being electrically parallel-connected - are ele-ctrically connected via corresponding connecting portions both to the first low-voltage conductor and to the second low-voltage con-ductor.
The protective circuit of the jumper cable according to the invention comprises at least a voltage-dependent resistor having a forward voltage which is about 20 to 60 V in excess of the op-erating voltage of conventional starting batteries for mo-tor ve-hicles. Preferably, a voltage-dependent resistor having a forward voltage of about 40 to 60 V is provided; it is especially prefer-red that the forward voltage is about 40 V. Such a resistor should exhibit a fast response so that even short-time peak vol-tages of hut a few microseconds are reliably arrested via said re-sistor. The response of the voltage-dependent resistor should therefore be within the microsecond range, preferably within the nanosecond range.
Battery jumper cables are designed for a long life of ten and more years. The voltage-dependent resistor must have a repeated load capability, wherein voltages of up to more than 1000 V may occur. The currents normally do not exceed 1 milli-ampere. Even repeated loading must not affect the current/volta~e characteris-tic of the resistor, and, especially, this characteristic must not 6~
decrease to reliably exclude any leakage current already at a ty-pical operating voltage of a conventional 24 V starting battery.
Conventional, commercially available varistors, especially metal oxide varistors, satisfy these requirements and may be selected in accordance with such requirements.
Instead of a varistor, the protective circuit provided in ac-cordance with the present invention may also comprise other, ana-logously acting arrays of electronic parts and components. Such an array, for instance, is an anti-parallel connected array of two Z-diodes. Such Z-diodes are available with precisely defined for-ward voltage and have an extremely fast response ~n the nanosecond range. Furthexmore, the voltaye-dependent resistors or "voltage-dependent switches" may be thyristors. While being of comparativ-ely small design, such thyristors are able to carry high loads.
In case of a sufficiently dimensioned thyristor an additional pro-tective circuit need not be provided. The gate current for the additional switching of the thyristor may be derived from the vol-tage impulse. Advantageously, it is also possible to use an array of two anti-parallel connected thyristors, a so-called Triac cir-cuit.
In addition to the above-defined voltage-dependent resistor ~ b~
with a forward voltage of a~bu~ 40 to 60 V and a fast response in the nanosecond or microsecond range, the protective circuit pro-vided in accordance with the present invention may comprise a pro tective device for protecting the resistor from higher current/
voltage influences. Such a protective device is especially a gas-filled surge arrester. The response or forward voltage of the surge arrester is higher than the forward voltage of the voltage-~2gq~
dependent resistor, especially the metal oxide varistor, and should preferably be at least 90 V. The surge arrester should likewise have a fast response at least in the microsecond range.
A parallel circuit of such a voltage--dependent resistor and its protective means, for instance of a metal oxide varistor and a gas-filled surge arrester, is provided. The advantages of such surge arresting devices including a parallel connection of var-istor and spark gap are known to those skilled in the art and are specified, for instance, in the above-mentioned patentspecifica-tions - such as DE-OS 2,920,979, DE-PS 2,718,188 or DE-PS 3,228,-~71 - so that no further discusslon is required in this respect.
The voltage-dependent resistor and the se:Lectively provided protective means therefor are preferably permanently mounted on a p.c. board, an assembly aid or other substrate where also the inner connecting contacts of the two conductor sections of the third conductor, which lead to the first and second low-voltage conductor, respectively, terminate. Preferably, these conductor sections are mechanically secured to the p.c. board, the assembly aid or other substrate by means of connection clamps, connectors or the like so as to provide an assembly of high tensile strength.
Adjacent each voltage-dependent resistor, a heat-dissipating terminal or other heat sink may be provided which is preferably also secured to the p.c. board, the assembly aid or other sub~
strate.
The entire assembly, which is composed of substrate, voltage-dependent resistor, connecting contacts of the third conductor or connecting sections of the resistor and/or the selectively pro-vided protective means as well as heat-dissipating terminal or the --" lZ~6~6~
like, is preferably embedded or encapsulated in a plastic material that is resistant to water, lubricant and fuel. Inside of the housing, a respective section of the two low-voltage conductors is preferably mechanically fixed to the substrate or the like.
The plastic material of the housing is hermetically bonded to the insulating material of the low-voltage conductors and/or the sel-ectively provided third conductor, for instance by welding or bon-ding. A durable, robust and stable assembly is obtained which is able to withstand the typically rough service conditions of a bat-tery jumper cable.
Below, preferred embodiments oE the invention will be descri-bed in detail with reference to the drawings.
Figure 1 is a schematic view oE the components of a convention-al battery jumper cable;
Figure 2 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the bat-tery jumper cable according to the present invention, comprising an electrical connection configured as a third conductor in which a voltage-dependent resistor is disposed;
Figure 3 is a schematic and fragmentary view o~ a further em-bodiment of the battery jumper cable according to the present invention including two third conductors each having a parallel-connected circuit composed of a vol-tage-dependent resistor and a gas-filled surge arres-ter disposed therein;
Figure ~ is a schematic practical embodiment of a battery jum-per cable according to the present invention, in which lZ9676~
the electrical connections merely consist of the terminal portions of each voltage-dependent resistor;
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective and partially broken view o~
a pair of fully-insulated pole pliers the metallic jaw of which has mountecl thereon both the end portion of a low-voltage conduetor and the end portion of a third conductor;
Figure 6 is a schematic vlew o~ a further practical embodiment of the battery jumper cable accordiny to the present lnvention; and Flgure 7 illustrates the uYe of the battery jumper cable of Figure 6 in practlce.
Figure 1 illustrates schematlcally the component parts of a conventional battery jumper cable. These components comprise ; a first low-voltage eonductor 10 having provided on each of the two conductor ends a pair of electrically insulated pole pliers 12 and 14. Said components further comprise a second low-voltage conduetor 11 having provided on each of the two conductor ends a pair of electrically insulated pole pliers 13 and 15. Further details of such conventional jumper cables and the safety specifications therefore, may be found in DIN 72,553 in the draft version of February 1987.
Figure 2 illustrates schematically a first embodiment of the jumper cable according to the present invention. In addition to ~he above-mentioned eomponent parts 10 to 15, an electrieal ,....
6~6~
12a 69207-9 connection is provided which in the present case takes the form of : a third conductor 20 having disposed therein a voltaye-dependent ; resistor 30, for instance a metal-oxide varistor (MOV) or a Triac ~Z96761 circuit made up of thyristors. Said third conductor 20 comprises two conductor sections 21 and 25. The end portion 22 of the one conductor section 21 is electrically connected to the first low-voltage conductor lO. The terminal 23 of said conductor section 21 is electrically connected to one side of the voltage-dependent resistor 30. The terminal 27 of the other conductor section 25 i is electrically connected to the other side of the voltage-depen-dent resistor 30. The end portion 26 of said conductor section 25 is electrically connected to the second low-voltage conductor 11.
The voltage-dependent resistor 30 typically has a :Eorward voltage of about 40 V. When volta~e peaks of a si~nificantly higher voltage occur during the typical use o:E the jumper cable, especially when the ~7d_}{~ pole pliers are removed from the battery poles, the current may flow via the third conductor 20 and the voltage-dependent resistor 30 between the first and the second low-voltage conductors lO and 11, respectively, so that , these peak voltages are reduced and made harmless before being able -to affect any components of the expensive vehicle electron-ics~
Figure 3 illustrates schematically a section of a further ~ embodiment of the jumper cable according to the present invention.
:~ Here, the protective electronic circuit comprises two respective third conductors 20 in which a voltage-dependent resistor 30 and a gas-filled surge arrester 35, which are connected in parallel, are respectively disposed. The one third conductor 20 connects the first low-voltage conductor lO to the second low-voltage con-ductor ll in close proximity to the two pairs of pole pliers -~ .
7 ~J~
not illustrated - which in use are mounted on the same vehicle or the starting battery thereof. The other third conductor 20 like-wise connects the first low-voltage conductor 10 to the second low-voltage conductor 11 in close proximity to the two other pairs of pole pliers - not illustrated -which in use are mounted on the other vehicle or the starting battery thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the two voltage-dependent resistors 30 are metal ox-ide varistors having a forward voltage of about 40 V. The gas-filled surge arrester 35 has a switching impulse sparkover voltage of at least 90 V and can withstand temporary current surges of several kilo-amperes. This surge arrester 35 is able to switch within the microsecond range and thus protects the metal oxide varistor 30 from excessive current influences. Surge arresters 35 of this type are commercially available.
As indicated schematically in Figure 3, the metal oxide var-~ istor 30, the gas-filled surge arrester 35 and the terminals 23 ; and 27 of the third conductors 20 may be mounted on a p.c. board, an assembly aid or other substrate accommodated within an encap-sulated housing ~0 which is schematically indicated by dashed ; 20 lines.
Figure 4 illustrates a practical embodiment of a battery jumper cable according to the present invention the protective electronic circuit of which comprises two identical devices. Each device is disposed at a distance of about 40 to 60 cm from two adjacent pairs of pole pliers 12, 13 or 14, 15 and comprises a housing 40 through which sections of the first and the second low-voltage conductors 10 and 11 are passed. Connectors - not illus-trated - provide for a mechanically strong connection between the ~;~9~i75~
housing 40 and the sections of the two low-voltage conductors 10 and 11. Within each housing 40 there are provided on a p.c. board - not illustrated - or on another substrate a metal oxide varistor 30 and a gas-filled surge arrester 35. Both the metal oxide var-istor 30 and the surge arrester 35 are electrically connected via respective connecting portions 21 to the first low-voltage con-ductor 10 and vîa respective further connecting portions 25 to the second low-voltage conductor 11. The connecting portions 21 and 25, which are associated with a predetermined voltage-depen-dent resistor 30, 35, together constitute an electrical connec tion 20 in which said resistor 30 or 35 is respectively disposed.
Each connecting portion 21, 25 may be formed as a conductive track on a p.c. board or as a contact of an insulation piercing device, as a connector pin or other terminal element.
Figure 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of mounting a third conductor on the metallic jaw of a pair of pole pliers to which a low-voltage conauct~r is electrically connected.
All of the pairs of pole pliers 12 to 15 are of identical and preferably fully insulated design which will be explained be-low with reference to Figure 5 in conjunction with the pole pliers 50. Each pair o~ pole pliers 50 substantially comprise two shell-like halves 51 and 52 and a spring 53. Each shell-like half 51, 52 is made of a dimensionally s~able, electrically non-conducting plastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide and includes a handle 54, a grip 55 and two bearing disks 56. In the centre of both bearing disks 56 bores 57 are formed through which in the assembled state a pin 58 is passed which serves as a pivot and retaining means for the spring 53 the ILZ9~`7~
terminal legs of which are in engagement inside the handle 54 of each shell-like half 51 and 52 and the spring tension of which continuously tends to urge ~he grips 55 towards each other.
Within each plastic grip 55 a metal jaw 60 is secured.
; The jaw 60 includes two metallic connectors 61 and 62. The one connector 61 is in engagement around the parallel bared wires 16 of the low-voltage conductors 10, 11 and the bared terminal 22 of the third conductor 20. Good electrical contact between the conductors 16, 22 and the remaining metallic jaw 60 is provided by strong mechanical crimping of the legs of said clamp 61. The second connector 62 is in engagement about the insulation 18 of the low-voltage conductors 10, 11 and the insulation 29 o~ the third conductor 20. By su~flcient compression of the legs of the second clamp 62 a connection of high tensile strength between tha low-voltage conductors 10, 11 and the third conductor 20, on the one hand, and the metallic jaw 60 and thus the pair of pole pliers 50, on the other hand, is provided.
The direct connection of the end portion or terminal contact 22 of the third conductor 20 to the metallic jaw 60 of a pair of pole pliers 50 reduces self-induction to minlmum.
Figure 6 illustrates a further practical embodiment of a jumper cable according to the present invention comprising a protective electronic circuit.
The first two pairs of pole pliers 12 and ls are electrically interconnected via first low-voltage conductor 10.
The second two pairs of pole pliers 13 and 15 are electrically ~29676~
16a 69207-9 interconnected via a second low-voltage conductor 11. A
re~pective third conductor 20 electrically interconnects the first low-voltage conductor 10 and the ` ~L2~7~
second low-voltage conductor 11. The connection can preferably be made by joint termination of the copper wires o~ the low-vol~
tage conductors 10 and 11, respectively, and the third conductor 20 to a metallic jaw in each of the pairs of pole pliers 12, 13, 14, 15, as explained above with reference to Figure 5.
Each third conductor 20 includes a parallel array of a metal oxide varistor 30 and a gas-filled surge arrester 35 therein.
Each of these arrays is provided within a housing 40 which also surrounds corresponding sections of the -two low-voltage conductors 10 and 11 in a force fit.
Figure 7 illustrates schematically the manner ln which a jumper cable according to the present invention is used. Both a first vehicle 5 including a discharged storage battery 6 and a second vehicle 1 including a powering storage battery 2 are il-lustrated schematically in a fragmentary view showing the engine compartments.
When the jumper cable is to be used, the pole pliers 14 are ~ixed to the positive pole of the discharged storage battery 6 while the pole pliers 12 are fixed to the positiue pole of the powering battery 2. Then pole pliers 13 are fixed to the negative pole of the powering battery 2 and thereafter pole pliers 15 are fixed to the negative pole or to the ground strap or another un-insulated location grounded to the engine block of the vehicle 5 having the discharged storage battery 6. Pole pliers 12 and 14 are electrically interconnected via low-voltage conductor 10.
Pole pliers 13 and 15 are electrically interconnected via low-voltage conductor 11. The engine of the powering vehicle 1 is started and operated until an intermedia~e speed of revolution , , ~
~L2~?~i751 ~, 1~ 9207-9 has been reached. Subsequently, the engine of the disabled vehi-cle 5 is started. ~hen the latter engine runs smoothly, the pole pliers of the jumper cable are removed in reverse of the above order.
Although the present invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited to these embodi-ments. Alternative embodiments and modifications which would still be encompassed by the invention may be made by those skill-ed in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.
Therefore, the following claims are intended to cover any alter-native embodiments, modiEications, or equivalents which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
;:
Claims (23)
1. A battery jumper cable comprising:
a first electrically insulated flexible low-voltage conductor having a first end portion and a second end portion electrically connected to a first pair of electrically insulated pole pliers, and a second pair of electrically insulated pole pliers, respectively;
a second electrically insulated low-voltage conductor having a first end portion and a second end portion electrically connected to a first palr of electrically insulated pole pliers and a second pair of electrically insulated pole pliers, respectively;
a third electrically insulated conductor connecting the first low voltage conductor and the second low-voltage conductor in close proximity to said first pairs of pole pliers; and a fourth electrically insulated conductor connecting the first low voltage conductor and the second low-voltage conductor in close proximity to said second pairs of pole pliers;
each of said third and fourth conductors comprising a voltage-dependent resistor having a forward voltage which exceeds the operating voltage of conventional starting batteries for motor vehicles, so as to provide a current flow path for short time peak voltages and block current flow for battery operating voltages.
a first electrically insulated flexible low-voltage conductor having a first end portion and a second end portion electrically connected to a first pair of electrically insulated pole pliers, and a second pair of electrically insulated pole pliers, respectively;
a second electrically insulated low-voltage conductor having a first end portion and a second end portion electrically connected to a first palr of electrically insulated pole pliers and a second pair of electrically insulated pole pliers, respectively;
a third electrically insulated conductor connecting the first low voltage conductor and the second low-voltage conductor in close proximity to said first pairs of pole pliers; and a fourth electrically insulated conductor connecting the first low voltage conductor and the second low-voltage conductor in close proximity to said second pairs of pole pliers;
each of said third and fourth conductors comprising a voltage-dependent resistor having a forward voltage which exceeds the operating voltage of conventional starting batteries for motor vehicles, so as to provide a current flow path for short time peak voltages and block current flow for battery operating voltages.
2. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 1 wherein said third conductor is connected to the first pair of pole pliers and said fourth conductor is connected to the second pair of pole pliers.
3. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 1 in which the third conductor has a cross-section in the range of 2 to 8 mm2.
4. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 1 in which the third conductor has a length of about 60 to about 100 cm.
5. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 1 in which the forward voltage of the voltage-dependent resistor exceeds the operating voltage of conventional starting batteries for motor vehicles by at least about 20 V.
6. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 1 in which the electrical connection means comprises an array of circuit elements acting analogous to a voltage-dependent resistor, said array exhibiting a forward voltage of about 40 to about 60 V.
7. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 1 in which a voltage-dependent resistor is disposed adjacent a heat sink.
8. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 1 in which third and fourth electrically insulated flexible conductors are disposed adjacent the first and second pairs of pole pliers respectively, and electrically connect the first low-voltage conductor and the second low-voltage conductor, said third and fourth conductor comprising a parallel-connected arrangement of a metal oxide varistor and a gas-filled surge arrester.
9. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 1 in which said third and further electrically insulated flexible conductors are disposed adjacent the first and second pairs of pole pliers, respectively, and electrically connect the first and second pairs of pole pliers, said third and fourth conductors comprising a parallel-connected arrangement of a metal oxide varistor and a gas-filled surge arrester.
10. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one auxiliary mounting means on which at least one voltage-dependent resistor and the terminals of the third or fourth conductor are secured, the auxiliary mounting means being disposed in an hermetic enclosure made of plastic metal.
11. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 10 wherein the auxiliary mounting means is a printed circuit board.
12. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 1 in which the third conductor or the fourth conductor or both of them comprise two connecting sections through which at least one voltage-dependent resistor is electrically connected to a first low-voltage conductor and to the second low-voltage conductor.
13. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 12 in which the two connecting sections are formed as conductive track sections on a printed circuit board.
14. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 12 in which the two connecting sections are each disposed within a housing which is secured to the low-voltage conductors at a distance of about 40 to about 60 cm from the pole pliers and in overlapping engagement about both low-voltage conductors.
15. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 12 in which the two connection sections are formed as contacts of an insulation-piercing connector.
16. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 12 in which the two connecting sections are formed as connector pins.
17. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 1 in which said electrical connection means comprises two parallel-connected voltage-dependent resistors exhibiting different forward voltages.
18. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 17 in which a voltage-dependent resistor is a varistor.
19. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 17 in which a voltage-dependent resistor is an array of two anti-parallel connected Z-diodes.
20. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 17 in which one of said voltage-dependent resistors is a gas-filled surge arrester.
21. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 20, in which the gas-filled surge arrester has a forward voltage of at least 90 V.
22. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 17 in which a voltage-dependent resistor is a thyristor.
23. A battery jumper cable as claimed in claim 22, in which a voltage-dependent resistor is an array of two anti-parallel connected thyristors.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATA2363/86 | 1986-09-02 | ||
| AT0236386A AT393764B (en) | 1986-09-02 | 1986-09-02 | JUMPER CABLES |
| DE19873722286 DE3722286A1 (en) | 1986-09-02 | 1987-07-06 | Jump lead cable |
| DEP3722286.4 | 1987-07-06 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1296761C true CA1296761C (en) | 1992-03-03 |
Family
ID=25598287
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000545841A Expired - Lifetime CA1296761C (en) | 1986-09-02 | 1987-09-01 | Battery jumper cable |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4869688A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0258776B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE71890T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1296761C (en) |
| DK (1) | DK170192B1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2033752T3 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI101246B (en) |
| NO (1) | NO170049C (en) |
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| WO2015089670A1 (en) * | 2013-12-18 | 2015-06-25 | Toky Ranaivoson | Electrical cable clamp |
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| US8013611B2 (en) * | 2006-07-14 | 2011-09-06 | Reserve Power Cell, Llc | Vehicle battery product and battery monitoring system |
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| US3259754A (en) * | 1962-10-23 | 1966-07-05 | Leslie C Matheson | Polarity indicator |
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-
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- 1987-08-24 US US07/088,267 patent/US4869688A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-08-24 ES ES198787112254T patent/ES2033752T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-08-24 AT AT87112254T patent/ATE71890T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-08-24 EP EP87112254A patent/EP0258776B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-08-27 DK DK449287A patent/DK170192B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-08-28 NO NO873633A patent/NO170049C/en unknown
- 1987-09-01 FI FI873784A patent/FI101246B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-09-01 CA CA000545841A patent/CA1296761C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015089670A1 (en) * | 2013-12-18 | 2015-06-25 | Toky Ranaivoson | Electrical cable clamp |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FI101246B1 (en) | 1998-05-15 |
| FI873784A (en) | 1988-03-03 |
| NO170049C (en) | 1992-09-02 |
| EP0258776A2 (en) | 1988-03-09 |
| DK449287A (en) | 1988-03-03 |
| DK170192B1 (en) | 1995-06-06 |
| NO873633L (en) | 1988-03-03 |
| ATE71890T1 (en) | 1992-02-15 |
| DK449287D0 (en) | 1987-08-27 |
| US4869688A (en) | 1989-09-26 |
| FI873784A0 (en) | 1987-09-01 |
| NO170049B (en) | 1992-05-25 |
| EP0258776B1 (en) | 1992-01-22 |
| NO873633D0 (en) | 1987-08-28 |
| ES2033752T3 (en) | 1993-04-01 |
| FI101246B (en) | 1998-05-15 |
| EP0258776A3 (en) | 1989-10-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |