Abstract: There is provided an output voltage control apparatus for a vehicular AC generator in which a generator output voltage including a ripple component can be made to more approach a reference voltage. The control apparatus includes a comparison circuit to compare a detection voltage including a ripple component with a reference voltage and to output an effective comparison output in each of low output sections in which the detection voltage is lower than the reference voltage by the ripple component, an on period counter to count up, in a count enable period set in each of the control periods, a count value while adding the count value in each of the low output sections based on the effective comparison output, and a memory circuit to store a final count value in the count enable period in each of the control periods.

Abstract: An alternator 1 connected to a battery mounted in a vehicle, a regulator 20 including a regulator IC 4 for adjusting a power generation voltage of the alternator 1, and an ECU connected to the regulator 20 are provided. A DF signal is inputted from the regulator 20 to the ECU 10. An average value obtained by performing an averaging process an ON time of the DF signal measured during predetermined sampling time is used as ON ratio information of the DF signal for reduction of a circuit size, optimization of the circuit, control stabilization, and cost reduction.

Abstract: An A/D conversion device includes a counter for counting a clock signal fed from a clock signal generator, a D/A converter for converting a digital output of the counter into an analog value, a comparator for comparing an analog output of the D/A converter and an analog field current detection value fed from a current detecting resistor and outputting a result of comparison, an AND circuit for calculating a logical product of an output signal of the comparator and the clock signal fed from the clock signal generator and outputting the logical product to the counter, and a memory for storing the output of the counter according to a transfer signal. The output of the counter is reset when a reset signal is input thereinto.

Abstract: In a control apparatus of a vehicle AC generator, a flip-flop for receiving a clock pulse with a constant period and a control pulse is used. The clock pulse sets the control period at the constant period, and decides an on timing of the power transistor in this control period. The control pulse decides an off timing. A load response control circuit performs a load response control to adjust an on time ratio of the power transistor from a lower limit to an upper limit in accordance with an increase in load, and a second control signal circuit adjusts the on time ratio from a regulated value close to the upper limit to the upper limit.

Abstract: An A/D conversion device includes a counter for counting a clock signal fed from a clock signal generator, a D/A converter for converting a digital output of the counter into an analog value, a comparator for comparing an analog output of the D/A converter and an analog field current detection value fed from a current detecting resistor and outputting a result of comparison, and an up/down control circuit for switching the counter between count-up and count-down operations according to the result of comparison output from the comparator. The output of the counter is transmitted as a digital field current detection value to an external control unit which is an ECU of a vehicle via a communication interface.

Abstract: An IC regulator for controlling an alternator by changing contents of control in dependence on ambient temperature includes a control voltage limiter (2), a field current controller (3), a temperature sensor (4), a first comparator (5) for comparing the ambient temperature (T) with an activation temperature (TP1) and a reset temperature (TS1), and a second comparator (6) for comparing the ambient temperature (T) with a second activation temperature (TP2). The first comparator (5) outputs a limiter control signal (C2) when the ambient temperature (T) exceeds the first activation temperature (TP1) while resetting the limiter control when the temperature (T) becomes lower than the first reset temperature (TS1). The second comparator (6) outputs a field current interrupt signal (C3) when the ambient temperature (T) exceeds a second activation temperature (TP2) while resetting the signal (C3) when the temperature (T) becomes lower than the second activation temperature (TP2).

Abstract: An alternator 1 connected to a battery mounted in a vehicle, a regulator 20 including a regulator IC 4 for adjusting a power generation voltage of the alternator 1, and an ECU connected to the regulator 20 are provided. A DF signal is inputted from the regulator 20 to the ECU 10. An average value obtained by performing an averaging process an ON time of the DF signal measured during predetermined sampling time is used as ON ratio information of the DF signal for reduction of a circuit size, optimization of the circuit, control stabilization, and cost reduction.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control system for vehicle prevents an electronic device from being damaged due to over-voltage failure of a generator, and enables the vehicle to continue to travel. Over-voltage failure of a vehicle generator (3) is detected from a voltage generated by the vehicle generator (3) and a voltage of a battery (4). When detecting any over-voltage failure, a maximum engine speed limiting apparatus (13) for preventing over speed of an internal combustion engine (1) is controlled to suppress the engine speed. Any electric load that consumes a relatively large current and does not make the traveling dangerous such as headlight (5) or heater heating wire (6) is applied to suppress the over-voltage. The electric load to be applied is increased or decreased depending on magnitude of the over-voltage. Thus the vehicle can continues traveling even if any over-voltage failure occurs.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for protecting an engine starter of a motor vehicle against overheating with enhanced reliability by controlling turn-on/off of the starter in dependence on a conducting current of the starter, a starter temperature and an ambient temperature. The apparatus includes a voltage detecting system (1) for measuring a supply voltage (Vs) of the engine starter, a voltage waveform information detecting system (11) for detecting at least one of frequency information and amplitude information of a waveform representing variation of the supply voltage (Vs) as voltage waveform information (T), an a conduction time control system (12, 12A) for controlling a conduction time period of the engine starter in accordance with the voltage waveform information (T).

Abstract: In a control apparatus of a vehicle AC generator, a flip-flop for receiving a clock pulse with a constant period and a control pulse is used. The clock pulse sets the control period at the constant period, and decides an on timing of the power transistor in this control period. The control pulse decides an off timing. A load response control circuit performs a load response control to adjust an on time ratio of the power transistor from a lower limit to an upper limit in accordance with an increase in load, and a second control signal circuit adjusts the on time ratio from a regulated value close to the upper limit to the upper limit.

Abstract: An IC regulator for controlling an alternator by changing contents of control in dependence on ambient temperature includes a control voltage limiter (2), a field current controller (3), a temperature sensor (4), a first comparator (5) for comparing the ambient temperature (T) with an activation temperature (TP1) and a reset temperature (TS1), and a second comparator (6) for comparing the ambient temperature (T) with a second activation temperature (TP2). The first comparator (5) outputs a limiter control signal (C2) when the ambient temperature (T) exceeds the first activation temperature (TP1) while resetting the limiter control when the temperature (T) becomes lower than the first reset temperature (TS1). The second comparator (6) outputs a field current interrupt signal (C3) when the ambient temperature (T) exceeds a second activation temperature (TP2) while resetting the signal (C3) when the temperature (T) becomes lower than the second activation temperature (TP2).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preventing overrun of an engine starter with high reliability by detecting accurately a state in which an engine operation has been started on the basis of a starter supply voltage to thereby protect the engine starter from excessive load and burnout while sparing extra interconnection or wiring for the starter.

Abstract: A starter protective device is provided which is capable of accurately determining the commencement of overrunning (i.e., timing of the commencement of starting of an engine) even in the presence of variations in the cycle of fluctuations in a battery voltage, noise and so on, thereby to prevent a starter from being overrun after starting of an engine in a reliable manner. The starter protective device includes an overrunning determination section 15 for determining when the starter motor 4 commences overrunning; and a starter motor cut-off section for interrupting the main contactor 3 when it is determined that the starter motor 4 commences overrunning. The overrunning determination section 15 detects a change over time of the battery voltage BV after the starter switch 2 has been turned on, and determines that the starter motor 4 commences overrunning when the battery voltage VB remains unchanged without any increase or decrease over a predetermined time T.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control system for vehicle prevents an electronic device from being damaged due to over-voltage failure of a generator, and enables the vehicle to continue to travel. Over-voltage failure of a vehicle generator (3) is detected from a voltage generated by the vehicle generator (3) and a voltage of a battery (4). When detecting any over-voltage failure, a maximum engine speed limiting apparatus (13) for preventing over speed of an internal combustion engine (1) is controlled to suppress the engine speed. Any electric load that consumes a relatively large current and does not make the traveling dangerous such as headlight (5) or heater heating wire (6) is applied to suppress the over-voltage. The electric load to be applied is increased or decreased depending on magnitude of the over-voltage. Thus the vehicle can continues traveling even if any over-voltage failure occurs.

Abstract: In a voltage control apparatus of an alternator mounted on a vehicle, the parameter and the equation, which are established based upon the power generation characteristic and the electromagnetic specification of the alternator, are not required, and both an ON-duty rate of an ON/OFF logic of a voltage applied to an energizing coil and a logic frequency can be established under stable condition within a preselected frequency range. The alternator voltage control apparatus is arranged by employing: a first logic output means for comparing a voltage generated by the alternator with a target voltage to obtain a magnitude logic which is outputted as a first ON/OFF logic; and a second logic output means for outputting as a second ON/OFF logic, a PWM internal output logic in which an ON-duty rate is increased/decreased based on the first ON/OFF logic by an increased/decreased amount defined by considering a time constant of the energizing coil.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preventing overrun of an engine starter with high reliability by detecting accurately a state in which an engine operation has been started on the basis of a starter supply voltage to thereby protect the engine starter from excessive load and burnout while sparing extra interconnection or wiring for the starter.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for protecting an engine starter of a motor vehicle against overheating with enhanced reliability by controlling turn-on/off of the starter in dependence on a conducting current of the starter, a starter temperature and an ambient temperature. The apparatus includes a voltage detecting means (1) for measuring a supply voltage (Vs) of the engine starter, a voltage waveform information detecting means (11) for detecting at least one of frequency information and amplitude information of a waveform representing variation of the supply voltage (Vs) as voltage waveform information (T), and a conduction time control means (12, 12A) for controlling a conduction time period of the engine starter in accordance with the voltage waveform information (T).

Abstract: A starter protective device is provided which is capable of accurately determining the commencement of overrunning (i.e., timing of the commencement of starting of an engine) even in the presence of variations in the cycle of fluctuations in a battery voltage, noise and so on, thereby to prevent a starter from being overrun after starting of an engine in a reliable manner. The starter protective device includes an overrunning determination section 15 for determining when the starter motor 4 commences overrunning; and a starter motor cut-off section for interrupting the main contactor 3 when it is determined that the starter motor 4 commences overrunning. The overrunning determination section 15 detects a change over time of the battery voltage BV after the starter switch 2 has been turned on, and determines that the starter motor 4 commences overrunning when the battery voltage VB remains unchanged without any increase or decrease over a predetermined time T.

Abstract: There is provided a control device of an alternator in which the alternator is controlled to feedback-control a generated voltage to a target voltage without requiring change of parameters and equations of the control device due to change of the power generation characteristics or electromagnetic specification of the alternator, the electromagnetic specification of the alternator can be handled in a wide range without changing the specification of the control device, and its construction becomes easy.

Abstract: A voltage control apparatus for a vehicle-onboard electric generator in which wirings inclusive of connectors of the motor vehicle are much simplified to allow the manufacturing cost to be reduced significantly while making the trigger signal constantly available without difficulty even when abnormality takes place in association with the charge lamp.