Abstract: A start-stop module for a vehicle can include a capacitor, one or more switches and a controller. The switches can be configured to connect the capacitor in parallel or in series with a battery of the vehicle. The controller can receive an input voltage having a magnitude based on a connection between the capacitor and the battery, and output a desired voltage that is appropriate for operating accessory loads of the vehicle. The controller can control the switches to switch between a standby mode and a cranking mode. The capacitor is in parallel with the battery in standby mode and in series with the battery in cranking mode. The controller can switch to the cranking mode when the engine is about to be restarted and return to standby mode after the engine has been restarted and when the battery voltage reaches the desired voltage for the accessory loads.

Abstract: A charge circuit interrupt device comprises a ground fault interrupt module, a current generation module and a current injection module. The ground fault interrupt module disconnects a load from a charging source when a current imbalance exceeds a threshold. The current generation module generates a balancing current based on the current imbalance. The current injection module inputs the balancing current into the charging source to oppose the current imbalance. The charge circuit interrupt device may further include an input balance disable control module that disables the current generation module from generating the balancing current when the current imbalance exceeds the threshold, and a current isolation module that isolates the charging source and the ground fault interrupt module, the current generation module and the current injection module.

Abstract: A system or method for managing devices (collectively “device management system”) is disclosed. The device management system uses a matrix, table or other data structure technique (collectively “data structure”) to configure the input parameter(s) for one or more devices. The data structure can be modified in a dynamic or static fashion to accommodate different device configurations and different device interactions. Use of the data structure can eliminate the need for multi-level “nested if” statements that are complex, deep, and difficult to modify without causing an unforeseen error. The data structure can encapsulate the hardware specific characteristics of the various devices so that the application software written for the various devices can be written independent of the hardware-specific characteristics of the devices. Thus, the data structure can act as an interface between hardware-specific characteristics relating to the various devices and various user interactions and other related factors.

Abstract: A system and method for providing power redundancy to certain devices of a vehicle that are typically controlled by means of a power distribution and control node. Power is delivered to the node by both a primary power feed as well as a secondary power feed. Provided in each node is a first set of power relays for selectively providing power to at least one device of a first class, as well as a second set of power relays for selectively providing power to at least one device of a second class. Under a normal operating state of the node, the one or more first class devices, as well as the one or more second class devices, selectively receive power from the primary power feed. Upon the occurrence of a disruption in the primary power feed, the one or more second class devices will continue to operate by being selectively powered through the second set of power relays by the second power feed.

Abstract: The architecture of an automotive wiring, power distribution and accessory control system is described. The system comprises semi-custom two-tier nodes which are distributed in locations around the vehicle to service load devices associated with or found in different regions of the automobile topology. A multiplexed control network interconnects the nodes along with a two-wire bus. Each node consists of a first common board carrying a microcontroller and a basic number of FET driver switches associated with a basic level of accessorization for that region of the vehicle. Each node further comprises a second larger pass through board which supports the first common board in spaced parallel relationship therewith and which carries terminal connectors. The larger pass through board has vacant locations for the addition of FET drivers needed for higher levels of accessorization. These locations are preconnected to the microcontroller but are unused in vehicles with lower levels of accessorization.