Control device for an alternating current generator of a vehicle

Claim 1

A control device for an alternating current generator of a vehicle, having a storage battery which is charged by a rectified output of the generator, comprising: a current detecting resistance (304) having a positive temperature coefficient and connected in series with a field coil of the generator for detecting a current flow therethrough, one end of the resistance being grounded, a voltage divider having first and second resistors (305, 306) connected in series between a power supply voltage and ground for providing a reference voltage at a junction thereof, a comparator (307) for comparing a voltage drop across the current detecting resistance with the reference voltage, and means responsive to the comparator output for interrupting the field current to control a duty ratio thereof, wherein the first and second resistors have equal positive temperature coefficients, and further comprising a third resistor (319) connected between the junction and ground, and having a positive temperature coefficient sufficiently greater than that of the first and second resistors such that a voltage at the junction changes with temperature in proportion to a temperature induced change in the voltage drop across the current detecting resistance.