Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An electronic control device for controlling an alternator driven by an automotive engine system, including a battery, comprising: detector means connected in series with the alternator and the battery for detecting an increase of a load current flowing through a load coupled to said alternator; comparator means, coupled to said detector means, for comparing said increase of the load current with a threshold level; and control means, coupled to said comparator means, for controlling a current supply to a field coil of said alternator, said control means reducing said current supply to a first predetermined level for a first predetermined interval of time when said increase of said load current is greater than or equal to said threshold level, and thereafter gradually increasing said current supply over a second interval of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An electronic control device for controlling an alternator driven by an automotive engine system, including a battery, comprising: detector means connected in series with the alternator and the battery for detecting an increase of a load current flowing through a load coupled to said alternator; comparator means, coupled to said detector means, for comparing said increase of the load current with a threshold level; and control means, coupled to said comparator means, for controlling a current supply to a field coil of said alternator, said control means reducing said current supply to a first predetermined level for a first predetermined interval of time when said increase of said load current is greater than or equal to said threshold level, and thereafter gradually increasing said current supply over a second interval of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electronic control device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: idling judgment means for detecting an idling state of said engine; wherein said detector means is activated to detect said increase of said load current when said idling judgment means detects an idling state of said engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
An electronic control device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: second control means for controlling an air intake of said engine, said second control means increasing a control level of said air intake when said increase of said load current is greater than or equal to said threshold level; wherein said first interval of time is substantially equal to a delay time that a rotational speed of said engine takes to respond to an increase in said control level of said air intake increase.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electronic control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means includes: means for controlling said current supply in accordance with a proportional plus integral control method.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electronic control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means includes: means for controlling said current supply in accordance with a proportional plus derivative control method.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electronic control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means includes: means for controlling said current supply in accordance with a proportional plus integral plus derivative control method.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
An electronic control device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: first current detector means for detecting output current of said alternator; second current detector means for detecting a load current flowing through a load coupled to said alternator; first judgment means, coupled to said first current detector means, for comparing said output current of said alternator with a first current threshold level, said first judgement means setting a light load state when said output current of said alternator is less than said first current threshold level; second judgment means, coupled to said second detector means, for comparing said load current with a second current threshold level, said second judgement means resetting a light load state when said load current is greater than or equal to said second current threshold level; cut-off control means, coupled to said first and second judgment means, for cutting off a current supply to a field coil of said alternator only when said light load state is set.