Jump Starting Device With Usb
Patent No. US11584243 (titled "Jump Starting Device With Usb") was filed by The Noco Co on Mar 16, 2020.
What is this patent about?
’243 is related to the field of portable jump starters for vehicles with depleted batteries. Traditional jump-starting methods involve using jumper cables connected to another vehicle's battery or a separate booster device. These methods can be cumbersome and pose risks of short circuits or incorrect polarity connections, potentially damaging batteries or causing injury. The patent addresses the need for a safer, more convenient, and compact jump-starting solution.
The underlying idea behind ’243 is to create a handheld jump starter with built-in safety features and USB charging capabilities. The device uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack as its internal power source and incorporates sensors and a microcontroller to prevent reverse polarity connections and ensure a safe jump-starting process. The inclusion of a USB port allows for charging the device and also using it as a power bank for other electronic devices.
The claims of ’243 focus on a jump starting device comprising a power supply, positive and negative battery connectors, a power switch or switch circuit, a USB input connector, and a USB charge circuit with a DC-DC converter . The DC-DC converter is configured to upconvert voltage from the USB input connector to the power supply. Some claims further specify the inclusion of a USB output connector and a USB output circuit, enabling the device to function as a portable charger.
In practice, the device monitors the polarity and presence of a vehicle battery using sensors connected to a microcontroller. If the battery is connected with the correct polarity, the microcontroller activates a power switch, allowing the lithium-ion battery pack to deliver power to the vehicle's electrical system. The smart switch prevents current flow if the polarity is reversed or if no battery is detected, mitigating the risk of sparks or damage. The USB charging circuit allows the internal battery to be charged from a standard USB power source, enhancing its versatility.
Unlike traditional jumper cables or bulky booster packs, ’243 integrates safety features and USB functionality into a compact, handheld device. Prior art solutions often lacked comprehensive protection against reverse polarity or required manual adjustments, increasing the risk of user error. By automating the connection process and incorporating a polarity detection system , the invention simplifies jump-starting and reduces the potential for accidents. The USB charging capabilities further differentiate the device, making it a multi-functional tool for vehicle owners.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid-2010s when ’243 was filed, at a time when vehicle jump-starting devices commonly relied on internal batteries and safety circuits to prevent damage from reverse polarity connections. These systems typically used sensors and control circuits to detect proper connections before allowing current flow, as hardware or software constraints made robust and reliable polarity detection non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner allowed the claims because the prior art, whether considered individually or in combination, did not teach or suggest the claimed combination of features. Specifically, claim 24 was deemed patentable due to its inclusion of a power switch or switch circuit connected to the power supply and battery connectors, configured to switch power on to boost or charge the battery, along with a USB input connector and a USB charge circuit electrically connecting the USB input connector to the power supply. Claims 25-79, which depend on claim 24, were also allowed for the same reasons. Claim 80 was allowed for similar reasons, with the addition of a USB output connector and a USB output circuit electrically connecting the power supply to the USB output connector.
Claims
This patent includes 57 claims, with independent claims 1 and 57. The independent claims are directed to a jump starting device with a USB charging circuit. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific components, configurations, and functionalities of the jump starting device described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
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Date
Description
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US11584243
- Application Number
- US16820040
- Filing Date
- Mar 16, 2020
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Aug 13, 2034
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents