Compact fast battery charger

• US 20010048287A1
• Filed: 07/20/2001
• Published: 12/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jean-Pierre Vandelac
• Original Assignee: Jean-Pierre Vandelac
• Inventors: Vandelac, Jean-Pierre
• Application Number:
  US09/910,336
• Publication Number:
  US 20010048287A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/125
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00711 with introduction of pulses during the charging process
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0293 Individual printed conductors which are adapted for modification, e.g. fusable or breakable conductors, printed switches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/18 Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components H05K1/0201, H05K1/023, H05K1/0243, and H05K1/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09063 Holes or slots in insulating substrate not used for electrical connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09972 Partitioned, e.g. portions of a PCB dedicated to different functions; Boundary lines therefore; Portions of a PCB being processed separately or differently
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/0242 Cutting around hole, e.g. for disconnecting land or Plated Through-Hole [PTH] or for partly removing a PTH
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/175 Configurations of connections suitable for easy deletion, e.g. modifiable circuits or temporary conductors for electroplating; Processes for deleting connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/0047 Drilling of holes
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/3415 on both sides of the substrate or combined with lead-in-hole components
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A compact, economical and fast battery charger for Ni-CAD and Ni-MH batteries turns a current source into a controlled voltage source which keys off a signal representative of the voltage level of the battery during the charging process and turns the current source ON and OFF to assure that the battery during the charging process does not exceed a given voltage level. The apparatus includes in par a ballasting resistor in series with the battery to compensate for the low resistance of the battery and an open collector voltage comparator which establishes high and low voltage set points for turning the current source ON and OFF at the appropriate times. The method and apparatus includes a visual display responsive to a signal which produces on the visual display an indication of the state of charge of the battery during a charging cycle. A circuit board has a long U-shaped trace extending around a notch in the board, on each side of each is mounted on battery. The printed circuit board has a trimming resistor arrangement which allows for trimming to be done using a drill.

Claims

1. A printed circuit board (PCB) for a hand held electronic device designed for ease of manufacture and use, said PCB comprising:

a U shaped board with a first and second leg;

a mount for a battery on each leg;

a conductive trace on a perimeter of the U-shape of the board interconnecting said mount of said first leg to said mount of said second leg for introducing a ballasting resistance in series with the batteries.

2. The apparatus of

claim 1

wherein said trace includes a fuse trace.

3. The apparatus of

claim 1

with at least one trimming guide to receive a trimming device and to thereby facilitate a change in resistance in a circuit on the board with an automated trimming technique.

4. The apparatus of

claim 1

wherein the PCB further comprises:

a first section for holding surface mounted components and a second section for holding through hole mounted components;

said first section and second section being configured such that said surface mounted components can be soldered with reflow techniques on said first section and said through hole components can be soldered using wave techniques on said second section.

5. A structure for trimming a circuit on a printed circuit board (PCB), said structure comprising:

A conductive trimming guide for guiding a conductor cutting tool the conductive trimming guide being formed in said PCB and having an aperture on the PCB located in or near a conductive strip to be trimmed.

6. The structure of

claim 5

wherein the aperture is a through hole.

7. The structure of

claim 5

wherein the aperture is inside the conductive strip.

8. The structure of

claim 5

wherein the conductive strip flares around the aperture.

9. The structure of

claim 5

wherein the conductor cutting tool is a drill bit, said guide acting as a pilot hole.