Universal battery charger
First Claim
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1. A universal battery charger for charging batteries with different number of cells connected in series, comprising:
- a power supply circuit that produces a predetermined number of voltages different in level for applying selected one of the predetermined number of voltages to a battery, the predetermined number of voltages including a highest voltage and a lowest voltage;
a switch that is connected between the power supply circuit and the battery and is turned ON to allow the selected one of the predetermined number of voltages to the battery and OFF to interrupt the power supply circuit from the battery; and
a control device that controls the power supply circuit to produce a voltage to be applied to the battery and also controls the switch so that a rush current does not flow in the battery when the voltage to be applied to the battery is switched from one level to another level.
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Abstract
To provide a universal battery charger with low power consumption during a standby condition and a rush current suppressing capability at the time of commencement of charging, a voltage slightly larger than a battery voltage is produced and applied to the battery. Thereafter, the highest voltage is produced and applied to the battery to charge the same. When the battery is unloaded from the battery charger, the lowest voltage is produced to save power consumption.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A universal battery charger for charging batteries with different number of cells connected in series, comprising:
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a power supply circuit that produces a predetermined number of voltages different in level for applying selected one of the predetermined number of voltages to a battery, the predetermined number of voltages including a highest voltage and a lowest voltage;
a switch that is connected between the power supply circuit and the battery and is turned ON to allow the selected one of the predetermined number of voltages to the battery and OFF to interrupt the power supply circuit from the battery; and
a control device that controls the power supply circuit to produce a voltage to be applied to the battery and also controls the switch so that a rush current does not flow in the battery when the voltage to be applied to the battery is switched from one level to another level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification