Battery charging system

• US 20050017673A1
• Filed: 09/18/2003
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quallion, LLC (EnerSys)
• Original Assignee: Quallion, LLC (EnerSys)
• Inventors: Tan, PangHoo, Tsukamoto, Hisashi
• Granted Patent: US 7,274,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/106
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0036 using connection detecting circuits H02J7/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/31 Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells

Abstract

A remote battery charging system comprises an identifier (52) for identifying different battery types within a device (78) to a switch (46) for allowing or disallowing charging of the battery (13). The battery charging system is particularly suitable for hearing aids.

Claims

1. A battery-powered device comprising:

device circuitry;

battery contacts connected to the device circuitry for accepting a replaceable battery for powering said device circuitry;

a power receiver for receiving power to charge the battery;

an identifier for identifying type of said battery to a switch for allowing or disallowing charging of said battery in response to said identifier, and

a sealed enclosure containing the device circuitry, the battery contacts, the power receiver and the identifier.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said device circuitry comprises hearing aid circuitry.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said contacts are adapted to accept, individually, a primary battery and a secondary battery and wherein said device circuitry is adapted to be powered by, individually, a primary battery and a secondary battery.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said power receiver is a remote power receiver.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said power receiver comprises a receiver chosen from the group consisting of:

a secondary inductive coupling coil, an antenna, an optical receiver, a solar panel, and a pressure transducer.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said identifier comprises a detector capable of detecting a factor inherent in secondary batteries.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said identifier comprises a detector capable of detecting a feature in a secondary battery provided specifically for the purpose of detection.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said identifier comprises a detector chosen from the group consisting of:

a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a temperature sensor.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said identifier comprises a detector chosen from the group consisting of:

a mechanical contact, a pressure sensor, an electrical sensor, an optical sensor, and a piezoelectric sensor.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said switch is located in said device.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said switch is normally open.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said switch is normally closed.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein said identifier further comprises a chip for storing information.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein said identifier is adapted to convey information to a communicator on a battery charger.

15. A battery charging system comprising:

a primary circuit comprising;

a power transmitter; and

a power source for delivering power to said power transmitter; and

a communicator;

a secondary circuit comprising;

device circuitry;

battery contacts for accepting a replaceable battery for powering said device circuitry;

a power receiver for receiving power from said power transmitter;

an identifier located in said secondary circuit or in said primary circuit, said identifier for identifying type of said battery; and

at least one switch located in said secondary circuit or in said primary circuit or both, said switch for allowing or disallowing charging of said battery in response to said identifier.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said power transmitter is chosen from the group consisting of:

a primary inductive coil, an RF transmitter, a light transmitter, a sound transmitter, and a pressure transmitter.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein said power source supplies AC or DC voltage.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein said communicator utilizes radio frequency, infrared, or a combination thereof.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein said device circuitry comprises hearing aid circuitry.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein said contacts are adapted to accept, individually, a primary battery and a secondary battery and wherein said device circuitry is adapted to be powered by, individually, a primary battery and a secondary battery.

21. The system of claim 15 wherein said power receiver is a remote power receiver.

22. The system of claim 15 wherein said power receiver comprises a receiver chosen from the group consisting of:

a secondary inductive coupling coil, an antenna, an optical receiver, a solar panel, and a pressure transducer.

23. The system of claim 15 wherein said identifier comprises a detector capable of detecting a factor inherent in secondary batteries.

24. The system of claim 15 wherein said identifier comprises a detector capable of detecting a feature in a secondary battery provided specifically for the purpose of detection.

25. The system of claim 15 wherein said identifier comprises a detector chosen from the group consisting of:

a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a temperature sensor.

26. The system of claim 15 wherein said identifier comprises a detector chosen from the group consisting of:

a mechanical contact, a pressure sensor, an electrical sensor, an optical sensor, and a piezoelectric sensor.

27. The system of claim 15 wherein said identifier further comprises a chip for storing information.

28. The system of claim 15 wherein said identifier is adapted to convey information to said communicator.

29. The system of claim 15 wherein said switch is located in said primary circuit.

30. The system of claim 15 wherein said switch is located in said secondary circuit.

31. The system of claim 15 wherein said switch is normally open.

32. The system of claim 15 wherein said switch is normally closed.

33. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

an indicator for indicating the battery type or charge status or both.

34. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

a charging controller for adjusting charging parameters in response to said identifier.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein:

said charging controller is located in said primary circuit.

36. The system of claim 34 wherein:

said charging controller is located in said secondary circuit.

37. The system of claim 15 wherein said switch is located in said primary circuit and wherein said identifier is located in said secondary circuit.

38. The system of claim 15 wherein said switch and said identifier are located in said secondary circuit.

39. The system of claim 15 wherein said switch is located in said secondary circuit and wherein said identifier is located in said primary circuit.

40. A charger for charging a battery in a device, comprising:

a remote power transmitter for transmitting power to a power receiver;

a power source for delivering charging current to said power transmitter;

a communicator for receiving signals from a detector in the device; and

a switch responsive to signals from said communicator, wherein activating said switch allows charging of the battery.

41. The charger of claim 40 wherein said switch is normally open.

42. The charger of claim 40 wherein said switch is normally closed.

43. The charger of claim 40 and further comprising:

a chip for reading a code identifying the battery type.

44. The charger of claim 40 and further comprising:

an indicator for displaying the battery type or charging status or both.

45. The charger of claim 40 further comprising a charging controller responsive to said communicator for adjusting charging parameters to said power transmitter.

46. A method for charging a battery comprising:

providing a device with a sealed enclosure containing contacts for accepting a battery, said device comprising a power receiver for charging the battery;

installing a battery into the device;

providing a battery charger;

remotely coupling a power transmitter of the battery charger with the power receiver;

identifying battery type of the battery using an identifier in the device or the charger; and

delivering charging power to the battery only if the detected battery is a rechargeable battery of a type known to said identifier.

47. The method of claim 46 further comprising:

adjusting charging parameters based on the detected battery type.

48. The method of claim 46 and further comprising:

storing a code identifying the battery type.

49. The method of claim 46 further comprising:

indicating the battery type or charge status or both.

50. A battery-powered device, comprising:

a casing; and

a circuit enclosed in the casing which includes;

device circuitry;

contacts connected to the device circuitry for receiving a battery to provide power to the device circuitry;

a power receiver for receiving power to charge a battery received in the contacts;

a switch connected to the power receiver and to the contacts; and

an identifier connected to the contacts and to the switch for detecting a type of battery received in the contacts, and for causing the switch to connect the power receiver to the contacts when a secondary battery is detected and to disconnect the power receiver from the contacts when a primary battery is detected.

51. A combination for recharging a battery in a battery-powered device, comprising:

a battery-powered device having a sealed casing, and a circuit enclosed in the casing, which includes;

device circuitry;

contacts connected to the device circuitry for receiving a battery to provide power to the device circuitry;

a power receiver for receiving power to charge a battery received in the contacts;

a switch connected to the power receiver and to the contacts; and

an identifier connected to the contacts and to the switch for detecting a type of battery received in the contacts, and for causing the switch to connect the power receiver to the contacts when a secondary battery is detected and to disconnect the power receiver from the contacts when a primary battery is detected; and

a remote recharger with a power transmitter for coupling power through the casing to the power receiver.

52. A battery-powered device, comprising:

a casing; and

a circuit enclosed in the casing, which includes;

device circuitry;

contacts connected to the device circuitry for receiving a battery to provide power to the device circuitry;

a power receiver for receiving power to charge a battery received in the contacts; and

an identifier connected to the contacts for detecting a type of battery received in the contacts, and for conveying information concerning the type of battery detected to a location outside the device.

53. A combination for recharging a battery in a battery-powered device, comprising:

a battery-powered device having a casing, and a primary circuit enclosed in the casing, which includes;

a device circuit;

contacts connected to the device circuit for receiving a battery to provide power to the device circuit;

a power receiver for receiving power to charge a battery received in the contacts;

a switch connected to the power receiver and to the contacts; and

an identifier connected to the contacts and to the switch for detecting a type of battery received in the contacts and for conveying information concerning the type of battery detected to a location outside the device; and

a remote recharger with a power transmitter for coupling power through the casing to the power receiver, a switch connected to the power transmitter, and a communicator for receiving the information and connected to the switch for causing the switch to enable the power transmitter to transmit power to the power receiver when a secondary battery is detected and to prevent the power transmitter from transmitting power to the power receiver when a primary battery is detected.

54. A combination for recharging a battery in a battery-powered device, comprising:

a battery-powered device having a casing, and a circuit enclosed in the casing, which includes;

device circuitry;

contacts connected to the device circuitry for receiving a battery to provide power to the device circuitry;

a power receiver for receiving power to charge a battery received in the contacts;

a first switch connected to the power receiver and to the contacts;

an identifier connected to the contacts and to the first switch for detecting a type of battery received in the contacts, and for causing the first switch to connect the power receiver to the contacts when a secondary battery is detected and to disconnect the power receiver from the contacts when a primary battery is detected;

a conveyor in the identifier and for conveying information concerning the type of battery detected to a location outside the device; and

a remote recharger with a power transmitter for coupling power through the casing to the power receiver, a second switch connected to the power transmitter, and a communicator for receiving the information and connected to the second switch for causing the second switch to enable the power transmitter to transmit power to the power receiver when a secondary battery is detected and to prevent the power transmitter from transmitting power to the power receiver when a primary battery is detected.

55. A combination for recharging a battery in a battery-powered device, comprising:

a battery-powered device having a casing, and a circuit enclosed in the casing, which includes;

device circuitry;

contacts connected to the device circuitry for receiving a battery to provide power to the device circuitry;

a power receiver for receiving power to charge a battery received in the contacts;

a first switch connected to the power receiver and to the contacts;

a storage device for storing information indicating a type of battery received between the contacts;

an identifier connected to the contacts, to the first switch, and to the storage device for determining a type of battery received in the contacts, and for causing the first switch to connect the power receiver to the contacts when a secondary battery is detected and to disconnect the power receiver from the contacts when a primary battery is detected; and

a conveyor in the identifier and for conveying information concerning the type of battery to a location outside the device; and

a remote recharger with a power transmitter for coupling power through the casing to the power receiver, a second switch connected to the power transmitter, and a communicator for receiving the information and connected to the second switch for causing the second switch to enable the power transmitter to transmit power to the power receiver when a secondary battery is detected and to prevent the power transmitter from transmitting power to the power receiver when a primary battery is detected.