Device for a battery charger

• US 20050093515A1
• Filed: 02/18/2003
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CTEK Sweden AB (CTEK Holding AB)
• Original Assignee: Creator Teknisk Utveckling AB
• Inventors: Nordlof, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,005,832 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

A device for a battery charger, includes connection elements 14, 16 connected to the output lines of the charger, connection elements 16, 24 for connection to the terminals of a battery to be charged. The device includes elements 80 for detecting a voltage over the output lines of the charger, elements 80 for detecting a positive voltage over the terminals of a connected battery, switch elements 60 for connecting at least one of the output lines to the connection elements to the terminals of the battery, and a switch activating element 70 arranged to the voltage detection elements and designed and arranged such that it is capable of activating the switch when a voltage is detected over the output lines of the charger and a positive voltage is detected over the terminals of the connected battery, thereby connecting the charger to the battery.

Claims

1. Device for a battery charger, comprising connection means (14, 16) connected to the output lines of the charger, connection means (16, 24) for connection to the terminals of a battery to be charged, characterised in that it comprises means for detecting a voltage over the output lines of the charger, means (80) for detecting a positive voltage over the terminals of a connected battery, switch means (60) for connecting at least one of the output lines to the connection means to the terminals of the battery, and a switch activating means (70) arranged to said voltage detection means and designed and arranged such that it is capable of activating the switch when a voltage is detected over the output lines of the charger and a positive voltage is detected over the terminals of the connected battery, thereby connecting the charger to the battery.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said switch activating means comprises a relay (64) and an AND-circuit, which AND-circuit forms a logical condition for activating said relay.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that it further comprises a driver (70) for said relay, which driver obtains its driving power from a secondary circuit of the charger.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that it further comprises a support circuit (100) capable of providing auxiliary energy should the battery voltage decrease below a certain threshold value.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that it comprises a support circuit (110) capable of generating and stabilising said auxiliary energy.

6. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that it further comprises a support circuit (100) capable of providing auxiliary energy should the battery voltage decrease below a certain threshold value.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that it comprises a support circuit (110) capable of generating and stabilising said auxiliary energy.