Battery charger

• US 20060087281A1
• Filed: 10/26/2004
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Totex Design Limited
• Original Assignee: Totex Design Limited
• Inventors: Tong, Gabriel Yui Lung
• Granted Patent: US 7,365,514 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/106
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A universal battery charger is described for accommodating a range of batteries. An adapter or connector is provided for each different type of battery which engages the standard housing including the main power supply. The adapter includes electronics which control the charging process, customised for each battery type. The adapter forms the front part of the charger and slides in from the front.

Claims

1. A battery charger comprising:

a housing including a power supply configured to receive a supply voltage and provide a lower voltage at a connection terminal;

a battery connector or adapter configured to engage said housing and receive a predetermined type of battery; and

a charging controller with said connector receiving said lower voltage from said connection terminal and provide a charging voltage to said battery through a battery terminal appropriate for the battery type of the battery said connector is configured to receive.

2. A battery charger as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of interchangeable battery connectors to accommodate a plurality of different batteries, and said housing is configured to receive said plurality of connectors.

3. A battery charger as claimed in claim 2 wherein each connector is configured for charging a battery of a specific capacity, voltage, chemical and/or form factor.

4. A battery charger as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a transparent portion of said housing such that interior of said housing may be visible externally.

5. A battery charger as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a latch or button for locking said connector in place and an indicator of charging condition within said latch or button.

6. A battery charger comprising:

a housing including a power supply configured to receive a supply voltage and provide a lower voltage at a connection terminal;

a battery connector or adapter configured to receive said lower voltage from said connection terminal, engage said housing, receive a predetermined type of battery and provide a charging voltage to said battery through a battery terminal; and

wherein said connector is configured to provide a continuation of said housing and thereby constitute a front portion thereof.

7. A battery charger as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a back-plate including exhaust holes and said button or latch, wherein said exhaust holes are sheltered by said housing and an array of ventilating slots along the lower side edges of said housing are indented inward so that tiny objects cannot fall into said housing directly.

8. A battery charger as claimed in claim 7 further comprising an air passage between the underside of said housing and said back-plate for exhaust of hot air from the inside of said housing via said exhaust holes.

9. A battery charger as claimed in claim 8 further comprising concave recesses at the sides of said housing and said connector, each recess terminating along a contour of the upper side edges of said housing and said connector for easy gripping by fingers.

10. A battery charger comprising:

a housing including a power supply configured to receive a supply voltage and provide a lower voltage at a connection terminal;

a battery connector or adapter configured to receive said lower voltage from said connection terminal, engage said housing, receive a predetermined type of battery and provide a charging voltage to said battery through a battery terminal; and

wherein said connector is configured to slide onto said housing from the front.

11. A battery charger as claimed in claim 10 further comprising at least two ridges on said housing in use serving as rails for said connector to slide and engage with corresponding V-shaped slots in said connector.

12. A battery charger as claimed in claim 11 further comprising undercuts at the end of said ridge to engage with corresponding hooks at the end of said V-shaped slots to engage said connector in a locked position with said housing.

13. A battery charger as claimed in claim 12 further comprising an interfacing connector sheath over said connection terminals including a hook in use locking an interfacing connector opening of said connector when in said locked position.

14. A battery charger as claimed in claim 13 wherein said interfacing connector opening shelters male interfacing connector pins on four sides from accidental impact damage.