MODULAR BATTERY CHARGER

• US 3,696,283 A
• Filed: 04/15/1970
• Issued: 10/03/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John W. Ackley III
• Original Assignee: John W. Ackley III
• Inventors: Ackley, John W. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, J. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hickey, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US05/028,702
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2,15,22,51,53,57,59,48 D26/15.2 339/147P,191
• US Class Current: 320/110
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/19 Charger status, e.g. voltmeter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/28 Regulating transformer, e.g. high leakage, ferro-resonant

Abstract

Battery charger assembly comprising a power supply module and, detachably mated thereto and to each other, a series of charging modules capable of accommodating a varying number of cells to be charged wherein each charging module individually can accommodate cells of differing physical and electrical size, the power supply module and the charging modules together forming a parallel circuit of which each charge module forms one parallel leg.

Claims

1. Modular battery charger assembly comprising a power supply module having electrical contacts capable of providing a voltage substantially lower than line voltage;

and a plurality of charging modules wherein each charging module is a self-contained unit comprising a supporting member having a cavity adapted to receive a fixed number of cells of specific physical size and of specific electrical characteristics, said cavity having two electrical charging contacts engageable by a cell placed thereinto, a resistor electrically connected in series with one of said electrical charging contacts in said cavity, said supporting member having (a) a first set of two electrical contacts which connect respectively to said resistor and to the terminus of the electrical charging contact of the cavity not linked to the resistor;

said first set of electrical contacts of the support member being adapted to operatively engage the electrical contacts of said power supply module; and

(b) a second set of two electrical contacts connected to said first set of electrical contacts and connectible with the first set of electrical contacts of the supporting member of an adjacent charging module; and

said supporting member being provided with mechanical interconnecting means capable of engaging both said power supply module and an adjacent charging module, said mechanical interconnecting means providing easy detachability of said modules from each other, wherein the charging modules are sequentially mated to each other mechanically and electrically, and wherein a first charging module makes electrical and mechanical contact with said power supply module, to form a circuit in which each charging module forms one leg of a multileg parallel circuit, wherein the charging modules are detachably and replaceably mated to each other and to the power supply module wherein each charging module has plug and jack means by which that module is electrically and mechanically slidably connectible with an adjacent module.

2. Modular battery charger assembly as claimed in claim 1 having at least two charging modules detachably mated to each other mechanically and electrically.

3. Modular battery charger assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one charging module provides a charging current different from that provided by another charging module in said assembly.

4. Modular battery charger assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one charging module accommodates a cell having a different physical size from that accommodated by another charging module in said assembly.

5. Modular battery charger assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein each charging module accommodates two cells.

6. Modular battery charger assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein each charging module comprises a series circuit containing a resistor and a cell-holder wherein the resistor provides a charging current appropriate to a specific cell to be charged in the cell-holder.

7. Modular battery charger assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the resistor has a positive temperature coefficient.

8. Modular battery charger assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the resistor is an incandescent-type pilot lamp.

9. Modular battery charger assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said series circuit also contains a diode.

10. Modular battery charger assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said power supply module comprises a transformer capable of providing at least two different voltages at the secondary.