Battery charger with visual charge indicating means

• US 4,467,264 A
• Filed: 08/16/1983
• Issued: 08/21/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Congress Financial Corporation (Wells Fargo & Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Mullersman, Ferdinand H., Blake, Charles R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ault, Anita M.
• Application Number:
  US06/523,298
• Time in Patent Office: 371 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 320/3, 320/4, 320/5, 320/6, 320/15, 320/22, 320/48
• US Class Current: 320/125
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/21 State of charge of battery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/22 Line impedance, e.g. resistor

Abstract

Charging apparatus having visual indicating means, e.g., a light emitting diode, responsive to the delivery of charging current to rechargeable cells having different physical sizes and/or electrical charging characteristics. The apparatus includes at least two sets of terminals for connecting cells requiring different respective charging current in one of two parallel charging paths. A first charge rate path supplies part of the charging current to cells of high current demand and a second charge rate path supplies charging current to cells of low current demand.

Claims

1. Charging apparatus for a rechargeable cell comprising:

(a) means for providing charging current including means for connecting said charging current means to an external electrical source;

(b) a charging network connected to said charging current means and including first and second charging paths for providing charging current at a first charge rate and a second charge rate, respectively;

(c) means for accepting said cell, said cell accepting means connected in said charging network and including first and second pairs of charging contacts for receiving charging current in said first and second charging paths, respectively, said cell accepting means rendering said first charging path inoperative when charging current is delivered to said cell via said second charging path and rendering said second charging path inoperative when charging current is delivered to said cell via said first charging path; and

(d) a light emitter for emitting light to indicate delivery of charging current via said first and second charging paths, said light emitter emitting light to indicate delivery of said charging current only in response to the delivery of charging current via said first charging path when said second charging path is inoperative and only in response to the delivery of charging current via said second charging path when said first charging path is inoperative.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said charging current means includes a transformer for connection between the external source and said charging network.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said charging network including rectifying means interconnected between said charging current means and each of said first and second charging paths.

4. Charging apparatus comprising:

(a) means for providing charging current and adapted for connection to an external electrical source;

(b) a first charging network connected to said charging current means and having a first charging path for providing charging current at a first high charge rate and second charging path for providing charging current at a second low charge rate;

(c) first terminal means including first and second pairs of charging contacts for receiving charging current in said first and second charging paths, respectively, said first terminal means further including means for rendering said first charging path inoperative when charging current is delivered to a first rechargeable cell via said second charging path and for rendering said second charging path inoperative when charging current is delivered to a first rechargeable cell via said first charging path;

(d) a first light emitter connected in said first charging network for emitting light to indicate delivery of charging current to said first cell via said first and second charging paths, said first light emitter emitting light to indicate delivery of said charging current only in response to the delivery of charging current via said first charging path when said second charging path is rendered inoperative and only in response to the delivery of charging current via said second charging path when said first charging path is rendered inoperative;

(e) a second charging network connected to said charging current means and having a third charging path for providing charging current at a third high charge rate and a fourth charging path for providing charging current at a fourth low charge rate;

(f) second terminal means including third and fourth pairs of charging contacts for receiving charging current in said third and fourth charging paths, respectively, said second terminal means further including means for rendering said third charging path inoperative when charging current is delivered to a second rechargeable cell via said fourth charging path and for rendering said fourth charging path inoperative when charging current is delivered to said second cell via said third charging path; and

(g) a second light emitter connected to said second charging network for emitting light to indicate delivery of charging current to said second cell via said third or fourth charging paths, said second light emitter emitting light to indicate delivery of said charging current only in response to the delivery of charging current via said third charging path when said fourth charging path is rendered inoperative and only in response to the delivery of charging current via said fourth charging path when said third charging path is rendered inoperative.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said charging current means includes a transformer for connection between the external source and each of said first and second charging networks.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said first charging network includes a rectifier connected between said charging current means and each of said first and second charging paths thereof, and wherein said second charging network includes a second rectifier connected between said charging current means and each of said third and fourth charging paths thereof.

7. Apparatus for charging simultaneously at least two chargable cells, comprising:

(a) means for providing charging current upon connection to an external electrical source;

(b) a positive charging circuit connected to said charging current means and having a first current branch for providing positive charging current at a first charge rate and a second current branch for providing positive charging current at a second charge rate;

(c) positive terminal means connected to said positive charging circuit and having first and second pairs of charging contacts for receiving positive charging current from said first and second current branches, said positive terminal means further including means for rendering each of said first and second current branches inoperative, said means rendering only one of said first or second current branches inoperative when positive charging current is delivered to a first rechargeable cell via the other of said first or second current branches;

(d) a first light emitting diode connected to said positive charging circuit for emitting light to indicate delivery of positive charging current to said first cell, said first light emitting diode emitting light in response to the delivery of charging current via each of said first and second current branches, said first diode emitting light only in response to the delivery of charging current via said other of said first or second current branches when said one of said first or second current branches is rendered inoperative;

(e) a negative charging circuit connected to said charging current means and having a third current branch for providing negative charging current at a third charge rate and a fourth current branch for providing negative charging current at a fourth charge rate;

(f) negative terminal means connected to said negative charging circuit and having third and fourth pairs of charging contacts for receiving negative charging current in said third and fourth current branches, said negative terminal means further including means for rendering each of said third and fourth current branches inoperative, said means rendering only one of said third and fourth current branches inoperative when negative charging current is delivered to a second rechargeable cell via the other of said third and fourth current branches; and

(g) a second light emitting diode connected to said negative charging circuit for emitting light to indicate delivery of negative charging current to said second cell, said second light emitting diode emitting light in response to the delivery of charging current via each of said third and fourth current branches, said second diode emitting light only in response to the delivery of charging current via said other of said third and fourth current branches when said one of said third or fourth current branches is rendered inoperative.

8. Charging apparatus for a rechargeable cell comprising:

(a) a transformer having a pair of primary terminals adapted for connection to an external source of alternating current, and a pair of secondary terminals;

(b) a charging control network connected across said secondary transformer terminals and comprising a rectifying diode and first and second current branches in series therewith, said current branches providing charging currents of different amplitudes;

(c) a set of charging contacts connected in each of said current branches;

(d) means disposed in said charging control network for rendering said first current branch inoperative when charging current is delivered to a cell via said second current branch and for rendering said second current branch inoperative when charging current is delivered to a cell via said first current branch; and

(e) a light emitter emitting light only in response to charging current delivered via said set of contacts in said first current branch when said second current branch is rendered inoperative and only in response to charging current delivered via said set of contacts in said second current branch when said first current branch is rendered inoperative.

9. Charging apparatus comprising:

(a) a transformer having a pair of primary terminals adapted for connection to an external source of alternating current, and a pair of secondary terminals;

(b) a first charging control network connected across said secondary transformer terminals and comprising a rectifying diode and first and second current branches in series therewith, said current branches providing charging currents of different amplitudes;

(c) a first set of charging contacts connected in each of said first and second current branches;

(d) means disposed in said first charging control network for rendering said contacts in said first current branch inoperative when charging current is delivered to a first rechargeable cell via said set of contacts in said second current branch and for rendering said set of contacts in said second current branch inoperative when charging current is delivered to a first rechargeable cell via said set of contacts in said first current branch;

(e) a first light emitting diode emitting light only in response to charging current delivered via said set of contacts in said first current branch when said set of contacts in said second current branch is rendered inoperative and only in response to charging current delivered via said set of contacts in said second current branch when said set of contacts in said first current branch is rendered inoperative;

(f) a second charging control network connected across said secondary transformer terminals and comprising a rectifying diode and third and fourth current branches in series therewith, said current branches providing charging currents of different amplitudes;

(g) a second set of charging contacts connected in each of said third and fourth current branches;

(h) means disposed in said second charging control network for rendering said contacts in said third current branch inoperative when charging current is delivered to a second rechargeable cell via said set of contacts in said fourth current branch and for rendering said set of contacts in said fourth current branch inoperative when said charging current is delivered to a second rechargeable cell via said set of contacts in said third current branch; and

(i) a second light emitting diode emitting light only in response to charging current delivered via said set of contacts in said third current branch when said set of contacts in said fourth current branch is rendered inoperative and only in response to charging current delivered via said set of contacts in said fourth current branch when said set of contacts in said third current branch is rendered inoperative.

10. Apparatus for charging simultaneously at least two rechargeable cells, comprising:

(a) a transformer having a pair of primary terminals adapted for connection to an external source of alternating current, and a pair of secondary terminals;

(b) a positive charging control network connected across said secondary transformer terminals and comprising a positive rectifying diode and first and second current branches in series therewith, said current branches providing positive charging currents of different amplitudes;

(c) a positive terminal adapter including a set of positive charging contacts connected in each of said current branches;

(d) means for rendering one of said sets of contacts inoperative when positive charging current is delivered to a first rechargeble cell via the other of said sets of contacts;

(e) a first light emitting diode emittinng light in response to positive charging current delivered to said first cell via said charging contacts in either of said branches in said positive charging control network;

(f) a negative charging control network connected across said secondary transformer terminals and comprising a negative rectifying diode and first and second current branches in series therewith, said current branches providing negative charging currents of different amplitudes;

(g) a negative terminal adapter including a set of negative charging contacts connected in each of said current branches;

(h) means for rendering one of said sets of contacts inoperative when negative charging current is delivered to a second rechargeable cell via the other of said sets of contacts; and

(i) a second light emitting diode emitting light only in response to negative charging current delivered to said second cell via said charging contacts in either of said branches in said negative charging control network.

11. An electrochemical cell charging apparatus for providing charging current to a cell connected between one of two sets of charging terminals associated with such apparatus comprising:

(a) means for connection to an alternating current source;

(b) a charging network including at least one rectifier coupled to said connection means for converting alternating current from the source into unidirectional charging current;

(c) first and second current branches connected between said rectifier and respective sets of cell-receiving charging terminals;

(d) a diode interconnecting the corresponding terminals of each of the terminal sets, whereby unidirectional charging current supplied to the terminal of said first current branch may flow through said diode to the corresponding terminal of said second current branch when a cell is connected in circuit with the terminal set of said second current branch, and whereby unidirectional charging current in said second current branch is blocked by said diode when a cell is connected in circuit with the terminal set of said first current branch; and

(e) a light emitting diode connected in series with said first current branch to indicate the supply of charging current to a cell connected in circuit with either of said terminal sets.

12. Apparatus as recited in claim 11, including means for rendering one of said sets of charging terminals inoperative when charging current is delivered to said cell via the other of said sets of charging terminals.

13. Apparatus for charging simultaneously at least two rechargeable cells, comprising:

(a) means for connection to an alternating current source;

(b) a positive charging network including at least one rectifier coupled to said connection means for converting alternating current from the source into positive charging current, and first and second current branches connected between said rectifier and respective sets of cell-receiving positive charging terminals;

(c) a diode interconnecting the corresponding terminals of each of the positive charging terminal sets, whereby positive charging current supplied to the terminal of said first current branch may flow through said diode to the corresponding terminal of said second current branch when a first cell is connected in circuit with the terminal set of said second current branch, and whereby positive charging current in said second current branch is blocked by said diode when said first cell is connected in circuit with the terminal set of said first current branch;

(d) a first light emitting diode connected in series with said first current branch to indicate the supply of positive charging current to said first cell connected in circuit with either of said positive terminal sets;

(e) a negative charging network including at least one rectifier coupled to said connection means for converting alternating current from the source into negative charging current, and first and second current branches connected between said rectifier and respective sets of cell-receiving negative charging terminals;

(f) a diode interconnecting the corresponding terminals of each of the negative charging terminal sets, whereby negative charging current supplied to the terminal of said first current branch may flow through said diode to the corresponding terminal of said second current branch when a second cell is connected in circuit with the terminal set of said second current branch, and whereby negative charging current in said second current branch is blocked by said diode when said second cell is connected in circuit with the terminal set of said first current branch; and

(g) a second light emitting diode connected in series with said first current branch to indicate the supply of negative charging current to said second cell connected in circuit with either of said negative terminal sets.

14. Apparatus as recited in claim 13, including means for rendering one of said sets of positive charging terminals inoperative when positive charging current is delivered to said first cell via the other of said sets of positive charging terminals, and means for rendering one of said sets of negative charging terminals inoperative when negative charging current is delivered to said second cell via the other of said sets of negative charging terminals.

15. An electrochemical cell charging apparatus for providing charging current to a cell connected between one of two sets of charging terminals associated with such apparatus:

(a) means for connection to an alternating current source;

(b) a charging network including at least one rectifier for converting alternating current from said source into unidirectional charging current;

(c) first and second current branches disposed in said charging network;

(d) terminal means for receiving charging current disposed in said first and second current branches, said terminal means including first and second sets of charging contacts disposed in said first and second current branches respectively;

(e) means disposed in said charging network for rendering said first current branch inoperative when charging current is delivered to a rechargeable cell via said second current branch and for rendering said second current branch inoperative when charging current is delivered to a rechargeable cell via said first current branch;

(f) a light emitter connected in said first current branch and emitting light in response to the delivery of charging current to a rechargeable cell via said first set of charging and in response to the flow of charging current to a rechargeable cell via said second set of charging contacts; and

(g) a unidirectional current flow device connected electrically between said first and second current branches and establishing a current path between said light emitter and said second current branch, said current flow device preventing the flow of current between said current branches when said charge current is delivered via said first set of contacts whereby said light emitter emits light only in response to the delivery of charging current via said first set of charging contacts, said current flow device permitting current flowing through said light emitter to flow through said current path to said second current branch when said charge current is delivered via said second set of contacts whereby said light emitter emits light only in response to the delivery of charging current via said second set of charging contacts.

16. Charging apparatus for a rechargeable cell comprising:

(a) means for providing charging current including means for connecting said charging current means to an external electrical source;

(b) a charging network connected to said charging current means and including a plurality of alternative charging paths for providing charging current at a plurality of charge rates;

(c) a pair of charging contacts disposed in each charging path of said plurality for receiving charging current in its respective charging path;

(d) means for rendering each charging path in said plurality inoperative, said rendering means effective when charging current is delivered to said cell via any one of said charging paths in said plurality to render the remaining charging paths in said plurality inoperative whereby only one charging path of said plurality may provide charge current to said cell at any given time;

(e) a light emitter for emitting light to indicate delivery of charging current to said cell via each charging path in said plurality, said light emitter emitting light to indicate delivery of said charging current only in response to the delivery of charging current via said one of said charging paths when said remaining charging paths are inoperative.

17. The invention as set forth in claim 16 wherein said light emitter is electrically in parallel with a charging path in said plurality of alternative charging paths.

18. Charging apparatus for a rechargeable cell comprising:

(a) means for providing charging current including means for connecting said charging current means to an external source;

(b) a charging network connected to said charging current means and including first and second charging paths for providing charge current;

(c) terminal means disposed in each charging path;

(d) means for rendering each of said first and second charging paths inoperative, said means rendering said first charging path inoperative when charging current is delivered to said cell via said second charging path and rendering said second charging path inoperative when charging current is delivered to said cell via said first charging path; and

(e) a light emitter for emitting light in response to the delivery of charging current via said first and second charging paths, said light emitter emitting light only in response to the delivery of charging current via said first charging path when said second charging path is inoperative and only in response to the delivery of charging current via said second charging path when said first charging path is rendered inoperative.

19. The invention as set forth in claim 18 wherein said light emitter is electrically in parallel with one of said first or second charging paths.