Service-life discriminating feature added to a battery charger
First Claim
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1. A rechargeable battery service-life discriminating device for discriminating an end of life of a rechargeable battery, comprising:
- charging means for charging the battery with a charge current;
battery voltage detecting means for detecting a battery voltage;
first comparison means for comparing the battery voltage detected by said battery voltage detecting means with a predetermined reference voltage; and
determining means for determining that the battery has reached the end of life when said first comparison means indicates that the battery voltage is above the predetermined reference voltage during an initial period of charging.
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Abstract
To discriminate that a rechargeable battery has reached an end of life, the maximum battery voltage detected during a preliminary charge time is compared with a predetermined reference voltage. When the comparison results indicate that the battery voltage is above the predetermined reference voltage, it is determined that the battery has reached the end of life.
28 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A rechargeable battery service-life discriminating device for discriminating an end of life of a rechargeable battery, comprising:
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charging means for charging the battery with a charge current; battery voltage detecting means for detecting a battery voltage; first comparison means for comparing the battery voltage detected by said battery voltage detecting means with a predetermined reference voltage; and determining means for determining that the battery has reached the end of life when said first comparison means indicates that the battery voltage is above the predetermined reference voltage during an initial period of charging. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A battery charger for charging a rechargeable battery having a plurality of cells connected in series, comprising:
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charging means for charging the battery with a charge current; battery voltage detecting means for detecting a maximum voltage of the battery; and end-of-life detecting means for detecting that the battery has reached an end of life based on the maximum voltage of the battery detected by said battery voltage detecting means during an initial period of charging and producing an end-of-life signal. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification