Sub-miniature high efficiency battery charger system and method
First Claim
1. A battery charger system comprising:
- a power supply unit comprising;
a power converter for converting power from a power source to generate an output current;
an output current regulator for controlling the power converter;
a current profile generator coupled across the output terminals and controlling the output current regulator so as to cause the output current of the power converter to cycle between a first mode during which the output current increases and second mode during which the output current decreases;
a battery charger unit comprising;
input terminals for receiving the output current of the power converter;
output terminals for connection to a battery to be charged;
a switch coupled between the input terminals;
a current sense resistor connected between the transistor switch and an input terminal;
a controller connected to the switch and to the current sense resistor for sensing current therethrough and controlling a state of the switch, the controller responsive to output current from the power supply unit detected through the current sense resistor to close the switch when the output current from the power supply unit is increasing, and opening the switch and thereby coupling charging current to the battery when the output current from the power supply unit is decreasing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery charger system (10) consisting of a power supply unit (20) and a battery charger unit (70). The power supply unit (20) features a current profile generator (26) that defines a current profile of the output current of the power supply unit (20). The battery charger system (10) provides a unique way of communicating charging current demand between the battery charger unit (70) and the power supply unit (20). The power supply unit (20) is capable of determining the charging current demand by detecting specific logical operating states of the battery charger unit (70), and comparing the current to a set threshold. The battery charger unit (70) communicates charging current demand to the power supply unit (20), and the power supply unit (20) responds by adjusting its output current to meet the required demand.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A battery charger system comprising:
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a power supply unit comprising; a power converter for converting power from a power source to generate an output current; an output current regulator for controlling the power converter; a current profile generator coupled across the output terminals and controlling the output current regulator so as to cause the output current of the power converter to cycle between a first mode during which the output current increases and second mode during which the output current decreases; a battery charger unit comprising; input terminals for receiving the output current of the power converter; output terminals for connection to a battery to be charged; a switch coupled between the input terminals; a current sense resistor connected between the transistor switch and an input terminal; a controller connected to the switch and to the current sense resistor for sensing current therethrough and controlling a state of the switch, the controller responsive to output current from the power supply unit detected through the current sense resistor to close the switch when the output current from the power supply unit is increasing, and opening the switch and thereby coupling charging current to the battery when the output current from the power supply unit is decreasing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A battery charging method comprising steps of:
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converting power from a power source to generate a power supply output current that cycles between a first mode during which it increases and a second mode during which it decreases; connecting the power supply output current to a terminal of the switch; sensing current through the switch and maintaining the switch closed while the power supply output current increases until current through the switch exceeds an upper threshold; opening the switch when current through it exceeds the upper threshold, thereby diverting the power supply output current to the battery to charge the battery, and causing the power supply output current to begin decreasing; sensing current through the battery and maintaining the switch open until current through it reaches a lower threshold; and closing the switch when the current through the battery reaches the lower threshold, thereby causing the power supply output current to begin increasing. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A battery charger system comprising:
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a power supply unit comprising; a power converter for converting power from a power source to generate an output current; an output current regulator coupled to the power converter to regulator the output current generated by the power converter; a current profile generator comprising a controller that monitors an output voltage of the power supply unit and defines a current profile of the output current of the power converter such that the output current cycles between a ramp up mode whereby the output current increases at a first rate, and a ramp down mode whereby the output current decreases at a second rate; a battery charger unit comprising; input terminals for receiving the output current of the power supply unit; output terminals for connection to a battery to be charged; a switch connected between the input terminals; a current sense resistor connected between the transistor switch and an input terminal; a controller connected to the switch and to the current sense resistor for sensing current therethrough and controlling the switch to maintain the switch closed during the ramp up mode of the output current from the power supply unit, open the switch when current through the current sense resistor reaches an upper threshold, maintain the switch open during the ramp down mode of the output current from the power supply unit to thereby divert the output current from the power supply unit to the battery, and close the switch when current through the current sense resistor reaches a lower threshold thereby short circuiting current through the switch and away from the battery. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification