Method of displaying full-charge-state

• US 6,501,247 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2001
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kaite, Osamu, Kokuga, Toshiharu
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIBBITS, PIA FLORENCE
• Application Number:
  US09/769,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20010017533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 320/132-136
• US Class Current: 320/133
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3646 for indicating electrical conditions or variables, e.g. visual or audible indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/374 with means for correcting the measurement for temperature or ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3835 involving only voltage measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/448 End of discharge regulating measures
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/505 Cells combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light intensity
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method of displaying the full-charge-state of a battery according to the invention is characterized in that the displaying is retarded by a predetermined period of time after the full-charge-state is detected. According to the method, the delay time is so determined that the battery which requires a shorter charging time needed to full-charge the battery has a longer delay time period than the battery requiring a longer charging time.

Claims

1. A method of displaying a full-charge-state of a battery comprising:

charging a battery for a full charge time period required to charge the battery to a full-charge-state;

detecting the full-charge-state of the battery; and

displaying the full-charge-state of the battery after a delay time period,

wherein the delay time period is based on the full charge time period.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the delay time period is a linear function of the full charge time period.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the delay time period comprises a first time period when the full charge time period is longer than a predetermined time period, and

wherein the delay time period comprises a second time period when the full charge time period is equal to or shorter than the predetermined time period.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first time period is shorter than the second time period.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the delay time period is a discrete function of the full charge time period.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a Ni—

Cd battery.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a Ni—

MH battery.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a lithium-ion battery.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said charging comprises charging with a current having 0.5-4 C of strength.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said charging comprises charging with a current having 1-3 C of strength.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said charging comprises charging with a current having 1-2 C of strength.

12. A method of displaying a full-charge-state of a battery comprising:

charging a battery for a full charge time period required to charge the battery to a full-charge-state;

detecting the full-charge-state of the battery; and

displaying the full-charge-state of the battery after a delay time period,

wherein the delay time period is a first delay time period when the full charge time period is a first full charge time period, and

wherein the delay time period is a second delay time period when the full charge time period is a second full charge time period.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the delay time period is a linear function of the full charge time period.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first delay time period is longer than the second delay time period, and

wherein the first full charge time period is shorter than the second full charge time period.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the full charge time period is a first full charge time period when the full charge time period is shorter than a predetermined time period, and

wherein the full charge time period is a second full charge time period when the full charge time period is equal to or longer than the predetermined time period.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the delay time period is a discrete function of the full charge time period.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the battery comprises a Ni—

CD battery.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the battery comprises a Ni—

MH battery.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the battery comprises a lithium-ion battery.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein said charging comprises charging with a current having 0.5-4 C of strength.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein said charging comprises charging with a current having 1-3 C of strength.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein said charging comprises charging with a current having 1-2 C of strength.