Method and apparatus for identifying and charging batteries

• US 6,504,341 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2001
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brotto, Daniele C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US10/046,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20020074973A1
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 310/106, 310/110, 310/112, 310/113, 310/114, 310/115, 310/127, 310/128, 310/132, 310/137, 310/138
• US Class Current: 320/106
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00038 using passive battery identification means, e.g. resistors or capacitors identification by mechanical connections H02J7/0045
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method for charging a rechargeable battery pack includes identifying battery capacity, determining sampling interval length according to the battery capacity, and implementing the determined sampling interval length. Also disclosed herein is a method for charging batteries comprising identifying battery capacity, determining current-on period length in duty cycle according to the battery capacity, and implementing the determined current-on period length. Further, disclosed herein is a battery charging apparatus comprising a charger for charging first and second batteries, where the first battery comprises a microprocessor. The charger further comprises at least one terminal for receiving a battery identification signal, so that the charger can distinguish between the first and second batteries. Also disclosed herein is a battery/charger combination comprising a battery comprising first, second and third terminals, at least one cell disposed between the first and second terminals and a microprocessor disposed within the battery between the first and third terminals, a charger connected to the battery via the first, second and third terminals, wherein the microprocessor controls charging of the battery by sending instructions to the charger.

Claims

1. A method for charging batteries having different battery types, comprising the steps of:

identifying type of a first battery;

selecting a first charging process according to identification of the battery type; and

effecting the first charging process,

wherein tie identifying step comprises obtaining a signal representative of a battery identification device, and interpreting the signal, the signal interpretation step comprising accessing a table.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal interpretation step comprises manipulating value of the signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying step comprises measuring voltage drop across a battery identification device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the identifying step further comprises manipulating value of the voltage drop.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying type of a second battery;

selecting a second charging process according to identification of the battery type; and

effecting the second charging process.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second charging process comprises receiving charging instructions from the second battery.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second charging process comprises receiving initial charging instructions from the second battery.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a charger for receiving the batteries of different types; and

inserting the first battery in the charger.

9. A system comprising:

a charger; and

a first battery pack removably attached to the charger, the first battery pack comprising at least two first battery pack terminals and a first battery identification device disposed between said two first battery pack terminals;

a second battery pack removably attached to the charger, the second battery pack comprising at least two second battery pack terminals, a second battery identification device disposed between said at least two second battery pack terminals, and a processor disposed between said at least two second battery pack terminals for sending charging instructions to the charger.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first battery identification device is a first resistor having a first value.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second battery identification device is a second resistor having a second value.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the first battery pack does not have a processor.

13. A method for charging normal and smart batteries, comprising the steps of:

providing a charger, a normal battery removably attached to the charger, The normal battery comprising at least two normal battery terminals and a first battery identification device disposed between said two normal battery terminals, and a smart battery removably attached to the charger, the smart battery comprising at least two smart battery terminals, a second battery identification device disposed between said at least two smart battery terminals, and a processor disposed between said at least two smart battery terminals for sending charging instructions to the charger;

inserting one of the normal and smart batteries into the charger;

distinguishing inserted battery according to battery identification device of the inserted battery.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the distinguishing step comprises obtaining a signal representative of a battery identification device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the distinguishing step further comprises interpreting the signal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the signal interpretation step comprises accessing a table.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the signal interpretation step comprises manipulating value of the signal.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the distinguishing step comprises measuring voltage drop across the battery identification device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the distinguishing step further comprises accessing a table.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the distinguishing step further comprises manipulating value of the voltage drop.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the first battery identification device is a first resistor having a first value.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the second battery identification device is a second resistor having a second value.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein the normal battery does not have a processor.