Portable water resistant multi-function lead-acid battery box

• US 7,573,229 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2003
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ark Corporation Pty Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Ark Corporation Pty Ltd.
• Inventors: Arakelian, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Application Number:
  US10/570,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20070024236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,162 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/106, 320/110, 320/112, 320/114, 320/115
• US Class Current: 320/107
• 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 50/202 Casings or frames around the primary casing of a single cell or a single battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/574 Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/588 outside the batteries, e.g. incorrect connections of terminals or busbars
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/591 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5044 Cells or batteries structurally combined with cell condition indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The invention provides a battery box including a body (1) for housing a lead acid battery (2), the body having a base (3) and sides (4) extending from the base to define an open top (5). A lid (6) is applicable to the body to close the top. In use, the lid has at least one generally vertically oriented side (7). Each one of a plurality of relatively water sensitive electrical components is electrically connectable to the battery and housed substantially within the lid. The electrical components each have a user interface located on the vertically oriented side (7) thereby to inhibit damage to the electrical component as a result of water ingress.

Claims

1. A portable water resistant lead acid battery box comprising;

a body for removably housing a lead acid battery, said body having a base, and sidewalls extending from said base to define an open top;

a lid applicable to said body to close said top, said lid, in use, having at least one generally vertically oriented side;

at least one relatively water sensitive electrical component electrically connectable to said battery and housed at least substantially within said lid, said electrical component having a user interface located on said vertically oriented side thereby to inhibit damage to said electrical component as a result of water ingress, wherein said at least one electrical component includes a battery recharger operable on said battery, said battery charger providing a higher charging current until said battery is close to its rated capacity and then said battery charger switching to provide a lower conditioning current.

2. A battery box according to claim 1, further including:

two user interfaces for said recharger, a first recharger interface being a DC port to allow said battery to be recharged from a 12V power source and a second recharger interface being an AC port to allow said battery to be recharged from mains power.

3. A battery box according to claim 1, wherein said higher charging current is around 1.0 Amps and said conditioning current is around 0.1 Amps.

4. A battery box according to claim 1, further including:

an external battery terminal electrically connectable to a corresponding terminal of said battery, said external terminal being housed within a recess in said lid and a protective cover hingedly connected to said lid adjacent said recess, said cover being movable between an open configuration allowing access to said external terminal and a closed configuration providing a degree of protection to said terminal.

5. A battery box according to claim 1, further including:

an isolating switch movable between an on position to provide electrical connectivity between said battery and said electrical components and an off position where said electrical connectivity is broken between said battery and at least one of said electrical components.

6. A battery box according to claim 5, wherein when said isolating switch is moved to said off position, electrical connectivity is maintained between the battery and both the AC port and the battery condition indicator.

7. A battery box according to claim 1, wherein said recharger is of a type allowing for continuous operative connection to said battery.

8. A battery box according to claim 1, further including:

a waterproof membrane applied to said vertical face and extending over one or more of said user interfaces.

9. A portable lead acid battery box comprising:

a body for removably housing a lead acid battery, said body having a base, and sidewalls extending from said base to define an open top;

a lid applicable to said body to close said top;

a battery recharger for recharging the battery, said recharger being contained at least substantially within a volume defined by said body and said lid; and

wherein said recharger is of a type providing a higher charging current until said battery is close to maximum capacity and then switching to a lower conditioning current.

10. A battery box according to claim 9, wherein said higher charging current is around 1.0 Amps and said conditioning current is around 0.1 Amps.

11. A battery box according to claim 9, further including:

two user interfaces for said recharger, a first recharger interface being a DC port to allow said battery to be recharged from a 12V power source and a second recharger interface being an AC port to allow said battery to be recharged from mains power.

12. A battery box according to claim 9, wherein, in use, said lid includes at least one vertical side.

13. A battery box according to claim 12, further including:

at least one relatively water sensitive electrical component electrically connectable to said battery and housed at least substantially within said lid, said electrical component having a user interface located on said vertical side, thereby to inhibit damage to the electrical component as a result of water ingress.

14. A battery box according to claim 13, wherein said at least one electrical component includes said recharger.

15. A battery box according to claim 9, further including:

an external battery terminal electrically connectable to a corresponding terminal of said battery, said external terminal being housed within a recess in said lid and a protective cover hingedly connected to said lid adjacent said recess, said cover being movable between an open configuration allowing access to said external terminal and a closed configuration providing a degree of protection to said terminal.

16. A battery box according to claim 13, further including:

an isolating switch movable between an on position to provide electrical connectivity between said battery and said electrical components and an off position where said electrical connectivity is broken between said battery and at least one of said electrical components.

17. A battery box according to claim 16, wherein when said isolating switch is moved to said off position, electrical connectivity is maintained between the battery and both the AC port and a battery condition indicator.

18. A battery box according to claim 9, wherein said recharger is of a type allowing for continuous operative connection to said battery.

19. A battery box according to claim 13, further including:

a waterproof membrane applied to said vertical side and extending over one or more of said user interfaces.