Method and system for charging multi-cell lithium-based batteries
First Claim
1. A battery charging system including a battery charger and a battery pack, the system comprising:
- a battery charger housing;
at least one terminal to electrically connect the battery charger to the battery pack, the battery pack supported by and removably mounted to the battery charger housing, the battery pack including a plurality of lithium-based battery cells, each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells having an individual state of charge; and
a controller within the battery charger housing and operable to supply a charging current to the battery pack through the at least one terminal, the controller being operable to control the charging current being supplied to the battery pack based at least in part on the individual state of charge of at least one of the plurality of battery cells,wherein each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells is individually tapped such that the controller is operable to monitor the respective individual state of charge thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for charging multi-cell lithium-based batteries. In some aspects, a battery charger includes a housing, at least one terminal to electrically connect to a battery pack supported by the housing, and a controller operable to provide a charging current to the battery pack through the at least one terminal. The battery pack includes a plurality of lithium-based battery cells, with each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells having an individual state of charge. The controller is operable to control the charging current being supplied to the battery pack at least in part based on the individual state of charge of at least one battery cell.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A battery charging system including a battery charger and a battery pack, the system comprising:
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a battery charger housing; at least one terminal to electrically connect the battery charger to the battery pack, the battery pack supported by and removably mounted to the battery charger housing, the battery pack including a plurality of lithium-based battery cells, each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells having an individual state of charge; and a controller within the battery charger housing and operable to supply a charging current to the battery pack through the at least one terminal, the controller being operable to control the charging current being supplied to the battery pack based at least in part on the individual state of charge of at least one of the plurality of battery cells, wherein each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells is individually tapped such that the controller is operable to monitor the respective individual state of charge thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15)
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8. A battery charging system including a battery charger and a power tool battery pack, the system comprising:
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a battery charger housing; at least three terminals to electrically connect the battery charger to the power tool battery pack, the power tool battery pack supported by and removably coupled to the battery charger housing, the battery pack including a plurality of lithium-based battery cells, each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells having an individual state of charge; and a controller within the battery charger housing and operable to supply a charging current to the battery pack through at least one of the three terminals, the controller being operable to control the charging current being supplied to the battery pack based at least in part on the individual state of charge of at least one of the plurality battery cells, wherein each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells is individually tapped such that the controller is operable to monitor the respective individual state of charge thereof via one of the terminals. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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Specification