Battery testing and charging system and method of operation thereof

• US 8,125,229 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2008
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Makhija, Surender, Miller, Garret
• Primary Examiner(s): Diao, M'baye
• Application Number:
  US12/269,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20100117603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 324/426
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]

Abstract

A battery testing and charging system that includes at least one battery testing device and at least one battery charging device, wherein the battery testing device is removable from the battery charging device and wherein the battery testing device may communicate with a plurality of battery charging devices. Also, a method of testing and charging a battery that may be implemented using, for example, the above-described battery testing and charging system.

Claims

1. A battery testing and charging system, comprising:

a battery testing device that comprises;

a processor configured to perform a test on a battery when the battery is connected to the battery testing device, and a transmitter configured to transmit test data collected during the test; and

a battery charging device that is separable from the battery testing device and that comprises;

a receiver configured to receive the test data from the battery testing device, and charging circuitry configured to charge the battery based upon the test data when the battery is connected to the battery charging device, wherein the battery testing device is configured to be docked in a port of the battery charging device, thereby allowing communication between the transmitter and receiver.

2. The battery testing and charging system of claim 1, wherein the battery testing device further comprises:

an operator interface configured to receive input from an operator of the battery testing device about at least one parameter of the battery, wherein the input is transmitted from the battery testing device to the battery charging device and wherein the charging circuitry is further configured to charge the battery based upon the input as well as the test data when the battery is connected to the battery charging device.

3. The battery testing and charging system of claim 1, wherein the test data comprises at least one of:

a battery charge level, a battery capacity and a time of charge needed to obtain a desired level of charge.

4. The battery testing and charging system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to perform an additional test on an electrical system of a vehicle.

5. The battery testing and charging system of claim 1, further comprising an additional battery charging device also in communication with the battery testing device.

6. The battery testing and charging system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and receiver are configured to communicate with each other wirelessly.

7. The battery testing and charging system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and receiver are configured to communicate with each other across a cable.

8. The battery testing and charging system of claim 1, wherein the battery charging device is configured to charge the battery testing device when docked.

9. The battery testing and charging system of claim 1, further comprising:

a central database configured to store the test data.

10. A method of testing and charging a battery, the method comprising:

performing a test on the battery using a battery testing device when the battery is connected to the battery testing device;

transmitting from the battery testing device test data collected during the test;

receiving the test data in a battery charging device that is separable from the battery testing device;

docking the battery testing device in a port of the battery charging device;

charging the battery testing device while the battery testing device is docked in the battery charging device; and

charging the battery based upon the test data when the battery is connected to the battery charging device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

wirelessly updating software on at least one of the battery testing device and the battery charging device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmitting and receiving steps are performed wirelessly.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

periodically synchronizing the battery testing device and the battery charging device.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

forwarding the test data to a central database.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting the test data to one or more of a plurality of battery charging devices.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

performing the transmitting and receiving steps while the battery testing device is docked in the battery charging device.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

performing an additional test on an electrical system of a vehicle utilizing the battery testing device.

18. A battery testing and charging system, the system comprising:

means for testing a battery when the battery is connected to the means for testing;

means for charging the battery when the battery is connected to themeans for charging, wherein the means for charging is separable from the means for testing; and

means for transmitting test data collected by the means for testing during the test to the means for charging, wherein the means for charging is configured to receive the test data and to charge the battery based upon the test data, and wherein the means for testing is configured to be docked in a port of the means for charging and charged by the means for charging when docked.