Method and charging device for charging rechargeable lithium accumulators

• US 8,378,639 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2008
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C.&E. Fein GmbH
• Original Assignee: C.&E. Fein GmbH
• Inventors: Barza, Radu, Schreiber, Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US12/250,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20090096425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,589 Days
• Field of Search: 320/156
• US Class Current: 320/156
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00711 with introduction of pulses during the charging process
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007184 in response to battery voltage gradient
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007188 the charge cycle being controlled or terminated in response to non-electric parameters

Abstract

A method and a charging device serve for charging rechargeable lithium accumulators. A charging current is injected into the accumulator, and the voltage is monitored on the accumulator during the injection process. Additionally, the variation in time of at least one state variable characteristic of the accumulator is monitored and injection of the charging current into the accumulator is continued until the variation in time of the state variable exceeds a predefined limit value.

Claims

1. A method for charging a rechargeable lithium iron phosphate accumulator, comprising the steps of:

providing a rechargeable lithium iron phosphate accumulator;

injecting a charging current into the accumulator;

monitoring a voltage of the accumulator during the injection process;

monitoring a variation in time of at least said voltage; and

continuing the injection of the charging current into the accumulator until said variation in time of said voltage exceeds a predefined positive threshold value, wherein the charging current is gradually reduced to zero when the variation in time of said voltage exceeds said predefined threshold value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said charging current is controlled along a predefined time characteristic.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said charging current is kept constant over time.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said charging current is periodically shaped.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said charging current is pulsed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of a variation in time of a temperature and a variation in time of an internal resistance of said accumulator is monitored.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of a rise in time of a temperature and a rise in time of an inner resistance of said accumulator is monitored.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a lithium iron phosphate accumulator is charged.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the accumulator is configured for powering an electric power tool.

10. A charging device for charging a rechargeable lithium iron phosphate accumulator comprising:

first means for injecting a charging current into the rechargeable lithium iron phosphate accumulator,

second means for monitoring the voltage on the rechargeable lithium iron phosphate accumulator during the injection process,

third means for monitoring a variation in time of said voltage, and

fourth means for continuing injection of the charging current into the rechargeable lithium iron phosphate accumulator until the variation in time of said voltage exceeds a predetermined positive threshold value, and for gradually reducing the charging current to zero when the variation in time of said voltage exceeds said predefined limit value.