Charging device
First Claim
1. A charging device comprising:
- a charging unit that selectively charges a first type of battery pack and a second type of battery pack, the first type of battery pack including a first plurality of battery cells connected in a single row, the first type of battery pack having a first identifier indicating a connecting configuration of the first plurality of battery cells, and the second type of battery pack including a single battery unit or a second plurality of battery units connected in series, each battery unit including at least two battery cells connected in parallel, or a third plurality of second battery units connected in parallel, each second battery unit including at least two battery cells connected in a single row, the second type of battery pack having a second identifier indicating a connecting configuration of the single battery unit, the second plurality of battery units, or the third plurality of second battery units; and
a control unit that detects the first identifier when the first type of battery pack is connected to the charging unit, detects the second identifier when the second type of battery pack is connected to the charging unit, and controls the charging unit to control at least one of a charging current flowing through the battery pack and a charging voltage applied across the battery pack, depending on the detected first or second identifier of the battery pack to be charged;
wherein each of the battery cells of the first type of battery pack and the second type of battery pack is a lithium ion (Li-ion) secondary cell; and
wherein the connecting configuration of the battery cells of the first type of battery pack differs from the connecting configuration of the second type of battery pack and the first and second identifiers indicate the connecting configuration of the different connecting configurations of the first battery pack and the second battery pack, respectively.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A charging device has a charging unit and a control unit. The charging unit charges a battery pack the battery pack being either a first type or a second type of battery pack. The first type of battery pack includes a single battery cell or a first plurality of battery cells connected in series. The second type of battery pack includes a single battery unit or a second plurality of battery units connected in series. Each battery unit includes at least two battery cells connected in parallel. The control unit controls the charging unit to control at least one of a charging current flowing through the battery pack and a charging voltage applied across the battery pack, depending on the battery pack to be charged.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A charging device comprising:
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a charging unit that selectively charges a first type of battery pack and a second type of battery pack, the first type of battery pack including a first plurality of battery cells connected in a single row, the first type of battery pack having a first identifier indicating a connecting configuration of the first plurality of battery cells, and the second type of battery pack including a single battery unit or a second plurality of battery units connected in series, each battery unit including at least two battery cells connected in parallel, or a third plurality of second battery units connected in parallel, each second battery unit including at least two battery cells connected in a single row, the second type of battery pack having a second identifier indicating a connecting configuration of the single battery unit, the second plurality of battery units, or the third plurality of second battery units; and a control unit that detects the first identifier when the first type of battery pack is connected to the charging unit, detects the second identifier when the second type of battery pack is connected to the charging unit, and controls the charging unit to control at least one of a charging current flowing through the battery pack and a charging voltage applied across the battery pack, depending on the detected first or second identifier of the battery pack to be charged; wherein each of the battery cells of the first type of battery pack and the second type of battery pack is a lithium ion (Li-ion) secondary cell; and wherein the connecting configuration of the battery cells of the first type of battery pack differs from the connecting configuration of the second type of battery pack and the first and second identifiers indicate the connecting configuration of the different connecting configurations of the first battery pack and the second battery pack, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11)
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7. A charging device comprising:
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a charging unit that charges a battery pack, the battery pack being either a first type of battery pack or a second type of battery pack, the first type of battery pack including N battery cells connected in a single row, the first type of battery pack having a first identifier indicating the number N of the battery cells connected in the single row, the second type of battery pack including N first-units connected in a single row, each first-unit being M battery cells connected in parallel, or M second-units connected in parallel, each second-unit being N battery cells connected in a single row, the second type of battery pack having a second identifier indicating the number N of the units or the cells connected in series and the number M of the cells or the units connected in parallel; a control unit that includes a detection unit that detects one of the first and second identifiers to determine the battery pack connected to the charging device; a first section that sets a charging current flowing through the first type of the battery pack and a charging voltage applied across the first type of the battery pack depending on the number N of the battery cells connected in the single row when the first battery pack is connected; a second section that sets a charging current flowing through the second type of the battery pack and a charging voltage applied across the second type of the battery pack depending on the number N of the units connected in series and the number M of the cells connected in parallel when the second battery pack is connected; and a control section that controls the charging current and the charging voltage of the connected battery pack based on the set current and the set voltage. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification