System and method for providing rechargeable batteries
First Claim
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1. A method of providing a virtual disposable battery comprising:
- receiving in a hub comprising a plurality of charging/discharging ports divided into a plurality of zones, one or more batteries from a battery exchange machine, each of the one or more batteries having an initial state of charge, wherein the charging/discharging ports of each zone are configured to receive a same charging current or charging voltage;
measuring the voltage, impedance, and capacity of each of the one or more received batteries;
determining a first charging profile for a first battery of the one or more batteries based on the measured voltage, impedance, and capacity of the first battery and a second charging profile for a second battery of the one or more batteries based on the measured voltage, impedance, and capacity of the second battery, wherein the first charging profile applies a different charging current and/or charging voltage than the second charging profile;
charging in a first zone, the first battery according to the first charging profile resulting in the first battery having a second state of charge, wherein the first zone comprises at least two of the plurality of charging/discharging ports and is configured to charge a plurality of batteries according to the first charging profile; and
charging in a second zone, concurrent with charging the first battery, the second battery according to the second charging profile resulting in the second battery having a second state of charge, wherein the second zone comprises at least two of the plurality of charging/discharging ports and is configured to charge a plurality of batteries according to the second charging profile.
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Abstract
A system and method for charging a plurality of batteries is disclosed. A battery charging hub may have a plurality of charging/discharging ports capable of applying varying charging programs based on the state of a battery. A battery charging hub may include wired or wireless communication ability to allow the battery charging hub to communicate with remote units regarding the state and quality of batteries at the charging hub. A virtual disposable battery is also disclosed.
77 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of providing a virtual disposable battery comprising:
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receiving in a hub comprising a plurality of charging/discharging ports divided into a plurality of zones, one or more batteries from a battery exchange machine, each of the one or more batteries having an initial state of charge, wherein the charging/discharging ports of each zone are configured to receive a same charging current or charging voltage; measuring the voltage, impedance, and capacity of each of the one or more received batteries; determining a first charging profile for a first battery of the one or more batteries based on the measured voltage, impedance, and capacity of the first battery and a second charging profile for a second battery of the one or more batteries based on the measured voltage, impedance, and capacity of the second battery, wherein the first charging profile applies a different charging current and/or charging voltage than the second charging profile; charging in a first zone, the first battery according to the first charging profile resulting in the first battery having a second state of charge, wherein the first zone comprises at least two of the plurality of charging/discharging ports and is configured to charge a plurality of batteries according to the first charging profile; and charging in a second zone, concurrent with charging the first battery, the second battery according to the second charging profile resulting in the second battery having a second state of charge, wherein the second zone comprises at least two of the plurality of charging/discharging ports and is configured to charge a plurality of batteries according to the second charging profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A charging hub comprising:
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a charging unit; a control unit in electrical communication with the charging unit for directing operation of the hub; memory comprising a plurality of charging programs; a plurality of zones, each zone comprising a plurality of charging/discharging ports electrically connected to the charging unit and the control unit, wherein the charging/discharging ports of each of the plurality of zones are configured to receive a same charging current or charging voltage and to charge a plurality of devices according to one of the plurality of charging programs, wherein the charging unit is configured to select and apply a first charging program from the plurality of charging programs to a first device under charge in a first zone based on a measured voltage, impedance, and capacity of the first device and to select and apply concurrently with the first charging program a second charging program from the plurality of programs to a second device under charge in a second zone based on a measured voltage, impedance, and capacity of the second device, and wherein the first charging program applies a different charging current and/or charging voltage than the second charging program; and a communication unit configured to allow the control unit to communicate with a remote unit the status of the first and second devices under charge which are received into the charging unit. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification