Battery charger and battery charging method
First Claim
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1. A battery charger characterized by comprising:
- a temperature detecting section for detecting a present battery temperature;
a temperature rise value outputting section for obtaining a temperature rise value from the temperature detected by said temperature detecting section;
a current value retrieving section for retrieving a current value with which the temperature rise value outputted from said temperature rise value outputting section is constant; and
a charge control section for charging a battery with the current value retrieved by said current value retrieving section.
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Abstract
A temperature rise pattern is retrieved from charging time based on the difference between a battery temperature at the beginning of battery charge and a target temperature value which a battery is intended to reach (in S116). The battery is charged while adjusting a current value so that a temperature rise value becomes the temperature rise pattern (in S118 and S120). Thus, by optimizing the temperature rise pattern, it is possible to charge the battery so that the temperature at the time of the completion of battery charge becomes the target temperature value (the lowest temperature value).
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A battery charger characterized by comprising:
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a temperature detecting section for detecting a present battery temperature;
a temperature rise value outputting section for obtaining a temperature rise value from the temperature detected by said temperature detecting section;
a current value retrieving section for retrieving a current value with which the temperature rise value outputted from said temperature rise value outputting section is constant; and
a charge control section for charging a battery with the current value retrieved by said current value retrieving section.
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2. A battery charger characterized by comprising:
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a storage device storing a target temperature value which a battery temperature is intended to reach;
a temperature detecting section for detecting a present battery temperature;
a temperature gradient calculating section for calculating a temperature rise gradient from charging time based on a difference between a battery temperature at the beginning of battery charge and said target temperature value held by said storage device;
a temperature rise value outputting section for obtaining a temperature rise value from the temperature detected by said temperature detecting section;
a current value retrieving section for retrieving a current value with which the temperature rise value outputted from said temperature rise value outputting section becomes said temperature rise gradient; and
a charge control section for charging the battery with the current value retrieved by said current value retrieving section.
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3. A battery charger characterized by comprising:
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a storage device storing a target temperature value which a battery is intended to reach;
a temperature detecting section for detecting a present battery temperature;
a temperature rise pattern retrieving section for retrieving a temperature rise pattern for completing battery charge at said target temperature value based on a difference between a battery temperature at the beginning of the battery charge and said target temperature value held by said storage device;
a temperature rise value outputting section for obtaining a temperature rise value from the temperature detected by said temperature detecting section;
a current value retrieving section for retrieving a current value with which the temperature rise value outputted from said temperature rise value outputting section becomes said temperature rise pattern; and
a charge control section for charging the battery with the current value retrieved by said current value retrieving section. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11)
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10. A battery charging method for making a battery side hold information on a target temperature value, which a battery is intended to reach, corresponding to charging time and charging the battery by means of a battery charger in accordance with the target temperature value, characterized in that said battery charger comprises:
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a storage device storing a temperature rise pattern for completing battery charge at the target temperature value read out from the battery side;
a temperature detecting section for detecting a present battery temperature;
a temperature rise pattern retrieving section for retrieving a temperature rise pattern from said storage device based on a battery temperature at the beginning of the battery charge and charging time;
a temperature rise value outputting section for obtaining a temperature rise value from the temperature detected by said temperature detecting section;
a current value retrieving section for retrieving a current value with which the temperature rise value outputted from said temperature rise value outputting section becomes said temperature rise pattern; and
a charge control section for charging the battery with the current value retrieved by said current value retrieving section.
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12. An apparatus for charging a battery comprising:
a controller coupled to a temperature sensing terminal, a charging terminal and a power supply, wherein the controller adjusts the amount of current supplied to the charging terminal by the power supply in order to maintain an actual rate of battery temperature increase approximately equal to a predetermined pattern of battery temperature increase. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for supplying current to a rechargeable battery comprising:
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a first terminal arranged and constructed to connect to a battery temperature sensor disposed proximally to the rechargeable battery, a power supply, a second terminal coupled to the power supply and adapted to supply current to the rechargeable battery, and a controller coupled to the first terminal and the power supply, wherein the controller adjusts the amount of current supplied to the second terminal by the power supply in order to maintain an actual rate of battery temperature increase approximately equal to a predetermined rate of battery temperature increase. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for charging a battery comprising:
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detecting an initial battery temperature, generating a predetermined pattern of battery temperature increase rate based at least in part upon the initial battery temperature, supplying charging current to the battery, determining an actual battery temperature increase rate while charging the battery, and adjusting the amount of current supplied to the battery in order to substantially equalize the actual battery temperature increase rate with the predetermined battery temperature increase rate. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An apparatus for charging a battery, comprising:
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means for sensing a battery temperature of the battery, means for predetermining a pattern of battery temperature increase rate during battery charging based at least in part upon an initial battery temperature, and means for supplying varying charging currents to the battery so that the battery temperature increases during charging substantially according to the predetermined pattern of battery temperature increase rate. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for charging a battery, comprising:
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selecting a predetermined pattern of battery temperature increase rate, and supplying varying charging currents to the battery so that the battery temperature increases during charging substantially according to the predetermined pattern of battery temperature increase rate. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for charging a battery comprising:
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generating a predetermined pattern of battery temperature increase during a charging operation, supplying charging current to the battery and monitoring an actual battery temperature increase rate while charging the battery, reducing the amount of charging current supplied to the battery, if the actual battery temperature increase rate is greater than the predetermined pattern of battery temperature increase rate and increasing the amount of charging current supplied to the battery, if the actual battery temperature increase rate is less than the predetermined pattern of battery temperature increase rate.
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Specification