CHARGING CIRCUIT AND BATTERY CHARGER

• US 20030160592A1
• Filed: 10/28/2002
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Murakami, Kouji, Hamai, Hidetoshi
• Granted Patent: US 6,794,851 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/116
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00712 the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors

Abstract

A charging circuit charging predetermined first and second batteries includes: a circuit configuration by which a second charging current charging the second battery is obtained by subtracting a first charging current charging the first battery from a current supplied by a power source; and a current setting part that sets the second charging current smaller than the first charging current at least at the beginning of charging.

Claims

1. A charging circuit charging predetermined first and second batteries, comprising:

a circuit configuration by which a second charging current charging the second battery is obtained by subtracting a first charging current charging the first battery from a current supplied by a power source; and

a current setting part that sets the second charging current smaller than the first charging current at least at the beginning of charging.

2. The charging circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the current setting part comprises a diode inserted for decreasing a charging voltage of the second battery.

3. The charging circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the current setting part comprises a resistor inserted for decreasing a charging voltage of the second battery.

4. The charging circuit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a voltage comparing part that compares a voltage of the second battery with a supply voltage; and

a charging current preventing part that prevents the second charging current from flowing when the supply voltage falls below the voltage of the second battery.

5. A battery charger charging a predetermined battery, comprising:

a housing incorporating a charging circuit charging the predetermined battery;

a first holding part formed on a top surface of said housing and configured to hold a mobile set in which a first battery is inserted; and

a second holding part formed on the top surface of said housing and configured to hold the predetermined battery, said charging circuit comprising;

a circuit configuration by which a second charging current charging the predetermined battery is obtained by subtracting a first charging current charging the first battery from a current supplied by a power source; and

a current setting part that sets the second charging current smaller than the first charging current at least at the beginning of charging.

6. The battery charger as claimed in claim 5, wherein the current setting part comprises a diode inserted for decreasing a charging voltage of the second battery.

7. The battery charger as claimed in claim 5, wherein the current setting part comprises a resistor inserted for decreasing a charging voltage of the second battery.

8. The battery charger as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

a voltage comparing part that compares a voltage of the predetermined battery with a supply voltage; and

a charging current preventing part that prevents the second charging current from flowing when the supply voltage falls below the voltage of the predetermined battery.

9. A battery charger charging predetermined first and second batteries, comprising:

a housing incorporating a charging circuit charging the predetermined first and second batteries;

a first holding part formed on a top surface of said housing and configured to hold the first battery; and

a second holding part formed on the top surface of said housing and configured to hold the second battery, said charging circuit comprising;

a circuit configuration by which a second charging current charging the second battery is obtained by subtracting a first charging current charging the first battery from a current supplied by a power source; and

a current setting part that sets the second charging current smaller than the first charging current at least at the beginning of charging.

10. The battery charger as claimed in claim 9, wherein the current setting part comprises a diode inserted for decreasing a charging voltage of the second battery.

11. The battery charger as claimed in claim 9, wherein the current setting part comprises a resistor inserted for decreasing a charging voltage of the second battery.

12. The battery charger as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

a voltage comparing part that compares a voltage of the second battery with a supply voltage; and

a charging current preventing part that prevents the second charging current from flowing when the supply voltage falls below the voltage of the second battery.