Device for detecting connection or disconnection of a battery to an electric charger

• US 5,291,118 A
• Filed: 06/12/1992
• Issued: 03/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Furukawa Denchi Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Furukawa Denchi Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Kojima, Makio
• Primary Examiner(s): Hickey, R. J.
• Application Number:
  US07/897,775
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 320/35, 320/36, 320/31, 320/37
• US Class Current: 320/150
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/374 with means for correcting the measurement for temperature or ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3842 combining voltage and current measurements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/12 Precharging analysis, e.g. determining presence of battery

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for detecting whether a battery is connected to an electric charger or the battery is disconnected therefrom. This invention is simple in construction, and can effectively carry out the operation thereof. The device of this invention includes a heat sensitive element connected through a temperature detecting line to a data processor and a reference voltage source connected to the end of the heat sensitive element. After at least one battery is connected to the device and an electric charging into the battery is completed, the battery is removed, whereby a data processor detects the resulting voltage change through the temperature detecting line similarly operating as a voltage detecting line.

Claims

1. A device for detecting connection or disconnection of a battery to or from an electric charger, said device comprising:

a circuit means for continuously monitoring from a start of charging of said battery and for protecting said battery from rapid charging thereof, said circuit means including a heat element, a temperature detecting line and a data processor, wherein one end of said heat element is connected to said battery, and wherein said temperature detecting line connects another end of said heat element to said data processor; and

a reference voltage source connected to another end of said heat element, wherein when said data processor detects a voltage at said temperature detecting line in a case where said electric charger is in a no-load condition, then said data processor has detected said battery to be disconnected from said electric charger, and wherein said data processor having a timer which is set therein in advance for rapid charging is reset.

2. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a first connection line which connects said reference voltage source to said data processor, and a second connection line which connects said reference voltage to said another end of said heat element.