Battery pack with identification device

• US 6,175,211 B1
• Filed: 04/15/1999
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brotto, Daniele C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US09/292,164
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 320/106, 320/107, 320/110, 320/112
• US Class Current: 320/106
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00038 using passive battery identification means, e.g. resistors or capacitors identification by mechanical connections H02J7/0045
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method for charging a rechargeable battery pack includes identifying battery capacity, determining sampling interval length according to the battery capacity, and implementing the determined sampling interval length. Also disclosed herein is a method for charging batteries comprising identifying battery capacity, determining current-on period length in duty cycle according to the battery capacity, and implementing the determined current-on period length. Further, disclosed herein is a battery charging apparatus comprising a charger for charging first and second batteries, where the first battery comprises a microprocessor. The charger further comprises at least one terminal for receiving a battery identification signal, so that the charger can distinguish between the first and second batteries. Also disclosed herein is a battery/charger combination comprising a battery comprising first, second and third terminals, at least one cell disposed between the first and second terminals and a microprocessor disposed within the battery between the first and third terminals, a charger connected to the battery via the first, second and third terminals, wherein the microprocessor controls charging of the battery by sending instructions to the charger.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising:

first, second, third and fourth terminals;

at least one cell disposed between the first and second terminals;

a temperature sensing device disposed between the first and third terminals, for providing a signal corresponding to temperature of the at least one cell;

a battery identification device disposed between the first and fourth terminals for identifying the battery pack, said battery identification device comprising a resistor; and

a processor disposed between at least two of the terminals for providing charging instructions to a battery charger.

2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing device is a thermistor.

3. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing device is a capacitor.

4. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the processor is disposed between the third and fourth terminals.

5. A system comprising:

a charger; and

a battery pack removably attached to the charger, the battery pack comprising;

first, second, third and fourth terminals for connection to the charger;

at least one cell disposed between the first and second terminals;

a temperature sensing device disposed between the first and third terminals, for providing a signal corresponding to temperature of the at least one cell;

a battery identification device disposed between the first and fourth terminals for identifying the battery pack, said battery identification device comprising a resistor; and

a processor disposed between at least two of the terminals for providing charging instructions to a battery charger.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the temperature sensing device is a thermistor.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the temperature sensing device is a capacitor.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor is disposed between the third and fourth terminals.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein the charger selects a charging process dependent upon the battery identification device.

10. A system comprising:

a charger; and

a battery pack comprising a processor for providing charging instructions to the charger, said battery pack being removably attached to the charger.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the battery pack comprises:

first, second, third and fourth terminals for connection to the charger;

at least one cell disposed between the first and second terminals;

a temperature sensing device disposed between the first and third terminals, for providing a signal corresponding to temperature of the at least one cell; and

a battery identification device disposed between the first and fourth terminals for identifying the battery pack.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the temperature sensing device is a thermistor.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the temperature sensing device is a capacitor.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the battery identification device is a resistor.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is disposed between at least two of the terminals.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is disposed between the third and fourth terminals.

17. A battery pack comprising a processor for providing charging instructions to a charger.

18. The battery pack of claim 17, further comprising:

first, second, third and fourth terminals;

at least one cell disposed between the first and second terminals;

a temperature sensing device disposed between the first and third terminals, for providing a signal corresponding to temperature of the at least one cell; and

a battery identification device disposed between the first and fourth terminals for identifying the battery pack.

19. The battery pack of claim 18, wherein the temperature sensing device is a thermistor.

20. The battery pack of claim 18, wherein the temperature sensing device is a capacitor.

21. The battery pack of claim 18, wherein the battery identification device is a resistor.

22. The battery pack of claim 18, wherein the processor is disposed between at least two of the terminals.

23. The battery pack of claim 18, wherein the processor is disposed between the third and fourth terminals.