US4387332A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for successively charging rechargeable batteries
Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
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Filing: 1981-01-26
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Granted: 1983-06-07
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Expires: 2001-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A charging apparatus charges a plurality of rechargeable batteries individually and in succession. Each of the plurality of rechargeable batteries is coupled to one corresponding charging branch. The charging apparatus comprises a charging completion detecting circuit for detecting a charging completion of a rechargeable battery now in a charging operation, a high voltage detecting circuit for detecting an abnormal voltage of a charging branch now in a charging operation, wherein single pulse is generated responsive to the outputs of the charging completion detecting circuit and the abnormal voltage detecting circuit. A charging branch being connected to the charging voltage source is selectively and automatically switched responsive to the above described single pulse. Furthermore, the charging completion detecting circuit and the abnormal voltage detecting circuit are reset to an initial state responsive to the above described single pulse.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenji Oyamada
- 👤 Kotaro Matsuura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:15
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/50; H02J7/575
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
An apparatus for charging a plurality of rechargeable batteries of the type having a charging voltage characteristic which exhibits an increase until a peak shortly before a fully charged state is reached and thereafter exhibits a gradual decrease until a fully charged state is reached, comprising: a plurality of charging branches, each including one of said plurality of rechargeable batteries; a charging voltage source for supplying a charging current to each of said rechargeable battery through each of said charging branch; charging state detecting means coupled to said rechargeable battery in a charging operation for detecting a charging state of said rechargeable battery wherein said charging state detecting means includes charging completion detecting means for detecting a charging completion state of said rechargeable battery responsive to said charged voltage of said rechargeable battery, said charging completion detection means comprises: associated voltage providing means coupled to said rechargeable battery in a charging operation for providing a voltage associated with a terminal voltage of said rechargeable battery in a charging operation, voltage storage means for storing a voltage lower by a predetermined voltage than said associated voltage corresponding to said peak of said charging voltage characteristic said lower voltage being based on said associated voltage from said associated voltage providing means, and comparing means for comparing said stored voltage in said voltage storing means and said associated voltage from said associated voltage providing means after said peak of said charging voltage characteristic is reached; automatic switching means responsive to the output of said charging state detecting means for selectively and automatically switching said charging branches being supplied with said charging current from said charging voltage source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
274 words
An apparatus for charging a plurality of rechargeable batteries of the type having a charging voltage characteristic which exhibits an increase until a peak shortly before a fully charged state is reached and thereafter exhibits a gradual decrease until a fully charged state is reached, comprising: a plurality of charging branches, each including one of said plurality of rechargeable batteries; a charging voltage source for supplying a charging current to each of said rechargeable battery through each of said charging branch; charging state detecting means coupled to said rechargeable battery in a charging operation for detecting a charging state of said rechargeable battery wherein said charging state detecting means includes charging completion detecting means for detecting a charging completion state of said rechargeable battery responsive to said charged voltage of said rechargeable battery, said charging completion detection means comprises: associated voltage providing means coupled to said rechargeable battery in a charging operation for providing a voltage associated with a terminal voltage of said rechargeable battery in a charging operation, voltage storage means for storing a voltage lower by a predetermined voltage than said associated voltage corresponding to said peak of said charging voltage characteristic said lower voltage being based on said associated voltage from said associated voltage providing means, and comparing means for comparing said stored voltage in said voltage storing means and said associated voltage from said associated voltage providing means after said peak of said charging voltage characteristic is reached; automatic switching means responsive to the output of said charging state detecting means for selectively and automatically switching said charging branches being supplied with said charging current from said charging voltage source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 1, which further comprises abnormal voltage detecting means for detecting an abnormal voltage of said charging branch newly switched to receive said charging current from said charging voltage source by means of said automatic switching means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 2, which further comprises switching means responsive to the output of said abnormal voltage detecting means for switching said charging branch being supplied with said charging current from said charging voltage source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 2 or 3, wherein said abnormal voltage detecting means comprises abnormal high voltage detecting means for detecting that an abnormal high voltage is generated in said charging branch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said automatic switching means is adapted to be responsive to the output of said abnormal voltage detecting means for automatically switching said charging branch being supplied with said charging current from said charging voltage source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 2, which further comprises second reset means responsive to said switching by said automatic switching means for resetting said abnormal voltage detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 2 or 6, wherein said abnormal voltage detecting means comprises abnormal low voltage detecting means for detecting that an abnormal voltage is generated in said charging branch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 1, which further comprises pulse generating means responsive to the output of said charging state detecting means for generating single pulse, and wherein said automatic switching means is adapted to be responsive to said single pulse from said pulse generating means for making said switching operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 8, which further comprises first resetting means responsive to said single pulse from said pulse generating means for resetting said charged state detecting means to an initial state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein said pulse generating means is adapted to be responsive to the output from said comparing means for generating said single pulse.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein said first reset means is adapted to reset said voltage storing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 11, which further comprises second reset means responsive to said single pulse obtained from said pulse generating means for resetting said abnormal voltage detecting means to an initial state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said charging completion detecting means is commonly employed for said plurality of charging branches, and which further comprises automatic connection means responsive to switching of said automatic switching means for automatically connecting said charging completion detecting means to said charging branch which was selected to be supplied with said charging current from said charging voltage source among said plurality of charging branches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 12, which further comprises reset means responsive to switching of said automatic switching means for resetting said charging state detecting means to an initial state.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said reset means comprises pulse generating means responsive to said switching of said automatic switching means for generating single pulse, and said charging state detecting means is adapted to be reset responsive to said single pulse.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein said pulse generating means being adapted to be responsive to the output of said comparing means for generating said single pulse.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 14, 15, or 16, which further comprises delay means for delaying a predetermined time period said resetting of said charging state detecting means by said resetting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
77 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 8, 9, 10 or 11, which further comprises abnormal voltage detecting means for detecting an abnormal voltage of said charging branch newly switched to be supplied with said charging current from said charging voltage source, the output of said abnormal voltage detecting means being applied to said pulse generating means, said pulse generating means being responsive to the output of said abnormal voltage generating means for generating said single pulse.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 18, wherein said abnormal voltage detecting means comprises abnormal high voltage detecting means for detecting that an abnormal high voltage is generated in said charging branch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 18, wherein said abnormal voltage detecting means comprises abnormal low voltage detecting means for detecting that an abnormal low voltage is generated in said charging branch.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
78 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 18, wherein said abnormal voltage detecting means comprises abnormal high voltage detecting means for detecting that an abnormal high voltage is generated in said charging branch, and abnormal low voltage detecting means for detecting that an abnormal low voltage is generated in said charging branch, the output of said abnormal high voltage detecting means and the output of said abnormal low voltage detecting means being applied to said pulse generating means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 8, which further comprises initializing means for initializing said automatic switching means, and third reset means responsive to said intialization by said initializing means for resetting said charging state detecting means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
A charging apparatus in accordance with claim 22, which further comprises abnormal voltage detecting means for detecting an abnormal voltage in said charging branch newly switched to be supplied with said charging current from said charging voltage source, said third reset means being responsive to said initialization by said initializing means for resetting said abnormal voltage detecting means to an initial state.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-06 | 1986-12-06 | 1987-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-06 | 1990-12-06 | 1991-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-06 | 1994-12-06 | 1995-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |