Abstract: An electronic device (21) switches its operation mode in accordance with the type of an installed battery pack (22). The battery pack (22) has a regulator (222), a specification-discriminating terminal (TJ), and a resistor (224), connected between the regulator (222) and the specification-discriminating terminal (TJ) and having a resistance corresponding to the specification of the incorporated battery (221). The electronic device (21) has a monitor resistor (214) connected between a terminal (TL) connected to the specification-discriminating terminal (TJ) of the battery pack (22) and ground, a discriminating circuit (212, 215, 216) for detecting a monitor voltage generated across this monitor resistor (214) to discriminate the specification of the battery (221), and a switch controller (212, 219) for switching the operation mode in accordance with the specification discriminated by the discriminating circuit (212, 215, 216).

Abstract: A method of controlling charge or discharge of a battery for an electric vehicle comprises the steps of, dividing a battery into a plurality of blocks each composed of a plurality of cells for constituting the battery in all, detecting terminal voltages (V.sub.n) of the divided blocks, respectively to obtain a difference (V.sub.max -V.sub.min) in voltage between a maximum value and a minimum value from among the detected terminal voltages of the respective divided blocks, and controlling the charge or discharge of the battery on the basis of the obtained difference in voltage between the maximum and minimum values of the terminal voltages of the divided blocks. In practice, when the voltage difference (V.sub.max -V.sub.min) between the maximum value and the minimum value is equal to or higher than a specified value (V.sub.Kc, V.sub.

Abstract: A battery safety device and circuit which prevents detrimental effect from the three most common battery faults generally encountered, excessive heat generation, voltage reversal and short circuit problems. The device includes fast acting circuits which latch the battery in the off state until reset by removal of the load, thereby preventing continued cycling of the battery between on and off states. The safety device includes a gating transistor such as a MOSFET (metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor) switch, a latching timer (RC circuit) and a latching circuit having a transistor which turns on when a charge is 0.5 volts or greater. The safety device further comprises one or more sensor switches triggered by predetermined thermal, pressure, etc., conditions, with the switches being outside the circuit (and not affected by circuit conditions) and adapted to provide a latching voltage to the gating transistor under a detected untoward condition.

Abstract: A battery charger adapter (100) has a housing receptacle (102) formed as a battery for a cellular telephone. The housing receptacle (102) has a recessed portion (104) formed in a base surface (106) of the housing receptacle (102) for receiving a battery pack (200) to be charged, at least one holding clip (108, 110) for securing the battery pack (200) in the recessed portion (104), an electrical coupler (112) for coupling the battery pack (200) to the housing receptacle (102) and an access port (114), coupled to the electrical coupler (112), for electrically coupling the housing receptacle (102) to a charger for enabling the battery pack (200) to be charged in the battery charger adapter (100).

Abstract: A power supply for a rechargeable battery in a portable computer system is disclosed which adjusts the level of charging current depending upon the current drawn by the portable computer system. The power supply includes an AC adapter which supplies input current for operating the computer system and for charging the battery. Sensors are connected to the AC adapter, the battery, and an output of the power supply to detect the level of input current from the AC adapter, the level of charging current supplied to the battery, and the output voltage level of the power supply. A controller is connected to each of the sensors and monitors the input current level, the charging current level, and the output voltage level. The controller generates a control signal which indicates whether any one of the levels has exceeded a respective predetermined maximum value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for terminating the charging of a battery, in which a certain decrease in the battery voltage is detected when the battery is fully charged and the charge begins to decrease. With the invention it is possible to prevent battery overcharge reliably and efficiently. The solution can be applied to the charging of both Ni--Cd and Ni--MH batteries with a same charger and/or same charge control program.

Abstract: A charge current to be supplied to a battery is selected depending on a remaining capacity of the battery to be charged and/or an initial temperature of the battery to be charged. A battery voltage or a battery temperature is being monitored and sampled at a relevant sampling interval determined depending on the selected charge current. A difference between two battery voltages or between two battery temperatures at two sampling points is sequentially computed and whether or not the battery has reached a fully charged condition is determined based on the computed results.

Abstract: In a charging control method and apparatus which can improve the operating efficiency of a power generation system and prolong the service life of an accumulation unit, a short-circuit switch is closed, and a current generated in a solar cell is charged in the accumulation unit in a charging state. With this charging, the terminal voltage of the accumulation unit rises. This voltage is detected by a detection unit and is loaded into a control unit. When the detected voltage rises to a predetermined voltage, the short-circuit switch is closed by a short-circuit control signal. The output current from the solar cell is then discharged to the ground, and charging is stopped. In this state, the control unit determines the connected state of a load from an output signal from the detection unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of charging a battery of an electric vehicle through inductive coupling between a primary inductive device having a core and a primary coil connected to a power source and a secondary inductive device having a core and a secondary coil connected to the battery are disclosed. The primary inductive device is provided on a movable arm of a ground charger unit and the secondary inductive device is mounted on the bottom of the vehicle adjacent its rear end. The power source supplies to the primary coil selectively a charging current and a check current. When the check current is supplied to the primary coil, an electromotive force is induced in the secondary coil which varies with a change of the relative position between the primary and secondary inductive devices. The variation in the induced electromotive force causes a change of the check current flowing in the primary coil.

Abstract: A charging method of and a charging apparatus for charging a nonaqueous electrolytic battery such as a lithium primary battery including a positive pole active material, negative pole active material of a lightweight metal and nonaqueous electrolyte. The charging is carried out at a predetermined electric current per time of 2 .mu.C-5 mC only when the residue capacity of the nonaqueous electrolytic battery is in a range of 5-95%.

Abstract: Based on the difference between a battery voltage immediately after the battery is left to stand and the battery voltage upon elapse of the period of time after the battery has been left to stand, it is determined whether the battery has been in a charge mode or a discharge mode immediately before the battery is left to stand. If the battery has been in the charge mode, then a residual capacity is determined from the battery voltage at a predetermined time. When the battery is being discharged, then a maximum battery output is calculated based on a discharge current.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying the residual capacity of a battery includes a temperature indicator composed of a linear array of spaced light-emitting elements for displaying the temperature of the battery by way of light emitted from a succession of those of the light-emitting elements which correspond to the temperature of the battery detected by a temperature detector, a fully charged capacity indicator composed of a linear array of spaced light-emitting elements for displaying the fully charged capacity of the battery in association with the displayed temperature of the battery by way of light emitted from one of the light-emitting elements which is in a position corresponding to the fully charged capacity obtained based on the temperature of the battery, and a residual capacity indicator composed of a linear array of spaced light-emitting elements for displaying the residual capacity of the battery in association with the fully charged capacity by way of light emitted from a succession of those of the light

Abstract: A portable device such as a bar-code reader employing a dual battery control system whereby an auxiliary battery powers the portable device until a primary battery is automatically connected to continue powering the portable device is disclosed. The portable device employs an electrical interface means which operatively connects with an interface means of a holster in which the portable device is placed. The holster comprises some or all of the circuitry necessary to properly control first and second switch means which connect or disconnect the primary and auxiliary batteries from the electronic load of the portable device.

Abstract: A battery protection circuit for protecting a battery is proposed. The circuit includes a detecting circuit for detecting a battery condition and producing a detected voltage in relation to the battery condition, a comparator comparing the detected voltage with a given voltage, and a switching circuit controlling a connection between the battery and electrical elements. In the battery protection circuit, when the comparator determines that the battery needs to be protected from the battery condition, the switching circuit turns off to disconnect the battery from the electrical elements.

Abstract: A charging device for charging a rechargeable battery including a current supplier for supplying charging current to a battery having an initial temperature at the beginning of the supply of charging current, a selector for selecting an end temperature based on a temperature range the initial temperature is in and a current terminator for terminating the supply of charging current when a battery reaches the end temperature. A rechargeable battery including a strain gauge having a temperature coefficient differing from a temperature coefficient of the battery housing is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of charging a carbon-anode lithium storage cell, which method comprises a first step in which a constant current is imposed and during which the voltage across said storage cell is allowed to increase until it reaches a reference value, and then a second step in which said reference voltage is imposed and said current decreases. The method of the invention is characterized in that, at each instant, said reference voltage is equal to the sum of the end-of-charge voltage of the cell plus the product of the current multiplied by the ohmic resistance of the cell.

Abstract: An improved hand-held data terminal is provided. A sensing circuit senses the presence of rechargeable batteries. A rechargeable battery pack can be used in the hand-held data terminal. The battery pack can include a short circuit element. The short circuit element comes into contact with the hand-held data terminal when the rechargeable battery pack is assembled with the hand-held data terminal. The short circuit element, when in contact with the hand-held data terminal, serves to indicate the presence of the rechargeable battery pack and to thereby enable the recharging capabilities of the hand-held data terminal. A battery pack which does not contain the short circuit element cannot be recharged by the hand-held data terminal since the recharging circuit of the data terminal would remain in a disabled state. Further, the battery pack can be shaped asymmetrically so that it can only be assembled with the hand-held data terminal in an operational orientation.

Abstract: A battery charger which electronically discriminates between rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, and which charges only rechargeable NiCd batteries. This feature is made possible due to the variation in the internal resistances between various types of battery cells.

Abstract: A novel battery case for a portable terminal unit includes a first battery storage case monolithically integrated with the basic body of the portable terminal unit for accommodating two batteries within an opening thereof, the batteries being arrayed in parallel in one step. A second battery storage case in which two batteries can be set within an opening thereof, the batteries being arrayed in parallel in a separate step, is also provided. The second storage case can be mounted onto the basic body of the portable terminal unit so that the opening of the first battery storage case will be opposite to the opening of the second battery storage case.

Abstract: A non-contacting charging device is disclosed which performs charging in which electric power of a charger 1 is supplied without direct contact to a storage battery 210, and which includes in the charger 1 a primary coil 103 and circuits 104, 105 for supplying AC power to the primary coil, and also includes in the radio communication device having a storage battery 210, a secondary coil 212 that couples electromagnetically with the primary coil 103 and a circuit 211 for supplying the induced current power generated in the secondary coil to the storage battery as charging power. This device is provided with halt signal generating circuits 203, 209, and 214 for generating a halt signal that commands a halt of supply of AC power to the primary coil, and a halting circuit for halting supply of AC power to the primary coil in response to a halt signal, the halt signal generating circuit being provided in the radio communication device.