Abstract: In a battery charging device 10 capable of detecting abnormalities in cells comprising batteries through a simple arrangement and terminating charge accordingly, cell temperature information Ta and cell temperature information Tb in charging operation within respective blocks A and B are detected through temperature sensors TM1, TM2 and a temperature detecting portion 38 incorporated in a battery package 50, the cell temperature information Ta of block A and cell temperature information Tb of block B are compared through a comparing/determining portion 35 wherein upon determining that temperature difference information Tdf is exceeding reference information for comparison Tref, instructions for terminating charging operations are sent from a control portion 36 to a charge current controlling portion 34 assuming that abnormalities have occurred in the cells comprising the block A or block B during charging operations.

Abstract: A temperature rise pattern is retrieved from charging time based on the difference between a battery temperature at the beginning of battery charge and a target temperature value which a battery is intended to reach (in S116). The battery is charged while adjusting a current value so that a temperature rise value becomes the temperature rise pattern (in S118 and S120). Thus, by optimizing the temperature rise pattern, it is possible to charge the battery so that the temperature at the time of the completion of battery charge becomes the target temperature value (the lowest temperature value).

Abstract: Connecting to a home page via the Internet, selecting the mode of use of the battery desired by the user, downloading the charging characteristics which match the selected mode of use, and reading the charging characteristics into a EEPROM of charging device 30. Because of this, the optimal charging characteristics can be matched with the desires of the user and read into the EEPROM of the charging device.

Abstract: Control portion (26) of battery charger (10), for example, may control power source circuit (24) upon receipt of instructions from control portion (41) of adapter (30). Based upon these instructions, adapter (30) can enable charging operations for battery pack (50B) that does not have a memory storing charging parameters and/or information. Moreover, battery charger (10) also may be designed to charge a battery pack (50B) even though battery charger (10) was not originally designed to charge battery pack (50B). Adapter (30) also may enable charging operations for battery pack (50) that contains memory (61) storing charging parameters and/or battery identification information. In this case, adapter (30) can read information stored in memory (61) and generate optimal charging instructions based upon a charging program stored in control portion (41).

Abstract: Charge is performed while restricting rises in temperature of batteries by maintaining the rise in temperature constant, and charge is terminated when the current value becomes not more than a specified value indicating completion of charge, when the temperature keeps on rising beyond a specified temperature rising value also by decreasing the current value, or when the battery temperature has increased beyond the target temperature value to be reached at the time of completion of charge by not less than a specified value, since charge has already been completed; in this manner, full charge may be appropriately detected so that 100% charge may be performed without causing excessive charge.

Abstract: Hysteresis is stored when charge has been started in a condition in which the battery temperature is high and the capacity is large; upon judging whether such charge has been frequently performed, if it has been judged that the frequency is high, a pattern 4 is selected in which charge is performed by decreasing the current value; with this arrangement, batteries may be used for a long period by decreasing the charge current even if the user should repeatedly perform charge in conditions in which the temperature is high and the residue capacity large through which the life of batteries is shortened.

Abstract: In a battery charging device 10 capable of detecting abnormalities in cells comprising batteries through a simple arrangement and terminating charge accordingly, cell temperature information Ta and cell temperature information Tb in charging operation within respective blocks A and B are detected through temperature sensors TM1, TM2 and a temperature detecting portion 38 incorporated in a battery package 50, the cell temperature information Ta of block A and cell temperature information Tb of block B are compared through a comparing/determining portion 35 wherein upon determining that temperature difference information Tdf is exceeding reference information for comparison Tref, instructions for terminating charging operations are sent from a control portion 36 to a charge current controlling portion 34 assuming that abnormalities have occurred in the cells comprising the block A or block B during charging operations.

Abstract: A battery charger and a charging method capable of charging a battery for a short period of time while suppressing battery temperature from rising. The current temperature of the battery is detected (in step S12) and a temperature rise is calculated from the detected temperature (in step S14). An allowable current map is then retrieved from the detected temperature and the obtained temperature rise, an allowable current with which the battery can be charged while suppressing battery temperature from rising is obtained (in step S16) and the battery is charged with the allowable current (in step S20). Since the allowable current which the battery can be charged with, while suppressing battery temperature from rising is retrieved using the map which the allowable current is mapped, based on battery temperature and battery temperature rise, and charging current is controlled, it is possible to charge the battery for a short period of time while suppressing battery temperature from rising.

Abstract: A map is retrieved based on a battery temperature, a temperature rise value and an allowable current value, with which a battery can be charged while battery temperature rise is being suppressed, is obtained and the battery is charged with the allowable current value. By doing so, it is possible to charge a nickel metal hydride battery cell which temperature tends to rise during battery charge in a short time without causing deterioration due to temperature rise. This battery charger makes determinations after dividing the battery. Due to this, compared with a case of simultaneously determining all battery cells, it is possible to accurately determine the completion of charge.

Abstract: A temperature rise pattern is retrieved from charging time based on the difference between a battery temperature at the beginning of battery charge and a target temperature value which a battery is intended to reach (in S116). The battery is charged while adjusting a current value so that a temperature rise value becomes the temperature rise pattern (in S118 and S120). Thus, by optimizing the temperature rise pattern, it is possible to charge the battery so that the temperature at the time of the completion of battery charge becomes the target temperature value (the lowest temperature value).

Abstract: A battery charger and a charging method capable of charging a battery for a short period of time while suppressing the battery temperature from rising, by incorporating in the battery charger memory a look-up table for mapping an allowable value of current with which the battery can be charged based on a battery temperature and a battery temperature rise only. The current temperature of the battery is detected (in step S12) and a temperature rise is calculated from the detected temperature (in step S14). An allowable current map is then retrieved from the detected temperature and the obtained temperature rise, an allowable current with which the battery can be charged while suppressing battery temperature from rising is obtained (in step S16) and the battery is charged with the allowable current (in step S20).

Abstract: A map is retrieved based on a battery temperature and a temperature rise value (in a step S40) and an allowable current value, with which a battery can be charged while battery temperature rise is being suppressed, is obtained and the battery is charged with the allowable current value (in a step S42). By doing so, it is possible to charge a nickel metal hydride battery in a short time without causing deterioration due to temperature rise. If it is determined that a battery state is not in a final charging period from the change of battery voltage (‘Yes’ in a step S30), a change in temperature is corrected (in a step S34) and a relatively high allowable current value is thereby obtained from the map (in a step S40). That is, before the final charging period, battery charge can be completed in a short time by applying high current without switching current values for adjustment purposes.

Abstract: An controlling apparatus for a double deck elevator is disclosed. An allocation control unit (5), when a predetermined specified floor is registered in an elevator hall call registering unit (4) in a double operation mode, makes both of upper and lower cages of each double deck elevator respond thereto. Each cage call registering unit (9) is capable of registering a cage call to both of the upper and lower cages in the double operation mode as far as the specified floor is concerned. An operation control unit (8) in each elevator controls operations of the upper and lower cages to respond to the elevator hall call to the specified floor which is allocated by the allocation control unit (5) and to a cage call to the specified floor which is registered in the cage call registering unit (9).

Abstract: A battery charger determines the completion of battery charge based on a battery temperature and a temperature rise value. In determination, if the battery temperature and the battery rise temperature belong to a region in the map, which tends to occur at the beginning of a final charging period (`In` in a step S334), a low count value "1" is added to a counter (in a step S336). If they belong to a region which tends to occur at the end of the final charging period (`In` in a step S340), a high count value "3" is added to the counter (in a step S340). If the sum of the count values exceeds a set value, completion of battery charge is determined (`High` in a step S348). That is, if temperature rise is large and the temperature rise remains large even with the charging current value being lowered, then a high count value is added to the counter.

Abstract: A battery charger and a charging method capable of charging a battery for a short period of time while suppressing battery temperature from rising. The current temperature of the battery is detected (in step S12) and a temperature rise is calculated from the detected temperature (in step S14). An allowable current map is then retrieved from the detected temperature and the obtained temperature rise, an allowable current with which the battery can be charged while suppressing battery temperature from rising is obtained (in step S16) and the battery is charged with the allowable current (in step S20). Since the allowable current which the battery can be charged with, while suppressing battery temperature from rising is retrieved using the map which the allowable current is mapped, based on battery temperature and battery temperature rise, and charging current is controlled, it is possible to charge the battery for a short period of time while suppressing battery temperature from rising.