Battery charger for an electronic device and a spare battery
US5721481A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 1996 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J7/0013
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is a battery charger that can be connected in series to a power feed line, which lies between an external power source and an electric/electronic device, and that monitors the power consumption state of the electric/electronic device and begins and halts the charging of a battery in consonance with the power consumption state. Since a battery charger according to the present invention can be inserted in series into a power feed line that lies between an AC/DC adaptor and an electric/electronic device, the wiring arrangement is not complicated and a spare battery can be automatically charged. Since the charging is performed only during a period in which power consumption by the electric/electronic device is relatively low, the charging operation does not affect the system operation. As the battery charger does not require AC to DC conversion circuit, it is compact and light and is suitable for use along with a portable device. Further, when the spare battery pack is carried with being attached into the battery charger, the volume is not great, and as the terminal portions of the battery are covered and are protected from coming into contact with foreign conductive material…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.