Device for charging a battery using a photovoltaic cell, and timepiece comprising same
US5959432A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/56
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device for charging a battery (11), comprising a photovoltaic cell power source (8) of which the output voltage (USC) is lower than the voltage (VDD) across the terminals of the battery. Said output voltage is raised by a voltage multiplier (26) controlled by a static unit (27) depending on the two respective voltage levels. The source may advantageously comprise a single cell (8). In a timepiece provided with said charging device, the static control unit (27) can also cut off the power supply to display means (13, 23) and time-keeping circuits (21, 22) when the voltage of the battery (11) is too low. The voltage multiplier may use the motor coil (13) of the display means or any other coil used in the timepiece.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.