Patent ID: 6222343
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
A battery charger comprising:a battery charging circuit electrically connectable to a power source and to a battery and operable to charge the battery, said circuit including power switch means operable to provide power from the power source to charge the battery; andcontrol means for operating the circuit, said control means being electrically connected to said circuit and providing a control signal to said power switch means to control said power switch means, the power source, the battery, said power switch means and said control means being electrically connectable by said circuit so that, when one of the power source, the battery, said power switch means and said control means malfunctions, said circuit does not operate to charge the battery;wherein said charger is operable to charge a first type of battery and a second type battery, the chemistry of the first type of battery being different from the chemistry of the second type of battery, and wherein said circuit firther includes means for identifying a type of battery connected to said circuit, said identifying means outputting an identification signal to said control means, said identification signal being related to the type of battery connected to said circuit;wherein the first type of battery has a first thermistor value, wherein the second type of battery has a second thermistor value, and wherein said identifying means includes a thermistor sense circuit for sensing a thermistor value of a battery connected to said circuit, said thermistor sense circuit outputting the identification signal to said control means, said identification signal being related to the thermistor value of the battery connected to said circuit.