Patent ID: 7023175
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
1. A multiple cell battery charger comprising: a regulator for receiving a predetermined input voltage and supplying a regulated supply of DC voltage at its output; at least one charging circuit, each charging circuit configured to charge one or more battery cells, said charging circuit electrically coupled to said regulator comprising: a first pair of terminals for coupling to a first battery cell defining a first pocket; a second pair of terminals for coupling to a second battery cell defining a second pocket; a size detection resistor serially coupled to said second pair of battery terminals, said first pocket and said serial combination of said size detection resistor and said second pair of battery terminals coupled together in parallel defining a parallel combination; a switching device, which forms a part of said charging circuit, serially coupled to said parallel combination for selectively connecting and disconnecting said parallel combination to said charging circuit; and a microprocessor operatively coupled to said first and second pairs of terminals for monitoring the voltage applied to said pairs of terminals and selectively controlling the switching device to determine which pockets are populated with battery cells and electronically determining their sizes.