Patent ID: 6067101
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: G01R,H01M,H02J,Y02E

Abstract:
A charger apparatus for charging a rechargeable battery, said apparatus comprising:supply means for supplying electric power to the battery to charge the battery;first detecting means for detecting a voltage of the electric power supplied by said supply means;first determining means for determining whether the voltage detected by said first detecting means is more than a first predetermined voltage after commencement of charging the battery;first interrupting means for interrupting supplying of the electric power to the battery by said supply means in case said first determining means determines that the voltage detected by said first detecting means is less than the first predetermined voltage;time counting means for performing time counting for a predetermined time after commencement of charging the battery in case said first determining means determines that the voltage detected by said first detecting means is more than the first predetermined voltage, the predetermined time being a time shorter than that required to terminate charging of the battery;second detecting means for detecting a voltage of the battery after counting of the predetermined time by said time counting means;second determining means for determining whether the voltage detected by said second detecting means is more than a second predetermined voltage lower than the first predetermined voltage;second interrupting means for interrupting supplying of the electric power to the battery by said supply means in case said second determining means determines that the voltage detected by said second detecting means is less than the second predetermined voltage; andmeans for continuing supplying of the electric power to the battery in case said second determining means determines that the voltage detected by said second detecting means is more than the second predetermined voltage.