Patent ID: 6710577
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: H01M,H02J,Y02E

Abstract:
A battery charger for simultaneously charging a plurality of rechargeable batteries, each battery having a reference test current It amperes as defined in paragraph 2 of IEC Standard 61434:1996, that is It&it;A=Cn&it;A&it;â€ƒ&it;h1&it;â€ƒ&it;hwhereIt is the reference test current, in amperes (A); Cn is the rated capacity of the cell or battery as declared by the manufacturer, in ampere-hours (Ah); n is the time base (hours) for which the rated capacity is declared, the charger comprisinga base, a charging circuit contained within the base and connectable to a power supply, the base including means for individually mounting thereon a plurality of rechargeable batteries, the mounting means for each battery including contacts connected to the charging circuit for contacting the terminals of the battery for passage of a charging current through the battery, wherein the mounting means for each battery are located relative to the base and to each other such that a plurality of batteries mounted on the base are substantially exposed and spaced apart whereby the plurality of batteries are chargeable without over-heating with an average charging current greater than 1.0 It and up to about 2.0 It.