Patent ID: 7923967
Filing Date: 2011-04-12
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling a charge current of a battery pack comprising a rechargeable battery, a control circuit that controls a charge operation of the rechargeable battery, and a charge control element controlled by the control circuit so as to control the charge current, the method comprising: controlling the charge control element with the control circuit so that the charge control element is turned ON in the charge operation; detecting the charge current of the rechargeable battery in the charge operation and measuring a detection time using the control circuit; controlling the charge control element with the control circuit so that the charge control element turns OFF, if the control circuit determines that an abnormality occurs based on the charge current and the detection time; and while the charge control element is OFF, stopping a charge current supply, when the control circuit determines that a non-charge abnormality has occurred, wherein (i) the control circuit determines that the non-charge abnormality has occurred when the charge current detected is greater than or equal to a first predetermined current value for a first predetermined time period, and (ii) the control circuit determines that the non-charge abnormality has occurred when the charge current detected is less than the first predetermined current value and not less than a second predetermined current value for a second predetermined time period longer than the first predetermined time period.