Patent ID: 6646414
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: H01M,H02J,Y02E

Abstract:
A method of differentiating rechargeable battery packs by a battery pack charger, the method comprising:providing the battery pack charger with an inner housing for accepting a rechargeable battery pack, a door to enclose an opening into the inner housing and a safety switch mechanism responsive to operation of the door, and one or more key tabs; providing a rechargeable battery pack, the rechargeable battery pack having one or more key slots; inserting the rechargeable battery pack into the battery pack charger; and closing the door of the battery pack charger on the rechargeable battery pack and determining if the one or more key tabs mate and engage with the one or more key slots in the rechargeable battery pack to further determine if the safety switch mechanism should switch on in response to the door being closed and cause the battery pack charger to charge the rechargeable battery pack.