PATENT ABSTRACT
Disclosed is a charger for charging a rechargeable battery, comprising a control device and at least one electromechanical interface device for connecting at least one rechargeable battery to the charger and supplying a voltage to said battery. The interface device comprises at least a first terminal and a second terminal and can be set to at least one first position and to a second position; the first terminal can be used for charging a first rechargeable battery when the interface is in the first position, and the second terminal can be used for charging a second rechargeable battery when the interface is in the second position.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
[0001]    The present invention relates to a charging device for charging at least one rechargeable battery, containing at least one electromechanical interface device for connecting at least one rechargeable battery to the charging device and for supplying the rechargeable battery with a voltage, and a control device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Electric machine tools such as drill hammers, circular saws, angle grinders, or the like are often supplied with voltage with the aid of a rechargeable battery. The rechargeable batteries are generally configured in such a way that they may be connected to the machine tool and also detached again. The detachable connection between the rechargeable battery and the machine tool is used, among other things, to recharge a rechargeable battery, which has become depleted due to use of the machine tool, with voltage via a rechargeable battery charging device (also referred to as a rechargeable battery charger, or charger). After the rechargeable battery has been returned to a charged state with the aid of the charger, the rechargeable battery may be reconnected to the machine tool in order to once again supply it with voltage. The rechargeable battery undergoes high stress due to continued use and in particular due to frequent charging, so that after a certain period of time it no longer has its original capacity. Regularly replacing a highly stressed rechargeable battery with a new, more powerful battery is not an uncommon measure. However, since the machine tool and the charger do not necessarily also have to be replaced along with the rechargeable battery, the problem often arises that the new rechargeable battery is not identical to the old, i.e., original, rechargeable battery. As the result of development measures, it is possible that the new rechargeable battery includes a new electromechanical interface device which, although it is compatible with the machine tool, is incompatible with the original charger. 
         [0003]    In addition, it is possible that, as the result of such development measures for the rechargeable battery charger, a new charger that is intended to replace the original charger due to signs of wear is not compatible with an older rechargeable battery. 
         [0004]    This may result in an incompatibility problem between the rechargeable battery and the charger. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging device for charging a rechargeable battery, with which the compatibility between the rechargeable battery and the charger may be improved. 
         [0006]    A charging device for charging at least one rechargeable battery is provided, containing a control device and at least one electromechanical interface device for connecting at least one rechargeable battery to the charger and for supplying the rechargeable battery with a voltage. 
         [0007]    According to the present invention, it is provided that the interface device contains at least one first terminal point and one second terminal point, and the interface device is settable in at least one first position and one second position, the first terminal point being usable for charging a first rechargeable battery when the interface is set in the first position, and the second terminal point being usable for charging a second rechargeable battery when the interface is set in the second position. Thus, depending on the setting of the interface device, various types of rechargeable batteries may be charged by one charger, and consequently the compatibility between the rechargeable battery and the charger may be improved. 
         [0008]    According to another advantageous specific embodiment of the present invention, it may be possible for the first terminal point to contain a first number of terminal elements and the second terminal point to contain a second number of terminal elements, the first number of terminal elements corresponding to the number of contact elements of the first rechargeable battery, and the second number of terminal elements corresponding to the number of contact elements of the second rechargeable battery. The user of the charging device is thus shown, in a simple manner, at which terminal point of the interface device the rechargeable battery in question is to be connected. 
         [0009]    To ensure in a simple manner that a charging operation for an appropriately connected rechargeable battery is correctly carried out, according to another advantageous specific embodiment of the present invention it may be possible to select a first charging configuration for charging the first rechargeable battery when the interface device is set in the first position and the first rechargeable battery is connected to the first terminal point, and to select a second charging configuration for charging the second rechargeable battery when the interface device is set in the second position and the second rechargeable battery is connected to the second terminal point. 
         [0010]    According to another advantageous specific embodiment of the present invention, it may be possible for the interface device to contain a connection point with a number of connecting elements for connecting the interface device to the control device, the number of connecting elements corresponding to the larger number of terminal elements of the first or second terminal point. It may thus be ensured that the first terminal point is connectable to the connection point via a first number of terminal elements, and that the second terminal point is connectable to the connection point via a second number of terminal elements. 
         [0011]    According to another advantageous specific embodiment of the present invention, it may be possible for the interface device to contain a first connection point and a second connection point for connecting the interface device to the control device, the first connection point containing a first number of connecting elements and the second connection point containing a second number of connecting elements, the first number of connecting elements corresponding to the first number of terminal elements, and the second number of connecting elements corresponding to the second number of terminal elements. Due to using a first and second connection point, it is possible to use an electronics system having a relatively simple design for controlling the charging device, since, based on the particular connection of the first or second terminal point to the associated first or second connection point, there is already an unambiguous determination of the first or second position of the interface device, i.e., of the first or second rechargeable battery. The electronics system used for controlling the charging device may therefore be designed without a device for recognizing the first or second position of the interface device or for recognizing the particular first or second rechargeable battery connected to the interface device. 
         [0012]    According to another advantageous specific embodiment of the present invention, it may be possible for the first or second position of the interface device, and/or the first or second rechargeable battery, which is connected to the interface device, to be recognizable based on the number of connections between terminal elements and connecting elements. The recognition of the first or second position of the interface device, or the recognition of the particular first or second rechargeable battery connected to the interface device, may thus have a simple design. 
         [0013]    According to another advantageous specific embodiment of the present invention, it may be possible for at least one terminal element of the first terminal point and at least one terminal element of the second terminal point to be designed at least for receiving information concerning the first rechargeable battery and the second rechargeable battery at the charging device, so that, depending on the particular first or second rechargeable battery that is connected, a first charging configuration is settable for charging the first rechargeable battery, or a second charging configuration is settable for charging the second rechargeable battery. The particular rechargeable battery that is connected is thus easily capable of setting the particular appropriate charging configuration in the charger. 
         [0014]    To ensure preferably simple and reliable recognition of the interface device in the first or second position for the charger, according to another advantageous specific embodiment of the present invention it may be possible to provide at least one microswitch for recognizing whether the interface device is set in the first position or in the second position. The microswitch may be positioned, for example, between the interface device and a housing of the charging device. 
         [0015]    Further advantages result from the following description of the figures. Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the figures. The figures and the description contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also advantageously consider the features individually and combine them into further meaningful combinations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Similar and identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals in the figures. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a charging device according to the present invention according to a first specific embodiment, with an interface device in a first position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of the charging device according to the present invention according to the first specific embodiment, with the interface device in a second position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of the charging device according to the present invention according to a second specific embodiment, with the interface device in a first position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic view of the charging device according to the present invention according to the second specific embodiment, with the interface device in a second position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic view of the charging device according to the present invention according to a third specific embodiment, with the interface device in a first position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic view of the charging device according to the present invention according to the third specific embodiment, with the interface device in a second position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic view of the charging device according to the present invention according to a fourth specific embodiment, with the interface device in a first position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic view of the charging device according to the present invention according to the fourth specific embodiment, with the interface device in a second position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic view of the charging device according to the present invention according to a fifth specific embodiment, with the interface device in a first position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  shows a schematic view of the charging device according to the present invention according to the fifth specific embodiment, with the interface device in a second position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  shows a schematic view of the charging device according to the present invention according to a sixth specific embodiment, with the interface device in a first position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  shows a schematic view of the charging device according to the present invention according to the sixth specific embodiment, with the interface device in a second position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  shows a side view of the charging device according to the present invention according to a seventh specific embodiment, with the interface device in a first position, and a first rechargeable battery; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  shows a top view onto the charging device according to the present invention according to the seventh specific embodiment, with the interface device in a first position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  shows a side view of the charging device according to the present invention according to the seventh specific embodiment, with the interface device in a second position, and a second rechargeable battery; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  shows a top view onto the charging device according to the present invention according to the seventh specific embodiment, with the interface device in a second position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  shows a side view of the charging device according to the present invention according to an eighth specific embodiment, with the interface device in a first position, and a first rechargeable battery; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  shows a side view of the charging device according to the present invention according to the eighth specific embodiment, with the interface device in a second position, and a second rechargeable battery. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a charging device  1  according to the present invention for charging at least one rechargeable battery according to a first specific embodiment. 
         [0036]    Charging device  1  essentially contains a housing  2 , a control device  3 , an interface device  4 , a first microswitch  5 , a second microswitch  6 , and a power supply. The power supply is designed in the form of a power cable which may be connected to a power source (power socket). The power supply is not illustrated in the figures. 
         [0037]    Control device  3  is positioned in housing  2 . An electronics system for controlling and regulating charging device  1 , and in particular for controlling and regulating the charging operation for a rechargeable battery connected to charging device  1 , is stored on control device  3 . Control device  3  has a first charging configuration for charging a first rechargeable battery, and a second charging configuration for charging a second rechargeable battery. Control device  3  is designed in such a way that the first charging configuration is automatically selected and set when charging device  1  recognizes that the first rechargeable battery is connected to interface device  4 . In addition, the second charging configuration is selected and set when the charging device recognizes that the second rechargeable battery is connected to interface device  4 . 
         [0038]    For this purpose, interface device  4  is used for connecting at least one rechargeable battery to charging device  1 . Interface device  4  is designed in such a way that voltage, information, and data may be bidirectionally exchanged between charging device  1  and the particular rechargeable battery that is connected. 
         [0039]    Interface device  4  contains a first terminal point  15  and a second terminal point  16 . First terminal point  15  contains four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  and five connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d ,  17   e . Second terminal point  16  contains five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  and five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e . In first terminal point  15 , the four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  are connected to the five connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d ,  17   e  via four connecting lines  11   a ,  11   b ,  11   c ,  11   d . In second terminal point  16 , the five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  are connected to the five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e  via five connecting lines  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ,  12   e.    
         [0040]    In first terminal point  15 , the four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  are connected to the five connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d ,  17   e  in such a way that one connecting element  17   c  is not connected to one of the four connecting elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d . Terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  of first terminal point  15  are used for connection to the contact elements of a first rechargeable battery. Terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  of second terminal point  16  are used for connection to the contact elements of a second rechargeable battery. It is thus provided that a first rechargeable battery is connectable to first terminal point  15 , and a second rechargeable battery is connectable to second terminal point  16 . Neither the first nor the second rechargeable battery is shown in  FIGS. 1 through 12 . 
         [0041]    According to the first specific embodiment of charging device  1 , control device  3  contains a connection device  19  with five connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e , via which the five connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d ,  17   e  of first terminal point  15 , or the five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e  of second terminal point  16 , may be connected to control device  3 . 
         [0042]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , charging device  1  according to the first specific embodiment is designed in such a way that interface device  4  is settable in a first position or in a second position. Interface device  4  is in the first position in  FIG. 1 , and interface device  4  is in the second position in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , interface device  4  in the first position is configured in such a way that the five connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d ,  17   e  of first terminal point  15  are connected to the five connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e  of control device  3 . Thus, in the first position of interface device  4 , within first terminal point  15  there is a connection of the four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  to control device  3  via four of the five connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   d ,  17   e , so that a rechargeable battery connected to the four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  may be supplied with voltage via control device  3 . 
         [0044]    To bring interface device  4  from the first position into the second position, (according to the first specific embodiment of the charging device) interface device  4  is removed from housing  2  of charging device  1 , rotated 180° about axis N, and reattached to housing  2  of charging device  1 . In the first and second positions, interface device  4  is situated at the same location in housing  2  of charging device  1 , but in the first and second positions, interface device  4  is positioned in different orientations (rotated 180° about axis N) with respect to housing  2  of charging device  1 . As described below with reference to the further exemplary embodiments of charging device  1 , interface device  4  may be moved or brought from the first position into the second position in different ways. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , interface device  4  in the second position is oriented in such a way that the five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e  of second terminal point  16  are connected to the five connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e  of control device  3 . Thus, in the second position, in second terminal point  16  there is a connection of the five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  to control device  3  via the five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e , so that a rechargeable battery connected to the five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  may be supplied with voltage via control device  3 . 
         [0046]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , first microswitch  5  and second microswitch  6  are positioned in housing  2  of charging device  1  in such a way that interface device  4  activates first microswitch  5  when interface device  4  is in the first position, and activates second microswitch  6  when interface device  4  is in the second position. As a result of the particular activation of first or second microswitch  5 ,  6 , charging device  1  recognizes whether interface device  4  is in the first or second position. First and second microswitches  5 ,  6  are hereby appropriately connected to control device  3 . 
         [0047]    In addition, charging device  1  also recognizes, based on the number of connections between terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d ,  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  and connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d ,  17   e ,  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e , whether interface device  4  is in the first or second position. For this purpose, charging device  1  recognizes that middle connecting element  17   c  has no connection to a connecting element  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  of first terminal point  15  in the first position of interface device  4  (see  FIG. 1 ). Due to the connection of the four connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   d ,  17   e  to the four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d , and due to “free” (i.e., not connected) fifth connecting element  17   c , control device  3  recognizes that interface device  4  is in the first position, and that a first rechargeable battery is or may be connected to interface device  4 . When control device  3  recognizes that interface device  4  is in the first position, a first charging configuration for charging the first rechargeable battery is selected in control device  3 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a second specific embodiment of charging device  1 . Charging device  1  according to the second specific embodiment is essentially identical to charging device  1  according to the first specific embodiment. In  FIG. 3 , interface device  4  is in the first position, and in  FIG. 4 , interface device  4  is in the second position. In contrast to the first specific embodiment, charging device  1  according to the second specific embodiment is configured in such a way that interface device  4  may be reversibly brought from the first position into the second position by a displacement. For changing interface device  4  from the first position into the second position, interface device  4  is moved in direction A relative to housing  2  of charging device  1  (see  FIG. 3 ). For returning interface device  4  from the second position into the first position, interface device  4  is moved in direction B relative to housing  2  of charging device  1  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0049]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a third specific embodiment of charging device  1 . According to the third specific embodiment and in contrast to the first specific embodiment, interface device  4  is designed in the shape of a cube. Only a first side  14   a , a second side  14   b , a third side  14   c , and a fourth side  14   d  are illustrated in Figures and  6 . Interface device  4  contains a first terminal point  15 , a second terminal point  16 , a first connection point  17 , and a second connection point  18 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , first terminal point  15  is positioned on first side  14   a  of interface device  4 , designed as a cube. First connection point  17  is positioned on second side  14   b  of the cube. Second terminal point  16  is positioned on third side  14   d  of the cube. Second connection point  18  is positioned on third side  14   c  of the cube. First terminal point  15  contains four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d , and second terminal point  16  contains five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e . First connection point  17  contains four connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d , and second connection point  18  contains five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e . In addition, control device  3  according to the third specific embodiment contains a first connection device  19  and a second connection device  20 . First connection device  19  in turn contains four connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d , and second connection device  20  contains five connecting lines  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d ,  20   e . First connection device  19  is used for connecting interface device  4  to control device  3  via first connection point  17 . Second connection device  20  is used for connecting interface device  4  to control device  3  via second connection point  18 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  illustrates interface device  4  in the first position, whereby interface device  4 , designed as a cube, is oriented with respect to housing  2  of charging device  1  in such a way that first connection point  17  is connected to first connection device  19 . The four connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d  of first connection point  17  are connected to the four connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d  of first connection device  19 . The four connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d  are connected to the four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  via four connecting lines  11   a ,  11   b ,  11   c ,  11   d . When first connection point  17  is connected to first connection device  19 , charging device  1  or control device  3  recognizes that interface device  4  is in the first position, and that a first rechargeable battery is or may be connected to first terminal point  15 . As a result, the first charging configuration for charging the first rechargeable battery is selected and set in control device  3 . 
         [0051]    According to the third specific embodiment of charging device  1 , to move interface device  4 , designed as a cube, from the first position ( FIG. 5 ) into the second position ( FIG. 6 ), interface device  4  is removed from housing  2  of charging device  1 , appropriately rotated by 180° in arrow direction R, and reconnected to housing  2  of charging device  1  (compare  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  illustrates interface device  4  in the second position, whereby interface device  4 , designed as a cube, is oriented with respect to housing  2  of charging device  1  in such a way that second connection point  17  is connected to second connection device  20 . The five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e  of second connection point  18  are connected to the five connecting lines  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d ,  20   e  of second connection device  20 . The five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e  are connected to the five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  via five connecting lines  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ,  12   e . When second connection point  18  is connected to second connection device  20 , charging device  1  or control device  3  recognizes that interface device  4  is in the second position, and that a second rechargeable battery is or may be connected to second terminal point  16 . As a result, the second charging configuration for charging the second rechargeable battery is selected and set. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate a fourth specific embodiment of charging device  1 . According to the fourth specific embodiment and in contrast to the first specific embodiment, interface device  4  is likewise designed in the shape of a cube. 
         [0054]    Only a first side  14   a , a second side  14   b , a third side  14   c , and a fourth side  14   d  are illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Interface device  4  contains a first terminal point  15 , a second terminal point  16 , and a connection point  17 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , first terminal point  15  is positioned on first side  14   a  of interface device  4 , designed as a cube. Second terminal point  16  is positioned on second side  14   b  of the cube. Connection point  17  is positioned on third side  14   c  of the cube. According to the fourth specific embodiment, charging device  1  includes a control device  3  with only one connection device  19  together with five connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e . The five connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e  are connected to the five connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d ,  17   e  of connection point  17 . The connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d ,  17   e  are in turn connected to the four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  of first terminal point  15 , and to the five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  of second terminal point  16 , via corresponding connecting lines  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ,  12   e .  FIG. 7  shows interface device  4  in the first position, in which a first rechargeable battery may be connected to first terminal point  15 .  FIG. 8  shows interface device  4  in the second position, in which a second rechargeable battery may be connected to second terminal point  16 . To bring interface device  4  from the first position into the second position, interface device  4  must be detached from housing  2  of charging device  1  in order to be appropriately rotated by 180° and reconnected to housing  2  of charging device  1 . 
         [0055]    When interface device  4  is in the first position and a first rechargeable battery is connected to first terminal point  15 , control device  3  recognizes that the four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  of first terminal point  15  are connected to the four contact elements of the first rechargeable battery. Due to the connection of the four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  of first terminal point  15  to respective occupied connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e , control device  3  recognizes that a first rechargeable battery is connected to first terminal point  15 . As a result, the first charging configuration for charging the first rechargeable battery is selected and set in control device  3 . 
         [0056]    When interface device  4  is now in the second position and a second rechargeable battery is connected to second terminal point  16 , control device  3  recognizes that the five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  of second terminal point  16  are connected to the five contact elements of the second rechargeable battery. Due to the connection of the five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  of second terminal point  16  to respective occupied connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e , control device  3  recognizes that a second rechargeable battery is connected to second terminal point  16 . As a result, the second charging configuration for charging the second rechargeable battery is selected and set in control device  3 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate a fifth specific embodiment of charging device  1 . The fifth specific embodiment of charging device  1  is essentially identical to the first and second specific embodiments of charging device  1 . In contrast to the first and second specific embodiments, interface device  4  is designed in the shape of a cube. Only a first side  14   a , a second side  14   b , a third side  14   c , and a fourth side  14   d  are illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Control device  3  contains a connection device  19  with five connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e . Interface device  4  contains a first terminal point  15  with four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  and a second terminal point  16  with five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e . In addition, interface device  4  contains a first connection point  17  with four connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d  and a second connection point  18  with five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e . First terminal point  15  is positioned on second side  14   b  of the cube. Second terminal point  16  is positioned on fourth side  14   d  of the cube. First connection point  17  is positioned on third side  14   c  of the cube, and second connection point  18  is positioned on first side  14   a  of the cube. 
         [0058]      FIG. 9  shows interface device  4  in the first position, the four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  of first terminal point  15  being connected to the four connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d  of first connection point  17  via the four connecting lines  11   a ,  11   b ,  11   c ,  11   d . In the first position, only four of the five connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e  of connection device  19  are occupied. Connecting line  19   c  is not occupied. Due to only four of the five connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e  being occupied, control device  3  recognizes that interface device  4  is in the first position, and that a first rechargeable battery is or may be connected to first terminal point  15 . Based on the recognition of the first position and of the first rechargeable battery, a first charging configuration for charging the first rechargeable battery is selected and set in control device  3 . 
         [0059]    To change interface device  4  from the first position into the second position, interface device  4  must be detached from housing  2  of charging device  1 , rotated by 180° in arrow direction R, and reconnected to housing  2  of charging device  1 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 10  shows interface device  4  in the second position, the five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  of second terminal point  16  being connected to the five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e  of second connection point  18  via connecting lines  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ,  12   e . In the second position, the five connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e  of connection device  19  are occupied. Due to the five connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,  19   e  being occupied, control device  3  recognizes that interface device  4  is in the second position, and that a second rechargeable battery is or may be connected to second terminal point  16 . Based on the recognition of the second position and of the second rechargeable battery, a second charging configuration for charging the second rechargeable battery is selected and set in control device  3 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate a sixth specific embodiment of charging device  1 . The sixth specific embodiment of charging device  1  is essentially identical to the fifth specific embodiment of charging device  1 . Interface device  4  is designed in the shape of a cube. Only a first side  14   a , a second side  14   b , a third side  14   c , and a fourth side  14   d  are illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
         [0062]    In contrast to the fifth specific embodiment of charging device  1 , control device  3  of charging device  1  according to the sixth specific embodiment contains a first circuit board  21  with a first connection device  19  together with four connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d ,and a second circuit board  22  with a second connection device  20  together with five connecting lines  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d ,  20   e . First circuit board  21  contains a first charging configuration for charging a first rechargeable battery, and second circuit board  22  contains a second charging configuration for charging a second rechargeable battery. 
         [0063]    Interface device  4  according to the sixth specific embodiment is identical to interface device  4  according to the fifth specific embodiment. 
         [0064]    First connection device  19  is used for connecting first circuit board  21  to first connection point  17 , and second connection device  20  is used for connecting second circuit board  22  to second connection point  18 . The four connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d  of first connection point  17  are connected to the four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  of first terminal point  15  via the four connecting lines  11   a ,  11   b ,  11   c ,  11   d . The five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e  of second connection point  18  are connected to the five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  of second terminal point  16  via the five connecting lines  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ,  12   e.    
         [0065]    When interface device  4  is in the first position (see  FIG. 11 ), the four connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d  of first connection device  19  are connected to the four connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d  of first connection point  17 . The four connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d  are connected to the four terminal elements  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  of first terminal point  15  via the four connecting lines  11   a ,  11   b ,  11   c ,  11   d . A first rechargeable battery may now be connected to first terminal point  15 . When interface device  4  is in the first position, due to the four connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d  being occupied by the four connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d  of first connection point  17 , first circuit board  21  recognizes that interface device  4  is set in the first position, and that a first rechargeable battery is or may be connected to first terminal point  15 . As a result, the first charging configuration for charging the first rechargeable battery is activated in first circuit board  21  of control device  3 . 
         [0066]    According to the sixth specific embodiment of charging device  1 , to move interface device  4 , designed as a cube, from the first position ( FIG. 11 ) into the second position ( FIG. 12 ), interface device  4  is removed from housing  2  of charging device  1 , appropriately rotated by 180° in arrow direction R, and reconnected to housing  2  of charging device  1  (compare  FIG. 11  to  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0067]    When interface device  4  is now in the second position (see  FIG. 12 ), the five connecting lines  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d ,  20   e  of second connection device  20  are connected to the five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e  of second connection point  18 . The five connecting elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d ,  17   e  are connected to the five terminal elements  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  of second terminal point  16  via five connecting lines  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ,  12   e . A second rechargeable battery may now be connected to second terminal point  16 . When interface device  4  is in the second position, second circuit board  22 , based on the five connecting lines  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d ,  20   e  being occupied by the five connecting elements  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e  of second connection point  18 , recognizes that interface device  4  is set in the second position, and that a second rechargeable battery is or may be connected to second terminal point  16 . As a result, the second charging configuration for charging the second rechargeable battery is activated in second circuit board  22  of control device  3 . 
         [0068]    According to further specific embodiments which are not illustrated in the figures or described in greater detail, it is possible for interface device  4  of charging device  1  according to the third through sixth specific embodiments (see  FIGS. 5 through 12 ) to be designed not in the shape of a cube, but, rather, in any other suitable shape. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16  illustrate a seventh specific embodiment of charging device  1 , which is essentially identical to the sixth specific embodiment of charging device  1 . In  FIG. 13 , charging device  1  according to the seventh specific embodiment is shown, together with a first rechargeable battery  30 . In  FIG. 15 , charging device  1  according to the seventh specific embodiment is shown, together with a second rechargeable battery  40 . 
         [0070]    According to the seventh specific embodiment and in contrast to the sixth specific embodiment, interface device  4  has a cylindrical shape with an essentially circular cross-sectional area. 
         [0071]    Interface device  4  is reversible from the first position ( FIGS. 13, 14 ) to the second position ( FIGS. 15, 16 ), and is pivotable about axis P in direction R or R′ relative to housing  2  of charging device  1 . First terminal point  15  and second terminal point  16  are positioned on circumferential surface M of interface device  4 , designed as a cylinder, in such a way that first terminal point  15  is situated below second terminal point  16  in direction C. 
         [0072]    The connection of first terminal point  15  to first circuit board  21  of control device  3  via the four connecting lines  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c ,  17   d  and four connecting lines  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c ,  19   d , and the connection of second terminal point  16  to second circuit board  22  of control device  3  via the five connecting lines  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c ,  18   d ,  18   e  and five connecting lines  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d ,  20   e , correspond to the design in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
         [0073]    To connect a contact point  31  of first rechargeable battery  30  to first terminal point  15  of interface device  4 , interface device  4  is moved into the first position, and first rechargeable battery  30  is moved in direction D toward interface device  4  (see  FIG. 13 ). When contact point  31  of first rechargeable battery  30  is connected to first terminal point  15 , the first charging configuration for charging first rechargeable battery  30  is activated in first circuit board  21  of control device  3 . 
         [0074]    In contrast, to connect a contact point  41  of second rechargeable battery  40  to second terminal point  16  of interface device  4 , interface device  4  is moved into the second position, and second rechargeable battery  40  is moved in direction D toward interface device  4  (see  FIG. 15 ). When contact point  41  of second rechargeable battery  40  is connected to second terminal point  16 , the second charging configuration for charging second rechargeable battery  40  is activated in second circuit board  22  of control device  3 . 
         [0075]      FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate an eighth specific embodiment of charging device  1 , which is essentially identical to the fourth specific embodiment of charging device  1 . In  FIG. 17 , charging device  1  according to the eighth specific embodiment is shown, together with a first rechargeable battery  30 . In  FIG. 18 , charging device  1  according to the eighth specific embodiment is shown, together with a second rechargeable battery  40 . 
         [0076]    The design of charging device  1  and of interface device  4  according to the eighth specific embodiment essentially corresponds to the design of charging device  1  and of interface device  4  according to the seventh specific embodiment (see  FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 ). In contrast to the sixth specific embodiment, charging device  1  contains only one connection device  20 , together with five connecting lines  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d ,  20   e  for connecting interface device  4  to control device  3 . 
         [0077]    To connect contact point  31  of first rechargeable battery  30  to first terminal point  15  of interface device  4 , interface device  4  is moved into the first position, and first rechargeable battery  30  is moved in direction D toward interface device  4  (see  FIG. 17 ). When contact point  31  of first rechargeable battery  30  is connected to terminal point  15 , the first charging configuration for charging first rechargeable battery  30  is activated in circuit board  50  of control device  3 . 
         [0078]    In contrast, to connect contact point  41  of second rechargeable battery  40  to second terminal point  16  of interface device  4 , interface device  4  is moved into the second position, and second rechargeable battery  40  is moved in direction D toward interface device  4  (see  FIG. 18 ). When contact point  41  of second rechargeable battery  40  is connected to second terminal point  16 , the second charging configuration for charging second rechargeable battery  40  is activated in circuit board  50  of control device  3 . 
         [0079]    The activation of the first or second charging configuration for charging first or second rechargeable battery  30 ,  40  takes place after control device  3  recognizes that first or second rechargeable battery  30 ,  40  is connected to first or second terminal point  15 ,  16 . The recognition takes place based on the setting of interface device  4  in the first or second position with the aid of a microswitch, not shown. 
         [0080]    Alternatively, the recognition takes place based on the transmission of a piece of information or data set via one of connecting lines  11   a ,  11   b ,  11   c ,  11   d ,  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ,  12   e  and connecting lines  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d ,  20   e  from the particular rechargeable battery  30 ,  40  to control device  3 . The particular first or second rechargeable battery  30 ,  40  transmits an identifier to control device  3  for identification of the rechargeable battery. 
         [0081]    Alternatively, the recognition takes place based on the number of particular occupied connecting lines  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d ,  20   e ; only four connecting lines  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   d ,  20   e  are occupied when first rechargeable battery  30  is connected to first terminal point  15 , whereas five connecting lines  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d ,  20   e  are occupied when second rechargeable battery  40  is connected to second terminal point  16 . The occupation of connecting lines  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d ,  20   e  is recognized by control device  3 , as the result of which the first charging configuration or the second charging configuration for charging the first rechargeable battery  30  or second rechargeable battery  40  is appropriately activated.