Method and apparatus for charging a battery using multiple charging sources

摘要

Embodiments include a modular battery charger having a main charging source and is configured to include at least one additional charging source that can be an auxiliary charging source or an external charging source. The additional charging sources can be added as modules to augment the total charging current that can be provided to a rechargeable battery. The modular battery charger can selectively enable or disable the additional charging sources while controlling the output current of the main charging source to adjust the charging current provided to a rechargeable battery.

主权项

1. A modular battery charger, comprising:
a main charging source that provides a main charging current to a charging interface, the charging interface configured to connect to a set of charging contacts of a rechargeable battery; an auxiliary charging source that selectively provides auxiliary charging current to the rechargeable battery in addition to the main charging current, the auxiliary charging source configured to connect to a positive device contact of a set of device contacts of the rechargeable battery; and a charge controller operably coupled to the main charging source to control the main charging current provided to the charging interface, and further operably coupled to the auxiliary charging source to enable or disable the auxiliary charging source; an external charging source interface that accepts an external charging source module that provides additional charging current to the rechargeable battery, the external charging source interface configured to allow the charge controller to selectively enable or disable the external charging source module when connected to the external charging source interface; and wherein the external charging source interface has a negative contact that is coupled to a negative device contact of the set of device contacts.