Circuit and method enabling the sharing of a battery charger with multiple batteries

摘要

A circuit includes a first port configured for connection to a battery charger and a plurality of second ports each configured for connection to a battery to be charged. The circuit includes a corresponding switchable circuit path provided between the first port and each of the second ports. A control circuit is configured to selectively activate the switchable circuit paths so as to connect the first port to selected ones of the second ports for charging of the connected battery by the connected battery charger.

主权项

1. A circuit, comprising:
a first port having a first positive line and a first negative line configured for connection to terminals of a battery charger; a second port having a second positive line and a second negative line configured for connection to terminals of a battery to be charged; a third port having a third positive line and third negative line configured for connection to a further battery to be charged; a switchable circuit provided between the first port, the second port and the third port, said switchable circuit including a first positive switch selectively connecting the first positive line to the second positive line and a first negative switch selectively connecting the first negative line to the second negative line and a second positive switch selectively connecting the first positive line to the third positive line and a second negative switch selectively connecting the first negative line to the third negative line; a first power supply rectifier connected between the second positive line and second negative line to generate a first rectified voltage from said battery to be charged; a second power supply rectifier connected between the third positive line and the third negative line to generate a second rectified voltage from said further battery to be charged; a power supply circuit coupled to receive said first and second rectified voltages and operable to generate a first regulated supply voltage; and a control circuit powered from the first regulated supply voltage and operable to selectively activate the first and second positive switches and first and second negative switches in the switchable circuit so as to selectively connect the first port to the second and third ports for charging of the connected battery and further battery from the connected battery charger.