BATTERY CONNECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

An improved electrical connector for electrically connecting a rechargeable battery with an electrically powered device as well as methods of operation for use of an electrically powered device comprising the improved connector are provided. The connector may comprise one or more features including: integration of both first terminals for transmitting charging or discharging signals to and from the battery as well as one or more signal terminals for transmitting one or more balancing signals to and from the battery; implementation of communication means allowing for one or more signals comprising battery specific information to be received by the electrically powered device upon making an electrical connection with the battery; and, one or more safety features for preventing unsupported electrical connections between incompatible connector configurations. An electrically powered implemented with the improved electrical connector may detect one or more characteristics of a battery upon electrically connecting with the battery and may reconfigure one or more operational settings of the electrically powered device in response to the detected characteristics to safely charge or discharge the battery.

主权项

1. A rechargeable battery, comprising:
at least two cells; a battery connector comprising:
a housing comprising an insulating material, comprising:
a plurality of first receptacles, each first receptacle passing through the female housing along a first direction; anda plurality of second receptacles, each second receptacle passing through the female housing along the first direction and disposed immediately adjacent to a first receptacle;at least two electrically conductive first terminals, the first terminals each configured for transmission of one or more high current signals and disposed at least partially within a first receptacle from among the plurality of first receptacles; andat least one electrically conductive second terminal, the at least one second terminal configured for transmission of one or more low current signals and disposed at least partially within a second receptacle; and wherein the first and second terminals of the battery connector, respectively, are directly electrically connected to the at least two cells via wired connections.