BATTERY CHARGING APPARATUS

摘要

Method and apparatus for surface charging an automobile battery is presented. The apparatus comprises a plurality of batteries configured in series to provide a surface charge to a target battery in a vehicle. A surface charge provides a time limited window in which to start the vehicle after its battery has been discharged. The plurality of batteries in the apparatus does not have to be discarded after their charge has been depleted because the apparatus further comprises a charging circuit for recharging the used batteries from the target battery. Recharging the plurality of batteries, which are normally “non-rechargeable”, at least once provides a destination for used batteries that would otherwise be discarded. Embodiments may comprise an LED to signify when a target battery has sufficient surface charge to warrant an attempt to start the vehicle. The apparatus is a small portable device that can stored anywhere in the vehicle.

主权项

1. A battery charging apparatus comprising:
a case having a bottom surface and a vertical wall attached to the bottom surface in a substantially perpendicular configuration to define a volume of space above the bottom surface for housing a plurality of batteries with one or more connections facing upwards and one or more connections facing downwards; a case cover coupled to the case to secure the plurality of batteries within the case; a first plurality of conductive elements above the bottom surface of the case and below the plurality of batteries and in contact with said connections facing downwards on the plurality of batteries; a second plurality of conductive elements beneath the case cover and above the plurality of batteries and in contact with said connections facing upwards on the plurality of batteries, wherein the first plurality of conductive elements and the second plurality of conductive elements connect the plurality of batteries electrically in series by circuitry resulting in a positive battery terminal and a negative battery terminal; a positive contact electrically connected to the positive battery terminal; a negative contact electrically connected to the negative battery terminal; a connector for electrically coupling with an interface to a target battery, said connector having a positive lead removably coupled to said positive contact and a negative lead removably coupled to said negative contact; a first diode coupled between said positive lead and said positive contact to allow current to flow in a first direction from said plurality of batteries to said target battery; and a second diode coupled between said positive lead and said positive contact to allow current to flow in a second direction from said target battery to the plurality of batteries for recharging the plurality of batteries.