Battery charger management system and method for controlling a charge current by indirectly determining the type and characteristics of a battery via a current consumed by a charger

摘要

A battery charger management system/method implementing indirect execution of battery charging profiles is disclosed. The system utilizes a power source control unit (PSCU) to selectively switch a power supply source to a battery charging power supply (BCPS) that charges a battery. A power monitor control unit (PMCU) monitors the current consumed by the BCPS and reports this to the PSCU. The BCPS current consumption provides the PSCU a profile of the charging characteristics of the battery attached to the BCPS, allowing identification of the battery type and a determination of the optimal charging profile for the battery in its current charge state. The power source to the BCPS is switched by the PCCU in accordance with the determined optimal charging profile to optimally charge the battery. The PSCU may operate independently or in conjunction with wireless commands received from a mobile communication device (MCD).

主权项

1. A battery charger management system comprising:
(a) Power Source Control Unit (PSCU); and (b) Power Monitor Control Unit (PMCU); wherein said PSCU further comprises an electrical power switch (EPS) configured to control electrical current supplied to a battery charging power supply (BCPS) supplying current to a battery under charge (BUC); said PMCU is configured to measure the current consumed by said BCPS and produce a measured current profile (MCP); said PSCU is configured to indirectly determine the battery type and characteristics of said BUC based on an analysis of said MCP; said PSCU is configured to determine the charge state of said BUC based on an analysis of said MCP; said PSCU is configured to activate said EPS in response to said MCP, said battery type, said characteristics, and said charge state; said PSCU is configured to calculate a normalized current profile (NCP) from said MCP; said PSCU is configured to match said NCP to known battery types and known battery characteristics; said PSCU is configured to determine a charge profile for said BUC based on said match or said NCP; and said PSCU is configured to execute said charge profile for said BUC by modulating the activation of said EPS.