| 摘要 |
A battery pack having a battery pack controller that combines the functions of a battery pack protection circuit, battery charger, current and voltage regulator, and a data monitor circuit. In one embodiment, the battery pack controller is implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC). In another embodiment, two external field effect transistors (FETs) are used along with a single IC battery controller. This combination of functions within one IC allows battery pack manufacturers to construct inexpensive and safe battery pack systems that do not require an external charger or a carefully regulated DC power supply to charge the battery pack. In one embodiment a voltage regulator includes a pulse charging circuit for pulse charging the batteries within the battery pack. Advantageously, the battery pack controller further includes a current regulator that regulates a charge current flowing into the first battery cell. The current regulator advantageously may include a means for trickle charging the battery cell. The battery pack controller also provides a processor interface that receives predetermined messages from and transmits data to an external processor, a charge termination means for terminating a charge current flowing into the first battery cell, and a discharge termination means for terminating a discharge current flowing out of the first battery cell. The battery pack controller monitors the battery and sends information concerning the battery to the external processor. This allows external processor to accurately terminate charge to the battery. |
