GB2214008A - Rechargeable battery pack - Google Patents

Rechargeable battery pack Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2214008A
GB2214008A GB8729379A GB8729379A GB2214008A GB 2214008 A GB2214008 A GB 2214008A GB 8729379 A GB8729379 A GB 8729379A GB 8729379 A GB8729379 A GB 8729379A GB 2214008 A GB2214008 A GB 2214008A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
battery pack
solar cells
pack
cells
electrical
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8729379A
Other versions
GB8729379D0 (en
GB2214008B (en
Inventor
Nils Erik Vilhelm Martensson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nokia Mobile Phones UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Technophone Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Technophone Ltd filed Critical Technophone Ltd
Priority to GB8729379A priority Critical patent/GB2214008B/en
Publication of GB8729379D0 publication Critical patent/GB8729379D0/en
Publication of GB2214008A publication Critical patent/GB2214008A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2214008B publication Critical patent/GB2214008B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/46—Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus
    • H01M10/465—Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus with solar battery as charging system
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/204—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/251—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders specially adapted for stationary devices, e.g. power plant buffering or backup power supplies
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/34—Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering
    • H02J7/35—Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering with light sensitive cells
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)

Abstract

A battery pack 3 which powers an electrical device, such as a calculator, tape recorder or cellular radio, carries solar cells (7), (Fig 2), connected to the battery cells via a diode for charging the battery when the pack 3 is removed from a main casing 1 of the device. The solar cells may also supplement the battery power to the device when the pack 3 is fitted to the casing 1, and in this state additional solar cells which may be mounted on the main casing 1 may be connected to the solar cells on the pack 3 to supplement the power available to the device. <IMAGE>

Description

BATTERY PACK This invention relates to a battery pack for providing a source of electrical power and also to a portable electrical device fitted with such a battery pack. The portable device may be, for example, a radio, tape recorder or calculator although the battery pack may be used with any portable electrical device which requires power.
It is known to provide a device, such as a calculator, with solar cells for supplying the necessary power to operate the device in use. However, such devices have a low power consumption and are normally used in locations where the solar cells receive sufficient solar energy to generate sufficient power. Where more power is required and/or where the device may be used in locations that do not receive sufficient solar energy, conventional batteries are used as a power source. However, such batteries have a limited life and must be replaced or recharged at certaIn intervals. In the case of a device fitted with a battery pack containing rechargeable cells, the normal practice is to remove the battery pack and to connect it to a charging device for recharging the depleted cells. However, this is inconvenient to the user.
The present invention seeks to avoid the above-mentioned problems and to provide a more convenient form of power source.
The present invention provides a battery pack adapted for removable attachment to an electrically powered device, said battery pack comprising one or more rechargeable cells for providing a source of electrical power to operate said device; said battery pack further comprising a plurality of solar cells which are connected for charging said rechargeable cell or cells when said pack is removed from said device.
The invention also provides a portable electrical device comprising a main casing for housing components for operating said device, and a battery pack removably fitted to said device; said battery pack comprising an auxiliary casing adapted for removable attachment to said device, said auxiliary casing containing one or more rechargeable cells to provide a source of electrical power for operating said device, said auxiliary casing being fitted with a plurality of solar cells which are connected for charging said rechargeable cell or cells when said pack is removed from said device.
Preferably, the solar cells are mounted on an externally facing wall of the battery pack or auxiliary housing.
However, the solar cells could be mounted on a surface of the pack or auxiliary housing which is exposed to solar energy when the pack is removed from the electrical device.
Preferably, means (such as a diode) are provided for preventing any reverse current flow from the rechargeable cell or cells into the solar cells when the solar cells are not generating sufficient electrical energy for recharging the battery pack. However, when the solar cells receive an average amount of solar energy, they normally generate sufficient power to exceed the battery voltage. For example, with a battery rated at about 7.2 volts, the solar cell voltage will be about 1.5 volts higher than this value.
The solar cells may be designed to supplement the battery pack when the electrical device is in use. For example, the power consumption of a cellular radio is very variable and its power requirement can vary from a few milliamps to a current in excess of 1 amp. In such circumstances, the solar cells could provide the low current requirements and the rechargeable cell or cells could meet higher peak current requirements.
The battery pack may be used with an electrical device which is fitted with additional solar cells, mounted on the main casing, to meet higher operating power requirements.
In this case, the solar cells provided on the battery pack or auxiliary casing are designed to generate sufficient power for independently charging the battery pack when it is removed from the device.
One of the main advantages of the invention is that the battery pack can be simply removed and placed in a suitable location for enabling the solar cells to generate sufficient energy for replenishing the rechargeable cell or cells. In the meantime, a freshly charged battery pack can be fitted to the electrical device.
An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a main casing of a portable cellular radio and of a battery pack to be fitted thereto, and Figure 2 is another perspective view, from a different aspect, of the battery pack.
Referring to the drawings, one half of a double shell moulding which forms a main casing (1) of a cellular radio has a recess (2) for receiving a battery pack (3). (The recess (2) is on the underside of the main casing moulding (1) as shown in Figure 1.) The battery pack (3) is in the form of an auxiliary casing (4) having side walls (5) and a cover or lid (E,. The auxiliary casing (4) houses a plurality of rechargeable cells (not shown). These cells are connected, as a battery, to terminals which make electrical contact with terminals in recess (2) when the battery pack (3) is fitted to the main casing (1).
A plurality of solar cells (7) are mounted on an external surface (8) of the auxiliary casing (4). The solar cells (7), are of conventional construction and therefore require no detailed description. The cells (7) are permanently connected, via a diode (not shown), to the rechargeable cells of the battery pack (3). The battery pack (3) will therefore be automatically recharged after it has been removed from the main casing (1) and placed in a position in which the solar cells (7) receive sufficient solar energy. The diode prevents any reverse current flow, from the rechargeable cells to the solar cells (7) which might otherwise cause damage to the solar cells.
A spring catch (9), mounted on a side wall (5) of the battery pack (3), engages with a recess or abutment (not shown) on the main casing (1) so as to retain the battery pack (3) within the recess (2).
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), additional solar cells are mounted on the main casing (1) to supplement the power generated by the solar cells (7) on the auxiliary casing (3). These additional solar cells are connected to the solar cells on the auxiliary casing (3), when the battery pack is fitted to the main casing (1), to supplement the power for operating the electrical device.
Whilst a specific example of the invention has been described with reference to the drawings, modification and changes are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. A battery pack adapted for removable attachment to an electrically powered device, said battery pack comprising one or more rechargeable cells providing a source of electrical power to operate said device; said battery pack further comprising a plurality of solar cells which are connected for charging said rechargeable cell or cells when said pack is removed from said device.
2. A portable electrical device comprising a main casing for housing components for operating said device, and a battery pack removably fitted to said device; saidbatterypack comprising an auxiliary casing adapted for removable attachment to said device, said auxiliary casing containing one or more rechargeable cells to provide a source of electrical power for operating said device, said auxiliary casing being fitted with a plurality of solar cells which are connected for charging said rechargeable cell or cells when said pack is removed from said device.
3. An electrical device according to claim 2 wherein additional solar cells are mounted on the main casing to supplement the power generated by the solar cells on said pack, said additional solar cells being connected to the solar cells on said auxiliary casing, when said pack is fitted to said main casing, to supplement the power generated for operating said device.
4. A battery pack or electrical device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said solar cells are mounted on an externally facing wall of the battery pack or auxiliary housing.
5. A battery pack or electrical device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said solar cells are mounted on a surface of said pack or auxiliary housing which is exposed to solar energy when said pack is removed from said device.
6. A battery pack or electrical device according to any of the preceding claims and further including means for preventing any reverse current flow from the rechargeable cell or cells into the solar cells when the solar cells are not generating sufficient electrical energy for recharging the battery pack.
7. A battery pack or electrical device having a battery back substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB8729379A 1987-12-16 1987-12-16 Portable electrical device with rechargeable battery pack Expired - Lifetime GB2214008B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8729379A GB2214008B (en) 1987-12-16 1987-12-16 Portable electrical device with rechargeable battery pack

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8729379A GB2214008B (en) 1987-12-16 1987-12-16 Portable electrical device with rechargeable battery pack

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8729379D0 GB8729379D0 (en) 1988-01-27
GB2214008A true GB2214008A (en) 1989-08-23
GB2214008B GB2214008B (en) 1992-02-12

Family

ID=10628597

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8729379A Expired - Lifetime GB2214008B (en) 1987-12-16 1987-12-16 Portable electrical device with rechargeable battery pack

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2214008B (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0372933A2 (en) * 1988-12-09 1990-06-13 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Power supply for portable electric appliances
EP0441277A2 (en) * 1990-02-05 1991-08-14 Hermann-Frank Müller Sun visor for vehicles
FR2672713A1 (en) * 1991-02-13 1992-08-14 Inst Nat Polytech Grenoble FEEDING COMPONENT OF THE CREDIT CARD TYPE.
GB2288290A (en) * 1994-03-29 1995-10-11 Chiang Chih Cheng Solar battery charger for mobile telephones
EP0691696A1 (en) * 1988-11-04 1996-01-10 Motorola, Inc. Battery housing with integral latch and positive displacement apparatus
WO1996002997A1 (en) * 1994-07-19 1996-02-01 Marco Caracciolo Del Leone A cellular telephone for hands-free conversation
GB2298325A (en) * 1995-02-24 1996-08-28 Sanyo Electric Co Battery charger and solar cells for battery charging

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2017359A (en) * 1978-03-17 1979-10-03 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Electronic timepiece power supply arrangement
WO1986004132A1 (en) * 1985-01-14 1986-07-17 Curiel Raymond F Self-charging solar battery

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4328456A (en) * 1978-02-24 1982-05-04 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Camera with solar batteries connected in series or parallel
JPS54155080A (en) * 1978-05-27 1979-12-06 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Pace generator
GB2088656A (en) * 1980-11-13 1982-06-09 Lewenhak Herbert Kurt Self-contained communication system and circuits for use therein
US4434395A (en) * 1981-02-25 1984-02-28 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Solar cell power supply circuit
IT1210169B (en) * 1985-06-05 1989-09-06 Gaber Italia Spa SKI BOOTS WITH ELECTRIC AND / OR ELECTRONIC SELF-FOOD DEVICES.
US4667142A (en) * 1985-09-09 1987-05-19 Tie/Communications, Inc. Three-way power source circuit

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2017359A (en) * 1978-03-17 1979-10-03 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Electronic timepiece power supply arrangement
WO1986004132A1 (en) * 1985-01-14 1986-07-17 Curiel Raymond F Self-charging solar battery

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0691696A1 (en) * 1988-11-04 1996-01-10 Motorola, Inc. Battery housing with integral latch and positive displacement apparatus
EP0372933A2 (en) * 1988-12-09 1990-06-13 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Power supply for portable electric appliances
EP0372933A3 (en) * 1988-12-09 1991-06-12 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Power supply for portable electric appliances
EP0441277A2 (en) * 1990-02-05 1991-08-14 Hermann-Frank Müller Sun visor for vehicles
EP0441277A3 (en) * 1990-02-05 1993-01-20 Hermann-Frank Mueller Sun visor for vehicles
FR2672713A1 (en) * 1991-02-13 1992-08-14 Inst Nat Polytech Grenoble FEEDING COMPONENT OF THE CREDIT CARD TYPE.
WO1992015140A1 (en) * 1991-02-13 1992-09-03 Institut National Polytechnique De Grenoble Credit card type power supply component
GB2288290A (en) * 1994-03-29 1995-10-11 Chiang Chih Cheng Solar battery charger for mobile telephones
WO1996002997A1 (en) * 1994-07-19 1996-02-01 Marco Caracciolo Del Leone A cellular telephone for hands-free conversation
GB2298325A (en) * 1995-02-24 1996-08-28 Sanyo Electric Co Battery charger and solar cells for battery charging
GB2298325B (en) * 1995-02-24 1999-11-24 Sanyo Electric Co Battery Charger

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8729379D0 (en) 1988-01-27
GB2214008B (en) 1992-02-12

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PE20 Patent expired after termination of 20 years

Effective date: 20071215