GB2535192A - Apparatus and method - Google Patents

Apparatus and method Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2535192A
GB2535192A GB1502322.9A GB201502322A GB2535192A GB 2535192 A GB2535192 A GB 2535192A GB 201502322 A GB201502322 A GB 201502322A GB 2535192 A GB2535192 A GB 2535192A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
battery
charge status
motion detector
status indicator
battery according
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1502322.9A
Other versions
GB201502322D0 (en
Inventor
Holliday Antony
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.)
EXIS ENERGY Ltd
Original Assignee
EXIS ENERGY 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 EXIS ENERGY Ltd filed Critical EXIS ENERGY Ltd
Priority to GB1502322.9A priority Critical patent/GB2535192A/en
Publication of GB201502322D0 publication Critical patent/GB201502322D0/en
Publication of GB2535192A publication Critical patent/GB2535192A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/569—Constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals
    • 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
    • H01M10/48—Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
    • 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
    • H01M10/48—Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
    • H01M10/488—Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M6/00—Primary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M6/50—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance, e.g. for maintaining operating temperature
    • H01M6/5044—Cells or batteries structurally combined with cell condition indicating means
    • H01M6/505—Cells combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light intensity
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/36—Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
    • G01R31/371—Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC] with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
    • 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

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)

Abstract

A battery 10 comprises a battery cell (16, fig 2) and a motion detector, with the motion detector being operably connected to a battery charge status indicator 12. A method of checking the charge status of the battery is also disclosed, the method including the steps of: providing a battery 10 comprising a battery cell (16, fig 2) and a motion detector, the motion detector being operably connected to a battery charge status indicator 12; moving the battery 10 and thereby the motion detector to generate a signal; and communicating the signal to, and thereby activating, the battery charge status indicator 12 to display the charge status of the battery. The battery charge status indicator 12 may also be connected to the battery cell (16, fig 2), and may comprise a display, such as one or more light emitting diodes, and a measuring device, such as a voltmeter. The motion detector may be an accelerometer.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD
The present invention relates to a battery with battery charge status indicator.
Batteries are widely used to provide portable electrical energy. The size, shape and design of batteries varies widely depending on the intended use of the battery. One type of battery is that for handheld and portable electrical devices such as a power drill, torch, camera or measuring device.
The electrical energy of all batteries depletes over time and with use. It is often therefore necessary for the battery to have a means for indicating the charge status of the battery. Batteries for power tools and torches for example often have a button or button under a blister that a user presses to activate a display that in turn indicates the charge remaining in the battery.
There are a number of disadvantages of the known ways to check the remaining charge in a battery. These disadvantages include needing a separate measuring device or the use of failure prone buttons and switches that require specific user input.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a battery comprising: a battery cell; and a motion detector; wherein the motion detector is operably connected to a battery charge status indicator.
The battery charge status indicator is typically also operably connected to the battery cell. The battery cell and/or motion detector are typically in a housing.
It may be an advantage of the battery of the present invention that the charge status of the battery, and in particular the battery cell. can be determined by moving the battery.
A user does not need to press a button or move a switch for example. Areas around buttons and switches in the housing of a battery are prone to, for example, water and dust penetration.
It may be an advantage of the battery of the present invention that a user can check and/or determine the charge status of the battery, and in particular the battery cell, when the battery is in one or more of a box, packaging and blister pack.
In use, when the battery is moved the motion detector detects this movement and activates the battery charge status indicator. When the battery is stationary the battery charge status indicator is typically inactive. It may be an advantage of the present invention that the battery charge status indicator is only activated by movement of the battery. This typically means that the battery charge status indicator is not drawing power from the battery when for example in storage or being charged.
The battery charge status indicator typically comprises a display and a measuring device. The measuring device may measure changes in one or more of voltage, current, pressure and chemical composition of the battery cell. The measuring device is typically a voltmeter.
The battery charge status may be referred to as the state of charge. The battery charge status indicator may be one or more of a lamp, Light Emitting Diode (LED), analogue display, digital display, graphic and symbol. The battery charge status indicator may be mounted to an outside surface of the housing.
The motion detector may comprise an activation switch and/or a movement activated switch. The motion detector may be one or more of an infrared, passive infrared (PIR), optical, ultrasonic, radio frequency, sound, vibration and magnetic detector. The motion detector may be a tilt sensor. The motion detector is typically an accelerometer.
The motion detector may be activated by movement of the battery in one or more dimensions. The motion detector may be activated by movement of the battery through approximately 90°.
The battery typically has one or more electrical contacts in electrical communication and/or operably connected to the battery cell. The battery cell and one or more electrical contacts may be operably connected by an electrical circuit.
The one or more electrical contacts may be referred to as an external communications interface. The one or more electrical contacts may be connectable to an electrical device. The electrical device may be a handheld device and/or may be portable. The electrical device may, for example, be one or more of a power tool, torch, digital camera, infrared camera, testing device, measurement device, distance meter and a thickness gauge.
The battery is typically intrinsically safe. The electrical device is typically intrinsically safe. The battery and/or electrical device may be certified as intrinsically safe as defined in the IEC 60079-11 standard.
The one or more electrical contacts may be mounted to an outside surface of the housing. The one or more electrical contacts may be referred to as one or more power outputs or one or more power pins.
The battery may further comprise an input. The input is typically in electrical communication and/or operably connected to the battery cell. The battery cell and input may be operably connected by an electrical circuit. A charger may be used to supply the input with suitable power to charge and/or recharge the battery cell. The charger is typically standard.
The input may be protected. The input may be mounted to an outside surface of the housing. The input may be sealable in the housing behind an IP54 rated door.
It may be an advantage of the present invention that the charge status of the battery, and in particular the battery cell, and therefore the motion detector and battery charge status indicator are not a potential source of spark or thermal ignition. This is particularly useful when the battery is for use in a hazardous and/or explosive atmosphere.
When not connected to an electrical device, the one or more electrical contacts may be one or more of protectable, isolatable and sealable from the surrounding environment with a cover. The cover may be IP54 rated. When the IP54 rated cover is closed and/or sealed against an outer surface of the housing, the cover typically reduces and may prevent the one or more electrical contacts coming into contact with a hazardous environment. It may be an advantage of the present invention that the battery and in particular the battery cell may be safely transported in a hazardous environment when not in use and/or when, in particular, not connected and/or attached to an electrical device.
The IP54 rated cover is typically separate from the IP54 rated door. This normally allows the one or more electrical contacts to be exposed separately from the input.
The battery may be stored on a belt clip. The cover may be attached to the belt clip. The battery is typically engageable with the cover and thereby also with the belt clip.
The motion detector may be activated by movement of the battery through approximately 90° relative to the belt clip when the battery is attached to the belt clip.
It will be understood that the battery cell referred to herein is typically an electric battery. The battery cell is typically an electrochemical cell.
The battery may be hot-swappable, that is the battery can be separated and/or attached to a suitable electrical device in a hazardous and/or explosive atmosphere. The voltage and/or power supplied to the one or more electrical contacts may be referred to as limited and/or protected such that the battery is hot-swappable.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of checking the charge status of a battery, the method including the steps of: providing a battery comprising a battery cell and a motion detector, the motion detector operably connected to a battery charge status indicator; moving the battery and thereby the motion detector to generate a signal; and communicating the signal to, and thereby activating, the battery charge status indicator to display the charge status of the battery.
The battery charge status indicator is typically also operably connected to the battery cell.
The signal may be an electrical signal. The signal is typically communicated and/or transmitted between the motion detector and the battery charge status indicator by tracking, wire or cable.
The battery charge status indicator typically comprises a display and a measuring device. The method may include the step of using the measuring device to measure changes in one or more of voltage, current, pressure and chemical composition of the battery cell. The measuring device is typically a voltmeter.
The motion detector may comprise an activation switch and/or a movement activated switch. The motion detector may be one or more of an infrared, passive infrared (PIR), optical, ultrasonic, radio frequency, sound, vibration and magnetic detector. The motion detector may be a tilt sensor. The motion detector is typically an accelerometer.
The step of moving the battery and thereby the motion detector to generate a signal may include activating the motion detector. The motion detector may be activated by movement of the battery in one or more dimensions. The step of moving the battery and thereby the motion detector to generate a signal may involve moving the battery through approximately 90°.
When not connected to an electrical device, the one or more electrical contacts may be one or more of protectable, isolatable and sealable from the surrounding environment 20 with a cover. The cover may be IP54 rated.
The method may include the step of attaching the battery to a belt clip. The cover may be attached to the belt clip. The method may include the step of engaging the battery with the cover and thereby also with the belt clip. The step of moving the battery and thereby the motion detector to generate a signal may involve moving the battery through approximately 90° relative to the belt clip.
The optional features of the first aspect of the present invention can be incorporated into the second aspect of the present invention and vice versa.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the battery; Figure 2 is a side view of the battery; and Figure 3 is a rear view of the battery.
Figure 1 shows a front view of the battery 10 comprising a battery cell (shown in Figure 2) and a motion detector (not shown). The motion detector is an accelerometer. The battery has a battery charge status indicator 12. The motion detector is connected to the battery charge status indicator 12 by wire. The battery charge status indicator 12 is also connected to the battery cell by wire.
Figure 1 also shows electrical contacts 14 connected to the battery cell. The electrical contacts 14 are connectable to an electrical device (not shown).
In use, the battery 10 is moved thereby moving the motion detector and activating the battery charge status indicator 12. The battery charge status indicator 14 includes a display comprising a series of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), the more LED's that are illuminated the more remaining charge the battery holds.
Figure 2 shows a side view of the battery 10. The battery 10 includes a battery cell 16 and catch 18. The catch 18 is used to secure the battery 10 to an electrical device (not shown). All figures show housing 30. The electrical contacts 14 and battery charge status indicator 12 are mounted in an outside surface of the housing 30.
Figure 3 is rear view of the battery 10 showing a thumb release button 20. The button 20 is attached to and operates the catch 18 shown in Figure 2.
The battery shown in Figures 1 to 3 is intrinsically safe and therefore safe for use with electrical devices in hazardous and explosive atmospheres. The voltage and power supplied by the battery cells (not shown) to the electrical contacts 14 are protected such that the battery 10 is hot-swappable. The battery 10 can therefore be separated and attached to a suitable handheld device (not shown) in a hazardous and explosive atmosphere.
Modifications and improvements can be incorporated herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

  1. CLAIMS1. A battery comprising: a battery cell; and a motion detector; wherein the motion detector is operably connected to a battery charge status indicator.
  2. 2. A battery according to claim 1 wherein the battery charge status indicator is also operably connected to the battery cell.
  3. 3. A battery according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the battery charge status indicator comprises a display and a measuring device.
  4. 4. A battery according to claim 3 wherein the measuring device is a voltmeter.
  5. 5. A battery according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the display is one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
  6. 6. A battery according to any preceding claim wherein the motion detector is an accelerometer.
  7. 7. A battery according to any preceding claim wherein the motion detector is activatable by movement of the battery in one or more dimensions.
  8. 8. A battery according to any preceding claim wherein the battery further comprises one or more electrical contacts operably connected to the battery cell.
  9. 9. A battery according to claim 8 wherein the one or more electrical contacts are connectable to an electrical device.
  10. 10. A battery according to any preceding claim wherein the battery is intrinsically safe.
  11. 11. A battery according to any of claims 8 to 10 wherein the one or more electrical contacts are protectable with a cover.
  12. 12. A method of checking the charge status of a battery, the method including the steps of: providing a battery comprising a battery cell and a motion detector, the motion detector operably connected to a battery charge status indicator; moving the battery and thereby the motion detector to generate a signal; and communicating the signal to, and thereby activating, the battery charge status indicator to display the charge status of the battery.
  13. 13. A method of checking the charge status of a battery according to claim 12 wherein the battery charge status indicator is also operably connected to the battery cell.
  14. 14. A method of checking the charge status of a battery according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the battery charge status indicator comprises a display and a measuring device, the method further including the step of using the measuring device to measure changes in one or more of voltage, current, pressure and chemical composition of the battery cell.
  15. 15. A method of checking the charge status of a battery according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the motion detector is an accelerometer and is activated by movement of the battery in one or more dimensions.
  16. 16. A method of checking the charge status of a battery according to any of claims 12 to 15 wherein the one or more electrical contacts are protectable with a cover attached to a belt clip, the step of moving the battery moves the battery 90° relative to the belt clip.
GB1502322.9A 2015-02-12 2015-02-12 Apparatus and method Withdrawn GB2535192A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1502322.9A GB2535192A (en) 2015-02-12 2015-02-12 Apparatus and method

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1502322.9A GB2535192A (en) 2015-02-12 2015-02-12 Apparatus and method

Publications (2)

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GB201502322D0 GB201502322D0 (en) 2015-04-01
GB2535192A true GB2535192A (en) 2016-08-17

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2584596A (en) * 2019-03-22 2020-12-16 Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd Battery powered wearables
US20220021040A1 (en) * 2020-07-15 2022-01-20 Emerson Electric Co. Battery packs for battery-powered appliances and connection system for same

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140152448A1 (en) * 2012-11-30 2014-06-05 Panasonic Corporation Tangible Charge Level Awareness Method and Apparatus Using Augmented Batteries
US20140152316A1 (en) * 2012-11-30 2014-06-05 Panasonic Corporation Pairing Method Based on Electric Current Synchronicity for Augmented Batteries

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140152448A1 (en) * 2012-11-30 2014-06-05 Panasonic Corporation Tangible Charge Level Awareness Method and Apparatus Using Augmented Batteries
US20140152316A1 (en) * 2012-11-30 2014-06-05 Panasonic Corporation Pairing Method Based on Electric Current Synchronicity for Augmented Batteries

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2584596A (en) * 2019-03-22 2020-12-16 Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd Battery powered wearables
GB2584596B (en) * 2019-03-22 2023-08-02 Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd Battery powered wearables
US20220021040A1 (en) * 2020-07-15 2022-01-20 Emerson Electric Co. Battery packs for battery-powered appliances and connection system for same
US11901527B2 (en) * 2020-07-15 2024-02-13 Emerson Electric Co. Battery packs for battery-powered appliances and connection system for same
US11978869B2 (en) 2020-07-15 2024-05-07 Emerson Electric Co. Battery packs for battery-powered appliances and connection system for same

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Publication number Publication date
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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)