CA2516346A1 - Battery charge testing apparatus - Google Patents
Battery charge testing apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2516346A1 CA2516346A1 CA002516346A CA2516346A CA2516346A1 CA 2516346 A1 CA2516346 A1 CA 2516346A1 CA 002516346 A CA002516346 A CA 002516346A CA 2516346 A CA2516346 A CA 2516346A CA 2516346 A1 CA2516346 A1 CA 2516346A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- battery
- charge
- magnitude
- testing apparatus
- auditory tone
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01D7/00—Indicating measured values
- G01D7/12—Audible indication of meter readings, e.g. for the blind
-
- 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]
- G01R31/3644—Constructional arrangements
- G01R31/3646—Constructional arrangements for indicating electrical conditions or variables, e.g. visual or audible indicators
Abstract
A method and apparatus for testing a charge of a battery. The battery to be tested is connected to a device having an auditory tone generator. The auditory tone generator generates an auditory tone indicative of a magnitude of a charge of a batter y.
Description
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Battery Charge Testing Apparatus FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a testing apparatus which may be used to determine whether a battery is adequately charged.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various battery charge testing apparatus which provide a visual indication as to whether a battery is adequately charged. United States Patent 2,081,656 (Anthony 1937) discloses a carton for holding batteries, which was developed so that the batteries could be tested without removing them from the carton. The battery charge testing apparatus illustrated for testing the batteries illuminates a light bulb. The intensity of light from the light bulb being indicative of the strength of the battery's charge. A drawback of such a tester is that there can sometimes be difficulty in distinguishing the relative strength of the light in bright daylight conditions. United States Patent 1,337,160 (Reibeth 1920) discloses a battery charge testing apparatus having a needle, which moves along a scale to give an indication as to the strength of the battery's charge. A drawback of such a tester is that it is not suitable for use by the vision impaired or under poor lighting conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a method of testing a charge of a battery, comprising the step of connecting a battery which is to be tested to a device having an auditory tone generator. The auditory tone generator generates an auditory tone indicative
Battery Charge Testing Apparatus FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a testing apparatus which may be used to determine whether a battery is adequately charged.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various battery charge testing apparatus which provide a visual indication as to whether a battery is adequately charged. United States Patent 2,081,656 (Anthony 1937) discloses a carton for holding batteries, which was developed so that the batteries could be tested without removing them from the carton. The battery charge testing apparatus illustrated for testing the batteries illuminates a light bulb. The intensity of light from the light bulb being indicative of the strength of the battery's charge. A drawback of such a tester is that there can sometimes be difficulty in distinguishing the relative strength of the light in bright daylight conditions. United States Patent 1,337,160 (Reibeth 1920) discloses a battery charge testing apparatus having a needle, which moves along a scale to give an indication as to the strength of the battery's charge. A drawback of such a tester is that it is not suitable for use by the vision impaired or under poor lighting conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a method of testing a charge of a battery, comprising the step of connecting a battery which is to be tested to a device having an auditory tone generator. The auditory tone generator generates an auditory tone indicative
2 5 of a magnitude of a charge of a battery.
With the battery charge testing apparatus, as described above, the person testing the battery hears an auditory tone. The tester is suitable for use with persons having impaired vision and the results of the test can also be interpreted by persons having good vision without
With the battery charge testing apparatus, as described above, the person testing the battery hears an auditory tone. The tester is suitable for use with persons having impaired vision and the results of the test can also be interpreted by persons having good vision without
3 0 regard to ambient lighting conditions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of battery charge testing apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example circuit for producing an audible sound.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, a battery charge testing apparatus generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring now to FIG 1, there is shown battery charge testing apparatus 10.
Battery charge testing apparatus 10 comprises a body 12 with an auditory tone generator 38 mounted to body 12. Referring to FIG. 2, an electrical circuit 11 is in body 12 to supply power to auditory sound generator 38. Referring again to FIG. 1, external contacts 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 are connected to the electrical circuit. External contacts 16 and 18, which may be referred 2 0 to as a first and second contact, respectively, are positioned on an external surface 26 of body 12. External contacts 20 and 22, which may also be referred to as a first and second contact, respectively, are positioned on a first umbilical cord 28 extending from body 12 and a second umbilical cord 30 extending from body 12, respectively. When either first external electrical contact 16 or 20 is in contact with a first pole 32 of a battery 34 and either second external 2 5 electrical contact 18 or 22 is in contact with a second pole 35 of battery 34, an auditory tone is generated by auditory tone generator 38. The magnitude of the charge of battery 34 determines the magnitude of the auditory tone generated by auditory tone generator 38.
Alternatively, the pitch, or frequency, of the generated auditory tone may be related to the magnitude of the charge of battery 34, such that, for example, a higher pitch indicates a 3 0 greater battery charge. As shown, battery 34 is connected to external electrical contacts 20 and 22. External contacts 16 and 18 are more suitable for a battery such as a 9V battery.
Alternatively, external contacts 16 and 18 may be positioned vertically on body 12 and be facing each other at an appropriate distance to receive a battery such as an AA battery.
External contact 24 is capable of testing a battery such as a watch battery, with only one conducting side.
Battery charge testing apparatus 10 may also include more than one electrical circuit (not shown) with a selector switch 36 positioned on external surface 28 of body 12 to select one of the electrical circuits depending upon the type of battery to be tested. For example, it may connect to a circuit that either multiplies or divides the voltage or current supplied by the battery to a uniform level. While selector switch 36 is shown to be rotatable, it could also be a switch that slid laterally. If the tester is intended for use by someone visually impaired, selector switch 36 may have raised indications on body 12.
Referring to FIG. 2, an example of a circuit for implementing the invention is shown.
Circuit 11 has a microprocessor 40 disposed between battery 34 and auditory tone generator 38. The level of battery charge remaining is input into microprocessor 40, and microprocessor 40 then outputs the corresponding signal to auditory tone generator 38. While it is preferred that battery 34 power the entire circuit, if required, microprocessor 40 may run off an additional power source (not shown), such as if a specific sound were desired to indicate that battery 34 had no charge. If microprocessor 40 is used, selector switch 36 shown 2 0 in FIG. 1 may not switch between different circuits, but rather change the settings of microprocessor 40. The magnitude of the generated tone will increase with an increase in voltage, and those skilled in the art know how to design a DC to AC circuit where the frequency of the AC circuit increases with an increase input voltage.
2 5 Operation:
The method of operation of battery charge testing apparatus will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 1. When a battery is to be tested, selector switch 36 is moved to the appropriate electrical circuit, based on the voltage and/or type of battery.
Battery 34 is put into contact with electrical contacts 16 and 18, 20 and 22, or 24. Referring to FIG. 2, battery 30 34 is used to power circuit 1 I, and the charge of battery 34 is judged based upon the auditory tone generated by auditory tone generator 38, for example, the magnitude and/or pitch of the generated tone. Microprocessor 40 may be used to generate the signal reproduced by
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of battery charge testing apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example circuit for producing an audible sound.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, a battery charge testing apparatus generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring now to FIG 1, there is shown battery charge testing apparatus 10.
Battery charge testing apparatus 10 comprises a body 12 with an auditory tone generator 38 mounted to body 12. Referring to FIG. 2, an electrical circuit 11 is in body 12 to supply power to auditory sound generator 38. Referring again to FIG. 1, external contacts 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 are connected to the electrical circuit. External contacts 16 and 18, which may be referred 2 0 to as a first and second contact, respectively, are positioned on an external surface 26 of body 12. External contacts 20 and 22, which may also be referred to as a first and second contact, respectively, are positioned on a first umbilical cord 28 extending from body 12 and a second umbilical cord 30 extending from body 12, respectively. When either first external electrical contact 16 or 20 is in contact with a first pole 32 of a battery 34 and either second external 2 5 electrical contact 18 or 22 is in contact with a second pole 35 of battery 34, an auditory tone is generated by auditory tone generator 38. The magnitude of the charge of battery 34 determines the magnitude of the auditory tone generated by auditory tone generator 38.
Alternatively, the pitch, or frequency, of the generated auditory tone may be related to the magnitude of the charge of battery 34, such that, for example, a higher pitch indicates a 3 0 greater battery charge. As shown, battery 34 is connected to external electrical contacts 20 and 22. External contacts 16 and 18 are more suitable for a battery such as a 9V battery.
Alternatively, external contacts 16 and 18 may be positioned vertically on body 12 and be facing each other at an appropriate distance to receive a battery such as an AA battery.
External contact 24 is capable of testing a battery such as a watch battery, with only one conducting side.
Battery charge testing apparatus 10 may also include more than one electrical circuit (not shown) with a selector switch 36 positioned on external surface 28 of body 12 to select one of the electrical circuits depending upon the type of battery to be tested. For example, it may connect to a circuit that either multiplies or divides the voltage or current supplied by the battery to a uniform level. While selector switch 36 is shown to be rotatable, it could also be a switch that slid laterally. If the tester is intended for use by someone visually impaired, selector switch 36 may have raised indications on body 12.
Referring to FIG. 2, an example of a circuit for implementing the invention is shown.
Circuit 11 has a microprocessor 40 disposed between battery 34 and auditory tone generator 38. The level of battery charge remaining is input into microprocessor 40, and microprocessor 40 then outputs the corresponding signal to auditory tone generator 38. While it is preferred that battery 34 power the entire circuit, if required, microprocessor 40 may run off an additional power source (not shown), such as if a specific sound were desired to indicate that battery 34 had no charge. If microprocessor 40 is used, selector switch 36 shown 2 0 in FIG. 1 may not switch between different circuits, but rather change the settings of microprocessor 40. The magnitude of the generated tone will increase with an increase in voltage, and those skilled in the art know how to design a DC to AC circuit where the frequency of the AC circuit increases with an increase input voltage.
2 5 Operation:
The method of operation of battery charge testing apparatus will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 1. When a battery is to be tested, selector switch 36 is moved to the appropriate electrical circuit, based on the voltage and/or type of battery.
Battery 34 is put into contact with electrical contacts 16 and 18, 20 and 22, or 24. Referring to FIG. 2, battery 30 34 is used to power circuit 1 I, and the charge of battery 34 is judged based upon the auditory tone generated by auditory tone generator 38, for example, the magnitude and/or pitch of the generated tone. Microprocessor 40 may be used to generate the signal reproduced by
4 auditory tone generator 38.
Variations:
It will be appreciated that a voice module could be used in place of the vibrator. The voice module would state the amount of useful life the battery has remaining.
Referring to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, microprocessor 40 would output a corresponding voice signal to auditory tone generator 38, which would be capable of generating legible speech.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.
Variations:
It will be appreciated that a voice module could be used in place of the vibrator. The voice module would state the amount of useful life the battery has remaining.
Referring to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, microprocessor 40 would output a corresponding voice signal to auditory tone generator 38, which would be capable of generating legible speech.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.
Claims
What is Claimed is:
1. A method of testing a charge of a battery, comprising the step of:
connecting a battery which is to be tested to a device having an auditory tone generator, the auditory tone generator generating an auditory tone indicative of a magnitude of a charge of a battery.
2. The method as defined in Claim 1, the magnitude of the charge of the battery being indicated by a magnitude of the auditory tone.
3. The method as defined in Claim 1, the magnitude of the charge of the battery being indicated by a pitch of the auditory tone.
4. The method as defined in Claim 1, the auditory tone generator being a voice module, which states the magnitude of the charge of the battery.
5. A battery charge testing apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the method of Claim 1.
7. The battery charge testing apparatus as defined in Claim 6, comprising:
a body;
a vibrator mounted to the body adapted to generate auditory vibrations;
an electrical circuit in the body supplying power to the vibrator;
a first external electrical contact connected to the electrical circuit;
a second external electrical contact connected to the electrical circuit, such that when the first external electrical contact is in contact with a first pole of a battery and the second external electrical contact is in contact with a second pole of the battery, the vibrator vibrates with a magnitude of a charge of the battery determining a magnitude of the vibrations.
8. The battery charge testing apparatus as defined in Claim 7, wherein the first external electrical contact and the second external electrical contact are positioned on an external surface of the body.
9. The battery charge testing apparatus as defined in Claim 7, wherein the first external electrical contact is positioned on a first umbilical cord extending from the body and the second external electrical contact is positioned on a second umbilical cord extending from the body.
10. The battery charge testing apparatus as defined in Claim 7, wherein the body has more than one electrical circuit and a selector switch is positioned on an external surface of the body to select one of the more than one electrical circuits depending upon the type of battery to be tested.
1. A method of testing a charge of a battery, comprising the step of:
connecting a battery which is to be tested to a device having an auditory tone generator, the auditory tone generator generating an auditory tone indicative of a magnitude of a charge of a battery.
2. The method as defined in Claim 1, the magnitude of the charge of the battery being indicated by a magnitude of the auditory tone.
3. The method as defined in Claim 1, the magnitude of the charge of the battery being indicated by a pitch of the auditory tone.
4. The method as defined in Claim 1, the auditory tone generator being a voice module, which states the magnitude of the charge of the battery.
5. A battery charge testing apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the method of Claim 1.
7. The battery charge testing apparatus as defined in Claim 6, comprising:
a body;
a vibrator mounted to the body adapted to generate auditory vibrations;
an electrical circuit in the body supplying power to the vibrator;
a first external electrical contact connected to the electrical circuit;
a second external electrical contact connected to the electrical circuit, such that when the first external electrical contact is in contact with a first pole of a battery and the second external electrical contact is in contact with a second pole of the battery, the vibrator vibrates with a magnitude of a charge of the battery determining a magnitude of the vibrations.
8. The battery charge testing apparatus as defined in Claim 7, wherein the first external electrical contact and the second external electrical contact are positioned on an external surface of the body.
9. The battery charge testing apparatus as defined in Claim 7, wherein the first external electrical contact is positioned on a first umbilical cord extending from the body and the second external electrical contact is positioned on a second umbilical cord extending from the body.
10. The battery charge testing apparatus as defined in Claim 7, wherein the body has more than one electrical circuit and a selector switch is positioned on an external surface of the body to select one of the more than one electrical circuits depending upon the type of battery to be tested.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002516346A CA2516346A1 (en) | 2005-08-03 | 2005-08-03 | Battery charge testing apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002516346A CA2516346A1 (en) | 2005-08-03 | 2005-08-03 | Battery charge testing apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2516346A1 true CA2516346A1 (en) | 2007-02-03 |
Family
ID=37696173
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002516346A Abandoned CA2516346A1 (en) | 2005-08-03 | 2005-08-03 | Battery charge testing apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2516346A1 (en) |
-
2005
- 2005-08-03 CA CA002516346A patent/CA2516346A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |