GB2477797A

GB2477797A - Multiple Battery Charger

Info

Publication number: GB2477797A
Application number: GB1002564A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Melvyn Clarkson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-16
Filing date: 2010-02-16
Publication date: 2011-08-17
Also published as: GB201002564D0

Abstract

A multiple battery charger provides independent circuits C, E to charge multiple batteries. The battery outputs are combined into a single output by a special selection circuit F. One of the batteries may be changed without interrupting the output supply. The power input may be ac mains or low voltage dc, and is converted A, B into a common do supply. The microcontroller profiler (D) takes in many inputs to ensure the safe charging of the batteries. The charging current and battery voltage are measured. This allows the microcontroller profiler (D) to execute a 4 stage battery charge algorithm. The microcontroller profiler (D) also has temperature inputs which are positioned locally to the battery. These inputs are used with the algorithm to change the threshold voltages used to determine the next stage in the charging. A heatsink is provided with isolation. The charger is suitable for use in portable traffic lights, portable message displays, caravans, motor homes, camping applications, and building sites.

Description

The Multiple Battery Charger The invention relates to a device capable of charging single or multiple batteries by the use of independent circuitry. These batteries are combined into one output via a special selection circuit.

This ensures that the multiple batteries are not connected in parallel, which may have a detrimental effect. It also allows for a single battery to be changed without interrupting the output supply.

Industrial batteries are extremely heavy and movement and handling of such units come under health & safety regulations that limit the weight handled by an individual. The invention allows for a single operator to change industrial batteries without contravening such regulations.

The invention allows for close bonding of the printed circuit board to the heatsink which in their turn have a cut-out design where, in conventional circumstances, they would otherwise have through hole components. This configuration further allows for extremely good thermai transfer. Each hole in the heatsink is further isolated from high voltage and electric shock by filling with epoxy. A 0.2mm isolating layer between heatsink and printed circuit board provides further high voltage isolation needed to prevent electric shock.

Power input to the invention can be either from 12/24V vehicle circuitry or normal mains input. The invention automatically senses the input voltage.

The battery charger will provide both a 12V vehicle input and normal mains input. This will allow the batteries to be charged while being transported. The charger will automatically switch from the 12V input to the mains input if both are present.

The invention has potential application for existing industries; in particular it would be of practical use in powering portable traffic lights, portable message displays, caravans, motor homes, camping applications and building sites.

Claims

Claims The Multiple Battery Charger 1. The Dual battery charger provides independent circuits to charge multiple batteries. These batteries are combined into one output via a special selection cIrcuit. This ensures that the multiple batteries are not connected in parallel, which may cause an explosion. It also allows one battery to be changed without interrupting the output supply.
2. Because of the weight of industrial batteries the design allows for one person to change batteries without contravening the health and safety regulations.
3. The electronic circuits mounted and PCB will be bolted to a heatsink. The heatsink will have cutouts where normal through hole components are being used. This allows very close bonding of the PCB to the heatsink surface providing a highly efficient thermal transfer. The holes in the heatsink can then be filled with epoxy to maintain high voltage isolation and prevent electric shock.
4. The design allows for a very thin isolating layer between the heatsink and the PCB. This will provide the high voltage isolation needed to prevent electric shock.
5. The design allows for both a 12V vehicle input and normal mains input. This will allow the batteries to be charged while being transported. The charger will automatically switch from the 12V input to the mains input if both are present.The Power Path Controller (F) has internal switches which connects just one battery to the output power. The Power Path Controller (F) selects the battery with the largest voltage.Using Multiple Batteries The number of batteries used in the charger can be increased by increasing the number of Galvanically isolated DC/DC converters (C), (E) so that there is one per battery.The Microcontroller profiler (D) is easily expanded to include the new temperature and battery voltage inputs. The Microcontroller profiler (D) will require additional outputs to control the voltage and current for the new proposed Galvanically isolated DC/DC converters.The power path controller (F) will be expanded to provide new inputs from the multiple batteries.Figure 2, block diagram showing multiple batteries.It is possible to provide output power to the output even with all batteries discharged. This is done by providing a Galvanically isolated DC/DC converters as type (C), (E) to power the output if no battery power is available.Figure 3, Block diagram showing the use of an independent power supply for the load.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows We Claim: 1) A system for managing the charging of a plurality of types of energy packs comprising: a. a plurality of charger circuits each electrically connected in parallel with one of each types of energy packs; b. an output circuit for routing energy from said plurality of types of energy packs to an external connector.2) A system for managing the charging of a plurality of types of energy packs of claim 1,said charger circuits comprising: a. at least one circuit board; b. at least one metal heatsink to fix said circuit board; c. an attached insulating plastic sheet between said circuit board and said metal heatsink.3) A battery charging unit comprising: a. a plurality of external connectors for receiving input power; b. at least one external connector for the charging of a plurality of types of energy packs; c. at least one external connector to provide output energy.