JP3796898B2 - Charging apparatus and charging method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention is suitable for application to a charging device for charging a secondary battery having substantially the same shape as a dry battery, for example.And charging methodAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, secondary batteries (rechargeable batteries) such as nickel cadmium batteries and nickel metal hydride batteries have almost the same shape as AA type dry batteries (alkali dry batteries, manganese dry batteries, etc.), and dry batteries are used as the power source. There are electronic devices that can use the secondary battery as a power source.
[0003]
Since the secondary battery can be used in place of the dry battery in this way, there is no need to purchase a new battery as long as it is charged when using an electronic device powered by a battery. Cost can be greatly reduced.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A secondary battery used in place of such a dry battery has a voltage close to the battery voltage of a dry battery having a terminal voltage of about 1.2 V, and its shape is basically the same as that of a dry battery such as an AA type battery. Shaped. However, if the battery has the same shape as that of the dry battery, when the dry battery is mistakenly attached to the device for charging the secondary battery, the attached dry battery will be charged, resulting in a dangerous state. There is a possibility that.
[0005]
For this reason, in the case of a secondary battery that can be used in place of a dry battery, even if it is basically the same shape as an AA type dry battery, it is often in a shape that can be distinguished from a dry battery on the charging device side. . For example, in the case of a secondary battery for an electronic device that is used by mounting two AA type dry batteries, the two secondary batteries are in the form of connecting the two AA type dry batteries. Some device is given to the shape of the connecting part of the secondary battery. On the charging device side, the connection portion of the two secondary batteries is configured to be detected by a mechanical switch or the like. By doing in this way, when the battery installation is detected by the charging device, when the switch detects the connection part of the secondary battery, it is determined that the secondary battery is installed, and the charging operation is performed. When the connection portion is not detected, it is determined that the dry battery is attached by mistake and the charging operation is not performed.
[0006]
By configuring in this way, only the secondary battery can be charged by the charging device, but if this is done, the secondary battery that can be used instead of a general-purpose dry battery is It can be used only for an electronic device having a battery mounting part (battery case) corresponding to the shape of a connection part or the like that can be distinguished, and the use of a secondary battery is restricted. Further, the charging device side also requires a mechanical switch for detecting the connecting portion and the like, and there is a problem that the configuration of the charging device is complicated.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to easily distinguish the secondary battery on the charging device side when the secondary battery has the same shape as the dry battery.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve this problem, the present invention sets the charging current to the connected battery in advance, detects the voltage between the terminals of the battery, and passes from the start of charging to the battery until the terminal voltage of the battery is checked. If the time is set in advance, the battery is charged with the preset first charging current, and the battery voltage is detected when the voltage between the terminals of the battery exceeds the preset first voltage after the preset first elapsed time Stop supplying charging current toThe secondIf the voltage between the terminals of the battery is detected to be less than the first voltage value after an elapsed time of 1, the charging current to the battery is continuously charged with a preset second current value that is greater than the first current value.,When the voltage between the terminals equal to or higher than the second voltage value higher than the set first voltage value is detected, the supply of the charging current to the battery is stopped.
[0009]
According to the present invention, when the inter-terminal voltage is equal to or higher than the first voltage during the initial charging at the first current value, it is determined that the inter-terminal voltage of the battery is abnormally high, and the battery may be a dry battery. If there is a process for stopping charging and the voltage is below the first voltage even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the battery characteristics of the secondary battery are appropriate, and charging suitable for the secondary battery is performed. Done.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charging device of this example. In this example, a secondary battery (with a battery voltage of about 1.2 V) that has the same shape as an AA type dry battery and is charged by constant current charging. In order to charge the two secondary batteries, the charging circuit of the first channel and the second channel are used to charge the two secondary batteries. The charging circuit of 2 systems is provided. The charging device of this example is configured to be used by being connected to a conversion device (not shown) that rectifies and transforms a commercial AC power source (AC 100V or the like) called an AC adapter. The charging operation is performed using the obtained DC voltage power source as a power source. Instead of the AC adapter, a DC voltage power source from a converter that transforms a DC power source from an automobile battery or the like may be supplied to the power input terminal 11.
[0012]
The power supply voltage obtained at the power supply input terminal 11 is detected by the input voltage detection circuit 12, and the detection data is supplied to the controller 13. The controller 13 is a controller composed of a microcomputer that controls the charging operation of the charging device, and the PWM control signal of each channel (the PWM control signal S of the first channel) to the PWM circuit 14.₁₁, PWM control signal S of the second channel_{twenty one}) To control the charging operation of each channel.
[0013]
In this case, the controller 13 connects the battery B connected to the charging circuit of the first channel.₁The battery B connected to the inter-terminal voltage detection terminal 13a and the second channel charging circuit₂The inter-terminal voltage detection terminal 13b is provided, and the inter-terminal voltage of the battery connected to each charging circuit can be detected by the voltage obtained at the terminals 13a and 13b. Then, the control state of the charging operation is set based on the detected inter-terminal voltage. Although details of the charge control state by the controller 13 will be described later, in this example, charging is first performed with a relatively small current in the initial charge mode, and rapid charging is performed when a certain condition is satisfied in the initial charge mode. Control is performed so that charging is performed with a relatively large current in each mode, and when the voltage between terminals detected during charging in each mode exceeds the value set in each mode, normal secondary operation is performed. It is determined that the battery is not a battery (that is, it may be a dry battery), and a process for stopping charging is performed.
[0014]
The PWM circuit 14 converts a pulse width modulated wave (PWM wave) having a predetermined frequency into a DC / DC converter control signal S based on the charging current detected by the charging current detection circuits 23 and 33.₁₂, S_{twenty two}Is output for each channel and makes the charging current constant. DC / DC converter control signal S of the first channel₁₂Is supplied to the DC / DC converter 21 of the first channel, and the DC / DC converter 21 converts the input power supply voltage Vin obtained at the power input terminal 11 into the voltage V indicated by the control signal._TenAnd Second channel DC / DC converter control signal S_{twenty two}Is supplied to the DC / DC converter 31 of the second channel, and the DC / DC converter 31 converts the input power supply voltage Vin obtained at the power input terminal 11 into the voltage V indicated by the control signal.₂₀And In the following description, the current of the power source obtained at the power input terminal 11 is represented by I₀And the current supplied to the DC / DC converter 21 of the first channel is I₁, The current supplied to the DC / DC converter 31 of the second channel is I₂, The output current of the DC / DC converter 21 of the first channel is I_Ten, The output current of the second channel DC / DC converter 21 is I₂₀And
[0015]
The output of the DC / DC converter 21 of the first channel is supplied to the battery connection terminals 22a and 22b of the first channel, and a battery (secondary battery) B is connected to the connection terminals 22a and 22b.₁Battery B by connecting the positive and negative electrodes of₁Is charged. Here, a charging current detection resistor R1 is inserted between the DC / DC converter 21 and the connection terminal 22b, and one end of the resistor R1 is connected to the charging current detection circuit. In this charging current detection circuit 23, the charging current detected by the resistor R1 is detected in a predetermined state under the control of the controller 13, and the detection signal S is detected.₁₃(A signal indicating a charging current in voltage) is supplied to the PWM circuit 14 via the amplifier 24. In the PWM circuit 14, the charging current detection signal S₁₃Thus, the DC / DC converter 21 of the first channel is controlled so that an appropriate charging current is detected, and constant current charging is performed at a current value set for each mode. Switching of the charging current is performed by supplying a predetermined signal from the controller 13 to the detection circuit 23.
[0016]
The output of the DC / DC converter 31 of the second channel is supplied to the battery connection terminals 32a and 32b of the second channel, and a battery (secondary battery) B is connected to the connection terminals 32a and 32b.₂Battery B by connecting the positive and negative electrodes of₂Is charged. Here, a charging current detection resistor R2 is inserted between the DC / DC converter 31 and the connection terminal 32b, and one end of the resistor R2 is connected to the charging current detection circuit 33. In this charging current detection circuit 33, the charging current detected by the resistor R2 is detected in a predetermined state under the control of the controller 13, and the detection signal S is detected._{twenty three}(A signal indicating a charging current in voltage) is supplied to the PWM circuit 14 via the amplifier 34. In the PWM circuit 14, the charging current detection signal S_{twenty three}Thus, the DC / DC converter 31 of the second channel is controlled so that an appropriate charging current is detected, and constant current charging is performed at a current value set for each mode. Switching of the charging current is performed by supplying a predetermined signal from the controller 13 to the detection circuit 33.
[0017]
As a configuration for detecting the battery voltage by the controller 13, the battery connection terminal 22a of the first channel is grounded via a series circuit of a resistor R3 and a capacitor C1, and the midpoint of connection between the resistor R3 and the capacitor C1. Is connected to the inter-terminal voltage detection terminal 13 a of the controller 13. Further, the battery connection terminal 32a of the second channel is grounded via a series circuit of a resistor R4 and a capacitor C2, and the midpoint of connection between the resistor R4 and the capacitor C2 is an inter-terminal voltage detection terminal of the controller 13. 13b.
[0018]
The controller 13 has four light emitting diodes D1, D2, D3, and D4 connected through resistors R5, R6, R7, and R8, and the light emitting diodes D1, D2, D3, and D4 are connected according to the charge control state at that time. Is controlled to display the state of charge. Specifically, the light emitting diodes D1 and D3 are red light emitting diodes, and the light emitting diodes D2 and D4 are green light emitting diodes. In the standby mode in which charging is not performed, the light emitting diodes do not emit light. Control is performed so that red is continuously emitted in the quick charge mode, green is continuously emitted in the trickle charge mode and the charge end mode, and red is blinked in the abnormal mode.
[0019]
Although not shown, the controller 13 of this example is configured to be able to determine the battery temperature, and the controller 13 can perform an appropriate charge stop process when the temperature is abnormal.
[0020]
Next, the operation when charging is performed by the charging device of this example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 2 shows the battery B connected to the connection terminals 22a and 22b of the first channel.₁In the case of the second channel, the charging process is the same and only the charging circuit is different. In this flowchart, the voltage Va is the battery B detected at the inter-terminal voltage detection terminal 13a of the controller 13.₁Battery voltage.
[0021]
In the following description and flowcharts, it is assumed that there is a battery.
First, when there is a power input of a specified voltage from an AC adapter or the like at the power input terminal 11 (step 101), each circuit such as the controller 13 is activated by the power, and the controller 13 detects the battery detected at the terminal 13a. The terminal voltage Va is a preset low voltage V₁And overvoltage V₂It is judged whether it is between (step 102). In this example, the low voltage V₁1.0V, overvoltage V₂Is set to 2.0V. Here, when it is not in this range, it waits at this step and does not shift to the initial charging operation. Low voltage V₁In the following cases, the low-voltage charging mode not described here is entered and the low-voltage V₁The process of returning to the above battery voltage is performed. In step 102, the voltage Va between the terminals of the battery is reduced to the low voltage V.₁And overvoltage V₂When it is determined that the voltage is in the range between the first channel PWM control signal S₁₁Is turned on (step 103), and the control signal S from the PWM circuit 14 to the DC / DC converter 21 of the first channel is set.₁₂Is started (step 104).
[0022]
By supplying this control signal, the charging current detection signal S detected and supplied by the charging current detection circuit 23 is supplied.₁₃Is the set voltage V_Three(Step 105). If not, the control signal S to the DC / DC converter 21 is determined.₁₂Are changed correspondingly (step 106), and the process returns to the determination of step 105. In step 105, the signal S₁₃Is the voltage V_ThreeIs determined to be approximately equal to the control signal S at that time.₁₂Is fixed (step 107).
[0023]
Next, the charging time after starting the initial charging in step 104 is determined, and the charging time is set to a predetermined time t set in advance.₁(Step 108), and the time t₁Wait until In this example, this predetermined time t₁Is set to 5 minutes. This predetermined time t₁After that, the controller 13 detects that the battery terminal voltage Va detected at the terminal 13a is the voltage V for detecting the dry battery in the initial charging mode._FourIt is determined whether the value is less than (step 109). In the case of this example, the voltage V for detecting the dry cell in this initial charging mode_FourIs 1.70V. Voltage V for dry cell detection in this initial charging mode_FourFor example, the charging current (about 400 mA) in the initial charging mode is applied to a normal secondary battery (nickel metal hydride battery) charged by the charging device of this example for a predetermined time t.₁The voltage is continuously supplied and set to a voltage value slightly higher than the highest possible voltage value as the voltage across the terminals of the secondary battery.
[0024]
In step 109, the terminal voltage Va detected at the terminal 13a is changed to the voltage V._FourIf the controller 13 determines that this is the case, the battery B connected to the terminals 22a and 22b₁Is determined to be a dry battery, and the process proceeds to a charge stop process (step 121). As the charge stop processing in step 121, for example, the PWM control signal S of the first channel is used.₁₁Is turned off, the supply of the charging current from the DC / DC converter 21 of the first channel is stopped, and the abnormal mode is displayed by the light emitting diode connected to the controller 13.
[0025]
  The inter-terminal voltage Va detected at the terminal 13a in step 109 is the voltage V._FourIf the control 13 determines that the charging current is less than the charging current, control is performed to change the charging current to the charging current in the rapid charging mode (here, about 650 mA) (step 110). After the switching of the charging current, the charging current detection signal S detected and supplied by the charging current detection circuit 23 is supplied.₁₃Is the set voltage V_Three ′(Step 111). If not, the control signal S to the DC / DC converter 21 is determined.₁₂Are changed correspondingly (step 112), and the process returns to the determination of step 111. In step 111, the signal S₁₃Is the voltage V_ThreeIf it is determined that it is substantially equal to ′, the control signal S is added to the value at that time.₁₂Is fixed (step 113).
[0026]
Next, the controller 13 detects that the inter-terminal voltage Va detected at the terminal 13a is a voltage V for detecting a dry cell in the quick charge mode._Five(Step 114). In the case of this example, the voltage V for detecting the dry cell in this quick charge mode_FiveIs 1.75V. Voltage V for dry cell detection in this quick charge mode_FiveFor example, the charging current (about 650 mA) in the quick charge mode is continuously supplied to a normal secondary battery (nickel metal hydride battery) charged by the charging device of this example, and the terminal of the secondary battery is set. A voltage value slightly higher than the highest possible voltage value is set as the inter-voltage.
[0027]
In step 114, the inter-terminal voltage Va detected at the terminal 13a is changed to the voltage V._FiveBattery 13 connected to terminals 22a and 22b, if controller 13 determines that₁Is determined to be a dry battery, and the process proceeds to a charge stop process (step 121).
[0028]
In step 114, the inter-terminal voltage Va detected at the terminal 13a is changed to the voltage V._FiveIf the battery voltage Va at that time is determined to be not, the low voltage V₁And overvoltage V₂It is judged whether it is between (step 115). Minimum voltage V here₁And overvoltage V₂Is the same as the value described in step 102. In this step 115, the terminal voltage Va is reduced to the low voltage V.₁And overvoltage V₂If it is determined that it is not within the range, the process proceeds to the charging stop process (step 121).
[0029]
In step 115, the terminal voltage Va is reduced to the low voltage V.₁And overvoltage V₂If it is determined that the temperature is within the range, it is determined whether or not a temperature abnormality is detected from the output of a temperature detection element (not shown) provided in the charging device (step 116). If it is determined, the process proceeds to the charge stop process (step 121).
[0030]
When it is determined that the temperature is not abnormal, so-called -ΔV detection is performed, which is detection of a state in which the voltage Va between the batteries detected at the terminal 13a decreases, and a state in which the voltage Va between the terminals decreases is detected. Whether or not (step 117). Here, when the state where the inter-terminal voltage Va decreases is not detected, the process returns to the determination of step 115, and the processes of steps 115, 116, and 117 are repeated until the state where the inter-terminal voltage Va decreases is detected.
[0031]
When it is detected in step 117 that the voltage Va between the terminals decreases, the trickle charge mode is entered. In this trickle charge mode, a charge current for trickle charge (about 60 mA in this example) is set under the control of the controller 13 (step 118). When this trickle charge is set, the elapsed time from the start of charging in steps 103 and 104 is a predetermined time t._xIt is determined whether or not (6 hours in this example) has been reached (step 119). This time t from the start of charging_xUntil the time elapses, the trickle charge in step 118 is continued, and this time t_xIf it is determined that elapses, charging is stopped (step 120).
[0032]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the secondary battery is charged by such processing. In this example, the secondary battery B is first connected to the connection terminals 22a and 22b of the charging circuit of the first channel.₁After a certain period of time has elapsed after the battery is mounted and the charging is started, the secondary battery B is connected to the connection terminals 32a and 32b of the charging circuit of the second channel.₂This shows the process when charging is started and charging is started. As shown in FIG. 3A, the secondary battery B is connected to the connection terminals 22a and 22b of the first channel.₁When attached, initial charging for 5 minutes is performed. In this initial charging mode, the charging current I_TenAbout 400mA is set as the battery voltage V_TenGradually increases, and when 5 minutes have elapsed from the initial charge, the mode changes to the quick charge mode. In the fast charge mode, the charging current I_TenIs set to about 650 mA and the battery voltage V_TenGradually increases, battery voltage V_Ten-ΔV is detected and the trickle charge mode is entered.
[0033]
Also for the second channel, as shown in FIG. 3B, the secondary battery B is connected to the connection terminals 32a and 32b.₂Is mounted, after 5 minutes of initial charging, rapid charging is performed, and switching to trickle charging is performed when -ΔV is detected.₂₀And battery voltage V₂₀Changes correspondingly. The input voltage from the input terminal 11 detected by the controller 13 changes corresponding to the change of the charging state in each channel as shown in C of FIG.₀Changes as shown in FIG.
[0034]
In this way, in the case of the charging device of this example, the charging process is performed independently in each channel, and the two secondary batteries are brought into a fully charged state while appropriately controlling charging separately. Can do.
[0035]
Here, when the battery attached to one of the channels is not a secondary battery but a dry battery (such as an alkaline battery or a manganese battery), charging is stopped for the channel and an abnormal display is performed. That is, FIG. 4 shows an example in which a dry battery is attached. For example, when a dry battery having a certain characteristic is mistakenly attached to the terminals 22a and 22b (or terminals 32a and 32b), the terminal 13a (or terminal 13b) is shown. ) Is the voltage V in FIG._XAnd the voltage V preset during the initial charging._Four(In this example, it exceeds 1.70V). Therefore, the voltage V at the time when the initial charging is completed._Four(The process of step 109 in the flowchart of FIG. 2), it is determined that the battery of this channel is not a normal secondary battery, the charge stop process is performed, and the dry battery or the like is erroneously charged. Absent.
[0036]
In the unlikely event that the battery is charged during the initial charging, the voltage V_FourEven when a dry battery having a characteristic not exceeding 1 is charged, the voltage V in FIG._yThe battery voltage becomes the voltage V_FiveVoltage V during rapid charging_Five(The process of step 114 in the flowchart of FIG. 2), it is determined that the battery of this channel is not a normal secondary battery, and the charge stop process is performed.
[0037]
Therefore, according to the charging device of this example, when a dry battery or a secondary battery with abnormal characteristics is attached, charging to the battery is stopped, and it is possible to prevent the dry battery from being charged accidentally. In this case, since the detection of the dry battery or the like is performed from the voltage detection, it is possible to correctly detect the secondary battery and the dry battery even if they have exactly the same shape, and it is necessary to devise some way to distinguish the secondary battery from the dry battery. In addition, high safety is ensured without preparing a dedicated secondary battery, and there is no need for a switch for detecting the shape, etc., compared to the case of detecting the secondary battery from the shape, and the configuration of the charging device Can be simple.
[0038]
Note that the values such as the voltage value, current value, and charging time shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and appropriate values vary depending on the type, characteristics, capacity, etc. of the battery to be charged. There is a case.
[0039]
In the above-described embodiment, a single charging device that is operated by a power source from an AC adapter or the like is used. However, the charging circuit is also controlled when a charging circuit is built in an electronic device driven by a secondary battery. Applicable.
[0040]
In the above-described embodiment, the charging circuit is a circuit that performs constant current charging by controlling conversion in the DC / DC converter by the frequency of the PWM wave. However, the charging circuit can be applied to charging circuits of other configurations. Of course.
[0041]
Moreover, although it was set as the charging device which can charge two secondary batteries separately in embodiment mentioned above, it is the charging device which can charge only one secondary battery, and the charging device which can charge more charging devices. Of course, it is applicable. Further, the secondary battery to be charged can also be applied to various secondary batteries (such as a nickel cadmium battery) other than the nickel metal hydride battery shown in the above-described embodiment.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
  BookAccording to the invention, during the initial charging with the first current value, when the inter-terminal voltage is equal to or higher than the first voltage, it is determined that the inter-terminal voltage of the battery is abnormally high, and the battery may be a dry battery. If there is a process to stop chargingThe Also according to the present invention,When the voltage is equal to or lower than the first voltage even after the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the battery characteristic is that of the secondary battery, and charging suitable for the secondary battery is performed. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish between a dry battery and a secondary battery from the difference in characteristics of the battery voltage, and only when the attached battery is a secondary battery, the secondary battery is charged correctly, and erroneous charging of the dry battery is prevented. It has an effect that can be prevented. In addition, when charging a secondary battery having the same shape as the dry battery, there is no need to distinguish between the dry battery and the secondary battery with a mechanical switch or the like, and a charging device for the secondary battery having a shape corresponding to the dry battery is provided. In this case, the configuration can be simplified.
[0043]
  Also bookAccording to the invention, in a state where the second current value is set, when the voltage between the terminals detected by the voltage detecting means becomes the second voltage higher than the first voltage, the supply of the charging current is stopped. By doing in this way, the detection when a dry cell is mounted can be performed more reliably, and erroneous charging of the dry cell can be more effectively prevented.
[0044]
  Also bookAccording to the invention, the first and second voltages are set to a value higher than the maximum inter-terminal voltage that is possible when a charging current having the first or second current value is supplied to a normal secondary battery. Thus, there is an effect that the dry cell detection in each case can be accurately performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a charging process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a timing chart during charging according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of battery voltage change when the primary battery is mounted according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Power supply input terminal, 13 ... Controller, 13a ... Terminal voltage detection terminal of 1st channel, 13b ... Voltage detection terminal between 2nd channel terminals, 14 ... PWM circuit, 21 ... DC / DC converter of 1st channel, 22a, 22b ... 1st channel battery connection terminal, 23 ... 1st channel charging current detection circuit, 31 ... 2nd channel DC / DC converter, 32a, 32b ... 2nd channel battery connection terminal, 33 ... 2nd Channel charging current detection circuit, B₁... Battery connected to the first channel, B₂... Battery connected to the second channel, S₁₁... PWM control signal for the first channel, S₁₂... 1st channel DC / DC converter control signal, S₁₃... 1st channel charging current detection signal, S_{twenty one}... Second channel PWM control signal, S_{twenty two}... Second channel DC / DC converter control signal, S_{twenty three}... Second channel charging current detection signal

Claims (4)

In a charging device for charging a connected battery,
Charging current setting means for presetting a charging current to the connected battery;
Terminal voltage detecting means for detecting a voltage between the terminals of the battery;
Check time setting means for presetting the elapsed time from the start of charging the battery to checking the terminal voltage of the battery;
The battery is charged with a first charging current preset by the charging current setting means, and after the first elapsed time preset by the check time setting means, the voltage between the terminals of the battery is preset by the voltage detection means. If if it detects more than the first voltage set to stop the supply of charging current to the battery, the upper SL terminal voltage of the battery after the first elapsed time is detected less than the first voltage value is the charging current to the battery continues to charge the second current value set in advance larger than the first current value, the upper Symbol voltage detecting means second higher preset the first voltage value by And a charging control means for stopping the supply of the charging current to the battery when a voltage across the terminals equal to or greater than the voltage value is detected. In a charging device for charging a connected battery,
Charging current setting means for presetting a charging current to the connected battery;
Check time setting means for presetting the elapsed time from the start of charging the battery to checking the terminal voltage of the battery;
The battery is charged with a first charging current preset by the charging current setting means, and after the first elapsed time preset by the check time setting means, the voltage between the terminals of the battery is preset by the voltage detection means. When the charging voltage supply to the battery is stopped when the set first voltage value or more is detected, and the terminal voltage of the battery is detected to be less than the first voltage value after the first elapsed time the second and continues charging by a current value, the voltage between the terminals by the upper Symbol voltage detecting means a preset first voltage the charging current previously set greater than the first current value to the battery Charge control means for stopping supply of the charging current to the battery when a voltage equal to or lower than a second voltage value lower than the first voltage value and a voltage equal to or higher than a third voltage value higher than the first voltage value is detected. Charging featuring Location. In a charging method for charging a connected battery,
A charging current setting step for presetting a charging current to the connected battery;
A terminal voltage detection step of detecting a voltage between the terminals of the battery;
A check time setting step for presetting an elapsed time from the start of charging the battery to checking the terminal voltage of the battery;
The battery is charged with the first charging current set in advance by the charging current setting step, and after the first elapsed time set in advance by the check time setting step, the voltage between the terminals of the battery is set in advance by the voltage detection step. If if it detects more than the first voltage set to stop the supply of charging current to the battery, the upper SL terminal voltage of the battery after the first elapsed time is detected less than the first voltage value is the charging current to the battery continues to charge the second current value set in advance larger than the first current value, the upper Symbol voltage detecting second higher than the first voltage value set in advance by the step A charge control step of stopping the supply of the charging current to the battery when a voltage across the terminals equal to or greater than the voltage value of
A charging method characterized by comprising: In a charging method for charging a connected battery,
A charging current setting step for presetting a charging current to the connected battery;
A check time setting step for presetting an elapsed time from the start of charging the battery to checking the terminal voltage of the battery;
The battery is charged with the first charging current set in advance by the charging current setting step, and after the first elapsed time set in advance by the check time setting step, the voltage between the terminals of the battery is set in advance by the voltage detection step. When the charging voltage supply to the battery is stopped when the set first voltage value or more is detected, and the terminal voltage of the battery is detected to be less than the first voltage value after the first elapsed time the second and continues charging by a current value, above the terminal voltage by the upper SL voltage detecting step a preset first voltage the charging current previously set greater than the first current value to the battery and a charging control step the supply of charging current to the battery is stopped when it detects a second voltage lower value or less and the first voltage higher third voltage value higher voltage than the value than the value Charging method, characterized in that.

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