548889 五、發明説明(1 ) 發明領域 本係關於電池充電。具體地說本發明係關於用以電池 快速充電之方法與裝置,其提供一充電循環,在其期間週 期性地將一電池放電。本發明具有於鉛_酸,鎳_金屬氫化 物和鎳-鎘電池之快速充電中的特殊應用。 發明背景 充電一電池牽涉到使電流從一適當的直流電源供應器 通過電池。充電之速率視充電電流之大小而定。理論上可 藉由使用一較高的充電電流來減少充電時間。然而,實際 上,對於可使用之充電電流有一限制。所有的電池具有一 些内部電阻。當充電電流通過其内部電阻時消耗的功率會 將電池加熱。當一電池被加熱時產生的熱會防礙電池達到 完整充電之能力,且在極端情況中,會損壞電池。 因為最大充電速率受到限制,所以將一電池充到其容 量要花一段長時間。在一些情況中,長達16小時之電池充 電時間是標準的。充電一特定電池之時間視電池之容量和 結構而定。 目前的電池充電器之其他問題為其並非總是以最佳化 被充電電池之使用壽命之方式來設計的。一些充電器藉由 提供額外的充電電流來達到減少的充電時間。這會縮短受 充電之電池的壽命。 雜-酸電池仍為供諸如引擎發動,供電給諸如起貨機和 類似者之電動交通工具等許多重負荷應用使用之最實際的 電池型式。热-酸電池應在特定的一般參數内充電是廣為人 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準(CNS) Μ規格(21〇χ297公釐) 548889 A7 B7 五、發明説明(2 ) 知的。一般認為一鉛_酸電池不應以大於超過電池容量之 10%至15%之速率來充電至其全部的容量。快速的充電增 加了電池溫度且會損壞電池。當受充電之電池為一低充電 之狀態時,較大的充電電流可應用短時間以“推動,,電池。 一錯-酸電池之典型的多階充電器應用三個充電階 段。在第一階段期間,充電器將一恒定的充電電流通過電 池’如此使得其在約五個小時中充電至約其全部容量之 70%。在第二階段期間,充電器以一減少的充電電流加上 一 “頂部’’充電,如此使得電池在另外約五小時之期間充電 至其完整的容量。在第三階段期間,充電器加上一浮動充 電以補償自身放電。 在充電鉛-酸電池時,觀察電池胞元電壓限制亦是重要 的。一特定電池之胞元之限制係與電池充電之狀況有關。 一典型的電壓限制範圍為從2.30V至2.45V。 鎳鎘(NiCd)和鎳金屬氫化物(NiMH)電池被廣泛地使 用’特別是做為供電給電子裝置之用。這樣的裝置通常需 要頻繁的再充電。在產生快速充電而不會損壞電池的企圖 方面,不同的充電架構己被提出,且供NiCd和NiMH電池 之用。許多這樣的架構需要能夠將高頻電池波形加至受充 電電池之充電器。 一些製造商宣稱對鎳-鎘(NiCd)電池之短得驚人的充 電時間1 5分鐘或甚至更低。以一 NiCd電池在完美的狀況 中’於一溫度受控之環境中,藉由提供一很高的充電電流 要將NiCd電池在·--h分短的時間内充電有時是可能的。在 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準(CNS) A4規格(210X297公釐) (請先閲讀背面之注意事項本頁) ·、τ· 548889 五、發明説明( 實IV、的應用中,因為不完美的電池封裝,這樣的快速充電 時間幾乎是不可能達到的。 ^已提出了一些電池充電器,其中受充電之電池在充電 循%中以不同的點放電。此週期性的放電被稱為能減少内 =電阻和減少結果產生的受充電電池之加熱。這樣一個充 電态之靶例說明於Pittman等人所作之美國專利第 項 ,998,968號中。卩沿咖11等人之充電循環應用一剛千分之 訂 "T之充電脈衝七恰2千分之一秒的放電。放電電流大於充 電電流。此專利以約10赫茲之頻率重覆。Rider等人所作的 美國專利第5,499,234號為此型式之電池充電器之另一 例Rider荨人所作之充電器週期性地以一約等於充電電流 之放電電流將一電池放電。Ayres等人所作之美國專利第 5,561,360號揭示了一種電池充電器,其開始時應用一恒定 的充電電流。當電池被部份充電時,Ayres等人所作之充電 器開始週期性地將電池放電。 顯不其他電池充電器之專利為Samsi〇e所作之美國專 利第4,179,648號;Sethi所作之美國專利第3,622,857號; Jones所作之美國專利第3,857,〇87號;以及布朗二世等人所 作之美國專利第5,617,005號。 電池供電設備的一個共同的困難為電池的過早老化, 其結果造成穩定性上的逐步退化。有時退化造成一逆轉的 容量損失或者“記憶,,。因為記憶之故,電池隨著每次再充 電而退回其僅能保持小於其原始容量之一半之處。這會妨 礙由電池供電之裝置之正確操作。再者,當一電池無法被 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準(CNS) A4規格(210X297公釐) 548889 A7548889 V. Description of the Invention (1) Field of the Invention This department is about battery charging. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for rapid battery charging, which provides a charging cycle during which a battery is periodically discharged. The invention has special applications in fast charging of lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium batteries. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Charging a battery involves passing current from a suitable DC power supply through the battery. The charging rate depends on the charging current. Theoretically, the charging time can be reduced by using a higher charging current. However, in practice, there is a limit to the charge current that can be used. All batteries have some internal resistance. The power dissipated when the charging current passes through its internal resistance heats the battery. The heat generated when a battery is heated can prevent the battery from reaching full charge and, in extreme cases, damage the battery. Because the maximum charge rate is limited, it takes a long time to charge a battery to its capacity. In some cases, battery charge times of up to 16 hours are standard. The time to charge a particular battery depends on the capacity and structure of the battery. Other problems with current battery chargers are that they are not always designed to optimize the life of the battery being charged. Some chargers achieve reduced charging time by providing additional charging current. This will shorten the life of the battery being charged. Hetero-acid batteries are still the most practical type of battery for use in many heavy-duty applications, such as engine starting and powering electric vehicles such as pick-up machines and the like. Thermal-acid batteries should be charged within certain general parameters. It is widely accepted that the paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) M specification (21 × 297 mm) 548889 A7 B7. 5. Description of the invention (2). It is generally believed that a lead-acid battery should not be charged to its full capacity at a rate greater than 10% to 15% of the battery capacity. Fast charging increases battery temperature and can damage the battery. When the battery being charged is in a low-charge state, a large charging current can be applied for a short time to "push," the battery. A typical multi-stage charger for an error-acid battery has three charging stages. In the first During the phase, the charger passes a constant charging current through the battery 'so that it charges to about 70% of its full capacity in about five hours. During the second phase, the charger charges a reduced charging current plus one "Top" charging, which allows the battery to charge to its full capacity in about another five hours. During the third phase, the charger adds a floating charge to compensate for self-discharge. When charging lead-acid batteries, it is also important to observe battery cell voltage limits. The cell limitation of a particular battery is related to the condition of the battery charge. A typical voltage limit is from 2.30V to 2.45V. Nickel cadmium (NiCd) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are widely used ', especially for powering electronic devices. Such devices often require frequent recharging. In an attempt to generate a fast charge without damaging the battery, different charging architectures have been proposed for NiCd and NiMH batteries. Many such architectures require a charger capable of applying high frequency battery waveforms to a charged battery. Some manufacturers claim a surprisingly short charge time of 15 minutes or even less for nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries. With a NiCd battery in perfect condition 'in a temperature controlled environment, it is sometimes possible to charge a NiCd battery within a short period of time by providing a high charging current. In this paper size, the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) is applied (please read the precautions on the back page first) ·, τ · 548889 V. Description of the invention (real IV, in the application, because it is not perfect Such a fast charging time is almost impossible to achieve in a battery package. ^ Some battery chargers have been proposed in which the charged battery is discharged at different points during the charge cycle. This periodic discharge is said to reduce Internal = resistance and reduction result from heating by the rechargeable battery. Such a target example of charge state is illustrated in US Patent No. 998,968 by Pittman et al. 卩 Along the charging cycle of Eleven and others, a thousand thousand The charge pulse of T &T; T discharges exactly 2 thousandths of a second. The discharge current is greater than the charge current. This patent is repeated at a frequency of about 10 Hz. US Patent No. 5,499,234 by Rider et al. Another example of a battery charger by Rider is to periodically discharge a battery with a discharge current approximately equal to the charging current. US Patent by Ayres et al. No. 5,561, 360 discloses a battery charger that initially uses a constant charging current. When the battery is partially charged, the charger made by Ayres et al. Starts to discharge the battery periodically. No other battery charger is shown Patents are US Patent No. 4,179,648 by Samsioe; US Patent No. 3,622,857 by Sethi; US Patent No. 3,857,087 by Jones; and US Patent No. 5,617,005 by Brown II et al. A common difficulty for battery-powered equipment is the premature aging of the battery, which results in a gradual degradation of stability. Sometimes degradation causes a reversal of capacity loss or "memory." Because of memory, the battery is It can only be kept less than half of its original capacity after being recharged. This will prevent the correct operation of the battery-powered device. Furthermore, when a battery cannot be used in accordance with the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification for this paper size ( 210X297 mm) 548889 A7
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548889 A7 B7 _ 五、發明説明(5 ) 定的電流充電和放電步驟;減少充電電流之大小約 0 · 0 5 X C,在充電電流變化步驟中的減少之後,以交互之順 序重覆恒定電流充電和放電步驟之設定,每次設定持續一 15分鐘至26分鐘之時間的持續時間,直到充電電流變數之 值小於或等於0.5xC ;將充電電流變數之值設定為〇.5xc ; 以交互順序重覆恒定電流充電和放電步驟直到電池電壓達 到一特定的大小為止;將一充電電壓變數之值設定為一特 定大小;對一具有在60秒至1 80秒之範圍中的持續時間之充 電週期來說,將一具有一等於充電電壓變數之值之大小之 充電電壓加至電池上;對一具有在1〇秒至2〇秒之範圍中之 持續時間的放電週期來說,使電池通過負載放出一具有大 小在0_05xC至0.07xC之範圍中之電流;且以交互順序重覆 恒定電壓充電和放電步驟直到充電電流達到一特定大小, 或者重覆上面的充電和放電步驟所花費之時間達到一特定 持續時間為止。 若電池為一鎳-金屬氫化物或鎳-鑛電池,則方法包 含··對一具有9秒至11秒之範圍中之持續時間之充電週期來 說,將一具有大小在1.9xC至2.1xC之範圍中之電流通過電 池;對一具有在0.9秒至1.1秒之範圍中之持續時間之放電 週期來說,使電池通過一負載放出一具有在019“至 0.21 xC之範圍中之大小之電流;以及以交互順序重覆上述 的恒定電流充電和放電步驟,直到電池電壓達到一特定大 小或重覆上述的恒定電流充電和放電步驟所花費的時間達 到一特定的持續時間為止。 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準(CNS) A4規格(210X297公釐) 9 (請先閱讀背面之注意事項再本頁) •、可| 548889 A7 五、發明説明(6 ) 在較佳實施例中,對一鉛-酸電池之充電週期之持續時 間為在1〇0秒至140秒之範圍中,而對一鎳-金屬氫化物或一 鎳-鎘電池之充電週期之持續時間為在9秒至11秒之範圍 中。對一鉛·酸電池之放電週期之持續時間為在⑺秒至2〇 和之範圍中,而對一鎳-金屬氫化物或一鎳-鎘電池之放電 週期之持續時間為在0.9秒至1.1秒之範圍中。548889 A7 B7 _ V. Description of the invention (5) Fixed current charging and discharging steps; reduce the charging current by about 0 · 0 5 XC. After the reduction in the charging current change step, repeat the constant current charging in an interactive sequence. And the setting of the discharge step, each time lasts for a duration of 15 minutes to 26 minutes, until the value of the charging current variable is less than or equal to 0.5xC; the value of the charging current variable is set to 0.5xc; repeated in an interactive sequence Covering the constant current charging and discharging steps until the battery voltage reaches a specific magnitude; setting the value of a charging voltage variable to a specific magnitude; for a charging cycle having a duration in the range of 60 seconds to 180 seconds Say, a charging voltage having a magnitude equal to the value of the charging voltage variable is added to the battery; for a discharge cycle having a duration in the range of 10 seconds to 20 seconds, the battery is discharged through the load A current having a range of 0_05xC to 0.07xC; and repeating the constant voltage charging and discharging steps in an interactive sequence until the charging current reaches a specific The time it takes the size, or repeated charging and discharging steps above reaches a specified duration. If the battery is a nickel-metal hydride or nickel-mine battery, the method includes ... For a charge cycle having a duration in the range of 9 seconds to 11 seconds, a battery having a size in the range of 1.9xC to 2.1xC A current in the range passes through the battery; for a discharge cycle having a duration in the range of 0.9 seconds to 1.1 seconds, the battery is discharged through a load with a current having a magnitude in the range of 019 "to 0.21 xC And repeat the constant current charging and discharging steps in an interactive sequence until the battery voltage reaches a specific size or the time it takes to repeat the constant current charging and discharging steps described above reaches a specific duration. This paper standard applies China National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) 9 (Please read the precautions on the back before this page) • 、 可 | 548889 A7 V. Description of the invention (6) In a preferred embodiment, for a lead- The duration of the charge cycle of an acid battery is in the range of 100 seconds to 140 seconds, and the duration of the charge cycle of a nickel-metal hydride or a nickel-cadmium battery is in the range of 9 seconds to 11 seconds. Medium. The duration of the discharge cycle for a lead-acid battery is in the range of leap seconds to 20 and the duration of the discharge cycle for a nickel-metal hydride or nickel-cadmium battery is 0.9 seconds. In the range of 1.1 seconds.
在較佳實施例中,方法包括等待重置週期,其每個具 有不起過充電週期之持續時間之2%之持續時間,且恰在 母次充電週期之前和之後。最好重置週期具有小於2 〇 〇千分 之一秒之持續時間。 本發明亦提供電池充電器,其執行根據本發明之方法。 訂 一些貫施例具有一關閉計時間,其組態為若電池為一 鉛-酸電池,在一範圍為1〇〇分鐘至18〇分鐘中之週期之後切 斷充電循環;且其組態為若電池為一鎳-金屬氫化物或鎳· 鎘電池的話在一範圍為2〇分鐘至6〇分鐘之週期之後切斷充 電循環。最好關閉計時器對鉛-酸電池在約2小時中結束充 電循環。 一些實施例具有一連接來比較一受測電池之電壓與一 參考電壓之電壓比較器。在這些實施财,控制電路組態 為在初始化充電循環之前,判斷電壓比較器是否指出電池 電壓大於參考電壓。若如此,則控制電路將介於受充電電 池之端點之間的負載連接,直到電池電壓等於或小於參考 電壓為止。這確保了正被充電之電池全部是在以相同的電 壓大小上開始。 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準(CNS) A4規格(210X297公楚) 548889 五、發明説明(7 ) v —些實施例使用一溫度感測器,諸如一電熱調節器, 來測量一受充電電池之溫度,如此溫度上升之速度可被監 視:當溫度上升之速率超過一臨界時,充電可被懸置或加 至受充電電池之充電能量可被減少。臨界可為每分鐘攝氏2 度。 在下面描述本發明之進一步的特徵和優點。 圖式簡 在說明本發明之非限制性的實施例之圖形中: 第1A圖為一說明一種充電一鉛-酸電池之方法之流程 圖; 第1B圖為一說明一種充電一鎳-金屬氫化物或鎳-鎘電 池之流程圖; 第2圖為一對本發明之較佳實施例供應給一鉛_酸電池 及從其獲得之電流和電壓如時間函數之繪圖; 第3圖為一對本發明之較佳實施例供應給一鎳_金屬氫 化物或鎳-鎘電池及從其獲得之電流和電壓如時間函數之 繪圖; 第4圖為一根據本發明之簡單之實施例之電池充電器 之方塊圖;以及, 第5圖為一對根據本發明之一特定實施例之快速充電 裔之電氣不意圖。 詳細說明 本發明具有對充電鉛_酸電池,鎳-金屬氫化物(NiMH) 和鎳·編電池(NiCd)電池之特定應用。_根據本發明之電池 11 本紙張尺度適用巾關緖準(CNS) A4規格7Ii〇X297公楚了 548889 發明説明 充電器可特定地被採用來充電錯-酸電池,可特定地被採用 來充電NiMH以及NiCd電池或可具有容納這些電池型式之 二者之方案。 充電鉛·酸電池 第1A圖為一根據本發明充電一鉛_酸電池之方法之流 程圖。第2圖為-在第i圖之方法期間供應給_紹_酸電池及 從其獲得之電流和電壓如時間函數之繪圖。參考第丨八圖, 步驟120將充電電流設定為一在〇.65xC至〇7〇>^之範圍中 之初始速度(其中“C”為以安培-小時為單位之受充電電流 之容量)。除了在本申請案中另外說明之外,電流以安培(α) 表示,而電池容量以安培-小時(Ah)為單位來表示。一電流 可與一電池之容量相關來說明。例如,對一6〇安培-小時之 容量的電池(即〇60)來說,一 〇.65xC之充電電流為 0.65x60=39安培和一 〇.〇6xC之放電電流為〇 〇6χ6〇=3 6安 培。對一 700安培-小時之電池(即c=7〇〇)來說,一 〇65><c之 充電電流為0.65x700=455安培,而一 〇.〇6xc之放電電流為 0·06χ700=42 安培。 在步驟122,以在步驟120中所決定的充電電池將受充 電電池充電達60秒至180秒之範圍中的時間(最好在!〇〇秒 至140秒之範圍中)。在步驟124,以〇 〇5xC^〇 〇7xC之範圍 中的速率將受充電之電池放電達10秒至2〇秒之範圍中的時 間(最好在13秒至17秒之範圍中)。重覆步驟122和124。 發明者已確定步驟122和124之充電-放電減少了將一 電池帶至完整充電所花之時間,且增加了可傳送至一電池 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準(CNS) A4規格(210X297公釐) 12 (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再 本頁) •裝- 訂— 548889 A7 _______B7 五、發明説明(9 ) 之總體電荷。此充電循環已被發現在充電期間只產生一小 的溫度上升。此保持了電池之壽命。 最好在每次充電週期之前和之後有短的重置週期(未 顯不於第1B和2圖中)。重置週期最好不長於充電週期之持 續時間之約2%,且可十分短,例如約1/5秒(約2〇〇千分之一 秒)或更少。 重覆充電-重置-放電-重置之樣式,開始時充電位置在 一 〇.65xC至〇.70xC之充電電流上,直到一第一週期之末端 為止,如步驟126中所決定的。在較佳實施例中,第一週期 具有在15至20分鐘之範圍内的長度,其約為在本發明之較 佳實施例中之鉛-酸電池之全部充電時間的八分之一。在第 一週期之末端,以約0.05xC之大小步階地減少充電電流 驟 128)。 重覆步驟122至128之充電循環達連續數個週期。在每 2週期之末端,以約0.05xC步階地減少充電電流。在較佳 貫施例中,&電電流的步階減少^與在每個週期之末端時 的相同量。每個週期具有範圍15至2〇分鐘之長度,其最好 為與第一週期之長度相同。雖然可以,但週期不一定等長。 若週期不等長,則最好對應於受充電電池具有較高接受度 :時間之第-週期長於之後的週期。週期最好約平均^ 鐘長’如此使得四個週期約佔9〇分鐘。 此型式持續,直到週期末端時的充電電流上的步階減 m充«流減少至少於G,5xc為止。—般這將發生在第四 個周期之末端上,其在充循環之起始後60至1〇〇分鐘之間結 5張尺度適用中規格⑵---'—In a preferred embodiment, the method includes waiting for a reset period, each of which has a duration of 2% of the duration of the overcharge period, and just before and after the primary and secondary charge periods. Preferably, the reset period has a duration of less than 2000 thousandths of a second. The invention also provides a battery charger which performs the method according to the invention. Some implementation examples have a shutdown time, which is configured to cut off the charge cycle after a period ranging from 100 minutes to 180 minutes if the battery is a lead-acid battery; and its configuration is If the battery is a nickel-metal hydride or nickel-cadmium battery, the charge cycle is turned off after a period ranging from 20 minutes to 60 minutes. It is best to turn off the timer to end the charge cycle of the lead-acid battery in about 2 hours. Some embodiments have a voltage comparator connected to compare the voltage of a battery under test with a reference voltage. In these implementations, the control circuit is configured to determine whether the voltage comparator indicates that the battery voltage is greater than a reference voltage before initiating a charge cycle. If so, the control circuit connects the load between the terminals of the charged battery until the battery voltage is equal to or less than the reference voltage. This ensures that all the batteries being charged start at the same voltage level. This paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297). 548889 V. Description of the invention (7) v—Some embodiments use a temperature sensor, such as a thermistor, to measure the capacity of a rechargeable battery. Temperature, so that the rate of temperature rise can be monitored: when the rate of temperature rise exceeds a threshold, charging can be suspended or the charging energy added to the charged battery can be reduced. The threshold can be 2 degrees Celsius per minute. Further features and advantages of the invention are described below. The drawing is briefly illustrated in a diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention: FIG. 1A is a flowchart illustrating a method of charging a lead-acid battery; FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a charging-nickel-metal hydrogenation Flow diagram of a lithium or nickel-cadmium battery; Figure 2 is a pair of drawings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention supplied to a lead-acid battery and the current and voltage obtained therefrom as a function of time; Figure 3 is a pair of the present invention The preferred embodiment is supplied to a nickel-metal hydride or nickel-cadmium battery and the current and voltage obtained therefrom as a function of time; Figure 4 is a diagram of a battery charger according to a simple embodiment of the present invention Block diagram; and, FIG. 5 is a pair of electrical diagrams of a fast charging device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention has specific applications for rechargeable lead-acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), and nickel-cell batteries (NiCd) batteries. _Battery according to the present invention 11 This paper is suitable for paper towels (CNS) A4, 7Iio × 297, clear 548889 Description of the invention The charger can be specifically used to charge wrong-acid batteries, which can be specifically used to charge NiMH and NiCd batteries may have solutions to accommodate both of these battery types. Rechargeable Lead-Acid Battery FIG. 1A is a flowchart of a method for charging a lead-acid battery according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a plot of the current and voltage as a function of time supplied to and from the acid battery during the method of Figure i. Referring to Fig. 丨, step 120 sets the charging current to an initial speed in the range of 0.65xC to 0.07 > (where "C" is the capacity of the charging current in amp-hours) . Unless otherwise stated in this application, the current is expressed in amperes (α), and the battery capacity is expressed in ampere-hours (Ah). A current can be explained in relation to the capacity of a battery. For example, for a 60 amp-hour capacity battery (ie 60), the charge current of 10.65xC is 0.65x60 = 39 amps and the discharge current of 1.06xC is 〇6χ6〇 = 3 6 amps. For a 700 amp-hour battery (ie, c = 700), the charging current of 1,065 > c is 0.65x700 = 455 amps, and the discharge current of 1.06xc is 0.606x700 = 42 amps. In step 122, the charged battery is charged with the rechargeable battery determined in step 120 for a time in the range of 60 seconds to 180 seconds (preferably in the range of 100 seconds to 140 seconds). At step 124, the charged battery is discharged at a rate in the range of 005xC ^ 〇07xC for a time in the range of 10 seconds to 20 seconds (preferably in the range of 13 seconds to 17 seconds). Repeat steps 122 and 124. The inventors have determined that the charge-discharge of steps 122 and 124 reduces the time it takes to bring a battery to full charge, and increases the time it can be transmitted to a battery. ) 12 (Please read the notes on the back before this page) • Binding-548889 A7 _______B7 V. The total charge of the description of the invention (9). This charging cycle has been found to produce only a small temperature rise during charging. This maintains the battery life. It is best to have short reset cycles before and after each charge cycle (not shown in Figures 1B and 2). The reset period is preferably not longer than about 2% of the duration of the charging period, and may be very short, such as about 1/5 second (about 2000 thousandths of a second) or less. Repeat the charging-resetting-discharging-resetting pattern. At the beginning, the charging position is at a charging current of 10.65xC to 0.70xC until the end of a first cycle, as determined in step 126. In the preferred embodiment, the first cycle has a length in the range of 15 to 20 minutes, which is approximately one-eighth of the total charging time of the lead-acid battery in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. At the end of the first cycle, the charging current is reduced in steps of approximately 0.05xC (step 128). The charging cycles of steps 122 to 128 are repeated for several consecutive cycles. At the end of every 2 cycles, the charging current is reduced in steps of approximately 0.05xC. In the preferred embodiment, the & electric current is reduced by the same amount as at the end of each cycle. Each cycle has a length ranging from 15 to 20 minutes, which is preferably the same as the length of the first cycle. Although it is possible, the cycle is not necessarily of equal length. If the periods are not equal, it is better to correspond to the higher acceptance of the charged battery: the first period of time is longer than the subsequent periods. The cycle is preferably about average ^ clock length 'so that the four cycles take about 90 minutes. This pattern continues until the step of the charge current at the end of the cycle is reduced by m charge «current is reduced by less than G, 5xc. -Generally this will happen at the end of the fourth cycle, which will be completed within 60 to 100 minutes after the start of the charging cycle.
(請先閱讀背面之注意事項再本頁) 訂------------ 548889 A7 ____ B7 五、發明説明(l〇) 束(且最好約90分鐘)。在第四週期期間,充電電流一般在 約0.5xC至0.55xC之範圍中。在充電電流將被減少至小於 0.5C之值之週期末端上,如步驟13〇所決定的,在步驟132 中將充電電流設定至約〇. 5 X C ± 5 %之固定值。 在步驟134和136中,重覆充電-重置-放電-重置樣式, 且充電發生於固定值,直到電池電壓達到一如步驟138中所 決定的特定大小為止。當電池電壓已達特定值時,步驟12〇 至138之定電流模式結束,而在步驟ι4〇上開始一定電壓模 式。步驟140將一充電電壓設定至一特定大小。步驟142至 148以在步驟140中所設定的電壓上所傳遞的充電電流重覆 充電-重覆-放電-重覆樣式,直到充電電流已少至如步驟 146中所決定的特定大小,或者直到充電已進行一段如步驟 148中所決定的特定持續時間為止,視哪個先發生而定。然 後終止主充電循環。在主充電循環已終止後,可週期性地 應用一浮動充電以補償自我放電。 充電NiMH或NiCd電池 第1C圖為一顯示根據本發明來充電一NiMH或NiCd電 池之方法之流程圖。第3 BI為一在一充電循環期間,根據本 發明之較佳實施例在NiMH或NiCd電池之端點上的電流和 電壓為一時間函數之圖形。在步驟18〇上,以一在約h9Xc 至2.1 Xc之範圍内之充電電流將受充電電池充電達9至丨丨秒 之範圍内的充電時間(最好充電時間在9ι/2秒至1〇ι/2秒之範 圍内)。在步驟182上,以在之範圍中的放 電電流將受充電電池放電達〇·9秒至1;[秒之範圍内的放電 本紙張尺度適用中國國表標準(CNS) Α4規格(210X297公愛) 14 (請先閲讀背面之注意事项再 本頁) 、可| 548889 A7 _________B7_ 五、發明説明(11 ) 時間(放電時間最好在0 · 9 5至1.0 5秒之範圍内)。放電電流最 好約為充電電流之1/10。重覆步驟180和182。 在每次充電時間之前和之後最好有短的重置週期(未 顯示於第1C和3圖中)。重置週期最好不長於充電週期之持 續時間之約2%,且可能十分短,例如約1/5秒或更少。 步驟180至186重覆充電-重置-放電重置樣式,直到判 斷到電池已被完全充電為止。完全充電之判定可由下列任 何一項或全部來做: •監視開路電池電壓,並判斷開路電池電壓何時達到 一如步驟184中所決定之特定大小; •監視充電循環之長度,且在從充電循環之起始後已 經歷了一於步驟186中所決定之預先決定之時間時終止充 電;或者, •監視受充電電池之溫度,且溫度在以大於一如步驟 18 8中所決定之特定臨界值之速率上增加時終止充電。 當前述狀況任何一者發生時,最好終止充電。 在受充電電池已完全充電之後,可將如先前技藝中已 知的浮動充電循環應用至受充電電池以補償自我放電。 裝置 第4圖為一根據本發明之簡單實施例之電池充電器之 方塊圖。一電池充電器10具有一電源供應器12,其供應適 於一已予之受充電電池之充電電流。對於第2圖之鉛-酸電 池充電方法描述組件之值,且可修改其來執行第3圖之充電 方法。 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準(CNS) A4規格(210X297公釐) 15 548889 五、發明説明(l2) 雖然電源供應器12最好具有定電流和定電壓模式,但 在較佳實施例中,或在對於只充電NiCd4NiMH電池之實 知例中,電源供應器12可只包含一定電流的電源供應器。 充電器10亦包括一負載14。貞載14最好為_電阻性負載。 例如,負載U可包含一高瓦特電阻器,或多個並聯的高瓦 特電阻器。負載I4表示-電阻,如此使得當負載u被連接 於受充電之電池B之端點八和〇之間時,在〇〇5xC安培至 0.07xC之範圍内的電流流經負載14。 、一受到一控制電路18控制之開關16可將電源供應器12 或負載14連接於電池B之端點A*c之間。控制電路產生 1號si,其使得開關16在電源供應器12連接於端點八和〔 門達具有特疋持續時間之充電時間之組態以及負載j 4 在具有一特定持續時間之放電時間期間連接於端點A#〇c 之間之組態之間切換。在充電時間期間,控制電路藉由訊 號S2之方式將電源供應器12控制在適當的模式之中(定電 ^或定電壓),以及以適當的充電電一電壓供應充電電流至 電池B,如上面所討論的。 充電10最好包括一電壓監視電路2〇,其感測電池B 電壓彳工制為18在電路20指示電池B被完全充電時終止 充電循環。控制器18最好亦使用來自電路20之輸入以判斷 何時開始步驟14〇之定電壓模式。 q可以使用傳統的電池充電器來實行本發明,其已藉由 安哀-電子式控制模組,一開關和一負載來修改。 第5圖顯示對一根據本發明之一特定實施例之快速充 Μ規格(210X297公釐) 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準(CNS) 548889 A7 B7 五、發明説明(13) 電器22之電氣示意圖。快速充電器22具有一電源供應部 份’其包含一電源轉換器40,以及一對整流器42,其將來 自轉換器40之交流電壓輸出轉換為直流。主電源藉由一基 本接點41被供應至轉換器4〇。 接點41 一般包含一繼電器。然而,接點41可包含任何 可電氣控制之裝置,其能夠打開或關閉對於轉換器4〇之電 氣能源。可以一電壓選擇開關43之方法來選擇電源供應器 之電壓輸出。 至轉換器40之功率受到一triac44之控制,其由電子式 調節電路46來觸發。Triac44選擇性地允許整流過的直流加 至受充電電池。 提供一接點48以在充電器22過熱或因為其他一些理由 需要關閉時將充電電流從電池切斷。接點48可包含一繼電 器或任何其他可電氣控制之裝置,其能夠打開或關閉供應 至义充電電池之充電電流。當接點48被關上且triac44被供 給能量時,電流可在電路中流動,其延伸從整流器42通過 接點48,通過受充電電池並返回電源轉換器4〇。 最好提供一安培計50以指示在充電期間流經電池b之 電流的大小。當充電器之導線已連接至電池B之正確端點 時,一極性指示燈51發光(或者另外警告一使用者電池6已 連接錯誤。 隶好充電裔22具有一熱斷流器52,其在充電器22變成 過熱時使接點48斷開,以及一短路斷流器54,其可為熱磁 保護器,其在萬一於連接至受充電電池之導線間發生短路 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準(CNS) A4規格(210X297公釐) 17 (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再本頁) 、\t—(Please read the precautions on the back before this page) Order ------------ 548889 A7 ____ B7 V. Description of the invention (10) bundle (and preferably about 90 minutes). During the fourth cycle, the charging current is generally in the range of about 0.5xC to 0.55xC. At the end of the cycle where the charging current will be reduced to a value less than 0.5C, as determined in step 13O, the charging current is set to a fixed value of about 0.5 X C ± 5% in step 132. In steps 134 and 136, the charge-reset-discharge-reset pattern is repeated, and charging occurs at a fixed value until the battery voltage reaches a specific size as determined in step 138. When the battery voltage has reached a certain value, the constant current mode of steps 12 to 138 ends, and a certain voltage mode starts at step ι40. Step 140 sets a charging voltage to a specific size. Steps 142 to 148 repeat the charge-repeat-discharge-repeat pattern with the charge current delivered at the voltage set in step 140 until the charge current has been reduced to a specific size as determined in step 146, or until Charging has been performed for a specific duration as determined in step 148, whichever occurs first. Then terminate the main charging cycle. After the main charging cycle has ended, a floating charge can be applied periodically to compensate for self-discharge. Charging a NiMH or NiCd Battery Figure 1C is a flowchart showing a method for charging a NiMH or NiCd battery according to the present invention. The third BI is a graph of current and voltage at the terminals of a NiMH or NiCd battery according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention as a function of time during a charging cycle. At step 18, the charging battery is charged with a charging current in the range of about h9Xc to 2.1 Xc for a charging time ranging from 9 to 丨 seconds (preferably the charging time is 9m / 2 seconds to 1〇). ι / 2 seconds). At step 182, the rechargeable battery is discharged with a discharge current in the range of 0.9 seconds to 1; [discharge in the range of seconds. The paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297) ) 14 (Please read the precautions on the back, then this page), may | 548889 A7 _________B7_ V. Description of the invention (11) Time (the discharge time is preferably in the range of 0 · 9 5 to 1.0 5 seconds). The discharge current is preferably about 1/10 of the charging current. Repeat steps 180 and 182. It is best to have a short reset period before and after each charging time (not shown in Figures 1C and 3). The reset period is preferably not longer than about 2% of the duration of the charge period, and may be very short, such as about 1/5 second or less. Steps 180 to 186 repeat the charge-reset-discharge reset pattern until it is judged that the battery has been fully charged. The determination of full charge can be made by any or all of the following: • Monitoring the open-circuit battery voltage and determining when the open-circuit battery voltage reaches a specific size as determined in step 184; • Monitoring the length of the charging cycle and monitoring the charge cycle After the start, the charging is terminated when a predetermined time determined in step 186 has elapsed; or, • The temperature of the battery being charged is monitored and the temperature is greater than a certain threshold value as determined in step 18 8 Charging is terminated when the rate increases. When any of the foregoing conditions occur, it is best to terminate charging. After the charged battery has been fully charged, a floating charging cycle as known in the prior art can be applied to the charged battery to compensate for self-discharge. Device Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a battery charger according to a simple embodiment of the present invention. A battery charger 10 has a power supply 12 that supplies a charging current suitable for a given battery being charged. For the lead-acid battery charging method shown in Figure 2, the component values are described, and it can be modified to implement the charging method shown in Figure 3. This paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) 15 548889 V. Description of the invention (l2) Although the power supply 12 preferably has a constant current and constant voltage mode, in the preferred embodiment, or In a known example of charging only NiCd4NiMH batteries, the power supply 12 may only include a power supply with a certain current. The charger 10 also includes a load 14. Chastity load 14 is preferably a resistive load. For example, the load U may include a high watt resistor, or a plurality of high watt resistors connected in parallel. The load I4 represents a resistance, so that when the load u is connected between the terminals 8 and 0 of the battery B being charged, a current in the range of 0.05xC amp to 0.07xC flows through the load 14. A switch 16 controlled by a control circuit 18 can connect the power supply 12 or the load 14 between the terminals A * c of the battery B. The control circuit generates No. 1 si, which causes the switch 16 to be connected to the terminal 8 at the power supply 12 and [Menta has a special charge time configuration and the load j 4 during a discharge time with a specific duration Switch between configurations connected between endpoints A # 〇c. During the charging time, the control circuit controls the power supply 12 in an appropriate mode (constant power ^ or constant voltage) by means of the signal S2, and supplies the charging current to the battery B with an appropriate charging voltage-for example, such as Discussed above. Charging 10 preferably includes a voltage monitoring circuit 20 which senses the voltage of battery B and is 18 and terminates the charging cycle when circuit 20 indicates that battery B is fully charged. The controller 18 also preferably uses inputs from the circuit 20 to determine when to start the constant voltage mode of step 14o. q The present invention can be implemented using a conventional battery charger, which has been modified by an Ani-electronic control module, a switch and a load. FIG. 5 shows a quick charging specification (210 × 297 mm) according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. The paper size is in accordance with the Chinese National Standard (CNS) 548889 A7 B7. 5. Description of the invention (13) Electrical diagram of the electrical appliance 22. The fast charger 22 has a power supply section 'which includes a power converter 40 and a pair of rectifiers 42 which convert the AC voltage output from the converter 40 into DC in the future. The main power is supplied to the converter 40 through a basic contact 41. Contact 41 typically contains a relay. However, the contact 41 may include any electrically controllable device capable of turning on or off the electrical energy to the converter 40. A voltage selection switch 43 can be used to select the voltage output of the power supply. The power to the converter 40 is controlled by a triac 44, which is triggered by an electronic regulation circuit 46. Triac44 selectively allows rectified DC to be applied to the battery being charged. A contact 48 is provided to shut off the charging current from the battery when the charger 22 overheats or needs to be turned off for some other reason. The contact 48 may include a relay or any other electrically controllable device capable of turning on or off the charging current supplied to the rechargeable battery. When the contact 48 is closed and the triac 44 is energized, current can flow in the circuit, which extends from the rectifier 42 through the contact 48, through the charged battery, and back to the power converter 40. An ammeter 50 is preferably provided to indicate the amount of current flowing through the battery b during charging. When the charger's lead has been connected to the correct end point of battery B, a polarity indicator 51 glows (or otherwise warns a user that the battery 6 has been connected incorrectly. The charging battery 22 has a thermal interrupter 52 which When the charger 22 becomes overheated, the contact 48 is opened, and a short-circuit interrupter 54 may be a thermal magnetic protector, which may be short-circuited between the wires connected to the charged battery. Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) 17 (Please read the precautions on the back before this page), \ t—