GB2494141A

GB2494141A - Multiple charging stations with single mains input

Info

Publication number: GB2494141A
Application number: GB1114952.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shah Fayyaz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-08-31
Filing date: 2011-08-31
Publication date: 2013-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2031-08-31
Also published as: GB2494141B; GB201114952D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charging system that is designed to charge a plurality of batteries or cells which may be incorporated into a device during a charging cycle, particularly for example a medical device handle and a medical device head secured to the handle enabling supply of light to a medical device head. The invention provides a charging system including a first charging station charger #1 having a power inlet and a second charging station charger #2 wherein the first and second charging stations are arranged to connect using male 6 and female 20 engaging portions to provide an electrical flow path there between such that providing electricity to the power inlet of the first charging station enables electricity to be supplied to the second charging station. Magnets 40 help to engage the charging stations.

Description

Charging System

The present invention relates to a charging system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a charging system that is designed to charge a plurality of batteries or cells which may be incorporated into a device during a charging cycle.

Many portable devices requiring a power source include a power source that may be recharged. Such charging systems include a docking station which includes a power inlet which receives power, for example, from a mains power source. Use of such systems is widespread and are commonly utilised for portable medical devices which require electricity and thus require recharging. Particularly, medical device handles often require recharging and a medical device head is secured to the handle enabling supply of light to a medical device head.

The present invention provides an improved arrangement which provides a plurality of charging stations and thus a plurality of devices can be charged simultaneously with a provision of only a single main power inlet.

According to the present invention there is a charging system including:

-a first charging station having a power inlet;

-a second charging station; wherein the first and second charging stations are arranged to connect to provide an electrical flow path therebetween such that providing electricity to the power inlet of the first charging station enables electricity to be supplied to the second charging station.

The present invention provides an effective solution for multiple device charging requiring only a single mains power input to charge a plurality of devices. The present invention provides a system that is compact for use particularly but not exclusively in the medical field providing an energy efficient charging system. It is therefore the provision of the connection between the first and second charging stations that enables the transfer of electricity between the first and second charging stations .

The first charging station preferably comprises a first engaging portion and the second charging station preferably comprises a second engaging portion for forming an engaging connection between the first and second charging stations. There is beneficially therefore direct communication between the first and second charging stations via the engaging portions. The engaging portions are substantially rigid meaning that once engaged the first and second charging stations are secured to one and other and therefore cannot move independently of each other.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to two charging stations but may include at least two charging stations connected, where the charging stations are connected in series.

The first engaging portion preferably comprises a male engaging portion and the second engaging portion preferably comprises a female engaging portion. Cover arrangements are beneficially provided to cover the male and/or female engaging portions if not in use. The male engaging portion preferably protrudes from the first charging station .

The first and the second charging stations preferably comprise device docking stations. A typical device may be a handle incorporating a battery, but the present invention is not limited in this regard and may also be utilised to charge other electronic devices, for example, telephones or person computers. A medical device is beneficially secured to the handle .

The first and second engaging portions are preferably provided on matching faces of the first and second charging stations respectively. As is clear from the

Figures, there are faces or surfaces of the first and second charging stations that have the same general surface configuration in order that the first and second charging stations sit adjacent to one and other, preferably with minimal or no gap in between them.

Accordingly, as shown in the figures, the faces are substantially planar meaning that the corresponding first and second charging stations abut. It will be appreciated, however, that alternative surface configurations may be utilised such as, for example, concave and corresponding convex matching faces. It is beneficial however, for the volume occupied by the first and second charging stations to be minimal for storage purposes .

Securing means are beneficially provided to secure the first charging station to the second charging station. Such securing means may be a mechanical clip for example however it is beneficial that the securing means includes a magnet. The magnet is beneficially secured to at least one of the first and/or second charging stations. The first and/or second charging stations beneficially comprise an enclosure. It is beneficial that the magnet is provided within the enclosure. Accordingly, the first and second charging stations may be connected together through a magnetic field without having any visible connection means .

A magnet may be provided in, for example, the first charging station and a corresponding material capable of being magnetically attracted may provided preferably inside the enclosure of the second charging station.

The enclosure preferably comprises a power inlet port.

The enclosure of the first charging station preferably houses a circuit for providing electricity to a device, and preferably includes an electric flow path means to enable the flow of electricity to the second charging station.

The charging preferably further includes a signal means for providing information regarding the status of the device to be charged. Means are provided to enable monitoring of the battery in the device and providing an indication, preferably visual, of the status of the battery. The status may be, for example, indicating a test cycle whereby the health and current charge of the battery is determined, a different visual indication when charging, a further different visual indication when fully charged, and further indication if the battery is in poor health and will not hold an acceptable charge. The signal means is preferably located in or on the enclosure. The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective of the first and second charging stations according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2a, & c are perspective, plan and underside views respectively of a charging station forming part of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing in particular a first male engaging portion.

Figures 3a, b & c show a perspective view, plan view and underside view respectively of a charging station forming part of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing in particular a female engaging connection.

Figure 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing four connected charging stations .

Referring to Figure 1, there is a first charging station 1 and a second charging station 2 into which a medical device handle is arranged to dock into the docking portion . The first and second charging stations 1,2 abut at join 6 and abutting in this manner achieves an electrical connection between the first and second charging stations 1,2.

At least one or both of the first and second charging stations 1,2 comprise a power inlet which may be a mains power inlet (not shown) . However, according to the present invention it is only essential for electricity to be supplied to one of the power inlets.

Electricity is transferred from one of the charging stations to the other. The electrical flow path is beneficially provided via the engaging connection between the first and second charging stations. The first and second charging stations connect and this connection forms an operational engagement between the first and second charging stations meaning that electricity can pass from the first charging station to the second charging station or vice versa as required.

Referring to Figures 2a and 2c, a docking station is shown which comprises a docking portion 4 into which is received a device such as a handle incorporating a rechargeable battery. A male engaging portion 6 projects from a side of the charging station including direct current power bus connections 8. In the embodiment shown, the charging station is generally cube shaped, however, it will be appreciated that alternative configurations may be utilised. A generally cube shape provides a charging station of reasonably below volume meaning that it will not take a large space when in use. The male engaging portion

6 extends from a face of the charging station which is generally planar.

A generally planar face means that an adjacent charging station having a corresponding female engaging portion will abut the first charging station.

Referring to Figure 2b, the docking portion 4 comprises a recess and incorporates connection pins 10 for connection to a device which provides an electrical flow path to a rechargeable battery. The recess of the docking portion 4 is configured to have a protrusion 12 which communicates with a corresponding recess in the base of a device to be charged ensuring that the connection pins connect correctly with the corresponding connection means of the device.

Referring to Figure 2c, the underside of the charging station is shown showing the male engaging portion 6 and having a plurality of non-slip feet 14. A power inlet 16 is provided for connection, for example to a mains connection, and a channel 18 leads to this power inlet 16 in order to retain a power connection cable.

Referring to Figures 3a to 3c, a second charging station is shown having a female engaging portion 20 arranged to cooperate with the male engaging portion 6. The female engaging portion 20 includes DC power bus connections 22 adapted to correspond to the DC power bus connections 8 of the male engaging portion. When a connection is made it is, therefore, apparent that a single power inlet to one of the first or second charging stations having the male or female engaging portions respectively enables charging of device docked in either or both of the charging stations. It will be apparent that in order to add additional charging stations, an opposing side of the charging station will incorporate an additional male or female engaging portion enabling additional charging stations to be added as required. Figure 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing four charger units schematically shown in series. In this schematic diagram and the exemplary embodiment DC power input, preferably from 6V to 7.5V is input to charger number two. Each charging station comprises a circuit including a diode 30, voltage regulator 32, a controller 34, charger 36 and signal means 38. Each of the exemplary charging stations comprises a female engaging portion 20 and male engaging portions 6. Each of the charging stations beneficially includes a magnet 40 for attracting a corresponding or adjacent charging station thereby ensuring the female and male engaging portions 20,6 engage and do not accidentally disengage. A ferromagnetic material is beneficially provided on the corresponding face of an adjacent charging station in order to ensure sufficient attraction, or may be provided inside the enclosure of the adjacent charging stations .

The controller is provided to control charging of the battery and also to monitor the status of the charging. In an exemplary embodiment, a signal means is provided in order to identify the status of charge of the device to the user. As an example, an LED may be provided which changes colour dependent on the state of charge or the charging cycle. An exemplary cycle would be to cycle yellow when the battery is inserted which is the test cycle to determine the health and current charge of the battery. A flashing green cycle is present when the device is charging, a solid green light is provided when fully charged and flashing red is provided if the battery is in poor health and will not hold an acceptable charge .

Covers may be provided for covering the engaging portions when certain engaging portions are not employed. These covers may be held in place by a combination of magnets on the inside surfaces of the charging station and ferromagnetic plate (or magnets) on the inside surface of the cover.

It will be appreciated that in the exemplary embodiment, the external power supply is direct current, however, circuitry may be provided to allow connection to an alternating current power supply. Connection pins that provide a charging voltage to the device are springloaded so as to ensure connection to the battery being charged is maintained.

The electronic circuitry is beneficially provided to charge a 3.7V Li-Ion battery that is

5 contained within the charging station that has connection points on a face that connects to the pins thus providing the charging voltage.

The present invention reduces the number of mains plug sockets required, cable clutter and offers a more electrically and environmentally efficient charging station .

10

The present invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims .

15

Claims

Claims : 1. A charging system including: -a first charging station having a power inlet; -a second charging station; wherein the first and second charging stations are arranged to connect to provide an electrical flow path therebetween such that providing electricity to the power inlet of the first charging station enables electricity to be supplied to the second charging station . 2. A charging system according to claim 1 wherein the first charging station comprises a first engaging portion and the second charging station comprises a second engaging portion for forming an engaging connection between the first and second charging stations. 3. A charging system according to claim 2 wherein the first engaging portion comprises a male engaging portion, and the second engaging portion comprises a female engaging portion. 4. A charging system according to claim 3 wherein the male engaging portion protrudes from the first charging station. 5. A charging system according to any preceding claims wherein the first and the second charging stations comprise device docking stations. 6. A charging system according to any of claims 2-5 wherein the first and second engaging portions are provided on matching faces of the first and second charging stations respectively. 7. A charging system according to any preceding claims comprising securing means to secure the first charging station to the second charging station. A charging system according to claim 7 wherein the securing means includes a magnet . 9. A charging system according to claim 8 wherein the magnet is secured to at least one of the first and/or second charging stations. 10. A charging system according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or second charging station comprises an enclosure. 11. A charging system according to claim 10 wherein the enclosure comprises a power inlet port. 12. A charging system according to any of claims 10-11 wherein the enclosure of the first charging station houses a circuit for providing electricity to a device, and includes a electrical flow path means to the second charging station. 13. A charging system according to any preceding claim further comprising a signal means for providing information regarding the status of a device to be charged. 14. A charging system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings .