JPH09154237A - Battery charger - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to confirm charging time elapsed at a glance by providing a timer for a battery charger equipped with a charge confirming lamp, an alarm lamp and a battery storage. SOLUTION: On the top surface of a charger 1, provided are a battery pack inserting hole 5, a charging verification lamp 2, a timer 4 and an alarm lamp 3. The timer 4 utilizes a light-emitted diode (LED) for example, and one LED is arranged for each graduation of the timer 4. As the time for charging to the battery pack progresses, the LEDs provided for a display board of the timer 4 are sequentially lighted in accordance with elapse of the charging time. When all the LEDs are lighted, the timer 4 stops and charging to the battery pack is completed. By the end of this charging, a charging confirmation lamp 2 is turned off. In this way, the time of charging elapsed can be confirmed at a glance.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery pack or a charger for charging a rechargeable battery used in a cordless electric product.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, cordless electric products have been widely used in homes and the like. Various battery packs or rechargeable batteries (hereinafter referred to as battery packs) are used to use this electric product. When this battery pack is discharged, it is charged repeatedly with a charger.

A charger having a structure as shown in FIG. 4 is often used, and the charger 1b is provided with a battery pack insertion portion 5, a charge confirmation lamp 2, an alarm lamp 3 and the like.

A charging confirmation lamp 2 which is lit during charging is used as a method of displaying the completion of charging when the battery pack is charged by the charger 1b and the charging is completed.
It is common to turn off the light when charging is completed. Also,
The alarm lamp 3 is set to light when the insulation inside the battery pack deteriorates. Many chargers of this type are in widespread use.

[0005]

While the battery pack is being charged by the charger, there are times when it is desired to confirm how many minutes the charging will be completed. However, it cannot be confirmed because the current charger does not have such a function.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a charger in which the elapsed charging time of a battery pack can be seen at a glance.

[0007]

By providing a timer in the charger having a charge confirmation lamp, an alarm lamp, and a battery pack housing, the elapsed time of charging can be confirmed at a glance and the problem is solved.

[0008]

[Function] Connect the charger to a power outlet, and then
By inserting the battery pack into this charger, the charge confirmation lamp is turned on and the battery pack is gradually charged with electricity.

With the passage of time, the light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged on the time scale of the timer sequentially light up in accordance with the elapsed time. When all the LEDs are turned on, the timer 4 is stopped and the charging of the battery pack 7 is completed. Upon completion of this charging, the charging confirmation lamp goes out.

By storing the charged battery pack in the designated cordless electric product and turning on the switch, the electric product performs the intended operation or function.

[0011]

1 is a perspective view of a battery charger according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a battery charger according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a timer unit of the container, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a battery pack insertion slot 5, a charging confirmation lamp 2, a timer 4 and an alarm lamp 3 are provided on the upper surface of the charger 1. The timer 4 shown in this embodiment uses a light emitting diode (LED), and one LED is arranged for each scale of the timer 4. The charger 1 is provided with a power cord 9, and a plug (not shown) is attached to the tip of the power cord 9.

In FIG. 2, the timer 4 is printed with a display plate 6 indicating minutes and scales. In FIG.
The battery pack 7 is composed of a terminal portion 8 connected to the charger 1 and a battery portion 10.

In such a configuration, when the power cord 9 provided in the charger 1 is connected to a power outlet, the charging confirmation lamp 2 blinks (or lights). By inserting the terminal portion 8 of the battery pack 7 into the battery pack insertion portion 5 of the charger 1, blinking changes to lighting (if lighting from the beginning, there is no change).

Charging is started by inserting the battery pack, and the battery pack 7 is charged with electricity as time passes.

The display plate 6 of the timer 4 with the passage of time
The LEDs provided on the LED lights up sequentially according to the elapsed time. When all the LEDs are turned on, the timer 4 is stopped and the charging of the battery pack 7 is completed. Upon completion of this charging, the charging confirmation lamp 2 is turned off.

If the charging is completed before the timer 4 ends, the charging confirmation lamp 2 may be turned off at that point and the timer 4 may be stopped.

By storing the fully charged battery pack 7 in a cordless electric product and turning on the switch, the electric product performs a desired operation or function.
As described above, by providing the timer in the charger, it is very convenient to judge the elapsed time of charging at a glance.

Further, the types of timers are roughly classified, and a timer using a light emitting diode (LED) as in one embodiment, a mechanical timer for turning a knob by hand to set an arbitrary time, and the like can be considered. Various shapes and specifications of this timer can be considered.

The timer shown in one embodiment is for 60 minutes, but in the case of a charger for high speed charging, a timer having a shorter time than that of the embodiment is used, and a battery pack having a large electric capacity To charge the battery, you can use a timer that can be set for a long time.

Further, in the embodiment shown here, the timer and the charging confirmation lamp are separately mounted, but a timer with a charging confirmation lamp in which these two are integrated may be used.

Although one embodiment of the present invention describes a battery pack charger, the present invention is also applicable to a rechargeable dry battery charger.

As an example of the use of such a charger, a cordless power tool that operates with a battery pack can be cited. Specific electric tools include a portable electric drill, an electric screwdriver, an electric screwdriver drill, a vibration drill, and an impact driver.

[0024]

As described above, by providing the charger of the present invention with the timer, the elapsed time of charging can be checked at a glance, and a very convenient charger can be provided.

[0025]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a charger according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a timer unit of a charger according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional charger.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-Charger 2-Charge confirmation lamp 3-Alarm lamp 4-Timer 5-Battery pack insertion part 6-Display plate 7-Battery pack 8-Terminal section 9-Power cord 10-Battery section

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A charger for charging a battery pack used for a cordless electric product or the like, wherein a timer is provided in the charger including a charge confirmation lamp, an alarm lamp, and a battery pack housing,
A charger that allows you to check the elapsed time of charging at a glance.