Multi-modal battery pack

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9806606-B2
Application number	US-53934809-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 11, 2009
Priority date	Aug 11, 2009
Publication date	Oct 31, 2017
Grant date	Oct 31, 2017

Abstract

At least one embodiment of the invention provides a multi-modal rechargeable battery pack that can switch between charging algorithms dynamically. This dynamic switching can be accomplished in a wide variety of ways, for example via external command or automatically. At least one embodiment of the invention provides a system that can switch a multi-modal rechargeable battery pack between one or more of a runtime mode, a lifespan mode, and a quick charge mode.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
one or more processors;
a multi-modal battery pack having one or more battery cells therein; and
a program storage device housed within said multi-modal battery pack, the program storage device tangibly embodying a program of instructions that when executed by the one or more processors enables the multi-modal battery pack to:
automatically determine an appropriate charging mode; and
switch the one or more battery cells therein between charging modes, the charging modes comprising:
a lifespan mode wherein the one or more battery cells are fractionally charged;
a runtime mode wherein the one or more battery cells are charged; and
a quick charge mode wherein the one or more battery cells are charged in a compressed time period;
said apparatus further comprising one or more battery powered components operatively connected to the multi-modal battery pack.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the program of instructions further enables the apparatus to:
consult a usage history; and
automatically determine an appropriate charging mode based on the usage history.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is an automobile.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the program of instructions further enables the apparatus to automatically alter a battery gauge appropriately for a selected mode.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the quick charge mode comprises a mode wherein the one or more battery cells are charged in a limited time period.

6. A multi-modal battery pack comprising:
one or more battery cells; and
a program storage device tangibly embodying a program of instructions, the program of instructions comprising:
program instructions configured to switch the multi-modal battery pack between charging modes, the charging modes comprising:
a lifespan mode wherein the one or more battery cells are fractionally charged;
a runtime mode wherein the one or more battery cells are charged; and
a quick charge mode wherein the one or more battery cells are charged in a compressed time period.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6 , wherein the program of instructions further comprises:
program instructions configured to consult a usage history; and
program instructions configured to automatically determine an appropriate charging mode based on the usage history.

8. The battery pack according to claim 6 , wherein the program of instructions further comprises:
program instructions configured to receive one or more user inputs for selecting a charging mode.

9. The battery pack according to claim 6 , wherein the program of instructions further comprises:
program instructions configured to automatically alter a battery gauge appropriately for a selected mode.

10. A tangible program storage device, readable by machine, embodying a program of instructions that when executed by a processor of the machine enables the machine to:
switch a multi-modal battery pack having one or more battery cells therein between charging modes, the charging modes comprising:
a lifespan mode wherein the one or more battery cells are fractionally charged;
a runtime mode wherein the one or more battery cells are charged; and
a quick charge mode wherein the one or more battery cells are charged in a compressed time period.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the quick charge mode is user selectable.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the runtime mode and the lifespan mode are user selectable.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein user selection switches to the quick charge mode.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a notebook computer.

Assignees

• Seethaler Kenneth S
• Carlson Jeremy R
• Estes Larry G
• Yamaguchi Hiromitsu
• Odaohhara Shigefumi
• Matsumoto Takeshi
• Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd

Inventors

• Seethaler Kenneth S
• Carlson Jeremy R
• Estes Larry G
• Yamaguchi Hiromitsu
• Odaohhara Shigefumi
• Matsumoto Takeshi

Classifications

• H02M3/07 Primary

  using capacitors charged and discharged alternately by semiconductor devices with control electrode {, e.g. charge pumps} · CPC title

• H02M3/33507

  with automatic control of the output voltage or current, e.g. flyback converters (H02M3/33561, H02M3/33569 take precedence) · CPC title