Apparatus And Method For Charging Batteries

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for charging a battery are disclosed. The apparatus includes a LED member that includes a single LED that is suitable for emitting light of different colours, each colour corresponding to a different operating status of the apparatus, and an acoustic signalling device that is suitable for emitting an acoustic signal indicating a malfunction of the apparatus or the battery. The method includes a first battery heating and desulphation step during which the battery is supplied with current pulses having a maximum value that is considerably lower than the maximum value of the charging current in a subsequent second constant current charging step, each current pulse being generated when the current absorbed by the battery after the delivery of a previous current pulse falls below a minimum preset value.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus for charging batteries comprising a body inside which an electric and electronic component is housed for supplying a charging current to a battery, a supply cable for connecting the apparatus to an electrical supply grid, connecting cables for connecting the apparatus, directly or indirectly, to a battery, wherein said apparatus comprises a LED member that is suitable for indicating an operating status of the apparatus, said LED member comprising a single LED that is suitable for emitting light of different colours, each colour corresponding to a different operating status of the apparatus, and an acoustic signalling device that is suitable for emitting an acoustic signal indicating a malfunction of the apparatus or the battery. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising a space intended for housing said supply cable and said connecting cables. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said space communicates with the exterior by an opening provided, in a central zone thereof, of a narrowing having dimensions such as to prevent an accidental escape from said space of said supply cable and of said connecting cables. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one notch is made on an edge of the space, said notch being provided with a couple of elastic flaps arranged at an open end of said notch. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein at least two notches are made on said edge. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said LED member is arranged on an upper face of the apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said opening is made on a lower face of the apparatus, opposite said upper face. 
     
     
         20 . Method for charging a battery by means of an apparatus for charging batteries comprising a first battery heating and desulphation step, a second constant current charging step and a third constant voltage charging step, wherein in said first step the battery is supplied with current pulses having a maximum value that is lower than the maximum value of the charging current in said second constant current charging step, each current pulse being generated when the current absorbed by the battery after the delivery of a previous current pulse falls below a minimum preset value. 
     
     
         21 . Method according to  claim 20 , wherein said current pulses are pulses having a square wave shape. 
     
     
         22 . Method according to  claim 20 , further comprising a fourth step of maintaining the charge of the battery, said fourth step comprising starting a constant voltage charging step if the voltage at the terminals of the battery reaches a preset minimum value and interrupting said constant voltage charging step when the voltage at the terminals of the battery reaches a preset maximum value. 
     
     
         23 . Method according to  claim 20 , further comprising monitoring the operating temperature of said apparatus and varying the maximum value of the current dispensed by the apparatus, said varying comprising reducing to a first preset value the maximum value of the current dispensed by the apparatus when the operating temperature thereof reaches a first threshold value, further reducing to a second preset value the maximum value of the current dispensed by the apparatus when the operating temperature thereof reaches a second threshold value and switching off the apparatus if the operating temperature thereof exceeds said second threshold value. 
     
     
         24 . Method according to  claim 23 , comprising returning the value of the dispensed current to said first preset value if the temperature of the apparatus falls below said second threshold value and returning the value of the dispensed current to said maximum value if the temperature of the apparatus falls below said first threshold temperature.