公开(公告)号：JP2002142377A

公开(公告)日：2002-05-17

申请号：JP2001271986

申请日：2001-09-07

Applicant: ST MICROELECTRONICS INC

Inventor： MEADOR JAMES CHESTER

IPC: H02J7/04 ,  H01M10/44 ,  H02J7/00 ,  H02J7/02

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique to recharge a rechargeable battery without harmful effects on the battery service life. SOLUTION: If external power supply is available and one or more cells are substantially discharged, one cell is selected at a time in order to completely discharge and recharge the substantially discharged cells. Cells, that are partially discharged but not substantially discharged, are left as they are, until the one cell is substantially discharged by use of an electronic deice. When the one cell has been recharged, the next cell that is substantially discharged is exhausted and recharged, and this operation is repeated until all the fells are completely charged. If the external power supply is removed and the charging of the cells is interrupted, another cell is used to supply power to the electronic device, and when the external power supply is restored, recharging is restarted. Therefore, a device that is maintained by a charger, except when in use, can be used and returned to the charger without harmful effects on the battery service like.