Charging device and charging method thereof

Abstract

Disclosed is a charging device, which includes: a battery barrel, including a limiting groove and a battery slot formed by an upper groove part and a lower groove part, the inner diameter of the upper groove part is larger than the inner diameter of the lower groove part, wherein the limiting groove extends on a circumference where the upper groove part and the lower groove part intersect; a limiting unit, including a shell and a limiting baffle plate arranged on a first surface of the shell and having an upper opening and a lower opening, the limiting baffle plate and the limiting groove are rotatably engaged with each other; and a first charging terminal and a second charging terminal, which are respectively arranged on the first surface along the same radial direction of the circumference corresponding to the limiting baffle plate on the part through which the upper groove part and the lower groove part pass when the battery barrel rotates.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a charging device for a rechargeable battery and a charging method using the charging device. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of science and technology, battery-driven products have become very common, such as remote controls, phones, toys, flashlights, etc. Batteries used in different products may have different sizes, so different charging devices are required. In addition, products that are generally powered by rechargeable batteries need to remove the batteries from the product after the battery power is exhausted, and then connect the batteries to the charger. After charging is completed, the batteries are installed on the product. This process is cumbersome and time-consuming. Generally, the charger has two charging slots or 4 charging slots. If you charge multiple batteries, you need to charge more than once.

[0003] Therefore, a charging device that can charge batteries of different sizes is needed. Furthermore, a charging device that can automatically charge batteries of different sizes is needed, that is, multiple batteries are simply put into the charger, and there is no need to manually make the batteries contact the charging terminals one by one. The charging device can automatically make the batteries contact the charging terminals, and after the battery charging is completed, the battery can be automatically discharged, and the uncharged battery can be charged again. In this way, multiple batteries are automatically charged repeatedly.

[0004] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the inventive concept and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments disclosed in the present application provide a charging device and a charging method thereof that can charge batteries of different sizes.

[0006] The present application provides a charging device, which includes: a battery barrel, including a limiting groove and a battery slot formed by an upper groove part and a lower groove part, the inner diameter of the upper groove part is larger than the inner diameter of the lower groove part, wherein the limiting groove extends on a circumference where the upper groove part and the lower groove part intersect; a limiting unit, including a shell and a limiting baffle plate arranged on a first surface of the shell and having an upper opening located at the upper part and a lower opening located at the lower part, the limiting baffle plate and the limiting groove are rotatably engaged with each other; and a first charging terminal and a second charging terminal, which are respectively arranged on the part of the first surface through which the upper groove part and the lower groove part pass when the battery barrel rotates along the same radial direction of the circumference corresponding to the limiting baffle plate.

[0007] The charging device according to the present application also includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor generates a detection signal in response to the battery entering the upper groove part. The controller rotates the battery barrel based on the detection signal so that the battery is in a position corresponding to the first charging terminal or the second charging terminal.

[0008] The controller is configured to rotate the battery cartridge again in response to a predetermined charging signal generated by the battery. The controller includes a driver for driving the battery cartridge to rotate, and the battery cartridge also includes a driving connection portion connected to the driver.

[0009] The limiting unit further comprises a battery baffle plate which surrounds the limiting baffle plate and has a battery inlet located at an upper portion and a battery outlet located at a lower portion, and the battery baffle plate is configured to prevent the battery in the battery slot from being separated from the battery slot.

[0010] The limiting unit also includes a first baffle and a second baffle on the first surface, the first baffle and the second baffle are above the battery baffle, and define a bucket-shaped space for accommodating the battery and a space opening located between the first baffle and the second baffle, and the space opening is connected to the battery inlet.

[0011] The diameter of the upper opening and the diameter of the lower opening are greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the upper groove part.

[0012] The battery barrel is provided with a positioning groove, which is concentric with the limiting groove. The limiting unit also includes a limiting ring provided on the first surface. The center of the limiting ring coincides with the center of the limiting baffle. The limiting ring and the positioning groove are rotatably engaged with each other.

[0013] The limiting unit further includes a battery limiting portion, which is formed by a baffle plate arranged on the first surface, and two ends of the battery limiting portion are respectively connected to the space opening and the battery inlet.

[0014] The sensor is a photoelectric sensor.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present application, a method for a charging device to charge batteries of different sizes is also provided, the method comprising: placing the battery into the upper groove portion of the battery slot of the battery barrel; generating a detection signal by a sensor in response to the battery entering the upper groove portion; and rotating the battery barrel to a position where the battery corresponds to the first charging terminal or the second charging terminal based on the detection signal by a controller.

[0016] The charging method according to the present application further includes rotating the battery barrel again based on a predetermined charging signal generated by the battery at the first charging terminal or the second charging terminal.

[0017] Because the charging device according to the present application has a structure in which the battery slot is formed with multiple slot parts with different inner diameters and the limiting slot and the limiting baffle on the limiting unit are rotatably engaged, batteries of different sizes can be charged.

[0018] In addition, due to the positions of the battery inlet, the upper opening, the battery outlet and the lower opening of the charging device, the battery can fall into and out of the battery barrel by gravity. Furthermore, the rotation of the battery barrel can be controlled by a sensor and a controller, so that during the battery charging process, the battery can be simply placed into the bucket-shaped space to complete the automatic charging of batteries of different sizes.

[0019] The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present inventive concept. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present inventive concept and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

[0021] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 is an exploded plan view schematically showing the structure of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 The charging device is in Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a battery is shown in the state shown in FIG.

[0025] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the charging device in a state where a small-sized battery is located in the upper slot and the battery barrel is rotated to a state where the upper opening of the limit baffle corresponds to the battery slot.

[0026] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of a small-sized battery located in a lower groove portion rotated to a position corresponding to a second charging terminal for charging.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of the charging device according to the embodiment of the present invention in a state where the battery cylinder is rotated until the lower opening of the limiting baffle corresponds to the battery slot.

[0028] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view of a large-sized battery located in the upper tank portion.

[0029] Fig. 9 It is a cross-sectional view of the charging device in a state where a large-sized battery is located in the upper slot portion and the battery barrel is rotated to a state where the upper opening of the limiting baffle corresponds to the battery slot.

[0030] Fig.10 It is a cross-sectional view of a large-sized battery located in an upper groove portion rotated to a position corresponding to a first charging terminal for charging.

[0031] Fig.11 4 is a cross-sectional view of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where a battery cylinder is rotated to a state where a battery slot corresponds to a battery outlet of a battery baffle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the following description, for the purpose of illustration, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments. However, it is apparent that various exemplary embodiments may be implemented without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other examples, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid making various exemplary embodiments unnecessarily unclear.

[0033] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. However, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers.

[0034] Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used in this article to describe various elements, components, areas, layers and / or segments, layers, components, areas, layers and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish an element, a component, an area, a layer and / or a segment from another element, another component, another area, another layer and / or another segment. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure, the first element, first component, first area, first layer and / or first segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, second component, second area, second layer and / or second segment.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Unless explicitly defined as such herein, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0036] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a schematic exploded plan view showing the structure of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , the display device includes a battery barrel D, a limiting unit A, and a first charging terminal E and a second charging terminal F. The shape of the battery barrel D may be a disc shape. The battery barrel D includes a limiting groove D3 and a battery groove. The battery groove is radially recessed from the outer circumference of the battery barrel D toward the center of the battery barrel D, and may be formed by an upper groove portion D1 and a lower groove portion D2. The inner diameter of the upper groove portion D1 is greater than the inner diameter of the lower groove portion D2. The battery groove penetrates the battery barrel D in a direction perpendicular to the circular surface of the battery barrel D. The limiting groove D3 extends on the circumference where the upper groove portion D1 and the lower groove portion D2 intersect. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the limiting groove D3 extends along a circular shape concentric with the battery barrel D and passes through the battery barrel, and forms a discontinuous portion at the junction of the upper groove portion D1 and the lower groove portion D2, and the discontinuous portion can be, for example, an opening, specifically an opening with a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the battery barrel. The limiting groove D3 can be recessed inward in a direction perpendicular to the circular surface of the battery barrel D.

[0038] The battery barrel D is also provided with a positioning groove (not shown), which is a circular groove concentric with the battery barrel D and the limiting groove D3 provided on the battery barrel D, and the outer diameter of the positioning groove is smaller than the inner diameter of the limiting groove D3. The limiting unit A includes a housing A0 and a limiting baffle provided on a first surface S1 of the housing A0, the limiting baffle is formed by a first limiting baffle A1 and a second limiting baffle A2, and includes an upper opening A4 and a lower opening A5 defined by the first limiting baffle A1 and the second limiting baffle A2.

[0039] The limiting baffle and the limiting groove D3 are rotatably engaged with each other, so that the battery barrel D is connected to the limiting unit A, and the battery barrel D can rotate along the limiting baffle. For example, the battery barrel D can be assembled to the limiting unit by rotatably engaging or rotatably combining the limiting baffle and the limiting groove D3, and the limiting baffle can be engaged in the limiting groove D3 or inserted into the limiting groove D3. The limiting baffle can separate the upper groove part D1 and the lower groove part D2. The caliber of the upper opening A4 and the caliber of the lower opening A5 can be greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the lower groove part D2.

[0040] The limiting unit may further include a limiting ring A6 disposed on the first surface S1 of the housing A0, the center of the limiting ring A6 coincides with the center of the circumference corresponding to the limiting baffle, and the limiting ring A6 may be rotatably engaged with the positioning groove on the battery barrel D to limit the battery barrel D when the battery barrel rotates, thereby positioning the battery barrel more accurately. However, the limiting ring A6 and the positioning groove may be combined in other ways.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the battery barrel D is also provided with a driving connection part A16. The driving connection part A16 is connected to a driver (e.g., a motor) for driving the battery barrel D to rotate the battery barrel D. For example, the battery barrel D can rotate together with the driver through the connection between the driving connection part 16 and the driver. For example, Figure 1 As shown, the driving connection portion A16 may be disposed at the center of the battery cylinder D, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0042] In this specification, the direction of gravity is defined as the downward direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of gravity is defined as the upward direction. Therefore, the upper and lower parts of the limit baffle are respectively the part in the upward direction and the part in the downward direction relative to the center of the circle corresponding to the limit baffle. The upper opening A4 is arranged at the upper part of the limit baffle, so that when the upper opening A4 corresponds to the battery slot, the battery located in the upper slot part can fall into the lower slot part D2 due to gravity when its outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower slot part D2. The lower opening A5 is arranged at the lower part of the limit baffle, so that the battery falling into the lower slot part D2 can leave the lower slot part D2 through the lower opening A5 due to gravity when the lower opening A5 corresponds to the battery slot.

[0043] The first charging terminal E and the second charging terminal F can be connected to an external power source, and can be electrically connected to the electrodes of the battery when the electrodes of the battery are in contact therewith. The first charging terminal E and the second charging terminal F can be respectively arranged on the portion of the first surface S1 through which the upper groove portion D1 and the lower groove portion D2 pass when the battery barrel D rotates, along the same radial direction of the circumference corresponding to the limit baffle. In this way, the battery located in the upper groove portion D1 or the lower groove portion D2 can contact and be electrically connected to the first charging terminal E or the second charging terminal F as the battery barrel D rotates. The first charging terminal E can be arranged to be farther away from the center of the limit baffle than the second charging terminal F.

[0044] The limiting baffle can separate or partially separate the upper groove portion D1 and the lower groove portion D2. For example, the limiting baffle can completely or partially cover the lower groove portion D2. As the battery barrel D rotates, the battery slot of the battery barrel D can correspond to (or overlap) the upper opening A4 or the lower opening A5 of the limiting baffle. When the battery slot corresponds to the upper opening A4, the battery located in the upper groove portion D1 can fall into the lower groove portion D2 under the action of gravity when its outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower groove portion D2 (that is, when the battery is a small-sized battery). As the battery barrel D continues to rotate, the limiting baffle can separate the upper groove portion D1 and the lower groove portion D2 again, and can prevent the battery located in the lower groove portion D2 from leaving the lower groove portion D2 during the rotation of the battery barrel D. As the battery barrel D continues to rotate, the battery located in the lower groove portion can be positioned to a position corresponding to the second charging terminal F and electrically connected to the second charging terminal F. In the case where the battery in the upper groove portion D1 does not fall into the lower groove portion D2 when the battery groove overlaps the upper opening A4 because its outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the lower groove portion D2 (i.e., the case where the battery is a large-sized battery), the battery can continue to be placed in the upper groove portion D1, and the battery is positioned to a position corresponding to the first charging terminal E as the battery barrel D rotates, and can be electrically connected to the first charging terminal E. In this way, batteries of different sizes can be charged by an external power source.

[0045] The charging device may further include a sensor and a controller, the sensor generating a detection signal in response to the battery entering the upper groove portion D1, and the controller rotating the battery barrel D based on the detection signal generated by the sensor. The controller may also include a driver for driving the battery barrel D to rotate the battery barrel D. The controller is also configured to rotate the battery barrel D again in response to a predetermined charging signal generated by the battery. The sensor may be a photoelectric sensor, an infrared sensor, a stress sensor, etc. The detection signal may be a current, a voltage, etc. The predetermined charging signal generated by the battery may be a signal corresponding to a current or a voltage generated when the battery is fully charged (e.g., fully charged).

[0046] Reference Figures 1 to 3The limiting unit A further comprises a battery baffle, and the battery baffle A7 may surround the limiting baffle and have a battery inlet located at the upper part and a battery outlet located at the lower part. For example, the battery baffle A7 may be composed of two parts surrounding the limiting baffle A7, and the two parts of the battery baffle A7 define a battery inlet A8 located at the upper part and a battery outlet A9 located at the lower part. The battery enters the battery slot through the battery inlet A8, and the battery entering the battery slot may leave the battery slot under the action of gravity as the battery barrel D rotates and leave the battery barrel by gravity and pass through the battery outlet A9 when the battery outlet A9 corresponds. The battery baffle A7 is configured to prevent the battery in the battery slot from leaving the battery slot. For example, the battery baffle A7 is spaced apart from the limiting baffle by a predetermined distance so that the battery in the battery slot does not leave the battery slot due to gravity before the battery barrel D rotates to the battery slot corresponding to the battery outlet. In addition, the battery baffle A7 may limit the position of the large-sized battery when charging the large-sized battery located in the upper slot portion D1 (i.e., the outermost slot portion in the battery slot), thereby maintaining a stable electrical connection between the battery and the charging terminal.

[0047] The battery barrel D can rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction along the limit baffle, and the first charging terminal E and the second charging terminal F are positioned so that the battery slot first corresponds to the upper opening A4 as the battery barrel D rotates, then corresponds to the first charging terminal E and the second charging terminal F, and after charging is completed, corresponds to the lower opening A5 as the battery barrel D rotates.

[0048] The limiting unit A also includes a first baffle A10 and a second baffle A11 on the first surface S1, the first baffle A10 and the second baffle A11 are above the battery baffle A7, and define a bucket-shaped space A3 for accommodating batteries and a space opening A12 located between the first baffle A10 and the second baffle A11, and the space opening A12 is connected to the battery inlet A8. The bucket-shaped space A3 is used to accommodate batteries to be charged. The batteries accommodated in the bucket-shaped space A3 enter the battery slot through the space opening A12 and the battery inlet A8 under the action of gravity.

[0049] The batteries contained in the bucket-shaped space A3 can enter the battery slot in sequence through the space opening A12 and the battery inlet A8 under the action of gravity.

[0050] The limiting unit A may also include a battery limiting portion A13, which is formed by two baffles A14 arranged on the first surface S1, and the two ends of the battery limiting portion A13 are respectively connected to the space opening A12 and the battery inlet A8. When the two baffles A14 of the battery limiting portion A13 are parallel to each other, the calibers of the space opening A12, the battery limiting portion A13 and the battery inlet A8 are the same. In this case, the caliber of the battery limiting portion A13 is preferably configured to allow the batteries to pass through it in sequence and then enter the battery tube D. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the battery limiting portion A13 can be formed by non-parallel baffles on the first surface S1. In addition, the two baffles 14 on the first surface S1 can be arranged to form a trapezoidal space, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0051] The charging device may further include a battery collection portion A15 disposed below the battery outlet A9. The battery collection portion A15 is used to receive batteries that leave the battery cylinder D from the battery outlet A9. The battery collection portion A15 may be formed integrally with the outer shell A0 of the limiting unit, that is, the battery collection portion A15 may be at least partially formed by the outer shell A0 of the limiting unit. For example, the battery collection portion A15 may be defined by the outer shell A0 and other components or baffles disposed on the outer shell. In addition, the battery collection portion A15 may be formed independently of the outer shell A0, for example, by being combined in a detachable manner, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0052] Next, refer to Figures 3 to 11 A process of charging a small-sized battery and a large-sized battery by a charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0053] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 In the embodiment, no battery is placed in the charging device, and the limiting baffle partially blocks the lower slot portion D1 of the battery slot. Figure 4 Is the charging device in Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of the battery in the state shown. The large-sized battery B and the small-sized battery C located in the bucket-shaped space A3 enter the upper groove portion D1 of the battery barrel D through the space opening A12, the battery stopper A13 and the battery opening in sequence under the action of gravity. The outer diameter of the small-sized battery C is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower groove portion D2, but because the first stopper A1 of the stopper partially blocks the lower groove portion D2, the small-sized battery C will not fall into the lower groove portion D2 due to gravity.

[0054] The sensor generates a detection signal in response to the battery falling into the upper groove portion D1. The controller rotates the battery can D by a predetermined angle based on the detection signal. For example, the controller controls a driver connected to the battery can D to drive the battery can D based on the detection signal, thereby rotating the battery can D.

[0055] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the charging device in a state where the battery barrel D rotates to the upper opening A4 of the limit baffle corresponding to the battery slot. As the battery barrel D rotates, the battery slot will rotate to a position corresponding to the upper opening A4 of the limit baffle, that is, the limit baffle does not block the lower slot portion D2. At this time, the small-sized battery C can fall into the lower slot portion D2 through the upper opening A4 due to the effect of gravity. During the process of the small-sized battery C falling into the lower slot portion D2, the battery barrel D does not stop rotating. After the small-sized battery C falls into the lower slot portion D2, the battery barrel D continues to rotate under the drive of the driver until it rotates to a position where the small-sized battery C in the lower slot portion D2 is positioned at the second charging terminal F.

[0056] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view when the small-sized battery C in the battery can D is rotated to the second charging terminal F is shown. Figure 6 In the figure, the second charging terminal F is not shown because it is blocked by the small-sized battery C. At this time, the battery barrel D stops rotating, and the small-sized battery C is electrically connected to the second charging terminal F. In this way, the small-sized battery C can be charged by an external power source. In this state, since the upper opening A4 of the limit baffle no longer corresponds to the battery slot, that is, the limit baffle blocks the lower slot portion D2, the position of the small-sized battery C located in the lower slot portion D2 is limited by the limit baffle, so that the small-sized battery will not be disconnected from the second charging terminal F during the charging process, thereby achieving a stable charging process.

[0057] Figure 7 4 is a cross-sectional view of the charging device according to the embodiment of the present invention in a state where the battery cylinder D is rotated until the lower opening A5 of the limiting baffle corresponds to the battery slot.

[0058] When the charging of the small-sized battery C is completed, the controller can rotate the battery barrel D again in response to a predetermined charging signal (such as a current signal or a voltage signal) generated by the small-sized battery C. The small-sized battery C located in the lower groove portion D2 can leave the position of the second charging terminal F as the battery barrel D rotates. When the battery barrel D rotates to the point where the battery slot corresponds to the lower opening A5, the small-sized battery C leaves the lower groove portion D2 through the lower opening A5 under the action of gravity, leaves the limiting unit via the battery outlet A9, and falls into the battery collection portion A15. The battery barrel D does not stop rotating in the process of the small-sized battery C leaving the lower groove portion D2 and entering the battery collection portion A15. The battery barrel D can continue to rotate to the position where the battery slot corresponds to the battery inlet A8.

[0059] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view of a large-sized battery located in the upper tank portion.

[0060] like Figure 8As shown in , when the battery barrel D rotates from the position where the battery slot corresponds to the lower opening A5 to the position where the battery slot corresponds to the battery entrance A8, the large-sized battery B may fall into the upper slot portion D1 due to gravity, and at this time, the limit baffle partially blocks the lower slot portion D2, that is, the battery slot does not correspond to the upper opening A4. The sensor generates a detection signal in response to the large-sized battery falling into the upper slot portion D1, and the controller rotates the battery barrel D by a predetermined angle based on the detection signal. For example, the controller controls the driver connected to the battery barrel D to drive the battery barrel D based on the detection signal, thereby rotating the battery barrel D.

[0061] Fig. 9 It is a cross-sectional view of the charging device in a state where the battery barrel D is rotated to the upper opening A4 of the limit baffle corresponding to the battery slot. As the battery barrel D rotates, the battery slot will rotate to a position corresponding to the upper opening A4 of the limit baffle, that is, the limit baffle does not cover the lower slot portion D2. However, since the outer diameter of the large-sized battery B is larger than the inner diameter of the lower slot portion D2, the large-sized battery B will not fall into the lower slot portion D2 through the upper opening A4 due to gravity. At this time, the battery barrel D does not stop rotating and continues to rotate until it rotates to a position where the large-sized battery B in the upper slot portion D1 is positioned at the first charging terminal E.

[0062] Fig.10 A cross-sectional view is shown when the large-sized battery B in the battery can D is rotated to the first charging terminal E. Fig.10 , the first charging terminal E is not shown because it is blocked by the large-size battery B. At this time, the battery barrel D stops rotating, and the large-size battery B is electrically connected to the first charging terminal E. In this way, the large-size battery B can be charged by an external power source. In this state, since the battery baffle A7 is configured to be spaced a predetermined distance from the limit baffle to define the position of the large-size battery B located in the upper groove portion D1, the large-size battery will not be disconnected from the first charging terminal E during the charging process, thereby achieving a stable charging process.

[0063] Fig.11 4 is a cross-sectional view of the charging device according to the embodiment of the present invention in a state where the battery cylinder D is rotated to a state where the battery slot corresponds to the battery outlet A9 of the battery baffle A7.

[0064] When the large-size battery B is fully charged, the controller may cause the battery barrel D to rotate again in response to a predetermined charging signal (e.g., a current signal or a voltage signal) generated by the large-size battery B. The large-size battery B located in the upper groove portion D1 may leave the position of the first charging terminal E as the battery barrel D rotates. When the battery barrel D rotates to the point where the battery slot corresponds to the battery outlet A9 of the battery baffle A7, the large-size battery B leaves the upper groove portion D1 under the action of gravity, leaves the limiting unit through the battery outlet A9, and falls into the battery collection portion A15. The battery barrel D does not stop rotating during the process of the large-size battery B leaving the upper groove portion D1 and entering the battery collection portion A15. The battery barrel D may continue to rotate to the position where the battery slot corresponds to the battery inlet A8.

[0065] Since the first charging terminal E and the second charging terminal F are respectively arranged on the portion of the first surface S1 through which the upper groove portion D1 and the lower groove portion D2 pass when the battery can rotates, in both cases of charging the large-sized battery B and the small-sized battery C, the controller rotates the battery can D by the same predetermined angle based on the detection signal generated by the sensor. That is, regardless of charging the large-sized battery B or the small-sized battery C, the sensor generates only one detection signal based on the battery falling into the upper groove portion D1, and the controller rotates the battery can D by the predetermined angle based on the detection signal.

[0066] The above drawings and descriptions are exemplary and illustrative, and the construction of the charging device according to the present invention is not limited thereto. The battery slot of the battery barrel D according to the present invention may be formed by a plurality of slot parts, that is, not only by the upper slot part D1 and the lower slot part D2, for example, N slot parts may be provided, the N slot parts may be interconnected, and may be provided in the direction of the center of the circle of the battery barrel D, and the inner diameter of each slot part is greater than the inner diameter of the adjacent slot part in the direction of the center of the circle of the battery barrel D. The battery barrel D may be provided with N-1 limiting grooves. Each of the N-1 limiting grooves extends on the circumference where the adjacent slot parts intersect. For example, the N-1 limiting grooves may each extend along a circular shape and pass through the battery slot, and form a discontinuous part at the position where the adjacent slot parts intersect. Accordingly, the limiting unit may be provided with a plurality of limiting baffles as described above. The upper openings of the plurality of limiting baffles are preferably aligned in the radial direction of the battery barrel, and the lower openings of the plurality of limiting baffles are preferably aligned in the direction of gravity. Accordingly, the charging device may further include a plurality of charging terminals, which are respectively arranged on the portion of the first surface through which the plurality of groove portions pass when the battery barrel rotates, along the same radial direction of the circumference corresponding to the limit baffle. With such a configuration of the charging device, batteries of various sizes can be charged.

[0067] The charging device according to the present invention can charge batteries of different sizes because the battery slot is formed with a plurality of slot parts having different inner diameters and the limiting slot and the limiting baffle on the limiting unit are rotatably engaged.

[0068] In addition, due to the positions of the battery inlet, the upper opening, the battery outlet and the lower opening of the charging device, the battery can fall into and out of the battery barrel by gravity. Furthermore, the rotation of the battery barrel can be controlled by a sensor and a controller, so that during the battery charging process, the battery can be simply placed into the bucket-shaped space to complete the automatic charging of batteries of different sizes.

[0069] Furthermore, multiple charging terminals are arranged on the circumferences corresponding to the multiple groove portions on the first surface along the same radial direction of the circumference corresponding to the limit baffle. Therefore, no matter what size of battery is charged, the controller only needs to respond to the detection signal generated by the sensor when the battery falls into the outermost groove portion (i.e., the groove portion farthest from the center of the battery barrel D), and then rotate the battery barrel to the same predetermined angle, so that the battery can be rotated with the battery barrel D to the position of the corresponding charging terminal.

[0070] The present invention also provides a method for charging batteries of different sizes using a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method comprising: allowing a battery to enter an upper groove portion D1 of a battery groove of a battery barrel D; generating a detection signal by a sensor in response to the battery entering the upper groove portion D1; and rotating the battery barrel D to a position where the battery corresponds to a first charging terminal E or a second charging terminal F by a controller based on the detection signal. The method further comprises rotating the battery barrel D again based on a predetermined charging signal generated by the battery at the first charging terminal E or the second charging terminal F.

[0071] The method may further include the step of placing the battery in the bucket-shaped space defined by the first baffle plate and the second baffle plate before allowing the battery to enter the upper groove portion D1 of the battery slot of the battery barrel D. In this way, the battery, under the action of gravity, passes through the space opening and then through the battery stopper A13 into the upper groove portion D1 of the battery slot.

[0072] While certain exemplary embodiments and examples are described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Accordingly, the inventive concept is not limited to these embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the claims set forth and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A charging device, comprising: A battery can, comprising a limiting groove and a battery can formed by an upper groove portion and a lower groove portion, wherein the inner diameter of the upper groove portion is greater than the inner diameter of the lower groove portion, wherein the limiting groove extends on the circumference of the position where the upper groove portion and the lower groove portion intersect, and the battery can is radially recessed inward from the outer circumference of the battery can toward the center of the battery can; A limiting unit, comprising a housing and a limiting baffle plate provided on a first surface of the housing and having an upper opening and a lower opening, wherein the limiting baffle plate and the limiting groove are rotatably engaged with each other; and The first charging terminal and the second charging terminal are respectively arranged on the portion of the first surface through which the upper groove portion and the lower groove portion pass when the battery barrel rotates, along the same radial direction of the circumference corresponding to the limit stopper.

2. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The limiting unit further includes a battery baffle plate surrounding the limiting baffle plate and having a battery inlet located at an upper portion and a battery outlet located at a lower portion, wherein the battery baffle plate is configured to prevent the battery in the battery slot from being separated from the battery slot.

3. The charging device according to claim 2, wherein: The limiting unit also includes a first baffle and a second baffle on the first surface, the first baffle and the second baffle are above the battery baffle, and define a bucket-shaped space for accommodating the battery and a space opening located between the first baffle and the second baffle, and the space opening is connected to the battery inlet.

4. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The diameter of the upper opening and the diameter of the lower opening are greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the upper groove portion.

5. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The battery barrel is provided with a positioning groove, which is concentric with the limiting groove. The limiting unit also includes a limiting ring provided on the first surface, the center of the limiting ring coincides with the center of the limiting baffle, and the limiting ring and the positioning groove are rotatably engaged with each other.

6. The charging device according to claim 2, further comprising a battery collecting portion disposed below the battery outlet.

7. The charging device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the limiting unit further comprises a battery limiting portion, the battery limiting portion is formed by two baffles arranged on the first surface, and two ends of the battery limiting portion are respectively connected to the space opening and the battery inlet.

8. The charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a sensor that generates a detection signal in response to the battery entering the upper groove portion; as well as The controller rotates the battery can based on the detection signal, so that the battery can is rotated to a position where the battery is located corresponding to the first charging terminal or the second charging terminal.

9. The charging device according to claim 8, wherein: The controller causes the battery cartridge to rotate again in response to a predetermined charging signal generated by the battery.

10. The charging device according to claim 8, wherein the controller comprises a driver for driving the battery cartridge to rotate, and the battery cartridge further comprises a driving connection portion connected to the driver.

11. The charging device according to claim 8, wherein: The sensor is a photoelectric sensor.

12. A method for charging batteries of different sizes based on the charging device according to claim 8, the method comprising: Allowing a battery to enter the upper slot portion of the battery slot of the battery cartridge; The sensor senses that the battery enters the upper groove portion to generate a detection signal; as well as The controller rotates the battery tube to a position where the battery corresponds to the first charging terminal or the second charging terminal based on the detection signal.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: The battery cartridge is rotated again based on a predetermined charging signal generated by the battery at the first charging terminal or the second charging terminal.

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