Battery powered charger for wireless charging of personal care devices

Abstract

In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a charger structured and arranged for wireless energy transfer to a personal care device, the charger having a travel mode and an internal energy storage; a sensor, preferably a motion or vibration sensor, for detecting a change in position of the charger; a processor coupled with the sensor for receiving a sensor signal relating to a detected change in position of the charger, preferably to a detected movement or vibration of the charger, and arranged to: start a first timer if the sensor detects a change in position, and start a second timer if the sensor detects a change in position; the first timer is set to run for a first predetermined period of time to: increase the first counter if the sensor detects a change in position while the first timer is moving; comparing the value of the first counter with a first threshold at the end of the first predetermined period or with a first range having a first range lower limit value and a first range upper limit value; and entering the travel mode if the value of the first counter is at or above the first threshold or within the first range, wherein the travel mode comprises that the processor is arranged to set the charger to an energy saving state for a predetermined travel mode period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a charger having an internal energy source, a sensor arranged to detect motion or vibration of the charger, and a mode in which the charger consumes less energy than a conventional or standard mode. Background Art

[0002] Chargers comprising an internal energy source are generally known for charging personal devices when the user cannot access a standard power connection. It is also known that such chargers (often also referred to as power banks) can transfer energy wirelessly (e.g., via inductive charging).

[0003] In order to start the charging procedure, the charger may periodically check whether a personal device to be charged is placed on the charger. This periodic check consumes energy. In particular, in the case where the user is traveling and the charger is stored in travel luggage, it is not expected that a personal device to be charged will be placed on the charger. The energy used for the regular check reduces the amount of energy available in the internal energy source for the actual charging procedure.

[0004] It is therefore an object to provide a charger with an internal energy source which consumes less energy during periods of no actual charging. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to at least one aspect, a charger is provided, which is structured and arranged for wireless energy transfer to a personal care device, the charger having a travel mode and including an internal energy storage device; a sensor for detecting a change in position of the charger, preferably a motion or vibration sensor; a processor, the processor being coupled to the sensor, for receiving a sensor signal related to the detected change in position of the charger, preferably the detected motion or vibration of the charger, and the processor being arranged to: start a first timer if the sensor detects a change in position, the first timer being set to run for a first predetermined period of time, to: increase a first counter if the sensor detects a change in position while the first timer is moving; compare the value of the first counter with a first threshold at the end of the first predetermined period of time or with a first range having a first range lower limit value and a first range upper limit value; and enter the travel mode when the value of the first counter is at or above the first threshold or within the first range, wherein the travel mode includes the processor being arranged to set the charger to an energy-saving state for a predetermined travel mode period.

[0006] According to at least one aspect, there is provided a charger structured and arranged for wireless energy transfer to a personal care device, the charger having a travel mode and comprising an internal energy storage device; a sensor for detecting a change in position of the charger, preferably a motion or vibration sensor; a processor coupled to the sensor for receiving a sensor signal related to the detected change in position of the charger, preferably the detected motion or vibration of the charger, and the processor being arranged to start a first timer if the sensor detects a change in position, the first timer being set to run for a first predetermined period of time, to: increase the first timer if the sensor detects a change in position while the first timer is running a first counter; comparing the value of the first counter with a first threshold at the end of the first predetermined period; starting a second timer if the value of the first counter is at or above the first threshold, the second timer being set to run for a second predetermined period; incrementing the second counter if the sensor senses a position change while the second timer is running; comparing the value of the second counter with a second threshold or with a second range having a second range lower limit value and a second range upper limit value at the end of the second predetermined period; and entering the travel mode if the value of the second counter is at or above the second threshold, wherein the travel mode includes the processor being arranged to set the charger to an energy saving state for a predetermined travel mode period. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present disclosure will be further clarified by a detailed description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings,

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a charger according to the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a process flow according to a first example method of setting a charger to a travel mode; and

[0010] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a process flow according to a second exemplary method of setting a charger to a travel mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] A charger according to the present disclosure includes an internal energy source that can be used to charge a rechargeable energy source of a device, such as a personal device or a personal care device, such as an electric toothbrush, an electric shaver or razor, an electric epilator, an electric massage device, etc. The charging procedure may include wireless energy transfer from the charger to the device, for example, via an inductive charging procedure or a resonant charging procedure. The charger may further have an input or cable for connecting to a mains power supply or to another external energy supply device. In the case where the charger receives energy from an external energy supply device, such as a mains power supply, the internal energy source may not be used to charge the device and / or the internal energy source may be charged itself. The charger may additionally or alternatively have an output or cable for wired charging of the device. The charger has a sensor for detecting a change in the position state of the charger, which would mean that the sensor is sensitive to changes in the position of the sensor itself. The sensor may be fixedly attached to at least a portion of the housing of the charger or to a support, which itself may be fixedly mounted relative to at least a portion of the housing of the charger.

[0012] The sensor may be of a type arranged to detect a movement from a stationary state to a non-stationary state, i.e. the movement comprises acceleration or vibration of the charger or at least a portion of the housing of the charger to which the sensor is attached, for example the sensor is an accelerometer and / or a gyroscope and / or a vibration switch such as a mechanical vibration switch. The sensor may then have at least one axis along which the movement or vibration is determined, or the sensor may have two or three axes along which the movement or vibration is measured. The sensor may alternatively or additionally be implemented as or include a magnetometer. The sensor may alternatively or additionally be implemented as or include an air pressure sensor arranged to detect changes in air pressure and therefore changes in the height of the charger. The sensor may alternatively or additionally be implemented as or include a GPS receiver, even though the latter may be considered relatively expensive. The sensor is typically coupled to a processor such that the processor can receive a sensor signal carrying sensor data indicating one or more detected sensor values. The sensor may be structured and / or arranged to output a sensor signal carrying sensor data indicating the detected movement or vibration.

[0013] The processor is arranged to receive the sensor signal and analyze the sensor data to determine whether the travel mode of the charger is to be turned on. The sensor data may indicate that the charger changes its position due to continuous or repeated detection of movement and / or vibration and / or altitude change or magnetic field change, etc. For simplicity, only movement and vibration are mentioned below. It should be understood that the movement and vibration of the charger are position changes. In the latter case, the vibration can be considered as a small periodic position change, often around the center point of the vibration, and the vibration can stop or terminate after a part of the vibration cycle or after multiple vibration cycles. The vibration can have an amplitude in the micrometer range, for example, in the range between 1 micrometer and 1000 micrometers. The movement can be a position change, in which the charger is at one position in space at one point in time and at another position in space at another point in time. The movement distance can be small (for example, when the device to be charged is placed on the charger, the charger can move a fraction of a millimeter or several millimeters), or it can be large (for example, when the charger is carried by a user on a trip, the movement distance can then total several thousand kilometers).

[0014] A charger intended for charging a device, preferably a personal care device such as an electric toothbrush, may be located on a bathroom sink or the like. The charger may experience certain low amplitude position changes due to vibrations of the house in which the bathroom is located or due to vibrations of the bathroom or bathroom sink caused by people walking around the bathroom or bathroom sink. The processor may be arranged to ignore such low level vibrations or motions, for example by applying a threshold to the signal value, by which such low level noise on the signal can be removed, i.e. then only signal values ​​above the threshold will be considered as motion or vibration. Such "severe" motion or vibration may be caused by a user placing a personal care device on the charger. A mechanical vibration switch or inertial switch may be designed to avoid vibration noise, i.e. the mechanical vibration switch may only be triggered if the motion, vibration or shock is above a certain threshold level. In the following, it should be understood that reference to detected motion or vibration means detection of severe motion or vibration, i.e. motion or vibration above the noise level. A person skilled in the art understands that the thresholds related to noise may be set based on measurements of noise and severe motion and vibration, depending on the specific sensor used. Severe motion or vibration may be caused by a user placing a device on the charger for charging or lifting the device from the charger. The threshold to be applied can then be set to be centered between the noise level and the average motion or vibration signal due to placing the device on the charger, for example, multiple measurements of multiple users and / or multiple devices can be performed to determine the average motion. The threshold should preferably be set so that noise does not trigger a motion or vibration signal, but placing any device on the charger by any user is identified as a motion or vibration event.

[0015] According to some aspects, the processor may be arranged to check whether the device to be charged is placed on the charger when the sensor provides a sensor signal indicating motion or vibration. The processor may then trigger the primary side charging circuit of the charger to wirelessly provide energy and analyze whether the provided energy is utilized. This energy provision will result in energy loss. If the energy is taken from the internal energy source of the charger, the capacity available for charging the rechargeable energy source of the device to be charged by the charger is reduced. If the charger is carried for some kind of travel, the sensor may constantly or at least repeatedly provide a sensor signal indicating motion or vibration, and the charger will then constantly or at least repeatedly trigger the charging circuit to provide energy to the potential personal care device to be charged during the travel period. According to at least some aspects, the processor is arranged to detect that the sensor signal provided by the sensor indicates that the charger is moving. The charger is then set to a travel mode in which the charger consumes less energy than its regular or normal mode. The travel mode may include: the processor omits every other sensor signal indicating motion or vibration, or nine of ten such sensor signals are ignored, or the sensor signal is ignored for a predetermined travel mode period, and the processor does not trigger the charging circuit to provide energy via the primary side charging circuit during this period. In some embodiments, the travel mode comprises that the charger is substantially completely switched off and can then only be reactivated by an interrupt, which can be generated by a user-operable input element. In the latter case, the predetermined travel mode time period is infinite. It can also be said that in the latter case, the processor is arranged to place the charger in the travel mode from which the charger can only be awakened by operation of the user-operable input element.

[0016] In the case where the number of motions or vibrations detected within the first predetermined time period is at or above the first threshold, the processor may determine that the charger is moving. If the processor determines that the received sensor signal indicates motion or vibration, the processor may start a first timer, which may run for a first predetermined period of time, such as one minute or two minutes or 30 seconds or five minutes, etc. The processor may then count the number of motion and / or vibration detections based on the received sensor signal, and then the processor may compare the number of motions and / or vibrations detected at the end of the first predetermined period with the first threshold. In the case where the number of motions and / or vibrations detected is at or above the first threshold, the processor may start the travel mode. In the case where the number of motions and / or vibrations detected is below the first threshold, the processor may reset the number of motions and / or vibrations detected, for example, reset the number to 0, and once the next motion and / or vibration signal is detected, the first timer may be restarted to run for the first predetermined period of time. The first threshold value for the first predetermined period of one minute may have any value in the range between 2 and 50, for example 2 or 5 or 10 or 15 or 20 or 22 or 25 or 27 or 30 or 40 or 44 or 48 or 50. However, it will be appreciated that these values ​​depend on the sensor type and the time period over which the number of motions or vibrations are detected, and that a person skilled in the art may determine the relevant number of motion events by performing the measurements to be described below.

[0017] Experiments were performed in various situations, and specific situations or motion scenarios and the number of motions or vibrations detected in such scenarios are shown in the table below. These numbers are understood to be qualitative and indicate the differences between different situations. Based on the table below, the first threshold can be set to about 20 to distinguish non-moving situations (e.g., moving the charger around with your hands) from moving situations. Instead of just the first threshold, the number of motions detected during, for example, one minute may be required to be within a first range, such as within a range between 20 and 250, to distinguish non-moving situations and artificial motion detection (e.g., due to tapping, etc.) from moving situations. Then the first range lower limit value may be the first threshold, and the first range upper limit value may be another value that separates the non-moving situation that causes a large number of motion detections from the first range, for example, 250 or 260 or 270 or 280 or 290 or 300, etc. Then, the check performed by the processor will include checking whether the number of motions detected during the first predetermined period is at or above the first range lower limit value (being the first threshold) or below the first range upper limit value.

[0018] Sports scenes: Number of detected motions: The charger is placed in a person's pocket and the person walks for one minute. 31 The charger is placed in a person's pocket and the person walks for two minutes. 51 Place the charger in the cart and move it for one minute 242 Place the charger in the cart and move it for two minutes 537 Hold the charger in your hand and move 5 meters 11 Hold the charger in your hand and move 20 meters 12 Tap the charger continuously for one minute 707

[0019] According to some aspects, if the number of movements and / or vibrations detected during the first predetermined period is at or above a first threshold or within a first range, the processor may start a second timer running for a second predetermined period. The processor may then be arranged to count the number of movements or vibrations detected during the second predetermined period, and if the number of movements detected during the second predetermined period is at or above a second threshold or within a second range having a second range lower limit value that may be the same as the second threshold and a second range upper limit value that may be a value above the second threshold, the travel mode may be activated, e.g., in case the lengths of the first and second predetermined periods are the same, the mentioned range values ​​20 and 250 may be applied again for the second range (in case the lengths are not the same, the thresholds and / or range values ​​may be adapted by simple scaling). With respect to the second timer, it was found that a more detailed view of the temporal behavior of the movement of the charger may be provided if, for example, two one-minute timers are used instead of only the first two-minute timer, since it may then be better deduced whether a specific number of movements were detected within the first minute and also within the second minute. A large number of tapping motion events within the first minute followed by essentially no movement within the second minute may result in the travel mode being activated while the charger is not actually moving. Of course, instead of two consecutive timer periods, three or more timer periods can also be used, such as four thirty-second timer periods or three one-minute timer periods, etc. Thus, there can be a third timer after the second timer, and there can also be a fourth timer after the third timer, and so on.

[0020] Typically, the first lower range value or the second lower range value or the first threshold value or the second threshold value may be in the range between 2 and 50, and the first range or the second range upper limit value may be in the range between 150 and 500 for a one minute timer period, and may be scaled separately for other period lengths, for example, for a first predetermined period or a second predetermined period of two minutes in length, the first range lower limit value or the second range lower limit value or the first threshold value or the second threshold value may be in the range between 4 and 100.

[0021] The processor may be arranged to inhibit the charger from entering the travel mode if at least one of the following is true:

[0022] -The personal care device is present on the charger;

[0023] -The charger is currently charging the device;

[0024] -The charger is connected to an external energy supply device (such as a mains power supply);

[0025] - While the first timer or the second timer is running, placing the device to be charged on the charger.

[0026] The presence of a personal care device or device can typically be determined by checking whether a wireless charging circuit can be established, i.e., by determining whether the device needs to be charged. Additionally or alternatively, the charger may include a presence sensor, such as a mechanical switch closed by the device or a capacitive sensor, etc.

[0027] In addition to the above, the charger may also include at least one of the following:

[0028] - A user-operable input element, such as a switch, button, touch-sensitive element, user interface, graphical user interface, etc., for deactivating the travel mode.

[0029] - A user-operable input element, such as a switch, a button, a touch-sensitive element, a user interface, a graphical user interface, etc., for activating the travel mode.

[0030] The user operable input element may be implemented as a single element, such as an on / off button.

[0031] The user-operable input element may additionally or alternatively be provided by a separate device (e.g., a proprietary separate device, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a laptop computer, a personal computer, a smart watch, etc.) in data communication with the charger. The charger and the separate device may be connected via a wired or wireless connection. The separate device may include a display and an App running on a processor of the separate device to provide a graphical user interface so that the user can use the touch-sensitive buttons of the graphical user interface to at least turn off and / or turn on the travel mode. The separate device may of course include at least one mechanical switch or button to implement at least one of the user-operable input elements.

[0032] Figure 1is a schematic diagram of a charger 1 according to the present disclosure. The charger 1 is understood to be structured and arranged for wireless energy transfer to a device such as a personal care device, for example by means of inductive charging or resonant charging. The charger may have a housing 2, a wired connector 3 allowing connection to a mains power source, an input 4 for allowing wired charging of the device, one or more feet 5 for standing on the ground, and / or a housing protrusion (as shown) or recess 6 intended for mechanical cooperation of a positive fit type with a corresponding recess or protrusion of the device to be charged. The connector 3 may be detachable. Instead of the input 4, a cable for wired charging may be provided. The charger 1 may include a processor 10, an internal energy storage 20, a primary side charging circuit 30, a sensor 40 for detecting a change in position of the charger 1, and / or one or several user-operable input elements 50 for turning on or off a travel mode or for turning on or off the charger 1 itself. The sensor 40 may be implemented as one of the sensors mentioned previously. The processor 10 may be structured and / or arranged to perform the steps discussed previously to determine whether the charger 1 is to enter travel mode. This is also referred to below Figure 2 and Figure 3 Have a discussion.

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of process steps that may be implemented on a processor of a charger according to at least some aspects related to determining whether a charger will enter a charging mode.

[0034] At process step 101, the processor waits for a sensor signal M1 received from a sensor for detecting a change in position of the charger, the signal M1 indicating a detected change in position, such as motion or vibration. If the processor receives a sensor signal M1 indicating a change in position of the charger, the processor starts a first timer and continues at process step 102, which continues as long as the timer value T indicating the time elapsed since the start of the first timer is below a first predetermined period T1. While the first timer is running in process step 102, the processor monitors whether a signal M2 from a sensor indicates a change in position of the charger, and if such a sensor signal M2 is received, the counter C1 is incremented at process step 103. The counter C1 may be initially set to 0 or 1. In the event that the time T elapsed since the start of the first timer is at or above the first predetermined period T1, the processor proceeds to process step 104, in which the counter value C1 is compared with a first threshold value V1 or with a first range having a first range lower limit value VL1 and a first range upper limit value VU2. In case the first counter value C1 is below the first threshold value V1 or the first counter value C1 is below the first range lower limit value VL1 or is at or above the first upper limit value VU1, the process starts again at process step 101. If the first counter value C1 is above the first threshold value V1 or is at or above the first range lower limit value VL1 and below the first range upper limit value VU2, the process may enter process step 105, in which the processor may check whether the charger is currently connected to an external energy supply device or whether a device is currently present or being charged. If any such condition is met, the process returns to process step 101. Otherwise, the processor sets the charger to travel mode for a predetermined travel mode period TM, wherein the charger consumes less energy in the travel mode than in the normal mode, specifically when the charger does not check whether any device to be charged is placed on the charger, especially when the charger does not monitor a sensor indicating a change in the position of the charger. The predetermined travel mode period may be set to any suitable time, for example, one hour or two hours or three hours or five hours or six hours or one day, etc. Obviously, in the case of long-term movement, due to continuous position change signals, the charger will be set to travel mode again, so it may be sufficient to set the predetermined travel mode period TM to a short time such as one or two hours. If the time T elapsed from the start of travel mode is at or above the predetermined travel mode period TM, the charger is awakened from travel mode at process step 107 and process step 101 is entered again. Instead of setting the charger to travel mode for the predetermined travel mode period, the processor may completely shut down the charger so that it can only be awakened by an interrupt signal, which may be provided by a user-operable input element.

[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of process steps according to at least some aspects, which process steps can be implemented on a processor of a charger. Figure 3 The process steps include a second timer, as will be explained below.

[0036] Figure 3 The process is designed to Figure 2 Process steps 101A and 104A should be combined with Figure 2 The process steps 101 and 104 discussed are the same, where it should be understood that process steps 102 and 103 also occur here, but are described in detail for simplicity of description. Figure 3 has been omitted. Figure 2 The process flow after the discussed process step 104 is reversed, and as a result of the comparison of the first counter C1 with the first threshold value or with the first range, the process step 104A results in the start of a second timer running for a second predetermined period at process step 202A, wherein the second timer is started at 202A if the first counter C1 is at or above the first threshold value or at or above the first range lower limit value and below the first range upper limit value, as described above for Figure 2As described. Similarly, as explained for process steps 102 and 103, the processor is then structured and / or arranged to monitor whether the signal M3 from the sensor is indicating movement or vibration of the charger at process step 203A. In the event that the signal M3 indicating movement or vibration of the charger is received while the second timer is running during the second predetermined period, the second counter C2, which may be initially set to 0, may then be incrementally increased by 1. Once the time T elapsed from the start of the second timer is at or above the second predetermined period T2, the process proceeds to process step 204A, where a second threshold V2 and / or a second range determined by a second lower threshold VL2 and a second upper threshold VU2 is provided for comparison with the second counter C2. In the event that the second counter C2 is below the second threshold V2 or below the second lower threshold VL2 or at or above the second upper threshold VU2, the process returns to the start process step 101A, where the processor monitors whether the signal M1 from the sensor indicates movement or vibration to start the entire process again. In the event that the result of the comparison performed at process step 204A is that the second counter C2 is at or above the second threshold value V2 or the second counter C2 is at or above the second lower threshold value VL2 and below the second upper threshold value VU2, the process enters process step 205A, where the processor can check whether the charger is currently connected to an external energy supply device or whether a device is currently present or is being charged. If any such conditions are met, the process returns to process step 101A. Otherwise, the processor sets the charger to travel mode for a predetermined travel mode period TM at process step 206A, wherein the charger consumes less energy in travel mode than in normal mode, specifically in the event that the charger does not check whether any device to be charged is placed on the charger, and in particular when the charger does not monitor sensors indicating changes in the position of the charger. If the time T elapsed from the start of travel mode is at or above the predetermined travel mode period TM, the charger is awakened from travel mode at process step 207A and process step 101A is entered again. These latter steps are again similar to those described with regard to Figure 2 The process steps 105, 106 and 107 are the same as described above. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The difference between the processes described is that in Figure 3 In the process, the process includes a second timer after the first timer, as generally described previously. As indicated, the process flow may include a third timer, and even one or several further timers are considered necessary. Again, instead of setting the charger to travel mode for a predetermined travel mode period, the processor may completely shut down the charger so that the charger can only be woken up by an interrupt signal, which interrupt signal may be provided by a user-operable input element.

[0037] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​cited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to represent the stated value and a functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

Claims

1. A charger structured and arranged for wireless energy transfer to a personal care device, the charger having a travel mode and comprising Internal energy storage; a sensor for detecting a change in position of the charger, preferably a motion or vibration sensor; a processor coupled to the sensor for receiving a sensor signal relating to a detected change in position of the charger, preferably a detected movement or vibration of the charger, and arranged to start a first timer if a change in position is detected by the sensor, the first timer being set to run for a first predetermined period of time, If a position change is detected by the sensor while the first timer is running, incrementing a first counter, comparing the value of the first counter with a first threshold at the end of the first predetermined period, or with a first range having a first range lower limit value and a first range upper limit value, and The travel mode is entered if the value of the first counter is at or above the first threshold or within the first range, wherein the travel mode comprises the processor being arranged to set the charger to a power saving state for a predetermined travel mode period.

2. A charger structured and arranged for wireless energy transfer to a personal care device, the charger having a travel mode and comprising Internal energy storage; a sensor for detecting a change in position of the charger, preferably a motion or vibration sensor; a processor coupled to the sensor for receiving a sensor signal relating to a detected change in position of the charger, preferably a detected movement or vibration of the charger, and arranged to start a first timer if a change in position is detected by the sensor, the first timer being set to run for a first predetermined period of time, If a position change is detected by the sensor while the first timer is running, incrementing a first counter, comparing the value of the first counter with a first threshold or with a first range having a first range lower limit value and a first range upper limit value at the end of the first predetermined period, if the value of the first counter is at or above the first threshold or within the first range, starting a second timer, the second timer being set to run for a second predetermined period of time, If a position change is sensed by the sensor while the second timer is running, incrementing a second counter, comparing the value of the second counter with a second threshold or with a second range having a second range lower limit value and a second range upper limit value at the end of the second predetermined period, and The travel mode is entered if the value of the second counter is at or above the second threshold or within the second range, wherein the travel mode comprises the processor being arranged to set the charger to a power saving state for a predetermined travel mode period.

3. The charger according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The processor is arranged to inhibit entry into the travel mode if a personal care device is currently being charged by the charger.

4. The charger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The processor is arranged to inhibit entry into the travel mode if the charger is currently connected to an external energy supply.

5. The charger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The first threshold value is in the range between 2 and 50 for a first predetermined period of time having a length of one minute, and / or wherein the first range lower limit value is in the range between 2 and 50 for a first predetermined period of time having a length of one minute and the first range upper limit value is in the range between 150 and 300 for a first predetermined period of time having a length of one minute.

6. The charger according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein: The second threshold value is in the range between 2 and 50 for a second predetermined period of time having a length of one minute, and / or wherein the second range lower limit value is in the range between 2 and 50 for a second predetermined period of time having a length of one minute and the second range upper limit value is in the range between 150 and 300 for a second predetermined period of time having a length of one minute.

7. The charger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The first predetermined period of time is in the range between 5 seconds and 10 minutes.

8. The charger according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The second predetermined period of time is in the range between 5 seconds and 10 minutes.

9. The charger according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The sensor is an accelerometer.

10. The charger according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The sensor is a vibration switch.

11. The charger according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The predetermined travel mode period ranges between 30 minutes and 24 hours.

12. The charger according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The charger includes a user-operable input element for deactivating the travel mode.

13. The charger according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The charger includes a user-operable input element for activating the travel mode.

14. The charger according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The processor is arranged to stop the first timer if charging of a personal care device is initiated while the first timer is running.

15. The charger according to any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein: The processor is arranged to stop the second timer if charging of the personal care device is initiated while the second timer is running.

Images