Battery with real time clock

Abstract

An electrical device (100) is described, comprising an electrical load (105), at least one battery (120) adapted to supply power to said electrical load (105), and comprising: a battery body (135); at least one positive electrode (125) and at least one negative electrode (130) located in the battery body (135) so as to be both exposed to the outside; at least one electrochemical cell enclosed within the battery body (135) and adapted to convert chemical energy into electrical energy by generating a voltage difference between the positive electrode (125) and the negative electrode (130); an electronic real-time clock circuit (145) located inside the battery body (135) and adapted to generate a signal indicative of the real time; and a connection system (150) adapted to send the signal generated by the electronic real-time clock circuit to the outside of the battery body (135). It also comprises a central electronic unit (155) for controlling the electrical load (105) and connected to the electronic real-time clock circuit (145) via the connection system (150).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to batteries and electrical devices including said batteries.

[0002] Electrical equipment can be any electrically operated device, that is, a device that requires a power source to operate, such as power tools.

[0003] As a non-limiting example, the present invention may relate to power tools for performing agricultural and / or horticultural work, such as electric hoes, electric tillers, electric lawnmowers, lawn mowers, blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, etc. Background Technology

[0004] In order to reduce environmental impact, the devices mentioned above (including the aforementioned agricultural and / or gardening power tools) are increasingly being driven by battery-powered (electric) motors.

[0005] The battery is usually removable, so it can be charged with an external charger, and the device can continue to work by replacing the battery.

[0006] The drawback of these devices is that their controls typically cannot keep track of the passage of time when the device is off.

[0007] To address this shortcoming, it is envisioned that the aforementioned electrical devices be equipped with real-time clocks (RTCs), similar to the situation in modern personal computers.

[0008] However, real-time clocks (RTCs) require a constant power supply.

[0009] This power cannot be supplied by the device's battery, because every time the battery is removed (e.g., replaced), the real-time clock (RTC) will stop.

[0010] Therefore, like a personal computer, the real-time clock (RTC) should be powered by a special autonomous battery, often called a buffer battery, which should also be installed in the electrical equipment in addition to the main battery.

[0011] Although the buffer battery can have a relatively long lifespan, it must also be replaced periodically, which not only introduces structural complexity but also causes additional inconvenience to users. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The purpose of this invention is to overcome or at least limit the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art with a simple and reasonable solution and at a relatively lower cost.

[0013] These and other objectives are achieved by virtue of the features of the invention set forth in the independent claims. The dependent claims summarize preferred and / or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention, but these aspects are not strictly necessary for carrying out the invention.

[0014] In particular, one embodiment of the present invention provides a battery, preferably capable of being used as a main (removable) battery in an electrical device, the battery comprising:

[0015] - Battery body,

[0016] - At least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode are located in the battery body (135) such that both are exposed to the outside.

[0017] - At least one electrochemical cell (e.g., a lithium-ion battery) encapsulated within the battery body and configured to convert chemical energy into electrical energy by generating a voltage difference between the positive and negative electrodes.

[0018] - An electronic real-time clock (RTC) circuit, located inside the battery body and configured to generate a signal indicating real-time time, and

[0019] - A connection system configured to send signals generated by an electronic real-time clock circuit to the outside of the battery body.

[0020] Thanks to this solution, in addition to powering the electrical equipment it is associated with, the battery will be able to provide its control circuitry with the latest real-time time information (e.g., year, month, day, hour, minute, and second), and the electrical equipment will not need to contain a dedicated buffer battery.

[0021] In fact, even when the battery is disconnected from the electrical device, the real-time clock (RTC) continues to keep track of real-time time. Therefore, as soon as the battery is reinstalled, the updated value of the real-time clock (RTC) can be sent to the control circuit of the electrical device.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronic real-time clock (RTC) circuit can be powered by the electrochemical cells of a battery.

[0023] Thanks to this solution, the real-time clock (RTC) does not require a separate buffer battery, maintaining the simplicity of the overall battery design.

[0024] However, it cannot be ruled out that in other embodiments, the battery may also include a (electro)buffered battery, which is different from an electrochemical cell that applies a voltage difference at the electrodes, and is configured to be powered by an electronic real-time clock circuit, and may be housed, for example, inside the battery body.

[0025] Another preferred aspect of the invention is that the electrochemical cell of the battery can be a rechargeable electrochemical cell, also known as a secondary electrolytic battery.

[0026] In this way, the battery and its real-time clock (RTC) can be reused multiple times.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, a connection system for transmitting signals generated by a real-time clock (RTC) to the outside world may include a data port located on the battery body, which is connected to an electronic real-time clock circuit and may be connected to an external electronic circuit, for example, via a communication bus (e.g., a CAN bus or a serial bus).

[0028] The data port can be separated from the electrode or integrated into the electrode, enabling particularly secure, stable, and fast signal transmission.

[0029] However, it is not excluded that in some embodiments the connection system may be wireless.

[0030] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an electric device, such as a power tool, preferably for agricultural and / or horticultural work, such as an electric hoe, electric tiller, electric lawnmower, lawn mower, blower, chainsaw, hedge trimmer, etc., comprising:

[0031] - Electrical loads, such as electric motors,

[0032] - At least one battery as described above, preferably installed in the electrical equipment in a removable and / or replaceable manner, the battery being configured to supply power to the electrical load via an inverter or other intermediate device, and

[0033] - A central electronic control unit for electrical loads, which is connected to the electronic real-time clock (RTC) circuit via a connection system (e.g., via a data port and a communication bus).

[0034] This embodiment of the invention essentially achieves the same advantages as those explained by the reference battery itself, and in particular, it allows the central electronic unit of the electrical equipment to be aware of the situation in real time without requiring the electrical equipment to be equipped with its own buffer battery.

[0035] The real-time information provided by the battery's real-time clock (RTC) can be used for multiple purposes.

[0036] In particular, embodiments of the present invention provide that the central electronic unit can be configured to repeatedly acquire the value of at least one (preferably the same) operating parameter of at least one component of the device and store it in a non-volatile memory cell, such as that of an electrical device.

[0037] More preferably, the central electronic unit can be configured to repeatedly acquire and store the values ​​of multiple operating parameters of one or more device components.

[0038] These equipment components may include batteries and / or any other electrical / electronic components present in electrical equipment, such as circuits or electronic boards, for example, present in electric hoes, electric tillers, electric lawnmowers, lawn mowers, blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, etc.

[0039] In the case of a battery, the operating parameters whose values ​​will be measured and stored can be selected from, for example, voltage, current, state of charge, and temperature.

[0040] In this case, the central electronic unit can be configured to periodically acquire each value of each operating parameter using real-time time based on the electronic real-time clock circuit integrated into the battery.

[0041] For example, the central electronic unit can be configured to periodically acquire the value of each operating parameter, wherein the period is calculated based on the real-time time time measured by the electronic real-time clock circuit (e.g., once a month).

[0042] In this way, it is advantageous to acquire and store the values ​​of operating parameters at precise timing (e.g., at a precise time frequency).

[0043] Even if the battery is removed between the current acquisition and the next acquisition, this is still the case, because the central electronics unit is always able to know the real-time time when powered on via the built-in real-time clock (RTC).

[0044] In the same context, the central electronic unit can be configured to acquire a real-time time value from an electronic real-time clock circuit at the moment each value of each operating parameter is acquired, and to store the real-time time value by associating the real-time time value with the corresponding value of the operating parameter.

[0045] This solution allows for the advantageous tracking of changes in the values ​​of operating parameters of batteries and / or other components of electrical equipment over time.

[0046] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the central electronic unit can be configured to store multiple values ​​of each operating parameter acquired at different times, such as the last N values ​​acquired in chronological order.

[0047] In this way, it is advantageous to create a database within the device that contains the values ​​of various operating parameters over a relatively long period of time, typically longer than the intervals between two consecutive acquisitions.

[0048] For example, for each device component (e.g., battery and / or others), the central electronic unit can store n-tuple values ​​(e.g., fourteen or fifteen values) of each operating parameter acquired at as many different and preferably consecutive time points as possible.

[0049] Another aspect of the invention provides that the electrical device may further include at least one communication module, through which the central electronic unit can be connected to a software application (e.g., an app or web app) running on an external electronic device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet computer, personal computer, or any other portable or fixed electronic device).

[0050] Preferably, the communication module can be wireless (e.g., Bluetooth), but in other embodiments it can be wired.

[0051] In particular, the central electronic unit can be configured to connect to the software application only after the authorization process, which may require, for example, a user identification phase (login) to be performed via the software application itself.

[0052] In this case, the central electronic unit can be configured to send the acquired and stored values ​​of each operating parameter to the software application.

[0053] Thanks to this solution, when the central electronic unit of an electrical device (such as a power tool) is connected to a software application executed by an external electronic device (such as a smartphone), it is advantageous to perform data logging. This allows the software application to acquire (and can display, for example, via a display of the external electronic device) all stored values ​​of the operating parameters of various components, which can be appropriately used for control, diagnostics, or other purposes.

[0054] As described above, since the central electronic unit can be configured to store a large number of values ​​for each operating parameter over a longer period of time, the data recording step is able to determine the time course of each operating parameter even if the electrical equipment is never connected to an external electrical device during the acquisition period.

[0055] According to another aspect of the invention, the central electronic unit can be configured to use an electronic real-time clock circuit to time the period during which it is disconnected from the software application, and to prevent the operation of electrical equipment if the period exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0056] This provides a useful anti-theft feature, as electrical equipment that has been stolen from its rightful owner and therefore cannot be connected to software applications on external electronic devices will be locked and rendered unusable.

[0057] This anti-theft feature can be selectively enabled and disabled via a software application (App), so its use is up to the user. Attached Figure Description

[0058] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent when reading the following description, which is provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes.

[0059] Figure 1 A device equipped with a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0060] In the following discussion, electrical equipment 100, which is shown schematically only in the accompanying drawings, is described.

[0061] Electrical equipment 100 may be power tools, electric vehicles, or any equipment that typically requires a power source to operate, preferably of a mobile or portable type.

[0062] As a non-limiting example, electrical equipment 100 may be equipment designed to perform agricultural and / or horticultural work, such as electric hoes, electric tillers, electric lawnmowers, lawn mowers, blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, etc.

[0063] Typically, electrical equipment 100 includes electrical loads 105 that must be powered.

[0064] Electrical load 105 is any electrical / electronic device that is capable of performing a function when powered.

[0065] For example, electrical load 105 may include an electric motor configured to convert an electrical source into mechanical power, which is configured to move one or more drive wheels of a mechanical device (e.g., a working tool, such as a cutting tool or mechanism).

[0066] However, it is not excluded that the electrical load 105 may (or alternatively) include electrical power converted into thermal power (e.g., resistors or other heating devices), optical power (e.g., light bulbs), or any other type of electronic device and / or transducer.

[0067] Typically, electrical load 105 can be considered an electrical component, as shown in the figure. It can be represented by the symbol of a resistor, but it always includes a first terminal 110 and a second terminal 115, and a DC or AC voltage difference must be applied between the first terminal 110 and the second terminal 115.

[0068] The electrical equipment 100 also includes at least one battery 120 configured to supply power to the electrical load 105, i.e., to supply it with the voltage required for its operation.

[0069] Depending on the type of electrical load 105, the power from battery 120 may be generated by one or more intermediate electrical / electronic devices (not shown).

[0070] For example, in an exemplary but non-limiting case where the electrical load 105 will include an electric motor or other equipment to be supplied with AC power, the battery 120 may supply power to the electrical load 105 via an inverter configured to convert the DC voltage supplied by the battery 120 into an AC voltage for supplying the electrical load 105.

[0071] Battery 120 may typically include a first electrode or positive electrode 125 represented by the symbol "+", a second electrode or negative electrode 130 represented by the symbol "-", and at least one electrochemical cell (e.g., a primary cell or voltaic cell) configured to generate a voltage difference between the positive electrode 125 having a higher voltage and the negative electrode 130 having a lower voltage.

[0072] Electrochemical cells typically include appropriate chemical elements to carry out electrochemical reactions that convert the chemical energy stored in the chemical elements into electrical energy, particularly the voltage difference mentioned above.

[0073] Electrochemical cells, i.e., these chemical elements, can be encapsulated in an outer body (or casing) 135 of the battery 120, the outer body 135 also referred to as the battery body, for example made of a polymer material, while the positive electrode 125 and the negative electrode 130, which can be made in the form of electrical contacts of a conductive material (e.g., metal), can be located in the battery body 135, thus exposed to the outside and therefore available for power connection.

[0074] The batteries 120 are preferably of the rechargeable type, that is, they may include one or more so-called secondary electrochemical cells (or consist of them).

[0075] In this type of electrochemical cell, the electrochemical reaction outlined above is reversible, thereby enabling the storage of electrical energy, provided in the form of chemical energy, in the chemical elements that form the electrochemical cell and are contained in the battery body 135 by applying a voltage difference between the positive electrode 125 and the negative electrode 130.

[0076] Of course, in order to supply power to the electrical load 105, the positive terminal 125 and the negative terminal 130 of the battery 120 can be electrically connected to the first terminal 110 and the second terminal 115 of the electrical load 105, respectively.

[0077] Battery 120 may further include electrical measurement circuitry 140. This electrical measurement circuitry 140 is typically designed to detect one or more operating parameters of battery 120 and may be, for example, mounted / integrated into battery housing 135.

[0078] In the context of this discussion, the operating parameters of battery 120 may include (for example, but not necessarily exclusively or limitingly) one or more of the following parameters: the voltage between electrodes 125 and 130 of battery 120, the current flowing through battery 120, the state of charge of battery 120, and the temperature of battery 120.

[0079] The battery 120 may further include an electronic real-time clock circuit 145, a so-called real-time clock (RTC), which may be located within the battery body 135 and configured to keep track of real-time time (e.g., year, month, day, hour, minute, and second) and generate a signal representing the real-time time.

[0080] Preferably, the electronic real-time clock circuit 145 can be configured to keep time in real time expressed in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).

[0081] The electronic real-time clock circuit 145, which may include an integrated circuit processor (e.g., a chip), may be powered by the electrochemical cell of the battery 120 associated therewith, or by a dedicated (electro) buffer battery housed within the battery 120 itself (e.g., in the battery body 135).

[0082] Therefore, the electric buffer cell can be different from the electrolytic cell and can be not connected to the electrodes 125 and 130 of the cell 120.

[0083] In any case, the battery 120 may further include a connection system configured to send signals generated by the electronic real-time clock circuit 145 to the outside of the battery body 135.

[0084] The connection system may include an externally accessible data port 150 located on the battery body 135, which is connected to an electronic real-time clock circuit 145 and may be connected to external electronic circuitry, for example, via a suitable communication bus (e.g., a CAN bus or a serial bus).

[0085] However, it is not excluded that in some embodiments the communication system may be wireless.

[0086] Therefore, the electrical device 100 may include (e.g., microprocessor-based) a central electronic unit 155 located outside the battery 120 (i.e., battery body 135) and connected to an electronic real-time clock circuit 145 via a communication system (e.g., data port 150).

[0087] The central electronic unit 155 can also be connected to the electrical measurement circuit 140, for example, via one or more communication buses (such as CAN bus or serial bus), so that operating parameters of the battery 120 can be received from it.

[0088] For example, it can be connected to the electrical measurement circuit 140 via the same data port 150 that is also connected to the electronic real-time clock circuit 145.

[0089] The central electronic unit 155 can be configured to control the operation of the electrical load 105.

[0090] Clearly, the control of the operation of the electrical load 105 operated by the central electronic unit 155 depends to a large extent on the type of electrical load 105.

[0091] For example, if the electrical load 105 includes an electric motor, the control may include turning the electric motor on and / or off and / or adjusting the speed of the electric motor.

[0092] In any case, the central electronic unit 155 can be configured to perform the control based on (e.g., based on, using, considering, or in response to) multiple inputs.

[0093] These inputs may include command signals from a command panel (often referred to as an instrument panel), which may be connected to a central electronic unit 155 and may include manual commands available to the user, such as commands for turning on and / or adjusting the motor speed (throttle).

[0094] Alternatively or additionally, the input may naturally include operating parameters of the battery 120 from the electrical measurement circuit 140.

[0095] The central electronic unit 155 can also be connected to a communication interface, typically referred to as an HMI (Human Machine Interface), through which the central electronic unit 155 can provide the user with useful information from the electrical equipment 100 (e.g., battery charging status) and operating status.

[0096] In order for the central electronic unit 155 to function, it needs to be powered, and this power supply can be provided, for example, by the same battery 120 that also powers the electrical load 105.

[0097] The central electronic unit 155 may include or be connected to a non-volatile memory unit 160 (e.g., but not limited to EPROM, EEPROM, or flash memory), and may be configured to store one or more operating parameters of one or more additional electrical / electronic components (e.g., circuit boards and / or electronic circuits) of the battery 120 and / or electrical device 100 in the non-volatile memory unit 160.

[0098] For example, the non-volatile memory cell 160 may include n-tuple storage sectors (e.g., 15) storing operating parameters assigned to the battery 120, and / or n-tuple storage sectors (e.g., 14) storing operating parameters assigned to each other electrical / electronic component (if any) of the electrical device 100.

[0099] The operating parameters of the battery 120 and / or any other component may be stored in the respective storage sectors in the form of electronic images (e.g., screenshots) showing the values ​​of the operating parameters acquired at the same time, which may be determined by the electronic real-time clock circuit 145.

[0100] Specifically, the central electronic unit 155 can be configured to periodically acquire each value of each operating parameter of the battery 120 based on the real-time time measured by the electronic real-time clock circuit 145.

[0101] For example, the central electronic unit 155 can be configured to acquire the values ​​of the operating parameters of the battery 120 in a periodic manner, wherein the period is calculated based on the real-time time counted by the electronic real-time clock circuit 145 (e.g., once a month).

[0102] Even if battery 120 is removed between one acquisition and the next, the same applies because the central electronics unit 155 is always able to know the real-time time when battery 120 is reinstalled or replaced by another equivalent battery via real-time clock (RTC) 145.

[0103] After acquisition, the values ​​of the operating parameters of the battery 120 can be stored in the non-volatile memory unit 160, for example, in one of the memory segments reserved for the battery 120 itself, and as expected, for example, in the form of a digital image.

[0104] In this manner, the central electronic unit 155 is able to store n-tuple values ​​for each operating parameter of the battery 120, such as n-tuple digital images (screenshots), the number of which is equal to the number of storage sectors dedicated to the battery 120 itself, preferably the last n values ​​acquired in chronological order.

[0105] In this way, it is advantageous to create a database within the device that contains the values ​​of various operating parameters over a relatively long period of time, typically longer than the intervals between two consecutive acquisitions.

[0106] Optionally, the central electronic unit 155 may be configured to obtain the real-time time (e.g., date and time) of the values ​​of the aforementioned operating parameters from the electronic real-time clock circuit 145, and store each obtained real-time time value in the non-volatile memory unit 160 (i.e., database) to associate it with the corresponding value of the operating parameter.

[0107] Thanks to this solution, it is advantageous to understand how the values ​​of the operating parameters of battery 120 change over time.

[0108] Although the illustrative details of the operating parameters of battery 120 have been described, the central electronic unit 155 can be configured to acquire and store operating parameter values ​​of any other electrical / electronic component of electrical device 100 in the same manner.

[0109] Electrical device 100 may further include, for example, a wireless communication module 165 of the Bluetooth type, which can be connected to a central electronic unit 155, thereby enabling the central electronic unit 155 to communicate with other electronic devices in a wireless mode.

[0110] Specifically, via the wireless communication module 165, the central electronic unit 155 can be connected to an external electronic device 170, such as a smartphone, tablet computer, personal computer, or any other electronic device, preferably but not necessarily portable.

[0111] In other embodiments, the connection between the central electronic unit 155 and the external electronic device 170 can be achieved via a wired communication system.

[0112] In any case, by utilizing this connection, the central electronic unit 155 of the electrical device 100 can be configured to connect to a software application (e.g., an App or a web App) 175 executed by an external electronic device 170.

[0113] Specifically, the central electronic unit 155 can be configured to connect to the software application 175 only after the activation step, which may require, for example, performing a user identification process (login) on the software application 175 itself.

[0114] For example, electrical equipment 100 and software application 175 running on external electronic device 170 may be part of a (computer) system, which may also include a remote server 180 (which may be cloud-based) to which the software application 175 may be connected, for example, via the Internet.

[0115] A database can be implemented in the remote server 180, in which the identification code of electrical device 100 (or each electrical device 100 in a series of devices) is associated with one or more user profiles that can use the electrical device 100.

[0116] Using an external electronic device 170, the software application 175 can be configured to obtain the identification code of the electrical device 100, and, for example, obtain the access credentials of the user intending to use it.

[0117] The identification code of electrical equipment 100 can be sent directly from the central electronic unit 155, while the access credential can be provided by the user via the interface of external electronic device 170.

[0118] The data can then be sent to a remote server 180, and if the user profile associated with the provided access credentials corresponds to one of the users authorized to use electrical equipment 100, the central electronic unit 155 of electrical equipment 100 can be connected to the software application 175.

[0119] Once the connection is established, the central electronic unit 155 can be configured to send the acquired values ​​of operating parameters of one or more other possible electrical / electronic components of the battery 120 and / or electrical device 100, such as values ​​stored in the non-volatile memory unit 160, to the software application 175.

[0120] In this manner, data logging can advantageously be performed, which allows software application 175 to acquire and display all stored values ​​of operating parameters of various components of electrical equipment 100 (e.g., via a display of external electronic device 170), which can be appropriately used for control, diagnostics, or other purposes.

[0121] Since the central electronic unit 155 can be configured to store a large number of values ​​of each operating parameter in the non-volatile memory unit 160 over a longer period of time, the data record is able to know the time process of each operating parameter even if the electrical device 100 is never connected to (any) external electrical device 170 during the acquisition period.

[0122] As an alternative to or supplement to the data recording process, the central electronic unit 155 of the electrical equipment 100 can be configured to execute an anti-theft program.

[0123] When the software application 175 is (effectively) connected to the central electronic unit 155, the anti-theft program can be activated, for example, via the software application 175, allowing the connected user to use it in any way.

[0124] The anti-theft program is configured such that the central electronic unit 155 is configured to use the electronic real-time clock circuit 145 to time the (continuous) period of time during which it (i.e., the central electronic unit 155) is disconnected from the software application 175.

[0125] If the time period exceeds a predetermined threshold (e.g., a specific number of days), the central electronic unit 155 can be configured to prevent the operation of the electrical equipment 100.

[0126] For example, the central electronic unit 155 may be configured to store the real-time (e.g., at least the date) when the central electronic unit 155 is (last) disconnected from the software application 175 in a non-volatile memory unit 160.

[0127] Subsequently, each time the electrical equipment 100 is used / connected, the central electronic unit 155 can be configured to obtain the real-time time of this moment from the electronic real-time clock circuit 145 and compare it with the stored time.

[0128] If the difference between these two actual times is greater than a predetermined threshold (e.g., a predetermined number of days), the central electronic unit 155 can be configured to lock the electrical equipment 100, i.e., prevent its operation, for example by blocking the battery 120 from supplying power to the electrical load 105.

[0129] Of course, if the central electronic unit 155 is (effectively) reconnected to the software application 175 or subsequently disconnected during this period, the stored real-time value will be updated.

[0130] This ensures that electrical equipment 100 cannot be freely used by unauthorized users (such as those who take it from its rightful owner).

[0131] In fact, if electrical equipment 100 is taken from its rightful owner and therefore cannot (effectively) connect to software application 175, electrical equipment 100 will be locked and become unusable.

[0132] Once locked, electrical equipment 100 can only be unlocked by establishing a new (valid) connection between the central electronic unit 155 and the software application 175.

[0133] Specifically, electrical equipment 100 can only be unlocked if the new connection is established by the same user who initially activated the anti-theft program.

[0134] Similarly, once activated, the anti-theft program can be subsequently deactivated, for example, by still using the software application 175, but only if the connection between the software application 175 and the central electronic unit 155 of the electrical device 100 is established by the same user who initially activated it.

[0135] For example, when a user activates the anti-theft program, all other users authorized to use electrical equipment 100 are at least temporarily excluded, and only the user who activated the anti-theft program will be able to remove the option and unlock electrical equipment 100 if it is locked.

[0136] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make several technically applicable modifications to the above description without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electrical device (100), comprising: - Electrical load (105). - At least one battery (120) configured to supply power to the electrical load (105), the battery (120) comprising: o Battery body (135); o At least one positive electrode (125) and at least one negative electrode (130), said at least one positive electrode (125) and at least one negative electrode (130) are located on the battery body (135) and thus both are exposed to the outside. o At least one electrochemical cell, encapsulated within the battery body (135) and configured to convert chemical energy into electrical energy by generating a voltage difference between the positive electrode (125) and the negative electrode (130). An electronic real-time clock circuit (145), located inside the battery body (135) and configured to generate a signal indicating real-time time, and o A connection system (150) configured to send signals generated by the electronic real-time clock circuit (145) to the outside of the battery body (135), - A central electronic unit (155) for controlling the electrical load (105), the central electronic unit (155) being connected to the electronic real-time clock circuit (145) via the connection system (150).

2. The electrical equipment (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central electronic unit (155) is configured to repeatedly acquire and store the values ​​of at least one operating parameter of at least one other electrical / electronic component of the battery (120) and / or the electrical device (100).

3. The electrical equipment (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The at least one operating parameter of the battery (120) is selected from the group consisting of voltage, current, state of charge, and temperature.

4. The electrical equipment (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The central electronic unit (155) is configured to periodically acquire each value of each operating parameter using real-time time based on the time time measured by the electronic real-time clock circuit (145).

5. The electrical equipment (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The central electronic unit (155) is configured to acquire a real-time time value from the electronic real-time clock circuit (145) at the moment of acquiring each value of each operating parameter, and to store the real-time time value in association with the corresponding operating parameter value.

6. The electrical equipment (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The central electronic unit (155) includes or is connected to a non-volatile memory unit (160), the non-volatile memory unit (160) including a plurality of memory sectors, and wherein the central electronic unit (155) is configured to repeatedly acquire and store values ​​of a plurality of operating parameters of the battery (120) and / or other electrical / electronic components of the electrical device (100), wherein the operating parameters are stored in each memory sector in the form of an electronic image representing the value of the operating parameter acquired at the same time determined by the electronic real-time clock circuit (145).

7. The electrical equipment (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The central electronic unit (155) is configured to store multiple values ​​of each operating parameter acquired at different times in a memory.

8. The electrical equipment (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Includes at least one communication module (165), the central electronic unit (155) being able to connect via the at least one communication module (165) to a software application (175) running on an external electronic device (170).

9. The electrical equipment (100) according to any one of the preceding claims and claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, The central electronic unit (155) is configured to send the value of each acquired and stored operating parameter to the software application (175).

10. The electrical equipment (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The central electronic unit (155) is configured to use the electronic real-time clock circuit (145) to time the period during which the central electronic unit (155) is disconnected from the software application (175), and to prevent the operation of the electrical equipment (100) if the period exceeds a predetermined threshold.

11. The electrical equipment (100) according to claim 8, 9, or 10, characterized in that, The central electronic unit (155) includes or is connected to a non-volatile memory unit (160), and the central electronic unit (155) is configured to store the real-time time obtained from the electronic real-time clock circuit (145) when the central electronic unit (155) is disconnected from the software application (175) in the non-volatile memory unit (160). And each time the electrical equipment (100) is subsequently used or powered on, the real-time time of that moment is obtained from the electronic real-time clock circuit (145) and compared with the stored real-time time; and wherein the central electronic unit (155) is configured to lock the electrical equipment (100) if the difference between the real-time time at that moment and the stored real-time time at which the disconnection occurred exceeds a predetermined threshold.

12. The electrical equipment (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The battery (120) is removable.

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