Battery-powered charger for wireless charging of personal care devices

Abstract

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a charger as described constructed and arranged for wireless energy transmission to a personal care device, the charger having a mobile mode and an internal energy storage device, a sensor that detects a change in position of the charger, preferably a motion or vibration sensor, and a processor coupled to the sensor to receive a sensor signal related to the detected change in position of the charger, preferably the detected movement or vibration of the charger, the processor being arranged to: start a first timer when a change in position is detected by the sensor, the first timer being configured to run for a first predetermined period of time, increment a first counter when a change in position is detected by the sensor while the first timer is running, compare a value of the first counter with a first threshold or a first range having a first lower limit and a first upper limit at the end of the first predetermined period, and enter a mobile mode if the value of the first counter is greater than or equal to the first threshold or within the first range, the mobile mode including the processor being arranged to set the charger to an energy saving state for a predetermined mobile mode period.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Chargers with internal energy sources for charging personal devices when a user does not have access to a standard mains power connection are commonly known. Such chargers, often referred to as power banks, are also known to be capable of transmitting energy wirelessly, for example via inductive charging.

[0003] To initiate the charging procedure, the charger may periodically check whether the personal device to be charged is placed on the charger. This periodic check consumes energy. In particular, when a user travels and the charger is stored in a suitcase, it is not expected that the personal device to be charged will be placed on the charger. The energy for the periodic check reduces the amount of energy available in the internal energy source for the actual charging procedure. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a charger with an internal energy source that consumes less energy during periods when not actively charging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to at least one aspect, there is provided a charger constructed and arranged for wireless energy transfer to a personal care device, the charger having a mobile mode, the charger comprising: an internal energy storage device; a sensor, preferably a motion or vibration sensor, that detects a change in position of the charger; and a processor coupled to the sensor to receive a sensor signal related to the detected change in position of the charger, preferably the detected movement or vibration of the charger, the processor being configured to: start a first timer when a change in position is detected by the sensor, the first timer being configured to operate for a first predetermined period of time; increment a first counter when a change in position is detected by the sensor while the first timer is operating; compare a value of the first counter with a first threshold or a first range having a first lower limit and a first upper limit at the end of the first predetermined period of time; and enter a mobile mode if the value of the first counter is greater than or equal to the first threshold or within the first range, the mobile mode including the processor being configured to set the charger to an energy saving state for the predetermined mobile mode period.

[0006] According to at least one aspect, there is provided a charger constructed and arranged for wireless energy transmission to a personal care device, the charger having a mobile mode and comprising: an internal energy storage device; a sensor, preferably a motion or vibration sensor, that detects a change in position of the charger; and a processor coupled to the sensor to receive a sensor signal related to the detected change in position of the charger, preferably the detected movement or vibration of the charger, the processor initiating a first timer when a change in position is detected by the sensor, the first timer configured to operate for a first predetermined period of time, and incrementing a first counter when a change in position is detected by the sensor while the first timer is operating. the processor is arranged to compare the value of the first counter with a first threshold at the end of a first predetermined period and to start a second timer if the value of the first counter is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the second timer being configured to operate for a second predetermined period and to increment the second counter if a change in position is detected by the sensor while the second timer is running, the processor is arranged to compare the value of the second counter with a second threshold or a second range having a second lower limit and a second upper limit at the end of the second predetermined period and to enter a mobility mode if the value of the second counter is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the mobility mode being configured to cause the processor to set the charger to an energy saving state for a predetermined mobility mode period. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] The present disclosure will be further clarified by reference to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a charger according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a process flow according to a first exemplary method for setting a charger in transport mode. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a process flow according to a second exemplary method for setting a charger in transport mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A charger according to the present disclosure includes an internal energy source that can be used to charge a rechargeable energy source of a personal device or personal care device, such as an electric toothbrush, an electric shaver or razor, an electric epilator, an electric massager, or the like. The charging procedure may include wireless energy transmission from the charger to the device, for example, via an inductive or resonant charging procedure. The charger may further include an input or cable for connecting to a mains power source or another external energy source. If the charger receives energy from an external energy source, such as a mains power source, the internal energy source may not be used to charge the device, and / or the internal energy source may itself be charged. The charger may additionally or alternatively include an output or cable for wired charging of the device. The charger includes a sensor that detects changes in the positional state of the charger, meaning 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 charger's housing or to a support that may itself be fixedly attached to at least a portion of the charger's housing.

[0009] The sensor may be of a type arranged to detect movement from a stationary state to a non-stationary state, i.e., movement including acceleration, or vibration of at least a portion of the charger or the charger housing 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 have at least one axis along which movement or vibration is determined, or may have two or three axes along which movement or vibration is measured. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor may be embodied as or include a magnetometer. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor may be embodied as or include a barometric pressure sensor arranged to detect changes in barometric pressure and therefore changes in the altitude of the charger. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor may be embodied as or include a GPS receiver, even if GPS receivers are considered relatively expensive. The sensor is typically coupled to a processor such that the processor can receive a sensor signal carrying sensor data indicative of one or more detected sensor values. The sensor may be configured and / or arranged to output a sensor signal carrying sensor data indicative of the detected movement or vibration.

[0010] The processor is configured to receive the sensor signal and analyze the sensor data to determine whether the charger's mobility mode should be switched on. The sensor data may indicate that the charger changes its position due to continuous or repeated detection of motion and / or vibration and / or changes in altitude or magnetic field. For simplicity, only motion and vibration will be mentioned below. It should be understood that the motion and vibration of the charger are position changes. In the latter case, the vibration may often be considered a small, periodic position change around a vibration center point, and the vibration may stop after a portion of a vibration cycle or after multiple vibration cycles. The vibration may have an amplitude in the micrometer range, for example, from 1 micrometer to 1000 micrometers. The motion may be a position change in which the charger is at one position in space at one time and at another position in space at another time. The movement distance may be small, for example, when the device to be charged is placed on the charger, and the charger may move a fraction of a millimeter or a few millimeters, or it may be large, for example, when the charger is picked up by a mobile user, and the movement distance may reach thousands of kilometers.

[0011] A charger intended for charging a device, preferably a personal care device such as an electric toothbrush, may be placed on a bathroom sink or the like. The charger may experience certain low-amplitude position changes due to vibrations in the house where the bathroom is located or due to vibrations in the bathroom or bathroom sink caused by people walking around. The processor may be configured to ignore such low-level vibrations or movements, for example, by applying a threshold to the signal value at which such low-level noise on the signal can be filtered out; i.e., only signal values above the threshold are considered as movements or vibrations. Such "serious" movements or movements may be caused by a user placing the personal care device on the charger. A mechanical vibration switch or an inertial switch can avoid vibration noise by design; i.e., the mechanical vibration switch can be triggered only when movement, vibration, or impact exceeds a certain threshold level. In the following, reference to detected movements or movements should be understood to mean the detection of significant movements or movements, i.e., the detection of movements or movements above the noise level. Those skilled in the art will understand that the noise-related threshold may be set based on measurements of noise and significant movements and movements, depending on the particular sensor used. Significant motion or vibration may be caused by a user placing a device on a charger for charging or lifting a device from a charger. The applied threshold may then be set to be centered between the noise level and the average motion or vibration signal caused by placing a device on a charger; for example, multiple measurements with multiple users and / or multiple devices may be taken to determine the average motion. The threshold should preferably be set such that noise does not trigger a motion or vibration signal, but placing any device on a charger by any user is recognized as a motion or vibration event.

[0012] According to some aspects, the processor can be configured to check whether a device to be charged has been placed on the charger when the sensor provides a sensor signal indicative of motion or vibration. The processor can then trigger the charger's primary charging circuit to wirelessly provide energy and analyze whether the provided energy is utilized. This energy provision leads to energy loss. If energy is taken from the charger's internal energy source, the capacity available to charge the rechargeable energy source of the device being charged by the charger is reduced. If the charger is carried during any travel, the sensor can constantly or at least repeatedly provide a sensor signal indicative of motion or vibration, and the charger constantly or at least repeatedly triggers the charging circuit to provide energy to the personal care device that may be charged during the travel period. According to at least some aspects, the processor is configured to detect that the sensor signal provided by the sensor indicates that the charger is traveling. The charger is then set to a travel mode in which the charger consumes less energy than in its regular or normal mode. The mobile mode may include the processor omitting every other sensor signal indicative of motion or vibration, or 9 out of 10 such sensor signals being ignored, or the sensor signals being ignored for a predetermined mobile mode period during which the processor does not trigger the charging circuit to provide energy via the primary-side charging circuit. In some embodiments, the mobile mode includes the charger being essentially completely shut down and then only reactivated by an interrupt that may be generated by a user-operable input element. In the latter case, the predetermined mobile mode period is infinitely long. In the latter case, the processor may also be said to be arranged to place the charger in a mobile mode in which the charger can only be activated by operation of a user-operable input element.

[0013] The processor may determine that the charger is moving if the number of detected motions or vibrations within a first predetermined period is equal to or greater than a first threshold. When the processor determines that the received sensor signal indicates motion or vibration, it may start a first timer, which may run for a first predetermined period, such as 1 minute, 2 minutes, 30 seconds, 5 minutes, etc. The processor may then count the number of detected motions and / or vibrations based on the received sensor signal and compare the number of detected motions and / or vibrations with a first threshold at the end of the first predetermined period. If the number of detected motions and / or vibrations is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the processor may initiate a movement mode. If the number of detected motions and / or vibrations is less than the first threshold, the processor may reset the number of detected motions and / or vibrations, e.g., reset the number to 0, and restart the first timer to run for the first predetermined period when the next motion and / or vibration signal is detected. The first threshold for the first predetermined period of 1 minute may have any value in the range of 2 to 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 should be understood that these values depend on the sensor type and the period over which the number of movements or vibrations are detected, and that one skilled in the art can determine the number of relevant movement events by making measurements as described below.

[0014] Experiments were conducted under various conditions, and the specific situations or motion scenarios and the number of motions or vibrations detected in such scenarios are shown in the table below. The numbers are understood to be qualitative and indicate the difference between different situations. Based on the table below, a first threshold value can be set at approximately 20 to distinguish between non-motion situations (e.g., the charger being moved around by hand) and motion situations. Instead of only a first threshold value, the number of motions detected per minute can be required to fall within a first range, such as a range of 20 to 250, to distinguish non-motion situations and artificial motion detections (e.g., due to tapping) from motion situations. The first lower limit value can be the first threshold value, and the first upper limit value can be another value, such as 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, etc., that separates non-motion situations that cause a large number of motion detections from the first range. The check performed by the processor includes checking whether the number of motions detected during a first predetermined period is equal to or greater than a first lower limit value (the first threshold value) and less than a first upper limit value.

[0015] [Table 1]

[0016] According to some aspects, the processor may start a second timer that runs for a second predetermined time period if the number of movements and / or vibrations detected during a first predetermined time period is equal to or greater than a first threshold or within a first range. The processor may then be configured to count the number of movements or vibrations detected during the second predetermined time period and may initiate a movement mode if the number of movements detected during the second predetermined time period is equal to or greater than the second threshold or within a second range having a second lower limit value that may be equal to the second threshold and a second upper limit value that may be greater than the second threshold. For example, if the lengths of the first and second predetermined time periods are identical, the aforementioned range value of 20 to 250 may again be applied to the second range (if the lengths are not identical, the threshold and / or range values may be adapted by simple scaling). It has been found that, for example, if two one-minute timers are used instead of only the first two-minute timer, it may be possible to better derive whether a certain number of movements is detected in the first minute and the second minute, thereby providing a more detailed view of the temporal behavior of the charger's movements. If a large number of tapping motion events occur during the first minute, followed by essentially no motion during the second minute, it is possible for the motion mode to be switched on while the charger is not actually moving. Of course, instead of two consecutive timer periods, three or more timer periods could be used, such as four 30-second timer periods or three 1-minute timer periods. Thus, the second timer could be followed by a third timer, which could be followed by a fourth timer, and so on.

[0017] In general, the first or second lower limit or first or second threshold value may be in the range of 2 to 50, and the first or second upper limit value may be in the range of 150 to 500 for a one minute timer period, or may be scaled for other period lengths, respectively. For example, the first or second lower limit or first or second threshold value may be in the range of 4 to 100 for a first or second predetermined period length of two minutes.

[0018] The processor may be arranged to inhibit the charger from entering the transport mode if at least one of the following is true: -The personal care device is on the charger. -The charger is currently charging the device. -The charger is connected to an external energy source, such as the mains power supply. The device to be charged is placed on the charger while the first or second timer is running.

[0019] The presence of a personal care device or a device in general may be determined by checking whether a wireless charging circuit can be established, i.e., by determining whether the device requires charging. Additionally or alternatively, the charger may include a presence sensor, such as a mechanical switch or capacitive sensor, that is closed by the device.

[0020] In addition to the above, the charger may include at least one of the following: A user-operable input element, such as a switch, button, touch-sensitive element, user interface, graphical user interface, etc., for switching the movement mode off. A user-operable input element, such as a switch, button, touch-sensitive element, user interface, graphical user interface, etc., for switching on a movement mode.

[0021] The user-actuable input element may be implemented as a single element such as an on / off button.

[0022] The user-operable input elements may additionally or alternatively be provided by a separate device in data communication with the charger, such as a dedicated separate device, a mobile phone, a tablet, a notebook, a laptop, a personal computer, a smartwatch, etc. The charger and the separate device may be connected by a wired or wireless connection. The separate device may include a display and an application running on a processor of the separate device to provide a graphical user interface whereby a user can at least switch the transfer mode off and / or on using touch-sensitive buttons on the graphical user interface. 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.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a charger 1 according to the present disclosure. It is understood that the charger 1 is constructed and arranged for wireless energy transmission to a device, such as a personal care device, by, for example, inductive or resonant charging. The charger may have a housing 2, a wired connector 3 for connection to a mains power source, an input 4 for enabling wired charging of the device, one or more feet 5 for standing on the ground, and / or a housing bump (as shown) or recess 6 intended for positive-fit mechanical cooperation with a respective recess or bump of the device to be charged. The connector 3 may be detachable. Instead of the input 4, a cable may be provided for wired charging. The charger 1 may comprise a processor 10, an internal energy storage device 20, a primary-side charging circuit 30, a sensor 40 for detecting position changes of the charger 1, and / or one or several user-operable input elements 50 for switching a mobile mode on or off or for switching the charger 1 itself on or off. The sensor 40 may be realized as one of the sensors described above. The processor 10 may be configured and / or arranged to perform the steps described above to determine whether the charger 1 should enter a transport mode, as will also be described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of process steps according to at least some embodiments related to determining whether a charger should enter a charging mode, which process steps may be implemented on a processor of the charger.

[0025] In process step 101, the processor waits for a sensor signal M1 to be received from a sensor for detecting a change in the charger's position. The signal M1 indicates a detected change in position, such as movement or vibration. If the processor receives the sensor signal M1 indicating a change in the charger's position, the processor starts a first timer and continues in process step 102, which continues as long as a timer value T indicating the time elapsed since the first timer was started is less than a first predetermined period T1. While the first timer is running in process step 102, the processor monitors whether a signal M2 from the sensor indicates a change in the charger's position. If such a sensor signal M2 is received, the processor increments a counter C1 in process step 103. The counter C1 may be initially set to 0 or 1. If the time T elapsed since the first timer was started is equal to or greater than the first predetermined period T1, the processor enters process step 104, where the counter value C1 is compared with a first threshold value V1 or a first range having a first lower limit value VL1 and a first upper limit value VU2. If the first counter value C1 is less than the first threshold V1, or if the first counter value C1 is less than the first lower limit VL1, or if it is greater than or equal to the first upper threshold VU1, the process can start again at process step 101. If the first counter value C1 is greater than the first threshold V1, or if it is greater than or equal to the first lower limit VL1 and less than the first upper limit VU2, the process can enter process step 105, where the processor can check whether the charger is currently connected to an external energy source or whether a device is currently present or charging. If any such condition is met, the process returns to process step 101. Otherwise, the processor sets the charger to a transfer mode for a predetermined transfer mode period TM, where the charger consumes less energy than in normal mode, and in particular, the charger does not check whether any device to be charged is placed on the charger; specifically, the charger does not monitor sensors indicating changes in the charger's position. The predetermined travel mode period may be set to any suitable time, such as, for example, 1 hour, or 2 hours, or 3 hours, or 5 hours, or 6 hours, or 1 day.Obviously, for long periods of travel, continuous position change signals will set the charger back into travel mode, so it may be sufficient to set the predetermined travel mode period TM to a short period such as one hour, two hours, etc. If the elapsed time T since the start of travel mode is equal to or greater than the predetermined travel mode period TM, the charger wakes up from travel mode in process step 107 and re-enters process step 101. Instead of setting the charger in travel mode for the predetermined travel mode period, the processor may shut down the charger completely so that it can only be woken up by an interrupt signal, which may be provided by a user-operable input element.

[0026] 3 is a schematic diagram of process steps according to at least some embodiments that may be implemented on a processor of a charger. Specifically, the process steps according to FIG. 3 include a second timer, as described below.

[0027] The process flow of Figure 3 is intended to begin as described with respect to Figure 2. It should be understood that process steps 101A and 104A are intended to be the same as process steps 101 and 104 described in connection with Figure 2, and that process steps 102 and 103 are also performed here but are omitted from Figure 3 for ease of explanation. In contrast to the process flow after process step 104 described with reference to Figure 2, process step 104A results in the initiation of a second timer operating for a second predetermined period in process step 202A as a result of a comparison of the first counter C1 with a first threshold or a first range, and as described above with respect to Figure 2, the second timer is started in 202A if the first counter C1 is greater than or equal to the first threshold, or is greater than or equal to a first lower limit value and less than a first upper limit value. Similarly, as described with respect to process steps 102 and 103, the processor is configured and / or arranged to monitor whether a signal M3 from the sensor is indicative of movement or vibration of the charger in process step 203A. The second counter C2, which may be initially set to 0, may then be incrementally incremented by 1 if a signal M3 indicating charger movement or vibration is received while the second timer is running for a second predetermined period. When the time T elapsed since the start of the second timer is equal to or greater than the second predetermined period T2, the process enters process step 204A, where a second range determined by a second threshold V2 and / or a second lower threshold VL2 and a second upper threshold VU2 is provided for comparison with the second counter C2. If the second counter C2 is less than the second threshold V2, or less than the second lower threshold VL2, or equal to or greater than the second upper threshold VU2, the process returns to process start step 101A, where the processor monitors whether a signal M1 from the sensor indicates movement or vibration to start the entire process again.If the result of the comparison made in process step 204A is that the second counter C2 is greater than or equal to the second threshold V2, or the second counter C2 is greater than or equal to the second lower threshold VL2 and less than the second upper threshold VU2, the process enters process step 205A, where the processor can check whether the charger is currently connected to an external energy source or whether a device is currently present or charging. If any such condition is met, the process returns to process step 101A. Otherwise, the processor sets the charger to a transfer mode for a predetermined transfer mode period TM in process step 206A, where the charger consumes less energy in transfer mode than in normal mode, and in particular, the charger does not check whether any device to be charged is placed on the charger, and specifically, the charger does not monitor sensors indicating changes in the charger's position. If the time T elapsed since the start of the transfer mode is greater than or equal to the predetermined transfer mode period TM, the charger is activated from the transfer mode in process step 207A and re-enters process step 101A. These latter steps are again identical to those described for process steps 105, 106, and 107 with respect to Figure 2. The difference between the processes described with respect to Figures 2 and 3 is that in Figure 3, the process includes a second timer after the first timer, as previously described in general terms. As shown, the process flow may include a third timer, and even one or several additional timers may be necessary. Again, instead of setting the charger in transport mode for a predetermined transport mode period, the processor may shut down the charger completely so that it can only be activated by an interrupt signal, which may be provided by a user-operable input element.

[0028] The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

Claims

1. 1. A charger constructed and arranged for wireless energy transmission to a personal care device, said charger having a mobile mode; an internal energy storage device; a sensor, preferably a motion or vibration sensor, for detecting a change in the position of the charger; 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; starting a first timer configured to run for a first predetermined time period when a change in position is detected by the sensor; incrementing a first counter if a change in position is detected by the sensor while the first timer is running; comparing the value of the first counter to a first threshold value or to a first range having a first lower limit and a first upper limit at the end of the first predetermined period; a processor configured to enter the transfer mode if the value of a first counter is greater than or equal to the first threshold or within the first range, the transfer mode including the processor configured to set the charger to an energy saving state for a predetermined transfer mode period.

2. 1. A charger constructed and arranged for wireless energy transmission to a personal care device, said charger having a mobile mode; an internal energy storage device; a sensor, preferably a motion or vibration sensor, for detecting a change in the position of the charger; 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; starting a first timer configured to run for a first predetermined time period when a change in position is detected by the sensor; incrementing a first counter if a change in position is detected by the sensor while the first timer is running; comparing the value of the first counter to a first threshold or to a first range having a first lower limit and a first upper limit at the end of the first predetermined time period; if the value of the first counter is greater than or equal to the first threshold or within the first range, starting a second timer configured to run for a second predetermined period of time; incrementing a second counter if a change in position is sensed by the sensor while the second timer is running; comparing the value of the second counter at the end of the second predetermined period with a second threshold or a second range having a second lower limit and a second upper limit; a processor configured to enter the transfer mode if the value of the second counter is greater than or equal to the second threshold or within the second range, the transfer mode including the processor configured to set the charger to an energy saving state for a predetermined transfer mode period.

3. 3. The charger of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor is arranged to inhibit entering the transport mode if a personal care device is currently being charged by the charger.

4. A charger according to any preceding claim, wherein the processor is arranged to inhibit entry into the transport mode if the charger is currently connected to an external energy source.

5. 5. The charger of claim 1, wherein the first threshold value is in a range of 2 to 50 over a first predetermined period of time having a length of 1 minute, and / or the first lower limit value is in a range of 2 to 50 over a first predetermined period of time having a length of 1 minute and the first upper limit value is in a range of 150 to 300 over a first predetermined period of time having a length of 1 minute.

6. 6. The charger of claim 2, wherein the second threshold value is in a range of 2 to 50 over a second predetermined period of time having a length of 1 minute, and / or the second lower limit value is in a range of 2 to 50 over a second predetermined period of time having a length of 1 minute and the second upper limit value is in a range of 150 to 300 over a second predetermined period of time having a length of 1 minute.

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

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

9. The charger of 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 of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the predetermined transfer mode period is in the range of 30 minutes to 24 hours.

12. The charger of any preceding claim, wherein the charger comprises a user-operable input element for switching off the transport mode.

13. The charger of any preceding claim, wherein the charger comprises a user-operable input element for switching on the transport mode.

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

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