Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.

Katsuji Nakamura

Kouichi Iwanaga

Haruo Sugai

Masami Kitamura

Kazumi Ookawa

Satoru Makita

Yoshinori Matsue

Hiroyuki Noda

Biological-signal detecting device

A battery pack containing a rechargeable battery is detachable to a charger unit for charging under the control of a charging circuit in the charger unit. The battery pack includes a sensor output circuit which comprises a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the battery being charged. A voltage dividing resistor network is formed in the sensor output circuit and receives a constant current from the charging circuit upon attachment of the battery pack to the charger unit such that it provides an enable signal of a first voltage level to the charging circuit for allowing the charging of the battery at a first charge rate so long as the sensed battery temperature is below a predetermined reference level. When the sensed battery temperature exceeds the reference level, the voltage dividing resistor network responds to provide a stop signal of a second voltage level for inhibiting the charging at the first charge rate. Also included in the sensor output circuit is a hold circuit which holds to provide the stop signal to the charging circuit once the sensed temperature exceeds the reference level.

Rechargeable battery pack and charger unit combination

Growing community of inventors

Higashiazai-gun, Japan

Katsuji Nakamura