US 12,328,020 B2
System for swappable battery module charging and discharging
Kong-Chen Chen, Gilroy, CA (US)
Assigned to ENTRANTECH INC., Gilroy, CA (US)
Filed by Entrantech Inc., Gilroy, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/217,982.
Application 18/217,982 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/099,890, filed on Jan. 20, 2023.
Application 18/099,890 is a continuation of application No. 17/884,984, filed on Aug. 10, 2022, granted, now 11,777,323.
Application 17/884,984 is a continuation of application No. 17/402,435, filed on Aug. 13, 2021, granted, now 11,837,968.
Application 17/884,984 is a continuation of application No. 17/398,355, filed on Aug. 10, 2021, granted, now 11,489,455, issued on Nov. 1, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/471,978, filed on Jun. 9, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/424,859, filed on Nov. 11, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/356,484, filed on Jun. 29, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/065,341, filed on Aug. 13, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0352947 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. H02J 7/00 (2006.01); B60L 53/80 (2019.01); H02M 1/00 (2006.01); H02M 7/25 (2006.01)
CPC H02J 7/0025 (2020.01) [B60L 53/80 (2019.02); H02J 7/00304 (2020.01); H02J 7/00308 (2020.01); H02J 7/00309 (2020.01); H02M 1/0029 (2021.05); H02M 7/25 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system configured to charge a plurality of battery modules in a plurality of battery slots, wherein a first one of the plurality of battery slots comprises:
a receptacle adapted to couple to a battery module;
a detector adapted to detect a presence of the battery module at the receptacle; and
a charging control unit comprising:
a charging comparator adapted to monitor an energy level of the battery module;
a charging input enable signal to enable a charging demultiplexer disposed in the charging control unit; and
a charging-enable output signal generated by the charging demultiplexer, wherein when the charging input enable signal is asserted, the charging demultiplexer is adapted to:
activate a transfer device disposed in the system to transfer energy from a DC power source to charge the battery module when the energy level detected by the charging comparator is below a charging reference voltage, and
assert the charging-enable output signal to activate a charging control unit at a succeeding one of the plurality of battery slots when the energy level detected by the charging comparator reaches the charging reference voltage.