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Method for controlling and system for charging a battery power supply unitMethod for controlling and system for charging a battery power supply unit description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080042621, Method for controlling and system for charging a battery power supply unit. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling and a system for charging a battery power supply unit, in particular for supplying power to electronic devices mounted on bicycles. BACKGROUND [0002] Electronic devices mounted on bicycles, for example, for controlling the electronic gearshift and/or for acquiring, displaying, and controlling riding parameters and various functions, provide for the use of a power supply unit. [0003] The power supply unit typically consists of one or more batteries typically connected in series, also referred to as a battery pack. When the batteries used for such electronic devices are of a rechargeable type, they need to be charged by an external energy source, for example, a conventional electrical outlet or an automobile battery through a cigarette lighter socket of the automobile. [0004] The battery charging process should take into account some characteristic parameters of the battery itself, dependant upon its type and, in particular, its chemistry. Such characteristic parameters are supplied by the battery manufacturer. [0005] In particular, the charging of the battery at a temperature outside of a given closed characteristic temperature range--not necessarily coinciding with, and usually more limited than, the closed operating temperature range of the battery--can lead to the battery itself being damaged. [0006] In the following present description and in the attached claims, such a closed range is indicated as closed charging temperature range. [0007] In a known method and a system for charging a battery power supply unit for bicycle electronic devices, the power supply unit has an associated temperature sensor and in the battery charger a control logic is provided that suspends the charging of the battery if the temperature detected by the sensor is higher than a predetermined limit temperature, signalling overheating. [0008] During the cold seasons, the battery power supply unit can reach temperature values lower than the lower limit of the aforementioned closed charging temperature range. Therefore, charging of the power supply unit on a bicycle parked outdoors or in a non-heated garage cannot take place; charging of the power supply unit removed from the bicycle and placed in a heated area also cannot occur until the temperature of the power supply unit goes above such a lower temperature limit. [0009] The technical problem at the basis of the present invention is to make a method for controlling and a system for charging batteries that allow battery charging to also be carried out in critical temperature conditions. SUMMARY [0010] In a first aspect thereof, the invention concerns a method for controlling the charging of a rechargeable battery power supply unit for a bicycle electronic device, comprising the steps of detecting at least one temperature of the power supply unit, and supplying heat energy to the power supply unit when the detected temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range characteristic of the power supply unit. [0011] In a second aspect thereof, the invention concerns a power supply system for a bicycle electronic device, comprising a rechargeable battery power supply unit, at least one sensor of a temperature of the power supply unit, at least one selectively activatable heating element, that can be thermally associated with the power supply unit, and a heating controller that receives in input the output of the at least one temperature sensor and actuates the heating element when the detected temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range characteristic of the power supply unit. [0012] In another aspect thereof, the invention concerns a power supply device for a bicycle electronic device comprising a power supply unit comprising at least one rechargeable battery, a connector for a removable electrical power and data connection with a battery charger, at least one temperature sensor thermally coupled with the power supply unit, and at least one selectively activatable heating element, thermally coupled with the power supply unit, wherein the heating element is selectively actuated when the power supply device is connected to the battery charger and when the temperature detected by the sensor is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range, characteristic of the power supply unit. [0013] In another aspect thereof, the invention concerns a battery charger for a bicycle electronic device, comprising a connector for a removable electrical power and data connection with a power supply unit of the electronic device, an electrical circuit for receiving energy from an external energy source and for selectively supplying charging energy to the power supply unit, and a heating controller that receives in input a signal indicative of a detected temperature of the power supply unit and provides a signal for the actuation of a heating element of the power supply unit when the detected temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range characteristic of the power supply unit. [0014] In another aspect thereof, the invention concerns a bicycle electronic device comprising a connector for a removable electrical power and data connection with a power supply unit, and a heating controller that receives in input a signal indicative of a detected temperature of the power supply unit and provides a signal for the actuation of a heating element of the power supply unit when the detected temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range characteristic of the power supply unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) [0015] The invention shall now be better described with reference to some embodiments thereof, illustrated merely as a non-limiting example in the attached drawings, wherein: [0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the system of the invention, connected to an external energy source; [0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the system of the invention, connected to an external energy source; [0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the system of the invention, connected to an external energy source; [0019] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the system of the invention, connected to an external energy source; [0020] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the method of the invention; Continue reading about Method for controlling and system for charging a battery power supply unit... Full patent description for Method for controlling and system for charging a battery power supply unit Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method for controlling and system for charging a battery power supply unit patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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