Importance

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Abstract

Battery pack arrangement having a control module 305 in the form of a programmed microcontroller and associated components on a printed circuit board, one or more battery cells 21 in which the respective cells are interconnected by metal conductive straps 22, wherein one of the interconnecting straps has a portion 309 of reduced width so as to serve as a current sensing element in conjunction with the control module 305. The reduced width of the interconnecting conductive strap 22 provides increased electrical resistance to the current flowing therein, with the value of the current sensing element 309 being measurable and storable in memory. The microcontroller and a regulating component of the control module are arranged to be located in intercellular space between successive cells in the cell array 21. The battery pack arrangement further includes electronic circuitry operably associated with the processor 38 of the microcontroller 16 including an input terminal 45 for accommodating a charger such that three different charging regimes are possible. The three charging regimes are respectively determined by the status of switching transistors Q1 and Q2 and resistors R1 and R2 to provide a trickle charge path, a quick charge medium current path, and a full current fast charge path depending upon whether the switching transistors Q1 and Q2 are 'off' or are conductive.

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First Claim