Charging an accumulator

A method for charging an accumulator having terminals at which a terminal voltage is applied, the method comprising the following steps:

• a. charging the accumulator, using a predefined current or a predefined electrical power, until the terminal voltage has reached a predefined first value;
• b. determining a time-dependent drop in the terminal voltage of the accumulator at a modified charge current;
• c. determining a second value based on a voltage loss, the second value being greater than the first value;
• and
• d. charging the accumulator, using a predefined current or a predefined electrical power, until the terminal voltage of the accumulator has reached the second value.

A computer-readable data carrier on which is stored a computer program having program code for charging an accumulator having terminals at which a terminal voltage is applied, the computer program, when executed on a processing device, causing the processing device to perform the following steps:

• a. charging the accumulator, using a predefined current or a predefined electrical power, until the terminal voltage has reached a predefined first value;
• b. determining a time-dependent drop in the terminal voltage of the accumulator at a modified charge current;
• c. determining a second value based on a voltage loss, the second value being greater than the first value;
• and
• d. charging the accumulator, using a predefined current or a predefined electrical power, until the terminal voltage of the accumulator has reached the second value.

A device for charging an accumulator having terminals at which a terminal voltage is applied, the device comprising:

• a controllable current source which is configured to supply, at the terminals, a predefined voltage or a predefined electrical power;
• a sampling device configured to determine the terminal voltage;
• and
• a control unit configured to:
• control charging of the accumulator using the current source until the terminal voltage has reached a predefined first value;
• determine a time-dependent drop in the terminal voltage of the accumulator at a modified charge current;
• determine a second value based on a voltage loss, the second value being greater than the first value;
• and
• control the charging of the accumulator using the current source until the terminal voltage of the accumulator has reached the second value.