Abstract: A battery for an electric tool includes at least one battery cell, a peripheral device operable to detect a battery condition of the at least one battery cell, and a microcomputer communicating with the peripheral device. The microcomputer periodically operates the peripheral device for detecting the battery condition during the time when the battery is not electrically connected to the electric tool.

Abstract: A battery management system and a battery pack. The battery management system includes a micro computer unit including an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to measure a battery voltage, a voltage generation unit to generate a power voltage of the ADC by using the battery voltage, a voltage measuring unit to measure the power voltage, and an error calibration unit to measure a variation of the power voltage, measured by the voltage measuring unit, by using a reference power voltage, and calibrate the battery voltage, measured by the ADC, by using the measured variation.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes first battery cells, a second battery cell coupled to one of the first battery cells, a voltage sensing and balancing circuit for measuring voltages of the first battery cells and for maintaining voltage balance between the first battery cells, a controller that includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, and an analog switch for measuring a voltage value of the second battery cell and for transferring the measured voltage value to the A/D converter. The controller is for controlling charging and discharging of the first and second battery cells. The analog switch includes a flying capacitor, a first switch unit for transferring a voltage between the second battery cell and the flying capacitor, a second switch unit for transferring a voltage of the flying capacitor to the A/D converter, and a first diode for protecting a voltage source from a surge current.

Abstract: A battery pack and a charging method for the same. The battery pack automatically regulates the full-charge voltage of a battery according to deterioration of lifespan of the battery. The battery pack includes: a rechargeable battery having a positive electrode and negative electrode; a switching module having a charge switching device and discharge switching device electrically connected to a high-current path of the battery; and a battery management unit electrically connected to the switching module to control the charge switching device and discharge switching device, electrically connected to the battery to measure an open-circuit voltage and a use time of the battery, determining whether the battery is deteriorated with reference to at least one of the open-circuit voltage and the use time of the battery, and setting a full-charge voltage of the battery when the deterioration of the battery is determined.

Abstract: A system and method of charging a battery pack in a state in which a battery management unit (BMU) is stably woken up. In one embodiment, the system of charging a battery pack includes a battery including at least one battery cell, a connector electrically connected to the battery and a battery management unit electrically connected to the battery and to the connector, the battery management unit to control charging and discharging operations of the battery, wherein the connector includes an auxiliary power supply terminal to provide a path of supplying auxiliary power to the battery management unit when a total voltage of the battery is less than a wake-up voltage of the battery management unit.

Abstract: An analog switch and a battery pack using the same are provided. The analog switch can compensate for temperature dependence of voltages measured from a battery cell before applying the measured voltages to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. In an embodiment of the analog switch, a first diode is coupled in a backward direction from a flying capacitor, which is coupled to the A/D converter, to correspond to a second diode packaged therewith as a single set. The first diode is positioned in a battery cell voltage input path to store battery cell voltage values in the flying capacitor, while the second diode suppresses a temperature-related difference caused by the first diode to voltages measured from the battery cell.

Abstract: A battery identification (ID) setting system effectively managing a plurality of batteries and a method of driving the same. The battery ID setting system having an external terminal includes a master battery management system (BMS) outputting ID setting signals, and a plurality of slave BMSs transmitting battery information signals containing absolute battery IDs and battery potential differences of batteries to the master BMS in response to the ID setting signals. The master BMS receives the battery information signals to assign and store the relative battery IDs corresponding to the absolute battery IDs of the batteries.

Abstract: A battery pack and a method of operating the battery pack are disclosed. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells and is configured to open a terminal of the battery if an open circuit is detected in a line connecting battery cells.

Abstract: A battery multi-series system and a communication method thereof. The battery multi-series system includes a master battery management system managing a battery; and a block master battery management system connected to the master battery management system and receiving data from at least one slave battery management system and storing the received data, wherein the master battery management system receives data periodically from the block master battery management system.

Abstract: A battery pack and a method of sensing a voltage of the battery pack are disclosed. The battery pack has more battery cells than an individual cell voltage sensing unit can sense the voltages of. The additional battery cells are sensed using a multi-cell voltage sensing unit and digital processing.

Abstract: A method of controlling a secondary battery is disclosed. The method includes repeatedly disconnecting and connecting the secondary battery and a load as a result of a sensed current being greater than a maximum load current value, and maintaining the connected or the disconnected state according to a comparison of a second sensed current and the maximum load current value.

Abstract: A battery pack and a driving method thereof. The battery pack includes a battery cell; a charge switch and a discharge switch installed in a charge/discharge line of a battery cell; and a microcontroller to sense and store voltages of the battery cell, to compare the voltages of the battery cell before and after the microcontroller is reset, and to controls the charge switch and the discharge switch based on the sensed voltages of the battery cell such that the microcontroller turns off only one of the charge switch and the discharge switch when there is a change between the voltages of the battery cell before and after the microcontroller is reset.

Abstract: A control circuit for a secondary battery is disclosed. The control circuit level shifts a voltage corresponding to charge or discharge current so that the level shifted voltage can be provided to an A/D converter.

Abstract: A charging control method for a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells in which a full charge voltage value is initially set as a first voltage value. The charging control method includes: charging the plurality of battery cells to the first voltage value in an initial charge mode; and resetting the full charge voltage value to a second voltage value less than the first voltage value in a subsequent charge mode.

Abstract: A method for charging a rechargeable battery, and a protection circuit for the rechargeable battery. The protection circuit perceives whether the battery is charged or not by sensing the voltage of the bare cell, changes the direct voltage applied between a gate electrode and a source electrode of a charging field effect transistor, which is connected in series between one terminal of the bare cell and one terminal of a charger, and controls the amount of the current flowing from the source electrode of the charging field effect transistor to a drain electrode at a low level, thereby maintaining a low charging rate of the battery.

Abstract: A balancing method for a battery pack includes balancing battery cells near an end of discharge. A deep discharge of the battery cells can be prevented without using an overdischarge control unit. One battery cell balancing method includes: a balancing check condition determination step for determining whether or not a maximum voltage out of voltages of the battery cells is smaller than a reference voltage; a balancing start condition determination step for determining whether or not a residual capacity difference or voltage difference between the individual battery cells exceeds a reference value; a balancing time calculation step for calculating a balancing time for discharging the battery cell that exceeds the reference value; and a balancing operation step for discharging the selected battery cell when the battery cells are under charge or are at rest or when a discharge current of the battery cells is smaller than a reference current.

Abstract: A method for charging a rechargeable battery, and a protection circuit for the rechargeable battery. The protection circuit perceives whether the battery is charged or not by sensing the voltage of the bare cell, changes the direct voltage applied between a gate electrode and a source electrode of a charging field effect transistor, which is connected in series between one terminal of the bare cell and one terminal of a charger, and controls the amount of the current flowing from the source electrode of the charging field effect transistor to a drain electrode at a low level, thereby maintaining a low charging rate of the battery.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery and a method of power conservation for the same are provided. A bare cell including an electrode assembly with a plurality of electrodes and a protective circuit are coupled together via the plurality of electrodes. The protective circuit includes a remaining charge control circuit that internally detects a long-term nonuse state of the lithium ion battery and blocks current between the bare cell and the protective circuit when the long-term nonuse state is detected. The method includes: detecting whether the battery is used as a power source for an external instrument; determining and recording a value of an accumulated nonuse time when the lithium ion battery was not used as a power source; and blocking an internal current and converting the battery to a long-term nonuse mode when the value of the accumulated nonuse time is above a value indicative of a predetermined time.

Abstract: A battery pack and charging method for the same are disclosed. The battery pack automatically regulates the full-charge voltage of a battery according to the temperature of the battery. The battery pack includes: a battery being rechargeable and having a positive electrode and negative electrode; a switching module having a charge switching device and discharge switching device electrically connected to a high-current path of the battery; and a battery management unit electrically connected to the switching module to control the charge switching device and discharge switching device, and changing a full-charge voltage of the battery according to temperature of the battery.

Abstract: A battery pack and a charging method for the same are disclosed. The battery pack automatically regulates the full-charge voltage of a battery according to deterioration of lifespan of the battery. The battery pack includes: a rechargeable battery having a positive electrode and negative electrode; a switching module having a charge switching device and discharge switching device electrically connected to a high-current path of the battery; and a battery management unit electrically connected to the switching module to control the charge switching device and discharge switching device, electrically connected to the battery to measure an open-circuit voltage and a use time of the battery, determining whether the battery is deteriorated with reference to at least one of the open-circuit voltage and the use time of the battery, and setting a full-charge voltage of the battery when the deterioration of the battery is determined.