Abstract: An air intake duct is fixed to the lower surface of the rear floor panel of a vehicle. An oil cooler, which is an object to be cooled, is fixed to the lower surface of the air intake duct. An exhaust duct, which discharges air supplied to the oil cooler to the outside of the vehicle, is fixed to the lower surface of the oil cooler. The exhaust duct includes an exhaust port, which is open to the outside of the vehicle and is open downward from the vehicle. The intake duct includes an intake port, which is open to the outside of the vehicle and is opened at a position posterior to the rear tires of the vehicle, in other words, is opened in the rear wall portion of the rear bumper.

Abstract: An air intake duct is fixed to the lower surface of the rear floor panel of a vehicle. An oil cooler, which is an object to be cooled, is fixed to the lower surface of the air intake duct. An exhaust duct, which discharges air supplied to the oil cooler to the outside of the vehicle, is fixed to the lower surface of the oil cooler. The exhaust duct includes an exhaust port, which is open to the outside of the vehicle and is open downward from the vehicle. The intake duct includes an intake port, which is open to the outside of the vehicle and is opened at a position posterior to the rear tires of the vehicle, in other words, is opened in the rear wall portion of the rear bumper.

Abstract: An air-conditioner ECU sets the maximum flowrate or a set flowrate which is less than the maximum flowrate as a required flowrate Vr based on outside air temperature when a DEF mode is selected, and requires that coolant be circulated (steps 100 to 110). Also, when the coolant temperature Tw during heating is between a set temperature TS3 and a set temperature TS1, circulation of coolant at the minimum flowrate is required (steps 134, 130, 132). When a blower fan is stopped when the coolant temperature is equal to or less than the set temperature TS3 and a fresh air mode is selected, the circulation of coolant at the minimum flowrate is required when the vehicle speed Sv is above a set vehicle speed (steps 134 to 146). Cool air is prevented from being blown out of an air outlet and heating of the coolant is promoted by suppressing the speed of an electric pump while maintaining the ability to prevent fogging.

Abstract: An air-conditioner ECU sets the maximum flowrate or a set flowrate which is less than the maximum flowrate as a required flowrate Vr based on outside air temperature when a DEF mode is selected, and requires that coolant be circulated (steps 100 to 110). Also, when the coolant temperature Tw during heating is between a set temperature TS3 and a set temperature TS1, circulation of coolant at the minimum flowrate is required (steps 134, 130, 132). When a blower fan is stopped when the coolant temperature is equal to or less than the set temperature TS3 and a fresh air mode is selected, the circulation of coolant at the minimum flowrate is required when the vehicle speed Sv is above a set vehicle speed (steps 134 to 146). Cool air is prevented from being blown out of an air outlet and heating of the coolant is promoted by suppressing the speed of an electric pump while maintaining the ability to prevent fogging.

Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery system (10) includes an exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger (18) in which heat is transferred from exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine (12) to an engine coolant for cooling the internal combustion engine (12), and a heat pump system (22) for recovering exhaust heat of exhaust gas. The heat pump system (22) includes a refrigerant circulation passage (24) for circulating CO2 refrigerant, a heat-absorbing heat exchanger (32) in which heat is transferred from exhaust gas to the CO2 refrigerant, and a heat-releasing heat exchanger (28) in which the exhaust heat recovered by heat transfer to the CO2 refrigerant in the heat-releasing heat exchanger (32) is recovered.

Abstract: A workpiece, in which a lead is laid on top of a three-dimensional porous metal body, is placed between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil with a lead portion facing the ultrasonic horn. A support is raised so that the lead portion of the workpiece is pressed between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil. While being rotated around a central shaft with a motor, the ultrasonic horn vibrates at a frequency of 20 kHz in the shaft direction. Thus, the workpiece is advanced continuously, so that the lead is bonded ultrasonically to the three-dimensional porous metal body (i.e., metal-to-metal bonding is established). It is possible to provide a battery electrode that can be produced continuously at a lower running cost, reduce the faulty welding with a current collecting plate, and prevent short-circuits.

Abstract: A fluid-cooled battery pack system can maintain the variation in battery temperature in a battery pack within the permissible temperature range even when the variation in the gaps between battery modules is considered. A plurality of battery modules are each provided with a plurality of convex portions and concave portions on the sides thereof, where the connections to other battery modules are made. When the battery modules are connected by bringing the opposite convex portions into contact with each other, coolant flow paths, through which a coolant flows, are formed. The target width of the coolant flow paths is set so that the variation in temperature relative to the target temperature of each battery module is maintained within a predetermined range when the coolant flows through the coolant flow paths; the variation in temperature is caused by a fabrication tolerance relative to the target width of the coolant flow paths between the battery modules.

Abstract: A workpiece, in which a lead is laid on top of a three-dimensional porous metal body, is placed between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil with a lead portion facing the ultrasonic horn. A support is raised so that the lead portion of the workpiece is pressed between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil. While being rotated around a central shaft with a motor, the ultrasonic horn vibrates at a frequency of 20 kHz in the shaft direction. Thus, the workpiece is advanced continuously, so that the lead is bonded ultrasonically to the three-dimensional porous metal body (i.e., metal-to-metal bonding is established). It is possible to provide a battery electrode that can be produced continuously at a lower running cost, reduce the faulty welding with a current collecting plate, and prevent short-circuits.

Abstract: A workpiece, in which a lead is laid on top of a three-dimensional porous metal body, is placed between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil with a lead portion facing the ultrasonic horn. A support is raised so that the lead portion of the workpiece is pressed between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil. While being rotated around a central shaft with a motor, the ultrasonic horn vibrates at a frequency of 20 kHz in the shaft direction. Thus, the workpiece is advanced continuously, so that the lead is bonded ultrasonically to the three-dimensional porous metal body (i.e., metal-to-metal bonding is established). It is possible to provide a battery electrode that can be produced continuously at a lower running cost, reduce the faulty welding with a current collecting plate, and prevent short-circuits.

Abstract: A battery pack comprises at least one pair of battery modules, each of the battery modules including a plurality of battery cells connected in series, in which the at least one pair of the battery modules are connected in parallel and are positioned in close vicinity to each other such that radiant heat can be transferred between the battery modules.

Abstract: A device and method of input/output control capable of exhibiting the battery performance by nature by rapidly raising the temperature of the secondary battery by the regeneration at a low temperature. A temperature rise controller controls the temperature rise of the battery pack based on the battery temperature, thereby determining a central value of the state-of-charge control in the range of the state of charge. A battery input/output controller voluntarily controls the state of charge based on the central value of the state-of-charge control from the temperature rise controller and the state of charge at the point of time from the state-of-charge operator, and controls charge and discharge based on the charge and discharge request from the outside to the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery pack controlling apparatus for controlling input to or output from a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a plurality of blocks in series connection. Each of the plurality of blocks includes a plurality of batteries in series connection. The battery pack controlling apparatus includes: a battery power input/output section for controlling input and output of battery power to and from the battery pack; a block voltage detection section for detecting a block voltage of each of the plurality of blocks; a battery current detection section for detecting a battery current of the battery pack; an unusual heating detection section for detecting unusual heating of at least one of the plurality of batteries based on the block voltage and the battery current; and a vehicle controlling section for controlling the battery power input/output section based on results of unusual heating detection by the unusual heating detection section.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery pack including a plurality of battery units includes: a first step of charging the battery units with a first electric current at a first rate until an internal pressure of at least one of the plurality of battery units begins to increase; and a second step of charging/discharging the battery units with a second electric current which is lower than the first electric current at a second rate which is lower than the first rate after the internal pressure of the at least one of the plurality of battery units has begun to increase.

Abstract: Cylindrical battery modules (9) composed of a plurality of serially connected cells (7) and arranged in parallel and stacked in piles within a holder case (10) are cooled with a forced current of air supplied from the underside. The battery modules (9a) located on the most upstream side of the air current are covered with film tubes (2), so as to prevent them from being cooled more than the other battery modules (9), thereby achieving uniformity in the temperatures of the battery modules. Temperature equalization is further improved by providing film tubes (2) to the several tiers of the battery modules such that the film tubes for covering upstream battery modules (9) have larger diameters than those for downstream battery modules.

Abstract: A power source has a battery pack housing a plurality of interconnected battery modules wherein a plurality of single cells are connected serially. A blower is provided which forces air through the battery pack to maintain the battery modules at a correct temperature. A controller controls the blower in accordance with data provided by sensors which detect voltage, current and temperature. The controller outputs the data and a state of charge. A charging/discharging current circuit includes a relay for interrupting charging and discharging of the battery modules in the event of failure and also includes a rush current prevention resistor and a current sensor. The controller permits the power source to be maintained in a correct operating condition wherein neither overcharging nor undercharging occurs.

Abstract: A battery pack comprises at least one pair of battery modules, each of the battery modules including a plurality of battery cells connected in series, in which the at least one pair of the battery modules are connected in parallel and are positioned in close vicinity to each other such that radiant heat can be transferred between the battery modules.

Abstract: A power source has a battery pack housing a plurality of interconnected battery modules wherein a plurality of single cells are connected serially. A blower is provided which forces air through the battery pack to maintain the battery modules at a correct temperature. A controller controls the blower in accordance with date provided by sensors which detect voltage, current and temperature. The controller outputs the data and a state of charge. A charging/discharging current circuit includes a relay for interrupting charging and discharging of the battery modules in the event of failure and also includes a rush current prevention resistor and a current sensor. The controller permits the power source to be maintained in a correct operating condition wherein neither overcharging nor undercharging occurs.

Abstract: A device and method of input/output control capable of exhibiting the battery performance by nature by rapidly raising the temperature of the secondary battery by the regeneration at a low temperature. A temperature rise controller controls the temperature rise of the battery pack based on the battery temperature, thereby determining a central value of the state-of-charge control in the range of the state of charge. A battery input/output controller voluntarily controls the state of charge based on the central value of the state-of-charge control from the temperature rise controller and the state of charge at the point of time from the state-of-charge operator, and controls charge and discharge based on the charge and discharge request from the outside to the battery pack.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery pack including a plurality of battery units includes: a first step of charging the battery units with a first electric current at a first rate until an internal pressure of at least one of the plurality of battery units begins to increase; and a second step of charging/discharging the battery units with a second electric current which is lower than the first electric current at a second rate which is lower than the first rate after the internal pressure of the at least one of the plurality of battery units has begun to increase.

Abstract: A workpiece, in which a lead is laid on top of a three-dimensional porous metal body, is placed between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil with a lead portion facing the ultrasonic horn. A support is raised so that the lead portion of the workpiece is pressed between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil. While being rotated around a central shaft with a motor, the ultrasonic horn vibrates at a frequency of 20 kHz in the shaft direction. Thus, the workpiece is advanced continuously, so that the lead is bonded ultrasonically to the three-dimensional porous metal body (i.e., metal-to-metal bonding is established). It is possible to provide a battery electrode that can be produced continuously at a lower running cost, reduce the faulty welding with a current collecting plate, and prevent short-circuits.