Abstract: A method for diagnosing operating condition of a device for cutting off and connecting a high-voltage bipolar battery from/to a bipolar onboard power network of a motor vehicle. The device includes a first power relay between a first terminal of the battery and a first terminal of the network, a second power relay between a second terminal of the battery and a second terminal of the network, and a serial arrangement of a third precharge relay and a precharge resistor, connected in parallel to the first power relay. The method: measures two voltages of the cutoff/connection device; compares the measured voltages with predetermined voltage values representing faults of the cutoff/connection device; and diagnoses a fault of a relay used on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: An arrangement for a battery in a motor vehicle, including: a recess for the battery which is arranged in the vehicle; and a battery to be vertically inserted into the recess in a first mounting direction up to a mounted position. The recess includes at least one fixed blocking surface relative to the recess, which contacts the periphery of the battery in the mounted position for horizontally immobilizing the battery in every direction.

Abstract: A device for cooling a battery or batteries of a motor vehicle, for example an electric vehicle, includes a temperature regulating unit including an evaporator that is used to cool the passenger compartment of the vehicle and arranged in a housing, the battery or batteries being contained in a case. The housing of the evaporator is connected to a conduit, an outlet of which is oriented towards a heat exchange area on at least one outer surface of the case containing the battery or batteries.

Abstract: An electricity generation module including: a plurality of basic electrochemical cells; plates for supporting the basic cells, the support plates forming spacers for two consecutive basic cells; and a loading mechanism configured to maintain the relative position of the basic cells and the support plates by pressure.

Abstract: The lowest voltage value among the open circuit voltages at cells constituting a battery pack is set as a capacity adjustment target value. Each cell is discharged over the length of time corresponding to the deviation of its open circuit voltage from the capacity adjustment target value. The voltage at a cell manifesting a voltage reduction that is larger than those at a majority of remaining cells but is still within the normal range is set closer to the level of the voltages at the majority of remaining cells over time. If, on the other hand, an open circuit voltage is lowered to an extent exceeding a first threshold value, from the range set by the cell error decision-making reference value ascertained by averaging the cell voltages excluding the highest voltage value and the lowest voltage value, then the decision is made that an abnormal voltage reduction has occurred.

Abstract: The lowest voltage value among the open circuit voltages at cells constituting a battery pack is set as a capacity adjustment target value. Each cell is discharged over the length of time corresponding to the deviation of its open circuit voltage from the capacity adjustment target value. The voltage at a cell manifesting a voltage reduction that is larger than those at a majority of remaining cells but is still within the normal range is set closer to the level of the voltages at the majority of remaining cells over time. If, on the other hand, an open circuit voltage is lowered to an extent exceeding a first threshold value, from the range set by the cell error decision-making reference value ascertained by averaging the cell voltages excluding the highest voltage value and the lowest voltage value, then the decision is made that an abnormal voltage reduction has occurred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of estimating a residual energy of a battery for an electric vehicle. A battery characteristic is corrected on the basis of a temperature correction factor and a deterioration correction factor which are obtained on the basis of the condition of the battery. The deterioration correction factor includes an internal resistance deterioration correction factor indicative of a deterioration ratio of a battery internal resistance and a energy deterioration correction factor indicative of a deterioration ratio of a battery energy. The residual capacity is calculated on the basis of the corrected battery characteristic, a discharge current and a terminal voltage of the battery. Therefore, a residual energy meter accurately displays a residual energy of the battery.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for precisely regulating, with a simple structure, a state of charge of each of cells constituting a battery set. In the apparatus, a detection circuit, a plurality of discharge circuit connected to corresponding one of the cells, respectively, and a control circuit are provided. The detection circuit detects open-circuit voltage of each of the plurality of cells, the plurality of discharge circuit discharges a charging electricity charged in the cells, and the control circuit controls to uniform the state of charge of each of the cells, utilizing the discharge circuit respectively corresponding to each of the cells, based on the open-circuit voltage of each of the cells detected by the detection circuit.

Abstract: A wheel motor drive system for electric automobiles comprises a car battery mounted on a vehicle body, at least two electric motors connected to vehicle wheels independently of each other, each of the motors having inherent torque characteristics with regard to a rotational speed and a maximum torque, sensors for monitoring a vehicle travelling condition, and a controller responsive to the vehicle travelling condition and the torque characteristics of the motors for controlling the motors at a low power consumption mode wherein at least one of the motors is driven within a high motor efficiency range so as to assure a long travel distance per one battery discharge.

Abstract: An electric vehicle driven by a motor is provided with a secondary battery and a generator which are controlled by a controller so that when an amount of charge of the secondary battery becomes lower than a predetermined value of the generator is put from a stopping state into an operating state and so that when the amount of charge of the secondary battery becomes higher than another predetermined value the generator is put from the operating state into the stopping state. The controller changes the predetermined values in accordance with the changing rate of the electric energy consumption of the secondary battery so that the secondary battery loses it amount of charge after the generator becomes empty of its fuel. The electric vehicle can fully perform its characteristic and the generator is effectively operated by storing excessive electric energy of the generator and effectively using the secondary battery.

Abstract: In an electric vehicle driven by an electric motor, a battery accumulator supplies electricity to the electric motor and a plurality of auxiliaries. A generating unit generates electricity in order to charge the battery accumulator. A detector unit detects at least one of various running conditions of the vehicle. A control unit supplies the electricity from the generating unit directly to the electric motor when the detected running condition indicates an overload condition, and gradually reduces the electricity supplied to the auxiliaries.