Abstract: At the time of external charging, an external charging relay is turned on, and a system main relay is turned off. Therefore, a main battery can be charged by electric power from an external power source, without applying an output voltage of the main battery to a PCU. At the time of external charging, basically, a power supply voltage for an auxiliary system (low voltage system) is generated by a sub DC/DC converter of a small capacity, while a main DC/DC converter of a large capacity used when vehicle is running is stopped. Only when the output of sub DC/DC converter is insufficient to cover the power consumption by the auxiliary system, an ECU operates the main DC/DC converter. Therefore, ECU and auxiliary load group can be operated reliably while efficiency of external charging is improved.

Abstract: A power supply ECU includes memory, a CPU, and a reset circuit. The CPU reads a program stored in the memory, and executes a process for controlling equipment based on the program. When a reset signal is input to the CPU, the CPU resets the process. The reset circuit outputs the reset signal to the CPU when the ignition switch is turned off while a rewrite command signal is input.

Abstract: An electric charger converts electric power from an external electric power supply into charging electric power for an electricity storage apparatus. A PLG-ECU determines a charging schedule regarding charging current and charging duration for the electricity storage apparatus based on a necessary amount of charge that is an amount of charge needed in order to complete the charging of the electricity storage apparatus and a scheduled charging end time specified via an input portion, and controls the electric charger based on the charging schedule. The PLG-ECU determines the charging schedule based on a first current that is within the range of current suppliable from the external electric power supply and that is a minimum charging current that is needed in order to supply the necessary amount of charge to the electricity storage apparatus within the duration from the present time to the scheduled charging end time.

Abstract: A vehicle can be charged by receiving electric power from an external power supply apparatus (600) via a charging cable (450) and includes an inlet (220), a lid (250) for protecting the inlet (220), and an electricity storage device (110). The inlet (220) includes a C terminal (227) for detecting connection to the power supply apparatus (600) and a G terminal that is connected to the body earth of the vehicle (100). The lid (250) is configured to electrically connect between the C terminal (227) and the G terminal (223) when the lid (250) is closed. The vehicle (100) further includes a PLG-ECU (350) that detects whether the lid (250) is open or closed, based on the voltage of the C terminal (227).

Abstract: An electric powered vehicle is equipped with a main battery for storing electric power input to and output from a motor, and an auxiliary battery as a power source for an auxiliary system including a control system. A DC/DC converter converts an output voltage of the main battery to a level of an output voltage of the auxiliary battery. During operation, a BAT-ECU monitors states of charge of the main battery and the auxiliary battery and controls operation/stop of the DC/DC converter. When the electric powered vehicle is in a key-off state (running stop state), the BAT-ECU is intermittently operated, while an external charging system and a vehicle running system are stopped.

Abstract: An externally chargeable vehicle which is charged with electric power from an external power supply includes an HV-ECU for controlling a power storage device during any of operation of the vehicle and external charging, and a PLG-ECU for controlling a charging device during external charging. With such a configuration, running and charging can be controlled while a function of the HV-ECU for controlling operation of the vehicle and a function of the PLG-ECU for external charging is prevented from becoming redundant.

Abstract: A PLG-ECU for external charging is provided separately from an HV-ECU for vehicle running, and configured to be capable of controlling external charging relays to be turned on/off. A sub DC/DC converter converting the output voltage of a charger into an auxiliary system voltage at the time of external charging is provided separately from a main DC/DC converter of large capacity used at the time of vehicle running. At the time of external charging, PLG-ECU can execute external charging without starting a vehicle running system while sub DC/DC converter can generate an auxiliary system voltage. Since external charging can be executed while system main relays each are kept turned off, a high voltage is not applied to components at the succeeding stage. Consequently, a main battery can be externally charged without exerting any influence on the durability and the life of each component of the vehicle running system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a steel for machine structural use including 0.05-0.8% of C, 0.03-2% of Si, 0.2-1.8% of Mn, 0.1-0.5% of Al, 0.0005-0.008% of B, and 0.002-0.015% of N, and including 0.03% of P or less (excluding 0%), 0.03% of S or less (excluding 0%), and 0.002% of 0 or less (excluding 0%), with the remainder comprising iron and unavoidable impurities. The ratio of BN/A1N precipitated in the steel is 0.020-0.2. Also disclosed is a case hardened steel component in which the ratio of BN/AlN deposited on the carburized or carbonitrided component surface is 0.01 or less and a manufacturing method for same. The steel for machine structural use exhibits excellent machinability in continuous cutting at high speeds using cemented carbide tools, and in interrupted cutting at low speeds using high-speed steel tools, as well as excellent impact performance, even after being subjected to a heat treatment such as quenching and tempering.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steel for machine and structural use which is capable of maintaining mechanical characteristics such as strength by reducing a S content as well as of exhibiting excellent machinability (particularly tool life) in intermittent cutting (such as hobbing) with the high speed tool, and a method useful for producing the steel for machine and structural use. The steel for machine and structural use according to the invention secures 0.002% or more of solute N in the steel and has a chemical composition which is appropriately adjusted and satisfies a relationship of the following expression (1): (0.1×[Cr]+[Al])/[O]?150 . . . (1), in which [Cr], [Al], and [0] represent a Cr content (mass %), an Al content (mass %), and an O content (mass %), respectively.

Abstract: At the time of external charging, an external charging relay is turned on, and a system main relay is turned off. Therefore, a main battery can be charged by electric power from an external power source, without applying an output voltage of the main battery to a PCU. At the time of external charging, basically, a power supply voltage for an auxiliary system (low voltage system) is generated by a sub DC/DC converter of a small capacity, while a main DC/DC converter of a large capacity used when vehicle is running is stopped. Only when the output of sub DC/DC converter is insufficient to cover the power consumption by the auxiliary system, an ECU operates the main DC/DC converter. Therefore, ECU and auxiliary load group can be operated reliably while efficiency of external charging is improved.

Abstract: A charging connector includes a lock button for locking the charging connector in a charging inlet, and a limit switch for electrically connecting a control pilot line and a ground line to each other in response to an operation of the lock button. The vehicle inlet includes a switch circuit for selectively connecting the control pilot line and the ground line with a resistance circuit, depending on whether a charging lid is open or closed. A CPU is configured to be able to supply a voltage to the control pilot line, and based on a potential of a control signal in accordance with presence/absence of voltage supply to the control pilot line, it detects the state of connection of a charging cable and the state of control pilot line.

Abstract: A charging cable includes a charging connector configured to be connectable to a vehicular inlet. The charging connector includes a lock button for locking the charging connector onto the charging inlet; a limit switch configured to be switchable, according to an operation onto the lock button, between a first state in which a control pilot wire and a ground wire are connected to each other and a second state in which a cable connection signal wire and the ground wire are connected to each other; and a lighting device configured to be capable of being driven according to a signal in a signal wire connected via a limit switch.

Abstract: Provided is a steel for machine structural use which has excellent machinability (particularly, with respect to tool life) for both intermittent cutting with a high-speed steel tool and continuous cutting with a cemented carbide tool while maintaining strength properties required of the steel for machine structural use. Specifically, the steel for machine structural use contains C: 0.05-0.9 mass %, Si: 0.03-2 mass %, Mn: 0.2-1.8 mass %, P: 0.03 mass % or less, S: 0.03 mass % or less, Al: 0.1-0.5 mass %, N: 0.002-0.017 mass %, and O: 0.003 mass % or less, and contains one or more selected from a group consisting of Ti: 0.05 mass % or less (excluding 0 mass %) and B: 0.008 mass % or less (excluding 0 mass %), with the remainder being iron and unavoidable impurities, and satisfies all of the following inequalities (1)-(3) below: (1): [N]?0.3[Ti]?1.4[B]<(0.0004/[Al])?0.002; (2): [Ti]?[N]/0.3<0.005; and (3): [B]?([N]?0.3[Ti])/1.4<0.003 when [Ti]?[N]/0.3<0 and [B]<0.003 when [Ti]?[N]/0.3?0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steel for machine and structural use which is capable of maintaining mechanical characteristics such as strength by reducing a S content as well as of exhibiting excellent machinability (particularly tool life) in intermittent cutting (such as hobbing) with the high speed tool, and a method useful for producing the steel for machine and structural use. The steel for machine and structural use according to the invention secures 0.002% or more of solute N in the steel and has a chemical composition which is appropriately adjusted and satisfies a relationship of the following expression (1): (0.1×[Cr]+[Al])/[O]?150 . . . (1), in which [Cr], [Al], and [0] represent a Cr content (mass %), an Al content (mass %), and an O content (mass %), respectively.

Abstract: A high strength steel sheet with both excellent elongation and stretch-flanging performance is provided. The high strength steel sheet of the present invention comprises, in percent by mass, C: 0.05 to 0.3%, Si: 0.01 to 3.0%, Mn: 0.5 to 3.0%, Al: 0.01 to 0.1%, and Fe and inevitable impurities as the remainder, and has a structure mainly composed of tempered martensite and annealed bainite. The space factor of the tempered martensite is 50 to 95%, the space factor of the annealed bainite is 5 to 30%, and the mean grain size of the tempered martensite is 10 ?m or smaller in terms of the equivalent of a circle diameter. The steel sheet has a tensile strength of 590 MPa or higher.

Abstract: The present invention relates to A high strength steel sheet having a structure which is mainly composed of MD structure (Micro Duplex structure) comprising a ferrite matrix, and as a secondary phase, martensite or martensite and retained austenite, finely dispersed in said matrix, wherein the proportion that the MD structure occupies in the whole structure is 90% or more, wherein the proportion that the secondary phase present in the whole structure occupies in the whole structure is from 10 to 60%, wherein the secondary phase in the MD structure is present in ferrite grains and at grain boundary, in which the proportion of the secondary phase present in the ferrite grains is 50% or more, and wherein the average grain size of the secondary phase in the whole structure is 3 ?m or less. The secondary phase is constituted of martensite, or martensite and retained austenite.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a steel for high-speed cold working which exhibits good cold workability during working and also exhibits high hardness after working. The steel for high-speed cold working contains C: 0.03 to 0.6% (by mass), Si: 0.005 to 0.6%, Mn: 0.05 to 2%, P: no more than 0.05% (excluding 0%), S: no more than 0.05% (excluding 0%), and N: no more than 0.04% (excluding 0%), with the remainder being iron and inevitable impurities and the amount of dissolved nitrogen in the steel being no less than 0.006%.