For Battery Pack Patents (Class 320/112)
  • Patent number: 9893330
    Abstract: The invention discloses a battery box body for a light-fixture which comprises a battery box, wherein the battery box is provided with a battery compartment, a circuit board compartment as well as a battery cover and a circuit board cover which hermetically cover the battery compartment and the circuit board compartment in a matching manner, respectively. A recess capable of avoiding and accommodating a light-fixture is arranged in the outer wall of the battery box in an inwardly concave manner. The battery box structure can be matched and combined with a strip-like light-fixture in use, and the recess on the outer wall of the battery box structure can correspondingly accommodate the light-fixture, so that the battery box and the light-fixture are matched with each other and hung on the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: JIANGMEN HONGSEN ELECTRONIC LIGHTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Su Io Lam
  • Patent number: 9869725
    Abstract: An electrochemical battery system in one embodiment includes at least one electrochemical cell, a current sensor configured to generate a current signal, a voltage sensor configured to generate a voltage signal, a memory in which command instructions are stored, and a processor configured to execute the command instructions to obtain the current signal and the voltage signal, and to generate an estimated cell nominal capacity (Cnom) of the at least one electrochemical cell by estimating a first leg Cnom during a first charging sequence using a first charging current, estimating a second leg Cnom during a second charging sequence using a second charging current, wherein the second charging current is at a current amplitude different from the current amplitude of the first charging current, and generating the cell Cnom based upon the first leg Cnom and the second leg Cnom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Nalin Chaturvedi, Michael Schoenleber, Jasim Ahmed, Aleksandar Kojic
  • Patent number: 9866046
    Abstract: A charger charges a rechargeable battery pack of a cordless power tool. The charger includes at least one wall that at least partially defines a battery pack receiving space for the battery pack, a first guide extending away from the at least one wall, and a second guide extending away from the at least one wall and spaced from the first guide. The at least one wall, the first guide and the second guide are configured to guide the battery pack to a prescribed position relative to the at least one wall. The first guide and the second guide each include a portion inclined relative to the insertion direction by an angle of inclination such that the distance between the inclined portion of the first guide and the inclined portion of the second guide decreases in the insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Ito, Hitoshi Suzuki, Akira Naito
  • Patent number: 9853474
    Abstract: A battery pack and a driving method thereof are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes outputting first data at the first rack BMS, determining whether a response to the first data has been received, and driving the first rack BMS based on whether the response has been received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-Chul Song
  • Patent number: 9837683
    Abstract: The invention concerns a battery pack (1), comprising a plurality of electrically connected battery cells (2), wherein the battery cells (2) are substantially flat with two opposite sides (2a, 2b) and a peripheral edge (2c), and wherein the battery cells (2) are arranged side by side as to form a layered structure, and an electronic arrangement configured to monitor and control the battery cells (2). The invention is characterized in that the electronic arrangement comprises a plurality of individual electronic circuit units (30), each of which being associated with a corresponding battery cell (2), wherein each of the electronic circuit units (30) is configured to be capable of monitoring and controlling its corresponding battery cell (2), and wherein each electronic circuit unit (30) is arranged on a thin and flexible circuit carrying sheet (3) that is arranged at one of the sides (2a, 2b) of the corresponding battery cell (2). The invention also concerns a method for manufacturing of a battery pack (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ALELION ENERGY SYSTEMS AB
    Inventor: Dag Lundström
  • Patent number: 9837647
    Abstract: A battery module (19) having a number of electrically interconnected battery cells (10), wherein the individual battery cells (10) are temperature-controlled by means of a temperature control fluid (70). Between the battery cells (10), there extends a duct system (30, 62, 66, 68) through which the temperature control fluid (70) flows. The duct system (30, 62, 66, 68) is separated completely from a degassing system (16, 54) of the battery cells (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Schmidt, Christian Pankiewitz, Lisa Lorenz, Jens Boehme, Matthias Stein, Sarmimala Hore
  • Patent number: 9812811
    Abstract: A retractable wall mounted electrical connector assembly is mounted to an existing electrical wall socket for charging a battery of a hand held device, and includes an adapter plate with adapter openings for alignment with the support openings of the wall socket, and a perimeter support rim. The cord housing includes a perimeter mating rim that fits with the perimeter support rim of the adapter plate, and a lock for connecting the perimeter mating rim of the cord housing to the perimeter support rim of the adapter plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: DATA:)COMM ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Gorin, James Loye Hutchinson, Cassidy Amber Jones, Jeremy Sabri Omess, Nicolas Juan Nuñez, Hagan Seth McBride
  • Patent number: 9812680
    Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises an electromechanical module having an actuator for positioning a mechanical element between first and second positions, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical module. The controller is configured to detect a mechanical event coupling to the electromechanical module, select an actuation signal to position the mechanical element in a safe position between the first and second positions, and transmit the selected signal, such that the mechanical element is positioned in the safe position during the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Werner, Tyson B. Manullang, Gregory N. Stephens
  • Patent number: 9799930
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a battery pack including a pack body and a plurality of terminals. The pack body has first and second main surfaces that are opposed to each other in a first axis direction, first and second end surfaces that are opposed to each other in a second axis direction orthogonal to the first axis direction, and first and second side surfaces that are opposed to each other in a third axis direction orthogonal to the first axis direction and the second axis direction. The plurality of terminals includes a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a temperature detection terminal, and a control terminal that are arranged on the first end surface along the third axis direction. The negative terminal is arranged between the temperature detection terminal and the control terminal and closer to the control terminal than the temperature detection terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Kumagai, Kiyoshi Yonishi, Shigeji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9793578
    Abstract: A battery management system includes at least one cell monitoring unit with a plurality of cell voltage terminals, supply lines coupled to the cell voltage terminals, and a cell monitoring circuit made of a plurality of electronic semiconductor modules connected in parallel via the supply lines. The battery management system is configured to monitor a plurality of battery cells via the cell monitoring unit. The battery cells are in each case connected on both sides with their respective positive battery cell terminal and negative battery cell terminal to the battery management system via the cell voltage terminals. Furthermore, one or several supply lines are provided with a melt fuse so that in each battery cell that is connected to the battery management system at least one supply line coupled to the battery cell comprises a melt fuse in its current path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9787130
    Abstract: A method comprises providing power from a battery to an external device using a first circuit; and receiving power from a first power source to provide power to the battery using a second circuit while providing power to the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-Tae Kim, Ku-Chul Jung, Kwang-Sub Lee, Se-Young Jang
  • Patent number: 9786958
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a separator, and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed at opposite sides of the separator, a pouch accommodating the electrode assembly and including a terrace portion, first and second lead tabs extending from the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, through the terrace portion of the pouch, and a temperature protecting element on the terrace portion. The temperature protecting element has a first surface connected to the first lead tab and to a connection tab partially contacting the terrace portion, and a second surface attached to the terrace portion and extending beyond the terrace portion, such that an insulating tape surrounds the terrace portion and covers the first lead tab, the connection tab, and the second surface of the temperature protecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seon-Hee Hwang
  • Patent number: 9784795
    Abstract: A charge control device of one example of the present invention comprises a temperature detection unit, a storage unit, and an upper limit setting unit. The storage unit stores a reference current characteristic and at least one of a first current characteristic and a second current characteristic as a charging current characteristic, and stores a reference voltage characteristic and at least one of a first voltage characteristic and a second voltage characteristic as a charging voltage characteristic. The upper limit setting unit selects a characteristic used to set upper limits of a charging current and a charging voltage to the battery from among a plurality of the charging current characteristics and a plurality of the charging voltage characteristics stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Umemura, Tadahiko Kobayakawa, Hitoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9774061
    Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed. In one aspect, the battery pack includes a battery cell and a protective circuit module electrically connected to the battery cell. The protective circuit module includes a substrate and a protective device mounted on the substrate. The battery pack also includes a lower frame including an accommodation space for the battery cell and the protective circuit module and a cover coupled to the lower frame and covering at least a portion of the protective circuit module. The cover includes a protrusion protruding the lower frame and having an uneven surface and the lower frame includes a groove. The protrusion is placed in the groove and secured therein by interference fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyeok Lee
  • Patent number: 9716256
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery assembly including battery cells and spacers that are alternately arrayed, a side plate extending across a side of the battery assembly, and a motion prevention unit protruding from the side plate toward the battery assembly so as to cover a portion of the battery assembly, the motion prevention unit being arrayed on the spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyoung-Hwan Noh, Ik-Jae Jeong
  • Patent number: 9692864
    Abstract: An attachable cosmetics case for a cellular phone including a substantially rectangular case having a substantially rectangular primary storage compartment and a U-shaped back side having a right wing, a left wing, and an elongated substantially linear middle portion. A top lid is hingedly attached to the case. A cellular phone charging connector plug is medially disposed on a middle portion of the back side of the case. A charging port is disposed on a right side of the case, and a headphone port is disposed on a left side of the case. A plurality of secondary storage compartments and an applicator compartment is disposed within the primary storage compartment of the case. The case is removably attachable to a cellular phone, with the cellular phone charging connector plug disposed within a charging port of the cellular phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Arikat
  • Patent number: 9680325
    Abstract: An electrical combination. The electrical combination comprises a battery pack configured to be interfaced with a hand held power tool, a control component, and a semiconducting switch. The transfer of power from the battery pack to the hand held power tool is controlled by the control component and the switch based on one of a battery pack state of charge and a respective state of charge of one of a plurality of battery cells. A discharge current of the battery pack is regulated based on the switch being controlled into one of a first state and a second state by the control component to selectively enable the transfer power from the plurality of battery cells to the hand held power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd W. Johnson, Dennis J. Grzybowski, Mark A. Kubale, Jay J. Rosenbecker, Karl F. Scheucher, Gary D. Meyer, Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Kevin L. Glasgow
  • Patent number: 9673540
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack constructed in a structure in which a plurality of secondary battery cells are electrically connected to one another via a connection member while the secondary battery cells are mounted in a receiving part of a pack case having no partition, wherein the connection member is located between the battery cells arranged in the longitudinal direction or in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, the connection member is connected, in a mechanical coupling manner, to a lower electrode terminal of the front battery cell in the longitudinal direction and/or to an upper electrode terminal of the rear battery cell in the longitudinal direction, and the connection member is elastically pressed while the connection member is located between the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Gi-Hwan Kwon, Yongho Cho, Seunghyun Bang, HakJun Lee, Hosang Kwon
  • Patent number: 9673648
    Abstract: A method for conducting an operation including a power tool battery pack. The battery pack can include a housing, a first cell supported by the housing and having a voltage, and a second cell supported by the housing and having a voltage. The battery pack also can be connectable to a power tool and be operable to supply power to operate the power tool. The method can include discharging one of the first cell and the second cell until the voltage of the one of the first cell and the second cell is substantially equal to the voltage of the other of the first cell and the second cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd W. Johnson, Dennis J. Grzybowski, Mark A. Kubale, Jay J. Rosenbecker, Karl F. Scheucher, Gary D. Meyer, Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Kevin L. Glasgow
  • Patent number: 9667072
    Abstract: A mobile power device with storage feature is disclosed. The mobile power device with storage feature includes a battery, an output module, a central processing unit, and a data storing module. The data storing module includes a storing circuit and a controlling circuit. The central processing unit is configured to detect whether an electronic device is connected, after the electronic device is connected, the central processing unit recognizes the electronic device as a slave device, recognizes the mobile power device with storage feature as a master device. The central processing unit further detects whether an operating system of the electronic device is a target operating system, after the central processing unit detects that the operating system of the electronic device is the target operating system, the central processing unit recognizes the electronic device as a master device, and recognizes the mobile power device with storage feature as a slave device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignees: Shenzhen Hello Tech Energy Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Xinker Software Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Meichan Wen
  • Patent number: 9660302
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery pack including a battery cell having a cathode terminal and an anode terminal formed on one surface including a sealed portion to seal the battery cell and a protection circuit module (PCM) including a protection circuit board (PCB) having a protection circuit formed thereon, an external input and output terminal electrically connected to the protection circuit, a connector electrically connected to the external input and output terminal, and an electrically insulative PCM case in which the PCB is mounted, wherein the PCM is loaded on the sealed portion in a state in which the PCM is electrically connected to the battery cell and the connector is formed on the PCM such that the connector does not protrude outward from the secondary battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Wook Kim, Hyung Ku Yun, Dong Cheol Lee, Ho Chol Nam
  • Patent number: 9655383
    Abstract: There is provided a portable electrical system including primary and secondary devices, the primary device having a first, lithium cobalt oxide battery, and the secondary device having a second, lithium iron phosphate or lithium titanate battery, wherein the primary and secondary devices are configured to allow recharging of the second battery from the first battery at a rate of between 2C and 16C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Holzherr, Felix Fernando
  • Patent number: 9660229
    Abstract: Battery packs include a battery pack housing, at least one battery release member held by the battery housing, a (blind) latch held by the battery pack housing in communication with the battery release member that releaseably locks the battery pack to a device, and a tactile feedback mechanism that is held by the battery pack housing and is in communication with the battery release member. The tactile feedback mechanism generates a tactile feedback that reduces or increases an application force required by a user to manually actuate the at least one release member. The tactile feedback transmitted through the at least one battery release member. The tactile feedback is generated when the at least one release member has been manually actuated by the user a sufficient distance to allow the user to easily remove the battery pack from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Justin Terrance Chellew, Roger B. Davis
  • Patent number: 9653930
    Abstract: An emergency system for power failures includes a single-cell or multiple-cell rechargeable battery selected from the group consisting of NiMH, NiCd, NiZn, Ag2O/Zn or lithium-ion, and a charging electronics system that charges the battery, wherein the charging electronics system provides a charging voltage at which the battery does not overcharge at a temperature of up to 80° C., and wherein the charging electronics system supplies a charging voltage at which the battery is transferred into a charging state and/or is kept in a charging state, in which the battery is charged to 5% to 30%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: VARTA Microbattery GmbH
    Inventors: Edward Pytlik, Rainer Hald
  • Patent number: 9647469
    Abstract: Provided is a highly safe battery device in which the accuracy of an overcurrent detection current value is high. A charge and discharge control circuit includes an overcurrent detecting terminal, an overcurrent detecting circuit for detecting overcurrent of a secondary battery, the overcurrent detecting circuit being connected to the overcurrent detecting terminal, and a constant current circuit for causing a current to flow to the overcurrent detecting terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SII Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Sakurai, Fumihiko Maetani
  • Patent number: 9627659
    Abstract: An insulation sheet is disposed between a rectangular housing and an electrode body. A first side wall of the insulation sheet is disposed between a large-area side surface of the rectangular housing and the electrode body. The first side wall includes a first folded portion that is folded along an edge of the first side wall near a sealing plate. The first folded portion extends from an edge of the first side wall near the sealing plate toward a bottom surface of the rectangular housing and is disposed between the large-area side surface and the electrode body in such a way that the first folded portion overlaps the first side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Yamada, Eiji Okutani, Yasuhiro Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 9627878
    Abstract: The device for driving the semiconductor element is provided with a drive circuit section, a charging circuit section and a shutting circuit section. The charging circuit section is electrically connected to an external circuit provided with a diode and a capacitive element. The semiconductor element has a first electrode, a second electrode and a control terminal. The cathode of the diode is connected to the first electrode. One of two terminals of the capacitive element is connected to the cathode of the diode, and the other terminal is connected to the second electrode. The charging circuit section enables the capacitive element to be charged at a higher rate after a timed point at which the voltage on the capacitive element becomes equal to a saturation voltage in a case where the input signal is an on-signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yo Habu, Masahiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9614255
    Abstract: An acid/alkaline hybrid resonance battery device with damping function is formed of a plurality of similar battery cells connected in either series or parallel. Every battery cell includes an acid rechargeable cell unit and an alkaline rechargeable cell unit, which are electrically connected in parallel. The acid rechargeable cell unit includes at least one acid rechargeable cell, and the alkaline rechargeable cell unit includes at least two serially connected alkaline rechargeable cells. The acid rechargeable cell unit has an electric potential and a capacity close to or equal to those of the alkaline rechargeable cell unit, so that a resonance damping effect is produced between the acid rechargeable cell unit and the alkaline rechargeable cell unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventors: Fu-Tzu Hsu, Chieh-Sen Tu
  • Patent number: 9614204
    Abstract: A battery box structure includes an enclosure which defines a first receiving groove, a first circuit board, a push button elastically disposed between the enclosure and the first circuit board, and a battery holder. At least one pair of conductive terminals is fastened to the first circuit board. A tail end of each of the conductive terminals is arched downward to form a resilient contact portion. The battery holder includes at least one pair of conductive pads. A bottom end of the push button is buckled with a top end of the battery holder. The battery holder is assembled in the first receiving groove. Each of the conductive pads electrically contacts the resilient contact portion. When the push button is pressed rearward, the bottom end of the push button breaks away from the top end of the battery holder. The battery holder is automatically ejected out of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: CHENG UEI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi Ming Tseng, Chin Chung Lin, Chia Fa Cheng
  • Patent number: 9614200
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed battery is provided with a sealing member for air-tightly sealing the through-hole of a battery case from the outside. The sealing member has: a covering member secured to the battery case from the outside; an insertion portion inserted into the through-hole; an annular pressure contact portion in air-tight pressure contact with the hole surrounding portion of the battery case; and a connecting portion disposed between the insertion portion and the annular pressure contact portion so as to be integral with the insertion portion and the annular pressure contact portion. The connecting portion is provided with an annular groove surrounding the insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kokoku Intech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kusama, Tomohiro Matsuura, Takashi Harayama, Yasushi Hirakawa, Ichiro Murata, Shinya Muroi
  • Patent number: 9601940
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved battery packaging design. The battery pack design may include a battery cell, a plurality of transistors, and a controller. The transistors may be coupled to the terminals of the battery cell in an H-bridge configuration. The controller may control the transistors to bypass the battery cell based on the current flowing between the output terminals of the battery pack. In such a manner, the controller may prevent damage to the battery cell and improve the overall safety of the battery pack in hazardous conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Camp, Thomas M. MacLeod
  • Patent number: 9595741
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a battery cell having a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal, a protection circuit module (PCM) including a protection circuit board (PCB), at which a safety element is mounted, the PCB having a protection circuit, and connection members (A and B) connected respectively to the first and second electrode terminals of the battery cell, an electrically insulative pack frame configured to have a structure in which the battery cell is mounted in the pack frame, the pack frame having an insulative mounting part, at a top of which the PCB is mounted, an electrically insulative top cap mounted at a top of the battery cell while surrounding the PCM, an electromagnetic induction type charging coil mounted at at least one main surface of the battery cell, the charging coil being connected to the PCM, and a shielding member interposed between the battery cell and the charging coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Oh Moon, Jung Hwan Kim, Won Jeon Jeong, In Ho Nam
  • Patent number: 9577292
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a storing unit which is provided on a battery pack and which retains power information of the battery pack, an acquiring unit which is provided in the main unit and which acquires the power information of the battery pack from the storing unit, and a control unit which is provided in the main unit and which controls the operation of the main unit based on the power information of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Yajima, Keiichi Komaki, Norio Fujimori, Tsuyoshi Ookubo
  • Patent number: 9577444
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for state of charge compensation of a battery having a plurality of battery units. The method comprises the steps of calculating a depth of discharge of each battery unit after the battery units have been charged, calculating an available charge of each battery unit before the battery units are charged, calculating a state of charge compensation requirement value on the basis of the calculated depth of discharge and the calculated available charge for each battery unit, and discharging each battery unit on the basis of the calculated state of charge compensation requirement value. The disclosure also relates to a method for charging a battery which has a plurality of battery units. Also specified are a computer program and a battery management system set up to perform the method, and a battery and a motor vehicle having a drive system connected to such a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andreas Gleiter, Joerg Christoph Wilhelm, Christian Korn
  • Patent number: 9572372
    Abstract: A battery assembly configured to cooperate with an atomizing assembly to form an electronic cigarette is provided; and the battery assembly comprises a sleeve, a battery disposed along an axial direction of the sleeve, and an end cover mounted on an end of the sleeve; the end cover is telescopically connected to the sleeve; and a first charging electrode and a second charging electrode are mounted on the end cover and arranged in the sleeve; the first charging electrode and the second charging electrode are configured to be exposed and connected to an external charger when the end cover extends out of the sleeve, thereby providing charging electric power to the battery. In the present application, outside impurities cannot adhere to the atomizing assembly, and the normal working of the electronic cigarette cannot be adversely affected by the impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HUIZHOU KIMREE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. SHENZHEN BRANCH
    Inventor: Qiuming Liu
  • Patent number: 9570940
    Abstract: Backup battery systems for traffic cabinets that control traffic lights are provided herein. Backup battery systems include a controller operably coupled to 1 or more backup battery panels having rechargeable battery cells. Preferred systems can fit and operate entirely within the traffic cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: ZincFive, LLC
    Inventors: Tim Hysell, Dan Sisson, Mark William Slobodnik, Jeffrey William Slobodnik
  • Patent number: 9570934
    Abstract: A battery depassivation system includes a depassivation circuit, a battery connect/disconnect circuit, and a processor. The depassivation circuit is adapted to be electrically coupled in series with a battery. The depassivation circuit is also coupled to receive an ENABLE signal and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to draw current from the battery. The battery connect/disconnect circuit is adapted to be electrically coupled in series between the battery and one or more battery-powered electronic circuits. The battery connect/disconnect circuit is coupled to receive an ISOLATE signal and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to electrically disconnect the one or more battery-powered electronic circuits from the battery. The processor is adapted to couple to the battery and is configured, upon being coupled thereto, to determine if the battery needs depassivation and implement a depassivation routine if the battery is determined to need depassivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Nandagopal Venkataramani, Gautham Ramamurthy, Shine Hari, Mohan Sreenivasan
  • Patent number: 9564669
    Abstract: A battery having the electrodes of multiple battery cell types are interleaved to prevent thermal runaway by cooling a shorted region between electrodes. The electrodes of each of the battery cell types with a first polarity share a pair of the common electrodes having a second polarity. The electrodes of the multiple battery cell types and the multiple common electrodes are interleaved such that if the electrodes of the multiple battery cell types and the adjacent common electrodes of one or more battery cell types short together, the current within the shorted battery cells is sufficiently small to prevent thermal runaway and the electrodes of the adjacent cells of the other battery cell types of the first polarity and the common electrodes of the second polarity not having short circuits provide heat sinking for the heat generated by the short circuit to prevent thermal runaway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Amperex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Li-Yan Zhu, Jei-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 9543551
    Abstract: A battery unit is provided which includes a battery and a storage case in which the battery is mounted. The storage case is made up of a base, a cover, and an intermediate case. The cover is jointed to the base with an interspace therebetween. The intermediate case is disposed between the cover and the base and has a peripheral wall which occupies the interspace. The intermediate case is lower in stiffness than the cover and the base, thereby realizing a lightweight structure of the storage case without sacrificing the mechanical strength thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Yoshinori Yamaguchi, Hidehiro Kinoshita, Hiroaki Higuchi
  • Patent number: 9520613
    Abstract: A battery block is equipped with a plurality of battery blocks. Each of the battery blocks includes at least one battery cell to provide a block voltage of the battery block. A first number of the battery blocks is selected, and the first number of the battery blocks is coupled to voltage terminals of the battery to set a battery voltage which corresponds to the sum of the block voltages of the first number of battery blocks. Further, a second number of the battery blocks is selected, and the second number of battery blocks is coupled to the voltage terminals of the battery to set a battery voltage which corresponds to the sum of the block voltages of the second number of battery blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Philip Georg Brockerhoff
  • Patent number: 9508969
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having an electrode tab; an electrode lead attached to the electrode tab and having at least one lead hole; a pouch case for accommodating the electrode assembly so that the electrode lead is drawn out; and a sealing tape interposed between the electrode lead and the inner surface of the pouch case and having a venting pattern portion formed at a region corresponding to the lead hole. Therefore, when gas is generated inside a pouch case of a secondary battery due to an abnormal circumstance, for example when an overcurrent flows at the secondary battery since a protective circuit does not operate normally, a sealed state of the pouch case is rapidly released, thereby ensuring the safety of the secondary battery in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Hoon Yang, Young-Suk Cho, Seung-Don Choi, Ok-Gyun Kang
  • Patent number: 9502699
    Abstract: One aspect according to the present invention includes a battery pack and a shock absorbing device interposed between a battery cell holder and a case body and capable of keeping the battery cell holder and the battery cells not to directly contact with an inner surface of the case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Murayama, Hideyuki Taga, Kazutoshi Ogino, Hidekazu Hayashi, Hitoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9484558
    Abstract: A battery cell and a battery module using the same that allow the battery cell to be extended without a limit in the number of battery cells is provided. The battery cell includes a body, at least one rail installed in the body, and at least one rail groove formed on the other surface of the body where the rail is not installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Seoung Mun Baek, Hyungjin Hwang
  • Patent number: 9472963
    Abstract: A receiver device configured to connect to a chargeable device, including an inductive region including at least one receiver coil for receiving magnetic flux from an inductive charging system. Additionally the receiver device includes a conductive region having contacts for receiving wireless electric power from a conductive charging system. In addition, the receiver device includes a connector for transferring wireless power received from the inductive or conductive charging system to the chargeable device in order to charge the chargeable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Michael Hrecznyj
  • Patent number: 9461487
    Abstract: A reconfigurable multi-battery pack system for inclusion in a hand held device for more efficiently energizing battery powered operation of both a buck DC-DC converter and a boost DC-DC converter included in the device. Also disclosed is a power management circuit that autonomously: 1. connects the batteries in parallel during battery recharging; and 2. connects at least two (2) of the batteries in series when the batteries are not being recharged and are energizing operation of the DC-DC converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Sorin Laurentiu Negru
  • Patent number: 9448611
    Abstract: Provided are an interface expanding method and device. It is detected whether there is a voltage input at a power supply pin of the interface, an impedance between a signal indication pin of the interface and a ground pin of the interface is detected when no voltage input is detected, and a type of a cable inserted into the interface is determined according to the detected impedance; it is detected whether there is a short circuit or an open circuit between a data signal positive pin of the interface and a data signal minus pin of the interface when the voltage input is detected, and the type of the cable inserted into the interface is determined according to the detected result; and a relevant component in the tablet computer is controlled, according to the determined type of the calle inserted into the interface, to operate correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Xiaopeng Yao
  • Patent number: 9444398
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a fabricating process for the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a micro battery cell coupled to a solar cell by a semiconductor fabricating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chyi-Tsong Ni, I-Shi Wang, Yi-Hsun Chiu, Ching-Hou Su
  • Patent number: 9438113
    Abstract: A battery module including a first positive terminal, a second positive terminal, a ground terminal, a power conversion circuit, and a power assembly. The power assembly includes a plurality of battery cells coupled in series and disposed in a stacked orientation relative to each other and configured to output a first voltage between the first positive terminal and the ground terminal. The power conversion circuit is electrically coupled to the power assembly and configured to receive the first voltage as an input and to output a second voltage different from the first voltage. The second positive terminal is electrically coupled to the power conversion circuit to receive the second voltage from the power conversion circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Perry M. Wyatt, Thanh T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9438047
    Abstract: A method for monitoring charge level or remaining capacity of a battery pack, a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery, which is used to supply energy for an automation technology, field device having a data storage unit associated with the battery pack, disposable battery or rechargeable battery. Specific information about the battery pack, disposable battery or rechargeable battery is stored in the data storage unit and process-specific and operation-specific information about energy consumption is written to the data storage unit. In the case of the battery pack, disposable battery or rechargeable battery being used in a second automation technology field device, remaining service life of the battery pack, the disposable battery or the rechargeable battery is calculated and output on the basis of the process- and operation-specific information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER PROCESS SOLUTIONS AG
    Inventors: Werner Thoren, Christian Seiler, Stefan Probst, Ingo Laible
  • Patent number: 9434063
    Abstract: Three battery cells can be arranged such that one battery cell is situated on the front side of a handle portion and that the remaining two battery cells are situated on the rear side thereof while being arranged laterally side by side. Also, a handle portion can be generally of a triangular cross-sectional configuration whose apex portion is situated on the front side of the handle portion and whose base portion is situated on the rear side thereof; and the handle portion is grasped by bringing fingertips into contact with the apex portion (11a) on the front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kondo, Manabu Sugimoto, Miyabi Ito, Eiji Kondo