Abstract: Disclosed is a method for setting an initial SOC value, which initializes the SOC in consideration of not only the temperature change of the external environment of the battery but also the internal temperature change of the battery before the battery reaches a stable unloaded state, thereby enhancing the accuracy in the setup of the initial SOC value. The method includes: measuring internal temperatures of the battery and SOCs corresponding to voltages of the battery, which change according to the time passage after a loaded state is converted into an unloaded state, and constructing an SOC estimation table by using measured values, and storing the SOC estimation table; measuring the internal temperature and the voltage of the battery when estimation of an initial SOC value of the battery is required; and reading an SOC corresponding to the measured internal temperature and the voltage of the battery from the SOC estimation table.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooling system for a battery pack that is usable as a power source of electric vehicles and hybrid-electric vehicles. The cooling system has the effect of effectively dissipating heat generated from battery cells by supplying a refrigerant to the battery cells at a constant flow rate, and of minimizing a temperature difference between the battery cells during a cooling process. This prevents degradation in the performance of the battery cells, and achieves optimal temperature control. Also, the cooling system employs a single refrigerant guide member arranged at a side of the battery pack, resulting in a reduction in the size of an overall battery system.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a battery includes a capacitor for charging a voltage when the apparatus is on and discharging a voltage when the apparatus is off, a discharging circuit for discharging the voltage charged in the capacitor; a first switching unit for connecting or disconnecting the capacitor to/from a predetermined power source for the purpose of charging of the capacitor; a second switching unit for connecting or disconnecting the capacitor to/from the discharging unit; a voltage measuring unit for measuring a voltage charged in the capacitor; and a controller for calculating a power-off duration time according to the measured voltage. This apparatus may continuously calculate a power-off duration time of a battery pack.

Abstract: A process for controlling temperature of a battery pack includes operating a fan to change a battery temperature to an optimal range of temperature (Topt) when a condition is satisfied that the battery temperature is equal to or greater than a maximum acceptable temperature (Tmax) or when the battery temperature is equal to or less than a minimum acceptable temperature (Tmin) and, at the same time, when the difference between a battery temperature (Tbat) and an air temperature (Tair) of air is equal to or greater than a critical temperature (Tcrt), and operating the fan to change the battery temperature to an optimal range of temperature variation (Topt1) of each unit cell when the battery temperature does not satisfy the condition, and a temperature variation (Tvar) of each unit cell is equal to or greater than a predetermined critical temperature (Tcrt1).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of estimating a maximum output of a battery for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The method comprises extracting maximum charge/discharge outputs of the battery depending on a plurality of charged states (SOC) of the battery under which the vehicle is able to be driven and calculating an interrelation between them; extracting maximum charge/discharge outputs of the battery at plural temperatures under which the vehicle is able to be driven, and calculating an interrelation between them; extracting degradations of outputs of the battery as a capacity of the battery is discharged during the traveling, and calculating an interrelation between them; and based on the interrelations obtained, estimating a maximum output of the battery using a function.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery module comprising a plurality of unit cells stacked one on another, wherein the unit cells are spaced apart from each other such that a channel for heat dissipation is defined between the unit cells, the battery module further comprises at least one piezoelectric sensor mounted in the channel, and the at least one piezoelectric sensor is connected to a battery management system (BMS). According to the present invention, the piezoelectric sensor is mounted in the channel defined between the unit cells of the secondary battery module. Consequently, no additional space for installing the piezoelectric sensor is needed, and therefore, the increase of the size of the battery module is effectively prevented. Furthermore, the change of the internal pressure of the battery is accurately detected by the piezoelectric sensor, and therefore, the expansion or the explosion of the battery caused due to the overcharge or overheating of the unit cells is effectively prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a terminal-connecting device including an electrically insulating hollow connecting device body having an open upper end, and an electrically insulating cover coupled to the open upper end of the connecting device body. The terminal-connecting device is constructed such that a plate-shaped conductive bus bar is mounted to the lower end of the connecting device body, two or more terminal insertion holes are formed in the lower end of the connecting device body and the bus bar, the terminal insertion holes formed in the lower end of the connecting device body communicating with the terminal insertion holes formed in the bus bar, and a connecting member insertion slit is formed in one side of connecting device body for allowing further connection of the corresponding electrode terminal to an external connecting member, as occasion demands.

Abstract: A member for measurement of cell voltage and temperature in a battery pack comprises temperature measuring elements (a) attached to the surfaces of unit cells, and a printed circuit board (b) having protrusions formed at the upper end thereof such that the protrusions are connected to electrode lead connection members that connect electrode leads of the unit cells, connection parts formed at the lower part thereof for allowing the temperature measuring elements to be attached to the printed circuit board, and a circuit through which electric current for voltage measurement of the unit cells and electric current for temperature measurement of the temperature measuring elements flow.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery pack including a plurality of cartridges. Each of the cartridges has a plurality of unit cells mounted therein. The cartridges are stacked one on another in an alternate orientation structure in which electrode terminals of the neighboring cartridges are not located on the same plane when the cartridges are electrically connected to each other, thereby accomplishing easy and safe electrical connection between the cartridges.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a module assembly consisting of two or more unit modules having different outputs and capacities, a detection unit for detecting the current and/or the voltage of the battery pack and transmitting the detected current signal and/or the detected voltage signal to a control unit, the control unit for selecting an optimal unit module from the module assembly based on the current signal and/or the voltage signal received from the detection unit, and a switching unit for electrically connecting a specific unit module of the module assembly to an external input and output terminal under the control of the control unit. In the battery pack according to the present invention, an appropriate unit module is selected and operated depending upon the operating conditions of a device in which the battery pack is mounted, whereby the operating efficiency of the battery pack is improved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat exchange system that controls the temperature of a medium- or large-sized battery pack including a plurality of unit cells. The heat exchange system includes a sealed type housing surrounding the outer surface of the battery pack such that a predetermined flow channel, through which a heat exchange medium flows, is defined between the housing and the battery pack, a driving fan mounted in the housing for driving the heat exchange medium to flow, and a heat exchange unit mounted at one side of the housing for controlling the temperature of the heat exchange medium. In the heat exchange system according to the present invention, the heat exchange medium, for example, air is not introduced from the outside of the battery system, but is circulated in the battery system by the heat exchange unit.