Abstract: A case airtightness evaluation method evaluates airtightness of a case mounted at a vehicle. A pressure measuring step of the evaluation method includes pressurizing or depressurizing air in the case, allowing pressure in the case to stabilize, and then measuring a pressure change in the case. During the measurement of the pressure change, a deformation amount acquiring step acquires a deformation amount of a specific location of the case. Based on the acquired deformation amount, a correcting step corrects the measured pressure change. Based on the corrected pressure change, an evaluating step evaluates airtightness of the case.

Abstract: A case airtightness evaluation method evaluates airtightness of a case mounted at a vehicle. A pressure measuring step of the evaluation method includes pressurizing or depressurizing air in the case, allowing pressure in the case to stabilize, and then measuring a pressure change in the case. During the measurement of the pressure change, a deformation amount acquiring step acquires a deformation amount of a specific location of the case. Based on the acquired deformation amount, a correcting step corrects the measured pressure change. Based on the corrected pressure change, an evaluating step evaluates airtightness of the case.

Abstract: The battery pack disclosed herein includes a plurality of unit cells. The plurality of unit cells is connected to each other by a bus bar. The bus bar has two terminal connection portions and a linking portion. A linear welded portion is formed in a portion where the terminal connection portions and the external terminals overlap with each other. The linear welded portion is non-annular in the plane of the terminal connection portions and has a straight linear portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction, and two circular arc portions that extend from respective ends of the straight linear portion and are curved toward a side opposite to the side where the linking portion is located.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery pack that has a plurality of single cells arranged in an array direction, and a bus bar that electrically connects the plurality of single cells. The bus bar has a first bent portion that is bent in a direction away from each of the single cells, and a second bent portion that is bent in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first bent portion is bent. The first bent portion and the second bent portion are disposed side by side in the array direction, and extend from one end of the bus bar to the other end of the same so as to intersect with the array direction. The first bent portion is configured to expand gradually from the one end of the bus bar to the other end of the same. The second bent portion is configured to narrow gradually from the one end of the bus bar to the other end of the same.

Abstract: The battery pack disclosed herein includes a plurality of unit cells. The plurality of unit cells is connected to each other by a bus bar. The bus bar has two terminal connection portions and a linking portion. A linear welded portion is formed in a portion where the terminal connection portions and the external terminals overlap with each other. The linear welded portion is non-annular in the plane of the terminal connection portions and has a straight linear portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction, and two circular arc portions that extend from respective ends of the straight linear portion and are curved toward a side opposite to the side where the linking portion is located.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery pack that has a plurality of single cells arranged in an array direction, and a bus bar that electrically connects the plurality of single cells. The bus bar has a first bent portion that is bent in a direction away from each of the single cells, and a second bent portion that is bent in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first bent portion is bent. The first bent portion and the second bent portion are disposed side by side in the array direction, and extend from one end of the bus bar to the other end of the same so as to intersect with the array direction. The first bent portion is configured to expand gradually from the one end of the bus bar to the other end of the same. The second bent portion is configured to narrow gradually from the one end of the bus bar to the other end of the same.

Abstract: A voltage control method for a secondary battery includes: calculating a voltage difference between a first voltage value as an initial voltage of the secondary battery and a second voltage value as a voltage of the secondary battery after being charged by constant-current charging during a predetermined time period; calculating an internal resistance of the secondary battery based on the voltage difference and a value of constant current applied in the constant-current charging; calculating an additional voltage based on the internal resistance and a value of constant current applied during voltage control, and calculating a target voltage by adding the additional voltage to a predetermined required voltage; controlling the voltage by charging the secondary battery with constant current until the target voltage is reached; and determining that the secondary battery is defective when the target voltage is not reached within a predetermined permissible time period while the voltage is controlled.

Abstract: A battery assembling apparatus is disclosed. The battery assembling apparatus comprises: first and second rotary tables arranged to face each other at points on respective outer circumferences and rotate in forward directions relative to each other; a battery holding part provided on the outer circumference of the first rotary table to hold a battery; a frame holding part provided on the outer circumference of the second rotary table to hold a frame; a battery supplying part for supplying batteries to the battery holding part at a position different from a facing position between the first and second rotary tables; a frame supplying part for supplying frames to the frame holding part at a position different from the facing position; and a discharging part for taking out an assembly of a battery and a frame assembled together from the facing position.

Abstract: A battery assembling apparatus of one aspect of the invention comprises: first and second rotary tables arranged to face each other at points on respective outer circumferences and rotate in forward directions relative to each other; a battery holding part provided on the outer circumference of the first rotary table to hold a battery; a frame holding part provided on the outer circumference of the second rotary table to hold a frame; a battery supplying part for supplying batteries to the battery holding part at a position different from a facing position between the first and second rotary tables; a frame supplying part for supplying frames to the frame holding part at a position different from the facing position; and a discharging part for taking out an assembly of a battery and a frame assembled together from the facing position, the first and second rotary tables being rotated with a rotation speed ratio and in a phase relationship such that the battery holding part and the frame holding part face each

Abstract: A space from a charging hole to a discharge hole of a continuous heating furnace is divided into zones. A furnace temperature is assumed for each zone and a plurality of furnace temperature patterns are set. A metallization rate ?OUT at the discharge hole is calculated for each furnace temperature pattern, using the time functions of the metallization rate ? and the carbon content rate ? of a raw material calculated in advance using a test. The necessary amount of heat applied to the continuous heating furnace is calculated for the furnace temperature patterns in which the calculated metallization rate ?OUT is greater than or equal to a target value. The furnace temperature pattern which realizes the minimum necessary amount of heat applied is set as the optimal furnace temperature pattern. A fuel supplied to a burner is controlled based on the optimal furnace temperature pattern.