Abstract: The contactless method of supplying power magnetically couples a portable device receiving coil with a power supply stand transmitting coil and transmits power by magnetic induction. The portable device sends power adjustment signals to the power supply stand, and the stand adjusts transmitting coil output based on the power adjustment signals. The portable device compares the power received from the stand to the required power, sends an increase-power-request signal if the received power is below the required power, and sends a decrease-power-request signal if the received power is above the required power. Power adjustment signals include increase-power-request weighting values that increase with the size of the request to increase power and/or rate-of-change weighting values that increase with the amount of change in the requested power. Weighting values output with a given period are added and a foreign object is judged to be present when the sum attains a set value.

Abstract: A power source apparatus includes first equalizing circuits to control remaining charge capacity variation among a plurality of battery units, and second equalizing circuits to control remaining charge capacity variation among all the series-connected battery packs that make up each battery unit. A first equalizing circuit connects each battery unit with an output line OL through a first series circuit made up of a first limiting resistor and first equalizing switch. Remaining charge capacity variation is equalized among all the battery units by the first equalizing circuits, and remaining charge capacity variation between battery packs in each battery unit is controlled by the second equalizing circuits.

Abstract: The contactless method of supplying power magnetically couples a portable device receiving coil with a power supply stand transmitting coil and transmits power by magnetic induction. The portable device sends power adjustment signals to the power supply stand, and the stand adjusts transmitting coil output based on the power adjustment signals. The portable device compares the power received from the stand to the required power, sends an increase-power-request signal if the received power is below the required power, and sends a decrease-power-request signal if the received power is above the required power. Power adjustment signals include increase-power-request weighting values that increase with the size of the request to increase power and/or rate-of-change weighting values that increase with the amount of change in the requested power. Weighting values output with a given period are added and a foreign object is judged to be present when the sum attains a set value.

Abstract: The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery cell, an energized coil, a temperature detector, a switch, a controller, power supply terminals, and a temperature terminal. The coil can be electromagnetically connected to an energizing coil of a charger. The detector detects the cell temperature. The switch is serially connected to the detector. The controller controls ON/OFF of the switch. The pack can be electrically connected through the terminals to a battery-driven device. The cell can be charged/discharged through the power supply terminals. The temperature terminal is connected to the detector. The controller is connected to the temperature terminal. When the pack is charged by the charger in the non-contact charging manner, the switch is turned OFF so that the pack can communicate with the device through the temperature terminal.

Abstract: The power source apparatus configuration can be changed to adapt to the installation site and environment. The power source apparatus is provided with first equalizing circuits 14 to control remaining charge capacity variation among a plurality of battery units 10, and second equalizing circuits 24 to control remaining charge capacity variation among all the series-connected battery packs 20 that make up each battery unit 10. A first equalizing circuit 14 connects each battery unit 10 with an output line OL through a first series circuit made up of a first limiting resistor 15 and first equalizing switch 16. Remaining charge capacity variation is equalized among all the battery units 10 by the first equalizing circuits 14, and remaining charge capacity variation between battery packs 20 in each battery unit 10 is controlled by the second equalizing circuits 24. (Cell balancing is performed quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: A fully-charged battery capacity detection method detects first and second no-load voltages (VOCV1, VOCV2) of a battery at first no-load timing and second no-load timing, respectively. Further, first and second remaining capacities (SOC1 [%], SOC2 [%]) of the battery are determined based on the first and second no-load voltages, respectively, when the first no-load voltage (VOCV1) falls within a predetermined voltage range. Moreover, a fully-charged capacity (Ahf) of the battery is calculated based on a remaining capacity variation rate (?S [%]) and a capacity variation value (?Ah) of the battery. Also, the variation rate of the remaining capacity is calculated based on a difference between the first and second remaining capacities. The capacity variation value of the battery is calculated based on an integrated value of the charging current and discharge currents of the battery to be charged/discharged from the first no-load timing to the second no-load timing.

Abstract: The battery pack has a battery, output terminals to bring out the battery electrodes, and a molding holder to connect to the battery as well as retain the output terminals. The battery pack is molded with at least the battery, the molding holder, and its connecting region inserted into a molded plastic resin region. The molded plastic resin region exposes output terminal surfaces, and also joins the battery, output terminals, and molding holder as a single unit.

Abstract: A battery pack including a discharge current interruption FET which cuts off the discharge current, and a minimum voltage detecting portion which switches the discharge current interruption FET from ON to OFF state when the voltage of any battery becomes lower than a minimum voltage. The charge circuit includes a charge current switching portion which switches the charge current so as to charge the battery pack in a main charge mode when the output voltage is higher than a prescribed voltage, and in a preliminary charge mode with a small current when the output voltage is lower than the prescribed voltage. A charge current switching portion charges the battery pack in the preliminary charge mode in the state where the OFF signal of the discharge current interruption FET is provided, even in the state where the output voltage of the battery pack is higher than the prescribed voltage.

Abstract: In a fully-charged battery capacity detection method, first and second no-load voltages (VOCV1, VOCV2) of a battery are detected at first no-load timing and second no-load timing, respectively. First and second remaining capacities (SOC1 [%], SOC2 [%]) of the battery are determined based on the first and second no-load voltages, respectively, if the first no-load voltage (VOCV1) falls within a predetermined voltage range. A fully-charged capacity (Ahf) of the battery is calculated based on a remaining capacity variation rate (?S [%]) and a capacity variation value (?Ah) of the battery. The variation rate of the remaining capacity is calculated based on the difference between the first and second remaining capacities. The capacity variation value of the battery is calculated based the integrated value of the charging current and discharge currents of the battery to be charged/discharged from the first no-load timing to the second no-load timing.

Abstract: A battery charging method that detects the voltage of each series-connected battery, discharges batteries with voltage exceeding a prescribed voltage, and charges a plurality of batteries while maintaining cell balance. This charging method detects the voltage of each battery being charged and if any battery voltage exceeds the prescribed voltage, only the battery that exceeds the prescribed voltage is discharged, after a specified charging time, until its voltage drops to the prescribed voltage. Batteries that do not exceed the prescribed voltage are not discharged, and thereby all batteries are charged while balancing their voltages.

Abstract: A battery pack including a molded resin portion, which holds a part of or the entire battery, and an externally exposed output terminal. The battery pack further includes an insulating block, which is provided with a breaker mechanism for cutting-off current flow when an over-current flows. The insulating block is held by being inserted in the molded resin portion. The insulating block holds the output terminal on its surface. The output terminal held by the insulating block is held at a prescribed position so as to be externally exposed from the molded resin portion.

Abstract: Tips of the lug portions of a board touch the bottom of the opening between projecting portions and step portions, when the upper mold and the lower mold are fit together with a battery and board inserted. Thus the board is retained in position in the molds certainly. After the molds are fit together, polyamide resin is injected into a molding space from a resin-material-injecting orifice provided in the upper mold.

Abstract: The remaining battery capacity computation system has a remaining capacity computation apparatus, which is connected to an electrical equipment unit via a one line communication circuit. The connected electrical equipment unit transmits a detected current signal, that indicates current flowing in the battery, at a fixed transmission period to the remaining capacity computation apparatus via the communication circuit. The remaining capacity computation apparatus computes remaining battery capacity from the detected current, and outputs a signal, that indicates the computed remaining capacity, with prescribed timing to the communication circuit. The remaining capacity signal is transmitted to the connected electrical equipment unit and timed after completion of the output of one detected current signal and before commencement of the output of the next detected current signal.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a discharge current interruption FET which cuts off the discharge current, and a minimum voltage detecting portion which switches the discharge current interruption FET from ON to OFF state when the voltage of any battery becomes lower than a minimum voltage. The charge circuit includes a charge current switching portion which switches the charge current so as to charge the battery pack in a main charge mode when the output voltage is higher than a prescribed voltage, and in a preliminary charge mode with a small current when the output voltage is lower than the prescribed voltage. The charge current switching portion charges the battery pack in the preliminary charge mode in the state where the OFF signal of the discharge current interruption FET is provided, even in the state where the output voltage of the battery pack is higher than the prescribed voltage.

Abstract: The battery charging method detects the voltage of each series connected battery, discharges batteries with voltage exceeding a prescribed voltage, and charges a plurality of batteries while maintaining cell balance. This charging method detects the voltage of each battery being charged and if any battery voltage exceeds the prescribed voltage, only the battery that exceeds the prescribed voltage is discharged, after a specified charging time, until its voltage drops to the prescribed voltage. Batteries that do not exceed the prescribed voltage are not discharged, and thereby all batteries are charged while balancing their voltages.

Abstract: A battery pack comprises a molded resin portion which holds a part of or the whole of battery inserted thereto, and an externally exposed output terminal. The battery pack further comprises an insulating block which is provided with a breaker mechanism for cutting-off current flow when an over-current flows. The insulating block is held by being inserted in the molded resin portion. The insulating block holds the output terminal on its surface. The output terminal held by the insulating block is held at a prescribed position so as to be externally exposed from the molded resin portion.

Abstract: The remaining battery capacity computation system has a remaining capacity computation apparatus, which is connected to an electrical equipment unit via a one line communication circuit. The connected electrical equipment unit transmits a detected current signal, that indicates current flowing in the battery, at a fixed transmission period to the remaining capacity computation apparatus via the communication circuit. The remaining capacity computation apparatus computes remaining battery capacity from the detected current, and outputs a signal, that indicates the computed remaining capacity, with prescribed timing to the communication circuit. The remaining capacity signal is transmitted to the connected electrical equipment unit and timed after completion of the output of one detected current signal and before commencement of the output of the next detected current signal.

Abstract: The battery pack has batteries, a printed circuit board with battery protection circuit components mounted on it, and a circuit breaker contained in a case. The circuit breaker switches off if excessive current flows in the batteries, or if battery temperature exceeds a specified temperature. The circuit breaker has a plurality of solder terminals attached to its casing, and one or a plurality of the solder terminals are attached to the printed circuit board by solder re-flow. The printed circuit board is connected to the batteries via leads and is disposed in a fixed position inside the case. The circuit breaker is mounted in a fixed position inside the case via the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The battery pack is provided with output terminals and an authenticity discriminating circuit. The authenticity discriminating circuit is not supplied power from the rechargeable battery, nor is it connected to either the rechargeable battery or the output terminals. The authenticity discriminating circuit is provided with a receiver section which receives an activating radio wave from the electrical equipment, a transmitter section which sends an authentication radio wave as a signal to discriminate authenticity when the receiver section receives the activating radio wave, and a power supply section which converts the activating radio wave to direct current to supply electrical power to the receiver section and the transmitter section.

Abstract: The tips of the lug portions of the board touches the bottom of the opening between the projecting portions and the step portions, when the upper mold and the lower mold are fit together with inserted. Thus the board is retained with positioning to the molds certainly. After molds are fit together with inserted as mentioned above, polyamide resin is injected into the molding space from a resin-material-injecting orifice provided on the upper mold.