Abstract: A method for estimating an operating current I dispensed by a battery pack or cell including the steps of acquiring characterization data of the battery pack or cell, related to measured time trends of a voltage Vm and of a characterization current Im of the battery pack or cell, associated with a respective characterization temperature value Tk; and then processing the characterization data to determine a plurality of parameters P of a model of the battery pack or cell, as a function of temperature and state of charge SOC. Measuring an operating voltage V of the battery pack or cell and an operating temperature T and for estimating the operating current I of the battery pack or cell. A plurality of time observation windows Wi is identified and characterization voltage Vmi values are detected.

Abstract: An electronic device including an electronic switch M1, an electrical pre-charge circuit and a measurement, command and diagnosis module. The main electronic switch M1 has a first electrical terminal D1, a second electrical terminal S1, and a main driving terminal G1. The main electronic switch M1 is adapted to take, based on a driving signal DRV, depending on the command signal CMD and on an enabling signal ENB, a closed condition or an open condition, wherein the first electrical terminal D1 is respectively connected to or disconnected from the second electrical terminal S1. The pre-charge electrical circuit is adapted to carry out, based on the command signal CMD, a pre-charge operation, aimed at equalizing the electric potentials (V1, V2) of the first and second terminals of the device, before the main electronic switch M1 takes a closed condition, upon of a transition from the open condition.

Abstract: An electronic control device for controlling a vehicle battery pack comprises a non-programmable monitoring and actuation unit and a two-way serial communication interface. The non-programmable monitoring and actuation unit is electrically and operatively connectable to the battery pack and to each of the battery cells C to detect analog battery parameters P, including at least the magnitudes of battery voltage Vb and battery current Ib, in addition to temperature (Tc1, Tcn), current (Ic1, Icn) and voltage (Vc1, Vcn) of each battery cell C. The non-programmable monitoring and actuation unit generates monitoring signals Sm representative of the detected analog battery parameters P. The two-way serial communication interface is connected to the non-programmable monitoring and actuation unit to receive the monitoring signals Sm and to supply the aforesaid at least one command signal Sc.

Abstract: An electronic device for the diagnosis of insulation loss of an energized electrical apparatus, with respect to a ground. The device includes a first resistance-switch group and a second resistance-switch group, connectable or disconnectable in a controlled manner, and also a first measurement circuit and a second measurement circuit, arranged in parallel to the first and second resistance-switch groups, respectively. The first and second measurement circuits include respective first and second detection circuits, first and second charge modulation circuits and first and second partition resistors (RBminus, RBplus). The first and second charge modulation circuits allow a dynamic “switching” measurement technique. Moreover, a method is described for measuring the insulation resistances (RIminus, RIplus) of an energized electrical apparatus with respect to ground, in which the method is carried out by a device according to the invention. Finally, a self-diagnosis method of device is described.

Abstract: A method for estimating an operating current I dispensed by a battery pack or cell including the steps of acquiring characterization data of the battery pack or cell, related to measured time trends of a voltage Vm and of a characterization current Im of the battery pack or cell, associated with a respective characterization temperature value Tk; and then processing the characterization data to determine a plurality of parameters P of a model of the battery pack or cell, as a function of temperature and state of charge SOC. Measuring an operating voltage V of the battery pack or cell and an operating temperature T and for estimating the operating current I of the battery pack or cell. A plurality of time observation windows Wi is identified and characterization voltage Vmi values are detected.

Abstract: A cooling circuit with cooling liquid for lithium-ion batteries comprising a battery pack comprising a plurality of cells electrically connected with each other, suitable for powering an electric machine for traction. The cells are perimetrically delimited by external walls. At least one bag contains cooling liquid associated in contact with the outer walls of the cells. The bag is made of deformable plastic material so as to be counter-shaped to the outer walls to adhere perimetrally to the outer walls and the circuit provides forced circulation of the cooling liquid through said at least one bag.

Abstract: An electronic device including an electronic switch M1, an electrical pre-charge circuit and a measurement, command and diagnosis module. The main electronic switch M1 has a first electrical terminal D1, a second electrical terminal S1, and a main driving terminal G1. The main electronic switch M1 is adapted to take, based on a driving signal DRV, depending on the command signal CMD and on an enabling signal ENB, a closed condition or an open condition, wherein the first electrical terminal D1 is respectively connected to or disconnected from the second electrical terminal S1. The pre-charge electrical circuit is adapted to carry out, based on the command signal CMD, a pre-charge operation, aimed at equalizing the electric potentials (V1, V2) of the first and second terminals of the device, before the main electronic switch M1 takes a closed condition, upon of a transition from the open condition.

Abstract: An electronic device for controlling the electric charge of a load electrically supplied by a battery pack, comprising: a support; a control module integrated in the support; an electric pre-charging circuit of the load controlled by the control module; an electric active discharge circuit of the load controlled by the control module. The electric pre-charging circuit comprises at least one first solid-state switch and is integrated on the support. The electric active discharge circuit comprises at least one second solid-state switch and is integrated on the support. The first solid-state switch and the second solid-state switch work either as a switch or as a variable resistor.

Abstract: An electronic device including an electronic switch M1, an electrical pre-charge circuit and a measurement, command and diagnosis module. The main electronic switch M1 has a first electrical terminal D1, a second electrical terminal S1, and a main driving terminal G1. The main electronic switch M1 is adapted to take, based on a driving signal DRV, depending on the command signal CMD and on an enabling signal ENB, a closed condition or an open condition, wherein the first electrical terminal D1 is respectively connected to or disconnected from the second electrical terminal S1. The pre-charge electrical circuit is adapted to carry out, based on the command signal CMD, a pre-charge operation, aimed at equalizing the electric potentials (V1, V2) of the first and second terminals of the device, before the main electronic switch M1 takes a closed condition, upon of a transition from the open condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state relay including a power semiconductor switch device connected between a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal and having a command terminal. An electronic driving block is adapted to generate a command signal applied to the command terminal to switch the at least one semiconductor switch device from a closed/open state to an open/closed state to disconnect/connect the first electrical circuit portion from/to the second portion of the electrical circuit. An electronic block detects a current which crosses the power semiconductor switch device. The electronic detection block includes a first electronic device adapted to generate a first signal indicative of a difference of potential between the first and second terminals generated by the current which crosses a total resistance present between the first and second terminals of the power semiconductor switch device in the closed state.

Abstract: A vehicle step apparatus including an extending and retracting device having a mounting bracket, a step bracket, and an arm assembly. A gear box has a cavity into which at least a portion of a motor shaft of a motor is inserted. A worm wheel is rotatably disposed in the cavity and has a worm wheel body meshing with the motor shaft. An output shaft is mounted to the worm wheel body. A sun gear is fitted over the output shaft. A planet carrier is rotatably disposed in the cavity and connected with the arm assembly. A planet gear is rotatably mounted to the planet carrier and meshes with the sun gear. An adjusting member is mounted in the gear box, and is movable in an axial direction of the motor shaft and abuts against a free end of the motor shaft.

Abstract: An electronic control device 1 for controlling a vehicle battery pack 50 is described. The device 1 may be used to control a vehicle battery pack 50 adapted to supply a battery voltage Vb and a battery current Ib through a plurality of battery cells C. The device 1 is adapted to interact with a remote control unit 60 external to the battery pack 50. The device 1 comprises a non-programmable monitoring and actuation unit 2 and a two-way serial communication interface 3. The non-programmable monitoring and actuation unit 2 is electrically and operatively connectable to the battery pack 50 and to each of the battery cells C to detect analogue battery parameters P, comprising at least the magnitudes of battery voltage Vb and battery current Ib, in addition to temperature (Tc1, Tcn), current (Ic1, Icn) and voltage (Vc1, Vcn) of each battery cell C.

Abstract: A cooling circuit with cooling liquid for lithium-ion batteries comprising a battery pack comprising a plurality of cells electrically connected with each other, suitable for powering an electric machine for traction, said cells being perimetrically delimited by external walls, at least one bag containing cooling liquid associated in contact with said outer walls of the cells. Advantageously, at least one bag is made of deformable plastic material so as to be counter-shaped to said outer walls to adhere perimetrally to said outer walls and the circuit comprises means of forced circulation of the cooling liquid through said at least one bag.

Abstract: An electronic device including an electronic switch M1, an electrical pre-charge circuit and a measurement, command and diagnosis module. The main electronic switch M1 has a first electrical terminal D1, a second electrical terminal S1, and a main driving terminal G1. The main electronic switch M1 is adapted to take, based on a driving signal DRV, depending on the command signal CMD and on an enabling signal ENB, a closed condition or an open condition, wherein the first electrical terminal D1 is respectively connected to or disconnected from the second electrical terminal S1. The pre-charge electrical circuit is adapted to carry out, based on the command signal CMD, a pre-charge operation, aimed at equalizing the electric potentials (V1, V2) of the first and second terminals of the device, before the main electronic switch M1 takes a closed condition, upon of a transition from the open condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state relay including a power semiconductor switch device connected between a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal and having a command terminal. An electronic driving block is adapted to generate a command signal applied to the command terminal to switch the at least one semiconductor switch device from a closed/open state to an open/closed state to disconnect/connect the first electrical circuit portion from/to the second portion of the electrical circuit. An electronic block detects a current which crosses the power semiconductor switch device. The electronic detection block includes a first electronic device adapted to generate a first signal indicative of a difference of potential between the first and second terminals generated by the current which crosses a total resistance present between the first and second terminals of the power semiconductor switch device in the closed state.

Abstract: An electronic device for controlling the electric charge of a load electrically supplied by a battery pack, comprising: a support; a control module integrated in the support; an electric pre-charging circuit of the load controlled by the control module; an electric active discharge circuit of the load controlled by the control module. The electric pre-charging circuit comprises at least one first solid-state switch and is integrated on the support. The electric active discharge circuit comprises at least one second solid-state switch and is integrated on the support. The first solid-state switch and the second solid-state switch can be configured to work either as a switch or as a variable resistor.