Abstract: The present invention pertains to the detection of the state of charge of a battery, whereby the complex impedance in the diffusion region of the battery is used. An arithmetic device such as a computer determines the slope of the complex impedance at least two different frequencies in the diffusion region of a rechargeable battery when a straight-line approximation has been made. The state of charge of the rechargeable battery is detected by using the slope that has been determined, and the relationship between the state of charge and slopes that have been stored in advance in a storage means.

Abstract: This device and method use the complex impedance of a rechargeable battery to detect the state of the rechargeable battery. A computer determines the slope of the complex impedance at least two different frequencies in a diffusion region of the rechargeable battery when a straight-line approximation has been made, and compares the slope with a threshold value. If the slope is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the computer determines that the battery has a normal capacity balance, and if the slope is less than the threshold value, the computer determines that the battery has an abnormal unbalanced capacity. Furthermore, if the magnitude of an imaginary axis component of the complex impedance in the diffusion region of the rechargeable battery is greater than the threshold battery, the computer determines that the battery has an abnormal capacity balance, and if said magnitude is less than or equal to the threshold value, the computer determines that the battery has a normal capacity balance.

Abstract: This alkaline storage battery cathode is provided with: nickel hydroxide particles covered by a cobalt-compound coating layer; a zinc compound; and an yttrium compound and/or an ytterbium compound. The zinc compound and the yttrium compound and/or ytterbium compound are blended at a blend ratio that is in accordance with the ratio of the capacity characteristics of the alkaline storage battery and the output characteristics of the alkaline storage battery.

Abstract: In an assembled battery (10), a plurality of rechargeable unit cells (12), each of which is provided with an electrode body (30) that has a positive electrode (32) and a negative electrode (34), a container (14) that houses the electrode body (30) and an electrolyte, and a positive electrode terminal (15) and a negative electrode terminal (16) which are arranged on an outside of the container (14), the rechargeable unit cells being connected in series. The plurality of unit cells (12) are arranged in a predetermined direction and fastened together while a predetermined load is applied in the arranging direction. Insulating filler (25) is inserted into a gap between the electrode body (30) and an inside wall surface of the container (14) of at least one of the unit cells (12), and a thickness in the arranging direction of each of the unit cells (12) in the fastened state is constant.

Abstract: Each of battery cells (12) that constitute a battery module includes a flat-shaped rolled electrode body (30) formed by rolling a sheet-like anode collector (32) and a sheet-like cathode collector (34) along with a sheet-like separator, and a trailing edge (32E) of the sheet-like anode collector (32) and a trailing edge (34E) of the sheet-like cathode collector (34) are located at a position (30B) outside a portion of the rolled electrode body (30) which substantially receives a restraining load. The battery module, in which the restraining load is applied to the cells, achieves long service life while maintaining good output characteristics.

Abstract: In an assembled battery (10), a plurality of rechargeable unit cells (12), each of which is provided with an electrode body (30) that has a positive electrode (32) and a negative electrode (34), a container (14) that houses the electrode body (30) and an electrolyte, and a positive electrode terminal (15) and a negative electrode terminal (16) which are arranged on an outside of the container (14), the rechargeable unit cells being connected in series. The plurality of unit cells (12) are arranged in a predetermined direction and fastened together while a predetermined load is applied in the arranging direction. Insulating filler (25) is inserted into a gap between the electrode body (30) and an inside wall surface of the container (14) of at least one of the unit cells (12), and a thickness in the arranging direction of each of the unit cells (12) in the fastened state is constant.

Abstract: Each of battery cells (12) that constitute a battery module includes a flat-shaped rolled electrode body (30) formed by rolling a sheet-like anode collector (32) and a sheet-like cathode collector (34) along with a sheet-like separator, and a trailing edge (32E) of the sheet-like anode collector (32) and a trailing edge (34E) of the sheet-like cathode collector (34) are located at a position (30B) outside a portion of the rolled electrode body (30) which substantially receives a restraining load. The battery module, in which the restraining load is applied to the cells, achieves long service life while maintaining good output characteristics.