Abstract: A battery module is constructed of an integral battery case which is constituted by forming a plurality of prismatic cell cases into a unitized body, wherein positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates laminated alternately upon one another with intervening separators are respectively accommodated in each of the cell cases, thereby constituting a plurality of cells, these cells being electrically connected in series. A plurality of such battery modules are arranged in a direction in which the electrode plates within each cell are laminated in a condition with coolant passages formed between the battery modules, and bound tightly together with end plates arranged at both ends in the direction of adjacent arrangement of the battery modules.

Abstract: A prismatic battery module employs a prismatic battery case having a single space formed by connecting a plurality of prismatic cell cases in series. Collectors are connected to the lead portions on both sides of the electrode plate group, and adjacent collectors of associated electrode plate groups are connected to each other by using an electroconductive adhesive. The electrode plate groups connected in series are disposed in the prismatic battery case. Thereafter, a sealing material is applied to each space between each of the outer peripheries of the adjacent collectors and the wall surface of the prismatic battery case to partition the plurality of cell cases from one another.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells accommodating an electrode plate group and an electrolyte, and a single integrated battery case for accommodating the plurality of cells. The ratio of the component resistance including the connecting resistance between the cells to the reactive resistance of the electrode plate group and the electrolyte in each cell, is set in the range of 1:99-40:60 at a temperature of 25° C. Thereby, the internal resistance per cell is reduced, and higher power output and improved service life characteristics are achieved.

Abstract: A battery module is constructed of an integral battery case which is constituted by forming a plurality of prismatic cell cases into a unitized body, wherein positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates laminated alternately upon one another with intervening separators are respectively accommodated in each of the cell cases, thereby constituting a plurality of cells, these cells being electrically connected in series. A plurality of such battery modules are arranged in a direction in which the electrode plates within each cell are laminated in a condition with coolant passages formed between the battery modules, and bound tightly together with end plates arranged at both ends in the direction of adjacent arrangement of the battery modules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of replacing secondary batteries. In the method, batteries can be replaced at a low cost and performance of an overall battery assembly can be maximized after the battery replacement. The battery assembly is composed by electrically connecting a plurality of secondary batteries in series or in parallel. When a portion of the secondary batteries is judged as defective, the defective batteries are replaced by replacement batteries. In an aspect of the method, voltage is detected for every predetermined voltage detection block unit concerning secondary batteries composing the battery assembly in order to judge defects of the secondary batteries in the voltage detection block unit. Batteries in a voltage detection block unit will be replaced with replacement batteries if they are judged as defective.

Abstract: A battery module is constructed of an integral battery case which is constituted by forming a plurality of prismatic cell cases into a unitized body, wherein positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates laminated alternately upon one another with intervening separators are respectively accommodated in each of the cell cases, thereby constituting a plurality of cells, these cells being electrically connected in series. A plurality of such battery modules are arranged in a direction in which the electrode plates within each cell are laminated in a condition with coolant passages formed between the battery modules, and bound tightly together with end plates arranged at both ends in the direction of adjacent arrangement of the battery modules.

Abstract: Cylindrical battery modules (9) composed of a plurality of serially connected cells (7) and arranged in parallel and stacked in piles within a holder case (10) are cooled with a forced current of air supplied from the underside. The battery modules (9a) located on the most upstream side of the air current are covered with film tubes (2), so as to prevent them from being cooled more than the other battery modules (9), thereby achieving uniformity in the temperatures of the battery modules. Temperature equalization is further improved by providing film tubes (2) to the several tiers of the battery modules such that the film tubes for covering upstream battery modules (9) have larger diameters than those for downstream battery modules.

Abstract: A prismatic battery module employs a prismatic battery case having a single space formed by connecting a plurality of prismatic cell cases in series. Positive and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked via a separator, and lead portions are formed by projecting side portions of the positive and negative electrode plates opposite to each other. Collectors are connected to the lead portions on both sides of the electrode plate group, and adjacent collectors of associated electrode plate groups are connected to each other by using an electroconductive adhesive or the like. Then, the electrode plate groups being connected in series are disposed in the prismatic battery case. Thereafter, a sealing material is applied to each space between each of the outer peripheries of the adjacent collectors and the wall surface of the prismatic battery case to partition the plurality of cell cases from one another.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells accommodating an electrode plate group and an electrolyte, and a single integrated battery case for accommodating the plurality of cells. The ratio of the component resistance including the connecting resistance between the cells to the reactive resistance of the electrode plate group and the electrolyte in each cell, is set in the range of 1:99-40:60 at a temperature of 25° C. Thereby, the internal resistance per cell is reduced, and higher power output and improved service life characteristics are achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of replacing secondary batteries. In the method, batteries can be replaced at a low cost and performance of an overall battery assembly can be maximized after the battery replacement. The battery assembly is composed by electrically connecting a plurality of secondary batteries in series or in parallel. When a portion of the secondary batteries is judged as defective, the defective batteries are replaced by replacement batteries. In an aspect of the method, voltage is detected for every predetermined voltage detection block unit concerning secondary batteries composing the battery assembly in order to judge defects of the secondary batteries in the voltage detection block unit. Batteries in a voltage detection block unit will be replaced with replacement batteries if they are judged as defective.

Abstract: A voltage detector (12) detects the voltage levels of the battery blocks of the battery set (10). A presence of an overdischarged cell is detected when a voltage difference between each of the battery blocks reaches or exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 1V). At this point, a battery ECU (14) sets the SOC value of the battery set (10) at the lower control limit value (for example, 20%). This triggers an HV ECU (16) to control the load (18) such that charging is effectuated in the battery set (10). If further discharge occurs, the battery set (10) is disconnected from the load (18) by a relay (20).

Abstract: In the area of the charge level of 20.about.80% where the charge level of a battery does not appear in the terminal voltage of the battery, the battery ECU estimates charge level by integrating the currents of the charge and discharge of the battery. When the engine ECU detects that the ignition key is turned on, the motor generators are driven by the engine, and the generated electric power is accumulated in the battery. When the area where the charge level appears in the terminal voltage, is reached, the calculation of the charge level is performed from the current and voltage at that time. When this charge level has reached 80%, the calibration of said estimated charge level is performed by this value. Furthermore, it is also possible for this calibration to be prohibited when a heavy current is flowing and the error may become large in the calculation of the charge level. By the above mentioned methods, the charge level of a battery can accurately be detected.

Abstract: Variation of the charged amount among battery blocks composing a battery assembly is detected. By subtracting the detected value of the variation from the width between the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the charged amount, the movable range of the charged amount is found. The position of the present charged amount is detected as the state of charge. For example, it is arranged that both ends of the movable range are 0% and 100%, and that the movable range is the full scale. Then, the position of the charged amount on this scale is specified by the ratio %. The detection of the state of charge in which the variation in charged amount and the change of the movable range are considered, is performed, and on the basis of this state of charge, a preferable charge and discharge control is performed.

Abstract: A butt-type connection terminal unit comprises first and second connection terminals whose front end surfaces are contacted to each other to make an electric connection therebetween and which include safety structure to prevent a person from accidentally touching the terminal front surfaces. The first and second connection terminals are provided, front end surfaces thereof, with respective plate-like insulators (5, 6) and slits (7, 8) at positions out of phase relative to each other, the plate-like insulators adapted for entrance into the corresponding slits when the front end surfaces are contacted to each other. A butt-type connection terminal unit is obtained in which the plate-like insulators serve to prevent a finger from touching the connection terminals, which realizes a stable electric connection and which is suited for downsizing connectors. A coaxial connector is also provided which employs the above connection terminal unit.

Abstract: A male connector (B) includes an outer housing (10) equipped with a rotatable lever (31) and an inner connector (20) which moves in an axial direction in the outer housing by rotation of the lever. A female connector (A) includes a shell for receiving the male connector; the male and female connectors having abutting faces (36 and 4) abutting on each other by magnetic force when the inner connector (20) and the female connector (A) are engaged with each other, at least one of the abutting faces being made of magnet (35). The male and female connectors can constitute a provisional locking structure before substantial magnetic adsorption force due to proximity of the male and female connectors. The male and female connectors are coupled to each other to connect terminals mounted in the male and female connectors to each other. Even if a strong magnet is used to couple relatively large connectors with each other, they can be separated by small force.

Abstract: A breaker device excellent in safety and contained in a compact casing. In a casing 1, a pair of fixed electrodes 11a, 11b is projected, and a movable electrode 31, which is fitted with and detached from the fixed electrodes, is arranged. A handle 40 is inclinably supported by a supporting shaft 45. On the top surface of an upper casing 3, a pair of poles 70 is erected, and rectangular solid sliding projections 71 are projected, while guiding grooves 73 are formed in side faces of the handle 40. In each of the guiding grooves 73, an arc-shaped portion allowing the sliding projection 71 to rotate about the supporting shaft 45 is provided at an upper end of a linear portion which allows the sliding projection 71 only to slide therealong. When the movable electrode 31 is inserted with the handle being erected, the sliding projections are guided by the linear portions, while the handle 40, maintained in an erected state, is inserted.

Abstract: A first connector of a pair of connectors fitted has a shell accommodating a second connector of the connectors. By fitting both connectors, female terminals and male terminals are connected to each other. The second connector includes an outer case removably inserted in the shell, an inner case incorporated in the outer case and inserting female terminals therein, a cylindrical body accommodated rotatably in the outer case, and a locking member with an operating lever formed on the cylindrical body. An abutting-on portion in the cylindrical body on the side of the shell has a first magnetic substance. Another abutting-on portion in the shell on the side of the cylindrical body has a second magnetic substance having a polarity opposite to that of the first magnetic substance.

Abstract: A ground structure for a shield wire that can withstand a pulling force to a certain degree includes notches formed through a peripheral wall of a housing defining a tubular member. Spring pieces are mounted respectively in the notches and project from the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the housing. The housing is received in a shield cap, which is connected to a metal casing. When a shield wire, having an exposed braided wire exposed, is passed through the bore of the housing, the spring pieces contact the shield wire at the inner periphery of the housing and the shield cap at the outer periphery of the housing. Therefore, the braided wire and the metal casing are electrically connected together. Also, the shield wire is movable in an axial direction, so that the shield wire will not be broken even if a pulling force acts on the shield wire.