Abstract: A power feeding system of the present disclosure includes a control unit. In a case where a magnitude of supply destination power is smaller than an upper limit value of the power supply capability of the power source, the control unit controls the charge/discharge control circuit so as to meet the supply destination power based on power output from the power source, and to charge the storage battery with power which is a difference obtained by subtracting the supply destination power from the upper limit value of the power supply capability of the power source. In a case where the magnitude of the supply destination power is more than or equal to the upper limit value of the power supply capability of the power source, the control unit controls the charge/discharge control circuit so as to meet the supply destination power by both the power source and the storage battery.

Abstract: A power feeding system of the present disclosure includes a control unit. In a case where a magnitude of supply destination power is smaller than an upper limit value of the power supply capability of the power source, the control unit controls the charge/discharge control circuit so as to meet the supply destination power based on power output from the power source, and to charge the storage battery with power which is a difference obtained by subtracting the supply destination power from the upper limit value of the power supply capability of the power source. In a case where the magnitude of the supply destination power is more than or equal to the upper limit value of the power supply capability of the power source, the control unit controls the charge/discharge control circuit so as to meet the supply destination power by both the power source and the storage battery.

Abstract: A method includes discharging an assembled battery (10) formed of a plurality of batteries until a state of charge (SOC) of the assembled battery becomes smaller or equal to a lower limit of a predetermined normal use range used in charge and discharge control of the assembled battery, measuring the discharge capacity of each of a plurality of battery blocks in the discharge of the assembled battery, the plurality of batteries being divided into the plurality of battery blocks, calculating the capacity difference in the discharge capacity among the plurality of battery blocks, and determining the remaining life of the battery block or the assembled battery based on the calculated capacity difference.

Abstract: A method for reusing a secondary battery by reusing unit cells or battery modules constituting reclaimed assembled batteries (or battery packs) to reconstruct a new assembled battery is disclosed. Assembled batteries are reclaimed, and disassembled into battery modules. The battery modules are selected based on battery characteristics such as an open-circuit voltage (OCV) and the like using an absolute acceptable range and a relative acceptable range, and a new assembled battery is rebuilt. The relative acceptable range is an acceptable range which is set for each assembled battery, and is set to have its center at an average value of a battery characteristic distribution.

Abstract: A method includes discharging an assembled battery (10) formed of a plurality of batteries until a state of charge (SOC) of the assembled battery becomes smaller or equal to a lower limit of a predetermined normal use range used in charge and discharge control of the assembled battery, measuring the discharge capacity of each of a plurality of battery blocks in the discharge of the assembled battery, the plurality of batteries being divided into the plurality of battery blocks, calculating the capacity difference in the discharge capacity among the plurality of battery blocks, and determining the remaining life of the battery block or the assembled battery based on the calculated capacity difference.

Abstract: A power supply device that enables completion of precharging to be accurately determined without increasing manufacturing cost. The power supply device includes a battery pack, a positive main contactor, a precharge contactor, and a precharge resistor. The battery pack supplies DC power to an inverter. A smoothing capacitor is arranged between input terminals of the inverter. The positive main contact disconnects the inverter from a positive electrode of the battery pack. A voltmeter detects the voltage between a negative electrode of the battery pack and a connection node of the precharge contactor and precharge resistor. Voltage detection values taken by the voltmeter immediately before precharging and during precharging are used to determine precharging completion.

Abstract: A method for reusing a secondary battery by reusing unit cells or battery modules constituting reclaimed assembled batteries (or battery packs) to reconstruct a new assembled battery is disclosed. Assembled batteries are reclaimed, and disassembled into battery modules. The battery modules are selected based on battery characteristics such as an open-circuit voltage (OCV) and the like using an absolute acceptable range and a relative acceptable range, and a new assembled battery is rebuilt. The relative acceptable range is an acceptable range which is set for each assembled battery, and is set to have its center at an average value of a battery characteristic distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus, which controls the temperature of a secondary battery formed by combination of a plurality of single cells or a plurality of battery modules each made by series connection of multiple single cells, prevents variations in the temperature or voltage of the single cells or the battery modules, which could otherwise be caused when the secondary battery is heated. A temperature control section controls the quantity of heat by means of which a heater heats a secondary battery formed by combination of a plurality of battery modules made by series connection of multiple single cells. The temperature control section detects a rate of temporal changes in an open circuit voltage of the secondary battery. When a detected rate of temporal changes in open circuit voltage has exceeded a predetermined threshold voltage value, the heater is controlled to thus diminish the quantity of heat used for heating the secondary battery.

Abstract: A power unit including a plurality of series-connected battery modules and safety circuit wherein a service plug is inserted from the side of a terminal board of a battery pack, thereby establishing an electrical connection among battery modules. A connector is provided on a back of a terminal cover by way of a projecting section, and a second safety switch is activated by attachment of a terminal cover and insertion of the connector to the terminal board, thereby establishing an electrical connection among the battery modules. Even when the service plug is attached at the time of completion of maintenance without attachment of the terminal cover, the battery modules are still kept in an unconnected state by means of a second switch, and energization, which would otherwise arise with exposed terminals, is prevented.

Abstract: A power unit including a plurality of series-connected battery modules and a safety circuit. A service plug is inserted from the side of a terminal board of a battery pack, thereby establishing an electrical connection among battery modules. A connector is provided on a back of a terminal cover by way of a projecting section, and a second safety switch is activated by attachment of a terminal cover and insertion of the connector to the terminal board, thereby establishing an electrical connection among the battery modules. Even when the service plug is attached at the time of completion of maintenance without attachment of the terminal cover, the battery modules are still kept in an unconnected state by means of a second switch, and energization, which would otherwise arise with exposed terminals, is prevented.

Abstract: A power supply device that enables completion of precharging to be accurately determined without increasing manufacturing cost. The power supply device includes a battery pack, a positive main contactor, a precharge contactor, and a precharge resistor. The battery pack supplies DC power to an inverter. A smoothing capacitor is arranged between input terminals of the inverter. The positive main contact disconnects the inverter from a positive electrode of the battery pack. A voltmeter detects the voltage between a negative electrode of the battery pack and a connection node of the precharge contactor and precharge resistor. Voltage detection values taken by the voltmeter immediately before precharging and during precharging are used to determine precharging completion.

Abstract: An apparatus, which controls the temperature of a secondary battery formed by combination of a plurality of single cells or a plurality of battery modules each made by series connection of multiple single cells, prevents variations in the temperature or voltage of the single cells or the battery modules, which could otherwise be caused when the secondary battery is heated. A temperature control section controls the quantity of heat by means of which a heater heats a secondary battery formed by combination of a plurality of battery modules made by series connection of multiple single cells. The temperature control section detects a rate of temporal changes in an open circuit voltage of the secondary battery. When a detected rate of temporal changes in open circuit voltage has exceeded a predetermined threshold voltage value, the heater is controlled to thus diminish the quantity of heat used for heating the secondary battery.

Abstract: A battery ECU reduces temperature variations and voltage variations, which would otherwise be caused at the time of heating of a secondary battery. The battery ECU activates a heater, to thus perform heating, when the temperature of the secondary battery is lower than a predetermined lower-limit temperature. The battery ECU calculates temperature variations ?T or open circuit voltage variations ?V achieved after heating operation, and compares the variations with a predetermined allowable threshold value. When the temperature variations ?T or the voltage variations ?V exceed a predetermined allowable threshold value, the battery ECU stops heating operation of the heater or commands so as to diminish the amount of heat to be generated, thereby attempting to render the temperature uniform.

Abstract: A power supply controller apparatus is provided for use in a power supply apparatus including a battery assembly. The power supply controller apparatus includes a controller that controls supplying power to a load from said battery assembly through a capacitor connected between first and second contactors by turning on and off each of contactors. The controller detects whether or not each contactor is welded based on an output signal from one output terminal of both ends of the capacitor, when the each contactor is controlled to be turned off and an AC signal is applied to one input terminal of (a) one end of the battery assembly, (b) the other end of the battery assembly, and (c) each connection point between secondary batteries of the battery assembly.

Abstract: A power supply controller apparatus is provided for use in a power supply apparatus including a battery assembly. The power supply controller apparatus includes a controller that controls supplying power to a load from said battery assembly through a capacitor connected between first and second contactors by turning on and off each of contactors. The controller detects whether or not each contactor is welded based on an output signal from one output terminal of both ends of the capacitor, when the each contactor is controlled to be turned off and an AC signal is applied to one input terminal of (a) one end of the battery assembly, (b) the other end of the battery assembly, and (c) each connection point between secondary batteries of the battery assembly.