Abstract: A charging apparatus includes a plurality of batteries, a changeover relay that can be changed over between a first state where the plurality of the batteries are connected in series to one another and a second state where the plurality of the batteries are connected in parallel to one another, an electric storage device, a main relay that is provided between the electric storage device and an electric load of a vehicle, and a control device that controls the opening/closing of the changeover relay. The control device renders the changeover relay in the first state when the main relay is in an open state.

Abstract: A power-supply apparatus includes: an energy storage unit including energy storage modules; switches conducting or shutting off a current and switching a connection state of the storage modules; a voltage control unit switching a voltage of the energy storage unit; drive units, connected to the energy storage unit in series, driving respective external rotating electrical machines; and a capacitor connected to the drive units. Further, the power-supply apparatus includes a control unit that, when the voltage control unit switches the voltages of the energy storage unit, supplies electric power regenerated in the drive units to the capacitor and discharges the capacitor, and after an absolute value of a voltage difference between a post-switching voltage of the energy storage unit and a voltage of the capacitor is less than a predetermined value, controls so that the post-switching voltage of the energy storage unit is applied to the capacitor.

Abstract: A power supply device includes 1 to N-th power storage modules, a first switch group, a second switch group, and a third switch group. 1st to N-th first switch mechanisms are connected respectively between the 1st to N-th power storage modules and the positive electrode-side input output unit. 1st to N-th second switch mechanisms are connected respectively between the 1st to N-th power storage modules and the negative electrode-side input output unit. 1st to N-1-th third switch mechanisms are connected respectively between positive electrodes of the 1st to N-1-th power storage modules and negative electrodes of the 2nd to N-th power storage modules. An N-th third switch mechanism is connected between a positive electrode of an N-th power storage module and a negative electrode of the 1st power storage module.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle includes electric power lines through which electric power supplied from external charger flows, an electric power storage device electrically connected to the electric power lines, a charging circuit electrically connected to the electric power lines, and an electronic control unit. The electric power storage device is configured to be charged with the electric power from the external charger. The charging circuit is configured to charge the electric power storage device in either a first state or a second state. The electronic control unit is configured to acquire charger information indicating information related to electric power to be suppliable from the external charger, generate the command by using the acquired charger information, and output the command to the charging circuit.

Abstract: A power storage apparatus includes a plurality of spacers. The plurality of spacers is alternately stacked with the power storage devices. Each of the spacers defines a space through which cooling air flows. The spacers include first spacer and second spacer. The first spacer is a spacer disposed between the end plate and one of the plural power storage devices that is located adjacent to the end plate. The first spacer includes guide member. The guide member is arranged in a circumference of the opening of at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port so as to narrow the opening.

Abstract: ECU executes program including the steps of turning on an overcharge tentative determination flag and performing limitation on Win in a case where a rising rate ?TB is higher than or equal to ?TB(0), and a current average value IBs is a value on a side of charging, and the steps of turning off the overcharge tentative determination flag and cancelling the limitation on Win in a case where the rising rate ?TB is lower than or equal to ?TB(1), or the current average value IBs exhibits a value on a side of discharging, and the steps of determining that a battery is in the overcharging state and executing a fail safe process in a case where the integrated value IBs of current from a time point at which the overcharge tentative determination flag is switched from an off-state to an on-state becomes greater than or equal to IBs(0).

Abstract: A power storage apparatus includes a plurality of spacers. The plurality of spacers is alternately stacked with the power storage devices. Each of the spacers defines a space through which cooling air flows. The spacers include first spacer and second spacer. The first spacer is a spacer disposed between the end plate and one of the plural power storage devices that is located adjacent to the end plate. The first spacer includes guide member. The guide member is arranged in a circumference of the opening of at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port so as to narrow the opening.

Abstract: A charging device for charging a battery (10) by an external power supply (2) includes a temperature sensor (46) for detecting the temperature of the battery, a charger (4) receiving electric power from the external power supply to charge the battery, and a control device (50) controlling the charger such that the battery is charged at a charging rate determined based on the temperature difference between a charging/discharging limitation start temperature and the battery temperature. Preferably, the control device (50) determines the charging rate based on the difference between the amount of charge corresponding to full charge of the battery (10) and the current remaining amount of charge, and the temperature difference. Preferably, the vehicle (100) on which the battery (10) is mounted repeatedly carries out charging and vehicle-running. The control device (50) determines the charging rate according to the temperature increase expected amount when the vehicle runs next time.

Abstract: When electric power exceeding output allowable power at an engine startup time is output from a power storage device, deviated from a predetermined period of time during which the output allowable power of the power storage device is switched, an ECU suppresses increase of the output allowable power for the next startup time of the engine. Specifically, the ECU modifies the output allowable power for the next startup time of the engine from a first value to a second value lower than the first value, based on a period of time before deviation is eliminated.

Abstract: ECU executes program including the steps of turning on an overcharge tentative determination flag and performing limitation on Win in a case where a rising rate ?TB is higher than or equal to ?TB(0), and a current average value IBs is a value on a side of charging, and the steps of turning off the overcharge tentative determination flag and cancelling the limitation on Win in a case where the rising rate ?TB is lower than or equal to ?TB(1), or the current average value IBs exhibits a value on a side of discharging, and the steps of determining that a battery is in the overcharging state and executing a fail safe process in a case where the integrated value IBs of current from a time point at which the overcharge tentative determination flag is switched from an off-state to an on-state becomes greater than or equal to IBs(0).

Abstract: A charging device for charging a battery (10) by an external power supply (2) includes a temperature sensor (46) for detecting the temperature of the battery, a charger (4) receiving electric power from the external power supply to charge the battery, and a control device (50) controlling the charger such that the battery is charged at a charging rate determined based on the temperature difference between a charging/discharging limitation start temperature and the battery temperature. Preferably, the control device (50) determines the charging rate based on the difference between the amount of charge corresponding to full charge of the battery (10) and the current remaining amount of charge, and the temperature difference. Preferably, the vehicle (100) on which the battery (10) is mounted repeatedly carries out charging and vehicle-running. The control device (50) determines the charging rate according to the temperature increase expected amount when the vehicle runs next time.

Abstract: When electric power exceeding output allowable power at an engine startup time is output from a power storage device, deviated from a predetermined period of time during which the output allowable power of the power storage device is switched, an ECU suppresses increase of the output allowable power for the next startup time of the engine. Specifically, the ECU modifies the output allowable power for the next startup time of the engine from a first value to a second value lower than the first value, based on a period of time before deviation is eliminated.

Abstract: An idle rotation speed Nidl of an engine is set to increase with an increase in actual vehicle speed V and with an increase in measured temperature Tb of a battery (step S160). The drive control of the invention controls the engine and two motors to idle the engine at the preset idle rotation speed Nidl and to ensure output of a required power corresponding to a torque demand Tr* to a drive shaft within a range between an input limit Win and an output limit Wout of the battery (steps S190 to S230). Such control enables the engine to have a high following capability and promptly change its output power level in response to a change in power demand P*, which is accompanied by an abrupt variation in torque demand Tr*. The technique of the invention thus desirably reduces the required level of charging or discharging of the battery, which is triggered by a response delay of the engine.

Abstract: An idle rotation speed Nid1 of an engine is set to increase with an increase in actual vehicle speed V and with an increase in measured temperature Tb of a battery (step S160). The drive control of the invention controls the engine and two motors to idle the engine at the preset idle rotation speed Nid1 and to ensure output of a required power corresponding to a torque demand Tr* to a drive shaft within a range between an input limit Win and an output limit Wout of the battery (steps S190 to S230). Such control enables the engine to have a high following capability and promptly change its output power level in response to a change in power demand P*, which is accompanied by an abrupt variation in torque demand Tr*. The technique of the invention thus desirably reduces the required level of charging or discharging of the battery, which is triggered by a response delay of the engine.