Abstract: An electronic control unit includes a processor performing a process necessary for a charging control based on a pilot signal, an input circuit disposed in a stage preceding an input port of the processor, and a pseudo-signal supply circuit supplying a pseudo-pilot signal to a pilot signal line under the control of the processor, and the processor performs a malfunction diagnosis for the input circuit based on a signal state of the input port when controlling the pseudo-signal supply circuit to supply the pseudo-pilot signal to the pilot signal line.

Abstract: A battery charger is disclosed that is configured to be connected to an external battery by way of external battery cables. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the battery charger is configured with automatic voltage detection which automatically determines the nominal voltage of the battery connected to its battery charger terminals and charges the battery as a function of the detected nominal voltage irrespective of the nominal voltage selected by a user. Various safeguards are built into the battery charger to avoid overcharging a battery. For battery chargers with user-selectable nominal battery voltage charging modes, battery charger is configured to over-ride a user-selected battery voltage mode if it detects that the battery connected to the battery charger terminals is different than the user-selected charging mode.

Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a motor, a clutch and an air conditioner, the engine and the motor being connected to each other via the clutch, the air conditioner having a compressor driven by the engine, has a controller. The hybrid vehicle has an EV mode in which the engine is disconnected from the motor by release of the clutch, and an HEV mode in which the engine rotates together with the motor by engagement of the clutch. The controller is configured to execute a diagnosis of whether the clutch is in a released state during selection of the EV mode. When the HEV mode is selected in response to an operation request for the air conditioner, the controller temporality switches the running mode to the EV mode based on a running history of the hybrid vehicle in a stop state of the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: A system for charging an electrical storage device includes a motor drive, a DC link electrically coupled to the motor drive, and a first leg coupled to the DC link that includes a first power switch coupled in series with a second power switch via a first node. A first inductor is coupled to the first node, and a first energy storage device (ESD) is electrically coupled to the first inductor. A second leg is coupled to the DC link that includes a third power switch coupled in series with a fourth power switch via a second node. A charging circuit includes a transformer coupled to the first and second nodes. A second ESD is coupled to receive charging energy from the transformer, and a controller is configured to cause a first voltage mismatch between the first and second nodes to generate the charging energy.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing transportation includes an electric vehicle having a battery, an electric motor, a transceiver, and a battery manager. The battery manager includes a controller configured to control flow of charge between said battery and the electric motor at least in part in response to information received by the transceiver.

Abstract: Technical problem to be solved is to provide an energy receiving port device 3 which makes movement of a supply gun 10 to a removing direction during energy supplying impossible only by a lid 5 for opening and closing a receiving port part 4, and improve a situation in which the receiving port part 5 is widely opened during the supplying. The lid 5 for opening and closing the receiving port part 4 comprises a first lid 5a and a second lid 5b that form a plane lid when the lids are closed. An opening and closing device 6a of the first lid 5a and an opening and closing device 6b of the second lid 5b are provided. The supply gun 10 connected to the receiving port 8 is pinched by the first lid 5a and the second lid 5b to make a movement in a removing direction of the supply gun 10 impossible.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing power, the apparatus having a housing; a battery module positioned inside of the housing, the battery module having: a battery, a battery circuit board coupled to the battery and an ignition output port coupled to the battery circuit board; a circuit board positioned inside of the housing and coupled to the battery module, the circuit board having: a charge module, a discharge module, a lighting module and a control module coupled to the charge module, the discharge module and the lighting module; a light source coupled to the circuit board; and wherein the apparatus is configured to provide sufficient power to jump start a vehicle.

Abstract: A power control apparatus includes: a power supply device including multiple power supply elements; a power consumption device; a battery independently arranged from the power supply device and the power consumption device; a supply and consumption balance adjustment device for controlling the power supply device and the battery to supply the electric power to the power consumption device; a prediction device for predicting electric power supply from at least a part of multiple power supply elements and electric power consumption of the power consumption device; a guard value setting device for setting a guard value of a charging and discharging operation of the battery according to a prediction result of the prediction device; and an output device for outputting the guard value to the supply and consumption balance adjustment device.

Abstract: An electric charger resource sharing method and system comprise a charger that supplies electrical energy to a plurality of electric vehicles. The charger includes a robotic arm that articulates to be proximal to each of the electric vehicles for supplying the electrical energy to the electric vehicles and a docking interface at a distal end of the robotic arm that couples with a receptacle on each of the electric vehicles for transferring the electrical energy from the charger to the electric vehicles. A resource management device receives a bid from each electric vehicle, and allocates a portion of the electrical energy for a predetermined period of time to an electric vehicle of the plurality of electric vehicles in response to the bid of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A battery system for a motor vehicle includes at least one starting circuit, a low-voltage on-board supply system, and an on-board supply system with an increased voltage. The on-board supply system with increased voltage is connected to the low-voltage on-board supply system by a first coupling unit used to draw electrical energy from the on-board supply system with increased voltage and to supply said energy to the low-voltage on-board supply system. The low-voltage supply system is connected to the starter circuit by a second coupling unit used to draw electrical energy from the low-voltage on-board supply system and to supply said energy to the starter circuit.

Abstract: A contact charging circuit composed of a charging inlet and a charger receives electric power from an outside power source via a charging cable. A non-contact charging circuit composed of a power reception unit, a rectifier, and a sensor unit receives electric power from an outside power source in a non-contact manner. A first communication device communicates contact charging information about power reception by the contact charging circuit with a third communication device of a power supply apparatus. A second communication device communicates non-contact charging information about power reception by the non-contact charging circuit with a fourth communication device of the power supply apparatus.

Abstract: A hybrid-electric vehicle includes a traction battery. A controller may operate the traction battery within certain state of charge and voltage limits. The controller may define a minimum operating voltage or state of charge below which no power may be requested from the traction battery. The minimum voltage and state of charge may be based on an electrical resistance of the traction battery. The voltage may also be based on a minimum power level required to crank the engine while meeting emissions standards. As the battery ages, the minimum voltage level may be adjusted such that the minimum power level is available at the minimum voltage level.

Abstract: A method of thermally pre-conditioning a vehicle's battery pack prior to vehicle departure is provided. The system, after determining that the vehicle is off and/or the driver has left the car, monitors a variety of conditions corresponding to both the vehicle and the driver in order to determine the probability of the driver requiring near-term use of the car. Typical monitored conditions may include driver and vehicle location, driver proximity, time of day, day of week, driver's upcoming appointments, and a historical data base that tracks driver behavior. Once the probability that the car will be needed within a preset time period exceeds a preset level, the system determines whether the battery pack should be heated or cooled based on the current battery pack temperature, and then activates an appropriate thermal management system.

Abstract: A chassis for an electric vehicle is disclosed that functions as a heat sink to cool an electric motor and motor controller of the electric vehicle. The chassis includes one or more tubes that are connected to an inner surface of the chassis. As coolant fluid flows through the tubes, heat from the coolant is dissipated into the chassis.

Abstract: An inductive charging coil assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly comprises a first base plate including at least one first coil thereon for receiving magnetic flux to charge a vehicle battery. The assembly further comprises a second base plate including at least one second coil having a top surface thereof that forms an elevated portion to focus the magnetic flux to the at least one first coil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for transmitting wireless power to at least one wireless power receiver. The apparatus includes a communication unit that receives power management information from the at least one wireless power receiver, wherein the power management information includes a power capacity of each of the at least one wireless power receiver; and a controller that analyzes the power management information and determines whether an output capacity of the wireless power transmitter is greater than a total sum of the power capacities of the at least one wireless power receiver.

Abstract: A network-controlled charge transfer device for transferring charge between a local power grid and an electric vehicle is mounted to a street light. The charge transfer device includes the following: an electrical receptacle to receive an electrical connector for connection to the electric vehicle; an electric power line that couples the power grid to the electrical receptacle through a wiring box; a control device to switch the receptacle on and off; a current measuring device to measure current flowing through the electric power line; and a controller to operate the control device and to monitor output from the current measuring device.

Abstract: A safety system for vehicles for reducing the danger of an electric shock from a battery is described, wherein the safety system is arranged on the outside of the vehicle and has an operator control area and a charging plug-in location with an operating plug. It is characteristic that the operating plug and the charging plug-in location are combined with one another outside the vehicle and are embodied in such a way that removing the operating plug causes the voltage of the vehicle to be disconnected. In addition, the disclosure relates to a motor vehicle which contains such a battery and to a method for reducing the danger of an electric shock from a battery, which method serves to implement the battery according to the disclosure.

Abstract: A connecting apparatus for mounting on a vehicle or charging station, providing an electrical connection between the station and vehicle for charging an storage device of the vehicle, comprising: a contacting head for transferring electrical energy; at least one alignment device for coupling the contacting head to a receiver; a detector configured to determine a position of the receiver; and a control unit for aligning the contacting head and receiver; and wherein the alignment device includes a horizontal positioner; a pivoter for pivoting a contacting post carrying the contacting head from a parking position to a substantially vertical position; and a vertical positioner for telescoping the contacting post to adapt its length. The horizontal and vertical positioners, and pivoter performing an alignment movement independent from the others.

Abstract: An energy storage system comprising at least one energy storage module adapted to supply electrical energy to a hybrid vehicle. The energy storage module comprises a primary enclosure, at least one battery array located within the primary enclosure, and an energy storage controller module located within the primary. The energy storage controller module is further connected to a hybrid control module of the hybrid vehicle by a low voltage connecter. A high voltage junction box is attached to a first end of the primary enclosure and having a plurality of high voltage connection terminals. At least one of the high voltage connection terminals is configured to receive a high voltage conductor connected between the energy storage module and an inverter of the hybrid vehicle. When multiple energy storage modules are used in conjunction, one module functions as a master module and one module functions as a slave module.

Abstract: A chassis for an electric vehicle is disclosed that functions as a heat sink to cool an electric motor and motor controller of the electric vehicle. The chassis includes one or more tubes that are connected to an inner surface of the chassis. As coolant fluid flows through the tubes, heat from the coolant is dissipated into the chassis.

Abstract: A portable power station including a current, light, and voltage sources as well as a control panel to permit a user to selectively operate the current and light sources. A housing contains the sources and is suitable to contain a main power source that has positionally fixed and polarized power terminals. The housing includes positionally fixed attachment posts to which the polarized conductors of the sources are electrically connected, and which are suitable for electrical connection of the polarized power terminals of the main power source.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention contemplate using the communication infrastructure represented by a network of telematics units communicatively coupled to a telematics service provider (TSP) to implement procedures designed to curtail the load placed on electricity suppliers by electric vehicles during periods of critically high demand for electricity. The present invention contemplates monitoring charging related information for multiple electric vehicles through the telematics units in those vehicles. The invention further contemplates a request from an energy utility for a response to a critically high demand for electricity and the execution of a demand response program (DRP). The DRPs involve aggregating information from a fleet of the electrically powered vehicles, processing the aggregated information, and issuing instructions to one or more vehicles in the fleet that cause the one or more vehicles to reduce the load they are placing on electricity suppliers through their charging activities.

Abstract: A compact battery charger for charging a battery comprising: a microprocessor; a set of terminals operatively coupled to said microprocessor and configured to electrically couple with an automotive battery; and an internal lithium ion battery, wherein the internal lithium ion battery is a lithium ion battery, wherein a single-ended primary-inductor converter may be configured to receive an input voltage of 5 VDC to 20 VDC and output a predetermined DC charge voltage to said internal lithium ion battery.

Abstract: A power delivery system for an electric vehicle provides efficient power management for either continuous or intermittent high-performance operation, using a boost stage and an on-board charging circuit. A main battery, configured as a high-capacity power source, supplies power to the electric motor under normal load conditions. An auxiliary boost battery assists the main battery in supplying a high-level current at a higher discharge rate thereby causing the motor to operate in a high-performance drive mode. A charging circuit recharges the boost battery from the main battery during operation of the motor. The charging circuit also maintains a charge balance between the boost battery and the main battery when the two batteries have different chemistries. In one embodiment, participation of the boost battery in powering the electric motor can be controlled automatically according to sensed changes in the load. In another embodiment, power management can be based on timed intervals.

Abstract: A dynamic battery emulator for replacing and mimicking the characteristics of a battery in a portable electronic device when the device is located in or on a vehicle can include a power control module capable of varying its output voltage to adapt to the voltage requirements of an attached portable electronic device; an input for conveying electrical power from the vehicle's electrical system to the power control module; an output for providing electrical power to the portable electronic device; an output for communicating a control signal from the power adaptor to the portable electronic device to selectively turn on and off the portable electronic device; a battery replacement module configured to replace the battery in a portable electronic device and including battery replacement circuitry for transferring electrical power from the power control module to the portable electronic device via the output for providing electrical power; an ignition sense controller for determining the power state of the vehicl

Abstract: A shovel includes a lower traveling body; an upper rotating body provided on the lower traveling body; an electrical energy storage device provided on the upper rotating body; a converter connected to the electrical energy storage device; and a controller that controls the converter. The controller applies a current to the electrical energy storage device and the converter at the time of starting up the shovel, detects the status value after having applied the current, and controls the converter based on a comparison result between the detected status value and a predetermined value to restrict an output of the electrical energy storage device.

Abstract: A portable electric vehicle support equipment (EVSE) kit is provided consisting of an EVSE cord and an interface tool providing external access to a serial port through the control pilot conductor.

Abstract: A triggerable power transmitter for power transmission from a primary coil to an inductively coupled secondary coil in a power receiver has a primary coil; a driver for electrically driving the primary coil; a front end receiving analog signal indicative of resonance properties of the primary coil and generating digital information in response to the analog signal; and a processor capable of: determining if said primary coil is coupled to a secondary coil based on the digital information, and triggering power from the primary coil to said secondary coil when said primary coil is inductively coupled to said secondary coil. The effective inductance of the primary coil increases reducing the resonance frequency when a secondary coil is inductively coupled to the primary coil. However, foreign material such as a metal sheet placed on the primary coil increases the effective resistance thus shortening the decay time of the resonance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems relating to electric vehicle charging stations (“EVCSs”) and electric vehicle supply equipment (“EVSE”) that are configured to display advertisements to a user. For example, in one embodiment, advertisements are displayed on a display device of the EVCS or EVSE as the EVCS or EVSE awaits user interaction. An indication is received of user interaction with the EVCS or EVSE. A transaction is facilitated between a user and the EVCS or EVSE by which the user indicates that one or more electric vehicle batteries of an electric vehicle are to be charged via one of one or more charging ports of the EVCS or EVSE. A charging operation is performed that provides an electric charge to the one or more electric vehicle batteries of the electric vehicle via the one of the one or more charging ports.

Abstract: A battery monitoring and control integrated circuit is connected to a cell group having a plurality of series-connected single cells for monitoring and controlling the single cells, and includes: a first start input terminal for connecting to a DC signal generation circuit which generates a DC signal based on an AC start signal input from the outside; a start detection unit which detects the DC signal and activates the battery monitoring and control integrated circuit; and a start output unit which outputs the AC start signal to the outside after the activation of the battery monitoring and control integrated circuit.

Abstract: A wireless power charging device and method for mobile equipment is provided. The wireless power charging device for mobile equipment includes: a signal oscillating unit receiving power from a power supply unit and oscillating a signal; a power signal generating unit generating a power signal by resonating with a signal oscillated by the signal oscillating unit; and a charging unit storing the generated power signal and supplying power to the mobile equipment on the basis of the stored power signal.

Abstract: A storage capacity management system for a battery provided in a vehicle having an electric motor as a drive source includes a deteriorated state estimating unit that estimates a deteriorated state of the battery, a zone setting unit that sets a storage capacity where the battery can be used into a plurality of zones in accordance with a deteriorated state of the battery, a charged state calculating unit that calculates a charged state of the battery, a zone determination unit that determines to which zone of the plurality of zones set by the zone setting unit the charged state of the battery belongs, and a control instructing unit that instructs to execute a control associated with the charge or discharge of the battery in accordance with the zone determined by the zone determination unit.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter.

Abstract: A light vehicle is provided with a drive train that is powered by an electric motor. The electric motor receives power from a battery and may also receive power from an onboard generator. The onboard generator is a rapid charge generator that provides a direct current (DC) signal to provide a rapid charge to the battery while the light vehicle is either stationary or moving. The light vehicle may also be equipped with a vehicle management system that controls the charge and discharge of the battery. The vehicle management system may also monitor and control the operation of the on-board rapid charge generator and the electric motor.

Abstract: An exemplary battery charge monitoring method includes, among other things, calculating expected charge data for a battery using at least a capacity of the battery and a charge rate, and comparing actual charge data to the expected charge data to identify differences between the actual charge data and the expected charge data.

Abstract: An electronic control unit includes a pilot voltage setting circuit that changes a voltage of a pilot signal in a stepwise manner, a processor that controls the pilot voltage setting circuit to change the voltage of the pilot signal, an input buffer that is disposed in a stage preceding a pilot signal input port of the processor, and an input buffer voltage setting circuit that changes an input voltage of the input buffer so as to be within a recommended input voltage range of the input buffer based on the change in the voltage of the pilot signal.

Abstract: Prevention of interference between an electric wire and a terminal in a wiring part, and downsizing of the wiring part are achieved. A battery connection member, includes a plurality of housings accommodating a bus bar connecting in series a plurality of batteries, and one or more terminals electrically connected to the bus bar; and a wiring part arranged in parallel along the plurality of housings in a direction intersecting a connecting direction of the electric wire relative to the terminals. The wiring part includes: a communication part formed to communicate with inside the wiring part, and positioning an end of a swaging part of the terminal therein; and an electric wire protection part continuing to the communication part, projecting toward inside the wiring part, and formed to prevent contact of the terminal positioned inside the communication part and the electric wire connected to the other terminal.

Abstract: Frequent charging/discharging to an electric energy storage element is suppressed for energy saving and longer lifetime. A transmission-line-side power converter device converts power from a transmission line, and supplies DC power to a feeder line connected to an electric energy storage element. An output current controller connected with a line voltage detector detects the feeder line voltage, and a charging rate detector detects a charging rate of the electric energy storage element. A control table sets charging/discharging start voltages and current saturated voltages based on the detected line voltage and charging rate. The output current controller controls the electric energy storage element to discharge at a high line voltage as the charging rate increase, to suppress charging the electric energy storage element at the low line voltage, and makes discharging difficult at the low line voltage to facilitate charging at the low line voltage as the charging rate decreases.

Abstract: Portable communication devices and methods for use in charging an electrically powered vehicle are disclosed. One example portable communication device includes a first input device configured to scan an optical machine-readable code associated with the charging station, a display device, and a processor coupled to the first input and display devices and configured to determine an identification number of a charging station based on an optical machine-readable code scanned by the first input device, to initiate communication with the charging station through at least one network, and to cause the display device to display a user interface, the user interface including content associated with the charging station.

Abstract: Provided is a charging apparatus for vehicles which charges a vehicle provided with a charging control circuit via a charging cable, comprising a charging control device which controls electrical charging to the vehicle by transmitting a charging control signal to the charging control circuit on the vehicle side, a charging control signal transmission restricting device which restricts transmission of the charging control signal, and a resetting device which forcibly resets the charging control signal when said restriction on transmission of the charging control signal is withdrawn.

Abstract: After discharging has been stopped, a transient response component of the voltage remaining in the cell unit is calculated as an initial remaining voltage value (VDIFF) from the difference between the measured voltage value (CCVOFF[tC1]) and the open-circuit voltage value (OCVON:EST[tC0]). The open-circuit voltage value is thereafter estimated on the basis of the initial remaining voltage value, a predetermined time constant, and the measured voltage value during the interval in which discharge is stopped, with consideration given to the fact that the transient response component attenuates with a predetermined time constant.

Abstract: An on-board battery charger is provided that senses a voltage value of power input from a charging facility when the charging facility is connected to charge the batteries and receives a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal of a current value of the power from the charging facility. In addition, the charger calculates an output voltage value to be output to the batteries using the sensed voltage value of the input power and an output current value to be output to the batteries using a duty value of the received PWM signal. The charger transmits the calculated output voltage and current values to a cooperating battery management system (BMS). The BMS calculates an estimated charging time using the transmitted output voltage and current values, and information regarding the calculated estimated charging time is transmitted to an external charging facility.

Abstract: A battery pack that has a configuration in which a plurality of secondary battery cells are connected in series at time of discharge and are connected in parallel at time of charge, and that has a configuration and a structure with which the charge and the discharge are allowed to be performed without any trouble even if an abnormal-state secondary battery cell exists is provided. A battery pack 10 includes a plurality of secondary battery cells 21 and a control circuit 11. Under control of the control circuit 11, the plurality of secondary battery cells 21 are connected in series at time of discharge, and are connected in parallel at time of charge.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery. The battery includes a contactless communication control block configured to execute contactless communication as a transponder and a reader/writer which are based on electromagnetic induction. The battery further includes an antenna configured to execute the contactless communication as the transponder; and an antenna configured to execute the contactless communication as the reader/writer. The battery further includes a battery control block configured to control a charge operation of a cell block. The contactless communication control block communicates, in a contactless manner, a charge state of the cell block supplied from the battery control block.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle having an idle stop function includes a measurement unit that measures the characteristic of a battery provided in the vehicle, an identification unit that identifies the type of the battery based on the measured characteristic, and a control unit that stops the idle stop function in a case where the identified type of the battery indicates that the battery is not for an idle-stop vehicle, and permits execution of the idle stop function in a case where the execution of the idle stop function is permitted by an input of a predetermined signal from an external terminal even when the identified type of the battery indicates that the battery is not for the idle-stop vehicle.

Abstract: A deep-discharge protection method for protecting a battery of a parking motor vehicle is shown. In this case, a state of charge of the battery is regularly monitored by a battery control unit and is transmitted to an evaluation unit. When a predefined state of charge of the battery is reached, a message is transmitted from a communication unit to a stored address by mobile radio and/or information acquired using a sensor system is used by the evaluation unit to determine whether a situation of the motor vehicle is suitable for autonomous recharging of the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle charge system has a connection cable to supply power from an outside power supply, such as a commercial power supply, a driving battery, an auxiliary battery, a driving battery charge apparatus, and an auxiliary battery charge apparatus. When a voltage across the auxiliary battery is below a predetermined constant value, power from the outside power supply is supplied to a control circuit of the auxiliary battery charge apparatus, so that the auxiliary battery charge apparatus charges the auxiliary battery on its own without being controlled by a charge control portion.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and a method for wirelessly charging the mobile terminal are provided. The method includes searching for a wirelessly rechargeable mobile terminal; receiving, upon finding a wirelessly rechargeable mobile terminal, power state information from the found rechargeable mobile terminal; setting the mobile terminal as one of a power supplying terminal and a power receiving terminal based on the received power state information; and performing a power charging operation with the found rechargeable mobile terminals according to the setting.

Abstract: An apparatus for rapid charging using onboard power electronics includes a DC bus, a first energy storage device coupled to the DC bus and configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional voltage modification assembly coupled to the DC bus, and a high-impedance voltage source coupleable to the DC bus. The apparatus further includes a charging system having a first receptacle coupled to the DC bus and a second receptacle coupled to the first bi-directional voltage modification assembly. The first receptacle is constructed to mate with a first connector coupled to the high-impedance voltage source and the second receptacle is constructed to mate with a second connector coupled to the high-impedance voltage source. A controller is programmed to control a simultaneous transfer of charging energy through the first and second receptacles of the charging system to the DC bus.