Abstract: A method is described for monitoring a charging process of a battery, in which cell voltages of a plurality of battery cells are measured at regular time intervals, and loading of the battery by a process of switching on an additional electrical load is prevented if the measured cell voltage of one battery cell exceeds a predetermined cell voltage threshold value. A motor vehicle is also described, which is configured to carry out the method according to the disclosure during a battery charging process. In addition, a battery system is described, in which a controller is configured to determine an estimated value as a function of measured battery parameters during a charging process of the battery. The estimated value corresponds to the maximum temperature in the battery if the charging process is continued without interruption.

Abstract: A cell balancing system includes comparators coupled to battery cells. The Kth comparator of the comparators compares a cell voltage for the Kth battery cell of the battery cells with a reference threshold. A result of the comparison includes information useful for identifying a subset of the battery cells that have reached the reference threshold. The cell balancing system also includes a controlling logic circuit, coupled to the comparators, that selects a battery cell from the subset of the battery cells and turns on a corresponding switch to discharge the selected battery cell.

Abstract: An assembled battery system includes an assembled battery including a plurality of electric cell blocks connected in series, the electric cell blocks each including at least one nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery provided with a negative electrode current collector formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a voltage measuring unit configured to measure a plurality of voltages of the electric cell blocks, a controller which controls charge/discharge of the assembled battery in accordance with the measured voltages, and bypass circuits connected in parallel to the electric cell blocks, the bypass circuits each bypassing a current that flows from a negative electrode of one of the electric cell blocks to a positive electrode of the one of electric cell blocks when the measured voltage of the one of electric cell blocks is a negative value not greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: Provided is a method for charging/discharging a battery pack having an auxiliary charging/discharging device and a battery assembly in which a plurality of secondary battery cell parallel modules, each of which includes a plurality of fasecondary battery cells connected in parallel, are connected in series, the method including, when there is no abnormality in the secondary battery cells during charging/discharging, connecting the auxiliary charging/discharging device in parallel to any of the secondary battery cell parallel modules, and when there is an abnormality in any of the secondary battery cells during charging/discharging, releasing connection to the secondary battery cell at which the abnormality has arisen in the secondary battery cell parallel module including the secondary battery cell at which the abnormality has arisen, and connecting the auxiliary charging/discharging device in parallel to the secondary battery cell parallel module including the secondary battery cell at which the abnormality

Abstract: A balancing circuit for balancing multiple cells in a battery. The cell balancing circuit includes a first shunt path connected in parallel to a first cell, a controller coupled to the first shunt path, a timer and a storage unit. The controller balances the cells and detects balance conditions of each cell. The timer measures pre-balance times and balance times for each cell. The storage unit stores the pre-balance times and balance times. The controller pre-balances the first cell by enabling the first shunt path for a first pre-balance time and balances the first cell by enabling the first shunt path for a first balance time if an unbalance condition of the first cell is detected by the controller, and updates the first pre-balance time for each balancing cycle based on the first pre-balance time and the first balance time from a previous balancing cycle.

Abstract: Bus bars (11) and (12) electrically connecting the positive and negative poles of adjacent unit batteries (1) and a detection circuit (13) configured to detect the voltage of the unit batteries (1) are integrally molded with resin into a bus bar module (10). One bus bar (11) of the bus bar module (10) connects the positive pole of one unit battery (1a) and the negative pole of a positive pole side unit battery (1b) situated on the positive pole side of the unit battery (1a) in the battery module; and the other bus bar (12) connected to the negative pole of the unit battery (1a) is connected to the positive pole of a negative pole side unit battery (1c) situated on the negative pole side of the unit battery (1a) in the battery module. The detection circuit (13) is arranged between the bus bar (11) and the bus bar (12), and detects the voltage of the unit battery (1a) and of the positive pole side unit battery (1b).

Abstract: A communication system includes: an assembled battery including a plurality of series connected battery packs having at least one storage battery cell; a battery management section adapted to manage the battery packs; and an optical line connected in daisy chain for use in communication between the battery management section and each of the battery packs.

Abstract: A battery ECU acquires open circuit voltages of a plurality of battery cells that are divided into a plurality of groups A, B, C using a plurality of detecting units, and calculates SOCs of the battery cells based on the open circuit voltages. Then, the battery ECU selects the group to which the battery cell having the largest SOC among the SOCs of the plurality of battery cells belongs, and selects the battery cell to be discharged in the selected group. A series circuit composed of a resistor and a switching element is connected in parallel with each battery cell. The battery ECU turns on the switching element corresponding to the selected battery cell. At this time, the battery cell is connected to the resistor, thus being discharged.

Abstract: Cell voltage equalizer includes voltage detection ICs configured to measure output voltages from cells, respectively; discharge circuits (40) provided to the respective cells, and configured to discharge the output voltages from the respective cells; and a main microcomputer (33 configured: to find a state of charge of a rechargeable battery (13) on the basis of the output voltages from the cells measured by the voltage detection ICs; to judge whether or not the state of charge is a predetermined level; to find differential values by subtracting a predetermined baseline voltage from the output voltages from the cells measured by the voltage detection ICs; and to equalize the output voltages if there exists a cell whose differential value is not less than a first voltage threshold value, by use of the corresponding discharge circuit (40).

Abstract: A rechargeable battery module including a plurality of battery cells connected in series, a charging transistor, a balancing circuit and a control chip. The charging transistor is operative to convey a charging current to charge the battery cells. Based on voltage levels of the battery cells, the control chip disables the charging transistor and controls the balancing circuit to perform a first stage battery balance process. After finishing the first stage battery balance process, the control chip enables the charging transistor to charge the battery cells again. After being switched to a constant voltage charging mode, the control chip controls the balancing circuit based on the voltage levels of the battery cells to perform a second stage battery balance process.

Abstract: A coil is electrically connected to one of storage cells to charge it, and after that, the coil is electrically connected to the other one thereof to charge it. In a first charging period, a path of a charging current flowing into a reference voltage through the coil is formed, in a second charging period, a path of a charging current flowing into a second cell from the coil is formed, in a third charging period, a path of a charging current flowing into the reference voltage through the coil is formed, and in a forth charging period, one end of the coil is electrically conducted with one end of the first cell and another end of the coil is electrically conducted with another end of the first cell to form a path of a charging current flowing into the first cell from the coil.

Abstract: A charging/discharging monitoring device of a battery pack, includes: a plurality of monitoring integrated circuits; a plurality of wiring boards on which the plurality of monitoring integrated circuits are mounted, respectively; and a plurality of signal transmission paths for, via corresponded respective capacitors, connecting between the plurality of wiring boards. The charging/discharging monitoring device is configured with a two-wire transmission path for connecting between terminals of an upstream-side monitoring integrated circuit of daisy chain connection and a downstream-side monitoring integrated circuit thereof, and a wire length of a wiring part which connects between the respective capacitors and terminals of the corresponding monitoring integrated circuits on the wiring boards is a length in which resonance is not caused by the electromagnetic wave noises in an electromagnetic wave noise environment under which the wiring boards are arranged.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a rechargeable battery module including a battery bank having serial connected battery units, a charging transistor providing a charging current to the battery bank, a balancing circuit for detecting and balancing voltage values of battery units and battery bank and a control chip. When a first voltage value of a first battery unit reaches a charge-off voltage, the control chip estimates a first unbalanced voltage difference between the first voltage and the minimal voltage among battery units. The control chip disables the charging transistor and estimates a second unbalanced voltage difference between voltages of the first battery unit and the battery unit having a minimal voltage. The control chip enables the balancing circuit to balance the first battery unit. When the voltage of the first battery is dropped by a calibration target, the charging transistor is enabled.

Abstract: A charge-balancing system includes N circuits and a control module, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Each of the N circuits includes first and second switches connected in series and an inductance having a first end connected between the first and second switches. The control module outputs control signals to control the first and second switches. A second end of the inductance of a first one of the N circuits is connected between two cells of a first pair of 2N series-connected cells of a battery stack. The first and second switches of the first one of the N circuits are connected in parallel to the first pair of 2N series-connected cells.

Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed that includes a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of temperature sensors. Each of the temperature sensors is for sensing a temperature of a corresponding one or more of the battery cells to generate a temperature signal, and the temperature sensors are divided into groups of temperature sensors. A plurality of A/D converters is provided, and each of the A/D converters is coupled to a corresponding one of the groups of temperature sensors to convert the temperature signal into a digital signal. An identification signal module is coupled to the A/D converters for applying different identification signals to the plurality of A/D converters, respectively. A controller is coupled to the A/D converters for receiving the identification signals and the temperature signal, and for identifying a temperature of each of the battery cells through the identification signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric storage unit group, a charger, an electronic device, an electric vehicle, a method for charging the electric storage unit, a method for discharging the electric storage unit group, a method for supplying and receiving power, and a method for determining a charging/discharging route in the electric storage unit group, which can provide a method for charging the electric storage unit group in which a plurality of electric storage units are connected in a desired form. The method for charging the electric storage unit group is a method for charging a rechargeable battery cell in an electric storage unit group in which a plurality of electric storage units having rechargeable battery cells are linearly or reticulately connected. At an upstream side of the electric storage unit group, the electric storage unit group is connected to a power supply for charging the electric storage units.

Abstract: A battery voltage equalizer circuit for equalizing battery voltages among a plurality of battery cells in a serial connection is disclosed. The battery voltage equalizer circuit includes a battery voltage equalizer unit having a plurality of equalizer parts, wherein each equalizer part, coupled to a positive terminal and a negative terminal of a corresponding battery cell, is conducted with an equalization current upon a receipt of an equalization signal, and a battery voltage detector unit, coupled to the positive and negative terminals of the plurality of battery cells, generates the equalization signal so as to conduct the battery voltage equalizer unit as long as a voltage of any one of the battery cells reaches an equalization voltage.

Abstract: A voltage equalizer for a battery pack includes equalization switches provided corresponding to respective battery blocks that construct the battery pack, an equalization controlling unit, and an equalization diagnostic unit. The equalization diagnostic unit obtains an equalization control signal outputted from the equalization controlling unit, and an equalization detection signal detected at connection points of the equalization switches. Then, the equalization diagnostic unit compares the equalization control signal and the equalization detection signal, and diagnoses whether or not equalization processing in each of the battery blocks is executed in conformity based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A by-pass circuit for a battery system that disconnects parallel connected cells or modules from a battery circuit or controls the current through the parallel connected cells or modules. If a cell has failed or is potentially failing in the system, then the by-pass circuit can disconnect the cell or module from other cells or modules electrically coupled in parallel. If a cell or module has a lower capability than another cell or module, then the by-pass circuit can control the current to the cell or module to maximize the performance of the system and prevent the system from creating a walk-home condition.

Abstract: A battery includes at least one battery module line and a control unit. The at least one battery module line has a plurality of battery modules mounted in series. Each battery module includes at least one battery cell and a coupling unit. The at least one battery cell is mounted between a first input and a second input of the coupling unit. The coupling unit is designed to switch the at least one battery cell between a first terminal of the battery module and a second terminal of the battery module, on a first control signal, and to connect the first terminal to the second terminal on a second control signal. The control unit is designed to transmit the first control signal to a first variable number of battery modules of the at least one battery module line.

Abstract: An apparatus balances a discharge in parallel battery configuration by having a battery pack (a) with a first battery system and a second battery system in parallel configuration, and a pulse width modulation device and (b) being interconnectable to a load. Each of the first and second battery systems has, in series and in order, a first voltage sensor, a resistor, a second voltage sensor, a string of battery cells, and a switching device. The first and second voltage sensor, in each battery system, measures an electrical current, used to calculate the voltage drop across each resistor. The voltage drop values for each battery system determine whether the pulse width modulation device alters or maintains the pulse width modulation applied to each battery system's switching device. By maintaining or altering the pulse width modulation applied to each switching device, the apparatus effectively balances the electrical current discharge from each battery system.

Abstract: In an electric power steering apparatus of the invention, a control circuit determines a command value of drive voltage supplied to a motor drive circuit based on an actual current through a motor and a target current. When the command value exceeds the previous value having a lower limit equivalent to a limit value representing the limit of the power supply from a battery, the control circuit controls the amount of discharge from the auxiliary power supply according to a difference between the command value and the previous value by increasing or decreasing a duty of switching devices. Thus, the power steering apparatus can save the energy of the auxiliary power supply for efficiently using the auxiliary power supply.

Abstract: A method for balancing states of charge of battery cells of a battery includes determining the individual cell capacities of the cells. A k-th cell having the smallest cell capacity, the individual states of charge, the depth of discharge, a target depth of discharge, and a target state of charge are determined. The deviation of the state of charge of a cell from the target state of charge (?SOCtarget,n) and the minimum deviation of the state of charge of a cell from the target state of charge (?SOCmin) are determined. At least one of the cells, to which ?SOCtarget,n??SOCmin>X applies, where X?0, is discharged. If ?SOCtarget,n??SOCmin?X applies to all cells, the method ends. If this condition does not apply to all cells, the individual states of charge are determined again and the method is repeated.

Abstract: A flashlight includes a light powered by a battery, and a circuit having: a memory for storing a battery life information and voltage output information versus time for the battery to power the light, a controller operating a count down timer to accumulate an amount of time that the battery powers the light, a voltage measure circuit for monitoring the voltage output by the battery while the battery powers the light and supply the voltage output to the controller. The controller determines: a first remaining battery life by comparing the accumulated time to the battery life, a second remaining battery life by comparing the voltage output to the voltage output information, and the lesser of the first and second remaining battery lives. The flashlight includes a display for receiving a command from the controller to display the lesser of the first remaining battery life and the second remaining battery life.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a battery management system includes a plurality of battery units, a voltage sensing module for detecting a voltage of each battery unit, an active balancing module for reducing a total voltage of the battery units and transmitting the reduced total voltage to a given battery unit needed to be charged, a controller electrically connected with the voltage sensing module and the active balancing module, and signal buses electrically connected with the voltage sensing module and the active balancing module. The signal buses are controlled by the controller to selectively electrically connect with the positive pole and the negative pole of one of the battery units. The controller is adapted for obtaining voltage signals from the voltage sensing module, determining the given battery unit according to the obtained voltage signals, and controlling power provided by the active balancing module for charging the given battery unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method of controlling the operation of battery modules in a battery system, which includes two or more battery modules or battery module assemblies, wherein the battery system further includes energy consuming loads for consuming charged energy, and the method includes, when a specific battery module or a specific battery module assembly is abnormally operated, connecting the abnormally operated battery module or the abnormally operated battery module assembly to the corresponding energy consuming load to forcibly discharge the charged energy, and a battery system that is capable of performing the battery system control method.

Abstract: Provided are a charge/discharge control circuit having a self-test function, which can dispense with a complicated test device, and a battery device. The battery device includes the charge/discharge control circuits each including a pull-up/pull-down circuit provided at a terminal to which a secondary battery is to be connected. When a self-test start signal is input so as to enter a self-test state, a self-test control circuit controls the pull-up/pull-down circuit, to thereby perform a test on a voltage detection circuit provided at the terminal to which the secondary battery is to be connected. When the self-test is finished, a self-test start signal is output to a next-stage charge/discharge control circuit, to thereby perform a test sequentially on the voltage detection circuits of the cascade-connected charge/discharge control circuits.

Abstract: A method for balancing a battery (C) comprising a plurality of branches (Ba, Bb, . . . , Bn) in parallel, each branch comprising at least two electrochemical cells in series (E1a, E2a, E3a, E1b, E2b, E3b), with an activatable electrical energy discharge or transfer device (Rb) being connected across the terminals of each electrochemical cell, comprises activating the electrical energy discharge or transfer devices connected across the terminals of the cells of the branch that includes the electrochemical cell having the lowest voltage, with the exception of the electrical energy discharge or transfer device associated with the electrochemical cell having the lowest voltage, and simultaneously deactivating the electrical energy discharge or transfer devices connected across the terminals of the cells of the branch or branches that do not include the electrochemical cell with the lowest voltage.

Abstract: A multi-series battery control system comprises a plurality of unit battery cell of which unit consists of multiple battery cells connected in series; a plurality of control IC comprising a control circuit for controlling the unit battery cell; a main controller that sends and receives signal to/from the control ICs via an insulation; means for sending an abnormality signal, which represents the existence or the absence of abnormality of the control ICs or the battery cells, to the main controller from the control ICs, responding to the first signal outputted from the main controller via the insulation; and means for searching contents of the abnormality in the control ICs or the battery cells and sending the abnormality contents signal based on the search, to the main controller from the control ICs, responding to the second signal outputted from the main controller via the insulation.

Abstract: A multi-series battery control system comprises a plurality of unit battery cell of which unit consists of multiple battery cells connected in series; a plurality of control IC comprising a control circuit for controlling the unit battery cell; a main controller that sends and receives signal to/from the control ICs via an insulation; means for sending an abnormality signal, which represents the existence or the absence of abnormality of the control ICs or the battery cells, to the main controller from the control ICs, responding to the first signal outputted from the main controller via the insulation; and means for searching contents of the abnormality in the control ICs or the battery cells and sending the abnormality contents signal based on the search, to the main controller from the control ICs, responding to the second signal outputted from the main controller via the insulation.

Abstract: A system for testing electromagnetic characteristics of an electromagnetic steel sheet includes: a driving unit operable based on a non-sinusoidal wave control signal from a control unit and a floating voltage to output a control output; a power output unit operable based on the control output from the driving unit to output a voltage output at an output side coupled across a first winding wound around the electromagnetic steel sheet such that an exciting current flowing through the first winding is generated in response to the voltage output, thereby resulting in an induced voltage across a second winding wound around the electromagnetic steel sheet; and a measuring unit outputting to the control unit an output corresponding to the exciting current and the induced voltage measured thereby such that the control unit obtains the electromagnetic characteristics of the electromagnetic steel sheet based on the output.

Abstract: A method of operating a battery system includes a plurality of battery cells coupled in series. The plurality of cells includes at least three battery cells coupled in series. The method includes determining a cell with the greatest charge excess of the plurality of battery cells. The method further includes determining a cell with the greatest charge deficit of the plurality of battery cells. The method further includes discharging the cell with the greatest charge excess to charge, with a voltage converter, the cell with the greatest charge deficit.

Abstract: In a battery device including a battery pack in which a plurality of cells are connected in series, there are provided a battery control circuit or a battery device capable of eliminating a fluctuation in the voltage or charged state which can occur between the cells, or preventing the cells from being maintained in an over-charged state for a long period. A plurality of cell groups each including a plurality of cells are connected in series to form a battery pack. Cell controller is provided to the respective cell groups operate with electricity supplied from the cell groups allocated thereto so as to monitor and control the state of the cells of the cell group. Battery pack controller controls the cell controller based on information from the plurality of cell controller.

Abstract: A battery pack including a plurality of battery cell groups including a first battery cell group and a second battery cell group, a first switch that is connected to the first battery cell group, a second switch that is connected to the second battery cell group, and a controller configured to selectively control charging and discharging operations of the first battery cell group and the second battery cell group using the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: A manager that lessens a difference in state of charge of a battery pack. The battery pack is constituted of a plurality of blocks. A slave unit is provided for each of the blocks, to thus detect a terminal voltage of the block and supply the detected terminal voltage to a master unit. A difference arises in state of charge among the blocks for reasons of a difference in current consumption of the respective slave units. The master unit makes up an operation clock signal for each of the slave units from a high frequency signal and a low frequency signal. A difference in state of charge among the blocks is lessened by controlling an appearance ratio of the high frequency signal to the low frequency signal for each of the slave units.

Abstract: A battery balancing method and system which includes a plurality of cells connected in series, a balancer for each cell, a monitor configured to determine a state of charge (SOC) of each cell, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor iteratively calculates a SOC error for each cell, based on a theoretical balancing of the Min Q cell and the Max Q cell, until the SOC error is less than or equal to a first threshold; and iteratively re-calculates SOC error based on a net charge or discharge time for each balancer until the SOC error is less than or equal to a second threshold; and when the SOC error is less than or equal to the second threshold, instructs each balancer to physically balance each respective cell based on the respective calculated net charge or discharge time when the second threshold is met.

Abstract: A battery monitoring apparatus for monitoring a battery condition of an assembled battery. In the apparatus, a monitoring unit is powered by the assembled battery and transitions from a normal mode, in which power supply from the assembled battery to the monitoring unit is maintained, to a dark-current mode, in which the power supply is partially interrupted, in response to a mode-switching instruction signal from a control unit. Upon reception of a mode confirmation signal from the control unit during the normal mode, the monitoring unit transmits a response signal to the control unit. The control unit transmits the mode-switching instruction signal to the monitoring unit, and thereafter transmits the mode confirmation signal to the monitoring unit. Upon reception of the response signal to the mode confirmation signal from the monitoring unit, the control unit determines that the dark-current mode of the monitoring unit is malfunctioning.

Abstract: A charge/discharge system is provided to shuttle electric energy in a battery pack made up of battery cells connected in series. The charge/discharge system includes an electric energy storage, a switch, and a charge/discharge controller. The charge/discharge controller selectively places the switch in a charging mode to charge electric energy from one or a selected number of ones of the battery cells to one or a selected number of other ones of the battery cells to minimize a variation in state of charge among the battery cells.

Abstract: A system and method for equalizing a battery pack during a battery pack charging process in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The method includes receiving total capacity estimates for all battery cells in the battery pack, and receiving state-of-charge estimates for all battery cells in the battery pack. The method further includes computing an equalization metric for all battery cells in the battery pack. The method further includes determining an equalization action for all battery cells in the battery pack, and initiating that equalization action. The method further includes executing a battery pack charging step.

Abstract: A four-stage power distribution system (100) includes (i) a first stage (110) having an inverter (112) that provides power to a frequency drive (114) and an electric motor (116) controlled by the frequency drive; (ii) a second stage (120) having a flywheel (122) driven by the motor; (iii) a third stage (130) having an alternator (132) driven by the motor (116) and connected to the flywheel, and a rectifier (134) that receives current from the alternator and generates a direct current; and (iv) a fourth stage (140) having a charge control switch (142) that receives power from the rectifier, and a plurality of power storage devices such as batteries (144A-144C). A master control switch (150) controls the charge control switch to transition the plurality of batteries individually between a charging configuration and a load configuration. One or more of the battery(ies) in the load configuration provides power to the inverter.

Abstract: A battery system manages a plurality of battery cells of an assembled battery. The battery system includes at least a plurality of battery cell management units which is connected to the battery cells and manages the connected battery cells. The battery cell management units are connected to each other. Each of the battery cell management units comprises at least an operation mode switching unit, a parameter-related data generating unit, a parameter data transmitting unit, a parameter data receiving unit, a minimum value specifying unit, a switching command data transmitting unit, and a switching command data receiving unit.

Abstract: A power management system capable of outputting AC voltages includes a plurality of power units, at least a first diode, a first polarity switch unit and a control unit. The power units are electrically connected to form a power unit string. Each power unit includes a battery module and a first switch device connected in serial. One end of the first diode is connected to one of the power units, and the other end thereof is connected to a first common node to form a discharge path. The first polarity switch unit is electrically connected to the first common node and the power unit string, and outputs a first operating voltage. The control unit is electrically connected to the first switch device and the first polarity switch unit to turn on/off the first switch device and control the output polarity of the first polarity switch unit.

Abstract: A system includes multiple power supplies connected in series and an active balancing circuit. The active balancing circuit includes an LC resonance circuit and multiple switches configured to selectively couple different ones of the power supplies to the LC resonance circuit. The LC resonance circuit includes a capacitor, an inductor, and an additional switch. The capacitor is configured to store energy to be transferred between two or more of the power supplies. The additional switch is configured to selectively create a resonance between the capacitor and the inductor in order to reverse a discharge current direction through the capacitor.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for indicating battery cell status on a battery pack assembly used during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein seek to provide methods for indicating battery cell status on the exposed exterior of a battery assembly pack both when the battery is in use and when the battery is not in use during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments utilize power from the ventilator as well as power from the battery pack itself to light the indicators during periods of battery use and non-use, respectively. Embodiments described herein further seek to provide an apparatus indicating battery cell status on the exposed exterior of the battery pack assembly during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein further seek to provide an apparatus for a battery pack assembly used during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein seek to provide a system for a ventilation system with an inserted battery pack assembly.

Abstract: A cell balancing circuit with a self-balancing function and a secondary battery with the cell balancing circuit, the cell balancing circuit includes a balancing unit provided for every two adjacent unit cells among the unit cells. The balancing unit includes a discharge unit and a voltage-dividing unit. The discharge unit sets a discharge path to discharge only the unit cell with the higher voltage among the two adjacent unit cells. The voltage-dividing unit uses the voltages of the two adjacent unit cells to provide an enable signal to the discharge unit.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of battery units mutually connected in parallel, each including a cell group in which one or two or more secondary cells are connected in series, and a first current control element that is connected in series with this cell group, a first control means that controls the charging/discharging current for each battery unit by controlling the operation of the first current control element included in each of the battery unit; a voltage measurement means that measures the voltage of the cell group or cells included in each of the battery unit, and a diagnosis means that diagnoses a deterioration level or a fault of each battery unit on the basis of the voltage of the cell group or cells measured by the voltage measurement means.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electric power tool includes a control device that determines the necessity of a balancing control to reduce difference in voltages of cells of a battery based upon voltages of the respective cells measured by a voltage measuring device. The control device controls a subject cell, which is subject to the balancing control to discharge via the discharging device when the balancing control is determined to be necessary. A voltage measuring device measures the voltages of the respective cells when a battery charger detecting device detects the connection of the battery charger in a state where the battery has not been connected to the battery charger for a predetermined specified period of time or more and power feeding to the electric power tool has not been performed for the specified period of time or more.

Abstract: A modular battery management system for managing a plurality of batteries and driving a load includes a plurality of battery management control modules; a plurality of bi-directional voltage converter modules respectively connected to the batteries and connected to the battery management control modules, the bi-directional voltage converter modules being connected to each other in parallel; and a plurality of energy storage modules respectively connected with the bi-directional voltage converter modules in parallel and connected to the load. The bi-directional voltage converter modules are configured to transfer electric energy from the batteries to the load or from the energy storage modules to the batteries. The battery management control modules are configured to execute a predetermined program based on the state information of each battery and control the bi-directional voltage converter modules.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided with a plurality of battery modules; a pack main body that removably receives the plurality of battery modules; a movable member that prohibits the plurality of battery modules from being attached to and removed from the pack main body at a first position; at least one sensor that detects whether the movable member is located at the first position or not; and a controller that performs at least one predetermined processing based on detection by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: Provided are a battery state monitoring circuit capable of detecting disconnection of a battery from a power supply terminal or a ground terminal, and a battery device including the battery state monitoring circuit. The battery state monitoring circuit includes voltage detection circuits provided between the power supply terminal and an intermediate terminal and between the intermediate terminal and another intermediate terminal. For example, if a battery (21) is disconnected from a power supply terminal (11), the power supply terminal (11) is pulled down by a constant current circuit (15) to a voltage of a second intermediate terminal (13) so that a voltage detection circuit (34) detects the disconnection.