Abstract: A method for charging a battery includes: determining a first charging section, in which a current charging rate of the battery is located, from among a plurality of charging sections predetermined based on a functional relation between a state of charge of the battery and an open circuit voltage of an anode of the battery; and charging the battery for the first charging section with a first charging rate corresponding to the first charging section.

Abstract: Discussed is a system for managing a battery, the system including a wireless communication unit that communicates with a first upper-level battery management system performing communication using a first communication channel, a communication abnormality detection unit that detects a communication abnormality of the first upper-level battery management system, and a channel change unit that changes the communication channel of the wireless communication unit to a second communication channel different from the first communication channel when the communication abnormality of the first upper-level battery management system is detected by the communication abnormality detection unit.

Abstract: A battery SOH estimating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a SOH estimating unit configured to estimate a first SOH of a battery based on the measured voltage and current of the battery; a SOC change calculating unit configured to calculate a SOC change region and a SOC change amount of the battery based on the measured voltage; a weight calculating unit configured to calculate a weight based on a SOC region factor calculated by comparing the SOC change region with a preset criterion SOC region, a SOC change amount factor based on the SOC change amount, and a temperature factor based on the measured temperature of the battery; and a SOH correcting unit configured to correct the first SOH according to the calculated weight and a preset second SOH.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a microgrid power system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the microgrid power system comprises a power station including an AC power source and a stabilizing battery system. The power station may be configured to generate an AC power and to provide the first AC power to a power distribution network. A plurality of load centers may be connected to the power distribution system. Each load center may include a local battery and a switch connecting the power station to a local load. A system controller may open the switch to provide power from the local battery to the local load, and close the switch to provide power from the power station to the local load. In an embodiment, a microgrid controller may determine an amount of AC power generated by the power station that may be consumed by each load center.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery safety test device includes: a mechanical switch element having one end connected to either a battery positive or negative electrode and the other end connected to an electronic switching element; the electronic switching element having one end connected to the mechanical switch element and the other end connected to the other of the battery positive or negative electrode; a voltage sensor for measuring a voltage of the battery after the mechanical switch element and the electronic switching element are turned on; and a current sensor for measuring a current of the battery after the mechanical switch element and the electronic switching element are turned on.

Abstract: A forced discharge test apparatus includes a heating circuit; a discharge circuit; a temperature sensor; and a controller. When the controller receives a test command indicating a test resistance and a test temperature, the controller outputs a first control signal to the heating circuit to increase the temperature of a battery cell. The controller outputs a second control signal to the discharge circuit to discharge the battery cell when the temperature of the battery cell reaches the set test temperature. The controller determines that the test temperature is valid with respect to the test resistance when the temperature of the battery cell is equal to or lower than the upper temperature limit at a time point at which a predetermined heating time has passed from a time point when the first control signal is outputted.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a failure of an electrode assembly before injecting an electrolyte includes a short-circuit tester configured to detect a short circuit of the electrode assembly by applying a predetermined voltage to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the electrode assembly; a multimeter electrically connected to the short-circuit tester and configured to measure a voltage and a current of the electrode assembly over time; and a failure determination part connected to the multimeter and configured to monitor changes in voltage and current measured by the multimeter and determine a type of a failure of the electrode assembly from data on the changes in voltage and current over a predetermined period of time. A method of inspecting a failure of an electrode assembly using the same is also provided.

Abstract: A power converter includes an input circuit, an output circuit and a controller. The output circuit may comprise a plurality of output terminals configured to be connected to a plurality of loads. The input circuit may comprise a plurality of input terminals configured to be connected to one or more power sources. An inductive element may be coupled between the input circuit and the output circuit. The output circuit may feature one or more voltage compensation circuits connected between two output terminals, the voltage compensation circuits activated to compensate an output voltage at one of the two output terminals.

Abstract: A temperature detection device includes plural thermistors, a voltage source and plural temperature detection circuits. The first terminals of the thermistors are electrically connected with a common node. The voltage source is electrically connected with the common node directly. Each temperature detection circuit includes a voltage divider and a differential amplifier circuit. The voltage divider includes a first resistor and a second resistor. A first terminal of the first resistor is connected with the common node. A second terminal of the first resistor is connected with a first terminal of the second resistor and the second terminal of the corresponding thermistor. The second terminal of the second resistor is electrically connected with a ground terminal. The differential amplifier circuit includes a first input terminal connected with the first terminal of the first resistor, a second input terminal connected with the second terminal of the first resistor, and an output terminal.

Abstract: A control unit for a battery system includes a plurality of battery cells is provided. The control unit includes: an input node configured to receive a sensor signal indicative of a state of at least one of the plurality of battery cells; a microcontroller connected to the input node and configured to generate a first control signal based on the sensor signal; and a switch control circuit configured to control a power switch of the battery system by: receiving the sensor signal, the first control signal, and a fault signal indicative of an operational state of the microcontroller; generating a second control signal based on the sensor signal; and transmitting one of the first control signal and the second control signal to an output node of the control unit based on the received fault signal.

Abstract: A controller, a system including such a controller, and a method for controlling or managing discharge or charge of a plurality of battery packs are provided. The controller includes one or more processor and at least one tangible, non-transitory machine readable medium encoded with one or more programs configured to perform steps to determine a respective power discharge or charge for each battery packs based on characteristic data of each battery pack, a power demand, and the first weighting factor (a) and the second weighting factor (b) for power assignment based on voltage and state of charge of each battery pack. The controller provides signals with instructions to the plurality of battery packs and/or the one or more power converters for discharging power from or charging power to the plurality of battery packs.

Abstract: An appropriate upper limit voltage is set to enable maximum charging performance of a secondary battery to be exhibited while effectively suppressing degradation of the secondary battery. An assembled battery control unit determines an upper limit voltage during charge of the secondary battery and calculates chargeable power of the secondary battery based on the upper limit voltage. The assembled battery control unit has an upper limit voltage calculating unit which calculates a voltage history of the secondary battery based on time series data of a voltage of the secondary battery and which calculates the upper limit voltage based on the voltage history.

Abstract: The invention relates to the technical field of battery safety, and in particular to a safety monitoring method and system for a vehicle. The safety monitoring method includes: when a vehicle is in a parked state, waking up a battery management controller at specific time intervals, and obtaining status data of the battery by means of a battery management controller; determining, based on the status data, whether the battery is in an anomalous state; and when the battery is not in the anomalous state, controlling the battery management controller to enter hibernation state again; or when the battery is in the anomalous state, further waking up a wireless communications network, and uploading the status data and/or an alarm signal to a remote monitoring platform by means of the wireless communications network.

Abstract: A control system includes a computer configured to remotely control at least one of charging and discharging of a power storage device mounted on a control target. The computer is configured to transmit a first command indicating charging power or discharging power of the power storage device to the control target via each of a first communication path and a second communication path. The control system further includes a determination unit configured to determine whether or not any one of the first communication path and the second communication path is under a cyberattack by using a second command received by the control target via the first communication path when the computer transmits the first command, and a third command received by the control target via the second communication path when the computer transmits the first command.

Abstract: A short circuit detection method includes obtaining battery data associated with a state of a battery from a charging cycle of the battery, estimating an error in the battery data using an estimation model, determining a state indicator corresponding to the error in the battery data, and detecting a short circuit of the battery based on a result of comparing the state indicator and a short circuit threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TOF camera module and electronic device and an assembly method, wherein the TOF camera module includes a floodlight module, a receiving module and a plurality of electronic components, and a part of the electronic components is conductively connected to the floodlight module, a part of the electronic components is conductively connected to the receiving module, and the receiving module provides a first circuit board and at least one of the plurality of electronic components is located on a back side of the first circuit board of the receiving module.

Abstract: Provided are a battery controller, a wireless battery control system, a battery pack and a battery balancing method. The battery controller is for a battery module comprising a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a plurality of battery cells electrically connected in series between the positive terminal and the negative terminal. The battery controller comprises a voltage measuring unit to generate a voltage signal indicating a cell voltage of each of the plurality of battery cells, and a control module. The control module wirelessly transmits sensing data indicating the cell voltage of each of the plurality of battery cells while the control module is operating using a first cell voltage of a bottommost cell of the plurality of battery cells as power for operating the control module.

Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle and a method for controlling power generation for the same are provided. The fuel cell includes a motor supplying driving power for driving the fuel cell vehicle, a fuel cell and a battery supplying electrical power for driving the motor, and a vehicle controller for operating the fuel cell in advance by predicting a shortage of discharge power of the battery by monitoring the discharge power of the battery.

Abstract: An ESS capable of detecting a defective battery cell, the ESS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, may include a plurality of battery cells, and a control unit for controlling the charge/discharge of the ESS, wherein the control unit includes an SOC calculation unit for calculating the SOC of the ESS, a voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage of each of the plurality of battery cells, and a poor battery cell detection unit for detecting a defective battery cell from the voltages measured in the voltage measurement unit.

Abstract: A battery management device is configured to set a limited measurement range that limits a range for measuring a voltage of each of a plurality of batteries for a vehicle. The battery management device is configured to measure the voltage of each of the plurality of batteries within the limited measurement range.

Abstract: A battery management system includes a monitoring device and a controller. The monitoring device is arranged in a housing accommodating a battery. The monitoring device monitors the battery and acquires battery monitoring information that includes information indicating a state of the battery. The controller performs wireless communication with the monitoring device and executes a predetermined process based on the battery monitoring information. The monitoring device holds imperfect information that is battery monitoring information indicating failure of data transmission/reception between the monitoring device and the controller. The monitoring device retransmits information corresponding to the imperfect information from next time the battery monitoring information is transmitted.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and/or system for charging one or more electric vehicles can include: receiving a request (e.g., a request including one or more parameters; etc.); determining a check in at an Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE) for the charging session; and/or causing the EVSE to charge the electric vehicle based on a power distribution type for the charging session.

Abstract: A current protection system for an energy storage system includes: batteries connected in parallel; battery control units respectively connected to the batteries, and respectively having battery current measurement units; a battery connection panel connecting the battery control units to one connection point, the battery connection panel having a contact point current measurement unit; and a control unit configured to sum current values respectively measured by the battery current measurement units and a current value measured by the contact point current measurement unit, and to detect a presence of an internal short circuit based on the sum.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a battery management system and a battery pack. The battery management system includes at least two analog front-end chips and a control unit. The analog front-end chip is configured to acquire an output voltage, an output current, or a working temperature of a battery. And the control unit controls the analog front-end chip to be powered on and down. When any analog front-end chip is awakened by an external interference signal, the analog front-end chip directly or indirectly supplies power to the control unit to enable the control unit to work, and then the control unit sends a power-down signal to the analog front-end chip to power the analog front-end chip down.

Abstract: A battery cell resistance measurement device including: a carrier signal generation module configured to generate a carrier signal of a first frequency and a second frequency different from the first frequency; a resistance unit including a first resistor and a second resistor having a different resistance value from the first resistor; an impedance measurement unit configured to measure an impedance of both ends of a corresponding application target in a state where the carrier signal is applied to any one of the first resistor, the second resistor, and a battery cell; a switching unit configured to selectively connect any one of the first resistor, the second resistor, and the battery cell to the impedance measurement unit; and a control unit configured to calculate an internal resistance of the battery cell based on the impedance value measured by the impedance measurement unit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor layer; first and second transistors; one or more first source pads and a first gate pad of the first transistor in a first region of the upper surface of the semiconductor layer; and one or more second source pads and a second gate pad of the second transistor in a second region of the upper surface adjacent to the first region in a plan view of the semiconductor layer. In a plan view of the semiconductor layer, a virtual straight line connecting the centers of the first and second gate pads passes through the center of the semiconductor layer and forms a 45 degree angle with each side of the semiconductor layer. An upper surface boundary line between the first and second regions monotonically changes in the directions of extension of the longer and shorter sides of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A controller for managing a battery pack includes: a detection terminal, for transmitting an enable signal when values of battery parameters for the battery pack satisfy a sleep condition, where the enable signal enables the detection circuit to detect whether the battery pack is connected to a load and whether the battery pack is connected to the charger; and a receiving terminal, for receiving a detection result transmitted by the detection circuit. The detection result indicates whether the battery pack is connected to at least one of the load and charger. The controller controls the battery pack to enter a sleep mode of the sleep modes based on the detection result. The controller also includes a control terminal, for transmitting a control signal to control an on/off state of a charging switch and/or a discharging switch. The control signal is generated by the controller based on the detection result.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for balancing battery packs connected in parallel. If the pack voltage deviation of the first to nth battery packs is greater than the first threshold value, a battery cell having a higher voltage than the pack balancing target voltage set according to a preset criterion among the voltages of all cells is discharged to perform pack balancing for each battery pack and if the pack voltage deviation is equal to or smaller than the first threshold value, a battery cell having a higher voltage than the cell balancing target voltage set according to a preset criterion among the voltages of the cells included in a battery pack having a cell voltage deviation greater than the second threshold value is discharged to perform cell balancing for each battery pack.

Abstract: A secondary circuit device including a secondary coil for transmitting and/or receiving magnetic energy of a magnetic field and converting the magnetic energy into electrical energy, a transmission unit for transmitting the electrical energy, a detection unit, and a clamper circuit, wherein the magnetic field is generated by a primary coil of a primary circuit device; the transmission unit has an inlet for connecting the secondary coil; the transmission unit has an outlet for providing the electrical energy as voltage and/or current; the detection unit is connected to the inlet and/or the outlet of the energy transmission unit, in order to detect an overvoltage at the inlet and/or the outlet; and, when the overvoltage is detected, the detection unit is configured to influence the magnetic field in the secondary coil via the clamper circuit such that a current jump and/or a voltage jump is brought about in the primary coil.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a battery, a temperature adjustment unit, an inlet, a relay unit, a relay unit, a relay unit, and an ECU. When a power charging station is connected to the inlet, the ECU controls the relay unit to assume a closed position to perform external charging to charge the battery by the power charging station. When the ECU drives the temperature adjustment unit during the external charging and a component on a charging path at an electrical path located between a branch point and a branch point is higher in temperature than a threshold temperature, the ECU controls the relay unit to assume an open position and the relay unit to assume a closed position.

Abstract: A battery pack comprising a substrate comprising a battery power bus integrated into the substrate; and a pack controller; and at least one electrochemical cell connected directly to the substrate. A printed circuit board comprising a power bus integrated into the printed circuit board, wherein the power bus is connected to and configured to transfer power to and/or from at least one electrochemical cell; and at least one controller configured to control the at least one electrochemical cell. A thermal management system comprising at least one electrochemical cell; and a substrate directly connected to the at least one electrochemical cell and configured to transfer heat, power, and signals between the substrate and the at least one electrochemical cell. A thermal management method. A method of assembling a battery pack, comprising attaching at least one electrochemical cell of the battery pack directly to a substrate at least in part by welding.

Abstract: A charging method includes detecting whether two battery modules are balanced, simultaneously charging the two battery modules by a first charging current when the two battery modules are balanced, and executing a specific charging procedure when the two battery modules are not balanced. The step of executing the specific charging procedure includes charging by the first charging current a first battery module between the two battery modules that is not balanced and disconnecting the other between the two battery modules, and simultaneously charging the two battery modules by a second charging current upon the first battery module reaching balance, wherein the second charging current is less than the first charging current.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting leaks in a battery includes a plurality of cells, each which include a pair of conductive leads bracketing a polymer seal, and a wireless measurement and communication chip (“chip”) configured to perform capacitive measurement, showing a change in capacitance when bridged by ionically conductive species or when a wick is suffused with an electrolyte.

Abstract: A battery management system for dynamically balancing power in a battery module is provided. The battery management system comprises a plurality of modules, and each of the plurality of modules comprises a plurality of bricks. Each of the plurality of bricks comprises a plurality of blocks, electrically connected in one of a series configuration or a parallel configuration and a controller assembly provided in each of the plurality of the modules. The controller assembly comprises a first converter adapted to be connected to the plurality of bricks and a second converter adapted to be connected to an external system. The controller assembly is configured to obtain a plurality of battery pack parameters from the plurality of bricks using the first converter, process the obtained plurality of battery pack parameters and determine a current level to regulate a charging or discharging of the battery pack using the second converter.

Abstract: A system can plan a route for a machine, such as an electric vehicle or other mobile machine, from a current location of the machine to a maintenance station where a service operation is to be performed on the machine. The service operation can be associated with a target state of charge (SoC) for a battery of the machine. The system can plan the route such that an expected energy consumption level, associated with traversal of the route by the machine, causes the SoC of the battery to satisfy the target SoC when the machine arrives at the maintenance station. The system can also dynamically adjust the route, charges of the battery, and/or machine operations performed along the route, during travel to cause the SoC of the battery to satisfy the target SoC when the machine arrives at the maintenance station.

Abstract: The safety is ensured in such a manner that with an abnormality detection system of a secondary battery, abnormality of a secondary battery is detected, for example, a phenomenon that lowers the safety of the secondary battery is detected early, and a user is warned or the use of the secondary battery is stopped. The abnormality detection system of the secondary battery determines whether the temperature of the secondary battery is within a temperature range in which normal operation can be performed on the basis of temperature data obtained with a temperature sensor. In the case where the temperature of the secondary battery is high, a cooling device is driven by a control signal from the abnormality detection system of the secondary battery. The abnormality detection system of the secondary battery includes at least a memory means. The memory means has a function of holding an analog signal and includes a transistor using an oxide semiconductor for a semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A battery secondary protection circuit includes a first pin, a second pin, a first sensing circuit, a first current source, a first enabling circuit and a first protection circuit. The first pin and the second pin are coupled to two terminals of a first battery. The first sensing circuit, coupled between the first pin and second pin, provides a first sensing signal and a second sensing signal. The first current source, coupled between the first pin and second pin, provides a first current. The first enabling circuit, coupled to the first sensing circuit and first current source, generates a first enabling signal according to the first sensing signal. The first protection circuit is coupled to the first sensing circuit. When the first enabling signal enables the first current source, the first protection circuit generates a first protection signal according to a second sensing signal changed with the first current.

Abstract: The invention provides a voltage balancing system for voltage balancing. The voltage balancing system includes an analog front end arranged in parallel with the cell group, a micro control unit communicating with the analog front end, a communication isolation module connected between the analog front end and the micro control unit, and a balancing module. The input of the balancing module is connected to the cell group to input the total voltage of the cell group. The output of the balancing module is connected to the micro control unit and the communication isolation module to output the operating voltage of the micro control unit and the communication isolation module.

Abstract: A charge and discharge control device of a battery charges the battery with a constant current in a constant current mode. When the voltage of the battery corresponds to an end-of-charge voltage, the charge and discharge control device converts the constant current mode to a constant voltage mode and thereby charges the battery with a constant voltage. The end-of-charge voltage is set as a first end-of-charge voltage minus a negative electrode threshold potential from the full-charge voltage of the battery, and the negative electrode threshold potential is a potential value of the negative electrode where a negative electrode active material contained in the battery causes a phase change.

Abstract: A charger includes a housing with an interface positioned in a front wall and configured to engage a battery pack. The interface includes charging terminals positioned between a first rail and a second rail, a first groove positioned between the first rail and a wall of the housing, and a second groove positioned between the second rail and the wall of the housing. The interface is in communication with an interior of the housing. A fan is coupled within the housing adjacent the interface, and an air passage member includes a hollow body that has a first end coupled to the fan and a second end spaced apart from the first end extending through another wall of the housing. The fan is operable to suck an air flow into the housing from outside the housing and guide the air flow through the air passage member to the interface.

Abstract: The safety is ensured in such a manner that with an abnormality detection system of a secondary battery, abnormality of a secondary battery is detected, for example, a phenomenon that lowers the safety of the secondary battery is detected early, and a user is warned or the use of the secondary battery is stopped. The abnormality detection system of the secondary battery determines whether the temperature of the secondary battery is within a temperature range in which normal operation can be performed on the basis of temperature data obtained with a temperature sensor. In the case where the temperature of the secondary battery is high, a cooling device is driven by a control signal from the abnormality detection system of the secondary battery. The abnormality detection system of the secondary battery includes at least a memory means. The memory means has a function of holding an analog signal and includes a transistor using an oxide semiconductor for a semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Automatically updating a full charge capacity (FCC) of a battery of an information handling system, the method including: determining that the SOC of the battery is less than the SOC threshold; determining that the time since the previous update of the FCC of the battery is greater than the time threshold; identifying configuration parameters for an update of the FCC of the battery; comparing the configuration parameters with current conditions of the battery; based on comparing the configuration parameters with current conditions of the battery, determining that the current conditions of the battery are within bounds of the configuration parameters; and in response to determining that the current conditions of the battery are within the bounds of the configuration parameters, updating the FCC of the battery.

Abstract: Present embodiments include a control system for one or more battery cells. The control system includes a bi-stable relay configured to switch a state of the bi-stable relay upon receiving a control signal to electrically connect or electrically disconnect the one or more battery cells to a bus and to remain in the state after receiving the control signal. The control system includes a controller configured to be operatively coupled to the bi-stable relay and configured to send the control signal indicative of instructions to control operation of the bi-stable relay based on the state.

Abstract: The battery monitoring techniques described herein use a self-characterizing wireless monitor coupled to a battery to monitor different properties of the battery. The wireless monitor may measure, among other things, an alternating current frequency response (ACFR) of the battery. To accomplish this, the wireless monitor may generate and inject a stimulus signal into the battery, and the monitor may then synchronously measure the corresponding impedance response of the battery.

Abstract: A fully integrated circuit configuration that can be utilized to prevent abnormal discharge or overcharge in ultra-portable electronic systems is described. This battery protection integrated circuit can be enhanced by the addition of traditional battery protection schemes such as current limiting, overcurrent clamping, under voltage lock out and over voltage protection. This battery protection scheme utilizes a high side switch approach utilizing an ultra-low leakage PMOS power switch rather than the traditional low side NMOS switching.

Abstract: An electric work machine (1), such as a power tool, comprises a motor (50), a manipulatable part (12) such as a trigger switch, and a control part (36). The motor is energized with electric current supplied by a battery pack (22). By manipulating the manipulatable part, the control part energizes the motor. The control part also acquires information concerning the state of the battery from the battery pack, and, if appropriate based on the information obtained from the battery pack, takes measures (such as limiting a discharge current) to restrain, delay and possibly avert the performance of a protection (discharge-prohibited) operation by the battery pack.

Abstract: Provided are a circuit control method, a battery controller, a battery management system, a battery, an electrical apparatus, and a vehicle. The circuit control method includes: acquiring an apparatus wake-up signal; determining whether a power source terminal voltage of a charging circuit of a battery on the apparatus is greater than a first threshold and whether a change rate in a first time length is less than a second threshold, wherein the charging circuit is a circuit connecting the battery on the apparatus and a generator, and the power source terminal voltage is an output voltage of the generator; and issuing a first instruction when the power source terminal voltage of the charging circuit of the battery on the apparatus is greater than the first threshold and the change rate in the first time length is less than the second threshold, so that the charging circuit is turned on.

Abstract: Module-based energy systems are provided having multiple converter-source modules. The converter-source modules can each include an energy source and a converter. The systems can further include control circuitry for the modules. The modules can be arranged in various ways to provide single phase AC, multi-phase AC, and/or DC outputs. Each module can be independently monitored and controlled.

Abstract: A method for adapting a usage level of a battery pack includes measuring cell sense data for each respective battery cell using a cell sense circuit, the cell sense data including a cell voltage, current, and temperature. The method includes processing the cell sense data, for each respective battery cell, through multiple battery state functions of a controller to generate numeric cell degradation values (CDVs). The battery state functions are calibrated relationships of the cell sense data to predetermined battery fault conditions. Thereafter, the method includes automatically adapting the usage level of the battery pack during operation of the battery pack, via the controller, based on the numeric CDVs. An electric powertrain system includes the battery pack, cell sense circuit, a rotary electric machine, and a controller configured to execute the above method.

Abstract: In a portable device, a load module includes a discharge switch for discharging a battery pack, and a detection circuit that detects a protection signal to control the discharge switch. A charge module includes a charge switch for charging the battery pack, and a detection circuit that detects the protection signal to control the charge switch. The battery pack includes a protection terminal that provides the protection signal, and protection circuitry that sets the protection signal to a state according to the battery pack's status. The protection signal turns the charge switch on and the discharge switch off if the protection signal is in a first state, turns the charge switch off and the discharge switch on if it's in a second state, turns the charge and discharge switches off if it's in a third state, and turns the charge and discharge switches on if it's in a fourth state.