Abstract: A secondary battery is protected from overcharging and excessive discharge current by a simple circuit. A comparator (CMP1) detects overcharging by comparing a charging voltage. (Vc) of a secondary battery (6) with a reference voltage (Vref1). A transistor (Q1) is turned on to turn the heater (R2) on if overcharging is detected by the comparator (CMP1). A PTC element (SW1) is turned off to cut off a charge current when being heated by the heater to reach a specified operating temperature (Tsw1). On the other hand, when a discharge current from the secondary battery (6) becomes excessive, the PTC element (SW1) self-heats by the discharge current and is turned off to cut off a discharge current upon reaching the operating temperature (Tsw1).

Abstract: Methods and systems for constructing a battery, the battery including at least two energy storage sections connected in parallel to a common module power bus, the energy storage sections including at least one battery cell and at least one section disconnect device capable of disconnecting the at least two energy sections from the module power bus, and, a section protection device to control the section disconnect device based on data from the energy storage sections. In an embodiment, the battery can include at least two battery modules connected in series using an interlock signal, where the battery modules include a module protection device having an interlock signal controller and fault logic for controlling the interlock signal controller, such that the modules can control the interlock signal and hence a disconnect device that receives the interlock signal and is connected between the modules and a load and/or charger.

Abstract: A battery overheating protection circuit includes a thermal resistor samples the temperature of the battery and converts the temperature into a temperature voltage, a comparison circuit compares the temperature voltage with a reference voltage for judging whether the temperature of the battery is higher than the maximum reference temperatures temperature or not. If yes, the comparison circuit outputs a protection signal to drive a charging module to stop charging the battery in the charging process, and to cut off the conducting path to draw power from the battery in the discharging process. The present invention sets two different maximum reference temperatures during charging process and discharging process by a reference voltage module, which makes the maximum allowable discharging temperature is higher than the maximum allowable charging temperature.

Abstract: A member for measurement of cell voltage and temperature in a battery pack comprises temperature measuring elements (a) attached to the surfaces of unit cells, and a printed circuit board (b) having protrusions formed at the upper end thereof such that the protrusions are connected to electrode lead connection members that connect electrode leads of the unit cells, connection parts formed at the lower part thereof for allowing the temperature measuring elements to be attached to the printed circuit board, and a circuit through which electric current for voltage measurement of the unit cells and electric current for temperature measurement of the temperature measuring elements flow.

Abstract: A battery charging apparatus connects secondary batteries of the battery pack, plurality of charge terminals and two discharge terminals to form plurality charge paths and a discharge path, which has a main switch provided on the discharge path, a main controller connecting the battery pack and the main switch, plurality of sub switches provided on the charge paths, plurality of sub controllers connecting secondary batteries of the battery pack and corresponding sub switches, a thermal controller connecting the main controller and a temperature switch. The temperature switch connects the sub switches. The main controller and sub controllers monitor charge state and discharge state of the battery pack to set the main switch and sub switches cut off the discharge path and the charge paths. The thermal controller monitors temperature of the battery pack and main switch to set the main switch and the sub switches cut off the discharge path and the charge paths.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal switching element that has a quite different configuration from that of a conventional technique and can control heat transfer by the application of energy, and a method for manufacturing the thermal switching element. The thermal switching element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a transition body arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. The transition body includes a material that causes an electronic phase transition by application of energy. The thermal conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode is changed by the application of energy to the transition body.

Abstract: Secondary battery structure 100 has secondary batteries 110 equipped with metallic battery cases 111 , temperature detectors 120 for detecting temperature of the secondary batteries 110 , and supporting members 130 for supporting the temperature detectors 120 . Each of the temperature detectors 120 has a detector body 121 which detects surface temperature of the battery case 111 by contacting with a bottom surface 111c (temperature-detected surface) on the battery case 111, and a fixing portion 122 which engages with the supporting member 130 and fixes the temperature detector 120 to the secondary battery 110 while keeping the detector body 121 contact with the bottom surface 111c on the battery case 111.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of lithium battery cells, an analog thermo sensing member, and an analog switch. The analog thermo sensing member detects, in an analog form, a battery temperature of at least one of the plurality of lithium battery cells, and outputs an output preventing signal if the battery temperature is over a first predetermined temperature. The analog switch element is the plurality of lithium battery cells in series, and is switched, based on the output preventing signal, to a state in which a current is prevented from flowing in the plurality of lithium battery cells.

Abstract: A method and system for modeling or simulating an application environment so as to evaluate the effect of a selected battery and charger in the application environment. Sensors are used to gather data regarding the energy consumption needs of the application environment over time. Based on the energy needs and/or user-specified application environment parameters, such as a charge schedule, a battery size and type, and a charge return model, an energy transfer profile for the application environment is generated and outputted. The energy transfer profile provides an indication of the state of charge of the battery over time based upon the simulated discharging and charging of the battery in the application environment. The generation of the energy transfer profile takes into account the charging schedule and the incremental change in battery parameters over time.

Abstract: A battery device includes a battery cell constituted by a secondary cell, a case that houses the battery cell, and a battery-side positive electrode terminal and a battery-side negative electrode terminal electrically provided in the case and connected to the battery cell. The battery device further includes a temperature detecting unit that detects the temperature of the battery cell, a temperature control unit that heats and/or cools the battery cell when an electric current is supplied thereto, and a current control unit that divides, according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit, an externally-supplied charging current supplied from the outside via the battery-side positive electrode terminal and the battery-side negative electrode terminal into a first current supplied to the battery cell and a second current supplied to the temperature control unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the charge and discharge currents in a battery (2) as a function of temperature. When a battery (2) is charged or discharged in an environment that approaches its design operating temperature extreme, the currents are reduced to limit self-heating of the battery and thus extend the useful operating environment temperature range. A temperature sensor (18) is coupled to a controller (6) to sense the battery (2) temperature. The temperature information is used to set a suitable charging or discharging current (8). In the illustrative embodiment, the charging current is set to a maximum value when said temperature is lower than a first predetermined threshold value, the maximum value being the battery's maximum specified charging current, and the first predetermined threshold value being the battery's maximum charging temperature.

Abstract: The battery charging detects battery temperature and includes a temperature maintaining charging operation wherein average charging current is controlled to drive battery temperature to a holding temperature, and charging is performed while maintaining battery temperature at that holding temperature. In addition, a temperature increasing charging operation occurs prior to the temperature maintaining charging operation. The battery is charged with a current which raises battery temperature until the holding temperature is reached. When battery temperature rises to the holding temperature in the temperature increasing charging operation, charging can transition to the temperature maintaining charging operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal switching element that has a quite different configuration from that of a conventional technique and can control heat transfer by the application of energy, and a method for manufacturing the thermal switching element. The thermal switching element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a transition body arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. The transition body includes a material that causes an electronic phase transition by application of energy. The thermal conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode is changed by the application of energy to the transition body.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device for use in a secondary battery pack includes an NTC element and a current limiter element. The NTC element is disposed at a predetermined position to sense the temperature of a secondary battery incorporated in the secondary battery pack, and one end thereof is electrically connected to a temperature sensing terminal. The current limiter element is connected between the other end of the NTC element and a reference potential terminal.

Abstract: A rechargeable cell is connected in series connection with and thermally coupled to a usually closed thermo-sensitive circuit breaker, so that, once a temperature in the cell that is being charged to saturation rises to a predetermined level, the heat thereby produced will cut off the usually closed thermo-sensitive circuit breaker, a heat generating resistor that is in parallel with and thermally coupled to the usually closed contacts on the usually closed circuit breaker will produce, as current passes through it, a heating effect serving to open the usually closed thermo-sensitive circuit breaker, the same heat generating resistor in the meantime restricting a topping current that is released from the rechargeable cell, thereby holding usually closed circuit breaker open for an extended period as said battery cools following opening of said usually closed circuit breaker.

Abstract: Design whereby a rechargeable cell is made in series connection with and thermally coupled to a usually closed thermo-sensitive circuit breaker, so that, once temperature in the cell that is being charged to saturation rises to a predetermined level, the heat thereby produced will cut off the usually closed thermo-sensitive circuit breaker, and a heat retention resistor that is in parallel with and thermally coupled to the usually closed contacts on the usually closed circuit breaker will produce, as current passes through it, a heating effect serving to bring the usually closed thermo-sensitive circuit breaker skipping off, the same heat retention resistor will in the meantime restrict a topping current that is released from the rechargeable cell, the circuitry functions so that by shutting out the charging power supply or by removing the rechargeable cell, current to the heat retention resistor will be suspended, and the usually closed thermo-sensitive circuit breaker cooled off to reset itself.

Abstract: Contacts 3, 6, which are opened/closed by the displacement of a heat responsive element 7, are interposed between first and second terminals 2, 9, and a heat generating resistor 8 is interposed between the first terminal 9 and a third terminal 10, whereby the heat responsive element 7 is displaced by heat generated when a current is caused to flow in the heat generating resistor 8 via the third terminal 10.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit includes a temperature switch actuated when the temperature of a battery reaches a preset value as a result of the battery being charged to saturation. The temperature control switch causes the circuit to switch to a small current, which maintains the charge status of the battery within a predetermined power source voltage variation range until the battery is removed or the power source cut off. A power source is included for supplying the charging current to the battery and also for driving a load. The charging circuit includes a return current diode for providing an automatic emergency power supply from the battery to the load when the power source is cut-off.

Abstract: The invention provides a protective device for batteries having a high energy density such as lithium ion batteries. The protective device comprises a battery voltage-monitoring means, an overcharge-detecting means for sending out a charge-finishing signal when a voltage detected by the battery voltage-detecting means is higher than a preset value, a charge-finishing means for finishing charge in response to the charge-finishing signal, an output-counting means for counting the number of charge-finishing signals sent out of the charge-finishing means, and a cutoff means for cutting off conduction of a current in said batteries when a counted value reaches a preset value, thereby limiting the number of permissible overcharging cycles.

Abstract: A battery pack charger has an external frame provided with an insertion slot for inserting a battery pack. A charging terminal and a charging control circuit are housed in the external frame. A heat-sensitive switch is provided between the charging terminal and the charging control circuit. A lead wire is provided between the charging terminal and the heat-sensitive switch. The lead wire has a length appropriate for not losing the effect of heat transferred along the lead wire. The battery pack charger is capable of reliably charging a battery pack without the occurrence of overcharge, even if the battery pack is not provided with a heat-sensitive switch.

Abstract: A safety device for a portable battery-powered electric apparatus having a battery unit with one or more battery cells for supplying power to electric circuitry in the apparatus. The apparatus is connectable to a charging device for charging the battery unit while maintaining the supply of power to the apparatus. The safety device has a first fuse device connected between the battery unit and a first terminal of the apparatus for receiving charging current from the charging device, and a second fuse device connected between the battery unit and a second terminal of the apparatus for supplying power to electric circuitry in the apparatus. The fuse devices are operatively independent of each other, particularly in that the second fuse device maintains the electric connection between the battery unit and the electric circuitry in the apparatus, even when or if the first fuse device releases or opens in response to an undesired condition in the charging device.