A method for detecting a fault state of at least one battery cell of a battery having multiple battery cells. A cell voltage of a respective battery cell of the multiple battery cells is registered at a measurement time and a comparison value is determined as a function of at least one of the cell voltages and is compared to a provided first reference value. The fault state is detected as a function of a result of the comparison. A scatter value is determined, which represents a scatter of at least part of the cell voltages registered at the specific measurement time, and the fault state is determined as a function of the scatter value.

A magnetic HVIL system for a drive in a transport application includes a Hall effect sensor within at least one housing of the drive that includes terminals and a removable cover. The removable cover includes a magnet having a magnetic field that is detectable by the Hall effect sensor when the removable cover is installed on the housing. The magnetic field of the magnet is not detectable by the Hall effect sensor when the removable cover is removed from the housing. The magnet HVIL system is configured to be operable to enable active operation of the drive when the Hall effect sensor detects the magnetic field of the magnet and is in a closed circuit condition and disable operation of the drive when the Hall effect sensor does not detect the magnetic field of the magnet and is in an open circuit condition.

A degraded state estimation apparatus configured to estimate a degraded state of a battery mounted on a vehicle includes a detector, a storage, and an estimation processor. The detector detects state quantities including first, second, and third state quantities. The storage holds a maps of data including first and second maps of data. The first map of data indicates a degree of degradation of the battery based on the first and second state quantities. The second map of data indicates the degree of the degradation based on the second and third state quantities. The estimation processor estimates an amount of change in the degradation of the battery on the basis of the state quantities detected repetitively by the detector, the maps of data, and weighting coefficients each of which weights the degree of the degradation indicated by a corresponding one of the maps of data.

A method for controlling two serially disposed relays that switch a load with two different safety levels depending on the driving situation in a vehicle includes querying state information that includes movement state information and/or coasting operation information of the vehicle, determining a safety level of the two different safety levels depending on the driving situation, using the state information, detecting a relay of the two serially disposed relays using a balancing rule when the safety level determined in step b) represents a lower safety level of the two safety levels, switching the selected relay into a non-conductive state and keeping the further relay in a conductive state when a first request signal for switching off the load is received, and switching the selected relay into a conductive state when a second request signal for switching on the load is received.

A power system (100, 200) for a vehicle, the power system comprising: a hazardous voltage interlock loop (HVIL) circuit (106) configured to disconnect a high-voltage energy source (102) from a high-voltage system (104); a low-voltage energy source (108) coupled to the HVIL-circuit for supplying operational power to the HVIL-circuit; and a circuit breaker (110) operable to break a connection between the low-voltage energy source and the HVIL circuit, wherein the HVIL-circuit is configured to disconnect the high-voltage energy source from the high-voltage system if the low-voltage energy source is disconnected from the HVIL-circuit.

A power system (100, 200) for a vehicle, the power system comprising: a hazardous voltage interlock loop (HVIL) circuit (106) configured to disconnect a high-voltage energy source (102) from a high-voltage system (104); a low-voltage energy source (108) coupled to the HVIL-circuit for supplying operational power to the HVIL-circuit; and a circuit breaker (110) operable to break a connection between the low-voltage energy source and the HVIL circuit, wherein the HVIL-circuit is configured to disconnect the high-voltage energy source from the high-voltage system if the low-voltage energy source is disconnected from the HVIL-circuit.

Provided is an operating state display method in an electric vehicle in which the drive electric power is supplied from a battery to a travel motor. The operating state display method includes an eco-level setting step of setting an eco-level with respect to an operating state of the electric vehicle based on a vehicle speed of the electric vehicle and an output of the travel motor, and a display step of displaying in a vehicle cabin an eco-level gauge configured to expand or contract according to the eco-level.

Provided is an operating state display method in an electric vehicle in which the drive electric power is supplied from a battery to a travel motor. The operating state display method includes an eco-level setting step of setting an eco-level with respect to an operating state of the electric vehicle based on a vehicle speed of the electric vehicle and an output of the travel motor, and a display step of displaying in a vehicle cabin an eco-level gauge configured to expand or contract according to the eco-level.

A battery charging assembly includes a load management system, a charging cord with a battery connector, and circuitry for detecting thermal buildup. The load management system monitors the heat buildup in a coiled portion of the charging cord and issues a corresponding signal to control the current flowing through the cord.

A battery charging assembly includes a load management system, a charging cord with a battery connector, and circuitry for detecting thermal buildup. The load management system monitors the heat buildup in a coiled portion of the charging cord and issues a corresponding signal to control the current flowing through the cord.