A battery control unit includes a plurality of switching units, a control unit, a charger configured to charge batteries, and a charging control unit. The plurality of switching units is respectively provided for a plurality of batteries connected in series, and are configured to switch between a connected state and a non-connected state. The connected state is a state that a corresponding battery is connected in series with other batteries and the non-connected state is a state that the corresponding battery is disconnected from a series connection with the other batteries. The control unit is configured to determine whether each voltage of the plurality of batteries reaches a charge end voltage during charging, and to control the switching unit corresponding to the battery which is determined to reach the charge end voltage to switch to the non-connected state.

A method is described in which electronic circuitry of a mobile device is powered by a plurality of battery cells that are selectably connectable in series and in parallel. The energy utilization of the circuitry is measured during operation. The power efficiency for series and parallel configurations of the battery cells is determined based on the measured energy utilization. The battery cells are configured in series or in parallel based on which of the series and parallel configurations is determined to provide a higher efficiency of energy utilization during operation.

A method is described in which electronic circuitry of a mobile device is powered by a plurality of battery cells that are selectably connectable in series and in parallel. The energy utilization of the circuitry is measured during operation. The power efficiency for series and parallel configurations of the battery cells is determined based on the measured energy utilization. The battery cells are configured in series or in parallel based on which of the series and parallel configurations is determined to provide a higher efficiency of energy utilization during operation.

An electrochemical cell management system comprising an electrochemical cell and at least one controller configured to control the cell such that, for at least a portion of a charge cycle, the cell is charged at a charging rate or current that is lower than a discharging rate or current of at least a portion of a previous discharge cycle. An electrochemical cell management method. An electrochemical cell management system comprising an electrochemical cell and at least one controller configured to induce a discharge of the cell before and/or after a charging step of the cell. An electrochemical cell management method. A electrochemical cell management system comprising an electrochemical cell and at least one controller configured to: monitor at least one characteristic of the cell and, based on the at least one characteristic of the cell, induce a discharge and/or control a charging rate or current of the cell.

A battery balancing system includes an energy balancing circuit. Multiple battery cells are coupled to the energy balancing circuit. A health assessment circuit is coupled to the multiple battery cells and configured to sense a state of health and a charge of each of the multiple battery cells. The balancing circuit switches energy between the multiple battery cells as a function of the sensed state of health and state of charge of each of the multiple battery cells to balance charge there between.

A battery balancing system includes an energy balancing circuit. Multiple battery cells are coupled to the energy balancing circuit. A health assessment circuit is coupled to the multiple battery cells and configured to sense a state of health and a charge of each of the multiple battery cells. The balancing circuit switches energy between the multiple battery cells as a function of the sensed state of health and state of charge of each of the multiple battery cells to balance charge there between.

In a loaded condition, the controller increases at least one of the conduction band or the advance angle from a baseline value up to a maximum value within a first torque range below a torque threshold to as to maintain the output speed of the motor at a linear speed-torque profile. After the at least one of the conduction band or the advance angle reaches the maximum value, the controller maintains the at least one of the conduction band or the advance angle at the maximum value within a second torque range greater than or equal to the torque threshold so as to maintain the output speed of the motor at a naturally-curved speed-torque profile.

In a loaded condition, the controller increases at least one of the conduction band or the advance angle from a baseline value up to a maximum value within a first torque range below a torque threshold to as to maintain the output speed of the motor at a linear speed-torque profile. After the at least one of the conduction band or the advance angle reaches the maximum value, the controller maintains the at least one of the conduction band or the advance angle at the maximum value within a second torque range greater than or equal to the torque threshold so as to maintain the output speed of the motor at a naturally-curved speed-torque profile.

A battery pack and charger system includes a first battery pack having a first set of battery cells and configured to provide only a first operating voltage and a second battery pack having a second set of battery cells and configured to provide the first operating voltage and a second operating voltage that is different from the first operating voltage and a battery pack charger configured to be able to charge the first battery pack and the second battery pack.

A battery pack and charger system includes a first battery pack having a first set of battery cells and configured to provide only a first operating voltage and a second battery pack having a second set of battery cells and configured to provide the first operating voltage and a second operating voltage that is different from the first operating voltage and a battery pack charger configured to be able to charge the first battery pack and the second battery pack.