Electronic devices are disclosed including hydrophobic or oleophobic coatings that control coolant flow therein or thereon. In at least one embodiment, a power inverter cold plate is provided including coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, a coolant flow spreading region, a coolant flow collection region, and a coolant heat-transfer region disposed therebetween; and one or more layers of a hydrophobic or oleophobic coating configured to control a flow of coolant in the cold plate. A method may include applying one or more layers of a hydrophobic or oleophobic coating to a power inverter cold plate to control a flow of coolant in the cold plate, the one or more layers being applied to one or more of a coolant flow spreading region, a coolant flow collection region, or a coolant heat-transfer region disposed therebetween. The layers may define coolant flow paths, eliminate recirculation zones, and/or prevent coolant leak paths.

A method for determining a reference energy profile has comparing a first course and a second course. The first course describes an energy absorption of a first battery during a first charge cycle. The second course describes the energy absorption of the first or a second battery during a second charge cycle which follows after the first charge cycle. The comparison is performed for a plurality of time intervals. The method has determining a deviation between the first and the second course for each of the plurality of time intervals. In addition, the method has determining an amount of electrical energy based on the deviation for each of the time intervals, wherein the amount of electrical energy describes a preset default value of the reference energy profile for an amount of energy to be fed to a battery to be formed during a formation process of the battery to be formed for each of the time intervals.

A method for charging a lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, A, B, and C satisfy the relationship A>B and B<C, where A represents an average charging current value in the range where a charge rate of the lithium ion secondary battery is 0% or more and less than 40%, B represents an average charging current value in the range where the charge rate is 40% or more and 60% or less, and C represents an average charging current value in the range where the charge rate is more than 60%. In the first step, the ratio of C.sub.MAX to C.sub.MIN (C.sub.MAX/C.sub.MIN) is 1.01 to 3.00, where C.sub.MAX represents the maximum value of the charging current value and C.sub.MIN represents the minimum value of the charging current value.

A method for charging a lithium ion secondary battery of the present invention includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, A, B, and C satisfy the relationship A>B and B<C, where A represents an average charging current value in the range where a charge rate of the lithium ion secondary battery is 0% or more and less than 40%, B represents an average charging current value in the range where the charge rate is 40% or more and 60% or less, and C represents an average charging current value in the range where the charge rate is more than 60%. In the first step, the ratio of C.sub.MAX to C.sub.MIN (C.sub.MAX/C.sub.MIN) is 1.01 to 3.00, where C.sub.MAX represents the maximum value of the charging current value and C.sub.MIN represents the minimum value of the charging current value.

An apparatus for preventing overcharge of a battery in an eco-vehicle includes: a detector detecting the overcharge of the battery; and a signal processor controlling a high voltage relay according to an output signal output from the detector to block a charge of the battery.

A battery pack which has cell units in which top-side and bottom-side battery cells are connected in series, and is capable of switching the connection state of the cell units, wherein a control unit monitors voltage imbalances between the plurality of cell units, and also monitors whether or not a cell unit contact failure has occurred. In order to stop a charging/discharging when a contact failure occurs, a signal (abnormality stoppage signal or charging stoppage signal) for stopping discharge is produced and outputted to the electrical device body-side.

A battery pack which has cell units in which top-side and bottom-side battery cells are connected in series, and is capable of switching the connection state of the cell units, wherein a control unit monitors voltage imbalances between the plurality of cell units, and also monitors whether or not a cell unit contact failure has occurred. In order to stop a charging/discharging when a contact failure occurs, a signal (abnormality stoppage signal or charging stoppage signal) for stopping discharge is produced and outputted to the electrical device body-side.

A battery for a vehicle having a fixed battery pack and a replaceable battery pack. The replaceable battery pack has electronic or mechanical locks to semi-temporarily hold the replaceable battery pack in place. The fixed battery pack is held in place via permanent or semi-permanent fasteners such as bolts. A battery controller controls the replaceable battery pack to power motors of the vehicle before controlling the fixed battery pack to power motors of the vehicle.

Various embodiments provide a pack for holding and re-charging an e-cigarette. The pack includes a pack battery; a body portion including a tube for receiving an e-cigarette; a re-charging mechanism for re-charging the e-cigarette received into the tube using the pack battery, wherein the e-cigarette can be re-charged in the tube without disassembly of the e-cigarette; and a dual activation mechanism comprising two separate triggers for causing the re-charging mechanism to begin re-charging the e-cigarette received into the tube using the pack battery. The re-charging begins only in response to the direct activation by a user of both of the separate triggers.

Various embodiments provide a pack for holding and re-charging an e-cigarette. The pack includes a pack battery; a body portion including a tube for receiving an e-cigarette; a re-charging mechanism for re-charging the e-cigarette received into the tube using the pack battery, wherein the e-cigarette can be re-charged in the tube without disassembly of the e-cigarette; and a dual activation mechanism comprising two separate triggers for causing the re-charging mechanism to begin re-charging the e-cigarette received into the tube using the pack battery. The re-charging begins only in response to the direct activation by a user of both of the separate triggers.