A method is disclosed for controlling the operation of a mild hybrid electric vehicle having an engine and high and low voltage power systems selectively connectable via a DC to DC converter. The method comprises whenever possible using only a low voltage battery forming part of the low voltage power system to power low voltage loads during an engine E-stop performed automatically to save fuel and reduce emissions and whenever possible using only a high voltage battery forming part of the high voltage power system to recharge the low voltage battery when the engine is restarted following the E-stop.

This disclosure describes a rechargeable battery for a light electric vehicle. More specifically, this disclosure describes a rechargeable battery and a rechargeable battery holster that may be used to removably couple the rechargeable battery to a light electric vehicle.

An on-board electrical system includes a motor generator, a high-voltage battery, an electric power acquirer, an auxiliary subsystem, first and second step-down units, and a controller. The electric power acquirer is able to acquire electric power during travel of a vehicle, and able to feed acquired electric power to the high-voltage battery. The auxiliary subsystem includes an auxiliary battery and auxiliary machinery. The controller determines whether or not magnitude of a load on the auxiliary battery is equal to or greater than predetermined magnitude. On the condition that the magnitude of the load is equal to or greater than the predetermined magnitude, the controller allows electric power from the electric power acquirer to be fed to the auxiliary subsystem through the second step-down unit.

A load operating device includes a power supply device which is detachable from a load and can supply power to the load in a state of being attached to the load and an electrical connection device which is provided integrally with the load and electrically connects the power supply device and the load in a state where the power supply device is attached to the load. The power supply device has a capacitor which stores power to be supplied to the load and a processing unit in which a power supply circuit from the capacitor to the processing unit via the electrical connection device is established in a state where the power supply device is electrically connected to the electrical connection device.

A storage battery (21) is configured of a plurality of cells (22A) to (22N) series-connected to each other. A battery controller (27) receives power supplied from a lead battery (31). The battery controller (27) executes balancing control that reduces variation in cell voltages (VcA) to (VcN) of the plurality of cells (22A) to (22N). The battery controller (27) executes the balancing control in a time range during which a voltage of the lead battery (31) becomes equal to or more than a predetermined given voltage value (V1) and a charging rate of the storage battery (21) becomes equal to or more than a predetermined given charging rate value (SOC1) after a key switch (16) is switched from an on state to an off state.

A backup device includes: a charging unit that charges a second power source unit on the basis of the power supply from a first power source unit; a voltage detection unit detects the output voltage of the second power source unit; a vehicle speed information acquisition unit acquires vehicle speed information; and a control unit sets, on the basis of at least the vehicle speed information acquired by the vehicle speed information acquisition unit, a charging target voltage according to a setting method in which the voltage is set higher as the vehicle speed indicated by the vehicle speed information is greater, and causes, on the basis of the output voltage of the second power source unit detected by the voltage detection unit, the charging unit to perform the charging operation so as to bring the output voltage of the second power source unit close to the charging target voltage.

A method for maintaining a state of charge in a gas powered golf car, wherein the method comprises via an integrated starter control unit: continuously monitoring a state of charge of the battery; and continuously controlling operation of a generator based on the continuously monitored state of charge of the battery to thereby continuously maintain the state of charge of the battery within a desired range. A method for remotely controlling the operation of a gas powered golf car, wherein the method comprises using geospatial position data to monitor a location of the golf car and determine when the golf car is near or within a geofenced area, and then instructing an engine control unit to modify operation of the internal combustion engine in accordance with a predetermined operation profile specific to the geofenced area.

If the destination has not been input, it is judged whether the present location is on the expressway (step S32). If the judgement result of the step S32 is positive, it is judged whether or not the actual SOC is less than or equal to the threshold TH2 (step S34). If the judgement result of the step S34 is positive, the restoring control is executed (step S36). Subsequent to the step S34 or S36, it is judged whether or not the vehicle has reached the scheduled exit (step S38). If the judgement result of the step S38 is positive, it is judged whether or not the actual SOC is greater than or equal to the SOC_T2 (step S42). If the judgement result of the step S42 is positive, the maintaining control is executed (step S44).

A circuit for polarizing magnetic material using a magnetic field of an excitation coil includes a port configured to provide a connection with a DC power supply. The circuit also includes at least one capacitor and driver circuitry configured to drive the excitation coil and the at least one capacitor. The driver circuitry is configured to discharge the excitation coil to the DC power supply via the at least one capacitor.

A battery control unit includes an estimation device, a setting device, and a control device. When an open circuit voltage of the battery falls within a range of a flat region, the setting device sets the control storage amount to a first storage amount determined from the lower limit voltage of the flat region, the control device charges the battery until the open circuit voltage becomes a first voltage exceeding the upper limit voltage of the flat region after a vehicle comes into a drivable state, and the setting device sets a storage amount estimated by the estimation device to a control storage amount until the open circuit voltage reaches the first voltage, and sets a second storage amount determined from the open circuit voltage to the control storage amount after the open circuit voltage reaches the first voltage.