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.

An electrical apparatus includes first and second battery interfaces disposed on a housing for electrically and mechanically connecting first and second battery packs in series. A controller is disposed within the housing and includes an apparatus microprocessor that receives first and second communication signals respectively outputted from respective microprocessors of the first and second battery packs. A first signal communication path communicates the first communication signal from the first battery pack microprocessor to the apparatus microprocessor by shifting a first voltage range of the first communication signal to a second voltage range that is suitable for inputting into the apparatus microprocessor. A second signal communication path communicates a third communication signal from the apparatus microprocessor to the first battery pack microprocessor by shifting the second voltage range of the third communication signal to a first voltage range that is suitable for inputting into the first battery pack microprocessor.

An electrical apparatus includes first and second battery interfaces disposed on a housing for electrically and mechanically connecting first and second battery packs in series. A controller is disposed within the housing and includes an apparatus microprocessor that receives first and second communication signals respectively outputted from respective microprocessors of the first and second battery packs. A first signal communication path communicates the first communication signal from the first battery pack microprocessor to the apparatus microprocessor by shifting a first voltage range of the first communication signal to a second voltage range that is suitable for inputting into the apparatus microprocessor. A second signal communication path communicates a third communication signal from the apparatus microprocessor to the first battery pack microprocessor by shifting the second voltage range of the third communication signal to a first voltage range that is suitable for inputting into the first battery pack microprocessor.

A riding lawn mower comprising, a pair of rear drive wheels, a pair of front wheels, a deck positioned between the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear drive wheels, a rotatable cutting blade, and multiple battery packs removably coupled to the riding lawn mower and structured to provide power to the riding lawn mower, each battery pack graspable and removable by a user, wherein the multiple battery packs sequentially provide power to the riding lawn mower.

A riding lawn mower comprising, a pair of rear drive wheels, a pair of front wheels, a deck positioned between the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear drive wheels, a rotatable cutting blade, and multiple battery packs removably coupled to the riding lawn mower and structured to provide power to the riding lawn mower, each battery pack graspable and removable by a user, wherein the multiple battery packs sequentially provide power to the riding lawn mower.

A battery module with air cooling capability that includes at least two battery blocks; the battery blocks each include a plurality of cylindrical round cells arranged in corresponding receptacles of a cell holder, wherein longitudinal axes of the cylindrical round cells lie parallel to one another; air passage openings are provided in the cell holders, through which air can flow through the battery blocks in parallel to the longitudinal axes of the round cells; the battery blocks are stacked on one another with spacing so that a stack intermediate space results between adjacent battery blocks in the stack; a housing, including the stack made up of the battery blocks, wherein the stack is spaced apart from walls of the housing so that two terminal free spaces result between terminal battery blocks of the stack and the walls; the housing has at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet; a fan is assigned to the battery module to generate an airflow between the air inlet and the air outlet, and guiding means that ensure that the airflow is guided starting from at least one stack intermediate space between two adjacent battery blocks through the air passage openings in the cell holders between the cylindrical round cells of the individual battery blocks and through the terminal free spaces in a direction of the air outlet.

A battery module with air cooling capability that includes at least two battery blocks; the battery blocks each include a plurality of cylindrical round cells arranged in corresponding receptacles of a cell holder, wherein longitudinal axes of the cylindrical round cells lie parallel to one another; air passage openings are provided in the cell holders, through which air can flow through the battery blocks in parallel to the longitudinal axes of the round cells; the battery blocks are stacked on one another with spacing so that a stack intermediate space results between adjacent battery blocks in the stack; a housing, including the stack made up of the battery blocks, wherein the stack is spaced apart from walls of the housing so that two terminal free spaces result between terminal battery blocks of the stack and the walls; the housing has at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet; a fan is assigned to the battery module to generate an airflow between the air inlet and the air outlet, and guiding means that ensure that the airflow is guided starting from at least one stack intermediate space between two adjacent battery blocks through the air passage openings in the cell holders between the cylindrical round cells of the individual battery blocks and through the terminal free spaces in a direction of the air outlet.

A battery pack includes battery cells; a battery cell holder in which the battery cells are accommodated; and an exhaust pipe, wherein the battery cell holder includes a first cell holder to which upper end portions of the battery cells are assembled, a second cell holder to which lower end portions of the battery cells are assembled, and a first separation member on the first cell holder, the exhaust pipe extends from an outer sider surface of the battery cell holder, and the exhaust pipe is in fluid communication with an exhaust path between the first separation member and an outer side surface of the first cell holder.

Systems and methods for storing energy for use by an electric vehicle are disclosed. Systems can include an electric vehicle battery pack including a rack configured to couple a plurality of independently removable battery strings to the vehicle, the battery strings configured to be selectively coupled in parallel to a vehicle power bus. The battery strings may include a housing, a plurality of electrochemical cells disposed within the housing, a circuit for electrically connecting the electrochemical cells, a positive high-voltage connector, a negative high-voltage connector, a switch within the housing, and a string control unit configured to control the switch. Each battery string can include a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet configured to couple with and sealingly uncouple from an external coolant supply conduit and an external coolant return conduit, and an auxiliary connector configured to couple with an external communications system and/or an external low-voltage power supply.