An apparatus comprising an interface, a memory and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive sensor data samples during operation of a vehicle. The memory may be configured to store the sensor data samples over a number of points in time. The processor may be configured to analyze the sensor data samples stored in the memory to detect a pattern. The processor may be configured to manage an application of brakes of the vehicle in response to the pattern.

An apparatus comprising an interface, a memory and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive sensor data samples during operation of a vehicle. The memory may be configured to store the sensor data samples over a number of points in time. The processor may be configured to analyze the sensor data samples stored in the memory to detect a pattern. The processor may be configured to manage an application of brakes of the vehicle in response to the pattern.

A battery voltage control device includes a step-up module that steps up a voltage of a battery and applies the voltage to a driving motor, an image analysis processing module that acquires and analyzes a piece of image information of an outside of a vehicle that is obtained through imaging, and driving state forecast module that forecasts a driving state including starting or stopping of the vehicle based on a piece of environment information of the outside of the vehicle that is obtained through analysis of the piece of image information and controls step-up by the step-up module based on the forecast driving state.

A vehicle includes a body, a first battery set, a first accessory device, a second battery set, a second accessory device, a load device, and connecting wires. The first battery set is installed in the body and includes at least one first series unit including a predetermined number of battery cells connected in series. The first accessory device is installed in the body and connected to the first battery set. The second battery set is installed in the body and includes at least one second series unit including a predetermined number of battery cells connected in series. The second accessory device is installed in the body and connected to the second battery set. The load device is installed in the body and connected to the first battery set via the first accessory device and to the second battery set via the second accessory device.

In a hybrid automobile in which a first motor, an engine, and a drive shaft coupled to an axle are connected respectively to a sun gear, a carrier, and a ring gear of a planetary gear set and a second motor is connected to the drive shaft, during a predetermined travel period in which the engine is operative and respective gates of a first inverter and a second inverter used to drive the first motor and the second motor are both blocked, the engine is controlled such that the first motor rotates at a predetermined rotation speed, and a boost converter is controlled such that a voltage of a drive voltage system power line reaches a target voltage corresponding to an accelerator depression amount.

Systems and methods for operating a vehicle in an electric idle mode are presented. The vehicle electrical idle mode may be characterized as a mode where the vehicle's engine is off; the vehicle increases torque to vehicle wheels responsive to an application of an accelerator pedal, release of a brake pedal, or a vehicle occupant shifting a transmission; and the vehicle's battery supplies electrical energy to devices of the vehicle being operated by a vehicle occupant.

The present invention provides a power control device for a hybrid vehicle that can allow power generation by a generator connected to a low-voltage battery regardless of a charging rate of the low-voltage battery. The hybrid vehicle includes: a motor (21) that can be coupled to a drive wheel (18) of the vehicle; a generator (22) that can be coupled to an internal combustion engine (11); a first secondary battery (21) connected to the motor (21); a second secondary battery (32) that is connected to the generator (22), and a voltage of which is lower than that of the first secondary battery (31); and a converter (33) that steps up a DC voltage received from the second secondary battery (32) and can output the stepped-up DC voltage to the first secondary battery (31).

The present invention provides a power control device for a hybrid vehicle that can allow power generation by a generator connected to a low-voltage battery regardless of a charging rate of the low-voltage battery. The hybrid vehicle includes: a motor (21) that can be coupled to a drive wheel (18) of the vehicle; a generator (22) that can be coupled to an internal combustion engine (11); a first secondary battery (21) connected to the motor (21); a second secondary battery (32) that is connected to the generator (22), and a voltage of which is lower than that of the first secondary battery (31); and a converter (33) that steps up a DC voltage received from the second secondary battery (32) and can output the stepped-up DC voltage to the first secondary battery (31).

A vehicle driving system 1 includes a first motor/generator M/G1 which is mechanically connected to either of front wheels Wf and rear wheels Wr of a vehicle, a second motor/generator M/G2 which is electrically connected with the first motor/generator M/G1, and a flywheel FW which is mechanically connected with the second motor/generator M/G2 and which stores kinetic energy. The second motor/generator M/G2 is mechanically connected to the other of the front wheels Wf and the rear wheels Wr of the vehicle.

An apparatus for balancing charge of a battery in a battery pack includes a plurality of power supplies configured to be selectively coupled to the battery and a plurality of electrical loads configured to be electrically coupled to the battery. Test circuitry is configured to measure an amount of charge of the battery. Control circuitry selectively controls a voltage applied to the battery by the plurality of power supplies and a load applied to the battery by the plurality of electrical loads based upon a measured amount of charge of the battery.

A method and apparatus for repairing or testing a used battery pack from an electric vehicle includes optionally removing the battery pack from the vehicle. Batteries within the pack are balanced such that they have similar states of charge.

The present invention includes a battery pack maintenance device for performing maintenance on battery packs of hybrid and/or electrical vehicles (referred herein generally as electric vehicles). In various embodiments, the device includes one or more loads for connecting to a battery pack for use in discharging the battery pack, and/or charging circuitry for use in charging the battery pack. Input/output circuitry can be provided for communicating with circuitry of in the battery pack and/or circuitry of the vehicle.