Patent ID: 8237398
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: B60L,H01M,H02J,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A charging method for an electric system including a power storage mechanism for storing electric power, comprising the steps of: detecting connection of said power storage mechanism to an external power supply; automatically causing said power storage mechanism to discharge until a state of charge of said power storage mechanism decreases to a predetermined value if connection of said power storage mechanism to said external power supply is detected; charging said power storage mechanism after discharge of said power storage mechanism until the state of charge of said power storage mechanism decreases to said predetermined value, wherein said power storage mechanism includes a first power storage mechanism and a second power storage mechanism connected in parallel to each other, said step of causing said power storage mechanism to discharge includes the step of causing said first power storage mechanism and said second power storage mechanism to discharge in an alternating manner, and said charging method further comprises the steps of charging electric power discharged from said first power storage mechanism into said second power storage mechanism, charging, during discharge of said first power storage mechanism, electric power supplied from outside said electric system into said second power storage mechanism, charging electric power discharged from said second power storage mechanism into said first power storage mechanism, and charging, during discharge of said second power storage mechanism, electric power supplied from outside said electric system into said first power storage mechanism.