Energy storage system and motor vehicle

Abstract

This invention relates to an energy storage system comprising at least one storage device for storing electrical energy, a substrate for housing the at least one storage device, at least one deformable element, at least one contact element, and a detection device for detecting deformation of the deformable element. The at least one deformable element and the at least one contact element are at least regionally arranged together on the outer side of the substrate. The detection device is electrically connected to the at least one deformable element and / or the at least one contact element and is designed to detect the degree of deformation of the at least one deformable element. The degree of deformation of the at least one deformable element can be detected by detecting resistance when the at least one deformable element and the at least one contact element are in contact. This invention also relates to a motor vehicle having an energy storage system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an energy storage system, and more particularly to an energy storage system for motor vehicles, wherein the energy storage system has a detection device for detecting the degree of deformation. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having an energy storage system. Background Technology

[0002] Energy storage systems, especially those used in motor vehicles, are highly sensitive to external forces. In motor vehicles, energy storage systems are often installed in the undercarriage and are therefore susceptible to external impacts or other mechanical loads during vehicle operation. If the outer surface of the energy storage system is damaged, for example due to deformation, breakage, or intrusion, the system may malfunction or the battery system may fail. In the worst-case scenario, damage may occur inside the battery and at individual battery cells, rendering the battery unsafe and increasing the risk of insulation damage and / or fire.

[0003] When a battery is subjected to abnormally high mechanical loads, such as from below, the user of the vehicle may not necessarily notice. If the vehicle is shared by multiple users, there may be risks if information about the damage is not documented. Unclear maintenance and / or repair situations often arise because either the battery is replaced even though it is not damaged and would continue to operate safely, or it is not replaced despite being severely loaded at certain points because it does not show visible and / or obvious damage, thus posing a safety risk.

[0004] For example, the deformation identification system for batteries of motor vehicles known from patent document DE 10 2013 006 809 A1 can only identify that damage has occurred at the battery, but cannot determine the extent of the damage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome, or at least partially overcome, the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an energy storage system, especially an energy storage system for motor vehicles, through which the detection of the degree of deformation can be achieved particularly easily. The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is also particularly to provide a motor vehicle having a corresponding energy storage system.

[0006] The aforementioned technical problem is solved by an energy storage system and a motor vehicle. Further advantages and details of the invention are given in the specification and drawings. Herein, the features described in connection with the energy storage system according to the invention are obviously also applicable to the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa; therefore, various aspects of the invention can always be referenced to each other for the purposes of this disclosure.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, the technical problem is solved by an energy storage system, particularly for motor vehicles, and especially preferably for motor vehicles that are at least partially electrically driven, the energy storage system comprising at least one storage device for storing electrical energy, a base for housing the at least one storage device, at least one deformable element, at least one contact element, and a detection device for detecting deformation of the at least one deformable element, wherein the at least one deformable element and the at least one contact element are at least regionally arranged together on the outer side of the base, wherein the detection device is electrically connected to the at least one deformable element and / or the at least one contact element and is designed to detect the degree of deformation of the at least one deformable element, wherein the degree of deformation of the at least one deformable element can be detected by detecting resistance by the detection device when the at least one deformable element and the at least one contact element are in contact.

[0008] The principle of this invention is to close, for example, an electrical circuit or current circuit when at least one deformable element and at least one contact element come into contact, and thus detect the deformation of the deformable element by a detection device. Preferably, at least one contact element and at least one deformable element do not come into contact with each other in the basic state. Particularly preferably, at least one contact element and at least one deformable element are electrically insulated from each other in the basic state, even by an insulating portion consisting of insulating material and / or air. Within the scope of this invention, the basic state is understood as the undamaged state of the energy storage system without external force, whereby neither at least one contact element nor at least one deformable element is deformed. The deformation of the deformable element allows for the further inference of the external force applied. Depending on the magnitude of the external force, at least one deformable element deforms more or less from the moment it comes into contact with at least one contact element, thereby changing the contact surface and thus changing the resistance of the transition between the at least one contact element and the at least one deformable element. This design of the energy storage system is particularly advantageous because the degree of deformation of at least one deformable element can be detected steplessly or substantially steplessly, very simply, and at low cost. The expression "X or substantially X" in this invention should be understood as a possible, minor error, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances, material properties, and / or process characteristics, without altering the basic, intended function of the feature. The detection of the degree of deformation of at least one deformable element should be understood in this invention as the ability to detect at least two stages, particularly preferably multiple stages, of the deformation of at least one deformable element, wherein "undeformed" should not be understood as one of the at least two stages. The at least two detectable stages of the deformation of at least one deformable element respectively describe the deformation of the at least one deformable element. The energy storage system, especially the detection device, is preferably connected to the vehicle's control equipment and / or onboard electrical network. The current loop of at least one contact element and at least one deformable element is preferably designed as a low-voltage current loop, particularly 12V or 48V.

[0009] The substrate preferably defines and / or surrounds at least a segment of at least one storage device. The substrate is designed, for example, as a housing for at least one storage device. The detection device is electrically connected to at least one deformable element and / or at least one contact element, thereby preferably applying a potential between the at least one deformable element and the at least one contact element. The contact between the at least one deformable element and the at least one contact element thus closes a loop and / or enables current flow via the at least one deformable element and / or the at least one contact element, which can then be detected by the detection device using a detection resistor. The at least one deformable element and / or at least one contact element can preferably be arranged on the substrate. The at least one deformable element and at least one contact element are particularly preferably integrated into a vehicle underbody protection device. The at least one deformable element and at least one contact element can be made of the same or different materials. The at least one deformable element and at least one contact element are at least segmentally conductive, preferably fully conductive. The at least one deformable element is advantageously made of a material softer than the at least one contact element. Alternatively or additionally, at least one deformable element is preferably more deformable than at least one contact element due to its construction design, so that the at least one contact element deforms to a lesser extent, or does not deform at all, or is substantially undeformed when in contact with the at least one deformable element. Specifically, the at least one deformable element thus preferably deforms on top of an undeformed or substantially undeformed contact element, wherein the contact surface between the at least one deformable element and the at least one contact element expands due to the deformation, and wherein the resistance of the transition between the at least one deformable element and the at least one contact element is thus reduced. For multiple deformable elements, the expansion of the contact surface is preferably produced by multiple transitions between the multiple deformable elements and the at least one contact element.

[0010] According to a preferred extension of the invention, in an energy storage system, the detection device can be designed to detect the deformation of a deformable element and / or the resistance based on current and / or voltage. Within the scope of the invention, the deformation of a deformable element and / or the resistance of the transition between at least one contact element and at least one deformable element can be detected based on both current and voltage. The resistance detection can be performed directly or indirectly.

[0011] According to a preferred extension of the invention, in an energy storage system, the detection device may include at least two deformable elements, wherein the at least two deformable elements are arranged in at least two layers. A layer is hereby understood in particular as a plane, wherein the at least two layers are preferably arranged parallel to each other. Arranging at least two deformable elements in at least two layers advantageously enables the detection of different degrees of deformation, because contact between at least two deformable elements in at least two layers requires different external forces to produce contact with at least one contact element. Energy storage systems designed in this way are particularly advantageous because the degree of deformation can be detected particularly simply and cost-effectively. In designs of energy storage systems with more than two layers, these layers may be spaced uniformly or non-uniformly. It is particularly advantageous to detect with particular sensitivity a range of the degree of deformation of the deformable elements, while other ranges of the degree of deformation can be detected with lower sensitivity. Thus, contact can be detected, for example, by a first layer having at least one deformable element, and deformation under greater external forces can be accurately detected by multiple other layers. The deformable elements in the at least two layers may be arranged overlapping and / or staggered.

[0012] According to a preferred extension of the invention, in an energy storage system, the detection device may be specified to include at least two deformable elements, wherein the at least two deformable elements have different heights. Designing at least two deformable elements with different heights advantageously enables the detection of different degrees of deformation, because contact between at least two deformable elements with these at least two different heights requires different external forces to generate contact with at least one contact element. Energy storage systems designed in this way are particularly advantageous because the degree of deformation can be detected particularly simply and cost-effectively. Similarly, for example, the degree of detail to which the deformation of the deformable elements should be detected can be distinguished by using deformable elements with different heights. In areas of the energy storage system that are highly susceptible to external forces, for example, multiple deformable elements with different heights can be arranged to achieve the most detailed possible detection of deformation in these areas. According to a preferred extension of the invention, in the energy storage system, at least one deformable element may be designed with a shell, wherein the shell has, in particular, a planar or substantially planar design structure and / or the shell is at least sectionally capable of elastic and / or plastic compression. The shell of at least one deformable element is preferably designed as a pad. Furthermore, the pad is made of a material capable of elastic and / or plastic compression and / or deformation. Alternatively or additionally, the housing is at least sectionally made of a foam-like material. Furthermore, the housing may be at least sectionally made of steel wool and / or a mesh structure. The design of the housing being made of steel wool, i.e., a conductive material, advantageously allows at least one deformable element and / or at least one contact element to make electrical contact via the conductive housing. The housing is preferably designed at least sectionally to be transparent or translucent. This energy storage system achieves the detection of the degree of deformation with simple and inexpensive devices and is particularly advantageous for use as a bottom protection device for motor vehicles.

[0013] According to a preferred extension of the invention, an energy storage system may be specified to include at least two deformable elements, wherein each of the at least two deformable elements is electrically connected independently to a detection device, and / or the energy storage system includes at least two contact elements, wherein each of the at least two contact elements is electrically connected independently to a detection device. The at least two deformable elements and / or contact elements are therefore not electrically connected to each other. The independent connection of the at least two deformable elements and / or contact elements enables the degree of deformation to be detected independently at at least two locations within the energy storage system. The energy storage system is thus advantageously divided into at least two detection regions. This allows, for example, the energy storage system to be designed with any number of detection regions so that the accuracy of deformation detection is adapted to the requirements of the manufacturer and / or user. The detection regions can be constituted by individual deformable elements and / or contact elements and / or groups of deformable elements and / or contact elements. Energy storage systems designed in this way are particularly advantageous because the degree of deformation can be detected in at least two independent detection regions using simple and inexpensive devices.

[0014] A preferred extended design according to the invention can be specified in an energy storage system, where at least one deformable element and / or at least one contact element is arranged, fixed to and / or engaged with the base material, particularly on the entire surface or substantially on the entire surface and / or detachably arranged, fixed to and / or engaged with the base material. The contact element is preferably designed to engage with the base material. For the detection of deformation of at least one deformable element, it is advantageous that the at least one deformable element and / or at least one contact element is arranged on the base material. The detachability of at least one deformable element and / or at least one contact element is particularly advantageous because it allows for advantageous maintenance and / or replacement of individual, multiple, or all deformable elements and / or contact elements. Deformed deformable elements can, in particular, be replaced with new, undeformed deformable elements after maintenance and / or inspection to restore initial detection accuracy. At least one deformable element and / or at least one contact element is threaded, riveted, bonded, and / or otherwise arranged and / or fixed to the base material.

[0015] A preferred extension design according to the invention can be specified in an energy storage system, wherein the energy storage system includes a storage unit, wherein the detection of deformation of a deformable element over time can be detected and stored by the storage unit. The storage unit is particularly advantageous for improving the analysis and / or tracking of external forces acting on the energy storage system according to the invention. The storage unit enables advantageous detection of deformation of the deformable element over time. Furthermore, an output unit for outputting the stored data can be present in the energy storage system according to the invention. The energy storage system can, upon detecting deformation, provide analysis, guidance, warnings, special modes, such as monitoring the temperature of the storage device, and / or prohibit further driving while in motion and / or stationary. The energy storage system preferably has a transmitting device for transmitting and / or transmitting the detected and stored data. The transmission and / or transmission can be performed wirelessly and / or via a wired connection. This design of the energy storage system is particularly advantageous because the detection of the degree of deformation of at least one deformable element can be used and analyzed in a particularly advantageous and diverse manner, thereby providing greater advantages to manufacturers, service operators and / or users of energy storage systems, especially motor vehicles with energy storage systems according to the invention.

[0016] According to a preferred extension of the invention, in an energy storage system, the deformable element may comprise at least one, preferably two, of the following shapes:

[0017] - Conical shape,

[0018] - Pins

[0019] -Columnar,

[0020] -Hollow columnar shape

[0021] - Prismatic shape,

[0022] - pyramidal,

[0023] -Spherical,

[0024] hemispherical

[0025] The at least two shapes are preferably made of one material, or at least two materials, or multiple different materials. For example, a conical shape is particularly advantageous for at least one deformable element because the cone's apex and tapering design allow for advantageous deformation when subjected to external forces and in contact with at least one contact element. The design of at least two of the aforementioned shapes in at least one deformable element can be understood, for example, as a cone having a sphere located at the apex of the cone. Energy storage systems designed in this way are particularly advantageous because the deformation of at least one deformable element can be advantageously adapted through the design of the at least one deformable element's construction. The at least two of the aforementioned shapes preferably form deformable elements made of one material or at least two different materials, respectively, through material bonding.

[0026] According to a second aspect of the invention, the technical problem is solved by a motor vehicle having an energy storage system according to the first aspect. The motor vehicle obtains all the advantages already described in the energy storage system according to the first aspect of the invention. This type of motor vehicle is particularly advantageous because it allows for the stepless or substantially stepless, particularly simple and inexpensive detection of the degree of deformation of at least one deformable element of the energy storage system. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The energy storage system according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings schematically illustrate:

[0028] Figure 1 The energy storage system with deformable elements is shown in the side view.

[0029] Figure 2 The side view shows an energy storage system with deformable elements located in two layers and at two different heights.

[0030] Figure 3 The energy storage system with deformable elements is shown in the side view, and

[0031] Figure 4 The side view shows a motor vehicle with an energy storage system.

[0032] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the figures, elements with the same function and mode of operation are respectively given the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1An energy storage system 10 with deformable elements 20 is schematically shown in a side view. The energy storage system 10 includes a storage device 12 for storing electrical energy, a base 14 for housing the storage device 12, which also serves as a contact element 30, a plurality of deformable elements 20 located in a plane, and a detection device 40 for detecting the deformation of the deformable elements 20. The deformable elements 20 are designed as cones and gradually narrow towards the contact element 30, which is designed as the base 14. The detection device 40 is electrically connected to the deformable elements 20 and the contact element 30 and is designed to detect the degree of deformation of the deformable elements 20. When the deformable elements 20 and the contact element 30 are in contact, the degree of deformation of the deformable elements 20 can be detected by detecting resistance by the detection device 40. One of the deformable elements 20 deforms due to an external force and forms contact with the contact element 30. The contact element 30 and the deformable elements 20 are not in contact with each other in their basic state. The deformation of the deformable elements 20 allows the application of an external force to be inferred. Depending on the magnitude of the external force, the deformable element 20 deforms more or less from the moment it comes into contact with the contact element 30, thereby changing the contact surface and thus altering the resistance of the transition between the contact element 30 and the deformable element 20. This design of the energy storage system 10 is particularly advantageous because the degree of deformation of the deformable element 20 can be detected steplessly or substantially steplessly, very simply, and at low cost. The deformable element 20 is designed with a housing 22, wherein the housing 22 has a planar design and is at least segmentally elastically and plastically compressible. The energy storage system 10 includes a storage unit 50, wherein the detection and storage of the deformation of the deformable element 20 over time are possible by the storage unit 50.

[0034] Figure 2 An energy storage system 10 with deformable elements 20 located in two layers L1 and L2 and having two different heights H1 and H2 is schematically shown in a side view. Arranging the deformable elements 20 in the two layers L1 and L2 advantageously enables the detection of different degrees of deformation, because contact between the deformable elements 20 in the two layers L1 and L2 requires different external forces to generate contact with the contact element 30. The deformable elements 20 in the two layers L1 and L2 are each connected to an independent detection device 40, thereby enabling the detection of the degree of deformation of the deformable elements 20 in the two layers L1 and L2 independently. The deformable elements 20 in the two layers L1 and L2 have different heights H1 and H2. The design of the deformable elements 20 having different heights H1 and H2 advantageously enables the detection of different degrees of deformation, because contact between the deformable elements 20 with at least two different heights H1 and H2 requires different external forces to generate contact with the contact element 30. The deformable elements 20 in the two layers L1 and L2 are arranged staggered from each other.

[0035] Figure 3 An energy storage system 10 with deformable elements 20 is schematically shown in a side view. Figure 3 The energy storage system 10 has a detection device 40 electrically connected to a deformable element 20 and designed to detect the degree of deformation of the deformable element 20. The deformable element 20 is designed as a one-piece deformable element and extends along the entire side of the storage device 12 and the base 14. In its base state, the deformable element 20 is electrically insulated from the contact element 30. An external force is applied to press the deformable element 20 at least sectionally through the electrically insulated portion, creating contact between the deformable element 20 and the contact element 30. The degree of deformation of the deformable element 20 is detected by resistance detection by the detection device 40, thereby determining indication parameters for possible cycles of the energy storage system 10, particularly the storage device 12.

[0036] Figure 4 A motor vehicle 100 having an energy storage system 10 is schematically shown in a side view. The motor vehicle 100 according to the invention is particularly advantageous because the degree of deformation of the deformable element 20 of the energy storage system 10 can be detected steplessly or substantially steplessly, in a particularly simple and inexpensive manner.

[0037] List of reference numerals

[0038] 10 Energy Storage System

[0039] 12 Storage devices

[0040] 14 Matrix

[0041] 20 Deformable elements

[0042] 22 Casing

[0043] 30 Contact elements

[0044] 40 Detection Device

[0045] 50 storage units

[0046] 100 motor vehicles

[0047] H height

[0048] L layer

Claims

1. An energy storage system (10), the energy storage system comprising at least one storage device (12) for storing electrical energy, a substrate (14) for housing the at least one storage device (12), at least one deformable element (20), at least one contact element (30), and a detection device (40) for detecting deformation of the at least one deformable element (20), wherein, The at least one deformable element (20) and the at least one contact element (30) are arranged at least regionally together on the outer side of the substrate (14). Its features are, The detection device (40) is electrically connected to the at least one deformable element (20) and the at least one contact element (30) and is designed to detect the degree of deformation of the at least one deformable element (20), wherein the degree of deformation of the at least one deformable element (20) can be detected by detecting resistance by the detection device (40) when the at least one deformable element (20) and the at least one contact element (30) are in contact, wherein the detection device (10) includes at least two deformable elements (20) having different heights (H), wherein different external forces are required for the contact of the at least two deformable elements with different heights with the at least one contact element, wherein the at least two deformable elements (20) are arranged in at least two layers (L).

2. The energy storage system (10) according to claim 1, Its features are, The detection device (40) is designed to detect the deformation of the deformable element (20) based on current and / or voltage and / or to detect its resistance.

3. The energy storage system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one deformable element (20) is designed to have a housing (22).

4. The energy storage system (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing (22) has a planar design and / or the housing (22) is at least segmentally elastic and / or plastically compressible.

5. The energy storage system (10) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The energy storage system (10) includes at least two deformable elements (20), wherein the at least two deformable elements (20) are electrically connected to the detection device (40) independently and / or the energy storage system (10) includes at least two contact elements (30), wherein the at least two contact elements (30) are electrically connected to the detection device (40) independently.

6. The energy storage system (10) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The at least one deformable element (20) and / or the at least one contact element (30) are arranged, fixed to the substrate (14), or designed to be in contact with the material of the substrate (14).

7. The energy storage system (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The at least one deformable element (20) and / or the at least one contact element (30) are designed to be detachably arranged, fixed to the substrate (14) and / or bonded to the material of the substrate (14) on the entire surface and / or detachably arranged.

8. The energy storage system (10) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The energy storage system (10) includes a storage unit (50) wherein the deformation of the deformable element (20) over time can be detected and stored by the storage unit (50).

9. The energy storage system (10) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The deformable element (20) includes at least one of the following shapes: - Conical, - Pins - Columnar, - Hollow columnar, - Prismatic shape, - pyramidal, - Spherical, - Hemispherical.

10. The energy storage system (10) according to claim 9. Its features are, The deformable element (20) includes at least two of the shapes.

11. The energy storage system (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The at least two shapes are made of one material or two different materials.

12. A motor vehicle (100) having an energy storage system (10), Its features are, The energy storage system (10) is designed according to any one of the preceding claims.

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