Open-loop and closed-loop control of digital twinning systems using rechargeable batteries

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling and regulating a system, comprising: at least one battery as a first system component having at least one energy storage cell, at least one first transceiver, and at least one sensor for detecting at least one characteristic value; and a second system component having at least one second transceiver. Comprising the following method steps: detecting at least one first characteristic value and a second characteristic value by means of at least one sensor; emitting the detected characteristic value to a digital twin computing device having at least one battery by means of at least a first transceiver; and-ascertaining a threshold value of the at least one parameter of the battery by feeding the detected characteristic value into the digital twinning in order to simulate a future behavior and / or curve of the at least one parameter. The invention also relates to a system for carrying out the method. The invention also relates to a charging device for carrying out the method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling and regulating a system, the system comprising: at least one battery as a first system component, the first system component having at least one energy storage battery cell, at least one first transceiver, and at least one sensor for detecting at least one characteristic value; and a second system component, the second system component having at least one second transceiver.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for carrying out the method, the system comprising a battery and a second system component which is releasably connected to the battery.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a charging device for carrying out the method. Background Art

[0004] Power tools supplied with electrical energy by batteries are well known in the prior art. To this end, the battery basically comprises a plurality of energy storage cells (also referred to as battery cells) positioned in a solid housing. By means of the energy storage cells, electrical energy can be stored by the battery and can also be supplied to the power tool.

[0005] On one side of the battery housing, an interface is provided here, via which the battery can be releasably connected to a power tool or a charging device. In order to charge the battery with electrical energy, the battery is releasably connected to the charging device. According to the prior art, the charging device has an interface on one side of the housing of the charging device, via which the battery is mechanically and electrically connected to the charging device.

[0006] Modern storage batteries can be used in a multi-purpose or almost universal manner as an energy source for very different power tools or similar devices (such as vacuum cleaners, lamps, measuring equipment, etc.).

[0007] In this case, the specific load or strain on the battery can be completely different, depending on the use of the battery as an energy source in a specific device.

[0008] Thus, for example, a battery used as an energy source for a high performance power tool such as a battery operated hammer may have to provide a relatively large amount of energy (i.e., high amperage) for a relatively short period of time (i.e., a few seconds). However, a battery used as an energy source for a (construction site) light must provide less energy (i.e., low amperage) for a longer period of time (i.e., a few minutes).

[0009] Furthermore, the number of charging cycles, the duration of charging, the energy absorbed or emitted by the battery, the mechanical or thermal strains etc. can be completely different depending on the area in which the respective battery is used as an energy source.

[0010] Possible damage, individual faults or complete failure of a battery can therefore be attributed to very different causes, which usually requires an extensive analysis of the respective affected battery. Summary of the invention

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0012] This object is achieved by the subject-matter of independent claims 1, 5 and 9. Advantageous embodiments of the subject-matter according to the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0013] The object is achieved in particular by a method for controlling and regulating a system, the system comprising: at least one battery as a first system component, the first system component having at least one energy storage battery cell, at least one first transceiver, and at least one sensor for detecting at least one characteristic value; and a second system component, the second system component having at least one second transceiver.

[0014] According to the present invention, the following method steps are provided:

[0015] - detecting at least one first characteristic value and a second characteristic value by means of at least one sensor;

[0016] - transmitting the detected characteristic value via at least one first transceiver to a computing device having a digital twin of at least one battery; and

[0017] - confirming a threshold value of at least one parameter of the battery by feeding the detected characteristic values ​​into the digital twin in order to simulate a future behavior and / or curve of the at least one parameter.

[0018] According to an alternative embodiment, the second characteristic value may be detected after a predetermined duration has elapsed since the first characteristic value was detected. The duration may be a few seconds or a few minutes, in particular 10 seconds to 10 minutes.

[0019] According to an alternative embodiment, it may comprise setting at least one battery from a first operating state to a second operating state if at least one parameter of the battery reaches a predetermined threshold value or if at least one parameter of the battery reaches a confirmed threshold value.

[0020] According to an alternative embodiment, it may comprise sending at least one signal from the charging device to the battery if at least one parameter of the battery reaches a predetermined threshold value or if at least one parameter of the battery reaches a confirmed threshold value.

[0021] Furthermore, the object is achieved in particular by a system for carrying out the method, the system comprising a battery and a second system component which is releasably connected to the battery.

[0022] According to the invention, at least one battery comprises at least one first transceiver and at least one sensor for detecting at least one characteristic value, and the second system component comprises at least one second transceiver and comprises a computing device having a digital twin of the at least one battery.

[0023] According to an alternative embodiment, a computing device having a digital twin of at least one battery may be a component of the second system component.

[0024] According to an alternative embodiment, the computing device of the digital twin with the at least one battery can be designed as a separate system component.

[0025] According to an alternative embodiment, the second system component can be designed as a charging device or a power tool.

[0026] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a charging device for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0027] According to the invention, it is provided that the charging device comprises at least one second transceiver and a computing device having a digital twin of at least one battery.

[0028] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. In the drawings, different exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

[0029] The drawings, description and claims contain many features in combination. A person skilled in the art will also appropriately consider these features individually and combine them to produce other useful combinations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In the attached picture:

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic side view showing a power tool according to a first embodiment and a battery according to the first embodiment connected to the power tool; and

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic side view of a charging device according to a first embodiment and a battery according to a second embodiment connected to a power tool is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 A power tool 1 and a battery 11 according to an exemplary embodiment are shown. The power tool 1 and the battery 11 form a system S according to a first embodiment.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the power tool 1 is designed in the form of a screwdriver. Alternatively, the power tool 1 may also be designed in the form of a power drill, an impact drill, a saw, a grinder, and the like.

[0035] like Figure 1 As indicated, a power tool 1 in the form of a screwdriver substantially comprises a power tool housing 2 having a tool holder 3 and a handle 4. The tool holder 3 is used to receive and hold a tool 5. In this example, the tool 5 is a screwdriver bit. Alternatively, the tool 5 can also be designed as a drill bit.

[0036] Arranged within the power tool housing 2 are, in particular, a drive 6, a transmission 7 and a control unit 8. The drive 6 is in the form of a brushless electric motor in this case.

[0037] The control unit 8 controls and regulates the functions and behavior of the power tool 1 and in particular the drive 6 .

[0038] The handle 4 further comprises an activation switch 9, an upper end 4a and a lower end 4b. The activation switch 9 is connected to the control unit 8, so that actuation of the activation switch 9 causes activation of the driver 6 or the power tool 1. Figure 1 As shown, the drive 6 , the drive train 7 and the tool holder 3 are arranged relative to one another in such a way that a torque generated in the drive 6 can be transmitted via the drive train 7 to the tool holder 3 and the tool 5 .

[0039] In addition, the power tool housing 2 includes an upper side 2a, a lower side 2b, a front end 2c and a rear end 2d. The tool holder 3 is positioned at the front end 2c. The upper end 4a of the handle 4 is fastened to the lower side 2b of the power tool housing 2 and near the rear end 2d. The power tool interface 10 is positioned at the lower end 4b of the handle 4. The power tool interface 10 is used to releasably connect the power tool 1 to the battery 11.

[0040] The battery 11 described in the exemplary embodiment can be used as an energy storage device or electrical energy source for the power tool 1. The battery 11 here mainly includes a battery housing 12, a plurality of energy storage battery cells 13, a first sensor 14a, a second sensor 14b and a third sensor 14c, a first transceiver 15, a storage device 16 and a control device 17. The energy storage battery cell 13 can also be called a battery cell.

[0041] The storage device 16 is positioned within the interior of the battery housing 12 and is used to store and provide data and information.

[0042] The sensors 14a, 14b, 14c are generally used to detect characteristic values ​​of the battery 11 or characteristic values ​​of individual components of the battery 11. The characteristic values ​​may also be specified as parameters or characteristic variables. The characteristic values ​​of the battery 11 may include voltage, amperage, resistance, temperature, ambient humidity, etc.

[0043] The first sensor 14a is a sensor for detecting the ampere value, which can also be designated as a current measuring device, a current detecting device, an ammeter or an ammeter. The first sensor 14a is here positioned inside the battery housing 12 so that the ampere value of the energy storage battery cell 13 can be detected. The first sensor 14a is connected to the storage device 16 and the control device 17 so that the detected value can be stored and / or processed. More than one single sensor can be provided for detecting the ampere value so that the ampere value of each energy storage battery cell 13 can be detected.

[0044] The second sensor 14b is a sensor for detecting a voltage value, which can also be designated as a voltage measuring device, a voltmeter or a voltmeter. The second sensor 14b is positioned here inside the battery housing 12 so that the voltage value of the energy storage battery cell 13 can be detected. The second sensor 14b is connected to the storage device 16 and the control device 17 so that the detected value can be stored and / or processed. More than one single sensor can be provided for detecting a voltage value so that the voltage value of each energy storage battery cell 13 can be detected.

[0045] The third sensor 14c is a sensor for detecting temperature values, which sensor may also be designated as a temperature detection device, a temperature gauge, a thermometer. The third sensor 14c is positioned here inside the battery housing 12 so that the temperature value of the energy storage battery cell 13 can be detected. The third sensor 14c is connected to the storage device 16 and the control device 17 so that the detected value can be stored and / or processed. More than one single sensor may be provided for detecting temperature values ​​so that the temperature value of each energy storage battery cell 13 can be detected.

[0046] According to alternative embodiments of the battery 11 , more or less than three sensors 14 a , 14 b , 14 c may also be provided.

[0047] The first transceiver 15 is used to transmit and receive signals and data. The transceiver 15 can also be called a transceiver device. In combination or interaction with another transceiver, data and information can be sent from the storage battery 11 to another device or appliance, and data and information can also be received from another device or appliance by means of the first transceiver 15. In this exemplary embodiment, the first transceiver 15 is designed based on Bluetooth technology. However, the transceiver 15 can also be based on another suitable wireless data transmission technology, such as WLAN, ZigBee, NFC, Wibree or WiMAX within the radio frequency range. Here, the first transceiver 15 can be a component of the control device 17 of the storage battery 11. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, the first transceiver 15 can also be designed based on wired data transmission technology.

[0048] The battery housing 12 further comprises an upper side 12a, a lower side 12b and four side walls 18. Figure 1 As is evident from the diagram, the battery interface 19 is arranged on the upper side 12a of the battery housing 12. The energy storage battery cells 13 and the control device 17 are both positioned inside the battery housing 12. The control device 17 is used to control and regulate the functions and behaviors of the battery 11. The functions of the battery 11 include, in particular, quantitative absorption and quantitative release of electrical energy from the energy storage battery cells 13. Figure 1 As indicated, the control device 17 is connected to the battery interface 19. Furthermore, the control device 17 is connected to the individual energy storage battery cells 13 so that electrical energy can be transferred from the energy storage battery cells 13 and electrical energy can be transferred to the energy storage battery cells. The battery interface 19 arranged on the upper side 12a of the battery housing 12 serves to releasably connect the battery 11 to the power tool interface 10 of the power tool 1 so that when the power tool 1 and the battery 11 are in a connected state, electrical energy can be transferred from the energy storage battery cells 13 of the battery 11 to the consumers of the power tool 1 (i.e. the drive and the control unit).

[0049] Figure 2 A charging device 20 according to the present invention and a secondary battery 11 according to an exemplary embodiment are shown. The charging device 20 and the secondary battery 11 constitute a system S of the second embodiment.

[0050] The charging device 20 is used to charge the storage battery 11 that can be connected to the charging device 20 with electric energy.

[0051] Also like Figure 1 As shown, the charging device 20 comprises a charger housing 21 having a charger interface 22 and a power cable 23. A control device 24 and a second transceiver 25 are positioned inside the charger housing 21.

[0052] The power cable 23 comprises a plug 23a, with which the charging device is releasably connected to a mains power supply. The mains power supply is not shown in the figure.

[0053] The second transceiver 25 is used to transmit and receive signals and data. In combination or interaction with the first transceiver 15, data and information can be exchanged between the charging device 20 and the battery 11 with the help of the second transceiver 25. The first transceiver 15 and the second transceiver 25 are designed in a corresponding manner or in the form of a corresponding data transmission technology. In this exemplary embodiment, the second transceiver 25 is also designed based on Bluetooth technology. However, the transceiver 25 can also be based on another suitable wireless data transmission technology, such as WLAN, ZigBee, NFC, Wibree or WiMAX in the radio frequency range. Here, the second transceiver 25 can be a component of the control device 24 of the charging device 20. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, the second transceiver 25 can also be designed based on wired data transmission technology.

[0054] In the following, a method for controlling and regulating a system S according to the invention will be described. According to a first exemplary embodiment, the system S comprises a first system component S1 and a second system component S2. The first system component S1 is designed in the form of a battery 11, and the second system component S2 is designed in the form of a charging device 20. Alternatively, the system may also contain more than two system components S1, S2. Furthermore, according to another exemplary embodiment, the second system component S2 may be designed as a power tool 1.

[0055] In order to implement the method according to the invention for controlling and regulating an exemplary system S consisting of a charging device 20 and a storage battery 11, characteristic values ​​of the storage battery 11 are detected by means of sensors 14a, 14b, 14c. At least one first characteristic value KW1 and a second characteristic value KW2 of the storage battery 11 are detected here. Thus, the first sensor 14a detects a first ampere value SSW1 and a second ampere value SSW2 of the energy storage battery cell 13. The detected ampere values ​​are transmitted from the sensors 14a, 14b, 14c of the storage battery 11 to the first transceiver 15. The first transceiver 15 then transmits the detected ampere value to the second transceiver 15 of the charging device 20. The second transceiver 25 of the charging device 20 transmits the detected ampere value to the computing device 30. In the first exemplary embodiment, the computing device 30 is designed as an independent device. However, as described below, according to another exemplary embodiment, the computing device 30 can also be designed as a component of the charging device 20, the storage battery 11 or the power tool 1.

[0056] The computing device 30 is used, inter alia, to receive, store and process data and information. The computing device 30 may also be designated as a computing machine, a computer, a data processing system, etc., and basically comprises a storage device 31, a controller 32 and a third transceiver 35. The storage device 31 is used to store and provide data and information.

[0057] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the storage device 31 comprises a digital twin DZ of the battery 11. The digital twin is used in particular to simulate a future behavior and / or a curve of at least one parameter of the battery 11.

[0058] In this context, the digital twin DZ is to be understood as a digital representation of the battery 11 in a digital environment. The digital twin DZ enables comprehensive data exchange and is to be understood as not just a collection of data, but rather consists of a model or models of the represented battery 11. The digital twin DZ may include additional simulations, algorithms, functions and services that describe and influence the characteristics or behavior of the represented battery 11 or provide services or functions related to the represented battery.

[0059] By means of algorithms stored in the controller 32 of the computing device 30, threshold values ​​are determined for the parameters of the battery 11. For this purpose, the detected and transmitted characteristic values ​​of the battery 11 are fed into the digital twin DZ. Using the digital twin DZ, the future behavior or future curve of the parameters of the battery 11 can then be simulated.

[0060] List of Reference Numerals

[0061] 1. Power Tools

[0062] 2Power tool housing

[0063] 2a Upper side of the power tool housing

[0064] 2b Underside of the power tool housing

[0065] 2c Front end of the power tool housing

[0066] 2d Rear end of the power tool housing

[0067] 3 Tool holder

[0068] 4 handles

[0069] 4a Upper end of the handle

[0070] 4b Lower end of the handle

[0071] 5 Tools

[0072] 6. Drive

[0073] 7. Drivetrain

[0074] 8Control unit for power tools

[0075] 9 Actuation switch

[0076] 10 Power tool interface

[0077] 11Battery

[0078] 12 Battery housing

[0079] 12a Upper side of the battery housing

[0080] 12b Underside of the battery housing

[0081] 13 Energy storage battery monomer

[0082] 14a First sensor

[0083] 14b Second sensor

[0084] 14c Third sensor

[0085] 15 First transceiver

[0086] 16 Storage Devices

[0087] 17 Control Equipment

[0088] 18 Battery side wall

[0089] 19 Battery interface

[0090] 20 Charging equipment

[0091] 21 Charger housing

[0092] 22 charger interface

[0093] 23 Power Cable

[0094] 24 Control equipment for charging equipment

[0095] 25 Second transceiver

[0096] 30 computing devices

[0097] 31 Storage devices for computing devices

[0098] 32 Controllers for computing devices

[0099] 35 Third transceiver

[0100] S System

[0101] S1 first system component

[0102] S2 Second System Component

[0103] DZ Digital Twin

[0104] KW1 first eigenvalue

[0105] KW2 second eigenvalue

Claims

1. A method for controlling and regulating a system (S), the system comprising: at least one battery (11) as a first system component (S1), the first system component having at least one energy storage battery cell (13), at least one first transceiver (15), and at least one sensor (14a, 14b, 14c) for detecting at least one characteristic value (kW); and a second system component (S2), the second system component having at least one second transceiver (25), The method is characterized by the following steps: - detecting at least one first characteristic value and a second characteristic value (KW1, KW2) by means of the at least one sensor (14a, 14b, 14c); - sending the detected characteristic value via the at least one first transceiver (15) to a computing device (30) having a digital twin (DZ) of the at least one battery (11); and - determining a threshold value of at least one parameter of the battery (11) by feeding the detected characteristic values ​​(KW1, KW2) into the digital twin (DZ) in order to simulate the future behavior and / or curve of the at least one parameter.

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The second characteristic value (KW2) is detected after a predetermined time period has elapsed since the first characteristic value (KW1) was detected.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Features The following method steps: - if at least one parameter of the battery (11) reaches a predetermined threshold value or if at least one parameter of the battery (11) reaches a confirmed threshold value, setting the at least one battery (11) from a first operating state to a second operating state.

4. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, Features The following method steps: If at least one parameter of the battery (11) reaches a predetermined threshold value or if at least one parameter of the battery (11) reaches a determined threshold value, at least one signal is emitted from the second system component (S2) to the battery (11).

5. A system (S) for performing the method according to claim 1, comprising a battery (11) and a second system component (S2) which can be releasably connected to the battery (11), It is characterized in that The at least one storage battery (11) comprises at least one first transceiver (15) and at least one sensor (14a, 14b, 14c) for detecting at least one characteristic value (KW1, KW2), and the second system component (S2) comprises at least one second transceiver (25) and a computing device (30) having a digital twin (DZ) of the at least one storage battery (11).

6. The system (S) as claimed in claim 5, It is characterized in that The computing device (30) having the digital twin (DZ) of the at least one battery (11) is a component of the second system component (S2).

7. The system (S) as claimed in claim 5 or 6, It is characterized in that The computing device (30) has a digital twin (DZ) of the at least one battery (11) as a separate system component.

8. System (S) according to at least one of claims 5 to 7, It is characterized in that The second system component (S2) is designed as a charging device (20) or a power tool (1).

9. A charging device (20) for performing the method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The charging device (20) comprises at least one second transceiver (25) and a computing device (30) having a digital twin (DZ) of at least one storage battery (11).

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