Method for actuating circuit module of electrical energy store, and corresponding computer program, machine-readable storage medium, electronic control unit and device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a circuit module of an electrical energy store, the circuit module having at least one electromechanical switch in a first branch and at least one first semiconductor switch in a second branch, the first branch and the second branch being arranged in a parallel circuit, the method comprises the steps of: determining whether a first condition is satisfied, the first condition representing that the current flowing through the circuit module is lower than or equal to a predefined current amount value; -when a first condition is satisfied, interrupting a through-current flow through the first branch by actuating the electromechanical switch, and enabling a through-current flow through the second branch by actuating the first semiconductor switch. Corresponding computer programs, machine-readable storage media, electronic control units and apparatuses are also described.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention is based on a method for controlling a circuit module for an electrical energy storage device according to the independent patent claims. Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle, relays or contactors or semiconductor switches are typically used to interrupt the supply current, for example, during an idle phase.

[0003] A device for interrupting the power supply of a battery pack is described in publication FR2870996 A1. The battery pack has two branches, where one branch is designed for high-current loads and one branch is designed for low-current loads.

[0004] A device and method for interrupting the power supply of a battery pack are described in publication US11251790 B2. The battery pack has two branches in which a relay and a semiconductor switch are connected in parallel and are accordingly controlled. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Advantages of the Invention

[0006] Disclosed is a method for controlling a circuit module for an electrical energy storage device having the features of the independent patent claims. Here, the circuit module has at least one electromechanical switch in a first branch and at least one first semiconductor switch in a second branch, where the first branch and the second branch are arranged in a parallel circuit. The method has the following steps.

[0007] Determine whether a first condition is met, where the first condition indicates that the current flowing through the circuit module is less than or equal to a predefined current value.

[0008] When the first condition is met, interrupt the current flowing through the first branch by controlling the electromechanical switch and enable the current flowing through the second branch by controlling the first semiconductor switch.

[0009] This method is advantageous because in the case of a small current, the first branch is turned off by using the electromechanical switch and the current can flow through the second branch by using the first semiconductor switch.

[0010] This method can be suitably implemented in a computer-implemented manner.

[0011] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] The circuit module suitably also has a second semiconductor switch connected in series with the first semiconductor switch in the second branch, wherein the first semiconductor switch is arranged to control the discharge current from the electrical energy storage, and the second semiconductor switch is arranged to control the charging current flowing into the electrical energy storage, wherein when a first condition is met, the second semiconductor switch is actuated to block the current passing through in the charging direction of the electrical energy storage in the second branch. This is advantageous because it ensures that in operation with low current requirements (so-called sleep mode or rest mode), no charging of the electrical energy storage takes place, which could lead to overcharging of the electrical energy storage and thus to a safety risk. This increases the safety thereby.

[0013] Suitably, it is determined whether a second condition is met, which second condition represents that the current flowing through the circuit module is higher than a predefined current value. When the second condition is met, the current passing through the second branch is interrupted by actuating the first semiconductor switch and possibly the second semiconductor switch, and the current passing through the first branch is made possible by actuating the electromechanical switch. This is advantageous because it ensures that: in operation with high current requirements, i.e., in the so-called operating mode, the current flows through the electromechanical switch, which thereby reduces the power loss and heat input due to its advantageous low resistance.

[0014] Suitably, it is determined whether a third condition is met, which third condition represents that the charging voltage applied to the circuit module is higher than the voltage of the electrical energy storage. When the third condition is met, the current passing through the first branch is made possible by actuating the electromechanical switch, and the current passing through the second branch is interrupted by actuating the first semiconductor switch and / or the second semiconductor switch. This is advantageous because it enables charging of the electrical energy storage via the electromechanical switch, which produces less heat loss compared to the semiconductor switch due to its low impedance (Niederohmigkeit), and thus reduces the aging of the circuit module.

[0015] Suitably, the voltage dropping (abfallend) on or in the circuit module is determined. Then, the proper function of the electromechanical switch, the first semiconductor switch, and / or the second semiconductor switch is diagnosed based on the determined voltage dropping on or in the circuit module. This is advantageous because errors in the switch operation can be detected thereby, which increases the safety when using the circuit module.

[0016] Furthermore, the subject matter of the present invention is a computer program which is arranged to execute all steps of the method according to the present invention. Thus, the advantages mentioned can be achieved.

[0017] Furthermore, the subject matter of the present invention is a machine-readable storage medium on which a computer program according to the present invention is stored. Thus, the advantages mentioned can be achieved.

[0018] Furthermore, the subject matter of the present invention is an electronic control unit which is configured to carry out all steps of the method according to the present invention.

[0019] The subject matter of the present invention is also a device having a circuit module, wherein the circuit module includes at least one electromechanical switch in a first branch and at least one semiconductor switch in a second branch. These branches are arranged in a parallel circuit, and the circuit module has at least two connection terminals for installation (Einbau) into an electrical energy storage and an electronic control unit according to the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description.

[0021] Wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 shows a flow chart of a method according to the present invention according to one embodiment; and

[0023] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a device according to the present invention. Detailed Description

[0024] In all the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same device components or the same method steps.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a flow chart of a method according to the present invention for controlling a circuit module. The circuit module here has at least one electromechanical switch in a first branch and at least one first semiconductor switch in a second branch. In a first step S11, it is determined whether a first condition is satisfied, which first condition means that the current flowing through the circuit module is lower than or equal to a predefined current value. Here, for example, it is determined that: the current flowing through the circuit module to the energy storage is in magnitude whether it is less than or equal to 40 milliamperes. If this is the case, then the first condition in this example is satisfied, and only the so-called static current (Ruhestrom) flows through the module.

[0026] When the first condition is satisfied, then in a second step S12, the through-current flowing through the first branch is interrupted by controlling the electromechanical switch. Conversely, by controlling the first semiconductor switch, it is made possible for the through-current to flow through the second branch. Thus, it is ensured that the current flows through the open first semiconductor switch.

[0027] If the circuit module has a second semiconductor switch arranged accordingly in the second branch for controlling the charging current flowing into the electrical energy storage, the second semiconductor switch can be actuated in a third step to block the through-current in the charging direction of the electrical energy storage in this branch.

[0028] For example, in order to switch again from an operation with low current requirements to an operation with high current requirements, it can be determined whether a second condition is met, which second condition indicates that the current flowing through the circuit module is higher than a predefined current value. If the second condition is met, the through-current flowing through the second branch is interrupted by actuating the first semiconductor switch and possibly the second semiconductor switch (if present). Additionally, the through-current flowing through the first branch can be enabled by actuating the electromechanical switch.

[0029] In order to always switch to the desired operating mode, the mentioned conditions can be checked regularly, for example, at predefined time intervals.

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic illustration of a device 20 according to the invention is shown. Here, the device 20 has a circuit module 21. The circuit module 21 includes at least one electromechanical switch 22 in the first branch and at least one first semiconductor switch 23 in the second branch, where these branches are arranged in a parallel circuit. The circuit module 21 has at least two connection terminals 25, 26 for loading into the electrical energy storage. Additionally, the device 20 includes an electronic control unit 27 according to the invention, which is configured to perform all steps of the method according to the invention.

[0031] Additionally, the circuit module can have a second semiconductor switch 24, where the first semiconductor switch 23 is then configured to control the discharge current from the electrical energy storage, and the second semiconductor switch 24 is configured to control the charging current flowing into the electrical energy storage. Additionally, the second branch can have a fuse device 28 to protect against overload.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a circuit module (21) of an electrical energy storage device, wherein the circuit module (21) has at least one electromechanical switch (22) in a first branch and at least one first semiconductor switch (23) in a second branch, wherein the first branch and the second branch are arranged in a parallel circuit, the method comprising the steps of: - determining whether a first condition is satisfied, the first condition indicating that the current flowing through the circuit module (21) is lower than or equal to a predefined current value; When the first condition is met, the through current flowing through the first branch is interrupted by actuating the electromechanical switch (22), and the through current flowing through the second branch is enabled by actuating the first semiconductor switch (23).

2. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the circuit module (21) further comprises a second semiconductor switch (24) connected in series with the first semiconductor switch (23) in the second branch, wherein the first semiconductor switch (23) is arranged to control a discharge current from the electrical energy storage device and the second semiconductor switch (24) is arranged to control a charging current into the electrical energy storage device, wherein the method comprises the further step of: The second semiconductor switch (24) is actuated to block a flow of current in the second branch in the direction of charging the electrical energy store.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of: - determining whether a second condition is satisfied, the second condition indicating that the current flowing through the circuit module (21) is higher than a predefined current value; - when a second condition is met, interrupting the through-current through the second branch by actuating the first semiconductor switch (23) and possibly the second semiconductor switch (24), and enabling the through-current through the first branch by actuating the electromechanical switch (22).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of: - determining whether a third condition is satisfied, the third condition indicating that the charging voltage applied to the circuit module (21) is higher than the voltage of the electric energy storage device; - when a third condition is met, a through current flowing through the first branch is enabled by actuating the electromechanical switch (22), and a through current flowing through the second branch is interrupted by actuating the first semiconductor switch (23) and / or the second semiconductor switch (24).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of: - determining a voltage drop across or in the circuit module (21); - diagnosing the proper functioning of the electromechanical switch (22), the first semiconductor switch (23) and / or the second semiconductor switch (24) as a function of the determined voltage drop across or in the circuit module (21).

6. A computer program, arranged to execute all the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon the computer program according to claim 6.

8. An electronic control unit (27) arranged to carry out all the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. A device (20), comprising a circuit module (21), wherein the circuit module (21) includes at least one electromechanical switch (22) in a first branch and at least one first semiconductor switch (23) in a second branch, wherein the branches are arranged in a parallel circuit, wherein the circuit module (21) has at least two connection terminals (25, 26) for loading into an electrical energy storage device, wherein the device (20) includes an electronic control unit (27) according to claim 8.

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