Type identification of battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for identifying the type of a battery, which is provided for a recovery process. The method according to the invention is characterized by at least the following steps: (S1) providing a database, which comprises, for a plurality of battery types, first target values belonging to the respective battery type, each first target value also corresponding to at least one battery-specific second target value associated with the respective battery type; (S2) acquiring a first actual value of the battery to be identified corresponding to the database; -(S3) determining a second setpoint value for the battery by comparing the acquired first actual value with a first setpoint value of the database; and-(S4) determining a second battery-specific actual value of the battery to be identified, said second battery-specific actual value corresponding to the database, said type identification of the battery being marked as successful when the second actual value coincides with the determined second target value. The invention also relates to a method for recycling a battery and to a device for identifying the type of a battery.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 , a recovery method according to the preamble of claim 12 and an apparatus according to the preamble of claim 13 .

[0002] Batteries, such as those in electric vehicles, must be disposed of, recycled, or put into a secondary use at the end of their typical service life. To this end, the batteries are disassembled and processed in appropriate processing facilities.

[0003] Particularly for disassembly or further processing, reliable type identification of batteries is required. This means that the type of battery can be reliably identified. Only when each delivered battery is clearly and reliably identified can it be assigned to the correct work step. For example, type identification is an important prerequisite for providing correct process instructions and disassembly guidelines.

[0004] It's also important to understand the type of cell installed in the battery. This is because during final processing, different cell chemistries should be handled as pure as possible. It's particularly disadvantageous to combine lithium cells with lead-acid batteries during the smelting process. Even with lithium cells, it's beneficial to avoid mixing different cell types, such as LFP (lithium iron phosphate) and LTO (lithium titanate).

[0005] Existing technology typically relies on manual type identification, as current quantities are still relatively small. However, with the anticipated future volume of recycled batteries, which will reach thousands of tons, automated battery identification is necessary. Existing technology utilizes only the case markings—identification codes placed on the batteries. However, these case markings can be missing, damaged, or contain incorrect data. This can lead to the use of incorrect tools during disassembly, making the recycling process unsafe.

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an improved type identification method for batteries.

[0007] This object is achieved by a method having the features of independent claim 1, a method having the features of independent claim 12, and a device having the features of independent claim 13. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] The method according to the invention for type identification of batteries provided for a recycling process is characterized by at least the following steps:

[0009] - providing a database, which comprises, for a plurality of battery types, first rated values ​​belonging to the respective battery type, wherein each first rated value is also assigned at least one battery-specific second rated value of the respective battery type;

[0010] - obtaining a first actual value of the battery to be identified corresponding to the database;

[0011] - determining a second rated value for the battery by comparing the acquired first actual value with the first rated value from the database; and

[0012] - obtaining a battery-specific second actual value of the battery to be identified that corresponds to the database, wherein the type identification of the battery is marked as successful if the second actual value matches the determined second rated value.

[0013] The method according to the invention and / or one or more functions, features and / or steps of the method according to the invention and / or one of its various embodiments can be computer-assisted.

[0014] According to the present invention, a database is used that contains corresponding first rated values ​​for a plurality of batteries or battery types, wherein each first rated value is also assigned a battery-specific second rated value. Preferably, the first rated value is a type-specific code, such as an identification code provided on the battery. The battery-specific second rated value can be the dimensions and / or other physical and / or structural characteristics of the respective battery. According to the present invention, this database is provided for use in further methods.

[0015] Therefore, in addition to the first rated value, each included battery or each included battery type is also assigned a characteristic (second rated value) that characterizes the battery or battery type. According to the present invention, this additional characteristic or feature of the battery is used in addition to, or in addition to, the first rated value for type identification. Thus, the second rated value symbolically implements the technical four-eye principle (multi-parameter check) for type identification, thereby enabling a more reliable determination of the type of the respective battery. In this sense, checking the second rated value, i.e., a redundant check, allows confirmation of the first rated value that already essentially determines the battery type. Consequently, multiple data sources are used as input data for type identification.

[0016] According to this method, a first actual value corresponding to a database is first acquired for the battery to be identified. The first actual value corresponds to the database if the first rated value is the same technical / physical quantity. For example, if the first rated value is an identification code on the battery, the identification code set on the battery is also acquired as the first actual value.

[0017] Subsequently, by comparing the acquired first actual value with the database, that is, with the first nominal value, a second nominal value associated with the first actual value is determined. In other words, an analysis is performed to determine which first nominal value the acquired first actual value corresponds to. By determining the first nominal value associated with the first actual value in the database, the second nominal value is also determined due to the database's structure according to the present invention. For example, a possible basic battery type (first nominal value) is determined from the first actual value. According to the database, this battery type (first nominal value) is assigned, for example, the battery weight determined by the comparison as the second nominal value.

[0018] In a further step of the method, a second battery-specific actual value of the battery to be identified, which value is assigned to the database, is now determined, wherein the type identification of the battery is marked as successful if the second actual value corresponds to a determined second setpoint value.

[0019] In the above example, the battery weight of the battery is acquired as a second actual value and compared with a second rated value (rated battery weight) stored in a database and determined based on the determined battery type (first rated value). If the acquired battery weight (second actual value) matches the rated battery weight (second rated value), the type identification is marked as successful, or in this case, the type identification is successful. In the above example, the second actual value and / or the second rated value are therefore used to verify the battery type determined based on the identification code.

[0020] In summary, the method provides an automated, multi-parameter check of the battery type, using not only the battery's identification code, for example, but also other characteristics / properties of the battery, such as its weight. Therefore, reliable type identification for the recycling process and successful type identification within the meaning of the present invention is only achieved if both actual values ​​agree with their corresponding nominal values.

[0021] The method according to the invention for recycling batteries is characterized in that the battery or its battery type is identified by the method according to the invention and / or one of its embodiments.

[0022] In particular, the recycling method comprises a disassembly process, ie the battery is provided for disassembly.

[0023] The method according to the invention for recycling produces the same, equivalent and identically effective advantages and / or designs as the method according to the invention for type identification.

[0024] The device according to the present invention for type identification of batteries provided for a recycling process comprises a database, a calculation unit and an acquisition unit.

[0025] The device according to the invention is characterized in that

[0026] The database comprises, for a plurality of battery types, first rated values ​​belonging to the respective battery type, wherein each first rated value is also assigned at least one battery-specific second rated value of the respective battery type;

[0027] - The acquisition unit is designed to acquire a first actual value of the battery to be identified that corresponds to the database;

[0028] - the calculation unit is designed to determine a second nominal value for the battery by comparing the acquired first actual value with the first nominal value from the database; and

[0029] The acquisition unit is designed to acquire a second battery-specific actual value of the battery to be identified, which value corresponds to the database, wherein the calculation unit is designed to mark the type identification of the battery as successful if the second actual value corresponds to a determined second setpoint value.

[0030] The device according to the invention offers the same, equivalent and identically effective advantages and / or designs as the method according to the invention for type identification.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, when the second actual value does not agree with the second rated value, the type identification of the battery is marked as failed.

[0032] This advantageously ensures that, in the event of a failure in type identification, no recycling or recycling process of the battery, such as dismantling of the battery, is carried out.

[0033] In an advantageous development of the invention, in the event of a failure in type identification, a further first setpoint value is determined by comparing the second actual value with a database.

[0034] In other words, it is advantageously determined which first rated value and therefore which battery type is associated with the acquired second actual value according to the database. This makes it possible to provide an alternative battery type relative to the first actual value and / or the first rated value. In other words, an alternative identification relative to the first actual value is determined. This is advantageous when, for example, a battery ID label from one manufacturer is mistakenly affixed to a battery from another manufacturer, which mis-affixing occurs, for example, unintentionally during transport of the batteries. If type identification is performed solely based on the ID label, as in the prior art, this would result in erroneous identification. According to the present method, this situation is identified and an alternative identification can also be provided. The determined alternative battery type can, for example, be considered reliable or be subject to further manual inspection.

[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in the event of a failure in type identification, a further check is performed, in particular an additional manual check.

[0036] The reliability of the type identification can be further improved thereby. Here, the manual check is performed, for example, by an on-site inspector.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an identification code of the respective battery is used as the first setpoint value.

[0038] In other words, the battery type is first determined by comparing the identification code with a database in which the identification code and / or the battery type is associated with at least one further technical / physical characteristic of the battery (a second rated value).

[0039] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a code provided on the battery to be identified is used as the identification code.

[0040] In this case, the code can be designed as a housing marking of the battery, for example an ID label, in particular a QR code, an engraving or another machine-readable and retrievable identification code.

[0041] Alternatively, it is preferred to use a code on the delivery note of the battery to be identified as the identification code.

[0042] Here, the code can be obtained by scanning the delivery note.

[0043] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size, outer contour, weight and / or color of the battery are used as the second battery-specific setpoint value.

[0044] Advantageously, the aforementioned variables can be acquired and evaluated technically efficiently.

[0045] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the relative arrangement of the plug connections of the battery and / or the number of screw holes of the battery is used as the second battery-specific rated value.

[0046] This advantageously further increases the reliability of the type identification.

[0047] In an advantageous development of the invention, the database includes a plurality of battery-specific second setpoint values ​​for each first setpoint value, wherein a plurality of second actual values ​​are determined for the battery to be identified as a function of the plurality of second setpoint values.

[0048] In other words, a plurality of battery-specific properties / characteristics / variables are advantageously used to verify or confirm the battery type determined by comparing the first actual value with the first setpoint value. This advantageously further increases the reliability of the type identification.

[0049] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the type identification of the battery is marked as partially successful if only one of the plurality of second actual values ​​does not agree with the associated, determined second setpoint value.

[0050] In other words, all but one of the second actual values ​​agree with their associated second rated value. Therefore, type identification is partially confirmed or partially successful. For example, all external dimensions may be identical, but the weight may be different. This could be due to, for example, installing a battery cell from another manufacturer during a model change. In this case, limited identification confirms that it is a specific battery, such as a VW i3, but the year of production and production line (sometimes different factories use subcomponents from different suppliers) cannot be clearly determined. Even in this case, further manual inspection is required.

[0051] Further advantages, features and details of the present invention are apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which schematically show a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Identical, equivalent or identically acting elements may be provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0053] The figure shows a flow chart of a method for type identification of a battery, ie, a method for determining the battery type of a battery, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] In this case, the battery is available for a recycling process, in particular a dismantling process, for which a type identification is required beforehand.

[0055] According to the illustrated embodiment, in a first step S1 of the method, a database is provided that includes, for a plurality of battery types, identification codes (first rated values) associated with the respective battery types. Each identification code is also assigned at least one second battery-specific rated value, i.e., a battery-specific technical parameter, for the respective battery. This database can be provided, for example, by a computing unit.

[0056] In the second step S2 of the method, the actual identification code of the battery to be identified is obtained. This can be achieved, for example, by a capture unit. The identification code is typically provided on the battery in the form of a QR code, an ID label, and / or an engraving. Alternatively or additionally, the identification code can be obtained from the battery's delivery note, for example by scanning the delivery note.

[0057] According to the third step S3 of the method, a second nominal value for the battery is determined by comparing the acquired identification code (first actual value) with an identification code stored in a database (first nominal value). In other words, a check is performed to determine which identification code, and therefore which battery type, the acquired identification code corresponds to. This determines the battery type that is generally considered suitable for the battery. The determined identification code in the database is assigned a second nominal value, such as a nominal battery weight.

[0058] In the fourth step S4 of the method, a battery-specific second actual value corresponding to the database of the battery to be identified is obtained, here the actual battery weight, wherein when the obtained actual battery weight (second actual value) is consistent with the rated battery weight (second rated value) previously determined by the obtained identification code, the type identification of the battery is marked as successful.

[0059] In other words, according to this embodiment, for each battery or each battery type, in addition to the identification code, a number of further characteristic properties and features are used for type identification. These properties and features can advantageously be measured or checked using simple technical means. These properties and features are stored as a reference in a database and serve as a symbolic "second opinion" or multi-parameter check during identification.

[0060] To this end, the delivery note or a printed code is used to identify, for example, the battery's generally applicable battery type. Once this is done, a list of second rated values ​​characterizing the battery is retrieved from a database. These second rated values ​​may include, for example, the battery's dimensions, outer contour, weight, and / or color. Furthermore, the position and orientation of specific connectors on the housing, the number and position of screw holes, and any other individually measurable technical features may be used. The device according to the present invention can acquire the values / parameters thus determined using an acquisition unit, such as a 3D scanner and / or camera, and compare these values / parameters with the second rated values ​​stored or saved in a database using a calculation unit.

[0061] Advantageously, a method for battery type identification is provided, wherein input measurement data from multiple different sources, preferably ID features from documents and labels, as well as technical characteristic values ​​of the battery, are automatically compared with nominal values ​​from a provided data set by a nominal / actual comparison. The method or the association of actual values ​​with the corresponding nominal values ​​can be implemented by a computing unit of the device. For this purpose, the computing unit can include, in particular, a suitably trained and configured neural network.

[0062] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail through preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and those skilled in the art can derive other different variations therefrom without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0063] Reference Signs List

[0064] S1 First step

[0065] S2 second step

[0066] S3 Step 3

[0067] S4 Step 4

Claims

1. A method for type identification of batteries provided for a recycling process, characterized in that The method comprises the following steps: (S1) providing a database, which includes, for a plurality of battery types, first rated values ​​belonging to the respective battery types, wherein each first rated value is also assigned at least one battery-specific second rated value of the respective battery type; -(S2) obtaining a first actual value of the battery to be identified corresponding to the database; - (S3) determining a second rated value for the battery by comparing the acquired first actual value with the first rated value of the database; and (S4) obtaining a battery-specific second actual value of the battery to be identified that corresponds to the database, wherein when the second actual value is consistent with the determined second rated value, the type identification of the battery is marked as successful.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that When the second actual value is inconsistent with the second rated value, the type identification of the battery is marked as failed.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that In the event of a failure in type identification, a further first desired value is determined by comparing the second actual value with the database.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that If the type identification fails, further checks are performed, in particular additional manual checks.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The identification code of the respective battery is used as the first rated value.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Use the code set on the battery to be identified as the identification code.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Use the code on the delivery note of the battery to be identified as the identification code.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Use the battery's size, outer shape, weight, and / or color as a battery-specific secondary rating.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The relative arrangement of the plug connections of the battery and / or the number of screw holes is used as a second battery-specific rated value.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The database includes a plurality of battery-specific second setpoint values ​​for each first setpoint value, wherein a plurality of second actual values ​​are determined for the battery to be identified as a function of the plurality of second setpoint values.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that If only one of the plurality of second actual values ​​does not correspond to the associated determined second setpoint value, the type identification of the battery is marked as partially successful.

12. A method for recycling batteries, characterized in that: The battery is identified by a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. A device for identifying the type of a battery, wherein the battery is provided for a recycling process, the device comprising a database, a calculation unit and an acquisition unit, characterized in that: The database comprises, for a plurality of battery types, first rated values ​​belonging to the respective battery type, wherein each first rated value is also assigned at least one battery-specific second rated value of the respective battery type; - The acquisition unit is designed to acquire a first actual value of the battery to be identified that corresponds to the database; - the calculation unit is designed to determine a second nominal value for the battery by comparing the acquired first actual value with the first nominal value from the database; and The acquisition unit is designed to acquire a second battery-specific actual value of the battery to be identified, which value corresponds to the database, wherein the calculation unit is designed to mark the type identification of the battery as successful if the second actual value corresponds to a determined second setpoint value.

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