Battery system comprising a battery which can be connected to at least one of its high-voltage terminals via a contactor, and method for switching such a contactor.

The battery system addresses the challenge of maintaining reliable separation of high-voltage networks in vehicles by using an energy storage facility to ensure continuous electrical supply to the shooters, preventing unintended opening and welding, and enabling controlled separation during faults.

DE102014200262B4Active Publication Date: 2025-03-13ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102014200262
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2014-01-10
Publication Date
2025-03-13
Estimated Expiration
2034-01-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing battery systems in vehicles face challenges in maintaining reliable separation of high-voltage networks during faults or accidents, particularly due to unintended opening of shooters (Schütz) caused by voltage fluctuations or failures, which can lead to unwanted welding and loss of functionality.

Method used

The battery system incorporates an energy storage facility, such as a capacitor, connected to the control coil of the shooter, allowing it to maintain electrical energy supply even when the predetermined voltage fails. This ensures the shooter remains closed until a predetermined time, preventing unintended opening and welding, and connects to a backup fuse that triggers within a shorter time to manage excessive currents.

Benefits of technology

This solution enhances the safety and reliability of the battery system by ensuring that the shooters remain functional during voltage fluctuations or failures, preventing unwanted opening and welding, and allowing for controlled separation of the high-voltage network during faults.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Battery system (100) with a battery (101) designed to supply a high-voltage network, which can be connected to at least one of its high-voltage network connections (130, 131) via a contactor (10) comprising a control coil (20) and which closes in a state in which a control current flows through the control coil (20) and opens in another state in which no current flows through the control coil (20), and the control coil (20) can be connected to a supply unit (50) via a supply circuit (80) to generate the control current, by means of which a predetermined voltage can be provided which is lower than the voltage generated by the battery (101), characterized in that the contactor (10) or the supply circuit (80) comprises an energy storage device (90),the contactor (10) can be charged with a predetermined amount of electrical energy by means of the supply unit (50) connected to the control coil (20) and providing the predetermined voltage, and which, when the predetermined voltage is lost, can continue to generate the control current flowing through the control coil (20) for a first period of time by releasing the charged amount of energy, and the contactor (10) is configured to open after the first period of time, wherein the contactor (10) is furthermore connected or connectable to at least one fuse (110) which is configured to conduct at least a portion of a current flowing through the closed contactor (10) and, when a current flowing through the fuse (110) exceeds a predetermined limit, to trip within a second period of time that is shorter than the first period of time.
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Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery system comprising a battery designed to supply a high-voltage network, which can be connected to at least one of its high-voltage network terminals via a contactor. The invention also relates to a method for switching a contactor for a battery designed to supply a high-voltage network, which can be connected to one of its high-voltage network terminals via the contactor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with such a battery system. State of the art

[0002] Vehicles (passenger cars) use battery systems with batteries that can supply a high-voltage network with a high voltage. Therefore, the battery cells or modules of such batteries are usually connected in series. This allows such batteries to deliver only low currents, even at high power levels. The batteries are connected to the high-voltage network via traction cables. These high-voltage terminals are the connections through which the battery delivers the high voltage to the network. Typically, contactors are installed in the traction cables at both the positive and negative high-voltage terminals of the battery. These contactors allow the battery to be disconnected from the high-voltage network or the rest of the vehicle's high-voltage system when the vehicle is parked or in the event of a malfunction.

[0003] Such a Schütz 10 is in the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 are shown. The same reference symbols are used for identical components.

[0004] In the Fig. 1 is a closed contactor 10 and in the Fig. Figure 2 shows an open contactor 10. The contactor 10 is designed as a magnetic switch 11 with a control coil 20. The magnetic switch 11 comprises a movable contact bridge 30 and two terminals 40. The contactor 10 closes in a state in which a control current flows through the control coil 20, and opens in another state in which no current flows through the control coil 20.

[0005] When a control current flows through the control coil 20, the contact bridge 30 is moved towards the terminals 40 by magnetic force and pressed against them. When no current flows through the control coil 20, the contact bridge 30 immediately returns to its position spaced away from the terminals 40.

[0006] To generate the control current, the control coil 20 must be supplied with electrical energy. For this purpose, the protection device 10 can be connected to a power supply unit (energy source) 50, for example via a control unit 60, which is preferably a battery-powered control unit.

[0007] The power supply unit 50 can be the low-voltage electrical system (onboard power supply) of a vehicle, providing a voltage of 12 V. When the control coil 20 is connected to the power supply unit 50 via the control unit 60, the control current flows through the control coil 20 and the contactor 10 closes. When the connection between the control coil 20 and the power supply unit 50 is interrupted by the control unit 60, no current flows through the control coil 20 and the contactor 10 opens.

[0008] Contactors 10 installed in the traction lines of a battery can interrupt currents of approximately 1 to 2 kA in a faulty state. For higher currents, fuses (melt fuses) are typically used.

[0009] As it is in the Fig. As shown in Figure 3, for currents above 3 to 10 kA, a repulsion occurs between the terminals 40 and the contact bridge 30 caused by the Lorentz force 70 present in a closed contactor 10. Currents above 3 to 10 kA can occur, for example, in the event of a short circuit in the battery's traction lines or in an inverter electrically coupled to the battery. This phenomenon is called levitation. Despite the active control coil 20 carrying the control current, a small gap forms between the terminals 40 and the contact bridge 30. Arcs 71 form across this gap, melting the contact surfaces of the terminals 40. When the short-circuit current is subsequently interrupted by the fuse connected to the corresponding high-voltage terminal, the contact bridge 30 presses the two melted terminals 40 together.The material solidifies, and the contact bridge 30 cannot be opened after the control current flowing through the control coil 20 is switched off. This fault is known as contactor sticking. The two terminals 40 of the contactor 10 are conductively connected and cannot be separated.

[0010] The time that contactor 10 must be able to carry the short-circuit current without suffering this effect is, in an ideally dimensioned contactor 10, always longer than the time required by the associated fuse (melt fuse) to interrupt this short-circuit current. If a contactor 10 is dimensioned in this way, then it will not weld shut due to this effect, will still be switchable after the short-circuit current has been interrupted by the tripped fuse, and will be able to disconnect the battery from the vehicle's high-voltage system.

[0011] The opening and closing of such contactors 10 is usually carried out by the battery control unit of the battery in which the contactors 10 are installed. The battery control unit can then pass the low-voltage voltage of 12 V supplied by the vehicle's low-voltage electrical system to the contactors 10.

[0012] If this low-voltage supply of 12 V fails, the contactors 10 open immediately. Voltage fluctuations in the vehicle's low-voltage network also pose a risk of the contactors 10 opening unintentionally.

[0013] Document DE 199 47 105 C2 discloses a contactor with a magnetic drive and a circuit-based rapid disconnection mechanism. This rapid disconnection allows the contactor to remain open in the event of a short-circuit current flowing through it, thus protecting it against contact welding.

[0014] Document DE 10 2008 001 145 A1 discloses an emergency power supply device for providing emergency power to a hybrid vehicle comprising a high-voltage battery for powering an electric drive and a low-voltage battery. The emergency power supply device includes an energy storage device that can be electrically coupled to the high-voltage battery and / or the low-voltage battery for charging and is designed to provide the emergency power supply.

[0015] Document US 5 796 175 A discloses a circuit control that is powered by an emergency power supply, a DC-DC converter, or a low-voltage battery.

[0016] Document DE 10 2012 001 861 A1 discloses at least one device for temperature detection designed to change irreversibly from an initial state to a second state when the threshold is exceeded, independent of an electric current flow.

[0017] Document DE 10 2011 089 817 A1 discloses a disconnecting unit for disconnecting a battery from a network, further comprising a fuse integrated into the disconnecting unit, which serves to interrupt a circuit between the battery and the network.

[0018] Document DE 10 2009 036 672 A1 discloses a switching device comprising a first switch for disconnecting a first terminal from a second terminal and a second switch for disconnecting a third terminal from a fourth terminal, the switching device having an actuating element for triggering the first switch. Furthermore, a delay device is provided to automatically trigger the second switch a predetermined period after the first switch has been triggered. Disclosure of the invention

[0019] According to the invention, a battery system is provided with a battery designed to supply a high-voltage network, which can be connected to at least one of its high-voltage network connections via a contactor. The contactor includes a control coil and closes in a state where a control current flows through the control coil, and opens in another state where no current flows through the control coil. The control coil can be connected to a power supply unit via a power supply circuit to generate the control current. This power supply unit provides a predetermined voltage that is lower than the voltage generated by the battery. Furthermore, the contactor or the power supply circuit includes an energy storage device that can be charged with a predetermined amount of electrical energy by means of the power supply unit connected to the control coil and providing the predetermined voltage.In this system, when the predetermined voltage is lost, the energy storage device can continue to generate the control current flowing through the control coil for an initial period by releasing the stored energy. The contactor is configured to open after this initial period and is furthermore connected or connectable to at least one fuse. The fuse is designed to conduct at least a portion of the current flowing through the closed contactor and to trip within a second period, shorter than the first, if the current flowing through the fuse exceeds a predetermined limit.

[0020] The invention further provides a method for switching a contactor for a battery designed to supply a high-voltage network, which can be connected to one of its high-voltage network terminals via the contactor. The contactor comprises a control coil and closes in a state where a control current flows through the control coil and opens in another state where no current flows through the control coil. The control coil is connected to a supply unit via a supply circuit to generate the control current. This supply unit provides a predetermined voltage that is lower than the voltage generated by the battery. Furthermore, an energy storage device arranged in the supply circuit or in the contactor is charged with a predetermined amount of electrical energy by means of the supply unit connected to the control coil, which provides the predetermined voltage.When the predetermined voltage is lost, the control current flowing through the control coil is continued for an initial period by the energy storage device, which releases the stored energy. After this initial period, the contactor opens. The contactor is or will be connected to at least one fuse to conduct at least a portion of the current flowing through the closed contactor. The fuse trips within a second period, shorter than the first, if a current exceeding a predetermined limit flows through it.

[0021] The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0022] In this invention, the contactors used to disconnect a battery from its high-voltage terminals continue to be supplied with electrical energy by means of at least one energy storage device according to the invention, even when the predetermined voltage, also referred to as the supply voltage, is lost. The battery can, for example, be connected to the high-voltage network of a vehicle via its high-voltage terminals and supply it with electrical energy. When the supply voltage is lost, the energy storage device according to the invention generates a control current for a certain period of time, such that the corresponding contactors remain closed and do not open unintentionally.This also means that, thanks to the energy storage device according to the invention, the contactors continue to be supplied with sufficient electrical energy, at least initially, even in the event of fluctuations (dips) in the predetermined voltage, and do not open unintentionally during this initial period. This prevents the contactors from welding shut due to any arcing that may occur, at least initially, and thus becoming unable to reopen. If the contactors open unintentionally while conducting current, arcing can occur above a certain current strength, similar to what happens during levitation, leading to the contactors welding shut.

[0023] If a contactor carries such a high current, such as a short-circuit current, that arcing could occur when the contactor opens, potentially causing it to weld shut, the current flowing through the contactor is interrupted by the tripped fuse before the contactor opens due to supply voltage fluctuations or a power failure. This prevents the contactor from welding shut due to arcing and becoming unable to open.

[0024] Preferably, the second time in which the fuse is triggered is shorter than the time in which levitation can occur in a protection device that conducts a correspondingly strong current, such as a short-circuit current.

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment of the battery system according to the invention, the control coil can be connected via the supply circuit to a low-voltage network that provides the predetermined voltage or supply voltage.

[0026] Preferably, the control coil is connected to the low-voltage network of a vehicle, which provides a supply voltage of 12 V.

[0027] Preferably, the energy storage device comprises a capacitor, an additional coil, or a battery cell. Preferably, the capacitor, the additional coil, or the battery cell is connected or switchable in parallel with the power supply unit and / or the control coil. More preferably, the additional coil is connected or switchable in series with the power supply unit and / or the control coil.

[0028] By using an energy storage device, in particular a capacitor such as a capacitor, between the terminals of the control coil of each contactor, both fluctuations (dips) and failures in the supply voltage can be buffered. This allows the contactors to remain closed in these situations.

[0029] In a vehicle with a battery system according to the invention, including contactors whose control coils are supplied with electrical energy via the vehicle's low-voltage network, the invention can compensate for fluctuations and failures in the supply voltage provided by the low-voltage network. These fluctuations and failures can occur, for example, due to an accident that partially or completely damages or shuts down the vehicle's low-voltage network. (Such a vehicle's low-voltage network supplies a voltage of 12 V.) By reliably keeping the contactors closed until at least one of the battery system's fuses (melt fuses) is triggered, for example, by a short circuit in the vehicle's high-voltage network caused by an accident, the contactors are prevented from opening under excessive electrical load and thus from sticking.

[0030] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the battery system according to the invention, the supply circuit comprises a control unit that is connected or connectable to the supply unit and which, in its connected state, continues to supply the voltage provided by the supply unit. Preferably, the control unit arranged in the supply circuit is configured to connect and disconnect the control coil from the supply unit for switching the contactor. More preferably, the control unit arranged in the supply circuit is configured to adjust, and in particular reduce, the control current flowing through the control coil.

[0031] Preferably, the control unit is the battery control unit.

[0032] Contactors used in a battery system according to the invention are closed by a high pull-in voltage. The opening and closing of the contactors is preferably carried out by the battery control unit. The control coils of the contactors can be supplied with electrical energy by the battery control unit. Preferably, a voltage of 12 V from the low-voltage network of a vehicle is passed to the contactors by the battery control unit.

[0033] Preferably, after the contactor has closed, the control current flowing through the contactor's control coils is reduced by a pulse-width modulated signal and / or by a reduced holding voltage and / or by the use of an economizer coil. In the closed state, a contactor requires significantly less power.

[0034] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a battery system according to the invention.

[0035] A significant advantage of the invention is the increased safety of a battery system (battery pack) according to the invention, which is used in a vehicle and whose contactors are supplied with electrical energy via the vehicle's low-voltage network, since ensuring the full functionality of such a battery system according to the invention no longer depends on the 100% functionality of the low-voltage network (12V supply). Brief description of the drawings

[0036] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a contactor known from the prior art in the closed state, Fig. 2 that in the Fig. 1. Gate shown in the open state, Fig. 3 that in the Fig. 1. Shooter depicted in the presence of levitation, Fig. 4 a battery system according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the battery system comprises a battery designed to supply a high-voltage network and at least one energy storage device for additionally supplying electrical energy to the contactors located in the traction lines of the battery, Fig. 5 a detailed representation of a battery system according to the invention from the Fig. 4 deployed contactors with an associated energy storage device, Fig. 6 a detailed representation of a battery system according to the invention from the Fig. 4 inserted contactors with an associated energy storage device comprising a capacitor, and, Fig. 7 a detailed representation of a battery system according to the invention from the Fig. 4 inserted contactors with an associated energy storage device that includes another coil. Embodiments of the invention

[0037] In the Fig. Figure 4 shows a battery system 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention, comprising a battery 101 designed to supply a high-voltage network of a vehicle and at least one energy storage device (not shown) for supplying electrical energy to the contactors 10 located in the traction lines 120, 121 of the battery 101. The battery 101 comprises several battery modules 102 connected in series to generate a battery voltage suitable for a high-voltage network. A contactor 10 is arranged in each of the traction lines 120, 121. The battery 101 can be connected to its positive high-voltage terminal 130 via one of the two contactors 10 and to its negative high-voltage terminal 131 via the other of the two contactors.

[0038] Two loads 140 and 141 are connected in parallel between the high-voltage terminals 130 and 131 of battery 101. The positive high-voltage terminal 130 is connected to load 140 via load path 150 and to load 141 via load path 151. Battery 101 of the battery system (battery pack) 100 does not have a fuse in the middle. Each load path 150 and 151 is individually protected by an associated fuse 110 of the battery system 100. Both fuses 110 are directly connected to the high-voltage terminal 130.

[0039] This architecture, described above, is used in battery systems where the total battery current is too high for a single fuse (melt-type fuse) in the center of the battery. This means that no fuse on the market can meet the battery current requirements over the lifetime of battery 101. A short circuit in one of the load paths 150, 151 trips its corresponding fuse 110 in battery system 100. To de-energize the other loads 150, 151 and the vehicle's high-voltage system, the two contactors 10 then open.

[0040] In the Fig. Figure 5 shows a contactor 10 for use in a battery system 100 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0041] The contactor 10 is designed as a magnetic switch 11 with a control coil 20. The magnetic switch 11 comprises a balanced contact bridge 30 and two terminals 40. The contactor 10 closes in a state in which a control current flows through the control coil 20 and opens in another state in which no current flows through the control coil 20. When a control current flows through the control coil 20, the contact bridge 30 is moved towards the terminals 40 by magnetic force and pressed against them. When no current flows through the control coil 20, the contact bridge 30 immediately returns to its position spaced apart from the terminals 40. Fig. Figure 5 shows the protection device 10 in its closed state, in which the contactor 10 can also conduct high currents, especially short-circuit currents, which can flow through the traction lines 120, 121 of the battery, via the terminals 40 and the contact bridge 30.

[0042] To generate the control current, the control coil 20 can be connected via a supply circuit 80 to a power supply unit 50, which provides a predetermined voltage that is lower than the battery voltage generated by the battery 101. The power supply unit 50 can be the low-voltage network (vehicle electrical system) of a vehicle, which provides a voltage of 12 V.

[0043] The power supply circuit (control line) 80 comprises a control unit 61 and the wiring harness for connecting the control coil 20 to the control unit 61. The control unit 61 is configured to connect the control coil 20 to the power supply unit 50 for closing the contactor 10 and to disconnect the control coil 20 from the power supply unit 50 for opening the contactor 10. Preferably, the control unit 61 is configured to adjust the current flowing through the control coil 20 appropriately for switching the contactor 10. More preferably, the control unit 61 is the battery control unit of the battery system 100.

[0044] The supply circuit 70 also includes an energy storage device (energy stabilization unit) 90, which is shown in the diagram below. Fig. The energy storage device 90 is located in the control unit 61. It can be installed on the circuit board of the control unit 61 or in the wiring harness connecting the control coil 20 to the control unit 61, i.e., in the wiring harness located between the control unit 61 and the contactor 10. Alternatively, the energy storage device 90 can be installed in or on the contactor 10. The energy storage device 90 is designed to be charged with a predetermined amount of electrical energy by means of the power supply unit 50, which is connected to the control coil 20 and provides the predetermined voltage. When the predetermined voltage is lost, the energy storage device 90 continues to generate the control current flowing through the control coil for an initial period by releasing the stored energy.

[0045] Just like in the Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the energy storage device 90 preferably comprises at least one capacitor 91, such as an electrolytic capacitor, which is electrically connected or switchable in parallel to the power supply unit 50 and / or the control coil 20.

[0046] If the voltage supply of the contactor 10, realized by means of the supply unit 50, fails or is temporarily interrupted, then the electrical energy stored in the energy storage unit 90 or in the capacitor 91 of the energy storage unit 90 ensures that the contactor 10 remains closed, because its control coil 20 continues to be supplied with electrical energy.

[0047] Just like in the Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the energy storage device 90 preferably comprises a further coil 92 with suitable inductance in place of the capacitor 91. This coil is connected or switchable in series with the power supply unit 50 and / or the control coil 20 and maintains the flow of the control current through the control coil 20 in the event of a failure of the supply voltage of, for example, 12 V provided by the power supply unit 50. Alternatively, the further coil 92 of the energy storage device 90 can be connected or switchable in parallel with the power supply unit 50 and / or the control coil (excitation coil) 20.

[0048] Preferably, the energy storage device 90 can comprise a rechargeable battery cell in place of the capacitor 91, which is electrically connected or switchable in parallel to the power supply unit 50 and / or the control coil 20. Preferably, the rechargeable battery cell is connected in parallel to the power supply unit 50 in the supply path of the contactor 10, for example, on the circuit board of the control unit 61 or the battery control unit of the battery system 100. In the event of a failure of the supply voltage of, for example, 12 V provided by the power supply unit 50, this rechargeable battery cell then maintains the voltage supply to the control coil 20.

[0049] A vehicle operated by means of a battery system 100 according to the invention can be subjected to an accident test (crash test) which can lead to the formation of arcs and welding of the contactors 10.

[0050] During a vehicle accident, a device in the vehicle disconnects the vehicle's low-voltage network. Relevant lines of the low-voltage network may also be severed in an accident. However, the vehicle's high-voltage network remains operational during an accident. The accident creates a low-resistance short circuit in this high-voltage network. If the vehicle is powered by a battery system 100 according to the invention, the energy storage devices 90, for example designed as capacitors 92, located at the two contactors 10 of the battery 101, ensure that the contactors 10 are only opened after the high-voltage network has been disconnected by at least one blown fuse 110, even though the low-voltage network has already collapsed before the high-voltage network is disconnected by the blown fuse 110.This ensures that the contactors 10 open correctly after the high-voltage network is disconnected by at least one of the fuses 110, i.e., at a point when no current is flowing through them. Consequently, the contactors 10 do not stick, and the vehicle's high-voltage network is de-energized because the battery 101 has been disconnected. Rescue workers can now safely extricate potentially injured occupants without the risk of electric shock.

[0051] In addition to the preceding written disclosure, reference is hereby made to the further disclosure of the invention in the following: Fig. Reference is made to numbers 1 to 7.

Claims

[1] Battery system (100) with a battery (101) designed to supply a high-voltage network, which battery can be connected to at least one of its high-voltage network connections (130, 131) via a contactor (10) which comprises a control coil (20) and closes in a state in which a control current flows through the control coil (20) and opens in a further state in which no current flows through the control coil (20), and the control coil (20) can be connected to a supply unit (50) via a supply circuit (80) to generate the control current, by means of which a predetermined voltage can be provided which is lower than the voltage generated by the battery (101), characterized byin that the contactor (10) or the supply circuit (80) comprises an energy store (90) which can be charged with a predetermined amount of electrical energy by means of the supply unit (50) connected to the control coil (20) and providing the predetermined voltage, and which, when the predetermined voltage is lost, can continue to generate the control current flowing through the control coil (20) for a first time by releasing the charged amount of energy, and the contactor (10) is designed to be opened after the first time, wherein the contactor (10) is further connected or connectable to at least one fuse (110) which is designed to conduct at least part of a current flowing through the closed contactor (10) and, in the event of a current flowing through the fuse (110) with a current intensity which exceeds a predetermined limit, to trip it within a second time which is shorter than the first time. [2] Battery system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control coil (20) is connectable via the supply circuit (80) to a low-voltage network that provides the predetermined voltage. [3] Battery system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the energy store (90) comprises a capacitor (91) or a further coil (92) or an accumulator cell, wherein the capacitor (91) or the further coil (92) or the accumulator cell is connected or switchable in parallel to the supply unit (50) and / or to the control coil (20) or the further coil is connected or switchable in series with the supply unit (50) and / or the control coil (20). [4] Battery system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply circuit (80) comprises a control device (61) which is connected or connectable to the supply unit (50) and which, in its state connected to the supply unit, continues to provide the voltage provided by the supply unit (50) and / or which is designed to connect the control coil (20) to the supply unit (50) and to disconnect it from the supply unit (50) in order to switch the contactor (10) and / or to adjust, in particular to reduce, the control current flowing through the control coil (20). [5] Method for switching a contactor (10) for a battery (101) designed to supply a high-voltage network, which battery can be connected to one of its high-voltage network connections (130, 131) via the contactor (10), wherein the contactor (10) comprises a control coil (20) and closes in a state in which a control current flows through the control coil (20) and opens in a further state in which no current flows through the control coil (20), and wherein the control coil (20) is connected to a supply unit (50) via a supply circuit (80) to generate the control current, by means of which a predetermined voltage is provided which is lower than the voltage generated by the battery, characterized bythat an energy store (90) arranged in the supply circuit (80) or in the contactor (10) is charged with a predetermined amount of electrical energy by means of the supply unit (50) connected to the control coil (20) and providing the predetermined voltage, and when the predetermined voltage is lost, the control current flowing through the control coil (20) continues to be generated for a first time by means of the energy store (90) by releasing the charged amount of energy, and the contactor (10) is opened after the first time, wherein the contactor (10) is further connected or will be connected to at least one fuse (110) for conducting at least part of a current flowing through the closed contactor (10), wherein the fuse (110) is triggered within a second time, which is shorter than the first time, when a current flowing through the fuse has a current intensity that exceeds a predetermined limit. [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein the control coil (20) is connected via the supply circuit (80) to a low-voltage network by means of which the predetermined voltage is provided. [7] Method according to one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the energy store (90) comprises a capacitor (91), a further coil (92) or an accumulator cell, wherein the capacitor (91) or the further coil (92) or the accumulator cell is or will be connected in parallel to the supply unit (50) and / or to the control coil (20) or the further coil (92) is or will be connected in series with the supply unit (50) and / or the control coil (20). [8] Method according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the predetermined voltage is provided by means of a control device (61) arranged in the supply circuit (80) and connected to the supply unit (50) and / or the protection (10) is switched by means of the control device (61) arranged in the supply circuit (80) by connecting the control coil (20) to the supply unit (50) or disconnecting it from the supply unit (50) by means of the control device (61) and / or the control current flowing through the control coil (20) is adjusted, in particular reduced, by means of the control device (61) arranged in the supply circuit (80). [9] Vehicle with a battery system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4.

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