Method and apparatus for using waste heat generated by a charging process from a battery of an electrically powered means of transport for the means of transport

Abstract

A method for using waste heat generated by a charging process of a battery (20) of an electrically powered means of transport (80) for the means of transport (80), comprising the steps of: • determining (100) a state of charge of the battery (20), • determining (200) a temperature of a part of the means of transport (80) to be heated and a time of the next expected use of the means of transport (80), • determining (300) a target temperature of the part of the means of transport (80) to be heated at the time of the next expected use of the means of transport (80), and • heating (400) the part of the means of transport (80) to be heated by charging the battery (20) depending on the state of charge of the battery (20), the target temperature, the temperature and the time of the next expected use of the means of transport (80).wherein • the heating of the part of the means of transport (80) to be heated is carried out to the determined target temperature based on a selection and / or adjustment of a predefined parameter set for controlling the heating, and • different predefined parameter sets for controlling the heating of the part of the means of transport (80) to be heated are provided for an AC charging process and a DC charging process.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for using waste heat generated by a charging process from a battery of an electrically powered means of transport for the means of transport.

[0002] Electrically powered vehicles, such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles, as well as stationary electrically operated devices, frequently use rechargeable lithium-based traction batteries to supply electrical energy to electric drive systems. These traction batteries are charged using suitable charging devices with alternating current (AC) and / or direct current (DC). Current battery technologies are progressively evolving towards the use of higher charging currents to enable faster charging of the batteries. These higher charging currents also result in increased heat generation during the charging process. Under certain conditions, this waste heat can be used, for example, to air-condition the passenger compartment of a vehicle.Particularly in connection with traction batteries, a method for the efficient use of this waste heat in a means of transport can be advantageous, since electrical energy fed into the traction battery is only used for heating, for example, the passenger compartment, when the waste heat used from the charging process is no longer available. In this way, a certain proportion of the traction battery's electrical energy can be saved and instead used for propulsion, thus increasing the vehicle's range.

[0003] US2011139397 discloses a method for controlling the passenger compartment temperature of an electrically powered vehicle equipped with a battery. The method comprises the following steps: providing an air conditioning system with a coolant circuit and thermally coupling the coolant circuit to the battery, such that the battery acts as a heat storage device for the coolant circuit and optionally cools or heats the battery while it is connected to a charging station. The vehicle battery can be thermally coupled to the coolant circuit directly or indirectly such that the coolant circuit selectively cools or heats the battery, and, optionally, heat can also be fed from the battery into the coolant circuit.

[0004] US2013030622 discloses a waste heat management system for an electric vehicle that enables heat exchange between the vehicle's interior and engine compartment. The interior includes, among other things, a heat exchanger, while the engine compartment includes, among other things, a pump, a motor, an on-board charger, and a radiator. These components are preferably connected by coolant. A control unit allows the described components and additional valves to be controlled in such a way that the engine compartment and / or the vehicle's interior can be heated appropriately by waste heat from the on-board charger or other components.

[0005] An objective of the present invention is to utilize waste heat generated during a charging process to heat a part of the means of transport in such a way that the part of the means of transport heated by the waste heat of the charging process does not first need to be heated by the electrical energy stored in the battery of the means of transport. At the same time, the method according to the invention is intended to ensure that the charging process is carried out in such a way that a desired target temperature for the part of the means of transport to be heated is available at a predefined time. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method is proposed for using waste heat generated during a charging process from the battery of an electrically powered means of transport for the benefit of the means of transport. It should be noted that, in addition to using the waste heat from the battery itself, waste heat from a charging device integrated into the means of transport for an AC charging process (on-board charger for AC charging) can also be used. The means of transport can be, for example, a road vehicle (e.g., e-shuttle, e-bus, e-motorcycle, e-bike, e-car, e-van, e-truck) or a mobile, electrically powered work machine. The battery can preferably be a traction battery of a drive train of the means of transport, which has a plurality of modules connected in parallel or in series, each of which is composed of a plurality of cells.Furthermore, the battery can be, in particular, a lithium-ion battery and preferably a post-lithium-ion battery. The process steps described below can be carried out by an evaluation unit according to the invention. The evaluation unit can, for example, be configured as a processor, digital signal processor, microcontroller, or similar device. Logic for carrying out the respective process steps according to the invention can, for example, be implemented in the form of a computer program that is executed by the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit can preferably include an internal and / or external storage unit connected to it via information technology in order to store calculation results and other data generated and / or received by the evaluation unit.

[0007] In a first step of the inventive method, the battery's state of charge is determined. This can preferably be carried out using the inventive evaluation unit, which may have a data input through which it is connected to the battery's sensors. The battery's sensors can acquire a variety of battery status information, such as voltage, state of charge, temperature, charging or discharging current, and the battery's health status. Based on this information, the evaluation unit can determine the battery's current state of charge.

[0008] In a second step, the temperature of a part of the vehicle to be heated is determined at the time of the next anticipated use of the vehicle. This temperature corresponds to the temperature of the part to be heated at specific times and preferably corresponds to the actual temperature determined by a temperature sensor of the vehicle. Thus, the temperature of the part to be heated represents the temperature that is adjusted to the desired target temperature by means of appropriate temperature control using the method according to the invention. The part of the vehicle to be heated can be, for example, a passenger compartment and / or a seat and / or coolant and / or lubricating oil and / or hydraulic oil of the vehicle. In addition, other parts of the vehicle can be heated using the waste heat generated by the charging process.The heat generated during the charging process can be transferred to the part of the vehicle to be heated, for example, via suitable air channels, such as hoses and / or pipes, and / or heat-conducting materials such as water, metal, etc. The heat transfer to the part of the vehicle to be heated can be controlled, for example, by one or more flaps in the heat-conducting channel, which can be controlled directly by the evaluation unit according to the invention, or optionally indirectly via another control unit. The next expected use of the vehicle can be determined based on various criteria, which are described in detail below. One example of a criterion for determining such a time is the vehicle's usage history, which can be recorded by the evaluation unit during use.Furthermore, determining the temperature of the part of the vehicle to be heated can preferably involve a temperature measurement in the area of ​​the part to be heated, in order to calculate a future temperature of the part to be heated based on this measurement. If, for example, a passenger compartment of the vehicle is to be heated using the method according to the invention, a current temperature can be determined using an interior temperature sensor of the vehicle connected to the evaluation unit. This can be advantageously supported by the additional use of an exterior temperature sensor, which can also be connected to the evaluation unit. In this way, both the measured exterior and interior temperatures can be included in the calculation or estimation of the future temperature.

[0009] In a third step, a target temperature for the part of the vehicle to be heated and the time of the next expected use of the vehicle are determined. The target temperature and the time of the next expected use can be selected by a user of the vehicle, for example, using a suitable control element. A suitable control element could be, for example, a control unit of the vehicle's climate control system, a soft-touch control on a display of the vehicle, a soft-touch control on a mobile device connected to the vehicle, or an input element for the vehicle's on-board computer.User-selected values ​​for a target temperature and a time of the next expected use of the vehicle can then be automatically transmitted to the evaluation unit or requested by the unit at predefined intervals. Alternatively, the target temperature can be determined based on predefined, calendar-dependent temperature values, which may be stored in the storage unit connected to the evaluation unit. Another alternative is that values ​​for a target temperature and a time of next expected use can be determined from the vehicle's usage history, and in particular from a user-specific usage history. Furthermore, other methods for determining or selecting a target temperature and a time of next expected use are conceivable.

[0010] In a fourth step of the method according to the invention, the part of the means of transport to be heated is heated by charging the battery, depending on the battery's state of charge, the target temperature, the temperature, and the time of the next expected use of the means of transport. In other words, the logic of the computer program executed by the evaluation unit can control or regulate the charging process for the battery of the means of transport in such a way that the determined target temperature is reached in the part of the means of transport to be heated at the time of the next expected use of the means of transport, by utilizing the waste heat generated during the charging process.In this context, it is important to align the amount of electrical energy to be supplied, which depends on the battery's state of charge, by appropriately selecting the start time of the charging process, the charging current, the degree of opening of the flap in the heat-conducting channel, etc., so that the desired target temperature can be reached at the time of the next expected use of the vehicle. Suitable times and periods for any necessary and / or advantageous charging breaks can also be taken into account. A suitable method for controlling the heating of the part of the vehicle to be heated can preferably be implemented using the evaluation unit according to the invention, which can, in particular, also incorporate regularly updated measured values ​​from the indoor temperature sensor and / or the outdoor temperature sensor into the control system.

[0011] The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the temperature at the time of the next anticipated use of the means of transport can be determined using weather information and / or a calendar and / or a temperature measurement taken by the means of transport itself. Weather information received by the means of transport, which can be provided, for example, by a radio data service and / or an online weather forecast, can be particularly advantageous in this regard. Based on this information, the evaluation unit can adjust the charging process and / or the degree of opening of the flap(s) accordingly.Furthermore, it can be advantageous to regularly update the weather information in the evaluation unit during the charging process and / or when changes occur, so that changing weather conditions (especially temperature changes) during charging can be taken into account to ensure the target temperature is reached. Alternatively or additionally, information from a calendar can be used, which, for example, includes average temperatures specific to each day of the year. This information can also be used by the evaluation unit to help reach the target temperature. As described above, temperature readings from the outdoor temperature sensor, the indoor temperature sensor, and / or other temperature sensors can also be used to measure the temperature of the part of the vehicle being heated to achieve the target temperature.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the heating of the part of the means of transport to be heated to the determined target temperature can be carried out not only by selecting and / or adjusting a charging current and / or a start time for charging and / or a period for supplying the generated waste heat to the part of the means of transport to be heated, but also on the basis of a predefined parameter set for controlling the heating process. The predefined parameter set preferably includes values ​​for all the above-described influencing factors on the temperature control for achieving the target temperature. The parameter set can also include further parameters for influencing the actual temperature control. This could, for example, be a predefined proportional factor of a proportional (PL) control, in order to achieve faster or slower control using this value.Such a parameter set can be stored in the memory unit connected to the evaluation unit. Furthermore, it is conceivable to store multiple different parameter sets in the memory unit in order to select and use a suitable parameter set depending on predefined boundary conditions and / or temperature control requirements. For example, different parameter sets for controlling the heating of the vehicle's component can be provided for AC and DC charging processes. In the case of AC charging, the charging currents are typically lower than in DC charging, so the battery does not heat up as much during AC charging, and therefore less waste heat is available for heating the vehicle's component.As described above, during an AC charging process, the waste heat from an on-board charger can also be used to assist in heating the part of the vehicle that needs to be heated.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a device is proposed for using waste heat generated by a charging process from a battery of an electrically powered means of transport in the means of transport.The device comprises an evaluation unit, a data input and a data output, wherein the evaluation unit is configured, in conjunction with the data input, to determine the state of charge of the battery, the temperature of a part of the means of transport to be heated at the time of the next expected use of the means of transport, a target temperature of the part of the means of transport to be heated and a time of the next expected use of the means of transport, and, in conjunction with the data output, to heat the part of the means of transport to be heated by charging the battery depending on the state of charge of the battery, the target temperature, the temperature and the time of the next expected use of the means of transport. List of characters

[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a flowchart illustrating the steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention; Fig. 2 a diagram illustrating the current, state of charge and temperature profile of a DC charging process of a battery; Fig. 3. A diagram illustrating the current, state of charge, and temperature profiles of an AC charging process of a battery; and Fig. 4 a device according to the invention in conjunction with a means of locomotion. Embodiments of the invention

[0016] Fig. Figure 1 shows a flowchart illustrating the steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for using waste heat generated by a battery during a charging process. 20an electrically powered means of transport 80 for the means of transport 80 In the first step 100 will determine the battery's charge level 20 by means of an evaluation unit according to the invention 10 determined. For this purpose, a sensor is used to measure the battery voltage. 20 with a data input 12 the evaluation unit 10 The microcontroller, in this embodiment, is connected via information technology to receive measurement signals from the sensors. The voltage values ​​represented by the measurement signals are processed by the evaluation unit. 10 in a unit connected to the evaluation unit 10 The data is stored on an attached external storage unit for subsequent processing. In the second step... 200 The temperature of a passenger compartment will be measured. 30 of the means of transport 80 at the time of the next expected use of the means of transport80 through the evaluation unit 10 determined. For this purpose, a [something] in the passenger compartment area is required. 30 arranged indoor temperature sensor 60 of the means of transport 80 IT-related with the data input 12 the evaluation unit 10 connected, so that the evaluation unit 10 is set up to display current temperature readings of the passenger compartment 30 to receive and store in the storage unit. The time of the next expected use of the means of transport. 80 was by a user of the means of transport 80 before leaving the means of transport 80 in combination with a target temperature value via a control unit of the vehicle's climate control system 80 selected. In step 300 The target temperature of the passenger compartment will be set 30at the time of the next expected use of the means of transport 80 determined. For this purpose, the evaluation unit requires 10 the target temperature entered by the user in the climate control unit of the vehicle 80 on. Since the evaluation unit 10 and the climate control unit via the vehicle's electrical system 80 Since they are connected via information technology, information about the target temperature can be sent from the climate control unit to the evaluation unit. 10 be transferred. In step 400 The passenger compartment will be 30 of the means of transport 80 by DC charging the battery 20 depending on the battery's state of charge 20 , the target temperature, the determined temperature and the time of the next expected use of the means of transport 80 heated.

[0017] A temperature control system to achieve the desired target temperature of the passenger compartment. 30 at the time of the next expected use of the means of transport 80 Before the temperature control begins, the evaluation unit reads out a parameter set adapted to a DC charging process. 10 from the storage unit. The loaded parameter set is used by a computer program implementing the process steps according to the invention and the temperature control, which is evaluated by the evaluation unit. 10 is executed.

[0018] Fig. Figure 2 shows a diagram illustrating the current, state of charge, and temperature profile of a DC charging process of a battery. 20 The DC charging process involves a constant charging current. I_DC to charge the battery 20 before. Due to the charging current I_DC into the battery 20The energy input increases the state of charge. SoC the battery 20 according to the with SoC the curve shown. Due to the relatively high charging current. I_DC During DC charging, the battery 20 It generates heat that is used to warm up a part of a means of transport that needs to be heated. 80 is used. An example of heat development during DC charging of the battery. 20 is driven by the curve T This is illustrated. The dashed curve represents a target temperature profile for heating the part of the vehicle to be heated. 80 which is accordingly regulated by the method according to the invention.

[0019] Fig. Figure 3 shows a diagram illustrating the current, state of charge, and temperature profile of an AC charging process of a battery. 20The AC charging process involves a charging process with a constant charging current followed by a charging process with a constant charging voltage to charge the battery. 20 before. Due to the charging current I_AC into the battery 20 The energy input increases the state of charge. SoC the battery 20 according to the with SoC the curve shown. Due to the decreasing charging current. I_AC During AC charging, the battery 20 with increasing charge level SoC This generates correspondingly less heat, which is used to warm up a part of a means of transport that needs to be heated. 80 can be used. An example of heat development during AC charging of the battery. 20 is driven by the curve T This is illustrated. The dashed curve represents a target temperature profile for heating the part of the vehicle to be heated. 80which is accordingly regulated by the method according to the invention.

[0020] Fig. 4 shows a device according to the invention in conjunction with a means of locomotion. 80 The device includes an evaluation unit. 10 , which is a microcontroller and has a data input 12 and a data output 14 It has the capability. By means of the data input 12 is the evaluation unit 10 with an indoor temperature sensor 60 and an outdoor temperature sensor 70 It is connected via information technology so that it can receive the respective temperature readings from the sensors. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 10 via the data input 12 with a sensor system of a battery 20 connected via information technology to provide current battery status information 20to receive. The status information includes information about voltage and temperature. T , a charge level SoC , a charging current I_DC and the battery's health status 20 The battery 20 is equipped with a charging station 40 electrically connected for DC charging. The battery 20 is thus in the means of transport 80 arranged that one through the battery 20 Waste heat generated during a DC charging process is transferred into a passenger compartment 30 of the means of transport 80 The heat is channeled through a system of pipes that directs the waste heat, i.e., air heated by the battery, into the passenger compartment. A flap in the pipe system regulates the amount of air supplied to the passenger compartment. 50 , which is processed by the evaluation unit 10is controlled in a suitable manner. In this way, the evaluation unit can be... 10 as part of temperature control, a degree of opening of the flap 50 adjust. Temperature control is achieved through the evaluation unit. 10 The information recorded above, plus a parameter set for a DC charging process, are taken into account. This parameter set is processed by the evaluation unit. 10 from an information technology connection to the evaluation unit 10 connected storage unit (not shown) read out and by the evaluation unit 10 used. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2011139397

[0003] US 2013030622

[0004]

Claims

[1] Method for using waste heat generated by a charging process of a battery (20) of an electrically powered means of transport (80) for the means of transport (80) comprising the steps: • Determining (100) the state of charge of the battery (20), • Determining (200) a temperature of a part (30) of the means of transport (80) to be heated and a time of the next expected use of the means of transport (80), • Determining (300) a target temperature of the part (30) of the means of transport (80) to be heated at the time of the next expected use of the means of transport (80), and • Heating (400) the part (30) of the means of transport (80) to be heated by charging the battery (20) depending on the state of charge of the battery (20), the target temperature, the temperature and the time of the next expected use of the means of transport (80). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the battery (20) is a traction battery of the means of transport (80), which is in particular a lithium-ion battery and preferably a post-lithium-ion battery. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the part (30) of the means of transport (80) to be heated • a passenger compartment (30), and / or • a seat, and / or • a cooling water, and / or • a lubricating oil and / or • a hydraulic oil of the means of transport (80). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature is a temperature at the time of the next expected use of the means of transport (80), which is determined based on • weather information, and / or • a calendar, and / or • a temperature measurement is determined by the means of transport (80). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating of the part (30) of the means of transport (80) to be heated to the determined target temperature is based on a selection and / or adaptation • a charging current, and / or • a start time for loading, and / or • a period of time for supplying the generated waste heat to the part (30) of the means of transport (80) to be heated, and / or • a predefined set of parameters is used to control the heating process. [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein different predefined parameter sets are provided for controlling the heating of the part (30) of the means of transport (80) to be heated for an AC charging process and a DC charging process. [7] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the target temperature and / or the time of the next expected use of the means of transport (80) is based on • a usage history of the means of transport (80) and / or • determined from user input. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the case of an application of an AC charging method, in addition to the waste heat of the battery (20), waste heat from an on-board charger is used to heat the part of the means of transport (80) to be heated. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means of transport (80) is an electric car, in particular an electric bus and preferably a mobile electric work machine. [10] Device for using waste heat generated by a charging process of a battery (20) of an electrically powered means of transport (80) in the means of transport (80) comprising: • one evaluation unit (10), • a data input (12), and • a data output (14), wherein the evaluation unit (10) is set up, • in connection with data input (12) ◯ to determine the state of charge of the battery (20), ◯ to determine a temperature of a part (30) of the means of transport (80) to be heated and a time of the next expected use of the means of transport (80), ◯ to determine a target temperature of the part (30) of the means of transport (80) to be heated at the time of the next expected use of the means of transport (80), and • in conjunction with the data output (14) to heat the part (30) of the means of transport (80) to be heated by charging the battery (20) depending on the state of charge of the battery (20), the target temperature, the temperature and the time of the next expected use of the means of transport (80).

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