Method for identifying a swap partner for a battery unit to be swapped in a motor vehicle battery, computer program product and data processing equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining a vehicle-external exchange battery unit (T2) as an exchange partner (T2) for a vehicle-internal first battery unit (E1) to be exchanged of a battery (12) of a motor vehicle (14), which comprises the first battery unit (E1) to be exchanged and at least one second battery unit (E2, E3) that is not to be exchanged. In this process, for the respective battery units (E1, E2, E3) in a state installed in the motor vehicle (14), at least one value (P1, P2, P3) of at least one first battery aging parameter assigned to the respective battery unit (E1, E2, E3) is recorded and stored, and depending on the stored value (P2, P3) of the at least one first battery aging parameter assigned to at least one second battery unit (E2, E3), the vehicle-external replacement battery unit (T2) is determined as the replacement partner (T2) for the vehicle-internal first battery unit (E1) to be replaced.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for determining an external replacement battery unit as a replacement partner for an internal, to-be-replaced first battery unit of a motor vehicle battery, which comprises the first battery unit to be replaced and at least one second battery unit that is not to be replaced. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a computer program product and a data processing device.

[0002] Current high-voltage batteries, especially those used in electric vehicles, typically comprise several individual battery modules, each of which contains a number or plurality of individual cells. If a battery cell or battery module in such a high-voltage battery fails, such a battery module can be replaced, particularly with a brand-new battery module.

[0003] Such a new battery module typically differs from the previously used battery modules of the high-voltage battery in terms of its characteristics, for example, its capacity or cell voltage. This difference cannot be compensated even by cell balancing. The new module will likely also heat up differently than the previously used battery modules, which means that there will always be a temperature difference between the modules. Furthermore, the full capacity of the new module cannot be utilized because the usable capacity is determined and limited by the other, already aged modules.

[0004] US 2016 / 010 50 44 A1 describes a control method for an energy storage system, according to which assembled batteries are divided into groups based on a determined degree of degradation. The assembled batteries are then charged or discharged according to their group assignment.

[0005] DE 10 2010 030 885 A1 describes a method for controlling the energy supply of an electric motor by an energy storage device comprising a plurality of modules that are subjected to repeated charging and / or discharging and undergo an aging process as a result of the loading. To decouple the service life of the energy storage device from the service life of the vehicle, the control device controls the charging and / or discharging of at least two modules differently such that these modules exhibit a load difference in order to selectively reduce the aging process of the less loaded module.

[0006] DE 10 2020 210 197 A1 describes a method for combining used battery modules for a further application and a battery storage system. The aging state of at least four used battery modules is measured and then divided into at least two aging state groups. The battery modules of the first aging state group are combined to form a first battery pack, and the battery modules of the second aging state group are combined to form a second battery pack. Furthermore, a requested electrical power or energy quantity is distributed among the at least two battery packs depending on the aging states of the respective battery packs.

[0007] To date, attempts have been made to balance or compensate for different aging characteristics of battery modules or battery units by adapting the operation of these modules in the vehicle. However, this always results in some battery units having to be operated more gently than others. The overall potential provided by the battery units as a whole cannot be fully exploited. Even significant temperature differences between differently aged modules cannot be compensated for, or only partially compensated for, in some cases, and may even become even greater due to the different operating modes and loads.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a method, a computer program product and a data processing device which allow the most efficient and economical range of battery units in a vehicle.

[0009] This object is achieved by a method, a computer program product, and a data processing device having the features according to the respective independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0010] In a method according to the invention for determining an external vehicle replacement battery unit as a replacement partner for an internal vehicle first battery unit to be replaced of a battery of a motor vehicle, which comprises the first battery unit to be replaced and at least one second battery unit not to be replaced, at least one value of at least one first battery aging parameter assigned to the respective battery unit is recorded and stored for the respective battery units in a state installed in the motor vehicle, and the external vehicle replacement battery unit is determined as the replacement partner for the internal vehicle first battery unit to be replaced depending on the at least one stored value of the at least one first battery aging parameter assigned to the at least one second battery unit.

[0011] If a battery unit, referred to here as the first battery unit to be replaced, is to be replaced, the suitable replacement partner can advantageously be selected based on the aging state of the at least one second battery unit still remaining in the vehicle. As a replacement battery unit, a battery unit can thus advantageously be installed in the motor vehicle or in the battery that, in terms of its properties, particularly aging-related properties, is a very good match for the other second battery units still remaining in the battery. In particular, the replacement partner can be a used but still functional battery unit, which is then also more or less significantly aged.From several more or less aged, used battery units that are available as replacement battery units, the one can then be selected which, in terms of its aging properties or other electrical, chemical and / or electrochemical properties, best matches the other second battery units of the battery in the motor vehicle that are not to be replaced. The potential of the battery units after such a replacement can thus be exploited much more effectively, since no significant differences in the characteristics of the individual battery units need to be compensated for, as would be the case, for example, if the battery unit to be replaced were simply replaced with a brand new battery unit. A further major advantage of the method according to the invention is that the first battery aging parameter orwhose value is recorded while the respective battery units are installed in the motor vehicle. The recording of the respective battery ageing parameters of the respective battery units or the respective values ​​of the at least one battery ageing parameter can therefore take place even before it is determined that the first battery unit of the battery should or must be replaced or before a defect or error or other reason for replacing the first battery unit is determined. If the first battery unit is then ultimately to be replaced, the respective values ​​of the at least one first battery ageing parameter for the respective second battery units are already available and do not have to be subsequently recorded or determined by measurement, if this is even possible retrospectively.Furthermore, this procedure, namely the recording of at least one value of the at least one first battery aging parameter for the respective battery units installed in the motor vehicle, can be used not only to select a suitable exchange partner from used exchange battery units, but also, conversely, to use the battery units installed in the motor vehicle as exchange battery units. In a situation where, for example, such a battery is removed from the vehicle with at least some intact but used battery units, the still intact battery units can be made available as potential exchange partners for other vehicles.For each battery unit to be provided as a replacement battery unit, at least one value of the at least one battery aging parameter can then be provided according to the value already determined when still installed in the vehicle, on the basis of which a suitable exchange partner can be selected from the provided replacement battery units for another vehicle.

[0012] In this way, the degree of aging of the individual battery units can advantageously be determined or documented and used during the use of the battery in a motor vehicle in order to select a particularly suitable exchange partner from used and also aged battery units in the event of a necessary replacement of at least one of the battery units.

[0013] The battery of the motor vehicle can, for example, be a high-voltage battery. The battery unit, namely the first and also the at least one second battery unit, is a replaceable unit of the battery of the motor vehicle. Such a battery unit can, for example, be a battery module, which in turn comprises a plurality of battery cells. However, the battery unit can also be a single battery cell or a group of battery modules, each of which comprises a plurality of battery cells. The battery cells can, for example, be designed as lithium-ion cells. It is also conceivable that during an exchange process not only a single first battery unit of the battery is exchanged for a corresponding exchange partner, but that several first battery units to be exchanged are also exchanged for respective exchange partners.The exchange partners are selected depending on the battery aging parameters of those battery units that remain in the battery, i.e. are not replaced. These are referred to herein as second battery units. This can be a single second battery unit or, in turn, a plurality of second battery units. For each battery unit, in particular each first and second battery unit, at least one respective, assigned value of the at least one first battery aging parameter is recorded. If several second battery units remain in the battery during the exchange, the selection of the exchange partner is preferably made depending on the plurality of values ​​of the at least one first battery aging parameter that were recorded or stored for the plurality of respective second battery units.

[0014] As already mentioned, the replacement battery unit is preferably a previously used battery unit. The replacement battery unit should therefore not be a brand-new battery unit. In order to be considered as a replacement partner, other requirements may also be placed on the replacement battery units, for example, as a basic prerequisite. For example, these may be battery units that match the battery units of the vehicle in terms of their cell chemistry and / or geometric dimensions and / or similar.

[0015] As already mentioned, it is very advantageous that the respective first battery aging parameters or the values ​​of the at least one first battery aging parameter are recorded while the respective battery units are still installed in the vehicle. In particular, the values ​​of the at least one first battery aging parameter can be recorded while no defect in any of the battery units is present, for example, already upon initial commissioning of the respective battery units. This advantageously allows for insights into the aging state of the respective battery units to be obtained, which may not be subsequently recorded, measured, or determined.

[0016] The battery aging parameter is a parameter that is related to the aging state of the associated battery unit. The battery aging parameter can, for example, influence the aging of the associated battery unit. In other words, an aging state can, for example, be determined from the battery aging parameter. Conversely, the battery aging parameter can also be caused by a corresponding aging of the battery unit. In both cases, it is possible that, for example, the aging state, e.g. a value or quantity representative of this, of the battery unit in question can be determined from the battery aging parameter or its value. For example, the aging of the battery or its individual battery units influences the capacity of the battery unit in question and / or the internal resistance of the respective battery unit.These parameters change over time according to the aging of the respective battery unit. Parameters such as capacity or internal resistance can also be determined retrospectively, particularly as the current value of the internal resistance or capacity of the respective battery unit. However, there are also other factors influencing the aging of a particular battery unit that cannot be determined retrospectively and that can also be recorded as battery aging parameters. Therefore, it is very advantageous to record and document such battery aging parameters or their values ​​before a defect occurs, especially repeatedly.

[0017] Therefore, a further very advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the at least one first battery aging parameter represents at least one or more or all of the following stress parameters: a number of total charging cycles of the respective battery unit and / or its battery cells, a number of rapid charging processes in which the respective battery unit was charged with a charging power greater than a predetermined threshold, a total charging throughput of the respective battery unit and / or its battery cells, a temperature and / or a temperature profile of the temperature of the respective battery unit and / or its battery cells. The threshold charging power above which a charging process can be considered a rapid charging process is, for example, 50 kilowatts.

[0018] These battery aging parameters represent stress parameters, as they provide information about the previous stress on the respective battery units or their battery cells. These battery aging parameters influence the current aging state of a respective battery unit and, in particular, also the further aging process of a respective battery unit. This embodiment of the invention is based in particular on the finding that two battery units that, for example, are identical in terms of their original and current capacity and their original and current internal resistance, can follow a different, distinct future aging process depending on their respective past load or stress.For example, even if the two battery units with the same capacity and the same internal resistance are subjected to the same or similar load in the future, the capacity of one of the two battery units may decrease significantly faster than that of the other. By recording and documenting a load history of the respective battery units in the past, as is possible by recording at least one of the battery aging parameters mentioned above, in particular the load parameters, the future aging process of the respective battery units can also be predicted much more accurately. This allows for an even more tailored selection of a suitable replacement partner.In particular, an exchange partner can then be selected whose future, predicted aging process fits even better with that of at least one second battery unit that remains in the vehicle's battery.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one first battery aging parameter represents at least one of the following: a capacity of the respective battery unit and / or its battery cells and an internal resistance of the respective battery unit and / or its battery cells. These battery aging parameters also provide information about the current aging state of a battery unit. In particular, they can be compared with the original value of the capacity or internal resistance when the corresponding battery unit was initially put into operation, for example, the original value of the capacity or internal resistance of the respective battery unit. Considering these battery aging parameters allows for an even more accurate statement about the current aging state of the respective battery unit.

[0020] It is particularly advantageous if several of the above-mentioned battery aging parameters are recorded. From this, further variables can also be derived or calculated, such as an aging value that is representative of the current aging state of the respective battery unit, and / or a predicted aging process and / or a predicted remaining life expectancy, e.g. measured in charging cycles or range, or similar. Depending on one or more of the aforementioned battery aging parameters or their values, one or more key variables can be determined for a respective battery unit, for example, which provide information about the current aging state of the respective battery unit and / or relate to a future, predicted aging process.These comparison values ​​can then be compared with corresponding comparison values ​​of the replacement battery units.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one value of the at least one first battery aging parameter is repeatedly recorded from the time of initial commissioning of the respective battery unit, in particular in the motor vehicle. Thus, the battery aging parameter for a respective battery unit can advantageously be documented from the time of initial commissioning. If a defect then occurs in one of the battery units in the motor vehicle, the then already available values ​​of the at least one first battery aging parameter of the second, still intact battery units can be used to select a suitable exchange partner from the provided used exchange battery units.The values ​​of the at least one first battery ageing parameter are recorded in the motor vehicle or in the motor vehicle in which the battery unit in question is currently installed. If, for example, a battery unit has already been replaced several times or has even been used in the motor vehicle as a replacement battery unit, the previously determined values ​​of the battery ageing parameter in question for this battery unit, for example when they were still used in another vehicle, can continue to be stored, i.e. in addition to the newly determined values ​​for the first battery ageing parameter, while this battery unit is now being used in the new motor vehicle. These values ​​can also be stored centrally, e.g. in a central data processing facility, as explained in more detail later.

[0022] The repeated recording of the first battery aging parameter of a respective battery unit or its values ​​does not necessarily always have to take place in the same motor vehicle, but can also take place in different motor vehicles. The repeated recording of the value of at least one battery aging parameter is advantageous, on the one hand, in order to always be able to access a current value of the first battery aging parameter when needed, i.e., when one of the battery units needs to be replaced, and on the other hand, in order to be able to document, for example, a progression of the respective battery aging parameter over time, which is particularly advantageous for stress parameters such as total charging cycles, rapid charging processes, total power throughput, and / or the temperature of the battery unit.

[0023] Accordingly, a further very advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for the value of the at least one first battery aging parameter to be repeatedly recorded and, in particular, for only the current value of the first battery aging parameter to be stored or remain stored, or for the respectively recorded values ​​of the first battery aging parameter to be stored as history data of the battery aging parameter. The former case is particularly advantageous when the battery aging parameter is, for example, the capacity or the internal resistance of the battery unit in question. In this case, for example, only the currently determined value for the battery aging parameter can be stored. The previously recorded and stored value can then, for example, be overwritten, which saves storage space. On the other hand, it can also be advantageous to store a data history.In other words, the repeatedly recorded values ​​of the first battery aging parameter can be continuously stored without overwriting or deleting previously saved values. This allows the temporal development of the values ​​of the respective battery aging parameter to be observed and evaluated, or used to select a suitable replacement partner. This is particularly advantageous if the battery aging parameter represents one of the aforementioned stress parameters, for example, the temperature of the battery unit in question. This then allows significantly more precise statements to be made about the past and / or future aging process of the respective battery unit.

[0024] In a further highly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first battery aging parameter is determined in the motor vehicle and transmitted from the motor vehicle to a central data processing device external to the vehicle, and in particular stored by this device. This is particularly advantageous with very large data volumes, since the vehicle itself advantageously requires less storage space to store the battery aging parameter values. Furthermore, the integration of a central data processing device into the described method facilitates simplified comparison with the data of potential exchange partners. The recorded battery aging parameter values ​​for respective battery units, even from different vehicles, can be stored in a central database.The determination of the values ​​of the battery aging parameters therefore takes place in the (respective) motor vehicle, for example, by a suitable recording device in the motor vehicle. The respective values ​​can also be stored temporarily in the motor vehicle, in particular until the respective values ​​of the battery aging parameters are transmitted to the data processing device. In this case, the corresponding values ​​transmitted to the central data processing device, for example, an online server, may be deleted in the motor vehicle itself, or only the most recent value of the relevant battery aging parameter remains stored in the motor vehicle.

[0025] The transmission of a corresponding value of the first battery aging parameter to the data processing device can, for example, take place immediately after its recording in the vehicle or only after a certain period of time. It is advantageous, for example, to first collect the relevant values ​​of the respective battery aging parameters in the vehicle and then transmit them in a bundled or collective manner to the central data processing device at repeated intervals, for example, once a month.

[0026] Accordingly, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for the repeatedly recorded values ​​of the at least one first battery aging parameter to be stored in the motor vehicle for respective, successive, predetermined periods of time and to be transmitted to the central data processing device after the respective period of time has elapsed. These periods of time can be in the range of hours, days, weeks, or even months. The temporary collection of this data in the motor vehicle has the advantage of reducing the effort required for data exchange with the central data processing device. In addition, certain battery aging parameters, such as the capacity of a respective battery unit, generally change only very slowly, so that recording once a month, for example, is sufficient.Accordingly, it is sufficient to provide this data to the central data processing facility once within such a period of time.

[0027] The recorded values ​​of the first battery aging parameter can therefore be transmitted to the central data processing device repeatedly at specific intervals corresponding to these time periods. During this time, corresponding values ​​for the respective first battery aging parameter can optionally continue to be recorded in the motor vehicle, but then stored, at least temporarily, only in the motor vehicle.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the central data processing device has a database in which values ​​of at least one second battery ageing parameter are stored for several replacement battery units available for exchange, wherein one of the replacement battery units is selected as the exchange partner for the first battery unit depending on the stored values ​​of the at least one second battery ageing parameter,in particular depending on a result of a comparison carried out by the data processing device between the at least one value of the at least one first battery ageing parameter of the at least one second battery unit and / or a value of a first comparison variable derived therefrom, on the one hand, and the value of the at least one second battery ageing parameter and / or a value of a respective second comparison variable derived therefrom, on the other hand.

[0029] Such a database can therefore advantageously also collect the corresponding battery aging parameter values ​​for used and exchangeable battery units. These second battery aging parameters and their values ​​can be recorded and stored in the same way as described for the first battery aging parameters and their values. If the first battery unit of the vehicle's battery is to be replaced, this database can advantageously be used to identify a suitable or the most suitable exchange partner.

[0030] It is particularly advantageous if mutually corresponding first and second battery aging parameters are compared with one another, or mutually corresponding first and second comparison variables. In other words, the first and second battery aging parameters can refer to the same variable, e.g. the total charge throughput and / or the internal resistance. For example, the current value of the capacity as the first battery aging parameter of the first battery units remaining in the vehicle can be compared with the current values ​​of the respective capacities as the second battery aging parameters of the replacement battery units available for replacement, and so on. Furthermore, the values ​​of several respective battery aging parameters can also be compared, if these have been recorded and are available.However, it is also conceivable that the first battery aging parameters and the second battery aging parameters differ. Nevertheless, an aging parameter can be determined from the respective battery aging parameters, for example, which represents an example of the first and second comparison parameters. These respective aging parameters can then be compared with each other.

[0031] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a computer program product with instructions which, when executed by at least one computing unit, for example the central data processing device, cause the at least one computing unit to carry out a method according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0032] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a data processing device, in particular a central data processing device, which is designed to carry out a method according to the invention or one of its embodiments.

[0033] Furthermore, a system comprising the data processing device is also intended to be part of the invention. In addition to the data processing device, the system may also comprise further devices, as mentioned, described, or mentioned in connection with the description of the method according to the invention or its embodiments. For example, the system may comprise the motor vehicle with the battery. The motor vehicle is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle. Furthermore, the system may also comprise a warehouse with used battery units that are available for exchange.

[0034] A result of the determination of the exchange partner can be output by the system or by the central data processing device, e.g. on a display device of a terminal, computer and / or communication device coupled to the central data processing device, each with an optional input device.

[0035] For applications or application situations that may arise during the method and which are not explicitly described here, it can be provided that according to the method, e.g. via the above-mentioned display device, an error message and / or a request to enter user feedback, e.g. by means of the above-mentioned input device, is output and / or a standard setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set and / or e.g. if several exchange partners are considered after comparison, one of these is randomly selected.

[0036] The data processing device can have a processor device that is configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor device can have at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In particular, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) can be used as the microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor device can have program code as part of the computer program product that is configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor device. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device. The processor device can, for example,based on at least one circuit board and / or on at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0037] The invention also includes further developments of the computer program product according to the invention, the data processing device according to the invention, and the system according to the invention, which have features as already described in connection with the further developments of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the computer program product according to the invention, the data processing device according to the invention, and the system according to the invention are not described again here.

[0038] As a further solution, the invention also encompasses a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a computer or computer network, causes the computer or computer network to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data memory (e.g., as a flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data memory (e.g., as a RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be arranged in the computer or computer network. However, the storage medium can also be operated, for example, as a so-called app store server and / or cloud server on the Internet. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with, for example, at least one microprocessor.The program code may be provided as binary code and / or as assembly code and / or as source code of a programming language (e.g. C) and / or as a program script (e.g. Python).

[0039] The invention also encompasses combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also encompasses implementations that each comprise a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments are described as mutually exclusive.

[0040] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another, each of which also develops the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0041] The figure shows a schematic representation of a system 10 for determining an external replacement battery unit T2 as a replacement partner for a first battery unit E1 of a battery 12 of a motor vehicle 14 to be replaced internally in the vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The system 10 comprises a central data processing device 16, which can be provided, for example, by an online server or internet server. Furthermore, the system 10 can also include the motor vehicle 14 and a warehouse 18 for storing replacement battery units T1, T2, T3, which represent, in particular, used and aged, in particular differently aged, battery units T1, T2, T3.

[0042] As already mentioned, the motor vehicle 14 thus comprises the battery 12, which can be designed, for example, as a high-voltage battery. This in turn comprises energy storage units E1, E2, E3, with three such energy storage units E1, E2, E3 being shown as an example. In this example, the energy storage units E1, E2, E3 represent battery modules, which in turn can each comprise one or more battery cells 20, of which, for reasons of clarity, only one per battery module E1, E2, E3 is provided with a reference symbol. While these energy storage units E1, E2, E3 are located in the motor vehicle 14, at least one first battery aging parameter P1, P2, P3 can be recorded for each energy storage unit E1, E2, E3, or more precisely, at least one value P1, P2, P3 of at least one assigned first battery aging parameter can be recorded.For this purpose, the motor vehicle 14 can, for example, have a control device 22 with a memory, to which the recorded parameter values ​​P1, P2, P3 are provided and which stores the corresponding parameter values ​​P1, P2, P3, for example permanently or only temporarily. The battery aging parameter values ​​P1, P2, P3 can be recorded once, but preferably repeatedly. For example, these parameters are a capacity of the respective energy storage unit E1, E2, E3, an internal resistance, a temperature, or the like. The number of charging cycles, in particular rapid charging cycles, can also be recorded or counted as a battery aging parameter, and parameter values ​​P1, P2, P3 can be provided as such, and / or a total charge throughput of the respective energy storage unit E1, E2, E3.Such charge throughput includes, in particular, any electrical charge that was withdrawn from or supplied to the respective energy storage unit E1, E2, E3. These recorded parameters, or more precisely, their current values ​​P1, P2, P3 determined thereby, are also preferably provided to the central data processing device 16. The parameter values ​​P1, P2, P3 can be transmitted to the central data processing device 16 immediately after they are determined, or they can first be collected in the motor vehicle 14 and transmitted to the central data processing device 16 at predetermined intervals, for example, once a month. The central data processing device 16 comprises a memory 24 in which the corresponding parameter values ​​P1, P2, P3 of the battery aging parameters can be stored.In particular, a database 26 can be stored in the memory 24, in which these parameter values ​​P1, P2, P3, which were obtained from the vehicle 14, are stored.

[0043] The battery aging parameters, which are also referred to as parameters below, can relate to the energy storage units E1, E2, E3 as a whole or to each individual cell 20 comprised by the respective energy storage unit E1, E2, E3 or cell groups with multiple cells 20. In other words, not only the capacity of a respective energy storage unit E1, E2, E3 can be provided as such a parameter value P1, P2, P3, but also, for example, each individual capacity of a respective cell 20 comprised by the respective energy storage unit E1, E2, E3. The same applies to the internal resistance, the temperature, the charge throughput, and so on.

[0044] The control device 22 can also be part of the battery 12. Data, particularly in the form of the aforementioned parameter values ​​P1, P2, P3, relating to the current state of each individual cell 20 or of the energy storage units E1, E2, E3 as a whole, can be stored in the battery 12 or the control unit 22, or online, i.e., in the central data processing device 16. This can include, for example, the current capacity, the internal resistance, the charge throughput, the number of rapid charging cycles, and so on. A history of this data can also be stored.

[0045] If a module fails, for example the first energy storage unit E1, the data of the other cells 20, i.e. the data of the still intact energy storage units E2, E3, can be read out and from a stock of 18 used modules T1, T2, T3, which for example also come from other vehicles in which the entire battery was replaced, a module T1, T2, T3 can now be selected, in the present example the second module, i.e. the second replacement battery unit T2, which in terms of its condition best matches the remaining modules, i.e. energy storage units E2, E3 of the motor vehicle 14.

[0046] While the replacement battery units T1, T2, T3 were used in one motor vehicle, in particular in another motor vehicle, the aforementioned parameter values ​​P4, P5, P6 assigned to the respective replacement energy storage units T1, T2, T3 were also recorded. This may involve the same data and parameters as already described for the energy storage units E1, E2, E3 installed in the motor vehicle 14. These second battery aging parameter values ​​P4, P5, P6 may also be stored in the central data processing device 16, in particular again in the aforementioned database 26. This now enables the central data processing device 16 to compare the first battery aging parameter values ​​P2, P3 with the values ​​P4, P5, P6 of the second battery aging parameters of the potential replacement partners T1, T2, T3.This comparison makes it possible to determine the exchange partner—in this example, the second exchange battery unit T2—that best matches the still intact energy storage units E2, E3 remaining in the vehicle 14 according to a predetermined matching or similarity criterion. The result of this comparison, i.e., the exchange battery unit T2 ultimately selected as the exchange partner, can be output on an output device that has a communication link to the central data processing device 16, for example, in a workshop. The exchange battery unit T2 selected as the exchange partner is then exchanged with the defective battery unit E1 of the motor vehicle 14 that is to be exchanged and is accordingly installed in the battery 12 of the motor vehicle 14.

[0047] By using aged modules as replacement battery units T1, T2, T3, the behavior of the battery 12 remains homogeneous, even after such a module has been replaced. Consequently, there are no functional limitations due to the changed properties of the new module, in this case the replaced module T2. For example, there is no cell voltage spread or thermal spread due to the different states of the modules of the battery 12. Furthermore, this makes it possible to continue to use aged modules T1, T2, T3, which is sensible from an ecological point of view. The available data on the condition of the cells 20 and their history, both from the energy storage units E1, E2, E3 installed in the vehicle 14 and from the replacement battery units T1, T2, T3, also makes it possible to forecast the service life and future behavior of the respective module E1, E2, E3, T1, T2, T3.This also reduces, for example, the risk that the replaced module T2 will fail again immediately. Furthermore, it allows the selection of the replacement module T2 that has a similar remaining service life to the remaining modules E2 and E3 in the vehicle.

[0048] Overall, the examples demonstrate how the invention can provide a module selection for module replacement in a high-voltage battery. According to an advantageous embodiment, the high-voltage battery stores status data for each individual cell, also referred to as battery aging parameter data, cyclically, for example once a month. This data can therefore include, for example, the current capacity, the internal resistance, a charge throughput in the charging and discharging direction, the number of rapid charging processes, a temperature histogram over the service life, and so on. This data can be stored either directly in the control unit, for example, the aforementioned control unit 22 of the motor vehicle 14, or ideally online, i.e., for example, in the central data processing device 16.If a module fails and needs to be replaced, the data from the remaining cells can be evaluated - i.e., the cells of the modules that are not to be replaced - in order to find a suitable used module whose properties and history optimally match the remaining modules in the vehicle that are not to be replaced. These used modules can, for example, come from vehicles that have been taken out of service or from batteries that have been completely replaced but are still intact and operational. If the module data is stored online, it is possible to file this data on a module-specific basis. If aged modules are removed from batteries and stored, the data can be directly assigned to the respective module. In this way, it is then possible to select a suitable module by simply comparing the online data between the remaining modules in the vehicle and the stored modules.Once the optimally matching module has been selected and installed in the vehicle, it is still possible to retrieve and save status data for this replaced, newly installed module in the vehicle, in particular as already described for the other modules in the vehicle. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] US 2016 / 010 50 44 A1

[0004] DE 10 2010 030 885 A1

[0005] DE 10 2020 210 197 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Method for determining a vehicle-external exchange battery unit (T2) as an exchange partner (T2) for a vehicle-internal, first battery unit (E1) to be exchanged of a battery (12) of a motor vehicle (14), which comprises the first battery unit (E1) to be exchanged and at least one second battery unit (E2, E3) not to be exchanged, characterized by , that - for the respective battery units (E1, E2, E3) in a state installed in the motor vehicle (14), at least one value (P1, P2, P3) of at least one first battery ageing parameter assigned to the respective battery unit (E1, E2, E3) is recorded and stored, and - depending on the at least one stored value (P2, P3) of the at least one first battery aging parameter assigned to the at least one second battery unit (E2, E3), the vehicle-external replacement battery unit (T2) is determined as the replacement partner (T2) for the vehicle-internal first battery unit (E1) to be replaced. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one first battery ageing parameter represents at least one of the following stress parameters: - a number of total charging cycles of the respective battery unit (E1, E2, E3) and / or its battery cells (20); - a number of rapid charging processes in which the respective battery unit (E1, E2, E3) was charged with a charging power greater than a predetermined threshold; - a total charge throughput of the respective battery unit (E1, E2, E3) and / or its battery cells (20); - a temperature and / or temperature profile of the temperature of the respective battery unit (E1, E2, E3) and / or its battery cells (20). [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one first battery ageing parameter represents at least one of the following: - a capacity of the respective battery unit (E1, E2, E3) and / or its battery cells (20); - an internal resistance of the respective battery unit (E1, E2, E3) and / or its battery cells (20). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one value (P1, P2, P3) of the at least one first battery ageing parameter is repeatedly recorded from a time of initial commissioning of the respective battery unit (E1, E2, E3), in particular in the motor vehicle (14). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one value (P1, P2, P3) of the at least one first battery ageing parameter is repeatedly recorded and in particular - only the current value (P1, P2, P3) of the first battery ageing parameter is or remains stored, or - the respectively recorded values ​​(P1, P2, P3) of the first battery ageing parameter are stored as history data of the battery ageing parameter. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one value (P1, P2, P3) of the at least one first battery ageing parameter is determined in the motor vehicle (14) and is transmitted from the motor vehicle (14) to a central data processing device (16) external to the vehicle. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the repeatedly recorded values ​​(P1, P2, P3) of the at least one first battery ageing parameter are stored in the motor vehicle (14) for respective, successive predetermined periods of time and are transmitted to the central data processing device (16) after the expiry of the respective period of time. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the central data processing device (16) has a database (26) in which values ​​(P4, P5, P6) of at least one second battery ageing parameter for a plurality of respective replacement battery units (T1, T2, T3) available for exchange are stored, wherein one of the replacement battery units (T1, T2, T3) is selected as the exchange partner (T2) for the first battery unit (E1) depending on the stored values ​​(P4, P5, P6) of at least its second battery ageing parameter, in particular depending on a result of a comparison carried out by the data processing device (16) between the at least one value (P2, P3) of the first battery ageing parameter of the at least one second battery unit (E2, E3) on the one hand and / or a value of a first comparison variable derived therefrom and the values ​​(P4, P5,P6) of the at least one second battery aging parameter and / or values ​​of a respective second comparison value derived therefrom, on the other hand. [9] Computer program product with instructions which, when executed by at least one computing unit (16), cause the at least one computing unit (16) to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Data processing device (16) designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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