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

Abstract

A method for controlling a circuit module of an electrical energy storage device is described, wherein the circuit module has at least one electromechanical switch in a first strand and at least one first semiconductor switch in a second strand, which are arranged in parallel, comprising the steps: - Determining whether a first condition, which represents an electrical current flowing through the circuit module below or equal to a predefined current amount, is met; - If the first condition is met, interrupting the current flow through the first phase by controlling the electromechanical switch and enabling the current flow through the second phase by controlling the first semiconductor switch. Furthermore, a corresponding computer program, machine-readable storage medium, electronic control unit and device are described.

Description

[0001] The present invention is based on a method for controlling a circuit module of an electrical energy storage device according to the independent patent claim. State of the art

[0002] In vehicles, either relays or contactors or semiconductor switches are typically used to interrupt a supply current, for example during idle phases.

[0003] The document FR2870996 A1 describes a device for interrupting the power supply of a battery which has two strings, one string being designed for a high current load and one string being designed for a low current load.

[0004] The document US 11 251 790 B2 describes a device and a method for interrupting the power supply of a battery, which has two strings in which relays and semiconductor switches are connected in parallel and which are controlled accordingly. Disclosure of the inventionAdvantages of the invention

[0005] A method for controlling a circuit module of an electrical energy storage device is disclosed, having the features of the independent patent claim. The circuit module comprises at least one electromechanical switch in a first phase and at least one first semiconductor switch in a second phase, which are arranged in parallel. The method comprises the following steps.

[0006] It is determined whether a first condition, which represents an electrical current flowing through the circuit module below or equal to a predefined current amount, is met.

[0007] If the first condition is met, the current flow through the first phase is interrupted by activating the electromechanical switch and the current flow through the second phase is enabled by activating the first semiconductor switch.

[0008] The method is advantageous because at small currents the first phase with the electromechanical switch is switched off and the current can flow through the second phase with the first semiconductor switch.

[0009] The procedure is conveniently implemented by computer.

[0010] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0011] The circuit module expediently further comprises a second semiconductor switch in the second branch connected in series with the first semiconductor switch, wherein the first semiconductor switch is configured to control discharge currents from the electrical energy storage device and the second semiconductor switch is configured to control charging currents into the electrical energy storage device. When the first condition is met, the second semiconductor switch is activated to block the current flow in the charging direction of the electrical energy storage device in the second branch. This is advantageous because it ensures that during operation with low current requirements, so-called sleep mode or hibernation mode, no charging of the electrical energy storage device takes place, which could potentially lead to overloading of the electrical energy storage device and thus to a safety risk. This increases safety.

[0012] It is expedient to determine whether a second condition, which represents an electrical current flowing through the circuit module above a predefined current amount, is met. If the second condition is met, the current flow through the second phase is interrupted by controlling the first semiconductor switch and, if applicable, the second semiconductor switch, and the current flow through the first phase is enabled by controlling the electromechanical switch. This is advantageous because it ensures that during operation with high current requirements, the so-called operating mode, the current flows via the electromechanical switch, which, due to its advantageous low-resistance, reduces power loss and heat input.

[0013] It is expediently determined whether a third condition, which represents an electrical charging voltage that is higher than the electrical voltage of the electrical energy storage device and is applied to the circuit module, is met. If the third condition is met, the current flow through the first phase is enabled by controlling the electromechanical switch, and the current flow through the second phase is interrupted by controlling the first semiconductor switch and / or the second semiconductor switch. This is advantageous because it enables charging of the electrical energy storage device via the electromechanical switch, which, due to its low resistance, generates less heat loss compared to a semiconductor switch and thus reduces aging of the circuit module.

[0014] Expediently, an electrical voltage drop across or in the circuit module is detected. Subsequently, a diagnosis of the intended function of the electromechanical switch, the first semiconductor switch, and / or the second semiconductor switch is performed based on the detected electrical voltage drop across or in the circuit module. This is advantageous because it allows a fault in the operation of the switches to be detected, which increases safety when using the circuit module.

[0015] Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program configured to execute all steps of the method according to the invention. Thus, the aforementioned advantages can be achieved.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention relates to a machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to the invention is stored. Thus, the aforementioned advantages can be achieved.

[0017] Furthermore, the invention relates to an electronic control unit which is configured to carry out all steps of the method according to the invention.

[0018] Furthermore, the invention relates to a device with a circuit module, wherein the circuit module comprises at least one electromechanical switch in a first phase and at least one semiconductor switch in a second phase. The phases are arranged in parallel, and the circuit module has at least two connections for installation in an electrical energy storage device, as well as the electronic control unit according to the invention. Short description of the drawings

[0019] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and explained in more detail in the following description.

[0020] They show: Fig. 1 a flowchart of a method according to the invention according to an embodiment; and Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention. Embodiments of the invention

[0021] The same reference numerals denote the same device components or the same process steps in all figures.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of a method according to the invention for controlling a circuit module according to one embodiment. The circuit module has at least one electromechanical switch in a first phase and at least one first semiconductor switch in a second phase. In a first step S11, it is determined whether a first condition, which represents an electrical current flowing through the circuit module below or equal to a predefined current amount, is met. For example, it is determined whether the current flowing through the circuit module to an energy storage device is less than or equal to 40 milliamperes. If this is the case, the first condition is met in this example and, for example, only a so-called quiescent current flows through the module.

[0023] If the first condition is met, in a second step S12, the current flow through the first phase is interrupted by activating the electromechanical switch. The current flow through the second phase, however, is enabled by activating the first semiconductor switch. This ensures that the electrical current flows through the open first semiconductor switch.

[0024] If the circuit module has a second semiconductor switch arranged accordingly in the second string for controlling charging currents into the electrical energy storage device, the second semiconductor switch can be controlled in a third step to block the current flow in the charging direction of the electrical energy storage device in the string.

[0025] For example, to switch from operation with low current requirements back to operation with high current requirements, it can be determined whether a second condition, which represents an electrical current flowing through the circuit module above the predefined current amount, is met. If the second condition is met, the current flow through the second phase is interrupted by controlling the first semiconductor switch and, if present, the second semiconductor switch. Furthermore, the current flow through the first phase can be enabled by controlling the electromechanical switch.

[0026] In order to always switch to the required operating mode, the conditions mentioned can be checked regularly, for example at predefined time intervals.

[0027] Fig.2 shows a schematic representation of a device 20 according to the invention. The device 20 has a circuit module 21. The circuit module 21 comprises at least one electromechanical switch 22 in a first phase and at least one first semiconductor switch 23 in a second phase, wherein the phases are arranged in parallel. The circuit module 21 has at least two terminals 25, 26 for installation in an electrical energy storage device. Furthermore, the device 20 comprises an electronic control unit 27 according to the invention, which is configured to carry out all steps of a method according to the invention.

[0028] Additionally, the circuit module can have a second semiconductor switch 24, wherein the first semiconductor switch 23 is configured to control discharge currents from the electrical energy storage device and the second semiconductor switch 24 is configured to control charging currents into the electrical energy storage device. Furthermore, the second phase can have a fuse 28 for overload protection. 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] FR 2870996 A1

[0003] US 11 251 790 B2

[0004]

Claims

[1] Method for controlling a circuit module (21) of an electrical energy storage device, wherein the circuit module (21) has at least one electromechanical switch (22) in a first strand and at least one first semiconductor switch (23) in a second strand, which are arranged in parallel, with the steps - determining whether a first condition, which represents an electrical current flowing through the circuit module (21) below or equal to a predefined current amount, is met; - If the first condition is fulfilled, interrupting the current flow through the first strand by controlling the electromechanical switch (22) and enabling the current flow through the second strand by controlling the first semiconductor switch (23). [2] Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the circuit module (21) further comprises a second semiconductor switch (24) in the second strand in series connection with the first semiconductor switch (23), wherein the first semiconductor switch (23) is configured to control discharge currents from the electrical energy storage device and the second semiconductor switch (24) is configured to control charging currents into the electrical energy storage device, with the further step when the first condition is met: - controlling the second semiconductor switch (24) to block the current flow in the charging direction of the electrical energy storage device in the second string. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, with the further steps: - determining whether a second condition, which represents an electrical current flowing through the circuit module (21) above the predefined current amount, is met; - If the second condition is met, interrupting the current flow through the second strand by controlling the first semiconductor switch (23) and optionally the second semiconductor switch (24) and enabling the current flow through the first strand by controlling the electromechanical switch (22). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, with the further steps: - determining whether a third condition, which represents an electrical charging voltage which is higher than the electrical voltage of the electrical energy store and which is applied to the circuit module (21), is met; - If the third condition is met, enabling the current flow through the first strand by controlling the electromechanical switch (22) and interrupting the current flow through the second strand by controlling the first semiconductor switch (23) and / or the second semiconductor switch (24). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, with the further steps: - Determining an electrical voltage drop across or in the circuit module (21); - Diagnosis of a proper function of the electromechanical switch (22), the first semiconductor switch (23) and / or the second semiconductor switch (24) as a function of the determined electrical voltage drop across or in the circuit module (21). [6] Computer program which is arranged to carry out all steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 5. [7] A machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 6 is stored. [8] Electronic control unit (27) arranged to carry out all the steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 5. [9] Device (20) with a circuit module (21), wherein the circuit module (21) comprises at least one electromechanical switch (22) in a first strand and at least one first semiconductor switch (23) in a second strand, wherein the strands are arranged in parallel, wherein the circuit module (21) has at least two connections (25, 26) for installation in an electrical energy store, wherein the device (20) comprises an electronic control unit (27) according to claim 8.

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