Device for monitoring and / or controlling at least one battery cell, battery management control unit and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling at least one battery cell (40), comprising at least one first interface (12) for at least one circuit (18) for monitoring and / or controlling the at least one battery cell (40), characterized in that the device (10) further comprises at least one second interface (22) for receiving signals from at least two different types of measuring and / or control devices (14) for the at least one battery cell (40) and at least three bridge connections (16), wherein at least two of the at least three bridge connections (16) are signal-wise connected to the at least one first interface (12) or the at least one second interface (22), and at least one of the at least three bridge connections (16) is signal-wise connected to the at least one second interface (22) or the at least one first interface (12).wherein each of the at least two different types of measuring and / or control devices (14) is assigned at least one individual bridge configuration option for the at least three bridge connections (16). The device (10) can reduce the cost of an electric vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for monitoring and / or controlling at least one battery cell, a battery management control unit and a vehicle.

[0002] Devices, also known as Cell Module Controllers (CMCs), can be used to monitor and / or control battery cells in electric vehicles. These devices can be used for cell conditioning (balancing) and cell module monitoring with regard to cell voltages and temperatures. The monitoring devices can include circuits for monitoring and / or controlling the battery cells, which may be designed, for example, as application-specific integrated circuits. Furthermore, the monitoring devices can include balancing resistors, high-voltage and low-voltage interfaces, and other circuitry. The temperature sensors and voltage taps for the battery cells can be mounted on a support structure and connected to the CMC, for example, via a connector.A separate monitoring device is developed for each battery variant to ensure the correct connection of the circuits to the battery cells or measuring and / or control devices.

[0003] From WO 2024 / 123538 A1, a battery cell monitoring system is known, comprising a battery cell with an electrode stack connected by first and second tabs. A housing encloses the electrode stack. A temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the battery cell. A pressure sensor is configured to detect pressure within the housing. A resistance heater is configured to heat the battery cell.A battery cell monitoring circuit is located either inside or next to the housing and is configured to monitor the battery cell's temperature sensor, the battery cell's pressure sensor, the battery cell's voltage, selectively activate the battery cell's heating resistor based on the detected temperature, and diagnose the battery cell's operation in response to the battery cell's voltage, the detected battery cell's temperature, and the detected battery cell's pressure.

[0004] Furthermore, a battery test stand is known from DE 10 2022 113 771 A1, comprising a source for providing electrical charging power to a battery under test, a first connection for connecting a first terminal of the battery to a first terminal of the source, and a second connection for connecting a second terminal of the battery to a second terminal of the source, wherein the first connection has a first connector, the first connector having at least two contact pins, each contact pin being in an associated contact socket of the first connector when plugged in, and each contact pin forming an electrical contact with each contact socket, and wherein the second connection has a second connector, the second connector having at least two contact pins.wherein each contact pin, when plugged in, sits in a corresponding contact socket of the second connector and each contact pin forms an electrical contact with each contact socket, with a monitoring device for monitoring all electrical contacts.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a device with which the costs of an electric vehicle can be reduced.

[0006] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a device for monitoring and / or controlling at least one battery cell is described, comprising at least one first interface for at least one circuit for monitoring and / or controlling the at least one battery cell and a second interface for receiving signals from at least two different types of measuring and / or control devices for the at least one battery cell, wherein, according to the invention, the device further comprises at least three bridge connections, wherein at least two of the at least three bridge connections are signal-wise connected to the at least one first interface or the at least one second interface, and at least one of the at least three bridge connections is signal-wise connected to the at least one second interface or the at least one first interface.wherein each of the at least two different types of measuring and / or control devices is assigned at least one individual bridge configuration option for the at least three bridge connections.

[0008] The device for monitoring and controlling at least one battery cell thus provides a platform where it is initially possible to leave open what type of measuring and / or control device the device with the second interface will be connected to. Only when it is determined which type of measuring and / or control device is to transmit signals to the second interface can the corresponding bridge configuration option for this type of measuring and / or control device be used to populate the at least three bridge connections. When populating the at least three bridge connections, it is also possible to leave one bridge connection unused. For example, if three signal lines are provided between the first interface and the second interface, each of the three signal lines can be interrupted by an unpopulated bridge. The unpopulated bridges can each have two bridge connections.At least one option exists for installing all three unpopulated bridges. Another option is to install only one or two of the unpopulated bridges. Furthermore, it may be possible to connect a portion of a first signal line, which is connected to the first interface, to a portion of a second signal line, which is connected to the second interface, via a bridge. A further option is to create a bridge between two signal lines that are both connected to the same interface.

[0009] In this way, the device and the unpopulated bridge terminals can potentially enable a variety of signal line routings between the first and second interfaces. Populating the bridge terminals then allows one of these possible routings to be implemented. The same applies if several types of circuits are provided for monitoring and controlling the at least one battery cell. This means that only one monitoring and / or control device is required to connect a variety of different battery cells with their corresponding different types of measuring and / or control devices and monitoring and / or control circuits. The cost of providing a monitoring and / or control device can thus be reduced by increasing the production volume.Consequently, this can also result in cost savings for a battery-electric vehicle.

[0010] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the at least one first interface, the at least one second interface and the at least three bridge connections can be mounted on a common printed circuit board.

[0011] This allows the device to integrate all necessary components onto a single circuit board. The bridge connections can be easily and conventionally populated on the circuit board using jumpers.

[0012] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the at least three bridge terminals could be designed for connecting a zero-ohm resistor.

[0013] The use of zero-ohm resistors is easily implemented and can result in further cost savings.

[0014] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that at least one signal line, preferably designed as a conductor track, can be connected to each of the at least three bridge terminals.

[0015] The signal line can, for example, be implemented as a conductor track on a printed circuit board. However, this does not preclude the possibility of providing wireless signal connections between a bridge connector and an interface.

[0016] Furthermore, this does not rule out the possibility that the signal transmission can take place in another way, for example using fiber optics or another signal carrier medium.

[0017] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the at least three bridge connections can be designed to provide at least one parallel and / or series connection of bridges.

[0018] This allows for an increase in the number of possible bridge configuration options. Furthermore, it can, for example, improve safety with regard to clearance and creepage distances.

[0019] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that at least one circuit for monitoring and / or controlling the at least one battery cell can be connected to the at least one first interface and can preferably be designed as a processor unit or as an integrated circuit, in particular as an application-specific integrated circuit.

[0020] The circuit can therefore also be part of the device. If the device is implemented on a printed circuit board, the circuit can also be implemented on the board. The first interface can, for example, be configured as a connection for a processor unit or an integrated circuit.

[0021] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that the at least one second interface for connecting at least one sensor, in particular a temperature sensor, and / or at least one voltage tap can be designed as a measuring device.

[0022] A signal from a sensor, which can be configured as a temperature sensor and / or a voltage tap, can be transmitted to the second interface. The voltage tap can be configured to measure the voltage of a battery cell. This second interface can be configured to connect various types of sensors, thus increasing the device's flexibility.

[0023] According to some embodiments, it is conceivable that at least one second interface could be designed for connecting a connector.

[0024] The measuring and / or control device can thus be connected to the second interface via a connector. This can simplify the manufacture and use of the device and therefore save costs.

[0025] According to a second aspect, a battery management control unit is described, comprising at least one device for monitoring and / or controlling according to the preceding description.

[0026] The advantages, effects, and further developments of the battery management control unit result from the advantages, effects, and further developments of the device described above. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the preceding description in this regard.

[0027] According to a third aspect, a vehicle is described comprising an electric motor for driving at least one vehicle wheel, at least one battery cell for operating the electric motor, at least one measuring and / or control device and at least one device for monitoring and / or controlling according to the preceding description or at least one battery management control unit according to the preceding description, wherein the at least one measuring and / or control device is attached to the at least one battery cell and is connected to the at least one second interface via signal technology.

[0028] The advantages, effects, and further developments of the vehicle result from the advantages, effects, and further developments of the device and battery management control unit described above. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description in this regard.

[0029] According to a fourth aspect, a method for manufacturing a monitoring and / or control device for at least one battery cell is described, comprising at least the following steps: providing a monitoring and / or control device according to the preceding description; determining a type of measuring and / or control device with which the monitoring and / or control device is to be used; connecting the bridge terminals of the monitoring and / or control device to bridges according to a bridge configuration option specific to the determined type of measuring and / or control device.

[0030] The advantages, effects, and further developments of the method result from the advantages, effects, and further developments of the device, battery management control unit, and vehicle described above. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description in this regard.

[0031] The invention is described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device for monitoring and / or controlling; Fig. 2a-d a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the device; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a vehicle; and Fig. 4. A description of the method for manufacturing the device.

[0032] The device for monitoring and / or controlling at least one battery cell is hereinafter referred to in its entirety by reference numeral 10, as in Fig. 1 shown.

[0033] The device 10 has at least one first interface 12, at least one second interface 22 and at least three bridge connections 16.

[0034] The first interface 12 is configured for connecting at least one circuit 18. The circuit 18 is configured for monitoring and / or controlling at least one battery cell. Controlling the battery cell can, for example, refer to balancing different battery cells.

[0035] The first interface 12 can, for example, be designed as a socket into which an integrated circuit, in particular an application-specific integrated circuit, or a processor unit can be inserted.

[0036] The second interface 22 is designed to receive signals from at least two different types of measuring and / or control devices 14. The measuring and / or control device 14 is designed for at least one battery cell. A measuring device can be, for example, a temperature sensor 34 or a voltage tap 36 for the battery cell 40. A control device can be, for example, a device that can distribute a load evenly across several battery cells.

[0037] The second interface 22 can, for example, be designed as a connector or as a socket for a connector with which a measuring and / or control device can be connected.

[0038] The at least three bridge connections 16 are designed for connecting bridges 28, as shown in the Fig. Figures 2b to 2d are shown. Bridges 28 can, for example, be configured as zero-ohm resistors. However, other types of bridges 28 can also be used.

[0039] Two of the at least three bridge terminals 16 are connected to the first interface 12 or to the second interface 22. The remaining bridge terminal 16 is connected to the other interface 12 or 22. In this embodiment, two bridge terminals 16 are connected to the first interface 12 and one bridge terminal 16 is connected to the second interface 22.

[0040] If several first interfaces 12 and / or second interfaces 22 are provided, bridge connections 16 can be assigned to all or only some of the interfaces 12, 22.

[0041] The signal connection between a bridge terminal 16 and the first or second interface 12, 22 can be established via a signal line 24, 26. A signal line 24, 26 then extends between the bridge terminal 16 and the interface 12, 22. However, the signal connection can also be wireless.

[0042] A bridge 28 can be formed between two bridge abutments 16. Several bridges can also be connected in parallel or in series to a single bridge abutment 16.

[0043] In the example according to Fig. 1. The left bridge terminal, which is connected to the second interface 22, can be connected to the upper right or the upper left bridge terminal 16 via a bridge. In principle, it is also conceivable that the left bridge terminal 16 can be connected to both right bridge terminals 16.

[0044] The first interface 12, the second interface 22, and the at least three bridge connections 16 can be arranged on a printed circuit board 20. In this case, the signal lines 24 and 26 can be configured as conductor tracks on the printed circuit board 20.

[0045] In Fig. Figure 2a shows a device with six bridge connections 16. In this embodiment, the bridges are still unpopulated, i.e., the bridge connections 16 are not yet connected to each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, three bridge connections 16 are connected to the first interface 12 and the remaining three bridge connections 16 are connected to the second interface 22. Just as the number of bridge connections 16 and interfaces 12, 22 can differ, so too can the distribution of the bridge connections 16 across the interfaces 12, 22 be configured differently.

[0046] The Fig. Figures 2b to 2d show different bridge assembly options for the device. Fig. 2a. In this embodiment, the bridges 28 are designed as zero-ohm resistors, but they can also be designed differently.

[0047] In the Fig. Figure 2b shows, for example, a bridge assembly option in which the bridge terminals 16, which are opposite each other in a horizontal line, are fitted with a bridge 28.

[0048] Fig. Figure 2c shows a bridge configuration option where the upper left bridge terminal 16 is connected to the middle right bridge terminal 16. Furthermore, the two lower bridge terminals 16 have a parallel connection of bridges 28. The remaining bridge terminals 16 are not used.

[0049] Fig. Figure 2d shows a bridge assembly option in which the lower left bridge terminal 16 is connected to the middle right bridge terminal 16 and the middle right bridge terminal 16 is connected to the upper right bridge terminal 16. The upper left bridge terminal 16 is connected to the lower right bridge terminal 16 via a series connection of two bridges 28.

[0050] The illustrated embodiments show only a selection of assembly options for the bridges 28. Furthermore, the number of bridge connections 16 and the number of lines 24, 26 between the interfaces 12, 22 as well as the number of interfaces 12, 22 can vary.

[0051] Fig. Figure 3 shows a vehicle 30 driven by an electric motor 38. The vehicle 30 also has a battery 32 with at least one battery cell 40. A measuring device and / or a control device 14 can be arranged on the battery cell 40. The measuring device can, for example, be a temperature sensor 34 with which the temperature of the battery cell 40 can be measured. Alternatively or additionally, the measuring device can be a voltage tap 36 with which a voltage of the battery cell 40 can be detected. The control device can, for example, control a load distribution between several battery cells 40.

[0052] The measuring device and / or the control device 14 can be connected to a device 10, which may be configured according to the above explanations. The device 10 can be equipped with bridges 28 based on the type of measuring device and / or the type of control device used.

[0053] The device 10 described above can also be part of a battery management control unit 42. The battery management control unit 42 can be installed in a vehicle 30 to monitor the battery cells 40 or the battery 32.

[0054] Fig. Figure 4 shows a method for manufacturing a device 10, wherein the method in its entirety is represented by reference numeral 100.

[0055] According to a first step 102, a device 10 for monitoring and / or controlling can initially be provided in accordance with the above explanations.

[0056] In a further step 104, it can be determined which type of measuring and / or control device 14 is to be used with the device 10. Depending on the type of measuring and / or control device 14, a bridge assembly option for the device 10 can then be determined.

[0057] In a further step 106, the device 10 can be equipped with bridges 28 according to the determined bridge assembly option. The bridge connections 16 can then be connected to the bridges 28 according to the bridge assembly option.

[0058] The bridge configuration option is individually designed for each measuring and / or control device 14. This means that different types of measuring and / or control devices 14 have different bridge configuration options.

[0059] The example described above does not in any way limit the invention. Rather, the invention can be modified in numerous ways. All features of the invention described above can be essential to the invention, either alone or in combination. Reference symbol list 10 Device for monitoring and / or controlling 12 first interface 14 Measuring and / or control device 16 Bridge connection 18 circuit 20 circuit boards 22 second interface 24 Signal line 26 Signal line 28 Bridge 30 vehicles 32 battery 34 Temperature sensor 36 Voltage tap 38 Electric motor 40 battery cells 42 Battery Management Control Unit

Claims

[1] Device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling at least one battery cell (40), comprising at least one first interface (12) for at least one circuit (18) for monitoring and / or controlling the at least one battery cell (40) and at least one second interface (22) for receiving signals from at least two different types of measuring and / or control devices (14) for the at least one battery cell (40), characterized by, that the device (10) further comprises at least three bridge connections (16), wherein at least two of the at least three bridge connections (16) are connected to the at least one first interface (12) or the at least one second interface (22) for signaling purposes, and wherein at least one of the at least three bridge connections (16) is connected to the at least one second interface (22) or the at least one first interface (12) for signaling purposes, wherein each of the at least two different types of measuring and / or control devices (14) is assigned at least one individual bridge configuration option for the at least three bridge connections (16). [2] Device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling according to claim 1, characterized by , that the at least one first interface (12), the at least one second interface (22) and the at least three bridge connections (16) are mounted on a common printed circuit board (20). [3] Device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the at least three bridge terminals (16) are designed for connecting a zero-ohm resistor. [4] Device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one signal line (24, 26) is connected to each of the at least three bridge connections (16), which is preferably designed as a conductor track. [5] Device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least three bridge terminals (16) are designed to provide at least one parallel and / or series connection of bridges (28). [6] Device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one circuit (18) for monitoring and / or controlling the at least one battery cell (40) is connected to the at least one first interface (12) and is preferably designed as a processor unit or as an integrated circuit, in particular as an application-specific integrated circuit. [7] Device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one second interface (22) is designed for connecting at least one sensor (34), in particular a temperature sensor, and / or at least one voltage tap as a measuring device. [8] Device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one second interface (22) is designed for connecting a connector. [9] Battery management control unit (42) comprising at least one device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling according to any of the preceding claims. [10] Vehicle (30) comprising an electric motor (38) for driving at least one vehicle wheel, at least one battery cell (40) for operating the electric motor (38), at least one measuring and / or control device (14) and at least one device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling according to one of claims 1 to 8 or at least one battery management control unit (42) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one measuring and / or control device is attached to the at least one battery cell (40) and is connected to the at least one second interface (22) via a signal connection. [11] Method (100) for manufacturing a device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling at least one battery cell (40), comprising at least the following steps: a. Providing (102) a device (10) for monitoring and / or controlling according to any one of claims 1 to 8; b. Determine (104) a type of measuring and / or control device (14) with which the device (10) is to be used for monitoring and / or controlling; c. Connecting (106) the bridge terminals (16) of the monitoring and / or control device (10) to bridges (28) according to a bridge configuration option specific to the type of measuring and / or control device (14) identified.

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