Device for charging and / or discharging a lithium battery module

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for charging and / or discharging a lithium battery module (2), comprising module-integrated electronics (6) with a communication module, wherein the module-integrated electronics (6) detect and monitor at least one state information of the lithium battery module (2), and the communication module transmit the at least one state information to an output unit (3), which outputs the state information by means of a graphical user interface and / or is configured to perform a user interaction.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for charging and / or discharging a lithium battery module.

[0002] A method for charging batteries is known from CN109755987 A.

[0003] A communication device for a serial lithium battery stacking system is known from CN113972725 A.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of providing a novel device for charging and / or discharging a lithium battery.

[0005] The problem is solved according to the invention by a device having the features of claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] The device according to the invention for charging and / or discharging a lithium battery module, comprising module-integrated electronics, includes a communication module. The module-integrated electronics detect and monitor at least one state information of the lithium battery module. The communication module transmits the at least one state information to an output unit, which displays the state information via a graphical user interface and / or is configured to execute a user interaction.

[0008] By acquiring and monitoring at least one state of the lithium battery module using the module's own electronics, no additional external components are required for this purpose. The need for complex individual cell taps is eliminated. For example, a connector for damage-free contacting of cell voltage taps is no longer necessary. This minimizes time and costs, as the design and manufacturing of such a connector, for instance, can be omitted. In other words, no additional hardware is required to monitor the condition of the lithium battery module.

[0009] The module's internal electronics, also known as Cell Supervision Electronics (CSE), are controlled by a battery management system (BMS) within the lithium battery module. This internal electronics allows for the reading of data such as cell voltage and cell temperature. Furthermore, it can be used to activate functions like balancing the lithium battery module. The module's internal electronics can include various integrated measurement circuits (ICs). These ICs might, for example, function as analog-to-digital converters.

[0010] In other words, the module's internal electronics can comprise several hardware components, such as a hardware communication interface. This hardware communication interface is, for example, linked to the battery management system via data transmission.

[0011] Using such robust hardware increases the resilience, functionality, and crash resistance during the charging and / or discharging of a lithium battery module. This makes the acquisition and monitoring of condition information less prone to errors. For example, maintenance costs and downtime can be reduced.

[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

[0013] This shows: Fig. 1. Schematic block diagram of a device for charging and / or discharging a lithium battery module.

[0014] Fig.Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a possible embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention, which is designed for charging and / or discharging a lithium battery module 2. The device 1 comprises the lithium battery module 2, a communication module (not shown in detail), an output unit 3, and a database 4, which are interconnected. In the illustrated embodiment, the lithium battery module 2 comprises several individual cells 5.1 to 5.n and module-integrated electronics 6.

[0015] The module's integrated electronics 6 are designed to acquire and monitor at least one status information of the lithium battery module 2. This status information can include an electrical cell voltage and / or a cell temperature. By using the module's integrated electronics 6, no further external components for acquiring and monitoring the status information are required.

[0016] The module's internal electronics 6 can include robust hardware. This robust hardware can, for example, comprise several hardware components. By acquiring and monitoring status information using such robust hardware, the acquisition and monitoring process is less error-prone and offers high functionality. The robust hardware can, for example, be designed to provide a high level of system and user security.

[0017] A low-voltage switchgear assembly can be provided, by means of which a safely separable connection between the lithium battery module 2 and a power electronics unit can be implemented.

[0018] Once status information is captured, it is transmitted to output unit 3. The status information can then be displayed via a graphical user interface on output unit 3. The status information can be displayed, for example, in text form or as a graphic.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, output unit 3 can be configured to perform user interaction. User interaction can take place via the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface can, for example, enable intuitive and secure operation by the user. For instance, part number-based order control can be implemented using the graphical user interface.

[0020] Using the part number-controlled order management system, charging and / or discharging parameters for the lithium battery module 2 can be defined. Such parameters could include, for example, a charging cut-off voltage, a discharging cut-off voltage, or similar values. This prevents, for instance, an operator of device 1 from manually setting a current and / or voltage that exceeds a defined maximum value. This increases the safety of device 1.

[0021] Device 1 enables continuous monitoring of the lithium battery module 2 by two independent entities, including timeouts. Monitoring can, for example, include communication between the lithium battery module 2 and Device 1, and communication between Device 1 and a computer (not shown). The computer can, for example, be configured as an evaluation computer and include a display.

[0022] For example, if communication between lithium battery module 2 and device 1 is interrupted, no further data will be transmitted from device 1 to the computer. The computer will, for example, shut down and reduce the charging current of device 1 to 0 A.

[0023] The computer can, for example, be configured to send cyclic messages to device 1. If the computer does not send cyclic messages to device 1, the device is automatically switched off, for example. This principle is also called the watchdog principle.

[0024] Database 4 is designed for storing and / or managing, in particular securely and protectedly storing and / or managing, the recorded status information. For this purpose, recorded status information is transferred to Database 4 and can, for example, be retrieved from Database 4 at a later time.

[0025] The module's internal electronics 6 can include cell monitoring electronics. For example, an interface for communication between the cell monitoring electronics and a computer and / or external sensors can be provided. Communication can take place, for example, via a bus system such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) or a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART), or a cable system. Reference symbol list 1 Device 2 lithium battery modules 3 Output unit 4 Database 5.1 to 5.n single cell 6 module-specific electronics 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] CN 109755987 A

[0002] CN 113972725 A

[0003]

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