Method and device for checking the tightness of an electrical energy storage device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for checking the tightness of an electrical energy storage device (3) with at least one rupture disc (5), and comprises the following method steps: 1.) Pressurizing the electrical energy storage device (3) by filling it with a gas (100) using a filling unit (7), 2.a) Determining a physical value at exactly one rupture disc (5) using a measuring unit (9), while covering additional rupture discs (5) of the electrical energy storage device (3), and / or 2.b) Determining the same physical value at all rupture discs (5) of the electrical energy storage device (3) using the measuring unit (9) and / or calculating a sum value of all determined identical physical values, 3.) Comparing the determined physical value and / or the sum value with a stored reference value for the physical value and / or the sum value, and 4.) Storing the determined physical value and / or the total value of the electrical energy storage (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for checking the tightness of an electrical energy storage device with at least one rupture disc.

[0002] From DE 10 2013 201 411 A1, a housing with a base and side walls is known. The housing is designed to accommodate a battery, in particular a battery designed as an energy source for powering hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric vehicles. The housing has at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is designed to detect a liquid accumulation in the housing when the liquid accumulation exceeds a predefined liquid level within the housing.

[0003] CN112105904A discloses a method for leak testing a battery cell, wherein the cell is sealed and contains components and substances required for the operation of the battery, wherein the method is carried out by a leak testing system comprising a vacuum chamber and a detection and measuring instrument, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - The detection and measuring instrument is programmed to detect gases and / or vapors that may escape from the unit under test, where the gases and / or vapors originate from components and / or substances within the unit; - Positioning the unit so that at least part of the unit is located inside the vacuum chamber; - Closing the vacuum chamber; - Reducing the pressure inside the vacuum chamber to a lower value than the pressure inside the unit under test, so that if a leak is present, the gas and / or vapor escapes from the unit; - the gas and / or vapor are detected using the detection and measuring instrument; and - The presence of a leak is determined by comparing the value corresponding to the detected gas and / or steam with a predetermined threshold value.

[0004] From DE 10 2009 020 559 B4 a device for the electrical protection of an electric vehicle is known.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved method and a device for checking the tightness of an electrical energy storage device.

[0006] The first problem is solved according to the invention by a method having the features of claim 1. The second problem is solved according to the invention by a device having the features of claim 5.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] The inventive method for verifying the tightness of an electrical energy storage device with at least one rupture disc comprises the following process steps: 1.) Pressurizing the electrical energy storage device by filling it with a gas using a filling unit, 2.a) Determining a physical value at exactly one rupture disc using a measuring unit, whereby additional rupture discs of the electrical energy storage device are covered, and / or 2.b) Determining the same physical value at all rupture discs of the electrical energy storage device using the measuring unit and / or calculating a sum value of all determined identical physical values, 3.) Comparing the determined physical value and / or the sum value with a stored reference value for the physical value and / or the sum value, and 4.) Storing the determined physical value and / or the total value of the electrical energy storage.

[0009] The device according to the invention for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims comprises: - an electrical energy storage device with at least one rupture disc comprising a membrane, - a filling unit which fills the electrical energy storage device with a gas via an interface, and - a measuring unit which is arranged on at least one rupture disc of the electrical energy storage device.

[0010] One advantage of the invention is, in particular, the ease with which the electrical energy storage device can be checked for leaks. Additionally, the diaphragm of the rupture disc can be easily inspected for damage.

[0011] In particular, the electrical energy storage device is a high-voltage battery, especially a traction battery, for an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or a fuel cell-powered vehicle.

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

[0013] This shows: Fig. 1 schematically a device according to the invention, and Fig. 2 schematically a filling unit.

[0014] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0015] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 comprises in particular an electrical energy storage device 3.

[0016] The electrical energy storage device 3, for example, has a number of rupture discs 5. Each rupture disc 5 is designed, for example, to rupture in the event of a defect in the electrical energy storage device 3 and to release any overpressure that may arise inside the electrical energy storage device 3. Each rupture disc 5 includes, in particular, a membrane 6 which seals, in particular hermetically seals, an interior space 3.1 of the electrical energy storage device 3.

[0017] To check the tightness of the electrical energy storage device 3 with the at least one bursting disc 5, the following procedure steps are carried out in particular: In a first step, the electrical energy storage device 3 is pressurized. For this purpose, the electrical energy storage device 3 can be filled, for example, by a filling unit 7. In particular, the interior 3.1 of the electrical energy storage device 3 is filled with a gas 100 by the filling unit 7. For example, helium, air, and / or a helium-air mixture are used as gas 100 to fill the electrical energy storage device 3.

[0018] The electrical energy storage device 3 is filled, in particular, via an interface 11. The interface 11 can, for example, be designed as an opening integrated into a boundary or wall of the electrical energy storage device 3. For example, the electrical energy storage device 3 can be filled with gas 100 using a pump, nozzle, and / or similar connector.

[0019] In a second step, a physical value is determined at exactly one of the rupture discs 5. This physical value could be, for example, the instantaneous / current volume flow rate of gas 100 through the membrane 6 of the rupture disc 5. For instance, the volume flow rate of gas 100 through the membrane 6 of the rupture disc 5 is determined when the rupture disc 5 is open and / or ruptured. The volume flow rate through the membrane 6 can be determined, in particular, at a predetermined, constant pressure, for example, 50 millibar. Alternatively or additionally, an instantaneous / current pressure acting on the membrane 6 of the rupture disc 5, and / or similar values, can be determined. To determine the physical value at exactly one rupture disc 5, all other rupture discs 5 can be covered. For example, all other rupture discs 5 are sealed fluid-tight for this purpose.

[0020] The current physical value is determined in particular by a measuring unit 9. The measuring unit 9 can, for example, be arranged on the exactly one rupture disc 5 and / or be connected to the exactly one rupture disc 5.

[0021] Alternatively, the current physical value can be determined for all rupture discs 5. Specifically, the same physical value is determined for all rupture discs 5. For example, all rupture discs 5 are connected to the measuring unit 9. Alternatively, a measuring unit 9 can be arranged on each rupture disc 5. In particular, a physical value is determined for each rupture disc 5, and a sum value can then be calculated from the individual current physical values ​​determined for all rupture discs 5.

[0022] In a third step, the determined current physical value of exactly one rupture disc 5 is compared with a stored corresponding reference value for the determined physical value of the rupture disc 5. The stored reference value is, for example, the physical value that was measured during the manufacturing of the respective rupture disc 5 and is stored, for example, as an operating value. The stored physical reference value can be read and / or stored, for example, via a Data Matrix code (DMC).

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the determined current total value can also be compared with a stored corresponding reference value for the determined total value for all rupture discs 5. By comparing the determined current physical value with the stored corresponding reference value, the tightness of the electrical energy storage device 3 can be assessed. For example, if the determined current physical value matches the stored corresponding reference value, sufficient tightness of the electrical energy storage device 3 can be determined. The stored corresponding reference value can, for example, be defined as a range of values.

[0024] In a fourth step, the determined current physical value of exactly one burst disc 5 can be stored and / or saved. The determined current physical value and / or the determined current total value can, for example, be assigned to a predefined number of the electrical energy storage device 3 and stored and / or saved accordingly.

[0025] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic example of a filling unit 7.

[0026] The filling unit 7 includes, for example, a filter 7.1. The filter 7.1 has, for example, a water separator with automatic drainage. The filter 7.1 is specifically designed to process the gas 100, removing, for example, water, particles, or the like from it.

[0027] Additionally, a compressor 7.2 may be provided. The compressor 7.2 is, for example, designed and configured as a compressor to compress the processed gas 100 and provide the required pressure.

[0028] Furthermore, the filling unit 7 can include a pressure accumulator 7.3. The pressure accumulator 7.3 can, for example, be configured to store and / or stabilize the compressed gas 100. In addition, the filling unit 7 can include a throttle 7.4. The throttle 7.4 is, for example, designed as an adjustable throttle 7.4 and configured to regulate the gas flow. For example, this can be used to regulate the rate at which the electrical energy storage device 3 is filled with the gas 100.

[0029] The filling unit 7 can additionally include at least one pressure gauge 7.5. The pressure gauge 7.5 is specifically designed to determine a pressure. For example, a supply pressure can be determined with one pressure gauge 7.5 and a pressure in the electrical energy storage device 3 can be determined with another pressure gauge 7.5. Additionally, a check valve 7.6 can be provided. The check valve 7.6 includes, in particular, a spring and ensures that the gas 100 can only flow in one direction, for example, only towards the electrical energy storage device 3. Reference symbol list 1 Device 3 electrical energy storage 3.1 Interior 5 Burst disc 6 Membran 7 Filling unit 7.1 Filter 7.2 Compressors 7.3 Pressure reservoir 7.4 Throttle 7.5 Manometer 7.6 Check valve 9 Unit of measurement 11 Interface 100 Gas 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] DE 10 2013 201 411 A1

[0002] CN 112105904A

[0003] DE 10 2009 020 559 B4

[0004]

Claims

[1] Method for checking the tightness of an electrical energy storage device (3) with at least one rupture disc (5), characterized by the following procedural steps: 1.) Applying overpressure to the electrical energy storage device (3) by filling the electrical energy storage device (3) with a gas (100) through a filling unit (7), 2.a) Determining a physical value at exactly one rupture disc (5) by a measuring unit (9), whereby additional rupture discs (5) of the electrical energy storage device (3) are covered, and / or 2.b) Determining an identical physical value on all rupture discs (5) of the electrical energy storage device (3) by the measuring unit (9) and / or forming a sum value of all determined identical physical values, 3.) Comparing the determined physical value and / or the total value with a stored reference value for the physical value and / or the total value, and 4.) Storing the determined physical value and / or the total value of the electrical energy storage (3). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the physical value is determined to be a volume flow through a membrane (6) of the bursting disc (5) and / or a pressure on the membrane (6) of the bursting disc (5). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that helium, air and / or a helium-air mixture is filled into the electrical energy storage device (3) as a gas (100). [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a comparison value for the recorded, stored physical value and / or the determined, stored total value is determined / will be determined during the manufacture of the burst disc (5). [5] Apparatus (1) for carrying out the method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: - an electrical energy storage device (3) with at least one bursting disc (5) comprising a membrane (6), - a filling unit (7) which fills the electrical energy storage device (3) with a gas (100) via an interface (11), and - a measuring unit (9) which is arranged on at least one rupture disk (5) of the electrical energy storage device (3).

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