Measurement control and distributed measurement system, particularly for monitoring an accumulator array

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a measurement controller that can be used to transmit at least two sensor values. In other words, the present invention relates to a measurement controller according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding distributed electronic measuring system that can be used to centrally monitor multiple battery packs. Parameters from multiple batteries can be transmitted to a measurement data collector via power supply lines or a communication channel. In other words, the present invention relates to a measuring system according to the preamble of claim 13. Technical area

[0003] Systems that are to be built with particularly robust yet cost-effective batteries, which can ideally be individually replaced as needed, e.g. towards the end of each battery's life, due to, among other things, the arrangement, mode of operation, spatial placement and mechanical fastening, often comprise arrays, i.e. arrangements of series-connected and parallel-connected batteries that are built with batteries of the "lead-acid battery" type (such as lead-acid batteries with free sulfuric acid, VRLA batteries, lead-gel batteries and lead-glass fiber batteries) or of the "metal hydride battery" type.

[0004] Batteries can contain several electrochemical cells.

[0005] Battery arrays are designed for a variety of applications, including emergency power systems for emergency lighting systems. Another application for such a battery array is uninterruptible power supply(s), particularly in public and industrial buildings.It is also known to use accumulator arrays as buffer batteries in energy supply systems with photovoltaic components. Although the arrangement, which is referred to as an accumulator array, is constructed as an arrangement of accumulator packs connected in series to form strings from accumulators of a robust accumulator type such as lead accumulators, in which in particular several strings are arranged in parallel, a central battery system as part of an emergency lighting system as well as a system for uninterruptible power supply, in order to comply with the normative requirements such as VDE 0833, must be equipped with measuring and monitoring electronics which can provide information about the operability, preferably also information about the condition of the individual accumulator packs.

[0006] Corresponding monitoring systems, which have since been successfully tested and applied in many areas of application, are described in EP 2 770 605 B1 (patent holder: RP-Technik GmbH; date of grant: 01.02.2017) and EP 2 911 269 B1 (patent holder: RP-Technik GmbH; date of grant: 05.07.2017).

[0007] The descriptions of these two publications contain numerous information and details on battery arrays and suitable monitoring systems. The system descriptions therein, by their very nature, are considered to be the system descriptions for the present invention. Instead of repeating the descriptions of relevant systems of battery arrays with monitoring and control electronics, reference is made to the system descriptions in EP 2 770 605 B1 and EP 2 911 269 B1 for the sake of a more concise presentation. State of the art

[0008] In some well-known communication systems where transmission via the individual communication channels cannot always be guaranteed, procedures are used to make data transmission more secure.

[0009] In this context, US 6 272 190 B1 (patent holder: NTP Incorporated; date of grant: August 7, 2001) is worth mentioning. US 6 272 190 B1 deals with data transmissions in mobile radio networks, which are said to be susceptible to interference. As a solution, US 6 272 190 B1 proposes that a first parallel information data stream and a second parallel information data stream be transmitted to a distributed, central receiving unit, whereby the receiving unit can deduce, based on error correction information, whether the first information data stream or the second information data stream should be discarded due to errors. The two identical information data streams differ in the carrier frequency over which the first or second information data stream is transmitted to the receiver.

[0010] The three patent applications DE 10 2012 218 333 A1 (applicants: Robert Bosch GmbH and Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.; disclosure date: April 10, 2014), DE 10 2012 211 125 A1 (applicants: Robert Bosch GmbH and Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.; disclosure date: January 2, 2014), and DE 10 2012 218 330 A1 (applicants: Robert Bosch GmbH and Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.; disclosure date: April 10, 2014) address battery measurement methods that operate with at least two or even more than two different measurement data sets in order to reduce the bandwidth required for transmitting the measurement data on a transmission channel. The reliability of the data transmission is determined by whether the required bandwidth and the bandwidth provided by the communication channel, e.g., a CAN bus, match each other. On the one hand, the publications state that if only a low measurement data resolution is required, the measurement frequency can be flexibly increased.Secondly, if the bandwidth used is reduced, the data bus is used to a lesser extent and is therefore less susceptible to interference. In other words, the authors of the publications are seeking relief by reducing the data resolution because the bandwidth is insufficient. In this context, different data sets are to be transmitted for data packets concerning the voltage and temperature of a battery.

[0011] Furthermore, DE 10 2012 224 060 A1 (applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH; disclosure date: June 26, 2014) describes a method for data transmission for a battery management system and a corresponding battery management system for operating a battery pack. The method described is intended to compress measurement data transmitted from sensor control units via a data bus to a main control unit of a battery management system for vehicles. The method steps include the transmission of a rate of change or a gradient at the start of the measurements, the transmission of deviations or differences between the measurement data and a current gradient, and a reconstruction of measured values, with the last values being determined without any loss of information. The main control unit is intended to perform the reconstruction from the received deviations. In addition, the measurement data can be subjected to an extrapolation operation in the main control unit and, if necessary,Corrections to the measured values can also be made there. Task

[0012] Although the two European Patent Office publications cited above (EP 2 770 605 B1 and EP 2 911 269 B1) describe highly sophisticated systems, it has been shown that, particularly in the field of uninterruptible power supplies, there are indeed transmission moments or phases during which data transmission is disrupted. Based on the distributed measurement systems for accumulators or accumulator arrays with centrally arranged monitoring devices developed to date and described in these two publications, a further development is desired that ensures even more reliable data transmission. Description of the invention

[0013] The measurement control and data transmission according to the invention is carried out by a measurement control according to patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments can be found in claims 2 to 12.

[0014] A suitable distributed measuring system is disclosed in claim 13. Advantageous further developments of the measuring system are disclosed in claims 14 and 15.

[0015] From a first perspective, the invention can be explained as follows.

[0016] By means of measurement control, measured data can be transmitted via at least one communication channel to a centrally located unit, the measurement data collector. The individual measuring sensors are assigned to electrochemical converters, preferably accumulators comprising several electrochemical cells, such as a lead-acid battery, in particular comprising several cells, or a nickel-metal hydride battery, in particular comprising several cells. Ideally, these sensors are arranged directly on or in a battery assigned to a measuring sensor. Thus, a measuring sensor, which ideally forms a compact unit integrated into a device together with a battery, is assigned to a specific battery and is responsible for its measured values.

[0017] A sensor comprises a measuring device, a microcontroller, and a transmitter. The microcontroller performs calculations to process the data measured by the measuring device and then provides it to the monitoring electronics via a chain of modulators and demodulators.

[0018] The respective sensor is not only a measuring sensor, but also a data processor. The sensor can perform secant calculations, which calculate individual secant values. Such derivation of secant values forms the basis for a measurement data set to be transmitted.

[0019] The measurement data collector is arranged away from the individual measuring sensor, ie from all measuring sensors, which in one embodiment can also be referred to as measuring sensors.

[0020] At least one communication channel exists between the individual sensors and the data collector, through which the sensors can transmit measured data, ideally processed (i.e., calculated). It may happen that the communication channel is subject to interference, at least temporarily, e.g., due to EMC interference generated by devices such as inverters, choppers, AC generators, or AC converters.

[0021] One part of the measurement control, namely that which is processed in a measuring sensor, ensures a measurement of parameters by which the object to be monitored, such as the lead-acid battery, can be characterized, at least in part, such as by means of a pole voltage value, by means of a temperature development, by means of a residual charge state or by means of a current-voltage ratio.

[0022] A method for transmitting measured data is particularly suitable because, among other things, a plurality of values from, in particular, at least two different sensors must be transmitted. The parameters that describe an object, such as a lead-acid battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery, in electrical or energy-related terms, can be traced back to various physical phenomena. The different physical phenomena, such as temperature and / or voltage, are measured in order to be able to assess the condition of a battery assigned to a measuring sensor. For this purpose, a measurement of the physical parameters is carried out at different points in time, be it at a first point in time, a second point in time, a third point in time, etc., so that the same parameters can be transmitted for the same point in time during operation.

[0023] Using the same communication channel, which is provided, for example, by a power supply cable with multiple wires, a second measuring sensor can transmit parameters relating to another accumulator at different times. Each sensor operates independently and is therefore (at least indirectly) uncoordinated with one another. The measuring sensors transmit the parameters they have recorded, particularly in a mathematically converted form, to a measurement data collector. The measurement data collector is located at a different location in the power supply system, which also includes the accumulators to be monitored. Such a power supply system can be an emergency lighting system or an energy source for an uninterruptible power supply. A suitable location for the installation of a measurement data collector can be, for example, a central control computer of an emergency lighting system. If the measurement control orWhen using the measurement control in an uninterruptible power supply, a suitable location for the measurement data collector can be the control unit of the entire uninterruptible power supply.

[0024] The measured values for individual parameters result in a measurement curve, which can be represented in a simplified manner using polygons (possibly with a certain error). The polygons can be composed of secant lines that approximate the polygon and thus the actual parameter curve. At different times, different polygons are transmitted from a sensor to the measurement data collector. Thus, a sensor transmits two different polygons at two different times. Each polygon contains a certain amount of data that approximates part of the measured parameter curve.

[0025] Each sensor follows or implements at least two different approximation methods.

[0026] By transmitting parameters from monitored objects with partial redundancies to the data collector, the collector is able to derive the actual approximation to the parameter curve through continuously performed approximations. The longer the measurement data recording takes place, the more likely it is that the data collector will gradually approximate the actual parameter curve for each individual parameter being measured, even though the communication channel may be subject to interference.

[0027] A measuring system installed in a power supply system, particularly one based on batteries or accumulators, has individual components in proximity, directly on, or even within essential components of the power supply system, e.g., between the terminals of a battery. The measuring system is used to monitor the batteries, particularly their status.

[0028] An advantage of the distributed measurement system becomes particularly apparent when at least two, ideally more than two, accumulators together form an energy (emergency) supply system.

[0029] Batteries can be characterized particularly well if not only a single parameter is measured for each existing battery in a power supply system, but at least some selected batteries in a power supply system are monitored using at least two physically distinct parameters. Such parameters can be, for example, an open-circuit voltage or a load voltage of the battery on the one hand, and a temperature value of the battery, e.g., on a surface of the battery or even inside between individual cells of the battery. Parameters such as voltage and temperature are meaningful parameters that can provide information about the condition of the battery.

[0030] The measuring system is designed to measure parameters from multiple batteries by assigning a separate measuring sensor to each battery. The batteries are connected in parallel, in series, or in a mixed parallel and serial arrangement consisting of several batteries connected in parallel and several in series.

[0031] However, the transmission to the measurement data collector is not carried out using a single type of measurement data record, but rather two different types of measurement data records. Both types of measurement data records contain at least some of the same information, but processed differently. The measured parameters can be derived from the first type of measurement data record (possibly with a certain error). However, the measured parameters can also be derived from the second type of measurement data record (possibly with a certain error) (second approximation in the measurement control process). The communication channel is used by a sensor in such a way that at a first point in time, a measurement data record of a first type is transmitted. At a second point in time, which is less recent than the first point in time (relative to the current operating time), a second type of measurement data record is transmitted (e.g., as a "Type 1" log and a "Type 2" log).If the measurement data sets from the communication channel are analyzed, e.g., by an oscilloscope or a logic analyzer, at least two measurement data sets with several measurement words are obtained, through which several parameter values can be transmitted.

[0032] The measured values transmitted via the measurement data sets represent measurement points that are linked to one another via a secant relationship, i.e., secants from measurement point to measurement point. From a first measurement point, the (actual) second measurement point can be derived via the secant relationship that develops toward a second measurement point. This secant relationship reflects a temporal interval between a first measurement point and a second measurement point. The temporal lengths or durations (also referred to as "secant periods") differ between the measurement data sets, i.e., a measurement data set of the first type and a measurement data set of the second type.

[0033] Although two different measurement data sets are transmitted, which preferably only contain partial, i.e. partially redundant, information, there is no duplication of the transmission effort. Instead, due to the different measurement data structure with partially identical, recalculated information, the measurement data collector gains additional information from each measurement data set in order to store the curve shapes of individual parameter curves to be stored in it as a function of time, so to speak, gradually, with smaller errors or deviations (third approximation in the measurement control process).

[0034] Multiple measurement points can be recorded using a polygon. The measurement points are not transmitted to a measurement data collector via communication channels as a pure measurement point table, but in a converted form represented by polygons.

[0035] Advantageous embodiments and further developments are set out below, which, viewed individually or in combination, may also reveal inventive aspects.

[0036] One sensor measures a parameter, possibly multiple times in succession, to obtain a calculated value; however, it uses two different approximation methods to calculate a resulting polygonal curve to a single parameter curve. These two polygonal curves, representing different time periods, are transmitted, particularly alternately, over the communication channel so that the measurement data collector can record the polygonal curves and derive the (most likely actually existing) parameter curve from them.

[0037] A polygonal line can be advantageously represented by vertices. Such vertices are very compactly represented secant determination points.

[0038] If a sensor or transducer measures several parameters, it is advantageous if the vertices or measurement data sets do not only represent a polygon for a single parameter, but actually provide a set of numbers or even a tuple of data.

[0039] The measurement data sets, each acquired in a measuring transducer or measuring sensor, reflect a curve composed of secant lines over several time intervals. The measurement data set thus reflects a polygonal line, which, in particular, represents a single-digit number of individual secant lines or sections formed by secant lines (the secant sections).

[0040] It is particularly advantageous if the polygonal trace can be adapted to a number of measurement points that occur between a first and a second point in time. It is also advantageous if the sensor offers different polygonal traces that reflect different time periods.

[0041] In addition to a first measurement data set, it is advantageous if a second measurement data set for a second polygonal line is presented to the measurement data collectors by the measuring transducer or measuring sensor. The second polygonal line can, especially compared to the first polygonal line, represent a parameter curve in a significantly more comprehensive manner, e.g., by means of a three-digit number of support points or measurement points, between which lie individual secants, which can also be colloquially referred to as secant segments.

[0042] Advantageously, one polygonal traverse, especially the second polygonal traverse, grows during the duration of the measurement control's operation. Over the course of a longer period of operation, the polygonal traverse also lengthens.

[0043] The present invention has been explained using a measurement control system and a corresponding measurement system. It is understandable that a measurement control system according to the invention can also be executed on a measurement system according to the invention.

[0044] The combinations and embodiments presented above can also be considered in numerous other connections and combinations.

[0045] Of course, it is also possible to transfer multi-parameter data sets that cover more than two physical parameters to one accumulator.

[0046] Furthermore, it is also possible to provide, in addition to the illustrated coding methods for transmission, further coding and transmission methods which are part of a measurement control system according to the invention as third, fourth, etc. transmission methods of measurement data sets at their own times.

[0047] If the invention components presented above are combined into a battery measurement and monitoring system implemented as a distributed measurement system, this can be designed as follows: The distributed measurement system is based on the following components, parts and metrological, logical and / or signal-related aspects or terminology: Sensor:Design of a technical device which is preferably assigned to exactly one accumulator and measures one or more parameters on this by means of sensors (therefore also referred to as a measuring sensor), although it is also conceivable that a slightly different design of a measuring sensor is not specifically assigned to any accumulator or - in an alternative design - to an entire group of accumulators (examples: a) current sensor for an entire battery string, b) temperature sensor for the room temperature outside the battery cabinet, etc.). Parameter: Physical quantity, preferably on an accumulator or an accumulator array, the value of which can be determined by single or repeated measurements (possibly with averaging), whereby the numerical value resulting from this process can also be referred to as the measured value (see below). Measured value:The current value of a parameter is determined by reading a sensor value once or several times (possibly with averaging). Measurement data set: A data packet with specific content, e.g., measuring points or secant values, transmitted by a measuring sensor over a communication channel. Secant: Smallest linear subunit of a polygon. Polygon: A particularly continuous, piecewise linear (= straight) curve formed from at least one secant, which approximately describes the temporal course of one or more parameters, whereby such a description of the parameter course (from a metrological point of view) is particularly accurate if the calculation of the vertices or the secant values fulfil a set of criteria, the observance of which is guaranteed by a suitable algorithm, the secant algorithm, e.g. that of a constant maximum display error. Measurement data collector:Technical device that stores and processes measurement data records from one or more measuring sensors; in particular, received secant values are used by the measurement data collector to reconstruct information from measurement data records lost due to collisions or communication channel disruptions, and in this way to document the temporal progression of the measured parameters as completely as possible despite these disruptions or to feed them into a database.

[0048] The distributed measurement system can, for example, also be based on a selection of the following components, parts and metrological, logical and / or signal-related aspects or terminology: Measuring point:Tuple of at least one parameter measured value (e.g. voltage or e.g. a combination of voltage and temperature) and, if necessary, an associated time specification (measurement time), whereby it can be determined in particular whether such a time specification is available so that it can be deduced that all contained parameter measured values were determined at the same time at this measurement time. Measurement time: Indication of the time at which a measurement was taken, whereby in an optional embodiment the measurements can be carried out periodically, i.e. repeated at a constant measurement interval. Measurement interval: Time interval between two consecutive measurements, i.e., in the simplest case, the measurement interval used is constant, e.g., 10 seconds. Secant value:A pair of two measurement points, called the start and end (measurement) points (or "vertices" of the secant), that describe a temporal progression of the parameters contained therein between the contained start and end points as a straight line, i.e., a linear progression over time. The secant value is, in particular, the numerical representation of a secant, e.g., a straight line segment that can be considered part of a larger polygon. Vertex: A measurement point with a time specification that describes the beginning or end of a secant. Secant algorithm:Calculation specification and rules, based on which vertices for one or more polygons are determined in the sensor from the continuously determined measurement points, which meet selected requirements; thus, in an exemplary implementation, the secant algorithm can ensure that the polygons described with the determined vertices represent the exact course of the parameter measured values over time with a maximum error, which is referred to as representation accuracy. Display accuracy: Maximum deviation of the actual measured value curve from a corresponding approximate representation, here by a polygon. Display error: Deviation of a secant or one of its vertices from the actual measured values at a given time.

[0049] Given the above-mentioned terminology, various aspects can be explained, each of which constitutes the essence of the invention and can therefore be claimed individually.

[0050] For example, a voltage value and a temperature value can be combined to form a voltage value polygon and a temperature value polygon, ideally based on the same time base.

[0051] If typical processing speeds of measuring electronics, particularly those implemented with microprocessors or microcontrollers, are compared with the charging and discharging speeds of battery arrays, the battery system or battery array can be classified as a sluggish or slow system. In particular, battery systems constructed with lead-acid batteries or nickel-metal hydride batteries are batteries that are generally designed for short-term peak currents and only experience a (notable) voltage drop after delivering a peak current over a (relatively) longer period. The individual voltages, and of course other parameters describing a battery, can be treated as absolute values. Over time, at the end of a time period, the absolute value changes.A sensor assigned to a rechargeable battery is designed to measure the change in a parameter value, in particular an absolute value, such as the voltage of a group of cells. The group of cells represents part or all of the rechargeable battery (from an energy engineering perspective). The change in the values or parameters over time can be described by a gradient. Another characterization option is to determine a maximum possible range of change, i.e., a jump range. During normal operation, i.e., not at the end of the operating time or, for example, during a deep discharge phase, the rechargeable battery, provided it is operated according to specifications, has a low voltage drop rate.In such a case, the next measurement—i.e., a measurement that differs from the first measurement by a certain time interval—may be taken after a longer period of time, particularly after several seconds, minutes, or hours. Nevertheless, reliable values will be determined, provided no other measurement errors occur.

[0052] A reliable transmission method, particularly proven by experiments, consists in providing an amplitude-modulated square wave signal on one of the communication channels, in particular on the power supply channel.

[0053] The reliability of data transmission can be further increased if not only a single carrier frequency is used, but multiple carrier frequencies are available that can be used as carrier frequencies for transmission, e.g., an amplitude-modulated square wave. In one embodiment, a frequency flow occurs from one carrier frequency to the next while measurement data sets are being transmitted. The carrier frequency can change between types of measurement data sets. Likewise, a carrier frequency change can also occur during the transmission of a measurement data set of a specific type.

[0054] It is advantageous if not only one type of communication channel is available, but rather, in addition to a first communication channel, which is, for example, wired, there is a second communication channel that is also wired. The second communication channel can, for example, be available independently of interference on the remaining communication channel, i.e., in particular, decoupled.

[0055] In addition to a first communication channel and a second communication channel, a second communication channel can of course also be present. In a favorable embodiment, the power supply is used as the medium or means for transmitting the first communication channel. More precisely, the power supply lines form the physical basis for the communication channel. The second communication channel can be a dedicated data connection line.

[0056] Due to the characteristics of the expected accumulator parameter changes, it is advantageous to choose a numeric encoding that may be (slightly) error-prone, but transmits data extremely compactly. Various studies have shown that an eight-bit floating integer transmission, particularly with a 2-, 3-, or 4-bit mantissa and a 3-, 4-, or 5-bit exponent, as well as a sign bit if required, reliably and effectively transmits parameters as part of a measurement data set.

[0057] An additional optical transmission path is also available as a further communication channel.

[0058] To transmit measured data, i.e., the measurement data from each individual sensor, each sensor integrated into the measuring system, which can also be referred to as a measuring sensor, has its own independent control system. The measurement data transmission process is designed to run on a distributed, electronic measuring system.

[0059] The accumulators are equipped with measuring sensors. Such accumulators can each have a measuring sensor or transducer integrated into their housing. In a further embodiment, each terminal of the accumulator is assigned a tap, via which measured values or parameters such as the battery voltage can be tapped.

[0060] Such energy supply systems, especially those based on accumulators, are often used as part of an uninterruptible power supply, or alternatively as part of an emergency power supply, e.g., for an emergency lighting system. During regular mains operation, the accumulators can be kept at a maximum charge with a (low) trickle charge. If the phase supply fails or even collapses in at least one of several mains phases, energy from the accumulator can be provided without any delay as a substitute in an (electrical) installation area that can be supplied by the energy supply system.

[0061] Ideally, the data collector is installed as part of or in conjunction with a central control unit, such as a UPS controller. The power supply includes batteries, several electronic components (e.g., electronic boards), and connecting materials such as cables and connectors.

[0062] An analog-to-digital converter is advantageously used for the measurement, e.g., as part of a microcontroller, which thus determines discrete, individual measured values at very specific times. The measurement is made even more precise if a measurement is (actually) composed of several individual measurements, e.g., within the framework of a weighted averaging, or is derived from these. Each sensor operates independently, as mentioned above. For this purpose, the sensor can be equipped with a clock that determines how frequently and at what times, i.e., with what repetition rate, the individual, temporally discrete measurements are performed.

[0063] At a time determined by a repetition rate, the measuring sensor records at least one parameter, ideally several parameters. The measurement can be repeated multiple times, within a few milliseconds, so that a corrected measured value is approximated from a group of measuring points (first approximation in the measurement control sequence). Older measurements, or one could also say the previous measurements, or at least their approximate values, are retained or stored to the extent that a memory for them is provided in the measuring sensor. The measuring sensor has - so to speak - a measurement book that is updated by the repetition rate and is continuously updated with more recent measurements during operation. Ideally, the repetition rate at which each individual measurement is performed is variable.In this process, the measured values—a single measured value can also be referred to as a measurement point—are processed, calculated, and converted to contribute to the formation of a secant value. A most recent measurement is mathematically linked to a previous measurement via a secant calculation so that the calculated secant value can be transmitted to the measurement data collector.

[0064] A measurement data collector, which, possibly with additional components, represents a central control unit of the power supply system, obtains information from the power supply lines about the status of the batteries monitored by measuring sensors. The control unit, to which the measurement data collector belongs, is designed to generate an alternating voltage.

[0065] The voltage values of a battery are tapped at the battery itself. The voltage values are measured by the measuring sensor. This allows individual cells of the battery to be measured. The battery is formed by cells connected in series.

[0066] This allows the cells of a battery to be measured directly. It is advantageous if individual cell packs, which are part of a battery, are combined for measurement purposes using a group tap, with the measurement being recorded, so to speak, by taps inside the battery. This buffers interference signals on the power supply lines by cells located beyond the tap. The tap lines to the measurement sensors are attenuated by individual cells of the battery.

[0067] Although only a partial voltage of the accumulator is measured, the redundant measurement using cell pack measurement ensures that data is transmitted to the measurement data collector with as little interference as possible.

[0068] A data collector, for which the data from the measuring sensors or transducers is intended, is located remotely from each of the measuring sensors or transducers. The data collector can derive measured data (in processed form) from the power supply lines of the power supply system.

[0069] In addition to communication via power supply lines, the distributed measurement system offers a wired communication bus over which additional data can be transmitted, ideally the same data as via the power supply line, but possibly using a different electrical protocol. A data bus suitable for the additional wired communication channel corresponds to a CAN bus system. It should be emphasized here that the term CAN bus can refer to various bus systems. The term CAN bus refers to certain groups of physically interconnected buses that operate at specific voltage levels, in particular terminated by resistors arranged at the end of the data bus. The term CAN bus also refers to protocols that are implemented using software.Thus, it is possible to refer to a bus system as a CAN bus that either corresponds only physically, particularly in terms of voltage, to a CAN bus, or to refer to bus systems that correspond only in terms of software, particularly in terms of processing logic, as CAN buses. Bus systems that correspond to a CAN bus protocol both in terms of hardware and software are also adequately referred to as CAN buses.

[0070] The measurement data recorded by one of the measuring sensors is transmitted not just via one communication channel, but via multiple communication channels. The measurement data can, for example, be approximate polygons that represent a curve of a parameter to be measured, e.g., as a function of time.

[0071] In addition, other communication channels may be present, e.g., optical, light-guided and / or electromagnetic wave-based communication channels.

[0072] For some configurations, it is advantageous to have a compressed buffer of measurement data available in the sensor, allowing for the transmission of this measurement data even much later (several minutes later, or even hours or days later). This aspect is interesting for at least two reasons: 1. Even with an undisturbed communication channel, individual measurement data records can be lost temporarily due to collisions occurring at various times. 2. During emergency operation of an uninterruptible power supply (also known as a "UPS"), increased EMC stress on the communication channel can lead to a complete loss of reception, which can even last several hours.

[0073] In both cases, or more precisely, in both error scenarios (or cases involving undesired behavior of the distributed measurement system), a user of the measurement system has an interest in subsequently reconstructing the measurement values that are not available "live" (or instantaneously) due to the disruption or error. One approach to a technical solution involves retransmitting the measurement data or measurement data sets at a later point in time so that they can then be inserted into the (intermediately) created "holes" in the measurement data collector's database. This is achieved by a time-delayed retransmission or multiple transmission, whereby – according to the principle of the Bernoulli process – the reception probability for the individual data contents is maximized: The more frequently a piece of data, such as a measurement data set, is transmitted, the closer the probability of success that all measurement data will arrive at the measurement data collector can be to 100%.This requires that as much measurement data as possible is stored in memory for as long a period of time as possible, partly because of the consideration of spreading the multiple transmission over a long period of time (minutes, hours or even days).

[0074] To ensure that the measurement data, which has been collected or measured over the course of many hours, finds space in the memory available for the measurement data, and, above all, that its transmission can be carried out with minimal effort (in particular, without significantly enlarging the transmitted measurement data sets, e.g., by less than 100% or even less than 50%), the measurement data is represented in an extremely compact form, namely as a polygon consisting of so-called secant lines. It is advantageous here if corner points of the polygon (which can also be referred to as vertices) are transmitted instead of individual measurement points.

[0075] According to a further implementation of an embodiment, a measuring system comprises: a secant algorithm for the determination of vertices or (in more understandable terms) polygon vertices (corner points), a storage of polygon vertices in the measuring sensor or in a memory in the measuring sensor in which polygon vertices can be stored, a transmission channel, also simply called one or more transmissions, for / from polygon vertices or secant values as part of the transmitted measurement data sets, a combination of the received secant values to form a complete polygon line in the measurement data collector.

[0076] In the following, operating methods or process steps and process sequences are presented in some detail, which can be compiled as design variants in various combinations, in particular can take place or can occur in measuring systems: The measuring sensors connected to a network preferably operate periodically, i.e. they determine a measured value once per work cycle and transmit a measurement data set to the measurement data collector. A measurement data set can be lost due to a collision with one or more measurement data sets from other measuring sensors or due to other interference in the communication channel, e.g. caused by the UPS. In order to reduce the probability of the measured values measured at a defined time being lost, the measured values measured at this defined time should be transmitted multiple times, i.e. even several times the time between two measurement value sets later, retrospectively, so to speak, and as often as possible. This means that a measurement data set can not only contain the current or most current measured values at a particular time, but also information about previous measured values measured in the past.With such a transmission, not only the current measured values but also previous measured values must be stored in the sensor's memory. If the previous measured values, together with the information about the corresponding time, were stored or transmitted 1:1 as measurement points, the storage requirements or the number of characters to be transmitted would increase linearly with the time period to be covered. For 100 or 1000 measurement points, the storage requirements or transmission effort would be 100 or 1000 times that for a single data point; this can be prevented by more compact archiving and transmission. According to one aspect of the invention, it can also be said that an advantage lies in the approach to data reduction / compression in order to represent as many measurement data points as possible with as few data bytes as possible in the sensor's memory or to transmit them with compact data packets (or one could say "efficiently").The method used is the representation of the measured value curve over time by straight line segments (referred to as secant lines), which result in a polygonal line. The fact that the polygonal line necessarily represents an approximation of the exact measured data curve and will therefore deviate more or less from the exact measured data at one or more points in time can be accepted because the deviation remains within preset limits (as with any lossy data compression). The invention can also be addressed in another aspect, namely the algorithm implemented as part of the invention, which determines the corner points (defined by "vertices" as the start and end points of a secant) of such a polygonal line in the measuring sensors in real time. The algorithm can therefore be referred to as a secant algorithm.This secant algorithm is advantageously designed in such a way that this deviation is guaranteed not to exceed a specified absolute value (in the sense of an "error limit") (which can also be referred to as the "specified representation accuracy"). The sensors transmit current measured values and / or secant values in their measurement data sets. In one embodiment, the measurement data collector is designed to combine the secant values received or measured by it into a polygon and store them in a database. In the event that a communication channel is or was disrupted, e.g., temporarily, the measured value curve for the relevant period can be completely reconstructed using the secant values. One of the prerequisites for this is simply that the secant values falling within this period remain in the sensors for a sufficiently long time to be transmitted sufficiently frequently.One of the goals behind the transmission frequency is to ensure that at least one measurement data set is received without loss in the data collector for each secant. Ideally, the transmission frequency and the transmission repetition rate are adjusted to the goal.

[0077] A system according to the invention can be implemented in one embodiment as follows: In a memory located in each of the existing measuring sensors (in other words, each measuring sensor has its own memory), not only the current measured values but also polygonal lines in the form of secant vertices are stored. Using the secant vertices, past measurement data can be described.

[0078] Secants whose start and end times lie in the past are deleted when they reach a certain age (e.g., more than 65,535 measurements have been made). The secant ending in the current measured value is updated (extended) with the next measurement. However, it may also happen that instead of extending the previous secant, a new secant is started, especially in cases where updating the old secant leads to a limit being exceeded, e.g., if the (specified) error bound is violated.

[0079] If the memory of a sensor is full during a data update, the oldest secant in the memory is discarded (i.e. "overwritten").

[0080] If a memory is used that can record and archive, for example, 65,536 measurement points, the following numerical example results in one configuration: A secant of the long-term log is described by two vertices of 5 bytes each and can ideally represent up to 65,536 measurement points (e.g., individual values for "voltage," "temperature," "time," etc.) (assuming appropriate "smoothness" of the measurement data).

[0081] Data from a single measuring point can, for example, be 3 bytes in size (measuring point "voltage", measuring point "temperature" or measuring point "voltage in combination with temperature").

[0082] If all measurement points were archived individually, 65,536 such measurement points would require approximately 196 kB of memory. Compared to a secant, which requires only 10 bytes. Based on the combined data, the data compression factor when using secants can be as high as approximately 1 to 19,600.

[0083] Such an implementation stores up to 128 vertices in 640 bytes. This means that a corresponding amount of detail can be displayed over a period of up to 65,535 previous measurements, which, with a measurement grid of 10 seconds, corresponds to approximately 7.5 days.

[0084] Each measurement data record transmitted over the communication channel now contains, in addition to the current measured values, at least one secant value representing past measurement data. If multiple secant values are present in the sensor's memory, these are transmitted sequentially, cyclically, in consecutive measurement data records.

[0085] Different measurement data set types can be used, for example, a "Type 1" and a "Type 2" can be used: o Type 1 ("Short-Term Log" Type): This type ("Type 1") is used to display the most recent measurement data history, allowing it to be reconstructed in a timely manner in the measurement data collector. Such types can be used when measurement data records have been lost due to collisions or minor EMC interference. There are cases where the communication channel is otherwise not particularly disturbed. In principle, complete transmission is possible at almost all times (a "standing connection" can be assumed). In an exemplary embodiment, this type ("Type 1") works with exactly two secant lines, each of which represents a number of measurement points in a value range from 2 to a maximum of, for example, 129 measurement points (limited by the selected very compact format of the transmitted data packets).In this way, this type ("Type 1") can display the measurements of up to 256 measurements in the past (with a measurement interval of 10 seconds between two measurements, this amounts to (in total) approximately 43 minutes). Ideally, a measurement data set always transmits both secant values of the short-term log simultaneously. ∘ Type 2 ("Long-term log" type): This type ("Type 2") is used to display a longer history of measurement data, allowing the interim measurements to be reconstructed as completely as possible in the measurement data collector after a prolonged period of total disruption to the communication channel (e.g., caused by a complete loss of reception, such as during emergency operation, for a period of 10 minutes or even several hours). In the present exemplary embodiment of this type, a maximum of 128 secant values can be stored in memory. A single secant can represent up to 65,535 measurement points, and its end point can be offset by a maximum of 65.535 measurement intervals lie in the past. The displayable period is thus a maximum of 131,071 measurement intervals (with a measurement interval of 10 seconds, the period is approximately (or "good") 15 days if the measured values remain constant or change at a constant rate. If a change in the measured values occurs, the sensor can check whether 128 secants are sufficient to display all the details. In this case, the displayable period is at least 7.5 days).

[0086] The sufficiently frequent (=redundant) transmission of identical data (e.g. by a lap counter or by a transmission initiated by a touring counter, which transmits individual measurement data sets every second and through which a repeated transmission takes place), whereby data losses threatened by collisions and communication channel disruptions can be avoided, is ensured in the present implementation by appropriate dimensioning of memory size, maximum secant length, etc., a complete curve progression in the receiver "measurement data collector".

[0087] Now, another numerical example may clarify the technical implementation of the teaching explained above: With 160 measuring transducers or sensors, the probability that a measurement data set from one measuring transducer will not collide with any measurement data set from another measuring transducer (in the sense of a collision of transmissions or transmission times) is 37%. If a detail from this measurement data set, e.g., a secant value, is also transmitted in further measurement data sets, e.g., a total of 32 times, the probability that the measurement data set will reach the measurement data collector at least once without a collision is 99.99996%, which, with a 10-second measurement interval, corresponds to less than 2 measurement points per year and measurement sensor in terms of data loss. A single secant of the "long-term log" measurement type can be transmitted up to 128 times, provided it is not overwritten by another (when the memory is full).

[0088] Another interesting fact worth highlighting is that a measurement method based on the previously presented algorithm attempts to describe a sequence of incoming measurement points as piecewise linear. Starting with a single measurement point, it is assumed that the subsequent measurement points lie (approximately) on a straight line with the first, the gradient of which is initially unknown. The algorithm therefore does not specify the gradient; instead, it simply defines an upper and a lower bound, which are calculated based on the first two measurement points—subject to the specified absolute representation accuracy. These bounds are continuously adjusted as long as the new incoming measurement points "fit" them, i.e., can actually be approximated by a common straight line. In this process, the upper and lower bounds gradually (quasi-converge) move toward a single value.The limits further restrict the gradient interval and the vertical range within which further acceptable measurement points lie, which are still considered to "belong" to the same straight line. If a measurement point is found that lies outside the limits or limits, the previous straight line is considered "completed." A new straight line is started, with a new, also initially unknown gradient.

[0089] It should also be emphasized that various embodiments of the secant algorithm make no assumptions about the absolute values of a straight line's gradient. In these embodiments, no absolute values are specified either.

[0090] In a further embodiment, the secant algorithm can operate with a single constant, which determines the absolute representation accuracy. This makes the algorithm scaling-invariant with respect to the time axis, meaning that a measured value curve that follows a shape is always broken down into the same number of secants. It is irrelevant, or insignificant, or unimportant, whether it extends over one minute or over many hours.

[0091] Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the measuring method or the measurement control and the associated measuring device, which comprises at least one sensor, can operate particularly advantageously with inert, i.e., slowly changing, measured variables and parameters to be measured (parameters and measured variables can be considered "inert" if—depending on the design of the measurement control—they remain within the limit value(s), i.e., within the (specified) error limits, for minutes, hours, or even days). In such systems, for example, with correspondingly large-sized accumulator arrays (accumulators and accumulator arrays with charges of several ampere-hours (Ah), particularly three-, four-, and five-digit ampere-hour values), which are to be monitored by measurement technology, the presented measuring method or the presented measurement control demonstrates its advantages particularly strongly.Such systems can operate with particularly high data compression.

[0092] Thanks to the previously presented method, data can be transmitted securely to the measurement data collector, even if the connection was or is temporarily disrupted. Data is staggered and ideally transmitted multiple times over the communication channel, allowing even older data, possibly created at a time when there was a disruption on the communication channel, to be staggered, i.e., subsequently transmitted to the measurement data collector. Short character description

[0093] The present invention can be understood even better if reference is made to the accompanying figures, which illustrate particularly advantageous embodiments by way of example, without limiting the present invention to these, wherein Figure 1shows an energy supply device with several accumulators and a measuring system, Figure 2 shows a transmission on a communication channel to a measurement data collector using measurement and calculation curves, Figure 3 shows an example of a voltage and temperature curve with individual measuring points that can be measured by a sensor, Figure 4 shows extracted voltage and temperature polygons with individually calculated support points by a calculation algorithm, which a measuring sensor of a first embodiment can store in the memory and / or transmit on a transmission channel, Figure 5 shows voltage and temperature polygons with common support points, which a measuring sensor of a second embodiment can store in the memory and / or transmit on a transmission channel, Figures 6 to 8 shows individual moments or points in time in the calculation of a secant algorithm, Figure 9 shows a "short-term log" in the sense of a "Type 1" measurement data set and Figure 10 a "long-term log" in the sense of a "Type 2" measurement data set. Character description

[0094] The design options shown in the individual figures can also be combined with each other in any way.

[0095] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a measuring system 6 that can monitor a larger group of accumulators 3, 3 I<, 3 II<, 3 III<, 3 IV< of an energy supply device 1 using centrally arranged monitoring electronics 4 or a measurement data collector. The energy of the energy storage packages 3, 3 I<, 3 II<, 3 III<, 3 IV<, some of which are connected in series and some in parallel, is delivered to consumers, such as the load 22, via power line connections 2, 2 I<.

[0096] Components of the measuring system 6 include monitoring electronics 4 and measuring sensors 7, 7 I<, 7 II<, 7 III<, 7 IV< assigned to the accumulators 3, 3 I<, 3 II<, 3 III<, 3 IV<, which can also be referred to as measuring sensors, particularly in cases where the metrological parameter determination is the primary functional consideration. The monitoring electronics 4, which also includes a measurement data collector, also includes a receiver 5. This allows data records to be tapped from the power lines 15, 15 I<.

[0097] The energy supply facility 1 according to Figure 1is intended to make energy from energy storage packages 3, 3 I<, 3", 3 III<, 3 IV< such as lead-acid batteries available to at least one load 22, e.g. a server system, via power line connections 2, 2 I<. In this case, loads occur for the energy storage packages 3, 3 I<, 3", 3 III<, 3 IV<. In order to make the energy on the power lines 15, 15 I< available to the load 22 in the best possible control, e.g. in the form of an alternating voltage, the measurement data collector or the monitoring electronics 4 with its receiver 5 collects data which is made available via at least one of the communication channels 28, 30, 32. Overall, a battery monitoring device 50 is formed by the interaction of a larger number of measuring sensors 7, 7 I<, 7 II<, 7 III<, 7 IV< and the measurement data collector 4 as part of the monitoring electronics.A measuring sensor 7, 7 I< , 7 II< , 7 III< , 7 IV< comprises a measuring device 9, 9 I< , 9 II< , 9 III< , 9 IV< , 9 V< , 9 VI< , 9 VII< , 9 VIII< , 9 IX< , a microcontroller 8, 8 I< , 8 II< , 8 III< , 8 IV< and a transmitter 10, 10 I< , 10 II< , 10 III< , 10 IV< . The microcontroller 8, 8 I< , 8 II< , 8 III< , 8 IV< carries out calculations in order to convert the data measured by the measuring device 9, 9 I< , 9 II< , 9 III< , 9 IV< , 9 V< , 9 VI< , 9 VII< , 9 VIII< , 9 IX< into a processed form which can be conveniently used based on the . Figure 2 can be explained, via a chain of modulators 16, 16', 16", 16 III<, 16 IV< and a demodulator 17 of the monitoring electronics 4.

[0098] A measuring device, such as the measuring device 9, 9 I< , 9 II< , 9 III< , 9 IV< , 9 V< , 9 VI< , 9 VII< , 9 VIII< , 9 IX< , measures different parameters in various ways, e.g. a temperature of an energy storage package 3, 3 I< , 3", 3 III< , 3 IV< via the measuring point 12, 12', 12", 12 III< , 12 IV< . The voltages of individual cells or groups of cells of the energy storage devices or energy storage packages 3, 3 I< , 3", 3 III< , 3 IV< can be measured via connections 11, 11 I< , 11 II< , 11 III< , 11 IV<. The energy storage packages 3, 3 I< , 3", 3 III< , 3 IV< have poles like the poles 34, 34 I< , which are available as energy connections 26, 26', 26", 26 II< , 26 IV< , 26 V< , 26 VI< , 26 VII< , 26 VIII< , 26 IX<. By serially connecting individual energy storage packages 3, 3 I< , 3 II< , 3 III< , 3 IV< orA parallel connection of, ideally several, energy storage packages 3, 3 I< , 3 II< , 3 III< , 3 IV< grouped into a string by a serial connection forms a source for the output of electrical energy at the energy connections 26, 26', 26", 26 III< , 26 IV< , 26 V< , 26 VI< , 26 VII< , 26 VIII< , 26 IX< , which is then also available at the energy lines 15, 15 I<.

[0099] The entire arrangement can also be referred to (electrochemically not entirely correctly) as battery monitoring 23, which is thus composed as a distributed system of (among others) measuring sensors 7, 7 I<, 7 II<, 7 III<, 7 IV< and at least one measurement data collector 4.

[0100] As also from the Figure 1As can be seen, there are three different communication channels 28, 30, 32. The first communication channel 28 uses the power lines 15, 15 I< . The second communication channel 30 transmits via a special bus, more precisely via a CAN bus (from an electrical or hardware-related perspective) (see, for example, the terminating resistors). The third communication channel 32 is formed by light transmission, as can be seen at the light emitters 36, the LEDs, and the light-dependent resistor, the receiver 38 in the block diagram of the Figure 1 to recognize.

[0101] From the block diagram of the Figure 1It can be seen that the energy connections 26, 26 I< , 26 II< , 26 III< , 26 IV< , 26 V< , 26 VI< , 26 VII< , 26 VIII< , 26 IX< tap a voltage at different points between the cells of the energy storage packages 3, 3 I< , 3", 3 III< , 3 IV< than the connections 11, 11 I< , 11 II< , 11 III< , 11 IV< for the measuring device 9, 9 I< , 9 II< , 9 III< , 9 IV< , 9 V< , 9 VI< , 9 VII< , 9 VIII< , 9 IX< . Thus, it is possible that individual cells of an energy storage package 3, 3 I< , 3", 3 III< , 3 IV< as Damping elements are interposed between the power line 15, 15 I< and the connection 11, 11 I< , 11", 11 III< , 11 IV< for the measuring device 9, 9 I< , 9 II< , 9 III< , 9 IV< , 9 I< , 9 VI< , 9 VII< ,9 VIII< , 9 IX<.

[0102] In Figure 2 is shown as a real measurement curve U,T, which comprises two parameters U (voltage), T (temperature) which vary over a time t, after transmission 40 via at least one of the communication channels 28, 30, 32 to the measurement data collector 4 (see Figure 1 ) is converted into an approximated curve T abg . From Figure 2 is the curve-dependent treatment of each individual measurement curve U , T While the measurement curve T is to be converted within the scope of the transmission 40, the measurement curve can be calculated based on the secant method applied and the limit values used in the secant method Uwithout an end point or end point formation for the creation of the secant in the considered time interval between t 1 and t 7. At individual times, such as the time t 1 , t 2 , t 3 , t 4 , t 5 , t 6 , t 7 , individual measurements are carried out to determine the measuring points M 1 , MI< 1 , M II< 1 , from which an (averaged) measuring point is determined. Several measurements with their measuring points M 1 , MI< 1 , M II< 1 are approximated to a measuring point, with which the further calculations are carried out as a value for a time t 1. After a repetition rate t 1 , t 2 (tau) another measurement takes place at another time t 2 , t 3 .

[0103] After the transmission 40 of the data sets to the measurement data collector 4, a polygonal composition of the derived measurement curve T abg . takes place by combining the secant values T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 1 I< , T 2 I< , T 3 I<. The secant values T 1 , T 2 , T 3 are intended for a different polygonal composition (different calculation method) than the secant values T 1 I< , T 2 I< , T 3 I< , which extend over longer periods of time than the shorter secant values T 1 , T 2 , T 3. The time periods over which individual secants T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 1 I< , T 2 I< , T 3 I< extend are of different lengths. The measurement curve T abg . is an approximating curve that combines several parameters.

[0104] Represents the initial curve for measurements of a sensor, such as one of the sensors 7, 7 I< , 7 II< , 7 III< and 7 IV< (according to Figure 1 ), one in Figure 3If the parameter development or parameter change shown is displayed on the measuring sensor, the measuring sensor can be programmed in such a way that it determines the parameter value (e.g. a voltage value U or a temperature value T) present at the measuring point M 1 , M 2 , M 3 at regular intervals, more precisely at selected times t I< 1 , t I< 2 , t I< 3 , t I< 4 , t I< 5 , t I< 6 , t I< 7 , t I< 8 , t I< 9 ). The secant algorithm implemented in the measuring sensor then determines, among other things, whether a voltage value U 1 , U 2 , U 3 or a temperature value Ť 1 , Ť 2 , Ť 3 (cf. Figure 4 ) is to be converted into a vertex related to a point in time (cf. the measuring points marked with rectangular boxes, such as the measuring point M 1 ). The individual curves, such as the voltage curve Uor the temperature curve T, are measured by the sensor only at specific or discrete times t I< 1 , t I< 2 , t I< 3 , t I< 4 , t I< 5 , t I< 6, t I< 7 , t I< 8 , t I< 9. This already data-reduced curve representation of the voltage curve U and the temperature curve T is further reduced by means of vertex formation or secant formation.

[0105] After the conversion of the data to be carried out in the sensor, which is initially presented as a voltage curve U and as the temperature curve T (see Figure 3 ) are present, into courses or curve shapes based on secants S1, S2 (see Figure 4 ), as can be seen from Figure 4 can be read, the curves are approximated by piecewise continuous, preferably straight elements. Only corner points of the curves U , T, which are also present in the curve as individual prominent voltage values U 1 , U 2 , U 3 or as individual prominent temperature values Ť 1 , Ť 2 , Ť 3, are documented by vertices that are referenced to points in time. The rectangular boxes illustrate that only these corner points or vertices need to be saved, transferred, managed, and / or retained and calculated in order to further process an approximate curve as a derived temperature curve T abg or as a derived voltage curve U abg. Data are only stored and further processed as individual values of the voltage U or the temperature T at the times t II< 1 , t II< 2 , t II< 3 , t II< 4 instead of the original measured values at the times t I< 1 , t I< 2 , t I< 3 , t I< 4 , t I< 5 , t I< 6 , t I< 7 , t I< 8 , t I< 9 .

[0106] As a further possibility to simplify the system and compress data, as can be seen from Figure 5As can be seen, a temporal adjustment between the vertices in the time course t of the voltage U and the temperature T must be carried out. If the points in time, such as the points in time t III< 1 , t III< 2 , t III< 3 , t III< 4 , at which vertices are formed, are coordinated with one another between the individual parameters, such as the voltage U and the temperature T, tuples can be formed which, at a point in time such as the point in time t III< 1 , t III< 2 , t III< 3 or t III< 4 , store or add both a voltage value, such as the voltage value U 1 , U 2 , U 3 or U 4 , and a temperature value, such as the temperature value Ť 1 , Ť 2 , Ť 3 or Ť 4 , in the tuple - in particular to the time value of a point in time which is only stored once, such as the points in time t III< 1 , t III< 2 , t III< 3 , t III< 4 .Further data compression occurs in that a time point, such as one of the times t III< 1 , t III< 2 , t III< 3 , t III< 4 , is archived only once for each stored measurement point. The voltage U 1 and the temperature Ť 1 determine the curve shape of the voltage curve U and the temperature curve T at the same time t III< 1 . If the reference points or the times t III< 1 , t III< 2 , t III< 3 , t III< 4 are regarded as support points for determining the inflection, extreme and change in course points (vertices), it is sufficient to save these times t III< 1 , t III< 2 , t III< 3 , t III< 4 , between which periods or time intervals of different lengths exist or can exist, together with the parameters present at the measuring sensor at these times t III< 1 , t III< 2 , t III< 3 , t III< 4 , such as voltage U 1 , U 2 , U 3 , U 4 , or temperature Ť 1 , Ť 2 , Ť 3 , Ť 4 .

[0107] Based on the Figures 6 to 8The progression can be understood step by step using the secant algorithm. A secant SI< 1 , SI< 2 , SI< 3 describes at least two measured values, e.g. an output voltage value such as the voltage value U 0 at time t 0 (see also Figure 9) and, for example, a first measured voltage value U 1 at the time of the first interpolation point i = 1. A first point and a last point of such a secant SI< 1 , SI< 2 , SI< 3 (thus an intermediately stored start and end point) correspond to real measured values such as the measured values U 1 , U 2 , U 3 , UI< 3 (with regard to these points, one can speak of a representation error of zero magnitude). The measuring point m 1 is formed by the voltage value U 1. During the first measurement, a secant value SI< 1 is initialized at the beginning by the current measuring point of the voltage U 1 and the immediately preceding measuring point of the voltage U 0. At this point in time, the number of support points i max combined in the secant SI< 1 is 1. The specified absolute representation accuracy δ Fm , δ I< Fm determines the straight line gradients m U< and m L< and thus the boundaries, e.g. of a funnel-shaped test area (see hatched area).In connection with the first measurement m 1 , the upper straight line gradient m 1 U< and the lower straight line gradient m 1 L< are derived from this measuring point or measurement m 1 by absolute representation accuracy δ Fm , δ I< Fm. For later, subsequent measurements or measuring points m 2 , m 3 , the straight line gradients are formed as a function of these measuring points M 2 U< , m 3 U< , m 2 L< , m 3 L<.

[0108] In general, it can be said that the respective measured value, such as the voltage UK for the measuring step K, must lie within the specified error FM, which results from the additive addition of the specified partial errors δ Fm , δ I< Fm for the upper straight line gradient m U< and the lower straight line gradient m L<. For simplification, it can be assumed that the partial errors δ Fm , δ I< Fm are identical in width or size. However, different partial errors δ Fm , δ I< Fm for the upper straight line gradient m U< and the lower straight line gradient m L< can also be specified.

[0109] Furthermore, it should be noted that if a straight line is drawn through any point in the test area and through the starting point U 0 , this straight line intersects the error bar resulting from the maximum error FM, which has the size δ Fm , δ I < Fm around the end point of the voltage UK (i.e. at i = 1 U 1 , at i = 2 U 2 , etc.). Consequently, this straight line will describe the point UK (depending on the measurement, therefore the points U 1 , U 2 , U 3 , etc.) with the maximum error δ Fm , δ I < Fm (in both the decreasing and increasing directions).

[0110] For each subsequent new measuring point m 2 , m 3 etc., it is checked whether it lies within the (continuing) test area (see the hatched area, especially in the figures Figure 7 and Figure 8). If the measurement point m 2 , m 3 , etc. lies within the test region, the secant may be "updated" by replacing the previous endpoint with the new measurement point m 2 , m 3 , etc. In this case, the boundaries of the test region (see hatched area) are also adjusted. At the next measurement m 2 , m 3 , (generally mi with i from the range of natural numbers), the test region contains all straight lines that, counted from the starting point of the secant, describe all points, including the new endpoint, with a maximum error of δ Fm , δ I < Fm . This means that the "funnel-like" test region will narrow further with each measured value m 2 , m 3 , etc. (mi ). In the extreme, even desired, case of very long secants, m U and m L converge ever closer to each other. The limit value is an average straight line gradient through a point cloud of the intermediate measured values (between the first and the last measured value of the secant).

[0111] Based on the figures Figure 7 and Figure 8 It can be seen that the upper straight line gradient m U< and the lower straight line gradient m L< lead to a test area adjustment 95, 95 I< as an unchanged straight line 80, 80 I< or as an updated straight line 90, 90 I<, depending on the updating of the secant corner point by the measured value such as the voltage U 2 , U 3 .

[0112] If the new measurement point, such as the voltage value UI< 3, is outside the test area, the secant SI< 3 is considered to be finished. In the next step, a new secant S II< 1 is started. This means that the previous measurement value m 3 and end point of the previous secant SI< 3 becomes the starting point of the new secant S II< 1 (see Figure 8 ). The end point of the "old" secant SI< 3 is initialized with the current measured value. The new secant S" also starts with exactly two measured values (cf. U 0 and U 1 in Figure 6 ) contains.

[0113] The previously described process and the previously described secant formation are repeated for the next secant.

[0114] The secant formation, the secant algorithm, and the progression of the curve approximation have been described primarily using voltage values and temperature values. However, it is also possible to treat other electronic, electrical, and / or electrochemical parameters, such as current, resistance, charge, and concentration, in particular those of an electrochemical converter, in a similar manner.

[0115] The Figures 2 to 8 primarily present the curve calculation, in particular the secant formation of the secants T 1 I< , T 2 I< , T 3 I< , S 1 , S 2 , SI< 1 , SI< 2 , SI< 3 , S II< 1 , which are particularly used by the sensors 7, 7 I< , 7 II< , 7 II< , 7 IV< (see Figure 1 ) are implemented.

[0116] The "backward calculation", the derivation of the approximated curve, takes place in the receiver 5, which preferably extracts or extrapolates the curve course from a time t 0 (current time) into the past.

[0117] As mentioned, the support points t 0 , t 0 - δt 1 - δt 2 , t 0 - δt 1 are distributed differently in the domain time t. They depend on the vertices of the parameters such as the voltage U and the temperature T. The voltage values U 0 , U -1 , U -2 and the temperature values T 0 , T -1 , T -2 are determined using the secants such as those to the Figures 2 to 8 explained secants T 1 I< , T 2 I< , T 3 I< , S 1 , S 2 , SI< 1 , SI< 2 , SI< 3 , S II< 1 backwards into the past, ie derived again with increasing age.

[0118] In Figure 9a "short-term log" ("Type 1") is shown. Each of the parameters U, T is determined using its own secant with the support points U 0 , U -1 , U -2 and T 0 , T -1 , T -2 respectively. The times t 0 , t 0 - δt 1 - δt 2 , t 0 - δt 1 as support points of the two secants are, however, recorded together, i.e., uniformly. For example, at time t 0 - δt 1 there are the stress value U -1 and the temperature value T -1 as secant corner points.

[0119] Figure 10shows a "long-term log" ("Type 2"). With the "long-term log", it is preferable to work with only one secant for all parameters processed by the receiver, such as voltage U and temperature T. Furthermore, the support points t IV< 1 , t IV< 2 are only present once for all curves. The time periods t L , t E can comprise up to 65,535 measurement intervals. To better illustrate this measurement and data situation, the very long period t E , lasting for example, days, is shown as a broken curve. In the domain of time t , the curve is approximated backwards from the current time t 0 using piecewise composing straight lines as a curve substitute. List of reference symbols

[0120] Reference symbol Meaning 1 Energy supply facility 2, 2 I< Power line connection 3, 3 I< , 3 II< , 3 III< , 3 IV< Energy storage package, especially lead-acid battery 4 Monitoring electronics or measurement data collector 5 Recipient 6 measuring system 7, 7 I<, 7 II<, 7 III<, 7 IV< Measuring sensor 8, 8 I<, 8 II<, 8 III<, 8 IV< Microcontroller, in particular with a microprocessor unit 9, 9 I< , 9 II< , 9 III< , 9 IV< , 9 V< , 9 VI< , 9 VII< ,9 VIII< , 9 IX< measuring device 10, 10 I<, 10 II<, 10 III<, 10 IV< Sender 11, 11 I<, 11 II<, 11 III<, 11 IV< Connection 12, 12', 12", 12 III<, 12 IV< measuring point 15, 15 I< Lines, especially power lines 16, 16', 16 II<, 16 III<, 16 IV< modulator 17 Demodulator, especially in a microcontroller 22 Load, especially resistive and inductive load 23 Battery monitoring 26, 26', 26", 26 III<, 26 IV<, 26 V<, 26 VI<, 26 VII<, 26 VIII<, 26 IX< Energy connection 28 first communication channel 30 second communication channel 32 third communication channel 34, 34 I< Pole, especially of a battery 36 Light emitters, especially LEDs 38 Receivers, especially for light signals 40 transmission 50 Battery monitoring device 80, 80 I< unchanged straight line 90, 90 I< updated straight line 95, 95 I< Test area adaptation K Measuring step M 1 , M 1 I < , M 1 II < , M 2 , M 3 measuring point T1, T2, T3 secant or secant section T 1 I< , T 2 I< , T 3 I< secant or secant section T abg . derived curve U Tension U 1 , U 2 , U 3 , UI< 3 , U 4 Voltage values U0, U-1, U-2 Voltage values, especially at previous points in time U Voltage curve At abg . derived curve U k Voltage or voltage value for measuring step K T temperature T Temperature curve Ť 1 , Ť 2 , Ť 3 , Ť 4 Temperature value, especially at individual points in time T 0 , T -1 , T -2 Temperature values, especially at previous times t Time t 1 , t 2 Time period t 0 , t 1 , t 2 , t 3 , t 4 , t 5 , t 6 , t 7 , t 1 I< , t 2 I< , t 3 I< , t 4 I< , t 5 I< , t 6 I< , t 7 I< , t 8 I< , t 9 I< , t 1 II< , t 2 II< , t 3 II< , t 4 II< , t 1 III< , t 2 III< , t 3 III< , t 4 III< , t 1 IV< , t 2 IV< time δt 1 , δt 2 Period of time, especially short-term period of time t L Period of time, especially long-term period of time t E Period of time, especially long-term period of time S1, S2, SI<1, SI<2, SI<3, SII<1 Secant, especially secant used in the sensor (calculation) i Support point, in particular independent of time, preferably as an abstractly determined measuring point imax Number of combined or skipped support points m U< upper straight line gradient m L< lower straight line gradient m 1 U< m 2 U< , m 3 U< upper straight line gradient, related to a specific measuring point m 1 L< , m 2 L< , m 3 L< lower straight line gradient, related to a specific measuring point m 1 , m 2 , m 3 Measuring point, especially a measuring point read into a sensor mi i-th measurement or i-th measuring point δ Fm , δ I< Fm specified error or display accuracy FM specified error, in particular specified maximum error, preferably error interval

Claims

1. Measurement control system for transmitting at least two sensor values, which represent different physical parameters (U, T) of a multi-cell battery (3, 3I, 3", 3III, 3IV) at a first point in time and at a second point in time, the measurement control system comprising at least one measurement sensor (7, 7I, 7II, 7III, 7IV), which comprises a measuring device (9, 9I, 9II, 9III, 9IV, 9V, 9VI, 9VII, 9VIII, 9IX), a microcontroller (8, 8I, 8II, 8III, 8IV) and a transmitter (10, 10I, 10", 10III, 10IV), wherein the microcontroller (8, 8I, 8II, 8III, 8IV) is designed to perform calculations in order to make the data measured by the measuring device (9, 9I, 9II, 9III, 9IV, 9V, 9VI, 9VII, 9VIII, 9IX) available in a processed form to monitoring electronics or to a measured data collector (4) of the measurement control system via a chain formed of a modulator (16, 16I, 16", 16III, 16IV) and a demodulator (17), as meanwhile physical parameters of a second battery (3, 3I, 3II, 3III, 3IV) are transmitted, wherein all the physical parameters (U, T) are transmitted to the measured data collector (4), which is connected via power supply cables (15, 15I), and / or all the physical parameters (U, T) are transmitted to the measured data collector (4) via at least one communication channel (28, 30, 32), characterized in that based on the calculations the parameters (U, T) are transmitted as part of polygonal chains (Uabg., Tabg.), which are polygonal chains that are to be approximated by secants (S1, S2, SI1, SI2, SI3, SII1, T1, T2, T3, T1I, T2I, T3I), and wherein a first polygonal chain is transmitted at a third point in time and a second polygonal chain is transmitted at a fourth point in time, said polygonal chains having been formed by two different approximation methods converted in the measurement sensor (7, 7I, 7II, 7III, 7IV).

2. Measurement control system according to claim 1, characterized in that secants (S1, S2, SI1, SI2, SI3, SII1, T1, T2, T3, T1I, T2I, T3I) assigned to one of the parameters (U, T) yield at least one of the polygonal chains (Uabg., Tabg.), wherein as a result a curve over time of the parameter (U or T) is rendered in approximated form.

3. Measurement control system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that in one of the approximation methods two polygonal chains from a parameter (U, T) measured multiple times in succession by the measurement sensor (7, 7I, 7II, 7III, 7IV) are calculated to form one and the same parameter curve (Uabg. or Tabg.), wherein the two polygonal chains represent different time periods.

4. Measurement control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the polygonal chains (Uabg., Tabg.) is formed of secant values (S1, S2, S1I, S2I, S3I, S1II) rendered on the basis of their vertices, and a secant calculation to derive the secant values (T1, T2, T3, T1I, T2I, T3I) takes place in the measurement sensor (7, 7I, 7II, 7III, 7IV).

5. Measurement control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each secant (S1, S2, S1I, SI2, SI3, SII1, T1, T2, T3, T1I, T2I, T3I) remains below a maximum length due to a minimum frequency of occurrence of points in time (t0, t1, t2, t3, t4, t5, t6, t7, t1I, t2I, t3I, t4I, t5I, t6I, t7I, t8I, t9I, t1II, t2II, t3II, t4II, t1III, t2III, t3III, t4III) at which a respective vertex defines a start and / or an end of a secant (S1, S2, S1I, SI2, SI3, SII1, T1, T2, T3, T1I, T2I, T3I), and / or due to adhering to a maximum absolute error based on a rendering of a curve by a secant (S1, S2, SI1, SI2, SI3, SII1, T1, T2, T3, T1I, T2I, T3I) instead of a parameter curve (U, T).

6. Measurement control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first polygonal chain approximates a parameter curve (U, T) from a one-digit number of secants (S1, S2, S1I, SI2, SI3, SII1) or secant segments (T1, T2, T3), wherein the polygonal chain (Uabg., Tabg.) comprises a data set that renders a portion of the measured parameter curve (U, T) in approximated form, and wherein the polygonal chain (Uabg., Tabg.) can be adapted to a number of measurement points (M1, M1I, M1II, M2, M3) that occur between a fifth point in time and a sixth point in time.

7. Measurement control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second polygonal chain (Uabg., Tabg.) is a rendering of a curve comprising up to a three-digit number of secants (S1, S2, S1I, SI2, SI3, SII1) or secant segments (T1I, T2I, T3I), wherein a length of the second polygonal chain (Uabg., Tabg.) increases by a duration of operation of the measurement control system.

8. Measurement control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polygonal chains (Uabg., Tabg.) are extracted voltage and temperature polygonal chains having support points (i) which are calculated individually by a calculation algorithm and which the at least one measurement sensor (7, 7I, 7II, 7III, 7IV), which has a memory, can store in the memory and / or can transmit on a communication channel (28, 30, 32).

9. Measurement control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one voltage value (U) for forming a voltage value polygonal chain (Uabg.) and at least one temperature value for forming a temperature value polygonal chain (Tabg.) are based on the same time base.

10. Measurement control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that changes in the absolute value of at least one parameter (U, T) measured by the at least one measurement sensor (7, 7I, 7II, 7II, 7IV), which parameter undergoes changes in the course of a time segment, remain below a maximum extent of change during regular operation of an object to be monitored over a time period that is defined by the adhered-to repetition rate (t1, t2), upon expiry of which an individual discrete measurement is carried out, otherwise a further secant formation is started.

11. Measurement control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that different polygonal chains (Uabg., Tabg.), which reflect different lengths of time period, are made available by the at least one measurement sensor (7, 7I, 7II, 7III, 7IV).

12. Measurement control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transmission via one of the communication channels (28, 30) takes place by means of an amplitude-modulated square-wave signal.

13. Distributed measurement system (6), in particular for a measurement control system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, for monitoring a power supply system which comprises at least two batteries (3, 3I, 3II, 3III, 3IV) that belong to a power supply device (1), the distributed measurement system comprising two measurement sensors (7, 7I, 7II, 7II, 7IV) for measuring in each case at least two parameters (U, T) of a battery (3, 3I, 3II, 3III, 3IV), and a measured data collector (4), which is connected via power supply lines (15, 15I), and / or at least one communication channel (28, 30, 32) to the measured data collector (4), wherein the measured data collector (4) is equipped to obtain information about a state of the batteries (3, 3I, 3II, 3III, 3IV) monitored by the measurement sensors (7, 7I, 7II, 7III, 7IV), characterized in that the information can be transmitted by the measurement sensors (7, 7I, 7II, 7III, 7IV) in two different measured data sets in partially redundant form, wherein the measured data sets comprise polygonal chains (Uabg., Tabg.) which approximate the parameters (U, T) at a first point in time and at a second point in time by secants (S1, S2, S1I, S2I, S3I, S1II, T1, T2, T3, T1I, T2I, T3I), said polygonal chains having been formed by two different approximation methods in one of the measurement sensors (7, 7I, 7II, 7III, 7IV).

14. Distributed measurement system (6) according to claim 13, characterized in that each of the measurement sensors (7, 7I, 7II, 7III, 7IV) included in the measurement system (6) has an autonomous control system for transmitting measured data from the individual measurement sensor (7, 7I, 7II, 7III, 7IV), wherein there is at least one communication channel (28, 30, 32) between the individual measurement sensors (7, 7I, 7II, 7II, 7IV) and the measured data collector (4).

15. Distributed measurement system (6) according to any one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that a voltage value (U) and / or a temperature value (T) of one of the at least two batteries (3, 3I, 3II, 3III, 3IV) is measured by being tapped off at the battery (3, 3I, 3II 3III, 3IV) and can be forwarded by time-interleaved transmission compressed in straight line form to a receiver (5) as measured data collector (4).