Open-loop control and closed-loop control of a system using a digital twin of a rechargeable battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the open-loop control and closed-loop control of a system containing at least one rechargeable battery as a first system component having at least one energy storage cell, at least one first transceiver and at least one sensor for capturing at least one characteristic value, and also a second system component having at least one second transceiver. The method comprises the following method steps: – capturing at least one first and one second characteristic value by means of the at least one sensor; – transmitting the captured characteristic values by means of the at least first transceiver to a computing device with a digital twin of the at least one rechargeable battery; and – determining a threshold value for at least one parameter of the rechargeable battery by means of feeding the captured characteristic values into the digital twin in order to simulate a future behavior and / or progression of at least one parameter. The invention also relates to a system for carrying out the method. The invention also relates to a charging device for carrying out the method.

Description

[0001] CONTROLLING AND REGULATING A SYSTEM USING A DIGITAL TWIN OF AN ACCUMULATOR

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for controlling and regulating a system comprising at least one accumulator as a first system component with at least one energy storage cell, at least one first transceiver and at least one sensor for detecting at least one characteristic value, as well as a second system component with at least one second transceiver.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system comprising an accumulator and a second system component which can be releasably connected to the accumulator for carrying out the method.

[0004] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a charging device for carrying out the method.

[0005] Machine tools that can be supplied with electrical energy from a rechargeable battery are largely known from the prior art. The rechargeable battery essentially contains a large number of energy storage cells (also called battery cells) positioned in a fixed housing. With the help of the energy storage cells, electrical energy can be stored by the rechargeable battery and also made available to a machine tool.

[0006] An interface is provided on one side of the battery housing, through which the battery can be releasably connected either to a machine tool or a charging device. To charge a battery with electrical energy, the battery is releasably connected to the charging device. According to the prior art, charging devices have an interface on one side of the charging device housing, through which the battery is mechanically and electrically connected to the charging device.

[0007] Modern accumulators can be used in a variety of ways or almost universally as an energy source with a wide variety of machine tools or other devices, such as vacuum cleaners, lamps, measuring devices or the like.

[0008] Depending on the use of a rechargeable battery as an energy source in a particular device, the specific load or stress on the rechargeable battery can vary considerably. For example, a rechargeable battery used as an energy source for a powerful machine tool (e.g., a battery-powered chipping hammer) may need to provide a relatively large amount of energy (i.e., a high current) for a relatively short time (i.e., a few seconds). However, a rechargeable battery used as an energy source for a (construction site) lamp may need to provide less energy (i.e., a low current) for a longer period (i.e., several minutes).

[0009] In addition, depending on the application of the respective battery as an energy source, the number of charging cycles, the charging time, the energy absorbed or released by the battery, the mechanical or thermal stress, etc. can vary entirely.

[0010] Possible damage, individual malfunctions, or even a complete failure of a battery can therefore be traced back to very different causes. This often requires a detailed analysis of the affected battery.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the problem described above.

[0012] The object is achieved by the subject matter of independent patent claims 1, 5 and 9. Advantageous embodiments of the subject matter according to the invention are contained in the dependent patent claims.

[0013] The object is achieved in particular by a method for controlling and regulating a system comprising at least one accumulator as a first system component with at least one energy storage cell, at least one first transceiver and at least one sensor for detecting at least one characteristic value, and a second system component with at least one second transceiver.

[0014] According to the invention, the method steps are provided

[0015] - detecting at least a first and a second characteristic value by the at least one sensor;

[0016] - transmitting the detected characteristic values ​​by the at least first transceiver to a computing device with a digital twin of the at least one accumulator; and

[0017] - Determining a threshold value for at least one parameter of the accumulator by feeding the acquired characteristic values ​​into the digital twin to simulate a future behavior and / or progression of at least one parameter. According to an alternative embodiment, it may be possible for the second characteristic value to be acquired after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the first characteristic value was acquired. This period of time may be several seconds or several minutes, in particular 10 seconds to 10 minutes.

[0018] According to an alternative embodiment, it may be possible for the setting of the at least one accumulator from a first operating state to a second operating state to be included when at least one parameter of the accumulator reaches a predetermined threshold value or when at least one parameter of the accumulator reaches the determined threshold value.

[0019] According to an alternative embodiment, it may be possible to include the transmission of at least one signal from the charging device to the accumulator when at least one parameter of the accumulator reaches a predetermined threshold value or when at least one parameter of the accumulator reaches the determined threshold value.

[0020] The object is further and in particular achieved by a system comprising an accumulator and a second system component which can be releasably connected to the accumulator for carrying out the method.

[0021] According to the invention, it is provided that the at least one accumulator contains at least one first transceiver and at least one sensor for detecting at least one characteristic value and the second system component contains at least one second transceiver and a computing device with a digital twin of the at least one accumulator is included.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment, it may be possible for the computing device with the digital twin of the at least one accumulator to be a component of the second system component.

[0023] According to an alternative embodiment, it may be possible for the computing device with the digital twin of the at least one accumulator to be designed as a separate system component.

[0024] According to an alternative embodiment, it may be possible for the second system component to be designed as a loading device or machine tool. Furthermore, the object is achieved in particular by a loading device for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0025] According to the invention, the charging device contains at least one second transceiver and a computing device with a digital twin of at least one accumulator.

[0026] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. The figures illustrate various embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] The figures, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The skilled person will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into further meaningful combinations.

[0028] They show:

[0029] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a machine tool according to a first embodiment and a battery connected to the machine tool according to a first embodiment; and Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the charging device according to a first

[0030] Embodiment and an accumulator connected to the machine tool according to a second embodiment.

[0031] Examples of implementation:

[0032] Figure 1 shows a machine tool 1 and a battery 11 according to an exemplary embodiment. The machine tool 1 and the battery 11 form a system S according to a first embodiment.

[0033] In the embodiment shown, the machine tool 1 is designed as a screwdriver. Alternatively, the machine tool 1 can also be designed as a drill, a hammer drill, a saw, a grinder, or the like.

[0034] As indicated in Figure 1, the machine tool 1 configured as a screwdriver essentially comprises a machine tool housing 2 with a tool holder 3 and a handle 4. The tool holder 3 serves to receive and hold a tool 5. In the present example, the tool 5 is a screwdriver bit. Alternatively, the tool 5 can also be configured as a drill.

[0035] Inside the machine tool housing 2, among other components, there is a drive 6, a gear 7, and a control unit 8. The drive 6 is designed as a brushless electric motor.

[0036] The control unit 8 regulates and controls the functions and behavior of the machine tool 1 and in particular of the drive 6.

[0037] The handle 4 in turn contains an actuation switch 9, an upper end 4a and a lower end 4b. The actuation switch 9 is connected to the control unit 8, so that actuation of the actuation switch 9 leads to activation of the drive 6 or the machine tool 1. As also shown in Figure 1, the drive 6, the gear 7, and the tool holder 3 are arranged relative to one another such that a torque generated in the drive 6 can be transmitted via the gear 7 to the tool holder 3 and the tool 5.

[0038] The machine tool housing 2 further has a top side 2a, a bottom side 2b, a front end 2c, and a rear end 2d. The tool holder 3 is positioned at the front end 2c. The upper end 4a of the handle 4 is attached to the bottom side 2b and near the rear end 2d of the machine tool housing 2. A machine tool interface 10 is positioned at the lower end 4b of the handle 4. The machine tool interface 10 serves to detachably connect the machine tool 1 to the accumulator 11.

[0039] The accumulator 11 described in the exemplary embodiment can serve, in particular, as an energy storage device or electrical energy source for the machine tool 1. The accumulator 11 essentially contains a battery housing 12, a number of energy storage cells 13, a first, second, and third sensor 14a, 14b, 14c, a first transceiver 15, a storage device 16, and a control device 17. The energy storage cells 13 can also be referred to as battery cells.

[0040] The storage device 16 is positioned inside the battery housing 12 and serves to store and provide data and information.

[0041] The sensors 14a, 14b, 14c generally serve to detect characteristic values ​​of the accumulator 11 or individual components of the accumulator 11. The characteristic value can also be referred to as a parameter or characteristic variable. The characteristic values ​​of the accumulator 11 can include, among other things, voltage, current, electrical resistance, temperature, humidity, or the like.

[0042] The first sensor 14a is a sensor for detecting a current value, which can also be referred to as a current measuring device, current detection device, ammeter, or ammeter. The first sensor 14a is positioned inside the battery housing 12 such that the current values ​​from the energy storage cells 13 can be detected. The first sensor 14a is connected to the storage device 16 and to the control device 17 so that the detected values ​​can be stored and / or processed. More than one sensor can be provided for detecting a current value, so that the current value of each energy storage cell 13 can be detected.

[0043] The second sensor 14b is a sensor for detecting a current-voltage value, which can also be referred to as a voltage measuring device, voltage meter, or voltmeter. The second sensor 14b is positioned inside the battery housing 12 such that the current-voltage values ​​of the energy storage cells 13 can be detected. The second sensor 14b is connected to the storage device 16 and to the control device 17 so that the detected values ​​can be stored and / or processed. More than one sensor can be provided for detecting a current-voltage value, so that the current-voltage value of each energy storage cell 13 can be detected.

[0044] The third sensor 14c is a sensor for detecting a temperature value, which can also be referred to as a temperature detection device, temperature gauge, or thermometer. The third sensor 14c is positioned inside the battery housing 12 such that the temperature values ​​of the energy storage cells 13 can be detected. The third sensor 14c is connected to the storage device 16 and to the control device 17 so that the detected values ​​can be stored and / or processed. More than one sensor can be provided for detecting a temperature value, so that the temperature value of each energy storage cell 13 can be detected.

[0045] According to an alternative embodiment of the accumulator 11, more or fewer than three sensors 14a, 14b, 14c can also be provided.

[0046] The first transceiver 15 is used to transmit and receive signals and data. The transceiver 15 can also be referred to as a transceiver. In combination or interaction with another transceiver, the first transceiver 15 can be used to transmit data and information from the accumulator 11 to another device or appliance or to receive data from it. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first transceiver 15 is designed based on Bluetooth technology. However, it is also possible for the transceiver 15 to be based on another suitable wireless data transmission technology, such as WLAN, ZigBee, NFC, Wibree, or WiMAX in the radio frequency range. The first transceiver 15 can be a component of the control device 17 of the accumulator 11. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, the first transceiver 15 can also be designed based on a wired data transmission technology.

[0047] The battery housing 12 in turn contains a top side 12a, a bottom side 12b and four side walls 18. As can be seen in Figure 1, a battery interface 19 is arranged on the top side 12a of the battery housing 12. Both the energy storage cells 13 and the control device 17 are positioned inside the battery housing 12. The control device 17 serves to control and regulate the functions and behavior of the battery 11. The functions of the battery 11 include, among other things, the quantitative absorption and release of electrical energy to and from the energy storage cells 13. As also indicated in Figure 1, the control device 17 is connected to the battery interface 19. Furthermore, the control device 17 is connected to the individual energy storage cells 13 so that electrical energy can flow to and from the energy storage cells 13.The battery interface 19 arranged on the upper side 12a of the battery housing 12 serves to detachably connect the battery 11 to the machine tool interface 10 of the machine tool 1, so that when the machine tool 1 and the battery 11 are in a connected state, electrical energy can reach the consumers (i.e., drive and control unit) of the machine tool 1 from the energy storage cells 13 of the battery 11. Figure 2 shows a charging device 20 according to the invention according to an exemplary embodiment and the battery 11. The charging device 20 and the battery 11 form a system S according to a second embodiment.

[0048] The charging device 20 serves to charge an accumulator 11 connectable to the charging device 20 with electrical energy.

[0049] As also shown in Figure 1, the charging device 20 includes a charger housing 21 with a charger interface 22 and a power cable 23. A control device 24 and a second transceiver 25 are positioned inside the charger housing 21.

[0050] The power cable 23 has a plug 23a, with which the charging device can be releasably connected to a mains power source. The mains power source is not shown in the figures.

[0051] The second transceiver 25 is used to transmit and receive signals and data. In combination or interaction with the first transceiver 15, the second transceiver 25 can be used to exchange data and information between the charging device 20 and the accumulator 11. The first and second transceivers 15, 25 are designed correspondingly for this purpose or in the form of a corresponding data transmission technology. In the present exemplary embodiment, the second transceiver 25 is also designed based on Bluetooth technology. However, it is also possible for the transceiver 25 to be based on another suitable wireless data transmission technology, such as WLAN, ZigBee, NFC, Wibree, or WiMAX in the radio frequency range. The second transceiver 25 can be a component of the control device 24 of the charging device 20.According to an alternative embodiment, the second transceiver 25 can also be designed based on a wired data transmission technology.

[0052] The method for controlling and regulating the system S according to the invention is described below. According to a first exemplary embodiment, the system S contains a first and second system component S1, S2. The first system component S1 is designed in the form of the accumulator 11 and the second system component S2 is designed in the form of the charging device 20. Alternatively, the system can also contain more than two system components S1, S2. Furthermore, it is also possible that, according to a further exemplary embodiment, the second system component S2 is designed as a machine tool 1.

[0053] To implement the method according to the invention for controlling and regulating the exemplary system S consisting of the charging device 20 and the accumulator 11, characteristic values ​​of the accumulator 11 are detected with the aid of a sensor 14a, 14b, 14c. At least a first and a second characteristic value KW1, KW2 of the accumulator 11 are detected. The first sensor 14a thus detects a first and a second current value SSW1, SSW2 of the energy storage cells 13. The detected current values ​​are transmitted by the sensor 14a, 14b, 14c to the first transceiver 15 of the accumulator 11. The first transceiver 15 then sends the detected current values ​​to the second transceiver 15 of the charging device 20. The second transceiver 25 of the charging device 20 sends the detected current values ​​to a computing device 30. In a first embodiment, the computing device 30 is designed as a standalone device.However, as described below, it is also possible according to a further embodiment for the computing device 30 to be designed as a component of the charging device 20, the accumulator 11 or the machine tool 1.

[0054] Computing device 30 serves, among other things, to receive, store, and process data and information. Computing device 30 can also be referred to as a computing machine, computer, data processing system, or the like and essentially includes a storage device 31, a controller 32, and a third transceiver 35. Storage device 31 serves to store and provide data and information.

[0055] According to the present embodiment, the storage device 31 contains a digital twin DZ of the accumulator 11. The digital twin serves in particular to simulate a future behavior and / or course of at least one parameter of the accumulator 11

[0056] In this context, a digital twin (DZ) is understood as a digital representation of the accumulator 11 in a digital environment. The digital twin (DZ) enables comprehensive data exchange and is understood as more than just a collection of data; it consists of one or more models of the represented accumulator 11. The digital twin (DZ) can also contain simulations, algorithms, functions, and services that describe or influence the properties or behavior of the represented accumulator 11, or offer services or functions via it.

[0057] Using the algorithm stored in the controller 32 of the computing device 30, a threshold value for a parameter of the accumulator 11 is determined. For this purpose, the recorded and transmitted characteristic values ​​of the accumulator 11 are fed into the digital twin DZ. Using the digital twin DZ, a future behavior or a future course of the parameters for the accumulator 11 can then be simulated. Reference numerals

[0058] 1 machine tool

[0059] 2 machine tool housings

[0060] 2a Top of the machine tool housing

[0061] 2b Bottom of the machine tool housing

[0062] 2c front end of the machine tool housing

[0063] 2d rear end of the machine tool housing

[0064] 3 tool holder

[0065] 4 Handle

[0066] 4a upper end of the handle

[0067] 4b lower end of the handle

[0068] 5 tools

[0069] 6 Drive

[0070] 7 gearboxes

[0071] 8 Machine tool control unit

[0072] 9 operating switches

[0073] 10 Machine tool interface

[0074] 11 Accumulator

[0075] 12 battery housing

[0076] 12a Top of the battery housing

[0077] 12b Bottom of the battery housing

[0078] 13 Energy storage cell

[0079] 14a first sensor

[0080] 14b second sensor

[0081] 14c third sensor

[0082] 15 first transceiver

[0083] 16 Storage device

[0084] 17 Control device

[0085] 18 Side walls of the accumulator

[0086] 19 Battery interface 20 Charging device

[0087] 21 charger housing

[0088] 22 Charger interface

[0089] 23 Power cable 24 Charging device control device

[0090] 25 second transceiver

[0091] 30 Calculating device

[0092] 31 Storage device of the computing device

[0093] 32 Control of the computing device 35 third transceiver

[0094] S System

[0095] 51 first system component

[0096] 52 second system component DZ digital twin

[0097] KW1 first characteristic value

[0098] KW2 second characteristic value

Claims

Patent claims Method for controlling and regulating a system (S) containing at least one accumulator (11) as a first system component (S1) with at least one energy storage cell (13), at least one first transceiver (15) and at least one sensor (14a, 14b, 14c) for detecting at least one characteristic value (KW) as well as a second system component (S2) with at least one second transceiver (25) characterized by the method steps - detecting at least one first and second characteristic value (KW1, KW2) by the at least one sensor (14a, 14b, 14c); - transmitting the detected characteristic values ​​by the at least first transceiver (15) to a computing device (30) with a digital twin (DZ) of the at least one accumulator (11); and - Determining a threshold value for at least one parameter of the accumulator (11) by feeding the acquired characteristic values ​​(KW1, KW2) into the digital twin (DZ) to simulate a future behavior and / or progression of at least one parameter. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition of the second characteristic value (KW2) occurs after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the acquisition of the first characteristic value (KW1). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the method step - Setting the at least one accumulator (11) from a first operating state to a second operating state when at least one parameter of the accumulator (11) reaches a predetermined threshold value or when at least one parameter of the accumulator (11) reaches the determined threshold value. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the method step - transmitting at least one signal from the second system component (S2) to the accumulator (11) when at least one parameter of the accumulator (11) reaches a predetermined threshold value or when at least one parameter of the accumulator (11) reaches the determined threshold value.

5. System (S) containing an accumulator (11) and a second system component (S2) which can be detachably connected to the accumulator (11), for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one accumulator (11) contains at least one first transceiver (15) and at least one sensor (14a, 14b, 14c) for detecting at least one characteristic value (KW1, KW2) and the second system component (S2) contains at least one second transceiver (25) and a computing device (30) with a digital twin (DZ) of the at least one accumulator (11).

6. System (S) according to claim 5, characterized in that the computing device (30) with the digital twin (DZ) of the at least one accumulator (11) is a component of the second system component (S2).

7. System (S) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the computing device (30) with the digital twin (DZ) of the at least one accumulator (11) is a separate system component.

8. System (S) according to at least one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the second system component (S2) is designed as a loading device (20) or machine tool (1).

9. Charging device (20) for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterized in that the charging device (20) contains at least one second transceiver (25) and a computing device (30) with a digital twin (DZ) of at least one accumulator (11).

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