CONTROLLING THE CONFIGURATION OF A MODULAR BATTERY TO AVOID DANGEROUS SITUATIONS

Abstract

A control device (CD) controls the configuration of a battery (BD) comprising electrical energy storage modules (MS1-MS2) coupled to each other via master switches (CP1-CP5), each receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed and each consuming a current. This device (CD) determines whether a combination of future states belongs to a set of prohibited state combinations based on the currents consumed by the master switches (CP1-CP5), the actual states in which the master switches (CP1-CP5) are placed, and the control signals for the master switches (CP1-CP5), and if so, determines for each of the master switches (CP1-CP5) a new control signal modifying the combination of future states to make it safe. Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: CONTROL OF THE CONFIGURATION OF A MODULAR BATTERY TO AVOID IF DANGEROUS KILLINGS Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to rechargeable modular batteries, and more specifically to the control of the configuration of such batteries. State of the art

[0002] Certain systems, such as certain vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, comprise at least one rechargeable battery including at least two electrical energy storage modules coupled to each other via at least three switches, each receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed and each consuming a current. Each (electrical energy storage) module includes at least one electrochemical electrical energy storage cell, for example of the lithium-ion (or Li-ion) or Ni-Mh or Ni-Cd type, intended to supply electrical energy to electrical (or electronic) equipment (or components) of its system.

[0003] When a module (for electrical energy storage) comprises several electrochemical cells (for electrical energy storage), these cells can be connected in series and / or in parallel. Similarly, the modules can be connected in series and / or in parallel.

[0004] In certain systems where electrical power requirements can vary significantly, it is possible to control the battery configuration. In other words, depending on the requirements, it is possible to switch from a configuration in which the modules are connected in parallel to a configuration in which the modules are connected in series, or even to a configuration in which the modules are connected in both series and parallel (with at least three modules). It should be noted that it may also be possible to control the configuration of the cells within each module.

[0005] For example, a series interconnection will be more suitable for a power need (due to the sum of the voltages), while a parallel or series-parallel interconnection will be more suitable for an energy need (due to the sum of the capacities).

[0006] Currently, battery configuration control is ensured by software. More precisely, the software is responsible for determining the configuration best suited to the system's power and / or energy needs, and then for determining control signals, such as Pulse-width modulation (PWM) control signals are used for each switch involved in coupling the modules. These control signals together define a combination of future states in which the switches must be placed to achieve the specified configuration. However, sometimes the determined combination of future states is dangerous. This is referred to as a software failure. For example, it can cause a short circuit or a zero voltage level at the parallel output terminals of the battery.

[0007] The invention therefore aims in particular to remedy the aforementioned drawback. Presentation of the invention

[0008] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a control device intended to control the configuration of a battery comprising at least two electrical energy storage modules coupled together via at least three main switches, each receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed and each consuming a current.

[0009] This control device is characterized by the fact that it is arranged in such a way:

[0010] - to determine whether a combination of future states is part of a set of combinations forbidden state combinations based on the currents drawn by the main switches, the actual states in which the main switches are placed, and the control signals for the main switches, and

[0011] - if so, to determine for each of the main switches a new control signal modifying this combination of future states in order to make it non-dangerous.

[0012] By comparing the future state combination determined for the battery by software to a set of prohibited state combinations before its actual implementation, it is now possible to determine whether this combination is dangerous and, if so, prevent its implementation by replacing it with another non-dangerous combination. This avoids establishing state combinations resulting from software failures.

[0013] The control device according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0014] - in the presence of electrical energy storage modules coupled to each other via two main switches, each mounted in parallel with an auxiliary switch associated with a resistive preload component and receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed, can be arranged to determine whether the combination of future states, including the future states of the auxiliary switches, is part of the set of prohibited state combinations according to the currents consumed by the main switches, actual states in which the main switches are placed and control signals for the main and auxiliary switches, and if so, to determine for each of the main and auxiliary switches a new control signal modifying the combination of future states in order to make it non-hazardous;

[0015] - in a first embodiment, it may comprise a circuit carrying out each determination of the membership of a combination of future states in the set, and each determination of new control signals;

[0016] - in this first embodiment, the electronic circuit may include combinations of logic gates associated respectively with the forbidden state combinations and delivering respectively the new control signals;

[0017] - in a second embodiment, it may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory arranged to perform the operations of carrying out each determination of the membership of a combination of future states in the set, and each determination of new control signals.

[0018] The invention also proposes a vehicle comprising at least one battery comprising at least two electrical energy storage modules coupled together via at least three main switches each receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed and each consuming a current, and a microcontroller determining these control signals.

[0019] This vehicle is characterized by the fact that it also includes at least one control device of the type presented above, associated with the battery and coupled to the microcontroller.

[0020] The vehicle according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0021] - its battery may include two electrical energy storage modules and five main switches ensuring, according to their respective states determined by the microcontroller, a parallel or series connection of the electrical energy storage modules;

[0022] - in the presence of the last option, two of the main battery switches can each be mounted in parallel with an auxiliary switch associated with a resistive pre-charge component and receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed. Each resistive pre-charge component is then responsible for limiting the amplitude of an inrush current in capacitive loads of at least one of the electrical energy storage modules when the battery is energized;

[0023] - each electrical energy storage module of the battery may include at at least two electrical energy storage cells connected in series or parallel.

[0024] The invention also proposes a control method for enabling control of the configuration of a battery comprising at least two electrical energy storage modules coupled together via at least three main switches, each receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed and each consuming a current.

[0025] This control method is characterized by the fact that it includes a step in which:

[0026] - we determine whether a combination of future states is part of a set of combinations forbidden state combinations based on the currents drawn by the main switches, the actual states in which the main switches are placed, and the control signals for the main switches, and

[0027] - if so, a is determined for each of the main switches new control signal modifying this combination of future states in order to make it non-dangerous.

[0028] The invention also proposes a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is suitable for implementing a control method of the type presented above to control the configuration of a battery comprising at least two electrical energy storage modules coupled together via at least three main switches each receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed and each consuming a current. Brief description of the figures

[0029] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] [fig. 1] schematically and functionally illustrates a vehicle comprising an example of a modular battery including a first example of an embodiment of a control device according to the invention,

[0031] [fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of the realization of a electronic circuit of the control device of the [fig.l],

[0032] [fig.3] schematically and functionally illustrates a second example of a rea implementation of a control device according to the invention, and

[0033] [fig.4] schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a control method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0034] The invention aims in particular to provide a DC control device, and an associated control method, intended to allow control of the configuration of a BR battery comprising at least two MSj electrical energy storage modules coupled together via at least three CPk main switches.

[0035] In what follows, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the BR battery is intended to equip a vehicle V, possibly of the automotive type (such as a car). However, the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, the BR battery can equip any system, and in particular all vehicles (land, sea (or river) and air), all buildings, all installations (including industrial ones), and all electrical (or electronic) devices.

[0036] Furthermore, in the following, by way of non-limiting example, the BR battery is considered to be intended to supply electrical power to at least one powertrain (or PWM) of the vehicle V, of the all-electric or plug-in hybrid type (i.e., comprising at least one internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor). However, the BR battery could also be intended to supply electrical power to other electrical (or electronic) equipment or components of the vehicle V.

[0037] Figure [fig.1] schematically represents an example of a vehicle V comprising an example of a modular battery BR including a DC control device according to the invention and a microcontroller MC coupled to the latter (DC) and responsible for determining configurations for the (modular) battery BR.

[0038] In the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 1], the (modular) BR battery includes, in particular, two electrical energy storage modules MSj (j = 1 or 2) connected to each other via five main switches CPk (k = 1 to 5). However, the invention applies as soon as the BR battery includes at least two electrical energy storage modules MSj connected to each other via at least three main switches CPk. In other words, the number of electrical energy storage modules MSj can be any value greater than or equal to two, and the number of main switches CPk can be any value greater than or equal to three.

[0039] In the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [fig. 1], the (modular) BR battery includes, in particular:

[0040] - a first MSI module (j = 1) having a voltage UM1 across its terminals,

[0041] - a second module MS2 (j = 2) having a voltage UM2 across its terminals,

[0042] - a positive serial output terminal U1 coupled to the positive output terminal of the first MSI module,

[0043] - a negative serial output terminal U2 coupled to the negative output terminal of the second module MS2,

[0044] - a positive parallel output terminal U3,

[0045] - a negative parallel output terminal U4,

[0046] - a first main CPI switch (k = 1) installed between the serial output terminal positive U1 and the positive parallel output terminal U3,

[0047] - a second main switch CP2 (k = 2) installed between the output terminal parallel positive U3 and the positive output terminal of the second module MS2,

[0048] - a third main switch CP3 (k = 3) installed between the output terminal negative of the first module MS 1 and the negative parallel output terminal U4,

[0049] - a fourth main switch CP4 (k = 4) installed between the output terminal parallel negative U4 and the serial negative output terminal U2, and

[0050] - a fifth main switch CP5 (k = 5) installed between the output terminal negative of the first module MSI and the positive output terminal of the second module MS2.

[0051] Each CPk main switch receives a control signal that defines a state in which it must be placed and consumes a current. For example, each CPk main switch includes a coil that consumes current to switch from one state to another, and at least one contact that can be placed by the coil in a closed (or conducting) state or an open (or non-conducting) state. The current consumed by the coil thus defines its state, and the state in which a contact is placed defines the actual (current) state of its CPk main switch. The MC microcontroller runs software that determines the so-called future control signals defining the future states in which at least the CPk main switches must be placed to ensure a BR battery configuration that it has determined.

[0052] The DC control device is responsible for checking whether each determined BR battery configuration (defined by a combination of future states of at least the CPk main switches) is dangerous or not. To this end, the DC control device is first arranged to determine whether the combination of future states (just determined by the MC microcontroller) is part of a set of prohibited state combinations based on the currents consumed by the CPk main switches, the actual states in which the CPk main switches are placed, and the control signals for the CPk main switches (defining the determined combination of future states).

[0053] If the determined combination of future states is not part of the set (of prohibited combinations of states) this means that it is not dangerous and therefore the control signals determined by the MC microcontroller can be transmitted respectively to the main CPk switches, without modification.

[0054] On the other hand, if the determined combination of future states is part of the set (or if so), this means that it is dangerous, and therefore the DC control device is arranged so as to determine, for each of the main CPk switches, a new control signal modifying the combination of future states in order to to make it safe. It is important to note that at least one of the new control signals may be identical to the one previously determined by the MC microcontroller for the same CPk main switch. In other words, within a set of new control signals (determined by the DC control device and defining the new combination of states to be effectively established in the BR battery), there is at least one control signal that is different from the one previously determined by the MC microcontroller for the same CPk main switch.

[0055] Comparing the future state combination determined for battery BR by the microcontroller MC software to a set of prohibited state combinations makes it highly advantageous to determine, before its actual implementation, whether this combination is dangerous. Thus, if so, the implementation of a dangerous combination due to a software failure can now be prevented by replacing it with another non-dangerous combination determined at least in part by the DC control device.

[0056] It should be noted that in the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], the DC control device is part of the BR battery. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the DC control device could be external to the BR battery. Thus, it could, for example, be part of a housing containing the MC microcontroller. It should also be noted that in the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], the MC microcontroller is external to the BR battery. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the MC microcontroller could be part of the BR battery.

[0057] For example, the control signals, which are determined by the MC microcontroller for the CPk main switches, can be pulse width modulation (or PWM) control voltages.

[0058] It should be noted, as illustrated in Figure 1, that the MSj (electrical energy storage) modules of the BR battery can optionally be coupled to each other via two main switches CPk (among at least three), each mounted in parallel with an auxiliary switch CAp associated with a pre-charge resistive component CRp and receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed. Each pre-charge resistive component CRp is responsible for limiting the inrush current in the capacitive loads of at least one of the MSj modules when the BR battery is energized.

[0059] In the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 1], a first auxiliary switch CAI (p = 1) is connected in series with a first resistive preload component CRI, and these (CAI and CRI) are connected in parallel with the first main switch CPI, and a second auxiliary switch CA2 (p = 2) is connected in series with a second resistive preload component CR2, and these (CA2 and CR2) are mounted in parallel with the second main switch CP2.

[0060] In the arrangement described above, the DC control device is first configured to determine whether the combination of future states, determined by the microcontroller MC and including the future states of the auxiliary switches CAp, falls within the set of prohibited state combinations based on the currents drawn by the main switches CPk, the actual states of the main switches CPk, and the control signals for the main switches CPk and auxiliary switches CAp. If so, the DC control device is configured to determine, for each of the main switches CPk and auxiliary switches CAp, a new control signal that modifies this combination of future states to render it safe.As mentioned above, within a set of new control signals (determined by the DC control device and defining the new combination of states to be effectively established by the main CPk switches and auxiliary CAp switches), there is at least one control signal that is different from the one previously determined by the MC microcontroller for the same main CPk switch or auxiliary CAp switch.

[0061] For example, the control signals, which are determined by the MC microcontroller for the auxiliary switches CAp, can be on-or-none type signals.

[0062] Two embodiments can be envisaged for the DC control device.

[0063] A first embodiment is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In this first The DC control device comprises an electronic circuit arranged to determine whether a combination of future states belongs to the set of prohibited state combinations and to generate new control signals. This hardware solution ensures protection of the BR battery that is perfectly adapted to its internal configuration and is not susceptible to software failure.

[0064] For example, the CE electronic circuit may include combinations of logic gates associated respectively with the prohibited state combinations and delivering the new control signals respectively. These logic gates may, for example, be of the type "OR" or "AND" or "NAND" or "NOR" or "exclusive OR" or "XOR" or "exclusive NOR" and may be associated with other electronic components, such as resistive or capacitive components or operational amplifiers.

[0065] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a non-limiting example of an electronic circuit CE of a DC control device. This example is well adapted to a BR battery with the arrangement shown in [fig. 1]. In this example, the part labeled BC designates a sample control block for a main switch CPk or an auxiliary switch CAp. Here, it is more precisely the control block for the fifth main switch CP5. Furthermore, the logic gates used are of the OR and AND type, and some of them are associated with resistive or capacitive electronic components and / or operational amplifiers.

[0066] The first top left OR logic gate receives the current consumed by the first CPI main switch and the actual state in which the first CPI main switch is placed.

[0067] The second OR logic gate, located below the aforementioned first OR logic gate, receives the current consumed by the second main switch CP2 and the actual state in which the second main switch CP2 is placed.

[0068] The third OR logic gate, located below the aforementioned second OR logic gate, receives the current consumed by the fourth main switch CP4 and the actual state in which the fourth main switch CP4 is placed.

[0069] The fourth OR logic gate, located below the aforementioned third OR logic gate, receives the current consumed by the third main switch CP3 and the actual state in which the third main switch CP3 is placed.

[0070] The fifth OR logic gate, located below the aforementioned fourth OR logic gate (slightly shifted to the right), receives the future control signal for the first auxiliary IAC switch (“CDE_TOR_P1”).

[0071] The sixth OR logic gate, located below the aforementioned fifth OR logic gate, receives the future control signal for the second auxiliary switch CA2 (“CDE_TOR_P2”).

[0072] The seventh OR logic gate, located below the aforementioned sixth OR logic gate, receives the current consumed by the fifth main switch CP5 and the actual state in which the fifth main switch CP5 is placed.

[0073] The input located under the reference BC and common to the second series of five AND logic gates receives the future control signal for the fifth main switch CP5 (“CDE_PWM_R5”).

[0074] The first AND logic gate, of the set of six AND logic gates located at the bottom right, receives the future control signal for the first CPI main switch (“CDE_PWM_R1”), and outputs the new control signal for the first CPI main switch (“CDE_R1”).

[0075] The second AND logic gate, located below the aforementioned first AND logic gate (by being shifted to the right), receives the future control signal for the first auxiliary CAI switch ("CDE_TOR_P1"), and outputs the new control signal for the first auxiliary CAI switch (“CDE_P1”).

[0076] The third AND logic gate, located below the aforementioned second AND logic gate (by being shifted to the left), receives the future control signal for the second main switch CP2 (“CDE_PWM_R2”), and outputs the new control signal for the second main switch CP2 (“CDE_R2”).

[0077] The fourth AND logic gate, located below the aforementioned third AND logic gate, receives the future control signal for the third main switch CP3 (“CDE_PWM_R3”), and outputs the new control signal for the third main switch CP3 (“CDE_R3”).

[0078] The fifth AND logic gate, located below the aforementioned fourth AND logic gate (by being shifted to the right), receives the future control signal for the second auxiliary switch CA2 (“CDE_TOR_P2”), and outputs the new control signal for the second auxiliary switch CA2 (“CDE_P2”).

[0079] The sixth AND logic gate, located below the aforementioned fifth AND logic gate (by being shifted to the left), receives the future control signal for the fourth main switch CP4 (“CDE_PWM_R4”), and outputs the new control signal for the fourth main switch CP4 (“CDE_R4”).

[0080] The AND logic gate, located at the top right, outputs the new control signal for the fifth main switch CP5 (“CDE_R5”).

[0081] Reference cl designates an output intended to prevent the fifth main switch CP5 from being placed in the closed state when the first main switch CPI and the first auxiliary switch CAI are in the closed state to be in parallel and the fourth main switch CP4 is in the closed state.

[0082] Reference c2 designates an output intended to prevent the fifth main switch CP5 from being placed in the closed state when the second CP2 and third CP3 main switches are in the closed state.

[0083] Reference c3 designates an output intended to prevent the fifth main switch CP5 from being placed in the closed state when the third main switch CP3 and the second auxiliary switch CA2 are in the closed state.

[0084] Reference c4-l designates an output intended to prevent the fifth main switch CP5 from being placed in the closed state when the third CP3 and fourth CP4 main switches are in the closed state.

[0085] Reference c4-2 designates an output intended to prevent placement in the state closed of the fifth main switch CP5 when the first main switch CPI and the first auxiliary switch CAI are in the closed state to be in parallel and the second main switch CP2 and the second auxiliary switch CA2 are in the closed state to be in parallel.

[0086] Reference c5 designates an output intended to prevent the first main switch CPI from being placed in the closed state when the fourth CP4 and fifth CP5 main switches are in the closed state and the second main switch CP2 and the second auxiliary switch CA2 are in the closed state to be in parallel, to prevent a short circuit.

[0087] Reference c6 designates an output intended to prevent the third main switch CP3 from being placed in the closed state when the fourth CP4 and fifth CP5 main switches are in the closed state and the second main switch CP2 and the second auxiliary switch CA2 are in the closed state to be in parallel, to avoid a short circuit.

[0088] Reference c7 designates an output intended to prevent the placement in the closed state of the second main switch CP2 when the third CP3 and fifth CP5 main switches are in the closed state and the first main switch CPI and the first auxiliary switch CAI are in the closed state to be in parallel, to avoid a short circuit.

[0089] Reference c8 designates an output intended to prevent the fourth main switch CP4 from being placed in the closed state when the third CP3 and fifth CP5 main switches are in the closed state and the first main switch CPI and the first auxiliary switch CAI are in the closed state to be in parallel, to prevent a short circuit.

[0090] Reference c9 designates an output intended to prevent the placement in the closed state of the first auxiliary switch CAI when the fourth CP4 and fifth CP5 main switches are in the closed state and the second main switch CP2 and the second auxiliary switch CA2 are in the closed state to be in parallel, to avoid a short circuit.

[0091] Reference clO designates an output intended to prevent the placement in the closed state of the second auxiliary switch CA2 when the third CP3 and fifth CP5 main switches are in the closed state and the first main switch CPI and the first auxiliary switch CAI are in the closed state to be in parallel, to avoid a short circuit.

[0092] A second embodiment is illustrated in [Fig. 3]. In this second embodiment, the DC control device comprises at least one PR processor and at least one MD memory arranged to perform the operations of determining the membership of each combination of future states in the set of combinations. forbidden state combinations, and each determination of new control signals.

[0093] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 3], the DC control device comprises a computer CD including the PR processor and the MD memory. Consequently, the DC control device is implemented as a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or "hardware") and software modules (or "software"). However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the DC control device could be part of a computer performing at least one other function within the system (here, the vehicle V).

[0094] The PR processor may, for example, be a digital signal processor (or DSP). This PR processor may comprise integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or wireless connections. An integrated (or printed) circuit is understood to be any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation. Thus, it may, for example, be a microcontroller.

[0095] The MD memory is random access in order to store instructions for the implementation by the PR processor of at least part of the control process described later (and therefore of its functionalities).

[0096] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [fig.3], that the computer CD (and therefore here the DC control device) can also include, in addition to the RAM MD and processor PR, a mass memory MM, in particular for the storage of the set of forbidden state combinations, the currents consumed by the main switches CPk, the real states of the main switches CPk and the control signals for the main switches CPk and possible auxiliary switches CAp, and intermediate data involved in all its calculations and processing.Furthermore, this CD computer (and therefore the DC control device) may also include an input interface IE for receiving at least the consumed currents, real states, and control signals, for use in calculations or processing, possibly after shaping and / or demodulating and / or amplifying them, in a manner known per se, by means of a digital signal processor PR'. In addition, this CD computer (and therefore the DC control device) may also include an output interface IS, notably for delivering the definitions of the new control signals determined for the main switches CPk and any auxiliary switches CAp.

[0097] The invention can also be considered in the form of a control method, intended to be implemented for a BR battery of a system (here a vehicle V), each time a new combination of future states has been determined in the system (e.g., via an MC microcontroller) and must be checked before implementation.

[0098] As schematically illustrated in the example algorithm of [Fig. 4], implementing a 10-30 control method according to the invention, the latter includes a 10-30 step in which (the DC control device) begins by determining in a substep 10 whether the combination of future states is part of a set of prohibited combinations of states as a function of the currents consumed by the CPk main switches, the real states in which the CPk main switches are placed and control signals for (at least) the CPk main switches (defining the determined combination of future states).

[0099] If the determined combination of future states is not part of the set (of prohibited combinations of states), then in a substep 20 of step 10-30 of the control method on (the DC control device) considers that the determined control signals (defining the verified combination of future states) can be transmitted respectively to the main switches CPk (at least).

[0100] Conversely, if the determined combination of future states is part of the set (or if so), then in a substep 30 of step 10-30 of the control method, the DC control device determines, for each of the main CPk switches (at least), a new control signal modifying this combination of future states to render it non-hazardous. These new control signals are then transmitted respectively to the main CPk switches (at least).

[0101] It will also be noted that the invention also proposes a computer program product (or computer program) comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means of the type of electronic circuits (or hardware), such as for example the PR processor, is suitable for implementing the control method described above to control each configuration of the BR battery determined (for example by the MC microcontroller).

Claims

Claims

1. Control device (DC) for controlling the configuration of a battery (BR) comprising at least two electrical energy storage modules (MSj) coupled together via at least three main switches (CPk) each receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed and each consuming a current, characterized in that it is arranged to determine whether a combination of future states is part of a set of prohibited combinations of states as a function of the currents consumed by said main switches (CPk), the actual states in which said main switches (CPk) are placed and the control signals for said main switches (CPk), and if so to determine for each of said main switches (CPk) a new control signal modifying said combination of future states in order to make it non-dangerous.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the presence of electrical energy storage modules (MSj) coupled together via two main switches (CPk) each mounted in parallel with an auxiliary switch (CAp) associated with a resistive precharge component (CRp) and receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed, it is arranged to determine whether said combination of future states, including said future states of the auxiliary switches (CAp), is part of said set of prohibited combinations of states as a function of the currents consumed by said main switches (CPk), of the actual states in which said main switches (CPk) are placed and of the control signals for said main switches (CPk) and auxiliary switches (CAp),and if so, to determine for each of said main switches (CPk) and auxiliary switches (CAp) a new control signal modifying said combination of future states in order to make it non-dangerous.,

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an electronic circuit (CE) carrying out each determination of membership of a combination of future states to said set, and each determination of new control signals.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said electronic circuit (CE) comprises combinations of logic gates associated respectively with said prohibited state combinations and respectively delivering said new control signals.

5. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one processor (PR) and at least one memory (MD) arranged to carry out the operations consisting of carrying out each determination of membership of a combination of future states to said set, and each determination of new control signals.

6. Vehicle comprising at least one battery (BR) comprising at least two electrical energy storage modules (MSj) coupled together via at least three main switches (CPk) each receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed and each consuming a current, and a microcontroller (MC) determining said control signals, characterized in that it further comprises at least one control device (DC) according to one of the preceding claims, associated with said battery (BR) and coupled to said microcontroller (MC).

7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that said battery (BR) comprises two electrical energy storage modules (MSj) and five main switches (CPk) ensuring, according to their respective states determined by said microcontroller (MC), a parallel connection or a series connection of said electrical energy storage modules (MSj).

8. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that two of said main switches (CPk) of the battery (BR) are each mounted in parallel with an auxiliary switch (CAp) associated with a resistive precharge component (CRp) and receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed, each resistive precharge component (CRp) being responsible for limiting an amplitude of an inrush current in capacitive loads of at least one of said electrical energy storage modules (MSj) when said battery (BR) is powered up.

9. Method for controlling the configuration of a battery (BR) comprising at least two electrical energy storage modules (MSj) coupled together via at least three main switches (CPk) each receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed and each consuming a current, characterized in that it comprises a step (10-30) in which it is determined whether a combination of future states is part of a set of prohibited combinations of states as a function of the currents consumed by said switches main switches (CPk), actual states in which said main switches (CPk) are placed and control signals for said main switches (CPk), and if so, a new control signal is determined for each of said main switches (CPk) modifying said combination of future states in order to make it non-dangerous.

10. Computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing the control method according to claim 9 for controlling the configuration of a battery (BR) comprising at least two electrical energy storage modules (MSj) coupled together via at least three main switches (CPk) each receiving a control signal defining a state in which it must be placed and each consuming a current.

Images