Modular system for vehicle traction batteries

Abstract

Modular system for vehicle traction batteries. The present invention relates to a modular system comprising at least a first module (A, B) and a second module (D, E, H), said first module (A, B) and said second module (D, E, H) being designed so that a first device having the first module (A, B) and the second module (D, E, H) is designed in the form of a first control unit (1) intended for a first traction battery of a first motor vehicle, said first module (A, B) being designed for first functions of the first control unit (1) and said second module (D, E, H) for second functions of the first control unit (1), and said first module (A, B) being designed so that a second device having the first module (A, B) and free of the second module (D, E, H) is designed in the form of a second control unit (2, 3) intended for a second traction battery of a second motor vehicle.said second control unit (2, 3) not having said second functions. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1,

Description

Description Title of the invention: Modular system for traction batteries vehicles

[0001] — The present invention relates to a modular system for traction batteries vehicles, enabling the production of control units for traction batteries.

[0002] EP 2612395 BI is a battery management system with several mo- units units. Each module unit monitors voltage, temperature, humidity, and the electric current from a plurality of battery cells.

[0003] — That being said, the present invention aims to reduce the efforts related to the production of different control units.

[0004] — This objective is achieved according to a first aspect of the invention by a system modular comprising at least a first module and a second module, said first module and said second module being designed so that a first device equipped with the first module and the second module, designed in the form of a first control unit intended for a first traction battery of a first motor vehicle, said first module being designed for initial functions of the first control unit and said second module for secondary functions of the first control unit, and said first module being designed so that a a second device equipped with the first module and free of the second module is designed in the form of a second control unit intended for a second battery of traction of a second motor vehicle, said second control unit not not possessing said second functions.

[0005] It is also reached via a system comprising a first unit of order for a first traction battery of a first motor vehicle and equipped with the first and second modules of the aforementioned modular system, and a second control unit equipped with the first module and free of the second module and intended for a second traction battery of a second vehicle engine.

[0006] — The objective is also achieved by means of a motor vehicle comprising one control units of the aforementioned system and the first or second battery of traction.

[0007] Finally, it is likewise affected by a manufacturing process of one of the units of control of the aforementioned system, characterized in that the instructions recorded in the data memory of the first control unit and the second unit commands are respectively replaced by various instructions specific to the vehicle. For the purposes of this description, a modular system is defined as a system comprising several modules that can be combined to produce a control unit for a motor vehicle. For example, different modules can be designed for different functions, so that by adding a specific module, it is possible to provide certain functions to the control unit. In this respect, a module differs from conventional components in that, from the moment of its manufacture, it consists of a well-defined combination of components, which are added as a single unit to the control unit. Thus, a modular system with multiple modules allows for the production of different control units with different functions with a relatively low production effort. The modular system according to the invention comprises a first and a second module. The first and second modules are designed such that a first device equipped with the first and second modules is designed as a first control unit for a first traction battery of the motor vehicle. The first control unit may also include other elements. The first module is designed for first functions of the first control unit, and the second module for second functions of the first control unit. The first module is further designed such that a second device equipped with the first module but lacking the second module is designed as a second control unit for a second traction battery of a second motor vehicle. The second control unit then lacks said second functions.The first and second vehicles may, for example, consist of different vehicle models, differing from each other not only in their control units but also in other elements. The modular system is advantageous because it allows for the production, with minimal effort, of multiple first and second control units. A first control unit can easily be transformed into a second control unit by adding the second module. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first module can be designed to determine a state of charge from the voltage of several cells of the first or second traction battery, to control the discharge of the battery cells during the operation of the motor vehicle, to exchange data with other components of the motor vehicle, and / or to establish and break an electrical connection between the respective traction battery and components of the respective vehicle. In this case, the first module can be described as a battery management system, a battery management controller, and / or a battery connection box. According to one embodiment of the invention, the second module can be designed to shut down a charging unit of the first motor vehicle intended to charge the first traction battery. The charging unit can, for example, consist of an on-board charger. Alternatively or in addition, the second module can include a pre-charge circuit and / or a DC-DC converter. It is also possible to implement one or more of the previously mentioned features related to the first and second modules in a third, fourth, or fifth module of the modular system. This allows these functions to be added individually to a control unit during production. For example, the second control unit could be designed as a basic variant with relatively few functions. Adding individual modules would then enable the implementation of specific functions. The modular system may, according to one embodiment of the invention, include an electrical fuse support module. When used in the first device, the support module may be designed to carry first electrical fuses and to electrically connect these fuses to first electrical components of the first traction battery. When used in the second device, the support module may be designed to carry second electrical fuses and to electrically connect these fuses to second electrical components of the second traction battery. The modular system can, according to one embodiment of the invention, comprise several first modules and several second modules. It is thus particularly easy to produce several first and second control units. It is also possible for the modular system to comprise several third, fourth, and / or fifth modules and / or several support modules. The modular system can, according to one embodiment of the invention, comprise several interfaces and / or several housings. The interfaces can be designed to be connected to the first and / or second module and to transmit data to and from the respective module. The housings can be designed to receive the first and / or second module. The interfaces and housings can be individually adapted to the first or second vehicle. The first and second control units can thus be adapted to the specific circumstances of each vehicle. This, however, requires the presence of several different housings and interfaces. This drawback is at least offset by this improved adaptability. The interfaces can be designed to be connected to the third, fourth, and / or fifth module and to transmit data to and from the respective module. The enclosures can also be designed to receive the third, fourth and / or fifth module. The first module may, according to one embodiment of the invention, comprise a digital data memory and a digital data processing unit. The data processing unit may also be referred to as a processor. Instructions may be stored in this data memory. The data processing unit may be designed to read and execute instructions. The instructions may be designed for use in either the first device or the second. In particular, the data processing unit may be designed to perform these initial functions during the execution of instructions. The system according to the invention comprises a first control unit intended for a first traction battery of a first motor vehicle comprising the first and second modules of the modular system according to an embodiment of the invention and a second control unit comprising the first module, without the second, for a second traction battery of a second motor vehicle. The motor vehicle according to the invention comprises one of the system's control units and either the first or second traction battery. In particular, the motor vehicle may comprise the first traction battery when it includes the first control unit, and the second traction battery when it includes the second control unit. The invention also relates to a method for producing one of the system's control units, in which the instructions stored in the data memory of the first and second control units are respectively replaced by different vehicle-specific instructions. This also makes it possible to adapt the instructions to different vehicle models or different functions. For the purposes of this description, the term "vehicle-specific" refers in particular to the fact that the instructions can be adapted not only to the vehicle model, but also, in certain circumstances, to a specific vehicle. The process is advantageous for the particularly simple production of different control units. The instructions initially contained in the data memory would allow different vehicles to operate. A control unit adapted to a given vehicle model or vehicle can thus be created by replacing these instructions with the vehicle-specific instructions. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the description below of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar features as well as for characteristics Risks having identical or similar functions. Among the figures: [Fig.1] illustrates a schematic overview of a modular system according to one embodiment of the invention: [Fig. 2] illustrates a schematic top view of a first control unit with a first and second module of the modular system of [Fig. 1]; and [Fig.3] illustrates a schematic top view of a second control unit with the first module and without the second module of [Fig.1]. The modular system in [Fig. 1] comprises modules A through E and H. Module A or module B is the first module. Modules A and B are designed for the initial functions of the control unit. These initial functions are basic functions that all control units produced using the modular system must possess. Module A can, for example, perform the functions of a battery connection box. Module B can, for example, perform the functions of a battery management system or a battery management controller. Module C is designed as an electrical fuse support module, also integrated into all control units to be produced using the modular system. Modules D, E, and H are secondary modules designed for secondary functions of the control units. Module D, for example, can be designed to switch off a vehicle charging unit. Module E, for example, can include a pre-charge circuit. Module H, for example, can include a DC-DC converter. The modular system also includes different F interfaces and different G boxes. As shown in [Fig. 1], a first control unit 1 comprises all modules A to E and H, an interface F.2, and a housing G.2. This first control unit 1 can therefore perform all the functions that can be implemented using the modular system. Furthermore, thanks to the interface F.2 and the housing G.2, it is suitable for use in a given initial vehicle model. The first control unit is shown in its assembled state in [Fig. 2]. A second control unit 2 comprises modules A through C, an interface F.1, and a housing G.1. The second control unit 2 is therefore devoid of modules D, E, and H. Consequently, unlike the first, the second control unit has no vehicle charging unit shutdown function, no pre-charge circuit, and no DC-DC converter. The use of interface F.1 and housing G.1 makes the second control unit suitable for use in a second, given motor vehicle model. The second control unit is re- presented in the assembled state in [Fig.3]. A third control unit 3 comprises modules A through C and E, as well as an interface F.3 and a housing G.3. This third control unit therefore lacks modules D and H. Consequently, unlike the first, the third control unit does not have a vehicle charging unit shutdown function or a DC-DC converter. The use of interface F.3 and housing G.3 makes the third control unit suitable for use in a third specific motor vehicle model. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Modular system, comprising at least a first module (A, B) ct a second module (D, E, H), said first module (A, B) and said second module (D, E, H) being designed so that a first device equipped with the first module (A, B) and the second module (D, E, H) or designed in the form of a first control unit (1) intended to a first traction battery of a first motor vehicle, said first module (A, B) being designed for initial functions of the first control unit (1) and said second module (D, E, H) for second functions of the first control unit (1), and said first module (A, B) being designed so that a second device equipped with the first module (A, B) and exempt from the second module (D, E, H) be designed in the form of a second control unit (2, 3) intended for a second traction battery of a second vehicle engine, said second control unit (2, 3) not having of the said second functions.

2. Modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the The first module (A, B) is designed to determine a state of charge at starting from the voltage of several cells of the first or the second traction battery, to control a discharge of the battery cells, to exchange data with others components of the motor vehicle and / or to establish and terminate a electrical connection between the respective traction battery and the components of the respective vehicle.

3. Modular system according to any one of the preceding claims, ca- characterized in that the second module (D, E, H) is designed for switch off a charging unit of the first motor vehicle intended for charge the first traction battery, and / or in that the second module (D, E, H) includes a pre-charge circuit, and / or in that the The second module (D, E, H) includes a DC-DC converter.

4. Modular system according to any one of the preceding claims, ca- characterized in that the modular system includes a module of electrical fuse support (C), said support module (C) being designed, when used in the first device, to carry first electrical fuses and to electrically connect the first electrical fuses to the first electrical components of the first traction battery, and said support module (C) being designed, when used in the second device, to carry second electrical fuses and to electrically connect the second electrical fuses to second electrical components of the second traction battery.

5. Modular system according to any one of the preceding claims, ca- characterized in that it comprises several first modules (A, B) and several second modules (D, E, H).

6. Modular system according to any one of the preceding claims, ca- characterized in that it includes several interfaces (F.1, F.2, F.3) and / or several boxes (G.1, G.2, G.3), said interfaces (F.1, F.2, F.3) being designed to be connected to the first module (A, B) and / or to second module (D, E, H) and to transmit data to the module (A, B, D, E, H) respective and originating from module (A, B, D, E, H) respective, said housings (G.1, G.2, G.3) being designed to receive the first module (A, B) and / or second module (D, E, H), said in- interfaces (F.1, F.2, F.3) and said housings (G.1, G.2, G.3) being adapted in- individually to the first motor vehicle or to the second vehicle engine.

7. Modular system according to any one of the preceding claims, ca- characterized in that the first module (A, B) includes a memory of digital data and a digital data processing unit, instructions being stored in said data memory, said data processing unit being designed to read and execute the instructions, said instructions being designed for both a use in the first device than for use in the second device.

8. System comprising a first control unit (1) intended to a first traction battery for a first motor vehicle and equipped with the first module (A, B) and the second module (D, E, H) of the the aforementioned modular system, and a second control unit (2, 3) equipped with the first module (A, B) and exempt from the second module (D, E, H) and intended for a second traction battery of a second motor vehicle.

9. Motor vehicle comprising one of the control units (1, 2, 3) of the aforementioned system and the first or second traction battery.

10. Method of manufacturing one of the control units (1, 2, 3) of the the aforementioned system, characterized in that the instructions recorded in the data memory of the first control unit (1) and of the second control unit (2, 3) are respectively replaced by various vehicle-specific instructions.

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