Preconditioning method for preconditioning a battery, and test method for testing a battery set

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pre-aging method (10) and a pre-aging system (20) for pre-aging a battery (2) to a set aging state, a test method (30) and a test system (40) for testing a battery set according to a set test plan, and a computer program product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pre-aging method for pre-aging a battery to an aging state, a test method for testing a battery set according to a set test plan, a computer program product, a pre-aging system for pre-aging a battery to a set aging state, and a test system for testing a battery set according to a set test plan.

Background Art

[0002] There is a great deal of interest in the aging behavior of newly developed batteries. The usual method for determining the aging behavior is to conduct an aging measurement test using an artificial load profile. The load profile is defined by a series of charge / discharge cycles, which are accompanied by a rest time, a capacity test, an output test, and possibly other tests. In order to obtain information on the aging behavior under various different conditions, the parameters of the artificial profile can be changed.

[0003] The prior art is to conduct an aging measurement test based on DOE (Design of Experiment) to obtain the maximum information from a plurality of batteries used. In this case, a specific set of cycle parameters is applied to each individual battery, and the cycle is started with a new state until a pre-defined aging state, for example, a state of health (SOH) of 75% is reached.

[0004] In such a method, over time, the residual capacity decreases depending on the selected parameters of the load profile. The time elapsed until the desired SOH is reached strongly depends on the selected load profile. This results in some batteries reaching it very early in their service life, while other batteries have not yet reached the desired SOH value. At this time, the battery only supplies information regarding the parameter set of the load profile.

[0005] In addition to reaching different SOH values, the long time elapsed is a drawback in well-known test methods. For example, in order to test a battery in the SOH range of battery capacity from 100% to 80%, it is quite possible that the battery has to go through 1,000 cycles or more. The long time elapsed related to this is inevitable when the set of cycle parameters is limited to one. - In the case of cycle parameters that have a mild impact on aging - because the aging of the battery or reaching 0 SOH may require a long time.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to at least partially remove the drawbacks described above. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system by which the testing of the battery is simplified, very preferably accelerated, in a low-cost and simple manner.

[0007] The above problems are solved by a pre-aging method having the constituent elements of claim 1, a test method having the constituent elements of claim 9, a computer program product having the constituent elements of claim 13, a pre-aging system having the constituent elements of claim 14, and a test system having the constituent elements of claim 15. Other constituent elements and details of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the detailed description of the invention, and the drawings. At this time, the constituent elements and specific matters described in relation to the pre-aging method according to the present invention are, of course, also effective in relation to the test method according to the present invention, the computer program product according to the present invention, the pre-aging system according to the present invention, and the test system according to the present invention, and vice versa. Therefore, with respect to the disclosure of each invention aspect, mutual reference is always made or can be made.

[0008] According to the present invention, a pre-aging method for pre-aging at least one battery to a set aging state is contemplated. The pre-aging method according to the present invention at this time has the following steps: - setting the aging state to which the battery is to reach, - selecting at least one aging profile from a number of different aging profiles, each of these aging profiles setting at least one charging process and / or discharging process according to pre-defined aging parameters for the battery, - applying at least one previously selected aging profile to the battery, - selecting at least one different aging profile from a number of different aging profiles, the different aging profile being different from the previously selected and applied aging profile to the battery with respect to at least one of the pre-defined aging parameters, - applying at least one previously selected different aging profile to the battery until the set aging state of the battery is reached.

[0009] The pre-aging method according to the present invention enables battery aging adapted to the battery to a desired aging state, compared to a well-known aging method in which the same cycle is always applied to the battery. This is extremely particularly significant when a plurality of batteries are aged in parallel. In that case, the pre-aging method according to the present invention has the advantage that a plurality of batteries can be aged relatively evenly with respect to the required time elapse by different aging profiles.

[0010] One particular use purpose is the pre-aging method according to the present invention from the perspective of the test method according to the present invention to be described in detail later. For that purpose, it is preferable to use a battery pre-aged by the pre-aging method according to the present invention, and thus utilize the advantage of rapid and uniform battery aging.

[0011] However, it is also possible to apply the pre-aging method itself already as a test method, and information regarding the battery aging of the battery can be obtained by applying an aging profile. In that sense, it can also be intended that aging information under different aging profiles is obtained in the pre-aging method.

[0012] The aging state can be described by the so-called SOH (State of Health). It is preferable that the aging state can be represented only by the SOH. The SOH serves as a measure representing the capacity of the battery available under the aging state at each time - along with other influencing quantities. This can extremely particularly be represented as a ratio to the initial battery capacity or the design capacity of the battery as an indication of the available remaining capacity of the battery. Another SOH influencing quantity related to the operation is the (relative) change in the internal resistance as the battery aging progresses (generally, an increase in the internal resistance through aging).

[0013] It has been found by corresponding experiments that the SOH can fully describe the aging state of the battery. For example, it has been confirmed that the SOH depends only slightly on the previous load of the battery when the battery is operating within a specific range of operating parameters (in particular, but not limited to, charge current / discharge current, battery voltage limit, temperature). Conversely, the aging state can be fully described by the SOH, and the history of battery aging can be ignored - under the operation within battery chemistry-dependent parameters. As the battery, in this case, for example, a single battery cell can be used. Alternatively, a plurality of battery cells connected to each other, or battery modules of a battery pack can also be used. And of course, it is also possible to use the battery pack as a battery, whereby the entire battery pack including all battery cells is pre-aged. The battery pack may, very particularly, be a traction battery for an electric drive device of a motor vehicle. In a cost-intensive traction battery, aging over the long service life of the motor vehicle plays a particularly important role, and it is necessary to examine this by testing before the battery is adopted in the motor vehicle.

[0014] In this case, the aging profile is understood to be the setting of at least one charging process and / or discharging process of the battery. The aging profile preferably includes the setting of a plurality of charging processes and / or discharging processes, particularly a plurality of charging cycles and discharging cycles, defined using predefined aging parameters. For example, the aging profile can define charging cycles and discharging cycles such as 2 to 300 times, 4 to 200 times, 10 to 150 times, etc., which are fixedly predefined using aging parameters. One aging profile represents the charging cycle / discharging cycle of the battery, which is always applied to the battery under the same aging parameters for the predefined number of cycles. At this time, the aging parameters are understood to be variable parameters that can be adjusted during the charging / discharging cycle and that affect the aging of the battery. These can be particularly external environmental parameters and / or electrical battery parameters of the battery.

[0015] At this time, in the pre-aging method according to the present invention, at least two different aging profiles are intended, and these are selected and applied to the battery. In order to distinguish each aging profile, for at least one second aging profile, the expression "at least one other aging profile" is used. It is distinguished from other, or all other, aging profiles with respect to one or more aging parameters. Another step may be intended to determine the aging state at an intermediate point in time in order to determine when the conversion is made between each aging profile. Furthermore, the aging state at the intermediate point in time can be compared with a set aging state. It is also possible to predefined the aging parameters of another aging profile depending on the aging state at the intermediate point in time, particularly depending on the comparison between the aging state at the intermediate point in time and the set aging state.

[0016] The application of at least one other aging profile is continued until a predefined stopping criterion of the pre-aging method is met. This is the stopping criterion for reaching a previously set aging state. As a result, a battery that is pre-aged quickly and evenly to the set aging state is obtained, which can be used specifically for the test method according to the invention described above.

[0017] All method steps of the method according to the invention do not have to be executed in the order represented by their names, although it is possible. For example, individual method steps can also be executed in an order different from such an order or simultaneously. For example, the setting of the aging state to be reached by the battery can also be carried out after the selection of the aging process, or the aging state to be reached can also be adapted as needed during the progress of the method.

[0018] Until the battery reaches the set aging state, it is preferable that yet another aging profile is selected from a number of different aging profiles and applied to the battery. The yet another aging profile differs from at least one or more of the pre-defined aging parameters with respect to at least the previously selected and applied aging profile to the battery. The yet another aging profile can also differ from at least one or more of the pre-defined aging parameters with respect to a plurality or all of the previously selected and applied aging profiles. In this way, by applying even more different aging profiles, a more even and rapid pre-aging of the battery is achieved. Furthermore, more information can be obtained regarding the aging behavior than with one fixed aging profile.

[0019] Furthermore, at least one of the selected aging profiles is set up to age the battery at a first rate, and at least one other aging profile of the selected aging profiles is set up to age the battery at a second rate different from the first rate. Typically, under a very concentrated load, it is considered that aging occurs more rapidly than under a low load. The first rate may be, for example, a low aging rate typically with a low charging current and / or a low discharging current, while the second rate may be, typically, a high aging rate with a very high charging current and / or a very high discharging current. Thereby, the equalization described above is ensured. This is because not only are the aging parameters changed between the aging profiles acting for aging at a similar or identical rate, but also aging profiles for aging the battery at different rates are actually applied.

[0020] The aging parameters to be set are preferably at least two of temperature, mechanical pressure, charging current, discharging current, state of charge, particularly delta state of charge, and pulse frequency. Very particularly, this may be at least three or more, or all, of the above. At this time, the environment of the battery can be affected by temperature and mechanical pressure, and thus these aging parameters can be regarded as external environmental parameters that can affect the aging of the battery. The remaining parameters are electrical operating parameters of the battery that can be adjusted during charging and / or discharging. For example, the state of charge can be expressed as an aging parameter as to how strongly the battery is charged and discharged during a charging cycle / discharging cycle. At this time, the state of charge can be predefined, for example, absolutely or relatively. For the other aging parameters as well, different predefined values are possible. For example, with respect to the discharging current and the charging current, it is possible to predefine, for example, the peak current and / or the average current.

[0021] Preferably, the aging parameters set in the aging process are within the set parameter range. Such a parameter range may be limited particularly from the perspective of battery design. When the battery is outside its design range, for example, if it is designed only up to a maximum of -40°C, it is prevented from operating under a temperature below -40°C. Thereby, damage to the battery, which may be recognized only later in some cases and should be usable under appropriate and realistic conditions, especially becoming not testable, is guaranteed not to occur due to pre-aging.

[0022] Furthermore, preferably, the set aging state is within the range of the remaining capacity of 95% to 70%, particularly 90% to 75%, measured from the design capacity of the battery. For example, SOH of 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75% and / or 70% can be taken into consideration.

[0023] Particularly preferably, a plurality of batteries are pre-aged in parallel. At this time, the aging state set is preferably the same for all the batteries. For this purpose, the batteries may be provided in a battery mechanism having, for example, a parallel circuit of a battery, a voltage source for charging the battery, and a power consumption unit for discharging the battery. These batteries may preferably have the same design, or may be different from each other, for example, with respect to battery chemistry, structure, number of cells, etc. These batteries preferably have the same battery capacity of 100% of the design capacity. By the pre-aging method according to the present invention, it is possible to bring all the batteries into substantially the same aging state after substantially the same lapse of time. This is because the respective different aging profiles applied enable equalization of the aging of these batteries.

[0024] At this time, it is preferable that each aging profile can be selected separately for all the batteries connected in parallel. As already described above, this also enables testing of the batteries. Different aging profiles are applied, and in this way, more information can be collected regarding the battery aging of batteries of the same design form in particular. Alternatively, as an alternative, the same aging profile can be selected and applied for each battery in order to induce as even aging as possible.

[0025] For all the batteries to reach the set aging state, it is also preferable that the aging profile for the battery is selected in consideration of the aging state at the intermediate point of each other battery. That is, as described above, it is possible to determine or monitor the aging state at the intermediate point, particularly as a ratio to the set aging state. However, in the case of a plurality of batteries, this can be used not only as feedback for the selection of the aging profile of the battery having the aging state at the intermediate point, but also for other batteries. For example, it can be determined that one battery is aging more rapidly than others because the aging state at the intermediate point of the battery is more advanced than that of other batteries. In that case, for the other batteries, an aging profile that induces more rapid aging than the battery having the aging state that has already advanced at the intermediate point can be selected, and the batteries can be balanced with each other again with respect to these aging states at the intermediate point. By comparing the aging states at the intermediate point in this way, and by feeding this back to the pre-aging method for the selection of each aging process, it is possible to keep each battery within the set battery capacity range where each battery must not deviate from each other in common within the framework of the pre-aging method. In this way, active control of the pre-aging of a plurality of batteries using the aging profile becomes possible.

[0026] It is particularly preferred that the aging of all batteries be averaged and carried out at an equal rate, i.e., an average aging rate is implemented. Another decisive advantage is that as many different combinations as possible of the aging parameters can be measured at each current aging level (SOH). The information obtained therefrom can be combined with each other. For this purpose, a model can be formed from the data measured so far regarding the relationship between the aging parameters and the aging. Using this model, combinations of new aging parameters for which little information yet exists can be selected, and in particular, a set aging rate range can be adhered to.

[0027] Also subject to the present invention is a test method for testing a battery set according to a set test plan. This test method has the following steps: - providing a first battery set having at least one first battery having a first battery capacity, - providing a second battery set having at least one second battery having a second battery capacity different from the first battery capacity, - setting a test plan for testing the battery set, the test plan setting a charging process and / or a discharging process with predefined test parameters for the battery set, - testing both battery sets in parallel according to the set test plan.

[0028] Accordingly, the test method according to the present invention enables a significant acceleration of the test of a battery, in particular a battery set, according to a set test plan. This is achieved by preparing and testing batteries having different battery capacities respectively. In this way, for example, the battery can be tested within a specific bandwidth in the aging state of 100% to 80%, in particular in the SOH region, and it is not necessary to actually test all the batteries according to the test plan over the number of cycles required from 100% of the design capacity to 80%. The test plan may in particular be a DOE test plan.

[0029] The batteries of each individual battery set may in particular be batteries of the same design, i.e., batteries having the same battery chemistry, the same battery structure, and / or the same design capacity. In this way, the batteries of a specific design form can be tested using an inclusive sample, whereby the variations between the respective batteries are covered with respect to the test method. Different test parameters can also be applied to different batteries, whereby different information regarding battery aging can be obtained during the aging of the individual batteries.

[0030] Therefore, each of at least two battery sets preferably includes a plurality of batteries, i.e., at least two, three, or more batteries, for example 2 to 10 or 3 to 6 batteries. This enables more samples for the test and accordingly more reliable test results.

[0031] The battery capacity is understood to be, in particular, as described above, the maximum capacity of the battery, which can be expressed as a ratio to the design capacity. Very particularly, the battery capacities of at least one first battery and at least one second battery are the remaining capacities, and these batteries initially have substantially equal initial capacities, or in other words, are designed with substantially equal design capacities.

[0032] The internal resistance of a battery generally increases with the progress of aging and depends on the battery chemistry. The change in internal resistance is accompanied by, for example, an impact on the output behavior of the battery. A more complex overall picture for describing the impacts (output, reach distance) caused by battery aging in conjunction with battery capacity determination is provided by corresponding measurements.

[0033] As test parameters, in particular, the same parameters as those described for the aging parameters and, very particularly, electrical operating parameters are taken into consideration.

[0034] Both battery sets are preferably pre-aged to their respective battery capacities, in particular to their remaining capacities, according to the pre-aging method according to the present invention. Thereby, the preparation of a battery set having a battery can be realized in a simple manner. In particular, when a plurality of batteries of one battery set are pre-aged for the test method according to the present invention by the pre-aging method according to the present invention, they can have the same aging state as much as possible in the form of the same battery capacity.

[0035] It is also possible to combine the test method according to the present invention and the pre-aging method according to the present invention, and in this case, the pre-aging method is carried out before the test method. At this time, the pre-aging method can be carried out in the test method for at least one of the battery sets. It is preferable that the arrangement or circuit of the battery set can be used in the same way for both the pre-aging method and the test method.

[0036] The test parameters set by the test plan are preferably different for each battery. This enables, in particular, the testing of batteries of the same design using different test parameters under different SOHs in order to obtain different aging information during the aging of the battery as a result of the test implementation.

[0037] In this way, for example, if one battery is tested according to a test plan at 20°C, another battery at 0°C, and yet another battery at -20°C, it is possible to find out, for example, to what extent battery aging is affected by temperature. That is, the test parameter by which the batteries are distinguished is the ambient temperature. In this way, various information regarding the aging behavior of a specific battery type under different temperatures can be obtained through testing. The preferred preparation of battery sets with different battery capacities is added to this. For example, if the test is to be carried out in the SOH range of 100% to 80% SOH, for example, a first battery set having three first batteries with 100% SOH and a second battery set having three second batteries with 90% SOH are prepared. These are tested according to the test plan, whereby one battery belonging to each of the two battery sets is tested at 20°C, 0°C, and -20°C. In this way, the test time of the test method can be approximately halved compared to the test method in which a battery set having three batteries must be fully aged from 100% SOH to 80% SOH. Nevertheless, the same amount of aging information is obtained for the entire 100% to 80% SOH range.

[0038] Similarly, the subject of the present invention is a computer program product including commands that, when executed by a computer program, direct the implementation of the pre-aging method according to the present invention and / or the test method according to the present invention.

[0039] Accordingly, the computer program product according to the present invention provides the same advantages as detailed above with respect to the pre-aging method according to the present invention and the test method according to the present invention.

[0040] At this time, the computer program product may be the computer program itself or a product, for example, a computer-readable data medium, and a computer program for implementing the pre-aging method according to the present invention and / or the test method according to the present invention may be stored in this product.

[0041] Furthermore, the above-mentioned problem at the beginning is solved by a pre-aging system for pre-aging at least one battery up to a set aging state. At this time, the pre-aging system has the following modules: - At least one setting module for setting the aging state to be reached by the battery, - At least one selection module for selecting at least one aging profile from a number of different aging profiles, where each aging profile sets a charging process and / or a discharging process according to pre-defined aging parameters for the battery, and for selecting another aging profile from a number of different aging profiles, where another aging profile is different from the aging profile previously selected and applied to the battery with respect to at least one of the pre-defined aging parameters, - At least one application module for applying at least one previously selected aging profile to the battery and for applying another previously selected aging profile to the battery, and - At least one determination module for determining the reach of the battery to the set aging state.

[0042] Accordingly, the pre-aging system according to the present invention brings the same advantages as described in detail with respect to the pre-aging method according to the present invention.

[0043] In particular, the pre-aging system may be set up to implement the pre-aging method according to the present invention.

[0044] At this time, the individual or all modules of the pre-paging system may be implemented, for example, by separate computer program codes respectively, or jointly by a common computer program code, and / or by separate or common functional units of computers or electronic components. It is also possible that the individual modules are implemented by one common module. The pre-paging system can particularly include one or more computers that can have individual modules, or may be constituted by one or more computers.

[0045] Finally, the problem described at the beginning is also solved by a test system for testing batteries. This test system has the following modules: - At least one preparation module for preparing a first battery set having at least one first battery with a first battery capacity and for preparing a second battery set having at least one second battery with a second battery capacity different from the first battery capacity, - At least one setting module for setting a test plan for testing the battery set, where the test plan sets a charging process and / or a discharging process according to predefined test parameters for the battery set, - At least one test module for testing both battery sets in parallel according to the set test plan.

[0046] The parallel tests can be executed, for example, separately or jointly. That is, at least one test module can be used to test both battery sets separately or in parallel. Accordingly, the test system according to the present invention brings the same advantages as those described in detail regarding the test method according to the present invention.

[0047] In particular, the test system may be set up to implement the test method according to the present invention.

[0048] The test system and the pre-aging system may be combined so as to form a common system, and each module, for example, the setting module, may be provided only once and can be used for the test system and the pre-aging system.

[0049] At this time, each or all of the modules of the test system may be implemented, for example, jointly by separate computer program codes for each or by a common computer program code, and / or by separate or common functional units of a computer or electronic component. It is also possible for each module to be implemented by one common module. The test system may in particular comprise one or more computers which can have individual modules, or may be constituted by one or more computers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0050] Other advantages, components, and specific details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which details embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The drawings schematically show the following:

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

[0051] The same members or functions are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIGS. 1 to 11, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] FIG. 1 schematically shows a battery circuit 1 having a plurality of batteries 2 connected in parallel to a voltage source 3 for charging the battery 2 and a consumer 4 for discharging the battery 2. The voltage source 3 and the consumer 4 can be connected by a switch 5 of the battery circuit 1. Each battery 2 may have the same design. The battery 2 is, for example, a battery cell, a battery module, or a battery pack.

[0053] As suggested by the three extension points in FIG. 1 respectively, more than five batteries 2 shown herein as examples may be connected in parallel. Alternatively, it is also possible that fewer than five batteries 2, for example, only two or only one battery 2, are provided in the battery circuit 1. Further, although it may be intended that each battery 2 is assigned an individual voltage source 3, an individual consumer 4, and / or an individual switch 5, FIG. 1 shows only a simple aspect of the possible battery circuit 1 that enables the pre-aging method 10 described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0054] The pre-aging method 10 serves to pre-age one or more batteries 2 (hereinafter focusing on the battery) of the battery circuit 1 to a set aging state. For this purpose, in the setting step 11 of the pre-aging method 10, the aging state to be reached by the battery 2 is set.

[0055] And in the first selection step 12, one aging profile is selected from a number of different aging profiles. Each aging profile sets a specific number of charge cycles / discharge cycles to be executed by the voltage source 3 and the consumer 4 according to pre-defined aging parameters for the battery 2. The aging parameters may be, for example, environmental parameters such as temperature and mechanical pressure on the battery 2, and electrical operating parameters such as charging current and discharging current. In the first application step 13, the aging profile selected in the first selection step 12 is applied to the battery 2.

[0056] The first selection step 12 and the first application step 13 are substantially repeated by the second selection step 14 and the second application step 15, and as suggested by the three extension points in FIG. 2, further repetitions are possible until the set aging state of the battery 2 is reached. Unlike the first selection step 12, in the second selection step 14 and optionally further selection steps, i.e., the third, fourth, etc. selection steps (not shown here), an aging profile different from the previously applied aging profile is selected. This aging profile is distinguished with respect to one or more predefined aging parameters, whereby the battery 2 is subjected to different loads under different aging profiles respectively.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a pre-aging system 20 that can be used to implement the pre-aging method 10 of FIG. 2. The pre-aging system 20 includes a setting module 21 for performing the setting step 11, a selection module 22 for performing the selection steps 12, 14, an application module 23 for performing the application steps 13, 15, and a determination module 24 for determining the reach of the set aging state of the battery 2 and thus enabling the termination of the pre-aging method 10.

[0058] Figure 4 shows the aging of the five batteries 2 in a graph of SOH (State of Health), expressed as the remaining capacity of the battery 2 relative to the design capacity (normalized to 100%), versus the number of cycles n of charge / discharge cycles based on the prior art. In the aging method based on the prior art, a specific charge / discharge cycle that remains consistently the same is applied to each battery 2. On the one hand, this leads to the fact that it takes a very long time for each individual battery 2 to reach a specific aging state, for example, SOH = 80% (the three upper batteries 2 in Figure 4 require n = 1,000 cycles or more). And on the other hand, this clearly leads to non-uniform aging. Accordingly, with some methods based on the prior art, it is not possible to age the batteries 2 evenly.

[0059] When the method shown in Figure 4 is used as a test method for obtaining aging information regarding the battery 2, this is unsatisfactory. Because after 1,000 cycles for all the batteries 2, information regarding their aging behavior cannot be given depending on a specific charge / discharge cycle, for example, over the same SOH region from 100% to 75%.

[0060] This is different in the pre-aging method 10 according to the present invention, and the results can be seen in the graph of Figure 5. Here, the battery 2 has been pre-aged by the pre-aging system 20 according to the pre-aging method 10 and reaches an SOH of about 80% much more quickly (after approximately n = 1,000 cycles), and the aging is much more uniform, so these SOHs are comparable.

[0061] When the pre-aging method 10 as shown in FIG. 5 is used as a test method for obtaining aging information, for all five batteries 2, tests can be performed with different aging profiles over the SOH region from 100% to approximately 80%. In this case, more extensive information regarding aging is provided. However, more preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, the pre-aging method 10 is used before the original test method 30.

[0062] FIG. 6 schematically shows a test method 30 for testing a battery set such as the battery set of FIG. 1, which includes the five batteries 2 shown here and another battery set (not shown) also including a plurality of batteries 2. FIG. 7 shows a corresponding test system 40 capable of implementing the test method 30.

[0063] In the first preparation step 31 by the preparation module 41, a first battery set having a first battery 2 with a first battery capacity, particularly a remaining capacity, is prepared and connected to a battery circuit 1 such as that shown in FIG. 1. By the same preparation module 41 of the test system 40, in the second preparation step 32, a second battery set having a second battery 2 with a second battery capacity different from the first battery capacity is prepared.

[0064] As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 11, the first battery set can have, for example, three batteries 2 with a battery capacity of 100% SOH, and the second battery set can also have, for example, three batteries 2 with a battery capacity of 90% SOH, which have been pre-aged quickly and evenly with a small number of cycles, particularly in accordance with the pre-aging method 10 according to the present invention.

[0065] As suggested in FIG. 7, another preparation step (not shown) is conceivable, which is to provide another battery set having another battery 2, where the battery 2 has another SOH, such as 95% SOH and 85% SOH, etc., whereby, as will become apparent from the following, the test method 30 can be accelerated.

[0066] Then, another setting step 33 is executed by the setting module 42 of the test system 40 to set a test plan for testing the battery set. The test plan sets charge cycles / discharge cycles according to pre-defined test parameters for the battery set, and these are different for each battery 2 to be tested.

[0067] Next, a test step 34 is performed by the test module 43, in which each battery set is tested in parallel in time according to the set test plan. The results can be seen in FIG. 11, which shows that, unlike the case of the aging test shown in FIG. 4, the test is not performed only in the SOH region of 100% to slightly less than 95% with more than 1,000 cycles and with partially overlapping for all batteries 2, but rather the battery 2 is completely tested in the SOH region of 100 to approximately 80% with only 600 cycles.

[0068] Different from that shown in FIG. 7, the preparation of battery sets 1 having different capacities (such as 95%, 90%, etc.) can also be performed in parallel. Accordingly, the test method 30 can be executed respectively with different battery sets 1 of different capacities. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 as examples, different test systems 40 can be utilized, in which battery sets 1 of different capacities are tested in parallel or successively, and the data from both test systems 40 in FIGS. 8 and 9 can be subsequently integrated.

[0069] FIG. 10 shows a battery capacity range 50 that is preferably adhered to by a parameter area set for the aging parameters of the aging profile. Alternatively or additionally, the battery capacity range 50 can also be adhered to by determining and feeding back the aging state at the midpoint of battery 2. This feedback can be performed in selection step 14 and also in another selection step, where another aging profile of battery 2 is selected so that all of battery 2 transitions within the battery capacity range 50 and reaches the set aging state as simultaneously as possible.

[0070] The above description of each embodiment has described the present invention only within the framework of examples. (Other possible items) (Item 1) In a pre-aging method (10) for pre-aging at least one battery (2) to a set aging state, the pre-aging method (10) comprises the following steps: Setting (11) the aging state to be reached by the battery (2); Selecting (12) at least one aging profile from a number of different aging profiles, each of these aging profiles defining at least one charging process and / or discharging process according to pre-defined aging parameters for the battery (2); Applying (13) the at least one previously selected aging profile to the battery (2); Selecting (14) at least one another aging profile from a number of different aging profiles, said another aging profile being different from the aging profile previously selected and applied to the battery (2) with respect to at least one of the pre-defined aging parameters; At least one other previously selected aging profile is applied (15) to the battery (2) until the set aging state of the battery (2) is reached. A pre-aging method having this. (Item 2) Before reaching the set aging state of the battery (2), yet another aging profile is selected from a number of different aging profiles and applied to the battery (2), and the yet another aging profile is at least one or a plurality of pre-defined aging parameters. The pre-aging method (10) according to item 1, which is different from at least the previously selected aging profile applied to the battery (2). (Item 3) At least one of the selected aging profiles is set up to age the battery (2) at a first rate, and at least one other aging profile of the selected aging profiles is the battery (2) at a second rate different from the first rate. The pre-aging method (10) according to item 1 or 2, which is set up to age. (Item 4) The aging parameters to be set are at least two of temperature, mechanical pressure, charging current, discharging current, state of charge, and pulse frequency. The pre-aging method (10) according to any one of items 1 to 3. (Item 5) The aging parameters set in the aging process are within the set parameter range. The pre-aging method (10) according to any one of items 1 to 4. (Item 6) The set aging state is within the range of residual capacity of 95% to 70% measured from the design capacity of the battery (2). The pre-aging method (10) according to any one of items 1 to 5. (Item 7) The pre - aging method (10) according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of batteries (2) are pre - aged in parallel and the set aging state is the same for all said batteries (2). (Item 8) The pre - aging method (10) according to item 7, wherein, in order for all the batteries (2) to reach the set aging state, an aging profile for the batteries (2) is selected taking into account the aging state at the intermediate point of each of the other batteries (2). (Item 9) In a test method (30) for testing a battery set according to a set test plan, the test method (30) comprises the following steps: Preparing (31) a first battery set having at least one first battery (2) with a first battery capacity; Preparing (32) a second battery set having at least one second battery (2) with a second battery capacity different from the first battery capacity; Setting (33) a test plan for testing the battery set, the test plan setting a charging process and / or a discharging process according to predefined test parameters for the battery set; Testing (34) both battery sets in parallel according to the set test plan; A method having the above. (Item 10) The test method (30) according to item 9, wherein both battery sets are pre - aged to their respective battery capacities according to the pre - aging method (10) according to any one of items 1 to 8. (Item 11) The test method (30) according to item 9 or 10, wherein each battery set includes a plurality of batteries (2). (Item 12) The test method (30) according to any one of items 9 to 11, wherein the test parameters set by the test plan for the batteries (2) are different from each other. (Item 13) A computer program including a command for instructing to execute the pre-aging method (10) described in any one of Items 1 to 8 and / or the test method (30) described in any one of Items 9 to 12 when the program is executed by a computer. (Item 14) In a pre-aging system (20) for pre-aging at least one battery (2) to a set aging state, the pre-aging system (20) includes the following modules (21, 22, 23, 24), At least one setting module (21) for setting the aging state to be reached by the battery (2), At least one selection module (22) for selecting at least one aging profile from a plurality of different aging profiles and for selecting another aging profile from the plurality of different aging profiles, each aging profile setting a charging process and / or a discharging process according to pre-defined aging parameters for the battery (2), and the other aging profile being different from the aging profile previously selected and applied to the battery (2) with respect to at least one of the pre-defined aging parameters, At least one application module (23) for applying at least one previously selected aging profile to the battery (2) and for applying another previously selected aging profile to the battery (2), and At least one determination module (24) for determining the reach of the battery (2) to the set aging state, A pre-aging system having the above. (Item 15) In a test system (40) for testing a battery set, the test system (40) includes the following modules, At least one preparation module (41) for preparing a first battery set having at least one first battery (2) with a first battery capacity, and for preparing a second battery set having at least one second battery (2) with a second battery capacity different from the first battery capacity, At least one setting module (42) for setting a test plan for testing the battery set, wherein the test plan sets a charging process and / or a discharging process with predefined test parameters for the battery set, At least one test module (43) for testing both battery sets in parallel according to the set test plan, A test system having the above.

Explanation of Signs

[0071] 1 Battery circuit 2 Battery 3 Voltage source 4 Consumption unit 5 Switch 10 Pre - aging method 11 Setting step 12 First selection step 13 First application step 14 Second selection step 15 Second application step 20 Pre - aging system 21 Setting module 22 Selection module 23 Application module 24 Decision module 30 Test method 31 First preparation step 32 Second preparation step 33 Another setting step 34 Test step 40 Test system 41 Preparation module 42 Setting module 43 Test module 50 Battery capacity range

Claims

1. In a pre - aging method for pre - aging at least one battery to a set aging state, the pre - aging method comprises the following steps: Setting the aging state to be reached by the battery; Selecting at least one aging profile from a number of different aging profiles, each of these aging profiles defining at least one charging process and / or discharging process for the battery according to pre - defined aging parameters; Applying the at least one previously selected aging profile to the battery; Selecting at least one different aging profile from a number of different aging profiles, said different aging profile being different from the previously selected and applied aging profile for the battery with respect to at least one of the pre - defined aging parameters; Applying the at least one previously selected different aging profile to the battery until the set aging state of the battery is reached; A pre - aging method having the above steps.

2. Before reaching the set aging state of the battery, yet another aging profile is selected from a number of different aging profiles and applied to the battery, and said yet another aging profile is different from at least the previously selected and applied aging profiles for the battery with respect to at least one or more of the pre - defined aging parameters. The pre - aging method according to Claim 1.

3. At least one of the selected aging profiles is set up to age the battery at a first rate, and at least one other aging profile of the selected aging profiles is set up to age the battery at a second rate different from the first rate. The pre - aging method according to Claim 1.

4. The aging parameters to be set are at least two of temperature, mechanical pressure, charging current, discharging current, state of charge, and pulse frequency. The pre - aging method according to Claim 1.

5. The pre-aging method according to claim 1, wherein the aging parameters set in the aging process are within the set parameter range.

6. The pre-aging method according to claim 1, wherein the set aging state is within the range of the remaining capacity of 95% to 70% measured from the designed capacity of the battery.

7. The pre-aging method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of batteries are pre-aged in parallel, and the set aging state is the same for all the batteries.

8. The pre-aging method according to claim 7, wherein in order for all the batteries to reach the set aging state, the aging profile for the battery is selected in consideration of the aging state at the intermediate point of each other battery.

9. In a test method for testing a battery set according to a set test plan, the test method includes the following steps: Preparing a first battery set having at least one first battery having a first battery capacity; Preparing a second battery set having at least one second battery having a second battery capacity different from the first battery capacity; Setting a test plan for testing the battery set, the test plan setting a charging process and / or a discharging process according to predefined test parameters for the battery set; Testing both battery sets in parallel according to the set test plan; A test method having the above.

10. The test method according to claim 9, wherein both battery sets are pre-aged to their respective battery capacities according to the pre-aging method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. The test method according to claim 9, wherein each battery set includes a plurality of batteries.

12. The test method according to claim 9, wherein the test parameters set by the test plan for the battery are different from each other.

13. A computer program including commands that, when executed by a computer program, direct the implementation of the pre-aging method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the test method according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

14. In a pre-aging system for pre-aging at least one battery to a set aging state, the pre-aging system includes the following modules: At least one setting module for setting the aging state to be reached by the battery; At least one selection module for selecting at least one aging profile from a number of different aging profiles and for selecting another aging profile from the number of different aging profiles, each aging profile setting a charging process and / or a discharging process according to pre-defined aging parameters for the battery, and the other aging profile being different from the aging profile previously selected and applied to the battery with respect to at least one of the pre-defined aging parameters; At least one application module for applying the at least one previously selected aging profile to the battery and for applying another previously selected aging profile to the battery, and At least one determination module for determining the reach of the battery to the set aging state; A pre-aging system having the above.

15. In a test system for testing a battery set, the test system includes the following modules: At least one preparation module for preparing a first battery set having at least one first battery with a first battery capacity and for preparing a second battery set having at least one second battery with a second battery capacity different from the first battery capacity; At least one setting module for setting a test plan for testing the battery set, the test plan setting a charging process and / or a discharging process according to pre-defined test parameters for the battery set; At least one test module for testing both battery sets in parallel according to the set test plan; A test system having the above.

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