Method and device for controlling a charging process of a plurality of battery modules

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for controlling a charging process, wherein the device is designed to determine battery data relating to a battery module arrangement comprising a plurality of battery modules, and to determine charging device data relating to a charging device arrangement comprising a plurality of charging devices. The device is also designed to control a charging process of the plurality of battery modules by means of the plurality of charging devices on the basis of the battery data and the charging device data.

Description

[0001] Method and device for controlling a charging process of a set of battery modules

[0002] The invention relates to a method and a corresponding device designed to charge a set of battery modules using a set of chargers.

[0003] An at least partially electrically powered vehicle has an electrical energy storage device configured to store electrical energy for an electric traction motor of the vehicle. The energy storage device can consist of one or more individual battery modules.

[0004] This document addresses the technical task of enabling an efficient, flexible and reliable charging process for a set of battery modules, in particular a set of battery modules of a vehicle.

[0005] The problem is solved by each of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described, among other things, in the dependent claims. It should be noted that additional features of a patent claim dependent on an independent patent claim, without the features of the independent patent claim or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent patent claim, can form a separate invention independent of the combination of all features of the independent patent claim, which can be made the subject of an independent claim, a divisional application, or a subsequent application. This applies equally to technical teachings described in the description, which can form an invention independent of the features of the independent patent claims.

[0006] According to one aspect, a device for controlling a charging process is described. During the charging process, an electrical energy storage device comprising a set of battery modules can be charged. The set of battery modules can comprise N different (possibly identical) battery modules. The number N of battery modules can be N>1, N>2, N>3, N>4, N>5, or N>6.

[0007] The device is configured to determine battery data relating to a battery module arrangement of the set of battery modules. The battery module arrangement can be effected by a switching matrix (with one or more switching elements, e.g., transistors). In the battery module arrangement, a specific number of battery modules can be connected in parallel and / or a specific number of battery modules can be connected in series. The battery data can specify how the individual battery modules are arranged in the battery module arrangement. For example, all N battery modules can be arranged in series or all N battery modules can be arranged in parallel.

[0008] The device is further configured to determine charger data relating to a charger arrangement of a set of (possibly identical) chargers. The set of chargers can comprise M different (possibly identical) chargers. The number M of chargers can be M>1, M>2, M>3, M>4, M>5, or M>6. N and M can be equal, i.e., N=M.

[0009] The charger arrangement can be effected by (in particular by the) switching matrix (with one or more switching elements, e.g. transistors). In this case, a certain number of chargers can be connected in parallel and / or a certain number of chargers in series in the charger arrangement. The charger data can specify how the individual chargers are arranged in the charger arrangement. For example, all M chargers can be arranged in series or all M chargers can be arranged in parallel to one another. The device can be configured to determine, depending on the battery data, a charger arrangement of the set of chargers that makes it possible to charge the set of battery modules arranged according to the battery module arrangement. The switching matrix can then be caused to arrange the set of chargers according to the determined charger arrangement.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, the device can be configured to determine, based on the charger data, a battery arrangement of the set of battery modules that can be charged with the set of chargers arranged according to the charger arrangement. The switching matrix can then be caused to arrange the set of battery modules according to the determined battery module arrangement.

[0011] The device is further configured to control a charging process of the set of battery modules by the set of chargers depending on the battery data and / or the charger data. In particular, the device can be configured to control the switching matrix depending on the battery data and / or the charger data in order to cause the set of chargers arranged according to the charger arrangement to be coupled for the charging process to the set of battery modules arranged according to the battery module arrangement.

[0012] Thus, a device is described (which may include the switching matrix) which enables a flexible and efficient charging process of a number of battery modules.

[0013] The switching matrix may include

[0014] • one or more battery module switching elements configured to connect the set of battery modules according to a plurality of different battery module arrangements; and / or • one or more charger switching elements configured to connect the set of chargers according to a plurality of different charger arrangements; and / or

[0015] • one or more coupling switching elements configured to couple the set of battery modules (connected according to any one of the plurality of different battery module arrangements) to the set of chargers (connected according to any one of the plurality of different charger arrangements) for a charging operation.

[0016] The one or more battery module switching elements, the one or more charger switching elements, and the one or more coupling switching elements can be arranged in a contiguous switching matrix (e.g., with a common housing). Alternatively, the one or more battery module switching elements can be arranged together with the set of battery modules (e.g., in a common housing). Furthermore, the one or more charger switching elements can be arranged together with the set of chargers.

[0017] The communication between the set of chargers and the set of battery modules can be coordinated by the device (as a coordinator) to perform a reliable charging process.

[0018] The device can in particular be set up to establish a communication connection to one or more control modules of one or more corresponding battery modules of the set of battery modules, and / or to establish a communication connection to one or more control modules of one or more corresponding chargers of the set of chargers. The charging process of the set of battery modules by the set of chargers can be controlled in a particularly reliable and flexible manner via the communication connection with the one or more control modules of the one or more battery modules and / or via the communication connection with the one or more control modules of the one or more chargers. The device can e.g. be set up to act as a proxy (orTo act as a proxy (or representative) for one or more battery modules from the set of battery modules for communication with one or more chargers from the set of chargers; and / or to act as a proxy (or representative) for one or more chargers from the set of chargers for communication with one or more battery modules from the set of battery modules. In this way, a charging process for the set of battery modules can be effected in a particularly flexible and reliable manner.

[0019] According to a further aspect, a system is described which comprises a set of battery modules, a set of chargers and a switching matrix (with a plurality of switching elements, e.g. transistors), wherein the switching matrix is ​​designed

[0020] • to arrange the quantity of battery modules according to a battery module arrangement;

[0021] • to arrange the number of chargers according to a charger layout; and / or

[0022] • to couple the number of battery modules arranged according to the battery module arrangement for a charging process with the number of chargers arranged according to the charger arrangement.

[0023] The switching matrix can further be designed

[0024] • to effect a variety of different battery module arrangements which differ in terms of,

[0025] - the number of battery modules arranged in parallel; and / or

[0026] - the number of battery modules arranged in series; and / or to effect a plurality of different charger arrangements which differ with respect to the number of chargers arranged in parallel to each other; and / or the number of chargers arranged in series.

[0027] The set of battery modules can comprise N different battery modules, each of which is structurally identical, with N>1. Alternatively or additionally, the set of chargers can comprise M different chargers, each of which is structurally identical, with M>1.

[0028] The system further comprises a device for controlling a charging process of the set of battery modules by the set of chargers. The device can be configured as described in this document.

[0029] According to a further aspect, a (road) motor vehicle (in particular a passenger car or a truck or a bus or a motorcycle) is described which comprises the device and / or the system described in this document.

[0030] According to a further aspect, a method for controlling a charging process is described, wherein the method comprises determining battery data relating to a battery module arrangement of a set of battery modules, as well as determining charger data relating to a charger arrangement of a set of chargers. The method further comprises controlling a charging process of the set of battery modules by the set of chargers depending on the battery data and the charger data.

[0031] According to another aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The SW program can be configured to be executed on a processor (e.g., on a vehicle control unit) and thereby to carry out the method described in this document.

[0032] According to a further aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium can comprise a software program configured to be executed on a processor and thereby to carry out the method described in this document.

[0033] It should be noted that the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be used both alone and in combination with other methods, devices, and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined in a variety of ways. Furthermore, features listed in parentheses are to be understood as optional features.

[0034] The invention will be described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments.

[0035] Figure 1 shows exemplary components of a vehicle;

[0036] Figure 2 shows an exemplary charging system with a set of battery modules and a set of chargers; and

[0037] Figure 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for charging a set of battery modules.

[0038] As stated at the outset, this document deals with the efficient, flexible, and reliable charging of a plurality of battery modules. In this context, Fig. 1 shows an exemplary vehicle 100, e.g., a motorcycle, with an electrical energy storage device 110 configured to store electrical energy for operating an electric traction machine (not shown) of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 further comprises a charging interface 107, to which a (vehicle-external) charging station 120 can be connected (via a charging cable 112) for charging the electrical energy storage device 110. During a charging process, electrical energy can be transferred from the charging station 120 to the energy storage device 110. The charging process can be coordinated by a (control) device 121 of the charging station 120 and / or by a (control) device 111 of the vehicle 100.In particular, the charging current, the charging voltage, and / or the charging power (possibly each as a function of time) can be adjusted. The electrical energy storage device 110 can comprise a plurality of battery modules, wherein the individual battery modules can be connected at least partially in series and / or at least partially in parallel. The total storage capacity of the energy storage device 110 can correspond to the sum of the storage capacities of the individual battery modules.

[0039] The individual battery modules can each be designed in a standardized manner, whereby the standard can refer in particular to,

[0040] • the nominal voltage of the respective battery module;

[0041] • the nominal storage capacity of the respective battery module;

[0042] • the number and / or arrangement of storage cells of the respective battery module; and / or

[0043] • the spatial dimensions and / or shape of the respective battery module.

[0044] By standardizing the individual battery modules, a particularly efficient energy storage system 110 can be provided.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, the charging station 120 can comprise a number of chargers, which can be connected, for example, at least partially in series and / or at least partially in parallel. The individual chargers can be designed in a standardized manner, wherein the standard can relate in particular to the nominal charging voltage and / or the nominal charging current and / or the nominal charging power of the respective charger. By standardizing the individual chargers, a particularly efficient charging station 120 can be provided.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary charging system 200 comprising a set of (identical and / or standardized) battery modules 210 and a set of (identical and / or standardized) chargers 220. The individual battery modules 210 can each comprise a storage module 212 for storing electrical energy and a control module 211. The control module 211 of a battery module 210 can be configured to: • determine status information relating to the status of the storage module 212 of the battery module 210 (e.g., relating to the charge state, the temperature, the aging state, etc.); and / or

[0047] • to coordinate a charging process of the storage module 212 (in particular with regard to the charging voltage, the charging current and / or the charging power).

[0048] The individual chargers 220 may each comprise an energy source 222 for providing electrical energy. Furthermore, the individual chargers 220 may each comprise a control module 221, which is configured, for example,

[0049] • to control the energy source 222 of the charger 220 (e.g., with respect to the voltage of the energy source 222, the current of the energy source 222, and / or the power of the energy source 222); and / or

[0050] • To determine status information relating to the status of the energy source 222 (such as the temperature, the maximum possible charging power, the actual charging power, etc.).

[0051] The charging system 200 may include a switching matrix 230 configured to couple and / or decouple the individual battery modules 210 and / or the individual chargers 220. The switching matrix 230 may, in particular, be configured to

[0052] • to connect a certain number n of battery modules 210 from the set of battery modules 210 in parallel with each other, with n=1, ...., N, where N is the number of battery modules 210 in the set of battery modules 210; and / or

[0053] • to connect a certain number n of battery modules 210 from the set of battery modules 210 in series, with n=1, ...., N; and / or

[0054] • to connect a certain number m of chargers 220 from the set of chargers 220 in parallel with each other, with m=1, ... ., M, where M is the number of chargers 220 in the set of chargers 220; and / or

[0055] • to connect a certain number m of chargers 220 from the set of chargers 220 in series, with m=1, ...., M. The switching matrix 230 can thus be set up,

[0056] • to effect a specific battery module arrangement of the set of battery modules 210; and / or

[0057] • to effect a specific charger arrangement of the set of chargers 220.

[0058] Furthermore, the switching matrix 230 can be configured to couple the battery module arrangement to the charger arrangement in order to effect a charging process of the one or more battery modules 210 of the battery module arrangement using the one or more chargers 220 from the charger arrangement.

[0059] The charging system 200 may comprise a (control) device 231 (also referred to as a coordinator) that is configured to

[0060] • to control the switching matrix 230 to effect a specific battery module arrangement and / or a specific charger arrangement and / or to couple the charger arrangement to the battery module arrangement; and / or

[0061] • to control a charging process; and / or

[0062] • (e.g. during a charging process) to communicate with the control modules 211 of the individual battery modules 210 and / or the control modules 221 of the individual chargers 220.

[0063] A battery module 210 may consist of one or more cells 212 and a battery management system 211 (i.e., a control module) that monitors the condition of the cells 212 and, if necessary, controls a safety shutdown. Furthermore, the control module 212 communicates with loads and chargers 220 so that they can operate the battery module 210 within the permissible limits.

[0064] A charger 220 may be configurable via a communication interface, allowing the charger 220 to adapt to the requirements of the one or more battery modules 210 to be charged. The one or more battery modules 210 may specify the respective permissible voltage and current values.

[0065] If a battery-supported energy supply, e.g. for an electric vehicle 100, is to be constructed from standardized components 210, 220, it may not be possible to have a single battery module 210 or charger 220 available in the appropriate dimensions, so that a system must be assembled from several components 210, 220.

[0066] The individual battery modules 210 can be combined in series and / or parallel. A similar procedure can be followed with the individual chargers 220, if necessary. The number N of battery modules 210 and / or the number M of chargers 210 in the system 200 can be variable, allowing the user to increase the performance of the system 200 by using additional components 210, 220.

[0067] The system 200, in particular the switching matrix 230, can be configured to enable a configuration in which a (single) charger 220 is connected directly to one or more battery modules 210 (in particular to exactly one battery module 210). The configuration can be enabled via interfaces on the battery and charger side that only allow parameter sets for (exactly) one charger 220 or for (exactly) one connected battery module 210. Furthermore, in this configuration, a battery module 210 only ever communicates with one charger 220 and vice versa. For this configuration, the battery module 210 transmits the individual charging parameters directly to the charger 220 via the communication interface. If a charger 220 is connected to multiple battery modules 210, the charger 220 provides the charging power for multiple battery modules 210.If multiple chargers 220 are available, the required charging power can be distributed among the chargers 220. This document describes measures that enable the charging power of one or more chargers 220 to be distributed among one or more battery modules 210. The interfaces on the battery and charger sides can be retained unchanged.

[0068] The battery modules 210 can be connected either in series or in parallel to increase the performance of the overall system 200. The chargers 220 can be connected either in series or in parallel, depending on the configuration or arrangement of the battery modules 210. The battery modules 210 and the chargers 220 can be connected via a common communication channel.

[0069] In a system 200 that contains more than one battery module 210 and / or more than one charger 220, a coordinator 231 can additionally be connected to the communication channel. The battery modules 210 and the chargers 220 can communicate the parameters applicable to them for a charging process on the communication channel. The battery modules 210 and the chargers 220 can be configured to detect the presence of the coordinator 231 in a suitable manner. If no coordinator 231 can be detected, it can be concluded that a 1-1 configuration between a battery module 210 and a charger 220 is involved, and the charging process can be started immediately if necessary (without involving the coordinator 231).

[0070] On the other hand, the coordinator 231 can determine the number of battery modules 210 (in particular the battery module arrangement) and the number of chargers 220 (in particular the charger arrangement) in the system 200 from the communicated battery and charging parameters. Furthermore, the possible charging power per charger 220 can be determined. Furthermore, the appropriate charging parameter sets can be created and made available via the communication interface. The coordinator 231 can be configured to assign (if necessary, precisely) one charger 220 to a battery module 210. The coordinator 231 can be configured to initiate a synchronous start of the charging process. One or more battery modules 210 to which no charger 220 has been assigned can each establish charging readiness and can provide (if necessary, continuously) information about their state of charge on the communication interface.

[0071] The one or more battery modules 210 to which a charger 220 has been assigned by the coordinator 231 can establish contact with the assigned charger 220 via the communication interface. Furthermore, the charging parameters provided by the coordinator 231 on the communication interface can be provided, and the charging process can begin. Furthermore, information about the respective state of charge can be provided (if necessary continuously).

[0072] Coordinator 231 can be configured to check (if necessary continuously) the charge state of the entire system 200 based on the information on the communication interface. Furthermore, the charging parameter sets can be updated on the communication interface if necessary. Coordinator 231 can determine the end or termination of the charging process. This can be communicated to all components 210, 220 via the communication interface.

[0073] Thus, a master-slave method is described in which a coordinator 231 controls the charging process of multiple battery modules 210. Battery modules 210 and / or chargers 220 can be parallelized, so that any number of battery modules 210 can be charged with any number of chargers 220. Thus, a system 200 that is scalable on both sides and can be constructed using standard components 210, 220 is described.

[0074] The central coordinator 231 can create a communication matrix between the components 210, 220.

[0075] Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of a (possibly computer-implemented) method 300 for controlling a charging process. The method 300 can be executed by the coordinator 231 described in this document (possibly in combination with the switching matrix 230). The method 300 includes determining 301 battery data relating to the battery module arrangement of the set of battery modules 210. Furthermore, the method 300 includes determining 302 charger data relating to the charger arrangement of the set of chargers 220. Furthermore, the method 300 includes controlling 303 a charging process of the set of battery modules 210 by the set of chargers 220 as a function of the battery data and the charger data.

[0076] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and figures are intended only to illustrate the principle of the proposed methods, devices, and systems by way of example.

Claims

Claims 1) Device (231) for controlling a charging process; wherein the device (231) is arranged - to determine battery data relating to a battery module arrangement of a set of battery modules (210); - to determine charger data relating to a charger arrangement of a set of chargers (220); and - to control a charging process of the set of battery modules (210) by the set of chargers (220) depending on the battery data and the charger data. 2) Device (231) according to claim 1, wherein the device (231) is arranged - to determine, as a function of the battery data, a charger arrangement of the set of chargers (220) which makes it possible to charge the set of battery modules (210) arranged according to the battery module arrangement; and - causing a switching matrix (230) to arrange the set of chargers (220) according to the determined charger arrangement. 3) Device (231) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (231) is arranged - to determine, in dependence on the charger data, a battery arrangement of the set of battery modules (210) that can be charged with the set of chargers (220) arranged according to the charger arrangement; and - to cause a switching matrix (230) to arrange the set of battery modules (210) according to the determined battery module arrangement. 4) Device (231) according to one of the preceding claims; wherein the device (231) is arranged to generate a switching matrix (230) in dependence on the battery data and / or the charger data to cause the set of chargers (220) arranged according to the charger arrangement to be coupled for the charging process to the set of battery modules (210) arranged according to the battery module arrangement. 5) Device (231) according to one of the preceding claims; wherein the device (231) is arranged - to establish a communication connection to one or more control modules (211) of one or more corresponding battery modules (210) of the set of battery modules (210); - to establish a communication connection to one or more control modules (221) of one or more corresponding chargers (220) of the set of chargers (220); and - to control the charging process of the set of battery modules (210) by the set of chargers (220) via the communication connection with the one or more control modules (211) of the one or more battery modules (210) and / or via the communication connection with the one or more control modules (221) of the one or more chargers (220). 6) Device (231) according to one of the preceding claims; wherein the device (231) is configured, during the charging process of the set of battery modules (210) by the set of chargers (220), - to act as a proxy for one or more battery modules (210) from the set of battery modules (210) for communication with one or more chargers (220) from the set of chargers (220); and / or - to act as a proxy for one or more chargers (220) from the set of chargers (220) for communication with one or more battery modules (210) from the set of battery modules (210). 7) System (200) comprising - a set of battery modules (210); - a set of chargers (220); - a switching matrix (230) which is designed - arranging the set of battery modules (210) according to a battery module arrangement; - arranging the set of chargers (220) according to a charger arrangement; and - to couple the set of battery modules (210) arranged according to the battery module arrangement for a charging process with the set of chargers (220) arranged according to the charger arrangement; and - a device (231) designed according to one of the preceding claims for controlling a charging process of the set of battery modules (210) by the set of chargers (220). 8) System (200) according to claim 7, wherein - the set of battery modules (210) comprises N different battery modules (210), each of which is of identical construction, with N>1; and / or - the set of chargers (220) comprises M different chargers (220), each of which is of identical construction, with M>1, 9) System (200) according to one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the switching matrix (230) is formed, - to effect a variety of different battery module arrangements which differ in terms of - a number of battery modules (210) arranged parallel to one another; and / or - a number of battery modules (210) arranged in series; and / or to effect a plurality of different charger arrangements which differ in terms of - a number of chargers (220) arranged in parallel; and / or - a number of chargers (220) arranged in series. 10) Method (300) for controlling a charging process; the method (300) comprising - Determining (301) battery data relating to a battery module arrangement of a set of battery modules (210); - Determining (302) charger data relating to a charger arrangement of a set of chargers (220); and - controlling (303) a charging process of the set of battery modules (210) by the set of chargers (220) depending on the battery data and the charger data.

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