Method for determining an installation position of a battery module in a battery

Abstract

The battery (1) comprises a plurality of battery modules (20), a master BMS unit (10) and, for each battery module (20), a slave BMS unit (30). The master BMS unit (10) and the slave BMS units (30) each comprise a radio transceiver. The master BMS unit (10) is designed to determine an installation position of a selected slave BMS unit (30_m) in the battery (1) depending on an indicator for a received signal strength. Alternatively, the master BMS unit (10) is designed to send signal strength indicator information to a superordinate computing unit, wherein the signal strength indicator information comprises the indicator for the received signal strength and causes a position determination module of the superordinate computing unit to determine the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit (30_m) in the battery (1) depending on the indicator for the received signal strength.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for determining an installation position of a battery module in a battery

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a method for determining an installation position of a battery module in a battery. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a master battery management system (BMS) unit, a battery, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0004] Battery manufacturers in the electric vehicle sector strive to achieve the highest possible energy density in their batteries, especially traction batteries, to enable maximum range for customer vehicles. As energy density increases, so does the importance of battery management systems for monitoring, balancing, and hazard prevention associated with overvoltage and overtemperature.

[0005] The traction batteries of electric vehicles currently provide nominal voltages between 400V and 800V. The batteries are typically organized into battery modules, i.e., groups of cells monitored and controlled by dedicated battery management circuits (BMICs). Typically, such a battery management circuit can currently monitor 16 to 24 cells connected in series.

[0006] One of the main tasks of a battery management circuit is the periodic measurement of cell voltages, temperatures, and other parameters, which are transmitted to a central control unit of the battery management system. The central control unit determines, among other things, the battery's state of charge (SOC) and / or state of health (SoH). In the context of the battery management system, the battery management circuits are relevant for functional safety.

[0007] Since system costs and flexibility in battery configuration are high priorities for manufacturers, systems are increasingly being developed that transmit safety-relevant battery data wirelessly. Wireless data transfer can achieve significant savings in cabling, connectors, and, in particular, in the galvanic isolation of components.

[0008] During battery manufacturing, the battery modules and battery management circuits are assembled in predefined production steps, thus determining their assignment. A battery control unit, based on lists, knows the position of each battery module in a battery pack and the MAC address of the associated battery management circuit. This positioning process is complex. Determining the installation position of a defective battery module is particularly time-consuming when it comes to replacing a defective battery module.

[0009] A problem to be solved is therefore to provide a method that enables an automated and reliable determination of an installation position of a battery module in a battery.

[0010] The problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

[0011] According to a first aspect and a second aspect, the object is achieved by a method and a corresponding master battery management system unit (master BMS unit) for determining an installation position of a battery module in a battery, in particular in a traction battery of an electrically driven vehicle.

[0012] The battery comprises a plurality of battery modules connected in series and / or parallel, and a battery management system (BMS) comprising a master BMS unit and a slave BMS unit for each battery module. The master BMS unit and the slave BMS units each comprise a radio transceiver, i.e. a radio transmitter unit and a radio receiver unit. The radio transceiver uses, for example, radio technology according to the Bluetooth standard or a modified form thereof. Alternatively, another radio technology that is particularly suitable for short distances can also be used. These radio technologies operate in particular according to the standards IEEE 802.15.1 to IEEE 802.15.7. The battery modules each comprise a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or parallel. The battery modules in the battery are each arranged at predetermined installation positions.The slave BMS units are each arranged on one of the battery modules or on a section of a battery mounting frame that is adjacent to the respective battery module.

[0013] The master BMS unit and the slave BMS units form a battery management system (BMS). The master BMS unit and the slave BMS units each form nodes of a radio communication network, specifically a piconet.

[0014] To determine the installation position, especially the physical installation position, a wireless connection is first established between a selected slave BMS unit and the master BMS unit.

[0015] The master BMS unit determines a received signal strength indicator for the wireless connection between the selected slave BMS unit and the master BMS unit based on signals received from the slave BMS unit. For example, the indicator may include or be an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator).

[0016] A position determination module of the master BMS unit determines the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit in the battery based on the received signal strength indicator. Alternatively, the master BMS unit sends signal strength indicator information to a higher-level processing unit. The signal strength indicator information includes the received signal strength indicator and causes a position determination module of the higher-level processing unit to determine the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit in the battery based on the received signal strength indicator.

[0017] The BMS can also have the higher-level processing unit. Alternatively, the higher-level processing unit can be assigned to the BMS.

[0018] The position detection module can be a software module executed by a processor of the master BMS unit or the higher-level processing unit. Using the method described above, if a battery module is defective, its installation position within the battery can be determined very reliably and automatically, thus significantly simplifying replacement. Furthermore, the method described above can be used, for example, in the event of a repair after integrating a new slave BMS unit into the BMS's communication network, to perform position detection and compare it with the "old" installation position stored in the master BMS unit for configuration verification.

[0019] In at least one further embodiment according to the first and second aspects, at least one further indicator for a received signal strength for a wireless connection between the selected slave BMS unit and an auxiliary master BMS unit is provided for the position determination module of the master BMS unit or for the position determination of the higher-level processing unit, and the position determination module additionally determines the installation position depending on the at least one further indicator. The battery can have a plurality of auxiliary master BMS units. Preferably, such further indicators are provided for at least some of the plurality of auxiliary master BMS units of the battery module, and the position determination module determines the installation position depending on these further indicators. This has the advantage that the installation position can be determined with greater reliability.In highly symmetrically designed battery concepts, the problem of left / right symmetry of the distance data arises. Possible solutions include an asymmetrical installation position of the master BMS unit relative to the slave BMS units and / or the auxiliary or dual master concept.

[0020] In at least one further embodiment according to the first and second aspects, a reference position vector is provided for each installation position in which one of the battery modules is or is installed, and the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit is additionally determined depending on the reference position vectors, wherein the reference position vector of the respective installation position comprises an indicator for a received signal strength for the wireless connection between the slave BMS unit located at the installation position and the master BMS unit, and at least for some of the auxiliary master BMS units of the battery, each comprises a further indicator for the received signal strength for a wireless connection between the slave BMS unit located at the installation position and the respective auxiliary master BMS unit.For calculations, the master BMS units, in particular, can include microcontrollers or microprocessors that also have vector processing modules. These vector processing modules are designed to perform complex calculations, such as fast Fourier transforms or optimizations, etc.

[0021] The position vector of the respective installation position is characteristic for the installation position.

[0022] In at least one further embodiment according to the first and second aspects, one or at least some of the slave BMS units are configured to function as an auxiliary master BMS unit. The auxiliary master BMS unit is thus configured to perform the functions of a slave BMS unit and at least some of the functions of a master BMS unit. This enables a plurality of signal strength measurements to be performed, thus increasing the reliability of position determination.

[0023] According to a third aspect, the object is achieved by a battery comprising a master battery management system unit according to the second aspect and a plurality of battery modules, wherein the battery modules are connected in series and / or parallel. The battery modules each comprise a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or parallel. The battery modules are each arranged in the battery at predetermined installation positions. The battery modules each have a slave BMS unit with a radio transceiver. The respective slave BMS unit is arranged on the respective battery module or on a section of a mounting frame of the battery that is adjacent to the respective battery module.

[0024] Advantageous embodiments of the first and second aspects also apply to the third aspect.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect, the object is achieved by a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of a battery management unit, cause the battery management unit to carry out the method according to the first aspect. For the purposes of this document, the mention of such a computer program is synonymous with the term "a program element" or "a computer program product" that contains instructions for controlling a computer system in order to coordinate the operation of a system or method in a suitable manner in order to achieve the effects associated with the method according to the invention. The computer program can be implemented as computer-readable instruction code in any suitable programming language, such as JAVA, C++, etc. The instruction code can program a computer or other programmable device such that the desired functions are executed.

[0026] According to a fifth aspect, the problem is solved by a computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to the fourth aspect is stored.

[0027] The computer program can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium (CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, removable drive) or in a volatile or non-volatile memory, built-in memory / processor, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), etc. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store associated program instructions and associated data.

[0028] Furthermore, the computer program may be provided on a network such as the Internet, from which it can be downloaded by a user when required.

[0029] According to a sixth aspect, the object is achieved by a device comprising a radio transceiver, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store data and program instructions called by the processor, and the processor is configured to execute the steps of the method according to the first aspect together with the radio transceiver. Advantageous embodiments according to the first aspect also apply to the fourth to sixth aspects.

[0030] The processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), another general-purpose processor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

[0031] The storage comprises a computer-readable storage medium as described above.

[0032] Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the appended claims and the following description of embodiments with reference to the appended figures.

[0033] The description of the subject matter presented herein is not limited to the specific individual embodiments. Features of different embodiments may be combined with one another—where technically feasible—to form further embodiments. For example, variations or modifications described with respect to one embodiment may also be applicable to other embodiments, unless otherwise stated.

[0034] They show:

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery with a wireless battery management system,

[0036] Figure 2 shows an exemplary mechanical structure of a battery with battery housing and

[0037] Figure 3 shows an exemplary flowchart for a program for determining the installation position of a battery module in a battery. In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for elements with essentially the same function; however, these elements do not necessarily have to be identical in every detail.

[0038] Figure 1 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of a battery 1 comprising a wireless battery management system (BMS) and a battery unit 5, referred to in English as a battery pack. The battery 1 may comprise one or more such battery units 5.

[0039] The battery 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises, by way of example, a battery unit 5. The battery 1 can be used for a variety of electrically operated devices, such as, in particular, an electrically powered vehicle. The battery unit 5 comprises a plurality of battery modules 20 connected in series and / or parallel. Each battery module 20 can comprise a plurality of battery cells that are electrically connected in series and / or parallel.

[0040] The wireless BMS comprises a master BMS unit 10 and a plurality of slave BMS units 30. The master BMS unit 10 is configured, for example, to assign different identification information to the plurality of slave BMS units 30 through cooperation with a higher-level processing unit 40. The wireless BMS can comprise the higher-level processing unit 40, or the higher-level processing unit 40 can be assigned to the wireless BMS.

[0041] The master BMS unit 10 may include a memory, an antenna, a communication unit, and a control unit.

[0042] The memory of the master BMS unit 10 is particularly designed to permanently or temporarily store at least part of the data transmitted by the higher-level processing unit 40, for example via a wired communication mode, or the data transmitted wirelessly by the respective slave BMS units 30.

[0043] The memory can be physically separated from the control unit of the master BMS unit 10 or can be integrated on a chip with the control unit of the master BMS unit 10. The antenna of the master BMS unit 10 and the communication unit of the master BMS unit 10 are operatively connected. The communication unit includes a radio transceiver.

[0044] The communication unit of the master BMS unit 10 includes a circuit for demodulating a wireless signal received by the antenna of the master BMS unit 10. The communication unit of the master BMS unit 10 is configured to modulate a signal to be transmitted to one or more slave BMS units 30 and to wirelessly transmit the modulated signal via the antenna of the master BMS unit 10.

[0045] The control unit of the master BMS unit 10 comprises at least one processor and is connected to the memory and the communication unit of the master BMS unit 10. The control unit of the master BMS unit 10 is configured to control the overall operation of the master BMS unit 10. Furthermore, the control unit of the master BMS unit 10 is configured, for example, to determine a state of charge (SOC) and / or a state of health (SOH) of each of the battery modules 20 based on the detection information received from the slave BMS units 30. In addition, the control unit of the master BMS unit 10 can be configured to provide information for controlling the charging, discharging, and / or balancing of each of the battery modules 20 based on the calculated SOC and / or SOH and to initiate the wireless transmission to at least one of the plurality of slave BMS modules 30 via the antenna and the communication unit of the master BMS unit 10.

[0046] Each processor included in the control unit of the master BMS unit 10 may optionally include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), chipsets, logic circuitry, a register, a communication modem, and a data processing device known in the art for executing various control logic.

[0047] In the battery 1 shown in Figure 1, the battery unit 5 comprises, for simplification reasons, four battery modules 20, for example, and the wireless BMS comprises four slave BMS units 30. Preferably, the number of slave BMS units 30 corresponds to the number of battery modules 20 in the battery unit 5. The respective slave BMS unit 30 is coupled, in particular electrically connected, to one of the battery modules 20. For example, the first slave BMS module 30_1 is electrically coupled to the first battery module 20_1, the second slave BMS module 30_2 is electrically coupled to the second battery module 20_2, the third slave BMS module 30_3 is electrically coupled to the third battery module 20_3, and the fourth slave BMS module 30_4 is electrically coupled to the fourth battery module 20_4.

[0048] Each slave BMS unit 30 is configured to detect or monitor multiple operating variables, e.g., a voltage, a current, and a temperature of the battery module 20 to which the slave BMS unit 30 is electrically connected, and to execute a variety of control functions (e.g., charging, discharging, balancing) to adjust the operating variables of the battery module 20. For example, each control function can be executed directly by each slave BMS unit 30 based on the detected operating variables of the battery module 20 or according to a command from the master BMS unit 10.

[0049] Each slave BMS unit 30 includes a control unit, a memory, a communication unit, and an antenna. The memory may be physically separate from the control unit or may be integrated with the control unit on a single chip.

[0050] The communication unit comprises a radio transceiver and is configured to transmit data to or receive data from the master BMS unit 10 via the radio transceiver and the antenna. Optionally, the communication unit is configured to transmit data to and receive data from additional slave BMS units 30 via the radio transceiver and the antenna.

[0051] The communication unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 includes a circuit for demodulating a radio signal received by the antenna of the respective slave BMS unit 30. Furthermore, the communication unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 can modulate a signal to be transmitted to the master BMS unit 10 via the antenna of the respective slave BMS unit 30 and forward it to the antenna of the slave BMS unit 30 for transmission.

[0052] The control unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 comprises at least one processor and is operatively connected to the memory and communication unit of the slave BMS unit 30. The control unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 is configured to manage the overall operation of the slave BMS unit 30, including the control unit of the slave BMS unit 30.

[0053] The control unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 may include a detection unit configured to detect the state of the battery module 20. For example, the detection unit may include at least one voltage measuring circuit for detecting the voltage of the battery module 20, a current measuring circuit for detecting the current of the battery module 20, and a temperature detection circuit for detecting the temperature of the battery module 20.

[0054] The control unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 provides the communication unit of the slave BMS unit 30 with detection information indicating the state of the battery module 20 detected by the detection unit. Accordingly, the communication unit of the respective slave BMS unit 30 can transmit a wireless signal representing the detection information to the master BMS unit 10 using the antenna of the slave BMS unit 30.

[0055] Advantageously, the radio technology of the BMS can be used not only for the exchange of data and control information but also for determining an installation position, in particular a physical installation position, of the respective battery modules 20.

[0056] For this purpose, the master BMS unit 10 is configured to establish a wireless connection, preferably a unicast connection, with a selected slave BMS unit 30_m using its transmitter unit of its radio transceiver. In Figure 1, the third slave BMS unit 30_3 is identified as the selected slave BMS unit 30_m, i.e., in this example, the installation position of the third battery module 20_3 is to be determined. The installation position of any other battery module 20 can be determined analogously.

[0057] The master BMS unit 10 is configured to determine an indicator of a received signal strength for the wireless connection between the selected slave BMS unit 30_m and the master BMS unit 10.

[0058] Furthermore, the master BMS unit 10 is configured to use a position determination module to determine an installation position of the selected slave BMS unit 30_m in the battery 1 based on the indicator for the received signal strength. Alternatively, the master BMS unit 10 is configured to send signal strength indicator information to a higher-level processing unit 40, wherein the signal strength indicator information includes the indicator for the received signal strength and causes a position determination module of the higher-level processing unit 40 to determine the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit 30_m in the battery 1 based on the indicator for the received signal strength.

[0059] The indicator for the received signal strength is, for example, an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). The indicator for the received signal strength is, for example, characteristic of a distance between the selected slave BMS unit 30_m and the master BMS unit 10.

[0060] Preferably, one or at least some of the slave BMS units of the battery 1 are designed to function as an auxiliary master BMS unit

[0061] This allows the position determination module to be provided with at least one additional indicator for a received signal strength for a wireless connection between the selected slave BMS unit 30 and an auxiliary master BMS unit. The position determination module is then configured to additionally determine the installation position depending on the at least one additional indicator.

[0062] The at least one further indicator for the received signal strength is, for example, an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). The respective further indicator for the received signal strength is, for example, characteristic of a distance between the selected slave BMS unit 30 and the respective auxiliary master BMS unit 10.

[0063] It is advantageous if a reference position vector is provided for each installation position at which a battery module 20 can be installed, and the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit 30_m is additionally determined depending on the reference position vectors, wherein the reference position vector of the respective installation position comprises an indicator for a received signal strength for the wireless connection between the slave BMS unit 30 located at the installation position and the master BMS unit 10 and, for at least some of the auxiliary master BMS units of the battery 1, a further indicator for the received signal strength for a wireless connection between the slave BMS unit 30 located at the installation position and the respective auxiliary master BMS unit.

[0064] Figure 2 shows a mechanical structure of a battery 1 with its battery housing. The battery 1 is, for example, a high-voltage battery for an electrically powered vehicle. The battery 1 has a battery housing with an installation frame 50, a battery housing cover 60, and a battery housing base 70. Furthermore, the battery 1 has the battery modules 20 accommodated by the installation frame 50. The battery housing base 70, which is connected to the installation frame 50, completely accommodates the battery modules 20 in this example. The battery housing is closed with the battery housing cover 60. Figure 2 shows, by way of example, eight battery modules 20 accommodated by the installation frame 50.

[0065] The slave BMS units 30 (not shown in Figure 2) of the battery modules 20 are preferably arranged on the respective battery modules 20. These battery modules 20 are preferably identical in design. The master BMS unit 10 is preferably also arranged in the battery housing. The battery housing comprises or is made of a metal.

[0066] With such a symmetrical arrangement, different battery modules 20 can have equal distances from the master BMS unit, depending on the position of the master BMS unit 10. To avoid problems of left / right symmetry of the "measured distances" using the indicators, an asymmetrical installation position of the master BMS unit 10 and / or the auxiliary or double master concept can be used.

[0067] Figure 3 shows an exemplary flow chart for a program for determining an installation position of a battery module 20 in a battery 1.

[0068] The program can be executed by a processor, in particular a microprocessor or microcontroller of the master BMS unit 10. For this purpose, the processor has, for example, a program memory in which the program is stored. Alternatively, the memory can be assigned to the processor. The program is started in a step S01. The program start occurs, for example, due to an automatic or manual program call, for example during production after assembly of the battery 1, in order to assign, for example, a specific address, for example a MAC address or another identifier, of the respective battery module 20 to an installation position.

[0069] In a step S03, a connection setup with a selected slave BMS unit 30_m is initiated so that a wireless connection with the selected slave BMS unit 30_m is established.

[0070] In a step S05, the received signal strength indicator for the wireless connection between the selected slave BMS unit and the master BMS unit 10 is determined.

[0071] In a step S07, for example, a subroutine is called to determine the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit 30_m in the battery 1 .

[0072] In a step S09, the indicator for the received signal strength for the wireless connection between the selected slave BMS unit 30_m and the master BMS unit 10 is provided to the subroutine. Optionally, at least one further indicator for the received signal strength for the wireless connection between the selected slave BMS unit 30_m and one of the auxiliary master BMS units is provided, and the subroutine determines the installation position of the selected battery module 20 based on the indicator and the at least one further indicator.

[0073] To enable this, the slave BMS units 20 of the battery are configured, for example, to function as auxiliary master BMS units. They are thus configured, analogous to the master BMS unit 10, to use a signal strength measurement to determine the additional signal strength indicator that is characteristic of the distance between the auxiliary BMS unit and the respective other slave BMS unit 30.

[0074] For example, if the battery has n battery modules, the additional indicator relating to the selected slave BMS unit 30_m can be provided by n-1 additional slave BMS units 30. In particular, in step S09, it can be provided that for each installation position Pos_i with i = 1 to n, a reference position vector {(M-Si), (Sj-Si)} with ij, determined in advance, for example, during a concept design, is provided.

[0075] The reference position vectors for a battery with eight battery modules 20, if all slave BMS units 30 are included, are:

[0076] Pos_1 = (M-S1 ;S2-S1 ;S3-S1 ; S4-S1 ;S5-S1 ;S6-S1 ,S7-S1 ,S8-S1 ) Pos_2 = (M-S2;S1-S2;S3-S2;S4-S2;S5-S2;S6-S2,S7-S2,S8-S2)

[0077] Pos_8 = (M-S8;S1-S8;S2-S8;S3-S8;S4-S8;S5-S8;S6-S8,S7-S8) where M-Si is the indicator for the signal strength for the connection between the master BMS unit 10 and the slave BMS unit 30_i of the battery module 20_i located at the installation position position i, and Sj-Si is the further indicator for the signal strength for the connection between the slave BMS unit 30J of the battery module 20_j located at position j and the slave BMS unit 30_i of the battery module 20_i located at position i.

[0078] For example, for the battery module 20_m with the index m, whose installation position is to be determined, the indicator and seven other indicators can be provided.

[0079] For the battery module 20_m with the index m, this results in a position vector for the unknown position

[0080] Pos_m=(M-Sm;Sa-Sm;Sb-Sm;Sc-Sm;Sd-Sm;Se-Sm,Sf-Sm,Sg-Sm)

[0081] The slave positions a to g are potentially still undetermined at the time the position vector is determined. Therefore, all possible permutations must be considered. By comparing, for example, using an LMS algorithm (Least Mean Squares algorithm), the 8! permutations of the position vector Pos_m with the reference position vectors Pos_1 to Pos_8, the physical installation position of the battery module 20_m with index m can be assigned to one of the 8 reference positions. With an increasing number of slave nodes, the computational effort becomes correspondingly more complex. For example, if the battery pack shown in Figure 2 is divided into two battery packs, each with a BMS for four battery modules 20, the computational effort per BMS is reduced considerably. In this case, only 4! = 24 permutations need to be considered.

[0082] The determined installation position is forwarded, for example, to the central processing unit 40 and / or stored in the memory of the master BMS unit 10. The program is terminated in step S11.

[0083] Alternatively, it is possible for the program to be executed in a distributed manner between the master BMS unit 10 and the higher-level processing unit 40. For example, steps S07 to S11 can be executed by the higher-level processing unit 40.

[0084] The master BMS unit 10 is configured, for example, to send the signal strength indicator information to the higher-level processing unit 40. Furthermore, the auxiliary master BMS units are each configured, for example, to send the respectively determined additional indicator to the master BMS unit 10 or to send it via the master BMS unit 10 to the higher-level processing unit 40.

[0085] It should be noted that embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to different subject matter. In particular, some embodiments of the invention are described with method claims, and other embodiments of the invention are described with device claims. However, it will immediately become clear to a person skilled in the art upon reading this application that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, in addition to a combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter, any combination of features belonging to different types of subject matter is also possible. List of reference symbols

[0086] 1 battery

[0087] 5 Battery unit

[0088] 10 Master BMS unit

[0089] 20 battery module

[0090] 30 Slave BMS unit

[0091] 40 central processing unit

[0092] 50 mounting frames

[0093] 60 housing cover

[0094] 70 Case back

[0095] S01... S11 Program steps

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for determining an installation position of a battery module (20) in a battery (1), wherein - the battery (1) comprises a plurality of battery modules (20) connected in series and / or parallel, and a battery management system, BMS, comprising a master BMS unit (10) and a slave BMS unit (30) for each battery module (20), - the master BMS unit (10) and the slave BMS units (30) each have a radio transceiver, - the battery modules (20) each have a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or parallel, - the battery modules (20) in the battery are each arranged at predetermined installation positions, - the slave BMS units (30) are each arranged on one of the battery modules or on a section of a mounting frame (50) of the battery (1) which is adjacent to the respective battery module (20), and the method comprises the following steps, - Establishment of a wireless connection between a selected slave BMS unit (30_m) and the master BMS unit (10), - Determining an indicator of a received signal strength for the wireless connection between the selected slave BMS unit (30_m) and the master BMS unit (10), - Determining, by a position determination module of the master BMS unit (10), an installation position of the selected slave BMS unit (30_m) in the battery (1) depending on the indicator for the received signal strength or sending, by the master BMS unit (10), signal strength indicator information to a higher-level processing unit (40), wherein the signal strength indicator information comprises the indicator for the received signal strength and causes a position determination module of the higher-level processing unit (40) to determine the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit (30_m) in the battery (1) depending on the indicator for the received signal strength.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one further indicator for a received signal strength for a wireless connection between the selected slave BMS unit and an auxiliary master BMS unit is provided for the position determination module of the master BMS unit (10) or for the position determination module of the higher-level processing unit (40). and the position determination module additionally determines the installation position depending on at least one further indicator.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein a reference position vector is provided for each installation position of the battery modules (20) and the installation position of the selected slave BMS unit (30_m) is additionally determined depending on the reference position vectors, wherein the reference position vector of the respective installation position comprises an indicator for a received signal strength for the wireless connection between the slave BMS unit located at the installation position and the master BMS unit (10) and at least for some of the auxiliary master BMS units of the battery each comprises a further indicator for the received signal strength for a wireless connection between the slave BMS unit located at the installation position and the respective auxiliary master BMS unit.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein one or at least some of the slave BMS units are configured to function as an auxiliary master BMS unit.

5. Master battery management system unit, master BMS unit, (10) for determining an installation position of a battery module (20) in a battery, wherein - the battery (1) comprises a plurality of battery modules (20) connected in series and / or parallel, - the battery modules (20) each have a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or parallel, and - the battery modules (20) are each arranged in the battery at predetermined installation positions, - each battery module (20) is assigned a slave BMS unit (30) of a battery management system of the battery (1), which is arranged on the respective battery module (20) or on a section of an installation frame of the battery (1) that adjoins the respective battery module (20), - the respective slave BMS unit (30) has a radio transceiver, and - the master BMS unit (10) comprises a radio transceiver and is designed to carry out the steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Battery (1 ) having - a plurality of battery modules (20) connected in series and / or parallel, wherein the battery modules (20) each have a plurality of battery cells arranged in are connected in series and / or in parallel, and the battery modules (20) are each arranged in the battery (1) at predetermined installation positions, - a battery management system, BMS, which has a master BMS unit (10) according to claim 5 and a slave BMS unit (30) for each battery module (20), wherein the respective slave BMS unit (30) is arranged on the respective battery module (20) or on a section of an installation frame of the battery which adjoins the respective battery module (20) and has a radio transceiver.

7. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a microprocessor or microcontroller of a battery management unit, cause the battery management unit to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. A computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 7 is stored.

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