Battery module for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery module for a vehicle, comprising: (i) a housing; (ii) a first battery; (iii) a second battery; (iv) wherein the first battery and the second battery are arranged in the housing; (v) wherein the first battery is designed to be able to supply a first vehicle electrical system, and the second battery is designed to be able to supply a second vehicle electrical system of the vehicle with electrical energy; (vi) wherein the first battery is electrically connected to the second battery, in particular in series or in parallel; (vii) a separating element configured to interrupt and re-establish the electrical connection between the first battery and the second battery, wherein the separating element is designed according to an ASIL-D standard.

Description

[0001] BATTERY MODULE FOR A VEHICLE

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module and a vehicle.

[0003] Modern vehicles utilize a variety of electrical vehicle systems. Such vehicle systems can, for example, provide safety and comfort functions for the vehicle's occupants. A safety function designed specifically to assist the driver when driving the vehicle could be, for example, a distance function or an anti-lock braking system. Likewise, a safety function could include an airbag deployment mechanism. Comfort functions include, for example, the air conditioning system, electrically adjustable seats, and the like. Vehicle systems are typically assigned an integrity level according to their function. A so-called ASIL level (ASIL = Automotive Safety Integrity Level according to ISO 26262) can be used for this purpose. According to the ASIL level, vehicle systems are classified into integrity levels from A to D, with "D" corresponding to the highest rating.

[0004] For example, vehicles can have multiple on-board power systems and corresponding power sources. For this purpose, a primary and a secondary power system, each with its own power source, can be provided, which can supply such vehicle systems with electrical energy as needed. The power source, such as a battery, of the secondary power system can be charged from the primary power system until a fault occurs in the primary power system. Systems that are not safety-relevant are typically supplied via one of the two power systems.

[0005] The use of two energy networks in a vehicle can place increased demands on the separation between the two energy networks and their associated energy storage devices. For example, a fault in one of the energy networks should not lead to the failure of the other energy network. This means that elements that connect both energy networks, in particular, are usually classified with safety level ASIL D and must meet corresponding requirements. Different energy sources can be located in different spaces in the vehicle. This can lead to the respective energy sources being exposed to different temperatures and providing different voltages. This can cause problems in the charging control of the energy sources. A charging converter can be used to compensate for this.To meet the independence requirement between the energy sources, an isolating element with ASIL D is required.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of enabling an improved arrangement of a plurality of electrical energy sources for a vehicle, taking into account a predetermined integrity level for separating the electrical energy sources from one another.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the teaching of claim 1. Further preferred embodiments, developments or variants are in particular the subject of dependent patent claims.

[0008] A first aspect of the solution relates to a battery module for a vehicle, comprising: (i) a housing; (ii) a first battery; (iii) a second battery; (iv) wherein the first battery and the second battery are arranged in the housing; (v) wherein the first battery is configured to supply a first vehicle electrical system and the second battery is configured to supply a second vehicle electrical system of the vehicle with electrical energy; (vi) wherein the first battery is electrically connected to the second battery, in particular in series or parallel; (vii) a separating element which is configured to interrupt and re-establish the electrical connection between the first battery and the second battery, wherein the separating element is designed according to an A-SIL-D standard.

[0009] The terms "comprises," "includes," "has," "has," "having," or any other variation thereof, as used herein, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a method or apparatus that comprises or has a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or that are inherent in such method or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive "or" and not an exclusive "or." For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by one of the following conditions: A is true (or present) and B is false (or absent), A is false (or absent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0010] The terms "a" or "an" as used herein are defined as "one or more." The terms "another" and "another," and any other variations thereof, are defined as "at least one other."

[0011] The term "plurality" as used here is to be understood as meaning "two or more".

[0012] The term “configured” or “set up” to fulfil a specific function (and respective variations thereof) as used here means that the corresponding device is already in a design or setting in which it can carry out the function or is at least adjustable – i.e. configurable – so that it can carry out the function after being set accordingly. The configuration can be carried out, for example, by appropriately setting parameters of a process sequence or of switches or the like for activating or deactivating functionalities or settings. In particular, the device can have a plurality of predetermined configurations or operating modes, so that the configuration can be carried out by selecting one of these configurations or operating modes.

[0013] The term "battery" as used here refers in particular to a rechargeable battery, in particular an accumulator. Such a rechargeable battery can in particular have a galvanic cell for storing chemical energy and releasing electrical energy. Such a battery can have an electrode stack with several plate-shaped elements, with at least two electrodes, namely an anode and a cathode, and a separator which can at least partially accommodate an electrolyte. Preferably, at least one anode, a separator, and a cathode are placed or stacked on top of one another, with the separator being arranged at least partially between the anode and the cathode. This sequence of anode, separator, and cathode can be repeated as often as desired within the electrode stack. Preferably, the plate-shaped elements can be wound into an electrode coil.Before electrical energy is released, stored chemical energy is converted into electrical energy. During charging, the electrical energy supplied to the electrode stack is converted into chemical energy and stored. The electrodes can have a current collector, particularly made of aluminum for the cathode and copper for the anode. A thin layer of a mixture of an active material, binder (e.g., PVDF, PTFE, CMC, SBR, LiPAA, PAA, etc.), and conductive additives (carbon black, CNTs, carbon fibers, etc.) can be applied to both sides of the current collector.

[0014] The term “charging”, in particular “charging a battery” as used here, means in particular that electrical energy is supplied to a rechargeable battery, this is converted into chemical energy in the battery and stored, and this can be made available to an electrical consumer as electrical energy.

[0015] The term “discharging”, in particular “discharging a battery”, as used here, is understood to mean in particular the release or transfer of electrical energy from a battery to an electrical consumer.

[0016] The term "control device" as used here refers in particular to an electronic device that at least partially controls the operation of a vehicle device, in particular by means of a processor, in particular a CPU. In particular, the control device can have a transmitting and receiving unit for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, such as electromagnetic signals, and / or wired signals via cables, such as electrical signals. Such a control unit can in particular have a microprocessor for analyzing received and / or previously stored data and / or for initiating a control process.

[0017] The battery module according to the first aspect makes it possible to integrate the first battery and the second battery in the housing, and thus to have an electrical connection between the first battery and the second battery that is shorter than in an arrangement in which the first battery and the second battery are separated by a greater distance. This makes it possible to avoid or minimize a voltage drop between the first battery and the second battery. This makes it possible, in particular, to dispense with an additional charging converter that could compensate for such a voltage drop. Furthermore, the arrangement in the housing makes it possible to expose the first battery and the second battery to comparable environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, thereby avoiding or at least reducing differential aging.

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the battery module are described below, which can be combined with each other as well as with the other aspects described, unless this is expressly excluded or is technically impossible.

[0019] In some embodiments, the battery module has a control device configured to control the separating element taking into account first characteristic data of the first battery and second characteristic data of the second battery. This also allows the control of the separating element by the control device to be integrated into the battery module. This enables a compact design of the battery module.

[0020] In some embodiments, the battery module has a first evaluation device for detecting the first characteristic data, in particular a first state of charge, of the first battery, and a second evaluation device for detecting the second characteristic data, in particular a first state of charge, of the second battery, wherein the first evaluation device and the second evaluation device are each connected to the control device via signal technology. This enables the detection of the first and second characteristic data to take place in the battery module, in particular in the housing of the battery module, thereby enabling improved comparability of the conditions under which the first characteristic data and the second characteristic data were detected. Furthermore, the detection and control of the separating element can take place by the control device in the battery module.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first evaluation device is further configured to compare the first characteristic data, in particular a first state of charge of the first battery, with a first threshold value, and depending on the result of the comparison can initiate an interruption of an electrical connection of the first battery to a further energy source of the vehicle, and wherein the second evaluation device is further configured to compare the second characteristic data, in particular a second state of charge of the second battery, with a second threshold value, and depending on the result of the comparison can initiate an interruption of an electrical connection of the second battery to the further energy source of the vehicle.This makes it possible, for example, for charging of the first battery and / or the second battery by the additional energy source to be interrupted if the respective comparison has shown that the state of charge has reached the threshold value, wherein the threshold value can, for example, correspond to a full charge.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first battery and the second battery are mechanically and electrically identical. This makes it easier for the other battery, i.e., the non-defective battery, to take over the electrical supply from the defective battery in the event of a defective battery, as it can, for example, provide the same voltage. Batteries with mechanically identical construction allow for easier replacement, as the available installation spaces in the housing are comparable.

[0023] In some embodiments, the battery module has a cooling device arranged in the housing and configured to cool the first battery and the second battery. This makes it possible to dispense with separate cooling devices for the first battery and the second battery, and instead to cool the first battery and the second battery using the cooling device of the battery module. A second aspect of the solution relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a battery module according to the first aspect.

[0024] The features and advantages explained with regard to the first aspect of the solution also apply accordingly to the other aspects described.

[0025] Further advantages, features and possible applications emerge from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the figures.

[0026] This shows

[0027] Fig. 1 schematically shows a battery module according to an embodiment; and

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a schematic of a vehicle with a battery module.

[0029] Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding elements.

[0030] Fig. 1 schematically shows a battery module 100 according to an embodiment.

[0031] The battery module 100 has a first battery 110 and a second battery 130, which are arranged in a housing 180. The first battery 110 and the second battery are electrically connected to one another and are in particular connected in series or parallel. The battery module 100 further has a first evaluation device 120, which is configured to record first characteristic data of the first battery 110, and a second evaluation device 140, which is configured to record second characteristic data of the second battery 130. The first evaluation device 120 and the second evaluation device 140 are each configured to record, estimate or determine a state of charge, a performance capacity and further characteristic data of the respective battery. Furthermore, the first evaluation device 120 and the second evaluation device 140 are each configured to process the recorded first and second characteristics.to compare the second characteristic data with predetermined threshold values, and depending on the comparison to interrupt an electrical connection to a further electrical energy source 220, see Fig. 2.

[0032] The battery module 100 further comprises a control device 150, a separating element 160 according to the ASIL-D standard, and a cooling device 170. The control device 150 is signal-connected to the first evaluation device 120 and the second evaluation device 140, respectively. The control device 150 is configured to control the supply of electrical energy to these electrical systems 210, 230 by the first battery 110 or the second battery 130, depending on the respective electrical energy requirements of a first electrical system 210 and a second electrical system 230 of a vehicle 200. The characteristic parameters estimated or determined by the first evaluation device 120 and the second evaluation device 140 are used for this purpose.

[0033] The electrical connection of the first battery 110 to the second battery 130 can be separated by the isolating element 160 according to the ASIL-D standard, wherein the isolating element 160 according to the ASIL-D standard can be controlled by the control device 150.

[0034] Likewise, the first battery 110 and the second battery 130 can each have at least one separate separating element, in particular a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor, also known as a MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor) (not shown here), whereby a current supply during a charging process by an energy source 220 or current discharge to a consumer can be separated or interrupted from the respective battery 110, 130 in order to protect the respective battery 110, 130 from damage.

[0035] Furthermore, a cooling device 170 for cooling in particular the first battery 110 and the second battery 130 is arranged in the housing 180 of the battery module 100.

[0036] Fig. 2 schematically shows a vehicle 200 with a battery module 100 according to Fig. 1. For reasons of clarity, only the first battery 110 and the second battery 130 are shown in the illustration of the battery module 100 according to Fig. 2. However, the battery module 100 shown in Fig. 2 also has the other components shown and described in Fig. 1.

[0037] An electrical energy source, in particular an alternator 220, is arranged in the vehicle 200 and is electrically connected to the first battery 110 and the second battery 130. The first battery 110 and the second battery 130 can each be charged by the alternator 220, so that the first battery 110 and the second battery 130, in an at least partially charged state, can each provide electrical energy for consumers connected to them. Furthermore, a first electrical system 210 and a second electrical system 230 are provided in the vehicle 200. The first battery 110 is electrically connected to the first electrical system 210 to supply the first electrical system 210 with electrical energy. Furthermore, the second battery 130 is electrically connected to the second electrical system 230 to supply the second electrical system 230 with electrical energy.

[0038] The control device 150 can control the supply of electrical energy to the first vehicle electrical system 210 and the second vehicle electrical system 230. For example, in the event of a defect in one of the first battery 110 and the second battery 130, the control device 150 can control that the supply is taken over by the other battery 110, 130. In particular, the control device 150 can control that the connection between the functional battery 110, 130 and the defective battery 110, 130 is interrupted by the isolating element 160.

[0039] By arranging the first battery 110, the second battery 130 and the separating element 160, a simplified arrangement of the two batteries 110, 130 can be realized using a separating element 160 according to ASIL-D, whereby additional components, such as charging converters, for compensating for possible differences between the batteries 110, 130 can be dispensed with.

[0040] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that a wide variety of variations exist. It should also be understood that the described exemplary embodiments are only non-limiting examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the devices and methods described herein. Rather, the foregoing description will provide one skilled in the art with guidance for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes in the operation and arrangement of the elements described in an exemplary embodiment may be made without departing from the subject matter as defined in the appended claims, as well as their legal equivalents.

[0041] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0042] 100 battery modules

[0043] 110 First battery 120 First evaluation device

[0044] 130 Second Battery

[0045] 140 Second evaluation device

[0046] 150 Control device

[0047] 160 Separator according to ASIL-D standard 170 Cooling device

[0048] 180 housings

[0049] 200 vehicles

[0050] 210 First on-board network 220 Alternator

[0051] 230 Second on-board network

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A battery module (100) for a vehicle (200), comprising: a housing (180); a first battery (110); a second battery (130); wherein the first battery (110) and the second battery (130) are arranged in the housing (180); wherein the first battery (110) is configured to supply a first vehicle electrical system (210) and the second battery (130) is configured to supply a second vehicle electrical system (230) of the vehicle (200) with electrical energy; wherein the first battery (110) is electrically connected to the second battery (130); a separating element (160) configured to interrupt and re-establish the electrical connection between the first battery (110) and the second battery (130), wherein the separating element (160) is designed according to an ASIL-D standard.

2. Battery module (100) according to claim 1, comprising a control device (150) which is configured to control the separating element (160) taking into account first characteristic data of the first battery (110) and second characteristic data of the second battery (130).

3. Battery module (100) according to claim 2, comprising a first evaluation device (120) for detecting the first characteristic data of the first battery (110), and a second evaluation device (140) for detecting the second characteristic data of the second battery (130), wherein the first evaluation device (120) and the second evaluation device (140) are each connected to the control device (150) by signaling.

4. Battery module (100) according to claim 3, wherein the first evaluation device (120) is further configured to compare the first characteristic data with a first threshold value and, depending on the result of the comparison, to initiate an interruption of an electrical connection of the first battery (110) to a further energy source (220) of the vehicle and wherein the second evaluation device (140) is further configured to compare the second characteristic data with a second threshold value and, depending on the result of the comparison, can initiate an interruption of an electrical connection between the second battery (130) and the further energy source (220) of the vehicle (200).

5. Battery module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a cooling device (170) which is arranged in the housing (180) and which is configured to cool the first battery (110) and the second battery (130).

6. Battery module (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first battery (110) and the second battery (130) are mechanically and electrically identical.

7. Vehicle (200) comprising a battery module (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images