A system for controlling the mechanical behaviour of batteries

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) which enables the mechanical condition of battery (2) components and connection elements to be periodically checked.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] A SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF BATTERIES

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a system which enables the mechanical condition of battery components and connection elements to be periodically checked.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] In high-energy systems such as electric vehicle batteries, control of mechanical integration is critical for driver and passenger safety. A battery that loses its mechanical integration poses a danger to passengers, drivers and pedestrians and may also become unusable. For this reason, it is necessary to periodically check the mechanical condition of the battery components and connection elements. While checking the connection between the battery and the vehicle is possible at vehicle service points with an operator, checking the internal connections of the battery is a very difficult and costly process. For this reason, mechanical control of the subsystems of the batteries in electric vehicles currently on the market cannot be realized. The mechanical endurance and fatigue life of electric vehicle battery systems are examined by vibration and shock tests at a desired frequency with a shaker table. These tests are carried out during the research and development phase before the mass production of the battery pack to verify the endurance of the battery pack. The modal and dynamic characteristics of the battery are decisive in the endurance and fatigue life of the battery. When mechanical fatigue or loss of connection occurs in the battery pack or the components therein, a change in the modal characteristics of the battery pack is observed. In addition, no battery-specific controlled vibration tests are performed at the vehicle level. For this reason, it is understood that there is a need for a system which enables the mechanical integration and mechanical condition of the battery to be checked at certain periods after the batteries are integrated into the vehicle.

[0007] The Korean patent document no. KR20120037154 A, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a system configured to detect faults that may occur in the battery pack. The invention comprises a fault detection method provided for the battery pack. The process comprises the acquisition of vertical vibration data from the upper and lower acceleration sensors on the battery. Then, a pole frequency is calculated based on the acceleration change waveform derived from the frequency analysis of the collected data. The normal state verification step determines the normal operation of the battery by comparing the calculated pole frequency with the normal frequency range, which includes the pole frequencies corresponding to the reference frequencies during normal operation. The battery pack is considered to be in normal condition when the calculated pole frequency falls within the normal frequency range.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to realize a system which enables the mechanical condition of battery components and connection elements to be periodically checked.

[0010] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0011] “A System for Controlling the Mechanical Behaviour of Batteries” realized to fulfil the objective of the present invention is shown in the figure attached, in which:

[0012] Figure l is a flowchart of the inventive system. The components illustrated in the figure are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

[0013] 1. System

[0014] 2. Battery

[0015] 3. Modal shaker

[0016] 4. Sensor

[0017] 5. B attery management unit

[0018] A system (1) which enables the mechanical condition of battery components and connection elements to be periodically checked comprises; at least one battery (2) which provides power through the electrical energy it stores; at least one modal shaker (3) which is positioned on the battery (2) and is configured to drive the system in the specified frequency band and to impart vibration to the battery (2); at least one sensor (4) which is positioned on the battery (2) and is configured to measure the acceleration at the point where it is located and to convert the incoming acceleration data into electrical signals; and at least one battery management unit (5) which is positioned on the battery (2); manages battery (2) functions and controls the battery (2); is configured to trigger the modal shaker (3) for battery (2) condition control at certain periods; to output frequency response function curves by processing acceleration data obtained from the sensor (4); to enable a warning to be provided in the vehicle if it detects a difference by comparing the output curve graph with reference graphs.

[0019] The modal shaker (3) included in the inventive system (1) is positioned on the battery (2) and is configured to impart vibration to the battery (2). The sensor (4) included in the inventive system (1) is positioned on the battery (2) and is a device in the form of an accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration at the point where it is located. The said sensor (4) is configured to convert the incoming acceleration data into electrical signals. The sensor (4) is configured to transmit the data it obtains to the battery management unit (3).

[0020] The battery management unit (5) included in the inventive system (1) is positioned on the battery (2) and is configured to manage the battery (2) functions and to control the battery (2). The battery management unit (5) is configured to collect and keep a record of data relating to the battery (2) in which it is located. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the battery management unit (5) is configured to trigger the modal shaker (3) at certain periods. The battery management unit (5) is configured to receive and process the acceleration data obtained by the sensor (4) when the modal shaker (3) imparts vibration, and to output a frequency response function curve graph. The battery management unit (5) is configured to compare the obtained graph with reference graphs and to enable a warning to be given audibly and / or visually in the vehicle if a difference is detected.

[0021] Industrial Application of the Invention

[0022] By means of the inventive system (1), it is enabled to periodically check the mechanical condition of the battery (2) components and connection elements and, in this way, mechanical faults occurring in the battery (2) can be detected before the driver and passenger are harmed.

[0023] Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive “A System (1) for Controlling the Mechanical Behaviour of Batteries”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system (1) which enables the mechanical condition of battery components and connection elements to be periodically checked characterized by at least one battery (2) which provides power through the electrical energy it stores; at least one modal shaker (3) which is positioned on the battery (2) and is configured to drive the system in the specified frequency band and to impart vibration to the battery (2); at least one sensor (4) which is positioned on the battery (2) and is configured to measure the acceleration at the point where it is located and to convert the incoming acceleration data into electrical signals; and at least one battery management unit (5) which is positioned on the battery (2); manages battery (2) functions and controls the battery (2); is configured to trigger the modal shaker (3) for battery (2) condition control at certain periods; to output frequency response function curves by processing acceleration data obtained from the sensor (4); to enable a warning to be provided in the vehicle if it detects a difference by comparing the output curve graph with reference graphs.

2. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the modal shaker (3) which is positioned on the battery (2) and is configured to impart vibration to the battery (2).

3. A system (1) according to Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the sensor (4) which is positioned on the battery (2) and is a device in the form of an accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration at the point where it is located.

4. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the sensor (4) which is configured to convert the incoming acceleration data into electrical signals.

5. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the sensor (4) which is configured to transmit the data it obtains to the battery management unit (3).

6. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the battery management unit (5) which is positioned on the battery (2) and is configured to manage the battery (2) functions and to control the battery (2).

7. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the battery management unit (5) which is configured to collect and keep a record of data relating to the battery (2) in which it is located.

8. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the battery management unit (5) which is configured to trigger the modal shaker (3) at certain periods.

9. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the battery management unit (5) which is configured to receive and process the acceleration data obtained by the sensor (4) when the modal shaker (3) imparts vibration, and to output a frequency response function curve graph.

10. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the battery management unit (5) which is configured to compare the obtained graph with reference graphs and to enable a warning to be given audibly and / or visually in the vehicle if a difference is detected.

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