DE102024001489A1 - Device for automatically reading and validating data from a cell module - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for reading and validating data of a cell module of an electrical energy storage device for a vehicle with a connection element (4) for power supply. According to the invention, the device (1) is characterized by a main board (P1) with a microcontroller (5), which is coupled to the connection element (4) at least for the power supply, and a first interface chip (S1) for communication with at least one measuring electronics of the cell module, wherein the microcontroller (5) is connected to the first interface chip (S1), a plug-in board (P2) arranged on the main board (P1) with a second interface chip (S2) for communication with a measuring electronics of the electrical cell module, wherein the microcontroller (5) is connected to the second interface chip (S2), and a separating board (P3) with two separating elements (T1, T2) for galvanic isolation in the event of a detected hazard up to an electrical direct voltage of up to 1500 volts, wherein a separating element (T1) is designed for galvanic isolation of a connection of the first interface chip (S1) from an adapter connection element (3) and a further separating element (T2) is designed for galvanic isolation of a connection of the second Interface chips (S2) are formed by the or a further adapter connection element (3).

Description

The invention relates to a device for automatically reading and validating data from a cell module of an electrical energy storage device for a vehicle with a connection element for the power supply.

From the US11,548,404 B2 A battery maintenance device for carrying out maintenance work on battery packs of electric vehicles is known. The battery maintenance device comprises several loads for connection to a battery pack for discharging the battery pack. In addition, the battery maintenance device has charging circuits for charging the battery pack. Input/output circuits are provided for communication with the charging circuits in the battery pack and circuits of the electric vehicle.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a device for automatically reading and validating data from a cell module of an electrical energy storage device for a vehicle.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a device which has the features specified in claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

• - eine Hauptplatine mit einem Mikrocontroller, welcher mit dem Anschlusselement zur Stromversorgung gekoppelt ist, und einem ersten Schnittstellenchip für eine Kommunikation mit zumindest einer Messelektronik des Zellmoduls, wobei der Mikrocontroller mit dem ersten Schnittstellenchip verbunden ist,
• - eine auf der Hauptplatine angeordnete Aufsteckplatine mit einem zweiten Schnittstellenchip für eine Kommunikation mit einer Messelektronik des Zellmoduls, wobei der Mikrocontroller mit dem zweiten Schnittstellenchip verbunden ist und
• - eine Trennplatine mit zwei Trennelementen zur galvanischen Trennung bis zur einer elektrischen Gleichspannung bis 1500 Volt, wobei ein Trennelement zur galvanischen Trennung einer Verbindung des ersten Schnittstellchips von einem Adapter-Anschlusselement ausgebildet ist und ein weiteres Trennelement zur galvanischen Trennung bei einer erfassten Gefährdung einer Verbindung des zweiten Schnittstellenchips von dem Adapter-Anschlusselement ausgebildet ist.

A device for, in particular automatically, reading and validating data of a cell module of an electrical energy storage device for a vehicle with a connection element for power supply comprises according to the invention:

• - a main board with a microcontroller, which is coupled to the connection element for the power supply, and a first interface chip for communication with at least one measuring electronics of the cell module, wherein the microcontroller is connected to the first interface chip,
• - a plug-in board arranged on the main board with a second interface chip for communication with a measuring electronics of the cell module, wherein the microcontroller is connected to the second interface chip and
• - a separation board with two separation elements for galvanic isolation up to an electrical direct voltage of up to 1500 volts, wherein one separation element is designed for galvanic isolation of a connection of the first interface chip from an adapter connection element and a further separation element is designed for galvanic isolation in the event of a detected risk to a connection of the second interface chip from the adapter connection element.

By means of a device designed in this way, it is comparatively easy to record data from individual electrochemical cells of the cell module, such as a cell voltage and/or a temperature, via the measuring electronics of the cell module.

The device enables a diagnosis of the electrochemical individual cells in production, for diagnosis, for rework and/or during reprocessing of an electrical energy storage device, in particular in the form of a so-called high-voltage battery. Such a diagnosis is essential for early detection of errors in relation to an individual cell, for identifying rejects and for reducing costs.

In particular, the device enables rapid diagnosis of the individual cells when the condition of the cell module is unknown, whereby the device can be used to carry out incoming goods tests of cell modules in series production, in particular by checking voltage differences, by checking sensors for cell monitoring and by checking so-called process windows of the individual cells, for early fault detection.

The device enables a relatively quick diagnosis of field failures, including visualization of fault locations, and the device can be used to prepare cell modules for a reuse process, for example with regard to charge equalization, voltage differences, control of sensors, control of process windows, etc.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

• 1 schematisch eine Ansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Auslesen und Validieren von Daten eines Zellmoduls eines elektrischen Energiespeichers für ein Fahrzeug,
• 2 schematisch eine weitere Ansicht der Vorrichtung,
• 3 schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung,
• 4 schematisch ein Schaltbild der Vorrichtung und
• 5 schematisch ein Ablaufdiagramm zum automatischen Auslesen und Validieren der Daten mittels der Vorrichtung.

Showing:

• 1 schematically a view of a device for reading and validating data of a cell module of an electrical energy storage device for a vehicle,
• 2 schematically another view of the device,
• 3 schematically a perspective view of the device,
• 4 schematically a circuit diagram of the device and
• 5 schematically shows a flow chart for the automatic reading and validation of data using the device.

Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

The 1 to 3 each show a view of a device 1 for, in particular automatically, reading out and validating data of a cell module of an electrical energy storage device for a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or a vehicle operated with fuel cells, wherein the electrical energy storage device is a traction battery of the respective vehicle.

1 shows a view, 2 another view and in 3 a perspective view of the device 1 is shown.

A cell module of such an electrical energy storage device, which is referred to as a high-voltage battery, comprises a plurality of electrically interconnected individual cells, in particular electrochemical individual cells. The cell module or individual cells are usually monitored by means of a sensor system, in particular a cell monitoring unit, whereby in particular a respective cell voltage and temperature of the individual cells are recorded.

Such cell modules represent comparatively complex systems, whereby without access to the module's own measuring electronics, in particular the sensors of the respective cell monitoring unit, no statement can be made about the respective status of the individual cells and the sensors. In particular, each cell module has specific measuring electronics, which differ in terms of the number of measuring interfaces per cell module, the number of individual cells, the number of temperature sensors, and in terms of dimensions, shape and assignment of plugs.

In the production, assessment and rework or reconditioning of an electrical energy storage device with at least one cell module, a diagnosis of the individual cells is essential, especially for early fault detection, waste reduction and cost reduction.

The device 1 described below is intended in particular for carrying out such a diagnosis.

The device 1 has a housing 2, wherein an adapter connection element 3, in particular in the form of an M12 socket, is arranged on a first housing side 2.1, wherein a number of adapter connection elements 3 can vary. The adapter connection element 3 can also be designed differently, wherein a design can be selected depending on a rated voltage of a measuring application.

By means of the respective adapter connection element 3, it is possible to contact each measuring electronics and the use of at least one spring contact can largely ensure that contact pins of the measuring electronics are largely protected against damage and/or wear.

At one in 2 Two separating elements T1, T2 are arranged on the second housing side 2.2 of the device 1, which are used for the galvanic isolation of a connection between a 4 exemplary and greatly simplified first interface chip 51 from the adapter connection element 2 or between a 4 The second interface chip S2 is shown as an example and in a highly simplified manner.

In the 3 In the perspective view of the device 1 shown, a third housing side 2.3 of the housing 2 of the device 1 is shown, wherein a connection element 4 for supplying power to the device 1 is arranged on the third housing side 2.3. In addition, the connection element 4 is designed for data exchange between the device 1 and a higher-level instance, not shown in detail, in particular an evaluation unit.

In 4 a circuit diagram of the device 1 is shown.

The device 1 has a main board P1, a daughter board P2 and a separation board P3, which are arranged in the housing 2.

A microcontroller 5 is arranged on the main board P1 and is connected to the connection element 4, in particular in terms of signaling. In addition, the microcontroller 5 is connected to the first interface chip S1 and the second interface chip S2 in terms of signaling.

The first interface chip S1 arranged on the main board P1 is intended for communication of the microcontroller 5 with measuring electronics, i.e. a sensor system, in particular for detecting a cell voltage of an individual cell of the cell module.

In addition, the microcontroller 5 is signal-connected to a second component 9 “inputs/outputs CAN bus”, in particular in the form of a further connection element 4, by means of a first component 6 “inputs/outputs”, a CAN transceiver 7 and a switching element 8 of an electronic circuit for serial interfaces.

Furthermore, a connection component 10 is provided for alternative power supply for stationary operation of the device 1, in particular of the microcontroller 5. The connection component 10 is electrically connected to a voltage regulation unit 11, which in turn is connected to the microcontroller 5, in particular electrically.

The plug-in board P2 includes the second interface chip S2, which is also intended for communication between the microcontroller 5 and the measuring electronics, i.e. the sensors of the cell monitoring unit. The plug-in board P2 is plugged onto the main board P1.

The separating elements T1, T2 are arranged on the separating board P3, with one separating element T1 being assigned to the first interface chip S1 and another separating element T2 being assigned to the second interface chip S2. The separating elements T1, T2 can be used to break a connection between the corresponding interface chip S1, S2 and the adapter connection element 3, with the separating elements T1, T2 enabling galvanic isolation up to a direct voltage of 1500 volts. This means that the separating elements T1, T2 can be used to separate the interface chips S1, S2 from a so-called protective extra-low voltage in the event of a hazard of up to 1500 volts.

The device 1 is connected by means of the connection element 4 to the higher-level instance, in particular the evaluation unit, for example in the form of a PC, in terms of data technology and energy supply technology.

To diagnose the individual cells of a cell module, this is connected to the device 1 in terms of signals, in particular via the adapter connection element 3, whereby several cell modules can also be connected to the device 1 in terms of signals. A connection between the HV poles of the cell modules is not required. In particular, each cell module has its own measuring electronics. This measuring electronics is connected to another measuring electronics of another cell module by means of a signal connection. For example, a first measuring electronics is connected to the higher-level instance, whereby this recognizes, in particular automatically, how many measuring electronics are connected.

5 shows a flow chart of a method carried out by means of the device 1 for reading and validating data of a cell module connected to the device 1. In the decisions to be made, a yes is marked with a J and a no with an N.

In an initial state, the device 1 is in a standby mode B and receives a binary measurement request MA in a first method step V1, in particular via one of its interfaces. The device 1 can have several interfaces for connection to a plurality of higher-level instances, it being possible to trigger a start of a measurement in a binary manner, i.e. by means of a binary measurement request.

In a second method step V2, a query to the interface chips S1, S2 determines on which path a cell module is detected.

In the second method step V2, by sending a so-called broadcast request, it is determined on which interface chip S1, S2 a measuring electronics of the cell module coupled to the device 1 can be found. If it is determined during the check that no measuring electronics, in particular no detected signals, of the measuring electronics can be determined, an error message F is issued in a respective fourth method step V4, in particular by means of the evaluation unit, i.e. the higher-level instance.

If, however, it is determined in the third method step V3 that a measuring electronics is connected to the device 1 by means of signals, a number of signal-related measuring interfaces of the respective measuring electronics are determined in a respective fifth method step V5. This determination is made by means of the microcontroller 5.

After determining the number of measuring interfaces connected to the device 1 by signal technology, all available data from the measuring interfaces connected to the signal technology of the respective cell module are automatically recorded, in particular as raw data, by means of the microcontroller 5 in a respective sixth method step V6. In particular, the cell voltages and temperatures of the individual cells of the cell modules are recorded as raw data by the microcontroller 5.

This raw data is then converted in a seventh process step V7 and transmitted in an eighth process step V8 to the evaluation unit, which evaluates the data. For example, the data is evaluated using software. The evaluation and assessment of the recorded data is carried out in relation to adjustable limit values, in particular for the cell voltage and the temperature, whereby the limit values can be specified and set by a user. For example, a red-green assessment is carried out so that all data that is within an acceptance range specified by the limit values is displayed in green, and data that is outside the respective acceptance range is marked in red. The data provided can also be used for monitoring purposes and/or displayed in real time.

In one possible embodiment, the data in the device 1 and/or by means of the software can be checked with respect to the specified limit values, in particular with respect to a minimum and a maximum cell voltage and/or with respect to a minimum or maximum temperature. This check is particularly necessary in order to classify cell modules from rework or dismantling and to be able to determine whether the individual cells of the cell modules meet specified requirements for reuse in a production line, or to check the condition of a comparatively large number of cell modules.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

2

Housing

2.1

first housing side

2.2

second housing side

2.3

third housing side

3

Adapter connection element

4

Connection element

5

Microcontroller

6

first component

7

CAN transceiver

8th

Switching element

9

second component

10

Connection component

11

Voltage control unit

B

Standby mode

P1

Motherboard

P2

Daughter board

P3

Separation board

S1

first interface chip

S2

second interface chip

T1

Separating element

T2

additional separating element

V1 to V8

Process step

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 11548404 B2 [0002]

Claims (3)

Device (1) for reading and validating data from a cell module of an electrical energy storage device for a vehicle with a connection element (4) for power supply, characterized by - a main board (P1) with a microcontroller (5), which is coupled to the connection element (4) at least for power supply, and a first interface chip (S1) for communication with at least one measuring electronics of the cell module, wherein the microcontroller (5) is connected to the first interface chip (S1), - a plug-in board (P2) arranged on the main board (P1) with a second interface chip (S2) for communication with a measuring electronics of the electrical cell module, wherein the microcontroller (5) is connected to the second interface chip (S2), and - a separating board (P3) with two separating elements (T1, T2) for galvanic isolation in the event of a detected hazard up to an electrical direct voltage of up to 1500 volts, wherein a separating element (T1) for galvanic isolation of a connection of the first interface chip (S1) is formed by an adapter connection element (3) and a further separating element (T2) is formed for the galvanic separation of a connection of the second interface chip (S2) from the or a further adapter connection element (3). Device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the microcontroller (5) is designed to activate the first interface chip (S1) or the second interface chip (S2) depending on a received binary measurement request and to record all available data from measurement interfaces of a connected measurement electronics and to transmit them to a higher-level evaluation unit for evaluation. Device (1) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the higher-level evaluation unit is designed to evaluate and assess the data in relation to adjustable limit values.

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