DE102016214338A1 - Method and system for assisting the maintenance of an electrically powered vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A system (100) for assisting a user in servicing an electrically powered vehicle (110) is described. The system (100) comprises a first electrically driven vehicle (110) having a first electrical energy store (114) for storing electrical energy for the operation of an electric drive machine of the first vehicle (110). The first vehicle (110) is configured to send SOH data relating to a state of the first electrical energy store (114) to a central processing unit (120). The system (100) further comprises the central processing unit (120) arranged to determine, based on the SOH data, replacement information indicating whether the first electrical energy store (114) of the first vehicle (110) should be replaced. The central processing unit (120) is further configured to cause the exchange information to be transmitted to a user of the first vehicle (110).

Description

The invention relates to a method and a corresponding system for assisting a user in the maintenance of an energy storage device of an electrically driven vehicle.

A vehicle with an electric drive comprises an energy store, in particular a battery such as a lithium-ion battery, which is set up to store electrical energy for the operation of an electric drive machine of the vehicle. The energy storage of a vehicle may age over time, which typically results in a reduction in the storage capacity and / or power limits of the energy storage. As a result, the range of the vehicle and / or the dynamics of the vehicle may be affected. On the other hand, the energy density and / or the performance limits of newly developed energy stores are steadily increasing, so that the replacement of an energy store can increase the range and / or dynamics of a vehicle.

The effects of the o.g. Effects on the operation of an electrically powered vehicle are typically not readily apparent to a user of the electrically powered vehicle. The present document addresses the technical problem of providing a method and system that assist a user of an electrically powered vehicle to optimize the operation of the electrically powered vehicle.

The object is solved by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described i.a. in the dependent claims.

In one aspect, a system for assisting a user in servicing an electrically powered vehicle (particularly a road vehicle) is described. The user may include an operator of the electrically powered vehicle.

The system comprises a first electrically powered vehicle having a first electrical energy storage for storing electrical energy for the operation of an electric drive machine of the first vehicle. The first energy store can be set up to store and release electrical energy through a chemical process. An exemplary first energy storage includes a lithium-ion battery. An electrical energy store that stores electrical energy through a chemical process is typically exposed to a more or less rapid aging process. The aging process typically depends on the thermal and / or mechanical load of the energy store and / or on the actual use of the energy store.

The first vehicle is configured to send SOH data (i.e., state of health data) to a central processing unit with respect to a state of the first electrical energy store. In particular, the first vehicle may determine SOH data and send it to the central unit (e.g., via a wireless communication link). By way of example, the first vehicle may be set up to acquire information (with regard to the use and / or with respect to environmental influences on the first electrical energy store over time (and possibly store it in a memory unit of the first vehicle). The SOH data may then be determined based on the information regarding usage and / or environmental impact. Thus, a degradation of the first energy storage due to an aging process can be determined in a precise manner.

The SOH data related to a state of an energy storage may indicate and / or may depend on: a manufacturer of the energy storage; and / or a place of manufacture, a year of manufacture and / or a serial number of the energy store; and / or a number of already done charging cycles of the energy storage; and / or a number of already made quick charges of the energy storage; and / or a number of already completed discharge cycles of the energy storage; and / or a storage capacity of the energy store; and / or a rest voltage on the energy store; and / or an internal resistance of the energy store; and / or an amount of self-discharge of the energy store; and / or mechanical loads that have acted on the energy storage; and / or thermal loads that have acted on the energy storage; and / or a profile of the charge / discharge characteristic of the energy storage.

The SOH data can thus indicate in a precise manner the state (and in particular the aging) of an energy store, in particular with regard to the still available storage capacity and / or with respect to current performance limits (eg a maximum discharge power and / or a maximum charging power) energy storage.

The system further includes a central processing unit (eg, a server) configured to determine replacement information based on the SOH data indicating whether the first electrical energy storage of the first vehicle should be replaced. In particular, the replacement Information indicating a possible increase in the range of the first vehicle and / or the electrical storage capacity of an energy storage, which can be achieved by an exchange of the first energy storage. Alternatively or additionally, the replacement information may indicate a possible increase in the driving dynamics of the first vehicle and / or the power limits of an energy storage, which may be achieved by an exchange of the first energy storage. Furthermore, the replacement information can indicate costs (eg as costs / kilometers or costs / kWh) that can be saved by the exchange.

The central processing unit may be further configured to cause the exchange information to be communicated to a user of the first vehicle. For example, the exchange information may be transmitted to and displayed to a personal electronic device (e.g., a smartphone) of a user. Alternatively or additionally, the replacement information can be transmitted to the first vehicle and output via an output unit of the first vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the replacement information can be transmitted to a service workshop or to an operator of the first vehicle.

The system thus enables a user to automatically and efficiently obtain information about whether the vehicle's energy storage should be replaced (e.g., to increase the range of the vehicle). Thus, a user of an electrically powered vehicle is supported in a comfortable and reliable manner in the maintenance of the vehicle.

The central processing unit may be configured to provide an (electronic) marketplace on which electrically powered vehicles may set SOH data related to the state of energy stores as sales offers. Furthermore, buyers for used energy storage devices (for so-called "Second Life" applications) may place purchase offers for used energy storage devices in the marketplace. Thus, information regarding the value of the first energy storage of the first vehicle can be determined in a precise and efficient manner. The central processing unit may then determine the replacement information (also) depending on the information relating to the value of the first energy storage (e.g., a second life value of the first energy storage). Thus, economic aspects can also be taken into account when determining an exchange recommendation. Further, the central processing unit may (also) determine the replacement information depending on a cost forecast (e.g., based on historical data) that indicates what costs can be saved by the replacement.

The central unit may be further configured to determine information relating to a property of a second energy store, by means of which the first energy store can be exchanged. The property may include a storage capacity, a power limit and / or a value of the second energy store. The second energy store may be a new energy store (possibly further developed in comparison to the first energy store). The replacement information can then also be determined as a function of the information relating to a property of the second energy store. Thus substantiated exchange recommendations can be determined further.

In another aspect, an electrically powered vehicle (particularly, a road vehicle such as a passenger car, a truck or a motorcycle, and / or a water or air vehicle) is described. The electrically driven vehicle comprises an electrical energy store for storing electrical energy for the operation of an electric drive machine of the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle is arranged to determine SOH data related to a state of the electric energy storage and to send to a central processing unit. The vehicle is further configured to receive replacement information from the central processing unit, the replacement information indicating whether the electrical energy store should be replaced. The vehicle may be further configured to cause the replacement information to be output to a user, a workshop, and / or an operator of the vehicle.

In particular, the vehicle may be arranged to periodically transmit (e.g., one, two, or more months apart) SOH data to the central processing unit and in response receive exchange information from the central processing unit. Thus, if necessary, prompt replacement of the energy storage can be prompted.

In another aspect, a method for assisting a user in servicing an electrically powered vehicle is described. The method may e.g. be executed by a central unit and / or by a vehicle. The method includes determining SOH data related to a state of an electrical energy storage of an electrically powered vehicle. The method further comprises determining, based on the SOH data, replacement information indicating whether the electrical energy storage of the vehicle should be replaced. In addition, the method comprises transmitting and / or outputting the exchange information to a user of the vehicle.

In another aspect, a central processing unit is provided that is configured to perform the method described in this document.

In another aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The SW program can be set up to run on a processor and thereby perform the method described in this document.

In another aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium may include a SW program that is set up to run on a processor and thereby perform the method described in this document.

It should be understood that the methods, devices and systems described herein may be used alone as well as in combination with other methods, devices and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the methods, devices, and systems described herein may be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined in a variety of ways.

Furthermore, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments. Show

1 an exemplary system for assisting a user in servicing an electrically powered vehicle; and

2 a method of assisting a user in servicing an electrically powered vehicle.

• • einen Hersteller des Energiespeichers 114;
• • einen Herstellungsort, ein Herstellungsjahr, eine Seriennummer des Energiespeichers 114;
• • eine Anzahl von erfolgen Ladezyklen;
• • eine Anzahl von erfolgten Schnellladungen;
• • eine Anzahl von Entladezyklen;
• • eine Kapazität des Energiespeichers 114;
• • eine Spannung an dem Energiespeicher 114;
• • eine Lade- und Entladecharakteristik des Energiespeichers 114;
• • einen Innenwiderstand des Energiespeichers 114;
• • eine Selbstentladung des Energiespeichers 114; und/oder
• • Batterie-/Zelltemperaturen und/oder mechanische Belastungen des Energiespeichers 114.

As set forth above, the present document is concerned with a system and method for assisting a user of an at least partially electrically powered vehicle to service the vehicle, particularly when servicing an electrical energy store of the vehicle. In this context shows 1 a block diagram of an exemplary system 100 that is a central processing unit 120 which is set up with a variety of vehicles 110 Exchange data. A vehicle 110 In particular, it may be configured SOH (State of Health) data with respect to an electrical energy store 114 of the vehicle 110 to the central unit 120 to convey. The SOH data may include, for example, or depend on,

• • a manufacturer of the energy storage 114 ;
• • a place of manufacture, a year of manufacture, a serial number of the energy store 114 ;
• • a number of charge cycles;
• • a number of quick charges;
• • a number of discharge cycles;
• • a capacity of the energy storage 114 ;
• • a voltage at the energy storage 114 ;
• • a charging and discharging characteristic of the energy storage 114 ;
• • an internal resistance of the energy storage 114 ;
• • a self-discharge of the energy storage 114 ; and or
• • Battery / cell temperatures and / or mechanical loads on the energy storage 114 ,

The above data can be used over the life of an energy storage device 114 captured and stored on a storage unit 112 of a vehicle 110 get saved. A control unit 111 of the vehicle 110 can then provide SOH data when needed, showing the state of the energy store 114 accurately reproduce.

The central unit 120 can SOH data of energy storage 114 from a variety of vehicles 110 collect. Furthermore, the central unit 120 be set up based on the SOH data, the value of an energy storage 114 to investigate. For this purpose, the central unit 120 provide a marketplace on which the used energy stores 114 of vehicles 110 can be set as sales offers. On the other hand, potential buyers 130 of used energy storage 114 (eg for use in stationary applications, such as the storage of electrical energy in a household) at the central marketplace 120 take part. Thus, through the marketplace, a value of a used energy storage can be efficiently and precisely calculated 114 be determined.

The marketplace of the central unit 120 In addition, new (especially newly developed) energy storage of manufacturing can 140 of energy storage. As stated above, new energy stores typically have relatively higher energy densities and / or power limits. Furthermore, new energy storage can be cheaper. As the power of new energy storage devices increases, typically the value of used energy storage devices decreases 114 , By considering new energy storage devices, the value of a used energy storage device can be used 114 be determined with increased accuracy.

The control unit 111 of a vehicle 110 can thus be set up, the SOH data of an energy storage 114 of the vehicle 110 to the central unit 120 to convey to a value of energy storage 114 to investigate. Furthermore, it can be determined taking into account the costs of a new or an alternative energy storage, whether it (economically and / or technically) makes sense, the energy storage used 114 be replaced by a new energy storage (eg the range and / or dynamics of the vehicle 110 to increase). The control unit 111 of the vehicle 110 can then determine a replacement recommendation depending on the above-mentioned evaluation and optionally via an output unit 113 (eg via a screen) of the vehicle 110 to a user of the vehicle 110 output. Thus, the user during maintenance (the electrical energy storage 114 ) of the vehicle 110 get supported.

2 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 200 to assist a user in maintaining an electrically powered vehicle 110 , The procedure 200 can eg by the central unit 120 and / or by the control unit 111 of a vehicle 110 be executed. The procedure 200 includes determining 201 of SOH (State of Health) data related to a state of an electrical energy storage 114 an electrically driven vehicle 110 , In addition, the process includes 200 the determining 202 , based on the SOH data, of replacement information indicating whether the electrical energy storage 114 of the vehicle 110 should be replaced. Furthermore, the method includes 200 the transmitting 203 the exchange information to a user, to a workshop and / or an operator of the vehicle 110 , On the basis of the exchange information, the user can then decide whether an exchange of the electrical energy storage 114 for technical and / or economic reasons makes sense. Thus, the user of a vehicle 110 effectively in the maintenance of an electrically powered vehicle 110 get supported.

On the basis of the SOH data (possibly including the attributes of the traction battery such as manufacturers, year of manufacture, place of manufacture, serial number, etc.) can thus be requested at regular intervals an offer in a "Second Life" marketplace for energy storage. Furthermore, at the same time (at regular intervals) an offer for a new energy storage can be requested. On the basis of the offers can then by the control unit 111 An exchange recommendation is generated and, if necessary, issued to a user.

The vehicle control 111 can use the SOH data relevant to the offer in relation to an energy store 114 of the vehicle 110 Determine independently and automatically check the supply situation for old and new batteries at regular intervals. The user or owner of the vehicle 100 can then be automatically transmitted a replacement recommendation (in the vehicle 110 yourself or to a personal electronic device, eg smartphone, of the user). The recommendation can thus be in the vehicle 110 displayed and / or transmitted by other means (eg by telecommunications, SMS or via an IT system eg e-mail). The replacement recommendation may also be transmitted to a service partner or to another person or entity responsible for the operation or service. Thus, if necessary, an exchange directly for a used energy storage 114 be initiated.

With the provision of a marketplace for new and used batteries can be a used battery 114 be promptly supplied to an optimal use. A vehicle user receives a vehicle with optimized range, tank and safety function by replacing a battery with a new battery. Through the automatic communication of vehicles 110 with a central unit 120 This will create a transparent marketplace and thus enable an efficient exchange of energy storage devices.

It is to be expected that in the course of fully automatic driving the tendency to own a personal vehicle decreases and an ever-increasing number of vehicles in vehicle fleets are operated by an operator. Especially in vehicle fleets, the functional and economic optimization of vehicles is a high priority.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and figures are intended to illustrate only the principle of the proposed methods, apparatus and systems.

Claims (10)

System ( 100 ) to assist a user in maintaining an electrically driven vehicle ( 110 ), whereby the system ( 100 ), - a first electrically driven vehicle ( 110 ) with a first electrical energy store ( 114 ) for storing electrical energy for the operation of an electric drive machine of the first vehicle ( 110 ); the first vehicle ( 110 ), SOH data relating to a state of the first electrical energy store ( 114 ) to a central processing unit ( 120 ) to send; and - the central unit ( 120 ), which is arranged to - based on the SOH data exchange information to determine which indicates whether the first electrical Energy storage ( 114 ) of the first vehicle ( 110 ) should be replaced; and - causing the exchange information to be sent to a user of the first vehicle ( 110 ) is transmitted. System ( 100 ) according to claim 1, wherein the first vehicle ( 110 ) is set up, - information relating to the use and / or with regard to environmental influences on the first electrical energy store ( 114 ) over time; and - to determine the SOH data on the basis of the information related to the use and / or the environmental impact. System ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the SOH data relating to a state of an energy store ( 114 ) indicate and / or depend on: - a manufacturer of the energy store ( 114 ); and / or - a place of manufacture, a year of manufacture and / or a serial number of the energy store ( 114 ); and / or - a number of already carried out charging cycles of the energy storage ( 114 ); and / or - a number of already made rapid discharges of the energy store ( 114 ); and / or - a historical course of a charge / discharge characteristic of the energy store ( 114 ); and / or - a number of already completed discharge cycles of the energy store ( 114 ); and / or - a storage capacity of the energy store ( 114 ); and / or - a rest voltage at the energy storage ( 114 ); and / or - an internal resistance of the energy store ( 114 ); and / or - a degree of self-discharge of the energy store ( 114 ); and / or mechanical loads acting on the energy store ( 114 ) have acted; and / or - thermal loads acting on the energy store ( 114 ). System ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first vehicle ( 110 ) is arranged to receive the exchange information; and - the exchange information via an output unit ( 113 ) of the first vehicle ( 110 ). System ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the exchange information indicates: an increase in the range of the first vehicle ( 110 ) and / or the electrical storage capacity of the first energy store ( 114 ) replaced by an exchange of the first energy store ( 114 ) is achieved; and / or an increase in the driving dynamics of the first vehicle ( 110 ) and / or the power limits of the first energy store ( 114 ) replaced by an exchange of the first energy store ( 114 ) is achieved. System ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central unit ( 120 ) - to provide a marketplace on which - electrically powered vehicles ( 110 ) SOH data related to the state of energy storage ( 114 ) as sales offers; and - Demand for used energy storage ( 114 ) Purchase offers for used energy storage ( 114 ) in order to obtain information relating to the value of the first energy store ( 114 ) of the first vehicle ( 110 ) to investigate; and the exchange information in dependence on the information relating to the value of the first energy store ( 114 ) to investigate. System ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central unit ( 120 ) - information relating to a property of a second energy store ( 114 ), by which the first energy store ( 114 ) can be exchanged; the property in particular comprising a storage capacity, a power limit and / or a value; and the exchange information in dependence on the information relating to a property of the second energy store ( 114 ) to investigate. Electrically powered vehicle ( 110 ), wherein the electrically driven vehicle ( 110 ), - an electrical energy store ( 114 ) for storing electrical energy for the operation of an electric drive machine of the vehicle ( 110 ); Is set up, SOH data relating to a state of the electrical energy storage ( 114 ) and to a central processing unit ( 120 ) to send; - is set up, exchange information from the central unit ( 120 ), which indicates whether the electrical energy storage ( 114 ) should be replaced; and - is arranged to cause the exchange information to be sent to a user of the vehicle ( 110 ) is output. Electrically powered vehicle ( 110 ) according to claim 8, wherein the vehicle ( 110 ) periodically sends SOH data to the central unit ( 120 ) and, in response, exchange information from the central processing unit ( 120 ) to recieve. Procedure ( 200 ) to assist a user in maintaining an electrically driven vehicle ( 110 ), the process ( 200 ), - determining ( 201 ) of SOH data with respect to a state of an electrical energy store ( 114 ) of an electrically driven vehicle ( 110 ); - Determine ( 202 ), based on the SOH data, of replacement information indicating whether the electrical energy storage ( 114 ) of the vehicle ( 110 ) should be replaced; and - transmitting ( 203 ) of the exchange information to a user of the vehicle ( 110 ).

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