DE102013225748B4 - Mobile unit and method for using an electrochemical energy store as required - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for using an electrochemical energy store (1) as required, comprising the steps:
- Signaling (200) an increased need to mobilize energetic resources of the electrochemical energy store (1), and / or
- determining (300) a temperature value (ϑ), in particular of the electrochemical energy store (1),
- Sending (500) a message from a mobile unit comprising the electrochemical energy store (1) to a stationary information processing unit (4), with which the stationary information processing unit (4) is provided with information for evaluating the consequences of the change (700), and im response to it
- Changing (700) an information technology for the electrochemical energy store (1) predefined usable status window (2).

Description

State of the art

The present invention relates to a mobile unit and a method for using an electrochemical energy store as required. In particular, the present invention relates to improvements in the utilization of technically usable capacity ranges in energy stores whose usable (charging) status windows are limited in terms of information technology.

Electrochemical energy storage enables the infrastructure-independent energy supply for electrical and electronic devices (e.g. electronic communication and data processing devices, electrically powered vehicles and tools, etc.). Battery systems are installed in electric and hybrid vehicles whose full capacity is deliberately limited for reasons of service life. This is usually done using a window, which is referred to as a usable status window in the context of the present invention. If the window limits are defined by characteristic values of the state of charge (SOC), one can also speak of an SOC window. This can be, for example, between 10% and 90% of the nominal energy content of the electrochemical energy store. The background to the limitation of the usable status window is that almost complete charging or discharging has a negative effect on the service life of the electrochemical energy store. Due to the limitation of the status window, however, the customer has less energy available for the driving task than the energy storage device would be technically able to provide.

The SOC window is usually limited by the manufacturer in such a way that the expected service life or warranty period is achieved with a sufficiently high probability. There is a trade-off between the expected service life of the system and the guarantee period to be granted. Appropriate provisions may have to be made for this. Depending on the risk, these provision costs are very high or the granted SOC window (and thus the nominal range of the vehicle) is correspondingly smaller.

New description pages

U.S. 2009/0184833 A1 discloses a state of charge control device. DE 103 38 003 A1 discloses a battery system and method for monitoring battery condition. A temperature measurement is also proposed for this purpose. In addition, it is disclosed that there is a dependency between a remaining service life and a parasitic capacitance.

U.S. 2013/0024306 A1 discloses a device for communication between a charging infrastructure and a vehicle. The aim here is in particular to use cheaper off-peak electricity tariffs.

DE 10 2005 026 583 A1 discloses an indicator of the condition of various characteristics of a battery, including remaining battery life.

U.S. 2013/0221916 A1 discloses a device and a method for using an electrochemical energy store, in which a user is free to select different charging and discharging characteristics. In one embodiment, a remote control is used to select a charge-discharge characteristic.

In addition, leasing models for electric vehicles and their batteries have already been introduced to the market.

In connection with computer processors, it is also known to allow components to be operated temporarily within extended specifications. In the case of central processing units (CPUs), for example, a temporarily increased clock rate is enabled as so-called "turbo mode".

The solutions known in the prior art do not utilize the theoretically available capacity of electrochemical energy stores to a satisfactory extent. It is therefore an object of the present invention to be able to use the hidden resources of an electrochemical energy storage device according to the situation.

Disclosure of Invention

The above-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention by a method for using an electrochemical energy store as required and by a means of transportation configured according to the invention. The method according to the invention implements the step of signaling an increased need to mobilize energetic resources of the electrochemical energy store. The electrochemical energy store can be designed, for example, as a traction battery of an electrically drivable means of transportation, as an energy cell of an electronic data processing device or a machine tool. For the sake of simplicity, the invention is described below in particular using the example of a means of transportation explained without their application being limited thereto.

The increased need to mobilize the stored energy can consist, for example, in the fact that the lower limit of the usable status window is currently undershot and/or according to a predefined intended application. In the simplest case, the signaling can take place when the electrochemical energy store is “empty”, with which the user of the energy store is informed that the generally usable capacity range of the store has been exhausted. In connection with a planned route, the object of the signaling can be that the current "filling level" of the energy storage device does not permit or makes it appear improbable that the target can be reached using the generally usable resources. The signaling can also take place in such a way that, independently of a current state of charge of the energy store, it is not ensured or not possible to reach the target, even when it is fully charged. In response to this, according to the invention, a usable state window predefined in terms of information technology for the electrochemical energy store is changed. For example, the limits set by data technology are expanded in response to the signalling. In this way, it is possible to achieve the goal, although this could result in increased wear of the electrochemical energy store. In this context, it can also be pointed out that the guarantee provided by the manufacturer may be impaired by the use of problematic status areas of the electrochemical energy storage device. According to the invention, a further possibility is proposed for expanding the range of the usable state range predefined in terms of information technology for the electrochemical energy store. For this purpose, one or more indication values of the battery status (e.g. desired charging/discharging rate, operating temperature or distribution, calendar age or similar) are determined.

In the case of temperature, a temperature value can also be determined, which can correlate with a temperature of the electrochemical energy store, for example. Since the temperature of the electrochemical energy store or the temperature of its surroundings can have a significant influence on the state ranges in which use of the electrochemical energy store causes increased wear of the same, a correspondingly predefined change in the usable state window can take place in response to predefined temperature values. According to the invention, a message is sent from the means of transportation comprising the electrochemical energy store to a stationary information processing unit (e.g. a server). The message can contain information for evaluating the consequences of changing the information technology predefined usable status window. In this way, the stationary information processing unit can process the information and determine the consequences of the change. In this case, for example, a usage history of the electrochemical energy storage device, a business model according to which the use of the electrochemical

Energy storage takes place, environmental data (e.g. a temperature along a predefined route) and other boundary conditions are taken into account. Optionally, alternatives can even be shown which make it unnecessary to change the information technology predefined usable status window for the intended scenario according to the invention. In this way, the decision as to whether the change in the status window is necessary or makes economic sense can be made on the basis of information that is remotely available. The present invention thus enables the more flexible and needs-based use of an electrochemical energy store.

The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.

The signaling can preferably take place in response to a user input which the user makes, for example, through a central input unit (human-machine interface, MMI). Such central user interfaces can be used, for example, to operate a navigation system. In this context, the user input may be the definition of an intended route destination. After analyzing the predefined route, the on-board computer or a computer assigned to the electrochemical energy store can determine whether the information technology predefined usable status window can be reached in view of a current or a possible charge status. If the current state of charge or the maximum state predefined by information technology is not suitable for this purpose, the signaling according to the invention takes place, for example, by outputting an acoustic and/or visual message. In response to this, the user can confirm the change according to the invention in the information technology predefined usable status window, insert an intermediate target for charging the energy store or change the selected target. If only the current state of charge, but not the maximum possible state of charge, prevents the destination from being reached, a charging process can be carried out before the planned journey is undertaken. To this In this way, the user is included in the decision about the consequences of mobilizing increased energetic resources.

In order to inform the user of the determined information and/or consequences of the changed status window or of meeting the increased energy requirement by changing the status window, the stationary information processing unit can send a message in the form of a signal to the user (or to a communication terminal and/or to send his means of transport). The signal may include options presented to the user for selection. Of course, the options can also be selected automatically based on a predefined user profile in order to relieve the user. In this way, the user is given the best possible support when planning a route when there is an increased need to mobilize energetic resources from his electrochemical energy store.

The user's consent can preferably be obtained with one consequence or another by an explicit statement by the user. For example, changed guarantee conditions and/or a changed remaining service life to be expected and/or an amount of money to be paid to compensate for the overuse can be presented to the user. Similar to accepting changed terms of use, the respective option and in particular the changing of the status window according to the invention can be made dependent on the consent of the user. In this way, transparency is increased for the user with regard to possible or certain consequences in the event of extreme usage scenarios for electrochemical energy storage devices.

If a temperature value is determined, which influences the wear of the electrochemical energy store depending on its state of charge, a model for the service life of an electrochemical energy store can be used, by means of which suitable target variables for changing the state window can be determined. The model can, for example, be parameterized and/or include temperature value ranges for which discrete charge state ranges are stored. Above a battery temperature of 40° C. in particular, the electrical output of the battery can be limited in order to limit wear (“accelerated aging”).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a means of locomotion is proposed which also realizes the advantages that can be achieved in connection with the method mentioned above. The means of transportation can be configured as a vehicle, for example, and can include an electrochemical energy store as a traction battery. The means of transportation also includes a battery management system (BMS), which is set up to monitor the electrochemical energy store. A user interface is also provided, by means of which an increased need for mobilizing energetic resources of the electrochemical energy store can be signaled. This signaling can be done on the one hand by the user and on the other hand to the user. According to the invention, the battery management system is set up to change a usable status window that is predefined by information technology for the electrochemical energy store in response to the signaling. As explained in connection with the method according to the invention, a temperature determination unit can also be used to determine a temperature value, with the temperature value being relevant to the wear during operation of the electrochemical energy store. The temperature determination unit enables an alternative reason for changing the usable state window predefined in terms of information technology for the electrochemical energy store. In this way, the means of transportation according to the invention also implements the features, combinations of features and advantages of the method according to the invention, so that to avoid repetition, reference may be made to the above explanations.

According to the invention, the means of transportation further comprises a communication unit which is set up to send a signal or a message to a stationary information processing unit (e.g. a server). The consequences of a change in the status window according to the invention can thus be checked using a broader database. In addition, a signal generated and received by the stationary information processing unit can be used via the communication unit to present options and consequences for the user. The transparency for the user with regard to possible or definitive consequences as well as options made available for selection increase user acceptance in the implementation of the present invention.

In addition, the means of transportation can include a data storage device in which a usage history and/or boundary conditions of a usage contract and/or a number of remaining possible changes to the status window are stored. In this way, useful information in the implementation of the method according to the invention be used independently of data communication with a stationary information processing unit.

In principle, it should be noted that the electrochemical energy store could also be used for other purposes or exclusively for other purposes, without losing the advantages of the method according to the invention. For example, the electrochemical energy store can be designed to supply a mobile communication device and/or a mobile data processing device.

The region of the electrochemical energy store referred to as a predefined usable state window within the scope of the present invention is always available to the user in its initial state. In other words, the status window will be defined in an unchanged manner such that a charge status of 0% is signaled to the user at its lower limit and a charge status of 100% remaining energy or remaining charge is signaled at its upper limit. These limits are not to be confused with a physically possible withdrawal or absorption of charge or energy, in the direction of which the status window can be expanded according to the invention.

In other words, the invention envisages flexible control of the usable SOC range, for example of drive batteries, depending on the usage profile or making the normally unusable energy content of drive batteries accessible to the user in certain situations. The SOC range is specified by the manufacturer for an electric vehicle. This is done by defining information technology limits, taking into account the lifespan of the system to be achieved, the warranty period to be granted and the nominal range of the electric vehicle. A possible embodiment also consists in the user receiving a credit note or an extended guarantee if he agrees to limit the SOC window to a smaller (low-wear) area. In this context, for example, reduced acquisition costs or other incentives could be offered.

Especially in the case of a so-called "breakdown" due to reaching a lower limit of the predefined status window, it can be economical for the user to accept increased wear and tear (possibly in connection with a corresponding fee) instead of a towing company or a mobile energy storage device to request, by means of which he could continue the journey as planned. The bypassing of a toll road (but shorter) at the expense of increased wear and tear or increased usage fees due to an increased need to mobilize energetic resources of the electrochemical energy store can represent an attractive scenario for the user.

The use of an expanded status window according to the invention can be coupled with a service life model implemented in the battery management system. Depending on the current system state (e.g. a temperature of the electrochemical energy store or its environment), the generally available capacity could be adjusted dynamically. In addition, a dynamic adjustment of the maximum possible charging/discharging power depending on the unchanged or changed state range is conceivable in order to keep the disadvantage in service life as low as possible. In other words, the predefined usable status window can be changed as a function of the charging/discharging power and billed or paid for.

In order to determine the stress on the electrochemical energy store, indicators can be recorded and evaluated during operation, which may also be sent to the manufacturer. These indicators can be, for example, a charge/discharge rate, an operating temperature range, state of charge/discharge (SOC), a calendar age or the like. For this purpose, a model is used to predict the service life, which can be operated either in the vehicle or on a server of a manufacturer/supplier. Due to usage-equivalent billing or compensation for the battery load, there is increased cost transparency for both the manufacturer and the customer. The business model also enables financial savings with moderate use of the electrochemical energy storage device or when using a vehicle equipped with the electrochemical energy storage device.

character list

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht zur Visualisierung der Grenzen eines informationstechnisch vordefinierten nutzbaren Zustandsfensters;
• 2 eine schematische Visualisierung einer ersten Situation, in welcher ein erhöhter Bedarf zur Mobilisierung energetischer Ressourcen des elektrochemischen Energiespeichers auftritt;
• 3 eine schematische Ansicht einer Situation, in welcher ein alternativer Zustand mit erhöhtem Bedarf zur Mobilisierung energetischer Ressourcen des elektrochemischen Energiespeichers auftritt;
• 4 eine schematische Visualisierung des Einflusses eines Temperaturwertes; und
• 5 ein Flussdiagramm veranschaulichend Schritte eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings is:

• 1 a schematic view for visualizing the limits of an information technology predefined usable status window;
• 2 a schematic visualization of a first situation in which there is an increased need to mobilize energetic resources of the electrochemical energy store occurs;
• 3 a schematic view of a situation in which an alternative state occurs with an increased need to mobilize energetic resources of the electrochemical energy store;
• 4 a schematic visualization of the influence of a temperature value; and
• 5 a flow chart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

Embodiments of the invention

1 shows a battery 1 as an electrochemical energy storage device, in which the upper limit 2a and the lower limit 2b of a usable status window 2 that is predefined in terms of information technology are compared to a status window 3 that is physically fundamentally possible. The limits 2a, 2b of the status window 2 are recognizable within the physically possible status window 3, as a result of which a smaller SOC range is available compared to the physically possible status window 3. The delimitation of the status window 2 shown enables a significant increase in the service life of the battery 1 by generally avoiding wear-promoting SOC ranges beyond the limits 2a, 2b.

2 shows the associated with 1 presented battery 1, whose current state of charge SOC corresponds to the lower limit 2b of the information technology predefined usable state window 2. In other words, the generally usable energy or charge capacity of the battery is exhausted. A vehicle powered by the battery 1 would “break down” if the information technology predefined usable status window 2 is not changed (extended) according to the invention by lowering the lower limit 2b. According to the invention, for example, it would be possible to reach a nearby charging station without the user of the battery 1 having to use an expensive towing service.

3 shows a schematic view of components of a system according to the invention within a means of transportation (not shown). The current state of charge SOC is in an upper area of the information technology predefined usable state window 2. The battery 1 is connected to a battery management system 5 via a sensor line, which monitors the battery 1. For example, the battery management system 5 can know the current SOC and the current position of the status window 2 . In addition, a thermometer 6 is arranged as a temperature determination unit on the battery 1 and is connected to the battery management system 5 in terms of information technology. In addition, a human-machine interface 7 comprising a satellite-based navigation receiver is connected to the battery management system 5 . An intended routing from point A to point B can be seen in the human-machine interface 7 . The battery management system 5 is connected to a server 4 as a stationary information processing unit via a wireless communication link. The battery management system 5 can use the server 4 to determine current information about the planned route AB and in this way decide whether the current SOC of the battery 1 would enable the probable goal to be reached. In addition, data stored in the server 4 with regard to previous changes in the information technology predefined usable status window 2 can be retrieved and possible consequences and options can be sent by the server 4 to the battery management system 5 . This can cause a corresponding visual representation in the human-machine interface 7 . If the user decides, for example, to exceed the area of the information technology predefined usable status window 2 in the direction of higher states of charge SOC in order to be able to drive the route AB without a stopover, he can be asked to enter his consent with a corresponding fee or with the consequence of a reduced one remaining life of the battery 1 are confronted. If the temperature determined by means of the thermometer 6 in these areas suggests increased wear, the additional fee to be charged will be higher or the lost remaining service life of the battery 1 will be higher.

4 shows a schematic diagram of the influence of a determined temperature value ϑ on the shifting of the limits of the usable status window 2 predefined by information technology. If a battery 1 (shown on the left in the picture) is predefined by information technology to a first usable status window 2, a change can be made on the basis of a model for a temperature dependency of the temperature value θ lead to the information technology predefined usable status window 2 being changed, so that the changed status window 2′ results. It can be seen that the upper limit 2a' is located above and the lower limit 2b' is located below the original status window 2. The upper limit 2a' is shifted less towards a higher SOC at high temperatures than at low temperatures. In the case of the lower limit 2b', wear and tear is not so relevant, but the power supply decreases like (and thus the performance) at low temperatures and at low SOCs. Limit 2b' would therefore be shifted less far in the direction of a lower SOC at low temperatures in order to maintain performance. Unless the performance restrictions are accepted by the driver in the sense of an emergency running property (limp-home operation). In addition, it is also possible to process the charging/discharging rate (ie possibly restricting the mileage) or the calendar age (ie possibly lower permitted additional range).

5 shows a flow chart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention. In step 100, the user defines a travel plan for his electrically powered vehicle. In response to this, the navigation system determines in step 200 an increased need to mobilize energetic resources of the electrochemical energy store, since the current state of charge does not allow a target to be reached without intermediate recharging. To further determine the expected wear of the electrochemical energy store, the temperature of the energy store and the ambient temperature along the intended travel route are determined in step 300 . In step 400, all variables present for determining the wear of the electrochemical energy store are sent to a stationary server. This determines consequences of different scenarios and associated options, which are sent in step 500 from the stationary server to the energy store and presented to the user for selection. In step 600, the user's consent is obtained with at least one option or with the consequences associated with it. After the user has given his consent, in step 700 the usable state window of the electrochemical energy store, which has been predefined in terms of information technology, is changed in order to prepare for the needs-based use of the electrochemical energy store made possible according to the invention.

Even though the aspects and advantageous embodiments according to the invention have been described in detail using the exemplary embodiments explained in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, modifications and combinations of features of the exemplary embodiments illustrated are possible for the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, the protective scope of which is the appended claims.

Reference List

1

battery

2

Information technology predefined usable status window

2'

Changed information technology predefined usable status window

2a

upper limit

2a'

changed upper limit

2 B

lower limit

2 B'

changed lower limit

3

physically usable status window

4

server

5

battery management system

6

thermometer

7

human-machine interface

100-700

process steps

AWAY

predefined route

ϑ

temperature value

SOC

state of charge

Claims (11)

Method for using an electrochemical energy store (1) as required, comprising the steps: - Signaling (200) an increased need to mobilize energetic resources of the electrochemical energy store (1), and / or - determining (300) a temperature value (ϑ), in particular of the electrochemical energy store (1), - Sending (500) a message from a mobile unit comprising the electrochemical energy store (1) to a stationary information processing unit (4), with which the stationary information processing unit (4) is provided with information for evaluating the consequences of the change (700), and im response to it - Changing (700) an information technology for the electrochemical energy store (1) predefined usable status window (2). procedure after claim 1 , wherein the signaling (200) takes place in response to a user input, in particular by means of a human-machine interface (7) of an electrically drivable means of transportation. A method according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising the step of in response to the signaling (200) - Transmission (400) of a stationary information processing unit (4) generated signal, by means of which the user is informed of a consequence of an operation of the electrochemical energy store (1) in the extended status window (2'). Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of obtaining (600) consent from the user with the consequence, in particular by issuing a request to the user. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step in response to determining (300) the temperature value (ϑ) - Using a model for the battery lifetime that is defined as a function of the temperature value (ϑ) to estimate a suitable target variable for changing (700) the status window (2). Method according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising the step of a - Predefining (100) an upcoming usage scenario, in particular a travel plan, by a user of the electrochemical energy store (1). A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein - the change defines the status window as a function of a maximum possible charge/discharge power and/or - the change is evaluated as a function of a subsequently actually applied charging and/or discharging power characteristic and/or - the change is evaluated as a function of the calendar age of the battery and/or - the maximum possible charging/discharging power is limited depending on the expansion of the status window, e.g. to compensate for the resulting disadvantages in service life. mobile unit comprising - an electrochemical energy store (1), - a battery management system (5) for monitoring the electrochemical energy store (1) - an input unit for signaling (200) an increased need to mobilize energetic resources of the electrochemical energy store (1), and/or - a temperature determination unit (6) for determining (300) a temperature value (ϑ), in particular of the electrochemical energy store (1), and a communication unit which is set up to send a message to a stationary information processing unit, with which the stationary information processing unit (4) Information for evaluating the consequences of the change (700) is made available, the battery management system (5) being set up, - To change (700) an information technology for the electrochemical energy store (1) predefined usable status window in response to the signaling (200) and / or the determination (300). mobile unit after claim 8 , wherein the communication unit is further set up, - to receive a signal generated by a stationary information processing unit (4), by means of which the user is informed of a consequence of an operation of the electrochemical energy store (1) in the extended status window (2'). Mobile unit according to one of Claims 8 until 9 , wherein the status window (2) predefined in terms of information technology for the electrochemical energy store (1) can be used by the user in any case. Mobile unit according to one of Claims 8 until 10 which is designed as an electrically drivable means of transportation, in particular a road vehicle, wherein the electrochemical energy store (1) is a traction battery of the electrically drivable means of transportation.

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