DE102020211786A1 - Discharging device, vehicle with such a discharging device and method for handling a battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile unloading device and a vehicle with such a mobile unloading device. Such discharge devices can be used, for example, to discharge the traction batteries of a motor vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to a mobile unloading device and a vehicle with such a mobile unloading device. Such discharge devices can be used, for example, to discharge the traction batteries of a motor vehicle.

With the advent of at least partially battery-electric powered vehicles, including hybrid vehicles, these vehicles include increasingly larger traction batteries that contain significant amounts of chemical energy available as electrical energy. The traction batteries are usually arranged in a protected manner in the respective vehicle. However, it is possible that individual cells in the traction batteries are defective or damaged, for example in the event of an accident. In this case there is a risk that individual battery cells and possibly the entire traction battery will thermally run away, i. H. the electrical energy stored in the batteries is quickly converted into heat in the traction battery. This can cause the vehicle to catch fire.

The state of the traction battery can usually be determined since the traction battery has a power connection and a diagnostic input/output. The operating and status parameters of the individual cells of the battery module or of the entire battery module can be read out via the diagnostic input/output.

It is now common for battery-electric vehicles to be transported to a workshop after a defect or an accident, for example, and to be repaired there. However, due to the high energy content of the traction battery of such battery-electric vehicles, it cannot be ruled out that the vehicle, as described above, will catch fire on site, during transport or subsequently in the workshop. This is still possible with a time delay to the damage to the battery module.

It is therefore desirable to completely discharge the traction battery of the battery-powered vehicle before transport or before working on the vehicle.

This object is achieved by the mobile unloading device according to claim 1. It is also solved by a vehicle according to claim 16 containing such a discharge device, and a method for handling a battery module according to claim 17. Advantageous developments of the mobile discharge device, the vehicle and the method are given in the respective dependent claims.

The present invention relates in particular to a mobile discharge device for discharging a battery module, for example a traction battery of a battery-electric vehicle. The present unloading device according to the invention is provided as a mobile unloading device so that it can be transported in a simple manner and can also be taken to a battery-powered vehicle that has been involved in an accident.

The battery modules, for example traction batteries, usually have a large number of battery cells, a battery management device, at least one power connection and a diagnostic input/output.

Advantageously, the charging socket of the battery-powered vehicle is connected to the power connection or itself serves as a power connection. If necessary, connections can be integrated into this charging socket, which are connected to the diagnostic input/output or themselves serve as diagnostic input/output.

However, it is also possible to provide connections other than the charging socket as a power connection and/or as a diagnostic input/output. The power connection is advantageously connected to the electric motor of the vehicle and the diagnostic input/output is functionally connected to the battery management device, so that, for example, data can also be read from the battery management device or control data can be sent to the battery management device via the diagnostic input/output.

During normal operation within the battery module, the battery management device is responsible for recognizing the charging and discharging status and other status of the individual battery cells and for operating the individual battery cells accordingly. This can mean that damaged battery cells are switched off, that battery cells are charged or discharged, etc. When the vehicle is charging, electrical power is supplied to the battery module, for example the traction battery, via the power connection in the form of the charging socket. A control unit can use the diagnostic input/output to query various data from the battery module or to control the battery module.

The mobile unloading device according to the invention is now based on the fact that it has a own electrical power input connection, which is designed to match or complement the power connection of the battery module, can be connected to the power connection of the battery module and can dissipate electrical power from the battery module.

Furthermore, the mobile discharge device has an electrical diagnostic connection that is designed to match or complement the diagnostic input/output of the battery module. This electrical diagnostic connection can be connected to the diagnostic input/output of the battery module and can thus be used to transmit diagnostic data from the battery module to the mobile discharge device.

Furthermore, the mobile discharge device has a control unit which is connected to the diagnostic connection and which controls the discharge of the battery module via the electrical power input connection as a function of the diagnostic data received via the diagnostic connection.

The electrical power discharged from the battery module reaches a conversion device via the electrical power input connection of the mobile discharge device, which is used to convert the electrical energy that has been discharged into thermal or chemical energy or mechanical work.

This can mean that, for example, the conversion device has an ohmic resistance R, for example with 1.5 Ω≦R≦50 Ω, preferably R≦25 Ω, in which the electrical energy dissipated is converted into heat. This can be an ohmic resistance embedded in a cooling fluid, for example. Alternatively, it is also possible to convert the electrical energy that is dissipated into chemical energy, for example to feed it into a further battery module. The conversion of the electrical energy into mechanical work can also be provided, for example by using the electrical energy that is dissipated to operate an electric motor.

As a result, the electric energy stored in the battery module to be discharged is converted into thermal energy, chemical energy or mechanical work via the power terminal of the battery module, the power input terminal of the mobile discharging device and finally via the conversion device.

The unloading device according to the present invention can advantageously have a maximum size in order to ensure the transportability of the mobile unloading device. In particular, widths between 30 cm and 100 cm, advantageously 40 cm and 60 cm, particularly advantageously 44 cm, are possible. Heights of 30 to 100 cm, 30 to 70 cm, advantageously 58 cm, and lengths of 50 to 200 cm, preferably 50 to 150 cm, particularly preferably 50 to 100 cm, in particular 82 cm are particularly advantageous. The above information for the width, length and/or height applies in each case including or also excluding the specified area limits.

Unloading devices with a width of 44 cm or less, a height of 58 cm or less and a length of 82 cm or less can be introduced into standard shafts in fire engines, for example, so that the mobile unloading device according to the invention can be easily transported on fire engines. The present invention therefore also includes vehicles that contain an unloading device according to the invention. In this way, the mobile discharge device then easily reaches, for example, a vehicle that has been involved in an accident and has a battery module that is to be discharged.

The mobility of the unloading device is also advantageously ensured if its weight is ≦200 kg, preferably ≦150 kg, preferably ≦100 kg, preferably ≦50 kg and in particular ≦25 kg.

If the conversion device has an element for converting the electrical energy dissipated into thermal energy, it can additionally contain a cooling device for cooling the conversion device, for example a coolant circuit. By means of this coolant circuit, it is possible to cool the conversion device and to dissipate the thermal energy. The cooling device can in turn be connected to an external cooling circuit, for example to the cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine of a towing vehicle or to the water tank or water-containing extinguishing agent container of a fire engine.

Advantageously, the mobile discharge device also has at least one connection or connections for connection to a module temperature control device integrated into the battery module, also called “module cooling device” below. This is because conventional battery modules, in particular traction batteries in electrically driven vehicles, have temperature control elements, mostly temperature control plates, in order to cool the battery module or possibly also heat it up when the outside temperature is low. If the cooling device of the unloading device is now directly connected to the module cooling device connected, it is possible to cool the battery module directly during the rapid discharge of the battery cells of the battery module. For this it is not absolutely necessary that the module cooling device is undamaged. Even if this has a leak, it is possible to continuously supply coolant via the cooling device to the discharging device of the module cooling device and in this way to ensure cooling of the battery module during rapid discharge despite a leak in the module cooling device. The coolant that is lost due to the leak can be replenished, for example, by a fire engine, for example from its water tank.

In particular, it is also possible to use the discharging device to supply the module cooling device with coolant when the battery module is so badly damaged that the battery module cannot be discharged. At least one thermal runaway of one or more battery cells of the battery module can thus be prevented or at least delayed or the probability of this can be reduced.

In order to also in the event that the battery module and possibly the temperature control device of the battery module is also damaged, to cool the battery cells in the battery module and to prevent thermal runaway, the battery module can have an emergency inlet for temperature control fluid or cooling fluid or cooling liquid. This can be connected to the fluid inlet of the temperature control device, so that if necessary. the battery module can also be supplied with coolant via the coolant supply to the temperature control device. With such an emergency inlet, it is possible to flood the interior of the battery module with coolant in order to cool the battery cells. In an advantageous example, the emergency inlet is integrated into the vehicle's charging socket.

In order to be able to discharge the battery module even in the event that the power connection and/or the diagnostic input/output, in particular the charging socket or lines between the charging socket and the battery module, are damaged or non-functional, e.g. after an accident, the accident Vehicle additionally have one or more emergency connections, which is arranged at a different point than the power connection and/or the diagnostic input/output and, if necessary, is then still accessible and intact. Then the discharge device according to the invention can also be connected to this emergency connection. The socket or the plug of the emergency connection is advantageously designed like the power connection and/or the diagnostic input/output of the vehicle. The emergency connection is advantageously arranged in the vicinity of or directly on the battery module of the vehicle.

To operate the discharging device, the discharging device can advantageously be equipped with connections to an external power supply for the discharging device, for example to a domestic power supply. In this way it is possible to supply the control unit of the discharging device and thus the entire discharging device with electrical energy independently of the discharging current and independently of a possible power supply provided within the discharging device and to ensure their operation.

The discharging process can be controlled in particular as a function of diagnostic data which are read out of the battery module via the diagnostic connection. This can be, for example, the voltage of the individual battery cells, the temperature of the individual battery cells and/or the fluid pressure of the module cooling device. On the other hand, it is also possible to carry out a diagnosis of the battery module directly by the discharge device via the diagnosis connection, for example if the battery management device inside the battery module is damaged.

The discharging process of the battery module can then be controlled with or without using the diagnostic data acquired in this way, in particular also independently of the functionality of the battery module.

Of course, it is also possible for the control unit of the mobile unloading device to transmit or receive data, in particular diagnostic data and/or control data, by wire or wirelessly. In this case, it can communicate with other devices, for example with another diagnosis and control unit or a display device, which is optionally arranged outside the discharge device. In this way it is also possible to display operating parameters etc. on a separate display device.

The mobile discharge device according to the invention can consequently take into account different states of a battery module. For example, such a module in a vehicle involved in an accident, in which the battery module, the battery management device and the module cooling device are intact, can be discharged without any problems in order to minimize possible risks during subsequent transport or subsequent repair of the vehicle. For this, the cooling can be done in an optional way also take place directly only via the cooling plates of a module cooling device of the battery module.

Furthermore, in the event that individual cells, several cells or all cells of the battery module are damaged, but the cooling is OK, the battery module can quickly be completely discharged. It is also possible, in the event that the battery cells are intact, that their on-board control, i. H. the battery management device is defective to carry out a quick discharge, since in an optional variant the mobile discharge device can acquire corresponding diagnostic data via the battery module itself.

As described, the cooling device of the mobile unloading device can be implemented using different systems. On the one hand, the cooling device can have its own cooling unit or its own cooling circuit. However, it can also be connected to an external cooling circuit if necessary. It is possible to always operate this cooling device at maximum power or to regulate it according to one or more operating parameters of the discharge device or the battery module, for example a coolant temperature detected by a sensor.

As described, the operation of the discharge device can be maintained by means of an internal energy source, for example an internal battery, or also by means of an external power supply. An external connection can be made, for example, to the power supply of a vehicle, for example a fire engine.

For example, the unloading device can be used as follows.

In a first step, the discharge device is connected to a battery module via the electrical power input connection and also via the electrical diagnostic connection. The control unit then establishes contact with the vehicle's bus system and, if necessary, with the battery management device of the battery module.

In the event of a contact error, the control unit activates an emergency system in the vehicle, which can also be installed in the respective vehicle, for example. In this case, this emergency system would take over the tasks of the battery management device.

• Zustand des Fahrzeuges, z. B. Auslösung von Airbags, Aufzeichnung von Beschleunigungssensoren usw. als Unfallindikatoren, Zustand der Batterien, Kapazität der Batterien, Temperatur im Batteriekasten des Batteriemoduls, Kühlmitteltemperatur in der Modulkühlvorrichtung und generell Zustand des Kühlmittelkreislaufs in der Modulkühlvorrichtung, beispielsweise Druckverhältnisse als Indikatoren für Dichtigkeit.

In any case, the control unit can try to read out the following parameters as listed examples from the battery management device or to check them:

• condition of the vehicle, e.g. B. deployment of airbags, recording of acceleration sensors, etc. as accident indicators, condition of the batteries, capacity of the batteries, temperature in the battery box of the battery module, coolant temperature in the module cooling device and general condition of the coolant circuit in the module cooling device, for example pressure conditions as indicators for tightness.

The control unit can then discharge the battery module in different phases, for example. It can, for example, regulate the discharge in each case so that the discharge power is at its maximum under the condition that the maximum temperature of the batteries is not reached, for example it remains at least 10% below the maximum temperature of the battery module. Accordingly, the control unit can start the discharging power and the optionally available cooling device with a corresponding, possibly maximum, power and regularly monitor the state of the battery module (for example its temperature). A similar test can also be carried out for the cooling device of the unloading device.

Discharging is then carried out down to a specified minimum of the energy content of the battery module, with this minimum being set in such a way that the individual battery cells are not deeply discharged and are therefore not damaged.

In order to make the discharging device user-friendly, the discharging process and/or the state of the discharging can be displayed visually in a display device and, for example, the remaining discharging time can also be communicated.

Overall, the control unit of the unloading device consequently takes over the control of all components of the unloading device, i. H. the discharge capacity, the conversion device, the coolant circuit, if any, as well as the visualization of the discharge process.

Some examples of unloading devices according to the invention, vehicles according to the invention and methods according to the invention are described below. The same or similar reference symbols are used in all figures for the same or similar elements, so that their description may not be repeated.

The following examples have a large number of optional features that can serve to develop the present invention. These are also suitable individually for the development of the present invention or also in any combination with one, several or all optional developments in the same or other embodiments. In the following, individual text paragraphs are provided for individual optional features that can be used individually in this way to develop the present invention.

• 1 eine mobile Entladevorrichtung gemäß der Erfindung im Einsatz;
• 2 eine weitere mobile Entladevorrichtung gemäß der Erfindung im Einsatz;
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm für den Einsatz einer Entladevorrichtung gemäß 1 oder 2;
• 4 eine weitere mobile Entladevorrichtung gemäß der Erfindung im Einsatz;
• 5 eine weitere mobile Entladevorrichtung gemäß der Erfindung im Einsatz; und
• 6 ein Ablaufdiagramm für den Einsatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Entladevorrichtung gemäß 4 oder 5.

Show it:

• 1 a mobile unloading device according to the invention in use;
• 2 another mobile unloading device according to the invention in use;
• 3 a flow chart for the use of an unloading device according to 1 or 2 ;
• 4 another mobile unloading device according to the invention in use;
• 5 another mobile unloading device according to the invention in use; and
• 6 according to a flowchart for the use of an unloading device according to the invention 4 or 5 .

1 shows a mobile discharging device 1 in use for discharging a traction battery 11 in the form of a battery module with a large number of battery cells of a vehicle 10.

1. a) derartig bzgl. Außenmaßen und Gewicht dimensioniert ist, dass sie leicht von einer oder mehreren Personen transportiert werden kann oder
2. b) auf einem Fahrzeug gelagert werden kann oder gelagert ist, beispielsweise in Form eines Einschubmoduls oder auch als Festeinbau.

In general, as in the following examples, the unloading device 1 according to the invention is mobile in that it is, for example:

1. a) is dimensioned in terms of external dimensions and weight in such a way that it can be easily transported by one or more people or
2. b) can be stored or is stored on a vehicle, for example in the form of a plug-in module or also as a permanent installation.

In addition to a battery module 11, the vehicle 10 has an electric motor 15 and a bus system 13 with a connection 12 which is designed in particular as a power connection. The traction battery is tempered, in particular cooled, by a module temperature control device 14, for example a cooling plate.

The mobile discharge device 1 has a control unit 2 , a conversion device 3 , a ground 4 , diagnostic connections 5 and a power input connection 6 . In the present example, for discharging the traction battery 11 of the vehicle 10 , the conversion device 3 is connected via the power input connection 6 to the power connection 12 of the vehicle 10 , which in turn is connected to the battery module 11 of the vehicle 10 . The battery module 11 serves as a traction battery for the vehicle 10 . A high current can be drawn from the battery module 11 via the power connection 12 and the power input connection 6 and fed into the conversion device 3 .

In the conversion device 3 there is arranged an electrical resistance, for example in the form of a heating coil, through which the current flowing through the power input terminal 6 is passed. In this electrical resistance, the current is largely converted into heat, which is then given off by the electrical resistance, for example to a cooling liquid in the conversion device 3 .

To control the discharging of the traction battery 11, the mobile discharging device 1 is also connected to the vehicle 10 in terms of signals, also via the connection 12. The mobile discharging device can use the inputs 5 to receive information about the status of the battery module 11 or the information arranged on the battery module 11 retrieve vehicle-side module temperature control device 14. Furthermore, information about the electric motor 15 in the vehicle 10 or also about the bus system 13 in the vehicle 10 can be retrieved. This retrievable information contains information about the condition of the vehicle, e.g. B. deployment of airbags, recording of acceleration sensors, etc. as accident indicators, condition of the batteries, capacity of the batteries, temperature in the battery box of the battery module, coolant temperature in the module cooling device and general condition of the coolant circuit in the module cooling device, for example pressure conditions as indicators for tightness.

The vehicle-side power connection and the vehicle-side connection for connecting the diagnostic lines from the input 5 to the vehicle 10 are arranged together in a discharge plug 12 . In addition, the grounding 4 is contained in the discharge plug 12 .

In the present example, the mobile unloading device 1 can also be connected to a fire engine 20, in particular to a connection 22 for the power supply of the mobile unloading device 1 from the fire engine 20. On the other hand, with a connection for a coolant line 23, which in turn is connected within the vehicle 20 to the engine cooling units located there and can direct the cooling liquid to the conversion device 3 in order to dissipate the heat generated in the conversion device 3 . In addition, it is alternatively conceivable to connect the conversion device 3 to any other type of cooling medium supply, for example to a hydrant or an external cooling unit. The unloader off 1 points in the present the example has a width of 44 cm, a height of 58 cm and a length of 82 cm, so that it can be inserted into the standard slot of a fire engine in Germany. For installation in other vehicles and/or in other countries, it may be necessary to adapt the dimensions of the unloading device 1 to the respective standard dimensions.

Due to these dimensions of the unloading device 1, it is mobile, i.e. it can be easily moved, either manually or after being installed in a vehicle.

2 shows another example of a mobile unloading device 1 according to the invention and a vehicle 20 according to the invention. The mobile unloading device 1 of FIG 2 is designed in the same way as the mobile unloading device 1 in 1 . It can also be connected or connected to the vehicle 10 in the same way, if necessary via intermediate connections on the vehicle side, as in 1 . In contrast to 1 it is now not necessary to provide external lines for power supply and coolant liquid for the connection between the mobile unloading device 1 and the vehicle 20. Rather, vehicle-internal plug connections can be used both for the supply of the mobile unloading device 1 with electricity and, if necessary, for cooling of the mobile unloading device 1 via the cooling system of the vehicle 20 can be provided. In the example of 2 All components of the unloading device are integrated into the reference vehicle (fire engine or tow truck) without the ensemble being able to be removed from the reference vehicle as an independent box.

3 shows a flow chart to explain the discharge process for the traction battery 11 of the vehicle 10 by the mobile discharge device 1 of FIG 1 or 2 .

If, for example, there is an accident or a breakdown of the vehicle 10 (or in any other case, for example in the case of a planned visit to the workshop of the vehicle 10), the mobile unloading device 1 (in the 3 called "emergency box") activated. To this end, it is supplied both with electricity and with coolant, for example from the vehicle 20 .

The mobile discharge device 1 is then connected via the connections 5 and 6 to the vehicle 10 and its discharge plug 12 and thus to its bus system 13 .

It is then checked whether the mobile unloading device 1 was able to establish a connection with the bus system 13 . If no connection is possible, e.g. B. because the vehicle's internal connection 12 is damaged, the mobile discharger can not discharge the traction battery 11 for the time being.

It is then checked whether the vehicle 10 has an emergency connection (in 1 and 2 not shown) and attempts to functionally connect the discharge device 1 to the battery module 11 via this emergency connection. If this succeeds, the process in 3 continued as if the discharge device 1 were connected to the vehicle 10 via the charging plug 12 . However, if the discharge device 1 cannot be connected to the battery module 11 even via the emergency connection, the process is ended.

So if a connection of the battery module 11, in particular via the charging plug 12 and the bus system 13, with the mobile discharge device 1 is possible, the status of the mobile discharge device 1 is first determined. If the status of the mobile unloading device 1 is not correct, the process is ended.

However, if a connection is possible and the mobile unloading device 1 is OK, parameters of the vehicle 10 are first read out of the vehicle 10 via the vehicle-side connection 12 (or the emergency connection) and the connection 5 into the mobile unloading device 1 . In the present example, these parameters contain values with information about the condition of the vehicle, e.g. B. deployment of airbags, recording of acceleration sensors, etc. as accident indicators, condition of the batteries, capacity of the batteries, temperature in the battery box of the battery module, coolant temperature in the module cooling device and general condition of the coolant circuit in the module cooling device, for example pressure conditions as indicators for tightness.

Furthermore, diagnostic measures can be taken on the vehicle 10 via this connection, for example sensors inside the vehicle 10 can be read out.

The vehicle and diagnostic data determined in this way is used to determine the state of vehicle 10, in particular the state of battery module 11, for example the number of battery cells, charging status of the battery cells, temperature of the battery cells and possible damage, such as short circuits and the like within the battery cells of battery module 11 .

If the battery module 11 is identified as intact, the status of the module cooling device 14 of the vehicle is queried. Provided these is also recognized as intact, the battery module 11 is discharged via the connector 12 and the input 6 by the mobile discharge device 1 with a previously specified maximum allowable discharge current. Both the battery module 11 is cooled via the vehicle-side cooling 14 and the conversion device 3 of the mobile discharge device 1, in which the electrical current is converted into heat, must activate its cooling. Because the battery module 11 is discharged with a maximum discharge, the duration of the discharge is kept as short as possible and the vehicle is nevertheless sufficiently, in particular largely or completely, discharged.

The entire system (vehicle 10, battery module 11, cooling unit 14, discharge device 1 and optionally also vehicle 20) is checked during the discharging process and until the end of the discharging process. If the system status is determined to be faulty, a return is made to the step in which the status of the unloading device is determined.

After the overall system has been checked and if the system is found to be in order, the discharge is carried out until the battery module is sufficiently discharged. If the discharge process is not recognized as complete, the periodic check of the entire system continues.

In the event that the status of the module cooling system is recognized as not being in order, for example if the cooling unit 14 is damaged, the discharging of the battery module is started with a previously defined minimum discharge power. The purpose of this is to ensure that the battery module 11 does not overheat or become even more damaged, despite possibly inadequate or absent cooling by the cooling plate 14 . During this minimal discharging, the entire system is also continuously checked and discharging and checking continue until the discharging process is completed, i. H. until the traction battery 11 is sufficiently, largely or completely discharged.

If it is found in the step of checking the state of the battery module described above that the battery module 11 is not intact, this can indicate, for example, that the temperature of the battery module is too high. In this case, the step of determining the state of the module cooling system of the battery module 11 is continued, as described above. However, if there is some other problem with the battery module, the battery module will be grounded for safety and the whole process will be terminated.

4 shows another example of a mobile unloading device 1 according to the invention, which is similar to that in 1 is constructed. In addition to the mobile unloading device 1 from 1 has this mobile unloading device 1 of 4 a coolant tank 17 with a coolant circulation pump. In the present case, the conversion device 3 is now directly connected to the coolant tank and the coolant pump 17 and is cooled by them during the discharging of the vehicle 10 or its traction battery 11 .

In the example of 4 the battery module 11 proves to be intact and the temperature control device 14 damaged. The battery module 11 is therefore discharged with a maximum discharge current, while the temperature control device is supplied with a circulating coolant via the connection 7 .

In the example of 5 , which is similar to the example in 4 is constructed, both the battery module 11 and the temperature control device 14 turn out to be damaged. The latter, for example, has a leak. In this case, an emergency filling of the battery module 11 with coolant takes place via a coolant outlet 7 of the discharge device 1, without the coolant being circulated back into the discharge device.

Furthermore, the vehicle has a coolant inlet for the temperature control device 18 and a coolant inlet 19 as an emergency inlet for the battery module for coolant. Both inlets 18 and 19 are connected to one another and to the charging socket via a connecting line. For emergency filling of temperature control device 14 and/or battery module 11, the connecting line between inlets 18 and 19 is now connected to coolant outlet 7. It can thus be ensured in any case that both the temperature control device 14 and the battery module 11 are reliably cooled.

6 shows a flow chart of a discharge of a traction battery of a vehicle with a corresponding device 4 and 5 . The discharge according to 6 is largely the same as the discharge according to 3 .

In contrast to 3 If the module cooling system 14 is recognized as being out of order, the review of the module cooling system 14 does not immediately lead to the discharging of the battery module 11 being started with a minimum discharge power. Rather, the internal cooling 17, in 6 operated by the mobile discharge device 1 and connected to the battery module 11 via the coolant outlet 7 and the coolant inlet 19 of the battery module 11 . It will now be continuous Lich coolant fed directly into the battery module 11 and / or the module cooling system 14 and so cooled the battery module. Loss of coolant from the battery module 11 and/or the module cooling system 14 is compensated for by constant replenishment of coolant from the cooling system 17 . In this case, the battery module 11 is then discharged with a discharge current that is as high as possible, but at the same time does not lead to overheating of the battery module or individual cells located therein when the emergency cooling is running.

Here, as before, minimum and maximum currents can be defined in advance with regard to their value. They depend on the configuration of the mobile discharge device 1 , the traction battery 11 and the vehicle 20 .

If it turns out that the battery module is not in order, but there is no temperature problem, the mobile discharge device is grounded in a first step to be on the safe side and then an emergency filling of the battery module 11 with a coolant is carried out. This emergency filling of the battery module 11 can serve to prevent individual damaged battery cells from running away and at the same time to dissipate the heat that is produced in the process. This prevents neighboring battery cells from overheating and being damaged as well. This enables the vehicle to be safely transported, for example, to a workshop that is equipped to process battery modules that have been damaged in this way.

Because the mobile unloading device 1 has its own cooling system 17 with a circulating pump, it can also be operated independently of a vehicle 20 .

Claims (18)

Mobile discharge device for discharging a battery module, which has battery cells, a battery management device, at least one power connection and a diagnostic input/output, characterized by an electrical power input connection suitable for the power connection of the battery module, an electrical diagnostic connection suitable for the diagnostic input/output of the battery module, a control unit connected to the diagnostic port, and a conversion device for converting electrical energy dissipated via the electrical power input port into thermal or chemical energy or mechanical work. Discharge device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the conversion device has an ohmic resistor or a battery module or an electric motor. Unloading device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a cooling device for cooling the conversion device, in particular containing a coolant circuit for circulating a coolant and optionally a coolant heat exchanger for cooling the coolant circulating in the coolant circuit. Unloading device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cooling device has connections for connection to an external cooling circuit. Discharge device according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling device has connections for connection to a module cooling device integrated in the battery module. Discharging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by connections for connecting the discharging device to a power supply, in particular to a domestic power supply or a vehicle power supply. Discharge device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an internal electrical energy source/power supply. Discharging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit can perform at least one of the following functions: a) reading out via the diagnostic connection of diagnostic data, such as voltage of the battery cells, temperature of the battery cells, fluid pressure in the cooling device, from the battery management device, b ) Carrying out a diagnosis of the battery module, in particular of the battery cells, via the diagnostic connection without using the battery management device, c) module-independent control of the discharging process of the battery module without or with the use of diagnostic data read from the battery management device via the diagnostic connection and d) control of the discharging process Unloading device according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the control unit controls the rate at which the battery module is discharged as a function of the state of the battery module, in particular the battery cells and a module cooling device which may be present in the battery module. Discharging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit receives and/or transmits data completely or partially via a wired or wireless connection, in particular receiving or transmitting diagnostic data and/or control data. Discharge device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a display device for displaying one or more of the following parameters or one or more parameters derived from one or more of the following parameters: a) operating parameters of the discharge device, and/or b) at least one, more or all Parameter received through the electrical diagnostic port. Discharging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device receives and/or transmits data, in particular diagnostic data and/or control data, completely or partially via a wired or wireless connection. Discharging device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharging device has electrical grounding. Unloading device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unloading device has a maximum size with a width B of 30 cm ≤ B ≤ 100 cm, advantageously 40 cm ≤ B ≤ 60 cm, advantageously B = 44 cm, and/or a height H with 30 cm ≤ H ≤ 100 cm, advantageously 30 cm ≤ H ≤ 70 cm, advantageously H = 58 cm, and/or a length L with 50 ≤ L ≤ 200, preferably 50 ≤ L ≤ 150 cm, preferably 50 ≤ L ≤ 100 cm, preferably L = 82 cm. Unloading device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a weight W with W ≤ 200 kg, preferably W ≤ 150 kg, preferably W ≤ 100 kg, preferably W ≤ 50 kg, preferably W ≤ 25 kg. Vehicle with an unloading device according to one of the preceding claims. A method for handling a battery module having battery cells, a battery management device and optionally a fluid-supported module cooling device, wherein a discharge device according to one of Claims 1 until 15 connected to the battery module. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that depending on the state of the battery module, in particular the battery cells, one of the following measures is carried out or initiated by the discharging device: a) discharging the battery module via the electrical power connection and the electrical power input connection and converting the electrical energy dissipated via the electrical power connection into thermal energy, chemical energy or mechanical work, and/or b) optionally introducing coolant into the module cooling device.

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