DE102024000546A1 - Method for detecting and monitoring an electrochemical cell - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting and monitoring an electrical and/or thermal state of at least one electrochemical cell, wherein during and/or after carrying out tests on the cell and/or during storage of the cell by means of a monitoring system (100) which comprises an autonomous energy supply, a sensor (110) designed as an IoT device and a backend (120) or is data-technically coupled to such a system, the state of the at least one electrochemical cell is detected and monitored by detecting electrical and/or thermal signals relating to the cell and a signal associated with the state is output to indicate the state.

Description

The invention relates to a method for detecting and monitoring an electrical and/or thermal state of at least one electrochemical cell.

From the WO 2023/078719 A1 is a method for operating a device, hereinafter referred to as a field device, in a system with an IoT platform. For easy connection of another field device to an IoT platform, a database is provided in which connectivity data and other device data from field devices are stored and can be accessed by the IoT platform. To connect the additional field device, a device ID of the additional field device is transmitted to the IoT platform and the associated connectivity data is queried from the database. During operation, the additional device data is evaluated and a signal is generated to control or regulate the field device or other devices.

The invention is based on the object of providing a novel method for detecting and monitoring an electrical and/or thermal state of an electrochemical cell.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features of claim 1.

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

In the method for detecting and monitoring an electrical and/or thermal state of at least one electrochemical cell, according to the invention, during and/or after carrying out tests on the cell and/or during storage of the cell, the state of the cell is detected and monitored by detecting electrical and/or thermal signals relating to the cell using a monitoring system which comprises an autonomous energy supply, a sensor designed as an IoT device and a backend or is data-technically coupled to such a backend, and a signal associated with the state is output to indicate the state.

The electrical signals can be, for example, voltage values, insulation resistance values or similar. The thermal signals can be, for example, temperature values.

By monitoring the cell, a critical condition can be identified early on, such as an increased difference between a maximum and a minimum cell voltage, a low state of charge, a cell voltage that is rising too quickly or similar. This allows an early response. Damage to the cell can be reduced and/or avoided.

A detected critical state and/or problems within the monitoring system can be communicated, for example, by means of a traffic light, a display in a web interface, a message to all users registered for this cell or similar. All users registered for this cell are those who are registered in the monitoring system and who have access and/or change permissions for data in the corresponding cell. By communicating the critical state, it is easy for the user to recognize it.

The monitoring system can be arranged in a storage box, for example. This allows monitoring of the electrical and/or thermal state of the cell, for example, while the cell is being stored. In another example, the monitoring system can be arranged in a vehicle. This offers the possibility that the electrical and/or thermal state of the cell can be recorded and monitored during and/or after carrying out tests on the cell, in which the cell is arranged in the vehicle, for example.

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

• 1 schematisch ein Blockschaltbild eines Überwachungssystems und
• 2 schematisch ein detaillierteres Blockschaltbild des Überwachungssystems.

Showing:

• 1 schematically a block diagram of a monitoring system and
• 2 schematically a more detailed block diagram of the monitoring system.

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

1 shows a block diagram of a possible embodiment of a monitoring system 100, which is designed to monitor an electrical and/or thermal state of at least one electrochemical cell. The monitoring system 100 comprises an autonomous energy supply, a sensor 110 designed as an IoT device and a backend 120 or is coupled to such a backend for data purposes. The monitoring system 100 is used, for example, to detect and monitor a state of at least one electrochemical cell by detecting electrical and/or thermal signals relating to the cell. The detection of the Signals can be generated during and/or after tests are carried out on the cell and/or during storage of the cell. A signal associated with the condition is then output to indicate the condition.

The tests on the cell can be, for example, collision tests and/or corrosion tests. The cell can be located inside a vehicle. When the cell is stored, it can be in a storage crate, a storage box or something similar.

The sensor 110 and the backend 120 can communicate with each other via an Internet connection. For example, both can be connected to a common network via a radio connection, for example a so-called WLAN connection.

2 shows a more detailed block diagram of the monitoring system 100 according to 1 and several components technically coupled to the monitoring system 100.

The monitoring system 100 comprises, as already described in 1 shown, the sensor 110 and the backend 120.

The sensor 110 comprises an operating system 210, a basic software 220, a certificate memory 230, a decoder 240, a signal monitoring system 250 and a traffic light system 251. The sensor 110 detects and monitors the electrical and/or thermal signals of the cell. The sensor 110 is data-linked to a battery management system 260.

The basic software 220 is coupled in terms of data technology to the sensor 110 and the certificate memory 230. The basic software 220 coordinates, for example, updates, configurations and the like of the monitoring system 100. Diagnostic certificates can be stored using the certificate memory 230. The battery management system 260, which provides relevant signals, can be accessed using the diagnostic certificates. Such diagnostic certificates can be generated and provided, for example, using a first certificate management 320 and a second certificate management 330.

The sensor 110 and the battery management system 260 are coupled to one another, for example, by means of a data communication protocol, in particular by means of a Controller Area Network (CAN for short) or a Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate (CAN FD for short). The decoder 240, for example, prepares CAN or CAN FD raw data into interpreted signal data.

The signal monitoring 250 is data-technically coupled to the sensor 110 and the traffic light system 251. Depending on the signals of the cell detected by the sensor 110, a status can be generated by means of the signal monitoring 250. The status of the signal monitoring 250 can be, for example, a "RED", "YELLOW" or "GREEN" status. The status of the signal monitoring 250 represents, for example, a status of the cell, where "RED" represents a critical cell status, "YELLOW" represents a cell status that requires assessment, monitoring and/or intervention by a trained operator, and "GREEN" represents a non-critical cell status. The status of the signal monitoring can, for example, represent a status of a task currently being carried out in another application. The status of the signal monitoring 250 can be output in the form of a light signal by means of the traffic light system 251. The light signal can, for example, be a red, yellow or green light signal. By emitting a red, yellow or green light signal, the status of the cell can be easily visually determined by an outside observer. The traffic light system 251 can be installed on the vehicle or next to the cell, for example.

The backend 120 comprises a web interface 270, a so-called Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface 280 (REST API for short), a database 290, a sensor monitor 300 and at least one third-party interface 310. The database 290 is data-technically linked to the web interface 270, the REST API 280, the sensor monitor 300 and the third-party interface 310. The third-party interface 310 is used, for example, for visualization and/or long-term storage of the recorded data.

The web interface 270, like the signal monitoring 250, displays the cell status. In the event of an interrupted connection between the sensor 110 and the backend 120, the cell status can still be recorded and generated, but can no longer be transmitted to the web interface 270. As a result, if the connection between the sensor 110 and the backend 120 is interrupted, no current cell status can be displayed in the web interface 270.

The REST API 280 is also designed for communication between the sensor 110 and the backend 120 and for communication between an update server (not shown in detail) and the backend 120. Using the REST API 280, the relevant data and signals determined during the recording and monitoring of the state of the cell can be transmitted cyclically to the database 290. Rele The relevant data and signals can be, for example, a state of charge (also called SOC), a cell temperature (also called Tcell value) or a cell voltage (also called Vcell value). The data and signals are stored in the database 290 at least temporarily. In addition, for example, a time of the next expected communication and a current cell state are stored in the database 290. Using the monitoring system 100, it can be determined cyclically, for example, whether the data and signals are completely stored in the database 290 and whether no timeouts have been violated.

The sensor monitoring 300 monitors, for example, the sensor 110 and detects status changes of the sensor 110. If, for example, a planned communication between the backend 120 and the sensor 110 does not take place, a message 301 is generated by means of the sensor monitoring 300.

To carry out a collision test, several necessary preconditions are imposed on the monitoring system 100. These preconditions must be met for a functional test setup. In the collision test, for example, the cell is installed in a vehicle. In addition, the battery management system 260 is connected to the sensor 110. The battery management system 260 and the sensor 110 are linked to one another in terms of data, for example, by means of a data communication protocol, in particular by means of a Controller Area Network (CAN for short) or a Controller Area Network Flexible Data Rate (CAN FD for short).

For example, if a critical condition is detected by the monitoring system 100 during and/or after the collision attempt, a series of processes are carried out in the monitoring system 100 and in the components connected thereto.

In the following, a function of the monitoring system 100 during the execution of collision tests is described using several application examples.

In a first example, the cell voltage rises too quickly during the collision attempt and/or the cell voltage is outside a safe range. This critical state is detected by the sensor 110. The sensor 110 transmits the detected signals describing this state to the signal monitoring 250. The signal monitoring 250 generates a status "RED", which indicates the presence of the critical state. A red light signal is emitted by the traffic light system 251. The basic software 220 controls the transmission of the detected data and signals to the database 290 and the data and signals are stored in the database 290 at least temporarily.

The backend 120 transmits the recorded data and signals to the web interface 270. This means that, for example, a status of the cell displayed in the web interface 270 can also be changed to "RED". Using the sensor monitoring 300, a message 301 can be transmitted to all users registered for this cell. All users registered for this cell can, for example, be stored in a user database 340. The message 301 can, for example, be an email. The email can, for example, contain information about the status change of the cell.

At the same time, dependent third-party interfaces 310 are informed about the status change. The third-party interface 310 can, for example, be a so-called Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT for short).

In a second example, a failure of the Internet connection between the sensor 110 and the backend 120 occurs while the collision test is being carried out. At the same time, no critical state of the cell is detected.

The sensor 110 records the data and signals of the cell and transmits them to the signal monitoring 250. The signal monitoring 250 generates a status "GREEN", which indicates the presence of the non-critical state. A green light signal is emitted by means of the traffic light system 251.

In the backend 120, the sensor monitoring 300 determines that no current data and signals are being transmitted and are present. A message 301 is sent to all users registered for this cell, for example in the form of an email. At the same time, dependent third-party interfaces 310 are informed of the status change.

In a third example, a failure of the Internet connection between the sensor 110 and the backend 120 occurs while the collision test is being carried out. At the same time, a critical state of the cell is detected, for example a cell temperature above a limit value.

The sensor 110 records the data and signals of the cell and transmits them to the signal monitoring 250. The signal monitoring 250 generates a status "RED", which indicates the presence of the critical state. A red light signal is emitted by means of the traffic light system 251.

In the backend 120, the sensor monitoring 300 detects that no current data and signals are being transmitted and are present. A message 301 is sent, for example, to all users registered for this cell in the form of an email. At the same time, dependent third-party interfaces 310 are informed that there is no data connection between the sensor 110 and the backend 120.

In a fourth example, the connection and communication between the sensor 110 and the battery management system 260 are interrupted during the collision test. Due to the interrupted connection between the sensor 110 and the battery management system 260, the current cell status cannot be recorded. The sensor 110 transmits the data and signals to the signal monitoring system 250. Due to the interruption in communication and the fact that the cell status cannot be recorded, the signal monitoring system 250 generates a "YELLOW" status. In this example, the "YELLOW" status indicates that manual intervention by a trained operator is necessary. A yellow light signal is emitted by the traffic light system 251. The basic software 220 controls the transmission of the recorded data and signals to the database 290, with the data and signals being stored in the database 290 at least temporarily.

The backend 120 transmits the data and signals to the web interface 270. This changes the status shown in the web interface 270 to "YELLOW", for example. A message 301 is sent to all users registered for this cell, for example in the form of an email. At the same time, dependent third-party interfaces 310 are informed of the status change.

To carry out a corrosion test with the cell in a test bench, for example, several preconditions must be met. During the corrosion test, the cell is installed in a vehicle, for example. In addition, the battery management system 260 is connected to the sensor 110. The sensor 110 is connected, for example, to a safety control system (also safety PLC) of the test bench, not shown in detail.

In addition, the signal monitoring system 250 cyclically evaluates electrical and/or thermal signals received. The electrical and/or thermal signals determined during the recording and monitoring of the state of the cell can be cyclically transmitted to the database 290 and stored there at least temporarily. Using the monitoring system 100, it can be cyclically determined, for example, whether the data and signals are completely stored in the database 290 and no timeouts have been violated.

During a corrosion test in a test bench, the examples listed for a collision test can also occur and the procedure can be as described. However, during a corrosion test, for example, no switching signals are passed on to the traffic light system 251, which emits a corresponding light signal. During a corrosion test, these switching signals will, for example, switch off the test bench depending on a determined status and, if necessary, trigger an emergency reaction.

When monitoring the cell during storage, the cell is installed in a storage box (not shown in detail), for example. In addition, the battery management system 260 is connected to the sensor 110. The battery management system 260 and the sensor 110 can also be installed in the storage box. A low-voltage power supply (not shown in detail) of the battery management system 260 is also connected to the sensor 110. The low-voltage power supply can have a voltage of 12 V, for example.

The sensor 110 can be data-linked to the signal monitoring 250. The signal monitoring 250 can be data-linked to a programmable logic safety controller (also called safety PLC) not shown in detail.

In addition, data and signals determined during the recording and monitoring of the state of the cell can be cyclically transmitted to the database 290 and stored there at least temporarily. The transmission of the data and signals recorded by the sensor 110 is controlled, for example, by means of the basic software 220. The monitoring system 100 can be used, for example, to cyclically determine whether the data and signals are completely stored in the database 290 and whether no timeouts have been violated.

In the following, a function of the monitoring system 100 during storage of the cell is described using several application examples.

In a first example, a difference between a minimum cell voltage and a maximum cell voltage (also called spread) during storage exceeds a defined limit.

The sensor 110 records the data and signals and transmits them to the signal monitoring 250. This generates, for example, a "YELLOW/Balancing" status, which indicates the presence of the spread. In addition, the communication between the sensor 110 and the battery management system 260 is stopped. The low voltage supply to the cell is maintained. The battery management system 260 can then start an internal balancing process to correct the spread problem.

After a parameterizable period of time, for example, the communication between the sensor 110 and the battery management system 260 is re-established. In doing so, it is checked again whether the difference between a minimum cell voltage and a maximum cell voltage is below the defined limit value.

The backend 120 transmits the recorded data and signals to the web interface 270. This means that, for example, a status of the cell displayed in the web interface 270 can also be changed to "YELLOW/Balancing". Using the sensor monitoring 300, a message 301 can be transmitted to all users registered for this cell. The sensor monitoring 300 monitors, for example, the sensor 110 and records status changes of the sensor 110. At the same time, dependent third-party interfaces 310 are informed of the status change.

In a second example, the state of charge (SOC) of the cell falls below a defined limit during storage. The sensor 110 transmits the recorded data and signals to the sensor monitoring 300, which generates a "YELLOW/SOC" status, which indicates the presence of the SOC below the limit.

The recorded data and signals are transmitted to the web interface 270 via the backend 120. The web interface 270 changes the displayed status to a "YELLOW/SOC" status. A message 301 can be transmitted to all users registered for this cell using the sensor monitoring 300. The sensor monitoring 300 monitors, for example, the sensor 110 and records status changes of the sensor 110. At the same time, dependent third-party interfaces 310 are informed of the status change.

List of reference symbols

100

Monitoring system

110

sensor

120

Back end

210

operating system

220

Basic software

230

Certificate store

240

decoder

250

Signal monitoring

251

Traffic light system

260

Battery management system

270

Web interface

280

Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface (REST API)

290

Database

300

Sensor monitoring

301

Report

310

Third party interface

320

first certificate management

330

second certificate management

340

User database

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

Cited patent literature

• WO 2023078719 A1 [0002]

Claims (6)

Method for detecting and monitoring an electrical and/or thermal state of at least one electrochemical cell, characterized in that during and/or after carrying out tests on the cell and/or during storage of the cell by means of a monitoring system (100) which comprises an autonomous energy supply, a sensor (110) designed as an IoT device and a backend (120) or is data-technically coupled to such a system, the state of the at least one electrochemical cell is detected and monitored by detecting electrical and/or thermal signals relating to the cell and a signal associated with the state is output to indicate the state. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that during the tests collision tests and/or corrosion tests are carried out on the cell. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the backend (120) and the sensor (110) communicate with each other by means of an Internet connection. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when a critical state of the cell is detected, information about the deviating state is generated and forwarded to at least one receiver. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that data and signals determined in the detection and monitoring of the state of the cell are cyclically transmitted to a database (290) and stored there at least temporarily. Procedure according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the monitoring system (100) is used to cyclically determine whether the data and signals are completely stored in the database (290).

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