DE202016105619U1 - Smart accumulator - Google Patents

Abstract

Accumulator with integrated energy management, with:
- At least one rechargeable energy storage;
A bidirectionally acting voltage converter device, one side of the bidirectionally acting voltage converter device being connected to the rechargeable energy store;
- A control unit with a computing unit, a memory area and communication means, wherein;
the control unit is in electrical and data communication with the voltage conversion device and wherein the control unit and / or the voltage conversion device is configured to measure or record current and voltage values on the connections of the voltage converter to the energy storage and wherein the control unit is configured to operate at a predetermined voltage Trigger signal performs a forming and aging of the energy storage automatically.

Description

In the manufacture of an energy storage device, in particular a battery or a modern powerful lithium-ion-based battery, various manufacturing steps are carried out until the receipt of the finished product, which are generally very expensive and require a longer time. Specifically, some manufacturing steps require a certain amount of time to complete operations or terminate certain chemical or physical operations. For example, various operations similar to a drying of workpieces or fabrics require certain times.

Specifically, the present invention relates to the manufacturing steps at a later stage in the entire manufacturing process, the steps being specifically referred to as forming and aging. There are times ranging from many levels to a few (eg, 10 to 14) days, especially at the time of aging. Furthermore, the invention relates to a rechargeable power storage (accumulator), which takes over the time-consuming steps of the forming and the aging (actually: quality control) itself and performs.

The EP 2 424 069 A2 discloses, for example, a plant for the formation of lithium-ion cells and preferably comprises a slide for the lithium-ion cells to be formed 1 and a forming system with an electrical circuit having an AD / DC converter unit, possibly with a plurality of DC outputs to which the lithium-ion cells can be electrically connected. To enable energy-optimized shaping is at each of the DC outputs 5 a battery management system 6 connected and with at least one lithium-ion cell 1 connectable.

With the formatting or better forming the first charging and discharging the otherwise finished battery cell are called. The chemical substances inside the battery are initially neutral and in the course of further production between the individual electrodes (electrode tracks for subsequent winding) neutral in terms of their properties and uncharged in electrical terms. With the combination steps forming and aging, the first charging and discharging processes are carried out on the new battery cell. With several forming processes, d. H. cyclic charging and discharging the battery cell with appropriate voltages and currents depending on the type and size of the battery cell get the various layers between the electrodes their desired character as an electrolyte layer for storing and delivering electrical charge. During the various loading and unloading operations, d. H. Forming, lithium ions are deposited in the graphite structures of the anode. In this case, the solid electrolytic interface (SEI) is formed, which represents a boundary layer between the electrolyte and the electrode.

During the forming, the currents and voltages are controlled or regulated with regard to their time characteristic (characteristic curves) in a special way and configured in different and sometimes very special ways with regard to the desired properties of the battery cell. The respective measures with regard to size and duration of the charging and discharging processes influence the performance, quality and durability of the respective battery cell. For formation, the cells are guided in special racks in formation racks and contacted by spring contact pins. The problem also arises that the spring contacts are designed as high-current contacts and accordingly subject to high wear (sparks, contact erosion)

A forming process takes about 24 hours or a little longer and is relatively expensive. In particular, expensive machines are needed for the forming process, and for the subsequent aging for 10 to 20 days, a large area or large spaces in a corresponding factory premises, since each individual battery cell must be treated to accept the special properties of a battery cell. Aging represents the final step in cell manufacturing and has the goal of identifying cell-internal short circuits. In this case, a review of the change in cell characteristics / performance is performed by periodically measuring an open circuit voltage of the cell over a period of up to three weeks. The cells can be stored in aging shelves and / or towers.

Significant investments are required for such machinery and equipment. Furthermore, the relatively long duration of the production is complicated and expensive only for this one production step, so that there is considerable potential for savings in the event of changes or improvements in this area.

Furthermore, the forming process or the formation is relatively energy consuming, as a manufacturer has a large number of individual components simultaneously in this manufacturing state, so that at a manufacturer even a high energy expenditure for forming is required. This is also the case, notwithstanding that individual charging and discharging operations of respective cells can be combined so that the discharge of one cell is connected to the charging of another cell. The loading or Discharge possibility requires voltage converter, preferably a DC-DC converter (DC / DC converter), which is connected to the single cell and provides a predetermined voltage and supplied voltage of a certain size another voltage of a certain size for the cell. These DC voltages are provided bidirectionally. In other words, that means that the DC / DC converter (step-up / down converter or step-up / step-down converter) is able to outwardly (ie towards the consumer) any voltage, preferably a maximum of 48V ( depending on the design of the converter) and always provide the intended charging voltage in the charging direction of the battery cells, largely independent of the input voltage of the cell. Preferably, the converter is designed in a bidirectional manner, so that corresponding charging and discharging processes can be performed and controlled. Instead of a bidirectional transducer, it can also be two separate transducers.

The aim is to provide a device with which the disadvantages mentioned in the prior art are eliminated or at least improved. In particular, the time required for the necessary steps of forming the accumulators and quality control, because nothing else is the "aging" can be outsourced from the manufacturing plant.

This is achieved by an accumulator according to the present invention. The accumulator disclosed herein has a charging device in the form of a bi-directional voltage converter, preferably a DC / DC converter, with its own intelligence. Both are installed in the accumulator during manufacture. For example, cells can deliver up to 48V through the DC converter, regardless of cell voltage. This is ensured by the DC converter. Here are 48V a low voltage. Thus, a change of the batteries can also be performed by untrained personnel, without special training for electrical systems.

The voltage converter can optionally be configured so that a conversion of AC (alternating current, ie AC) to DC (direct current, DC) is possible. In other words, for the charge and the formation of the cell, as well as the aging, the transducer is, so to speak, "transparent". A charge is then possible with DC and AC. Likewise, the battery / cell via the converter at the output of the power / battery cell output an AC voltage.

The battery gets its intelligence via a controller unit, which is microprocessor-controlled and can be implemented as a system on chip (SoC) for space reduction. All communication devices, memory, system clock, etc. are present in this intelligence. The DC / DC converter is suitable for being driven by the controller, for example to change the output voltage. The controller has an external communication via corresponding detection devices and protective mechanisms. In this way, all cells are connected to the forming and aging processes previously performed. The cells can be combined to form a composite. The composite can be implemented in series or parallel connection or else in a combination.

In conjunction with the described controller unit, said converter thus provides an intelligent interface between the power supply for performing the forming and the aging and the cell itself. About the converter with the corresponding intelligent control the loading and unloading operations are carried out by appropriate control, so that the desired properties of a particular cell are achieved. Essentially, there is a fixed central control for the formation and aging of the individual battery cells.

The controller may be configured to receive and send signals through the contacts of the converter (e.g., power line communication) so that data communication without additional contacts is possible only through the battery terminals. Alternatively, the controller may provide data signals via a separate connector or via a data bus. A built-in internal control, wireless communication with a device located outside the power cell is also possible. All known transmission protocols and techniques are used. The controller is configured to record current and voltage values on the connections of the voltage converter to the energy storage. Alternatively, the logging of the current and voltage data can also take place in the converter. The converter has suitable means for measuring and transmitting the voltage values and current values. Optionally, the voltage converter can also have the functionality of storing the data and transmitting it. Alternatively, the voltage converter and the controller may be an integrated component. Thus, the voltage converter additionally receives the functionalities of the controller.

The invention now seeks to depart from the essentially central measure on the part of the manufacturer and on the one hand to arrange the DC / DC converter in the battery itself, ie in the single cell or a block with multiple cells, so that the battery can automatically and automatically perform the formation and the aging. The cells may be, for example, known cell types such as the Li-ion cell 18650 with an open circuit voltage of about 4.2V, as used, inter alia, in laptop batteries. However, the invention is not limited to a specific type of battery, neither the voltage level nor the cell chemistry, nor the design forth.

On the other hand, so that a part of the entire manufacturing process, for example, relocated to the user (the customer), who takes over the battery in a semi-finished state and in which before the actual application, the battery is applied to a corresponding supply voltage, whereupon the battery automatically formatting and aging.

As a result, compared to a first block diagram with an external DC / DC converter, the system boundaries have now been shifted, so that the converter as a power component in conjunction with the corresponding controller unit can automatically and individually perform the formation and the aging. It is thus possible by the present invention, a transition from a more central control of the first charging and discharging operations to an individual and thus decentralized implementation of the formation of the aging.

Thus, a DC / DC converter and the controller unit are used during production and in the manufacturing steps prior to forming and aging, so that each individual battery cell in the embodiment according to the invention on the one hand has its own intelligent interface to the outside and on the other hand intelligent control device and the converter has for individual and independent implementation of the forming and the aging as soon as a corresponding supply voltage is applied from the outside and the required currents can flow. The cell then performs its own forming and aging, so that after the appropriate operations, the functional and finished in terms of manufacturing processes battery cell is present and ready for an application. Thus, the thus configured battery cell itself and thus decentralized Forming (including aging), and thus bring independently in the ready-to-use state. It is only necessary to provide the required input voltage or supply voltage and to make the required contact safely. It should be noted that the contacting must be a Hochstromkontaktierung depending on the design and performance of the battery cell, since relatively high currents flow to perform the forming.

With the various self and decentral carried out charging and discharging (forming) of the battery cell after appropriate application of the required supply voltage obtained in the manner described above, the individual electrolyte layers and other layers their respective character, so that then there is the full functional battery with the desired properties ,

Of course, the battery according to the invention may be subjected to the process of forming and aging in the usual way by the manufacturer. In general, however, it makes sense to design the connection between the manufacturer and the user in another way by purchasing the battery in a state in which the forming has not yet taken place, and in part convenient in the field of application, forming the battery in the user and therefore administratively decentralized. An advantage in this context is that the throughput in battery production on the part of the battery manufacturer is significantly improved, since the times of forming (if they are not performed for special reasons in the factory) and the aging accounts, and in the application to the customer simple way of forming can be done decentralized and without his pronounced assistance. For the customer, this gives the opportunity to buy the battery, which is already used in a composite and also tested there, at a significantly cheaper price. Also can be equipped with a shorter production time at the battery manufacturer faster about corresponding quantities. In the actual production thus eliminates a time-consuming process, while this can take place locally at the user. The user is merely induced to supply the cells with the appropriate supply voltage (with a corresponding power supply source) and no further action on the part of the user is required to carry out the forming. This happens decentrally and completely automatically until the battery cell is fully operational.

With the built-in battery cell DC / DC converter (bidirectional) including its control electronics (controller unit) for the user, the implementation of the forming is also detached from the intended application. With the property of the DC / DC converter as a bidirectional converter, advantageous control can also be performed on the user's side, and a composite in forming a plurality of cells. It can be assumed that anyway the cells are contacted for a review in a variety and changing manner and thus operated at least for testing purposes. Thus are appropriate facilities for Contact the cells in front. It is merely an efficient supply voltage source to provide.

In principle, it is possible, depending on the size of the cell, for example, to equip two or more cells with a DC / DC converter, so that in turn a saving in terms of the total effort on the part of the user is possible. There is also the possibility that a fundamental forming has already been carried out by the battery manufacturer, and that only at the customer a further forming and aging is required, which is still required until it is ready for use. Thus, the battery can be manufactured to some extent, for example, to 60 to 80% of the battery manufacturer, while the lack of measures for providing the application-ready battery at the user (customer) or even during transport can be performed. This is possible because the forming with the inventively designed battery cell is done automatically and without further assistance of an operator. Thus, the battery cell already includes its intelligent charger, with which, starting from the new condition of the battery (uncharged state), the initial charge and thus the forming can also be performed. The electronic components later serve for improved charging.

The part-finished battery or power supply unit on the part of the battery manufacturer thus includes the actual battery cell and the integrated components and assemblies, such as the DC / DC converter (bidirectional) and the various components and devices of the controller unit. To carry out the forming and the aging in a previously customary manufacturing company, about one third of the manufacturing costs are attributable to the corresponding storage, the execution of the forming and the aging and the associated personnel and energy costs. For a user, the required measures of the partially completed battery cell can be performed with their intelligent interface more often in a simple and decentralized, since they can be linked to the application with little effort. In that regard, significantly lower costs for the purchase of the battery cell with the intelligent interface for the user, but for a slightly higher cost of the still required forming and aging. As a result, manufacturing can be speeded up and simplified at the battery manufacturer, and the cost of purchasing the battery can be reduced despite the cost of the electronics, so that even if the battery cell is required to be formed by the user before use, the resulting additional cost will be reduced Estimates are clearly less than the savings on battery purchase, so that overall benefits can be achieved for all parties involved in the supply chain.

The controller circuitry may include an interface (data interface) that enables reading of either the data of the entire cell block or each individual cell. Ideally, each cell has a unique identification via the provided intelligent charging electronics. In this way, each individual cell can be easily identified in their behavior and identity.

The above-described accumulator with its built-in, intelligent charging circuit thus offers the following advantages:
Batteries no longer have to be pre-charged to the user / customer. The fact that an unformed cell is delivered to the customer eliminates the previously existing risk of transport, which always has a charged accumulator due to the system. If a short-circuit occurs across the terminals during transport, the energy contained in the charged battery is released in an uncontrolled manner. If possibly surrounding cells are damaged, a completely uncontrolled discharge of the stored energy can result. If the battery, as in this case, uncharged, eliminates this risk.

The battery is ideally powered and charged only when it is installed in its intended environment. This can be a tool, an electrically powered forklift, an electric vehicle, a use as energy storage (48V electrical system) in a conventional or hybrid car etc.) Only the first loading and forming costs the user (customer) a day Time. The so far necessary Aging, thus the quality controls of the Akkus is accomplished by the possibilities, which this intelligent accumulator offers so during the enterprise. The cells collect in time in their controller (SoC) data about their state of charge, capacity behavior, charging cycles, as the entire life history. Forming and aging are done automatically programmatically. The data depends on the strategy and the manufacturing process of the respective cell manufacturer. Preferably, these data are located in a memory area of the controller. These data can be customized and transferred to the memory of the controller depending on the cell type and if necessary. The controller has the necessary communication facilities.

Since the procedure of forming or aging can still optionally be done in the factory, the controller can detect whether the cell has already undergone these procedures or not yet. An indication in memory, eg a set bit in a flash memory area of the controller can show that. If the controller determines with the first power supply or connecting the battery with an energy source that a corresponding note is missing, it starts the forming and aging process. After completion of the process, the named entry is made in the memory. The characteristic properties determined during the named process, which reflect the performance of the memory, are also stored in the controller. If the entire process already takes place in the production plant, the factory ("end-of-line programming"), when the batteries are delivered, writes this note into the memory to prevent a second run.

Alternatively, the process can also be initiated via the communication. The controller has communication facilities that allow it to send and receive its data over the Internet as well. It is also conceivable that the parameters for formatting and aging e.g. be transmitted via an Internet connection to the controller or is controlled via the Internet by the measured values are transmitted and the necessary action is also transmitted. The controller is then just a communication and monitoring unit.

Thanks to the intelligence and separate DC / DC converter, a cell that is no longer intact can continue to contribute to the energy supply in a cell network.

So far, see battery packs for power tools, it was such that when a single cell series connection (which was necessary just to raise the voltage level in the older NiMh or NiCd cells), a single cell over the life of the entire battery pack decided. With each loading, the defective cell weakened and increased its internal resistance, so that at some point much of the voltage of the battery pack dropped on the internal resistance of the cell. The battery pack did not provide sufficient power and was therefore unusable. The intelligent electronics in the present battery according to the invention ensures that even a defective cell only energy is required within their performance limit. This information is stored in the controller, individually to each cell over their operating time and give at any time information about the efficiency of each cell. Since each cell has its own ID, within a cell group this cell can be identified and replaced if it is at the end of its life cycle.

The user gets nothing from these processes. If a cell actually fails completely, the voltage at the output remains constant due to the DC converter. Only the current, which must supply the remaining cells, increases by the proportion of the failed cell.

The forming / aging can be carried out energy-efficiently. The energy-formed battery can be used for the formation of other batteries. Thus, a formed and "aged" battery before transport, the energy removed again so far that only a minimum level of energy remains, which is considered advantageous for example for the storage of Li-ion cells. This optimization of the energy flow can be carried out efficiently by the intelligent controller or the converter. If several cells are combined to form a composite, the energy of one or two charged cells, which are pushed back and forth by the controller devices and the transducers, is sufficient in principle. If a controller determines that the cell assigned to it has formed and aged, it can, as it were, release the stored energy and use it gradually to treat the remaining cells of the network to the same extent. The respective administration then takes over the controller associated with the respective cell together with the converter. Since a cell should never remain in a completely discharged state, at least this differential energy or energy difference caused by thermal losses must be returned to the system.

figure description

The invention will be explained below with reference to a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures.

1 shows a battery according to the present invention.

According to 1 is a preferred embodiment of the inventive intelligent battery with a cell 1 , a voltage converter device 2 , a controller device 3 and protective devices 4 . 5 and 6 shown. The cell 1 is with the voltage converter device 2 . 2a . 2 B connected. Likewise, the cell (energy storage) 1 with the protective device 4 connected. The protective device 4 is in turn about the connections 5 and 6 (Voltage monitoring) with the voltage converter device 2 and the controller device 3 connected.

The protective devices 4 . 5 and 6 protect the cell 1 during charging / discharging via the voltage converter device 2 before over / under voltage. For this purpose, the protective device 4 the voltage converter 2 . 2a . 2 B control and if necessary turn it off to charge / discharge the cell 1 to interrupt.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been 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 assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2424069 A2 [0003]

Claims (5)

Accumulator with integrated energy management, with: - At least one rechargeable energy storage; A bidirectionally acting voltage converter device, one side of the bidirectionally acting voltage converter device being connected to the rechargeable energy store; - A control unit with a computing unit, a memory area and communication means, wherein; the control unit is in electrical and data communication with the voltage conversion device and wherein the control unit and / or the voltage conversion device is configured to measure or record current and voltage values on the connections of the voltage converter to the energy storage and wherein the control unit is configured to operate at a predetermined voltage Trigger signal performs a forming and aging of the energy storage automatically. Accumulator with integrated energy management according to claim 1, wherein after initial execution of the forming and aging process an indication of the completion of said process is stored in the memory area of the controller. The integrated energy management accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined trigger signal is a signal sent to the controller via the Internet. Accumulator with integrated energy management according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined trigger signal is the connection of the battery to an energy storage. Accumulator with integrated energy management according to claim 1, wherein the at least one voltage converter is a bidirectional voltage converter.

Images