BATTERY WITH A BATTERY MODULE AND METHOD FOR ITS OPERATION

Abstract

A battery cell having first cell connectors, a galvanic cell and a first switching unit electrically coupled to the first cell connectors and the galvanic cell for electrically coupling the galvanic cell to the first cell connectors depending on a switching state of the first switching unit. The battery cell has second cell connectors electrically separated from the first cell connectors and a second switching unit electrically coupled to the second cell connectors and the galvanic cell for electrically coupling the galvanic cell to the second cell connectors depending on a switching state of the second switching unit.

Claims

1. A battery cell comprising: first cell connectors, a galvanic cell, and a first switching unit electrically coupled to the first cell connectors and the galvanic cell for electrically coupling the galvanic cell to the first cell connectors depending on a switching state of the first switching unit, wherein second cell connectors electrically isolated from the first cell connectors, and a second switching unit electrically coupled to the second cell connectors and the galvanic cell for electrically coupling the galvanic cell to the second cell connectors depending on a switching state of the second switching unit.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, further comprising at least two first cell connectors and at least two second cell connectors.

3. The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the first switching unit and/or the second switching unit comprise at least one bridging switching element.

4. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the first switching unit is adapted to electrically couple at least two of the first cell connectors to each other depending on one of several switching states of the first switching unit, and/or the second switching unit is adapted to electrically couple at least two of the second cell connectors to each other.

5. The battery cell according to claim 1, further comprising: four first cell connectors as main terminals and two second cell connectors as secondary terminals, the first switching unit comprising a first switching element for electrically coupling the second and the third main terminals, a second switching element for electrically coupling the first and fourth main terminals, a third switching element for coupling the first and the second main terminal, and a fourth switching element connected in series with the galvanic cell, wherein the first series circuit is connected between the second and the fourth main terminals such that one of the potential terminals of the galvanic cell is connected to the fourth main terminal, and wherein the second switching unit comprises a series circuit of three switching elements, the second series circuit being directly connected to the potential terminals of the galvanic cell and a respective center tap of the series circuit being connected to a respective one of the two secondary terminals.

6. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein a cell housing in which at least the first and second semiconductor switching elements are arranged and which has at least one terminal contact for each of the cell connectors, the terminal contacts being arranged electrically isolated from one another.

7. The battery module with at least two battery cells, wherein the battery cells are formed according to claim 1, and exactly two respective ones of the first cell connectors of one of the battery cells are electrically connected to exactly two respective ones of the first cell connectors of a second of the battery cells.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, wherein exactly one respective one of the second cell connectors of the first of the battery cells is electrically connected to exactly one respective one of the second cell connectors of the second of the battery cells.

9. The battery with at least one battery module, wherein the battery module is formed according to claim 7 and the battery has at least six connection poles to which the at least one battery module is connected.

10. A method for operating a battery cell, wherein first cell connectors of the battery cell are electrically coupled by a first switching unit, which is electrically coupled to a galvanic cell of the battery cell and to the first cell connectors, depending on a switching state of the first switching unit, wherein second cell connectors of the battery cell, which are electrically isolated from the first cell connectors, are electrically coupled by a second switching unit, which is electrically coupled to the second cell connectors and the galvanic cell, depending on a switching state of the second switching unit.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the galvanic cell is electrically coupled either only by the first switching unit to the first cell connectors or only by the second switching unit to the second cell connectors.

12. A motor vehicle with an on-board supply system comprising an electric machine as drive device and a battery, wherein the battery is designed according to claim 9 and the electric machine is directly connected to the battery.

13. The battery cell of claim 2, wherein the first switching unit and/or the second switching unit comprise at least one bridging switching element.

14. The battery cell according to claim 2, further comprising at least two first cell connectors and at least two second cell connectors.

15. The battery cell according to claim 3, further comprising at least two first cell connectors and at least two second cell connectors.

16. The battery cell according to claim 2, further comprising: four first cell connectors as main terminals and two second cell connectors as secondary terminals, the first switching unit comprising a first switching element for electrically coupling the second and the third main terminals, a second switching element for electrically coupling the first and fourth main terminals, a third switching element for coupling the first and the second main terminal, and a fourth switching element connected in series with the galvanic cell, wherein the first series circuit is connected between the second and the fourth main terminals such that one of the potential terminals of the galvanic cell is connected to the fourth main terminal, and wherein the second switching unit comprises a series circuit of three switching elements, the second series circuit being directly connected to the potential terminals of the galvanic cell and a respective center tap of the series circuit being connected to a respective one of the two secondary terminals.

17. The battery cell according to claim 3, further comprising: four first cell connectors as main terminals and two second cell connectors as secondary terminals, the first switching unit comprising a first switching element for electrically coupling the second and the third main terminals, a second switching element for electrically coupling the first and fourth main terminals, a third switching element for coupling the first and the second main terminal, and a fourth switching element connected in series with the galvanic cell, wherein the first series circuit is connected between the second and the fourth main terminals such that one of the potential terminals of the galvanic cell is connected to the fourth main terminal, and wherein the second switching unit comprises a series circuit of three switching elements, the second series circuit being directly connected to the potential terminals of the galvanic cell and a respective center tap of the series circuit being connected to a respective one of the two secondary terminals.

18. The battery cell according to claim 4, further comprising: four first cell connectors as main terminals and two second cell connectors as secondary terminals, the first switching unit comprising a first switching element for electrically coupling the second and the third main terminals, a second switching element for electrically coupling the first and fourth main terminals, a third switching element for coupling the first and the second main terminal, and a fourth switching element connected in series with the galvanic cell, wherein the first series circuit is connected between the second and the fourth main terminals such that one of the potential terminals of the galvanic cell is connected to the fourth main terminal, and wherein the second switching unit comprises a series circuit of three switching elements, the second series circuit being directly connected to the potential terminals of the galvanic cell and a respective center tap of the series circuit being connected to a respective one of the two secondary terminals.

19. The battery cell according to claim 2, wherein a cell housing in which at least the first and second semiconductor switching elements are arranged and which has at least one terminal contact for each of the cell connectors, the terminal contacts being arranged electrically isolated from one another.

20. The battery cell according to claim 3, wherein a cell housing in which at least the first and second semiconductor switching elements are arranged and which has at least one terminal contact for each of the cell connectors, the terminal contacts being arranged electrically isolated from one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0074] Below are the embodiment examples of the invention shown in the following pictures:

[0075] FIG. 1 a schematic block diagram of a battery with battery modules with a circuit structure of the matrix arrangement type, whose module connections are electrically connectable by means of semiconductor switch elements;

[0076] FIG. 2 a schematic block diagram as in FIG. 1 in the first operating state;

[0077] FIG. 3 a schematic block diagram as in FIG. 1 in the second operating state;

[0078] FIG. 4 a schematic circuit diagram of a battery module of the battery according to FIG. 1;

[0079] FIG. 5 a schematic circuit diagram of a battery cell of the battery module according to FIG. 4;

[0080] FIG. 6 a schematic circuit diagram of a motor vehicle with driving equipment and a battery according to FIG. 1;

[0081] FIG. 7 a schematic presentation of a battery according to FIG. 1 with a three-phase externally excited synchronous machine connected to it;

[0082] FIG. 8 a schematic circuit diagram of the battery according to FIG. 7 with terminal pole cables;

[0083] FIG. 9 a schematic diagram for use of battery according to FIG. 1 when producing a three-phase alternating current;

[0084] FIG. 10 a schematic diagram of the effect of changing arrangement of battery modules when producing a multi-phase alternating current depending up-on the number of phases of the alternating current;

[0085] FIG. 11 a schematic circuit diagram of a battery cell with four first and two second cell terminals;

[0086] FIG. 12 a schematic circuit diagram of a battery module with battery cells according to FIG. 11;

[0087] FIG. 13 a schematic circuit diagram of a battery with three battery modules according to FIG. 12 according to the first design;

[0088] FIG. 14 a schematic circuit diagram of a battery with three battery modules according to FIG. 12 according to the second design;

[0089] FIG. 15 a schematic circuit diagram of a battery with three battery modules according to FIG. 12 according to the third design;

[0090] FIG. 16 a schematic side view of a battery cell according to FIG. 11 with a cell casing with a galvanic cell and a circuit board with semiconductor switch elements arranged in it in an integrated way, and

[0091] FIG. 17 a schematic side view of a battery cell according to FIG. 16, where the galvanic cell is detachable from the cell casing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] The exemplary embodiments explained in the following are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the respective components of the embodiments represent individual features of the invention, to be considered independently of one another, which also further develop the invention independently of one another. In addition, the embodiments described can also be supplemented with other previously described features of the invention.

[0093] In the figures, the same reference symbols always designate elements with the same function.

[0094] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram representing a section of a circuit structure of a battery 48, which has a plurality of battery modules 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 arranged adjacent to one another, each having four module connections 1, 2, 3, 4 and a plurality of semiconductor switching elements Se1, Se2, Se3, Se4. The battery 48 comprises additional battery modules and semiconductor switching elements (not shown), with which the structure is continued correspondingly.

[0095] Each of the battery modules 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 has three series circuits 22, 24, 26 of battery cells 46 (FIGS. 4 and 5). In the present circuit structure it is provided that a first module connection 1 of a first one of the battery modules 10 can be coupled electrically over a first one of the semiconductor switching elements Se1 with a fourth module connection 4 of a second battery module 12, a second module connection 2 of the first battery module 10 over a second semiconductor switching element Se2 with a third module connection 3 of the third battery module 14, a third module connection 3 of the first battery module 10 over a third semiconductor switching element Se3 with a second module connection 2 of a fourth battery module 16 and a fourth module connection 4 of the first battery module 10 over a fourth semiconductor switching element Se4 with a first module connection 1 of the fifth battery module 18, depending on the switching status of these semiconductor switching elements Se1, Se2, Se3, Se4. In FIG. 1 the semiconductor switching elements Se1, Se2, Se3, Se4 are shown in the deactivated state.

[0096] The semiconductor switching elements Se1, Se2, Se3, Se4 as well as the semiconductor switching elements described in the following currently exist as a kind of MOSFET. In alternative embodiments, naturally another kind of semiconductor switching element may be provided, for example an IGBT or the like.

[0097] The number of semiconductor switching elements between the battery modules shown in FIG. 1—depending on the application or the need—can be reduced to a defined number or expanded. The tapping possibilities of the phased potentials generated can take place either over a central interface in the middle of the battery module or over a corresponding number of external tapping points or tapping lines on the periphery of the battery system, for example battery terminals.

[0098] Depending on the closing of the semiconductor switching elements between the battery modules, various combinations and therefore either series or parallel connections of battery modules can be achieved. If, tor example, in a multi-phase system, all battery modules 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 shown are assigned a single phase potential and only the battery modules 10, 14, 18 or individual battery cells of these battery modules are required for generating this potential phase, for example phase 1, the module matrix offers some advantages.

[0099] On one hand, faster bypassing of battery modules that are not currently required, here for example battery modules 16 and 20, is possible by realizing a direct connection between the modules 10 and 18 by closing the intervening semiconductor switching elements. With this, battery modules 16 and 20 need no longer carry additional current. On the other hand, these battery modules, now also including the battery module 12 which is also not required, can be used for potential generation of one or more additional phase potentials.

[0100] In a schematic cutaway view, FIG. 2, like FIG. 1, shows a first operating state of the battery 48, in which the battery modules 10, 14, 18 are connected in series via the semiconductor switching elements Se2, Se4 to supply a specified electrical potential to battery terminals (not shown) of the battery 48. The switching status of the semiconductor switching elements Se1, Se2, Se3, Se4 is primarily provided only for a short time period. Specifically, the battery 48 is primarily designed to provide an alternating current at its terminals, namely a triphasic alternating current, to supply a vehicle electrical power system 70 of a motor vehicle 68 with electrical energy (FIG. 6).

[0101] FIG. 6 shows the motor vehicle 68 in a schematic side view. The vehicle electrical power system 70 comprises the battery 48 and a synchronous motor 72 as the drive equipment. In the present case the synchronous motor 72 is designed as a three-phase alternating current motor. The synchronous motor 72 is connected directly to the battery 48, so that a separate inverter is not required.

[0102] By means of a control unit 60, the battery 48, specifically its semiconductor switching elements, especially comprising its semiconductor switching elements Se1, Se2, Se3, Se4, are operated such that the three phases of the alternating current for the synchronous motor 72 can be supplied appropriately by operating the battery 48 in the manner of a multi-level energy converter.

[0103] An exemplary circuitry with assignment of individual battery modules to different phases is, for example: battery modules 10, 14 and 18 to phase 1, battery module 12 to phase 2 and battery module 16 and 20 to phase 3.

[0104] In a further schematic representation, FIG. 3, like FIG. 1, shows a second operating state of the semiconductor switching elements Se1, Se2, Se3, Se4, according to which the battery modules 10, 14, 16 are now connected in series so that they can supply another desired momentarily present specified electrical potential to the battery terminals. Depending on the magnitude of the electrical potential to be supplied and also depending on the demands on the battery modules 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, by correspondingly setting the semiconductor switching elements Se1, Se2, Se3, Se4 and the additional, unnamed semiconductor switching elements, the desired operating states for supplying the specified electrical potential can be assumed. In this process it may be provided that battery modules 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 will be activated or deactivated temporarily.

[0105] Because of the change in the phase potentials over time compared with FIG. 2, the required potential amplitudes and thus the allocation to the battery modules will change. In the next time step according to FIG. 3, for example, the battery modules 10, 14 and 16 will be needed for generating phase 1. As a result, the selection of battery modules shown in FIG. 3 can be subdivided, wherein once again all battery module modules are used and are to be assigned to the phase potentials to be formed.

[0106] FIG. 3 shows the circuitry and the assignment of individual battery modules to different phases in the next time step: for example, battery modules 10, 14 and 16 to phase 1, battery module 12 to phase 2 and battery modules 18 and 20 to phase 3.

[0107] FIG. 4 in an exemplary schematic circuit diagram shows one of the battery modules 10 of battery 48 from FIGS. 1 to 3. The additional battery modules 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are designed correspondingly in the present case. This may also differ in alternative embodiments.

[0108] It is recognizable in FIG. 4 that the module connections 1 and 2 can be electrically coupled with one another over two semiconductor switching elements Sb1 and Sb2 connected in series. The same configuration is also recognizable for the module connections 3 and 4, which can be electrically coupled with one another over a series circuit of semiconductor switching elements Sb3 and Sb4. The semiconductor switching elements Sb1, Sb2, Sb3, Sb4 can be designed like the other semiconductor switching elements Se1, Se2, Se3, Se4. However, they may also be designed differently as needed.

[0109] The first and the third module connections 1, 3 can be electrically coupled with one another over the series circuit 22 consisting of four battery cells B1, B2, B3, B4 and two additional semiconductor switching elements S9 and S10. Correspondingly, the module connections 2 and 4 can be electrically coupled with one another over the series circuit 26 consisting of battery cells B9, B10, B11, B12 and semiconductor switching elements S29, S30.

[0110] A center connection 28 of the semiconductor switching elements Sb1, Sb2 connected in series can be coupled electrically over the series circuit 24 consisting of battery cells B5, B5, B7, B8 and semiconductor switching elements S19 and S20 with a center connection 30 of the series circuit of the semiconductor switching elements Sb3 and Sb4. The series circuits 22, 24, 26 in this case are of essentially the same construction. This may also be made different if necessary.

[0111] FIG. 5 shows, in a schematic circuit diagram representation, a single one of the battery cells B1 to B12, which is designated with the reference symbol 46 in FIG. 5. Each of the battery cells 46 in the present case has a single galvanic cell 12. The battery cell 46 serves as an element for the modular construction of the battery module 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, especially of the series circuits 22, 24, 26.

[0112] The galvanic cell 12 is designed as an electrochemical cell and has two electrodes, which form a first potential connection 42 and a second potential connection 44. In the present configuration, the galvanic cell 12 is designed as a lithium ion cell. In alternative configurations, another galvanic cell may also be provided here, for example a lead-acid cell or the like.

[0113] The battery cell 46 has a first cell connection 34, which is directly electrically coupled with the first potential connection 42 of the galvanic cell 12. In addition, the battery cell 46 has a second cell connection 36, which is electrically coupled over a first semiconductor switching element 50 of the battery cell 46 with a second potential connection 44 of the galvanic cell 12. The first semiconductor switching element 50 in the present case is made of a transistor, namely a field effect transistor of the MOSFET type. Naturally, another transistor, for example an IGBT or the like, may also be used alternatively.

[0114] The battery cell 46 also comprises a third cell connection 38, a second semiconductor switching element 32, which may be essentially designed like the first semiconductor switching element 50, and a fourth cell connection 40, which is electrically coupled over the second semiconductor switching element 32 with the first potential connection 42 of the galvanic cell 12. Thus in the present case the battery cell 46 has four cell connections 34, 36, 38, 40. Through this specific circuit structure of the battery cell 46, specific functionalities can be achieved during the operation of a battery module 10 constructed with these battery cells 46.

[0115] It is apparent from FIG. 4 that the battery cells B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12, which correspond to the battery cell 46, are connected into the three series circuits 22, 24, 26. If the semiconductor switching elements Sb1, Sb2, Sb3, Sb4 are in the “off” switching status, the die series circuits 22, 26 can essentially be operated independently from one another, and correspondingly can be used for supplying differing electrical potentials. The series circuit 24 is not activated in this operating state.

[0116] Through the battery cells 46 it is possible to make a potential of the respective battery modules 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 variable, even with respect to the potential to be provided at the module connections 1, 2, 3, 4. With the circuit structure of the battery cells 46 it is even possible to achieve alternating currents as needed at the module connections 1, 2, 3, 4. In connection with the circuit structure of the battery 48 according to FIG. 3, therefore, almost any desired potential form can be achieved in a highly dynamic way with regard to the chronological course as well. In addition, depending on the need, it may be provided that, for example, semiconductor switching elements Sb1 and Sb3 or semiconductor switching elements Sb2 and Sb4 are switched to the “on” status to allow parallel connection of series circuit 24 either to series circuit 22 or to series circuit 26. Naturally, it may also be provided that all of the semiconductor switching elements Sb1, Sb2, Sb3, Sb4 are in the “on” switching status in order to connect the three series circuits 22, 24, 26 in parallel. Depending on the need, this can also be changed during operation. By way of the specific circuit structure it is possible that each of the series circuits 22, 24, 26 may provide an individual electric potential, which in the present case is an alternating current.

[0117] As is apparent from FIG. 4, however, the battery module 10 can also be bypassed very simply in that either only the two “top” semiconductor switching elements (Se1, Se2) or the two “bottom” semiconductor switching elements Se3, Se4 or one upper and one lower semiconductor switching element in the given case along with the corresponding semiconductor switching elements within a backbone, for example S1, S4, S5, S8, S9, can be closed, so that all battery cells are bypassed.

[0118] In addition, the battery 48 comprises a control unit 60 to which all the semiconductor switching elements of the battery 48, the battery modules 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and also all battery cells 46 are connected. By appropriately switching the semiconductor switching elements, not only can the individual battery cells 46 in the battery modules 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 be activated or deactivated as needed, to supply a potential as needed at the module connections 1, 2, 3, 4 according to the respective specified electrical alternating current, but the possibility also exists of further increasing the flexibility by activating respective battery modules. In particular, the possibility exists of completely activating or deactivating individual battery modules or even making them available in normal operation to another potential supply line. In this way it is possible for the battery 48 not only to accomplish the functionality of a three-phase inverter of the multi-level energy converter type, but also to supply a plurality of greatly differing electrical potentials almost simultaneously. In this process, with the circuit structure according to the invention, it is possible to supply both positive and negative electrical potentials against a battery reference potential connection and/or battery reference potential. In addition, it is also possible to vary amplitudes and/or phase shifts in the case of alternating current potentials when, for example, this is desired in normal operation of the synchronous motor 72 or the like.

[0119] The layout of the battery modules 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 can take the form of a module matrix, wherein the battery modules 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, in contrast to a pure series connection thereof, are connected with more than just two adjacent modules over the semiconductor switching elements designed as circuit breakers, giving the possibility of connecting the battery modules together in any order, separating them galvanically, bypassing individual battery modules or generating individual DC potentials, for example using them for a vehicle electrical system power supply.

[0120] The following additional effects can also be achieved with the invention:

[0121] For example, utilization of the resources of battery cells temporarily actually switched as inactive can be realized by modularity of the battery cells. In contrast to the case of multi-level energy converters of the prior art, the modularity of the topology according to the invention can be achieved, for example, not by simply connecting battery modules in series, for example within a phase, but to some extent by a module matrix, in which a battery module can be connected with more than two nearby battery modules, for example z nearby battery modules, wherein z corresponds to the number of power switches via which the respective battery module can be electrically connected with other battery modules. Thus z different current paths through one module are possible.

[0122] This functionality facilitates or enables the formation of positive and negative initial potential levels; in other words, it thus integrates the ability for polarity reversal of the initial potentials. It is also possible to equip each of the individual battery modules in the battery with a different number of semiconductor switching elements outside of the battery module, for example zi, wherein i corresponds to the i-th battery module, so that the number of module connections can vary. This is advantageous in that the number of nearby battery modules of a battery module located in the interior of a battery can differ from that of a module on the edge of the battery. This modularity need not be limited to one plane of the battery, i.e., to two dimensions, but a three-dimensional structure of a large number of battery modules is also conceivable.

[0123] The allocation of the battery modules to the individual phases and the production of the gate signals for the semiconductor switching elements between the individual battery modules can be generated using appropriate modulations/actuation methods. In this process the generation of the switching signals for the semiconductor switching elements between the battery modules can be selected to occur in such a form that ideally these only change at a low frequency, and thus the occurring switching losses are small. This is recognizable, for example, from the allocation of battery module 12 in the previously shown FIGS. 1 to 3, since the presentation of this battery module over more than one time step away and along with this, the switch positions of the semiconductor switching elements surrounding the battery module, do not change.

[0124] In view of the existing advantage that individual battery modules with the suggested topology can likewise be used for supplying a constant DC potential, for example, battery module 12 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 can also be used for this purpose and deliver the required vehicle electrical system potential, which for example can amount to 48 V, over a long interval, and consequently with the proposed switching concept/topology the combination of a DC/AC and a DC/DC converter/a DC-AC/DC inverter can be realized with the battery 48.

[0125] As was previously mentioned, the module matrix need not be limited to one plane, but can also be expanded to multiple planes.

[0126] Likewise, different connection topologies of the battery cells 46 can be realized within the various battery modules. A large selection of topology variants with p parallel-connected battery cells or sections as well as m series-connected battery cells can be implemented.

[0127] FIG. 5 shows a possible connection topology for the battery module, wherein a total of twelve battery cells 46 are integrated in this example module 10. In each case four of these twelve battery cells B1 . . . B4; B5 . . . B8; B9 . . . B12 form a “backbone”! module section and are thus connected to one another over a semiconductor switching element, for example S3, between a negative terminal of one battery cell, for example B1, and a positive terminal of the next battery cell, for example B2. In addition, another semiconductor switching element, for example S4, is present between the positive terminal of the first-named battery cell, for example B1, and the negative terminal of the next battery cell in the sequence, for example B2.

[0128] The topology shown allows a polarity reversal, in other words, it has the functionality of producing positive and negative output potential levels. Thus in addition to the individual battery modules it also increases the number of possible potential levels of the multi-level energy converter supplied with the battery 48.

[0129] Around the battery module 10 are four external semiconductor switching elements Se1, Se2, Se3, Se4 for combination/connection with other battery modules. The semiconductor switching elements Sb1, Sb2, Sb3, Sb4 within the battery module additionally allow the connection or the uncoupling of individual sections with/from one another as well as the possibility of current conduction starting from any of the external semiconductor switching elements Se1, Se2, Se3, Se4 through the battery module to another arbitrary one of these four semiconductor switching elements.

[0130] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the externally excited synchronous motor 72 connected to the battery 48 according to FIG. 1. It is recognized that depending on the phases, phase potentials can be directly supplied from the battery 48 as alternating current for the synchronous motor 72. In addition, the battery 48 makes available a direct current that serves to excite a rotor winding of the synchronous motor 72. With this principle, for example, it is possible not only to guarantee the excitation of the synchronous motor 72 in the form of both the excitation circuit and the rotor circuit, but also, for example, to make a contribution to a low-potential vehicle electrical system of an electric vehicle, for example a low-potential vehicle electrical system or the like. A separate energy converter is no longer necessary for this purpose. This concept also makes it possible to optimize the battery system and especially to use almost the entire available potential of the total number of battery cells at any time. Thus the battery 48 not only serves to supply a direct current, but also serves as a multi-level energy converter to supply corresponding alternating currents.

[0131] FIG. 8 shows an additional schematic representation of the battery according to FIG. 1, in which additional terminal lines 52, 54, 56, 58 are shown, to which terminals of the battery 48 are connected. In the present case, the terminal lines 52, 54, 56, 58 each have a ring structure. The ring structure can be at least partially spatially positioned inside and outside of the battery 48. In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, only four terminal lines are shown; specifically, the terminal lines necessary for supplying the three-phase alternating current. Two additional terminal lines will be required for supplying direct current. Additional ring lines will also be needed for generating an increased number of alternating currents.

[0132] It is also apparent from FIG. 8 that the battery 48 correspondingly has four terminal lines 52, 54, 56, 58, electrically connected to the battery terminals (not shown) independently of one another for supplying the three phase potentials of the three-phase alternating current. The battery 48, at least for some of the battery modules 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, has a circuit structure in which at least one of the module connections 1, 2, 3, 4 of at least two different battery modules, here battery modules 10, 12,16, 18, each is or can be electrically coupled over respective connecting contact elements 62, independent of their switching states, with a respective terminal line 52, 54, 56, 58. In this way a respective battery module 10, 12, 16, 18 can be electrically coupled directly in a highly flexible manner with the terminal lines 52, 54, 56, 58. In the present case, the terminal lines 52, 54, 56, 58 are assigned as follows:

[0133] Terminal line 52 is assigned a zero potential, while the connection lines 54, 56, 58 are assigned to respective phases L3, L2, L1.

[0134] According to the number of terminal lines 52, 54, 56, 58, the connection switching elements 62 have switching elements (not shown) which make it possible to individually electrically couple one of the four module connections 1, 2, 3, 4 to one of the battery modules 10, 12, 16, 18 respectively with one of the terminal lines 52, 54, 56, 58. In this way, the battery modules for the potential supply can be arranged in almost any desired way.

[0135] The semiconductor switching elements, especially the semiconductor switching elements SE 1, SE 2, SE 3, SE 4 and the connection switching elements 62, are activated by the control unit 60, depending on the electrical potentials predetermined by the battery 48 in order to supply the specified electrical potentials at the battery terminals.

[0136] FIG. 9 shows a schematic representation of an actual battery utilization, an available service capacity, an energy buffer and the three phase potentials of the alternating current over a period of time. The time is shown on an abscissa, while a normalized potential is shown on an ordinate. The three phase potentials of the alternating current are shown by curves 80, 82, 84. It is apparent that their amplitudes are normalized to a value of 1. A curve 86 shows potential utilization corresponding to the supplying of the phase potentials, which corresponds to the sum of the contributions of the three curves of the respective phases of the alternating currents 80, 82, and 84. A curve 88 characterizes an actually used maximum service capacity of the battery 48.

[0137] It is recognizable that the maximum service capacity has a normalized potential value of 2. An additional curve 90 characterizes the total service capacity available from the battery 48 when all battery modules of the battery 48 are used. The curve 92 characterizes an energy buffer, which corresponds to a difference between the curve 90, which in the present case corresponds to the normalized potential with the value of 3, and the maximum service capacity actually utilized. For normal operation of the battery 48 to supply three-phase alternating current, the battery 48 would only have to be designed for the maximal service capacity actually utilized according to the curve 88. Thus with regard to this application the energy buffer 92 represents a kind of oversizing, which not only can provide flexibility of the battery 48, but also can provide reliability, since it makes it possible to exclude defective battery modules or malfunctioning battery modules from utilization and instead introduce battery modules of the energy buffer corresponding to the utilization.

[0138] The essentially comparable situation also arises for multiples of three-phase alternating currents, for example six-phase alternating currents, nine-phase alternating currents or the like. Similar orders of magnitude for the energy buffer result.

[0139] FIG. 10 shows, in a schematic diagrammatic representation, the effect of the variable assignment of battery modules in supplying multi-phase alternating current depending on the number of phases of the alternating current. An abscissa of the diagram is assigned to the number of phases, while an ordinate is assigned to a normalized active utilization of the battery 48. This corresponds to the relative share of currently actively utilized battery cells or battery modules, which is shown by the curve 94 in the diagram according to FIG. 10. This is a ratio of the actively utilized battery cells or battery modules relative to the total number of battery cells or battery modules. A two-thirds value is shown by a curve 96. It is apparent from FIG. 10 that the curve 94—except for the case of two phases—corresponds essentially to the curve 96. With the curve 98, a deviation in regard to the total available service capacity of the battery 48 is indicated.

[0140] FIG. 10 shows that an unused service capacity of the battery 48 of about one-third is enduringly present for supplying a multi-phase alternating current with more than two phases. This service capacity can be used for optimizing the operation of the battery 48. It must be noted here that the unused service capacity always exist in the form of different or chronologically varying battery modules or battery cells, since for supplying the potential of the phase potentials, battery cells or battery modules are preferably selected which make it possible to best emulate the phase potential currently to be supplied, for example considering balancing or the like.

[0141] As a result it is possible to use temporarily deactivated battery modules or battery cells for supplying other phase potentials. This is possible, among other things, because the phase potentials, which represent individual alternating currents, are shifted in their phase position relative to one another. The phase shift between the individual phases is preferably the same for all the phase potentials relative to one another, wherein at least one value of the phase shift may be dependent upon the number of phases. Thus in the case of a three-phase alternating current, the phase potentials are usually phase-shifted by about 120° relatively to one another. Corresponding considerations apply for a larger number of phases.

[0142] It is also possible to realize a variable neutral point shift if the battery 48 is used to supply the three-phase alternating current as an alternating current based on a neutral point. In this case it is possible for the neutral point of the phase potentials to be propagated through the battery 48 or the battery module. Naturally, the possibility also exists of integrating several neutral points or phase taps that may be activated or deactivated as needed.

[0143] FIG. 11 shows, in a schematic circuit diagram similar to FIG. 5, a battery cell 200 with four first cell connections 34, 36, 38, 40, also called main connections, and two second cell connections 212, 214, also called shunts. The first cell connections 34, 36, 38, 40 are coupled electrically over a first switch unit 218 with a galvanic cell 12 of the battery cell 200. The electrical coupling takes place depending upon a respective switching status of the first switch unit 218.

[0144] In addition, the battery cell 200 has a second switch unit 216, which electrically couples the galvanic cell 12, depending on a respective switching status, with the second cell connections 212, 214.

[0145] For the electrical coupling, the first switch unit 218 comprises two switching elements 30, 32. The switching element 30 is connected between the second and the third cell connection 36, 38, while the switching element 32 is connected between the first and the fourth cell connection 34, 40. The first switch unit 218 also comprises a switching element 202 which, depending on its switching status, electrically couples the first and the second cell connection 34, 36. Finally, the first switch unit 218 comprises a switching element 204, which forms a series circuit with the galvanic cell 212, connected to the second and fourth cell connections 36, 40. In this configuration the potential connection 42 of the galvanic cell 12 is electrically coupled with the cell connection 40 and the switching element 204 is electrically coupled over one of its two connections with the cell connection 36. In this way, fundamentally a functionality can be provided as was already explained based on FIG. 5. Furthermore the possibility exists of also connecting the battery cells 200 in series in reverse polarity or cascading them (FIG. 12) and nevertheless achieving the desired functionality of a battery module 220 produced from them. Using the first switch unit 218, this can be achieved by actuating the corresponding switching elements 30, 32, 202, 204.

[0146] Also, the second switch unit 216 is connected directly to the potential terminals 42, 44 of the galvanic cell 12, comprising a series circuit made of three switching elements 206, 208, 210. This series circuit is connected directly to the potential terminals 42, 44. The second cell connections 212, 214 are connected to two center taps of this series circuit. In this way, using the switching element 210, which in the present case represents a bypass switching element, bypassing the battery cell 200 for the second switch unit with regard to the second cell connections 212, 214 can be accomplished.

[0147] A bypass functionality can correspondingly also be achieved with the first switch unit 218. Depending on the polarity and switching status, however, the corresponding switching elements are to be activated here. In the case of bypass, in particular the switching element 204 can be in the “off” switching status.

[0148] Because of the circuit structure of the battery cell 200 in the present case it is possible to use the galvanic cell 12 in the simultaneous provision of two potentials electrically separated from one another. Thus the galvanic cell 12 can be used for supplying a first electrical potential in that a potential value can be made available over the first switch unit 218 to the first cell connections 34, 36, 38, 40, or it can be used for supplying a second electrical potential in that a potential value can be made available over the second switch unit 216 at the second cell connections 212, 214. Thus the battery cell 200 can be utilized for providing a respective electrical potential depending on the respective switching status of the first and the second switch units 216, 218.

[0149] The switching element 202 of the first switch unit 218 can be used to switch the polarity of the galvanic cell 12 appropriately when an electrical potential is to be provided over the first cell connections 34, 36, 38, 40. As a result of the specific circuit structure, a plurality of very different utilization possibilities can be achieved for the galvanic cell 12 or the battery cell 200.

[0150] FIG. 12, in an additional schematic circuit diagram, shows a battery module 220 in which a plurality of battery cells 200 are electrically coupled with one another by cascade or series connection with regard to the first cell connections 34, 36, 38, 40. At an upper end of the cascade circuit or series circuit a connector switch unit 230 comprising two switching elements is provided, which is connected to the second and the fourth cell connections 36, 40 of the first battery cells 200. These two switching elements provide a common connection attached to a module connection 222.

[0151] At the opposite end of the cascaded or series-connected battery cells 200, the first and the third cell connections 34, 38 of the corresponding battery module 200 are jointly connected to an additional module connection 224. In FIG. 12 a variant is represented in which the cell connections of the successive battery modules 200 are alternately replaced. In the cascade or series circuit shown in FIG. 12 it is provided that a second cell connection 36 of a first battery module 200 is connected to a first cell connection 34 of the immediately following battery module 200, while a fourth cell connection 40 of the first battery module 200 is attached to the third cell connection 38 of the immediately following battery module 200. In this way the galvanic cells 12 of the successive battery modules 200 are connected with respectively reversed polarity.

[0152] Alternatively, the cascade or series circuit can also be executed such that a second cell connection 36 of a respective battery cell 200 is connected to a third cell connection 38 of the respectively immediately following battery cell 200 and a fourth cell connection 40 of the aforementioned battery cell 200 to the first cell connection 34 of the immediately following battery cell 200. The cascade or series connection of the battery cells 200 can also be achieved in this way. Independently of the connection type selected in this regard, however, the same functionality can be achieved, wherein only the first switch unit 218 is to be correspondingly modified with regard to the switching status of its switching elements 30, 32, 202, 204.

[0153] Depending on the switching status of the first switch unit 218, the die galvanic cell 12 can be connected at least partially in parallel or at least partially in series to produce an electrical potential at the module connections 222, 224. In this way, particularly great flexibility is achieved with regard to the utilization of the battery cells 200. In particular, the configuration according to FIG. 12 has the advantage that with regard to the cascade or series circuit with the first cell connections 34, 36, 38, 40 the polarity does not have to be considered. Thus the polarity of the galvanic cell 212 does not matter in relation to the circuit structure of the first switch unit 218. This may be taken into account appropriately or compensated by corresponding operation of the first switch unit 218.

[0154] It is also apparent from FIG. 12 that the battery module 220 has two additional module connections 226, 228, at which an additional electrical potential can be provided. The second switch unit 216 of the battery cell 200 is used for this purpose. Preferably in the present case it is intended that the respective battery cell 200 will be operated, through corresponding operation of the first and the second switch units 216, 218, in such a manner that a respective one of the battery cells 200 is used exclusively for providing a respective one of the electrical potentials. Thus a respective battery cell 200 can be used either for providing an electrical potential at the module connections 222, 224 or at the module connections 226, 228. The switch unites 216, 218 are then controlled correspondingly.

[0155] In the existing configuration in FIG. 12 it is provided that the second cell connections 212, 214 are connected in series here. By means of the respective switching elements 210 of the second switch units 216 a respective battery cells 200 or the galvanic cell 12 thereof can be bypassed. This is advantageous if a corresponding potential, which in the present case for example may be a direct current, is to be provided at the module connections 226, 228. Naturally an alternative current may also be supplied here in alternative configurations.

[0156] If a battery cell 200 is used for supplying the electrical potential to the module connections 226, 228, the first switch unit 218 deactivates the use of the galvanic cell 212, in that at least its switching elements 32, 204 are switched into the “off” status. Correspondingly, the switching elements 206, 208 of the second switch unit 216 are switched into the “on” status and the switch unit 210 is switched into the “off” status. As a result, the electrical potential between the potential terminals 42, 44 of the galvanic cell 12 is also present at the second cell connections 212, 214. Depending on the desired potential at the module connections 226, 228, a corresponding number of battery cells 200 is activated to supply the potential at the module connections 226, 228.

[0157] In this operating state it can be provided that the switch unit 30 or the switch unit 202 of the first switch unit 218 is activated in order to simultaneously enable the supply of a potential at the module connections 222, 224 using others of the battery cells 200. For this purpose a corresponding activation is performed on the battery cells 200 that are mpt needed for providing the electrical potential at the module connections 226, 228.

[0158] In an additional schematic circuit diagram, FIG. 13 shows a first configuration for a battery 240 in which three modules 220 are provided. The modules 220 correspond to those previously explained in relation to FIG. 12, and therefore reference is made to these statements for additional information.

[0159] In the configuration of the battery 240 according to FIG. 13, the die module connections 224 are attached together to a terminal 232 of the battery 240. The opposite module connections 222 are connected to corresponding individual terminals 234, 236, 238 of the battery 240. In the present case the battery 240 is operated such that a three-phase alternating current is supplied between the corresponding terminals 232, 234, 236, 238. In this configuration the terminal 232 forms a zero potential. In alternative configurations, a delta connection can also be provided here.

[0160] The battery 240 includes further connection poles 242, 244, 246, 248, 252, 254. Thus, the embodiment according to FIG. 13 provides that the module connections 226, 228 of the battery module 220 shown on the far left in FIG. 13 be connected to connection poles 242, 244. The same applies to the middle battery module 220 in FIG. 13, whose module connections 226, 228 are connected to the corresponding connection poles 246, 248. Finally, the module connections 226, 228 of the battery module 220 shown on the right in FIG. 13 are connected to the corresponding connection poles 252, 254. This enables the battery 240 to provide six independent electrical voltages. For example, the battery 240 can be used as an energy converter to provide the three-phase alternating voltage between the connection poles 232, 234, 236, 238, for example. For this purpose, the first of the switching units 218 of the corresponding battery cells 200 of the battery modules 220 can be operated accordingly. The unused battery cells 200 of each of the battery modules 220 can then be deactivated with respect to the connection poles 232, 234, 236, 238, so that they can be used for further use to provide an electrical voltage at the connection poles 242, 244, 246, 248, 252, 254. Here, for example, the available battery cells 200 of each of the battery modules 220 can be used to provide a corresponding DC voltage. For this purpose, the second switching unit 216 of one of the respective battery cells 200 can be set to a switching state, such that the galvanic cell 12 of a respective battery cell 200 is activated to provide the electrical voltage at the corresponding connection poles 242, 244, 246, 248, 252, 254. In this way, in addition to a three-phase AC voltage, additional voltages, for example a DC voltage or a further AC voltage can be provided by means of battery 240. This is helpful, for example, if an on-board supply system of a motor vehicle is to be supplied with electrical energy or an excitation of an externally excited synchronous machine, such as the synchronous machine 72, is to be provided.

[0161] FIG. 14 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a battery 250, whose circuit structure is substantially based on the circuit structure of battery 240, as explained in FIG. 13. Therefore, in the following, only the differences in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 13 will be discussed.

[0162] A difference between the embodiment according to FIG. 14 and the embodiment according to FIG. 13 is that the battery 250 has only two further connection poles 242, 244, in addition to the connection poles 232, 234, 236, 238. The module connections 226, 228 of the three battery modules 220 shown in FIG. 14 are connected in series, whereby the series connection formed by this is connected to the connection poles 242, 244. This circuit structure has the advantage that, in order to provide an electrical voltage at the connection poles 242, 244, a DC voltage can be provided for the AC voltage supply depending on the unused battery cells 200 of the respective battery modules 220, whereby, depending on the respective phase positions of the three-phase AC voltage to each another provided at the connection poles 232, 234, 236, 238, the respective battery cells 200 are variably activated or deactivated for the provision of the DC voltage at the connection poles 242, 244. This allows to provide a high DC voltage at the connection poles 242, 244 which is higher than the voltage which is possible with a single battery module 220 and simultaneous provision of an AC voltage. The fact that not all of the battery cells 200 of each of the battery modules 220 need to be activated for the momentary supply of a respective phase voltage of the three-phase alternating voltage is taken advantage of. In addition, the available battery cells 200 of each of the battery modules 220 change over time, whereby overall, however, a substantially constant number of battery cells 200 can be made available over all three phases, so that a DC voltage at the connection poles 242, 244 can be reliably achieved despite the currently varying loads on the battery modules 220. Of course, it is also possible to provide an alternating voltage at the connection poles 242, 244.

[0163] In addition, the invention allows a number of further combination possibilities and circuit structures, as shown for example with battery 260 according to FIG. 15. The circuit structure of battery 260 is substantially based on the circuit structure of battery 250, as explained in FIG. 14, which is why reference is made to the relevant explanations.

[0164] Battery 260 differs from battery 250 as shown in FIG. 14 in that the left battery module 220 of battery 250 is replaced by a battery module 256 and the right battery module 220 of battery 250 is replaced by a battery module 258, as further explained below.

[0165] Battery module 258 differs from battery module 220 according to FIG. 12 in that another battery cell 200 is connected in parallel to one of the middle battery cells 200 of battery module 220. The parallel connection refers to all the corresponding cell connectors of the respective battery cells 200, thus enabling an increased current carrying capacity to be provided for certain voltage levels.

[0166] A further variant of a battery module is the battery module 256, which is also based on the embodiment of the battery module 220 according to FIG. 12. FIG. 15 shows that the battery module 256 has two more cascaded battery cells 200 compared to the battery module 220 according to FIG. 12, which are connected in parallel to two battery cells 200 according to the circuit structure in FIG. 12. The second cell connectors of an upper one of the two battery cells 200 are also connected in series with the existing series connection of the second cell connectors. For the lower one of the battery modules 200 it is provided that the second cell connectors are connected in parallel to the corresponding second cell connectors with respect to the correspondingly spatially assigned battery cells 200. With regard to the voltages to be provided at the second cell connectors, an additional capacity or current carrying capacity can be achieved.

[0167] Of course, almost any other combination of battery cells and battery modules can be provided to achieve combinations that are particularly suitable or adapted for specific applications. All in all, the invention thus allows the creation of a particularly flexible and highly dynamically adaptable battery that can be easily adapted to specific applications. The special design of the battery cells 200 makes this possible. The switching elements in this case are formed by semiconductor switching elements and are preferably connected to the control unit, which ensures a suitable switching operation of the switching elements.

[0168] The essential advantage of the presented patent idea is that battery cells, which were originally assigned to the generation of a single phase voltage, but are temporarily unused due to the current voltage value or similar, can be used for the generation of other phase voltages.

[0169] Consequently, the battery system is optimized in such a way that preferably at all times the “entire available battery potential” can be used.

[0170] This allows the freedom to create a flexible allocation of battery cells and/or battery modules or batteries to different, for example sinusoidal, phase voltages. This means that these contribute their current voltage value to the respectively assigned phase voltage.

[0171] Depending on the selected frequency values or optimization algorithms, the allocation can be varied at will over time, for example before and/or during operation. The allocation can be done for time reasons, but can also result from any other criterion. The allocation can be fixed or variable for each individual cell. The allocation can change between fixed and variable once or several times.

[0172] Compared to conventional multilevel energy converters, the number of effectively used battery cells or battery modules can be increased. The additional battery cells or battery modules can be used to increase the performance of the battery system or battery. For example, the output voltage of the multilevel energy converter can be increased. With the same current capability of the voltage source, the power can be increased proportionally to each newly added voltage source. On the other hand, if the power requirements remain the same, increasing the voltage level can result in a lower current load. This results, for example, in lower power losses and less aging of the battery cells or battery modules.

[0173] The proposed idea allows the design of output voltages with any number of phases m. The individual phase voltages can have any shape, such as sinus wave, triangle, sawtooth, etc., flexible phase shifts to each other, and their amplitudes (Vac) can be individually adjusted as required.

[0174] It should be noted that the values of the actually used voltage/battery potential can change over time based on the respective phase shifts of the output voltages of the multilevel energy converter to be generated. This can be examined and considered depending on the application.

[0175] In the case of an equidistant phase shift between the individual phase voltages, which is usually present, especially in an electrical machine, the value of the actually used battery potential and thus also the value of the “unused” utilization potential is approximately constant.

[0176] The described idea also offers the freedom to generate output voltages with a positive and/or negative DC offset. For this purpose, only the number of battery cells or battery modules, which are flown through in such a way that they make a positive voltage contribution to the respective phase voltage, has to differ from the number of battery cells or battery modules, which make a negative voltage contribution to the respective phase voltage within a period.

[0177] The selection of the individual battery cells or battery modules for the respective phase voltages, the determination of currently unused battery cells or battery modules, an optimized “partitioning” of the battery system in this respect as well as maximum efficient control of the built-in power semiconductors is carried out with a control device that can use corresponding control algorithms.

[0178] It can be freely decided whether all or only a part of the newly accessible utilization potential is used. For example, only a part of the battery cells or battery modules can be used to ensure the symmetry of the multi-phase system in case of failure of battery cells or battery modules. In another case it is possible to create asymmetrical multi-phase systems, for example to better compensate the load by asymmetrical loads in case of failure.

[0179] Furthermore, it is possible to create multi-phase voltage systems with a smaller total number of single voltage sources. For example, the output voltage of a battery system or battery determines how many cells are connected in series in this battery system or battery. If a battery system is to be created with fewer battery cells or battery modules, it is not possible to create it without lowering the desired output voltage specification. With the solution proposed here it is possible to create battery systems or batteries with a smaller number of battery cells or battery modules while maintaining the same output voltage. This becomes possible by temporarily unused battery cells or battery modules of a particular phase being able to deliver their voltage contributions to one or more other phases, for example by allocating battery cells or battery modules to phases in a variable way.

[0180] Another advantage resulting from the proposed idea would be the reduction of the volume and weight of the battery system or battery. In case of the actual utilization of the entire utilization potential by allocating temporarily unused battery cells or battery modules to other phase voltages, a significant number of battery cells or battery modules can be saved, which in turn can reduce the installation space or required space of the battery.

[0181] It is also possible to use the newly developed potential of battery cells or battery modules to compensate for failed battery cells or battery modules. If a battery cell or a battery module from a string fails, it can be compensated by one or more temporarily battery cells or battery modules.

[0182] Furthermore, the following effects can be achieved with the invention:

[0183] The resource utilization of battery cells that are actually inactive at times can be realized, for example, through the modularity of battery cells. In contrast to prior art multi-level energy converters, the modularity of the topology according to the invention is not characterized by a mere series connection of battery modules, for example within a phase, but to a certain extent by a module matrix in which one battery module can be connected to more than two neighboring battery modules, for example z neighboring battery modules, where z corresponds to the number of circuit breakers via which the respective battery module can be electrically connected to other battery modules. Thus, z different current paths through one module are possible.

[0184] This functionality facilitates or enables the formation of positive and negative output voltage levels, i.e. it integrates the ability to reverse the polarity of the output voltages. It is also possible to equip individual battery modules in the battery with a different number of semiconductor switching elements outside the battery modules, for example zi, where i corresponds to the i-th battery module, so that the number of module connections can vary. This is advantageous in that the number of neighboring battery modules of a battery module located inside a battery can differ from that of an edge battery module of the battery. This modularity does not have to be limited to one battery level, e.g. two-dimensional, but a three-dimensional structure of numerous battery modules is also conceivable.

[0185] The allocation of the battery modules to the individual phases as well as the generation of gate signals for the semiconductor switching elements between the individual battery modules can be generated using appropriate modulation/control methods. The generation of the switching signals for the semiconductor switching elements between the battery modules can be selected in such a way that in the ideal case the switching signals only change at low frequency and thus cause low switching losses. This can be seen, for example, in the allocation of battery module 12 in the previously shown FIGS. 1 to 3, since the classification of this battery module does not change over more than one time step and thus the switch positions of the semiconductor switching elements surrounding this battery module do not change.

[0186] In view of the existing advantage that individual battery modules can also be used to provide a constant DC voltage with the proposed topology, battery module 12 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, for example, can also be used for this purpose and permanently supply the required on-board voltage, which can be 48V, for example. As a result, the proposed switching idea/topology causes the combination of a DC/AC and a DC/DC converter and a DC-AC/DC inverter through battery 48.

[0187] As mentioned before, the module matrix does not have to be limited to one level, but can be extended to several levels.

[0188] Within the different battery modules, different switching topologies of the battery cells 46 can also be realized. A wide variety of topology variants can be implemented with p parallel-connected battery cells or battery strings and m serial-connected battery cells.

[0189] Around the battery module 10 there are four external semiconductor switching elements S.sub.e1, S.sub.e2, S.sub.e3, S.sub.er for combination/connection with other battery modules. The semiconductor switching elements S.sub.b1, S.sub.b2, S.sub.b3, S.sub.b4 within the battery module additionally allow the connection or disconnection of individual strings from each other as well as the possibility of conducting current from each of the external semiconductor switching elements S.sub.e1, S.sub.e2, S.sub.e3, S.sub.e4 through the battery module to any other of these four semiconductor switching elements.

[0190] FIG. 16 shows a schematic side view of the battery cell 200 according to FIG. 11 with a cell housing 180, in which the galvanic cell 12 and a printed circuit board 130 with the semiconductor switching elements 30, 32, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 are integrated. The cell housing 180 comprises a housing cup 172, in the lower part of which the galvanic cell 12 is arranged. In FIG. 7, the printed circuit board 170 with the semiconductor switching elements 30, 32 is arranged above the galvanic cell 12 in the housing cup 172, whereby the semiconductor switching elements 30, 32, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 are not shown in this figure. The housing cup 172 is closed by means of a housing cover 174, so that the printed circuit board 170 and the galvanic cell 12 are protected from external influences.

[0191] The printed circuit board 170 provides contact surfaces 176, 178 as connecting contacts for contacting the potential connections 42, 44 of the galvanic cell 12. Furthermore, the printed circuit board 170 provides further contact surfaces to which the cell connectors 34, 36, 38, 40, 212, 214 are connected. The cell connectors 34, 36, 38, 40, 212, 214 are located on the housing cover 174, so that the battery cell 200 can be electrically contacted in the intended way.

[0192] In the present case, it is provided that the potential connections 42, 44 of the galvanic cell 12 are pressed against the contact surfaces 176, 178 of the printed circuit board 170 by a spring force in order to establish the electrical contact. In alternative embodiments, another electrical connection can of course be provided here, for example by means of a screw or plug connection or the like. In this embodiment, the galvanic cell 12 is integrated with the circuit board 170 and arranged in the cell housing 180 of the battery cell 200.

[0193] FIG. 17 shows a schematic side view of a battery cell like FIG. 16 in an alternative embodiment to FIG. 16, whereby the galvanic cell 12 is detachably mounted on the cell housing 180. The cell housing in this embodiment is formed by the printed circuit board 170 itself. The printed circuit board 170 provides not only the contact surfaces 176, 178 as connection contacts for contacting the potential connections 42, 44 of the galvanic cell 12, but also the cell connectors 34, 36, 38, 40, 212, 214. With this embodiment, the galvanic cell 12 can therefore be manufactured separately from the battery cell 200 and connected to the printed circuit board 170. This has the advantage that the production of the battery cell 200 and the galvanic cell 12 can be decoupled from each other.

[0194] In principle, it can naturally also be provided in an alternative embodiment that a cell housing is provided, which covers at least the printed circuit board 170 and provides the cell connectors 34, 36, 38, 40, 212, 214. Furthermore, in a further alternative embodiment, the cell housing can also provide the connection contacts for the galvanic cell 12 as well as fastening elements, so that the galvanic cell 12 can be connected to the cell housing. For this purpose, the connecting contacts can be designed as screw terminals, for example, by means of which the potential connections 42, 44 of galvanic cell 12 can be electrically contacted. At the same time, a mechanical connection can also be achieved in this way. In addition, a mechanical connection can also be provided in the form of a clip connection, a clamping yoke and/or the like. Of course, these embodiments can also be combined with each other in almost any combination.

[0195] The embodiments serve exclusively to explain the invention and are not intended to limit it.