Method, Apparatus, System, Electric Vehicle, Computer Program and Storage Medium for Charging or Discharging a Cell of an Electric Energy Store

Abstract

A method for charging a cell of an electric energy store includes setting the cell into a charging mode; determining a first and a second impedance characteristic, each representative of a complex alternating current impedance of the cell; determining a first and a second temperature characteristic on the basis of the impedance characteristics, each representative of a temperature of the cell; determining a deviation in the temperature characteristics; and reducing a charging current of the cell in the event that the deviation exceeds a specified temperature threshold value.

Claims

1.-14. (canceled)

15. A method for charging a cell of an electric energy store, the method comprising: changing the cell to a charging mode in which a charging current is supplied to the cell, determining a first impedance characteristic value and a second impedance characteristic value during the charging mode, wherein the first impedance characteristic value and the second impedance characteristic value are each representative of a complex AC impedance of the cell, determining a first temperature characteristic value based on the first impedance characteristic value and determining a second temperature characteristic value based on the second impedance characteristic value, wherein the first temperature characteristic value and the second temperature characteristic value are each representative of a temperature of the cell, determining a deviation of the first temperature characteristic value from the second temperature characteristic value, and reducing the charging current for the cell if the deviation exceeds a predefined temperature threshold value.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: the first impedance characteristic value is representative of a first impedance feature with respect to a first frequency at a first point in time, the second impedance characteristic value is representative of the first impedance feature with respect to a second frequency that differs from the first frequency at the first point in time, and the first impedance feature and the second impedance feature each comprise a real part, an imaginary part, an amplitude or a phase of the complex AC impedance of the cell.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein: the first impedance characteristic value is representative of a first impedance feature with respect to a first frequency at a first point in time, the second impedance characteristic value is representative of a second impedance feature, which differs from the first impedance feature with respect to the first frequency at the first point in time, and the first impedance feature and the second impedance feature each comprise a real part, an imaginary part, an amplitude or a phase of the complex AC impedance of the cell.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein determining the first impedance characteristic value and the second impedance characteristic value comprises: capturing a first measured value at the first point in time, wherein the first measured value is representative of the complex AC impedance of the cell, and determining the first impedance characteristic value based on the first measured value, and capturing at least two second measured values at second points in time which differ from the first point in time, wherein the at least two second measured values are each representative of the complex AC impedance of the cell, and determining the second impedance characteristic value with respect to the first point in time based on the at least two second measured values by interpolating the at least two second measured values.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein determining the first impedance characteristic value and the second impedance characteristic value comprises: capturing a first measured value at the first point in time, wherein the first measured value is representative of the complex AC impedance of the cell, and determining the first impedance characteristic value based on the first measured value, and capturing at least two second measured values at second points in time which differ from the first point in time, wherein the at least two second measured values are each representative of the complex AC impedance of the cell, and determining the second impedance characteristic value with respect to the first point in time based on the at least two second measured values by interpolating the at least two second measured values.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the charging mode is carried out as a fast-charging mode or an ultrafast-charging mode.

21. A method for charging or discharging a cell of an electric energy store, the method comprising: changing the cell to a quiescent phase in which no current is supplied to the cell or is tapped off from the cell, determining a first impedance characteristic value and a second impedance characteristic value during the quiescent phase, wherein the first impedance characteristic value and the second impedance characteristic value are each representative of a complex AC impedance of the cell, determining a first impedance characteristic value, which is normalized with respect to a predefined boundary condition, based on the first impedance characteristic value and determining a second impedance characteristic value, which is normalized with respect to the predefined boundary condition, based on the second impedance characteristic value, determining a first change in the first normalized impedance characteristic value with respect to the second normalized impedance characteristic value and determining a deviation of the first change from a second change in a first impedance reference value with respect to a second impedance reference value of a predefined impedance profile, and adapting at least one of a charging profile or a discharging profile such that current to be supplied to the cell or to be tapped off from the cell is reduced if the deviation exceeds a predefined impedance threshold value.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first impedance characteristic value is representative of a first impedance feature with respect to a first frequency at a first point in time, the second impedance characteristic value is representative of the first impedance feature with respect to the same first frequency at a second point in time that differs from the first point in time, and the first impedance feature and the second impedance feature each comprise a real part, an imaginary part, an amplitude or a phase of the impedance of the cell.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are between 500 Hz and 10,000 Hz.

24. An apparatus for charging or discharging a cell of an electric energy store, wherein the apparatus is configured to carry out the method according claim 15.

25. A system comprising: the apparatus according to claim 24, the electric energy store having at least one cell, and a measurement apparatus which is coupled to the apparatus and to the electric energy store, wherein the measurement apparatus is configured in a controllable manner to capture a complex AC impedance of the at least one cell and to make the complex impedance of the at least one cell available to the apparatus as a measured value.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the electric energy store is a lithium ion battery for an electric vehicle.

27. An electric vehicle comprising: the system according to claim 25, an electrical load, and a charging interface, wherein: the electrical load and the charging interface are coupled to the electric energy store, and the apparatus is configured to control a charging current to be supplied to the electric energy store via the charging interface and/or to control an operating current to be tapped off from the electric energy store for the electrical load.

28. A computer product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon program code which, when executed on a computer, carries out a method of: changing the cell to a charging mode in which a charging current is supplied to the cell, determining a first impedance characteristic value and a second impedance characteristic value during the charging mode, wherein the first impedance characteristic value and the second impedance characteristic value are each representative of a complex AC impedance of the cell, determining a first temperature characteristic value based on the first impedance characteristic value and determining a second temperature characteristic value based on the second impedance characteristic value, wherein the first temperature characteristic value and the second temperature characteristic value are each representative of a temperature of the cell, determining a deviation of the first temperature characteristic value from the second temperature characteristic value, and reducing the charging current for the cell if the deviation exceeds a predefined temperature threshold value.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an electric vehicle having an apparatus for charging or discharging a cell of an electric energy store of the electric vehicle.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a method for charging a cell of an electric energy store of the electric vehicle.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a method for charging or discharging a cell of an electric energy store of the electric vehicle.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows an overview of a test sequence of the methods according to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a temperature estimation according to the method described on the basis of FIG. 2.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a profile of the imaginary part according to the method described on the basis of FIG. 3, the difference between the maxima and the difference between the minima.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a profile of the real part according to the method described on the basis of FIG. 3, the difference between the maxima and the difference between the minima.

[0047] FIG. 8 shows changes in the impedance of a cell over a plurality of cycles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Elements of identical construction or function are indicated using the same reference signs throughout the figures.

[0049] Fast-charging of batteries based on lithium ion technology can be carried out using predefined charging profiles, for example. In order to avoid damage to the battery cells, the charging profiles can be adapted in this case on the basis of the age. Further, more complicated methods provide for the use of a model and the adaptive adjustment of the model (for example US 2011/0285356 A1). In the laboratory, one-off damage to battery cells on account of a charging operation can be easily detected using highly accurate charging and discharging, and further damage to the battery store can therefore be prevented by adjusting the charging profile. The one-off loss in capacity is in the thousandths range in this case.

[0050] When using predefined profiles and adjustment using an aging indicator, for example the remaining residual capacity, the different aging paths of the cell are not taken into account, inter alia since the internal resistance of the cell is not clearly reversibly dependent on the residual capacity.

[0051] A derivative action must therefore be formed in order to ensure safe and non-damaging charging of the battery for all aging paths. More complex, controlled charging methods based on models require a high parameterization outlay and require additional computing capacity on a battery control unit. Highly precise charging and discharging of an entire energy store of an electric vehicle is scarcely possible during operation and also cannot be expected of the user of the electric vehicle since the possible use or readiness for use of the electric vehicle is greatly restricted thereby.

[0052] Novel measurement apparatuses make it possible to determine the impedance of the cells with sufficient accuracy in order to thus optimize fast charging and enable further diagnoses with respect to degradation.

[0053] An apparatus 3 according to an embodiment of the invention for charging a cell of an electric energy store 1 of an electric vehicle 100 and a corresponding system 10 and an electric vehicle 1 are described on the basis of FIG. 1.

[0054] In addition to the apparatus 3 and the energy store 1 having one or more cells, the system 10 comprises at least one measurement apparatus 5, wherein at least one of the cells of the energy store 1 is assigned and coupled to at least one measurement apparatus 5. In particular, it is conceivable for a plurality of cells of the energy store 1 to be interconnected to form a cell group and to be monitored by a measurement apparatus 5. The measurement apparatus 5 is also coupled to the apparatus 3 and is configured to provide the latter with a measured value that is representative of a complex AC impedance of the monitored cell(s).

[0055] In addition to the system 10, the electric vehicle 100 has an electrical load 11 and a charging interface 13. One or more electric motors of the drive of the electric vehicle 100 come into consideration as an electrical load 11, in particular. The electrical load 11 and the charging interface 13 are coupled to the energy store 1.

[0056] It is proposed to monitor the complex AC impedance of the cells in the electric vehicle during the fast-charging operation and also in quiescent phases. In this case, a frequency range above 500 Hz has proved to be useful. Calculating two cell temperatures from the real and imaginary parts of the complex AC impedance makes it possible to determine two temperatures which are identical during normal cell use. If a cell is charged with damaging currents, the temperatures differ from one another, with the result that the charging can be stopped or the currents can be reduced if a critical difference is exceeded, as explained in more detail below on the basis of the flowchart in FIG. 2. Furthermore, a change in the complex AC impedance may be used as an indicator of damaging operation by observing the complex AC impedance in quiescent phases, with the result that operating limits can then be adapted, as described in detail on the basis of the flowchart in FIG. 3. In this case, it is taken into account that the impedance of the cell also changes during normal operation and changes either more quickly or even with an opposite sign as a result of the damaging operation.

[0057] In this context, the apparatus 3 is assigned a data and program memory which stores at least one of the programs described below on the basis of the flowcharts in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0058] The program according to FIG. 2 starts in a step A) in which variables are initialized, for example. The program is then continued in a step A1) in which the cell is changed to a charging mode and a charging current is supplied to the cell. By way of example, a start of the program is initiated in this context by coupling the charging interface 13 to an external energy source.

[0059] The program is then continued in a step B1) in which a first and a second impedance characteristic value I.sub.1, I.sub.2 are determined. For example, two measured values M.sub.1, M.sub.2 are captured by the measurement apparatus 5 for this purpose and are made available to the apparatus 3, which measured values are representative of the complex AC impedance of a cell at a first point in time. For example, the measured values M.sub.1, M.sub.2 are measured at the same time. In a manner deviating from this, FIG. 2 is used to illustrate a situation in which a simultaneous measurement is not possible. In this case, a first measured value M.sub.1 is first of all (step B1-1)) captured at the first point in time and is taken as a basis for determining the first impedance characteristic value I.sub.1. Moreover (step B1-2)), at least two further measured values M.sub.2-1, M.sub.2-2 are captured (preferably in each case before and after the first point in time) and are made available to the apparatus 3, which measured values are likewise representative of the complex AC impedance of the cell. In order to determine the second impedance characteristic value I.sub.2, the further measured values M.sub.2-1, M.sub.2-2 are interpolated to the same time base in order to thus enable a comparison with the first impedance characteristic value Ii at a common point in time. The impedance characteristic values I.sub.1, I.sub.2 are then used as a basis of the comparison and as a basis for a statement regarding whether the current needs to be reduced during fast charging.

[0060] The first impedance characteristic value I.sub.1 comprises one of the following impedance features with respect to a predefined frequency at the first point in time: real part, imaginary part, amplitude or phase of the complex AC impedance of the cell.

[0061] In a first embodiment variant, the second impedance characteristic value I.sub.2 comprises the same impedance feature with respect to a different frequency at the first point in time.

[0062] In a second embodiment variant, the second impedance characteristic value I.sub.2 comprises, in contrast, a different impedance feature with respect to the same predefined frequency at the first point in time.

[0063] In any case, two different impedance features (Re, Im, Abs or phase) or the same impedance features at different frequencies are therefore involved.

[0064] The two impedance characteristic values are, for example, the real and imaginary parts of the impedance measurement at a frequency of 3125 Hz or, for example, two imaginary parts at different frequencies.

[0065] The program is then continued in a step C1) in which a first and a second temperature characteristic value T.sub.1, T.sub.2, which are each representative of a temperature of the cell, are determined on the basis of the impedance characteristic values I.sub.1, I.sub.2. The impedance values are converted to a cell temperature with the aid of a lookup table, for example (cf., for example, DE 10 2013 103 921 A1).

[0066] The program is then continued in a step D1) in which a deviation |ΔT|=|T.sub.1−T.sub.2| of the temperature characteristic values T.sub.1, T.sub.2 is determined.

[0067] The program is then continued in a step E1) in which a check is first of all (step E1-1)) carried out in order to determine whether the determined deviation |ΔT| exceeds a predefined temperature threshold value T.sub.TH.

[0068] If the check reveals that the deviation |ΔT| exceeds the predefined temperature threshold value T.sub.TH, the program is continued in a step E1-2) and otherwise the program is continued in a step F1.

[0069] In step E1-2), the charging current is reduced or the charging mode is terminated. In a subsequent step F), the method is then terminated.

[0070] In step F1), the charging mode is continued with an unchanged charging current or, depending on the charging profile, possibly with an increased charging current. The program can then be continued, for example, after a predefined period of time in step B1) in order to continue to monitor the charging mode.

[0071] For example, as a result of the program steps described, an impedance measurement is carried out during the fast charging of the electric vehicle and the cell-internal temperature is respectively determined from the measured impedance and the function T.sub.Re(Re(Z)) and T.sub.lm(Z)). If the difference T.sub.Re−T.sub.Im is greater than the temperature threshold value T.sub.TH, the charging profile is adapted. Moreover, it is possible to adjust the function in phases of thermal equilibrium (for example electric vehicle 100 has been stationary for 20 minutes). It is likewise conceivable to generalize the function to other operating ranges (for example discharging at a high rate).

[0072] The program according to FIG. 3 starts in a step A) in which variables are initialized, for example. The program is then continued in a step A2) in which the cell is changed to a quiescent phase and no charging current is supplied to the cell via the charging interface 13 and no operating current for operating the electrical load 11 is drawn. For example, a start of the program is initiated in this context by terminating a charging or operating process of the electric vehicle 100.

[0073] The program is then continued in a step B2) in which a first and a second impedance characteristic value I.sub.1, I.sub.2 are determined. For example, a first measured value M.sub.1, which is representative of the complex AC impedance of the cell at a first point in time, and a second measured value M.sub.2, which is representative of the complex AC impedance of the cell at a second point in time, are captured by the measurement apparatus 5 for this purpose and are made available to the apparatus 3. For example, the measured values M.sub.1, M.sub.2 are measured at the same time. The impedance characteristic values I.sub.1, I.sub.2 are then used as a basis of the comparison and as a basis for a statement regarding whether the current needs to be reduced during fast charging.

[0074] The first impedance characteristic value Ii comprises one of the following impedance features with respect to a predefined frequency at the first point in time: real part, imaginary part, amplitude or phase of the complex AC impedance of the cell.

[0075] The second impedance characteristic value I.sub.2 comprises the same impedance feature with respect to the same frequency at the second point in time.

[0076] In any case, two identical impedance features (Re, Im, Abs or phase) at the same frequency at different points in time are therefore involved.

[0077] The two impedance characteristic values are, for example, two real or imaginary parts of the impedance measurement at a frequency of 781 Hz.

[0078] The program is then continued in a step C2) in which a first and a second normalized impedance characteristic value Î.sub.1, Î.sub.2, which are each representative of the complex AC impedance of the cell under normal conditions of 25° C. and an SOC of 50%, are determined on the basis of the impedance characteristic values I.sub.1, I.sub.2. On account of this conversion, it is preferable to record the measured values when the vehicle is stationary (current=0, homogeneous temperature).

[0079] The program is then continued in a step D2) in which a change ΔÎ=Î.sub.1−Î.sub.2 in the first normalized impedance characteristic value Î.sub.1 with respect to the second normalized impedance characteristic value Î.sub.2 is first of all (step D2-1)) determined. In a step D2-2), a deviation |ΔI|=|ΔÎ−(I.sub.Ref1-31 I.sub.Ref2)I this change ΔÎ from a change in a first impedance reference value I.sub.Ref1 with respect to a second impedance reference value I.sub.Ref2 of a predefined impedance profile I.sub.Ref, which results, for instance, from an expected impedance profile, is then determined.

[0080] In step D2), the change in the impedance value over time, for example the real part, is compared. In contrast to step D1), the sign of the change ΔÎ may also be reversed in this case. If a trend that differs from the normal profile occurs, damage to the cell may be inferred. In this case, the normal profile may show a reduction for the real part in the first 100 cycles and may only then show an increase.

[0081] The program is then continued in a step E2) in which a check is first of all (step E2-1)) carried out in order to determine whether the determined deviation |ΔI| exceeds a predefined impedance threshold value I.sub.TH.

[0082] If the check reveals that the deviation |ΔI| exceeds the predefined impedance threshold value I.sub.TH, the program is continued in a step E2-2), and otherwise the program is continued in a step F2).

[0083] In step E2-2), the charging and/or discharging profile is adapted in such a manner that the maximum current to be supplied to the cell during subsequent charging operations or the maximum current to be tapped off from the cell during subsequent discharging operations is reduced. In a subsequent step F), the method is then terminated.

[0084] In step F2), the charging and/or discharging profile is continued without change. The program can then be continued, for example after a predefined period of time in which a charging mode and/or a driving mode of the electric vehicle may have been carried out, in step A2) in order to enable further monitoring of the energy store.

[0085] For example, as a result of the program steps described, an impedance measurement is carried out in the quiescent phase of the electric vehicle, wherein the impedance is measured under equilibrium conditions (open-circuit voltage and temperature). Moreover, the rate of change of the impedance (real or imaginary part) can be determined and the rate of change can be compared with conventional values.

[0086] The overview of the test sequence (FIG. 4) illustrates a plurality of fast-charging cycles (P1-P10) with a different intensity or harmfulness of a charging voltage U over time t [data].

[0087] From the temperature estimation according to the method described on the basis of FIG. 2 from the real part and imaginary part (FIG. 5) at a frequency of f=3125 Hz, profiles 6, 9 and 10 show significant deviations ΔT.sub.sim of the temperatures determined separately from the imaginary part and the real part. This leads to the conclusion that the model used for the estimation does not suffice in comparison with other profiles, which presumably can be attributed to so-called “plating”. Moreover, it can be seen that profiles P5 and P8 achieve a greater deviation ΔT.sub.sim just before charging is complete.

[0088] FIG. 6 (on the left) is used to illustrate the development of the imaginary part according to the method described on the basis of FIG. 3 at a frequency of f=781 Hz of the profile P10. If the maximum is considered, a maximum temperature T respectively results depending on the profile. A difference between the maxima within a respective cycle c is illustrated at the top right for the profiles P1-P10. In this case, as can be seen, the impedance Z changes greatly and contrary to the trend in the profiles P6, P9 and P10.

[0089] Profile P1 likewise shows a behavior that differs from the norm in the temperature peak (artefact).

[0090] If the minimum in FIG. 6 (on the left) is considered, a lowest, constant temperature T respectively results independently of the profile. A difference between the minima within a respective cycle c is illustrated at the bottom right for the profiles P1-P10. In this case, the inductance generally increases (capacity falls), and the normal profile corresponds to a continuous trend. The impedance Z changes greatly and contrary to the trend in the profiles P6, P9 and P10.

[0091] FIG. 7 (on the left) is used to illustrate the development of the real part according to the method described on the basis of FIG. 3 at a frequency of f=781 Hz of the profile P10. If the maximum is considered, a lowest, constant temperature T respectively results independently of the profile. A difference between the maxima within a respective cycle c is illustrated at the top right for the profiles P1-P10. In this case, the real part falls over the cycles c. In contrast to the imaginary part in profile P6, no change contrary to the trend can be observed here and the change contrary to the trend can be determined only in profile P10.

[0092] If the minimum in FIG. 7 (on the left) is considered, a maximum temperature T respectively results depending on the profile. A difference between the minima within a respective cycle c is illustrated at the bottom right for the profiles P1-P10. In this case, the real part within a profile increases for profiles P6, P9 and P10.

[0093] FIG. 8 is used to illustrate changes in the impedance Z over a plurality of cycles

[0094] c.

[0095] The charging profiles P1-P10 were run through with four cycles c in each case in accordance with their numbering, wherein three normal cycles were run in each case in between (cf. FIG. 4).

[0096] In the case of Li-ion cells, a decrease in the real part can generally be observed at high frequencies (here 781 Hz) in the first cycles c and the real part then increases again (depending on the respective cell, for example after 100 cycles c). If the cell is operated in a damaging range, the real part increases more significantly or decreases to a lesser extent in the first cycles c. This is the case here for the charging profiles P8 and P10.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0097] 100 Electric vehicle [0098] 1 Energy store [0099] 3 Apparatus [0100] 5 Measurement apparatus [0101] 10 System [0102] 11 Load [0103] 13 Charging interface [0104] M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.2-1, M.sub.2-2 Measured value [0105] I.sub.1, I.sub.2 Impedance characteristic value [0106] Î.sub.1, Î.sub.2 Normalized impedance characteristic value [0107] T.sub.1, T.sub.2 Temperature characteristic value [0108] T Temperature [0109] |ΔT|,ΔT.sub.sim |ΔI| Deviation [0110] I .sub.Ref1, I.sub.Ref2 Impedance reference value [0111] I.sub.Ref Impedance profile [0112] I.sub.TH Impedance threshold value [0113] U Charging voltage [0114] t Time [0115] c Cycle [0116] Z Impedance [0117] P1-P10 Charging profile [0118] A-F Program steps