ENERGY STORAGE UNIT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE BATTERY, AND METHOD FOR FITTING AN ENERGY STORAGE UNIT

Abstract

An energy storage unit for a motor vehicle battery is provided, having an energy store, particularly configured as a battery cell module, for storing and delivering electric power. A measuring device measures electrical properties of the energy store. An evaluation unit, connected to the measuring device, ascertains the operational status of the energy store from the measurement results of the measuring device. An indicator unit is connected to the evaluation unit for depicting the operational status of the energy store. By ascertaining and depicting the operational status and not just the state of charge of the energy store, it is possible to dispense with separate complex measurements when fitting the energy store, so that an energy storage unit can be checked quickly and efficiently when fitted into a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An energy storage unit for a motor vehicle, comprising an energy store configured as a battery cell module for storing and delivering electric power, a measuring device for measuring electrical properties of the energy store, an evaluation unit, connected to the measuring device, for ascertaining an operational status of the energy store from the measurement results of the measuring device, and an indicator unit, connected to the evaluation unit, for depicting the operational status of the energy store.

2. The energy storage unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit has a memory unit for storing the measurement results of the measuring device at different measurement times, the evaluation unit being configured to determine the operational status of the energy store from the measurement results of the measuring device at different measurement times.

3. The energy storage unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to ascertain from the measurement results of the measuring device an ageing state of the energy store, a self-discharge rate of the energy store, a failure of a measuring unit of the measuring device, or an arrival at a critical or overcritical state of charge of the energy store.

4. The energy storage unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator unit is configured to visually depict the operational status.

5. The energy storage unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indicator unit has piezoelectric crystals or liquid crystals.

6. The energy storage unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indicator unit has an electrically or electronically actuatable color zone.

7. The energy storage unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indicator unit has a color zone that can irreversibly change color.

8. The energy storage unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to block a change of color for the color zone back to an original state.

9. The energy storage unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indicator unit is detachably connected to the energy store.

10. A method for fitting an energy storage unit into a motor vehicle in which an energy storage unit is provided, the method comprising: checking an operational status of an energy store using an indicator unit, and if the indicator unit depicts a status of the energy store as being operational, then the energy storage unit is subsequently fitted in the motor vehicle as part of a motor vehicle battery.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising at least partially removing the indicator unit after the energy storage unit is checked after the energy storage unit is fitted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention is explained by way of example below with reference to the appended drawings on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, the features depicted below each being to depict an aspect of the invention either individually or in combination. In the drawings:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective depiction of an energy storage unit,

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of an indicator unit of the energy storage unit from FIG. 1 in a first depiction state,

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of the indicator unit from FIG. 2 in a second depiction state, and

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a schematic plan view of the indicator unit from FIG. 2 in a third depiction state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The energy storage unit 10 depicted in FIG. 1 has a housing 12 in which an energy store is provided. The energy store may be a battery cell, particularly a pouch cell, for example. It is also possible for the energy store to be a battery cell module having a plurality of battery cells that is able to be interconnected with other battery cell modules to form a motor vehicle battery. Further, the energy store may be a motor vehicle battery, particularly a traction battery for electrically driving a motor vehicle, having a plurality of battery cell modules. The energy storage unit 10 has a battery management system 14, particularly inside the housing 12. The battery management system 14 can have an evaluation unit that is connected to a measuring device and that can infer the operational status of the energy store from the measured values of electrical state variables of the energy store that are measured by the measuring device. In particular, it is possible for an ageing state of the energy store to be ascertained in order to establish the operational status of the energy store. The evaluation unit is connected to an indicator unit 16 that has a color zone 18. The color zone 18 can change its color irreversibly.

[0026] When the status of the energy store is operational, the color zone 18 of the indicator unit 16 can have a coloration that corresponds to an “OK” state, as depicted in FIG. 2. By way of example, the color zone 18 is completely green in color. Preferably, there is provision for a half-life or a need for a service for the energy store to be indicated by virtue of the color zone 18 having its color partially changed, for example, as depicted in FIG. 3. To this end, part of the color zone, for example the lower half, can be colored in a different color, particularly red. To this end, piezoelectric crystals and/or liquid crystals can have their color changed, for example, by virtue of electrical actuation and/or at least partial discontinuation of the electrical actuation. If the energy store is not operational, then the color zone 18 of the indicator unit 16 can have its color changed completely to a coloration that corresponds to a “not OK” state, as depicted in FIG. 4. To this end, the color zone 18 may be complete red in color, for example.