Classification of electric contacting between two connecting elements

• US 10,330,718 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2011
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Fendt, Guenter Anton, Kulesch, Manfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Isla, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Piggush, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US13/807,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20130169261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,911 Days
• Field of Search: 320153, 323318, 324538
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/66 Testing of connections, e.g. of plugs or non-disconnectable joints testing for incorrect line connections G01R31/55
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/67 Testing the correctness of wire connections in electric apparatus or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 1/00 Comparing elements, i.e. elements for effecting comparison directly or indirectly between a desired value and existing or anticipated values
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A device for classifying electrical contacting between a first connecting element of a battery and a second connecting element, which is directly or indirectly connected to an electrical load. A temperature sensor is provided for detecting the temperature of the first connecting element and/or of the second connecting element and a control device, which is coupled to the temperature sensor and which is configured, on the basis of a detecting signal of the temperature sensor, to classify the electrical contacting between the first connecting element and the second connecting element. A corresponding method and to a battery system, as well as a battery receiving system including such a device for classifying electrical contacting. Moreover, there is provided an electrical power supply system with such a battery system and such a battery receiving system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for classifying an electrical contact connection between a voltage terminal of a battery and a connection element directly or indirectly connected to an electrical load, the apparatus comprising:

a temperature sensor disposed for sensing a temperature of one or both of the voltage terminal or of the connection element; and

a control device coupled to said temperature sensor and configured to take a sensed signal from the temperature sensor as a basis for determining a contact resistance of the electrical contact connection between the voltage terminal and the connection element.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a battery for an electric vehicle or a battery for a hybrid vehicle.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control device is configured to reduce an intensity of a current flowing through the voltage terminal and the connection element if the sensed signal exceeds a prescribed reference value.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an extent of a reduction in the intensity of the current is dependent on the difference between the value of the sensed signal and the prescribed reference value.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the current flow is effected by flow control for a power output from the battery.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor is:

disposed on the voltage terminal or the connection element;

or

integrated in the voltage terminal or the connection element.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises:

a data memory coupled to said control device; and

wherein said control device is configured to store a result for the classification of the electrical contact connection in said data memory.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises:

at least one further temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of at least one further voltage terminal of the battery and/or of at least one further connection element that is directly or indirectly connected to the electrical load; and

wherein said control device is coupled to said further temperature sensor and configured to take a sensed signal from said further temperature sensor as a basis for determining a contact resistance and classifying the electrical contact connection between the further futher voltage terminal and the further connection element.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises:

a measuring device for measuring a voltage difference;

between the voltage terminal and a further voltage terminal of the battery;

or

between the connection element and a further connection element; and

wherein said measuring device is coupled to said control device or is integrated in said control device.

10. A battery system, comprising:

a battery having at least one voltage terminal; and

an apparatus according to claim 1;

wherein the temperature sensor is disposed and configured to sense a temperature of said voltage terminal of the said battery.

11. A battery receiving system, comprising:

a receiving apparatus for receiving a battery;

at least one connection element mounted to said receiving apparatus; and

an apparatus according to claim 1;

wherein the temperature sensor is configured to sense a temperature of said connection element.

12. A method for classifying an electrical contact connection between a voltage terminal of a battery and a connection element directly or indirectly connected to an electrical load, the method which comprises:

sensing a temperature of the voltage terminal and/or of the connection element by way of a temperature sensor, and

determining a contact resistance at the electrical contact connection between the voltage terminal and the connection element by way of a control device connected to the temperature sensor, based on a sensed signal received from the temperature sensor.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the battery is a battery for an electric vehicle and/or a hybrid vehicle.