Method and assembly for determining the output capacity of a battery

• US 20040130296A1
• Filed: 02/12/2004
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Zimmerman, Roger, Maeckel, Rainer, Gross, Christof, Seyer, Reinhard
• Application Number:
  US10/468,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20040130296A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/133
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/005 Testing of electric installations on transport means
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3647 for determining the ability of a battery to perform a critical function, e.g. cranking
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/374 with means for correcting the measurement for temperature or ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3835 involving only voltage measurements

Abstract

A method for determining the performance of a battery for providing a vehicle power supply system voltage for a vehicle power supply system in particular in a vehicle, is provided in order to identify the serviceability of a battery in as simple and reliable a manner as possible, in which method the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) is recorded, in which process the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) and the vehicle power supply system current (I) are monitored for an operating mode which can be predetermined within a time window (Z) which can be predetermined, such that the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) at the end of the time window (Z) exceeds a limit value (G) which can be predetermined, as a function of the vehicle power supply system current (I) which is emitted during that operating mode.

Claims

1. A method for determining the performance of a battery (2) for providing a vehicle power supply system voltage (U) for a vehicle power supply system (4), in particular in a vehicle (6), in which method the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) is recorded, characterized in that the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) and the vehicle power supply system current (I) are monitored for an operating mode which can be predetermined within a time window (Z) which can be predetermined, such that the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) at the end of the time window (Z) exceeds a limit value (G) which can be predetermined, as a function of the vehicle power supply system current (I) which is emitted during that operating mode.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1,

characterized in that a check is carried out within the time window (Z) to determine whether the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) falls and rises again in response to the vehicle power supply system current (I) which is characteristic of the relevant operating mode.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that a check is carried out during the operating mode to determine whether the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) increases within a time window (Z) which lasts for a few seconds, in particular for 3 or 15 seconds.

4. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that a charging current (IL) which flows into the battery (2) and/or a vehicle power supply system current (I) which flows out of the battery (2), is detected during an operating mode which can be predetermined, on the basis of which a charge balance (L) is determined.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4,

characterized in that the charge balance (L) is monitored for a first limit value (G) which can be predetermined having a negative value.

6. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the available charge in the battery (2) is determined.

7. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the vehicle power supply system load is detected.

8. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ambient temperature and/or the engine temperature are recorded.

9. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that a process of starting the vehicle (6) is predetermined as the operating mode.

13. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that a sensor (22) is provided for determining an ambient temperature or an engine temperature.

14. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that a timer (20) is provided for recording the time window (Z).

15. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the monitoring unit (10) has a computer unit (16), in particular a microcontroller, for automatic recording and monitoring of the vehicle power supply system variables.

16. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the monitoring unit (10) is connected to a data bus (D), in particular a CAN bus in the vehicle (6), with a change in the vehicle power supply system load being identified by means of data which is transmitted via the data bus (D).

10. An arrangement (1) for determining the performance of a battery (2) for providing a vehicle supply system voltage (U) for a vehicle power supply system (4), in particular in a vehicle (6), characterized in that a monitoring unit (10) is provided, which is arranged between the battery (2) and the vehicle power supply system (4), and has at least one sensor (12) for recording the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) and one sensor (14) for recording the vehicle power supply system current (I), with the monitoring unit (10) having a means (16) for monitoring the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) and the vehicle power supply system current (I) within a time window (Z) which can be predetermined for an operating mode which can be predetermined.

11. The arrangement as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the sensor (14) is designed to record the vehicle power supply system current (I) such that the vehicle power supply system current (I) which flows out of the battery (2) and/or a charging current (IL) which flows into the battery (2) can be determined.

12. The arrangement as claimed in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a means (24) is provided for determining a charge balance (L) for the battery (2).