Method and device for carrying out an automatic charge state compensation

• US 20040217736A1
• Filed: 06/15/2004
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Bischoff, Claus
• Application Number:
  US10/485,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20040217736A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/119
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/00 Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5044 Cells or batteries structurally combined with cell condition indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method and a device for implementing a charge-state equalization among the cells of a vehicle battery are described. This charge-state equalization is carried out under the control of a vehicle-side control unit that includes the vehicle management and the vehicle control device. The charging currents required for the charge-state equalization are provided by a secondary battery of the vehicle and conveyed from there to the vehicle battery when the need for a charge-state equalization is detected.

Claims

1-14. -14 (cancelled).

15. A method for implementing a charge-state equalization among cells of a vehicle battery, comprising:

charging of a secondary battery of a vehicle during vehicle operation;

detecting a need for charge-state equalization during vehicle operation;

bringing the vehicle battery into the charge-readiness state;

checking whether a charge-state equalization may be implemented; and

supplying a charging current from the secondary battery to the vehicle battery.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the checking step includes ascertaining whether the vehicle is locked in a shut-off state.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

deactivating vehicle functions that require high battery charging currents between detecting the need for a charge-state equalization and supplying the charging current from the secondary battery to the vehicle battery.

18. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

after the supply of the charging current from the secondary battery to the vehicle battery has commenced, checking repeatedly whether the charge-state equalization may be continued and, if so, continuing the charge-state equalization, and if not, interrupting the charge-state equalization.

19. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

after the supply of the charging current from the secondary battery to the vehicle battery has commenced, checking repeatedly whether the charge-state equalization has been concluded and, if so, cancelling the charge-state equalization, and if not, continuing, the case, the charge-state equalization.

20. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the steps of the method run automatically.

21. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the steps of the method run automatically under control of a control device.

22. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the steps of the method run automatically under the control of the control device, the control device including a battery management and a vehicle control device of the vehicle.

23. A device for implementing a charge-state equalization among cells of a vehicle battery, comprising:

a vehicle battery having a plurality of cells;

a vehicle-side secondary battery; and

a vehicle-side control device to detect a need for a charge-state equalization, bring the vehicle battery into a charge-readiness state, ascertain whether a charge-state equalization may be implemented, and control a supply of a charging current from the secondary battery to the vehicle battery.

24. The device as recited in claim 23, wherein the control device includes a battery management and a vehicle control device of the vehicle.

25. The device as recited in claim 23, further comprising:

a d.c. voltage converter provided between the secondary battery and the vehicle battery, via which the charging current is supplied.

26. The device as recited in claim 25, wherein the device is part of a twin-voltage electrical system, the secondary battery being a component of a first part of the twin-voltage vehicle electrical system, and the vehicle battery being a component of a second part of the twin-voltage vehicle electrical system, and wherein the d.c. voltage converter is provided between the two parts of the twin-voltage vehicle electrical system.

27. The device as recited in claim 23, wherein the control device is configured to cancel the charge-readiness state of the vehicle battery after the charge-state equalization has been completed.

28. The device as recited in claim 23, wherein the control unit is used to deactivate vehicle functions that require high battery-charging currents.