A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE STATUS OF BATTERY CELLS

• US 20170074945A1
• Filed: 06/02/2014
• Published: 03/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: GELSO, Esteban, HELLGREN, Jonas
• Granted Patent: US 10,151,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/10 for monitoring or controlling batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/15 Preventing overcharging
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/16 responding to battery ageing, e.g. to the number of charging cycles or the state of health [SoH]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/22 Balancing the charge of battery modules
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3646 for indicating electrical conditions or variables, e.g. visual or audible indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/389 Measuring internal impedance, internal conductance or related variables
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/392 Determining battery ageing or deterioration, e.g. state of health
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/396 Acquisition or processing of data for testing or for monitoring individual cells or groups of cells within a battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4271 Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/569 Constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals battery terminal connectors with integrated measuring arrangements G01R31/364
• 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 method for monitoring the status of a plurality of connected battery cells in a battery pack includes: arranging the battery cells in at least two groups of cells; connecting the groups of cells to a sensor unit; and providing a measurement of at least one parameter indicative of the state of operation of the battery pack by the sensor unit. The method further includes arranging the groups of cells m a manner so that at least two of the groups include two or more cells and at least two of the groups overlap so that a cell forms part of the overlapping groups; and connecting the sensor unit to the groups; and wherein the number of groups is less than the number of cells.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the status of a plurality of connected battery cells (C1-C10) in a battery pack (7a), said method comprising:

arranging said battery cells (C1-C10) in at least two groups (G1-G6) of cells;

connecting said groups (G1-G6) of cells to a sensor unit (7b); and

providing a measurement of at least one parameter indicative of the state of operation of said battery pack (7a) by means of said sensor unit (7b);

characterized in that the method further comprises;

arranging said groups (G1-G6) of cells (C1-C10) in a manner so that;

at least two of said groups (G1-G6) comprise two or more cells, and

at least two of said groups (G1-G6) overlap so that a cell forms part of said overlapping groups; and

connecting said sensor unit (7b) to said groups (G1-G6); and

wherein

the number of groups (G1-G6) is less than the number of cells (C1-C10).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises:

arranging said groups (G1-G6) of cells (C1-C10) in a manner so that it fulfills the relationship;

number of groups−

number of cells/2≧

1.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises:

connecting each of said groups (G1-G6) to a corresponding sensor (S1-S6) forming part of said sensor unit (7b).

4. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises:

using said sensors (S1-S6) for measuring at least one parameter related to the state of operation of said battery cells (C1-C10), said parameter being at least one of the following;

the battery current (I);

the terminal voltage (V) of at least one cell; and

the temperature (T) of at least one cell.

5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises:

estimating, based on said measured parameter, at least one of the following properties of each battery cell (C1-C10) or groups (G1-G6) of cells;

the state of charge;

the cell capacity; and

the resistance.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises:

generating an indication of a fault in the event that the result of said measurement deviates from an expected value;

12. A computer program comprising program code means for performing the method steps of any of claims 1-6 when said program is run on a computer.

13. A computer readable medium carrying a computer program comprising program code means for performing the steps of any of claims 1-6 when said program product is run on a computer.

14. A control unit (8) for monitoring the status of a plurality of connected battery cells (C1-C10) in a battery pack (7a), the control unit (8) being configured to perform the steps of the method according to any of claims 1-6.

7. A battery management system (12) for monitoring the status of a plurality of connected battery cells (C1-C10) in a battery pack (7a), comprising:

a plurality of battery cells (C1-C10) which are arranged in at least two groups (G1-G6) of cells;

a sensor unit (7b) connected to said groups (G1-G6), said sensor unit (7b) being configured for providing a measurement of at least one parameter indicative of the state of operation of said battery pack (7a); and

a control unit (8) connected to said sensor unit (7b);

characterized in that the system further comprises;

an arrangement of said groups (G1-G6) of cells (C1-C10) wherein;

at least two of said groups (G1-G6) comprise two or more cells, and

at least two of said groups (G1-G6) overlap so that a cell forms part of said overlapping groups; and

a connection between said sensor unit (7b) and said groups (G1-G6);

wherein

the number of groups (G1-G6) is less than the number of cells (C1-C10).

8. A system (12) according to claim 7, characterized in that said each of said groups (G1-G6) is connected to a corresponding sensor (S1-S6) forming part of said sensor unit (7b).

9. A system (12) according to claim 8, characterized in that said sensors (S1-S6) are configured for measuring at least one parameter related to the state of operation of said battery cells (C1-C10), said parameter being at least one of the following:

the battery current (I);

the terminal voltage (V) of at least one cell; and

the temperature (T) of at least one cell.

10. A system (12) according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that said control unit (4) is configured for generating an indication of a fault in the event that the result of said measurement deviates from an expected value.

11. A vehicle (1) comprising a battery management system (12) according to any one of claims 7-10.