U.S. patent application number 13/119043 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-29 for battery test rig.
This patent application is currently assigned to ROBERT BOSCH GMBH. Invention is credited to Frank Dallinger, Rainer Kern, Jannis Stemmann.
Application Number | 20110232302 13/119043 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41228841 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110232302 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dallinger; Frank ; et
al. |
September 29, 2011 |
BATTERY TEST RIG
Abstract
The present invention relates to a battery test rig, comprising
a test cell (3) in which a battery (2) to be tested is arranged, a
holder (13) which is arranged in the test cell (3) and is able to
hold the battery (2), a regulation unit (4) which can be connected
to a battery (2) arranged in the holder (13), at least one sensor
device (5, 6) for monitoring the battery (2), wherein the sensor
device (5, 6) is connected to the regulation unit (4), and a
cooling apparatus (7), which is connected to the regulation unit
(4) and is designed to cool the battery (2) in the test cell (3)
from the outside in a hazard situation.
Inventors: |
Dallinger; Frank;
(Stuttgart, DE) ; Stemmann; Jannis; (New District,
CN) ; Kern; Rainer; (Stuttgart, DE) |
Assignee: |
ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
Stuttgart
US
|
Family ID: |
41228841 |
Appl. No.: |
13/119043 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
July 22, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2009/059437 |
371 Date: |
May 26, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/3.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 10/613 20150401;
H01M 10/4285 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M 6/5083 20130101;
H01M 10/6572 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/3.7 |
International
Class: |
F25B 21/02 20060101
F25B021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 16, 2008 |
DE |
10 2008 042 135.9 |
Claims
1. A battery test rig comprising: a test cell (3) in which a
battery (2) to be tested is arranged, a holder (13) which is
arranged in the test cell (3) and is able to hold the battery (2),
a regulation unit (4) which can be connected to a battery (2)
arranged in the holder (13), at least one sensor device (5, 6) for
monitoring the battery (2), the sensor device (5, 6) being
connected to the regulation unit (4), and a cooling apparatus (7)
which is connected to the regulation unit (4) and is designed to
cool the battery (2) in the test cell (3) from the outside in a
hazard situation.
2. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the cooling apparatus (7) comprises a pressure vessel (8),
which is filled with cooling medium and is connected to the test
cell (3) via a line (10), and a switching valve (11) which is
connected to the regulation unit, the switching valve (11) being
arranged in the line (10) and being able to be opened and closed
using the regulation unit (4) in order to lead cooling medium to
the battery (2).
3. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 2, characterized in
that the cooling apparatus (7) also comprises a nozzle (12) which
is arranged in the test cell (3) in order to lead the cooling
medium to the battery (2).
4. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the cooling apparatus comprises at least one Peltier unit (18)
which is arranged in the test cell (3) in order to cool the battery
(2).
5. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 4, characterized by a
multiplicity of Peltier units (18) which are arranged in the form
of a pyramid.
6. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 4, characterized in
that the cooling apparatus also comprises a heat exchanger (19)
which is connected to the Peltier unit (18) in order to transfer
heat from the Peltier unit (18) to an outer side of the test cell
(3).
7. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the sensor device comprises at least one of a temperature
sensor (6), a pressure sensor (5), and a force sensor.
8. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 1, also comprising a
suction apparatus (14) in order to suction medium from the test
cell (3).
9. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 1, also comprising a
current interruption device in order to interrupt a current
generated by the battery.
10. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least
one first cooling apparatus (7) and one second cooling apparatus
(17).
11. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the sensor device comprises a temperature sensor (6).
12. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the sensor device comprises a pressure sensor (5).
13. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the sensor device comprises a force sensor.
14. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 13, characterized in
that the force sensor is at least one of a strain gage and a
distance sensor.
15. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 13, characterized in
that the force sensor is a strain gage.
16. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 13, characterized in
that the force sensor is a distance sensor.
17. The battery test rig as claimed in claim 1, also comprising a
suction apparatus (14) in order to generate a vacuum in the test
cell (3).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a battery test rig which is
used to examine or check different batteries.
[0002] The function and load limits of batteries are checked, for
example, as part of development and production. However, a
considerable potential hazard may result in this case. In
particular, in the case of excessive charging or discharging or
else in the case of other external environmental influences, for
example a temperature increase, gaseous cleavage products, which
may result in a pressure increase, may be produced in the event of
reactions between the existing battery materials (cathode, anode,
electrolyte). Furthermore, exothermic reactions may entail a
further supply of heat. Consequently, the battery may be destroyed
by an explosion. As a result, work on battery test rigs may be
hazardous. It would therefore be desirable to have an improved
level of safety, in particular, for the employees working with
battery test rigs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In contrast, the battery test rig according to the invention
has the advantage that it is possible to test or examine batteries
with an increased level of safety. According to the invention,
high-efficiency cooling can be carried out in this case if
necessary. This is achieved, according to the invention, by virtue
of the fact that the battery test rig comprises a cooling apparatus
which is connected to a regulation unit. A sensor device is
connected to the regulation unit in order to monitor the battery.
If the regulation unit detects that there is a hazard situation, it
activates the cooling apparatus in order to cool the battery in
order to thus prevent a critical battery state. The inventive
external cooling of the battery thus makes it possible, on the one
hand, to reduce a temperature of the battery and a pressure inside
the battery, with the result that a critical situation can be
avoided. The inventive use of the cooling apparatus also makes it
possible to safely check research samples of batteries, in
particular.
[0004] The cooling apparatus preferably comprises a pressure vessel
which is connected to a test cell, in which the battery is
arranged, via a line. The cooling apparatus also comprises a
switching valve which is connected to the regulation unit and is
opened in a hazard situation in order to lead a cooling medium
stored in the pressure vessel to the battery. As a result, a large
area of the battery may be wetted with the coolant, thus resulting
in a high degree of cooling efficiency. The pressure vessel may
also have a large supply of cooling medium in order to be able to
cool the battery for as long as possible.
[0005] The cooling apparatus more preferably comprises a nozzle
which is arranged in the test cell and makes it possible for the
cooling medium to expand in the vicinity of the battery. In this
case, the cooling medium is sprayed onto the battery via the nozzle
in order to cool the battery over as large an area as possible. In
this case, the nozzle is preferably arranged above the battery,
such that the cooling medium flows down along the outer periphery
of the battery. In this case, the battery is more preferably
arranged horizontally in the test cell, with the result that as
large an area as possible can be wetted with cooling medium.
[0006] According to another preferred refinement of the present
invention, the cooling apparatus comprises at least one Peltier
unit which is arranged in the test center in order to cool the
battery. The Peltier units consist of Peltier elements which are
placed flat against one another, the Peltier elements consisting,
for example, of two semiconductor ceramics which are connected by
metal bridges. If a safety-critical state of the battery to be
checked occurs, the Peltier unit is energized, as a result of which
one of the semiconductor ceramics is cooled, whereas the other is
heated. In this case, the cooling apparatus particularly preferably
comprises a multiplicity of Peltier units which are arranged in the
form of a pyramid. This makes it possible to achieve a plurality of
cooling stages, such that even large temperature differences of up
to 70 Kelvin and temperatures below 0.degree. C. can be achieved.
In this case, the last stage of the multiplicity of Peltier units
is preferably connected to a heat exchanger which transports the
waste heat from the test cell.
[0007] The sensor device preferably comprises a temperature sensor
and/or a pressure sensor and/or a force sensor, in particular a
strain gage, and/or a distance sensor. In this case, the sensors
are preferably arranged on an outer side of the battery. As a
result, a simple structure of the battery test rig is achieved and,
in particular, a multiplicity of batteries can be checked in a
short time. It is noted that a plurality of different sensors are
particularly preferably arranged on the battery. Alternatively, it
is naturally also possible to arrange a plurality of identical
sensors on a battery to be examined.
[0008] The battery test rig preferably also comprises a suction
apparatus in order to suction gases or other media from the
interior of the test cell. On the one hand, this results in toxic
gases, for example, being able to be safely suctioned from the test
cell and, on the other hand, avoids a disproportionate pressure
increase inside the test cell. A vacuum can also be generated in
the test cell as a result.
[0009] According to another preferred refinement of the present
invention, the battery test rig also comprises a current
interruption device, with the result that yet another safety device
is present in addition to the cooling apparatus. In a critical
state of the battery to be examined, a battery current is
interrupted using the current interruption device in order to avoid
further function-related heating of the battery.
[0010] In this case, the battery test rig according to the
invention can be used, on the one hand, in research and development
departments, which examine batteries, and may furthermore likewise
also be used by battery manufacturers for quality control of the
batteries produced. In this case, the battery test rig according to
the invention does not have any restriction in terms of the battery
to be checked. In particular, research samples, half-cells
(electrochemical samples), battery packs, which are composed of
modules and have high power levels, or else lithium ion batteries
can also be checked.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are
described in detail below with reference to the accompanying
drawing, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a battery test rig
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, and
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of a battery test rig
according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] A battery test rig 1 according to one preferred exemplary
embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with
reference to FIG. 1.
[0015] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the battery test rig 1 comprises
a test cell 3 in which a battery 2 to be checked is arranged. In
this case, the battery 2 is held in a holder 13 which comprises a
plurality of narrow carriers. The use of the narrow carriers makes
it possible, in particular, to avoid the test results being
distorted by thermal loads. Furthermore, good accessibility to the
battery 2 to be checked can be ensured.
[0016] The battery test rig 1 also comprises a regulation unit 4
and a cooling apparatus 7. A pressure sensor 5 and a temperature
sensor 6 are also provided and are fixed to an outer side of the
battery 2. The pressure sensor 5 and the temperature sensor 6 are
connected to the regulation unit 4 via lines 5a and 6a. In this
case, the reference symbol 2a denotes an electrical connection
between the battery 2 and the regulation unit 4. The cooling
apparatus 7 comprises a pressure vessel 8 in which a cooling medium
9 is arranged under pressure. The pressure vessel 8 is connected to
an interior of the test cell 3 via a line 10. In this case, a
switching valve 11 which is in the form of a shut-off valve and
releases or closes the line 10 is arranged in the line 10. As can
be seen from FIG. 1, the switching valve 11 is likewise connected
to the regulation unit 4 via a line 11a. A nozzle 12 is also
arranged at the end of the line 10 in order to spray the cooling
medium 9 supplied when the switching valve 11 is open. As can be
seen from FIG. 1, the nozzle 12 has in this case a width B which is
greater than a length L of the battery 2. The nozzle 12 is arranged
above the battery 2, with the result that the battery 2 is sprayed
with coolant from above and the coolant can then flow or run down
on the outer side of the battery. This effectively also cools
central and lower regions of the battery 2.
[0017] The reference symbol 14 also denotes a suction apparatus for
suctioning gases and/or liquids from the test cell 3 and for
generating a vacuum in the test cell.
[0018] The operation of the battery test rig 1 in an emergency is
as follows in this case. The sensors 5, 6 continuously detect, at
predetermined intervals, corresponding sensor values which are
supplied to the regulation unit 4. The regulation unit 4 checks the
supplied sensor values, for example by means of a comparison with
stored values. As soon as a sensor value reaches a predetermined
threshold value, the regulation unit 4 determines that there is an
emergency and activates the cooling apparatus 7. For this purpose,
the switching valve 11 is opened, with the result that the cooling
medium 9 can be passed to the nozzle 12 via the line 10. As a
result of the sudden expansion of the cooling medium at the nozzle
12, the cooling medium cools and is supplied to the outer side of
the battery 2. In this case, it is noted that the cooling medium
may be a gas or else a liquid. The suction apparatus 14 is
preferably also activated at the same time in order to increase the
cooling efficiency by reducing the pressure in the test cell 3. It
is also noted that it is possible to monitor not only the battery
directly but also a pressure inside the test cell 3, for example.
Sensors for measuring a force acting on a battery housing by
development of a gas inside the battery can also be provided, for
example, which sensors may be fitted to the outer side of the
battery 2, for example in the form of strain gages. Alternatively
or additionally, expansion of the battery can also be detected in a
contactless manner, for example using distance sensors, for example
via battery angulation.
[0019] A battery test rig with an increased level of safety can
therefore be provided according to the invention by the cooling
apparatus 7. As a result, critical situations can be detected by
the regulation unit 4 when checking batteries and the battery can
be cooled using the cooling apparatus 7 or a pressure can be
reduced in order to avoid a hazard situation. It is noted in this
case that a plurality of cooling apparatuses 7 may naturally also
be arranged in order to have redundancy in an emergency. A
plurality of cooling apparatuses may also be used to cool a
plurality of regions of the battery 2. For example, additional
nozzles may be arranged laterally or on the end faces of the
battery 2. In this case, the nozzles may be supplied via only one
pressure vessel 8 or alternatively may also be respectively
supplied with cooling medium via separate pressure vessels.
[0020] A battery test rig 1 according to a second exemplary
embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with
reference to FIG. 2. In this case, identical or functionally
identical parts are denoted using the same reference symbols as in
the first exemplary embodiment.
[0021] In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the battery
test rig 1 in the second exemplary embodiment comprises two cooling
apparatuses. Like in the first exemplary embodiment, a first
cooling apparatus 7 is formed with a pressure vessel 8, a line 10,
a switching valve 11 and a nozzle 12. A second cooling apparatus 17
which comprises a multiplicity of Peltier units 18 and a heat
exchanger 19 is also provided. The heat exchanger 19 is arranged in
the housing of the test cell 3 and is connected, by its inwardly
directed side, to the Peltier units 18. In this case, the Peltier
units 18 are constructed in the form of a pyramid and each comprise
Peltier elements which are respectively placed flat against one
another. The structure in the form of a pyramid results in a
multi-stage cooling system, the last stage being connected to the
heat exchanger 19. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second
cooling apparatus 17 is connected to one end of the battery 2.
Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the second cooling
apparatus 17 to only be connected to the battery in an emergency.
This can be achieved, for example, in such a manner that the second
cooling apparatus 17 is arranged on a linear supply arrangement
and, if an emergency is detected, the second cooling apparatus 17
is moved linearly until it is in contact with the battery 2 in
order to dissipate heat from the battery. Otherwise, this exemplary
embodiment corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment, and so
reference can be made to the description given there. It is also
noted in this case that only a heat exchanger with a liquid medium
or a second cooling apparatus with a cold air stream would
alternatively also be possible as the second cooling apparatus. In
contrast, however, the use of the Peltier units as the second
cooling apparatus 17 has the advantage of a small installation
space and a very effective cooling option.
[0022] It is also noted that the battery test rig may additionally
also comprise a current interruption device in order to interrupt a
current generated by the battery 2 in an emergency. This ensures
that no additional heat is generated by operating the battery
2.
* * * * *