Conti Temic Microelectronic Gmbh

Continental Isad Electronic Systems Gmbh & Co., Ohg

Temic Automotive Electric Motors Gmbh

Manfred Malik

Peter Birke

Michael Keller

Matthias Ridder

Axel Rudorff

Andreas Schwendinger

A charge redistribution circuit () for an energy storage unit () with several storage elements () which are connected in series comprises several charge redistribution control units () for monitoring and redistributing the load, each of which is assigned an energy storage sub-group () of storage elements (). The charge redistribution control units () take the energy used for their own supply in each case from the sub-group () assigned to them, and are thus supplied with a voltage which is higher than the voltage of the individual storage element () and lower than the voltage of the energy storage unit (). The charge redistribution circuit () is established in such a manner that a monitoring and&#x2014;when necessary a charge redistribution is achieved for each individual storage element ().

Charge redistribution circuit

An energy storage unit has several storage elements (') which are switched in series and a charge redistribution circuit (&#x2032;). The latter is installed in such a manner that the voltage of the storage element (U, U&#x2032;) is measured and compared with a voltage threshold value (U, U, U&#x2032;, U&#x2032;). When the threshold value is exceeded by a storage element, it removes charge from said storage element, thus reducing its voltage. According to one aspect, a storage-related temperature determination is conducted, and the threshold value is set variably in dependence on the determined temperature (T, T) in such a manner that it is reduced as the temperature increases. According to a further aspect, the threshold value is set variably in dependence on the current vehicle operating state, in such a manner that it is set higher for relatively brief periods of time when the storage or removal requirement is relatively high. According to an additional further aspect, the threshold value is set lower for storage elements with a relatively advanced age than for those with a less advanced age.

Energy storage unit

Disclosed is a method for controlling the operating point (AP, AP, AP) of a battery (), such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel metal hydride battery or a lithium polymer battery. The charging state (SoC, SoC) of the battery () is recorded as a state variable which determines the current operating point (AP, AP) of the battery (). The current operating point (AP, AP) is set by a corresponding set value (SoC, SoC) for the charging state (SoC, SoC) which is continuously adjusted depending on the temperature (T) and/or on the age state (SoH) of the battery.

Method and device for controlling the operating point of a battery

Systems and methods are disclosed to store electrical energy in, for example, a vehicle. In an example system, a storage module is provided including one or more capacitors, a sensor to measure the temperature of the capacitor(s), and a control device that controls the voltage at the capacitor(s) so that the maximum voltage at the storage module and/or the individual capacitor(s) increases as the temperature decreases. The aging of the capacitor(s) and in particular electrochemical capacitors strongly depends on the temperature in addition to the operating voltage. Controlling the capacitor voltage based on temperature can, therefore, substantially reduce the aging of the capacitor(s).

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Penzberg, Germany

Manfred Malik