WO2010061001A2

WO2010061001A2 - Energy storage device comprising an electronic subassembly

Info

Publication number: WO2010061001A2
Application number: PCT/EP2009/066032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sebastian Kunkel
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2008-11-28
Filing date: 2009-11-30
Publication date: 2010-06-03
Also published as: EP2351183A2; DE102008059491A1; WO2010061001A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a replaceable energy storage device for an electric consumer, e.g. an electric vehicle. Said energy storage device comprises an electronic subassembly which includes two short-range and long-range communication modules that exchange data with the electric consumer and with depots for storing and replacing the energy storage devices. The electronic subassembly also includes an arithmetic unit, a data memory, and positioning systems. The operator of the electric consumer thus has a variety of information available that allows him or her to comfortably and economically operate the consumer.

Description

description

Energy storage device with electronics module

The invention relates to an energy storage device, in particular for storing electrical energy, which is equipped with an electronic assembly for communicating with external communication units and / or for locating the energy storage device.

For reasons of environmental protection and with rising fuel prices, there is an increasing demand for alternatives to conventional vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines. Thus, vehicles which are driven, for example, by electric or hybrid vehicles, at least in part by means of electrical energy, become increasingly attractive in terms of cost-effectiveness. Such vehicles, hereinafter referred to as electric vehicles, are equipped with energy storage devices for storing electrical energy, for example with accumulators.

In general, a distinction is made between electric vehicles equipped with a fixed energy storage device and those whose energy storage device is interchangeable.

In the variant with permanently installed accumulator supplying the vehicle with electrical energy is comparatively simple, but not very practical, since the vehicle regularly to charge the battery with the

Electricity must be connected. A basic infrastructure has already been devised which would allow the recharging of such accumulators, which are firmly integrated in electric vehicles. However, the infrastructure has not been sufficiently realized so far to be able to guarantee an almost complete supply. Thus, however, the variety of uses is severely limited, since the vehicle is suitable for a typical today range of a rechargeable battery of about 150km essentially for city traffic and for minor detours. To make matters worse, that the charging of a battery in the near future not within a reasonable short time, for a range of 150km, for example, about 5min, can be accomplished. The time required for recharging a permanently installed accumulator is accordingly disproportionately high, for example, in comparison with the refueling of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine.

Switching to electric vehicles with a permanently integrated accumulator is sluggish due to the lack of infrastructure and the resulting reluctance of vehicle manufacturers and potential customers. The question of how to create an efficient infrastructure for providing electrical energy is largely unanswered.

In order to enable long distances and full flexibility and thus to increase the attractiveness of vehicles with internal combustion engine, electric vehicles with replaceable accumulator come into consideration. With the help of replaceable batteries, the problem of the time required to recharge a rechargeable battery is also solved: the user of an exchangeable rechargeable electric vehicle merely has to go to a depot where charged rechargeable batteries are available and where discharged rechargeable batteries are taken. It would offer to resort to an already realized infrastructure and set up such depots at the existing gas stations and service areas and / or, for example, to supermarkets or similar. In the following, a depot is therefore generally understood to mean any device at which the exchangeable energy storage devices can be obtained. The depots may possibly be connected to the exchange of data with a central, where, for example, one of the depots can act as a central office itself. With the system based on replaceable batteries can be exchanged at the depot unloaded against the charged accumulator within a very short time. In this case, the user does not acquire and pay for the accumulator itself, but only the energy stored in the accumulator. For example, the accumulator itself is only loaned to the user against a deposit which is refunded upon return of the accumulator or against a user fee. In principle, therefore, the system resembles, for example, the "bottle deposit" system in the beverage trade.

Of course, as an alternative to the lending or rental system, it is equally conceivable that in each case not only the energy but also the accumulator itself is purchased. At the

Purchase of a new accumulator, i. if the old accumulator is discharged, the old accumulator could be taken into payment.

The interchangeable battery system has the above-mentioned advantages over the rechargeable battery permanently installed in the electric vehicle. However, the system works effectively and economically only under the following conditions:

- There must be a billing system that ideally automatically recognizes and accounts for who buys the energy stored in the battery and how much energy has been purchased. - It must be apparent that the user actually acquires a fully charged accumulator or that the accumulator contains exactly the amount of energy that the user has paid or requested.

- The accumulator must be able to establish a communication link with the vehicle in addition to the power connection to transmit to the vehicle and / or the user certain, necessary for operation and possibly worth knowing parameters or display. - The user must be able to locate at least the nearest depot, possibly also depots in a certain radius.

- The accumulator must be easy to install and install with little effort.

- Since the accumulator in the case of a deposit or rental system is not owned by the user, but a rental system or the like, it must be ensured that the rechargeable battery is not damaged or excessively stressed during the return, for example due to excessive load or incorrect handling.

- Any damage must be detected so that a damaged battery is not reinstalled.

- The demand for accumulators varies with time. For example. during holidays, the demand is significantly increased. Such fluctuations in demand must be intercepted.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying an energy storage device with which an economical and comfortable operation of an electrical consumer is possible.

This object is achieved by the inventions specified in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

The solution according to the invention is based on an exchangeable energy store. The term "interchangeable" means that the energy storage device can be removed from the electric vehicle without much effort, especially for the purpose of recharging.This differs significantly from the situation that a permanently installed energy storage device of an electric vehicle must be replaced because it is defective, for example In principle, permanently installed energy storage devices can naturally also be exchanged for repair purposes, however, so that they are not "interchangeable" in the sense of the invention described below. This renewable energy supply So chererichtungen are explicitly not meant when in the context of the invention of an "interchangeable" energy storage device is mentioned.

In other words, although a replaceable energy storage device is also interchangeable within the meaning of the invention. A fixed energy storage device, however, is interchangeable, but not interchangeable.

The replaceable energy storage device is characterized in that it is inserted at a location in the vehicle that is easily accessible from the outside. For this purpose, only a cover must be removed, which serves on the one hand, for example, to protect the energy storage device from the weather, and on the other causes the energy storage device is not visible. Alternatively, the cover is connected to the accumulator, for example. As part of the housing of the accumulator so that both together can be installed and removed. In contrast to the permanently installed energy storage device, the replaceable energy storage device can be removed from the electric vehicle in just a few steps. Due to the weight of the accumulator, however, a crane or a robot can also be used here.

The exchangeable energy storage device according to the invention, which is used to supply an electrical consumer with electrical energy, has an electronic module with a first communication module, via which data are unidirectionally or bidirectionally exchanged with a data processing system of the electrical consumer. This advantageously achieves that the operator of the electrical load, for example a driver of an electric vehicle, is informed at all times about the operating state of the energy storage device and, in addition, other parameters, for example information about the charging process, etc. can be called up. Furthermore, it is possible to transmit data to the energy storage device. same for for communication between the energy storage device and a depot or a central office.

Because a computing unit and a data memory are provided in the electronic module, it is advantageously achieved that the energy storage device itself can carry out certain calculations and monitor the operating parameters of the energy storage device.

Advantageously, the energy storage device is connected via a radio interface with the data processing system of the electrical load and / or with the depot or the center, so that the communication can be wireless.

In one embodiment, the energy storage device has a second long-range communication module that can operate over long distances, i. if the electrical load or the energy storage device is not in the immediate vicinity of a depot or a central office, can establish a radio link to a depot or a central office.

The electronic module of the energy storage device is equipped with a first positioning system, which allows to determine the exact position of the energy storage device in a depot. This makes it possible that the energy storage device can be removed automatically, for example by a crane installed in the depot, from the electrical consumer.

A second positioning system of the electronic module enables the determination of the global position of the energy storage device.

The energy storage device has a sensor module with a plurality of sensors for determining the operating parameters of the energy storage device. Based on the operating Parameters can draw conclusions, for example, on the remaining range, on the use and on the general condition, ie also on any defects. The sensor data are available to the electronic module or the arithmetic unit, so that they can be evaluated there.

By means of an electrical switch of the electronic module, the stored energy in the energy storage device can be unlocked for the consumer.

Advantageously, the energy storage device has an electrical interface via which power can be supplied to the energy storage device for charging. This ensures that a discharged energy storage device does not have to be replaced, but can also be recharged by the consumer.

In a method for operating an electrical consumer with an exchangeable energy storage device, the energy storage device exchanges data with a data processing system of the electrical consumer and / or with a data processing system of a depot for storing and charging energy storage devices or via a first short-range communication module of an electronic module with a central office.

Advantageously, the energy storage device communicates with the aid of the first communication module via a radio link with the central office or the depot.

The global position of the energy storage device is determined by means of a positioning system. Based on the global position, a range of the energy storage device is determined with the aid of the state of charge of the energy storage device and compared with distances to depots. The distances to the depots are determined by the current global position of the energy storage device and the global positions of the depots. the. The result of the comparison is transmitted to the data processing system of the electrical consumer, so that the driver of the electric vehicle can be made aware depending on the state of charge of the energy storage device that possibly only a few depots are within reach.

Furthermore, the energy storage device exchanges data with a depot or a central via a second communication module.

In an advantageous embodiment, the energy stored in the energy storage device is only released when it has been paid. For this purpose, after payment has been made by the depot or by the central office, a corresponding message is transmitted to the electronic module, whereupon an electronic switch for activating the energy is actuated.

Furthermore, the energy storage device is authorized by the depot or the central office via the first or the second communication module to access a global positioning system (GPS) and / or data available in the depot or in the central office.

In a further embodiment, the energy storage device automatically establishes a communication connection with the depot or the control center via the second communication module, if the computing unit determines that the energy storage device is discharged so far that the nearest depot is no longer reachable, or if the arithmetic unit has a Malfunction or a defect of the energy storage device notes.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the embodiment described below and with reference to the drawings. Showing:

Figure 1 is an electric vehicle in a depot in plan view, Figure 2 is an energy storage device with electronic assembly and

3 shows a cross section through an energy storage device.

In the figures, identical or corresponding areas, components, component groups or method steps are identified by the same reference numerals.

1 shows a plan view of an electric vehicle 100 with a replaceable and rechargeable accumulator 200, which provides the electrical energy required for operating the electric vehicle 100. The accumulator 200, which is shown in detail in Figure 2, has an electronic assembly 210 and is placed in the illustrated embodiment in the front region of the engine compartment 110 and can be easily removed after opening the hood (not shown). This distinguishes the replaceable accumulator 200 of the invention from a fixed accumulator, which is typically installed in the engine compartment 110 so that it can not readily be removed therefrom. The replaceable accumulator 200 may, for example, be fixed in the engine compartment 110 via simple, releasable snap connections and / or possibly with the aid of additional guides (not shown), so that it can be easily removed, for example, in the case of a screw connection or the like. The re-insertion of a new accumulator is greatly facilitated by such a snap connection.

The electronic module 210 has a computing unit 220, which controls the functions of the electronic module 210 described below. For this purpose, the computing unit 220 is connected to all components of the electronic module 210, which are explained in more detail below. The electric vehicle 100 is located in FIG. 1 in a depot 300 in which charged, exchangeable accumulators 310 are available and discharged accumulators are to be delivered. The accumulators are stored in the depot 300 in a storage and charging device 360 and charged. The vehicle 100 is parked to replace the accumulator 200 on a designated footprint 320 and the hood is opened. In the embodiment of Figure 1, three shelves are provided. With the aid of a robot or a crane 330, the discharged accumulator 200 located in the vehicle 100 is removed before a new accumulator 310 is likewise used with the aid of the crane 330.

The operation of the crane 330 can be done either manually or advantageously automatically. In the first case, the crane 330 can be operated by personnel of the depot or, for example, by the driver of the electric vehicle 100 himself. In the second case, after the vehicle 100 has been parked on the footprint 320, the exact position of the accumulator 200 relative to the crane 330 is determined. For this purpose, for example, the system described in DE 10 2006 037 247 A1 can be used to locate a target object. For this purpose, the electronic assembly 210 of the accumulator 200 has a positioning system 211 for the exact determination of the relative position of the energy storage device to the depot 300 or in particular to the crane 330. The positioning system 211 contains an active or passive transponder, which is designed as described, for example, in connection with FIG. 3 of DE 10 2006 037 247 A1. The crane 330 has a locating system 331 analogous to the "base station" according to DE 10 2006 037 247 A1. With this system consisting of the locating system 331 and the positioning system 211 and the method described in DE 10 2006 037 247 A1, it is possible to determine the exact position of the accumulator 200 relative to the crane 330 and the depot 300.

As a result, the accumulator 200 can be automatically taken out of the vehicle 100. Likewise, with the proviso that the vehicle 100 after removal of the accumulator 200th was not moved, a new accumulator automatically be inserted into the vehicle 100.

Other positioning systems 211 for determining the exact position of the accumulator relative to the depot are of course also conceivable. For example. may be attached to the accumulator light reflectors, wherein the light reflected from the reflectors light is registered by a camera system. Based on the camera images, the position of the accumulator can be determined in a known manner.

The replaceable accumulator 200 or the electronic assembly 210 is connected to a data processing system 120 of the electric vehicle 100. The data processing system 120 can, for example, be a CAN bus system with a computing unit 121 in which the operating parameters of the vehicle 100 recorded using various sensors (not shown) are processed. Such systems are known. The accumulator 200 communicates with the electric vehicle 100 or with the arithmetic unit 121 of the data processing system 120 via the bus system. Via a display device 130 which is connected to the data processing system 120, data transmitted from the accumulator 200 to the vehicle 100 can be transmitted. the driver of the electric vehicle 100 are displayed. As part of this communication, the electronic module 210 transmits via a communication module 212 data to the data processing system 120, which can be displayed on the display device 130.

The communication module 212 is connected to the data processing system 120 via a radio interface in order to transmit the data. The communication takes place via a short-range radio system, for example WLAN, ZigBee or a proprietary protocol, wherein the data processing system 120 has a corresponding communication device 150 for receiving and transmitting the data communicated via the radio system. Alternatively, but not shown here, the communication between the accumulator 200 and the data processing system 120 may also be non-radio-based, ie, for example, via a cable connection. For this purpose, the communication module 212 has, for example, a plug-in device which is received in a corresponding counterpart when the accumulator is inserted into the vehicle, so that a conductive connection is established for transmitting the data between the communication module and the data processing system.

The data communicated between the accumulator 200 and the data processing system 120 includes, for example, the state of charge and the temperature of the accumulator 200. From the state of charge, the data processing system 120 and / or the arithmetic unit 220 of the accumulator 200 can determine the remaining range of the accumulator 200, for example the temperature may indicate a malfunction, a defect or an overload of the accumulator 200, so that the driver of the electric vehicle 100 can be warned early. For determining the state of charge and the temperature corresponding sensors are provided, which are summarized in the figure 1 for the sake of clarity in a sensor module 214 of the electronic module. In particular, the charge state sensor comprises a plurality of individual sensors which monitor the charge states of the individual cells 229 of the accumulator 200. In addition, the accumulator 200 or the sensor module 214 has a current sensor and an acceleration sensor. The current sensor detects the current flow from the accumulator 200 via an electrical interface 228 to the electric vehicle 100 and / or from the electric vehicle 100 to the accumulator 200. The latter will be described in more detail below. An acceleration sensor usually comprises three individual sensors, which are arranged perpendicular to one another. Likewise, acceleration sensors are known, which consist of a finished module, whereby the three spatial axes are already covered. The forces acting on the accumulator or the mechanical load of the accumulator can be determined from the data determined by the acceleration sensor. The sensor module 214 may also include sensors for detecting the outside temperature and the humidity in the environment of the accumulator, ie, for example, in a warehouse of the depot 300. These parameters are of particular interest in connection with the storage of the accumulator.

The sensor data of all sensors of the sensor module 214 are supplied to a data memory 213 of the electronic module 210 and the arithmetic unit 220. These sensor data and, if appropriate, other data relating to the accumulator 200, such as, for example, age, number of charging cycles, unambiguous identification, location of the last charge etc. of the accumulator, are stored in the data memory 213 in a protocol.

For example, the log may record how the download has expired. This could u.a. It would be of interest to see how fast the battery was charged, whether the battery was first completely discharged before charging, and whether the battery was actually fully charged. Furthermore, the use of the accumulator is logged on the basis of the sensor data described above. In particular, data on the discharging process during the use of the accumulator in the electric vehicle is recorded in the protocol. From the data of the protocol conclusions can be drawn on the use of the accumulator, possible damages and / or unauthorized current loads, i. especially short circuits, pull. In addition, the protocol may include information about who has charged the accumulator and / or when and where the accumulator has been charged.

Furthermore, in the data memory 213, the global positions of the depots, for example. In the form of GPS data (Global Positioning System, Global Positioning System) of the depots stored. The protocol or selected portions thereof as well as individual sensor data may be displayed on a display 215 of the electronic assembly 210 of the accumulator 200. The electronic assembly 210 has a keypad 216, with which the display 215 can be activated and with which can be selected, which data should be displayed on the display 215.

The protocol and the various sensor data can be transmitted to the display device 130 of the electric vehicle 100 via the communication module 212, wherein the driver can select via an input device 131 which of the sensor data is to be displayed or, if appropriate, the complete protocol is to be displayed. The data or inputs input at the input device 131 are transmitted via the communication module

212 transmitted to the arithmetic unit 220 and further processed there. For example. For example, the driver can input that the instantaneous current flow between the electric vehicle and the accumulator, the state of charge of the accumulator and the remaining range should be displayed on the display device 130. The computing unit 220 extracts this data from the protocol and transmits it to the data processing system 120 of the electric vehicle 100.

Furthermore, the accumulator 200 can establish a communication connection with a data processing system 340 of the depot 300 via the communication module 212 and the short-range radio system, in order, for example, to transfer data from the protocol to the depot 300. The different ones in the data store

213 or stored in the log sensor data can be used to track the accumulator use and detect damage and any unauthorized charges. The latter includes, for example, current flows from or to the accumulator, which go beyond a maximum value determined, for example, by the manufacturer of the accumulator. In particular, the logging of the state of charge ensures accurate billing. When exchanging a discharged accumulator for a new accumulator, for example in the data processing system 340 of the depot 300, the charge states of the discharged accumulator 200 and of the accumulator 310 newly inserted in the vehicle are read from the data stores 213 of the accumulators and compared with one another. From the dif- the charge states, the amount to be paid is determined. As soon as this amount has been settled, the accumulator can also be enabled via the communication connection between the data processing system 340 of the depot 300 and the communication module 212 of the accumulator 200. This can be realized, for example, by electronic switches 217 inside the accumulator 200. In an accumulator 200, several accumulator cells 229 are usually coupled together in a series circuit. By introducing an open electronic switch 217 between two cells, the necessary operating voltage is not achieved. The switch 217 is closed when the accumulator 200 is enabled by the data processing system 340 of the depot 300 or possibly by a central office. Specifically, this means that the computing unit 220 the

Switch 217 closes when the message is received via the communication module 212 that the payment has taken place. A bridging attempt of the electronic switch 217 would cause, for example, an alarm is triggered, which is also transmitted via the communication module 212 to the data processing system 340 of the depot 300 or to the control center and / or recorded in the log.

The electronic module 210 has a further communication module 218, with which via a radio system of greater range, eg. Via a GSM system (Global System for mobile communication, see Groupe Special Mobile), a radio link with a more distant communication partner, eg. can be set up with a depot or a central office.

For example. Via the further communication module 218, the various sensor data can be transmitted online to a central office or to one or more depots. In this way it can be ensured that, for example, damage to the accumulator or misuse, for example, in the form of an unauthorized current load, can be detected and then the accumulator can be deactivated by, for example, the electronic switch 217 is reopened. The corresponding signal from the central office or the depot is in turn from the communication module

218 received and forwarded to the arithmetic unit 220.

The electronic assembly 210 of the accumulator 200 has a further positioning system 219, for example a global positioning system with which the global position of the accumulator 200 can be determined. The thus determined global position is stored in the log, where either all determined global positions are stored in the log, so that the route traveled by the electric vehicle can be traced, or an older entry is overwritten by a new entry, so that only the current global position is available in the log.

In the arithmetic unit 220 of the electronic module 210, which is connected to the individual components of the electronic module 210 described above and to which the various sensor and position data are available, is determined, for example, based on the global position and on the state of charge of the accumulator 200 whether the range depending on the state of charge is sufficient to reach the nearest depot. In this case, use is made of the depots stored in the data memory 213. Alternatively, from a central office, in which the positions of all depots are deposited, the depots are transmitted in a certain radius to the current position of the accumulator by radio to the communication module 218. Another possibility is to update the data memory 213 of the electronic module 210 whenever the rechargeable battery is placed in a depot for recharging. If the arithmetic unit 220 determines, for example, that only one depot is present in a radius corresponding to the range around the instantaneous position of the accumulator, then the driver is made aware thereof. The corresponding message is in turn via the communication module 212 per Radio transmitted to the data processing system 120 of the electric vehicle 100 and displayed on the display device 130. The criteria according to which it is decided in the arithmetic unit 220 whether such a message is generated are freely adjustable. In another application, an automatic emergency call can be issued via the communication module 218 when the computing unit 220 determines that the accumulator 200 is unloaded and no depot is within communication range of the short-range radio system, ie if the communication module 212 can not establish a radio connection to a depot.

The arithmetic unit 220 uses the instantaneous global position of the rechargeable battery 200 or of the electric vehicle 100 determined by the positioning system 219, the state of charge of the rechargeable battery 200, optionally an input by the driver of the electric vehicle 100, and the stock of supplies within range of the electric vehicle 100 Depots to select one or more depots to be used to replace the accumulator. In this case, the computing unit 220 of the electronic module 210 communicates via the communication module 212 with the driver of the electric vehicle 100 and via the communication module 218 with the depots within reach or with a control center in which, for example, the currently available storage stocks of all depots can be retrieved. The arithmetic unit 220 of the electronic assembly 210 processes all data in order to propose to the driver at least one depot. In this case, an intended route can also be taken into account, which the driver has determined, for example, with a navigation system 140, which for this purpose must be connected to the data processing system 120 of the electric vehicle 100. This route is also transmitted via the communication module 212 from the data processing system 120 of the electric vehicle 100 to the electronic module 210 and the arithmetic unit 220 and compared there with the positions of the depots stored in the data memory 213. From the comparison at least one depot emerges that the driver with the help of the display device 130th suggested and / or displayed on a screen of the navigation system 140.

Approved certification and encryption systems are provided to access data stored on the GPS and in the depots or in the central office. For example. For this purpose, a security mechanism can be used, as used by modern SIM cards (Subscriber Identity Module) in mobile phones.

The accumulator 200 has a voltage converter 225 and a charging electronics 226, which are accommodated in the electronic module 210. This has the effect that a comparatively wide voltage range, for example 400-800 V, can be used to charge the rechargeable battery so that no supply bottlenecks occur and the outlay for providing the infrastructure is minimized. Also due to the battery voltages expected to increase further in the future, the integration of such a charging device consisting of the voltage converter 225 and the charging electronics 226 in the accumulator 200 or in the electronic module 220 makes sense, so that the charging stations of the depots are not renewed at each changeover the accumulator voltage must be.

For example. With the help of such an integrated charger, it is also possible to use the direct current of a photovoltaic system directly for charging the accumulator.

The charging of the accumulator 200 is possible not only in the depot 300. On the one hand, the accumulator 200 can be charged analogously to permanently installed accumulators by being connected in the simplest case to a corresponding socket. For this purpose, the accumulator 200 has an electrical interface 227, to which a commercially available charging cable can be connected. On the other hand, the accumulator 200 can be charged during the operation of the electric vehicle 100, as occurs, for example, in hybrid vehicles. It For example, during a braking operation, electrical energy can be generated, which is supplied to the accumulator 200 via corresponding electrical lines in order to charge it. Such a system and method is described for example in DE 10 2006 019 494 Al. This electrical energy is also supplied to the accumulator 200 via the electrical interface 227. The current supplied to the accumulator 200 is measured via the already mentioned current sensor of the sensor module 214. The corresponding measured values are stored in the log in the data memory 213 and / or made available to the arithmetic unit 220.

Advantageously, the charging current fed to the accumulator 200 via the interface 227 and / or via the further interface is measured via a current sensor of the sensor module 214 and documented in the protocol.

The storage of a large number of accumulators in the depot offers the possibility of using one or more of the accumulators as buffer storage for the power network, as is done, for example, in the "car2grid" system, which, on the one hand, stores any excess current By estimating the anticipated demand for accumulators for electric vehicles, the system can be optimized to use only those accumulators that are unlikely to be needed as replacement accumulators.

Ideally, the accumulators or their housing are designed to save space. This ensures that a large number of replaceable accumulators can be stored in a depot, so that the demand can be met even in phases of strong demand, for example during vacation and travel times.

The electrical connection between the accumulator and a charging device 360 of the depot 300 takes place, for example, via a Rail system where inaccurate positioning is sufficient to make electrical contact. FIG. 3 shows in a schematic diagram a cross section through an accumulator 200 and through rails 361, 362 of the charging device 360 made of electrically conductive material. The accumulator 200 has recesses 221, 222 with electrical contacts 223, 224 and is placed on the rails 361, 362 such that the electrical contacts 223, 224 come into contact with the rails 361, 362. Due to the shape of the recesses 221, 222 and the rails 361, 362 it is sufficient to position the accumulator 200 comparatively inaccurate, ie with a precision in the cm range in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rails. With such a rail system, it makes sense to place empty accumulators on the rails at one end of the rails 361, 362, so that accumulators charged at the other end can be removed by the crane 330.

Claims

claims

1. Interchangeable energy storage device (200) for supplying an electrical load (100) with electrical energy, wherein the energy storage device (200) comprises an electronic assembly (210) having at least a first communication module (212) for unidirectional or bidirectional exchange of data with a data processing system (120) of the electrical consumer (100) and / or a data processing system (340) of a depot (300) for

Storage and charging of energy storage devices or having a central.

2. Interchangeable energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic module

(210) has a computing unit (220) and a data memory (213).

3. Interchangeable energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first communication module (212) via an interface with the data processing system (120) of the electrical load (100) and / or with the data processing system (340) of the depot

(300) or connected to the central office.

4. Interchangeable energy storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that the interface is a radio interface and that the data via the first communication module (212) wirelessly with the data processing system (120) of the electrical load (100) and / or with the

Data processing system (340) of the depot (300) or with the headquarters are interchangeable.

5. Interchangeable energy storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic module (210) has a second communication module (218) with a long range for wireless communication with the central office or the depot (300).

6. Interchangeable energy storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic module (210) has a first positioning system (211) for the exact determination of the relative position of the energy storage device (200) to a depot (200).

7. Interchangeable energy storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic module (210) has a second positioning system (219) for determining the global position of the energy storage device (200).

8. Interchangeable energy storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic module (210) has a sensor module (214), with

- A state of charge sensor for determining the state of charge of the energy storage device (200) and / or

a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the energy storage device (200),

a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the surroundings of the energy storage device (200), an air humidity sensor for determining the humidity of the surroundings of the energy storage device 200,

- A current sensor for detecting the energy storage device (200) removed or of the energy storage device (200) into flowing current and / or - an acceleration sensor for determining on the

Energy storage device (200) acting forces, wherein the respective sensor data of the electronic assembly (210) can be fed.

9. Replaceable energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic module (210) has a switch (217) for enabling the energy stored in the energy storage device (200).

10. Interchangeable energy storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic assembly (210) has a display device (215) for displaying at least a part of the data.

11. Interchangeable energy storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy storage device (200) has an electrical interface (227) through which the

Energy storage device (200) is rechargeable.

12. A method of operating an electrical load (100) having a replaceable energy storage device (200) in which the replaceable energy storage device

(200) via a first communication module (212) of an electronic module (210) of the energy storage device (200) unidirectionally or bidirectionally data with a data processing system (120) of the electrical load (100) and / or with a data processing system (340) of a depot ( 300) for storage and charging of energy storage devices (200) or with a central exchange.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the data between the energy storage device (200) and the data processing system (120) of the electrical load (100) and / or the data processing system (340) of the depot (300) or the center via a radio link be transmitted.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the energy storage device (200) wirelessly via a second communication module (218) of the electronic assembly (210) communicates with a long range with the depot (300) or the center.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the data at least part of a in a data memory (213) of the energy storage device (200) stored protocol and / or sensor data from sensors of a sensor module (214) of the electronic module (210).

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that a current global position of the energy storage device (200) by means of a second positioning system (219) of the electronic assembly (210) is determined.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that in a computing unit (220) of the electronic module (210) based on a state of charge of the energy storage device (200) a range of the energy storage device

(200) is determined and the range is compared to distances to depots (300), the distances to the depots (300) being determined by the current global position of the energy storage device (200) and the global positions of the depots (300).

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the result of the comparison to the data processing system

(120) of the electrical load (100) is transmitted.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the energy storage device (200) communicates via a second communication module (218) of the electronic module (210) with a depot (300) or a central office, wherein at least

a global position of the replaceable energy storage device (200) and / or

at least a part of a protocol stored in a data memory (213) of the energy storage device (200) and / or

- Sensor data from sensors of a sensor module (214) of the electronic module (210) to the depot (300) or the control center is transmitted.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that in the energy storage device (200) stored energy for the electrical load (100) is released when one for the stored

Energy to be paid amount is settled, with the data processing system (340) of the depot (300) or from the central office a message about settling the amount via the first (212) or the second communication module (218) to the electronic module (210) transmitted and then an electronic switch (217) is actuated to unlock the energy.

21. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the energy storage device (200) is authorized by the depot (300) or by the central office via the first (212) or the second communication module (218) global positioning system (GPS) and / or data available in the depot (300) or in the central office.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that the energy storage device (200) via the second communication module (218) automatically establishes a communication connection with the depot (300) or the control center when the arithmetic unit (220) determines that the energy storage device (200) is discharged so far that the nearest depot is no longer reachable, or if the computing unit (220) detects a malfunction or a defect of the energy storage device (200).