Interface Module for Charging and Discharging an Electrochemical Energy Store

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025385536-A1
Application number	US-202318878536-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 20, 2023
Priority date	Jul 11, 2022
Publication date	Dec 18, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

An interface module for charging and discharging an electrochemical energy store for an electrical consumer, in particular for an electric-motor-powered vehicle, includes a first interface and at least one second interface that is electrically connected to the first interface. The first interface is designed, in particular of proprietary design, such that the interface module is connectable to a corresponding counterpart of the electrochemical energy store. The at least one second interface is of universal design such that the interface module is connectable to a corresponding counterpart interface of an external constant-voltage or constant-current source for the purpose of charging the electrochemical energy store. The at least one second interface is further connectable to a corresponding counterpart interface of a further electrical consumer for the purpose of discharging the electrochemical energy store.

First claim

1 . An interface module for charging and discharging an electrochemical energy store for an electrical consumer, the interface module comprising:
a first interface configured to connect to a corresponding counterpart interface of the electrochemical energy store; and at least one second interface electrically connected to the first interface, and wherein the at least one second interface is of universal design such that the interface module is configured to connect to:
a corresponding counterpart interface of an external constant-voltage or constant-current source during a charging process of the electrochemical energy store, and
a corresponding counterpart interface of a further electrical consumer during a discharging process of the electrochemical energy store.

2 . The interface module according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an electronic unit that translates a universal charging or final charging protocol transmitted via the at least one second interface into a charging or discharging protocol, which is configured for the charging or discharging process of the electrochemical energy store connected to the first interface, and vice versa.

3 . The interface module according to claim 2 , wherein the electronic unit is configured to check, prior to the charging process of the electrochemical energy store, whether a DC voltage applied to the at least one second interface and/or a flowing DC current of the external constant-voltage or constant-current source is greater than or equal to a maximum battery voltage and/or a maximum battery current for the electrochemical energy store.

4 . The interface module according to claim 3 , wherein the electronic unit is configured to set a battery voltage and/or a battery current for discharging the electrochemical energy store via the at least one second interface as a function of a supply voltage and/or a supply current of the further electrical consumer connected to the at least one second interface.

5 . The interface module according to claim 4 , wherein:
the interface module comprises a DC/DC converter which is controlled by the electronic unit such that the DC voltage applied to the at least one second universal interface and/or the flowing DC current is adapted to the battery voltage and/or the battery current of the electrochemical energy store, or the battery voltage and/or the battery current provided by the electrochemical energy store is adapted to the supply voltage and/or the supply current of the further electrical consumer connected to the at least one second interface.

6 . The interface module according to claim 2 , wherein the electronic unit is further configured to monitor the charging and/or discharging process via at least one operating parameter measured in the interface module, in the electrochemical energy store, and/or in the electrical consumer.

7 . The interface module according to claim 2 , further comprising:
further universal interfaces configured for parallel connection to corresponding universal counterpart interfaces of further constant-voltage or constant-current sources and/or further electrical consumers.

8 . The interface module according to claim 7 , wherein the electronic unit is configured to block all unused universal interfaces of the at least one second interface and the further universal interfaces for the discharging process when at least one interface of the at least one second interface or the further universal interfaces is connected to an external constant-voltage or constant-current source.

9 . The interface module according to claim 1 , wherein at least one interface of the at least one second interface is configured as a USB-C interface.

10 . The interface module according to claim 1 , wherein at least one interface of the at least one second interface is configured as a CHAdeMO-EPAC interface with two energy supply contacts and three signal or data contacts.

11 . The interface module according to claim 7 , wherein at least one of the further universal interfaces is configured as a wireless inductive interface with at least one primary circuit for energy transfer according to a Qi or Ki standard.

12 . The interface module according to claim 11 , wherein the transfer of the charging or discharging protocol and/or operating parameters is carried out via the wireless inductive interface via Near Field Communication using a separate data circuit.

13 . The interface module according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a communication interface configured for wirelessly exchanging signals or data with an external terminal device.

14 . The interface module according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a human machine interface configured for adjusting and/or displaying operating parameters and/or different charging profiles of the electronic unit.

15 . An adapter comprising:
an interface module according to claim 1 , wherein the first interface of the interface module is configured as an electromechanical interface for tool-free detachable connection to a corresponding electromechanical interface of an electrochemical energy store or an electrical consumer.

16 . An electric-motor-powered vehicle comprising:
an interface module according to claim 1 ; and a frame or housing part into which the interface module is fixedly integrated.

17 . The interface module according to claim 1 , wherein the first interface is configured as a proprietary design.

18 . The electric-motor-powered vehicle according to claim 16 , wherein the frame or housing part into which the interface module is fixedly integrated is a drive unit of the electric-motor-powered vehicle.

Assignees

• Bosch Gmbh Robert

Inventors

• Spaeth Alexander
• Ebert Fabian
• Seidel Achim
• Monteiro Teixeira Daniel
• Weydanz Wolfgang
• Fischer Johannes

Classifications

• H02J7/80

  including monitoring or indicating arrangements · CPC title

• H02J7/933 Primary

  the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters · CPC title

• H02J2105/37

  exchanging power with electric vehicles [EV] or with hybrid electric vehicles [HEV] · CPC title

• H02J7/42 Primary

  with electronic devices having internal batteries, e.g. mobile phones · CPC title

• B60L2210/10

  DC to DC converters · CPC title