Patents by Inventor Holger Fink

Holger Fink has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9478996
    Abstract: A battery cell unit includes a battery cell and a monitoring and actuation unit for monitoring the function state of the battery cell. A coupling unit is provided in the battery cell unit, in which coupling unit two half-bridges forming a full-bridge are arranged, which half-bridges each comprise a first power semiconductor coupled to a positive pole of the battery cell, a second power semiconductor coupled to a negative pole of the battery cell and a central connection and are connected to a respective other output terminal of the battery cell unit via the respective central connection. The battery cell is configured to operate, in the normal operating mode, the power semiconductors of the half-bridges in such a way that a battery cell voltage of the battery cell is present at the output terminals of the battery cell unit optionally with a positive or negative orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9475439
    Abstract: A battery system for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine includes at least one starting circuit, a low-voltage on-board supply system, and an on-board supply system with an increased voltage. The starting circuit has a first battery and a starter that is configured to be connected to the first battery. The low-voltage supply system has at least one electrical consumer and a second battery configured to produce a first voltage. The supply system with increased voltage has an electrical generator and a third battery configured to produce a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage. The electric generator is configured to produce a third voltage that is higher than the second voltage. A first coupling connects the supply system with increased voltage to the low-voltage supply system and transfers energy therebetween. A second coupling connects the low-voltage on-board supply system to the starter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Fetzer, Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9475456
    Abstract: A battery system for a motor vehicle includes at least one starting circuit, a low-voltage on-board supply system, and an on-board supply system with an increased voltage. The on-board supply system with increased voltage is connected to the low-voltage on-board supply system by a first coupling unit used to draw electrical energy from the on-board supply system with increased voltage and to supply said energy to the low-voltage on-board supply system. The low-voltage supply system is connected to the starter circuit by a second coupling unit used to draw electrical energy from the low-voltage on-board supply system and to supply said energy to the starter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Fetzer, Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9463708
    Abstract: A method for operating an electric traction drive system includes monitoring each of battery modules during operation for satisfactory functioning to detect a technical fault. The method further includes bypassing at least one battery module if a technical fault of the at least one battery module is detected. The method further includes operating the traction drive system in a traction state where an electric motor is supplied and actuated by connected battery modules to the battery module line to enable a currently generated torque to remain unchanged. The electric motor and the battery are positioned to generate an adjustable output voltage of the battery. The battery is configured to supply the electric motor. The battery includes a battery module line and the battery modules. The battery modules are configured to be connected in series with the battery module line or bypassed in the battery module line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9457745
    Abstract: The disclosure presents a method for starting up a battery system having a battery, a DC voltage intermediate circuit which is connected to the battery, and a drive system which is connected to the DC voltage intermediate circuit. The battery has a large number of battery modules which are connected in series and which each comprise a coupling unit and at least one battery cell which is connected between a first input and a second input of the coupling unit. The method comprises a step for decoupling the battery cells of all of the battery modules which are connected in series by outputting a corresponding control signal to the coupling units of the battery modules which are connected in series. All of the battery modules which are connected in series are then bridged at the output end, and therefore an output voltage of the battery is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9431932
    Abstract: A converter unit having at least one output. The at least one output is configured to be connected to a coil of an asynchronous machine. The converter unit is configured to provide several voltage levels at the at least one output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ralph Schmidt, Joachim Fetzer, Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9400312
    Abstract: A battery system comprises at least two modules which include a plurality of battery cells, with each module being associated with a cell voltage detection unit which is connected to a central controller via a common communication bus. Each module additionally includes a module voltage detection unit which is connected to the central controller and is configured to separately detect the voltage of the associated module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Bosch, Joachim Fetzer, Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink, Martin Lang
  • Patent number: 9401614
    Abstract: A method is used for controlling a battery having at least one battery module line with a plurality of battery modules that are connected in series. Each battery module has at least one battery cell, at least one coupling unit, a first connection, and a second connection. Each battery module is configured to assume one of at least two switching states dependent on a control of the coupling unit. The different switching states correspond to different voltage values between the first connection and the second connection of the battery module. The method includes determining a ranking among the battery modules. The method also includes engaging the battery modules in a supply of a desired output voltage of the battery module line using the ranking. The battery modules compare respective battery module operating states among one another and determine the ranking on the basis of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ralph Schmidt, Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9368978
    Abstract: A method for charge balancing of battery cells to be connected in parallel of a battery module includes making contact with terminals of the battery cells and measuring quiescent voltages of the battery cells; determining capacitances and internal resistances of the battery cells for determining a required duration for the charge balancing; and short-circuiting the battery cells in pairs at a low resistance and implementing the charge balancing via the internal resistances of the battery cells short-circuited in pairs. The method further includes ending the contact-making after the required duration; and producing a parallel circuit between the battery cells by fastening connecting lugs on respective terminals of the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Fink
  • Publication number: 20160149168
    Abstract: A receptacle device for at least one electrode assembly includes a metal housing and a metal. The housing and the cover each are a prismatic shape with a base surface, side walls and an aperture. The aperture lies opposite the base surface. The base surface of the cover is at least one wall thickness of the side walls of the cover larger than the base surface of the housing. The receptacle device further includes a measuring device configured to measure at least one measurement variable. The measuring device is arranged on an edge of the aperture of the housing or of the cover. The measurement variable is a value for at least one of a voltage, a current strength, and a temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink, Hans Partes
  • Publication number: 20160111693
    Abstract: A battery module includes a number of battery cells, which are connected to each other at connection poles. The battery cells have respective hard shell housings, in which at least one bus bar extends. A number of wound and/or stacked battery cells is electrically contacted by the at least one bus bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Alexander REITZLE, Sarmimala HORE, Holger FINK
  • Patent number: 9306403
    Abstract: A battery module includes lithium-ion battery cells and at least one discharge circuit configured to discharge the battery cells. The discharge circuit includes a control signal input, a switch, and a resistor and is configured to close the switch in reaction to a control signal at the control signal input, in order to electrically connect terminals of the battery module. The battery module can then be reliably discharged by a corresponding control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9304173
    Abstract: In a method and a device for determining the internal resistance of a battery cell of a battery, the battery is connected to a controllable motor/generator in such a way that a flow of energy can take place from the battery to the motor/generator or from the motor/generator to the battery, including the following steps: modulation of the magnetic field-forming portion of the motor/generator, determination of a change in voltage at the battery cell and of a change of the current flow through the battery cell during the modulation of the magnetic field-forming portion of the motor/generator, and calculation of the internal resistance of the battery cell as the quotient of the change in voltage and the change in current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9276427
    Abstract: The disclosure presents a method for starting up a battery system having a battery and a DC voltage intermediate circuit which is connected to the battery. The battery has a plurality of battery modules which are connected in series and which comprise a first battery module having a first number of battery cells and at least a second battery module having a larger second number of battery cells. At the beginning of the method, all of the battery modules are deactivated, and therefore the output voltage of the battery is zero. During the course of the method, the output voltage of the battery is increased by successive second battery modules being activated. In the process, the first battery module is activated in each case between the activation of two second battery modules and is deactivated again when the further second battery module is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9276265
    Abstract: A lithium-ion cell includes outgoing conductor foils and collectors. The outgoing conductor foil of a negative electrode of the lithium-ion cell consists of an aluminum foil which is covered on both sides with a metal layer. The collector for the negative electrode has an aluminum workpiece, which is at least partially covered with a metal layer. The metal layers of the outgoing conductor foil and of the collector consist of copper or nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Leuthner, Thomas Woehrle, Holger Fink, Joachim Fetzer
  • Patent number: 9269936
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing safety measures during gas release from a vehicle battery, such as a damaged lithium-ion rechargeable battery, arranged in a volume space having an opening includes at least one shroud element. The shroud element is configured to expand into the volume space by being filled with a gas such that, upon expansion of the shroud element, openings in the shroud element are enlarged and shroud element contents are discharged into the volume space through the enlarged openings in the shroud element. The apparatus further includes a device that, upon reception of a trigger signal, is configured to fill the shroud element at least partially with carbon dioxide gas such that carbon dioxide gas is discharged into the volume space as contents of the shroud element. An installation space includes the apparatus and a method is implemented to provide safety measures during gas release from the vehicle battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sarmimala Hore, Joachim Fetzer, Ralf Angerbauer, Holger Fink
  • Publication number: 20160039289
    Abstract: A method for inducing a secure state of a battery module of a motor vehicle includes continuously checking and evaluating a current state of the battery module. The secure state of the battery module to be induced is a state, in which effects of a defective battery module are reduced. The secure state is induced in dependence of a motor vehicle state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9244131
    Abstract: A method for determining an internal ohmic resistance of a first battery module includes measuring a first voltage intensity of the first battery module. The first battery module is connected to at least one second battery module subject to a current load after obtaining the first voltage intensity. A second voltage intensity of the first battery module is measured after the connection of the first battery module. The internal ohmic resistance is determined with reference to the first voltage intensity and the second voltage intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Fink
  • Publication number: 20160020439
    Abstract: An encasement (20) for a battery cell (2) and for a battery system (1) wherein said encasement is in the form of a sheet and comprises a core layer (22). This core layer (22) comprises carbon nanotubes. The invention further relates to a process for producing an encasement (20) which comprises initially coating a polymer substrate with an oxide material and applying carbon nanotubes to an oxide layer thus formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Holger Fink, Joachim Fetzer, Thomas Wöhrle, Sarmimala Hore
  • Publication number: 20150380714
    Abstract: A cell connector for making electrically conductive contact with a plurality of battery cell terminals comprises a plurality of sections positioned next to each other including a plurality of first sections composed of an electrically conductive metal material, and at least one second section composed of an electrically insulating plastic. The at least one second section is positioned between a respective two of the plurality of first sections. The present disclosure further relates to a method for producing a cell connector, in which the at least one second section is connected to the at least two first sections by means of a nano-moulding method. The present disclosure furthermore relates to a battery module having a plurality of battery cells with terminals connected by at least one cell connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Holger Fink