Flexibly configurable traction battery

A traction battery comprising:

• at least two traction battery terminals, a plurality of battery modules, and a traction battery control unit, wherein each battery module comprises a number N of battery cells, each having a first terminal and a second terminal, as well as a configuration circuit for selectively configuring the interconnection of the battery cells to change a module pole voltage (MS) between battery-module terminals of the battery module,
• wherein the configuration circuit is connected to all first and second terminals of the battery cells and arranged to form a first number S of battery-cell groups, each containing a second number P of battery cells, in that the configuration circuit can connect all battery cells of a battery-cell group in parallel and interconnect the battery-cell groups in series, wherein the selectable interconnection configurations meet the condition P×S=Nand, and
• wherein the traction battery control unit is operatively connected to the respective battery-module control inputs of the battery modules via a battery-module control output.

An drive system having at least one electric motor as an electric drive, and a traction battery for supplying the electric motor with electrical energy, wherein the traction battery comprises:

• at least two traction battery terminals, a plurality of battery modules, and a traction battery control unit, wherein each battery module comprises a number N of battery cells, each having a first terminal and a second terminal, as well as a configuration circuit for selectively configuring the interconnection of the battery cells to change a module pole voltage (MS) between battery-module terminals of the battery module,
• wherein the configuration circuit is connected to all first and second terminals of the battery cells and arranged to form a first number S of battery-cell groups, each containing a second number P of battery cells, in that the configuration circuit can connect all battery cells of a battery-cell group in parallel and interconnect the battery-cell groups in series, wherein the selectable interconnection configurations meet the condition P×S=Nand, and
• wherein the traction battery control unit is operatively connected to the respective battery-module control inputs of the battery modules via a battery-module control output.

An electric vehicle (EV) having an electric drive system comprising at least one electric motor as an electric drive, and a traction battery for supplying the electric motor with electrical energy, wherein the traction battery comprises:

• at least two traction battery terminals, a plurality of battery modules, and a traction battery control unit, wherein each battery module comprises a number N of battery cells, each having a first terminal and a second terminal, as well as a configuration circuit for selectively configuring the interconnection of the battery cells to change a module pole voltage (MS) between battery-module terminals of the battery module,
• wherein the configuration circuit is connected to all first and second terminals of the battery cells and arranged to form a first number S of battery-cell groups, each containing a second number P of battery cells, in that the configuration circuit can connect all battery cells of a battery-cell group in parallel and interconnect the battery-cell groups in series, wherein the selectable interconnection configurations meet the condition P×S=Nand, and
• wherein the traction battery control unit is operatively connected to the respective battery-module control inputs of the battery modules via a battery-module control output.