Device and method for controlling charging of a high voltage grid structure for a vehicle

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling charging of a high voltage grid structure for a vehicle is provided. The method includes measuring a battery voltage of the vehicle and transmitting the measured voltage to a first charger. The output voltage of the first charger is matched to the transmitted voltage and the output voltage of the first charger is provided to a charging controller via communication between the charging controller and a first charging port, the first charger being coupled to the first charging port. The vehicle is then charged via a high voltage relay connected to the first charging port coupled to the first charger. The process is repeated while the vehicle is being charged between the charging controller and the second charger by connecting to a second charging port coupled to the second charger.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0070295, filed on Jun. 13, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for controlling charging of a high voltage grid structure for a vehicle, and in particular to a solution for connecting a vehicle equipped with a large capacity battery to a charger for fast charging. Background Art

[0004] An electric vehicle charging system may be defined as a system for charging a battery installed in an electric vehicle using power from an energy storage device from a power transmission grid or a commercial power source. Depending on the type of electric vehicle, the electric vehicle charging system may have various forms. For example, the electric vehicle charging system may include a conductive charging system using a cable or a contactless wireless power transmission system. When the battery of an electric vehicle in motion must be charged, the electric vehicle travels to a charging station capable of charging the electric vehicle or to a ground device (GA) located in a charging pile along the route of travel.

[0005] When an electric vehicle is charged, a vehicle assembly (VA) mounted on the electric vehicle forms an inductive resonance coupling with a transmission plate of a ground device, and the power transmitted from the ground device through flow resonance coupling is charged into a high-voltage battery of the electric vehicle. Therefore, many electric vehicles have a receiving plate for inductive resonance coupling with a transmission plate. In view of this, a technology developed in the related art discloses a charging system for charging an electric vehicle and a method for providing a charging system.

[0006] However, in this related art, charging is delayed in the case of a high voltage battery because a single charging port mounted per vehicle is equipped to charge a plurality of electric vehicles, and charging between the charger and the vehicle can be performed only in a one-to-one scheme. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention is directed to overcoming the limitation of shortening the charging time and provides a charging control method for a high voltage power grid structure.

[0008] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling charging of a high-voltage power grid structure of a vehicle is provided, the method may include the following steps: measuring a battery voltage of the vehicle by a charging controller and transmitting the measured voltage to a first charger; matching an output voltage of the first charger with a voltage transmitted from the charging controller, and notifying the charging controller of the matching voltage via communication between the charging controller and a first charging port coupled to the first charger; the charging controller charges the vehicle by connecting a high-voltage relay, the high-voltage relay being connected to the first charging port coupled to the first charger; and repeating the above process between the charging controller and the second charger by connecting to a second charging port while the vehicle is being charged, the second charging port being coupled to a second charger as a charging port connected in parallel to the first charging port.

[0009] In addition, by matching the supply voltages of the first charging port and the charging controller, sparks caused by additionally connected charging ports in parallel can be prevented. The charging controller can be connected to the first charging port to connect the second charging port or the Nth charging port during charging. Even when the Nth charging port is connected to the charging controller, the process can be repeated.

[0010] A device for controlling a high-voltage grid structure for charging a vehicle through a plurality of charging ports may include: a first high-voltage charging relay connected in series to the first charging port; a second high-voltage charging relay connected in series to the second charging port; and an Nth high-voltage charging relay connected in series to the Nth charging port. The first high-voltage charging relay, the second high-voltage charging relay, and the Nth high-voltage charging relay may be connected in parallel and in series to a plurality of nodes to which a plurality of high-voltage battery packs are connected in parallel.

[0011] A device for controlling a high-voltage grid structure for charging a vehicle through multiple charging ports may include: a first main relay connected in series between a first charging port and a first high-voltage battery; a first relay connected between the first charging port and the first high-voltage battery in parallel with the first main relay; a second main relay connected in series between the second charging port and the second high-voltage battery; and a second relay connected between the second charging port and the second high-voltage battery in parallel with the second main relay. The first relay and the second relay may also include resistors connected in series. The first relay operates, then the first main relay operates, or the second relay operates, then the second main relay operates, and the positive electrodes of the first high-voltage battery and the second high-voltage battery can be connected.

[0012] A device for controlling charging of a high-voltage power grid structure of a vehicle through multiple charging ports may include: a first main relay, connected in series between a first charging port and a first high-voltage battery; a second main relay, connected in series between a second charging port and a second high-voltage battery; and an OBC relay, wherein each of the first charging port and the second charging port is connected to an on-board charger (OBC) and the respective OBCs are connected in common and the OBC relays can be connected in common between the first main relay and the first high-voltage battery and between the second main relay and the second high-voltage battery.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a plurality of charging ports are installed on an electric vehicle and charging is started by connecting the remaining charging ports while charging is being performed through one charging port, component damage and generation of surge current caused by sparks due to a potential difference between the charging ports can be prevented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figures 1A to 1C An exemplary embodiment of each circuit structure connected in series using a large-capacity battery charging scheme in the related art is shown;

[0016] Figure 2 shows a parallel structure of a charging control circuit of a high voltage grid structure of a vehicle, to which the logic according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be applied;

[0017] Figure 3 According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an application Figure 2 The circuit structure of the vehicle's high-voltage grid;

[0018] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling charging of a high voltage grid structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019] Figures 5 to 7 An exemplary embodiment of a high-voltage grid structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] It should be understood that the terms "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms used in this document include a broad range of motor vehicles, such as passenger vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various boats and ships, spacecraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (for example, fuel obtained from resources other than petroleum).

[0021] Although the exemplary embodiment is described as using multiple units to perform the exemplary process, it should be understood that the exemplary process can also be performed by one or more modules. In addition, it should be understood that the term controller / control unit refers to a hardware device including a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store the module, and the processor is specifically configured to execute the module to perform one or more processes further described below.

[0022] In addition, the control logic of the present invention may be embodied as a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, a controller / control unit, etc. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact disk (CD)-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash drive, smart card, and optical data storage device. The computer-readable recording medium may also be distributed in a network-coupled computer system so that the computer-readable medium is stored and executed in a distributed manner, for example, via a telematics server or a controller area network (CAN).

[0023] The terms used in this disclosure are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be limited to the present invention. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" as used herein are intended to include the plural forms as well. It will be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of stated features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated enumerated items.

[0024] Unless specifically stated or apparent from the context, the term "about" as used herein is understood to be within the normal tolerance range in the art, such as within 2 standard deviations of the mean. "About" may be understood to be within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, all numerical values ​​provided herein are modified by the term "about".

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the contents disclosed in the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited or constrained by the exemplary embodiments. The same reference numerals presented in each of the accompanying drawings refer to elements that perform substantially the same function.

[0026] Through the following description, the objects and effects of the present invention can be naturally understood or the objects and effects of the present invention can be clearer, and the objects and effects of the present invention are not limited to the following description. In addition, in the description of the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description may unnecessarily obscure the subject of the present invention, the detailed description of the known technology associated with the present invention can be omitted.

[0027] Figures 1A to 1C An exemplary embodiment of each circuit structure of series connection and parallel connection using a charging scheme of a large-capacity battery in the related art is shown. Figures 1A to 1C , Figure 1A A charging port installed on a vehicle equipped with a large-capacity battery is shown, and the charging port and the vehicle are charged in a one-to-one scheme, Figure 1B and Figure 1C An exemplary embodiment is shown in which multiple charging ports are connected to the vehicle and each charging port is connected in series with a high voltage battery.

[0028] exist Figures 1A to 1C In the example, when charging is performed only by connecting the first charging port, the battery 2 is not charged and the charge amounts of the high voltage batteries 1 and 2 may be different from each other. Therefore, the operation of the battery may be problematic and the user should consider which of the charging ports 1 and 2 should be charged and the charge amounts of the corresponding charging ports.

[0029] When charging through the first charging port and charging through the second charging port at the same time, the end time of charging is different, causing inconvenience, and when discharging, each of the high-voltage load 1 and the high-voltage load 2 should be configured. Therefore, when the motor control unit (MCU) is connected to the high-voltage battery 1 and the cooling compressor is connected to the high-voltage battery 2, the complexity of the entire high-voltage configuration may increase.

[0030] Figure 2The parallel structure of the charging control circuit of the high voltage grid structure of the vehicle is shown, and the logic of the present invention can be applied to the vehicle. Figure 2 According to the circuit structure shown in FIG. 1 , even if charging is performed through either the first charging port or the second charging port, the high-voltage batteries 1 and 2 can be charged in unison to solve the problem of the series connection scheme and can fully charge the high-voltage batteries 1 and 2 even if there is only one charger. Due to the difference in the charge amount between the high-voltage batteries 1 and 2, no problem occurs and a high-voltage common load can be used, so a simple high-voltage grid can be configured as if there is one high-voltage battery.

[0031] When configuring Figure 2 The above described Figures 1A to 1C However, when multiple charging ports are connected, when charging is performed through any one charging port, problems such as component damage may occur due to spark generation and surge current when charging is started through another charging port. Therefore, the logic of the present invention can be applied to Figure 2 Parallel circuit configuration.

[0032] In other words, when charging is attempted through the second charging port similar to the logic of the present invention while charging through the first charging port, no spark is generated due to the difference between the charging voltage and the voltage supplied by the second charger, thereby solving the possibility of equipment and vehicle damage due to sparks.

[0033] When charging the first charging port, the vehicle side voltage and the output side voltage of the charger can be adjusted to the same level through the pre-charging process, and then the vehicle side relay A can be closed. Therefore, the generation of sparks and surge currents due to the potential difference between the two sides can be prevented.

[0034] In the present invention, even if the pre-charging process of the first charging port is used for the second charging port, charging of the vehicle is started through the second charging port while the vehicle is being charged through the first charging port, by keeping the potential difference between the second charging port and the vehicle-side power grid equal, the generation of sparks and surge current can be prevented when the high-voltage relay B is closed, thereby facilitating simultaneous charging.

[0035] Figure 3 Show application Figure 2 The circuit structure of the vehicle's high-voltage grid. Figure 3 Among the main components, high-voltage fusion can be connected, a high-voltage junction box (HV JBOX) that can be formed by a high-voltage relay, a battery pack consisting of a high-voltage battery (e.g., a group of cells) and a battery controller (e.g., a battery management system (BMS)), and a charging controller and each cable, relay, etc.

[0036] The present invention may include: a first high-voltage charging relay connected in series with a first charging port; a second high-voltage charging relay connected in series with a second charging port; and an Nth high-voltage charging relay connected in series with an Nth charging port and the first high-voltage charging relay. The second high-voltage charging relay and the Nth high-voltage charging relay may be connected in parallel, and thus, a plurality of high-voltage battery packs may be connected in series with the parallel-connected nodes.

[0037] Because the signal protocols of the charger (e.g., power line communication (PLC)) and the battery controller (e.g., controller area communication (CAN)) are different from each other, the charging controller may be configured to convert the PLC signal into the CAN signal or vice versa to provide a communication interface between the charger and the battery controller. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the charging controller may include a charging controller and a battery controller.

[0038] The charging controller may include a high-voltage cable presenting an on-board high-voltage charging path / on-board high-voltage discharging path and a high-voltage relay connecting / disconnecting the high-voltage flow. The first charging port and the second charging port may be included in one charger and may be installed in each charger. In addition, in the present invention, the number of charging ports may be extended to N chargers by the charging controller.

[0039] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method for charging a high voltage grid structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 , the present invention may include first to fourth steps.

[0040] In the first step, the charging controller may be configured to measure the battery voltage of the vehicle and transmit the measured voltage to the first charger, and in the second step, the output voltage of the first charger may be matched with the voltage transmitted from the charging controller, and the voltage matching may be output to the charging controller in a notification manner. In the third step, the charging controller may be connected to a high-voltage relay coupled to the first charging port to charge the vehicle (S10 and S20). In the fourth step, while the vehicle is being charged, the charging controller may be connected to the second charging port, and the second charger is coupled to the second charging port as a charging port connected in parallel with the first charging port, so as to repeat the process of the first step to the third step between the charging controller and the second charger (S30 and S40).

[0041] In a first step, charging can be started via the first charging port and the charging step can be performed according to a predetermined procedure, the current battery voltage of the vehicle-side power grid can be measured and a notification related thereto can be output or provided to the charger. In addition, the vehicle charging output voltage can be matched with the voltage provided by the charging controller at the same level on the charger side.

[0042] In the second step, the supply voltage of the first charging port and the supply voltage of the charging controller are matched with each other to thereby prevent sparks caused by the additionally connected charging port in parallel. Because the voltage notified to the charging controller in the first step and the voltage supplied to the charging controller in the second step may be different from each other, based on the voltage supplied to the charging controller in the first step and the voltage supplied to the charging controller in the second step, the high-voltage relay A may be disconnected relative to the notified charging port. Specifically, the second charging port may be configured to start the actual charging current supply, and there is no potential difference between the output voltage of the vehicle and each charging port, thereby preventing sparks and surge current.

[0043] The charging controller may be connected to the first charging port to connect the second charging port or the Nth charging port during charging. Even when the Nth charging port is connected to the charging controller, the process of the first to third steps described above may be repeated.

[0044] Figures 5 to 7 Another exemplary embodiment of a high-voltage power grid structure of a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 , shows a circuit structure for solving the problem of spark generation when disconnecting the relay, and first attaches a high-voltage resistant relay #② to supply power to the charging port.

[0045] In addition, the spark generated at this time can be suppressed and absorbed by the resistor ③. Once the process is completed, and have the same potential. Therefore, thereafter, even if relay #① is attached, there is no problem of generating sparks. Once the main power supply circuit is formed by relay #①, relay #② can be turned on, thereby providing continuous power supply. The sequence can be performed in the following order: ① pre-charge relay disconnected (→ pre-charge resistor) → ② main relay disconnected → ③ pre-charge relay turned on. Figure 5 The structure can be applied to Figure 2 High voltage relays A and B.

[0046] refer to Figure 6 ,use Figure 5 The technology configures a two-port charging system. First, when attempting to supply power through the first charging port, the high-voltage resistant relay #2A can be attached first to supply power to the charging port. The spark generated at this time can be suppressed and absorbed by the resistor '3A'. Once the process is completed, and have the same potential. Therefore, thereafter, even if relay #'1A' is attached, there is no problem of generating sparks. Once the main power circuit is formed through relay #'1A', relay 2A can be turned on, thereby continuously supplying power. In this case, if power is supplied through charging port 2, the process of '2B' relay disconnecting, '1B' relay disconnecting, and '2B' relay connecting can be performed.

[0047] The high-voltage power grid structure of the vehicle may include: a first main relay connected in series between a first charging port and a first high-voltage battery; a first relay connected between a first charging port and a first high-voltage battery connected in parallel to the first main relay; a second main relay connected in series between a second charging port and a second high-voltage battery; and a second relay connected between a second charging port and a second high-voltage battery connected in parallel to the second main relay. The first relay and the second relay may also include resistors connected in series. The first relay may be operated first, and then the first main relay may be operated, or the second relay may be operated first, and then the second main relay may be operated, and the positive electrodes of the first high-voltage battery and the second high-voltage battery may be connected.

[0048] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the case of , since two relays and two resistors that withstand high voltage need to be attached, the cost and weight may increase. Figure 7 , based on the on-board charger (OBC), the pre-charge relay and the pre-charge resistor can be deleted to solve the problem, so it may be advantageous in terms of cost and weight. In the case of slow charging compared to the basic invention, the charging control method may also include the steps of measuring the potential of point 'b' and providing the measured potential to the OBC, the step of equally matching the output voltage of the OBC to point 'b', and the step of disconnecting the main relay 'OBC' in the vehicle.

[0049] The high-voltage power grid structure of the vehicle may include: a first main relay connected in series between a first charging port and a first high-voltage battery; a second main relay connected in series between a second charging port and a second high-voltage battery; and an OBC relay, wherein each of the first charging port and the second charging port is connected to an on-board charger (OBC) and the respective OBCs are connected in common and the OBC relays may be connected in common between the first main relay and the first high-voltage battery and between the second main relay and the second high-voltage battery. Figure 7 The OBC connection structure is not limited only to the circuit disclosed in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention and may be additionally configured as needed.

[0050] refer to Figure 7According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a second charging port may be provided during slow charging through the first charging port. When fast charging through the second charging port is attempted, the process disclosed in the present invention may be performed and the potential of point b may be provided to the charging port 2 (à), the voltage of the charging port 2 may be adjusted (à), and the main relay 'B' may be disconnected in sequence.

[0051] Therefore, the pre-charge relay and the pre-charge resistor are not configured, and the second charging port can be charged slowly / fast. The user can charge with all combinations without distinguishing whether the charger is connected to the charging port early or late and slowly or quickly.

[0052] Although the present invention has been described in detail by the representative exemplary embodiments above, it will be understood that those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be determined to be limited to the exemplary embodiments but should be defined by the appended claims as described below, and all changes or modifications are derived from concepts equivalent to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling charging of a high voltage grid structure for a vehicle, comprising the following steps: In a first step, a battery voltage of the vehicle is measured by a charging controller and the measured voltage is transmitted to a first charger; a second step of matching the output voltage of the first charger with the voltage transmitted from the charging controller, and providing the voltage matching to the charging controller via communication between the charging controller and a first charging port coupled to the first charger; In a third step, the charging controller charges the vehicle by connecting a high-voltage relay, wherein the high-voltage relay is connected to a first charging port; as well as A fourth step of repeating the processes of the first step to the third step between the charging controller and the second charger by connecting to a second charging port of the second charger while the vehicle is being charged, wherein the second charger is coupled to the second charging port and the second charging port is connected in parallel to the first charging port, By matching the supply voltages of the first charging port and the charging controller, sparks caused by additional charging ports connected in parallel are prevented.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The charging controller is connected to the first charging port to connect to the second charging port or the Nth charging port during charging.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: Even when the Nth charging port is connected to the charging controller, the processes of the first step to the third step are repeated.

4. A method for controlling charging of a high voltage grid structure for a vehicle, comprising the following steps: In a first step, a battery voltage of the vehicle is measured by a charging controller and the measured voltage is transmitted to a first charger; In a second step, the charging controller charges the vehicle by connecting a high-voltage relay, the high-voltage relay is connected to a first charging port, wherein the first charger is coupled to the first charging port; a third step of matching the voltage of the first charging port with the voltage transmitted from the charging controller, and providing the matching of the voltage to the charging controller via communication between the charging controller and the first charging port; and A fourth step of repeating the processes of the first step to the third step between the charging controller and the second charger by connecting to a second charging port coupled to the second charger while the vehicle is being charged, wherein the second charging port is connected in parallel to the first charging port, By matching the supply voltages of the first charging port and the charging controller, sparks caused by additional charging ports connected in parallel are prevented.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The charging controller is connected to the first charging port to connect to the second charging port or the Nth charging port during charging.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: Even when the Nth charging port is connected to the charging controller, the processes of the first step to the third step are repeated.

7. A method for controlling charging of a high-voltage power grid structure of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: a first high-voltage charging relay connected in series to the first charging port; a second high-voltage charging relay connected in series to the second charging port; as well as The Nth high-voltage charging relay is connected in series to the Nth charging port, A plurality of high voltage battery packs are connected in parallel with each other; Wherein, the first high-voltage charging relay, the second high-voltage charging relay and the Nth high-voltage charging relay are connected in parallel with each other; Among them, the first high-voltage charging relay, the second high-voltage charging relay and the Nth high-voltage charging relay are connected in series to the high-voltage battery pack.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The high-voltage battery pack and the high-voltage junction box are connected in series through a high-voltage line, and wherein the high-voltage junction box comprises: The first high-voltage charging relay is connected in series to a first charging port, wherein the first charging port is coupled to a first charger; and The second high-voltage charging relay is connected in series to a second charging port, wherein the second charging port is coupled to a second charger. wherein the first high-voltage charging relay and the second high-voltage charging relay are connected in parallel and in series to the high-voltage line, and Wherein, the high voltage battery pack further includes: The first high-voltage battery pack, a second high-voltage battery pack connected in parallel to the first high-voltage battery pack, a first battery controller configured to operate the first high voltage battery pack, and The second battery controller is configured to operate the second high-voltage battery pack.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: The charging controller is configured to perform charging of the first charger and the second charger via communication with the first battery controller and the second battery controller.

10. The device according to claim 7, comprising: a first high-voltage charging relay connected in series between the first charging port and the first high-voltage battery; a first relay connected between the first charging port and the first high-voltage battery in parallel with the first high-voltage charging relay; a second high-voltage charging relay connected in series between the second charging port and the second high-voltage battery; as well as a second relay connected between the second charging port and the second high-voltage battery in parallel with the second high-voltage charging relay, and Wherein, the first relay and the second relay include resistors connected in series.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The first relay operates prior to the first high-voltage charging relay or the second relay operates prior to the second high-voltage charging relay.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein: When the first charging port is connected, the first relay is disconnected, then the first high-voltage charging relay is disconnected, and then the first relay is connected again, and when the second charging port is connected, the second relay is disconnected, then the second high-voltage charging relay is disconnected, and then the second relay is connected again.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: an on-board charger relay, wherein the first charging port and the second charging port are respectively connected to corresponding on-board chargers and the corresponding on-board chargers are commonly connected to the on-board charger relay, The on-board charger relay is commonly connected between the first high-voltage charging relay and the first high-voltage battery and between the second high-voltage charging relay and the second high-voltage battery.

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