Electric vehicle charging system and method

Abstract

The present invention provides an electric vehicle charging system and method, wherein the electric vehicle charging system comprises: a battery swap station and a charging device, the battery swap station comprises at least one first battery swap device battery, the first battery swap device battery in the battery swap station is charged from the mains, and the charged first battery swap device battery supplies power to the charging device, wherein the charging device is used to charge the electric vehicle. The present invention solves the problem of high electric vehicle charging cost in the related art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electric vehicle charging, and in particular to an electric vehicle charging system and method. Background Art

[0002] With the popularization of electric vehicles and the large-scale development of charging equipment, the demand for high-power charging is also increasing. The software and hardware technologies related to battery swap products are mainly connection technologies. The industry currently focuses on indicators such as battery swap safety and speed, including the reliability and durability of the battery swap mechanism, the mechanical life and reliability of the connector, and the battery replacement time after the vehicle is in place for inspection. At present, there are some problems with electric vehicle charging (600kW and above). For example, for actual testing, it is necessary to add power equipment, apply for power supply capacity, and lay the attached power cable. The equipment integration period and cost are relatively high; the electric vehicle charging unit requires a battery with a large charge and discharge capacity, and the existing vehicle battery does not have the conditions for external discharge and battery swap, and can only consume resistance heat; the fast charging of the battery at the battery swap station has not been integrated into the equipment, affecting the overall battery replenishment. Therefore, there is a problem of excessively high charging costs for electric vehicles in the existing technology. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention provides an electric vehicle charging system and method, so as to at least solve the problem of excessively high electric vehicle charging cost in the related art.

[0004] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electric vehicle charging system, the system comprising: a battery swap station and a charging device, the battery swap station comprising at least one first battery swap device battery, the first battery swap device battery in the battery swap station is charged from the mains, the charged first battery swap device battery supplies power to the charging device, wherein the charging device is used to charge the electric vehicle.

[0005] Optionally, the battery swap station also includes a second battery swap device battery, and the charging device charges the second battery swap device battery, and the second battery swap device battery is used to perform a functional test on the charging device, wherein the functional test includes testing the current and power of the charging device.

[0006] Optionally, the battery of the second battery exchange device is also used to supply power to the mains load or to charge the battery of the first battery exchange device in the battery exchange station.

[0007] Optionally, the system also includes: an AC / DC bidirectional device, a metering device, a collection device and a protection device. The battery of the first battery exchange device in the battery exchange station is charged from the mains through the AC / DC bidirectional device, the metering device, the collection device and the protection device. The AC / DC bidirectional device, the metering device, the collection device and the protection device are respectively used to convert alternating current into direct current, record the power generation / supply, measure power parameters and protect the safe operation of power lines.

[0008] Optionally, the system further includes: an inverter filter device, through which the battery of the first battery exchange device supplies power to the charging device, and the inverter filter device is used to convert direct current into alternating current and amplify power.

[0009] Optionally, the system also includes: a first contactor and a second contactor, the first contactor is connected to the AC power and the battery of the first battery exchange device, and is used to control the charging of the battery of the first battery exchange device; the second contactor is connected to the battery of the first battery exchange device and a charging device, and is used to control the battery of the first battery exchange device to charge the charging device; only one of the first contactor and the second contactor is in a closed state at any time.

[0010] Optionally, the system also includes: a third contactor and a fourth contactor, the third contactor connecting the charging device and the battery of the second battery exchange device, and used to control the charging device to charge the battery of the second battery exchange device, the battery of the second battery exchange device is connected to the AC power or the battery of the first battery exchange device through the fourth contactor, and the fourth contactor is used to control the discharge of the battery of the second battery exchange device, and only one of the third contactor and the fourth contactor is in a closed state at any time.

[0011] Optionally, the system also includes: a connecting device and a single-phase inverter device, the connecting device is used to connect the battery of the first battery exchange device and the charging device, the single-phase inverter device is located in the charging device, and is used to convert the direct current provided by the battery of the first battery exchange device into alternating current.

[0012] According to the second aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, there is also provided an electric vehicle charging method applied to the electric vehicle charging system described in any one of the first aspects of the embodiments of the present invention, the method comprising: controlling the battery of the first battery exchange device to charge from the mains; controlling the charged battery of the first battery exchange device to discharge to the charging device.

[0013] Optionally, the method also includes: controlling the first battery exchange device battery to charge from the AC power by closing the first contactor and disconnecting the second contactor; controlling the first battery exchange device battery to discharge to the charging device by disconnecting the first contactor and closing the second contactor; controlling the charging device to charge the second battery exchange device battery by closing the third contactor and disconnecting the fourth contactor; controlling the second battery exchange device battery to supply power to the AC power load by disconnecting the third contactor and the first contactor and closing the fourth contactor; controlling the second battery exchange device battery to charge the first battery exchange device battery by disconnecting the third contactor and the first contactor and closing the fourth contactor.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one first battery exchange device battery is installed in a battery exchange station, the first battery exchange device battery is charged with city electricity, and the charging device is powered by the charged first battery exchange device battery, thereby achieving the purpose of using the charging device to charge the electric vehicle, or replacing the charged first battery exchange device battery with the electric vehicle to charge the electric vehicle. The capacity of the first battery exchange device battery is configured according to specific charging requirements, the circuit is simple and the construction cost is low, which solves the problem of excessively high charging costs for electric vehicles in related technologies.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging device charges the battery of the second battery exchange device, and detects the current and power output by the charging device through the battery of the second battery exchange device, thereby testing the charging current and charging power of the charging device, avoiding unnecessary test electricity for detection using resistors.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, by controlling the battery of the second battery exchange equipment to supply power to the AC load or to charge the battery of the first battery exchange equipment in the battery exchange station, the purpose of avoiding energy waste and realizing the circulation of energy is achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an optional electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2is an overall schematic diagram of an optional electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 It is a schematic flow chart of an optional electric vehicle charging method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the scheme of the present invention, the technical scheme in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] It should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present invention described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices. The orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. The terms "installed", "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can also be the internal communication of two components, it can be a wireless connection or a wired connection. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0024] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electric vehicle charging system, the system comprising: a battery swap station and a charging device, the battery swap station comprising at least one first battery swap device battery, the first battery swap device battery in the battery swap station is charged from the mains, the charged first battery swap device battery supplies power to the charging device, wherein the charging device is used to charge the electric vehicle. Optionally, as Figure 1 As shown, the battery swap station includes at least one first battery swap device battery, which is charged from the mains, and the battery capacity of the first battery swap device battery can be configured according to the needs of the electric vehicle. The charged first battery swap device battery supplies power to the charging device, and the charging device can be used for charging the electric vehicle. Alternatively, the charged first battery swap device battery can be used to directly replace the battery in the electric vehicle, so that the electric vehicle can be quickly replaced.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one first battery exchange device battery is installed in a battery exchange station, the first battery exchange device battery is charged with city electricity, and the charging device is powered by the charged first battery exchange device battery, thereby achieving the purpose of using the charging device to charge the electric vehicle, or replacing the charged first battery exchange device battery with the electric vehicle to charge the electric vehicle. The capacity of the first battery exchange device battery is configured according to specific charging requirements, the circuit is simple and the construction cost is low, which solves the problem of excessively high charging costs for electric vehicles in related technologies.

[0026] As an optional embodiment, the battery swap station also includes a second battery swap device battery, the charging device charges the second battery swap device battery, and the second battery swap device battery is used to perform functional testing on the charging device, wherein the functional testing includes testing the current and power of the charging device. Optionally, the charging device can charge the second battery swap device battery in the battery swap station, and the second battery swap device battery can detect the current and power output by the charging device, instead of using resistance to test the current and power output by the charging device in the traditional method. In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging device charges the second battery swap device battery, and detects the current and power output by the charging device through the second battery swap device battery, thereby testing the charging current and charging power of the charging device, avoiding unnecessary test electricity for detection using resistance.

[0027] As an optional embodiment, the second battery exchange device battery is also used to supply power to the mains load or to charge the first battery exchange device battery in the battery exchange station. Optionally, the second battery exchange device battery in the battery exchange station can use the stored electric energy to supply power to the load under the mains or to charge the first battery exchange device battery in the battery exchange station, and the first battery exchange device battery can then supply power to the charging device, and the charging device can use the second battery exchange device battery after energy consumption to perform functional testing, thereby realizing the circulation of energy and avoiding energy waste.

[0028] As an optional embodiment, the system also includes: an AC / DC bidirectional device, a metering device, a collection device and a protection device. The battery of the first battery exchange device in the battery exchange station is charged from the mains through the AC / DC bidirectional device, the metering device, the collection device and the protection device. The AC / DC bidirectional device, the metering device, the collection device and the protection device are respectively used to convert alternating current into direct current, record the power generation / supply, measure power parameters and protect the safe operation of power lines.

[0029] Optionally, when the battery of the first battery exchange device in the battery exchange station is charged from the mains, it is necessary to convert the AC mains into DC power through an AC / DC bidirectional device. Among them, the AC / DC bidirectional device can also be used to convert the DC power emitted by the battery of the second battery exchange device in the battery exchange station into AC power. In addition, a metering device, a collection device and a protection device are provided between the battery of the first battery exchange device and the mains. The metering device can be used to measure and record the power supply of the mains to the battery of the first battery exchange device in the battery exchange station or the power generation, line loss power, etc. of the second battery exchange device in the battery exchange station. It should be noted that the metering device may include: an active energy meter, a reactive energy meter, a maximum demand meter, a metering transformer such as a voltage transformer, a current transformer, etc. The collection device is used to measure power parameters such as single-phase or three-phase current, voltage, active power, reactive power, apparent power, frequency, power factor, etc. of the mains. The protection device is used to protect the safe operation of the power line. In an embodiment of the present invention, the safe transmission, exchange and monitoring of energy between the mains and the battery exchange station are realized through AC / DC bidirectional equipment, metering devices, collection devices and protection devices.

[0030] As an optional embodiment, the system also includes: an inverter filter device, the first battery exchange device battery supplies power to the charging device through the inverter filter device, and the inverter filter device is used to convert direct current into alternating current and power amplification. Optionally, taking the case that the capacity of the first battery exchange device battery and the second battery exchange device battery are both 200kWh, the first battery exchange device battery is charged from the mains, the mains is 0.4kV, and the mains charges the first battery exchange device battery at a low power and slow speed of less than 60kW. The inverter filter device converts the direct current output by the first battery exchange device battery into 0.4kV alternating current, and performs power amplification so that it can supply power to the charging device with 600kW, thereby realizing high-power and fast charging of the charging device. The charging device charges the second battery exchange device battery of the battery exchange station in accordance with the charger protocol, detects the current and power output by the charging device through the second battery exchange device battery, and realizes the functional test of the charging device. In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery of the first battery exchange equipment at the battery exchange station is amplified by an inverter filter device to supply power to the charging equipment. The charging equipment provides high-power fast charging for the electric vehicle. The charging equipment charges the battery of the second battery exchange equipment at the battery exchange station to implement functional testing of the charging equipment, forming an integrated charging, swapping and testing system, thereby achieving the purpose of integrating high-power fast charging, large-capacity battery charging and charging equipment functional testing.

[0031] As an optional embodiment, the system also includes: a first contactor and a second contactor, the first contactor is connected to the mains power and the first battery exchange device battery, and is used to control the charging of the first battery exchange device battery, the second contactor is connected to the first battery exchange device battery and the charging device, and is used to control the first battery exchange device battery to charge the charging device, and only one of the first contactor and the second contactor is in a closed state at any time. Optionally, the mains power is connected to the first battery exchange device battery in the battery exchange station through the first contactor, and the first battery exchange device battery is connected to the charging device through the second contactor, wherein only one of the first contactor and the second contactor is in a closed state at any time, that is, the first battery exchange device battery is not charged from the mains power or supplies power to the charging device at the same time, which improves the safety of the operation of the first battery exchange device battery.

[0032] As an optional embodiment, the system also includes: a third contactor and a fourth contactor, the third contactor connects the charging device and the second battery exchange device battery, and is used to control the charging device to charge the second battery exchange device battery, the second battery exchange device battery is connected to the mains or the first battery exchange device battery through the fourth contactor, and the fourth contactor is used to control the discharge of the second battery exchange device battery, and only one of the third contactor and the fourth contactor is in a closed state at any time. Optionally, the charging device connects the second battery exchange device battery in the battery exchange station through the third contactor, and the second battery exchange device battery is discharged through the fourth contactor. Only one of the third contactor and the fourth contactor is in a closed state at any time, that is, the charging or discharging of the second battery exchange device battery is not performed at the same time, thereby ensuring the safety of the operation of the second battery exchange device battery.

[0033] As an optional embodiment, the system further includes: a connection device and a single-phase inverter device, the connection device is used to connect the battery of the first battery exchange device and the charging device, and the single-phase inverter device is located in the charging device and is used to convert the DC power provided by the battery of the first battery exchange device into AC power. Optionally, the battery of the first battery exchange device and the charging device are connected through a connection device, i.e., a connection plug-in, and the charging device includes a single-phase inverter device, which is used to convert the AC power output by the charging device into DC power when charging the battery of the second battery exchange device.

[0034] As an optional embodiment, Figure 2 is an overall schematic diagram of an optional electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the mains charges the charging side battery of the battery swap station, i.e., the first battery swap device battery, through an AC / DC bidirectional device. The capacity of the charging side battery is 200kWh. The line connecting the first battery swap device battery and the mains is also equipped with a metering device, a collection device, and a protection device. The mains charges the first battery swap device battery at low power. The first battery swap device battery converts the output DC power into 0.4kV AC power through an inverter cabinet, i.e., an inverter filter device, and performs power amplification to power the charging device with a power of 600kW. The charging device includes an AC / DC unidirectional device, which converts 600kW / 0.4kV AC power into 600kW / 1000V DC power to charge the discharge side battery, i.e., the second battery swap device battery, to achieve functional testing of the charging device. In addition, the discharge side battery has a capacity of 200kWh, which can be used to power the mains load or to charge the charging side battery in the battery swap station. In an embodiment of the present invention, high-power fast charging, battery replacement, and functional testing are integrated into one system. Through energy cycle conversion, an effective cycle of AC power-charging-battery-battery replacement-battery-discharging-AC power is achieved, which can respond to grid dispatch and solve the problem of high-power AC power access.

[0035] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided an electric vehicle charging method applied to the electric vehicle charging system of any one of the first aspects of the embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, the process of the method may include the following steps:

[0036] Step S301, control the battery of the first battery exchange device to charge from the mains. Optionally, control the battery of the first battery exchange device in the battery exchange station to charge from the mains, and monitor the charging status of the battery of the first battery exchange device. Step S302, control the charged battery of the first battery exchange device to discharge to the charging device. Optionally, when the charging of the battery of the first battery exchange device is completed, control the charged battery of the first battery exchange device to discharge to the charging device, and the charging device can charge the electric vehicle, and can also use the charged battery of the first battery exchange device to replace the battery in the electric vehicle.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one first battery exchange device battery is installed in a battery exchange station, the first battery exchange device battery is charged with city electricity, and the charging device is powered by the charged first battery exchange device battery, thereby achieving the purpose of using the charging device to charge the electric vehicle, or replacing the charged first battery exchange device battery with the electric vehicle to charge the electric vehicle. The capacity of the first battery exchange device battery is configured according to specific charging requirements, the circuit is simple and the construction cost is low, which solves the problem of excessively high charging costs for electric vehicles in related technologies.

[0038] As an optional embodiment, the method also includes: controlling the first battery exchange device battery to charge from the AC power by closing the first contactor and disconnecting the second contactor; controlling the first battery exchange device battery to discharge to the charging device by disconnecting the first contactor and closing the second contactor; controlling the charging device to charge the second battery exchange device battery by closing the third contactor and disconnecting the fourth contactor; controlling the second battery exchange device battery to supply power to the AC power load by disconnecting the third contactor and the first contactor and closing the fourth contactor; controlling the second battery exchange device battery to charge the first battery exchange device battery by disconnecting the third contactor and the first contactor and closing the fourth contactor.

[0039] Optionally, since the battery of the first battery exchange device and the AC power are connected via the first contactor, the AC power can be controlled to charge / stop charging the battery of the first battery exchange device by closing / opening the first contactor. Since the battery of the first battery exchange device and the charging device are connected via the second contactor, the battery of the first battery exchange device can be controlled to charge / stop charging the charging device by closing / opening the second contactor. In order to ensure the safe operation of the battery of the first battery exchange device, the first contactor and the second contactor are controlled not to be closed at the same time. When the battery of the first battery exchange device needs to be charged, only the first contactor needs to be closed and the second contactor needs to be disconnected. When the battery of the first battery exchange device supplies power to the charging device, the second contactor needs to be closed and the first contactor needs to be disconnected. Similarly, controlling the third contactor to close / open can control the charging / stop charging of the battery of the second battery exchange device. Controlling the fourth contactor to close / open can control the discharge / stop discharge of the battery of the second battery exchange device. When the second battery exchange device battery supplies power to the mains load, the third contactor on the charging side is disconnected, the fourth contactor on the discharging side is closed, and the first contactor connecting the mains and the first battery exchange device battery is disconnected, so that the second battery exchange device battery can supply power to the mains load. Disconnect the third contactor, control the circuit breaker or contactor and other protective devices between the first battery exchange device battery and the mains to disconnect, and close the fourth contactor and the first contactor to control the second battery exchange device battery to charge the first battery exchange device battery. In an embodiment of the present invention, different functions of the system can be achieved by controlling the closing / disconnection of the contactor.

[0040] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle charging system, characterized in that: The system comprises: a battery swap station and a charging device, wherein the battery swap station comprises at least one first battery swap device battery, the first battery swap device battery in the battery swap station is charged from the mains, and the charged first battery swap device battery supplies power to the charging device, wherein the charging device is used to charge an electric vehicle; The system further includes: a first contactor and a second contactor, wherein the first contactor is connected to the mains and the first battery exchange device battery, and is used to control the charging of the first battery exchange device battery; the second contactor is connected to the first battery exchange device battery and a charging device, and is used to control the first battery exchange device battery to charge the charging device; and only one of the first contactor and the second contactor is in a closed state at any time; The battery swap station further includes a second battery swap device battery, the charging device charges the second battery swap device battery, and the second battery swap device battery is used to perform a functional test on the charging device, wherein the functional test includes testing the current and power of the charging device; The second battery exchange device battery is also used to supply power to the mains load or to charge the first battery exchange device battery in the battery exchange station; The battery of the first battery exchange device then supplies power to the charging device, and the charging device again uses the battery of the second battery exchange device after energy consumption to perform a functional test; The system also includes: a third contactor and a fourth contactor, the third contactor connecting the charging device and the battery of the second battery exchange device, and being used to control the charging device to charge the battery of the second battery exchange device, the battery of the second battery exchange device is connected to the AC power or the battery of the first battery exchange device through the fourth contactor, and the fourth contactor is used to control the discharge of the battery of the second battery exchange device, and only one of the third contactor and the fourth contactor is in a closed state at any time.

2. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system also includes: an AC / DC bidirectional device, a metering device, a collection device and a protection device. The battery of the first battery exchange device in the battery exchange station is charged from the mains via the AC / DC bidirectional device, the metering device, the collection device and the protection device. The AC / DC bidirectional device, the metering device, the collection device and the protection device are respectively used to convert alternating current into direct current, record the power generation / supply, measure power parameters and protect the safe operation of power lines.

3. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system also includes: an inverter filter device, through which the battery of the first battery exchange device supplies power to the charging device, and the inverter filter device is used to convert direct current into alternating current and amplify power.

4. The electric vehicle charging system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system also includes: a connecting device and a single-phase inverter device, wherein the connecting device is used to connect the battery of the first battery exchange device and the charging device, and the single-phase inverter device is located in the charging device and is used to convert the direct current provided by the battery of the first battery exchange device into alternating current.

5. An electric vehicle charging method applied to the electric vehicle charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The method comprises: Controlling the battery of the first battery exchange device to charge from the mains; Controlling the charged battery of the first battery exchange device to discharge to the charging device; Controlling the battery of the first battery exchange device to charge from the mains by closing the first contactor and opening the second contactor; Control the battery of the first battery exchange device to discharge to the charging device by opening the first contactor and closing the second contactor; The method further comprises: Control the charging device to charge the battery of the second battery exchange device by closing the third contactor and opening the fourth contactor; By disconnecting the third contactor and the first contactor, closing the fourth contactor, controlling the second battery exchange device battery to supply power to the mains load; By disconnecting the third contactor and the protective device between the first battery exchange equipment battery and the mains, and closing the fourth contactor and the first contactor, the second battery exchange equipment battery is controlled to charge the first battery exchange equipment battery.

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