Automatic charging system and charging control method thereof
By introducing a distribution device and a phased charging control method into the automatic charging system of commercial vehicles, the high cost and low efficiency caused by the passive end configuration of multiple automatic charging couplers are solved, achieving cost reduction and charging efficiency improvement, ensuring battery SOC balance, and avoiding the impact of vehicle position adjustment and emergency operation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUOCHUANG INNOVATION CENTER OF MOBILE ENERGY (JIANGSU) CO.,LTD.
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-24
Smart Images

Figure CN116533788B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of automatic charging technology, and more specifically to an automatic charging system and a charging control method for the automatic charging system. Background Technology
[0002] The docking device for an automatic charging system for commercial vehicles consists of an active terminal (ACD, Automated Connection Device) and a passive terminal. The active terminal is typically located on the ground, while the passive terminal is usually mounted on the vehicle, allowing one active terminal to support the charging needs of multiple vehicles. Before charging, the vehicle travels to a predetermined location. The active terminal extends its telescopic rod, successfully docking with the passive terminal to establish a control and guidance circuit and an energy transfer circuit, and then charging begins.
[0003] Currently, for vehicles equipped with multiple independent battery packs, each battery pack requires a separate passive terminal of an automatic charging coupler for sequential charging. If the installation positions of different passive terminals of the automatic charging couplers on the vehicle exceed the movement range of the active terminal of the automatic charging coupler, the vehicle position needs to be adjusted and the coupler reconnected after each battery pack is charged. This solution is costly due to the need for multiple passive terminals of the automatic charging couplers, and the process may require adjusting the vehicle position, which is time-consuming and affects charging efficiency. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides an automatic charging system and its charging control method, which can reduce costs and improve charging efficiency.
[0005] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows: An automatic charging system includes an active end and a passive end of an automatic charging coupler. The active end of the automatic charging coupler is disposed at the charging pile end, and the passive end of the automatic charging coupler is disposed at the vehicle end. The charging input end of the passive end of the automatic charging coupler is connected to the charging output end of the active end of the automatic charging coupler. The automatic charging system further includes a distribution device disposed at the vehicle end. The distribution device includes an inlet connector, multiple sets of outlet connectors, and multiple sets of switching devices corresponding one-to-one with the multiple sets of outlet connectors. One end of each set of switching devices is connected to the inlet connector, and the other end of each set of switching devices is connected to a corresponding set of outlet connectors. The inlet connector is connected to the charging output end of the passive end of the automatic charging coupler, and each set of outlet connectors is connected to a corresponding battery.
[0006] The charging output terminal of the active end of the automatic charging coupler, the charging input terminal of the passive end of the automatic charging coupler, the charging output terminal of the passive end of the automatic charging coupler, the incoming connector, and each set of outgoing connectors all include a DC positive terminal and a DC negative terminal.
[0007] The switching device is a relay, contactor, IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) or MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor).
[0008] The active end of the automatic charging coupler includes an active directional antenna, and the passive end of the automatic charging coupler includes a passive directional antenna. The active end and the passive end of the automatic charging coupler communicate wirelessly through the active directional antenna and the passive directional antenna.
[0009] The passive end of the automatic charging coupler also communicates via wire with the active end of the automatic charging coupler and the battery, respectively.
[0010] A charging control method for an automatic charging system includes the following steps: acquiring the SOC (State of Charge) value of each battery; sequentially charging batteries with SOC values less than a first SOC threshold in ascending order of SOC value until the SOC value reaches the first SOC threshold, wherein only one battery is charged at a time during sequential charging, and while charging each battery, controlling a set of switches corresponding to that battery to close and the remaining switches to open; when the SOC value of each battery is not less than the first SOC threshold, rapidly charging batteries with SOC values less than a second SOC threshold until the SOC value reaches the second SOC threshold, wherein the second SOC threshold is greater than the first SOC threshold; when the SOC value of each battery is not less than the second SOC threshold, slowly charging batteries with SOC values less than a third SOC threshold until the SOC value reaches the third SOC threshold, wherein the third SOC threshold is greater than the second SOC threshold.
[0011] Fast charging of batteries with a SOC value less than a second SOC threshold specifically includes: charging batteries with SOC values less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and the first SOC gradient value in ascending order of SOC value until the SOC value reaches the sum of the first SOC threshold and the first SOC gradient value; when the SOC value of each battery is not less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and i-1 times the first SOC gradient value, charging batteries with SOC values less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and i times the first SOC gradient value in ascending order of SOC value until the SOC value reaches... The SOC value is equal to the sum of the first SOC threshold and i times the first SOC gradient value, where 2 ≤ i ≤ P, and i and P are both positive integers. When the SOC value of each battery is not less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and P times the first SOC gradient value, the batteries with SOC values less than the second SOC threshold are charged sequentially in order of increasing SOC value until the SOC value reaches the second SOC threshold. The second SOC threshold is greater than the sum of the first SOC threshold and P times the first SOC gradient value, and less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and P+1 times the first SOC gradient value.
[0012] Slow charging of batteries with SOC values less than a third SOC threshold specifically includes: charging batteries with SOC values less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and the second SOC gradient value in ascending order of SOC value until the SOC value reaches the sum of the second SOC threshold and the second SOC gradient value; when the SOC value of each battery is not less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and j-1 times the second SOC gradient value, charging batteries with SOC values less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and j times the second SOC gradient value in ascending order of SOC value until the SOC value reaches... The SOC value is the sum of the second SOC threshold and j times the second SOC gradient value, where 2 ≤ j ≤ Q, and j and Q are both positive integers. When the SOC value of each battery is not less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and Q times the second SOC gradient value, the batteries with SOC values less than the third SOC threshold are charged sequentially in order of increasing SOC value until the SOC value reaches the third SOC threshold. The third SOC threshold is greater than the sum of the second SOC threshold and Q times the second SOC gradient value, and less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and Q+1 times the second SOC gradient value.
[0013] The first SOC threshold, the second SOC threshold, and the third SOC threshold are respectively the low battery warning value, the fast charging upper limit value, and the charging upper limit value.
[0014] The first SOC gradient value ranges from [10%, 30%], and the second SOC gradient value ranges from (0%, 10%).
[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are: The automatic charging system of the present invention achieves charging connection for each battery by setting up a distribution device, which can avoid equipping multiple batteries with multiple passive ends of automatic charging couplers, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, there is no need to adjust the vehicle position, and the switching of the switching device is undoubtedly more convenient and faster than the docking adjustment of the active end of the automatic charging coupler, thereby greatly reducing time waste and improving charging efficiency.
[0016] The charging control method of the automatic charging system of the present invention can ensure that the SOC of all batteries tends to be balanced by charging the batteries in stages and sequentially. Compared with the method of charging one battery fully before charging the next battery, it can avoid the need for emergency operation of the vehicle due to the low SOC of a certain battery. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an automatic charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the active end of a charging automatic coupler according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the passive end of a charging automatic coupler according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the communication architecture of an automatic charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the charging control method of the automatic charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a charging control method for an automatic charging system according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0019] like Figure 1As shown, the automatic charging system of this embodiment includes an active end 10 of an automatic charging coupler, a passive end 20 of an automatic charging coupler, and a distribution device 30. The active end 10 of the automatic charging coupler is located at the charging pile end; the passive end 20 of the automatic charging coupler is located at the vehicle end, and its charging input end is connected to the charging output end of the active end 10; the distribution device 30 is located at the vehicle end and includes an input connector, multiple sets of output connectors, and multiple sets of switching devices corresponding to the multiple sets of output connectors. One end of each set of switching devices is connected to the input connector, and the other end of each set of switching devices is connected to a corresponding set of output connectors. The input connector is connected to the charging output end of the passive end 20 of the automatic charging coupler, and each set of output connectors is connected to a corresponding battery.
[0020] Among them, the charging output terminal of the active end 10 of the automatic charging coupler, the charging input terminal of the passive end 20 of the automatic charging coupler, the charging output terminal of the passive end 20 of the automatic charging coupler, the incoming connector, and each set of outgoing connectors all include a DC positive terminal and a DC negative terminal.
[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2As shown, the active end 10 of the automatic charging coupler includes an active end control board 11, an active end electrode group 12, and an active end directional antenna 13. The active end electrode group 12 can be disposed at the end of the telescopic mechanism, so that the end of the telescopic mechanism serves as the charging output end of the active end 10 of the automatic charging coupler. The electrodes in the active end electrode group 12 include, but are not limited to, DC+, DC-, PE, CP, S+, and S-. The first connection point of the DC positive terminal DC+ of the active end 10 of the automatic charging coupler is connected to the positive terminal of the charging pile rectifier cabinet, the first connection point of the DC negative terminal DC- is connected to the negative terminal of the charging pile rectifier cabinet, and the first connection point of PE is connected to the grounding copper busbar of the charging pile rectifier cabinet. The DC positive terminal DC+ and the DC negative terminal DC- of the active end 10 of the automatic charging coupler are used for power transmission. In addition, a temperature sensor T1 is installed on the DC positive terminal (DC+) of the charging output terminal of the active end 10 of the automatic charging coupler to detect the charging temperature, and a pressure sensor P1 is installed to detect the docking pressure with the passive end 20 of the automatic charging coupler; a temperature sensor T2 is installed on the DC negative terminal (DC-) of the charging output terminal of the active end 10 of the automatic charging coupler to detect the charging temperature, and a pressure sensor P2 is installed to detect the docking pressure with the passive end 20 of the automatic charging coupler. The first connection point of CP and the second connection point of PE are connected to the active end control board 11 to form a control guidance loop. The first connection points of S+ and S- are connected to the active end control board 11 for wired communication with the passive end 20 of the automatic charging coupler, for example, through a CAN bus. The active end directional antenna 13 can be used to identify the vehicle and to achieve wireless communication with the passive end 20 of the automatic charging coupler.
[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 3As shown, the passive end 20 of the automatic charging coupler includes a passive end control board 21, a passive end electrode group 22, and a passive end directional antenna 23. The passive end electrode group 22 serves as both the electrode group for the charging input end and the electrode group for the charging output end of the automatic charging coupler 20. The electrodes in the passive end electrode group 22 include, but are not limited to, DC+, DC-, PE, CP, S+, and S-. After the telescopic mechanism successfully docks with the passive end 20 of the automatic charging coupler, the DC+, DC-, PE, CP, S+, and S- of the passive end electrode group 22 can make contact with the DC+, DC-, PE, CP, S+, and S- of the active end electrode group 12 one by one. Furthermore, the first connection point of DC+ and the first connection point of DC- of the passive end electrode group 22 are both connected to the inlet connector of the distribution device 30, and the first connection point of PE is connected to the grounding copper busbar at the vehicle end. Similarly, a temperature sensor T3 is also provided on the DC+ terminal of the active electrode assembly 12 to detect the charging temperature, and a pressure sensor P3 is provided to detect the docking pressure with the active terminal 10 of the automatic charging coupler; a temperature sensor T4 is also provided on the DC- terminal of the active electrode assembly 12 to detect the charging temperature, and a pressure sensor P4 is provided to detect the docking pressure with the active terminal 10 of the automatic charging coupler. The first connection point of CP and the second connection point of PE are connected to the passive terminal control board 21 to form a control guidance loop. The first connection points of S+ and S- are connected to the passive terminal control board 21 for wired communication with the active terminal 10 of the automatic charging coupler. The passive terminal directional antenna 23 can be used to realize vehicle identification, and through wireless communication with the active terminal directional antenna 13, wireless communication between the passive terminal 20 of the automatic charging coupler and the active terminal 10 of the automatic charging coupler can be realized.
[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the input connector of the distribution device 30 includes a positive input terminal IN+ and a negative input terminal IN-. The positive input terminal IN+ can be connected to the DC+ of the passive electrode group 22 in the passive terminal 20 of the automatic charging coupler via a cable, and the negative input terminal IN- can be connected to the DC- of the passive electrode group 22 in the passive terminal 20 of the automatic charging coupler via a cable. The n sets of output connectors of the distribution device 30 include a positive output terminal OUT1+ and a negative output terminal OUT1-, ..., a positive output terminal OUTn+ and a negative output terminal OUTn-. The n sets of switching devices of the distribution device 30 include a positive switch S1+ and a negative switch S1-, ..., a positive switch Sn+ and a negative switch Sn-. The n sets of output connectors are respectively connected to n batteries. When the k-th set of switching devices Sk+ and Sk- is closed, the k-th battery can be charged, where n is a positive integer greater than 1, 1≤k≤n, and k is a positive integer.
[0024] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the switching device may be a relay, contactor, IGBT or MOSFET, etc.
[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, the distribution device 30 can also be connected to the passive terminal 20 of the automatic charging coupler via a CAN bus or the like to achieve wired communication with the passive terminal 20 of the automatic charging coupler. Figure 5 As shown, after the vehicle arrives at the designated parking space, the passive control board 21 at the vehicle end can establish wireless communication with the active control board 11 at the charging pile end through the passive directional antenna 23 and the active directional antenna 13. This embodiment of the invention utilizes directional antennas, which, compared to omnidirectional antennas, can only establish communication within a limited range. When there are multiple charging automatic coupler active ends 10 or charging automatic coupler passive ends 20 within an area, such as the entire charging station, it ensures that communication can only be established with the charging pile end at that location when the vehicle is in the designated parking space. After the passive control board 21 and the active control board 11 establish a communication connection, the charging automatic coupler active end 10 can extend its telescopic mechanism according to the command of the charging automatic coupler passive end 20 to begin docking. After successful docking, the charging automatic coupler active end 10 at the charging pile end and the charging automatic coupler passive end 20 at the vehicle end establish a control guidance circuit through the electrode CP, preparing for charging. The distribution device 30 can control the closing and opening of multiple sets of switching devices according to the instructions of the charging control system to realize the charging of the corresponding battery. The distribution device 30 can also communicate with the battery via wired communication (e.g., CAN bus communication) to obtain the battery charging information. The battery charging information is transmitted to the charging automatic coupler active end 10 via wireless or wired communication through the passive end 20 of the charging automatic coupler.
[0026] According to the automatic charging system of the present invention, the charging connection of each battery is realized by setting up a distribution device, which can avoid equipping multiple batteries with multiple passive ends of automatic charging couplers, thereby reducing costs. In addition, there is no need to adjust the vehicle position. The switching of the switching device is undoubtedly more convenient and faster than the docking adjustment of the active end of the automatic charging coupler, thereby greatly reducing the waste of time and improving charging efficiency.
[0027] Based on the automatic charging system of the above embodiments, the present invention also proposes a charging control method for the automatic charging system.
[0028] like Figure 6 As shown, the charging control method of the automatic charging system in this embodiment of the invention includes the following steps: S1, obtain the SOC value of each battery.
[0029] S2, charge the batteries with SOC values less than the first SOC threshold in order of increasing SOC value until the SOC value reaches the first SOC threshold.
[0030] In this sequential charging process, only one battery is charged at a time. While each battery is being charged, a set of switches corresponding to that battery is closed, while the remaining switches are open. The remaining switches refer to all switches in the multiple sets of switches other than the one in the set that is closed.
[0031] S3, when the SOC value of each battery is not less than the first SOC threshold, the batteries with SOC values less than the second SOC threshold are fast charged until the SOC value reaches the second SOC threshold.
[0032] The second SOC threshold is greater than the first SOC threshold.
[0033] Specifically, fast charging of batteries with SOC values less than the second SOC threshold includes: charging batteries with SOC values less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and the first SOC gradient value in ascending order of SOC value until their SOC values reach the sum of the first SOC threshold and the first SOC gradient value; when the SOC value of each battery is not less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and i-1 times the first SOC gradient value, charging batteries with SOC values less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and i times the first SOC gradient value in ascending order of SOC value until their SOC values reach the sum of the first SOC threshold and the first SOC gradient value; The OC value reaches the sum of the first SOC threshold and i times the first SOC gradient value, where 2≤i≤P, and i and P are both positive integers; when the SOC value of each battery is not less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and P times the first SOC gradient value, the batteries with SOC values less than the second SOC threshold are charged sequentially in order of SOC value from low to high until the SOC value reaches the second SOC threshold, where the second SOC threshold is greater than the sum of the first SOC threshold and P times the first SOC gradient value, and less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and P+1 times the first SOC gradient value.
[0034] S4. When the SOC value of each battery is not less than the second SOC threshold, the batteries with SOC values less than the third SOC threshold are slowly charged until the SOC value reaches the third SOC threshold.
[0035] The third SOC threshold is greater than the second SOC threshold.
[0036] Specifically, slow charging of batteries with SOC values less than a third SOC threshold includes: charging batteries with SOC values less than the sum of a second SOC threshold and a second SOC gradient value in ascending order of SOC value until their SOC values reach the sum of the second SOC threshold and the second SOC gradient value, optionally, where the second SOC gradient value is less than the first SOC gradient value; when the SOC value of each battery is not less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and j-1 times the second SOC gradient value, charging batteries with SOC values less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and j times the second SOC gradient value in ascending order of SOC value... In ascending order of SOC value, the batteries are charged sequentially until their SOC value reaches the sum of the second SOC threshold and j times the second SOC gradient value, where 2 ≤ j ≤ Q, and j and Q are both positive integers. When the SOC value of each battery is not less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and Q times the second SOC gradient value, the batteries with SOC values less than the third SOC threshold are charged sequentially until their SOC value reaches the third SOC threshold, where the third SOC threshold is greater than the sum of the second SOC threshold and Q times the second SOC gradient value, and less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and Q+1 times the second SOC gradient value.
[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first SOC threshold is a low battery warning value A, which is the minimum SOC value that the battery is allowed to use; the second SOC threshold is a fast charging upper limit value B, when the battery's SOC is not greater than B, the battery is in the fast charging stage; the third SOC threshold is a charging upper limit value C, when the battery's SOC is greater than B and not greater than C, the battery's charging rate decreases until charging stops. The values of the above thresholds and gradients can be determined according to the battery's own performance. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the range of the first SOC threshold, i.e., the low battery warning value A, can be [10%, 30%]; the range of the second SOC threshold, i.e., the fast charging upper limit value B, can be [80%, 90%]; the range of the third SOC threshold, i.e., the charging upper limit value C, can be [95%, 100%]; the range of the first SOC gradient value N1 corresponding to fast charging can be [10%, 30%], and the range of the second SOC gradient value N2 corresponding to slow charging can be (0%, 10%).
[0038] It should be noted that step S2 above replenishes the battery's SOC to the low charge warning value A, ensuring that the SOC of all batteries is not lower than the low charge warning value A. Therefore, step S2 above can be called the charging stage, while steps S3 and S4 above are the fast charging stage and the slow charging stage, respectively.
[0039] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 7 As shown, the charging control method of the automatic charging system includes the following stages: (1) Power replenishment stage Identify batteries with SOC < A from all batteries, sort these batteries according to SOC from low to high and charge them until SOC reaches A, then switch to the fast charging stage.
[0040] (2) Fast charging stage (2-1) Identify the batteries with SOC < A+N1 from all the batteries, and charge the batteries according to the principle of SOC from low to high until the SOC of the batteries is A+N1.
[0041] (2-2) Identify the batteries with SOC < A+2*N1 from all the batteries, and charge the batteries according to the principle of SOC from low to high until the SOC of the batteries is A+2*N1.
[0042] ... (2-3) Identify the batteries with SOC < B from all the batteries, charge the batteries according to the principle of SOC from low to high, charge the batteries to SOC B, and then switch to the slow charging stage.
[0043] (3) Slow charging stage (3-1) Identify the batteries with SOC < B+N2 from all the batteries, and charge the batteries according to the principle of SOC from low to high until the SOC of the batteries is charged to B+N2.
[0044] (3-2) Identify the batteries with SOC < B+2*N2 from all the batteries, and charge the batteries according to the principle of SOC from low to high until the SOC of the batteries is B+2*N2.
[0045] ... (3-3) Identify the batteries with SOC < C from all the batteries, and charge the batteries according to the principle of SOC from low to high, and charge the batteries to C.
[0046] The charging control method of the automatic charging system according to the present invention can ensure that the SOC of all batteries tends to be balanced by performing staged charging and sequential charging of the batteries. Compared with the method of fully charging one battery before charging the next battery, it can avoid the need for emergency operation of the vehicle due to the low SOC of a certain battery.
[0047] In the description of this invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. "A plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0048] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.
[0049] Any process or method description in the flowchart or otherwise herein can be understood as representing a module, segment, or portion of code comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing a particular logical function or process, and the scope of the preferred embodiments of the invention includes additional implementations in which functions may be performed not in the order shown or discussed, including substantially simultaneously or in reverse order depending on the functions involved, as will be understood by those skilled in the art to which embodiments of the invention pertain.
[0050] The logic and / or steps represented in the flowchart or otherwise described herein, for example, can be considered as a ordered list of executable instructions for implementing logical functions, and can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by, or in conjunction with, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device (such as a computer-based system, a processor-included system, or other system that can fetch and execute instructions from, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device). For the purposes of this specification, "computer-readable medium" can be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transmit programs for use by, or in conjunction with, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of computer-readable media include: an electrical connection having one or more wires (electronic device), a portable computer disk drive (magnetic device), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable and editable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), fiber optic devices, and portable optical disc read-only memory (CDROM). Alternatively, the computer-readable medium may be paper or other suitable media on which the program can be printed, since the program can be obtained electronically, for example, by optically scanning the paper or other medium, followed by editing, interpreting, or otherwise processing as necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.
[0051] It should be understood that various parts of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the above embodiments, multiple steps or methods can be implemented in software or firmware stored in memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. For example, if implemented in hardware, as in another embodiment, it can be implemented using any one or a combination of the following techniques known in the art: discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementing logical functions on data signals, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) having suitable combinational logic gates, programmable gate arrays (PGAs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.
[0052] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the methods in the above embodiments can be implemented by a program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, the program includes one or a combination of the steps of the method embodiments.
[0053] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present invention can be integrated into a processing module, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into a module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.
[0054] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A charging control method for an automatic charging system, characterized in that, The automatic charging system includes an active end and a passive end of an automatic charging coupler. The active end of the automatic charging coupler is located at the charging pile end, and the passive end is located at the vehicle end. The charging input end of the passive end is connected to the charging output end of the active end. The automatic charging system further includes a distribution device located at the vehicle end. The distribution device includes an inlet connector, multiple sets of outlet connectors, and multiple sets of switching devices corresponding one-to-one with the multiple sets of outlet connectors. One end of each set of switching devices is connected to the inlet connector, and the other end of each set of switching devices is connected to a corresponding set of outlet connectors. The inlet connector is connected to the charging output end of the passive end of the automatic charging coupler, and each set of outlet connectors is connected to a corresponding battery. The method includes the following steps: Obtain the SOC value of each of the batteries; Batteries with SOC values less than the first SOC threshold are charged sequentially in order of increasing SOC value until the SOC value reaches the first SOC threshold. During sequential charging, only one battery is charged at a time. When charging each battery, a set of switches corresponding to that battery is closed and the other switches are open. When the SOC value of each battery is not less than the first SOC threshold, the batteries with SOC values less than the second SOC threshold are fast charged until the SOC value reaches the second SOC threshold, wherein the second SOC threshold is greater than the first SOC threshold. When the SOC value of each battery is not less than the second SOC threshold, the batteries with SOC values less than the third SOC threshold are slowly charged until their SOC values reach the third SOC threshold, wherein the third SOC threshold is greater than the second SOC threshold. Fast charging of batteries with a SOC value less than a second SOC threshold specifically includes: charging batteries with SOC values less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and the first SOC gradient value in ascending order of SOC value until the SOC value reaches the sum of the first SOC threshold and the first SOC gradient value; when the SOC value of each battery is not less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and i-1 times the first SOC gradient value, charging batteries with SOC values less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and i times the first SOC gradient value in ascending order of SOC value until the SOC value reaches... The SOC value is equal to the sum of the first SOC threshold and i times the first SOC gradient value, where 2 ≤ i ≤ P, and i and P are both positive integers. When the SOC value of each battery is not less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and P times the first SOC gradient value, the batteries with SOC values less than the second SOC threshold are charged sequentially in order of increasing SOC value until the SOC value reaches the second SOC threshold. The second SOC threshold is greater than the sum of the first SOC threshold and P times the first SOC gradient value, and less than the sum of the first SOC threshold and P+1 times the first SOC gradient value.
2. The charging control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Slow charging is performed on batteries with a SOC value lower than the third SOC threshold, specifically including: Batteries with SOC values less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and the second SOC gradient value are charged sequentially in order of SOC value from low to high until the SOC value reaches the sum of the second SOC threshold and the second SOC gradient value. When the SOC value of each battery is not less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and j-1 times the second SOC gradient value, the batteries with SOC values less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and j times the second SOC gradient value are charged sequentially in order of SOC value from low to high until the SOC value reaches the sum of the second SOC threshold and j times the second SOC gradient value, where 2≤j≤Q, and j and Q are both positive integers; When the SOC value of each battery is not less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and Q times the second SOC gradient value, the batteries with SOC values less than the third SOC threshold are charged sequentially in order of increasing SOC value until the SOC value reaches the third SOC threshold. The third SOC threshold is greater than the sum of the second SOC threshold and Q times the second SOC gradient value, and less than the sum of the second SOC threshold and Q+1 times the second SOC gradient value.
3. The charging control method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first SOC threshold, the second SOC threshold, and the third SOC threshold are respectively the low battery warning value, the fast charging upper limit value, and the charging upper limit value.
4. The charging control method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first SOC gradient value ranges from [10%, 30%], and the second SOC gradient value ranges from (0%, 10%).
5. The charging control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The charging output terminal of the active end of the automatic charging coupler, the charging input terminal of the passive end of the automatic charging coupler, the charging output terminal of the passive end of the automatic charging coupler, the incoming connector, and each set of outgoing connectors all include a DC positive terminal and a DC negative terminal.
6. The charging control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching device is a relay, contactor, IGBT, or MOSFET.
7. The charging control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The active end of the automatic charging coupler includes an active directional antenna, and the passive end of the automatic charging coupler includes a passive directional antenna. The active end and the passive end of the automatic charging coupler communicate wirelessly through the active directional antenna and the passive directional antenna.
8. The charging control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The passive end of the automatic charging coupler also communicates via wire with the active end of the automatic charging coupler and the battery, respectively.