Hybrid charging device for electric vehicles, charging system comprising the device and charging method using the device

Abstract

A hybrid charging apparatus according to the disclosure includes an alternating current (AC)-direct current (DC) converter configured to convert AC input power into first DC power, a DC-DC converter configured to convert DC input power into second DC power, a power combiner configured to generate charging power for an electric vehicle according to at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power, and a charging controller configured to control the AC-DC converter, the DC-DC converter, and the power combiner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0113530, filed on August 26, 2021, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This disclosure relates to hybrid charging technology for electric vehicles, and more specifically, to the generation of charging power for electric vehicles based on the simultaneous supply of AC input power and DC input power. Background Technology

[0003] Recently, electric vehicle-related technologies are growing rapidly as regulations on exhaust emissions from ignition-powered vehicles are implemented globally and various strategies are developed to promote the deployment of electric vehicles.

[0004] In the future, a key factor for the sustainable growth of the electric vehicle market will be charging rate. Typically, chargers for electric vehicles are designed to convert AC power from sources such as the AC grid in a home into DC power suitable for electric vehicles, and then supply the DC power to the electric vehicle.

[0005] However, a significant level of power loss occurs during the conversion of AC power to DC power, and furthermore, AC power alone is insufficient to generate the charging power required by the DC voltage level for electric vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] This disclosure is designed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and therefore this disclosure relates to providing a charging device for simultaneously supplying charging power for generating charging power for an electric vehicle based on AC input power from an AC power source and DC input power from a DC power source, a charging system including the charging device, and a charging method using the charging device.

[0008] These and other objects and advantages of this disclosure will be understood from the following description and will be apparent from embodiments thereof. Furthermore, it will be readily understood that the objects and advantages of this disclosure can be achieved by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the appended claims.

[0009] Technical solution

[0010] A hybrid charging device for an electric vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an AC-DC converter configured to convert AC input power into a first DC power; a DC-DC converter configured to convert DC input power into a second DC power; a power combiner configured to generate charging power for the electric vehicle based on at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power; and a charging controller configured to control the AC-DC converter, the DC-DC converter, and the power combiner.

[0011] The power combiner can be configured to combine the first DC power and the second DC power when both are simultaneously input to generate charging power for electric vehicles.

[0012] The charging controller can be configured to control the AC-DC converter, DC-DC converter, and power combiner based on the operating conditions of each of the AC-DC converter and DC-DC converter.

[0013] The charging controller can be configured to set a target power based on a charging request from an electric vehicle. The charging controller can also be configured to set a first DC power value and a second DC power value based on the operating conditions of each of the AC-DC converter and the DC-DC converter, so that the charging power equals the target power.

[0014] The charging controller can be configured to determine a first allowable output power of the AC-DC converter based on the operating conditions of the AC-DC converter. The charging controller can also be configured to determine a second allowable output power of the DC-DC converter based on the operating conditions of the DC-DC converter. Furthermore, the charging controller can be configured to set the values ​​of the first and second DC powers such that the ratio between the first and second DC powers is equal to the ratio between the first and second allowable output powers when the sum of the first and second allowable output powers is equal to or greater than a target power.

[0015] A charging system according to another aspect of this disclosure includes: an electric power system comprising a solar panel, an energy storage system, and a power conversion system connected to an AC power grid; and a hybrid charging device. The hybrid charging device includes: an AC-DC converter configured to convert AC input power supplied from the power conversion system and the AC power grid into a first DC power; a DC-DC converter configured to convert DC input power supplied from the power conversion system into a second DC power; a power combiner configured to generate charging power for an electric vehicle based on at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power; and a charging controller configured to control the AC-DC converter, the DC-DC converter, and the power combiner.

[0016] The power combiner can be configured to combine the first DC power and the second DC power when both are simultaneously input to generate charging power for electric vehicles.

[0017] The charging controller can be configured to control the AC-DC converter, DC-DC converter, and power combiner based on the operating conditions of each of the AC-DC converter and DC-DC converter.

[0018] The charging controller can be configured to set a target power based on a charging request. The charging controller can also be configured to set a first DC power value and a second DC power value based on the operating conditions of each of the AC-DC converter and the DC-DC converter, so that the charging power equals the target power.

[0019] The charging controller can be configured to determine a first allowable output power of the AC-DC converter based on the operating conditions of the AC-DC converter. The charging controller can also be configured to determine a second allowable output power of the DC-DC converter based on the operating conditions of the DC-DC converter. Furthermore, the charging controller can be configured to set the values ​​of the first and second DC powers such that the ratio between the first and second DC powers is equal to the ratio between the first and second allowable output powers when the sum of the first and second allowable output powers is equal to or greater than a target power.

[0020] A charging method using a hybrid charging device comprising an AC-DC converter, a DC-DC converter, and a power combiner, according to another aspect of this disclosure, includes controlling the AC-DC converter to convert AC input power into a first DC power; controlling the DC-DC converter to convert DC input power into a second DC power; and controlling the power combiner to generate charging power for an electric vehicle based on at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power.

[0021] The steps for generating charging power for electric vehicles may include: combining the first DC power with the second DC power to generate charging power when a first DC power and a second DC power are input simultaneously.

[0022] The charging method using a hybrid charging device may further include: setting a target power based on a charging request from an electric vehicle; and setting the power values ​​of a first DC power and a second DC power based on the operating conditions of each of the AC-DC converter and the DC-DC converter so that the charging power equals the target power.

[0023] The steps of setting the power values ​​of the first DC power and the second DC power may include: determining a first allowable output power of the AC-DC converter based on the operating conditions of the AC-DC converter; determining a second allowable output power of the DC-DC converter based on the operating conditions of the DC-DC converter; and setting the power values ​​of the first DC power and the second DC power such that the ratio between the first DC power and the second DC power is equal to the ratio between the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power when the sum of the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power is equal to or greater than a target power.

[0024] Beneficial effects

[0025] According to at least one embodiment of this disclosure, charging power for an electric vehicle can be generated by simultaneously supplying AC input power from an alternating current (AC) power source and DC input power from a direct current (DC) power source. Therefore, in generating charging power for an electric vehicle, faster charging can be achieved compared to using only AC input power, thereby reducing the charging time for the electric vehicle.

[0026] According to at least one embodiment of this disclosure, power loss during the power conversion process can be reduced and charging power generation can be stably maintained by controlling the contribution (sharing level) of each of the AC-DC converter receiving AC input power and the DC-DC converter receiving DC input power to the charging power according to the operating status of each of the AC-DC converter and the DC-DC converter.

[0027] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand these and other effects based on the appended claims. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and are used together with the detailed description of the present disclosure below to provide a further understanding of the technical aspects of the present disclosure, and therefore the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating, by way of example, the architecture of a charging system according to this disclosure.

[0030] Figure 2 In describing by Figure 1 The diagram shown is a reference for the optimal power curve used by the hybrid charging device.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a flowchart schematically illustrating a charging method using a hybrid charging device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating, by way of example, a charging method using a hybrid charging device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0033] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms or words used in the specification and appended claims should not be construed as limited to their general and dictionary meanings, but rather interpreted based on their meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure, on the basis of allowing the inventors to appropriately define the terms for best interpretation.

[0034] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the illustrations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, and are not intended to fully describe the technical aspects of this disclosure. It should be understood that various other equivalents and modifications may have been made thereto at the time of filing this application.

[0035] Ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” and similar terms can be used to distinguish one element from another among various elements, but are not intended to limit the elements.

[0036] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, it will be understood that the term "comprising" as used in this specification specifies the presence of the stated element, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements. Additionally, as used herein, the term "unit" refers to at least one processing unit of function or operation, which may be implemented individually or in combination in hardware and software.

[0037] Furthermore, as will be further understood throughout the specification, when a component is referred to as being “connected” to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component, or there can be an intermediate component.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating, by way of example, the architecture of a charging system according to this disclosure.

[0039] refer to Figure 1The charging system 1 provides a way to generate DC charging power for electric vehicle 2 through a so-called hybrid charging method, which is a combination of AC charging and DC charging.

[0040] The charging system 1 includes a power system 5 and a hybrid charging device 100.

[0041] The power system 5 includes solar panels 10, an energy storage system 20, and a power conversion system (PCS) 30.

[0042] Solar panel 10 converts solar energy into DC power. All DC power generated from solar panel 10 is supplied to PCS 30.

[0043] The energy storage system 20 includes at least one secondary battery 21 and a battery management system (BMS) 22.

[0044] PCS 30 assumes a combination of AC and DC power supply functions and may be referred to as a "hybrid inverter". PCS 30 may include a unidirectional DC-DC converter 31, a bidirectional DC-DC converter 32, and a bidirectional DC-AC inverter 33. The unidirectional DC-DC converter 31 can convert the voltage level of the DC input power from the solar panel 10 into DC power at different voltage levels for the energy storage system 20. The bidirectional DC-DC converter 32 can charge the secondary battery 21 included in the energy storage system 20 by controlling the voltage level of the DC power supplied from the unidirectional DC-DC converter 31 and / or the bidirectional DC-AC inverter 33. The bidirectional DC-AC inverter 33 can convert the DC input power from the unidirectional DC-DC converter 31 and / or the bidirectional DC-DC converter 32 into AC and supply (sell) the AC power to the AC grid 3 or supply the AC power to the hybrid charging device 100. For example, if the total DC power of solar panel 10 is 14 [kW (kilowatts)], PCS 30 can convert some of the 14 [kW] DC power (e.g., 8 [kW]) to DC and the rest (e.g., 6 [kW]) to AC.

[0045] The bidirectional DC-DC converter 32 can discharge the energy storage system 20 and input DC power to the bidirectional DC-AC inverter 33. The bidirectional DC-AC inverter 33 can convert AC input power from the AC grid 3 into DC power and input the DC power to the bidirectional DC-DC converter 32.

[0046] BMS22 is configured to monitor the operating status of secondary battery 21 (e.g., voltage, current, temperature, and state of charge (SOC)). BMS22 can communicate with at least one of PCS 30 or hybrid charging device 100 and control the charging / discharging of secondary battery 21 based on data acquired via communication. In an example, in standby mode where hybrid charging device 100 stops generating charging power for electric vehicle 2, BMS22 determines whether charging of secondary battery 21 is necessary based on its operating status. When BMS22 determines that secondary battery 21 needs charging, it sends a charging request to PCS 30. In response to the charging request from BMS22, PCS 30 generates charging power for secondary battery 21 based on at least one of AC power from AC grid 3 and DC power from solar panel 10, and supplies the charging power to energy storage system 20.

[0047] Of all the AC power generated by PCS 30, the power contributed to the charging power generation for electric vehicle 2 is referred to as "AC input power". Of all the DC power generated by PCS 30, the power contributed to the charging power generation for electric vehicle 2 is referred to as "DC input power".

[0048] The hybrid charging device 100 includes an AC-DC converter 110, a DC-DC converter 120, a power combiner 130, and a charging controller 140. The hybrid charging device 100 may further include a charging connector 150. The charging connector 150 is detachably provided from the body of the hybrid charging device 100.

[0049] AC-DC converter 110 is configured to convert AC input power into a first DC power. In the example, when 7 [kW] AC power from AC grid 3 and 7 [kW] AC power from PCS 30 are supplied to hybrid charging device 100, the AC input power is 14 [kW]. Specifically, the input terminals of AC-DC converter 110 are connected to the AC output terminals of PCS 30 and AC grid 3, and the output terminals of AC-DC converter 110 are connected to the input terminals of power combiner 130. The first DC power is used to generate charging power for electric vehicle 2 and has a predetermined voltage or current level.

[0050] DC-DC converter 120 is configured to convert DC input power into a second DC power. In the example, when 7 [kW] DC power from energy storage system 20 and 7 [kW] DC power from PCS 30 are supplied to hybrid charging device 100, the DC input power is 14 [kW]. Specifically, the input terminal of DC-DC converter 120 is connected to the DC output terminal of PCS 30, and the output terminal of DC-DC converter 120 is connected to the input terminal of power combiner 130. The second DC power is also used to generate charging power for electric vehicle 2 and has a predetermined voltage or current level.

[0051] The output terminals of each of AC-DC converter 110 and DC-DC converter 120 are connected in parallel to power combiner 130. Power combiner 130 is configured to combine a first DC power source from AC-DC converter 110 with a second DC power source from DC-DC converter 120 to generate charging power for electric vehicle 2. Of course, when either AC-DC converter 110 or DC-DC converter 120 is in standby mode, power combiner 130 can generate charging power for electric vehicle 2 using only the DC power from the other of AC-DC converter 110 and DC-DC converter 120 in operating mode. Power combiner 130 can prevent reverse current flow between the first DC power and the second DC power, reduce the voltage difference that may exist between them, and adjust the current level of each of the first DC power and the second DC power according to requests from charging controller 140. Power combiner 130 may include, for example, a load-sharing IC.

[0052] The charging controller 140 can be implemented in hardware using at least one of the following: Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Digital Signal Processing Device (DSPD), Programmable Logic Device (PLD), Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Microprocessor, or electrical unit for performing other functions. Memory can be embedded in the charging controller 140. Memory can include at least one type of storage medium, such as flash memory, hard disk, solid-state drive (SSD), silicon disk drive (SDD), multimedia card micro-type, random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or programmable read-only memory (PROM). The memory can store data and programs required for computational operations performed by the charging controller 140.

[0053] The charging controller 140 controls the operation of each of the AC-DC converter 110, DC-DC converter 120, and power combiner 130. The charging connector 150 relays communication regarding charging power between the electric vehicle 2 and the hybrid charging device 100. The charging connector 150 has a communication line, and the communication circuitry of the charging controller 140 can perform bidirectional communication with the electric vehicle 2 through the communication line of the charging connector 150. The charging controller 140 can receive charging requests from the electric vehicle 2 through the charging connector 150 connected to the electric vehicle 2. The communication circuitry is configured to support wired or wireless communication between the charging controller 140 and the electric vehicle 2. Wired communication can be, for example, Controller Area Network (CAN) communication, and wireless communication can be, for example, Zigbee or Bluetooth communication. Of course, the communication protocol is not limited to a specific type and can include any type of communication protocol that supports wired / wireless communication between the charging controller 140 and the electric vehicle 2.

[0054] Additionally, the communication circuitry of the charging controller 140 can handle communication with at least one of the energy storage system 20 and the PCS 30. The charging controller 140 can use either the energy storage system 20 or the PCS 30 as a repeater to communicate with the other of the energy storage system 20 and the PCS 30. In one example, the charging controller 140 can send a charging start command to the BMS 22 in response to a charging request from the electric vehicle 2, and the BMS 22 can send a charging start command to the PCS 30. In another example, in response to a charging request from the electric vehicle 2, the charging controller 140 can send a charging start command to the PCS 30, and the PCS 30 can send a charging start command to the BMS 22. In response to the charging start command, the PCS 30 can stop charging / discharging the secondary battery 21, and when the solar panel 10 is in operation, it can convert DC power from the solar panel 10 to AC power and supply the AC power to the AC-DC converter 110.

[0055] While the electric vehicle 2 is being charged, the electric vehicle 2 can periodically or non-periodically change its charging request based on the charging status of its battery pack. The charging request may include data indicating a desired voltage level and / or a desired current level for charging power according to a preset charging protocol for the electric vehicle 2. The charging controller 140 can set a target power, i.e., the charging power required by the electric vehicle 2, based on the charging request from the electric vehicle 2. In an example, the target power may be equal to the product of the desired voltage level and the desired current level of the most recently received charging request from the electric vehicle 2. The charging controller 140 can control the first DC power and the second DC power based on the operating conditions of each of the AC-DC converter 110 and the DC-DC converter 120 so that the charging power generated by the power combiner 130 equals the target power.

[0056] The charging controller 140 can monitor the operating status of each of the AC-DC converter 110 and the DC-DC converter 120. The operating status can be determined based on measurable parameters that depend on operating performance (e.g., power conversion efficiency), such as temperature, input voltage, and input current. The charging controller 140 can score the operating status of each of the AC-DC converter 110 and the DC-DC converter 120 and control the AC-DC converter 110 and the DC-DC converter 120 based on the scored operating status.

[0057] Figure 2 In describing by Figure 1 The diagram shown is a reference for the optimal power curve used by the hybrid charging device 100. Figure 2 The operating condition ratings for each of the AC-DC converter 110 and DC-DC converter 120 are shown in the range of 0 to 100.

[0058] When the electric vehicle 2 is being charged, the charging controller 140 can use a first optimal power curve 210 to determine a first allowable output power of the first DC power corresponding to the rated operating condition of the AC-DC converter 110. Additionally, when the electric vehicle 2 is being charged, the charging controller 140 can use a second optimal power curve 220 to determine a second allowable output power of the second DC power corresponding to the rated operating condition of the DC-DC converter 120. The first optimal power curve 210 is a preset mapping or function of the relationship between the operating condition of the AC-DC converter 110 and the first allowable output power, and the second optimal power curve 220 is a preset mapping or function of the relationship between the operating condition of the DC-DC converter 120 and the second allowable output power. In the example, when the rated operating condition of the AC-DC converter 110 is A and the rated operating condition of the DC-DC converter 120 is B at a specific time during the charging of the electric vehicle 2, the first allowable output power is determined to be X [kW], and the second allowable output power is determined to be Y [kW]. The charging controller 140 can adjust the first DC power and the second DC power so that they are equal to or less than the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power, respectively, to protect the AC-DC converter 110 and the DC-DC converter 120 from overload.

[0059] The charging controller 140 can determine the magnitude of the first DC power to be requested from the AC-DC converter 110 and the magnitude of the second DC power to be requested from the DC-DC converter 120 by comparing the sum of the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power with the target power.

[0060] When the sum of the first permissible output power and the second permissible output power is equal to or greater than the target power, the charging controller 140 can control the first DC power and the second DC power so that the ratio between the first DC power and the second DC power is equal to the ratio between the first permissible output power and the second permissible output power. That is, the target power, the first permissible output power, the second permissible output power, the first DC power and the second DC power can satisfy the conditions according to the following equations 1 and 2.

[0061] Equation 1: First DC power = (First allowable output power × Target power) / (First allowable output power + Second allowable output power)

[0062] Equation 2: Second DC power = (Second allowable output power × Target power) / (First allowable output power + Second allowable output power)

[0063] When the sum of the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power is less than the target power, the charging controller 140 can set the first DC power and the second DC power so that they are equal to the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power, respectively.

[0064] When the electric vehicle 2 is being charged, the charging controller 140 can monitor the AC input power through the input terminal of the AC-DC converter 110 and the DC input power through the input terminal of the DC-DC converter 120.

[0065] When the AC input power is equal to or greater than the first permissible output power and the DC input power is less than the second permissible output power, the charging controller 140 can send a first power control command to the PCS 30 to decrease the AC input power and increase the DC input power. In response to the first power control command, among all the DC power supplied to the solar panel 10, the PCS 30 can increase the DC power supplied to the bidirectional DC-DC converter 32 by a reference value and decrease the DC power supplied to the bidirectional DC-AC inverter 33 by a reference value.

[0066] When the AC input power is less than the first allowable output power and the DC input power is greater than the second allowable output power, the charging controller 140 can send a second power control command to the PCS 30 to increase the AC input power and decrease the DC input power. In response to the second power control command, among all the DC power supplied to the solar panel 10, the PCS 30 can decrease the DC power supplied to the bidirectional DC-DC converter 32 by a reference value and increase the DC power supplied to the bidirectional DC-AC inverter 33 by a reference value. The reference value can be equal to the smaller of the difference between the AC input power and the first allowable output power and the difference between the DC input power and the second allowable output power.

[0067] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating, by way of example, a charging method using a hybrid charging device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 The method can be executed by the hybrid charging device 100 in response to a charging request received from the electric vehicle 2 via the charging connector 150.

[0068] refer to Figures 1 to 3 In step S300, the charging controller 140 sets the target power according to the charging request from the electric vehicle 2.

[0069] In step S312, the charging controller 140 determines the first permissible output power of the AC-DC converter 110.

[0070] In step S314, the charging controller 140 determines the second permissible output power of the DC-DC converter 120.

[0071] In step S320, the charging controller 140 determines whether the sum of the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power is equal to or greater than the target power. If the value of step S320 is "yes", step S330 is executed. If the value of step S320 is "no", step S340 is executed.

[0072] In step S330, the charging controller 140 sets the power value of the first DC power and the power value of the second DC power (i) so that the sum of the first DC power and the second DC power equals the target power, and (ii) so that the ratio between the first DC power and the second DC power equals the ratio between the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power.

[0073] In step S340, the charging controller 140 sets the power values ​​of the first DC power and the second DC power so that they are equal to the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power, respectively.

[0074] In step S350, the charging controller 140 controls the AC-DC converter 110 to convert the AC input power into first DC power, and controls the DC-DC converter 120 to convert the DC input power into second DC power. That is, the AC-DC converter 110 generates the first DC power according to the power value set by the charging controller 140 in step S330 or S340. The DC-DC converter 120 generates the second DC power according to the power value set by the charging controller 140 in step S330 or S340.

[0075] In step S360, the charging controller 140 controls the power combiner 130 to generate charging power for the electric vehicle 2 based on at least one of a first DC power and a second DC power. When both the first DC power and the second DC power are input simultaneously, the charging power generated by the power combiner 130 is equal to the sum of the first DC power and the second DC power.

[0076] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating, by way of example, a charging method using a hybrid charging device 100 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 The method can be executed by the hybrid charging device 100 in response to a charging request received from the electric vehicle 2 via the charging connector 150.

[0077] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4In step S400, the charging controller 140 sets the target power according to the charging request from the electric vehicle 2.

[0078] In step S412, the charging controller 140 determines the AC input power and the first permissible output power of the AC-DC converter 110.

[0079] In step S414, the charging controller 140 determines the DC input power and the second permissible output power of the DC-DC converter 120.

[0080] In step S420, the charging controller 140 determines whether the AC input power is equal to or greater than the first permissible output power and whether the DC input power is less than the second permissible output power. When the value of step S420 is "yes", step S422 is executed.

[0081] In step S422, the charging controller 140 sends a first power control command to the PCS 30. In response to the first power control command, the PCS 30 decreases the AC input power and increases the DC input power.

[0082] In step S430, the charging controller 140 determines whether the AC input power is less than the first allowable output power and whether the DC input power is equal to or greater than the second allowable output power. When the value of step S430 is "yes", step S432 is executed.

[0083] In step S432, the charging controller 140 sends a second power control command to the PCS 30. In response to the second power control command, the PCS 30 increases the AC input power and decreases the DC input power.

[0084] In step S440, the charging controller 140 determines whether the sum of the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power is equal to or greater than the target power. If the value of step S440 is "yes", step S450 is executed. If the value of step S440 is "no", step S460 is executed.

[0085] In step S450, the charging controller 140 sets the power value of the first DC power and the power value of the second DC power (i) so that the sum of the first DC power and the second DC power equals the target power, and (ii) so that the ratio between the first DC power and the second DC power equals the ratio between the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power.

[0086] In step S460, the charging controller 140 sets the power values ​​of the first DC power and the second DC power so that they are equal to the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power, respectively.

[0087] In step S470, the charging controller 140 controls the AC-DC converter 110 to convert AC input power into first DC power, and controls the DC-DC converter 120 to convert DC input power into second DC power.

[0088] In step S480, the charging controller 140 controls the power combiner 130 to generate charging power for the electric vehicle 2 based on at least one of a first DC power and a second DC power. When both the first DC power and the second DC power are input simultaneously, the charging power generated by the power combiner 130 is equal to the sum of the first DC power and the second DC power.

[0089] The embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not implemented solely by means of apparatus and methods, but can be implemented by a program that performs functions corresponding to the configuration of the embodiments of the present disclosure or a recording medium having a program recorded thereon, and such implementations can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art from the disclosure of the above embodiments.

[0090] While this disclosure has been described above with respect to a limited number of embodiments and accompanying drawings, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to it within the technical aspects of this disclosure and within the equivalent scope of the appended claims.

[0091] Furthermore, since those skilled in the art can make many substitutions, modifications and changes to the present disclosure described above without departing from the technical aspects of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and drawings, and all or some of the embodiments can be selectively combined to allow for various modifications.

[0092] (Description of reference numerals in the attached diagram)

[0093] 1: Charging system 2: Electric vehicle

[0094] 3: AC power grid; 10: Solar panels

[0095] 20: Energy storage system; 30: Power conversion system

[0096] 100: Hybrid charging devices

[0097] 110: AC-DC converter; 120: DC-DC converter

[0098] 130: Power combiner; 140: Charging controller

Claims

1. A hybrid charging apparatus for an electric vehicle, comprising: an alternating current-direct current (AC-DC) converter configured to convert AC input power supplied from at least one of a power conversion system and an AC grid into first DC power; a DC-DC converter configured to convert DC input power supplied from the power conversion system into second DC power; a power combiner configured to generate charging power for the electric vehicle from at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power; and a charging controller configured to control the AC-DC converter, the DC-DC converter, and the power combiner, wherein the charging controller is configured to: set a target power in accordance with a charging request from the electric vehicle, determine a first allowable output power of the AC-DC converter based on an operating condition of the AC-DC converter, determine a second allowable output power of the DC-DC converter based on an operating condition of the DC-DC converter, when a sum of the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power is equal to or greater than the target power, set a power value of the first DC power and a power value of the second DC power such that (i) the charging power is equal to the target power, and (ii) a ratio between the first DC power and the second DC power is equal to a ratio between the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power, and control the power combiner to generate the charging power for the electric vehicle from at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power. the power combiner is configured to combine the first DC power and the second DC power to generate the charging power for the electric vehicle when the first DC power and the second DC power are input simultaneously.

2. The hybrid charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. A charging system, comprising: a power system including a solar panel, an energy storage system, and a power conversion system, the power system being connected to an AC grid; and a hybrid charging apparatus, wherein the hybrid charging apparatus comprises: an alternating current-direct current (AC-DC) converter configured to convert AC input power supplied from the power conversion system and the AC grid into first DC power; a DC-DC converter configured to convert DC input power supplied from the power conversion system into second DC power; a power combiner configured to generate charging power for an electric vehicle from at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power; and a charging controller configured to control the AC-DC converter, the DC-DC converter, and the power combiner, wherein the charging controller is configured to: set a target power in accordance with a charging request from the electric vehicle, determine a first allowable output power of the AC-DC converter based on an operating condition of the AC-DC converter, determine a second allowable output power of the DC-DC converter based on an operating condition of the DC-DC converter, when a sum of the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power is equal to or greater than the target power, set a power value of the first DC power and a power value of the second DC power such that (i) the charging power is equal to the target power, and (ii) a ratio between the first DC power and the second DC power is equal to a ratio between the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power, and control the power combiner to generate the charging power for the electric vehicle from at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power. determining a first allowable output power of the AC-DC converter based on an operating condition of the AC-DC converter, determining a second allowable output power of the DC-DC converter based on an operating condition of the DC-DC converter, when a sum of the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power is equal to or greater than the target power, setting a power value of the first DC power and a power value of the second DC power such that (i) the charging power is equal to the target power, and (ii) a ratio between the first DC power and the second DC power is equal to a ratio between the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power, and controlling the power combiner to generate the charging power for the electric vehicle from at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power.

4. The charging system of claim 3, wherein, the power combiner is configured to combine the first DC power and the second DC power to generate the charging power for the electric vehicle when the first DC power and the second DC power are input simultaneously.

5. A charging method using a hybrid charging apparatus including an alternating current-direct current (AC-DC) converter, a DC-DC converter, and a power combiner, the charging method comprising: setting a target power according to a charging request from an electric vehicle, determining a first allowable output power of the AC-DC converter based on an operating condition of the AC-DC converter, determining a second allowable output power of the DC-DC converter based on an operating condition of the DC-DC converter, controlling the AC-DC converter to convert AC input power supplied from a power conversion system and an AC grid into first DC power; controlling the DC-DC converter to convert DC input power supplied from the power conversion system into second DC power; and controlling the power combiner to generate charging power for an electric vehicle from at least one of the first DC power and the second DC power, wherein the charging method further comprises: when a sum of the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power is equal to or greater than the target power, setting a power value of the first DC power and a power value of the second DC power such that (i) the charging power is equal to the target power, and (ii) a ratio between the first DC power and the second DC power is equal to a ratio between the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power.

6. The charging method according to claim 5, wherein, generating the charging power for the electric vehicle includes combining the first DC power and the second DC power to generate the charging power when the first DC power and the second DC power are input simultaneously.

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