Converter with alternating current and direct current charging and discharging functions

Abstract

The invention relates to a converter with an AC / DC charging and discharging function, and the converter comprises a buck-boost module which is connected to a four-leg module and comprises a battery interface for connecting to a battery; the four-bridge-arm module is also connected to the power distribution module; and the power distribution module is configured to enable the four-leg module to be in a first electric topological structure so as to receive or output alternating current through the alternating current input / output port when the power distribution module is in a first state, and to enable the four-leg module to be in a second electric topological structure so as to receive or output alternating current through the alternating current input / output port when the power distribution module is in a second state. And the four-leg module is in a second electric topological structure so as to output direct current through the direct current output port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of AC / DC converters, in particular to converters with AC / DC charging and discharging functions. Background Art

[0002] Current converters (such as those used in energy storage or mobile charging vehicles) can only meet one of the conversion modes, AC or DC, with a single application scenario and low product utilization. With the increasing demand for new energy vehicles and energy storage, they cannot meet different usage scenarios.

[0003] The present disclosure has been improved with respect to but not limited to the above-mentioned factors. Summary of the invention

[0004] To this end, the present disclosure proposes a converter with AC / DC charging and discharging functions. The scheme of the present disclosure includes a buck-boost module and a four-bridge arm module and a power distribution module that can realize circuit distribution. The buck-boost module can be used for battery packs with different voltage ranges by forward boost or reverse buck. The buck-boost module and the four-bridge arm module can realize AC-DC conversion and DC-DC conversion together. The output AC or DC can be distributed to the AC load or DC load accordingly through the power distribution module, wherein the AC load can be a power grid to realize the grid connection function, and the DC load can be a new energy vehicle to realize the charging of the new energy vehicle. Thus, the converter of the present disclosure can realize the conversion of the electric energy of the battery pack into AC power to send it to the AC load, and can also be converted into DC power to send it to the new energy vehicle to charge the vehicle. In addition, the converter of the present disclosure can also convert the electric energy of the AC power supply network into DC power to supplement (charge) the battery pack. In the converter of the present disclosure, the buck-boost module and the four-bridge arm module have both the function of DC to DC or AC, and the function of AC to DC. In this way, the converter disclosed in the present invention fully utilizes its components and further reduces the cost and volume while meeting different functional requirements.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a converter with AC / DC charging and discharging functions is provided, comprising: a buck-boost module, which is connected to a four-bridge-arm module and comprises a battery interface for connecting to a battery; the four-bridge-arm module, which is also connected to a power distribution module; and the power distribution module, which is configured to, when in a first state, place the four-bridge-arm module in a first electrical topology to receive or output AC through an AC input / output port, and, when in a second state, place the four-bridge-arm module in a second electrical topology to output DC through a DC output port.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the four-bridge arm module includes a first bridge arm, a second bridge arm, a third bridge arm, and a fourth bridge arm connected in parallel, wherein each of the first bridge arm, the second bridge arm, the third bridge arm, and the fourth bridge arm includes two switch tubes connected in series; the power distribution module includes a first group of four switches and a second group of three switches, the first group of four switches includes a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch, the second group of three switches includes a fifth switch, a sixth switch, and a seventh switch, wherein the first switch is connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes included in the first bridge arm and the neutral line interface of the AC input / output port through a first inductor, wherein the second switch is connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes included in the second bridge arm and the first phase line interface of the AC input / output port through a second inductor, wherein the third switch is connected in series between the first and second phase line interfaces of the AC input / output port through a third inductor. Between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes included in the three bridge arms and the second phase line interface of the AC input / output port, wherein the fourth switch is connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes included in the fourth bridge arm and the third phase line interface of the AC input / output port through a fourth inductor, wherein the fifth switch and the first capacitor are connected in parallel between the first connection point and the second connection point, and wherein the first connection point is between the first switch and the first inductor, and the second connection point is between the second switch and the second inductor, wherein the sixth switch and the second capacitor are connected in parallel between the first connection point and the third connection point, and wherein the third connection point is between the third switch and the third inductor, wherein the seventh switch and the third capacitor are connected in parallel between the first connection point and the fourth connection point, and wherein the fourth connection point is between the fourth switch and the fourth inductor.

[0007] According to another embodiment, the first state of the power distribution module is that the first group of four switches are closed and the second group of three switches are open, and the second state of the power distribution module is that the first group of four switches are open and the second group of three switches are closed.

[0008] According to yet another embodiment, one of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch is connected in parallel with a first resistor, and another of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch is connected in parallel with a second resistor, and wherein the first resistor and the second resistor are of the same specification.

[0009] According to yet another embodiment, the converter further includes an eighth switch and a fourth capacitor connected in series between the first connection point and the ground line.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the converter further includes: a ninth switch connected in series between the first connection point and the DC power line interface of the DC output port; and a tenth switch connected in series between the ground line and the ground line port of the DC output port.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the converter further includes: a ninth switch connected in series between the first connection point and the DC power line interface of the DC output port; and a tenth switch connected in series between the ground line and the ground line port of the DC output port.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the first resistor is connected in series with an eleventh switch and the series connection structure is connected in parallel with the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch, and the second resistor is connected in series with a twelfth switch and the series connection structure is connected in parallel with the other one of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the first state of the power distribution module also includes the eighth switch, the ninth switch, the tenth switch, the eleventh switch, and the twelfth switch are all disconnected, and the second state of the power distribution module also includes the eighth switch, the ninth switch, and the tenth switch are closed and the eleventh switch and the twelfth switch are both disconnected.

[0014] According to another embodiment, in the case of receiving AC through the AC input / output port, the first state of the power distribution module also includes the eleventh switch and the twelfth switch being closed first and the one of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch being disconnected from the other for pre-charging, and after the pre-charging is completed, the eleventh switch and the twelfth switch are disconnected and the one of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch is closed from the other.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for providing a DC output using the converter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, comprising: connecting the battery to the battery interface of the buck-boost module; connecting a DC load to the DC output port; and placing the power distribution module in the second state to provide a DC output to the DC load.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the DC load includes a vehicle to be charged, and the method further includes: connecting a charging gun to the DC output port; and inserting the charging gun into a charging port of the vehicle to be charged to perform DC charging on the vehicle to be charged.

[0017] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for providing an AC output using the converter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, comprising: connecting the battery to the battery interface of the buck-boost module; connecting an AC load to the AC input / output port; and placing the power distribution module in the first state to provide an AC output to the AC load.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for charging a battery using the converter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, comprising: connecting the battery to the battery interface of the buck-boost module; connecting the power supply grid to the AC input / output port; and placing the power distribution module in the first state to charge the battery from the power supply grid.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an energy storage or charging device, comprising the converter according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0020] Aspects generally include methods, apparatus, systems, computer program products, and processing systems substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying figures.

[0021] The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of examples according to the present disclosure so that the following detailed description can be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter. The disclosed concepts and specific examples can be easily used as the basis for modifying or designing other structures for implementing the same purpose as the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. The characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein, both in terms of their organization and method of operation, and the associated advantages will be better understood by considering the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Each of the accompanying drawings is provided for illustration and description purposes and does not define limitations on the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to understand in detail the manner in which the above-stated features of the present disclosure are used, the above briefly summarized content may be described in more detail with reference to various aspects, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings illustrate only certain typical aspects of the present disclosure and should not be considered to limit its scope, as the description may allow for other equally effective aspects. The same reference numerals in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a converter with AC and DC charging and discharging functions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic circuit diagram of a converter with AC and DC charging and discharging functions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic circuit diagram showing a converter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when a power distribution module is in a first state;

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic circuit diagram showing a converter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure when the power distribution module is in a second state;

[0027] Figure 5 A flow chart showing a method for providing a DC output using a converter of the present disclosure according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 6 A flow chart showing a method for providing an AC output using a converter of the present disclosure according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 7 A flowchart showing a method of charging a battery using a converter of the present disclosure according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0030] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing an energy storage or charging device according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The inventors have realized that existing inverters or DC converters can only satisfy the conversion from DC to AC or DC to DC, and cannot perform both AC and DC conversions on the same device. Such converters have a single application scenario and low equipment utilization.

[0032] To this end, the present disclosure proposes a converter with AC / DC charging and discharging functions. The scheme of the present disclosure includes a buck-boost module and a four-bridge arm module and a power distribution module that can realize circuit distribution. The buck-boost module can be used for battery packs with different voltage ranges by forward boost or reverse buck. The buck-boost module and the four-bridge arm module can realize AC-DC conversion and DC-DC conversion together. The output AC or DC can be distributed to the AC load or DC load accordingly through the power distribution module, wherein the AC load can be a power grid to realize the grid connection function, and the DC load can be a new energy vehicle to realize the charging of the new energy vehicle. Thus, the converter of the present disclosure can realize the conversion of the electric energy of the battery pack into AC power to send it to the AC load, and can also be converted into DC power to send it to the new energy vehicle to charge the vehicle. In addition, the converter of the present disclosure can also convert the electric energy of the AC power supply network into DC power to supplement (charge) the battery pack. In the converter of the present disclosure, the buck-boost module and the four-bridge arm module have both the function of DC to DC or AC, and the function of AC to DC. In this way, the converter disclosed in the present invention makes full use of its components, and further reduces the cost and volume while meeting different functional requirements. The converter disclosed in the present invention realizes different outputs through the integration of electrical topology and the control of power distribution modules, and can realize both AC or DC output and bidirectional conversion to replenish the battery, thereby maximizing the utilization rate of devices and equipment.

[0033] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. This detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details.

[0034] refer to Figure 1 , which shows a schematic diagram of a converter 100 with AC / DC charging and discharging functions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the converter 100 may include a buck-boost module 101, a four-bridge arm module 103, and a power distribution module 105. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the buck-boost module 101 may be connected to the four-bridge arm module 103 and include a battery interface ( Figure 1(not shown in the figure), the four-bridge arm module 103 is connected between the buck-boost module 101 and the power distribution module 105. Further according to this embodiment, the power distribution module 105 can be configured to, when in a first state, make the four-bridge arm module 103 in a first electrical topology to receive or output AC through the AC input / output port, and when in a second state, make the four-bridge arm module 103 in a second electrical topology to output DC through the DC output port. In this way, the converter of the present disclosure realizes different outputs through the fusion of electrical topology and the control of the power distribution module, which can realize AC or DC output, and can realize bidirectional conversion to replenish the battery, thereby maximizing the utilization rate of devices and equipment.

[0036] Combine the following Figure 2-4 A more specific implementation example of the converter disclosed in the present invention is explained in detail.

[0037] Figure 2 A schematic circuit diagram of a converter 200 with AC and DC charging and discharging functions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the converter 200 may include a buck-boost module 201, a four-bridge arm module 203, and a power distribution module 205. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the buck-boost module 201 may be connected to the four-bridge arm module 205 and include a battery interface (such as a battery interface) for connecting to a battery. Figure 2 As shown, the buck-boost module 201 can be connected to the battery 207), and the four-bridge-arm module 203 is connected between the buck-boost module 201 and the power distribution module 205. Further according to this embodiment, the power distribution module 205 can be configured to, when in a first state, make the four-bridge-arm module 203 in a first electrical topology to receive or output AC through the AC input / output port, and when in a second state, make the four-bridge-arm module 203 in a second electrical topology to output DC through the DC output port.

[0039] from Figure 2 As can be seen from the example, the buck-boost module 201 includes two switch tubes Q1 and Q2 and corresponding components such as capacitors and inductors. Figure 2 The buck-boost module 201 shown is only shown as an example. The buck-boost module may be an existing or future developed module with any other suitable structure, which will not be described in detail here.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the four-bridge-arm module may include a first bridge arm, a second bridge arm, a third bridge arm, and a fourth bridge arm connected in parallel, wherein each of the first bridge arm, the second bridge arm, the third bridge arm, and the fourth bridge arm includes two switch tubes connected in series. Figure 2As shown in the example, the first bridge arm of the four-bridge arm module 203 includes two switch tubes Q3 and Q4 connected in series, the second bridge arm includes two switch tubes Q5 and Q6 connected in series, the third bridge arm includes two switch tubes Q7 and Q8 connected in series, and the fourth bridge arm includes two switch tubes Q9 and Q10 connected in series.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the power distribution module may include a first group of four switches and a second group of three switches, wherein the first group of four switches includes a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch, and the second group of three switches includes a fifth switch, a sixth switch and a seventh switch. Figure 2 As shown in the example of FIG. 2 , the first group of four switches included in the power distribution module 205 includes a first switch S1, a second switch S2, a third switch S3, and a fourth switch S4, and the second group of three switches includes a fifth switch S5, a sixth switch S6, and a seventh switch S7. It will be understood that the "first group" and "second group" used herein are only for the purpose of convenience of description, and the switches included in the power distribution module 205 can be split or grouped in any suitable manner.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first switch may be connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes included in the first bridge arm and the neutral line interface of the AC input / output port through the first inductor; the second switch may be connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes included in the second bridge arm and the first phase line interface of the AC input / output port through the second inductor; the third switch may be connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes included in the third bridge arm and the second phase line interface of the AC input / output port through the third inductor; the fourth switch may be connected in series between the two switch tubes included in the fourth bridge arm through the fourth inductor. The fifth switch and the first capacitor may be connected in parallel between the first connection point and the second connection point, wherein the first connection point is between the first switch and the first inductor, and the second connection point is between the second switch and the second inductor; the sixth switch and the second capacitor may be connected in parallel between the first connection point and the third connection point, wherein the third connection point is between the third switch and the third inductor; the seventh switch and the third capacitor may be connected in parallel between the first connection point and the fourth connection point, wherein the fourth connection point is between the fourth switch and the fourth inductor.

[0043] like Figure 2As shown in the example, the first switch S1 can be connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes Q3 and Q4 included in the first bridge arm and the neutral line interface of the AC input / output port through the first inductor L1; the second switch S2 can be connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes Q5 and Q6 included in the second bridge arm and the first phase line interface of the AC input / output port through the second inductor L2; the third switch S3 can be connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes Q7 and Q8 included in the third bridge arm and the second phase line interface of the AC input / output port through the third inductor L3; the fourth switch S4 can be connected in series between the two switch tubes Q9 included in the fourth bridge arm through the fourth inductor L4. , between the middle connection point of Q10 and the third phase line interface of the AC input / output port; the fifth switch S5 and the first capacitor C1 can be connected in parallel between the first connection point and the second connection point, and wherein the first connection point is between the first switch S1 and the first inductor L1, and the second connection point is between the second switch S2 and the second inductor L2; the sixth switch S6 and the second capacitor C2 can be connected in parallel between the first connection point and the third connection point, and wherein the third connection point is between the third switch S3 and the third inductor L3; the seventh switch S7 and the third capacitor C3 can be connected in parallel between the first connection point and the fourth connection point, and wherein the fourth connection point is between the fourth switch S4 and the fourth inductor L4.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first state of the power distribution module may be that the first group of four switches are closed and the second group of three switches are open, and the second state of the power distribution module may be that the first group of four switches are open and the second group of three switches are closed.

[0045] refer to Figure 2 In this specific example, the first state of the power distribution module 203 can be that the first group of four switches S1-S4 are all closed and the second group of three switches S5-S7 are all open to supply power to the AC load 211, and the second state of the power distribution module 203 can be that the first group of four switches S1-S4 are all open and the second group of three switches S5-S7 are all closed to supply power to the DC load (such as Figure 2 The charging gun 209) in the apparatus provides a DC output.

[0046] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch is connected in parallel with the first resistor, and the other of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch is connected in parallel with the second resistor. In other words, any two of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch are connected in parallel with a resistor. Further according to this embodiment, the first resistor and the second resistor may be of the same specification. As in Figure 2As shown in the specific example of , the second switch S2 and the fourth switch S4 are each connected in parallel with a resistor. Therefore, in the working scenario where the converter 200 is in charge of the battery, these resistors can provide a pre-charge function to prevent the components of the converter 200 from being damaged.

[0047] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the converter may further include an eighth switch and a fourth capacitor connected in series between the first connection point and the ground line. Figure 2 In the specific example shown, the eighth switch S8 and the fourth capacitor C4 are connected in series between the first connection point and the ground line.

[0048] In a further preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the converter may further include a ninth switch connected in series between the first connection point and the DC power line interface of the DC output port, and a tenth switch connected in series between the ground line and the ground line port of the DC output port. Figure 2 In the specific example shown, the ninth switch S9 is connected in series between the first connection point and the DC power line interface of the DC output port, and the tenth switch S10 is connected in series between the ground line and the ground line port of the DC output port.

[0049] In another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the converter may further include an eleventh switch and a twelfth switch, wherein the first resistor is connected in series with the eleventh switch and the series connection structure is connected in parallel with one of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch, and the second resistor is connected in series with the twelfth switch and the series connection structure is connected in parallel with the other of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch. Figure 2 In the specific example shown, the first resistor is connected in series with the eleventh switch S11 and the series connection structure is connected in parallel with the second switch S2, and the second resistor is connected in series with the twelfth switch S12 and the series connection structure is connected in parallel with the fourth switch S4.

[0050] In another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the first state of the power distribution module may also include that the eighth switch, the ninth switch, the tenth switch, the eleventh switch, and the twelfth switch are all disconnected, and the second state of the power distribution module also includes that the eighth switch, the ninth switch, and the tenth switch are closed and the eleventh switch and the twelfth switch are both disconnected. Further according to this embodiment, in the case of receiving AC through the AC input / output port of the converter, the first state of the power distribution module may also include that the eleventh switch and the twelfth switch are first closed and the two of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch connected in parallel with resistors are disconnected for pre-charging, and after the pre-charging is completed, the eleventh switch and the twelfth switch are disconnected and the two of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch connected in parallel with resistors are closed for charging (recharging) the battery. These different states of the power distribution module will be described in more detail below with reference to subsequent figures.

[0051] refer to Figure 3 , which shows a schematic circuit diagram of a converter 300 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure when the power distribution module is in a first state.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, when the power distribution module of the converter 300 is in the first state, the first group of four switches S1-S4 are all closed and the second group of three switches S5-S7 are all open. In addition, it can be seen that in this example, the eighth switch S8, the ninth switch S9, the tenth switch S10, the eleventh switch S11, and the twelfth switch S12 are all open. As a result, the converter 300 (or its four-arm module) can be in the first electrical topology, so that it can provide AC from the battery to the AC load or receive AC from the power grid to charge the battery (such as Figure 3 It will be understood that whether the converter 300 is specifically used to provide AC from the battery to the AC load or to receive AC from the power grid to charge the battery is achieved by corresponding external instructions to the converter 300, such as issuing a power supply instruction or a power replenishment instruction to the device using the converter 300 (such as an energy storage / charging device, such as a mobile charging vehicle) through the cloud, which will not be repeated here.

[0053] In a further preferred embodiment, when receiving AC through the AC input / output port of the converter 300 to charge the battery, the first state of the power distribution module of the converter 300 may also include the eleventh switch S11 and the twelfth switch S12 being closed first and the second switch S2 and the fourth switch S4 having a resistor in parallel being opened for pre-charging, and after the pre-charging is completed, the eleventh switch S11 and the twelfth switch S12 are opened and the second switch S2 and the fourth switch S4 are closed for charging (recharging) the battery.

[0054] Specific combination Figure 3, when receiving AC through the AC input / output port of the converter 300 to charge the battery, first close the first switch S1, the third switch S3, the eleventh switch S11, the twelfth switch S12 and disconnect the second group of three switches S5-S7 and the second switch S2, the fourth switch S4, the eighth switch S8, the ninth switch S9, and the tenth switch S10 to perform pre-charging, and after the pre-charging is completed, close the second switch S2, the fourth switch S4 and disconnect the eleventh switch S11 and the twelfth switch S12 to charge (recharge) the battery. It will be understood that in this first state, the disconnection of the ninth switch S9 and the tenth switch S10 is also used to ensure that the DC port is not powered for safety purposes. It can also be seen that for the sake of clarity and simplicity, compared to Figure 2 , Figure 3 The gray lines in the figure show the circuit branches that are not energized because the corresponding switches are open.

[0055] refer to Figure 4 , which shows a schematic circuit diagram of a converter 400 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure when the power distribution module is in the second state.

[0056] like Figure 4 As shown, when the power distribution module of the converter 400 is in the second state, the first group of four switches S1-S4 are all disconnected and the second group of three switches S5-S7 are all closed. In addition, the eighth switch S8, the ninth switch S9 and the tenth switch S10 are all closed and the eleventh switch S11 and the twelfth switch S12 are both disconnected. Thus, the converter 400 can provide a DC output through the DC output port. It will be understood that in this second state, the disconnection of the eleventh switch S11 and the twelfth switch S12 is also used to ensure that the AC input / output port is not powered for safety purposes. It can also be seen that for the sake of clarity and simplicity, compared to Figure 2 , Figure 4 The circuit branches that are not energized because the corresponding switches are opened are also shown in gray lines.

[0057] Figure 5 A flow chart of a method 500 for providing a DC output using a converter of the present disclosure is shown according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown, the method 500 may include, at block 510, connecting a battery to a battery interface of a buck-boost module of a converter, and then, at block 520, connecting a DC load to a DC output port of the converter. Subsequently, at block 530, the method 500 may include placing the power distribution module in a second state to provide a DC output to the DC load.

[0059] In one embodiment, the second state of the power distribution module may include that the first group of four switches S1-S4, the eleventh switch S11, and the twelfth switch S12 are all open and the second group of three switches S5-S7, the eighth switch S8, the ninth switch S9, and the tenth switch S10 are all closed, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 shown and described.

[0060] In an embodiment where the DC load includes a vehicle to be charged, method 500 may further include connecting a charging gun to a DC output port of the converter, and inserting the charging gun into a charging port of the vehicle to be charged to perform DC charging on the vehicle to be charged.

[0061] Figure 6 A flow chart of a method 600 of using a converter of the present disclosure to provide an AC output according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0062] like Figure 6 As shown, the method 600 may include, at block 610, connecting a battery to a battery interface of a buck-boost module of a converter, and then, at block 620, connecting an AC load to an AC input / output port of the converter. Subsequently, at block 630, the method 600 may include placing the power distribution module in a first state to provide an AC output to the AC load.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the first state of the power distribution module may include that the first group of four switches S1-S4 are all closed and the second group of three switches S5-S7 and the eighth switch S8, the ninth switch S9, the tenth switch S10, the eleventh switch S11, and the twelfth switch S12 are all open, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 shown and described.

[0064] Figure 7 A flow chart of a method 700 of charging a battery using a converter of the present disclosure is shown according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] like Figure 7 As shown, the method 700 may include, at block 710, connecting a battery to a battery interface of a buck-boost module of a converter, and then, at block 720, connecting a power grid to an AC input / output port of the converter. Subsequently, at block 730, the method 700 may include placing the power distribution module in a first state to charge the battery from the power grid.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the first state of the power distribution module may include first closing the first switch S1, the third switch S3, the eleventh switch S11, and the twelfth switch S12 and opening the second group of three switches S5-S7 and the second switch S2, the fourth switch S4, the eighth switch S8, the ninth switch S9, and the tenth switch S10 for pre-charging, and after the pre-charging is completed, closing the second switch S2 and the fourth switch S4 and opening the eleventh switch S11 and the twelfth switch S12 for charging (recharging) the battery.

[0067] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of an energy storage or charging device 800 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the energy storage or charging device 800 may include a converter described in each example embodiment of the present disclosure, such as converters 100, 200, 300, 400. It will be understood that the energy storage or charging device 800 may be in any suitable form, such as a rectangular parallelepiped, a cylinder, etc., and may be fixed or movable.

[0068] It will be understood that the term "switch" used in the present disclosure may be of any suitable form, such as a relay, a transistor, etc. It will also be understood that the term "battery" used in the present disclosure may be any suitable energy storage device having charge and discharge capabilities, including lithium battery (group), lead-acid battery (group), etc.

[0069] It will also be understood that although the DC load using the DC output is shown in the form of a charging gun in the present disclosure, the DC load of the present disclosure may be in any other suitable form, such as other energy storage devices and the like.

[0070] The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments that can be practiced by way of illustration. These embodiments are also referred to herein as "examples". Such examples may include elements other than those shown or described. However, examples including the elements shown or described are also contemplated. In addition, examples using any combination or arrangement of those elements shown or described are also contemplated, or with reference to the specific examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein, or with reference to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.

[0071] In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open ended, that is, systems, devices, articles, or processes having elements other than those elements listed after such terms in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Furthermore, in the appended claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels and are not intended to indicate a numerical order to their objects.

[0072] In addition, the order of each operation explained in this specification is exemplary. In alternative embodiments, each operation can be performed in a different order than that shown in the drawings, and each operation can be combined into a single operation or split into more operations.

[0073] The above description is intended to be illustrative, not restrictive. For example, the examples described above (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in conjunction with other embodiments. Other embodiments may be used, such as by a person of ordinary skill in the art, after reviewing the above description. The abstract allows the reader to quickly determine the nature of the present technology disclosure. The abstract is submitted, and it is understood that the abstract will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the above specific embodiments, various features may be grouped together to make the disclosure fluent. However, the claims may not state every feature disclosed herein, because the embodiments may characterize a subset of the features. In addition, the embodiments may include fewer features than those disclosed in a particular example. Therefore, the attached claims are thus incorporated into the specific embodiments, and a claim exists independently as a separate embodiment. The scope of the embodiments disclosed herein should be determined with reference to the attached claims and the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A converter with AC and DC charging and discharging functions, comprising: a buck-boost module connected to the four-bridge-arm module and comprising a battery interface for connecting to a battery; The four-bridge-arm module is further connected to the power distribution module; and The power distribution module is configured to, when in a first state, place the four-arm bridge module in a first electrical topology to receive or output AC through an AC input / output port, and when in a second state, place the four-arm bridge module in a second electrical topology to output DC through a DC output port.

2. The converter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The four-bridge-arm module comprises a first bridge arm, a second bridge arm, a third bridge arm, and a fourth bridge arm connected in parallel, wherein each of the first bridge arm, the second bridge arm, the third bridge arm, and the fourth bridge arm comprises two switch tubes connected in series; The power distribution module includes a first group of four switches and a second group of three switches, the first group of four switches includes a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch, the second group of three switches includes a fifth switch, a sixth switch and a seventh switch, The first switch is connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes included in the first bridge arm and the neutral line interface of the AC input / output port through a first inductor, The second switch is connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes included in the second bridge arm and the first phase line interface of the AC input / output port through a second inductor, The third switch is connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes included in the third bridge arm and the second phase line interface of the AC input / output port through a third inductor. The fourth switch is connected in series between the middle connection point of the two switch tubes included in the fourth bridge arm and the third phase line interface of the AC input / output port through a fourth inductor. wherein the fifth switch and the first capacitor are connected in parallel between a first connection point and a second connection point, and wherein the first connection point is between the first switch and the first inductor, and the second connection point is between the second switch and the second inductor, wherein the sixth switch and the second capacitor are connected in parallel between the first connection point and a third connection point, and wherein the third connection point is between the third switch and the third inductor, Wherein the seventh switch and the third capacitor are connected in parallel between the first connection point and a fourth connection point, and wherein the fourth connection point is between the fourth switch and the fourth inductor.

3. The converter according to claim 2, characterized in that The first state of the power distribution module is that the first group of four switches are all closed and the second group of three switches are all open, and the second state of the power distribution module is that the first group of four switches are all open and the second group of three switches are all closed.

4. The converter according to claim 3, characterized in that One of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch is connected in parallel with a first resistor, and the other of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch is connected in parallel with a second resistor, wherein the first resistor and the second resistor are of the same specification.

5. The converter according to claim 4, characterized in that The device further includes an eighth switch and a fourth capacitor connected in series between the first connection point and the ground line.

6. The converter according to claim 5, characterized in that Also includes: a ninth switch connected in series between the first connection point and the DC power line interface of the DC output port; as well as A tenth switch is connected in series between the ground line and a ground line port of the DC output port.

7. The converter according to claim 6, characterized in that Also includes: a ninth switch connected in series between the first connection point and the DC power line interface of the DC output port; as well as A tenth switch is connected in series between the ground line and a ground line port of the DC output port.

8. The converter according to claim 7, characterized in that The first resistor is connected in series with the eleventh switch and the series connection structure is connected in parallel with the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch, and the second resistor is connected in series with the twelfth switch and the series connection structure is connected in parallel with the other one of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch.

9. The converter according to claim 8, characterized in that The first state of the power distribution module also includes the eighth switch, the ninth switch, the tenth switch, the eleventh switch, and the twelfth switch are all disconnected, and the second state of the power distribution module also includes the eighth switch, the ninth switch, and the tenth switch are closed and the eleventh switch and the twelfth switch are both disconnected.

10. The converter according to claim 9, characterized in that In the case of receiving AC through the AC input / output port, the first state of the power distribution module also includes the eleventh switch and the twelfth switch being closed first and the one of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch being disconnected from the other for pre-charging, and after the pre-charging is completed, the eleventh switch and the twelfth switch are disconnected and the one of the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch is closed from the other.

11. A method for providing a DC output using a converter according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: Connecting the battery to the battery interface of the buck-boost module; connecting a DC load to the DC output port; as well as The power distribution module is placed in the second state to provide a DC output to the DC load.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The DC load includes a vehicle to be charged, and the method further includes: Connecting a charging gun to the DC output port; and The charging gun is inserted into the charging port of the vehicle to be charged to perform direct current charging on the vehicle to be charged.

13. A method for providing an AC output using a converter according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: Connecting the battery to the battery interface of the buck-boost module; connecting an AC load to the AC input / output port; as well as The power distribution module is placed in the first state to provide an AC output to the AC load.

14. A method for charging a battery using a converter according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: Connecting the battery to the battery interface of the buck-boost module; Connecting a power supply network to the AC input / output port; as well as The power distribution module is placed in the first state to charge the battery from the power grid.

15. An energy storage or charging device, comprising a converter according to any one of claims 1-10.

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