AC-powered vehicle winch system and control method

Abstract

This invention discloses an AC-powered vehicle winch system and control method relating to the field of winch control technology. The system includes: a power battery for providing direct current (DC); a bidirectional on-board power conversion module connected to the power battery for converting DC power into AC power output; an AC winch, including at least an AC motor driven by the AC power output from the bidirectional on-board power conversion module, and a winching mechanism connected to the AC motor; the winching mechanism is used to wind and release the traction rope under the drive of the AC motor; and a control module connected to the bidirectional on-board power conversion module and the AC winch for controlling the operating state of the AC motor; wherein the bidirectional on-board power conversion module is equipped with an isolated power conversion circuit to form electrical isolation between the power battery and the AC winch. This system can improve power supply safety while achieving stable and efficient traction operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of winch control technology, and in particular to an AC-powered vehicle winch system and control method. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, vehicle winches are widely used in scenarios such as off-road vehicle self-rescue, field towing, and emergency rescue. They mainly use a motor-driven winch mechanism to raise and lower the tow rope to achieve the traction or release of the target object. Most vehicle winches in related technologies adopt a 12V or 24V low-voltage DC power supply scheme, which provides driving power to the DC motor through the vehicle's low-voltage power system.

[0003] However, due to the low supply voltage, a large input current is required under high-power operating conditions, which can easily lead to problems such as wire overheating and overload of electrical connections, thus posing certain safety hazards. Furthermore, winches in related technologies often use DC motors as drive devices. These motors typically include brushes and commutation structures, resulting in a complex overall structure with numerous components. Over long-term use or in complex operating conditions, wear and tear can occur, leading to decreased reliability. In addition, these motors have relatively limited adaptability to harsh environments such as vibration and impact, thus affecting their service life and increasing maintenance and replacement costs. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the safety, reliability, and operating costs of vehicle winches in related technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in related technologies. Therefore, the objective of this invention is to propose an AC-powered vehicle winch system and control method to improve the operational safety and reliability of vehicle winches under high-power conditions and enhance their overall performance.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, a first aspect of the present invention provides an AC-powered vehicle winch system, comprising: A power battery is used to provide direct current. A bidirectional on-board power conversion module, connected to the power battery, is used to invert the direct current to alternating current for output. An AC winch includes at least an AC motor driven by AC power output from the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module, and a hoisting mechanism connected to the AC motor; the hoisting mechanism is used to wind and release the traction rope under the drive of the AC motor. The control module, connected to the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module and the AC winch, is used to control the operating status of the AC motor; The bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module is equipped with an isolated power conversion circuit, which is used to form electrical isolation between the power battery and the AC winch.

[0006] In addition, the AC-powered vehicle winch system of the above embodiments of the present invention may also have the following additional technical features: According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bidirectional on-board power conversion module includes a bidirectional on-board charger; the bidirectional on-board charger has bidirectional energy flow functionality; wherein, In the energy input direction, external alternating current is converted into direct current to charge the power battery; In the energy output direction, the direct current of the power battery is inverted into alternating current to power the AC winch.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module further includes a DC-DC converter unit for converting the DC power of the power battery at a first DC voltage level into DC power at a second DC voltage level, so as to power the vehicle's electrical equipment at a second DC voltage level; the first DC voltage level is higher than the second DC voltage level.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the AC-powered vehicle winch system further includes an AC charging interface connected to the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module, and a safety control unit disposed between the AC charging interface and the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module. The safety control unit is used to disconnect the electrical connection between the AC charging interface and the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module when the AC winch is working, so as to prevent the AC charging interface from becoming energized.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the AC motor is a single-phase AC asynchronous motor, including a main winding, an auxiliary winding and a running capacitor.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the AC-powered vehicle winch system includes a commutation control unit disposed between the control module and the AC motor. The control module is configured to control the direction of the AC motor by controlling the conduction state of the commutation control unit to change the connection relationship between the running capacitor and the main winding or auxiliary winding.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the commutation control unit includes a first relay and a second relay; When the first relay is in the closed state and the second relay is in the open state, the auxiliary winding is connected in series with the running capacitor, and the AC motor rotates forward to perform the rope releasing action; When the second relay is in the closed state and the first relay is in the open state, the main winding is connected in series with the running capacitor, and the AC motor reverses to perform the rope winding action.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the AC-powered vehicle winch system further includes a mechanical switch disposed on the AC winch power supply circuit; the mechanical switch is used to disconnect the power supply circuit when the AC winch is not in operation.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control module communicates with the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module via the vehicle CAN bus and receives the operating parameters of the AC motor collected by the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module in real time; The control module is configured to stop the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module from inverter output when the operating parameters exceed a preset threshold.

[0014] To achieve the above objectives, a second aspect of the present invention provides a control method for an AC-powered vehicle winch system, applied to the AC-powered vehicle winch system proposed in the first aspect embodiment, the method comprising: Receive winch usage instructions and check whether the mechanical switch is closed; If the mechanical switch is detected to be closed, the safety control unit is controlled to disconnect the electrical connection between the AC charging interface and the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module, and the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module is controlled to invert the DC power of the power battery into AC power. Depending on the rope winding or unwinding requirements, the conduction state of the reversing control unit is controlled to drive the AC motor in the AC winch to rotate forward or reverse. During the operation of the AC winch, the operating parameters of the AC motor are acquired in real time. When the operating parameters exceed the preset threshold, the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module is controlled to stop inverter output.

[0015] The AC-powered vehicle winch system and control method of this invention converts the DC power output from the power battery into AC power through a bidirectional on-board power conversion module, driving an AC motor to drive the winch mechanism to perform the winding and unwinding operations of the traction rope. While meeting the functional requirements of the winch, it effectively reduces the current load level during high-power operation, thereby improving the safety of system operation. Simultaneously, by setting an isolated power conversion circuit between the power battery and the AC winch, electrical isolation is achieved, further enhancing safety during power use. Furthermore, the control module controls the operating status of the AC motor, making the winch winding and unwinding operations more stable and controllable, thus maintaining good working performance and reliability even in complex operating environments. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an AC-powered vehicle winch system in one embodiment; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the control commutation principle of an AC motor in one embodiment; Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a control method for an AC-powered vehicle winch system in one embodiment.

[0017] Reference numerals: Power battery 10, bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20, AC winch 30, control module 40, safety control unit 50, reversing control unit 60, mechanical switch 70, AC charging interface 80, vehicle-mounted terminal equipment 90, main winding 301, auxiliary winding 302, running capacitor 303, first relay 601, second relay 602. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0019] The implementation details of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below.

[0020] Figure 1 A block diagram of an AC-powered vehicle winch system, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the system includes functional units such as a power battery 10, a bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20, an AC winch 30, and a control module 40. These functional units are interconnected via electrical and signal connections to form a complete power supply and control system, enabling the normal operation of the AC-powered vehicle winch. The specific embodiments of the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] In this embodiment, the power battery 10 is used to provide direct current (DC). Specifically, the power battery 10 is the vehicle's energy storage unit, used to store electrical energy and output DC power to the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20. The power battery 10 has an internal battery management system for monitoring and regulating its voltage, current, and temperature to ensure stable and safe power output. During operation, the power battery 10 is electrically connected to the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20, transmitting its DC power output to the module for conversion, thereby providing the necessary power to drive the AC winch 30. Simultaneously, the power battery 10 can also provide power support to other electrical modules in the vehicle, thus achieving unified management and distribution of the vehicle's overall electrical energy.

[0022] The bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 is connected to the power battery 10 and is used to invert DC power into AC power output. Specifically, the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 receives DC power output from the power battery 10 and converts it into AC power output through its internal power conversion circuit to drive the AC motor in the AC winch 30. The bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 has AC power output regulation capability, and the frequency of its output AC power can be adjusted within a certain range (e.g., 50~200Hz) to adapt to the speed requirements of the AC motor under different operating conditions, thus eliminating the need for an additional independent frequency converter.

[0023] It should be noted that the power conversion circuit inside the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 has an electrical isolation function, which is used to form an electrical isolation between the power battery 10 and the AC winch 30, thereby preventing electrical faults from affecting the entire vehicle system in abnormal situations and improving the safety of system operation. In addition, since the output is AC power, it has zero-crossing characteristics during voltage changes, which, together with the isolation structure, helps to further improve the safety performance during power use.

[0024] Meanwhile, the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 can monitor the operating status of the AC motor in the AC winch 30, including operating parameters such as current, voltage and temperature. When overload, overheating or abnormal operating conditions are detected, it can stop the AC power output in time to protect the system.

[0025] The AC winch 30 includes an AC motor and a hoisting mechanism connected to the AC motor. The AC motor operates under the AC power output from the bidirectional on-board power conversion module 20, and drives the hoisting mechanism via the transmission connection to achieve the winding and unwinding of the traction rope. The AC motor can switch between different operating states, including driving the hoisting mechanism to move in either the forward or reverse direction, thereby meeting the needs of winding and unwinding operations.

[0026] In addition, the hoisting mechanism also includes a reducer located between the AC motor and the hoisting mechanism, as well as a traction rope wound around the hoisting mechanism.

[0027] During transmission, the reducer matches and converts the speed and torque output of the AC motor, transforming high-speed, low-torque output into low-speed, high-torque output to provide the pulling force required for traction.

[0028] Meanwhile, the reducer can buffer abnormal loads during operation, reducing the impact of impact loads on the AC motor and providing some protection for the transmission system. During the release of the traction rope, the reducer, in conjunction with the winch mechanism, can constrain or adjust the rotation state to improve the stability of the winch during operation.

[0029] The winch mechanism achieves the orderly winding and unwinding of the traction rope through rotation, and converts the rotational motion into a linear traction force on the external load, thereby realizing dragging or releasing operations. Through the above structural coordination, the AC winch 30 can stably output traction force under different working conditions and complete the corresponding winding and unwinding operations.

[0030] The control module 40 is connected to the bidirectional on-board power conversion module 20 and the AC winch 30, and is used to control the operating status of the AC motor. The control module 40 can be a vehicle controller, used to uniformly control the operating status of the AC motor. It controls the AC motor to switch between different operating states according to different usage requirements, so as to realize the winding or releasing operation of the traction rope by the winch mechanism, and to complete the rope winding and releasing functions of the AC winch 30, thereby driving the AC winch 30 to perform corresponding operations, ensuring that the AC winch 30 has good responsiveness and operational stability in actual use.

[0031] In one embodiment, the bidirectional on-board power conversion module 20 includes a bidirectional on-board charger. The bidirectional on-board charger has bidirectional energy flow capability, enabling bidirectional conversion between AC and DC power. In the energy input direction, it can convert AC power input from the power grid (i.e., external AC power) into DC power to charge the power battery 10. In the energy output direction, it can convert the DC power output from the power battery 10 into AC power to supply power to in-vehicle and external electrical equipment, thereby achieving bidirectional energy flow.

[0032] In practical applications, the main power circuit of a bidirectional on-board charger includes a power factor correction (PFC) circuit and a CLLC resonant converter (CLLC) circuit. The PFC circuit is used to shape the input current to improve the power factor, while the CLLC circuit is used to achieve efficient isolation conversion and voltage regulation of electrical energy.

[0033] The CLLC circuit incorporates a high-frequency isolation transformer. This transformer achieves energy transfer between the input and output sides via magnetic coupling, while simultaneously providing electrical isolation between the two circuits. This eliminates the direct electrical connection between the power battery 10 and the AC load side. This structure enables the bidirectional on-board power conversion module 20 to possess electrical isolation capabilities.

[0034] This structure enables vehicles to achieve flexible power supply methods in different usage scenarios, improving the adaptability and functionality of the vehicle's electrical system. At the same time, it balances energy conversion efficiency and electrical safety during the bidirectional flow of electrical energy, further enhancing the adaptability and functionality of the vehicle's electrical system.

[0035] In one embodiment, the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 further includes a DC-DC converter unit for stepping down the DC power output from the power battery 10 at a first DC voltage level and outputting DC power at a second DC voltage level (e.g., 12V) to power the vehicle's second DC voltage level electrical devices, such as providing power support to the battery controller, the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20, and the control module 40, thereby meeting the differentiated voltage level requirements of different electrical components.

[0036] The DC-DC converter regulates and stabilizes the input DC voltage to keep the output voltage within a preset range, thereby ensuring the stable operation of low-voltage electrical equipment.

[0037] By setting up a DC-DC converter, the high-voltage output of the power battery 10 can be adapted to the low-voltage electrical system, avoiding direct coupling between systems of different voltage levels. At the same time, it realizes the distribution and isolation of the vehicle's electrical energy between the high-voltage system and the low-voltage system, improving the stability and safety of the vehicle's electrical system.

[0038] In one embodiment, the AC-powered vehicle winch system further includes an AC charging interface 80 connected to the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 for connecting to an external AC power source to charge the power battery 10. A safety control unit 50 is provided in the power supply circuit between the AC charging interface 80 and the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 to control the electrical connection status between the AC charging interface 80 and the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20.

[0039] In practical applications, the safety control unit 50 may include a relay, which is controlled by the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module 20. When the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module 20 controls the safety control unit 50 to be in the conducting state, the AC charging port is connected to the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module 20 to enable the input of external AC power to the power battery 10. During the operation of the AC winch 30, the safety control unit 50 is controlled to be in the disconnected state, so that the AC charging interface 80 is disconnected from the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module 20, thereby preventing the AC charging interface 80 from becoming energized and preventing the risk of electric shock when the user touches the AC charging interface 80, thus improving safety during use.

[0040] In one embodiment, the AC motor is a single-phase AC asynchronous motor, which does not have brushes and commutator components in its structure, thereby reducing wear problems caused by mechanical contact parts, reducing maintenance requirements, and improving the reliability and service life of the motor under complex working conditions.

[0041] The AC motor includes a main winding 301, an auxiliary winding 302, and a running capacitor 303. The main winding 301 is used to directly connect to the AC power supply and generate the main magnetic field. The auxiliary winding 302 and the running capacitor 303 form an auxiliary circuit. The running capacitor 303 is used to adjust the phase of the current in the auxiliary winding 302 so that the current in the auxiliary winding 302 forms a predetermined phase difference with the current in the main winding 301, thereby causing the alternating magnetic fields generated by the main winding 301 and the auxiliary winding 302 to be superimposed in space to form a rotating magnetic field.

[0042] Under the influence of the rotating magnetic field, the motor rotor is driven by electromagnetic force to rotate continuously, thereby converting electrical energy into mechanical energy and providing power output for the AC winch 30. This structure enables the motor to achieve stable start-up and continuous operation under single-phase power supply conditions.

[0043] In one embodiment, the AC-powered vehicle winch system includes a commutation control unit 60 disposed between the control module 40 and the AC motor.

[0044] The commutation control unit 60 is used to change the electrical connection mode of the internal windings of the AC motor under different operating conditions, thereby adjusting the phase relationship between the current of the auxiliary winding 302 and the current of the main winding 301. The control module 40 controls the commutation control unit 60 to switch between different connection states according to the working requirements of the winch, so that the running capacitor 303 is selectively connected to either the main winding 301 or the auxiliary winding 302 circuit.

[0045] By changing the connection method of the running capacitor 303, the current phase relationship between the main winding 301 and the auxiliary winding 302 is changed, thereby changing the rotation direction of the rotating magnetic field formed inside the motor, and thus realizing the switching of the output torque direction of the AC motor.

[0046] Based on the above structure, the AC motor can switch between forward and reverse rotation without changing the power supply form, thereby driving the hoisting mechanism to complete the winding and releasing of the traction rope, and improving the reliability and response efficiency of the system control.

[0047] In one embodiment, the commutation control unit 60 includes a first relay 601 and a second relay 602, which are respectively used to control the connection relationship between the running capacitor 303 and the main winding 301 or the auxiliary winding 302. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the control and commutation principle of an AC motor. (Example:) Figure 2 As shown, by changing the connection position of the running capacitor 303 to adjust the current phase of the secondary winding 302, the rotation direction of the rotating magnetic field inside the motor is changed. The following section combines... Figure 2This section details the working principle of how changing the connection position of the running capacitor 303 to adjust the current phase of the secondary winding 302, thereby changing the direction of the rotating magnetic field inside the motor.

[0048] When the first relay 601 is closed and the second relay 602 is open, the secondary winding 302 is connected in series with the running capacitor 303. Under the action of the running capacitor 303, the current phase in the secondary winding 302 leads the current in the main winding 301, so that the magnetic field generated by the secondary winding 302 leads the magnetic field of the main winding 301. This creates a magnetic field rotating in the first direction inside the motor, driving the rotor to rotate in the forward direction to perform the rope releasing action.

[0049] When the second relay 602 is closed and the first relay 601 is open, the main winding 301 is connected in series with the running capacitor 303. Under the action of the running capacitor 303, the phase of the current in the secondary winding 302 lags behind the current in the main winding 301, causing the magnetic field generated by the secondary winding 302 to lag behind the magnetic field of the main winding 301. This creates a magnetic field rotating in the opposite direction inside the motor, driving the rotor to rotate in the opposite direction to perform the rope winding action.

[0050] By controlling the first relay 601 and the second relay 602 in coordination, the connection mode of the running capacitor 303 is switched through the control module 40, thereby changing the direction of the rotating magnetic field inside the motor and thus realizing reliable control of the forward and reverse rotation of the AC motor.

[0051] In one embodiment, the AC-powered vehicle winch system further includes a mechanical switch 70 disposed on the power supply circuit of the AC winch 30. The mechanical switch 70 is located in the main power supply circuit of the AC motor and is used to control the on / off state of the power supply circuit of the AC winch 30. When the mechanical switch 70 is in the open state, the electrical connection between the AC motor and the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 is disconnected, and the AC winch 30 is in a power-off and stopped state. When the mechanical switch 70 is closed, the main power supply circuit of the AC motor is connected, enabling the AC winch 30 to operate.

[0052] In actual use, the user can connect the power supply circuit by closing the mechanical switch 70 before using the AC winch 30, and disconnect the power supply circuit by opening the mechanical switch 70 when not using the AC winch 30, thereby preventing the AC winch 30 from being accidentally powered on when not in operation.

[0053] By setting up a mechanical switch 70, the power supply circuit of the AC winch 30 has a manually controllable physical disconnection path, thereby improving the safety of the system during use and reducing the risk of equipment damage caused by misoperation or abnormal operating conditions.

[0054] In one embodiment, the control module 40 communicates with the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module 20 via the vehicle's CAN bus. The CAN bus is used for data transmission and command exchange between the various electronic control units in the vehicle, enabling the control module 40 to establish a stable communication link with the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module 20, thus allowing for the issuance of control commands and feedback of status information. The CAN bus includes a CAN high-level signal line (CANH) and a CAN low-level signal line (CANL), which form a differential signal transmission channel. Data transmission is performed via voltage difference to improve anti-interference capability and transmission reliability during communication.

[0055] The control module 40 receives real-time operating parameters of the AC motor from the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 via the CAN bus. These operating parameters include information such as current, voltage, and temperature. During the operation of the AC winch 30, the control module 40 monitors and judges the operating status of the AC motor based on the operating parameters. When the operating parameters exceed a preset threshold, the control module 40 sends a control command to the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 via the CAN bus to stop the inverter output, thereby cutting off the power supply to the AC motor.

[0056] In practical applications, the CAN bus is also used to realize coordinated communication between the control module 40, the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module 20, and other electronic control units of the vehicle, so that the winch control process can interact with modules such as the power system, battery management, and vehicle terminal, thereby ensuring the coordinated operation of the AC winch 30 in the whole vehicle system and improving the stability and responsiveness of the overall control.

[0057] The above structure enables the system to perform timely protection and control under abnormal operating conditions, preventing damage to the motor and related components due to overload or overheating, and improving the operational safety and reliability of the AC winch 30 system.

[0058] In one embodiment, Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the control method for an AC-powered vehicle winch system. The method covers the start-up control, power supply switching, operation drive, and safety protection processes of the AC winch 30, enabling full-process control of the AC-powered vehicle winch system.

[0059] During actual operation, the system first receives the winch usage command from the user and checks the status of mechanical switch 70. When mechanical switch 70 is detected to be in the closed state, it indicates that the main power supply circuit for AC winch 30 has been connected, and the system is ready to start.

[0060] Based on this, the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module 20 is controlled to perform a self-test process. After the self-test is completed, the safety control unit 50 is controlled to disconnect the electrical connection between the AC charging interface 80 and the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module 20 to ensure that the charging interface is in a non-energized state during the operation of the AC winch 30.

[0061] Subsequently, based on the user's rope winding or unwinding requirements, the control module 40 controls the conduction state of the reversing control unit 60 to drive the AC motor to rotate forward or reverse, thereby driving the winch mechanism to perform the winding or unwinding operation of the traction rope. The winch usage commands can be generated by, for example... Figure 1 The on-board terminal device 90 or mobile terminal shown sends a signal, which is then parsed and processed by the control module 40 to generate a corresponding control signal. Based on this control signal, the control module 40 drives the commutation control unit 60 and sends the control command to the bidirectional on-board power conversion module 20 through the vehicle communication network to coordinate the power supply and driving process.

[0062] Simultaneously, the control module 40 sends a discharge control command to the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20, causing the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 to invert the DC power from the power battery 10 into AC power and output it to the AC motor to drive the AC winch 30. During this process, based on the received control command, the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module 20 processes the DC power output from the power battery 10 through its internal power conversion circuits (i.e., the PFC circuit and the CLLC circuit), completing the conversion from DC to AC power to form an AC power output that meets the operating requirements of the AC motor.

[0063] During the operation of the AC winch 30, the operating parameters of the AC motor are acquired in real time and monitored. When the operating parameters are detected to exceed the preset threshold, the bidirectional on-board power conversion module 20 is controlled to stop the inverter output, thereby terminating the power supply to the AC motor and protecting the system.

[0064] In addition, during the operation of the AC winch 30, relevant operating status information can be transmitted to the vehicle-mounted terminal equipment for users to monitor the status.

[0065] The above method realizes the complete process of AC winch from startup, operation to protection control, improving the safety and controllability of system operation.

[0066] In the above embodiments, the AC-powered vehicle winch system converts the DC power supplied by the power battery into AC power through a bidirectional on-board power conversion module, driving the AC motor in the AC winch to achieve the winding and releasing of the traction rope. By using an AC motor as the driving component and combining it with the electrical isolation structure of the bidirectional on-board power conversion module, an isolation relationship is formed between the power system and the load side, thereby reducing the impact of electrical faults on the entire vehicle system and improving system operational safety. Simultaneously, through the control module's control of the AC motor's operating status, the winch mechanism can achieve stable winding and releasing actions according to operational requirements, and achieve coordinated control of power conversion and load driving during system operation, thereby improving the winch system's responsiveness and operational stability. Therefore, this AC-powered vehicle winch system meets the requirements of traction operations while possessing good safety performance and system reliability.

[0067] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0068] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0069] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An AC-powered vehicle winch system, characterized in that, include: A power battery is used to provide direct current. A bidirectional on-board power conversion module, connected to the power battery, is used to invert the direct current to alternating current for output. An AC winch includes at least an AC motor driven by AC power output from the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module, and a hoisting mechanism connected to the AC motor; the hoisting mechanism is used to wind and release the traction rope under the drive of the AC motor. The control module, connected to the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module and the AC winch, is used to control the operating status of the AC motor; The bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module is equipped with an isolated power conversion circuit, which is used to form electrical isolation between the power battery and the AC winch.

2. The AC-powered vehicle winch system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bidirectional on-board power conversion module includes a bidirectional on-board charger; the bidirectional on-board charger has bidirectional energy flow capability; wherein... In the energy input direction, external alternating current is converted into direct current to charge the power battery; In the energy output direction, the direct current of the power battery is inverted into alternating current to power the AC winch.

3. The AC-powered vehicle winch system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module further includes a DC-DC converter unit, used to convert the DC power of the power battery at a first DC voltage level into DC power at a second DC voltage level, so as to power the vehicle's second DC voltage level electrical equipment; the first DC voltage level is higher than the second DC voltage level.

4. The AC-powered vehicle winch system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The AC-powered vehicle winch system also includes an AC charging interface connected to the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module, and a safety control unit disposed between the AC charging interface and the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module. The safety control unit is used to disconnect the electrical connection between the AC charging interface and the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module when the AC winch is working, so as to prevent the AC charging interface from becoming energized.

5. The AC-powered vehicle winch system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The AC motor is a single-phase AC asynchronous motor, including a main winding, an auxiliary winding, and a running capacitor.

6. The AC-powered vehicle winch system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The AC-powered vehicle winch system includes a commutation control unit disposed between the control module and the AC motor. The control module is configured to control the direction of the AC motor by controlling the conduction state of the commutation control unit to change the connection relationship between the running capacitor and the main winding or auxiliary winding.

7. The AC-powered vehicle winch system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The reversing control unit includes a first relay and a second relay; When the first relay is in the closed state and the second relay is in the open state, the auxiliary winding is connected in series with the running capacitor, and the AC motor rotates forward to perform the rope releasing action; When the second relay is in the closed state and the first relay is in the open state, the main winding is connected in series with the running capacitor, and the AC motor reverses to perform the rope winding action.

8. The AC-powered vehicle winch system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The AC-powered vehicle winch system also includes a mechanical switch installed on the AC winch power supply circuit; the mechanical switch is used to cut off the power supply circuit when the AC winch is not in operation.

9. The AC-powered vehicle winch system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module communicates with the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module via the vehicle CAN bus and receives the operating parameters of the AC motor collected by the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module in real time. The control module is configured to stop the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module from inverter output when the operating parameters exceed a preset threshold.

10. A control method for an AC-powered vehicle winch system, characterized in that, The method, applied to the AC-powered vehicle winch system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprises: Receive winch usage instructions and check whether the mechanical switch is closed; If the mechanical switch is detected to be closed, the safety control unit is controlled to disconnect the electrical connection between the AC charging interface and the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module, and the bidirectional vehicle power conversion module is controlled to invert the DC power of the power battery into AC power. Depending on the rope winding or unwinding requirements, the conduction state of the reversing control unit is controlled to drive the AC motor in the AC winch to rotate forward or reverse. During the operation of the AC winch, the operating parameters of the AC motor are acquired in real time. When the operating parameters exceed the preset threshold, the bidirectional vehicle-mounted power conversion module is controlled to stop inverter output.

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