Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle vehicle-to-everything architecture

Abstract

An electric vehicle system. The system includes an alternating current (AC) power source, a direct current (DC) power source, a DC-AC converter having an output coupled to an AC power outlet of the vehicle, an inverter for converting AC power at the AC power source to direct current (DC) power, an isolated DC-DC converter coupled to a DC side of the DC-AC converter of an on-board charging module, a first set of contactors for connecting the inverter to the DC side of the DC-AC converter, a second set of contactors for connecting the DC power source to the isolated DC-DC converter, and a controller configured to select between using the AC power source and the DC power source to provide AC power to the AC power outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This subject matter discloses vehicle-to-everything (V2X) operation of electric vehicles, and more specifically, methods for supplying power from various power sources of the vehicle to external loads. Background Technology

[0002] Electric vehicles can have multiple power sources. Alternating current (AC) power (such as a motor) can be used to power the vehicle's movement. Direct current (DC) power, such as a battery, can also be used. A characteristic of electric vehicles is their ability to supply power to external loads, known as vehicle-to-everything (V2X) power distribution. However, there is no ability to select the power source. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an electrical system architecture that allows selection of the vehicle's power source for external power distribution. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one exemplary embodiment, a method for providing alternating current (AC) power from a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes: determining an operating mode of the vehicle as one of a driving mode and a stationary mode; and operating an electrical system of the vehicle based on the operating mode. The electrical system includes an AC power supply, a direct current (DC) power supply, a DC-AC converter having an output coupled to an AC power outlet of the vehicle, an inverter for converting AC power from the AC power supply to DC power, an isolated DC-DC converter of an on-board charging module (OBCM), the isolated DC-DC converter coupled to the DC side of the DC-AC converter, a first set of contactors for connecting the inverter to the DC side of the DC-AC converter, and a second set of contactors for connecting the DC power supply to the isolated DC-DC converter. Operating the electrical system includes controlling the configuration of the first and second sets of contactors to select between using the AC power supply and the DC power supply based on the operating mode to provide AC power to the AC power outlet.

[0004] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, AC power is one of the vehicle's engine, generator, or motor, and DC power is the vehicle's battery.

[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, the OBCM includes a power factor correction AC-DC converter having an AC side coupled to an external power supply, and the power factor correction AC-DC converter is electrically connected to an isolated DC-DC converter.

[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, the method also includes performing one of closing a first set of contactors and opening a second set of contactors to select an AC power supply, or opening the first set of contactors and closing the second set of contactors to select a DC power supply.

[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, the method also includes controlling the configuration of the first set of contactors and the second set of contactors to provide DC power to an auxiliary DC load via an auxiliary DC-DC converter.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, the method also includes controlling the configuration of the first set of contactors and the second set of contactors to provide DC power to a direct DC load.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a DC-AC converter is one of a two-phase converter and a three-phase converter.

[0010] In another exemplary embodiment, an electrical system for an electric vehicle is disclosed. The electrical system includes an alternating current (AC) power supply, a direct current (DC) power supply, a DC-AC converter having an output coupled to an AC power outlet of the electric vehicle, an inverter for converting AC power from the AC power supply to DC power, an isolated DC-DC converter of an on-board charging module (OBCM), the isolated DC-DC converter being coupled to the DC side of the DC-AC converter, a first set of contactors for connecting the inverter to the DC side of the DC-AC converter, a second set of contactors for connecting the DC power supply to the isolated DC-DC converter, and a controller for configuring the first and second sets of contactors to select between using the AC power supply and the DC power supply based on the driving mode of the electric vehicle to provide AC power to the AC power outlet.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, AC power is one of the motors, generators, or generators in an electric vehicle, and DC power is the battery in an electric vehicle.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, the OBCM includes a power factor correction AC-DC converter having an AC side coupled to an external power supply, and the power factor correction AC-DC converter is electrically connected to an isolated DC-DC converter.

[0013] In addition to one or more features described herein, the controller is configured to close the first set of contactors and open the second set of contactors to select an AC power supply, or to open the first set of contactors and close the second set of contactors to select a DC power supply.

[0014] In addition to one or more features described herein, the electrical system also includes an auxiliary DC-DC converter, which is selectively connected to an AC power source and a DC power source via a first set of contactors and a second set of contactors to provide DC power to an auxiliary DC load.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, the electrical system also includes a direct DC load, which is selectively connected to the AC power supply and the DC power supply via a first set of contactors and a second set of contactors.

[0016] In addition to one or more features described herein, a DC-AC converter is one of two-phase converters and three-phase converters.

[0017] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes an AC power outlet, an AC power supply, a DC power supply, a DC-AC converter having an output coupled to the AC power outlet of the vehicle, an inverter for converting AC power at the AC power supply to DC power, an isolated DC-DC converter of an on-board charging module (OBCM) coupled to the DC side of the DC-AC converter, a first set of contactors for connecting the inverter to the DC side of the DC-AC converter, a second set of contactors for connecting the DC power supply to the isolated DC-DC converter, and a controller for controlling the configuration of the first and second sets of contactors to select between using the AC power supply and the DC power supply to provide AC power to the AC power outlet based on the vehicle's driving mode.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, AC power is one of the vehicle's engine, generator, or motor, and DC power is the vehicle's battery.

[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, the OBCM includes a power factor correction AC-DC converter having an AC side coupled to an external power supply, and the power factor correction AC-DC converter is electrically connected to an isolated DC-DC converter.

[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, the controller is configured to close the first set of contactors and open the second set of contactors to select an AC power supply, or to open the first set of contactors and close the second set of contactors to select a DC power supply.

[0021] In addition to one or more features described herein, the vehicle also includes an auxiliary DC-DC converter that is selectively connected to an AC power supply and a DC power supply via a first set of contactors and a second set of contactors to provide DC power to an auxiliary DC load.

[0022] In addition to one or more features described herein, the vehicle also includes a direct DC load, which is selectively connected to the AC power supply and the DC power supply via a first set of contactors and a second set of contactors.

[0023] The above-described features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages, of this disclosure will become apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Other features, advantages, and details appear by way of example only in the following detailed description, which is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1 An embodiment of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Circuit diagram of the electrical system of an electric vehicle;

[0027] Figure 3 This is shown in the embodiment through Figure 2 A diagram of the power flow in an electrical system;

[0028] Figure 4 A circuit diagram of an electrical system in another embodiment is shown; and

[0029] Figure 5 In the embodiments, it is used for operation Figure 2-4 A flowchart of the method for the electrical system. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The following description is exemplary in nature only and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or use. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 An embodiment of vehicle 10 is shown, which includes a body 12 that at least partially defines a passenger compartment 14. The body 12 also supports various vehicle subsystems, including a propulsion system 16 and other subsystems to support the functions of the propulsion system 16 and other vehicle components, such as a braking subsystem, a suspension system, a steering subsystem, etc.

[0032] Vehicle 10 may be an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid vehicle, or any other vehicle. In this embodiment, vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle that includes multiple motors and / or drive systems. Any number of drive units may be included, such as one or more drive units for applying torque to the front wheels (not shown) and / or the rear wheels (not shown). The drive units are controllable to operate vehicle 10 in various operating modes, such as normal mode, high-performance mode (where additional torque is applied), all-wheel drive (“AWD”), front-wheel drive (“FWD”), rear-wheel drive (“RWD”), etc.

[0033] For example, propulsion system 16 is a multi-drive system, comprising a front drive unit 20 for driving the front wheels and a rear drive unit for driving the rear wheels. The front drive unit 20 includes a front electric motor 22 and a front inverter 24 (e.g., a front power inverter module or FPIM), as well as other components such as a cooling system. The left rear drive unit 30L includes a left rear electric motor 32L and a left rear inverter 34L. The right rear drive unit 30R includes a right rear electric motor 32R and a right rear inverter 34R. The front inverter 24, left rear inverter 34L, and right rear inverter 34R (e.g., power inverter units or PIMs) each convert direct current (DC) power from the high-voltage (HV) battery system 40 into multiphase (e.g., two-phase, three-phase, six-phase, etc.) alternating current (AC) power to drive the front electric motor 22, left rear electric motor 32L, and right rear electric motor 32R.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the drive system has a separate electric motor. However, the embodiments are not limited to this. For example, instead of a separate motor, multiple drives can be provided by a single machine with multiple physically independent sets of windings.

[0035] For example Figure 1 As shown, the drive system is configured such that the front electric motor 22 drives the front wheels (not shown), and the left rear electric motor 32L and the right rear electric motor 32R drive the rear wheels (not shown). However, the embodiment is not limited to this, as any number of drive systems and / or motors (e.g., a motor driving each wheel, dual motors per axle, etc.) can be present in various locations. Furthermore, the embodiment is not limited to a dual drive system, as it can be used with vehicles having any number of motors and / or power inverters.

[0036] In the propulsion system 16, the front drive unit 20, the left rear drive unit 30L, and the right rear drive unit 30R are electrically connected to the battery system 40. The battery system 40 may also be electrically connected to other electrical components (also referred to as "electrical loads"), such as vehicle electronics (e.g., via an auxiliary power module or APM 42), heaters, cooling systems, etc. The battery system 40 may be configured as a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS).

[0037] In one embodiment, the battery system 40 includes a plurality of individual battery modules, each of which can be charged independently and can be used to independently power one or more drive systems. For example, the battery system 40 includes a first battery module, such as a first battery pack 44 connected to the front inverter 24, and a second battery pack 46. The first battery pack 44 includes a first plurality of battery modules 48, and the second battery pack 46 includes a second plurality of battery modules 50. Each of the first plurality of battery modules 48 and the second plurality of battery modules 50 includes a plurality of individual battery cells (not shown).

[0038] Each of the front electric motor 22, the left rear electric motor 32L, and the right rear electric motor 32R is a three-phase motor with three-phase motor windings. However, the embodiments described herein are not limited thereto. For example, the motor can be any multiphase machine powered by a multiphase inverter, and the drive unit can be implemented using a single machine with independent sets of windings.

[0039] The battery system 40 and / or propulsion system 16 include a switching system having various switching devices for controlling the operation of the first battery pack 44 and the second battery pack 46, and selectively connecting the first battery pack 44 and the second battery pack 46 to the front drive unit 20, the left rear drive unit 30L, and the right rear drive unit 30R. The switching devices can also be operated to selectively connect the first battery pack 44 and the second battery pack 46 to a charging system. The charging system can be used to charge the first battery pack 44 and the second battery pack 46, and / or supply power from the first battery pack 44 and / or the second battery pack 46 to charge another energy storage system (e.g., vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and / or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) charging). The charging system includes one or more charging modules. For example, a first on-board charging module (OBCM) 52 is electrically connected to a charging port 54 for charging and receiving from an AC system or device, such as a public AC power source. A second OBCM 53 may be included for DC charging (e.g., DC fast charging or DCFC).

[0040] In this embodiment, the switching system includes a first switching device 60 and a second switching device 62. The first switching device 60 selectively connects the first battery pack 44 to the front inverter 24, the left rear inverter 34L, and the right rear inverter 34R. The second switching device 62 selectively connects the second battery pack 46 to the front inverter 24, the left rear inverter 34L, and the right rear inverter 34R. The switching system also includes a third switching device 64 (also referred to as a "battery switching device") for selectively connecting the first battery pack 44 in series to the second battery pack 46.

[0041] Any of a variety of controllers can be used to control the functions of the battery system 40, the switching system, and the drive unit. The controller includes any suitable processing device or unit, and existing controllers such as drive system controllers, RESS controllers, and / or controllers within the drive system can be used. For example, controller 65 may be included for controlling the switching and drive control operations as discussed herein.

[0042] Vehicle 10 also includes a computer system 55, which includes one or more processing units 56 and a user interface 58. The computer system 55 can communicate with the charging system controller, for example, by providing commands to it in response to user input. Various processing units, modules, and units can communicate with each other via communication devices or systems such as Controller Area Network (CAN) or Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) buses.

[0043] As shown herein, vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle. In alternative embodiments, vehicle 10 may be an internal combustion engine vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, etc.

[0044] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The circuit diagram 200 shows the electrical system of the electric vehicle. The electrical system includes an AC power source (AC power supply 202), such as the vehicle's electric motor or generator driven by an engine or fuel cell, and a DC power source (DC power supply 204), such as the vehicle's battery. The output of AC power supply 202 is connected to inverter 206. The electrical system also includes a DC-AC converter (phase-splitting inverter 208), a bidirectional on-board charging module (OBCM 210), and an auxiliary DC-DC converter 212. The output of phase-splitting inverter 208 is connected to an AC power outlet 214.

[0045] AC power supply 202 outputs AC power, and DC power supply 204 outputs DC power. The output of AC power supply 202 is coupled to inverter 206, which converts the AC power to DC power. The DC power is transmitted along positive voltage bus 216 and negative voltage bus 218. Positive voltage bus 216 includes a first contactor 220, and negative voltage bus 218 includes a second contactor 222. The first contactor 220 can be selectively configured to connect positive voltage bus 216 to the positive input of split-phase inverter 208 and the positive input of auxiliary DC-DC converter 212. Similarly, the second contactor 222 can be selectively configured to connect negative voltage bus 218 to the negative input of split-phase inverter 208 and the negative input of auxiliary DC-DC converter 212. The first contactor 220 and the second contactor 222 form a first set of contactors.

[0046] OBCM210 includes an AC-DC converter with a power factor correction AC-DC converter (PFC AC-DC converter 226) and an isolated DC-DC converter 228. The PFC AC-DC converter 226 is electrically coupled to the isolated DC-DC converter 228 via a positive OBCM bus 230 and a negative OBCM bus 232. The AC side of the PFC AC-DC converter 226 can be coupled to an external power source, such as a home charging station, at an AC charging port 234. A positive connector line 236 connects the positive OBCM bus 230 to the positive voltage bus 216 on the converter side of the first contactor 220. A negative connector line 238 connects the negative OBCM bus 232 to the negative voltage bus 218 on the converter side of the second contactor 222.

[0047] DC power supply 204 has positive and negative terminals. Third contactor 240 can be optionally configured to connect its positive terminal to the isolated DC-DC converter 228 and to the positive voltage bus 216 on the inverter side of first contactor 220. Fourth contactor 242 can be optionally configured to connect its negative terminal to the isolated DC-DC converter 228 and to the negative voltage bus 218 on the inverter side of second contactor 222. Third contactor 240 and fourth contactor 242 form a second set of contactors.

[0048] The split-phase inverter 208 converts DC power along the positive voltage bus 216 and the negative voltage bus 218 into AC power that can be supplied to the AC power outlet 214. The split-phase inverter 208 includes two phase branches and a capacitor branch. Each phase branch has a pair of switches connected in series between the positive voltage bus 216 and the negative voltage bus 218. Each switch includes a transistor with a diode connected across it. The first phase branch draws voltage from the midpoint between the first pair of switches, and the second phase branch draws voltage from the midpoint between the second pair of switches. The capacitor branch includes two capacitors, and the third phase branch draws voltage from the midpoint between the capacitors. Therefore, the phase branches are electrically connected to the AC power outlet 214 via a third set of contactors 224, including contactors 224a-c. A balancing circuit (not shown) is connected to capacitors C2 and C4 to balance the voltage between them, ensuring that each capacitor shares the same voltage. As a result, the midpoint of these capacitors can be used as the neutral point of the split-phase inverter 208.

[0049] Figure 3 This is shown in the embodiment through Figure 2 Figure 300 shows the power flow of the electrical system. The electrical system includes a direct DC load 302, which is coupled to the positive connector line 236 via a fifth contactor 304 and to the negative connector line 238 via a sixth contactor 306. The fifth contactor 304 and the sixth contactor 306 form a fourth set of contactors.

[0050] The first arrow 308 indicates the power flow from AC power source 202. Power flows from AC power source 202 through inverter 206 and split-phase inverter 208 to AC power outlet 214. The third set of contactors 224 closes to allow AC power to flow to AC power outlet 214. The fourth set of contactors opens.

[0051] The second arrow 310 indicates the power flow from the DC power supply 204. The second arrow 310 flows when the first set of contactors is open and the second set of contactors is closed. Power flows from the DC power supply 204 through the isolated DC-DC converter 228 and the phase-splitting inverter 208 to the AC power outlet 214. The third set of contactors 224 closes to allow AC power to flow to the AC power outlet 214. The fourth set of contactors opens.

[0052] With the first and fourth sets of contactors closed and the second and third sets of contactors open, the AC power supply 202 can be used to provide DC power to the direct DC load 302, as indicated by the third arrow 312.

[0053] With the first, second, and third sets of contactors open and the fourth set of contactors closed, AC power supply 202 can provide DC power to the direct DC load 302 via the isolated DC-DC converter 228, and can also simultaneously provide AC power to an external power source at the AC charging port 234 via the isolated DC-DC converter 228 and the PFC AC-DC converter 226, as shown by the fourth arrow 314.

[0054] With the first set of contactors closed and the second, third and fourth sets of contactors open, the AC power supply 202 can provide DC power to the auxiliary DC load via the auxiliary DC-DC converter 212.

[0055] With the first and third sets of contactors open and the second and fourth sets of contactors closed, the DC power supply can provide DC power to the direct DC load 302, as indicated by the third arrow 312.

[0056] With the first set of switches open, the second set of contactors and the fourth set of switches open and the second set of switches closes. The DC power supply can provide DC power to the auxiliary load via the auxiliary DC-DC converter 212.

[0057] With the first, second, and fourth sets of switches off and the third set of switches closed, AC power can be supplied from the external power source at the AC charging inlet 234 to the AC power socket 214.

[0058] Figure 4 A circuit diagram 400 of an electrical system in another embodiment is shown. This is in addition to a DC-AC converter 402 (which replaces...). Figure 2 and Figure 3 The split-phase inverter 208 is, in addition to the three-phase converter, part of the electrical system including... Figure 2 The DC-AC converter 402 is a component of the electrical system. It includes four phase lines. Three of these phase lines are connected to three branches of the DC-AC converter 402, respectively. The fourth phase line is connected to the midpoint voltage between the positive voltage bus 216 and the negative voltage bus 218. A contactor 404 can be closed independently to supply AC power from the DC-AC converter 402 to the AC power outlet 214.

[0059] In this embodiment, two phase wires of the branch connected to the DC-AC converter 402 can be disconnected from the AC power socket 214 by opening their respective contactors 404, while the phase wires of the remaining branch are connected by closing their contactors. For the connected phase wires, the upper and lower switches of the branch of the DC-AC inverter are opened, and their contactors are closed. Thus, two phase wires are connected to the AC power socket 214, effectively converting it to a DC socket.

[0060] Figure 5 This is for operation in the embodiment. Figure 2-4 The flowchart 500 describes the method for the electrical system. The method begins at block 502 when the vehicle enters Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) mode. In block 504, the controller determines the vehicle's operating mode (i.e., drive mode or stationary mode). If the vehicle is in drive mode, the method proceeds to block 506. In block 506, the contactors are configured for V2X operation using drive mode. The drive mode configuration includes disconnecting a first set of contactors (i.e., first contactor 220 and second contactor 222) and closing a second set of contactors (i.e., third contactor 240 and fourth contactor 242). As a result of this contactor configuration, AC power supply 202 is disconnected from the electrical system, and DC power supply 204 is included in the electrical system.

[0061] In box 508, the controller determines whether an AC load or a DC load is connected. If an AC load is connected, the method proceeds to box 510. Otherwise (DC load), the method proceeds to box 516.

[0062] In block 510, the magnitude of the AC load is compared to the power of the external power supply at AC charging port 234. If the AC load matches the power of the external power supply, the method proceeds to block 512. In block 512, power is supplied from AC charging port 234 to AC power outlet 214. Power flows through the PFC AC-DC converter 226 of OBCM 210 and to the phase inverter 208 (or DC-AC converter 402) and then to AC power outlet 214. Returning to block 510, if the AC load does not match the power of the external power supply at AC charging port 234, the method proceeds to block 514. In block 514, power is supplied from DC power supply 204 to AC power outlet 214 via isolated DC-DC converter 228 and phase inverter 208 (or DC-AC converter 402). Simultaneously, power is also supplied from DC power supply 204 to AC charging port 234 via OBCM 210.

[0063] In block 508, if the load is a DC load, the method proceeds to block 516. In block 516, DC power is supplied from DC power supply 204 via isolated DC-DC converter 228.

[0064] Returning to box 504, if the vehicle is not in driving mode, the method proceeds to box 518. In box 518, the controller checks whether the vehicle needs to be in driving mode. If so, the method proceeds to box 506, and the vehicle is placed in driving mode. Otherwise, the method proceeds to box 520. In box 520, the first set of contactors is closed and the second set of contactors is opened.

[0065] In block 522, the controller determines whether the engine is on. If the engine is on, the method proceeds to block 528. Otherwise, the method proceeds to block 524. In block 524, the engine is started. In block 526, based on engine efficiency and bus voltage specifications, the engine slowly accelerates to precharge the DC link capacitors across positive voltage bus 216 and negative voltage bus 218, and reaches the desired speed. From block 526, the method proceeds to block 528.

[0066] In block 528, inverter 206 is operated to convert AC power from AC power source 202 into DC power. Inverter 206 can operate in one of two ways: 1) by operating as a passive rectifier without implementing transistors in the inverter branch; and 2) by active switching of the inverter's switches using transistors.

[0067] In box 530, the controller determines whether the load is an AC load or a DC load. If the load is an AC load, the method proceeds to box 532. If the load is a DC load, the method proceeds to box 534.

[0068] In block 532, AC power is supplied from AC power source 202 to the AC load at AC power outlet 214 via inverter 206 and split-phase inverter 208. AC power can also be supplied (attributed to DC power source 204) to the AC load at AC charging inlet 234 via OBCM 210. From block 532, the method proceeds to block 536.

[0069] In block 534, power is supplied from AC power source 202 to a DC load. Power can be supplied in several operating modes. In one mode, power is supplied to a direct DC load 302 (without using an auxiliary DC-DC converter). In a second mode, power is supplied from AC power source 202 to an auxiliary DC load using an auxiliary DC-DC converter 212. In a third mode, power is supplied from AC power source 202 to AC power outlet 214 using a split-phase inverter 208. Up and down switches are activated in separate branches of the inverter to supply DC power to AC power outlet 214. From block 534, the method proceeds to block 536.

[0070] In block 536, AC power supply 202 is regulated to generate AC power at the desired speed to meet load and efficiency requirements.

[0071] The terms “a” and “an” do not indicate a limitation of quantity, but rather that at least one of the referenced items is present. The term “or” means “and / or” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. A reference to “an aspect” throughout the specification means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, step, or characteristic) described in connection with that aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein and may or may not be present in other aspects. Furthermore, it should be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner across the aspects.

[0072] When an element, such as a layer, film, region, or substrate, is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or there may be intermediate elements present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intermediate elements present.

[0073] Unless otherwise stated herein, all test standards are the most recent valid standards up to the filing date of this application, or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standard appears.

[0074] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0075] While the foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and equivalents can replace its elements without departing from its scope. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from its essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within its scope.

Claims

1. A method for providing alternating current (AC) power from a vehicle, comprising: The vehicle's operating mode is set to either driving mode or stationary mode; The electrical system that operates the vehicle based on the operating mode includes: Alternating current (AC) power supply; DC power supply; A DC-AC converter with an output coupled to the vehicle's AC power outlet; An inverter is used to convert AC power from an AC power source into DC power. An isolated DC-DC converter for an on-board charging module (OBCM) coupled to the DC side of a DC-AC converter; The first set of contactors is used to connect the inverter to the DC side of the DC-AC converter; The second set of contactors is used to connect the DC power supply to the isolated DC-DC converter; and The operating electrical system includes the configuration of controlling the first set of contactors and the second set of contactors to select between using AC power and DC power based on the operating mode, in order to provide AC power to the AC power outlet.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The OBCM includes a power factor correction AC-DC converter having an AC side coupled to an external power supply, the power factor correction AC-DC converter being electrically connected to the isolated DC-DC converter.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing one of the following: (i) closing the first set of contactors and opening the second set of contactors to select the AC power supply; and (ii) opening the first set of contactors and closing the second set of contactors to select the DC power supply.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the configuration of the first set of contactors and the second set of contactors to provide DC power to an auxiliary DC load via an auxiliary DC-DC converter.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the configuration of the first set of contactors and the second set of contactors to provide DC power to a direct DC load.

6. An electrical system for an electric vehicle, comprising: Alternating current (AC) power supply; DC power supply; DC-AC converter with an output coupled to an AC power outlet for electric vehicles; An inverter is used to convert AC power from an AC power source into DC power. An isolated DC-DC converter for an on-board charging module (OBCM) coupled to the DC side of a DC-AC converter; The first set of contactors is used to connect the inverter to the DC side of the DC-AC converter; The second set of contactors is used to connect the DC power supply to the isolated DC-DC converter; as well as A controller is used to control the configuration of the first and second sets of contactors to select between using AC power and DC power based on the electric vehicle's drive mode, in order to provide AC power to the AC power outlet.

7. The electrical system according to claim 6, wherein, The OBCM includes a power factor correction AC-DC converter having an AC side coupled to an external power supply, the power factor correction AC-DC converter being electrically connected to the isolated DC-DC converter.

8. The electrical system according to claim 6, wherein, The controller is configured to: (i) close the first set of contactors and open the second set of contactors to select the AC power supply; and (ii) open the first set of contactors and close the second set of contactors to select the DC power supply.

9. The electrical system of claim 6 further includes an auxiliary DC-DC converter selectively connected to the AC power supply and the DC power supply via the first set of contactors and the second set of contactors to provide DC power to the auxiliary DC load.

10. The electrical system of claim 6 further includes a direct DC load selectively connected to the AC power supply and the DC power supply via the first set of contactors and the second set of contactors.

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