A surge current elimination device and a surge current elimination method

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of surge current elimination device and surge current elimination method.The surge current elimination device is used to eliminate the surge current generated when low-voltage battery is connected to the power grid of the vehicle corresponding to the voltage level of the low-voltage battery, which includes: a first connecting component for connecting to the power grid of the vehicle; a second connecting component for connecting to the low-voltage battery; and a variable resistance circuit for implementing a pre-charge function, wherein the low-voltage battery includes a 9-16V battery and a 20-29V battery, and the variable resistance circuit is configured to have a total resistance value adjustable from large to small within a specified range. According to the surge current elimination device and surge current elimination method of the present application, the surge current generated when connecting the battery can be avoided, thereby protecting the battery and circuit from damage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a low-voltage battery technology, and more particularly to a surge current elimination device and a surge current elimination method. Background Technology

[0002] Inrush current refers to the instantaneous large current generated at the moment a circuit is switched on, due to the presence of energy storage components such as inductors and capacitors in the circuit. This phenomenon is very common in electronic devices and electrical systems, especially in circuits containing capacitors. For example, in the field of electric and hybrid vehicles, inrush current is generated when a 12V lithium-ion battery is connected to the vehicle's power grid, which may cause the battery to temporarily or even permanently lose its function.

[0003] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the power grid connection circuit when a 12V battery is connected to the vehicle's power grid in the prior art.

[0004] exist Figure 1 In the diagram, 10 is the 12V battery, 20 is the vehicle fuse box, 30 is the vehicle ECU, and 40 is the fixture to be connected to the power grid. Figure 1 As shown, when the mounting device 40 is directly connected to the 12V battery 10, a surge current I will be generated. A This connection method has the following potential risks:

[0005] Sparks may be generated during the connection process, posing a safety threat to operators; and

[0006] Inrush currents generated during circuit connection may cause potential damage to the battery and vehicle wiring harness. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the problems in the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a surge current elimination device and a surge current elimination method that can avoid safety hazards caused by surge current.

[0008] An inrush current elimination device according to one aspect of the present invention is used to eliminate inrush current generated when a low-voltage battery is connected to the power grid of a vehicle with a voltage level corresponding to the low-voltage battery. It includes: a first connecting component for connecting to the power grid; a second connecting component for connecting to the low-voltage battery; and a variable resistor circuit for implementing a pre-charging function. The variable resistor circuit is configured such that its total resistance is adjustable from large to small within a specified range. The low-voltage battery includes batteries with a voltage of 9–16V and batteries with a voltage of 20–29V. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram showing the power grid connection circuit when a 12V battery is connected to the vehicle's power grid in the prior art.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram showing the vehicle battery connection circuit including the surge current elimination device of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the current in a power grid connection circuit.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram illustrating a surge current elimination device 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a circuit diagram illustrating a surge current elimination device 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The described and other objects and advantages of this application will become more fully clear from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The following are some of the various embodiments of the present invention, intended to provide a basic understanding of the invention, and not intended to identify key or decisive elements of the invention or to limit the scope of protection.

[0016] The present invention aims to provide a surge current elimination device and a surge current elimination method that achieves surge current elimination through a pre-charging function.

[0017] In this invention, low-voltage batteries mainly refer to batteries with a voltage of 9-16V (12V batteries are commonly used) and batteries with a voltage of 20-29V (24V batteries are commonly used). In the following embodiments, a 12V battery will be used as an example of a low-voltage battery. Furthermore, low-voltage batteries are typically matched to the vehicle's electrical grid of the corresponding voltage level. For example, a 12V battery is matched to a 12V electrical grid. Although the actual voltage of the battery may fluctuate within a certain range (e.g., 9-16V), the voltage of the low-voltage battery should be consistent with the rated voltage of the vehicle's electrical grid. For example, a 12V battery cannot be connected to a higher voltage platform electrical grid, such as 24V or 48V.

[0018] First, a surge current elimination device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram showing the vehicle battery connection circuit including the surge current elimination device of the present invention.

[0020] exist Figure 2In the diagram, 100 represents a 12V battery, 200 represents a vehicle fuse box, 300 represents an ECU, 400 represents a fixture that needs to be connected to the power grid, and 500 represents a surge current suppression device.

[0021] In this invention, the pre-charging function of the surge current elimination device 500 is used to eliminate the surge current generated when the 12V battery 100 is connected to the power grid. The pre-charging function of the surge current elimination device 500 refers to controlling the rate of increase of the current in the power grid connection circuit by gradually reducing the total resistance in the circuit when the 12V battery is connected to the vehicle's power grid, thereby avoiding the generation of surge current.

[0022] As an example, the surge current elimination device 500 is connected between the negative terminal of the 12V battery 100 and the fixed device 400, and the surge current is eliminated by gradually reducing the total resistance of the surge current elimination device 500.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the current in a power grid connection circuit.

[0024] exist Figure 3 In this context, DC represents the DC battery, R1 represents the resistor of the vehicle's 12V topology, C1 represents the capacitor of the vehicle's 12V topology, and R2 represents the resistor of the energy-consuming components (such as various electronic devices and loads of the vehicle). Figure 4 The arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of current flow, from the battery DC through resistor R1, capacitor C1, and resistor R2 to form a complete circuit.

[0025] The technical concept of this invention lies in making the resistance value of resistor R1 gradually adjustable from large to small, thereby regulating the current in the circuit and avoiding the surge current generated instantaneously when connected to the battery. In other words, by controlling the resistance value of resistor R1, a smooth charging current can be provided to capacitor C1, instead of a sudden large current, which helps protect the circuit and battery from damage.

[0026] Based on the above technical concept, the surge current elimination device 500 can be implemented by a variable resistor circuit whose resistance value is adjustable from large to small. In the process of connecting the surge current elimination device 500 to the power grid, it is configured to be connected to the power grid in a manner that gradually reduces the total resistance value of the variable resistor circuit, thereby providing a smooth charging current and thus realizing the so-called pre-charging function.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram illustrating a surge current elimination device 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In this embodiment, a sliding rheostat is used as the variable resistor circuit. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the surge current elimination device 500 includes a first connecting component 510, a sliding rheostat 520, and a second connecting component 530. The total resistance of the sliding rheostat 520 is variable, and it is configured to control the rate of current increase by gradually decreasing the total resistance of the sliding rheostat 520 during connection. The total resistance of the sliding rheostat 520 can be set to be adjustable within a specified range; as an example, in this embodiment, the specified range is set to 10mΩ to 100Ω.

[0029] Next, the specific steps for eliminating surge current using the surge current elimination device 500 of this embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, operating in the following connection sequence ensures a smooth increase in current to eliminate surge current. The connection sequence is as follows:

[0030] (1) Check the sliding rheostat 520 to ensure it is at its maximum resistance level (100Ω);

[0031] (2) Connect the first connecting part 510 to the fixing device 400;

[0032] (3) Connect the second connecting part 530 to the negative terminal of the 12V battery 100;

[0033] (4) Adjust the sliding rheostat 520 at a specified rate, for example, a decrease of 10Ω per second, until the resistance of the sliding rheostat 520 reaches its minimum.

[0034] (5) Connect the fixing device 400 to the negative terminal of the 12V battery 100;

[0035] (6) Disconnect the first connecting component 510 and the second connecting component 530 from the fixing device 400 and the negative terminal of the 12V battery 100; and

[0036] (7) Restore the resistance of the sliding rheostat 520 to its maximum (100Ω).

[0037] Figure 5 This is a circuit diagram illustrating a surge current elimination device 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] exist Figure 5 The surge current elimination device 500 includes a first connecting member 510, a variable resistor circuit 520', and a second connecting member 530. The difference between this embodiment and the previously described embodiment is that, in this embodiment, the variable resistor circuit 520' is implemented using a combination of multiple resistors and multiple switches. By combining multiple resistors and multiple switches, the total resistance value of the variable resistor circuit 520' can be gradually adjusted from large to small, thereby providing a smooth charging current using the variable resistance.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, the variable resistor circuit 520' includes switches s1 to s5 and resistors r1 to r5. Here, as an example, the resistance values ​​of resistors r1 to r5 can be: r1 = 100Ω, r2 = 10Ω, r3 = 1Ω, r4 = 100mΩ, and r1 = 10mΩ, respectively.

[0040] In this embodiment, the process of connecting the surge current elimination device 500 to the power grid is also configured to allow the total resistance of the variable resistor circuit 520' to be gradually adjusted from large to small within a specified range by controlling switches s1 to s5, thereby providing a smooth charging current and realizing the so-called pre-charging function.

[0041] Next, the specific steps for eliminating surge current using the surge current elimination device 500 of this embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, operating in the following connection sequence ensures a smooth increase in current to eliminate surge current. The connection sequence is as follows:

[0042] (1) Ensure that all switches in the variable resistor circuit 520' are in good working order. Figure 5 Switches S1 through S5 are all off.

[0043] (2) Connect the first connecting part 510 to the fixing device 400;

[0044] (3) Connect the second connecting part 530 to the negative terminal of the 12V battery 100;

[0045] (4) Close switches s1 to s5 in the variable resistor circuit 520' in sequence. After closing each switch, wait for a specified time (e.g., 5 seconds).

[0046] (5) Connect the fixing device 400 to the negative terminal of the 12V battery 100;

[0047] (6) Disconnect the first connecting component 510 and the second connecting component 530 from the fixing device 400 and the negative terminal of the 12V battery 100; and

[0048] (7) Disconnect all switches s1 to s5 in the variable resistor circuit 520'.

[0049] As described above, the surge current elimination device and method according to the present invention can avoid the generation of surge current when connecting the battery by gradually reducing the total resistance of the circuit, thereby protecting the battery and circuit from damage, and avoiding the risk of sparks during connection, thus improving operational safety. On the other hand, by controlling the rate of current increase, potential damage to the battery and vehicle wiring harness caused by surge current can be avoided.

[0050] The surge current elimination device and method of the present invention are applicable to various battery types, such as not only 12V lithium-ion batteries but also 12V lead-acid batteries. The surge current elimination device and method of the present invention are also applicable to various application scenarios, such as vehicle production lines, vehicle testing, and any scenario where a 12V lithium-ion battery or lead-acid battery needs to be connected to the vehicle's 12V power grid.

[0051] Furthermore, the surge current elimination device and surge current elimination method of the present invention are applicable not only to vehicle-related scenarios, but also to scenarios other than vehicles that involve connection to a 12V power supply, such as motor drivers, LED light controllers, audio amplifiers, security monitoring systems, electric toys, LED lighting, power tools, and backup power supplies. These devices may also encounter similar surge current problems when connected to a 12V power supply. Using the surge current elimination device and surge current elimination method of the present invention can provide similar protection effects and prevent damage to the battery and circuit.

[0052] The present invention also provides a method for eliminating the surge current described above when a computer program is executed by a processor.

[0053] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can conceive of other feasible variations or substitutions based on the technical scope disclosed in this application, and such variations or substitutions are all covered within the scope of protection of this application. Where there is no conflict, the embodiments and features described in the embodiments of this application can also be combined with each other. The scope of protection of this application is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A surge current elimination device, wherein the surge current elimination device is used to eliminate surge current generated when a low-voltage battery is connected to the power grid of a vehicle with a voltage level corresponding to the low-voltage battery, characterized in that, The surge current elimination device includes: A first connecting component is used for connecting to the vehicle's electrical grid; A second connecting component is used for connection to the low-voltage battery; and A variable resistor circuit is used to implement the pre-charge function. The low-voltage battery includes batteries with a voltage of 9-16V and batteries with a voltage of 20-29V.

2. The surge current elimination device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The variable resistor circuit is configured such that the total resistance value is gradually adjustable from large to small within a specified range.

3. The surge current elimination device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The variable resistor circuit is a sliding rheostat.

4. The surge current elimination device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The variable resistor circuit includes: There are n parallel circuits, each containing a resistor, where at least m circuits include switches, and m and n are natural numbers, where m is less than or equal to n. Specifically, by controlling the switches in the m circuits, the total resistance of the resistors connected to the m circuits can be gradually adjusted from large to small.

5. The surge current elimination device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The specified range is from 10mΩ to 100Ω. The low-voltage battery is either a 12V battery or a 24V battery.

6. A surge current elimination method, implemented using the surge current elimination device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The surge current elimination method includes the following steps: Check the sliding rheostat to ensure that its resistance is at its maximum. Connect the first connecting component to the vehicle's electrical grid; Connect the second connecting component to the low-voltage battery; Gradually decrease the resistance of the sliding rheostat until the resistance of the sliding rheostat reaches its minimum; Connect the vehicle's electrical grid to the low-voltage battery; and Disconnect the first connecting component and the second connecting component from the vehicle's electrical grid and the battery.

7. The surge current elimination method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The step of gradually decreasing the resistance of the sliding rheostat until the resistance reaches its minimum includes: The resistance of the sliding rheostat is reduced at a predetermined rate until the resistance of the sliding rheostat reaches its minimum.

8. A surge current elimination method, implemented using the surge current elimination device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The surge current elimination method includes the following steps: Ensure that all switches in the m circuits are open; Connect the first connecting component to the vehicle's electrical grid; Connect the second connecting component to the low-voltage battery; By controlling the switches in the m circuits, the total resistance of the m circuits is changed from large to small; Connect the vehicle's electrical grid to the low-voltage battery; and Disconnect the first connecting component, the second connecting component, from the circuit component and the low-voltage battery.

9. The surge current elimination method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The step of controlling the switches in the m circuits to change the total resistance of the m circuits from large to small includes: By controlling the switches in the m circuits to close sequentially at predetermined time intervals, the resistors in the m circuits are connected in descending order of total resistance.

10. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements the surge current elimination method according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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