Method for preconditioning an on-board charging device and vehicle comprising the same

Abstract

A method for preconditioning on-board charging equipment for a vehicle including a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), comprising: determining whether a vehicle charging event will occur within a predetermined time period; determining whether an initial temperature of the on-board charging equipment is below a first predetermined temperature; and increasing the initial temperature of the on-board charging equipment prior to the vehicle charging event if it is determined that the vehicle charging event will occur within the predetermined time period and the initial temperature of the on-board charging equipment is below the first predetermined temperature, wherein the initial temperature of the on-board charging equipment is increased using a charge and discharge loop.

Description

INITIATIONThe concepts described herein relate generally to vehicles including rechargeable energy storage systems (RESS), and to a method for preconditioning an on-board charging equipment operable to increase an initial temperature of the on-board charging equipment to a predetermined temperature before a vehicle charging event begins.Each RESS includes a plurality of battery cell groups or packs, each battery cell group including a plurality of battery cells, e.g., lithium ion battery cells, an on-board charge equipment integrated with or communicating with the RESS, and a cooling system having a coolant circuit.In the case of cold ambient temperatures, the on-board charging equipment must pass through a warm-up phase which begins simultaneously with the start of the charging process of the vehicle, which leads to a slow initial charging speed at the start of the charging process of the vehicle.Additionally, the warm-up phase may not be successful in increasing the temperature of the on-board charging equipment to a temperature at which the initial charging speed is increased, as the effectiveness of the warm-up phase is based at least in part on the proximity of the on-board charging equipment to the coolant circuit.It would therefore be advantageous if the temperature of the on-board charging components were increased to a predefined temperature before the initiation and / or the beginning of the charging process, in order to increase the charging speed and the effectiveness of the charging process before the initiation and / or the beginning of the charging process.DE 10 2022 127 651 A1 describes a bidirectional split-phase on-board charger (OBC) which has a separate charging and discharging mode and contains a switching block which can be connected to an off-board charging station during the charging mode and to an external alternating current (AC) load during the discharging mode. The OBC includes first and second DC-AC converters connected to the switching block, and a DC-DC converter connected to the first and second DC-AC converters and to a DC bus. During the charging mode, the DC-AC converters output an DC link voltage to the DC-DC converter. When the DC link voltage reaches a predetermined value, the DC-DC converter outputs a DC charging voltage or a DC charging current to the DC bus. During the discharge mode, the DC-AC converters receive from the DC-DC converter a DC discharge voltage or a DC discharge current, and selectively output a split-phase AC voltage to the AC electric load together via the switching block.DE 10 2022 106 506 A1 describes a method and an apparatus for driving an inverter of a vehicle and such a vehicle, the method having the steps of: ascertaining information about a heating requirement of a battery of the vehicle which is electrically and thermally coupled to the inverter, driving the inverter in a first mode in which a current provided by the battery flows through an electric motor of the vehicle which is electrically coupled to an AC terminal of the inverter, and driving the inverter in a second mode which represents a free-wheeling of the inverter in which a free-wheeling current flowing through inverse diodes of semiconductor switches of the inverter leads to heating of the battery which is thermally coupled to the inverter, wherein a changeover is made between the first mode and the second mode at least as long as in a recurring manner, until the heating requirement of the battery is met, the inverter is actuated in such a way that a mean current flowing through the electric motor corresponds to a direct current which does not produce any torque in the electric motor and respective changeover times for the recurring changeover between the first mode and the second mode are defined as a function of the heating requirement of the battery.DESCRIPTIONIn view of the above, it is useful to develop a method for preconditioning an on-board charging equipment of a vehicle with a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) operable to raise the temperature of the on-board charging equipment to a predetermined temperature prior to initiation and / or initiation of a vehicle charging operation to increase the initial charging speed and effectiveness of charging during the vehicle charging operation.A method of preconditioning an on-board charging equipment for a vehicle with a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) is disclosed. The method may include determining whether a vehicle charging event will occur within a predetermined period of time; determining whether an initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment is below a first predetermined temperature; and increasing the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment prior to the vehicle charging event when it is determined that the vehicle charging event will occur within the predetermined period of time and the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment is below the first predetermined temperature, wherein the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment is increased using a charging and discharging loop.The onboard charging equipment may include at least two onboard charging modules (OBCMs), wherein the increase in the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment may further include: turning on communication between the at least two OBCMs and the controller when it is determined that the vehicle charging event will occur within the predetermined time period and the at least two OBCMs are below the first predetermined temperature; and connecting the at least two OBCMs to a high voltage bus.The at least two OBCMs may include a first OBCM and a second OBCM, and the method may further include: activating the first OBCM in an AC output mode; and activating the second OBCM in a DC output mode.The first OBCM may be configured to convert direct current (DC) from the RESS to alternating current (AC), and the second OBCM may be configured to convert alternating current from the first OBCM to direct current.The method may further include delivering direct current from the second OBCM to a low voltage auxiliary device over the high voltage bus.According to an aspect of the description, the charging and discharging loop may include: receiving DC power from the RESS via the first OBCM; converting the DC power from the RESS via the first OBCM into AC power; supplying the AC power from the first OBCM via the high voltage bus to the second OBCM; converting the AC power from the first OBCM via the second OBCM into DC power; and supplying the DC power from the second OBCM via the high voltage bus back to the RESS.The charging and discharging loop may be repeatedly cycled to increase the initial temperature of the on-board charging equipment.The repeated cycling of the charge and discharge loop is discontinued when the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment reaches a second predetermined temperature or an indication of a vehicle charging event is received.The method may further include disconnecting the at least two OBCMs from the high voltage bus and disabling communication between the at least two OBCMs and the controller when the repeated cycle of the charge and discharge loop is interrupted.The vehicle charging event indicator may include a charging port opening indicator.Preconditioning may occur when the vehicle is not connected to an AC source, or when the vehicle is connected to the AC source and a changeover switch in communication with the vehicle and the AC source is in an open position.According to the present invention, a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) for a vehicle is disclosed. The RESS includes an on-board charging equipment having at least two on-board control modules (OBCMs) and a controller in communication with the on-board charging equipment. The controller is configured to execute a control algorithm to precondition the on-board charging equipment.Preconditioning the onboard charging equipment includes determining, via the controller, whether a vehicle charging event will occur within a predetermined period of time; determining, via the controller, whether an initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment is below a first predetermined temperature; and increasing the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment prior to the vehicle charging event when it is determined that the vehicle charging event will occur within the predetermined period of time and the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment is below the first predetermined temperature. The initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment is increased by a charging and discharging loop.Increasing the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment further comprises turning on communication between the at least two OBCMs and the controller via the controller when it is determined that the vehicle charging event will occur within the predetermined period of time and the at least two OBCMs are below the first predetermined temperature; connecting the at least two OBCMs to a high voltage bus via the controller, wherein the at least two OBCMs comprise a first OBCM and a second OBCM; activating the first OBCM via the controller in an AC output mode; and activating the second OBCM via the controller in a DC output mode.The first OBCM may be configured to convert direct current (DC) from the RESS to alternating current (AC); wherein the second OBCM is configured to convert alternating current from the first OBCM to direct current.The charging and discharging loop may include: receiving DC current from the RESS via the first OBCM; converting the DC current from the RESS to AC current via the first OBCM; supplying the AC current from the first OBCM to the second OBCM via the high voltage bus; converting the AC current from the first OBCM to DC current via the second OBCM; and supplying the DC current from the second OBCM back to the RESS via the high voltage bus.Preconditioning of the onboard charging equipment includes cycling the charging and discharging loop repeatedly via the controller to increase the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment. The repeated cycling of the charge and discharge loop may be interrupted via the controller when the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment reaches a second predetermined temperature or a vehicle charging event indicator is received.When the repeated cycle of the charge and discharge loop is interrupted, communication with the at least two OBCMs may be shut down via the controller and the at least two OBCMs may be disconnected from the high voltage bus via the controller.The vehicle charging event indicator may include a charging port opening indicator.The control algorithm for preconditioning the on-board charging equipment may be executed when the vehicle is not connected to an AC power source or when the vehicle is connected to the AC power source and a changeover switch in communication with the vehicle and the AC power source is in an open position.According to another aspect of the specification, an electrified vehicle may include a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), an on-board charging equipment having at least two on-board control modules (OBCMs) that may be in communication with the RESS, and a controller that is in communication with the on-board charging equipment.The controller may be configured to execute a control algorithm to precondition the on-board charging equipment.Preconditioning the onboard charging equipment may include determining, via the controller, whether a vehicle charging event will occur within a predetermined period of time; determining, via the controller, whether an initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment is below a first predetermined temperature; and increasing the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment prior to the vehicle charging event when it is determined that the vehicle charging event will occur within the predetermined period of time and the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment is below the first predetermined temperature, wherein the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment is increased using a charging and discharging loop.Therefore, by preconditioning the onboard charging equipment of an electrified vehicle that includes a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment is increased to a predetermined temperature prior to initiation and / or initiation of a vehicle charging operation, resulting in an increase in the initial charging speed and efficiency of charging during the vehicle charging operation.The above features and advantages, as well as other features and attendant advantages of this disclosure, will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative examples and modes for carrying out the present disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Moreover, this specification expressly includes combinations and sub-combinations of the elements and features set forth above and below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure, which together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an electrified vehicle with a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) in accordance with the present description. FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for preconditioning on-board charging equipment in a vehicle having a RESS, in accordance with the present description. FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a charge and discharge loop according to the present description.The accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale, and may provide a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features of the present specification as disclosed herein, including, for example, certain dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes. Details alongside such features will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe present description may be practiced in many different embodiments. Representative examples of the description are illustrated in the drawings and are described herein in detail as non-limiting examples of the disclosed principles. To this end, elements and limitations described in the sections "Summary", "Introduction", "Description", and "Detailed Description", but not expressly recited in the claims, should not be included in the claims, either alone or in common, either by introduction or by inference, or otherwise.For purposes of the present specification, the use of singular includes plural and vice versa, unless expressly excluded, the terms "and" and "or" apply in both conjunctiva and disjunction, and the words "including", "containing", "comprising", "having" and the like mean "including without limitation.". Moreover, words of approximation such as "about," "fast," "substantially," "generally," "about," etc. may be used herein in the sense of "at, near, or near," or "within 0-5% of," or "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances," or logical combinations thereof.Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, a method of predictively charging a vehicle with a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a predictive smart charging vehicle with a RESS are shown and described herein.As shown in FIG. 1, an electrified vehicle 100 includes a powertrain 12.The powertrain 12 includes a power source 14 configured to generate a power source torque T (not shown) for propelling the vehicle 100 via driven wheels 16 relative to a road surface 18. The power source 14 is shown as an electric motor-generator.As further shown in FIG. 1, the powertrain 12 may also include an additional energy source 15, e.g., an internal combustion engine. The power sources 14 and 15 may cooperate to propel the vehicle 100.The vehicle 100 includes a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) 20, an on-board charging equipment 30 having at least two on-board charging modules OBCMs 35, a controller 40, and a user interface 50. While the RESS 20 and the on-board charging equipment 30 are shown as separate components, the on-board charging equipment 30 may also be integrated with the RESS 20.The RESS 20 is configured to store electrical energy through heat-generating electrochemical reactions and discharge DC current to power the vehicle 100 during use and / or to power a building, e.g., a house, during a power interruption or power failure.The controller 40 is in communication with the RESS 20, the onboard charging equipment 30, and the user interface 50. the controller 40 is programmable and may include a central processing unit (CPU) that controls various functions of the vehicle 100, the RESS 20, and / or the onboard charging equipment 30.In each of the above configurations, the controller 40 includes a processor and accessible non-volatile memory in which instructions are programmed for operation of the vehicle 100, the RESS 20, and the onboard charging equipment 30. The memory may be any suitable writable medium involved in the provision of computer readable data or process instructions. Such a writable medium may take many forms including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media.Non-transitory media for controller 40 may be, for example, optical or magnetic hard disks and other persistent storage. The volatile media may include, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which may represent main memory. Such commands may be transmitted over one or more transmission media, including coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, including the wires having a system bus connected to a processor of a computer, or over a wireless link.The memory of the controller 40 may also include a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, another magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, a DVD, another optical medium, etc. Controller 40 may be configured or equipped with other required computer hardware, such as a high speed clock, required analog-to-digital (A / D) and / or digital-to-analog (D / A) circuits, input / output circuits and devices (I / O), as well as suitable signal conditioning and / or buffer circuits. Algorithms needed by or accessible by the controller 40, including, but not limited to, predictive algorithms, may be stored in memory and automatically executed to provide the required functionality of the vehicle 100, the RESS 20, and the onboard charging equipment 30.The controller 40 is located in the vehicle 100 and is in communication with the RESS, the onboard charging equipment 30, the user interface 50, and the vehicle 100.The vehicle 100 includes a charging port 70 having a charging port door 70A for connecting the vehicle to an external power supply 80 which may be located, for example, but not limited to, at the owner's home location, workplace, power station, or the like.The external power supply 80 is configured to supply AC power to the vehicle 100 as needed by the controller 40. A changeover switch 90 in communication with the external power supply 80 and the vehicle 100 makes it possible to connect the vehicle 100 to the external power supply 80 while selectively preventing AC power from flowing from the external power supply 80 to charge the vehicle 100. Although the switcher 90 is schematically illustrated as being disposed inside the vehicle 100, the switcher 90 may be naturally disposed outside the vehicle 100.As schematically shown in FIG. 2, a method 200 for preconditioning the on-board charging equipment 30 for a vehicle 100 with a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) 20 is disclosed. The method 200 beginning at 210 includes determining whether a vehicle charging event VCE will occur within a predetermined time period P T as shown at 220; determining whether an initial temperature T of the onboard charging equipment 30 is below a first predetermined temperature T 1 as shown at 230; Increase the initial temperature T of the onboard charging equipment 30 prior to the vehicle charging event VCE when it is determined that the vehicle charging event VCE will occur within the predetermined time period P T and the initial temperature T of the onboard charging equipment 30 is below the first predetermined temperature T 1 as shown at 240, such that the initial temperature T of the onboard charging equipment 30 is increased using a charging and discharging loop 300 (FIG. 3 ).Note that the VCE may include, but is not limited to, an AC charging process for vehicles.Whether the VCE will take place within the predetermined time period P T may be determined, for example, based on customer inputs at a user interface 50, including, for example, but not limited to, a particular time for the VCE or an anticipated departure time of the customer.Whether the VCE will enter T within the predetermined period of time P may also be predictively determined by the controller 40 based on a prediction algorithm stored in the controller 40 and input received from the controller 40, for example, but not limited to, a navigation system 45 that may include a global positioning system (GPS). The navigation system 45 may be disposed within the vehicle 100.The inputs to the navigation system 45 may include, for example, but not limited to, location information about charging stations for vehicles (not shown). The prediction algorithm may use the locations of vehicle charging stations along a travel route to determine whether the VCE will take place within the predetermined time period P T.Increasing the initial temperature T of the onboard charging equipment 30, shown at 240, further comprises: turning on communication between the at least two OBCMs 35A, 35B and the controller 40, as shown at 250, when it is determined that the vehicle charging event VCE will occur within the predetermined time period P T as shown at 220, and the at least two OBCMs 35A, 35B are below the first predetermined temperature T 1 as shown at 230; and connecting the at least two OBCMs 35A, 35B to a high voltage bus 340 H( FIG. 3 ) as shown at 260.The at least two OBCMs 35A, 35B include a first OBCM 35A and a second OBCM 35B. At least one of the OBCMs 35A, 35B is placed in an AC output mode to draw current from the RESS 20 and the other of the at least two OBCMs is placed in a DC output mode to utilize the current converted by the at least one of the OBCMs 35A, 35B. While at least two OBCMs are indicated, it is understood that multiple OBCMs may be included.The method 200 further includes: activating the first OBCM 35A in an AC output mode, as shown at 270; and activating the second OBCM 35B in a DC output mode, as shown at 280.As schematically shown in FIG. 3, the first OBCM 35A is configured to convert high-voltage direct current (DC) from the RESS 20 into alternating current (AC), and the second OBCM 35B is configured to convert alternating current (AC) from the first OBCM 35A into high-voltage direct current (DC).The method 200 further includes delivering high voltage DC current from the second OBCM 35B via the high voltage bus 340 H to a low voltage auxiliary device 350, for example, but not limited to, a battery heater, an auxiliary power module, and / or another 12V device, each of which may include an internal voltage converter (not shown) configured to convert the high voltage DC current to low voltage DC current for use by the low voltage auxiliary device 350.According to an aspect of the description, the charging and discharging loop 300 includes: receiving direct current (DC) from the RESS 20 via the first OBCM 35A; converting the direct current (DC) from the RESS 20 into alternating current (AC) via the first OBCM 35A; supplying the alternating current (AC) from the first OBCM 35A to the second OBCM 35B via the high voltage bus 340 H; converting the alternating current (AC) from the first OBCM 35A into high voltage direct current (DC) via the second OBCM 35B; and supplying the high voltage direct current (DC) from the second OBCM 35B back to the RESS 20 via the high voltage bus 340 H.The charging and discharging loop 300 may be repeatedly passed to increase the initial temperature T of the onboard charging equipment 30.The repeated cycle of the charge and discharge loop 300 is interrupted when the initial temperature T of the onboard charging equipment 30 reaches a second predetermined temperature T 2 or a vehicle charging event indicator VCEI is received from the controller 40, for example, but not limited to, from the user interface 50, the vehicle charging port 70, and / or the vehicle charging port door 70A via a sensor (not shown) or other external input, for example, but not limited to, input from a smart charger app that may include a customer input, for example, a customer expected departure time.The method 200 further includes disconnecting the at least two OBCMs 35A, 35B from the high voltage bus 340 H, as shown at 310; and disabling communication between the at least two OBCMs 35A, 35B and the controller 40, as shown at 315, when the repeated cycle of the charge and discharge loop 300 is interrupted, as shown at 301.The vehicle charging event indicator VCEI may include a charging port opening indicator.The preconditioning method 200 may be performed when the vehicle 100 is not connected to an AC power source 80 or when the vehicle 100 is connected to the AC power source 80 and a switcher 90 in communication with the vehicle 100 and the AC power source 80 is in an open position.According to another aspect of the specification, a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) 20 for a vehicle 100 is disclosed. The RESS 20 includes an on-board charging equipment 30 having at least two on-board control modules (OBCMs) 35A. 35B; and a controller 40 in communication with the on-board charging equipment 30. The controller 40 is configured to execute a control algorithm that includes the method 200 described above for preconditioning the on-board charging equipment 30.According to another aspect of the description, an electrified vehicle 100 includes a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) 20, an on-board charging equipment 30 having at least two on-board control modules (OBCMs) 35A, 35B in communication with the RESS 20, and a controller 40 in communication with the on-board charging equipment 30.The controller 40 is configured to execute a control algorithm that includes the method 200 described above for preconditioning the on-board charging equipment 30.Thus, preconditioning the onboard charging equipment of a vehicle that includes a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) prior to initiation and / or initiation of a vehicle charging operation by repetitively charging and discharging the onboard charging equipment increases the initial charging speed as well as the effectiveness of charging during the vehicle charging operation.

Claims

A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) (20) for a vehicle (100), comprising: an on-board charging equipment (30) having at least two on-board control modules (OBCMs) (35); and a controller (40) in communication with the on-board charging equipment (30), the controller (40) configured to execute a control algorithm to precondition the on-board charging equipment (30), wherein preconditioning the on-board charging equipment (30) comprises: determining, via the controller (40), whether a vehicle charging event will occur within a predetermined period of time; determining, via the controller (40), whether an initial temperature of the on-board charging equipment (30) is below a first predetermined temperature; and increasing the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment (30) prior to the vehicle charging event when it is determined that the vehicle charging event will occur within the predetermined period of time and the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment (30) is below the first predetermined temperature, wherein the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment (30) is increased using a charging and discharging loop (300); wherein increasing the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment further comprises: turning on communication between the at least two OBCMs (35) and the controller (40) via the controller (40) when it is determined that the vehicle charging event will occur within the predetermined period of time and the at least two OBCMs (35) are below the first predetermined temperature; Connecting the at least two OBCMs (35) to a high voltage bus (340 H) via the controller (40), wherein the at least two OBCMs (35) comprise a first OBCM (35A) and a second OBCM (35B); activating the first OBCM (35A) via the controller (40) in an AC output mode; and activating the second OBCM (35B) via the controller (40) in a DC output mode.The RESS (20) of claim 1, wherein the first OBCM (35A) is configured to convert direct current (DC) from the RESS (20) to alternating current (AC), and wherein the second OBCM (35B) is configured to convert alternating current from the first OBCM (35A) to direct current.The RESS (20) of claim 2, wherein the charging and discharging loop (300) comprises: receiving DC power via the first OBCM (35A) from the RESS (20); converting the DC power from the RESS (20) to AC power via the first OBCM (35A); supplying the AC power from the first OBCM (35A) to the second OBCM (35B) via the high voltage bus (340 H); converting the AC power from the first OBCM (35A) to DC power via the second OBCM (35B); and supplying the DC power from the second OBCM (35B) back to the RESS (20) via the high voltage bus (340 H).The RESS (20) of claim 3, wherein preconditioning the on-board charging equipment (30) comprises cycling the charging and discharging loop (300) repeatedly via the controller (40) to increase the initial temperature of the on-board charging equipment (30).The RESS (20) of claim 4, wherein the repeated cycling of the charge and discharge loop (300) via the controller (40) is interrupted when the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment (30) reaches a second predetermined temperature or a vehicle charging event indicator is received.The RESS (20) of claim 5, further comprising: disconnecting the at least two OBCMs (35) from the high voltage bus (340 H) via the controller (40); and disabling communication between the at least two OBCMs (35) and the controller (40) via the controller (40) when the repeated cycling of the charge and discharge loop (300) is interrupted.The RESS (20) of claim 6, wherein the vehicle charging event indicator comprises a charging port opening indicator.The RESS (20) of claim 1, wherein the control algorithm for preconditioning the onboard charging equipment (30) is executed when the vehicle (100) is not connected to an AC power source (80) or when the vehicle (100) is connected to the AC power source (80) and a changeover switch in communication with the vehicle (100) and the AC power source (80) is in an open position.An electrified vehicle (100) comprising: a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) (20); an onboard charging equipment (30) having at least two onboard control modules (OBCMs) (35), the onboard charging equipment (30) in communication with the RESS (20); and a controller (40) in communication with the onboard charging equipment (30), the controller (40) configured to execute a control algorithm to precondition the onboard charging equipment (30), wherein preconditioning the onboard charging equipment (30) comprises: determining, via the controller (40), whether a vehicle charging event will occur within a predetermined period of time; determining, via the controller (40), whether an initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment (30) is below a first predetermined temperature; and increasing the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment (30) prior to the vehicle charging event when it is determined that the vehicle charging event will occur within the predetermined time period and the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment (30) is below the first predetermined temperature, wherein the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment (30) is increased using a charging and discharging loop (300); wherein increasing the initial temperature of the onboard charging equipment further comprises: turning on communication between the at least two OBCMs (35) and the controller (40) via the controller (40) when it is determined that the vehicle charging event will occur within the predetermined time period and the at least two OBCMs (35) are below the first predetermined temperature; connecting the at least two OBCMs (35) to a high voltage bus (340 H) via the controller (40), wherein the at least two OBCMs (35) comprise a first OBCM (35A) and a second OBCM (35B); activating the first OBCM (35A) via the controller (40) in an AC output mode; and activating the second OBCM (35B) via the controller (40) in a DC output mode.

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