Vehicle electrical power supply system

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical power supply system (1) for an electric or hybrid vehicle, the vehicle comprising an electrical power supply bus (HV+, HV-) capable of supplying electrical equipment mounted in the vehicle, said system (1) comprising: a DC-DC voltage converter (50), at least two power supply cells (10, 20, 30) each comprising: a rectifier (r1, r2, r3), a battery (B1, B2, B3), a switching cell (C10, C20, C30), a distribution module (70) intended to be connected to a charging module (60) external to the vehicle, the power supply system (1) is configured to operate in a mode of operation in which: the batteries (B1, B2, B3) are connected in series by the first set of switches (I3), the distribution module (70) connects one or more batteries (B1, B2, B3) to the external charging module (60). Figure for the abridged version: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical power supply system for vehicles technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of hybrid or electric vehicles, and more specifically to an electrical power supply system for a hybrid or electric vehicle. Prior art

[0002] As is known, an electric or hybrid vehicle comprises an electric motor for vehicle propulsion, as well as a storage battery suitable for connection to the electric motor. An inverter is connected between the battery and the electric motor and converts the direct current voltage supplied by the battery into an alternating current voltage, in particular three-phase, in order to power each phase of the electric motor.

[0003] The vehicle also includes an internal electrical power supply network to power the vehicle's electrical equipment (for example, windshield wipers, headlights, dashboard indicator lights, etc.).

[0004] The voltage supplied by the network is for example 12 or 14 V.

[0005] The vehicle also includes an auxiliary battery capable of supplying the network and a DC-DC voltage converter connected between the auxiliary battery and the battery, in order to recharge the auxiliary battery.

[0006] This has the disadvantage of requiring the installation and configuration of numerous converters in the vehicle.

[0007] Furthermore, each battery is actually made up of a set of battery cells statically connected together. The charge level of each battery depends on the state of charge of each cell. However, the cells may not all have identical electrical and energy characteristics. The sizing of each battery must therefore take into account the aging phenomena and the performance of each cell, which is a constraint.

[0008] Furthermore, the sizing of the converter and inverter components is carried out so that the voltage supplied by the converter and inverter is defined over a wide voltage range. Thus, since the sizing of each of these elements is not carried out for an optimal operating voltage, this can cause, on the one hand, losses after each conversion implemented by the converter or inverter and, on the other hand, difficulty in precisely controlling the output voltage of each converter and / or inverter.

[0009] There is therefore a need for a solution to alleviate, at least in part, the disadvantages described previously. Description of the invention

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to an electrical power supply system for an electric or hybrid vehicle, the vehicle comprising an electrical power supply bus capable of supplying electrical equipment mounted in the vehicle, said system comprising:

[0011] a) a DC-DC voltage converter,

[0012] b) at least two power supply cells, each comprising: i. a rectifier capable of supplying an alternating voltage from a direct voltage and vice versa, ii. a battery, electrically connected to the rectifier, capable of operating in a discharge mode, in which the battery is capable of supplying a first DC voltage and capable of operating in a charging mode in which the battery is capable of recharging from a DC voltage, iii. a switching cell comprising switches suitable for connecting the battery to the converter, c) a first set of switches suitable for connecting the battery of one power cell to the battery of the adjacent power cell, in order to connect all the batteries in series,

[0013] d) a control unit configured to control the first set of switches, the second set of switches, and each switch in each switching cell,

[0014] e) a distribution module intended to be connected to a charging module (60) external to the vehicle, said charging module being configured to provide a power supply, the distribution module being configured to electrically connect at least one battery to the external charging module in order to recharge at least one battery from the power supplied by the charging module,

[0015] The power supply system is configured to operate in a mode of operation in which: - the batteries are connected in series by the first set of switches, - the distribution module connects one or more batteries to the external charging module.

[0016] The charging module supports a fixed supply voltage. This supply voltage may depend on external equipment connected to the charging module and / or be inherent to the charging module itself. Thus, when the supply voltage supported by the charging module and available to the power supply system is sufficient to simultaneously charge all the batteries If the batteries are connected in series, the distribution module connects all of them to the charging module. Conversely, if the charging module's supply voltage only allows it to charge some of the batteries, the distribution module connects the charging module to a portion of the batteries. This allows the number of batteries connected simultaneously to the charging module to be adjusted according to the supply voltage supported by the external charging module and available to charge the batteries in the electrical system.

[0017] Preferably, the distribution module is configured to:

[0018] a) according to a first mode of operation: connect all the batteries connected in series with the external charging module,

[0019] b) according to a second mode of operation: connect half of the battery set to the external charging module.

[0020] Thus, for example, for a set of batteries connected in series capable of being recharged from a voltage substantially equal to 800V, if a charging module supports a voltage of 800 V, but a plurality of external equipment is connected to the charging module, and only 400 V of this voltage is available to recharge the batteries of the electrical system, the distribution module connects only half of the batteries to the external charging module.

[0021] Thus, for example, if the set of batteries connected in series is capable of being recharged from a voltage substantially equal to 800V, but the charging module only supports a voltage of 400V, then the power supply system as presented allows only a part of the batteries to be connected to the charging module, so that the charging module does not suffer from voltage overload.

[0022] Thus, it is possible to adapt the power and voltage levels to be connected to the charging module by selecting all or some of the batteries connected in series, in order to prevent the charging module from experiencing voltage and power overload. This also allows batteries to be charged even if they are not all charged simultaneously.

[0023] Conversely, if few or no equipment is connected to the charging module, and the charging module is capable of supporting a voltage sufficient to simultaneously recharge all connected batteries, then the distribution module connects all batteries to the external charging module.

[0024] Preferably, the distribution module comprises:

[0025] a) a first switch capable of connecting a first terminal of the external charging module to the first battery of the set of batteries connected in series or to a battery located between the first battery and the last battery of the set of batteries connected in series,

[0026] b) a second switch capable of connecting a second terminal of the module external charging to a battery located between the first and last batteries of the set of batteries connected in series or to the last battery.

[0027] Thus, this embodiment is simple to implement in the electrical system.

[0028] Preferably, each power supply cell includes a coil, connected on one side to the rectifier and intended to be connected on the other side to an alternating voltage.

[0029] Advantageously, the power supply system comprises three power supply cells.

[0030] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an electrical power bus capable of powering electrical equipment mounted in the vehicle and an electrical power supply system as previously described.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method for controlling a system as described above, said method being implemented by the control unit and comprising the steps of:

[0032] a) connect all the batteries in series,

[0033] b) connect all or part of the batteries connected in series to the external charging module. Brief description of the drawings

[0034] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. This description is purely illustrative and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] [Fig-1] Fig.1 is an electronic diagram representing the power supply system according to the invention.

[0036] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is an electronic diagram representing a first operating mode of the power supply system according to the [Fig.1].

[0037] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is an electronic diagram representing a second operating mode of the power supply system according to the [Fig.1].

[0038] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is an electronic diagram representing a third operating mode of the power supply system according to the [Fig.1]. Description of the implementation methods

[0039] Vehicle

[0040] With reference to [Fig. 1], a vehicle according to the invention will now be described. The vehicle includes, in particular, an HV power supply bus. The HV power supply bus is capable of providing electrical power to various electrical equipment on board the vehicle. More specifically, the power supply bus includes a positive terminal HV+ and a negative terminal HV-.

[0041] The vehicle also includes an electrical power supply system 1.

[0042] Power supply system

[0043] With reference to [Fig.1], the power supply system 1 comprises at least two power supply cells 10, 20, 30, a connection module 40, a DC-DC voltage converter 50, a control unit (not shown in the figures) and a distribution module 70.

[0044] Preferably, the power supply system 1 comprises a first power supply cell 10, a second power supply cell 20 and a third power supply cell 30. Each power supply cell 10, 20, 30 is capable of converting an alternating voltage into a direct voltage.

[0045] Power supply cell 10, 20, 30

[0046] Each power supply cell 10, 20, 30, includes a rectifier rl, r2, r3, a battery Bl, B2, B3 and a switching cell Cio, C2o, C30.

[0047] More specifically, the rectifier rl, r2, r3 of each power supply cell 10, 20, 30 is said to be bidirectional. In other words, each rectifier rl, r2, r3 is capable of supplying an alternating voltage from a direct voltage and vice versa.

[0048] Each rectifier rl, r2, r3 comprises two input terminals and two output terminals.

[0049] More specifically, in the present case, each rectifier rl, r2, r3 comprises a first switch connected between a high point PH and a first midpoint PMI, a second switch connected between the first midpoint PMI and a low point PB, a third switch connected between the high point PH and a second midpoint PM2, and a fourth switch connected between the second midpoint PM2 and the low point PB. The two input terminals of each rectifier rl, r2, r3 designate the first midpoint PMI and the second midpoint PM2. The two output terminals designate the high point PH and the low point PB.

[0050] The battery Bl, B2, B3 of each power cell 10, 20, 30 is capable of operating in a discharge mode, in which the battery Bl, B2, B3 is capable of supplying a first DC voltage. Furthermore, the battery Bl, B2, B3 of each power cell 10, 20, 30 is also capable of operating in a charge mode in which the battery Bl, B2, B3 supplies electrical energy.

[0051] Each battery Bl, B2, B3 comprises a set of storage cells.

[0052] Furthermore, the battery Bl, B2, B3 of each power supply cell 10, 20, 30 is connected to the corresponding rectifier rl, r2, r3. More precisely, each battery Bl, B2, B3 is connected between the two output terminals of the corresponding rectifier rl, r2, r3.

[0053] The switching cell Cio, C2o, C30 of each power cell 10, 20, 30 is suitable for connecting the battery Bl, B2, B3 to the DC-DC converter 50. In other words, the switching cell Cio, C20, C30 is connected on one side to the battery Bl, B2, B3 and on the other side to the DC-DC converter 50.

[0054] Each switching cell Cio, C20, C30 comprises a first switch 110, 120, 130 and a second switch 110', 120', 130'.

[0055] The first switch 110,120,130 of each power cell 10, 20, 30 allows a first terminal of the battery Bl, B2, B3 to be connected to a terminal of the DC-DC converter 50.

[0056] The second switch 110', 120', 130' of each power cell 10, 20, 30 allows a second terminal of the battery B1, B2, B3 to be connected to a second terminal of the DC-DC converter 50.

[0057] coils

[0058] In addition, each power supply cell 10, 20, 30 includes a coil L1, L2, L3, connected to the input of the rectifier rl, r2, r3, in other words, a coil is connected on one side to the rectifier rl, r2, r3 and intended to be connected on the other side to an alternating voltage.

[0059] The power supply system 1 also includes a first set of switches 13 and a second set of switches 14.

[0060] Connection module 40

[0061] The connection module 40 allows a single-phase voltage or a three-phase voltage to be connected to each power supply cell 10, 20, 30.

[0062] First set of switches 13

[0063] The first set of switches 13 is suitable for connecting the battery B1, B2, B3 of a power cell 10, 20, 30 to the battery Bl, B2, B3 of the neighboring power cell 10, 20, 30, in order to connect the batteries Bl, B2, B3 in series.

[0064] For this purpose, the first set of switches 13 comprises: a. a switch connected on one side to battery Bl of the first power cell Cio and on the other side to battery B2 of the second power cell C2o, b. a switch connected on one side to battery B2 of the second power cell C2o, on the other side to battery B3 of the third power cell C30.

[0065] Thus, the batteries Bl, B2, B3 can be connected in series, it is then said that the batteries form a power branch.

[0066] Second set of switches 14

[0067] The second set of switches 14 allows the Bl battery of the first power cell Cio to be connected to the HV power bus, in particular to connect the branch of batteries Bl, B2, B3 connected in series between the positive terminal HV+ and the negative terminal HV- of the HV power bus.

[0068] Furthermore, each power supply cell 10, 20, 30 may also include an EMC filter, for "electromagnetic compatibility", connected between each rectifier rl, r2, r3 and the connection module 40.

[0069] The control unit (not shown in the figures) is configured to control the connection module 40, the first set of switches 13, the second set of switches 14, the opening and closing of each switch 110, 110', 120, 120', 130, 130' of each switching cell C10, C20, C30 and of each rectifier 110, r2, r3. The control unit is also capable of controlling the voltage supplied and generated by each battery B1, B2, B3 in order, for example, to regulate the current in the inductors L1, L2, L3 or to regulate the voltage supplied to the DC-DC converter 50.

[0070] External charging module 60

[0071] To recharge the batteries, it is possible to use an external charging module 60, commonly called a "DC fast charging station" by those skilled in the art and identified in the figures by the reference 60.

[0072] The external charging module 60 is therefore configured to provide a supply voltage and includes two connection terminals, for example a first terminal B6i and a second terminal B62.

[0073] Distribution module 70

[0074] The distribution module 70 is intended to be connected to the external charging module 60.

[0075] The distribution module 70 is configured to electrically connect at least one battery Bl, B2, B3 to the external charging module 60 in order to recharge at least one battery Bl, B2, B3 from the power supplied by the charging module 60. For this, all the batteries Bl, B2, B3 must be connected in series by the first set of switches 13. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 4, a system comprising three batteries Bl, B2, B3 is represented, and battery Bl designates the first battery, and battery B3 designates the "last battery".

[0076] More specifically, the distribution module 70 comprises a first switch I7i and a second switch I72.

[0077] The first switch I7i is capable of connecting the first terminal B6 of the charging module 60 to: a. the first battery Bl of the set of batteries connected in series, via a first point "A", for example located between the first battery Bl and the positive terminal HV+ of the power bus, b. or to a so-called "intermediate" battery, because it is connected between the first battery Bl and the last battery B3 of the set of batteries connected in series, via a second point "B".

[0078] In particular, when the number of batteries is even, the second point B is located between the two batteries placed in the middle, and when the number of batteries is odd, the second point B is located on one of the storage cells of the battery placed at middle. Thus, in the present case, the second point B is for example located between the first battery B1 and the second battery B2 or directly located on one of the storage cells of the second battery B2.

[0079] In other words, in the example shown, the first switch I7i connects the first battery B1 or the second battery B2 to the first terminal B6i.

[0080] The second switch I72 is capable of connecting the second terminal B62 of the charging module 60 to: a. an intermediate battery via the second point B, b. or to the last battery B3, via a third point "C", located between the last battery and the negative terminal HV- of the power bus.

[0081] In other words, in the example shown, the second switch I72 connects the second battery B2 or the third battery B3 to the second terminal B62.

[0082] The distribution module 70 is capable of operating according to several operating modes.

[0083] With reference to [Fig. 2], a first operating mode is shown in which all the batteries B1, B2, B3 are connected to the charging module 60. For this:

[0084] - the first switch I7[ connects the first terminal B6i of the charging module 60 to the first battery Bl (via the first point A),

[0085] - the second switch I72 connects the second terminal B62 of the charging module 60 to the last battery B3 (via the third point C).

[0086] Thus, here, the voltage amplitude supported by the charging module 60 is sufficient to recharge all the batteries Bl, B2, B3.

[0087] With reference to figures 3 and 4, two embodiments of a second operating mode of the distribution module 70 are shown, in which only part of the batteries Bl, B2, B3 is connected to the charging module 60.

[0088] According to [Fig.3], the first switch I7i connects the first terminal B6 of the charging module 60 to one of the intermediate batteries, in this case to the second battery B2. In addition, the second switch I72 connects the second terminal B62 of the charging module 60 to the last battery B3.

[0089] According to [Fig.4], the first switch I7i connects the first terminal B6[ of the charging module 60 to the first battery B1, via the first point A. The second switch I72 connects the second terminal B62 of the charging module 60 to an intermediate battery via the second point B, in other words, according to the example shown, to the second battery B2.

[0090] In the present case, when the portion of the supply voltage supported by the external charging module 60 and available to recharge all the batteries Bl, B2, B3 is only sufficient to charge a portion of the batteries connected to series, only part of these batteries Bl, B2, B3 is connected to the external charging module 60 by the distribution module 70.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the operating modes shown in Figures 3 and 4, the power cell(s) 10, 20, 30 for which the battery Bl, B2, B3 is not connected to the charging module 60 can be electrically connected to the power bus, via the DC-DC converter 50, in particular in order to supply the power bus with electrical energy.

Claims

Demands

1. Electrical power supply system (1) for installation in an electric or hybrid vehicle, the vehicle comprising an electrical power supply bus (HV+, HV-) capable of supplying electrical equipment installed in the vehicle, said system (1) comprising: a) a DC-DC voltage converter (50), b) at least two power supply cells (10, 20, 30) each comprising: i. a rectifier (rl, r2, r3) capable of supplying an alternating voltage from a direct voltage and vice versa, ii. a battery (Bl, B2, B3), electrically connected to the rectifier (rl, r2, r3), capable of operating in a discharge mode, in which the battery (Bl, B2, B3) is capable of supplying a first DC voltage and capable of operating in a charging mode in which the battery (Bl, B2, B3) is capable of recharging from a DC voltage, iii. a switching cell (Cio, C2o, C30) comprising switches (110,110', 120,120', 130,130') suitable for connecting the battery (Bl, B2, B3) to the converter (50), c) a first set of switches (13) suitable for connecting the battery (B1, B2, B3) of a power cell (10, 20, 30) to the battery (B1, B2, B3) of the neighboring power cell (10, 20, 30), in order to connect all the batteries in series, d) a second set of switches (14) suitable for connecting all the batteries (B1, B2, B3) connected in series to the electrical power supply (HV) bus, e) a control unit configured to control the first set of switches (13), the second set of switches (14) and each switch (110,110', 120,120', 130,130') of each switching cell (C10, C20, C30), (f) a distribution module (70) intended to be connected to a charging module (60) external to the vehicle, said charging module (60) being configured to provide a supply voltage, the distribution module (70) being configured to electrically connect at least one battery (B1, B2, B3) to the external charging module (60) in order to recharge at least one battery (Bl, B2, B3) from the voltage supplied by the charging module (60), g) a connection module (40) configured to connect a single-phase voltage or a three-phase voltage to each power cell (10, 20, 30), the power system (1) is configured to operate in a mode of operation in which: - the batteries (Bl, B2, B3) are connected in series by the first set of switches (13), - the distribution module (70) connects one or more batteries (Bl, B2, B3) to the external charging module (60).

2. Power supply system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the distribution module (70) is configured to: a. according to a first mode of operation: connect all the batteries (B1, B2, B3) connected in series with the external charging module (60), b. according to a second mode of operation: connect half of all the batteries (B1, B2, B3) to the external charging module (60).

3. Power supply system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the distribution module (70) comprises: - a first switch (I7i) capable of connecting a first terminal (B6i) of the external charging module (60) to the first battery (Bl) of the set of batteries (Bl, B2, B3) connected in series or to a battery located between the first battery (Bl) and the last battery (B3) of the set of batteries (Bl, B2, B3) connected in series, - a second switch (I72) capable of connecting a second terminal (B62) of the external charging module (60) to a battery located between the first battery (Bl) and the last battery (B3) of the set of batteries (Bl, B2 - B3) connected in series or to the last battery (B3).

4. Power supply system (1) according to any one of the claims

5.

6.

7. preceding claims, wherein each power supply cell (10, 20, 30) comprises a coil (L1, L2, L3) connected on one side to the rectifier (L1, R2, R3) and intended to be connected on the other side to an alternating voltage. Power supply system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising three power supply cells (10, 20, 30). Motor vehicle comprising an electrical power supply bus (HV+, HV-) capable of supplying electrical equipment mounted in the vehicle and an electrical power supply system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. A method for controlling a system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said method being implemented by the control unit and comprising the steps of: a. Connect all the batteries (B1, B2, B3) in series, b. Connect all or part of the batteries (B1, B2, B3) connected in series to the external charging module (60).

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