CONTROLLING THE PRECHARGE OF CAPACITORS IN A VEHICLE'S POWER ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DURING EXTERNAL BATTERY CHARGING

Abstract

A control method is implemented in a vehicle comprising a battery that can be recharged by an external power source via an interface device including main contactors, charging contactors, and a pre-charge contactor, suitable for being selectively placed in open and closed states, and a set of pre-charge capacitors mounted in parallel between the main contactors and a power electrical circuit. This method includes a step (10-40) in which, when the external power source is not suitable for pre-charging the set of pre-charge capacitors, a selected sequence of placement of the main contactors, charging contactors, and pre-charge contactor is performed to pre-charge the set until a selected voltage is obtained across the terminals of the power electrical circuit, before allowing the battery to be recharged. Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: CONTROL OF THE PRECHARGE OF CAPACITORS IN A VEHICLE'S POWER ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DURING EXTERNAL BATTERY CHARGING Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles comprising at least one rechargeable battery via an external power source through an interface device comprising contactors and a set of pre-charge capacitors, and more specifically the control within such vehicles of the pre-charge of this set before a rapid battery recharge. State of the art

[0002] Some vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, include a battery (possibly cellular) suitable for being recharged by an external power source (or charging station (or terminal)) via an interface device comprising contactors and a set of pre-charge capacitors.

[0003] Generally, this rechargeable battery is specifically responsible for powering at least one electric drive unit of the vehicle's powertrain (or powertrain), and therefore constitutes a power (or main or traction) battery.

[0004] When the battery can be recharged by so-called fast charging, the interface device contacts are generally five, namely:

[0005] - of the first and second main contactors, each having open and closed states in which they are placed respectively outside and during the power supply of a vehicle's electrical circuit, designed to supply electrical energy to electrical equipment.

[0006] - of the first and second charging contacts each having open and closed in which they are placed respectively off and during charging, and

[0007] - a pre-charge contactor mounted in parallel with the first main contactor and having open and closed states in which it is placed respectively off and during a pre-charge of the pre-charge capacitor set.

[0008] The assembly (of pre-charge capacitors) is mounted in parallel between the main contactors and a vehicle power circuit designed to supply electrical energy to electrical equipment, and is responsible for limiting the current that comes from the battery before it powers this electrical circuit.

[0009] Since current contactors are "contact relays" and rapid charging involves the flow of (very) high charging currents, it can happen that rapid charging causes the contact of a charging contactor to stick (generally by welding), and therefore that it remains permanently in its closed state (without the possibility of returning it to its open state). This type of situation can result, for example, from an excessive current, even brief, passing through a charging contactor and inducing a local temperature exceeding the melting temperature of its contact.

[0010] Since such a sticking situation can be dangerous for the vehicle, and the external power source to which it is temporarily coupled, it has been proposed, on the one hand, to add a pre-charge circuit to the charging circuit (which ensures the connection between the vehicle's charging connector and the interface device), and, on the other hand, to adapt external fast charging power sources so that they cooperate with this pre-charge circuit before fast charging actually begins.

[0011] However, currently, many external fast charging power sources do not have this adaptation, and many vehicles do not have such a pre-charge circuit (either because they were designed before its creation, or because it is relatively expensive).

[0012] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0013] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a control method intended to be implemented in a vehicle comprising a battery designed to be recharged by an external power source via an interface device comprising:

[0014] - main contactors, charging contactors and pre-charging contactor, suitable for being selectively placed in open and closed states, and

[0015] - a set of pre-charge capacitors mounted in parallel between the contactors main and an electrical power circuit capable of supplying electrical equipment.

[0016] This control method is characterized in that it includes a step in which, when the external power supply is not suitable for precharging the precharge capacitor assembly, a chosen sequence of placement of the main contactors, charging contactors, and precharge contactor is performed, designed to precharge this assembly until a voltage chosen across the terminals of the power electrical circuit, before allowing battery charging.

[0017] Thanks to the invention, when an external power supply is not suitable for precharging the precharge capacitor assembly, it is still possible to precharge the latter before the rapid charging of the battery, and therefore there is no longer a risk that this rapid charging will cause the contact of a charging contactor to stick.

[0018] The control method according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0019] - in its stage, in the presence of first and second main contactors having for each of the open and closed states in which they are respectively placed off and during a power supply to the electrical circuit, of first and second charging contactors each having open and closed states in which they are respectively placed off and during a charge, and of a pre-charge contactor mounted in parallel with the first main contactor and having open and closed states in which it is respectively placed off and during the pre-charge of the pre-charge capacitor assembly, the chosen sequence may include placing the first and second main contactors in their open state, then placing the second main contactor in its closed state, then placing the second and first charging contactors in their closed state, then placing the pre-charge contactor in its closed state, and then, once the chosen voltage is obtained across the terminals of the electrical circuit,the first main contactor is placed in its closed state, followed by the pre-charge contactor being placed in its open state;

[0020] - in the presence of the first option, in its step, in the sequence one can separately trigger the placement of the second and first charging contacts in their closed state;

[0021] - in the presence of the last sub-option, in its step, in the sequence one can first place the second charging contactor in its closed state, then you can place the first charging contactor in its closed state.

[0022] The invention also proposes a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is suitable for implementing a control method of the type described above, in a vehicle comprising a battery suitable for recharging by an external power source via an interface device comprising, on the one hand, main contactors, charging contactors and a pre-charge contactor, suitable for being selectively placed in open and closed states, and, on the other hand, a set of pre-charge capacitors mounted in parallel between the main contactors and an electrical power circuit suitable for supplying electrical equipment, to control a pre-charge of this assembly before recharging the battery by this external power source.

[0023] The invention also proposes a control device for equipping a vehicle comprising a battery that can be recharged by an external power source via an interface device comprising:

[0024] - main contactors, charging contactors and pre-charging contactor, suitable for being selectively placed in open and closed states, and

[0025] - a set of pre-charge capacitors mounted in parallel between the contactors main and an electrical power circuit capable of supplying electrical equipment.

[0026] This control device is characterized by the fact that it includes at least one processor and at least one memory arranged to perform the operations consisting, when the external power supply is not suitable for precharging the precharge capacitor assembly, of triggering the execution of a chosen sequence, of placement of the main contactors, charging contactors and precharge contactor, suitable for causing a precharge of this assembly until a chosen voltage is obtained at the terminals of the power electrical circuit, and then allowing a charging of the battery.

[0027] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising:

[0028] - a battery that can be recharged by an external power source via a interface device comprising, on the one hand, main contactors, charging contactors and a pre-charge contactor, suitable for being selectively placed in open and closed states, and, on the other hand, a set of pre-charge capacitors mounted in parallel between the main contactors and a power electrical circuit suitable for supplying electrical equipment, and

[0029] - a control device of the type presented above.

[0030] The vehicle according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0031] - the first and second main contactors can each have states open and closed in which they are placed respectively off and during a power supply to the electrical circuit, the first and second charging contactors can each have open and closed states in which they are placed respectively off and during a charge, and the pre-charge contactor can be mounted in parallel with the first main contactor and can have open and closed states in which it is placed respectively off and during the pre-charge of the pre-charge capacitor assembly;

[0032] - in the presence of the first option, it may also include a converter of DC / DC type reinforcement, installed upstream of the first and second charging contactors, and designed to convert a first voltage supplied by the external power source during battery charging into a second voltage strictly higher than this first voltage;

[0033] - it may also include a powertrain (or powertrain) comprising at least an electric motive machine designed to be powered by electrical energy from the battery. Brief description of the figures

[0034] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] [Fig. 1] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention comprising a control device according to the invention and a powertrain with an electric drive unit associated with a rechargeable battery and associated with a battery computer and an interface device coupled to a charging circuit and an electrical power circuit,

[0036] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates a first example of the realization of an interface device coupled to a rechargeable battery,

[0037] [Fig.3] schematically and functionally illustrates a second example of the realization of an interface device coupled to a rechargeable battery and a reinforcement converter,

[0038] [Fig.4] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of an embodiment of a battery calculator comprising an example of an embodiment of a control device according to the invention, and

[0039] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a control method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0040] The invention aims in particular to provide a control method, and an associated DC control device, intended to allow the control of the pre-charge of a set of ECP pre-charge capacitors of a DI interface device of a rechargeable BP battery of a vehicle V before a recharge of this BP battery by an external power source SA.

[0041] In what follows, vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, it is a car, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any type of vehicle comprising a powertrain with an electric drive unit associated with a battery capable of being recharged by a power source. external via an interface device with contactors and a set of pre-charge capacitors. Thus, it concerns land vehicles (commercial vehicles, motorhomes, minibuses, coaches, trucks, motorcycles, road maintenance vehicles, construction vehicles, agricultural vehicles, recreational vehicles (snowmobiles, go-karts), tracked vehicles, trains and trams, for example), aircraft and boats.

[0042] Furthermore, in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, vehicle V is considered to comprise a powertrain (or PWM) of the all-electric type (and therefore whose propulsion is provided exclusively by at least one electric motor). However, the PWM could be of the hybrid type (thermal and electric).

[0043] A vehicle V according to the invention is schematically represented in [Fig.1], comprising a DC control device according to the invention and an electric GMP transmission chain (and therefore an electric motive machine MME), a CS supervisory computer, an RB on-board network, a BS auxiliary battery, a BP battery, rechargeable and associated with a DI interface device and a CB battery computer, a CEP main electrical circuit and a CV converter of the direct current / direct current (or DC / DC (“Direct Current / Direct Current”) type).

[0044] The RB on-board network is an electrical power supply network to which electrical (or electronic) equipment (or components) that consume electrical energy are coupled.

[0045] The auxiliary battery BS is responsible for supplying electrical power to the vehicle's electrical system RB, supplementing that supplied by the CV converter, which is powered by the rechargeable battery BP via the main electrical circuit CEP, and sometimes replacing this CV converter. For example, this auxiliary battery BS may be configured as a very low voltage type battery (typically 12 V, 24 V, or 48 V). It is rechargeable at least by the CV converter. In the following, for the sake of non-limiting example, the auxiliary battery BS is considered to be a 12 V lithium-ion type.

[0046] The main electrical circuit (or "high voltage") CEP is connected, on the one hand, to the rechargeable battery BP (here) via the interface device DI, and, on the other hand, to electronic equipment, such as the CV converter and the electric drive machine MME. It also allows the rechargeable battery BP to be recharged (at least with direct current) by an external power supply SA temporarily coupled to the vehicle V, for example via a CN charging connector of the latter (V). This main electrical circuit CEP therefore comprises at least one power circuit PI ensuring the coupling between the rechargeable battery BP and at least the electric drive machine MME and CV converter, and thus suitable for powering electrical equipment, and a connected charging circuit P2 (here) to the CN charging connector and allowing the BP rechargeable battery to be recharged when this CN charging connector is temporarily coupled to an external power source SA via a CR charging cable.

[0047] The charging circuit P2 includes a positive branch and a negative branch connected to the charging connector CN and (here) to the interface device DI.

[0048] In the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 1], the charging circuit P2 allows the rechargeable battery BP to be recharged not only with direct current (or mode 4), suitable for fast charging, but also with alternating current (or mode 2 or 3), under the control of a charger control unit (CA), a charger control unit (CH), and the battery control unit (CB) (associated with the rechargeable battery BP). However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the charging circuit P2 could only allow charging with direct current (or mode 4).

[0049] The transmission chain has a powertrain which, in this case, is purely electric and therefore includes, in particular, an electric drive machine MME, a drive shaft AM, and a transmission shaft AT. The term "electric drive machine" here refers to an electric machine arranged to provide motor torque to move the vehicle V when it is supplied with electrical energy, and possibly to recover torque in the transmission chain.

[0050] The operation of the transmission chain (and therefore of the GMP) is supervised by a CS supervisory computer.

[0051] The electric drive machine MME (here an electric motor) is here coupled to the rechargeable battery BP via the PI power supply circuit of the main electrical circuit CEP, in order to be supplied with electrical energy, as well as possibly to supply this rechargeable battery BP with electrical energy resulting from torque recovery (for example during a regenerative braking phase).

[0052] Furthermore, this electric drive machine MME is coupled to the motor shaft AM to supply it with motor torque by rotational drive. This motor shaft AM is here coupled to a reduction gear RD which is also coupled to the transmission shaft AT, itself coupled to a first set of wheels Tl, preferably via a differential DV.

[0053] This first train Tl is located here in the front part PVV of the vehicle V. But in a variant this first train Tl could be the one which is here referenced T2 and which is located in the rear part PRV of the vehicle V.

[0054] The CV converter is also responsible, here, during the driving phases of the vehicle V, for converting part of the electrical current stored in the rechargeable battery BP to supply converted electrical current to the on-board network RB and the auxiliary battery BS (to recharge it).

[0055] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1], that the CV converter can be part of the CH charger which also includes the AC charger computer responsible, at least, for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery BP.

[0056] The rechargeable battery BP powers the electric drive machine MME, thus constituting a power battery (or "traction" or "main" battery). It may, for example, include electrical energy storage cells, possibly electrochemical (for example, lithium-ion (or Li-ion) or Ni-MH or Ni-Cd type). Also, for example, the rechargeable battery BP may be of the low-voltage type (typically 450 V, 600 V, or 800 V, for illustrative purposes). But it could also be of the medium-voltage or high-voltage type.

[0057] Furthermore, the rechargeable battery BP is (here) associated with a battery case BB which includes, in particular, the interface device DI, voltage / current measurement means (not shown), and the battery calculator CB. For example, the rechargeable battery BP and the battery case BB can form part of a battery assembly (or "pack").

[0058] The interface device DI is arranged to electrically isolate, when necessary, the rechargeable battery BP from the entire main electrical circuit CEP, as well as individually (here) from the charging connector CN, the electric motor MME, and the converter CV. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, it includes, for this purpose, in particular, main contactors CPj, charging contactors CRj, a pre-charge contactor CPC, all suitable for being selectively placed in open and closed states, protective fuses (not shown), and a set of pre-charge capacitors ECP. All these contactors CPj, CRj, and CPC are contact relays suitable for being selectively placed in open and closed states. The set of pre-charge capacitors ECP is connected in parallel between the main contactors CPj and the power electrical circuit PL

[0059] It should be noted that in the first example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig.2], the interface device DI comprises:

[0060] - of the first CP1 (j = 1) and second CP2 (j = 2) main contactors each having open and closed states in which they are placed respectively outside and during a power supply to the PI electrical circuit,

[0061] - of the first CRI (j = 1) and second CR2 (j = 2) charging contacts each having open and closed states in which they are placed respectively during and outside of a recharge, and

[0062] - a CPC pre-charge contactor mounted in parallel with the first contactor main CPI and having open and closed states in which it is placed respectively off and during a precharge of the ECP precharge capacitor set.

[0063] It will also be noted that when the index j is equal to one (1) it designates a contactor associated with the positive terminals (or branches) of the rechargeable battery BP, the electrical power circuit PI and the charging circuit P2, and when the index j is equal to two (2) it designates a contactor associated with the negative terminals (or branches) of the rechargeable battery BP, the electrical power circuit PI and the charging circuit P2.

[0064] The first main contactor CPI has a first terminal connected to the positive terminal of the rechargeable battery BP and a second terminal connected to the positive branch of the power electrical circuit PL. The second main contactor CP2 has a first terminal connected to the negative terminal of the rechargeable battery BP and a second terminal connected to the negative branch of the power electrical circuit PL.

[0065] The first charging contactor CRI has a first terminal connected to the second terminal of the first main contactor CPI and a second terminal connected to the positive branch of the charging circuit P2. The second charging contactor CR2 has a first terminal connected to the second terminal of the second main contactor CP2 and a second terminal connected to the negative branch of the charging circuit P2.

[0066] The pre-charge contactor CPC is coupled to the first and second terminals of the first main contactor CPI (in order to be mounted in parallel with the latter (CPI)).

[0067] The ECP pre-charge capacitor assembly is coupled to the respective second terminals of the first CPI and second CP2 main contactors.

[0068] It will also be noted that in the first example illustrated non-limitingly on [Fig.2] the interface device DI also includes a set of charging capacitors ECR mounted in parallel between the charging contacts CRj and the electrical charging circuit P2.

[0069] It should also be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 1], the vehicle V also includes a distribution box BD to which the auxiliary battery BS, the converter CV, and the on-board network RB are coupled. This distribution box BD is responsible for distributing the electrical energy stored in the auxiliary battery BS or produced by the converter CV into the on-board network RB to power the electrical components (or equipment) connected to the on-board network RB, according to power demands received (in particular from the powertrain control unit CS).

[0070] As mentioned above, the invention proposes in particular a control method intended to allow the control of the pre-charge of the ECP pre-charge capacitor set before a recharge of the BP power battery by an external power source SA temporarily coupled to the vehicle V, without the latter (V) including a pre-charge circuit adjoining its charging circuit P2.

[0071] This (control) method can be implemented at least partially by the DC control device (illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 and 4), which for this purpose comprises at least one PR1 processor, for example a digital signal processor (or DSP), and at least one MD memory. This DC control device can therefore be implemented as a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or "hardware") and software modules (or "software"). By way of example, it could be a microcontroller.

[0072] The MD memory is random access memory (RAM) to store instructions for the implementation by the PR1 processor of at least part of the control process. The PR1 processor may comprise integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or wireless connections. An integrated (or printed) circuit is defined as any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation.

[0073] In the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 and 4, the DC control device is part of the CB battery computer. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, the DC control device could comprise its own dedicated computer, which is then coupled to the CB battery computer, or it could be part of an embedded computer performing at least one other function, such as the CS monitoring computer.

[0074] As illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.5], the (control) method according to the invention includes a step 10-40 which is implemented each time the vehicle V has just been temporarily coupled to an external power source SA, here via a charging cable CR and the charging connector CN.

[0075] Step 10-40 of the method includes a substep 30 in which, when the external power supply SA is not suitable for precharging the precharge capacitor bank ECP, a selected sequence of positioning of the main contactors CPj, charging contactors CRj, and precharge contactor CPC is executed (for example, the DC control device triggers the execution of a selected sequence). This selected sequence is designed to precharge the precharge capacitor bank ECP until a selected voltage ucPi is obtained across the power circuit PL.

[0076] It should be noted that this chosen voltage ucPi depends on the voltage that should normally prevail in the power electrical circuit PI and therefore on the voltage across the terminals of the rechargeable battery BP.

[0077] It should also be noted that it is the CB battery computer which receives the placement orders for each of the CPj, CRj and CPC contacts and therefore controls these placements.

[0078] Then, step 10-40 of the process includes a substep 40 in which, once this chosen voltage ucPi is obtained, the charging of the rechargeable battery BP is authorized (for example, by the DC control device). For example, the AC charger computer then manages the charging in cooperation with the external power supply SA.

[0079] Thanks to the implementation of this placement sequence when the external power supply SA is not suitable for precharging the ECP precharge capacitor assembly, it is now possible to precharge the latter (ECP) before the rapid charging of the power battery BP, without the vehicle V having an additional precharge circuit in addition to its charging circuit P2 (and therefore without additional cost). Consequently, there is no longer a risk that rapid charging will cause the contact of a charging switch CRj to stick, and thus remain permanently closed, thereby enhancing the safety of the vehicle V during rapid charging.

[0080] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 5], step 10-40 may include a substep 10 in which one (for example, the DC control device) can determine whether the external power supply SA is suitable for precharging the precharge capacitor assembly ECP. This determination can, for example, be made by the AC charger computer, which manages each charge in cooperation with the external power supply SA, and is therefore informed immediately after the connection of the charging cable CR to the charging connector CN whether it is suitable for precharging.

[0081] If the external power supply SA is adapted for precharging, then the charging takes place classically in a sub-step 20 of step 10-40, without it being necessary to carry out the chosen sequence (adapted for precharging).

[0082] On the other hand, if the external power supply SA is not suitable for pre-charging, then sub-step 30 is carried out to perform the chosen sequence (suitable for pre-charging).

[0083] Also, for example, when the DI interface device has the arrangement illustrated in [Fig.2] and described above (first CPI and second CP2 main contactors, first CRI and second CR2 charging contactors, CPC pre-charge contactor and ECP assembly), the chosen sequence, carried out in substep 30, may include:

[0084] - a placement of the first CPI and second CP2 main contactors in their state opened, then

[0085] - placing the second main contactor CP2 in its closed state, then

[0086] - a placement of the second CR2 and first CRI charging contacts in their closed state, then

[0087] - placing the CPC pre-charge contactor in its closed state (for recharging the charging capacitors of the ECP assembly (but also, consequently, those of the external SA power supply)),

[0088] - once the chosen voltage ucPi is obtained across the terminals of the electrical circuit of PI power, a placement of the first main contactor CPI in its closed state, then

[0089] - a placement of the CPC pre-charge contactor in its open state (for interrupt the charging of the charging capacitors of the ECP assembly).

[0090] Also, for example, in substep 30, on (for example, the DC control device) can separately trigger the placement of the second CR2 and first CRI charging contactors in their closed state. In this case, in substep 30, on (for example, the DC control device) can first trigger the placement of the second CR2 charging contactor in its closed state, and then on (for example, the DC control device) can subsequently trigger the placement of the first CRI charging contactor in its closed state.

[0091] It should be noted that in substep 30, after each contactor placement, a diagnostic check can be performed to verify whether the placement is correct (effectively closed or effectively open). In this case, the DC control device can, for example, request each diagnostic check from the battery control unit (CB), and the latter (CB) transmits the result of each placement diagnostic to the DC control device so that it interrupts the execution of the rest of the sequence and thus prevents charging if the placement does not correspond to the required placement.

[0092] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 3], when the external power supply SA provides a voltage that is strictly lower than that of the rechargeable battery BP, the vehicle V may also include a DC / DC (or DC / DC) type boost converter CVR, installed upstream of the first CRI and second CR2 charging contacts and downstream of the charging connector CN. The interface device DI is identical here to that of [Fig. 2].

[0093] This boost converter (or "boost converter") CVR is arranged to convert the first voltage ul supplied by the external power source SA during charging of the rechargeable battery BP into a second voltage u2 strictly greater than this first voltage ul (and equal to that of the rechargeable battery BP). As a purely illustrative example, the first voltage ul could be equal to 400 V and the second voltage u2 could be equal to 800 V.

[0094] It should be noted that in the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 3], the CVR reinforcement converter is external to the DI interface device, and therefore made part of the P2 charging circuit. But in an alternative embodiment not shown, the CVR reinforcement converter could be part of the DI interface device.

[0095] It should also be noted, as illustrated but not limited to [Fig. 4], that the battery control unit CB (or the DC control unit) may also include a mass storage MM1, in particular for storing any intermediate data involved in all its calculations and processing. Furthermore, this battery control unit CB (or the DC control unit) may also include an input interface IE for receiving at least the information indicating whether the external power supply SA is, or is not, suitable for precharging, and any results of a placement diagnostic, for use in calculations or processing, possibly after having shaped and / or demodulated and / or amplified them, in a manner known per se, by means of a digital signal processor PR2.Furthermore, this CB battery calculator (or the DC control device calculator) may also include an IS output interface, notably to deliver a message (or command) requesting the placement of contactor(s) according to the chosen sequence, a charging authorization message, a charging prohibition message (or command), and a possible message (or command) to trigger a diagnostic.

[0096] It will also be noted that the invention also proposes a computer program product (or computer program) comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means of the type of electronic circuits (or hardware), such as for example the PR1 processor, is suitable for implementing the control method described above to control in the vehicle V the pre-charge of the set of pre-charge capacitors ECP before a rapid recharge of the rechargeable battery BP by an external power source SA.

Claims

1.

2. Demands Control method for a vehicle (V) comprising a battery (BP) suitable for recharging by an external power source (SA) via an interface device (DI) comprising i) main contactors (CPj), charging contactors (CRj) and a pre-charge contactor (CPC), suitable for being selectively placed in open and closed states, and ii) a set of pre-charge capacitors (ECP) mounted in parallel between the main contactors (CPj) and a power electrical circuit (PI) suitable for supplying electrical equipment, characterized in that it comprises a step (10-40) in which, when said external power source (SA) is not suitable for pre-charging said set of pre-charge capacitors (ECP), a selected sequence of placing said main contactors (CPj), charging contactors (CRj) and pre-charge contactor (CPC) is performed.capable of pre-charging said assembly (ECP) until a chosen voltage is obtained across said electrical power circuit (PI), before allowing a recharge of said battery (BP). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said step (10-40), in the presence of first (CPI) and second (CP2) main contactors, each having open and closed states in which they are respectively placed off and during a power supply to said electrical power circuit (PI), first (CRI) and second (CR2) charging contactors, each having open and closed states in which they are respectively placed off and during a charge, and a pre-charge contactor (CPC) mounted in parallel with said first main contactor (CPI) and having open and closed states in which it is respectively placed off and during the pre-charge of said assembly (ECP), said chosen sequence comprises placing said first (CPI) and second (CP2) main contactors in their open state, then placing said second main contactor (CP2) in its closed state,then a placement of said second (CR2) and first (CRI) charging contactors in their closed state, then a placement of said pre-charge contactor (CPC) in its closed state, then, once said selected voltage has been obtained across said power electrical circuit (PI), a placement of said first main contactor, (CPI) in its closed state, then a placement of said pre-charge contactor (CPC) in its open state.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that in said step (10-40) in said sequence the placements of said second (CR2) and first (CRI) charging contacts in their closed state are triggered separately.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that in said step (10-40) in said sequence said second charging contactor (CR2) is first placed in its closed state, then said first charging contactor (CRI) is placed in its closed state.

5. Product computer program comprising an instruction set which, when executed by processing means, is suitable for implementing the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in a vehicle (V) comprising a battery (BP) suitable for being recharged by an external power source (SA) via an interface device (DI) comprising i) main contactors (CPj), charging contactors (CRj) and a pre-charge contactor (CPC), suitable for being selectively placed in open and closed states, and ii) a set of pre-charge capacitors (ECP) mounted in parallel between the main contactors (CPj) and a power electrical circuit (PI) suitable for supplying electrical equipment, to control a pre-charge of said set (ECP) prior to a recharge of said battery (BP) by said external power source (SA).

6. Control device (DC) for a vehicle (V) comprising a battery (BP) suitable for recharging by an external power source (SA) via an interface device (DI) comprising i) main contactors (CPj), charging contactors (CRj), and a pre-charge contactor (CPC), suitable for being selectively placed in open and closed states, and ii) a set of pre-charge capacitors (ECP) mounted in parallel between the main contactors (CPj) and a power electrical circuit (PI) suitable for supplying electrical equipment, characterized in that it comprises at least one processor (PR1) and at least one memory (MD) arranged to perform the operations of triggering a selected sequence of placement of said contactors when said external power source (SA) is not suitable for pre-charging said set of pre-charge capacitors (ECP). main (CPj), charging contactors (CRj) and pre-charge contactor (CPC), suitable for causing a pre-charge of said assembly (ECP) until a chosen voltage is obtained at the terminals of said power electrical circuit (PI), and then for allowing a recharge of said battery (BP).

7. Vehicle (V) comprising a battery (BP) suitable for being recharged by an external power source (SA) via an interface device (DI) comprising i) main contactors (CPj), charging contactors (CRj) and a pre-charge contactor (CPC), suitable for being selectively placed in open and closed states, and ii) a set of pre-charge capacitors (ECP) mounted in parallel between the main contactors (CPj) and a power electrical circuit (PI) suitable for supplying electrical equipment, characterized in that it further comprises a control device (DC) according to claim 6.

8. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that i) said first (CPI) and second (CP2) main contactors each have open and closed states in which they are placed respectively off and during a supply of said power electrical circuit (PI), ii) said first (CRI) and second (CR2) charging contactors each have open and closed states in which they are placed respectively off and during a charge, and iii) said pre-charge contactor (CPC) is mounted in parallel with said first main contactor (CPI) and has open and closed states in which it is placed respectively off and during the pre-charge of said assembly (ECP).

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a DC / DC type boost converter (CVR), installed upstream of said first (CRI) and second (CR2) charging contacts, and adapted to convert a first voltage supplied by said external power source (SA) during a charging of said battery (BP) into a second voltage strictly greater than said first voltage.

10. Vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a powertrain including at least one electric motive machine (EMM) suitable for being supplied with electrical energy by said battery (BM).