Charger for a vehicle and method for operating the charger

Abstract

A charger (100) for a vehicle, wherein at least one first charging circuit (140) and one second charging circuit (150) are connected between an input connection unit (110) and an output connection unit (120), wherein the second charging circuit (150) is connected at the input end to a switching element (160) which is designed to connect the second phase (L2) to the second charging circuit (150) via the input connection unit (110) in a first switch position and to connect a further phase (LW) of a V2L socket (170) to the second charging circuit (150) in a second switch position.

Description

[0001] CHARGER FOR A VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE CHARGER

[0002] Description

[0003] title

[0004] Charger and method for operating a charger

[0005] The invention relates to a charger for a vehicle and a method for operating a charger. Furthermore, the invention relates to a drive train with a charger, a vehicle with a drive train, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] Vehicles with an electric powertrain can be charged with alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Some vehicles are designed to supply electrical loads with power using the electrical energy stored in the vehicle. This functionality is known as Vehicle to Load (V2L). This makes it possible to supply electrical consumers, such as a coffee maker or lawnmower, with electrical energy from a vehicle. For this purpose, a charger, such as an On Board Charger (OBC), is designed for bidirectional operation. In forward operation, the charger supplies the vehicle with electrical energy from an external energy source.In reverse mode, the charger draws electrical energy from the vehicle's DC energy storage unit and supplies the AC voltage required to operate a consumer to a socket, such as a V2L socket. This V2L function is often not available during charging or forward operation of the charger. Particularly in regions where a Type 1 charging plug is used for charging (Asia, USA), the AC supply voltage from the charging plug cannot be used directly as a substitute, as there is no neutral conductor for 240V charging, and 120V is not available for normal 120V loads. Therefore, additional power electronics are preferably used to generate AC voltage from an internal vehicle battery storage unit for externally connectable consumers.Therefore, there is a need for a simple charger that is designed to supply a consumer with alternating voltage at the same time as charging.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] A charger for a vehicle is provided. The charger comprises, on the input side, an input connection unit for connecting at least one first phase with a first alternating voltage, preferably an alternating voltage source, and a second phase with a second alternating voltage, preferably an alternating voltage source, and, on the output side, a two-pole output connection unit for connecting an energy storage device to be charged. Connected between the input connection unit and the output connection unit are at least one first charging circuit for converting the input-side first alternating voltage into a first output direct voltage, and a second charging circuit for converting the input-side second alternating voltage into a second output direct voltage. The charging circuits are connected in parallel on the output side. At least the second charging circuit can be operated bidirectionally.The second charging circuit is connected on the input side to a switching element which is configured to connect the second phase to the second charging circuit on the input side via the input connection unit in a first switch position and to connect another phase of a V2L socket on the input side to the second charging circuit in a second switch position.

[0010] A charging device is provided which comprises an input connection unit, an output connection unit, a first and a second charging circuit. The input connection unit serves to connect a, preferably external, at least single-phase AC voltage source, preferably a three-phase AC voltage source. Individual phase connections are preferably provided for at least two or three phases, each for one phase of an AC voltage source. The output connection unit is designed to connect an energy storage device, preferably a battery, a traction battery, or a high-voltage storage device. The charging circuits, which are connected between the input connection unit and the output connection unit, serve to convert at least one phase of an input-side AC voltage into an output-side DC voltage. A charging circuit preferably comprises an AC voltage input on the input side and a DC voltage output on the output side.Preferably, during charging operation of the charging circuit, electrical energy supplied to the AC voltage input as an AC voltage is transferred from the input side to the output side of the charging circuit, with the electrical energy being provided as a DC voltage on the output side. Preferably, the charging circuit comprises a PFC stage or power factor correction stage on the input side, which rectifies the AC voltage while minimizing grid interference. Preferably, the charging circuit comprises, preferably following the PFC stage, a DC-DC converter, preferably a galvanically isolated DC-DC converter, for converting the rectified AC voltage into a DC voltage or charging voltage to be provided on the output side.Preferably, in a supply mode of the charging circuit, electrical energy supplied as a DC voltage at the DC voltage output is transferred from the output side to the input side of the charging circuit, with the electrical energy being provided as an AC voltage at the input side. For this purpose, the DC voltage is preferably first provided via the DC-DC converter of the PFC stage and then provided as an AC voltage at the AC voltage input of the charging circuit. The first and second charging circuits, and preferably a third charging circuit, are connected in parallel on the output side. Thus, the output-side DC voltage outputs of the charging circuits are connected in parallel.At least the second charging circuit is bidirectionally operable. This means that the second charging circuit is configured to convert an applied alternating voltage into a direct voltage for charging the energy storage device, either in a charging mode or forward mode, or to convert the direct voltage of the energy storage device into an alternating voltage and provide it on the input side, preferably for supplying a connectable alternating voltage consumer. Preferably, in addition to the second charging circuit, the first and / or third charging circuits are also configured for bidirectional operation.At least the second charging circuit is connected on the input side to a switching element, which is configured to connect the second phase to the second charging circuit via the input connection unit on the input side in a first switch position and to connect another phase of a V2L socket to the second charging circuit on the input side in a second switch position. Preferably, additional charging circuits of the charger can also be configured to be bidirectional and connected to a corresponding input-side switching element. A uniform load on the respective charging circuits is then possible by alternating operation of the charging circuits and varying the operating modes of the individual charging circuits.

[0011] Advantageously, a charger is provided which is configured to charge an energy storage device either by means of at least two charging circuits or to charge the energy storage device by means of at least one charging circuit and at the same time to provide an alternating voltage at a V2L socket.

[0012] In one embodiment, the input connection unit is configured to connect a neutral conductor.

[0013] It is advantageous to connect an external neutral conductor or protective conductor to the vehicle.

[0014] In one embodiment, the V2L socket is designed to connect a neutral conductor.

[0015] Advantageously, a neutral conductor or protective conductor of a consumer can be connected to the vehicle.

[0016] In one embodiment, the neutral conductor terminal of the input connection unit is connected to the neutral conductor terminal of the V2L socket. In this description, "connected," "switched," or "arranged" is used synonymously with "electrically connected." Advantageously, the connection of the neutral conductor terminals ensures safe charging of the energy storage device and safe supply operation of a connectable, preferably external, consumer.

[0017] In one embodiment, the input connection unit and the V2L socket are designed as two individual components. Preferably, the input connection unit and the V2L socket are designed as a single component. Advantageously, two individual components can be placed at different locations on the vehicle, for example, the input connection unit as a charging socket at the front of the vehicle and a V2L socket inside the vehicle in the passenger compartment or at the rear of the vehicle in the trunk area, inside or outside the vehicle. Alternatively, a joint design of the input connection unit and the V2L socket can be provided on the outside of the vehicle body to save space.

[0018] The invention further relates to a drive train of a vehicle, wherein the drive train comprises at least one charger. The charger further comprises an energy storage device, an inverter, and / or an electric machine. Advantageously, a drive train of an electric vehicle is provided with a charger having a simplified circuit topology.

[0019] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with a drive train as described above. Advantageously, a vehicle with a charger with a simplified circuit topology is provided.

[0020] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a charger as presented above, comprising the step of operating the charger, wherein the first charging circuit converts a first alternating voltage into a first direct voltage and, at the same time, the second charging circuit converts a direct voltage of a connectable energy storage device into a second alternating voltage, which is provided via the switching element to another phase of a V2L socket. Consequently, the first charging circuit is operated in charging mode. The first charging circuit therefore preferably converts an alternating voltage applied on the input side into a direct voltage applied on the output side for charging the energy storage device. At the same time, the second charging circuit is operated in supply mode.The second charging circuit therefore preferably converts a direct voltage applied on the output side into an alternating voltage applied on the input side and makes this available, preferably via the switching element, preferably in the second switch position, to a further phase on the V2L socket, preferably for supplying a preferably external consumer that can be connected to the V2L socket.

[0021] Advantageously, a V2L functionality is enabled during the charging process by means of the simultaneous charging operation of the first charging circuit and the supply operation by means of the second charging circuit.

[0022] The invention further relates to a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a control unit for the charging device, cause the charging device to perform the steps of the method. The charging device preferably comprises a control unit configured to control the charging circuits and the switching element in such a way that the method is executed.

[0023] Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a control unit for the charger, cause the charger to carry out the steps of the method.

[0024] It is understood that the features, characteristics and advantages of the charger apply accordingly to the process or the powertrain and the vehicle and vice versa.

[0025] Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Brief description of the drawing In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of some figures, which show:

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a charger,

[0028] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle with a drive train with a charger,

[0029] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a method for operating a charger.

[0030] Embodiments of the invention

[0031] Figure 1 shows a charger 100 for a vehicle. The charger 100 comprises, on the input side, an input connection unit 110 for connecting at least a first phase L1 for providing a first alternating voltage UW1 and a second phase L2 for providing a second alternating voltage UW2. Preferably, the first phase L1 and the second phase L2, and preferably a third phase L3, are provided by at least one alternating voltage source, an external grid connection, or from the infrastructure. The charger 100 comprises, on the output side, a two-pole output connection unit 120 for connecting an energy storage device 130 to be charged.Connected between the input connection unit and the output connection unit are at least one first charging circuit 140 for converting the first alternating voltage UW1 into a first direct voltage UG1 and a second charging circuit 150 for converting the second alternating voltage UW2 into a second direct voltage UG2, and preferably a third charging circuit 142 for converting a third alternating voltage UW3 into a third direct voltage UG3. The charging circuits 140, 150, 142 are connected in parallel on the output side. At least the second charging circuit 150 can be operated bidirectionally. The second charging circuit 150 is connected, preferably electrically connected, on the input side to a switching element 160. The switching element 160 is configured, in a first switch position (not shown in Figure 1), to connect the second phase L2 on the input side to the second charging circuit 150 via the input connection unit 110.In a second switch position (shown in Figure 1), the switching element 160 is configured to connect a further phase LW of a V2L socket 170 on the input side to the second charging circuit 150.Preferably, a control unit (not shown) is provided which is configured to control the charging circuits 140, 150, 142 and the switching element 160 and in particular to control the second charging circuit 150 for charging operation and to switch the switching element 160 to the first switch position, preferably to provide an output-side, preferably controllable or predeterminable, charging voltage for charging the connectable energy storage device, or to control the second charging circuit 150 for supply operation and to switch the switching element 160 to the second switch position, preferably to provide an input-side, preferably controllable or predeterminable, alternating voltage at the V2L socket for supplying a connectable consumer. The level of the alternating voltage to be provided can preferably be controlled by means of the charging circuit 150 or can be predetermined via the control unit.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a schematically illustrated vehicle 300 with a drive train 200 and a charger 100. The vehicle 300 is shown here only as an example with four wheels, although the invention can be used equally in any vehicle with any number of wheels on land, on water, and in the air. The drive train 200 shown as an example comprises at least one charger 100. Furthermore, the drive train preferably comprises an energy storage device 130, an inverter 180, and / or an electric machine 190.

[0033] Figure 3 shows a schematic flowchart for a method 400 for operating a charger 100. The method 400 starts with step 405. In step 410, the charger 100 is operated, with the first charging circuit 140 converting a first alternating voltage UW1 into a first direct voltage UG1 and, at the same time, the second charging circuit 150 converting a direct voltage of a connectable energy storage device 130 into a second alternating voltage UW2, which is provided via the switching element 160 to another phase LW of a V2L socket 170. The method ends with step 415.

[0034] In summary, a charger is provided in which preferably one or two phases of the charger are used for the charging function, and another phase is operated in reverse and used for the V2L function. Advantageously, the V2L function can also be provided during AC charging. An additional power electronic component, which would otherwise be required for this function, is not required. One phase of an existing bidirectional charger is upgraded for this function.

Claims

Claims 1 . Charger (100) for a vehicle, wherein the charger (100) comprises, on the input side, an input connection unit (110) for connecting at least one first phase (L1) with a first alternating voltage (UW1) and one second phase (L2) with a second alternating voltage (UW2), and, on the output side, a two-pole output connection unit (120) for connecting an energy storage device (130) to be charged, wherein at least one first charging circuit (140) for converting the input-side first alternating voltage (UW1) into an output-side first direct voltage (UG1) and a second charging circuit (150) for converting the input-side second alternating voltage (UW2) into an output-side second direct voltage (UG2) are connected between the input connection unit (110) and the output connection unit (120), wherein the charging circuits (140, 150) are connected in parallel on the output side, wherein at least the second charging circuit (150) is bidirectionally operable,characterized in that the second charging circuit (150) is connected on the input side to a switching element (160) which is configured to connect the second phase (L2) via the input connection unit (110) on the input side to the second charging circuit (150) in a first switch position and to connect a further phase (LW) of a V2L socket (170) on the input side to the second charging circuit (150) in a second switch position.

2. Charger according to claim 1, wherein the input connection unit (110) is for connecting a neutral conductor (NE) is set up.

3. Charger according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the V2L socket (170) is arranged to connect a neutral conductor (NV).

4. Charger according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the neutral conductor terminal of the input connection unit (110) is connected to the neutral conductor terminal of the V2L socket (170).

5. Drive train (200) for a vehicle (300), wherein the drive train comprises at least one charger (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4 and comprises an energy storage device (130), an inverter (180) and / or an electric machine (190).

6. Vehicle (300) having a drive train (200) according to claim 5.

7. A method (400) for operating a charger (100) according to any one of claims 1-4, comprising the step: Operating (410) the charger (100), wherein the first charging circuit (140) converts a first alternating voltage (UW1) into a first direct voltage (UG1) and at the same time the second charging circuit (150) converts a direct voltage of a connectable energy store (130) into a second alternating voltage (UW2), which is provided via the switching element (160) at a further phase (LW) of a V2L socket (170).

8. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a control unit for the charger, cause the charger to carry out the steps of the method (400) according to claim 7.

9. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a controller for the charger, cause the charger to perform the steps of the method (400) according to claim 7.

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