Electric vehicle charging apparatus comprising plurality of power circuits

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging apparatus and, more specifically, to an electric vehicle charging apparatus comprising a plurality of power circuits to separately connect outputs of the plurality of power circuits according to a voltage boost mode or a current boost mode. A control unit of the electric vehicle charging apparatus, according to the present invention, may control an output wiring circuit such that the plurality of power circuits are connected in series or in parallel with each other according to the mode.

Description

Electric vehicle charging device including multiple power circuits

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle charging device, and more specifically, to an electric vehicle charging device comprising a plurality of power circuits and connecting the outputs of the plurality of power circuits separately according to a voltage boost mode or a current boost mode.

[0002] As carbon dioxide emissions from automobile use increase and the resulting global warming intensifies, extensive research is being conducted on technologies for eco-friendly vehicles capable of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0003] As one of these eco-friendly vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs) powered by batteries and electric motors have been commercialized.

[0004] Electric vehicles must charge their internal batteries, and typically, the batteries are charged using a dedicated charging device.

[0005] Electric vehicle charging devices currently in general use are equipped with high-capacity power circuits to output large power.

[0006] However, even with the same power capacity, the requirements for charging electric vehicles vary depending on their specifications; some require high voltage output, while others require large current output. Since current electric vehicle charging devices struggle to meet these demands, there is a need to develop charging devices that address these issues.

[0007] The present invention is intended to provide an electric vehicle charging device capable of increasing and supplying an output voltage or output current by utilizing a plurality of power circuits and an output connection circuit connecting the outputs of the power circuits.

[0008] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0009] An electric vehicle charging device according to the present invention, comprising a plurality of power circuits, includes a DC converter that converts the magnitude of a DC voltage and a control unit that controls the DC converter, and the DC converter may include a plurality of power circuits and an output connection circuit that connects the outputs of the plurality of power circuits.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, the control unit can control the output connection circuit so that the plurality of power circuits are connected in series when in voltage boost mode.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, the control unit can control the output connection circuit so that the plurality of power circuits are connected in parallel when in current boost mode.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, an AC-DC converter that converts an AC voltage into a DC voltage may be further included.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, each of the plurality of power circuits may include a switch circuit, a resonant circuit, a transformer, and a rectifier circuit.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one power circuit may be equipped with a plurality of transformers, and the input side of the transformers may be connected in series.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, the outputs of the plurality of transformers may be connected in series through respective rectifier circuits.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present invention, the outputs of the plurality of transformers may be connected in parallel through respective rectifier circuits.

[0017] According to the present invention, by using a plurality of power circuits and an output connection circuit connecting the outputs of the plurality of power circuits to supply a customized output voltage or output current, it is possible to satisfy both charging with a high voltage output and charging with a large current output according to the requirements of an electric vehicle.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an electric vehicle charging device according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an electric vehicle charging device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a DC converter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a power circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an output connection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a control unit of an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an output filter according to Figure 3.

[0025] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a switching circuit according to Figure 4.

[0026] Figure 9 is a diagram showing a resonant circuit according to Figure 4.

[0027] Figure 10 is a drawing showing a transformer according to Figure 4.

[0028] Figure 11 is a diagram showing a rectifier circuit according to Figure 4.

[0029] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a DC converter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a DC converter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a DC converter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a DC converter according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a DC converter according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0035] "And / or" includes each of the mentioned items and all combinations of one or more.

[0036] The terms used herein are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. As used herein, "comprising" and / or "comprising" does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions, and / or elements to the mentioned components, steps, actions, and / or elements.

[0037] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part is described as being "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where they are "directly connected," but also cases where they are "indirectly" or "electrically connected" with other members or elements interposed between them.

[0038] Additionally, throughout the specification, the description that each layer (film), region, pattern, or structure is formed "on" or "under" the substrate, each layer (film), region, pad, or pattern includes both direct formation and formation through another layer. The criteria for "on" or "under" each layer are described based on the drawings.

[0039] Furthermore, expressions such as 'first, second,' etc., are used solely to distinguish multiple compositions and do not limit the order or other characteristics between the compositions.

[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise.

[0041] Hereinafter, an electric vehicle charging device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an electric vehicle charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an electric vehicle charging device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a DC converter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, an electric vehicle charging device (100) according to the present invention may include a DC converter (140) that converts the magnitude of a DC voltage and a control unit (170) that controls the DC converter (140).

[0044] The electric vehicle charging device (100) receives a DC voltage from a DC power supply unit (301) through a DC input terminal (111), converts it into a DC voltage of the size required by the electric vehicle in a DC conversion unit (140), and outputs it to a DC output terminal (120).

[0045] Referring to FIG. 2, the electric vehicle charging device (100) according to the present invention may include an AC-DC converter (130) that converts an AC voltage into a DC voltage, a DC converter (140) that converts the magnitude of the DC voltage, and a control unit (170) that controls the AC-DC converter (130) and the DC converter (140).

[0046] The electric vehicle charging device (100) receives AC voltage from the AC power supply unit (302) through the AC input terminal (112), converts it into DC voltage in the AC-DC converter unit (130), and converts it into DC voltage required by the electric vehicle in the DC converter unit (140) and outputs it to the DC output terminal (120).

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, the DC converter (140) of the electric vehicle according to the present invention may include a plurality of power circuits (141a, 141b) and an output connection circuit (145) that connects the outputs of the power circuits (141a, 141b).

[0048] A DC converter (140) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes two power circuits (141a, 141b) connected in parallel to a DC input terminal (111), two output filters (142a, 142b) that smooth the output of each power circuit (141a, 141b), and an output connection circuit (145) that connects the outputs from the two output filters (142a, 142b) in series or in parallel.

[0049] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the circuit configuration of an output filter according to Figure 3.

[0050] The output filter (142a, 142b) may use a low-pass filter to filter high-frequency components of the output of the power circuit (141a, 141b).

[0051] An LC filter can be used as a low-pass filter (LPF).

[0052] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a power circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 4, the power circuit (141) may include a switching circuit (1411), a resonant circuit (1412), a transformer (1413), and a rectifier circuit (1414).

[0054] FIG. 8 is an exemplary circuit configuration of a switching circuit according to FIG. 4, where (a) is a full-bridge circuit and (b) is a half-bridge circuit.

[0055] The switching circuit (1411) converts the input DC voltage into an AC voltage and applies it to the resonant circuit (1412). The switching circuit (1411) can be configured as a full-bridge or half-bridge. Additionally, semiconductor devices of the Si, SiC, or GaN series can be used as semiconductor switches for the switching circuit.

[0056] Figure 9 is a diagram showing a resonant circuit according to Figure 4.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 9 (a) to (c), the resonant circuit (1412) can be configured by connecting an inductor and a capacitor in series. The resonant circuit (1412) may include at least one capacitor and at least two inductors.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 9(d), at least one inductor (L2) among the inductors used in the resonant circuit (1412) can be connected in parallel with the transformer (1413). As shown in FIG. 9(e), the inductor (L2) connected in parallel with the transformer (1413) can be replaced by the magnetizing inductance (LM) of the transformer (1413).

[0059] Figure 10 is a drawing showing a transformer according to Figure 4.

[0060] The transformer (1413) can convert the magnitude of the AC voltage input from the resonant circuit (1412) and transmit it to the rectifier circuit (1414).

[0061] Referring to FIG. 10 (a) and (b), the transformer (1413) has a pair of input terminals and one or two pairs of output terminals. In this case, the magnetizing inductance (LM) of the transformer (1413) can be used as a filter circuit component.

[0062] Referring to (c) and (d) of FIG. 10, the transformer (1413) may include two or more magnetically separated transformers. In this case, the input side of the transformer (1413) is connected in series, and the output side may be connected in series or in parallel after passing through a rectifier circuit, respectively.

[0063] Figure 11 is a diagram showing a rectifier circuit according to Figure 4.

[0064] The rectifier circuit (1414) can rectify the AC voltage or current input from the transformer (1413) to output a DC power source.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 11, the rectifier circuit (1414) may be configured as a voltage doubler as in FIG. 11 (a) or a full-wave rectifier as in FIG. 11 (b).

[0066] Referring to FIG. 11 (c) to (f), the rectifier circuit (1414) can be connected to each pair of output terminals of the transformer (1413). (c) and (d) show a rectifier circuit placed at one pair of output terminals of the transformer (1414), and (e) and (f) show a rectifier circuit placed at each pair of output terminals of the transformer (1414). In this way, by using multiple general-purpose transformers, current capacity or voltage adjustment can be performed according to the required specifications, thereby ensuring flexibility in power supply design.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an output connection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 5, the output connection circuit (145) is composed of three switches (S1, S2, S3), and depending on the connection of each switch, the outputs of the output filters (142a, 142b) can be connected in series or in parallel. Each switch (S1, S2, S3) may use a relay or a semiconductor switch element.

[0069] The + terminal and - terminal of the first output filter (142a) and the + terminal and - terminal of the second output filter (142b) are input to the output connection circuit (145), and the output + terminal and output - terminal are output.

[0070] The first switch (S1) can connect or disconnect the - terminal of the first output filter (142a) and the + terminal of the second output filter (142b).

[0071] The second switch (S2) can connect or disconnect the + terminal of the first output filter (142a) and the + terminal of the second output filter (142b).

[0072] The third switch (S3) can connect or disconnect the - terminal of the first output filter (142a) and the - terminal of the second output filter (142b).

[0073] The control unit (170) according to the present invention can be controlled differently depending on the voltage boost mode and the current boost mode.

[0074] First, in the case of voltage boost mode, the output connection circuit (145) is controlled so that the two power circuits (141a, 141b) are connected in series, thereby allowing the combined voltage of the first power circuit (141a) and the second power circuit (141b) to be output.

[0075] At this time, the control unit (170) can turn the first switch (S1) 'ON', the second switch (S2) 'OFF', and the third switch (S3) 'OFF'.

[0076] Next, in the case of current boost mode, the output connection circuit (145) is controlled so that two power circuits (141a, 141b) are connected in parallel, thereby allowing the output currents of the first power circuit (141a) and the second power circuit (141b) to be output as a combined current.

[0077] At this time, the control unit (170) can turn the first switch (S1) 'OFF', the second switch (S2) 'ON', and the third switch (S3) 'ON'.

[0078] The output of the output connection circuit (145) is input to the electric vehicle via the DC output terminal (120).

[0079] The above control unit (170) may include a microcontroller and a memory, and can perform control operations of the electric vehicle charging device according to the present invention by a microcontroller that executes a program stored in the memory.

[0080] The control unit (170) can determine whether the power supply unit (301, 302) can normally supply charging power to the electric vehicle by checking the input voltage and current of the DC power supply unit (301) or the AC power supply unit (302).

[0081] In addition, the control unit (170) can communicate with the control unit (not shown) of the electric vehicle to check whether the required charging specification of the electric vehicle is a voltage boost mode or a current boost mode and control it.

[0082] The control unit (170) can control the DC converter (140) of the electric vehicle charging device (100) by recognizing whether the DC power supply unit (301) or the AC power supply unit (302) is operating normally and the required charging type of the electric vehicle.

[0083] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a control unit of an electric vehicle charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] With reference to FIG. 6, the control operation of the control unit (170) of the present invention will be explained.

[0085] First, the control unit (170) can check whether the charging request of the electric vehicle is in voltage boost mode. If it is in voltage boost mode, the first switch (S1) can be turned 'ON', the second switch (S2) can be turned 'OFF', and the third switch (S3) can be turned 'OFF'.

[0086] The next control unit (170) can check whether the charging request of the electric vehicle is in current boost mode. If it is in current boost mode, the first switch (S1) can be turned 'OFF', the second switch (S2) can be turned 'ON', and the third switch (S3) can be turned 'ON'.

[0087] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a DC converter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] It may include two power circuits (141a, 141b) including a switching circuit (1411) composed of a half-bridge circuit and a rectifier circuit (1414) composed of a full-wave rectifier circuit, and each output filter (142a, 142b) and output connection circuit (145).

[0089] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a DC converter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] It may include two power circuits (141a, 141b) including a switching circuit (1411) composed of a full-bridge circuit and a rectifier circuit (1414) composed of a full-wave rectifier circuit, and each output filter (142a, 142b) and output connection circuit (145).

[0091] FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a DC converter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] It may include two power circuits (141a, 141b) including a switching circuit (1411) composed of a full-bridge circuit and a rectifier circuit (1414) composed of a voltage doubler circuit, and each output filter (142a, 142b) and output connection circuit (145).

[0093] FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a DC converter according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Each power circuit (141a, 141b) may include a switching circuit (1411) configured as a full-bridge circuit and two transformers (1413) with their input sides connected in series. In this case, the rectifier circuit (1414) is formed as a full-wave rectifier for both pairs of outputs of the transformers (1413), and the outputs of each rectifier circuit may be connected in series. The outputs connected in series may increase the magnitude of the voltage.

[0095] The two power circuits (141a, 141b) configured in this way may further include an output filter (142a, 142b) and an output connection circuit (145), respectively.

[0096] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a DC converter according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] Each power circuit (141a, 141b) may include a switching circuit (1411) configured as a full-bridge circuit and two transformers (1413) connected in series on the input side. At this time, the rectifier circuit (1414) is formed as a full-wave rectifier on both pairs of outputs of the transformers (1413), and the outputs of each rectifier circuit may be connected in parallel. At this time, the outputs connected in parallel may increase the magnitude of the current.

[0098] The two power circuits (141a, 141b) configured in this way may further include an output filter (142a, 142b) and an output connection circuit (145), respectively.

[0099] In this way, by utilizing multiple power circuits and an output connection circuit that connects the outputs of these power circuits to supply a customized output voltage or output current, it is possible to satisfy both charging with a high voltage output and charging with a large current output according to the requirements of the electric vehicle.

[0100] Although the present invention has been described above, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be implemented in other forms while maintaining the technical concept and essential features of the invention.

[0101] The scope of the present invention shall be defined by the claims, but all modifications or variations derived from configurations directly derived from the descriptions in the claims, as well as configurations equivalent thereto, shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. As an electric vehicle charging device for charging the battery of an electric vehicle, A DC converter that converts the magnitude of the DC voltage; and It includes a control unit that controls the above-mentioned DC converter, and The above DC converter comprises a plurality of power circuits and an output connection circuit connecting the outputs of the plurality of power circuits, in an electric vehicle charging device.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above control unit controls the output connection circuit so that the plurality of power circuits are connected in series when in voltage boost mode, an electric vehicle charging device.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above control unit controls the output connection circuit so that the plurality of power circuits are connected in parallel when in current boost mode, an electric vehicle charging device.

4. In Paragraph 1, An electric vehicle charging device further comprising an AC-DC converter that converts AC voltage into DC voltage.

5. In Paragraph 1, An electric vehicle charging device in which each power circuit includes a switching circuit, a resonant circuit, a transformer, and a rectifier circuit.

6. In Paragraph 1, An electric vehicle charging device characterized in that at least one power circuit is equipped with a plurality of transformers, and the input side of the transformers is connected in series.

7. In Paragraph 6, An electric vehicle charging device in which the outputs of the above plurality of transformers are connected in series through respective rectifier circuits.

8. In Paragraph 6, An electric vehicle charging device in which the outputs of the above plurality of transformers are connected in parallel through respective rectifier circuits.

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