Bidirectional Vehicle Charging Apparatus with Buck-Converter Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging apparatuses for electric vehicles have fixed functions for DC and AC power output terminals, limiting flexibility and efficiency in power conversion, and do not effectively reduce costs or volume by sharing common functional modules.
Innovation Solution
A charging apparatus with a bidirectional power conversion unit, including switching device groups that function as buck-converters, allows for flexible operation modes to convert AC power to DC power and vice versa, enabling single or multi-DC power output based on charging conditions, and includes a charging control unit to manage these operations for efficient energy storage and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed function DC and AC power output terminals are used in existing charging apparatuses, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flexibility and efficiency in power conversion are limited and costs cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a bidirectional power conversion unit that can operate in multiple modes: forward operation mode for AC to DC conversion, and inverse operation modes for DC to DC or DC to AC conversion. The same physical hardware (power conversion unit and switching devices) performs different functions based on operational conditions, eliminating the need for separate fixed-function converters and reducing overall system complexity while improving flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The power conversion unit dynamically switches between different operational modes (forward and inverse operations) based on charging conditions. The switching device groups can reconfigure their connectivity and conversion direction in real-time, allowing the system to adapt its power conversion functionality dynamically rather than being locked into fixed functions, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If separate AC-DC and DC-AC conversion modules are used with fixed functions, then each module has dedicated functionality, but the overall volume and cost cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the AC-DC conversion module and DC-AC conversion module into a single bidirectional power conversion unit. This unified module contains switching device groups that can perform both conversion directions and can be configured to provide single DC output or multiple DC outputs. By combining previously separate modules into one shared infrastructure, the overall apparatus volume is reduced while maintaining the functionality of both conversion types through dynamic reconfiguration
3Productivity
If symmetric power conversion direction is used, then the structure is balanced and simple, but the efficiency in different charging conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the power conversion direction and configuration based on real-time charging conditions. The bidirectional power conversion unit can switch between forward operation (AC to DC) and inverse operations (DC to DC or DC to AC), with the switching device groups reconfiguring their connectivity accordingly. This dynamic adaptability optimizes charging efficiency for different scenarios without requiring overly complex control logic, as the switching patterns follow established operational modes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables a flexible and efficient power converter structure, reducing costs and volume by utilizing common AC-DC and DC-AC conversion modules, allowing for various charging ports and modes, and providing effective charging and energy storage solutions for electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the bidirectional power conversion unit converts an AC power input through the one end into a DC power to output the DC power to the opposite end in a forward operation mode
Implementation Method 2
converts the DC power input through the opposite end into a plurality of DC powers to output the DC powers to the one end in a first inverse operation mode
Implementation Method 3
the three pairs of the switching device groups of the bidirectional power conversion unit serve as buck-converters, respectively, in the first inverse operation mode to convert the DC power into another DC power having a level different from a level of the DC power
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a charging apparatus to supply a power to a battery of an electric vehicle. The charging apparatus includes a bidirectional power conversion unit including three pairs of switching device groups and having one end connected to a power system and an opposite end; an energy storage unit connected to the opposite end of the bidirectional power conversion unit to store the DC power output through the opposite end of the bidirectional power conversion unit; a multi-DC power output unit to output the DC power to an outside in the first inverse operation mode; and a charging control unit to detect a charging condition of the charging apparatus. The switching device groups serve as buck-converters, respectively, in the first inverse operation mode to convert the DC power into another DC power having a level different from a level of the DC power.