Vehicle Inverter Assembly Rectifier Switching for Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The energy storage in commercial vehicle powertrains has low energy density, requiring efficient energy transmission from external sources like overhead lines or inductive systems, which poses challenges for the design and dimensioning of power converter components.
Innovation Solution
A power converter arrangement that includes an inverter for electrical machines, a DC-DC converter for energy storage, and a rectifier with switching means, allowing for additional power transmission paths to the energy store, optimizing existing components and reducing complexity, heat input, and component usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If energy is transferred from external sources (overhead line or inductive system) to the vehicle, then the power flow to the energy storage device is increased, but the design and dimensioning of power converter components becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter is designed to perform multiple functions: it operates as an inverter to supply power to the electric machine during driving, and as a rectifier to charge the energy storage device from external power sources. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate rectifier components, reducing system complexity while handling high power flows from overhead lines or inductive charging systems
2Productivity
If the inverter components are not utilized when the electric machine is not operating, then the power converter arrangement has unused components, but adding additional components to utilize them increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter components are designed to be universally applicable for both motor operation and power transmission to the energy storage device. Through switching means, the same inverter components can be configured to transmit power to the energy storage device when the electric machine is not operating, eliminating component idle time without adding additional hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of inverter and rectifier into a single integrated system. The switching means enable the inverter components to be reconfigured for power transmission to the energy storage device, merging what would traditionally be separate functional paths into one unified system that reduces overall complexity
3Productivity
If power is transmitted only via the DC-DC converter, then the power converter arrangement is simpler, but the charging efficiency and power flow distribution are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transmission path into two independent paths: one through the DC-DC converter and another through the inverter and rectifier. This segmentation allows power to be distributed through multiple parallel channels, improving charging efficiency and power flow distribution while maintaining flexible control over each path independently
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
Enhances power flow distribution and charging efficiency, reduces component complexity and heat input, and extends the service life of the power converter arrangement by providing independent and flexible power paths without additional components, thus lowering costs and planning effort.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one inverter converts the direct current, for example, drawn from an overhead line, into a rotating magnetic field to operate the electric machine
Implementation Method 2
The at least one DC-DC converter transforms the supplied direct current to a voltage suitable for charging an energy storage device
Implementation Method 3
the power converter arrangement comprises at least one rectifier and switching means, wherein an output side of the at least one rectifier is electrically connected to the energy storage device
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a power converter arrangement (1) for a vehicle, wherein the power converter arrangement (1) receives a direct current on an input side (6), comprising at least one inverter (2) for operating an electric machine (20) and at least one DC-DC converter (3) for operating an energy storage device (21), wherein the power converter arrangement (1) further comprises at least one rectifier (4) and switching means (5), wherein an output side (7) of the at least one rectifier (4) is electrically connected to the energy storage device (21), and wherein the switching means (5) are designed and arranged such that an output side (8) of the at least one inverter (2) can be electrically connected to an input side (9) of the at least one rectifier (4). The invention further relates to a vehicle with such a power converter arrangement (1).