Single-Stage On-Board Charger With PFC and Battery Charge Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing two-stage isolated on-board chargers require a large number of power components, increasing the overall cost, and there is a need to enable a single-stage isolated on-board charger to function as a two-stage charger efficiently with Power Factor Correction (PFC) and control battery-side voltage or current.

Innovation Solution

A method and structure for a single-stage isolated on-board charger that includes a controllable bridge-type AC/AC and AC/DC conversion circuits connected through a transformer, with phase-shift control to achieve soft-switching and PFC functionality by regulating grid-side current based on battery-side voltage and grid-side voltage phases, reducing the number of components and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a two-stage isolated on-board charger structure is used, then the PFC function and battery-side voltage/current control are achieved, but the number of power components increases and overall cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePFC function and battery control capabilityVSAvoidnumber of power components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the PFC circuit and isolated DC/DC conversion circuit into a single-stage integrated structure. The AC/AC conversion circuit performs both PFC and isolation functions while the AC/DC conversion circuit handles battery charging, reducing the number of power components while maintaining both PFC capability and battery control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The AC/AC conversion circuit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: power factor correction, electrical isolation, and voltage regulation. This multi-functional design allows the single-stage charger to achieve the same capabilities as the two-stage charger with fewer components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single-stage isolated on-board charger structure is used, then the number of power components and overall cost are reduced, but the PFC function and battery-side voltage/current control capability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of power componentsVSAvoidPFC function and battery control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the PFC and DC/DC functions into an integrated single-stage architecture where the AC/AC conversion circuit handles both PFC and isolation, and the AC/DC conversion circuit manages battery charging, thereby maintaining full functionality with reduced component count.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control mechanisms where the controller regulates the AC/AC and AC/DC conversion circuits based on sampled battery-side voltage and grid-side current parameters. This feedback ensures that the single-stage charger maintains accurate PFC performance and battery voltage/current control comparable to two-stage designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If phase-shift control is implemented in the single-stage charger, then soft-switching is achieved and efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching lossVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic phase-shift control where the phase difference between switching signals of the AC/AC and AC/DC conversion circuits is continuously adjusted based on operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables soft-switching across varying load and line conditions, minimizing switching losses while the controller manages the complexity through coordinated phase control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The single-stage charger achieves PFC function and controls battery-side voltage/current, reduces component count, lowers costs, and enhances efficiency while maintaining soft-switching capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

A transformer side of a controllable bridge-type AC/AC conversion circuit is connected to an alternating-current side of a controllable bridge-type AC/DC conversion circuit through a transformer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4620723A1On-board charger and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 SUNGROW POWER SUPPLY CO LTD
  • EP4620723A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4620723A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4620723A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An on-board charger control method, wherein a transformer side of an AC/AC conversion circuit (30) is connected to an alternating current side of an AC/DC conversion circuit (40) by means of a transformer (10), so that an on-board charger is of a single-stage structure; in a stable state, an instantaneous sampling value of a grid-side current is equal to an instantaneous reference value thereof, and the instantaneous reference value of the grid-side current is determined by means of the phase of an instantaneous sampling value of a grid-side voltage and a reference peak value of the grid-side current, so that the on-board charger has a PFC function; a battery-side charging power is indirectly controlled by means of controlling the grid-side current, so that the on-board charger has a battery-side voltage and current control function; phase shift control on the two conversion circuits enables power devices in the two conversion circuits to achieve soft switching, and the single-stage structure allows currents to flow through fewer devices, thus improving efficiency; and therefore, by using the single-stage structure, the present invention efficiently achieves the PFC function and the battery-side voltage and current control function of two-stage isolated on-board chargers. Further disclosed is an on-board charger.