DE102013201296A1 - Vehicle device for connection and disconnection of battery of e.g. electric car, has battery supercharger supplying part of direct current to resistor to perform battery heating operation if vehicle load operation is performed - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a vehicle device with a battery charger contained therein. The battery charger is operatively coupled to a power grid to receive AC during a vehicle charging operation, and is operably coupled to a switching circuit for connecting or disconnecting the battery in the vehicle. The switching circuit includes a single resistor and is arranged to allow a precharge operation and a battery heating operation. The battery charger is configured to convert the alternating current to a direct current and supply at least a portion of the direct current to the single resistor to perform the battery heating operation when the vehicle charging operation is performed.

Description

The present application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 61 / 590,892, filed Jan. 26, 2012, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

The embodiments described herein generally relate to an apparatus and method for a dual use resistor for battery disconnection.

It is known to provide a resistor which is used in conjunction with a precharge function and battery heating. An example of this is in the US Publication No. 2012/0040224 ("'224 Publication") by Reischmann et al. specified.

The '224 publication discloses a battery circuit for an electric vehicle that uses resistance for both a pre-charge function at system startup and for battery heating. The battery circuit includes a positive high voltage bus line electrically coupled to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative high voltage bus line electrically coupled to the negative terminal of the battery. A first end of the resistor is electrically coupled to the positive high voltage bus line, a first switch is electrically coupled between a second end of the resistor and the positive high voltage bus line, and a second switch is electrically connected between the second end of the resistor and the negative high voltage line. Bus line coupled. The precharge operation is provided when the first switch is closed and the second switch is opened. The heating function is provided when the second switch is closed and the first switch is open.

There is provided a vehicle device with a battery charger contained therein. The battery charger is operatively coupled to a power grid to receive AC during a vehicle charging operation, and is operably coupled to a switching circuit for connecting or disconnecting the battery in the vehicle. The switching circuit includes a single resistor and is arranged to allow a precharge operation and a battery heating operation. The battery charger is configured to convert the alternating current to a direct current and supply at least a portion of the direct current to the single resistor to perform the battery heating operation when the vehicle charging operation is performed.

The features of the present invention are defined by the appended claims. Various embodiments of the invention will be described by the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a vehicle device for operatively connecting and disconnecting a battery in a first mode according to an embodiment.

2 shows the vehicle device of 1 in a second mode according to an embodiment.

3 shows the vehicle device of 1 in a third mode according to an embodiment.

4 shows a vehicle device for operatively connecting and disconnecting a battery in a first mode according to an embodiment.

5 shows the vehicle device of 4 in a second mode according to an embodiment.

6 shows the vehicle device of 4 in a third mode according to an embodiment.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described, it being understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be practiced by various other embodiments. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be scaled up or down to clarify details of particular components. The details of construction and function described herein are not intended to be limiting, but merely represent a representative basis for those skilled in the art who would like to practice the invention.

The embodiments of the invention generally provide a variety of circuits or other electrical devices. All references to circuits or other electrical equipment and functions thereof should not be construed as limited to what is shown and described herein. The various circuits or other electrical devices may be provided with various names, but such terms are not to be understood as limiting the scope of operation of the circuits or other electrical devices. Such circuits or other electrical devices may be in accordance with the desired type of electrical Implementation combined and / or provided separately. It should be understood that any circuit or other electrical device described herein may include microprocessors, integrated circuits, memory devices (eg, flash, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other suitable variants thereof) and software that interact with each other, to perform the operations described here.

For example, a battery system in, for example, a hybrid or electric plug-in vehicle may use a smooth-transition pre-charge function for voltage tuning prior to activating main contactors. For example, a liquid-cooled battery may use a heating function to reach operating temperatures in cold weather.

In one implementation described herein, a battery system may combine a precharge function and a heating function using a single resistor (eg, a thick film tap resistor) attached to an outer surface of a pipe carrying a flowing coolant. The single tap resistance can provide independent resistance values for each of the functions (i.e., pre-charging and heating), which can reduce costs.

In one implementation, as noted herein, a battery system may combine precharge and heating functions by using a single untapped resistor attached to the outer surface of the flowing coolant conduit (or other resistive heating element). The untapped configuration may also provide that the heating function is not activated during a precharge. Furthermore, the untapped configuration may provide a single resistance that is compatible with both the heater function and the precharge function. It should be noted that the implementations described herein may provide a single resistor, thereby reducing cost and / or packaging space. These and other other aspects are described in more detail below.

1 shows a vehicle device 10 for operational connection and disconnection of a battery 12 in a first mode. The device 10 generally comprises a control device 14 and a switching circuit 16 , Generally, the control device 14 different switches in the switching circuit 16 control to perform a precharge function and a heating function. The switches in the switching circuit 16 will be described in more detail below. A battery charger 18 is operative with the battery 12 coupled. The battery charger 18 converts one from the net 15 obtained AC voltage to a high DC voltage to the high DC voltage in the battery 12 to save (ie the vehicle is performing a load operation). A part of the DC voltage can be used for the precharge function or the heating function. The battery charger 18 carries the high DC voltage through the switching circuit 16 to the battery 12 , An inverter 20 is operational via the switching circuit 16 with the battery 12 coupled. The inverter 20 is configured to supply the high DC voltage from the battery 12 to an AC voltage for operating an engine 21 to walk in a vehicle.

Generally, the switching circuit contains 16 a variety of switching devices such as contactors, relays, field effect transistors (FETs), etc. Generally, the switching circuit includes 16 a contactor 22a , a contactor 22b , a contactor 24a , a contactor 24b (For example, the shooter 24a and 24b Main contactor), a contactor 26 (or a pre-charging contactor 26 ), a FET 28 and a battery disconnector 29 , In 1 For example, it should be understood that such switching devices could be switches, relays, transistors, etc., as well as a number of switching devices in the form of contactors and a transistor. The switching circuit 16 further includes a single heater / precharge resistor 30 and a pipe segment 32 That's about the resistance 30 is arranged around. The resistance 30 is generally arranged to provide a common resistance to enable both a precharge function and a heating function, both of which will be discussed in greater detail below. Such a configuration can minimize costs as well as package space.

The resistance 30 is generally intended to draw a current through the pipe segment when pulling power 32 flowing liquid and thereby the battery 12 to heat. The pipe segment 32 is generally arranged so that it is the battery 12 around, wherein the resistor is thermally coupled thereto. This will be further below with reference to 2 - 3 explained in more detail.

1 generally shows the device 10 operated in a first mode (eg precharge mode). General is the battery 12 optionally with the inverter 20 about the main shooters 24a and 24b coupled. When starting the vehicle, the control device 14 generally configured to the shooter 24a via a signal MAINPOS to activate and the shooter 24b to activate via a signal MAINNEG. Under this condition, the one in the battery 12 stored high voltage to the inverter 20 be fed to the engine 21 to operate. Before activating the shooters 24a and 24b It may be desirable to have one around the inverter 20 arranged around capacitor 34 subpoena. For example, the capacitor 34 after the shooters 24a and 24b closed, a high DC voltage input from the battery 12 and experience a short-circuit condition for a very short period of time before the capacitor 34 is completely charged. Such a short circuit condition may include various electronic devices in the device 10 affect.

In order to avoid a deterioration of the electronic devices, the control device 14 the pre-charging contactor 26 Activate via the signal PRECHG and the contactor 24b Activate MAINNEG before the main contactor 24a activated during a vehicle start. 1 generally shows the path 36 in which electricity from the battery 12 to the inverter 20 flows. The resistance 30 limited as soon as the pre-charging contactor 26 and the contactor 24b are active, the power from the battery 12 to the inverter 20 to cause the capacitor 34 is summoned before the controller 14 the main contactor 24a activated. This may cause the short-circuit condition or large spikes on the capacitor 34 be eliminated. As soon as the capacitor 24 loaded, disables the controller 14 the pre-charging contactor 26 and activates the contactor 24a while she's the contactor 24b continues to be active. It should be noted that the control device 14 the contactor 24a directly before deactivation of the pre-charging contactor 26 can activate to avoid a voltage drop during the transition. That way the battery can 12 the high DC voltage for the inverter 20 provide.

2 generally shows the device 10 while operating in a second mode (or a first heating mode) in which the battery 12 is heated. In the second mode, the vehicle may be parked and the temperature may be below a predetermined threshold so that it may be desirable to have the battery 12 to heat. For example, it may be desirable to change the temperature of the battery 12 to heat to a predetermined temperature range to ensure operation at a cold operating temperature. In the second mode, the loader 18 the control device 14 notify that the vehicle is in the parked state, that the temperature is below the predetermined threshold, and that the vehicle is not being charged. The control device 14 or the battery charger 18 may be operatively connected to a temperature sensor (not shown) to obtain an outdoor temperature reading. The fact that the vehicle is not charging indicates that the battery 12 Providing power to perform the heating operation. The battery disconnector 29 is closed by means of the signal BattDisc, so that the battery 12 Can provide electricity. When the vehicle is being charged, power will be out of the grid 15 used for performing the heating operation. This will be with reference to 3 described in more detail.

Accordingly, the control device 14 the FET 28 activate via the signal HEATER. The path 38 shows that electricity from the positive side of the battery 12 about the resistance 30 , the FET 28 , the battery contactor 29 and a fuse 40 and back to the negative side of the battery 12 flows. While the resistance 30 Receives electricity, heats the resistor 30 one through the pipe segment 32 flowing liquid. The battery 12 is thermal with the pipe segment 32 coupled so that it receives the heated coolant. The resistance of the resistor 30 can be used both for carrying out the heating operations (also for in connection with 3 described) as well as for performing the precharge function be the same. As a result, costs and also the packaging space can be minimized.

3 generally shows the device 10 from 1 while operating in a third mode (or a second heating mode) in which the battery 12 is heated. In the third mode, however, at least part of the network becomes 15 supplied power for the heating function instead of power from the battery 12 used. This allows a more economical operation. Accordingly, in the third mode, the controller determines 14 whether the vehicle is being charged or not and whether the temperature is below the predetermined threshold. When the controller 14 determines that the vehicle is being charged and the temperature is below the predetermined threshold, the controller activates 14 the shooters 22a and 22b in each case via signals CHGPOS and CHGNEG and furthermore the FET 28 via the HEATER signal to initiate the heating operation. The control device 14 deactivates the battery contactor 29 to draw electricity from the battery 12 to prevent and thereby receive the charge of the same. It gets power from the grid 15 used (with the current, for example, through the battery charger 18 conditioned and provided) to the FET 28 to operate, in turn, the power for the heating operation for the battery 12 provides. The path 42 shows that electricity from the positive side of the charger 18 (ie from the network 15 ) over the contactor 22a , the contactor 29 , the resistance 30 , the contactor 22b and back to the negative side of the charger 18 flows.

4 shows a vehicle device 10 ' for operational connection and disconnection of the battery 12 in the first mode. The device 10 ' is down to the resistance 30 ' generally that of the contraption 10 similar. For example, that is in the device 10 ' provided resistance 30 ' is formed as a single tap resistance (eg as a thick film resistor). The resistance 30 ' contains a first part 44 and a second part 46 , The resistance value for the first part 44 may be different from that of the second part 46 be. This allows, for example, the use of the first part 44 in conjunction with the first mode (eg, for the precharge operation) while the second part 46 used in conjunction with the second mode (eg for the heating operation) (or vice versa).

As mentioned above, the first mode generally corresponds to a pre-charge operation being performed. Accordingly, the controller activates 14 in the first mode the pre-charging contactor 26 via a signal PRECHG and the protection 24b via a signal MAINNEG, before being the main contactor 24a activated during vehicle startup. In response to the activation of the pre-charging contactor 26 and the contactor 24b flows in the path 36 Power from the battery 12 about the first part 44 of resistance 30 ' , the pre-charging contactor 26 , the positive side of the inverter 20 , the condenser 34 , the negative side of the inverter 20 , the contactor 24b and back to the negative side of the battery 12 ,

The first part 44 of resistance 30 ' limited as soon as the pre-charging contactor 26 and the contactor 24b are active, the power from the battery 12 to the inverter 20 to cause the capacitor 34 is charged before the controller 14 the main contactor 24a activated. This may cause the short circuit condition or large spikes on the capacitor 34 be eliminated if the main shooters 24a and 24b be activated without first the capacitor 34 subpoena. As soon as the capacitor 34 loaded, activates the controller 14 the contactor 24a directly before deactivation of the pre-charging contactor 26 while she continues the contactor 24b activated. That way the battery can 12 the high DC voltage to the inverter 20 respectively.

5 shows the vehicle device 10 ' from 4 in the second mode (or the first heating mode) according to an embodiment. As mentioned above, in the second mode, the vehicle 12 be parked and the temperature can be below the predetermined threshold, so it may be desirable that the battery 12 is heated. For example, it may be desirable to change the temperature of the battery 12 to increase to a predetermined temperature range to ensure operation at a cold operating temperature. In the second mode, the loader 18 the control device 14 notify that the vehicle is in the parked state, that the temperature is below the predetermined threshold, and that the vehicle is not being charged. Accordingly, the control device 14 the FET 28 activate via the signal HEATER. In the path 38 Current flows from the positive side of the battery 12 over the battery ground contactor 29 , the second part 46 of resistance 30 , the FET 28 , the fuse 40 and back to the negative side of the battery 12 ,

As mentioned above, the resistance value of the second part 46 of resistance 30 ' different from the resistance value of the first part 44 be. For example, the resistance value of the second part 46 be suitable for heating operations, while the resistance value of the first part 44 may be suitable for the Vorladeoperation. By having a single bleed resistor 30 ' can be minimized as compared to an implementation that uses multiple resistors, each with different resistance values, to enable precharge and heating operations.

In the second mode, the second part receives 46 of resistance 30 ' Power from the battery 12 and heats those through the pipe segment 32 flowing liquid. The battery 12 is thermal with the pipe segment 32 coupled to receive the heated coolant.

6 shows the vehicle device 10 ' from 4 when operated in the third mode (or the second heating mode) in which the battery 12 is heated by electricity from the grid 15 through the battery charger 18 is supplied. As mentioned above, in the third mode, the controller determines 14 Whether the vehicle is charged or not and whether the temperature is below the predetermined threshold. When the controller 14 determines that the vehicle is being charged and the temperature is below the predetermined threshold, the controller activates 14 the shooters 22a and 22b each via the signals CHGPOS and CHGNEG and continues to activate the FET 28 via the HEATER signal to initiate the heating operation. The control device 14 deactivates the battery contactor 29 to draw electricity from the battery 12 to prevent and thereby receive the charge of the same. It gets power from the grid 15 used (with the current, for example, through the battery charger 18 conditioned and provided) to the FET 28 to operate, in turn, the power for the heating operation for the battery 12 provides.

In the path 42 current flows from the grid 15 about the positive side of the loader 18 , the contactor 22a , the second part 44 of resistance 30 ' , the contactor 22b and back to the negative side of the charger 18 , In the third mode, the second part receives 46 of resistance 30 ' Electricity and heat the through the pipe segment 32 flowing liquid to the battery 12 to heat.

While exemplary embodiments have been described above, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The description is intended to be by way of example and not of limitation, and various changes may be made to the embodiments described herein without, however, departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, features of various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2012 \ 0040224 [0003]

Claims (20)

A vehicle device comprising: a battery charger ( 18 ) operatively connected to a power grid ( 15 ) to receive alternating current during a vehicle charging operation, and operatively connected to a switching circuit ( 16 ) for connecting or disconnecting the battery ( 12 ) is coupled in the vehicle, wherein the switching circuit ( 16 ) a single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) and arranged to allow a precharge operation and a battery heating operation, wherein the battery charger ( 18 ) is configured to: convert the alternating current to a direct current and supply at least a portion of the direct current to the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) to perform the battery heating operation when the vehicle loading operation is performed. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery charger ( 18 ) is further configured to connect the at least part of the direct current to the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) to perform the battery heating operation when a temperature is below a predetermined threshold. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery charger ( 18 ) is further configured to connect the at least part of the direct current to the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ), when the switching circuit ( 16 ) the battery ( 12 ) in the vehicle. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) is a single tapping resistor comprising a first part ( 44 ) and a second ( 46 ) Part includes. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first part ( 44 ) has a first resistance value and the second part ( 46 ) has a second resistance value, wherein the first resistance value is different from the second resistance value. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) has a common resistance used in connection with the precharge operation and the battery heating operation. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) around a pipe segment ( 32 ) is arranged around to heat a coolant when the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) receives the at least part of the direct current. A vehicle device comprising: a switching circuit ( 16 ) for connecting or disconnecting a battery ( 12 ) in a vehicle, wherein the switching circuit ( 16 ) a single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) and arranged to allow a precharge operation and a battery heating operation, and a battery charger ( 18 ) operatively connected to a power grid ( 15 ) to receive alternating current during a vehicle charging operation, and operatively connected to the switching circuit ( 16 ) for connecting or disconnecting the battery ( 12 ) is coupled in the vehicle, wherein the battery charger ( 18 ) is configured to convert the alternating current to a direct current and at least a portion of the direct current to the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) to perform the battery heating operation when the vehicle charging operation is performed. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the battery charger ( 18 ) is further configured to connect the at least part of the direct current to the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) to perform the battery heating operation when a temperature is below a predetermined threshold. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the battery charger ( 18 ) is further configured to connect the at least part of the direct current to the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ), when the switching circuit ( 16 ) the battery ( 12 ) in the vehicle. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) is a single tapping resistor comprising a first part ( 44 ) and a second part ( 46 ). Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the first part ( 44 ) has a first resistance value and the second part ( 46 ) has a second resistance value, wherein the first resistance value is different from the second resistance value. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) has a common resistance used in connection with the precharge operation and the battery heating operation. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) around a pipe segment ( 32 ) is arranged around to heat a coolant when the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) receives the at least part of the direct current. Vehicle device comprising: a switching circuit ( 16 ) for connecting or disconnecting a battery ( 12 ) in a vehicle, wherein the switching circuit ( 16 ) a single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) and arranged to allow a precharge operation and a battery heating operation, wherein the switching circuit ( 16 ) Operatively with a battery charger ( 18 ), which in turn is operatively connected to a power grid ( 15 ) receives an alternating current during a vehicle charging operation and converts the alternating current into a direct current to supply at least part of the direct current to the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) to perform the battery heating operation when the vehicle charging operation is performed. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the battery charger ( 18 ) is further configured to connect the at least part of the direct current to the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) to perform a battery heating operation when a temperature is below a predetermined threshold. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the battery charger ( 18 ) is further configured to connect the at least part of the direct current to the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ), when the switching circuit ( 16 ) the battery ( 12 ) in the vehicle. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) is a single tapping resistor comprising a first part ( 44 ) and a second part ( 46 ). Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the first part ( 44 ) has a first resistance value and the second part ( 46 ) has a second resistance value, wherein the first resistance value is different from the second resistance value. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the single resistor ( 30 ; 30 ' ) has a common resistance used in connection with the precharge operation and the battery heating operation.

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