Patent ID: 8452490
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: B60L,H01M,H02J,H02M,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An electronic circuit coupled between two batteries, the electronic circuit comprising: a plurality of mode control switches configured to set the electronic circuit to operate in one of a plurality of charging and heating modes; a plurality of switch and diode pairs, each switch and diode pair including a diode connected across an output of an electronic switch, the electronic switch having a trigger connected to a control signal; an inductor connected to the plurality of switch and diode pairs; the plurality of mode control switches includes three mode control switches, wherein one mode control switch is connected to a terminal of one battery, another mode control switch is connected to a terminal of the other battery, and the third mode control switch is connected to each switch connected to each of the batteries; the plurality of switch and diode pairs includes a first stacked switch and diode pair having a first node between two switch and diode pairs in the first stack, a second stacked switch and diode pairs having a second node between the switch and diode pairs in the second stack; the inductor is coupled to the first and second nodes; a top switch and diode pair of the first stacked switch and diode pairs is coupled to a third node between the first and second mode control switches; a top switch and diode pair of the second stacked switch and diode pairs is coupled to a fourth node between the second and third mode control switches; a bottom switch and diode pair of the two stacked switch and diode pairs are coupled to the other terminal of the two batteries; and the electronic circuit configured to operate in the plurality of charging and heating modes according to the states of the mode control switches and the control signals applied to the switch and diode pairs, where the switch and diode pairs are triggered on and off to either charge the inductor or operate the inductor as a current source for charging and heating the batteries in accordance with the charging and heating modes.