Charging system, vehicle comprising the same and method for controlling charging vehicle with the same

A charging system for a vehicle, a vehicle comprising the charging system, and a method for controlling charging a vehicle with the charging system are provided. The charging system comprises: a battery; a first charging branch comprising a first rectifying unit and a first charging interface, in which the battery is connected with the first charging interface via the first rectifying unit; a second charging branch comprising a second rectifying unit and a second charging interface, in which the battery is connected with the second charging interface via the second rectifying unit; and a control unit connected with the first rectifying unit and the second rectifying unit respectively and configured to control the first charging branch and the second charging branch to charge the battery.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/CN2013/078030, filed on Jun. 26, 2013, which claims the priority to and benefits of Chinese patent application Serial No. 201210214502.5 and Chinese Patent Application Serial No. 201220303636.X, both filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of P. R. China on Jun. 27, 2012, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to the field of vehicle charging and, more particularly, to a charging system for a vehicle, a vehicle comprising the charging system, and a method for controlling charging a vehicle with the charging system.

BACKGROUND

With the development of the science and technology, electric vehicles are taking the place of vehicles with conventional fuel. However, the application of the electric vehicle is limited by some disadvantages. Currently, the electric vehicle is generally charged with only one charging branch. That is, the charging of the electric vehicle depends on one charging connector (also referred to as a charging coupler). In this way, a charging time may be long, which causes inconvenience for consumers when using the electric vehicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure seek to solve at least one of the problems existing in the prior art to at least some extent.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a charging system for a vehicle is provided. The charging system for the vehicle comprises: a battery; a first charging branch comprising a first rectifying unit and a first charging interface, in which the battery is connected with the first charging interface via the first rectifying unit; a second charging branch comprising a second rectifying unit and a second charging interface, in which the battery is connected with the second charging interface via the second rectifying unit; and a control unit connected with the first rectifying unit and the second rectifying unit respectively and configured to control the first charging branch and the second charging branch to charge the battery.

In some embodiments, the charging system further comprises a battery management unit. The control unit is configured to send a first signal to the battery management unit when the first charging interface is connected with a first charging connector and the second charging interface is connected with a second charging connector. The battery management unit is configured to judge whether the battery needs to be charged after receiving the first signal, and to send a second signal to the control unit when the battery needs to be charged. The control unit is further configured to control the first charging branch and the second charging branch to charge the battery after receiving the second signal.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle comprising the charging system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling charging a vehicle with a charging system is provided. The charging system comprises: a battery, a first charging branch comprising a first rectifying unit and a first charging interface, a second charging branch comprising a second rectifying unit and a second charging interface, a control unit, and a battery management unit. The method comprises: sending a first signal to the battery management unit when the first charging interface is connected with a first charging connector and the second charging interface is connected with a second charging connector; judging by the battery management unit whether the battery needs to be charged after receiving the first signal; if yes, sending a second signal to the control unit by the battery management unit; and controlling the first charging branch and the second charging branch to charge the battery after receiving the second signal.

With the charging system and the method according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the control unit controls the first charging branch and the second charging branch to charge the battery, thus increasing a charging power of the electric vehicle and reducing a charging time significantly. As a fast charging can be performed, the time cost of charging a vehicle can be reduced.

The above summary of the present disclosure is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures and the detailed description which follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.

Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of present disclosure may be given in part in the following descriptions, become apparent in part from the following descriptions, or be learned from the practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-2, a charging system for a vehicle is described in detail as follows.

As shown inFIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the charging system for the vehicle comprises: a battery1; a first charging branch2comprising a first rectifying unit21and a first charging interface22, in which the battery1is connected with the first charging interface22via the first rectifying unit21; a second charging branch3comprising a second rectifying unit31and a second charging interface32, in which the battery1is connected with the second charging interface32via the second rectifying unit31; and a control unit4connected with the first rectifying unit21and the second rectifying unit31respectively and configured to control the first charging branch2and the second charging branch3to charge the battery1.

In some embodiments, the charging system further comprises: a first switch K1having a first terminal connected with the battery1and a second terminal connected with the first rectifying unit21and the second rectifying unit31respectively, a second switch K2connected between the first rectifying unit21and the first charging interface22, and a third switch K3connected between the second rectifying unit31and the second charging interface32.

In some embodiments, the charging system further comprises a battery management unit9. The battery management unit9is connected with the control unit4and the battery1respectively. The control unit4is configured to send a first signal to the battery management unit9when the first charging interface22is connected with a first charging connector and the second charging interface32is connected with a second charging connector. The battery management unit9is configured to judge whether the battery1needs to be charged after receiving the first signal, and to send a second signal to the control unit4when the battery1needs to be charged. The control unit4is further configured to control the first charging branch2and the second charging branch3to charge the battery1after receiving the second signal.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate that, the first charging connector and the second charging connector may be connected with one charging pile or may be connected with two charging piles respectively, without particular limits.

In some embodiments, the battery management unit9is configured to send a second signal to the control unit4when the first charging interface22is connected with a first charging connector and the second charging interface32is connected with a second charging connector. The control unit4is further configured to control the first charging branch2and the second charging branch3to charge the battery1after receiving the second signal. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the step of sending the first signal and judging whether the battery1needs to be charged is omitted.

Those with ordinary skill may appreciate that, receiving the second signal in the present disclosure is not limited by the above mentioned embodiments. In practice, those skilled in the art may design any other method to make the control unit4receive the second signal provided that the same function can be implemented, and the details of which are omitted here.

With the charging system according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the control unit4controls the first charging branch2and the second charging branch3to charge the battery1, thus increasing charging power of the electric vehicle and reducing charging time significantly. As fast charging can be performed, the time for charging a vehicle can be reduced.

In some embodiments, the first charging branch2further comprises a first transforming unit5connected between the battery1and the first rectifying unit21, and the second charging branch3further comprises a second transforming unit6connected between the battery1and the second rectifying unit31. Both the first transforming unit5and the second transforming unit6are configured to convert an initial voltage from the grid which does not match with a voltage of the battery1to a transformed voltage which matches with the voltage of the battery1.

In some embodiments, the charging system further comprises a first fuse FU1connected between the first rectifying unit21and the first charging interface22, and a second fuse FU2connected between the second rectifying unit31and the second charging interface32. The first fuse FU1and the second fuse FU2are configured to disconnect a circuit in the charging system when a current in the charging system is too large, thus protecting the charging system from being damaged.

In some embodiments, the charging system further comprises a first filter unit7connected between the first rectifying unit21and the first charging interface22, and a second filter unit8connected between the second rectifying unit31and the second charging interface32. The first filter unit7and the second filter unit8are configured to filter out a high-frequency clutter input from the grid, thus enhancing an operation stability of the charging system.

Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIG. 2, the charging system for the vehicle comprises: battery1, first switch K1, second switch K2, third switch K3, a first pre-charging resistor R1, a first pre-charging switch K11, a second pre-charging resistor R2, a second pre-charging switch K12, a third pre-charging resistor R3, a third pre-charging switch K13, first transforming unit5, second transforming unit6, first rectifying unit21, second rectifying unit31, first filter unit7, second filter unit8, first fuse Fill, second fuse FU2, first charging interface22, second charging interface32, control unit4, and battery management unit9.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 2, a first terminal of the first switch K1is connected with the battery1, a second terminal of the first switch K1is connected with a first terminal of the first transforming unit5, a second terminal of the first transforming unit5is connected with a first terminal of the first rectifying unit21, a second terminal of the first rectifying unit21is connected with a first terminal of the first filter unit7, a second terminal of the first filter unit7is connected with a first terminal of the second switch K2, a second terminal of the second switch K2is connected with a first terminal of the first fuse FU1, and a second terminal of the first fuse FU1is connected with the first charging interface22. Further, the second terminal of the first switch K1is connected with a first terminal of the second transforming unit6, a second terminal of the second transforming unit6is connected with a first terminal of the second rectifying unit31, a second terminal of the second rectifying unit31is connected with a first terminal of the second filter unit8, a second terminal of the second filter unit8is connected with a first terminal of the third switch K3, a second terminal of the third switch K3is connected with a first terminal of the second fuse FU2, and a second terminal of the second fuse FU2is connected with the second charging interface32.

Referring toFIG. 2, a first terminal of the first pre-charging resistor R1is connected with a first terminal of the first pre-charging switch K11, and a second terminal of the first pre-charging resistor R1and a second terminal of the first pre-charging switch K11are connected with the first switch K1respectively. A first terminal of the second pre-charging resistor R2is connected with a first terminal of the second pre-charging switch K12, and a second terminal of the second pre-charging resistor R2and a second terminal of the second pre-charging switch K12are connected with the second switch K2respectively. A first terminal of the third pre-charging resistor R3is connected with a first terminal of the third pre-charging switch K13, and a second terminal of the third pre-charging resistor R3and a second terminal of the third pre-charging switch K13are connected with the third switch K3respectively.

Referring toFIG. 2, the control unit4is connected with the first transforming unit5, the second transforming unit6, the first rectifying unit21, and the second rectifying unit31respectively.

Referring toFIG. 2, in some embodiments, the first transforming unit5comprises a first capacitor C11, a second capacitor C12, a first inductor L11, a first switching transistor Q11, and a second switching transistor Q12. A first terminal of the first inductor L11is connected with the second terminal of the first switch K1and a first terminal of the first capacitor C11respectively, a second terminal of the first inductor L11is connected with a second terminal of the first switching transistor Q11and a first terminal of the second switching transistor Q12respectively, a first terminal of the first switching transistor Q11is connected with a first terminal of the second capacitor C12, and a second terminal of the first capacitor C11is connected with a second terminal of the second capacitor C12and a second terminal of the second switching transistor Q12respectively. Similarly, the second transforming unit6comprises a third capacitor C21, a fourth capacitor C22, a second inductor L21, a third switching transistor Q21, and a fourth switching transistor Q22. As shown inFIG. 2, a connection relation of these elements in the second transforming unit6is similar to that of elements in the first transforming unit5, and thus detailed description of the same is omitted here.

In some embodiments, the first filter unit7consists of a third inductor L12, a fourth inductor L13, a fifth inductor L14, a fifth capacitor C13, a sixth capacitor C14, and a seventh capacitor C15, which are connected in a relation as shown inFIG. 2. Similarly, the second filter unit8consists of a sixth inductor L22, a seventh inductor L23, an eighth inductor L24, an eighth capacitor C23, a ninth capacitor C24, and a tenth capacitor C25, which are connected in a relation as shown inFIG. 2.

An operation principle of the charging system for the vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure is described in details as follows.

When the first charging interface22is connected with the first charging connector and the second charging interface32is connected with the second charging connector, the control unit4controls the first pre-charging switch K11to be switched on and the first switch K1, the second switch K2, and the third switch K3to be switched off to perform a first pre-charging. The control unit4detects a first voltage V1between terminals of the second capacitor C12and a second voltage V2between terminals of the fourth capacitor C22, and judges whether a difference between the first voltage V1and a first predetermined voltage is within a second predetermined voltage range (for example, 50V) and a pre-charging time is within a first predetermined time range (for example, 5S), and whether a difference between the second voltage V2and a second predetermined voltage is within the second predetermined voltage range and the pre-charging time is within the first predetermined time range. If yes, the control unit4judges the first pre-charging is successful; and if no, the control unit4judges the first pre-charging has failed. In this way, a rapid voltage increase between terminals of the second capacitor C12or the fourth capacitor C22which causes a large current impact in the circuit may be avoided, thus preventing damages to the charging system resulted from the large current impact.

With the steps of the first pre-charging, a failure self-test may also be performed for a first circuit between the battery1and the first transforming unit5and for a second circuit between the battery1and the second transforming unit6. If the control unit4judges the first pre-charging is successful, it can be determined that elements or components in the first circuit and the second circuit run normally. If the control unit4judges the first pre-charging has failed, it is determined that there is a failure in the first circuit or the second circuit, and thus the user may be reminded that the charging system needs to be repaired.

If the control unit4judges the first pre-charging is successful, the control unit4controls the first pre-charging switch K11, the second switch K2, and the third switch K3to be switched off, and the first switch K1, the second pre-charging switch K12, and the third pre-charging switch K13to be switched on to perform a second pre-charging. The control unit4detects a third voltage V3between terminals of the second capacitor C12and a fourth voltage V4between terminals of the fourth capacitor C22, and judges whether the third voltage is within a third predetermined voltage range and the fourth voltage V4is within a fourth predetermined voltage range. If yes, the control unit4judges the second pre-charging is successful; and if no, the control unit4judges the second pre-charging has failed. In this way, a rapid voltage increase between terminals of the second capacitor C12or the fourth capacitor C22which causes a large current impact in the circuit may be avoided, thus preventing damages to the charging system in resulted from the large current impact.

With the steps of the second pre-charging, a failure self-test may also be performed for a third circuit between the first rectifying unit21and the first charging interface22and for a fourth circuit between the second rectifying unit31and the second charging interface32. If the control unit4judges the second pre-charging is successful, it can be determined that elements or components in the third circuit and the fourth circuit run normally. If the control unit4judges the second pre-charging has failed, it can be determined that there is a failure in the third circuit or the fourth circuit, and thus the user may be reminded that the charging system needs to be repaired.

If the control unit4judges the second pre-charging is successful, the control unit4controls the second pre-charging switch K12and the third pre-charging switch K13to be switched off, and the second switch K2and the third switch K3to be switched on, and controls the first charging branch2and the second charging branch3to charge the battery1. A first voltage from the grid is input to the first charging branch2via the first charging interface22. The first filter unit7filters the first voltage to provide a filtered voltage. The first rectifying unit21rectifies the filtered voltage to provide a rectified voltage, and then the first transforming unit5reduces the rectified voltage to provide a reduced voltage to charge the battery1. A second voltage from the grid is input to the second charging branch3via the second charging interface32. The second filter unit8filters the second voltage to provide a filtered voltage. The second rectifying unit31rectifies the filtered voltage to provide a rectified voltage, and then the second transforming unit6reduces the rectified voltage to provide a reduced voltage to charge the battery1.

With the charging system for a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first pre-charging and the second pre-charging are performed before the battery1is charged, which not only performs the failure self-test for the whole charging system, but also improves a stability of the charging system. In addition, the rapid voltage increase between terminals of the second capacitor C12and terminals of the fourth capacitor C22which may cause the large current impact in the circuit may be avoided, thus preventing the damages to the charging system resulted from the large current impact.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a vehicle comprising the charging system described above is also provided.

A method for controlling charging a vehicle with a charging system according to embodiments of the present disclosure is described in details as follows.

A method for controlling charging a vehicle with a charging system is also provided. The charging system comprises: a battery, a first charging branch comprising a first rectifying unit and a first charging interface, a second charging branch comprising a second rectifying unit and a second charging interface, a control unit, and a battery management unit. Referring toFIG. 3, the method comprises the following steps.

In step S301, the control unit sends a first signal to the battery management unit when the first charging interface is connected with a first charging connector and the second charging interface is connected with a second charging connector.

In step S302, the battery management unit detects the battery and judges whether the battery needs to be charged after receiving the first signal. If yes, step S303is performed.

In step S303, the battery management unit sends a second signal to the control unit.

In step S304, the control unit controls the first charging branch and the second charging branch to charge the battery after receiving the second signal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further comprises at least one of the following steps.

In step A1, the battery management unit detects a voltage of the battery and judges whether the voltage is within a first predetermined voltage range. If yes, step S303is performed.

In step B1, the battery management unit detects a temperature of the battery and judges whether the temperature is within a predetermined temperature range. If yes, step S303is performed.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the following step.

In step A2, the battery management unit detects a voltage of the battery and judges whether the voltage is within a first predetermined voltage range. If yes, step B2is performed.

In step B2, the battery management unit detects a temperature of the battery and judges whether the temperature is within a predetermined temperature range. If yes, step S303is performed.

In some embodiments, the battery management unit judges whether the temperature is within a predetermined temperature range. If the temperature is within the predetermined temperature range, the battery management unit detects a voltage of the battery and judges whether the voltage is within a first predetermined voltage range. If the voltage is within the first predetermined voltage range, step S303is performed.

With the step A1or A2, an over-high voltage of the battery may be prevented, thus ensuring the operation safety of the charging system. With the step B1or B2, an over-high temperature of the battery may be prevented, and thus the operation safety of the charging system may be ensured.

In one embodiment, the charging system further comprises: a first transforming unit, a second transforming unit, a first switch having a first terminal connected with the battery and a second terminal connected with the first rectifying unit via the first transforming unit and connected with the second rectifying unit via the second transforming unit, a second switch connected between the first rectifying unit and the first charging interface, a third switch connected between the second rectifying unit and the second charging interface, and a first pre-charging resistor and a first pre-charging switch, in which a first terminal of the first pre-charging resistor is connected with a first terminal of the first pre-charging switch, and a second terminal of the first pre-charging resistor and a second terminal of the first pre-charging switch are connected with the first switch respectively.

In some embodiments, the step S304comprises the following steps.

In step C1, the control unit controls the first pre-charging switch to be switched on and the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch to be switched off to perform a first pre-charging after receiving the second signal.

In step C2, the control unit judges whether a first difference between the first busbar voltage V1of the first charging branch and a first predetermined voltage is within a second predetermined voltage range and a pre-charging time is within a first predetermined time range, and whether a second difference between the second busbar voltage V2of the second charging branch and a second predetermined voltage is within the second predetermined voltage range and the pre-charging time is within the first predetermined time range.

In step C3, if yes, the control unit controls the first pre-charging switch to be switched off, and the first switch, the second switch and the third switch to be switched on.

In step C4, the control unit controls the first charging branch and the second charging branch to charge the battery.

In one embodiment, the charging system further comprises: a second pre-charging resistor and a second pre-charging switch, in which a first terminal of the second pre-charging resistor is connected with a first terminal of the second pre-charging switch, and a second terminal of the second pre-charging resistor and a second terminal of the second pre-charging switch are connected with the second switch respectively; and a third pre-charging resistor and a third pre-charging switch, in which a first terminal of the third pre-charging resistor is connected with a first terminal of the third pre-charging switch, and a second terminal of the third pre-charging resistor and a second terminal of the third pre-charging switch are connected with the third switch respectively.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the following steps.

In step D1, the control unit controls the first pre-charging switch, the second switch, and the third switch to be switched off; and the first switch, the second pre-charging switch, and the third pre-charging switch to be switched on to perform a second pre-charging.

In step D2, the control unit judges whether the third busbar voltage V3of the first charging branch is within a third predetermined voltage range and the fourth busbar voltage V4of the second charging branch is within a fourth predetermined voltage range. If yes, the control unit controls the second pre-charging switch and the third pre-charging switch to be switched off and the second switch and the third switch to be switched on, and the step C4is performed.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the following steps.

In step E, the battery management unit judges whether the battery is fully charged. If yes, the battery management unit sends a third signal to the control unit.

In step F, the control unit controls the first charging branch and the second charging branch to stop charging the battery after receiving the third signal.

In some embodiments, the battery management unit detects an electric quantity, a current, or a voltage of the battery so as to determine or judge whether the battery is fully charged. Those skilled in the art may appreciate that, any other method which is capable of determining a charging state of the battery may be applied in the present disclosure, without particular limits.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIG. 4, a flow chart of the method for controlling charging the vehicle with the charging system is provided. Referring toFIG. 4, the method comprises the following steps.

In step S401, the control unit sends a first signal to the battery management unit when the first charging interface is connected with a first charging connector and the second charging interface is connected with a second charging connector.

In step S402, the battery management unit judges whether the battery needs to be charged after receiving the first signal.

In step S403, if the battery needs to be charged, the battery management unit sends a second signal to the control unit.

In step S404, the control unit controls the first pre-charging switch to be switched on and the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch to be switched off to perform a first pre-charging after receiving the second signal.

In step S405, the control unit judges whether a first difference between the first busbar voltage V1of the first charging branch and a first predetermined voltage is within a second predetermined voltage range and a pre-charging time is within a first predetermined time range, and whether a second difference between the second busbar voltage V2of the second charging branch and a second predetermined voltage is within the second predetermined voltage range and the pre-charging time is within the first predetermined time range. That is, the control unit judges whether the first pre-charging is successful.

In step S406, if yes, the control unit controls the first pre-charging switch, the second switch, and the third switch to be switched off, and the first switch, the second pre-charging switch, and the third pre-charging switch to be switched on to perform a second pre-charging.

In step S407, the control unit judges whether the third busbar voltage V3of the first charging branch is within a third predetermined voltage range and the fourth busbar voltage V4of the second charging branch is within a fourth predetermined voltage range. That is, the control unit judges whether the second pre-charging is successful.

In step S408, if yes, the control unit controls the second pre-charging switch and the third pre-charging switch to be switched off, and the second switch and the third switch to be switched on, and controls the first charging branch and the second charging branch to charge the battery.

With the method for controlling charging the vehicle with the charging system according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first pre-charging and the second pre-charging are performed before the battery is charged, which not only performs the failure self-test for the whole charging system, but also improves a stability of the charging system. In addition, the rapid voltage increase between terminals of the second capacitor C12and terminals of the fourth capacitor C22, which may cause the large current impact in the circuit, may be avoided, thus preventing the damages to the charging system resulted from the large current impact.