Patent Description:
With the development of new energy technologies, battery application becomes wider. Under low temperature conditions, charging efficiency of a battery pack of an electric vehicle is relatively low, so the battery pack needs to be heated to a temperature within its operating temperature range. Then, the battery pack can be charged efficiently by the charging pile.

In related technologies, a heating module is generally added inside the electric vehicle to quickly heat the battery pack, so as to solve the problem of low charging efficiency under low temperature conditions. However, entire-vehicle production costs will certainly increase if an extra heating apparatus is provided on every electric vehicle. To reduce the entire-vehicle production costs, related technologies propose that a heating apparatus is provided inside the charging pile and cyclic charging-discharging of the battery pack is performed through the heating apparatus to heat the battery pack.

However, a current direction of direct current needs to be switched constantly inside the charging pile for cyclic charging-discharging of the battery pack. As for existing charging piles, one charge-discharge switchover generally takes approximately one second. Such a switchover speed brings out unsatisfying battery pack heating effects. Furthermore, the charge-discharge switchover speed of the charging pile is affected by performance of an internal component, so the switchover speed cannot be increased by adjusting a charge-discharge control mode. Related prior art can be found in <CIT>, <CIT> or in <CIT>.

Embodiments of this application provide a DC/DC conversion circuit, a power unit, a charging pile as specified in any of claims <NUM>-<NUM>, and a charge-discharge heating method as specified in claims <NUM> or <NUM>, so as to solve the problem of a low charge-discharge switchover speed of the charging pile and unsatisfying battery pack heating effects.

According to a first aspect, this application provides a DC/DC conversion circuit, applied to a charging pile. The DC/DC conversion circuit includes:.

The second convertor module is configured to connect to the transformer module and perform charging and discharging between the power grid and the battery pack within a first frequency range to heat the battery pack; or configured to connect to the energy storage module and perform charging and discharging between the energy storage module and the battery pack within a second frequency range to heat the battery pack. The first frequency range is smaller than the second frequency range. The frequency required to heat the battery pack is a number of charging and discharging cycles of the battery pack periodically performed during a unit of time, the energy storage module is an energy storage inductor or an energy storage capacitor.

When the charging pile charges an electric vehicle, if a lower frequency is required for charge-discharge switchover, the second convertor module is connected to the transformer module. In this case, the battery pack is charged and discharged periodically through the AC/DC conversion circuit and the DC/DC conversion circuit to heat the battery pack. If a higher frequency is required for charge-discharge switchover, the second convertor module is connected to the energy storage module, the battery pack can be charged and discharged at a higher frequency through oscillatory discharge among the battery pack, the second convertor module and the energy storage module. This accelerates heating of the battery pack and therefore improves the battery pack heating effects. Through a connection between the second convertor module and the energy storage module, when the battery pack requires a high-frequency pulse current, the high-frequency pulse current can be generated through the connection with the energy storage module, so that the battery pack is quickly heated at a low temperature by means of high-frequency charging and discharging.

In an optional implementation, the DC/DC conversion circuit further includes:.

When the first switch and the second switch are provided, the charging pile can output a high-frequency positive and negative pulse current to the battery pack by adjusting on/off statuses of the first switch and the second switch. In this way, high-frequency charging and discharging is performed on the battery pack, so as to heat the battery pack.

In an optional implementation, the second convertor module includes:.

The second convertor module is configured to: charge the battery pack when the first MOS tube and the fourth MOS tube are conductively connected; and discharge the battery pack when the second MOS tube and the third MOS tube are conductively connected.

The battery pack can be charged and discharged by controlling alternate connection of the four MOS tubes. Furthermore, an upper limit of the charge-discharge frequency is merely affected by switch frequency performance of the MOS tubes. The charge-discharge frequency can also be adjusted accordingly by adjusting a frequency of a MOS tube connection signal.

In an optional implementation, the first end of the first MOS tube is connected to a first end of the energy storage module through the second switch, and the first end of the second MOS tube is connected to a second end of the energy storage module.

Because the energy storage module is disposed to directly connect to the second convertor module, the energy storage module can be connected to the battery pack merely through the second convertor module. This reduces a quantity of components used between the energy storage module and the battery pack, and therefore avoids influence from component performance on the charge-discharge switchover speed.

In an optional implementation, the energy storage module is an energy storage inductor or an energy storage capacitor.

In an optional implementation, the second convertor module is further configured to: connect to the transformer module, and charge and discharge, within the first frequency range, the battery pack whose remaining capacity is lower than a preset capacity threshold, so as to heat the battery pack.

When the remaining capacity of the battery pack is relatively low, the battery pack is connected to the transformer module through the second convertor module. In this way, the battery pack can still be charged and discharged in a cyclic manner and heated.

According to a second aspect, this application provides a power unit applied to the charging pile. The power unit includes the foregoing DC/DC conversion circuit, and also includes an AC/DC conversion circuit. An input end of the AC/DC conversion circuit is connected to a power grid, and an output end of the AC/DC conversion circuit is connected to an input end of the DC/DC conversion circuit.

This invention provides a charging pile as specified in any of claims <NUM>-<NUM>. The charging pile includes the foregoing power unit, and also includes a main control module. The main control module is respectively connected to each of the power units.

The main control module is configured to connect the second convertor module in the DC/DC conversion circuit of the power unit to a transformer module or to an energy storage module, and periodically switch a current direction of the second convertor module to heat a battery pack.

In an optional implementation, the charging pile includes at least two power units.

The main control module is further configured to connect in parallel a plurality of the power units based on a heating power of the battery pack, or connect in series the DC/DC conversion circuits of the plurality of the power units based on a charging voltage of the battery pack.

According to a fourth aspect, this application provides a charge-discharge heating method as specified in claims <NUM> or <NUM>, applied to a charging pile. The charge-discharge heating method includes:.

The heating frequency of the battery pack is acquired through the main control module of the charging pile. Therefore, a corresponding charge-discharge mode may be adopted to perform charge-discharge heating on the battery pack. When the battery pack requires a high heating frequency, high-frequency charging and discharging may be performed on the battery pack, so as to increase a charge-discharge switchover speed and improve battery pack heating effects.

In an optional implementation, after the receiving a power-on request, the method further includes:.

According to the DC/DC conversion circuit, the power unit, the charging pile, and the charge-discharge heating method provided in the embodiments of this application, a power grid can be connected through the AC/DC conversion circuit. When the charging pile charges an electric vehicle, if a lower frequency is required for charge-discharge switchover, the second convertor module is connected to the transformer module. In this case, the battery pack is charged and discharged periodically through the AC/DC conversion circuit and the DC/DC conversion circuit to heat the battery pack. If a higher frequency is required for charge-discharge switchover, the second convertor module is connected to the energy storage module, the battery pack can be charged and discharged at a higher frequency through oscillatory discharge among the battery pack, the second convertor and the energy storage module. This accelerates heating of the battery pack and therefore improves the battery pack heating effects. Through a connection between the second convertor module and the energy storage module, when the battery pack requires a high-frequency pulse current, the high-frequency pulse current can be generated through the connection with the energy storage module, so that the battery pack is quickly heated at a low temperature by means of high-frequency charging and discharging.

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments of this application. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show merely some embodiments of this application, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from the accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

In the accompanying drawings, the figures are not drawn to scale.

Reference signs are described as follows:
<NUM>. Charging pile; <NUM>. Power unit; <NUM>. Power grid; <NUM>. Battery pack; <NUM>. DC/DC conversion circuit; <NUM>. AC/DC conversion circuit; <NUM>. Main control module; <NUM>. First convertor module; <NUM>. Transformer module; <NUM>. Second convertor module; <NUM>. Energy storage module; L. Energy storage inductor; K1. First switch; K2. Second switch; M1 to M4. First MOS tube to fourth MOS tube.

The following further describes the embodiments of this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and implementations. The detailed description and accompanying drawings of the following embodiments are used to exemplarily illustrate the principle of this application, but are not intended to limit the scope of this application, that is, this application is not limited to the described embodiments.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein shall have the same meanings as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used herein are merely intended to describe the specific embodiments but not intended to constitute any limitation on this application. The terms "include", "comprise", and "having" and any other variations thereof in the specification, the claims, and the foregoing brief description of drawings of this application are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion.

In descriptions of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" and the like are merely intended to distinguish between different objects, and shall not be understood as an indication or implication of relative importance or implicit indication of the number, specific sequence, or dominant-subordinate relationship of indicated technical features. In the descriptions of this application, "a plurality of" means at least two unless otherwise specifically stated.

The term "embodiment" described herein means that specific features, structures, or characteristics in combination with descriptions of the embodiments may be incorporated in at least one embodiment of this application. The word "embodiment" in various positions in the specification does not necessarily refer to a same embodiment, or an independent or alternative embodiment that is exclusive of other embodiments. Persons skilled in the art explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein may combine with other embodiments.

In the descriptions of the embodiments of this application, the term "and/or" in this application describes only an association relationship for describing associated objects and represents that three relationships may exist. For example, A and/or B may represent the following three cases: A alone, both A and B, and B alone. In addition, a character "/" in this specification generally indicates an "or" relationship between contextually associated objects.

In the descriptions of the embodiments of this application, term "a plurality of" means two (inclusive) or more. Similarly, "a plurality of groups" means two (inclusive) or more groups, and "a plurality of pieces" means two (inclusive) or more pieces.

In the descriptions of the embodiments of this application, the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the technical terms "center", "vertical", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "perpendicular", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", " radial", "circumferential", and the like are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are merely intended to facilitate the descriptions of the embodiments of this application and simplify the descriptions, are not intended to indicate or imply that the apparatuses or components mentioned in this application must have specific orientations, or be constructed and operated for a specific orientation, and therefore shall not be construed as a limitation to embodiments of this application.

In the descriptions of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified and defined explicitly, the technical terms "installment", "link", "connection", and "fix" should be understood in their general senses. For example, the terms may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated connection; or may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; or may be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; or may be an internal connection between two components or an interactive relationship between two components. Persons of ordinary skill in the art can understand specific meanings of these terms in this application based on specific situations.

In the new energy field, a traction battery may be used as a major traction source for an electric apparatus (such as a vehicle, a ship, or a spacecraft), and an energy storage battery may be a charging source for the electric apparatus. The importance of the traction battery and the energy storage battery is taken for granted. As examples instead of limitations, in some application scenarios, the traction battery may be a battery in an electric apparatus, and the energy storage battery may be a battery in a charging apparatus. For ease of description, the traction battery and the energy storage battery may be collectively referred to as a battery below.

At present, batteries on the market are generally rechargeable storage batteries, most of which are lithium batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries or lithium-ion polymer batteries. When a battery is disposed in an electric apparatus, the battery needs to be connected to a charging apparatus for charging if the remaining capacity of the battery is insufficient.

A battery pack of an electric vehicle cannot be charged under low temperature conditions, so the battery pack needs to be heated to a temperature within its operating temperature range. Then, the battery pack can be charged by a charging pile.

In related technologies, a heating module is generally added inside the electric vehicle to quickly heat the battery pack, so as to solve the problem that the battery pack cannot be charged under low temperature conditions. However, entire-vehicle production costs will certainly increase if an extra heating apparatus is provided on every electric vehicle. To reduce the entire-vehicle production costs, related technologies propose that a heating apparatus is provided inside the charging pile and cyclic charging-discharging of the battery pack is performed through the heating apparatus to heat the battery pack. However, a current direction of direct current needs to be switched constantly inside the charging pile for cyclic charging-discharging of the battery pack. As for existing charging piles, one charge-discharge switchover generally takes approximately one second. Such a switchover speed brings out unsatisfying battery pack heating effects. Furthermore, the charge-discharge switchover speed of the charging pile is affected by performance of an internal component, so the switchover speed cannot be increased by adjusting a charge-discharge control mode.

To solve the foregoing problems, embodiments of this application provide a DC/DC (direct current-direct current) conversion circuit, a power unit, a charging pile, and a charge-discharge heating method. The following first describes the DC/DC conversion circuit provided in the embodiments of this application.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a module structure of a DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> according to an embodiment of this application. The DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> includes a first convertor module <NUM>, a transformer module <NUM>, a second convertor module <NUM>, and an energy storage module <NUM>.

An input end of the first convertor module <NUM> is connected to a power grid <NUM> through an AC/DC (Alternating Current-Direct current, alternating current-direct current) conversion circuit <NUM>. An input end of the transformer module <NUM> is connected to an output end of the first convertor module <NUM>. An input end of the second convertor module <NUM> may be connected to an output end of the transformer module <NUM> or the energy storage module <NUM>. An output end of the second convertor module <NUM> may be electrically connected to a battery pack <NUM> of an electric vehicle when a charging pile <NUM> charges the electric vehicle.

Controlled by the charging pile <NUM>, the input end of the second convertor module <NUM> may be connected to the transformer module <NUM> or the energy storage module <NUM>.

When the input end of the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the transformer module <NUM>, a current loop is formed by the power grid <NUM>, the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>, the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>, and the battery pack <NUM>. A direct current output direction of the second convertor module <NUM> can be adjusted in a cyclic manner to charge the battery pack <NUM> when a positive pulse current is output and discharge the battery pack <NUM> when a negative pulse current is output.

When the input end of the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the transformer module <NUM>, a periodic charging-discharging process of the battery pack <NUM> is as follows:
In the first half cycle of a charge-discharge cycle, the second convertor module <NUM> may adjust a current output direction to output a negative pulse current. In this case, the battery pack <NUM> starts to discharge. This part of electric energy can be fed back to the power grid <NUM> through the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> and the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>, or may be output, through the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> and the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>, to an energy storage component disposed in the charging pile <NUM> and temporarily stored.

In the second half cycle, the second convertor module <NUM> may adjust the current output direction to output a positive pulse current. In this case, the power grid <NUM> can charge the battery pack <NUM> through the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> and the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>.

During charge-discharge cycles, the battery pack <NUM> is charged and discharged in a cyclic manner and a temperature of the battery pack <NUM> rises constantly. In this way, the battery pack <NUM> is heated through cyclic charging-discharging of the battery pack <NUM>.

The current output direction of the second convertor module <NUM> can be quickly switched to generate a pulse current of a corresponding frequency, so as to perform charging and discharging at the corresponding frequency on the battery pack <NUM> of the electric vehicle. When the current output direction of the second convertor module <NUM> is adjusted and retained for a period of time, the charging process or the discharging process of the battery pack <NUM> is implemented. That is, when the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the transformer module <NUM>, not only a positive or negative direct current can be output to charge or discharge the battery pack <NUM> respectively, but also the periodic positive and negative pulse current can be output to perform periodic charging and discharging on the battery pack <NUM> to heat the battery pack <NUM>.

When the input end of the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the energy storage module <NUM>, the periodic charging-discharging process of the battery pack <NUM> is as follows:
In the first half cycle of a charge-discharge cycle, the battery pack <NUM> can charge the energy storage module <NUM> through the second convertor module <NUM> by adjusting the second convertor module <NUM>. In the second haft cycle, the current output direction of the second convertor module <NUM> can be adjusted to discharge the energy storage module <NUM>, so as to charge the battery pack <NUM>. Similarly, the process of charging and discharging the battery pack <NUM> through the energy storage module <NUM> can also raise the temperature of the battery pack <NUM>, so as to heat the battery pack <NUM>.

When the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the transformer module <NUM>, a first charge-discharge loop is formed among the power grid <NUM>, the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>, the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>, and the battery pack <NUM> to charge and discharge the battery pack <NUM>. When the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the energy storage module <NUM>, a second charge-discharge loop is formed among the energy storage module <NUM>, the second convertor module <NUM>, and the battery pack <NUM> to charge and discharge the battery pack <NUM>.

It should be noted that: when the current output direction of the second convertor module <NUM> is adjusted to the positive direct current, a current output direction of the first convertor module <NUM> also needs to be adjusted accordingly so that a direct current output by the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> can flow to the battery pack <NUM> sequentially through the first convertor module <NUM>, the transformer module <NUM>, and the second convertor module <NUM>. Similarly, when the current output direction of the second convertor module <NUM> is adjusted to the negative direct current, the current output direction of the first convertor module <NUM> also needs to be adjusted to the negative direct current so that electric energy released by the battery pack <NUM> can be fed back to the power grid <NUM> through the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> and the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>.

In the first charge-discharge loop, the time for switching the battery pack <NUM> between a charging state and a discharging state is limited by performance of component of modules of the charging pile <NUM>. For example, the time for switching the battery pack <NUM> between the charging state and the discharging state may be prolonged by performance of components of the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> inside the charging pile <NUM> or performance of components of modules other than the second convertor module in the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>. At present, during a test process of charging and discharging the battery pack <NUM> by using the foregoing first charge-discharge loop, a detected charge-discharge cycle is generally measured in seconds. That is, the battery pack <NUM> is charged and discharged through the first charge-discharge loop at a lower frequency.

When the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the energy storage module <NUM>, the battery pack <NUM> is charged and discharged by the second charge-discharge loop formed by the energy storage module <NUM>, the second convertor module <NUM>, and the battery pack <NUM>. A charge-discharge cycle of the second charge-discharge loop is merely limited by performance of components inside the second convertor module <NUM>. Therefore, much fewer components impose limitation on the charge-discharge switchover time. In this case, the charge-discharge switchover time greatly becomes shorter, and generally may match the current direction switching frequency of the second convertor module <NUM>. In this way, high-frequency charging and discharging can be performed on the battery pack <NUM> through the second charge-discharge loop.

It can be understood that the battery pack <NUM> can be heated quickly during a high-frequency charge-discharge process so that effects of heating the battery pack <NUM> are improved. However, the battery packs <NUM> of some electric vehicles still do not support high-frequency charging and discharging, and if a high-frequency charging and discharging manner, the battery packs <NUM> may be damaged. For this reason, the battery pack <NUM> not supporting high-frequency charging and discharging can still be heated in a low-frequency charging and discharging manner.

Based on charge-discharge frequency requirements of the battery packs <NUM> of different electric vehicles, a first frequency range and a second frequency range may be configured. When the charge-discharge frequency required by the battery pack <NUM> is within the first frequency range, the charging pile <NUM> may control the second convertor module <NUM> to connect to the transformer module <NUM>, so that the battery pack <NUM> is charged and discharged by the first charge-discharge loop formed by the power grid <NUM>, the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>, the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>, and the battery pack <NUM>. When the charge-discharge frequency required by the battery pack <NUM> is within the second frequency range, the charging pile <NUM> may control the second convertor module <NUM> to connect to the energy storage module <NUM>, so that high-frequency charging and discharging is performed on the battery pack <NUM> through the second charge-discharge loop formed by the energy storage module <NUM>, the second convertor module <NUM>, and the battery pack <NUM>.

It can be understood that the foregoing first frequency range is smaller than the second frequency range. For example, the first frequency range may be included in the second frequency range. That is, when the battery pack <NUM> requires low-frequency charging and discharging, the second convertor module <NUM> may be connected to either the transformer module <NUM> or the energy storage module <NUM> for charging and discharging. When the battery pack <NUM> requires a charge-discharge frequency that is beyond the first frequency range but within the second frequency range, the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the energy storage module <NUM> for charging and discharging.

In this embodiment, the energy storage module <NUM> is disposed. When the battery pack <NUM> of an electric vehicle requires low-frequency charging and discharging, the charging pile <NUM> can control the input end of the second convertor module <NUM> to connect to the transformer module <NUM>, so that low-frequency charging and discharging is performed on the battery pack <NUM> through a current loop between the power grid <NUM> and the battery pack <NUM> to heat the battery pack <NUM>. When the battery pack <NUM> supports high-frequency charging and discharging, the charging pile <NUM> can control the input end of the second convertor module <NUM> to connect to the energy storage module <NUM>, so as to perform high-frequency charging and discharging between the energy storage module <NUM> and the battery pack <NUM>. When the pulse current frequency for charging and discharging the battery pack <NUM> is high, the temperature of the battery pack <NUM> can be raised quickly. This implements quick heating of the battery pack <NUM> and improves heating effects of the battery pack <NUM>. The battery packs <NUM> of different electric vehicle models may require charge-discharge pulse currents of different frequencies. In this case, low-frequency or high-frequency charging and discharging can be performed on the battery packs <NUM> according to the frequencies required by the battery packs <NUM>, so as to heat the battery packs <NUM> of different vehicle models.

Referring to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> may include a first switch K1 and a second switch K2, the input end of the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the output end of the transformer module <NUM> through the first switch K1, and the input end of the second convertor module <NUM> is further connected to the energy storage module <NUM> through the second switch K2.

When being on, the first switch K1 can connect the second convertor module <NUM> to the transformer module <NUM>. When being on, the second switch K2 can connect the second convertor module <NUM> to the energy storage module <NUM>.

When determining that the battery pack <NUM> of an electric vehicle requires a low-frequency pulse current for charging and discharging, the charging pile <NUM> may control the first switch K1 to be connected and the second switch K2 to be disconnected, so as to perform low-frequency charging and discharging on the battery pack <NUM>. When determining that the battery pack <NUM> of an electric vehicle requires a high-frequency pulse current for charging and discharging, the charging pile <NUM> may control the second switch K2 to be connected and the first switch K1 to be disconnected to quickly raise a temperature of the battery pack <NUM> through high-frequency charging and discharging, so as to implement quick heating of the battery pack <NUM>.

With the first switch K1 and the second switch K2, the charging pile <NUM> can output a high-frequency positive or negative pulse current to the battery pack <NUM> by adjusting on/off statuses of the first switch K1 and the second switch K2, so as to perform high-frequency charging and discharging on the battery pack <NUM> to heat the battery pack <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the second convertor module <NUM> may include a first MOS (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor, metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor) tube M1, a second MOS tube M2, a third MOS tube M3, and a fourth MOS tube M4.

A first end of the first MOS tube M1 is connected to a first electrode of the output end of the transformer module <NUM> through the first switch K1, and a second end of the first MOS tube M1 may be connected to a first electrode of the battery pack <NUM> when the charging pile <NUM> is charging the battery pack <NUM>. A first end of the second MOS tube M2 is connected to a second electrode of the output end of the transformer module <NUM>, and a second end of the second MOS tube M2 may be connected to the first electrode of the battery pack <NUM> when the charging pile <NUM> is charging the battery pack <NUM>. A first end of the third MOS tube M3 is connected to the first electrode of the output end of the transformer module <NUM> through the first switch K1, and a second end of the third MOS tube M3 may be connected to a second electrode of the battery pack <NUM> when the charging pile <NUM> is charging the battery pack <NUM>. A first end of the fourth MOS tube M4 is connected to the second electrode of the output end of the transformer module <NUM>, and a second end of the fourth MOS tube M4 may be connected to the second electrode of the battery pack <NUM> when the charging pile <NUM> is charging the battery pack <NUM>.

When the first switch K1 is connected and the second switch K2 is disconnected, the second convertor module <NUM> can charge the battery pack <NUM> through the foregoing first charge-discharge loop under the condition that the first MOS tube M1 and the fourth MOS tube M4 are connected, and discharge the battery pack <NUM> through the first charge-discharge loop under the condition that the second MOS tube M2 and the third MOS tube M3 are connected.

When the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the transformer module <NUM>, if the first MOS tube M1 and the fourth MOS tube M4 are conductively connected, the first electrode of the output end of the transformer module <NUM> is connected to the first electrode of the battery pack <NUM>, and the second electrode of the output end of the transformer module <NUM> is connected to the second electrode of the battery pack <NUM>. In this case, an alternating current from the power grid <NUM> can be output, through alternating current to direct current conversion, to the battery pack <NUM> through the transformer module <NUM>, for charging. If the second MOS tube M2 and the third MOS tube M3 are conductively connected, the first electrode of the output end of the transformer module <NUM> is connected to the second electrode of the battery pack <NUM>, and the second electrode of the output end of the transformer module <NUM> is connected to the first electrode of the battery pack <NUM>. In this case, the battery pack <NUM> can be discharged. This part of electric energy may be fed back to the power grid <NUM> through the DC/DC module and the AC/DC module, or temporarily stored in an energy storage component of the charging pile <NUM>.

The battery pack <NUM> can be charged and discharged by controlling alternate connection of the four MOS tubes. Furthermore, an upper limit of the charge-discharge frequency is merely affected by switch frequency performance of the MOS tubes in the second convertor module <NUM>. The charge-discharge frequency of the battery pack <NUM> can also be adjusted accordingly by adjusting a frequency of a MOS tube connection signal.

It can be understood that the charge-discharge frequency of the battery pack <NUM> can reach <NUM> according to a state switchover test on the MOS tubes of the second convertor module <NUM> composed of the foregoing four MOS tubes. That is, the charge-discharge frequency of the battery pack <NUM> can be adjusted at least between <NUM> to <NUM> by adjusting the time for switching the connection status of the MOS tubes.

In the foregoing embodiment, the transformer module <NUM> may use a variety of different topological structures, for example, LLC topology, DAB topology, CLLC topology, CF-DAB topology, and Partial-Power Converter topology. <FIG> illustrates a circuit structure in which the transformer module <NUM> uses the CLLC topology. All the foregoing different topological structures can implement bidirectional direct current voltage regulation, but provide different advantages and disadvantages in terms of gain from direct current voltage regulation, conversion efficiency, and bidirectional switchover frequency. Corresponding topological structures can be used to meet different requirements.

In addition to the foregoing topological structures, the transformer module <NUM> may use a bidirectional DC-DC converter with a bi-electrode LLC. In the bidirectional DC-DC converter, a Buck-Boost circuit is disposed between the first convertor module <NUM> and the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>. The transformer module <NUM> uses a bidirectional LLC-SRC converter. In this case, a maximum switch frequency supported by the first convertor module <NUM> and the MOS tubes of the second convertor module <NUM> becomes lower when system load increases and becomes higher accordingly when the system load decreases. When the LLC topological structure is used, the switch frequency of the first convertor module <NUM> can be adjusted to change a voltage division ratio of a primary coil of the transformer module <NUM>, so as to release a stable voltage. The transformer module <NUM> may alternatively be a dual active bridge converter.

In some embodiments, the first end of the first MOS tube M1 may be connected to a first end of the energy storage module <NUM> through the second switch K2, and the first end of the second MOS tube M2 may be connected to a second end of the energy storage module <NUM>.

When the second switch K2 is connected and the first switch K1 is disconnected, the second convertor module <NUM> can discharge the battery pack <NUM> through the foregoing second charge-discharge loop under the condition that the first MOS tube M1 and the fourth MOS tube M4 are connected, and charge the battery pack <NUM> through the second charge-discharge loop under the condition that the second MOS tube M2 and the third MOS tube M3 are connected.

The second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the energy storage module <NUM>. In phase <NUM> of a charge-discharge cycle, the first MOS tube M1 and the fourth MOS tube M4 are conductively connected, and the battery pack <NUM> may discharge to the energy storage module <NUM> for storing energy. In phase <NUM>, the second MOS tube M2 and the third MOS tube M3 are conductively connected, the energy storage module <NUM> releases the stored electric energy to charge the battery pack <NUM>. In phase <NUM>, the second MOS tube M2 and the third MOS tube M3 remain in a conductively connected state, the battery pack <NUM> continues charging the energy storage module <NUM>. In phase <NUM>, the first MOS tube M1 and the fourth MOS tube M4 are conductively connected, the energy storage module <NUM> releases the stored electric energy to charge the battery pack <NUM>.

It can be understood that the first MOS tube M1 and the fourth MOS tube M4 can remain in the conductively connected state in phase <NUM> of a next charge-discharge cycle. That is, the foregoing energy storage module <NUM>, a plurality of MOS tubes of the second convertor module <NUM>, and the battery pack <NUM> can form an oscillatory circuit. Every time the connection status of MOS tubes is switched, the battery pack <NUM> is charged and discharged once. This further shortens the charge-discharge cycle of the battery pack <NUM> and raises a pulse frequency of the charge-discharge current.

It can be understood that: when the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the transformer module <NUM>, the battery pack <NUM> is charged or discharged once every time the conductive-connection statuses of the MOS tubes inside the second convertor module <NUM> is switched. The charge-discharge frequency can be doubled even regardless of influence on the charge-discharge cycle from performance of components in the AC/DC conversion module <NUM> and the DC/DC conversion module <NUM> of the charging pile <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the foregoing energy storage module <NUM> may be an energy storage capacity, an energy storage inductor L, or another energy storage component.

In some embodiments, when the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the transformer module <NUM>, the battery pack <NUM> whose remaining capacity is lower than a preset capacity threshold can be charged and discharged within a first frequency range, so as to heat the battery pack <NUM>.

When the second convertor module <NUM> is connected to the transformer module <NUM> and the remaining capacity of the battery pack <NUM> of the electric vehicle is relatively low, the current direction of the second convertor module <NUM> can be adjusted to first charge the battery pack <NUM> during the charge-discharge cycle, so as to initiate the charge-discharge cycle of the battery pack <NUM>.

When the second convertor module is connected to the energy storage module <NUM>, energy storage is not performed by the energy storage module <NUM> in an initial phase. Therefore, the battery pack <NUM> needs to be first discharged in a charge-discharge cycle to store energy into the energy storage module <NUM>. If discharging cannot be performed because the remaining capacity of the battery pack <NUM> is relatively low, a corresponding charge-discharge cycle cannot be initiated. For example, when a SOC (State of Charge, state of charge) of the battery pack <NUM> is zero or approaches zero, the battery pack <NUM> cannot discharge to the energy storage module <NUM> even when the battery pack <NUM> is connected to the energy storage module <NUM> through the second convertor module <NUM>. In this case, a charge-discharge cycle cannot be initiated.

When the remaining capacity of the battery pack <NUM> is relatively low, low-frequency charging and discharging can be performed on the battery pack <NUM> by controlling the second convertor module <NUM> to connect to the transformer module <NUM>, so as to heat the battery pack <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, embodiments of this application further a power unit <NUM>, which is applied to the charging pile <NUM>. The power unit <NUM> includes the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> according to the foregoing embodiments, and the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>. An input end of the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> is connected to the power grid <NUM>, and an output end of the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> is connected to the input end of the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>.

The charging pile <NUM> may include the power unit <NUM> that provides charge power for the battery pack <NUM>. According to a topological structure of the power unit <NUM>, the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> may be connected in series to the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>.

To implement charging and discharging of the battery pack <NUM>, the foregoing power unit <NUM> can be configured to be a bidirectional power unit <NUM>. When the battery pack <NUM> is being charged and discharged, the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> receives an alternating current from the power grid <NUM> and converts it into a direct current. The DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> receives a direct current from the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>, steps down the direct current, and then outputs it to the battery pack <NUM> for charging. During discharging of the battery pack <NUM>, the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> receives a direct current output by the battery pack <NUM>, steps down the direct current, and then transmits it to the AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM>. The AC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> converts the direct current into an alternating current and feeds it back to the power grid <NUM>.

It can be understood that although the power unit <NUM> can implement bidirectional current transmission, the time for switching a current direction is long due to influence from performance of components in the power unit <NUM>. That is, the power unit <NUM> charges and discharges the battery pack <NUM> at a relatively low charge-discharge frequency.

An embodiment of this application further provides a charging pile <NUM>. The charging pile <NUM> includes the power unit <NUM> according to the foregoing embodiment, and the charging pile <NUM> further includes a main control module <NUM>. The main control module <NUM> may be connected to the power unit <NUM>, and controls the second convertor module <NUM> of the DC/DC conversion circuit <NUM> in each of the power units <NUM> to connect to the transformer module <NUM> or the energy storage module <NUM>, so as to heat the battery pack <NUM> by periodically switching a current direction of the second convertor module <NUM>.

The main control module <NUM> can control one of a plurality of power units <NUM> to perform cyclic charging-discharging on the battery pack <NUM>, or control the plurality of power units <NUM> to simultaneously perform cyclic charging-discharging on the battery pack <NUM>.

It can be understood that when the main control module <NUM> controls the plurality of power units <NUM> to perform cyclic charging-discharging on the battery pack <NUM>, the main control module <NUM> needs to control the plurality of power units <NUM> to keep charging and discharging simultaneously. For example, all the second convertor modules <NUM> in the plurality of power units <NUM> need to be set to be connected to the transformer module <NUM> or the energy storage module <NUM>. The second convertor module <NUM> in each power unit <NUM> needs to maintain the same charge-discharge frequency, and maintain a same current direction at a same time point.

Referring to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the foregoing charging pile <NUM> may include at least two power units <NUM>, and the main control module <NUM> may be electrically connected to each of the power units <NUM>.

The main control module <NUM> may acquire a heating power required by the battery pack <NUM>, and connect the plurality of power units <NUM> in parallel when the battery pack <NUM> requires a high heating power, so as to increase the power for heating the battery pack <NUM>. The main control module <NUM> may alternatively acquire a direct current voltage required for charging and discharging the battery pack <NUM>, and sequentially connect in series output ends of the DC/DC conversion circuits <NUM> in the plurality of power units <NUM> when a relatively high direct current voltage is required for charging and discharging the battery pack <NUM>, so as to increase the output voltage.

It can be understood that: the main control module <NUM> may determine, according to a direct current voltage required for charging and discharging the battery pack <NUM>, a quantity of the power units <NUM> that need to be connected in series for providing the direct current voltage, and connect in series the output ends of the DC/DC conversion circuits <NUM> in the quantity of the power units <NUM>.

When the charging pile <NUM> is charging an electric vehicle, the main control module <NUM> may acquire a power-on request from the battery pack <NUM> of the electric vehicle. The power-on request may include a desired heating frequency, a heating current limit, and the like. According to the desired heating frequency, the main control module <NUM> can determine whether to connect the second convertor module <NUM> to the transformer module <NUM> or connect the second convertor module <NUM> to the energy storage module <NUM>.

When determining that the battery pack <NUM> requires a relatively high heating power, the main control module <NUM> may further connect the plurality of power units <NUM> in parallel. The plurality of power units <NUM> simultaneously charge and discharge the battery pack <NUM>, so as to increase the power for heating the battery pack <NUM> and implement quick heating of the battery pack <NUM>.

When determining that the battery pack <NUM> requires a relatively high charging voltage, the main control module <NUM> may connect in series the output ends of the DC/DC conversion circuits <NUM> in the plurality of power units <NUM>, so that the direct current voltage at the battery pack <NUM> is a sum of the output voltages of the plurality of power units <NUM>.

An embodiment of this application further provides a charge-discharge heating method, applied to the charging pile according to the foregoing embodiments. As shown in <FIG>, the charge-discharge heating method includes the following steps.

Receive a power-on request, where the power-on request instructs a battery apparatus to connect to the charging pile, and the power-on request includes heating frequency information.

In a case in which the heating frequency information is corresponding to a first frequency range, connect a second convertor module of a DC/DC conversion circuit to a transformer module according to the power-on request, and periodically switch a current direction of the second convertor module to heat the battery apparatus.

In a case in which the heating frequency information is corresponding to a second frequency range, connect a second convertor module of a DC/DC conversion circuit to an energy storage module according to the power-on request, and periodically switch a current direction of the second convertor module to heat the battery apparatus, where the first frequency range is smaller than the second frequency range.

In this embodiment, after being connected to an electric vehicle, the charging pile can receive the power-on request from the electric vehicle. The power-on request can be used to instruct the charging pile to connect to the battery apparatus. The power-on request may include the heating frequency information. The charging pile may determine based on the heating frequency information, a connection mode to be used by the battery pack for cyclic charge-discharge heating, connect the second convertor module of the DC/DC conversion circuit to a corresponding module, and then switch a current direction of the second convertor module according to a corresponding frequency. In this way, cyclic charging-discharging can be performed on the battery pack at the corresponding frequency, so as to heat the battery pack during the charge-discharge process. In this way, the temperature of the battery pack can be raised quickly to meet the condition, under which the battery pack is rechargeable. The battery pack that requires a high heating frequency can be charged and discharged at a high frequency, so as to increase a charge-discharge switchover speed and improve battery pack heating effects.

In S610, after a physical connection is established between the charging pile and the electric vehicle, the main control module of the charging pile may communicate with the electric vehicle and acquire the power-on request transmitted by the electric vehicle. The power-on request may indicate the battery apparatus to connect to the charging pile, and may include the heating frequency information. It can be understood that the power-on request may further include a heating current limit to protect the battery pack from an overlarge current used by the charging pile to heat the battery pack, so as to avoid damages imposed by the charging pile to the battery pack caused overlarge current.

In S620, after receiving the power-on request, the main control module may determine, based on the heating frequency information, the charge-discharge mode for heating the battery pack. The heating frequency information may include the heating frequency required by the battery pack. The main control module may preset a first frequency range and a second frequency range. When the heating frequency required by the battery pack corresponds to the first frequency range, the main control module may control the second convertor module of the DC/DC conversion circuit to connect to the transformer module, and periodically switch the current direction of the second convertor module to output a pulse current of the corresponding frequency to heat the battery pack.

In S630, after determining that the heating frequency required by the battery pack corresponds to the second frequency range, the main control module may control the second convertor module of the DC/DC conversion circuit to connect to the energy storage module, and periodically switch the current direction of the second convertor module to output a pulse current of the corresponding frequency to heat the battery pack.

It can be understood that the foregoing first frequency range and the second frequency range may not overlap each other. For example, the first frequency range may be a heating frequency range that is smaller than a preset frequency threshold f1, and the second frequency range may be a heating frequency range that is larger than the preset frequency threshold f1. Based on whether the heating frequency required by the battery pack is larger than the preset frequency threshold f1, the battery pack can be charged and discharged within the corresponding frequency range for pulse heating.

The electric vehicle may further monitor the temperature of the battery pack, and sends a power-off request to the charging pile when the temperature of the battery pack reaches a temperature indicating the battery pack being rechargeable. The main control module of the charging pile stops heating when receiving the power-off request.

When the battery pack temperature of the electric vehicle reaches the temperature indicating the battery pack being rechargeable, the electric vehicle may further send a charging instruction to the charging pile. The charging pile may connect the second convertor module to the transformer module according to the charging instruction and configure current directions of the first convertor module and the second convertor module accordingly. In this way, an alternating current voltage from the power grid is transformed into a charging voltage corresponding to the battery pack, so as to charge the battery pack. The charging instruction may include parameters such as a direct current charging voltage limit and a current limit of the battery pack.

In some embodiments, after receiving the power-off request from the electric vehicle, the charging pile may further directly connect the second convertor module to the transformer module and configure the current directions of the first convertor module and the second convertor module accordingly, so that the battery pack is charged immediately after heating of the battery pack is completed. In this case, users do not need to wait for completion of heating or trigger a corresponding operation to start charging the battery pack. This improves charging efficiency and charging experience of the users.

When the battery pack is being charged, the electric vehicle may further monitor a real-time capacity of the battery pack. When the real-time capacity of the battery pack reaches a full capacity range, an instruction for stopping charging is sent to the charging pile, so that the charging pile stops charging.

In an optional embodiment, after step S610, the method may further include the following steps.

Acquire a remaining capacity of the battery pack of the electric vehicle.

When the remaining capacity is lower than a preset capacity threshold, connect the second convertor module of the DC/DC conversion circuit to the transformer module according to the power-on request, and periodically switch the current direction of the second convertor module to heat the battery pack.

In this embodiment, the charging pile acquires the remaining capacity of the battery pack of the electric vehicle. If the remaining capacity of the battery pack is relatively low, the charging pile may control the second convertor module to connect to the transformer module and periodically switch the current direction of the second convertor module, so as to perform cyclic charging-discharging on the battery pack through a current loop formed by the power grid, the AC/DC conversion module, DC/DC conversion module, and the battery pack. In this way, the battery pack can still be heated through cyclic charging-discharging when the remaining capacity of the battery pack is too low to initiate a charging process of a charge-discharge cycle.

In S710, the charging pile can acquire the remaining capacity of the battery pack of the electric vehicle. After acquiring the remaining capacity of the battery pack, the electric vehicle may add data information of the remaining capacity to the power-on request, so that the charging pile can determine the remaining capacity of the battery pack upon receiving the power-on request. Alternatively, the charging pile may communicate with the electric vehicle after receiving the power-on request and send to the electric vehicle a remaining capacity acquiring request. The electric vehicle may send the detected remaining capacity of the battery pack to the charging pile according to the remaining capacity acquiring request.

In S720, when determining that the remaining capacity of the battery pack is relatively lower than the preset capacity threshold, the charging pile may determine that the battery pack cannot be discharged due to a relatively low capacity. A charge-discharge cycle of the battery pack begins with a discharge. If the battery pack cannot be discharged due to a relatively low capacity, cyclic charging-discharging of the battery pack cannot be initiated properly.

In order to perform charging and discharging to heat the battery pack whose remaining capacity is lower than the preset capacity threshold, the charging pile may connect, according to the power-on request, the second convertor module of the DC/DC conversion circuit to the transformer module, and periodically switch the current direction the second convertor module to initiate cyclic charging-discharging of the battery pack.

It can be understood that, for charge-discharge heating on the battery pack whose remaining capacity is lower than the preset capacity threshold, the heating frequency required by the battery pack needs to be within the first frequency range, so that the battery pack can be charged and discharged through a connection between the second convertor module and the transformer module.

The functional blocks shown in the foregoing structural block diagrams may be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented as hardware, it may be, for example, an electronic circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), appropriate firmware, a plug-in, a function card, or the like. When implemented as software, elements of this application are programs or code segments used to perform required tasks. The programs or code segments may be stored in a machine-readable medium, or transmitted over a transmission medium or a communication link by a data signal carried in a carrier wave. The "machine-readable medium" may include any medium capable of storing or transmitting information. Examples of the machine-readable media include an electronic circuit, s semiconductor memory device, an ROM, a flash memory, an erasable ROM (EROM), a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, an optical disk, a hard disk, a fiber optic medium, a radio frequency (RF) link, and the like. The code segments may be downloaded via a computer network such as the Internet or an intranet.

It should be noted the term "include", "comprise", or any of their variants are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, a method, an article, or a device that includes a list of elements not only includes those elements but also includes other elements that are not expressly listed, or further includes elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device.

Claim 1:
A DC/DC conversion circuit (<NUM>) for a charging pile (<NUM>), wherein the DC/DC conversion circuit comprises:
a first convertor module (<NUM>), wherein an input end of the first convertor module is configured to connect to a power grid (<NUM>) through an AC/DC conversion circuit (<NUM>);
a transformer module (<NUM>), wherein an input end of the transformer module is connected to an output end of the first convertor module;
an energy storage module (<NUM>); and
a second convertor module (<NUM>),
wherein an input end of the second convertor module is configured to connect to one of an output end of the transformer module and the energy storage module, and an output end of the second convertor module is configured to connect to a battery pack (<NUM>) of an electric vehicle when the charging pile is charging the electric vehicle;
characterized in that
when a first frequency range is required to heat the battery pack, the second convertor module is configured to connect to the transformer module and perform charging and discharging between the power grid and the battery pack within the first frequency range to heat the battery pack, and
when a second frequency range is required to heat the battery pack, the second convertor module is configured to connect to the energy storage module and perform charging and discharging between the energy storage module and the battery pack within the second frequency range to heat the battery pack,
wherein the frequency required to heat the battery pack is a number of charging and discharging cycles of the battery pack periodically performed during a unit of time,
wherein the first frequency range is lower than the second frequency range;
wherein the energy storage module is an energy storage inductor or an energy storage capacitor.