POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND ELECTRIC POWERED VEHICLE INCLUDING POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM

• US 20100181829A1
• Filed: 06/25/2008
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki (Toyota Motor Corporation), Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki (Toyota Motor Corporation), Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Ichikawa, Shinji, Iida, Takahide
• Granted Patent: US 8,659,182 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/9.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/007 Physical arrangements or structures of drive train converters specially adapted for the propulsion motors of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/10 DC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/54 Windings for different functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/22 Constructional details or arrangements of charging converters specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/24 Using the vehicle's propulsion converter for charging
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/441 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0048 : Circuits or arrangements for reducing losses using snubbers H02M1/34
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/1582 : Buck-boost converters H02M3/1584 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/92 : Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

Converters are configured to operate in a normal operation to convert the electric power that is input/output to/from secondary batteries bidirectionally to direct current voltage. In a predetermined mode allowing the secondary batteries to be charged, at least one of the converters does not perform a switching operation and holds on an upper arm element to avoid a switching loss in charging the secondary batteries. An electric power loss caused at the converters in charging the secondary batteries can be reduced, and charging efficiency can be enhanced.

Claims

1. A power supply system for an electric powered vehicle capable of generating a driving force of said electric powered vehicle from electric power supplied on an electric power line, comprising:

a plurality of chargeable and dischargeable power storage devices;

a plurality of converters connected between said electric power line and said plurality of power storage devices, respectively, and each configured to include a plurality of power semiconductor switching elements for converting electric power between an associated power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices and said electric power line bidirectionally; and

a control device for controlling turning on and off each said power semiconductor switching element of each said converter, wherein;

said plurality of power semiconductor switching elements include a first switching element electrically connected between said electric power line and said associated power storage device, and

said control device, in a predetermined mode allowing said plurality of power storage devices to be charged with electric power supplied on said electric power line, selects at least a part of said plurality of power storage devices as that to be charged and also holds on said first switching element unconditionally in said converter associated with the power storage device selected as said that to be charged, and on the other hand holds off said first switching element in said converter associated with a remaining power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices other than said that to be charged, to charge said plurality of power storage devices.

2. The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein said control device in said predetermined mode selects each of said plurality of power storage devices in parallel as those to be charged, and performs an adjustment operation for preventing a rush current caused between said power storage devices when charging said power storage devices starts, and subsequently holds on said first switching element in each said converter.

3. The power supply system according to claim 2, wherein said control device in said predetermined mode provides said adjustment operation by having at least one of said plurality of converters control turning on/off at least one of said plurality of power semiconductor switching elements to control a voltage on said electric power line to be equivalent to a maximum voltage output from said plurality of power storage devices, and subsequently holds on said first switching element in each said converter.

4. The power supply system according to claim 2, wherein if at a point in time at which said predetermined mode is entered said plurality of power storage devices have charged levels, respectively, with a difference therebetween larger than a predetermined value, said control device provides said adjustment operation by controlling said plurality of converters to charge/discharge said plurality of power storage devices to reduce said difference to be equal to or smaller than said predetermined value, and subsequently holds on said first switching element in each said converter.

5. The power supply system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of opening and closing devices provided between said plurality of converters and said plurality of power storage devices, respectively, wherein

said control device in said predetermined mode selects a part of said plurality of power storage devices sequentially as that to be charged and also holds on said first switching element in said converter associated with the power storage device selected as said that to be charged, and on the other hand holds off said first switching element associated with a remaining power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices other than said that to be charged and also opens said opening and closing device.

11. The power supply system according to claim 5, wherein:

said control device is operative in response to said power storage device serving as said that to be charged having been charged to a target level to switch said that to be charged to select another power storage device as that to be charged; and

said target level is set to allow each said power storage device to be selected as said that to be charged a plurality of times before each said power storage device is charged to a fully charged level.

12. The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein in said predetermined mode said electric power line receives charging electric power originating in electric power supplied from a power supply external to said electric powered vehicle.

13. An electric powered vehicle comprising:

the power supply system according to claim 1;

a first alternating current rotating electric machine including a star-connected, first multiphase winding as a stator winding;

a second alternating current rotating electric machine including a star-connected, second multiphase winding as a stator winding;

a first inverter connected to said first multiphase winding to convert electric power between said first alternating current rotating electric machine and said electric power line;

a second inverter connected to said second multiphase winding to convert electric power between said second alternating current rotating electric machine and said electric power line;

a connector unit for electrically connecting a first neutral point of said first multiphase winding and a second neutral point of said second multiphase winding and an alternate current power supply external to said electric powered vehicle in said predetermined mode; and

an inverter control device controlling turning on and off power semiconductor switching elements of said first and second inverters, wherein;

at least one of said first and second alternating current rotating electric machines is employed to generate said driving force of said electric powered vehicle, and

said inverter control device in said predetermined mode controls each of said first and second inverters to convert alternate current voltage supplied from said alternate current power supply through said connector unit to said first and second neutral points to direct current voltage and output said direct current voltage on said electric power line.

6. A power supply system for an electric powered vehicle capable of generating a driving force of said electric powered vehicle from electric power supplied on an electric power line, comprising:

a plurality of chargeable and dischargeable power storage devices;

a plurality of converters connected between said electric power line and said plurality of power storage devices, respectively, and each configured to include a plurality of power semiconductor switching elements for converting electric power between an associated power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices and said electric power line bidirectionally; and

a control device for controlling turning on and off each said power semiconductor switching element of each said converter, wherein;

said plurality of power semiconductor switching elements include a first switching element electrically connected between said electric power line and said associated power storage device, and

said control device, in a predetermined mode allowing said plurality of power storage devices to be charged with electric power supplied on said electric power line, turns on/off at least one of said plurality of power semiconductor switching elements in said converter associated with a part of said plurality of power storage devices to control a current charged to said associated power storage device to attain a target current and on the other hand holds on said first switching element unconditionally in said converter associated with a remaining power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices other than said part of said plurality of power storage devices, to charge said plurality of power storage devices.

7. The power supply system according to claim 6, wherein said control device sets said target current in accordance with a difference in charged level between said plurality of power storage devices.

8. A power supply system for an electric powered vehicle capable of generating a driving force of said electric powered vehicle from electric power supplied on an electric power line, comprising:

a plurality of chargeable and dischargeable power storage devices;

a plurality of converters connected between said electric power line and said plurality of power storage devices, respectively, and each configured to include a plurality of power semiconductor switching elements for converting electric power between an associated power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices and said electric power line bidirectionally; and

a plurality of opening and closing devices provided between said plurality of converters and said plurality of power storage devices, respectively; and

a control device for controlling turning on and off each said power semiconductor switching element of each said converter, wherein;

said plurality of power semiconductor switching elements include a first switching element electrically connected between said electric power line and said associated power storage device,

said control device, in a predetermined mode allowing said plurality of power storage devices to be charged with electric power supplied on said electric power line, selects a part of said plurality of power storage devices sequentially as that to be charged and also turns on/off at least one of said plurality of power semiconductor switching elements in said converter associated with said power storage device selected as said that to be charged to control a voltage on said electric power line to attain a target voltage, and on the other hand holds off said first switching element in said converter associated with a remaining power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices other than said that to be charged, to charge said plurality of power storage devices, and

said control device in said predetermined mode opens each said opening and closing device associated with said power storage device other than said that to be charged.

9. The power supply system according to claim 8, wherein said control device sets said target voltage to be higher than a maximum voltage of output voltages of said plurality of power storage devices.

10. (canceled)

14. A method for controlling a power supply system for an electric powered vehicle capable of generating a driving force of said electric powered vehicle from electric power supplied on an electric power line, said power supply system including:

a plurality of chargeable and dischargeable power storage devices;

a plurality of converters connected between said electric power line and said plurality of power storage devices, respectively, and each configured to include a plurality of power semiconductor switching elements for converting electric power between an associated power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices and said electric power line bidirectionally; and

a control device for controlling turning on and off each said power semiconductor switching element of each said converter, said plurality of power semiconductor switching elements including a first switching element electrically connected between said electric power line and said associated power storage device, the method comprising the steps of

selecting at least a part of said plurality of power storage devices as that to be charged in a predetermined mode allowing said plurality of power storage devices to be charged with electric power supplied on said electric power line; and

holding on said first switching element unconditionally in said converter associated with said power storage device selected as said that to be charged and on the other hand holding off said first switching element in said converter associated with a remaining power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices other than said that to be charged, to perform a charging operation.

15. The method for controlling a power supply system according to claim 14,

the step of selecting selects selecting each of said plurality of power storage devices in said predetermined mode in parallel as that to be charged;

and, the method further comprising the step of performing an adjustment operation before said charging operation to prevent a rush current caused between said plurality of power storage devices when charging said power storage devices starts,

the step of holding on holding on said first switching element in each said converter after said adjustment operation.

16. The method for controlling a power supply system according to claim 15, wherein the step of performing said adjustment operation includes the step of having at least one of said plurality of converters control turning on/off at least one of said plurality of power semiconductor switching elements to control a voltage on said electric power line to be equivalent to a maximum voltage output from said plurality of power storage devices.

17. The method for controlling a power supply system according to claim 15, wherein the step of performing said adjustment operation includes the step of controlling said plurality of converters to charge/discharge said plurality of power storage devices to reduce a difference in charged level between said plurality of power storage devices that is larger than a predetermined value to be equal to or smaller than said predetermined value.

18. The method for controlling a power supply system according to claim 14, said power supply system further including a plurality of opening and closing devices provided between said plurality of converters and said plurality of power storage devices, respectively, wherein:

the step of selecting in said predetermined mode selects a part of said plurality of power storage devices sequentially as that to be charged; and

the step of holding on holds on said first switching element in said converter associated with the power storage device selected as said that to be charged, and on the other hand holds off said first switching element associated with a remaining power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices other than said that to be charged and also opens said opening and closing device.

24. The method for controlling a power supply system according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of

detecting that said power storage device serving as said that to be charged has been charged to a target level;

and

switching said that to be charged to select another to be charged in response to detection done in the step of detecting, wherein in the step of detecting, said target level is set to allow each said power storage device to be selected as said that to be charged a plurality of times before each said power storage device is charged to a fully charged level.

25. The method for controlling a power supply system according to claim 14, wherein in said predetermined mode, said electric power line receives charging electric power originating in electric power supplied from a power supply external to said electric powered vehicle.

26. The method for controlling a power supply system according to claim 14, wherein:

said electric powered vehicle further includes

a first alternating current rotating electric machine including a star-connected, first multiphase winding as a stator winding,

a second alternating current rotating electric machine including a star-connected, second multiphase winding as a stator winding,

a first inverter connected to said first multiphase winding to convert electric power between said first alternating current rotating electric machine and said electric power line,

a second inverter connected to said second multiphase winding to convert electric power between said second alternating current rotating electric machine and said electric power line,

a connector unit for electrically connecting a first neutral point of said first multiphase winding and a second neutral point of said second multiphase winding and an alternate current power supply external to said electric powered vehicle in said predetermined mode, and

an inverter control device controlling turning on and off power semiconductor switching elements of said first and second inverters;

at least one of said first and second alternating current rotating electric machines is employed to generate said driving force of said electric powered vehicle; and

said inverter control device in said predetermined mode controls each of said first and second inverters to convert alternate current voltage supplied from said alternate current power supply through said connector unit to said first and second neutral points to direct current voltage and output said direct current voltage on said electric power line.

19. A method for controlling a power supply system for an electric powered vehicle capable of generating a driving force of said electric powered vehicle from electric power supplied on an electric power line, said power supply system including:

a plurality of chargeable and dischargeable power storage devices;

a plurality of converters connected between said electric power line and said plurality of power storage devices, respectively, and each configured to include a plurality of power semiconductor switching elements for converting electric power between an associated power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices and said electric power line bidirectionally; and

a control device for controlling turning on and off each said power semiconductor switching element of each said converter, said plurality of power semiconductor switching elements including a first switching element electrically connected between said electric power line and said associated power storage device, the method comprising the step of;

in a predetermined mode allowing said plurality of power storage devices to be charged with electric power supplied on said electric power line, turning on/off at least one of said plurality of power semiconductor switching elements in said converter associated with a part of said plurality of power storage devices to control a current charged to said associated power storage device to attain a target current and on the other hand holding on said first switching element unconditionally in said converter associated with a remaining power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices other than said part of said plurality of power storage devices, to perform a charging operation.

20. The method for controlling a power supply system according to claim 19, further comprising the step of setting said target current in said charging operation in accordance with a difference in charged level between said plurality of power storage devices.

21. A method for controlling a power supply system for an electric powered vehicle capable of generating a driving force of said electric powered vehicle from electric power supplied on an electric power line, said power supply system including:

a plurality of chargeable and dischargeable power storage devices;

a plurality of converters connected between said electric power line and said plurality of power storage devices, respectively, and each configured to include a plurality of power semiconductor switching elements for converting electric power between an associated power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices and said electric power line bidirectionally;

a plurality of opening and closing devices provided between said plurality of converters and said plurality of power storage devices, respectively; and

a control device for controlling turning on and off each said power semiconductor switching element of each said converter, said plurality of power semiconductor switching elements including a first switching element electrically connected between said electric power line and said associated power storage device, the method comprising the steps of;

selecting a part of said plurality of power storage devices sequentially as that to be charged, in a predetermined mode allowing said plurality of power storage devices to be charged with electric power supplied on said electric power line; and

turning on/off at least one of said plurality of power semiconductor switching elements in said converter associated with said power storage device selected as said that to be charged to control a voltage on said electric power line to attain a target voltage, and on the other hand holding off at least said first switching element in said converter associated with a remaining power storage device of said plurality of power storage devices other than said that to be charged, to perform a charging operation; and

opening said opening and closing device associated with said remaining power storage device, before the step of turning on/off.

22. The method for controlling a power supply system according to claim 21, wherein the step of turning on/off sets said target voltage to be higher than a maximum voltage of output voltages of said plurality of power storage devices.

23. (canceled)