Integrated bi-directional converter for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
First Claim
1. An AC/DC power module for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle having an electric drive system and an electric power supply, the power module comprising:
- a plug connectable to an AC power source;
a rectifier having a rectifier input connected to the plug for receiving an alternating current therethrough, the rectifier having a rectifier circuit changing alternating current to direct current, the rectifier having a rectifier output supplying a direct current;
a bidirectional DC to DC converter having a first converter terminal operating at a first voltage and a second converter terminal operating at a second voltage that is different than the first voltage, the bidirectional DC to DC converter having a converter circuit changing direct current to or from the first voltage and the second voltage, the first converter terminal connected to the rectifier output;
an inductor, the rectifier comprising the inductor when during operation in a plug-in charging mode and the bidirectional DC to DC converter comprising the inductor during operation in a boost function mode and a buck function mode;
a battery connected to the first converter terminal and the second converter terminal; and
a bus connected to the first converter terminal and the second converter terminal, the bus connectable to the electric drive system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a power module for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle including an integrated converter having a rectifier changing AC to DC, a DC/DC converter changing from a first voltage to a second voltage, and a battery storing electrical energy. The integrated converter operates in three modes 1) AC plug-in charging mode, 2) boost mode supplying power from the battery to the electrical bus and 3) buck mode supplying power from the electrical bus to the battery. The integrated converter utilizes the same single inductor during each of the three operating modes to reduce cost and weight of the system.
63 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An AC/DC power module for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle having an electric drive system and an electric power supply, the power module comprising:
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a plug connectable to an AC power source; a rectifier having a rectifier input connected to the plug for receiving an alternating current therethrough, the rectifier having a rectifier circuit changing alternating current to direct current, the rectifier having a rectifier output supplying a direct current; a bidirectional DC to DC converter having a first converter terminal operating at a first voltage and a second converter terminal operating at a second voltage that is different than the first voltage, the bidirectional DC to DC converter having a converter circuit changing direct current to or from the first voltage and the second voltage, the first converter terminal connected to the rectifier output; an inductor, the rectifier comprising the inductor when during operation in a plug-in charging mode and the bidirectional DC to DC converter comprising the inductor during operation in a boost function mode and a buck function mode; a battery connected to the first converter terminal and the second converter terminal; and a bus connected to the first converter terminal and the second converter terminal, the bus connectable to the electric drive system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An AC/DC power module for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle having an electric drive system and an electric power supply, the power module comprising:
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a plug connectable to an AC power source; a rectifier having a rectifier input connected to the plug for receiving an alternating current therethrough, the rectifier having a rectifier circuit changing alternating current to direct current, the rectifier having a rectifier output supplying a direct current; a bidirectional DC to DC converter having a first converter terminal operating at a first voltage and a second converter terminal operating at a second voltage that is different than the first voltage, the bidirectional DC to DC converter having a converter circuit changing direct current to or from the first voltage and the second voltage, the first converter terminal connected to the rectifier output; an inductor coil, each of the rectifier and the bidirectional DC to DC converter comprising the inductor coil when power is utilized therethrough; a battery connected to the first converter terminal and the second converter terminal; a bus connected to the first converter terminal and the second converter terminal, the bus connectable to the electric drive system; a first end of the inductor coil connected to the rectifier output, the first end of the inductor coil connected to a cathode of a first diode and a cathode of a second diode; a second end of the inductor coil connected to an anode of a third diode and an anode of a fourth diode; an anode of the first diode connected to a first pole of a first switch; an anode of the second diode connected to a first pole of a second switch; a cathode of the third diode connected to a first pole of a third switch; a cathode of the fourth diode connected to a first pole of a fourth switch; a second pole of the first switch connected to a positive bus terminal of the bus; a second pole of the third switch connected to the positive bus terminal of the bus; a second pole of the second switch connected to a positive battery terminal of the battery; a second pole of the fourth switch connected to the positive battery terminal of the battery; and a negative battery terminal of the battery and a negative bus terminal of the bus connected to a ground. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of controlling power for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle having an electric drive system comprising:
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charging a battery with an AC power supply by rectifying power from alternating current to direct current and converting in a bidirectional DC to DC converter the power from a supply voltage to a battery voltage for storage in the battery; boosting power supplied to the hybrid electric vehicle when needed by the electric drive system by converting power stored in the battery from the battery voltage to a bus voltage for use by a bus connectable to the electric drive system; and bucking power supplied by the hybrid electric vehicle when available by converting power from the bus voltage to the battery voltage for storage in battery; and wherein a single inductor functions during each of charging the battery with the AC power, boosting power supplied to the hybrid electric vehicle, and bucking power supplied by the hybrid electric vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification