Energy-efficient fast charging device and method

• US 8,405,360 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2010
• Issued: 03/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EVP Technology LLC. USA
• Original Assignee: EVP Technology LLC. USA
• Inventors: Young, James, Cheng, Yaw-Chung, Chang, Hao-Chung
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chung, Steve T
• Application Number:
  US12/755,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20110248683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 320/103, 320/104, 320/107, 320/109, 320/111, 320/113, 320/115, 320/137, 320/138, 320/160, 320/166, 320/167
• US Class Current: 320/137
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/11 DC charging controlled by the charging station, e.g. mode 4
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/20 characterised by converters located in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• 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 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

The energy-efficient fast charging method is applicable to an energy-efficient fast charging device having a power conversion module and at least a fast chargeable energy storage device. The power conversion module obtains and converts an input power from an external power source, and produces an internal DC power. The method contains the following steps. First, whether an external energy storage device is connected is detected. Then, if the presence of the external energy storage device is not detected, the internal fast chargeable energy storage device is charged by the internal DC power output from the power conversion module. Otherwise, the external energy storage device is charged by the internal DC power output from the power conversion module and the stored power of the fast chargeable energy storage device simultaneously.

Claims

1. An energy-efficient fast charging method applicable to an energy-efficient fast charging device comprising a power conversion module, at least a fast chargeable energy storage device, and a control module coupled to said fast chargeable energy storage device and said power conversion module for detecting external battery, said power conversion module obtaining and converting an input power from an external power source, and producing an internal DC power, said method comprising the following steps:

detecting whether an external energy storage device is connected;

if the presence of said external energy storage device is not detected, charging said internal fast chargeable energy storage device by said internal DC power output from said power conversion module; and

if the presence of said external energy storage is detected, charging said external energy storage device by said internal DC power output from said power conversion module and the stored power of said fast chargeable energy storage device simultaneously.

2. The energy-efficient fast charging method according to claim 1, wherein said fast chargeable energy storage device is selected from the group consisting of a Li—

Fe battery and a super capacitor.

3. The energy-efficient fast charging method according to claim 1, wherein the charging speed to said fast chargeable energy storage device and to said external energy storage device is more than 1 C.

4. The energy-efficient fast charging method according to claim 1, wherein said energy-efficient fast charging device has a distribution module coupled to said power conversion module and said fast chargeable energy storage device, and is connected to said external energy storage device;

and said detection of the presence of said external energy storage device is detecting whether said external energy storage device is connected to said distribution module.

5. An energy-efficient fast charging device drawing an input power from an external power source and charging an external energy storage device connected to said energy-efficient fast charging device, comprising:

a power conversion module coupled to said external power source to obtain said input power and convert said input power into an internal DC power;

at least a fast chargeable energy storage device coupled to said power conversion module;

a distribution module coupled to said fast chargeable energy storage device and said power conversion module for connection to said external energy storage device; and

a control module coupled to said fast chargeable energy storage device, said power conversion module, and said distribution module, said control module detecting the presence of said external energy storage device and controls the foregoing components;

wherein, when the presence of said external energy storage device is not detected, said control module causes said internal fast chargeable energy storage device charged by said internal DC power output from said power conversion module; and

, if the presence of said external energy storage device is detected, said control module causes said external energy storage device charged by said internal DC power output from said power conversion module and the stored power of said fast chargeable energy storage device simultaneously.

6. The energy-efficient fast charging device according to claim 5, wherein said fast chargeable energy storage device is selected from the group consisting of a Li—

Fe battery and a super capacitor.

7. The energy-efficient fast charging device according to claim 5, wherein the charging speed from said power conversion module to said fast chargeable energy storage device and from said distribution module to said external energy storage device is more than 1 C.

8. The energy-efficient fast charging device according to claim 5, wherein said distribution module simultaneously receives said internal DC power from said power conversion module and the stored power from said fast chargeable energy storage device, and outputs to said external energy storage in a specific transmission mode for fast charging.

9. The energy-efficient fast charging device according to claim 5, wherein said input power is an AC power;

and said power conversion module comprises an AC/DC power conversion circuit for converting said input power into said internal DC power.

10. The energy-efficient fast charging device according to claim 5, wherein said input power is a DC power;

and said power conversion module comprises a DC/DC power conversion circuit for converting said input power into said internal DC power.