Battery pack, battery charging station, and charging method

• US 9,783,020 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2015
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
• Inventors: Chuang, Chi-Sheng
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Robbins, Jerry D
• Application Number:
  US14/967,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20160272084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 320112, 320109
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/00 Layered products comprising a layer of metal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/01 all layers being exclusively metallic making layered metal workpieces by pressure cladding B23K20/22; making coatings with a metallic material characterised by its composition C23C30/00
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/08 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/18 Aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/266 characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/04 Interconnection of layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/05 the layers not being connected over the whole surface, e.g. discontinuous connection or patterned connection using interposed adhesives or bonding materials applied in spaced arrangements B32B7/14
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00278 for the battery arrangement of batteries B60R16/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00392 for electric vehicles having only electric drive means
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00564 of air ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00885 Controlling the flow of heating or cooling liquid, e.g. valves or pumps B60H1/00899 takes precedence; constructions of valves B60H1/00485
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/143 the heat being derived from cooling an electric component, e.g. electric motors, electric circuits, fuel cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/085 with adjustable shutters or blinds
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/005 the electric storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/006 the electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/24 for controlling the temperature of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/27 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/91 : Electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2306/07 : Heating of passenger cabins
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/112 : Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 5/00 : Adhesive processes in general; Adhesive processes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. relating to primers
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 11/00 : Connecting constructional elements or machine parts by sticking or pressing them together, e.g. cold pressure welding non-electric welding in general B23K; methods of using adhesives independently of the form of the surfaces joined C09J5/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 11/006 : by gluing gluing of plastics material B29C65/48
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 3/005 : the key being formed by solidification of injected material joining of preformed parts by applying molten plastics B29C65/40; non-disconnectible pipe joints obtained using a hardenable filler F16L13/11
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/04 : by means of riveting rivets F16B19/04
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 : for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 : Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/63 : Control systems charging or discharging in response to temperature H01M10/44 , H01M10/443; measurement of temperature H01M10/48 , H01M10/486
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6568 : characterised by flow circuits, e.g. loops, located externally to the cells or cell casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/663 : the system being an air-conditioner or an engine
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 : Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0018 : using separate charge circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 : Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24347 : From both sides

Abstract

Various techniques described herein relate to battery packs of electric vehicles, batteries, and battery charging systems. Batteries may comprise a plurality of battery modules, wherein each battery module may be provided with one or more battery cells, and the plurality of battery modules may be connected in series when providing electric power output. Battery charging systems described herein may comprise a charging circuit that connects a plurality of battery modules in series, and may be used for charging the plurality of battery modules in the battery in series. Additional charging circuits may be connected respectively to the plurality of battery modules, and the additional charging circuits may be used for charging at least one battery module in the plurality of battery modules.

Claims

1. A battery pack for an electric vehicle, comprising:

a battery comprising a plurality of battery modules connected in series;

a battery charging system, comprising;

a first charging circuit connecting the plurality of battery modules in series, the first charging circuit configured to charge the plurality of battery modules in series to a first preset voltage;

the battery modules including a first battery module and a second battery module;

a plurality of second charging circuits, wherein each of the plurality of second charging circuits is connected to a corresponding multiple ones of the plurality of battery modules, and wherein each of the plurality of second charging circuits is configured to charge the corresponding battery module, the plurality of second charging circuits including a second charging circuit connected to the first battery module and the second battery module; and

a battery detecting system configured to selectively and independently charge the plurality of battery modules, the selectively and independently charging the plurality of the battery modules comprises;

charging the plurality of the battery modules to the first preset voltage through the first charging circuit such that when the plurality of the battery modules are being charged through the first charging circuit, the second charging circuits are switched off;

detecting whether the plurality of battery modules have been charged to the first preset voltage through the first charging circuit;

when it is detected that the plurality of battery modules have been charged to the first preset voltage through the first charging circuit, switching off the first charging circuit and, switching on a second circuit connected to the first and second battery modules and charging the first battery module to the second preset voltage through the second charging circuit connected to the first and second battery modules; and

detecting whether the first battery module has been charged to the second preset voltage through the second charging circuit connected to the first and second battery modules.

2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the first battery module is charged to the second preset voltage independently from any other battery module in the plurality of battery modules.

3. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the second charging circuit that is connected to the first and second battery modules is further configured to charge the second battery module to the second preset voltage limit such that the first and second battery modules are charged together to the second preset voltage.

4. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the first charging circuit is configured to apply voltage and current to the two ends of the series connected plurality of battery modules.

5. The battery pack of claim 1, further comprising:

a control circuit configured to selectively switch on and switch off the first charging circuit and the plurality of second charging circuits.

6. The battery pack of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of second charging circuits is configured to charge the two ends of its corresponding battery module.

7. The battery pack of claim 6, further comprising:

a battery voltage feedback circuit connected to the battery and to the control circuit, the battery voltage feedback circuit configured to send a voltage signal reflecting a current voltage of the battery to the control circuit; and

a plurality of battery module voltage feedback circuits, each battery module voltage feedback circuit connected to the control circuit and one of the plurality of battery modules, wherein each of the battery module voltage feedback circuits is configured to send voltage signals reflecting a current voltage of its associated battery module to the control circuit,

wherein the control circuit is configured to start or stop applying voltage and current for charging the two ends of the series connected plurality of battery modules, based on the current voltage of the battery.

8. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the first preset voltage and the second preset voltage are different voltages.

9. The battery pack of claim 7, wherein:

the battery detecting system is connected to the battery voltage feedback circuit and to each of the plurality of battery module voltage feedback circuits, the battery detecting system configured to receive the voltage signals sent by the battery voltage feedback circuit and the battery module voltage feedback circuits, and to control the switching-on or switching-off of the first charging circuit and the plurality of second charging circuits;

a first circuit switch connected to the first charging circuit and the battery detecting system, the first circuit switch configured to switch on or switch off the first charging circuit under the control of the battery detecting system; and

a plurality of second circuit switches, each second circuit switch connected to the corresponding second charging circuit and to the battery detecting system, the second circuit switches configured to switch on or switch off the second charging circuits under the control of the battery detecting system.

10. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein based on a voltage of a first battery module in the plurality of battery modules, the corresponding one of the plurality of second charging circuits is configured to select a proper voltage to charge the first battery module until the first battery module reaches the second preset voltage.

11. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein when it is detected that first battery module has been charged to the second preset voltage through the second charging circuit:

continuing charging the first battery module a third preset voltage through the second charging circuit; and

detecting whether the first battery module has been charged to the third preset voltage through second charging circuit.

12. A battery charging station for charging a battery comprising a plurality of battery modules connected in series, the battery charging station comprising:

a first charging circuit configured to charge the plurality of battery modules in series to a first preset voltage, the battery modules including a first battery module and a second battery module;

a plurality of second charging circuits, wherein each of the plurality of second charging circuits is connected to a corresponding multiple ones of the plurality of battery modules and wherein each of the plurality of second charging circuits is configured to charge the corresponding battery module, the plurality of second charging circuits including a second circuit connected to the first battery module and the second battery module; and

a battery detecting system configured to selectively and independently charge the plurality of battery modules, the selectively and independently charging the plurality of the battery modules comprises;

charging the plurality of the battery modules to the first preset voltage through the first charging circuit such that when the plurality of battery modules are being charged through the first charging circuit, the second charging circuits are switched off;

detecting whether the plurality of battery modules have been charged to the first preset voltage through the first charging circuit;

when it is detected that the plurality of battery modules have been charged to the first preset voltage through the first charging circuit, switching off the first charging circuit and, switching on a second circuit connected to the first and second battery modules and charging the first battery module to the second preset voltage through the second charging circuit connected to the first and second battery modules; and

when it is detected that a first battery module has not reached the second preset voltage, switching on a second circuit connected to the first battery module and charging the first battery module to the second preset voltage through the second charge circuit connected to the first and second battery modules.

13. The battery charging station of claim 12, wherein the first battery module is charged to the second preset voltage independently from any other battery module in the plurality of battery modules.

14. The battery charging station of claim 12, wherein the second charging circuit that is connected to the first and second battery modules is further configured to charge the second battery module to the second preset voltage limit such that the first and second battery modules are charged together to the second preset voltage.

15. The battery charging station of claim 12, further comprising:

a control circuit configured to selectively switch on or switch off the first charging circuit and the second charging circuits.