Method for operating a resonant DC-DC converter of a charger

• US 10,011,179 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2016
• Issued: 07/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Spesser, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Levin, Naum B
• Application Number:
  US15/078,150
• Publication Number:
  US 20160311333A1
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/20 characterised by converters located in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• 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 10/92 Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A method is provided for operating a DC-DC converter (22) of a charger (20). The DC-DC converter has on a primary side a first transformation coil (28) and at least one second transformation coil (30) that are arranged in series one behind another and also alongside a secondary side transformation coil (48). A respective semiconductor switch is connected in parallel with the at least one second primary side transformation coil (30). The at least one second primary side transformation coil (30) is switched either on or off by the semiconductor switch depending on a present value of at least one operating parameter of the charger (20).

Claims

1. A DC-DC converter comprising:

a first primary side transformation coil and at least one second primary side transformation coil that are arranged in series one behind another;

a secondary side transformation coil arranged alongside each of the first and at least one second primary side transformation coils;

a respective semiconductor switch being connected in parallel with the at least one second primary side transformation coil, the at least one second primary side transformation coil being switched on or off by the semiconductor switch;

a computing unit configured to alter the state of the respective semiconductor switch to alter a ratio of a number of turns of the first and at least one second primary side transformation coils to a number of turns of the secondary side transformation coil depending on a present value of at least one operating parameter of the charger to optimize and efficiency of the charger.

2. The DC-DC converter of claim 1, that has at least one switch connected in series with the primary side transformation coils, the at least one switch is either to be closed or opened depending on the present value of the at least one operating parameter of the charger.

3. The DC-DC converter claim 2, wherein the at least one respective semiconductor switch is a field effect transistor.

4. The DC-DC converter of claim 1, wherein a current measuring circuit is connected in series with the primary side transformation coils, the current measuring circuit detecting at least one operating parameter of the DC-DC converter.

5. The DC-DC converter of claim 4, wherein the computing unit is connected to the current measuring circuit at two measuring points, via which the current measuring circuit is to be monitored by the computing unit.

6. The DC-DC converter of claim 5, wherein the at least one switch is to be opened or to be closed by the computing unit.

7. A charger for charging an electrical energy store, the charger having the DC-DC converter of claim 1.

8. A motor vehicle comprising the charger of claim 7.