Description:[0001] The present subject matter is related, in general to a charging device and a method for charging an energy storage pack, and more particularly, but not exclusively to a charging device and a method for charging the energy storage pack disposed in electric vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present times have demonstrated a significant dependency of the population on electrical components having a rechargeable energy storage pack. Corollary, there is a requirement of charging devices for ensuring functionality of these electrical components having the energy storage packs. The electric charging devices charging the energy storage packs should not only operate safely but also ensure a safe environment during the charging operation.
[0003] Further, the 21st century has witnessed how electric mobility has become a primary contributor to increased sustainability and efficiency in the transportation sector. There is a subsequent demand on electricity for automotive functionality in light of the above and a rising demand on the need of a charging device and a method for charging that becomes imperative.
[0004] Development in the field of electrically powered vehicles having an energy storage pack have been exponential in the past decade. The electrically powered vehicles include electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid vehicles and the like where the energy storage pack powering the vehicle is charged with electric power supplied from a charging device.
[0005] A charging device commonly referred to as charger is essentially a device receiving a supply of electric current from an AC supply network and converting the same into a DC current and henceforth supplying the DC current to an energy storage pack drawing the supplied DC current which further is used to provide current to one or more electrical loads of a vehicle. Ancillary components of the charging device or charger may include a power factor correction unit and a DC-DC step down converter. In some unfortunate situations, there may be an abnormality (failure) that occurs on a charging path from the charger or charging device to the energy storage pack. In view of the propensity of damage electricity can cause, there is a dire requirement of a regime to ensure the safe operation of charging devices such that there is no apprehension to life and property.
[0006] Conventionally, in existent chargers or charging devices which are used for charging an energy storage pack in electric vehicles, the chargers have a high amperage electric current being supplied at the output terminal of the charging device. The supply of a high amperage current is a potential threat to the personnel operating the apparatus as well as the energy storage pack receiving the high amperage current suddenly. Thus, there is a requirement of an in-built control mechanism to ensure the safe operation of the charging device such that the high amperage current being supplied by the charging device is not deemed dangerous to life and property. Further, traditional charging methods and charging devices fail to determine the required current to be supplied to the energy storage packs and are often configured to operate by supplying an electric current having a pre-set voltage and a pre-set current irrespective of the needs of energy storage packs the charging is to be provided to. The supply of a pre-set current by the charging device is capable of causing circulation of unintentional currents in the energy storage pack thus hampering the functionality of the energy storage packs.
[0007] In addition, the charging methods and charging devices known in the prior arts are conditioned to supply a pre-set voltage and a pre-set current irrespective of whether an established connection exists between the charging device and the energy storage pack to be charged. This, results in futile high power consumption at the charging device end.
[0008] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of described systems with some aspects of the present disclosure, as set forth in the remainder of the present application and with reference to the drawings.

SUMMARY
[0009] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
[00010] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure provides a charging device configured to charge an energy storage pack. The charging device disclosed in the present disclosure comprises of an output terminal supplying a pre-defined default electric current in a first state when no electrical connection between the charging device and the energy pack is detected. The charging device further includes a control unit providing a requisite electric current to the energy storage pack in a second state of operation when an electrical connection between the charging device and the energy pack is detected by the control unit. The disclosed charging device further includes a timer for cut-off of pre-defined default electric current in the first state when no electrical connection between the charging device and the energy storage pack is not detected within a pre-defined time threshold.
[00011] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present disclosure also discloses a method for charging an energy storage pack, wherein said method comprises of the steps of supplying a pre-defined default electric current at the output terminal of the charging device, connecting the output terminal of the charging device to the input port of the energy storage pack, detecting the electrical connection between the energy storage pack and the charging device, receiving the requisite electric current data to be supplied to the energy storage pack and subsequently supplies the requisite electric current to the energy storage pack.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00012] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein
[00013] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a system environment for charging an energy storage pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00014] Figure 2 shows one or more components of the charging device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00015] Figure 3 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method for charging an energy storage pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00016] Figure 4 depicts a flowchart for implementation of an exemplary embodiment for detecting an energy storage pack and securing the connection with the energy storage pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00017] The present disclosure may be best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to the figures are simply for explanatory purposes as the methods and systems may extend beyond the described embodiments. For example, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown.
[00018] References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[00019] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with different embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather those embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[00020] The present invention is illustrated with a charging device and explained in reference to an energy storage pack. However, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the present invention is not limited to an energy storage pack and certain features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention can be used with various types of vehicles such as an electric vehicle and other electrical equipment having a rechargeable energy storage pack. In an embodiment, the electric vehicle comprises of a rechargeable energy storage pack capable of drawing electric current from the charging device. In another embodiment, the electrical equipment comprises of a rechargeable energy storage pack capable of drawing electric current from the charging device.
[00021] It is an object of the present subject matter is to provide a charging device and a method for charging an energy storage pack which ensures the safety of the personnel operating the charging device.
[00022] To this end, the charging device is configured to supply a default electric current until an electrical connection between the charging device and the energy storage pack drawing the current is detected. Further, the default electric current is pre-defined or pre-set and has a low amperage making it incapable of causing any potential harm to the personnel operating the charging device in the event of the personnel accidentally contacting the output terminal of the charging device.
[00023] In accordance with the configuration of the charging device to ensure safety of the personnel operating the charging device, the charging device attains reduced the power consumption. With the charging device supplying only a default electric current until the electrical connection between the charging device and the energy storage pack drawing the current is detected, only minimal power consumption is caused. Thus, configuration of the charging device to supply a default current helps achieve minimal power consumption of the charging device when no energy storage pack is connected.
[00024] In addition, the present subject matter further reduces power consumption in the charging device by disconnecting the supply of default electric current when no electrical connection between the charging device and the energy storage pack is detected over a pre-set period of time.
[00025] It is an object of the present subject matterto ensure secure functionality of the energy storage pack drawing the electric current from the charging device. The charging device supplies a default electric current until an electrical connection between the charging device and the energy storage pack is detected. Thus, the charging device protects the energy storage pack by not subjecting it directly to a high voltage power supply. The charging device only supplies the requisite electric current to the energy storage pack based on a data received from a BMS of the energy storage pack.
[00026] Traditional chargers are configured to supply a pre-set amperage of current to connected energy storage packs resulting in issues of excessing currents flowing in the energy storage pack with chances of short circuiting occurring in the energy storage pack. The disclosed charging device through its configuration prevents short circuiting in the energy storage pack and avoids issues of excessive currents flowing in the energy storage pack.
[00027] In accordance with this configuration, the disclosed charging device further prevents thermal runaways occurring in energy storage packs such as rechargeable batteries. Energy storage packs such as rechargeable batteries when subjected to high electric current yield localized temperature rises inside the energy storage packs which propagates to adjacent locations of the energy storage pack resulting in thermal runaway inside the energy storage pack.
[00028] Owing to the above-mentioned configuration of the disclosed invention, the charging device by protecting the connected energy storage pack from being subjected to unintentional high currents improves the life cycle of the energy storage pack.
[00029] Further, during operation of traditional chargers there is a possibility of arcing occurring at the output terminal of the charger or the inlet terminal of the energy storage pack. Arcing conventionally occurs due to a circuit bearing overloaded currents or high temperatures. The disclosed invention protects the charging device and the energy storage pack against the occurrence of arcing.
[00030] Further, the present subject matter disclosing the charging device and the method for charging an energy storage pack can be implemented in existing traditional charging devices without the requirement of additional components.
[00031] In accordance with this configuration, an additional advantage of the present subject matter is the flexibility to manufacture variants in forms of size, range of power supply and ease of manufacturability. The present invention enables modified versions of existing charging devices with minimal changes in the charging device design, securing of electrical connections in the charging device and even manufacturing set-up without major revamping of core processes.
[00032] Thus, the present subject matter ensures safe operation of the charging device without jeopardizing the life of the personnel operating the charging device. Further, the functionality of the energy storage pack drawing the electric current is secured and power consumption in the charging system is reduced.
[00033] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a system environment for charging an energy storage pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00034] With reference to Figure 1, 100 denotes a system environment for charging an energy storage pack, 102 denotes a charging device, 104 denotes a vehicle, 106 denotes an energy storage pack, 108 denotes an output terminal, 108a denotes an output port, 110 denotes a control unit, 112 denotes a timer, 114a, 114b and 114c denotes electrical loads and 116 denotes a Battery Management System (hereinafter referred to as BMS).
[00035] In an embodiment, the charging device (102) comprises of an output terminal (108) extending from an output port (108a) of the charging device (102), a control unit (110) and a timer (112). The charging device (102) receives a supply of AC current from an external source and converts the received AC current to DC current.
[00036] In an aspect of the present invention, the charging device (102) housing the control unit (110) is electrically connected to the output terminal (108). In an aspect, the timer (112) in the charging device (102) is communicatively connected to the control unit (110).
[00037] In an embodiment, the charging device (102) includes an output port (108a). The output port (108a) provides a connection point between the charging device (102) and the output terminal (108) as the output terminal (108) extends from the output port (108a).
[00038] In an embodiment, the charging device (102) includes an output terminal (108). The output terminal (108) is configured to supply a range of electric current as its output. The output terminal is electrically connected to the control unit. In an aspect, the range of electric current that the output terminal can supply is between a pre-defined default electric current and a pre-defined threshold electric current. The pre-defined default electric current is within a range of 0.1 Ampere to 2 Ampere.
[00039] In an embodiment, the control unit (110) of the charging device (102) controls the supply of electric current from the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) based on pre-defined operating conditions of the charging device (102).
[00040] The control unit (110) comprises suitable logic, circuitry interfaces, and/or code that is configured to receive a plurality of energy storage pack (106) related parameters from the BMS (116) housed in the vehicle (104). The plurality of energy storage pack (106) related parameters received from the BMS (116) include at least a state of charge of the energy storage pack (106) and the requisite current that the energy storage pack (106) requires. The control unit (110) is configured to detect an electrical connection between the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) and the energy storage pack (106).
[00041] In an aspect, the control unit (110) detects the electrical connection between the output terminal (108) and the energy storage pack (106) when in response to the pre-defined default electric current supplied by the output terminal (108) an impedance is detected from the energy storage pack and the detected impedance is beyond a pre-defined threshold impedance.
[00042] In an aspect, once an electrical connection between the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) and the energy storage pack (106) of the vehicle (104) is detected and secured, the control unit (110) receives a plurality of energy storage pack (106) related parameters from the BMS (116). The BMS (116) communicates with the energy storage pack (106) in provision of the plurality of energy storage pack (106) related parameters.
[00043] In an aspect, the control unit (110) is configured to receive the plurality of energy storage pack (106) related parameters including the requisite electric current data from the BMS (116) of the vehicle (104). The requisite electric current data includes the requisite electric current value that is to be supplied to the energy storage pack (106).
[00044] In an aspect, the control unit (110) is configured to accordingly provide the requisite electric current to the energy storage pack (106) based on the received requisite electric current data from the BMS (116) of the vehicle (104) in a second state of operation of the charging device (102).
[00045] Therefore, the control unit (110) is configured to determine a state of operation of the charging device (102) based on detected electrical connection between the energy storage pack (106) and the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102).
[00046] In an aspect, the control unit (110) is configured to monitor the electric current provided by the output terminal (108) after determining the state of operation of the charging device (102).
[00047] In an aspect, the control unit (110) determines a state of operation of the charging device (102) with the state of operation consisting of at least a first state of operation and a second state of operation.
[00048] In an aspect, the control unit (110) determines the state of operation of the charging device (102) to be a first state when no electrical connection between the charging device (102) and the energy storage pack (106) is detected.
[00049] In an aspect, the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) is configured to supply a pre-defined default electric current in a first state of operation of the charging device (102).
[00050] In an aspect, the control unit (110) determines the state of operation of the charging device (102) to be a second state when the control unit (110) detects an electrical connection between the output terminal (108) and the energy storage pack (106).
[00051] The control unit (110) is further configured to cut-off the supply of pre-defined default electric current from the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) when no electrical connection between the energy storage pack (106) and the output terminal (108) is detected beyond a pre-defined time threshold set by the timer (112).
[00052] In an aspect, the control unit (110) includes a memory which may be implemented based on a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a storage server, and/or a Secure Digital (SD) card for storing the pre-defined threshold impedance beyond which an electrical connection is detected between the output terminal (108) and the energy storage pack (106).
[00053] In an aspect, the control unit (110) may receive incoming content or data and supply content or data to connected components via a communication channel such as Controller Area Network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN) and Bluetooth.
[00054] In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging device (102) includes a timer (112). The timer is communicatively connected to the control unit (110) and is configured to communicate to the control unit (110) to cut-off supply of pre-defined default electric current from the output terminal (108) in a first state when no electrical connection between the output terminal (108) and the energy storage pack (106) is detected over a pre-defined time threshold set by the timer (112).
[00055] In an aspect, once the control unit (110) cuts-off supply of pre-defined default electric current from the output terminal (108) the timer communicates a re-starting of the supply of default electric current from the output terminal (108) once a pre-defined cycle-reset time has passed.
[00056] In an aspect, the pre-defined cycle-reset time stored in the timer (112) is a pre-set time value after which the control unit (110) re-configures the output terminal (108) to supply the pre-defined default electric current in order to detect an electrical connection.
[00057] In an embodiment, the BMS (116) is communicatively connected to the energy storage pack (106) of the vehicle. The BMS (116) receives a plurality of energy storage pack (106) related parameters including at least a state of charge of the energy storage pack (106) and the requisite current that the energy storage pack (106) requires from the charging device (102).The plurality of energy storage pack (106) related parameters are received from the energy storage pack (106).
[00058] The energy storage pack (106) is electrically connected to a plurality of electrical loads (114a, 114b, 114c) with the plurality of electrical loads (114a, 114b, 114c) being configured to draw electric current from the energy storage pack (106).
[00059] In an embodiment, the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) establishes an electrical connection with the energy storage pack (106) for supplying the requisite electric current to the energy storage pack (106).
[00060] The vehicle (104) includes at least one front wheel, at least one rear wheel, a plurality of head lights, a plurality of taillights, aesthetic coverings based on the type of vehicle (104), a fuel tank, a steering wheel or a handle bar all being housed by a main frame of the vehicle (104).
[00061] The energy storage pack (106) disclosed in the present invention includes any electrical equipment configured to store electrical energy and may include a battery pack, plurality of battery cells, a plurality of battery modules or other forms of electrical energy storage equipment. The energy storage pack (106) is rechargeable and has a charged and a discharged state. In a charged state of the energy storage pack (106), the energy storage pack supplies electric current in the form of electrical energy to a plurality of electrical loads (114a, 114b, 114c) capable of drawing electric current from the energy storage pack (106).
[00062] The BMS (116) comprises of suitable logic, circuitry interfaces, and/or code that is configured to receive a plurality of energy storage pack (106) related parameters from the energy storage pack (106). The BMS is configured to obtain a plurality of energy storage pack (106) related parameters from the energy storage pack (106) which includes at least a state of charge of the energy storage pack (106) and the requisite current that the energy storage pack (106) requires. The BMS (116) is configured to monitor the state of charge and the state of health of the energy storage pack (106) and thus the connection between the BMS (116) and the energy storage pack (106) must be secure for efficient working of the energy storage pack (106).
[00063] The BMS (116) plays a vital role in monitoring the health of the energy storage pack (106). The BMS (116) is configured to monitor the voltage, charging current, temperature, state of charge, and the like of the plurality of cells, or modules, or battery pack of the energy storage pack (106) for ensuring effective working and long life of the energy storage pack (106).
[00064] In energy storage packs (106), rise in temperature of the energy storage pack (106) is a major concern. Sensing abnormal increase in the energy storage pack (106) temperature aids a battery management system (116) to shut down the charging and discharging functions of the energy storage pack (106) to prevent thermal runaway for safety of a user of a vehicle having such an overheated energy storage pack (106). Sensing the high temperature in the energy storage pack (106) can help in designing an optimised cooling system in order to get uniform distribution of temperature in the energy storage pack (106), thus avoiding hotspots.
[00065] The maintenance of temperatures within the energy storage pack (106) is of vital importance in preventing the occurrence of thermal runaway in the energy storage pack (106) and also ensure a longer operational life of the energy storage pack (106) by optimization of the state of charge and the state of health of the energy storage pack (106) by the BMS (116).
[00066] The plurality of electrical loads (114a, 114b, 114c) may include headlights, taillights, a plurality of motors, and other electrical equipment present in the vehicle which draw electric current from the energy storage pack (106).
[00067] Figure 2 shows the internal structure of the charger, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00068] With reference to Figure 2, 102 denotes a charging device, 202 denotes an AC Power supply unit, 204 denotes an Electromagnetic Interference (hereinafter referred to as EMI) filter, 206 denotes an AC/DC conversion unit, 208 denotes a power factor correction unit and 210 denotes a DC/DC converter of the charging device (102).
[00069] In an embodiment, the AC power supply (202) is electrically connected to the EMI filter (204). Each of the EMI Filter (204), the AC-DC Conversion unit (206), the power factor correction unit (208) and a DC-DC step down convertor unit (210) are electrically connected to each other sequentially as illustrated in Figure 2 of the present invention. The output of the EMI Filter (204) is provided to the AC-DC Conversion unit (206) as input. The output of the AC-DC Conversion unit (206) is provided to the power factor correction unit (208) as input and the output of the power factor correction unit (208) is provided to the DC-DC step down convertor unit (210) as input. The final output of the charging device (102) is a DC electric current.
[00070] In operation, the charging device (102) receives AC power supply from the AC Power Supply Unit (202) and converts into DC power before supplying it to the energy storage pack (106) through the output terminal (108). The AC power supply received is first passed through an EMI filter (204), following which it is passed through an AC/DC conversion unit (206) and then a power factor correction unit (208) and finally a DC-DC step down converter unit (210).
[00071] In an embodiment, an EMI filter (204) is equipped in the charging device (102). The EMI filter (204) includes electrical devices or electrical circuits which mitigate the influence of existent high frequency electromagnetic noises present in the AC Power supply unit (202). EMI filters (204) are operational against any electrical or magnetic force which impedes the power signal flow resulting in quality power transmissions without affecting other electrical and electronic equipment present in the charging device (102). The absence of EMI filter (204) would degrade or damage the integrity of the power transmitted from the AC power supply unit (202). In an embodiment, the EMI filter (204) may be a radio frequency interference filter.
[00072] In an embodiment, the AC-DC conversion unit (206) is equipped in the charging device (102). The AC-DC conversion unit (206) transforms or converts the received alternating current from the AC power supply unit (202) into a direct current. The conversion of alternating current to direct current is undertaken by the AC-DC conversion unit (206) in a plurality of steps. In an embodiment, the AC-DC conversion unit (206) includes at least one of a half-wave rectifier, a full-wave rectifier and a full bridge rectifier. The AC-DC conversion unit (206) is further equipped with a plurality of diodes, electrical connections, switches, capacitors, inductors and grounding equipment. In an embodiment, the AC-DC conversion unit (206) may be an AC-DC Rectifier.
[00073] In an embodiment, the power factor correction unit (208) is equipped in the charging device (102). The power factor correction unit (208) is configured to elevate the quality of the power being transmitted from the AC Power Supply unit (202) after it has passed through the EMI filter (204) and the AC-DC conversion unit (206). The power factor correction unit (208) includes an electrical and electronic circuit for ensuring reduced downtime or defaults in the electrical or electronic equipment present in the charging device (102). The power factor correction unit (208) further reduces the wastage of the power supplied by the AC power supply unit (202), increasing the overall efficiency of the charging device (102).
[00074] In an embodiment, the DC-DC Step down convertor unit (210) is equipped in the charging device (102). The DC-DC Step down convertor unit (210) is configured to convert the received high voltage power from the AC power supply unit (202) followed by the EMI Filter (204), the AC-DC Conversion unit (206) and the power factor correction unit (208) to a low voltage power to charge the energy storage pack (106) connected to the charging device (102) through the output terminal (108).
[00075] A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the systems, modules, and sub-modules have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above disclosed system elements, modules, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to create other different systems or applications.
[00076] Figure 3 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method 300 for charging an energy storage pack, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00077] The method 300 is being implemented by the control unit 110. The method starts at step 301 and proceeds to step 302 where a pre-defined default electric current is supplied by the output terminal (108) of the charging device in a first state of operation of the charging device. In an embodiment, the pre-defined default electric current is configured to be in a range of 0.1 Ampere to 2 Ampere and is pre-set in the charging device (102). In an embodiment, the control unit (110) is configured to determine a state of operation of the charging device (102) based on detected electrical connection between the energy storage pack (106) and the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102).
[00078] The state of operation of the charging device (102) consists of at least a first state of operation and a second state of operation. In an aspect, the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) is configured to supply a pre-defined default electric current in a first state of operation of the charging device (102). In another aspect, the control unit (110) determines the state of operation of the charging device (102) to be a second state when the control unit (110) detects an electrical connection between the output terminal (108) and the energy storage pack (106).
[00079] At step 304, a physical connection is established between the output terminal (108) extending from the output port (108a) of the charging device (102) with the input port of the energy storage pack (106) of the vehicle (104). At this step, the charging device (102) is operating at a first state of operation by supplying a pre-defined default electric current by the output terminal (108).
[00080] At step 306, the control unit (110) detects an electrical impedance from the energy storage pack (106) resulting in the detection of an electrical connection between the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) and the energy storage pack (106) of the vehicle (104). The control unit (110) is configured to detect the electrical connection between the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) and the energy storage pack (106) of the vehicle (104) when the electrical impedance detected from the energy storage pack (106) is beyond a pre-defined threshold impedance. The electrical impedance detected from the energy storage pack (106) is in response to the supplied pre-defined default electric current from the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) by the control unit (110). Upon detection of an electrical connection between the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) and the energy storage pack (106) of the vehicle (104) by the control unit (110), the charging device (102) shifts to a second state of operation.
[00081] At step 308, the control unit (110) receives a requisite electric current data from the BMS (116) of the vehicle (104). The BMS (116) is communicatively connected to the energy storage pack (106) and is configured to receive a plurality of energy storage pack (106) related parameters from the energy storage pack (106) which includes at least a state of charge of the energy storage pack (106) and the requisite current that the energy storage pack (106) requires. The BMS (116) is configured to monitor the state of charge and the state of health of the energy storage pack (106) and thus the connection between the BMS (116) and the energy storage pack (106) must be secure for efficient working of the energy storage pack (106). The BMS (116) of the vehicle (104) supplies the requisite electric current data to the control unit (110) of the charging device.
[00082] At step 310, the control unit (110) configures the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) to supply the requisite electric current to the energy storage pack (106) based on the received requisite current data from the BMS (116). The second state of operation of the charging device (102) involves the supply of the requisite electric current to the energy storage pack (106) once the electrical connection between the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) and the energy storage pack (106) is detected by the control unit (110). The method for charging the energy storage pack (106) by the charging device (102) stops at step 312 of flowchart in Figure 3.
[00083] Figure 4 depicts a flowchart for implementation of an exemplary embodiment for detecting an energy storage pack (106) and securing the connection with the energy storage pack (106), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00084] The method 400 starts at step 401 and proceeds to step 402. At step 404, the the AC power supply unit (202) is switched on allow the supply of alternating current to the charging device (102). At step 404, the charging device (404) is configured to conduct a self-test. The self-test of the charging device (102) involves the received alternating current be first passed through an EMI filter (204), following which it is passed through an AC/DC conversion unit (206) and then a power factor correction unit (208) and finally a DC-DC step down converter unit (210) following which a direct current is supplied by the charging device (102) at its output terminal (108). The self-test of the charging device (102) ensures the mitigation of high frequency electromagnetic noises in the alternating current which impedes quality transmissions of electric current in the charging device (102), a conversion of the received alternating current to a direct current with power correction to reduce any wastage of the electric current being transmitted through the charging device (102) and to step down the voltage of the electric current being transmitted at the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102). The self-test conducted by the charging device ensures efficient performance of the charging device with quality power transmissions in the charging device (102)
[00085] At step 406, after the completion of the self-test conducted in step 404 by passing the supplied alternating current to direct current by first passing the suppled alternating current from the AC power supply unit (202) through an EMI filter (204), following which it is passed through an AC/DC conversion unit (206) and then a power factor correction unit (208) and finally a DC-DC step down converter unit (210) until a final power output in the form of direct current is supplied by the output terminal of the charging device (102). A pre-requisite for the supply of DC power by the charging device (102) involves the completion of the self-test of the charging device (102) at step (404).
[00086] At step 408, the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) is configured to supply a pre-defined default electric current. The pre-defined default electric current is within a range of 0.1 Ampere to 2 Ampere.
[00087] At step 410, the control unit (110) is configured to detect an electrical connection between the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) and the energy storage pack (106) of the vehicle (104). In an aspect, the control unit (110) detects the electrical connection between the output terminal (108) and the energy storage pack (106) when in response to the pre-defined default electric current supplied by the output terminal (108) an impedance is detected from the energy storage pack (106) and the detected impedance is beyond a pre-defined threshold impedance. When the detected impedance is beyond the pre-defined threshold impedance the control unit (110) is configured to detect the electrical connection between the energy storage pack (106) of the vehicle (104) and the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) and the process flows to the next step 412. When the detected impedance by the control unit (110) is not beyond the pre-defined threshold impedance, no electrical connection is established between the energy storage pack (106) and the charging device (102) and the process moves to step 408 where the charging device (102) continues supplying the pre-defined default electric current.
[00088] At step 412, the electrical connection between the energy storage pack (106) and the charging device (102) through the output terminal is deemed to be connected. The control unit (110) of the charging device (102) is configured to detect the electrical connection between the energy storage pack (106) of the vehicle (104) and the charging device (102) based on detected impedance in step 410.
[00089] The method for implementation of an exemplary embodiment for detecting an energy storage pack (106) and securing the connection with the energy storage pack (106) stops at step 414.
[00090] The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[00091] The disclosed claimed limitations and the disclosure provided herein provides a charging device (102) and a method for charging an energy storage pack (106) in a more efficient and secure manner. The claimed invention in an aspect provides enhanced safety to the personnel operating the charging device (102). In an embodiment, the claimed invention ensures that only a pre-defined default electric current be supplied at the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) so that even if the personnel operating the charging device (102) comes accidentally in contact with the output terminal (108), there would be no harm caused to the personnel.
[00092] In an aspect, the pre-defined default electric current has its range of amperage between 0.1 Ampere to 2 Ampere which is incapable of hurting or jeopardizing the life of the personnel operating the charging device (102). Conventional charging devices or chargers known in the industry fail to incorporate this feature of supplying of a pre-defined default electric current and instead supply the full voltage load at the output terminal, in this scenario any accidental contact of the body of the personnel with the output terminal of the charging device or charger is immensely dangerous and is capable of leading to a loss of life. Thus, the present charging device (102) and method for charging the energy storage pack (106) as disclosed in the present disclosure by supplying a pre-defined default electric current ensures safe operating environment of the charging device (102) and prevents any form of jeopardy on the life of the personnel operating it.
[00093] In another aspect, the present subject matter includes a control unit (110) with the control unit (110) configured to detect an energy storage pack (106). The pre-defined default electric current supplied by the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102) allows the control unit (110) to detect an impedance and a subsequent presence of an electrical storage pack (106) being connected to the output terminal (108) of the charging device (102). The supply of a pre-defined default electric current until an electrical connection with the energy storage pack (106) is detected minimizes power consumption of the charging device (102).
[00094] Further, a timer (112) is provided as per an aspect of the present invention which ensures that the charging device (102) continues detecting for an energy storage pack (106) being connected to it. This ensures that the charging device (102) detects an energy storage (106) in a continuous manner across a pre-defined time threshold. The timer (112) provides a stand-by mode of the charging device (102) to further minimize the power consumption and the charging device (102) is activated to supply the pre-defined default electric current after a pre-defined cycle-reset.
[00095] In another aspect of the present subject matter, the control unit (110) upon detecting an electrical connection between the energy storage pack (106) and the output terminal (108) receives a requisite electric current data to be supplied to said energy storage pack (106). This feature of the present subject matter ensures resilient functionality of the energy storage pack (106) by allowing a soft start feature so that the energy storage pack is not abruptly subjected to high voltage currents which adversely affect their functionality.
[00096] In another aspect of the present subject matter, when the energy storage pack of the vehicle is electrically connected to the output terminal of the charging device, the BMS of the vehicle is communicably connected to the control unit of the charging device. The communication between the BMS and the control unit allows the BMS to provide to the control unit a plurality of energy storage pack related parameters including at least a state of charge of the energy storage pack and the requisite current that the energy storage pack requires from the charging device and is in furtherance of the soft start feature earlier disclosed. The establishment of an effective communication means between the control unit of the charging device and the BMS of the vehicle ensures efficient and safe charging of the vehicle and minimizes the possibility of occurrence of fire hazards in the energy storage pack of the vehicle as direct full load voltage supply from the charging device is avoided. The charging device only starts charging the energy storage pack once the electrical connection between the energy storage pack and output terminal is validated by the control unit.
[00097] Thus, the disclosed charging device and the method for charging an energy storage pack tries to overcome to technical problem of detecting an energy storage pack, supplying a pre-defined default electric current in a first state of operation and supplying only the requisite electric current to the energy storage pack in a second state of operation. The disclosed charging device and method for charging also helps in reducing the overall power consumption of the charging device and protects the energy storage pack and the life of the personnel against high voltage loads of the output terminal of the charging device.
[00098] Thus, the claimed limitations overcome the aforementioned technical problems by supplying a pre-defined default electric current, detecting an energy storage pack and supplying the requisite electric current to the energy storage pack to ensure a safe and efficient operating environment for the charging device and the energy storage pack.
[00099] In light of the above-mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed method and system, the claimed steps as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed steps clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the device itself as the claimed steps provide a technical solution to a technical problem.
[000100] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with another does not imply that all such components are required, On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention,
[000101] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter and is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
[000102] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
[000103] The present disclosure may be realized in hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may be realized in a centralized fashion, in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion, where different elements may be spread across several interconnected computer systems, a computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein may be suited. A combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when loaded and executed, may control the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. The present disclosure may be realized in hardware that comprises a portion of an integrated circuit that also performs other functions.
[000104] A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the systems, modules, and sub-modules have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above disclosed system elements, modules, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to create other different systems or applications.
[000105] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the aforementioned steps and/or system modules may be suitably replaced, reordered, or removed, and additional steps and/or system modules may be inserted, depending on the needs of a particular application. In addition, the systems of the aforementioned embodiments may be implemented using a wide variety of suitable processes and system modules, and are not limited to any particular computer hardware, software, middleware, firmware, microcode, and the like. The claims can encompass embodiments for hardware and software, or a combination thereof.
[000106] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
, Claims:I/We claim:
1. A charging device (102) for charging an energy storage pack (106), said charging device (102) comprising:
an output terminal (108), said output terminal (108) being configured to supply a pre-defined default electric current in a first state; and
a control unit (110), said control unit (110) being configured to:
detect an electrical connection between said output terminal (108) and said energy storage pack (106) when an impedance is detected from said energy storage pack (106) in response to said supply of said pre-defined default electric current from said output terminal (108) to said energy storage pack (106);
receive, from said energy storage pack (106), a requisite electric current data to be supplied to said energy storage pack (106); and
provide a requisite electric current to said energy storage pack (106) via said output terminal (108) based on received requisite electric current data, wherein said requisite electric current being provided to said energy storage pack (106) in a second state.
2. The charging device (102) for charging said energy storage pack (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first state being supply of said pre-defined default electric current from said output terminal (108) when said electrical connection between said output terminal (108) and said energy storage pack (106) is not detected by said control unit (110).
3. The charging device (102) for charging an energy storage pack (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second state being supply of said requisite electric current to said energy storage pack (106) when said electrical connection between said output terminal (108) and said energy storage pack (106) being detected by said control unit (110).

4. The charging device (102) for charging said energy storage pack (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit (110) being configured to control said output terminal (108) to provide said requisite electric current to said energy storage pack (106) when said impedance being detected being higher than a pre-defined threshold impedance.
5. The charging device (102) for charging said energy storage pack (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pre-defined default electric current being within range of 0.1 Ampere to 2 Ampere.
6. The charging device (102) for charging said energy storage pack (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said charging device (102) includes a timer (112),
wherein said timer (112) being communicatively connected to said control unit (110); and
wherein said timer (112) being configured to communicate a cut-off of supply of said pre-defined default electric current in said first state to said control unit (110) in absence of an electrical connection with said energy storage pack (106) being detected by said control unit (110) within a pre-defined time threshold set by said timer (112).
7. The charging device (102) for charging said energy storage pack (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said charging device (102) includes at least an Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) filter (204), an AC-DC conversion unit (206), a power factor correction unit (208), and a DC-DC step down converter unit (210).
8. The charging device (102) for charging said energy storage pack (106) as claimed in claim 1, said charging device (102) being an off-board charging device.
9. The charging device (102) for charging said energy storage pack (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said requisite electric current data being received from a battery management system (116) of said energy storage pack (106).
10. The charging device (102) for charging said energy storage pack (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy storage pack (106) being disposed in an electric vehicle (104).
11. A method (300) for charging an energy storage pack (106), said method (300) comprising steps of:
supplying (302), a pre-defined default electric current by an output terminal (108) of a charging device (102) in a first state;
connecting (304), said output terminal (108) of said charging device (102) to an input port of an energy storage pack (106);
detecting (306), by a control unit (110), said energy storage pack (106) being electrically connected to said output terminal (108) of said charging device (102) based on an impedance of said energy storage pack (106) when supplied with said pre-defined default electric current;
receiving (308), by said control unit (110), a requisite electric current data to be supplied to said energy storage pack (106) from said energy storage pack (106); and
supplying (310), by said control unit (110), a requisite electric current based on said requisite electric current data to said energy storage pack (106) in a second state.
12. The method (300) of charging as claimed in claim 11, wherein said method (300) comprises steps of:
disconnecting, said supply (302) of said pre-defined default electric current by said output terminal (108) in said first state in absence of an electrical connection with said energy storage pack (106) within a pre-defined time threshold.