Battery heating circuits and methods using transformers
View Patent ↗Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a battery heating circuit, comprising a switch unit 10 , a switching control module 100 , a one-way semiconductor component D 10 , a damping component R, and a transformer T, wherein: the switching control module 100 is electrically connected with the switch unit 10 ; the battery, the damping component R, the first winding of the transformer T, and the switch unit 10 are connected in series with each other to constitute a battery discharging circuit; the battery, the damping component R, the second winding of the transformer T, and the one-way semiconductor component D 10 are connected in series with each other to constitute a battery charging circuit. The transformer in certain embodiments of the present invention serves as an energy storage component, and has a current limiting function.
1. A circuit for heating a battery, the circuit comprising:
the battery including a first damping component parasitic to the battery;
a switch unit;
a switching control component coupled to the switch unit;
a first one-way semiconductor component; and
a transformer including a first winding and a second winding;
wherein the circuit for heating the battery is configured to heat the battery by at least discharging the battery with a discharging current flowing through at least the first damping component, the first winding of the transformer, and the switch unit;
wherein the circuit for heating the battery is further configured to heat the battery by at least charging the battery with a charging current flowing through at least the second winding of the transformer, the first one-way semiconductor component, and the first damping component.
2. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the first damping component is a parasitic resistor of the battery.
3. A circuit for heating a battery, the circuit comprising:
the battery including a first damping component parasitic to the battery;
a switch unit;
a switching control component coupled to the switch unit;
a first one-way semiconductor component; and
a transformer including a first winding and a second winding;
wherein the circuit for heating the battery is configured to heat the battery by at least discharging the battery with a discharging current flowing through at least first damping component, the first winding of the transformer, and the switch unit;
wherein the circuit for heating the battery is further configured to heat the battery by at least charging the battery with a charging current flowing through at least the second winding of the transformer, the first one-way semiconductor component, and the first damping component;
and further comprising a voltage reduction circuit connected in parallel with the first winding of the transformer and configured to reduce a voltage induced in the first winding if the switch unit is turned off.
4. The circuit of claim 3 wherein:
the voltage reduction circuit includes a second one-way semiconductor component, a charge storage component and a second damping component; and
the second one-way semiconductor component is connected in series with the charge storage component and the second damping component is connected in parallel between the ends of the charge storage component.
5. The circuit of claim 4 wherein:
the charge storage component is a capacitor; and
the second damping component is a resistor.
6. A circuit for heating a battery, the circuit comprising:
the battery including a first damping component parasitic to the battery;
a switch unit;
a switching control component coupled to the switch unit;
a first one-way semiconductor component; and
a transformer including a first winding and a second winding;
wherein the circuit for heating the battery is configured to heat the battery by at least discharging the battery with a discharging current flowing through at least the first damping component, the first winding of the transforming, and the switch unit;
wherein the circuit for heating the battery is further configured to heat the battery by at least charging the batter with a charging current flowing through at least the second winding of the transformer, the first one-way semiconductor component, and the first damping component;
and further comprising a voltage reduction circuit connected in parallel with the switch unit and configured to reduce a voltage induced in the first winding if the switch unit is turned off.
7. The circuit of claim 6 wherein:
the voltage reduction circuit includes a second one-way semiconductor component, a charge storage component and a second damping component; and
the charge storage component is connected in series with a combination of the second one-way semiconductor component and the second damping component connected in parallel with each other.
8. The circuit of claim 7 wherein:
the charge storage component is a capacitor; and
the second damping component is a resistor.
9. The circuit of claim 1 wherein:
the switch unit includes:
a switch; and
a second one-way semiconductor component connected in parallel with the switch in reverse direction and configured to allow a first current flowing in a first direction;
wherein the switching control component is coupled to the switch and configured to allow a second current flowing in a second direction by turning on the switch, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.
10. The circuit of claim 1 wherein:
the switch unit includes:
a switch; and
a second one-way semiconductor component connected in series with the switch;
wherein the switching control component is coupled to the switch and configured to turn on or off the switch unit by turning on or off the switch respectively.
11. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the switching control component is configured to:
turn off the switch unit if the discharging current rises to a predetermined threshold in magnitude; and
turn on the switch unit if the charging current drops to zero in magnitude.
12. The circuit of claim 1 wherein:
the first winding is a primary winding; and
the second winding is a secondary winding.
13. The circuit of claim 1 is further configured to:
start heating the battery if at least one heating start condition is satisfied; and
stop heating the battery if at least one heating stop condition is satisfied.