Technology
Operating principles:
A battery charger considerably affects the life and
performance of the battery, which is the main part of every electric
vehicle.
A non controlled traditional battery charger (rectifier)
provides a simple direct AC to DC conversion.
•Low efficiency
•Large
physical size
•Long charge times
•Charge depends on changes in the
mains supply (with overcharge danger in the final charge phase).
In
modern battery chargers these disadvantages are solved with an indirect
AC/DC conversion by passing through an intermediate DC/DC
conversion.
This is the usual method of operation for the SMPS (Switching Mode Power Supply) at high power. This solution gives a good performance for minimum cost and physical dimensions using switches - faster and powerful (modern technology).
The main advantages of this solution are:
•High efficiency
•Reduced dimensions
•Short charge times
•Charge independent of changes in the main supply
•Electronic control that provides the desired charge curve.
