Adaptable AC Input Phase Switching for Optimum Utilization of Various Grid Configurations supplying Power Electronic Converters and EV/HEV On Board

Today's power electronic converters are mostly integrated in various products which are targeting at the worldwide market. This paper focuses on applications in the power range of 3...12kW, which are mainly fed by a 50/60Hz AC grid. It proposes a solution to selectively adapt to 1 phase- (e.g. North American) and 3 phase grids (e.g. European) using a flexible, i.e. switchable, input configuration. An advantageous implementation is presented which employs thyristors and therefore results in very limited additional component effort leading to almost no extra volume when compared to conventional AC front-end converters. The gained functionality allows AC front-end converters to fully utilize a given grid configuration without derating the transferred power. As a result a given product can use the same power electronic converter in various regions of our world, which reduces manufacturing and logistics efforts.