AUXILIARY BATTERY CHARGING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

The present disclosure relates to an auxiliary battery charging apparatus (1) for charging an auxiliary battery (3) from a main battery (4). The main battery (4) has at least a first module (5-1) including a plurality of first cells (6-1). The auxiliary battery charging apparatus (1) has an intermediate storage device (13-1) for connection to the auxiliary battery. A first switch unit (10) is provided for selectively connecting one or more of the first cells (6-1) to the intermediate storage device (3). A charging control unit (9) having an electronic processor configured to receive a first balance control signal (BAL1) for identifying one or more of said first cells (6-1) having a relatively low depth-of-discharge. During charging of the main battery (4) and in dependence on the first balance control signal (BAL1), the electronic processor is configured to output a first switch unit control signal (SW1) to control said first switch unit (10) to connect the identified one or more first cell (6-1) having a relatively low depth-of-discharge to the intermediate storage device (13-1) to charge the auxiliary battery (3). The main battery (4) can comprise at least a second module (5-2) including a plurality of second cells (6-2). The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle having an auxiliary battery charging apparatus (1); and to a method of charging an auxiliary battery (3).