Converter apparatus for converting an operating current for an electric vehicle, drive apparatus, and method for converting an operating current

A drive apparatus for an electric vehicle, comprising:

• a converter apparatus configured to convert an operating current for an electric vehicle with a vehicle battery and a drive apparatus comprising a drive motor and an auxiliary motor, comprising:
• a battery interface configured to connect the converter apparatus to the vehicle battery;
• a bidirectional inverter with a first connector configured to connect the inverter to the battery interface, and with a second connector, wherein the inverter is configured to convert a direct voltage present at the first connector into an alternating voltage and supply it at the second connector;
• and
• a switch device connected to the inverter and with a switch connector configured as a bus that is directly connected between the switch device and the second connector of the inverter for connecting the switch device to the second connector of the inverter, and with a drive interface configured to directly connect the converter apparatus to the drive motor via a respective single switch between the switch connector and the drive interface and with an auxiliary interface configured to connect the converter apparatus directly to the auxiliary motor via a respective single switch between the switch connector and the auxiliary interface,
• wherein the switch device is configured to connect the switch connector, using a switch signal, to the drive interface or the auxiliary interface;
• the drive motor for driving a wheel of the electric vehicle,
• wherein the drive motor is connected to the drive interface;
• and
• an auxiliary motor for supplying an auxiliary function of the electric vehicle, wherein the auxiliary motor is connected to the auxiliary interface.

A method for converting an operating current for an electric vehicle with a vehicle battery, a drive apparatus, and a converter apparatus configured to convert an operating current for an electric vehicle with a vehicle battery and a drive apparatus comprising a drive motor and an auxiliary motor, having:

• a battery interface configured to connect the converter apparatus to the vehicle battery;
• a bidirectional inverter with a first connector configured to connect the inverter to the battery interface, and with a second connector, wherein the inverter is configured to convert a direct voltage present at the first connector into an alternating voltage and supply it at the second connector;
• and a switch device connected to the inverter and with a switch device connected to the inverter and with a switch connector configured as a bus that is directly connected between the switch device and the second connector of the inverter for connecting the switch device to the second connector of the inverter, and with a drive interface configured to directly connect the converter apparatus to the drive motor via a respective single switch between the switch connector and the drive interface and with an auxiliary interface configured to connect the converter apparatus directly to the auxiliary motor via a respective single switch between the switch connector and the auxiliary interface, wherein the switch device is configured to connect the switch connector, using a switch signal, to the drive interface or the auxiliary interface;
• the drive motor for driving a wheel of the electric vehicle, wherein the drive motor is connected to the drive interface;
• and an auxiliary motor for supplying an auxiliary function of the electric vehicle, wherein the auxiliary motor is connected to the auxiliary interface, comprising:
• converting a direct voltage present at the first connector of the inverter into the alternating voltage and supplying the alternating voltage to the second connector of the inverter;
• and
• connecting the switch connector to the drive interface or the auxiliary interface using the switch signal.