Adjustable cable voltage compensation for battery chargers

Abstract

A battery charger controller is configured to add a compensation current in the feedback control loop such that the output voltage varies with the output current to compensate charging cable voltage drop. In some embodiments, the output voltage is also proportional to a compensation resistor. Therefore, cable voltage drop compensation can be adjusted using a resistor that is external to the controller IC. The external resistor may be one of the feedback resistors connected at a voltage feedback pin. In another embodiment, the adjustable resistor is the resistor between the feedback resistors and the voltage feedback pin. In still another embodiment, the adjustable resistor is the resistor in parallel with a compensation capacitor. In embodiments of the invention, adjusting the resistance of the external compensation resistor can change the voltage drop compensation and allow the power supply to meet requirements of different charging cable applications.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201410035354.X, filed Jan. 24, 2014, commonly owned and incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to the field of switch mode power supply (SMPS). More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to SMPS used as battery chargers that can be adapted to compensate for voltage drops from different charging cables.[0003]Switching power supply products have been widely used because of their small size, light weight, and high power conversion efficiency. For example, they are used in industrial automation and control, military equipment, scientific equipment, LED lighting, industrial equipment, communications equipment, electrical equipment, instrumentation, medical equipment, semiconductor cooling and heating, air purifiers, electronic refrigerator, LCD display, audio-visual products, security, compu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes an improved method for compensating for charging cable voltage drop in battery chargers. Conventional methods require extra electronic elements and circuitry to calibrate to each charging cable, which is costly and not efficient. The new method uses an adjustable resistor that is connected to an existing pin of the controller IC, eliminating the need for an extra pin and reducing design complexity and cost. The adjustable resistor compensates for voltage drop by varying the output voltage based on the resistance of the compensation resistor and the output current. This allows for easy adaptation of cable voltage drop compensation and ensures that the power supply meets requirements of different charging cable applications.

Problems solved by technology

For example, the conventional compensation method that adds a compensation voltage to a reference voltage is not desirable, because it requires additional electronic elements and is not cost-effective.

Further, the compensation is fixed by the circuit and cannot provide different compensation for different charging cables.

Some conventional methods provide adjustable compensation, but require an extra pin to be added to the controller IC, increasing design complexity and system cost.

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