Converter device and circuit device

Abstract

A converter device and a circuit device are disclosed. The converter device includes: an inductor including a first end and a second end; and a switching circuit connected to the inductor. The switching circuit includes: a first switch for controlling a connection between the first end and a battery connected to the converter; a second switch for controlling a connection between the second end and a current output terminal configured to output a current generated from the battery via the inductor; a third switch for controlling a connection between the second end and a voltage output terminal configured to output a voltage generated from the battery; and a fourth switch for controlling a connection between the second end and a voltage input terminal configured to receive a voltage for charging the battery.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0160219 filed on December 12, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The following description relates to converter arrangements and methods. Background Art

[0003] For ultra-compact devices, efficient power conversion and minimization of external devices or elements may be required. For efficient power conversion, an inductor may be required. For multiple usage purposes (e.g., charging an internal battery in an ultra-compact device and outputting a voltage or current from the internal battery), an inductor may be required. However, when multiple inductors are provided in a single ultra-compact device to perform such multiple purposes, the size of the device may inevitably increase. Summary of the invention

[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In one general aspect, a converter includes: an inductor having a first end and a second end; and a switching circuit connected to the inductor. The switching circuit includes: a first switch configured to control a connection between the first end of the inductor and a battery connected to the converter; a second switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and a current output terminal that outputs a current generated from the battery via the inductor; a third switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and a voltage output terminal that outputs a voltage generated from the battery; and a fourth switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and a voltage input terminal that receives a voltage for charging the battery.

[0006] The switching circuit may also include: a fifth switch configured to control a connection between the first end of the inductor and ground; a sixth switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and ground; and a seventh switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and the battery.

[0007] The switch circuit may further include: a sixth switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and ground, wherein the first switch may be configured to be turned on during a time slot in which the current may be output. The sixth switch may be configured to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot; and the second switch may be configured to be turned off during the first interval in the time slot and turned on during the second interval in the time slot.

[0008] The switch circuit may further include: a fifth switch configured to control a connection between the first end of the inductor and the ground. The second switch may be configured to be turned on during a time slot in which the current may be output. The first switch may be configured to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. The fifth switch may be configured to be turned off during the first interval in the time slot and turned on during the second interval in the time slot.

[0009] The switch circuit may further include: a fifth switch configured to control a connection between a first end of the inductor and ground; and a sixth switch configured to control a connection between a second end of the inductor and ground. The first switch and the sixth switch may be configured to be turned on during a first interval in a time slot in which a current may be output, and to be turned off during a second interval in the time slot. The second switch and the fifth switch may be configured to be turned off during the first interval in the time slot, and to be turned on during the second interval in the time slot.

[0010] The switch circuit may further include: a fifth switch configured to control a connection between the first end of the inductor and ground; and a seventh switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and the battery. The fifth switch may be configured to be turned on during a time slot in which the current may be output. The seventh switch may be configured to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. The second switch may be configured to be turned off during the first interval in the time slot and turned on during the second interval in the time slot.

[0011] The switching circuit can be configured to: perform switching operations on the internal switch so that a first current can be output from the current output terminal during a first time slot, and a second current can be output from the current output terminal in a direction opposite to the direction of the first current during a second time slot different from the first time slot.

[0012] The switch circuit may further include: a sixth switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and ground. The first switch may be configured to be turned on during a time slot in which a voltage may be output. The sixth switch may be configured to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. The third switch may be configured to be turned off during the first interval in the time slot and turned on during the second interval in the time slot.

[0013] The switch circuit may further include: a fifth switch configured to control the connection between the first end of the inductor and the ground. The third switch may be configured to be turned on during a time slot in which a voltage may be output. The first switch may be configured to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and to be turned off during a second interval in the time slot. The fifth switch may be configured to be turned off during the first interval in the time slot and to be turned on during the second interval in the time slot. The switch circuit may further include: a fifth switch configured to control the connection between the first end of the inductor and the ground; and a sixth switch configured to control the connection between the second end of the inductor and the ground. The first switch and the sixth switch may be configured to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot in which a voltage may be output and to be turned off during a second interval in the time slot. The third switch and the fifth switch may be configured to be turned off during the first interval in the time slot and to be turned on during the second interval in the time slot.

[0014] The switch circuit may further include: a fifth switch configured to control a connection between the first end of the inductor and ground. The fourth switch may be configured to be turned on during a time slot in which the battery may be charged. The fifth switch may be configured to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. The first switch may be configured to be turned off during the first interval in the time slot and turned on during the second interval in the time slot.

[0015] The switching circuit can be configured to perform one of a first switching operation, a second switching operation, and a third switching operation, wherein the first switching operation is used to output a current generated from a battery via an inductor during a time slot, the second switching operation is used to maintain a constant voltage generated from the battery, and the third switching operation is used to charge the battery.

[0016] The switching circuit may be configured to perform one switching operation selected from among the first switching operation, the second switching operation, and the third switching operation based on priorities of the first switching operation, the second switching operation, and the third switching operation.

[0017] When it is determined that the current is output from the current output terminal, the switch circuit may be configured to perform a first switching operation.

[0018] When it is determined that the current is not output from the current output terminal and it is determined that the voltage output from the voltage output terminal is insufficient, the switch circuit may be configured to perform a second switching operation.

[0019] When it is determined that charging the battery is possible, it is determined that no current is output from the current output terminal, and it is determined that the voltage output from the voltage output terminal is sufficient, the switch circuit may be configured to perform a third switching operation.

[0020] When it is determined that no current is output from the current output terminal and it is determined that the voltage output from the voltage output terminal is sufficient, and it is determined that charging the battery is not feasible, the switch circuit may be configured to skip the time slot.

[0021] The switch circuit may further include: a freewheeling switch configured to control the connection between the first end of the inductor and the second end of the inductor. The second switch may include an H-bridge connected to the second end of the inductor and configured to control the direction in which the current can be output to the current output terminal. The freewheeling switch may be configured to be turned on during a first interval in a time slot in which the current can be output, and to be turned off during a second interval in the time slot. Some of the multiple switches of the H-bridge and the fifth switch may be configured to be turned off during the first interval in the time slot, and to be turned on during the second interval in the time slot. The some of the multiple switches of the H-bridge may be selected from the multiple switches included in the H-bridge based on the direction in which the current can be output from the current output terminal.

[0022] The current to be output from the current output terminal may be in the form of a pulse wave.

[0023] The inductor may be a single inductor.

[0024] The switch circuit may further include an eighth switch configured to control connection between the second terminal of the inductor and a second voltage output terminal that may output a second voltage generated from the battery.

[0025] The transducer may be configured to be implanted in a human body.

[0026] The voltage may be a constant voltage provided to one of a controller and a sensor connectable to the converter.

[0027] In another general aspect, a circuit device includes: a battery, a power receiver, a converter, and a controller. The power receiver is configured to receive power for charging the battery. The converter is connected to the battery and the power receiver and includes an inductor and a switching circuit. The controller is configured to control the switching operation of the switching circuit to perform one of a first switching operation, a second switching operation, and a third switching operation using the inductor, the first switching operation being used to output a current generated from the battery via the inductor, the second switching operation being used to maintain a constant voltage generated from the battery, and the third switching operation being used to charge the battery.

[0028] Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit device including a converter.

[0030] Figure 2is a circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit device including a converter.

[0031] Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a switch operation for charging a battery.

[0032] Figures 5 to 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a switching operation for maintaining a voltage.

[0033] Figures 9 to 12 is a diagram showing an example of a switching operation for outputting a current.

[0034] Figures 13 to 16 is a diagram showing an example of the control switch operation.

[0035] Fig.17 and Fig.18 is a diagram showing an example of a switching operation for outputting a pulse current using a freewheeling switch.

[0036] Throughout the drawings and detailed description, unless otherwise described or provided, the same figure reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative sizes, proportions, and depictions of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following specific embodiments are provided to help the reader obtain a comprehensive understanding of the method, device and / or system described herein. However, after understanding the disclosure of the application, various changes, modifications and equivalents of the method, device and / or system described herein will be clear. For example, the order of operations described herein is only an example, and is not limited to those orders set forth herein, but can be changed as it will be clear after understanding the disclosure of the application, except for the operations that must occur in a specific order. In addition, for increased clarity and conciseness, the description of features known after understanding the disclosure of the application can be omitted.

[0038] The features described herein can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided to illustrate only some of the many possible ways to implement the methods, devices, and / or systems described herein that will be clear after understanding the disclosure of the present application.

[0039] Throughout the specification, when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is described as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, or there may be one or more other elements interposed therebetween. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element, there may not be other elements interposed therebetween. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one of the associated listed items or any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items.

[0040] Although terms such as "first", "second" and "third" may be used herein to describe various components, assemblies, regions, layers or parts, these components, assemblies, regions, layers or parts should not be limited by these terms. Instead, these terms are only used to distinguish one component, component, region, layer or part from another component, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the examples, the first component, first component, first region, first layer or first part mentioned in the examples described herein may also be referred to as the second component, second component, second region, second layer or second part.

[0041] The terms used herein are only used to describe various examples and should not be used to limit the disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. The terms "comprise", "include" and "have" indicate the presence of the stated features, quantities, operations, components, elements and / or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, operations, components, elements and / or combinations thereof.

[0042] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as those generally understood by ordinary technicians in the field to which the present disclosure belongs based on the understanding of the disclosure of the present application. Unless explicitly defined as such herein, terms (such as those defined in general dictionaries) will be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their context in the relevant field and the disclosure of the present application, and will not be understood in an idealized or overly formal way.

[0043] Furthermore, in the description of the exemplary embodiments, when it is considered that a detailed description of thus-known structures or functions will lead to obscure interpretation of the exemplary embodiments after understanding the disclosure of the present application, such description will be omitted.

[0044] Hereinafter, examples will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements throughout.

[0045] Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit device including a converter. Here, the converter may also be referred to as a converter device, and it is also noted that the converter device may also correspond to the circuit device in various examples.

[0046] Reference Figure 1 , the circuit device 100 may include a converter 110 , a power receiver 120 , a battery 130 , and a controller 140 .

[0047] The converter 110 may include an inductor 111 and a switching circuit 113 .

[0048] Inductor 111 is a single inductor included in converter 110 and may be used when one of a plurality of switching operations to be performed by switch circuit 113 to charge battery 130, output current, or maintain voltage is performed. The maintenance of voltage indicates a control operation performed to output a voltage of a constant magnitude. For example, inductor 111 may be an external inductor. Here, it is noted that the use of the term "may" with respect to an example or embodiment (e.g., with respect to what an example or embodiment may include or implement) indicates that there is at least one example or embodiment that includes or implements such a feature, and all examples and embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0049] The switch circuit 113 may include a plurality of switches and perform a switch operation by connecting at least two of the power receiver 120, the battery 130, the voltage output terminal, and the current output terminal. For example, the switch circuit 113 may perform one of the following switch operations: a switch operation for charging the battery 130 based on the power received by the power receiver 120, a switch operation for outputting the current I generated from the battery 130 via the inductor 111, and a switch operation for outputting the current I generated from the battery 130 via the inductor 111. AC The switching operation and the voltage V generated by the battery 130 are maintained. DC1 and V DC2 Constant switching operation. The switching operation can be performed in different time slots and the reference Fig.13 The time division control based on time slots is further described in detail.

[0050] In this example, the current I AC It can be an alternating current (AC) of a predefined waveform and can be a stimulation current configured to be applied to living tissue or a current to be used for impedance measurement. DC1 and V DC2 It can be a constant voltage. Although for ease of description Figure 1 The example shows only a single current I AC And two voltages V DC1 and V DC2 is output, but examples are not limited to the illustrated examples, and various amounts of current and voltage may be output in various examples.

[0051] The above-mentioned switching operation can be performed based on the inductor 111. That is, examples include a variety of purposes that can be achieved based on the inductor 111 as a single inductor, such as battery charging, current output, and voltage maintenance. Therefore, by sharing such a single inductor as described above, the number of internal inductor elements or devices used can be minimized, and the size of the converter 110 can be reduced accordingly. In addition, a converter 110 in which current output and voltage output are combined or mixed by using a single inductor can be provided.

[0052] The power receiver 120 receives power to charge the battery 130. For example, the power receiver 120 may receive power based on a wireless power transmission method, or receive power transmitted through a power line.

[0053] The battery 130 may be charged by the power received by the power receiver 120 , and may provide power to output current or voltage from the converter 110 .

[0054] The controller 140 controls the switching operation of the switching circuit 113. For example, the controller 140 may control the switching operation for charging the battery 130, the switching operation for outputting the current generated from the converter 110, or the switching operation for maintaining the voltage output from the converter 110 constant.

[0055] For example, the circuit device 100 may include an implantable device, a wearable device, a stimulation device configured to output a stimulation current, and a current generator configured to output a current to be used for impedance measurement. The circuit device 100 may be applied to an Internet of Things (IoT) system or an extremely small bio-implantable system that requires a highly efficient and extremely small device or element. The circuit device 100 may be implemented in the form of a chip and provided in, for example, a smart phone and an IoT device to which a voltage needs to be supplied.

[0056] Figure 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit device including a converter.

[0057] Reference Figure 2 , the circuit device 100 may include a converter 110, a power receiver 120, a battery 130 and a controller. Figure 2 The example shown omits the controller.

[0058] The converter 110 may include an inductor 111 and a plurality of switches, for example, a first switch SW 1 To the eighth switch SW 8 .

[0059] The inductor 111 may include a first end and a second end. Figure 2In the example shown in , the left end of the inductor 111 is referred to as a first end, and the right end of the inductor 111 is referred to as a second end. In this example, the inductor 111 is a single inductor included in the converter 110 .

[0060] The first switch SW 1 The second switch SW controls the connection between the first terminal of the inductor 111 and the battery 130. 2 The second terminal of the control inductor 111 is connected to the output current I AC The current output terminals are connected between the AC is a current generated from the battery 130 via the inductor 111 and has a predefined waveform. 3 The second end of the control inductor 111 is connected to the output first voltage V DC1 The first voltage V DC1 is a first constant voltage generated from the battery 130. The fourth switch SW 4 A connection between the second end of the inductor 111 and a voltage input terminal to which a voltage to be used to charge the battery 130 is input is controlled.

[0061] Fifth switch SW 5 The sixth switch SW controls the connection between the first terminal of the inductor 111 and the ground. 6 The seventh switch SW controls the connection between the second end of the inductor 111 and the ground. 7 The eighth switch SW controls the connection between the second terminal of the inductor 111 and the battery 130. 8 The second end of the control inductor 111 is connected to the output second voltage V DC2 The second voltage V DC2 is a second constant voltage generated from the battery 130 .

[0062] The power receiver 120 may include a coil and a rectifier. The power receiver 120 may receive the wirelessly transmitted power through the coil and convert the received AC voltage V AC Converted to direct current (DC) rectifier voltage V REC .

[0063] Although for ease of description Figure 2 The example shown in FIG. 1 shows that current is output from the current output terminal and is configured to be applied to tissue, but the example is not limited to the example shown, and any example involving applying current output from the converter 110 may also be applicable without limitation.

[0064] Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a switch operation for charging a battery.

[0065] The desired voltage conversion is desired to charge the battery with the wirelessly received power. Generally, the voltage received by the wireless power transmission method may not be sufficient in magnitude to charge the battery. Therefore, a boost converter may be desired to boost the voltage to an appropriate level. The boost converter may be performed using a single inductor to charge with high efficiency. In the following, reference will be made to Figure 3 The switching operation performed to charge the battery is described in further detail.

[0066] Reference Figure 3 , a switching operation corresponding to the above-mentioned boost converter can be performed to charge the battery. This switching operation uses the first switch SW shown 1 , the fourth switch SW 4 and the fifth switch SW 5 Charge the battery. The fourth switch SW 4 The fifth switch SW is configured and / or controlled to be turned on during the time slot for charging the battery. 5 The first switch SW is configured and / or controlled to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. 1 The first switch SW may be turned off during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot. Here, the switch is configured and / or controlled to be turned on to indicate that the switch is closed (for connection), and the switch is turned off when the switch is open (for disconnection). The inductor current may decrease during the second interval in the time slot, and the first switch SW may be turned off even in the middle of the second interval when the inductor current reaches 0. 1 That is, the current flows during the first interval in the time slot for charging the battery as indicated by the first arrow 310 , and the current flows during the second interval in the time slot for charging the battery as indicated by the second arrow 320 .

[0067] Figure 4 shows the rectifier voltage V during the time slot when charging the battery REC and the inductor current I L The time slot for charging the battery represents a portion between a first time point 410 and a second time point 420 .

[0068] When the power receiver receives power, the rectifier voltage V REC Can be gradually increased. When the rectifier voltage V REC When the rectifier voltage V REC When the rectifier voltage V is greater than or equal to a first reference voltage (eg, 1.0 volts (V)), the rectifier voltage V REC enough.

[0069] When charging the battery begins, the rectifier voltage VREC can gradually decrease, and energy can be stored in the inductor during the first interval in the time slot, so the inductor current I L The energy stored in the inductor can be transferred to the battery during the second interval in the time slot, which can again reduce the inductor current I L And it may be necessary to charge the battery with a charge amount 430. Charging the battery may continue until the rectifier voltage V REC is insufficient to charge the battery or the time slot ends. For example, when the rectifier voltage V REC When the rectifier voltage V REC insufficient.

[0070] In one example, the output terminal of the converter configured to perform boost conversion when charging the battery can be connected to the battery to constantly fix the output voltage of the converter to be the same at all times when fixed. Therefore, open-loop control that does not require rectification control for charging can be applied.

[0071] Figures 5 to 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a switching operation for maintaining a voltage.

[0072] A desired DC-DC voltage converter may be desired to generate and output a voltage from a battery. Here, since rectification control is desired to constantly fix and adjust the output voltage, a closed loop control may be applied. Figure 5 1 shows how to output the first voltage V from the first voltage output terminal through the switching operation corresponding to the boost converter DC1 Example. When the first voltage V DC1 Maintained to be greater than the battery voltage V BAT In this case, the switching operation of the boost converter can be performed.

[0073] Reference Figure 5 , is executed to output a first voltage V DC1 The switching operation uses the first switch SW 1 , the third switch SW 3 and the sixth switch SW 6 The first switch SW 1 is configured and / or controlled to output a first voltage V DC1 The sixth switch SW is turned on during the time slot of 6 The third switch SW is configured and / or controlled to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. 3The third switch SW may be turned off during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot. The inductor current may decrease during the second interval, and the third switch SW may be turned off even in the middle of the second interval when the inductor current reaches 0. 3 That is, the output first voltage V DC1 The current flows during the first interval in the time slot as shown by the first arrow 510, and the first voltage V is output. DC1 The current flow during the second interval in the time slot is shown as a second arrow 520. In this example, the inductor current I L increases in the first interval and decreases in the second interval, and transfers energy to the first voltage output terminal with the charge amount q, so that the voltage to be output from the first voltage output terminal reaches the first voltage V DC1 .

[0074] Figure 6 1 shows how to output the first voltage V from the first voltage output terminal through a switching operation corresponding to the operation of a buck converter. DC1 Example. When the first voltage V DC1 Maintained to be less than the battery voltage V BAT In this case, the switching operation of the buck converter can be performed.

[0075] Reference Figure 6 , is executed to output a first voltage V DC1 The switching operation uses the first switch SW 1 , the third switch SW 3 and the fifth switch SW 5 The third switch SW 3 is configured and / or controlled to output a first voltage V DC1 The first switch SW 1 The fifth switch SW is configured and / or controlled to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. 5 The fifth switch SW may be turned off during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot. The inductor current may decrease during the second interval, and the fifth switch SW may be turned off even in the middle of the second interval when the inductor current reaches 0. 5 That is, the output first voltage V DC1 The current during the first interval in the time slot flows as shown by the first arrow 610, and the first voltage V is output. DC1 The current flow during the second interval in the time slot is shown as a second arrow 620. In this example, the inductor current I Lincreases in the first interval and decreases in the second interval, and transfers energy to the first voltage output terminal with the charge amount q, so that the voltage to be output from the first voltage output terminal reaches the first voltage V DC1 .

[0076] Figure 7 1 shows how to output the first voltage V from the first voltage output terminal through a switching operation corresponding to the operation of a buck-boost converter. DC1 Example. When the first voltage V DC1 Maintained to be greater than, less than or equal to the battery voltage V BAT In this case, the switching operation of the buck-boost converter can be performed.

[0077] Reference Figure 7 , is executed to output a first voltage V DC1 The switching operation uses the first switch SW 1 , the third switch SW 3 , the fifth switch SW 5 and the sixth switch SW 6 The first switch SW 1 and the sixth switch SW 6 At the output first voltage V DC1 The third switch SW is turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. 3 and the fifth switch SW 5 The fifth switch SW may be turned off during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot. The inductor current may decrease during the second interval, and the fifth switch SW may be turned off when the inductor current reaches 0. 5 In this example, the inductor current I L increases in the first interval and decreases in the second interval, and transfers energy to the first voltage output terminal with the charge amount q, so that the voltage to be output from the first voltage output terminal reaches the first voltage V DC1 .

[0078] Figure 8 shows how to output the second voltage V from the second voltage output terminal DC2 See the example below. Figure 8 , is executed to maintain the second voltage V DC2 The switching operation uses an eighth switch SW connected to the second voltage output terminal. 8 Instead of the third switch SW connected to the first voltage output terminal 3 For example, Figure 8 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the second voltage V is outputted by the switching operation of the buck converter. DC2 In the case of 1 , the fifth switch SW5 and the eighth switch SW 8 The eighth switch SW 8 is configured and / or controlled to output a second voltage V DC2 The first switch SW 1 The fifth switch SW is configured and / or controlled to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. 5 The fifth switch SW may be turned off during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot. The inductor current may decrease during the second interval, and the fifth switch SW may be turned off even in the middle of the second interval when the inductor current reaches 0. 5 Although for ease of description reference Figure 8 The switching operation of the buck converter is described, but the example is not limited thereto. For example, the eighth switch SW 8 Replace the third switch SW 3 Switching operation of a boost converter or a buck-boost converter is also applicable.

[0079] Figures 9 to 12 is a diagram showing an example of a switching operation for outputting a current.

[0080] The desired DC-AC voltage-current conversion may be expected to generate and output a current through an inductor from a battery. Here, it is expected that rectification control is constantly fixed and adjusted to adjust the output current, so closed-loop control may be applied. The output current may be a stimulation current configured to be applied to the user's living tissue or a current applied to measure impedance, and has a predefined waveform. The inductor may be used to implement a high-efficiency power conversion exciter or current generator. It may be necessary to output a current of an accurate size at a set time, so peak current control and fixed on-time control may be performed.

[0081] Fig. 9 shows how the output current I is output through the switch operation corresponding to the operation of the boost converter AC Example. When the current I is applied AC The voltage at the current output of the living tissue load is greater than the battery voltage V BAT When , the switching operation of the boost converter can be performed.

[0082] Reference Fig. 9 , is implemented with an output current I AC The switching operation uses the first switch SW 1 , the second switch SW 2 and the sixth switch SW 6 The first switch SW 1 is configured and / or controlled to provide an output current IAC The sixth switch SW is turned on during the time slot of 6 The second switch SW is configured and / or controlled to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. 2 The inductor current may decrease during the second interval, and the second switch SW may be turned off when the inductor current reaches zero. 2 That is, the output current I AC The current flows during the first interval in the time slot as shown by the first arrow 910, and the output current I AC The current flow during the second interval in the time slot is shown as a second arrow 920. In this example, the inductor current I L increases in the first interval and decreases in the second interval, and the inductor current I in the second interval L The output is a current I AC .

[0083] Fig.10 shows how the output current I is operated by a switch corresponding to the operation of a buck-boost converter AC Example. When the current I is applied AC The voltage at the current output end of the living tissue load is greater than, less than or equal to the battery voltage V BAT When , the switching operation of the buck-boost converter can be performed.

[0084] Reference Fig.10 , is implemented with an output current I AC The switching operation uses the first switch SW 1 , the second switch SW 2 , the fifth switch SW 5 and the sixth switch SW 6 The first switch SW 1 and the sixth switch SW 6 The output current I AC The second switch SW is turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. 2 and the fifth switch SW 5 The fifth switch SW may be turned off during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot. The inductor current may decrease during the second interval, and the fifth switch SW may be turned off even in the middle of the second interval when the inductor current reaches 0. 5 That is, the output current I AC The current flows during the first interval of the time slot as shown by the first arrow 1010, and the output current I ACThe current flow during the second interval in the time slot is shown as a second arrow 1020. In this example, the inductor current I L increases in the first interval and decreases in the second interval, and the inductor current I in the second interval L The output is a current I AC .

[0085] Fig.11 shows how the output current I is operated by the switch corresponding to the buck converter AC Example. When the current I is applied AC The voltage at the current output of the living tissue load is less than the battery voltage V BAT When , the switching operation of the buck converter can be performed.

[0086] Reference Fig.11 , is implemented with an output current I AC The switching operation uses the first switch SW 1 , the second switch SW 2 and the fifth switch SW 5 The second switch SW 2 is configured and / or controlled to provide an output current I AC The first switch SW 1 The fifth switch SW is configured and / or controlled to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. 5 The fifth switch SW may be turned off during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot. The inductor current may decrease during the second interval, and the fifth switch SW may be turned off even in the middle of the second interval when the inductor current reaches 0. 5 That is, the output current I AC The current flows during the first interval in the time slot as shown by the first arrow 1110, and the output current I AC The current flow during the second interval in the time slot is shown as a second arrow 1120. In this example, the inductor current I L increases in the first interval and decreases in the second interval, and the inductor current I in the first interval and the second interval L The output is a current I AC .

[0087] Reference above Figures 9 to 11 The example described is with the current I as the positive current AC In the following, reference will be made to Fig.12 Describe the current I as a negative current AC Related examples.

[0088] Fig.12A current I showing how a negative current is output through a switching operation corresponding to the operation of a buck-boost converter AC Example. When the current I is applied AC The voltage at the current output end of the living tissue load is greater than, less than or equal to the battery voltage V BAT When , the switching operation of the buck-boost converter can be performed.

[0089] Reference Fig.12 , is implemented with an output current I AC The switching operation uses the second switch SW 2 , the fifth switch SW 5 and the seventh switch SW 7 The fifth switch SW 5 is configured and / or controlled to provide an output current I AC The seventh switch SW is turned on during the time slot. 7 The second switch SW is configured and / or controlled to be turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot. 2 The second switch SW may be turned off during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot. The inductor current may decrease during the second interval, and the second switch SW may be turned off even in the middle of the second interval when the inductor current reaches 0. 2 That is, the output current I AC The current flows during the first interval in the time slot as shown by the first arrow 1210, and the output current I AC The current flow during the second interval in the time slot is shown as a second arrow 1220. In this example, the inductor current I L The absolute value of the inductor current I in the second interval increases in the first interval and decreases in the second interval. L The output is a current I AC Therefore, both positive and negative currents can be output by switching operation without requiring an H-bridge connection to the current output terminal.

[0090] Figures 13 to 16 is a diagram showing an example of the control switch operation.

[0091] The above-mentioned switching operation may be performed according to time division-based control. That is, the switching operation may be performed in different time slots, and the inductor may be used in their corresponding time slots. In addition, the switching operation may be performed according to time division-based priority control. For example, a switching operation selected from a plurality of switching operations based on the priority of the plurality of switching operations may be performed in the current time slot. Fig.13 Describe in detail the time-based priority control.

[0092] Fig.13A flow chart showing the switch operation controlled according to the time-division-based priority control.

[0093] Reference Fig.13 In operation 1310, a new time slot is allocated by a clock trigger. When a new time slot is allocated, operation 1320 is performed.

[0094] In operation 1320, it is determined whether it is necessary to output current from the current output terminal. For example, it may be determined whether it is necessary to output stimulation current to the living tissue in contact with the current output terminal. For another example, it may be determined whether it is necessary to output current to measure the impedance of the portion in contact with the current output terminal. In response to determining that the output current is necessary, operation 1325 is performed. In response to determining that the output current is not necessary, operation 1330 is performed.

[0095] In operation 1325, a switching operation for outputting a current is performed during the current time slot, and the current is output from the current output terminal. Operation 1310 is then performed, and the next time slot then occurs.

[0096] In operation 1330, it is determined whether the first voltage output from the first voltage output terminal is insufficient. Such determination may be performed based on whether the current voltage of the first voltage output terminal is less than a preset first reference voltage. For example, when the first reference voltage is 1.80V and the current voltage of the first voltage output terminal is 1.85V or 1.80V, it may be determined that the first voltage is sufficient. In this example, when the current voltage of the first voltage output terminal is 1.75V, it may be determined that the first voltage is insufficient. In response to determining that the first voltage is insufficient, operation 1335 is subsequently performed. In response to determining that the first voltage is sufficient, operation 1340 is subsequently performed.

[0097] In operation 1335, during the current time slot, a switching operation is performed to constantly maintain the first voltage output from the first voltage output terminal as the first reference voltage. That is, energy can be transferred to the first voltage output terminal, and thus the first voltage can be maintained at the first reference voltage. Operation 1310 is then performed, and then the next time slot occurs.

[0098] In operation 1340, it is determined whether the second voltage output from the second voltage output terminal is insufficient. Such determination may be performed based on whether the current voltage of the second voltage output terminal is less than a preset second reference voltage. For example, when the second reference voltage is 0.80V and the current voltage of the second voltage output terminal is 0.85V or 0.80V, it may be determined that the second voltage is sufficient. In this example, when the current voltage of the second voltage output terminal is 0.75V, it may be determined that the second voltage is insufficient. In response to determining that the second voltage is insufficient, operation 1345 is subsequently performed. In response to determining that the second voltage is sufficient, operation 1350 is subsequently performed.

[0099] In operation 1345, during the current time slot, a switching operation is performed to constantly maintain the second voltage output from the second voltage output terminal as the second reference voltage. That is, energy can be transferred to the second voltage output terminal. Operation 1310 is then performed, and then the next time slot occurs.

[0100] In operation 1350, it is determined whether charging the battery is feasible. Such a determination may be performed based on whether the rectifier voltage is sufficient. For example, when the reference rectifier voltage is 1.0V and the rectifier voltage is 1.0V or 1.1V, it may be determined that charging the battery is feasible. In this example, when the rectifier voltage is 0.9V, it may be determined that charging the battery is not feasible. In response to determining that charging the battery is feasible, operation 1355 is then performed. In response to determining that charging the battery is not feasible, operation 1360 is then performed.

[0101] In operation 1355, a switching operation for charging the battery is performed during the current time slot, and then the battery is charged. Operation 1310 is then performed, and then the next time slot occurs.

[0102] In operation 1360, when it is determined that output current, voltage maintenance and battery charging are not required, or it is impossible to output current, voltage maintenance and battery charging, the current time slot is skipped. That is, no switching operation is performed in the current time slot, and then operation 1310 is performed, and then the next time slot occurs.

[0103] As described above, time-division-based priority control can be performed by dividing the time axis and performing a high-priority switch operation first. For example, when applying a stimulation signal, the time point of applying the stimulation may be important, so the switch operation for outputting current may have the highest priority. However, when charging the battery, the time point may not be so important, and it is sufficient to only transfer power to the battery, so the switch operation for charging the battery may have the lowest priority. In addition, when maintaining a voltage, the time point of maintaining the voltage may not be so important, and it is necessary to maintain the voltage at the voltage output terminal greater than or equal to a preset reference voltage, so the switch operation for maintaining the voltage may have a medium priority.

[0104] Fig.14 The inductor current I is shown when the switching operation is performed according to the priority control based on time division. L See the example below. Fig.14, a switching operation for outputting current, maintaining voltage, or charging the battery can be performed in one time slot. For example, when outputting current for stimulation, a pattern in which a preset amount of current is output in a positive direction and then a preset amount of current is output in a negative direction can be shown. In this example, there can be a specific blank period between such patterns. In a time slot that is not allocated for outputting current, a voltage can be output. In a time slot that is not allocated for maintaining voltage in addition to outputting current, the battery can be charged. In addition, a time slot that is not allocated for charging the battery in addition to outputting current and maintaining voltage can be skipped, and thus the inductor current I L May not flow in this time slot.

[0105] When charging the battery, the inductor current I L The direction of the inductor current I when the output is positive or when the voltage is maintained L The direction of the inductor current I L Can have negative values, such as in Fig.14 As shown in the graph shown in .

[0106] In one example, the speed of the reference clock used to divide the time slots may be controllable. For example, when the battery charging is not sufficiently performed due to the output current or the maintenance voltage despite the frequent need to charge the battery, the clock speed may be controlled to be faster. However, when the time slots are generated more frequently than required for the output current, the maintenance voltage, or the battery charging, the pulse-skip rate may increase. When the pulse-skip rate increases, the clock speed may be controlled to be slower. By adaptively controlling the clock speed as described above, a more stable switching operation may be performed.

[0107] Fig.15 An example of sequential control based on time division is shown. In one example, the switching operations may be assigned to the time slots in sequence. For example, the switching operations for charging the battery, outputting current, maintaining the first voltage, and maintaining the second voltage may be sequentially assigned to the time slots, respectively, and then performed. By sequential control based on time division, the operation of determining the switching operation in the time slot may be omitted.

[0108] Fig.16 An example is shown in which no current needs to be output in the process of time-division-based sequential control. For example, when no current needs to be output in the current time slot in the time-division-based sequential control, the time slot can be skipped without considering whether the voltage needs to be maintained or whether it is possible to charge the battery.

[0109] exist Fig.15 and Fig.16In the example, although the switching operations are assigned to different time slots in sequence as an example, the order depicted in other examples is not limited thereto. For example, the example includes assigning the switching operations in a sequence, which may include any one or any combination of any two or more of the switching operations for charging the battery, outputting current, maintaining the first voltage, and maintaining the second voltage.

[0110] Fig.17 and Fig.18 is a diagram showing an example of a switching operation for outputting a pulse current using a freewheeling switch.

[0111] In one example, the current to be output from the current output terminal may be output in the form of a pulse wave instead of a triangular or chopped wave. Therefore, the inductance or value of the inductor included in the converter may need to be large enough so that the waveform of the inductor does not drop due to the voltage across the living tissue. The converter may also include a freewheeling switch SW F , and the second switch SW 2 Can be implemented as an H bridge. Fig.17 and Fig.18 A switching operation performed to output current in the form of a pulse wave is described in detail.

[0112] Fig.17 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a switching operation for outputting a current in the form of a pulse wave. Fig.17 , the first switch SW 1 and the sixth switch SW 6 turns on to build up the current to the inductor current I L In addition, the first switch SW 1 and the sixth switch SW 6 Disconnect and freewheeling switch SW F is configured and / or controlled to be on to maintain the inductor current I L The circuit including the inductor and the freewheeling switch SW F In the closed loop, the inductor current I L Can flow counterclockwise.

[0113] Then, when the freewheeling switch SW F Open and some switches of the H-bridge (for example, SW H1 and SW H3 ) and the fifth switch SW 5 Or the first switch SW 1 When conducting, the current I AC On the contrary, when the freewheeling switch SW F The remaining switches of the H-bridge (e.g., SW H2 and SW H4) and the fifth switch SW 5 Or the first switch SW 1 When conducting, the current I AC Output can be in negative direction.

[0114] In one example, one pulse may be output in one time slot. In order to output current in the form of a positive pulse wave, the freewheeling switch SW F The switch SW of the H-bridge may be turned on during the first interval in the time slot and turned off during the second interval in the time slot. H1 and SW H3 and the fifth switch SW 5 Or the first switch SW 1 The freewheeling switch SW may be disconnected during the first interval in the time slot and turned on during the second interval in the time slot. F The remaining switches SW of the H-bridge may be turned on during the first interval in the time slot and turned off during the second interval in the time slot. H2 and SW H4 and the fifth switch SW 5 Or the first switch SW 1 The first switch SW may be disconnected during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot. 1 , the fifth switch SW 5 , the sixth switch SW 6 and freewheeling switch SW F Such control can be assumed to have been performed to constantly maintain the inductor current I L Switch operation.

[0115] Fig.18 The inductor current I L , the current I to be output AC , the first control voltage φ 1 , the second control voltage φ 2 and the third control voltage φ 3 See the respective examples. Fig.18 , when the first control voltage φ 1 When it is high, the first control voltage φ 1 The controlled switch is configured and / or controlled to be turned on. 1 When it is low, the first control voltage φ 1 Similarly, the switch controlled by the second control voltage φ 2 and the third control voltage φ 3 The corresponding switch is on or off.

[0116] like Fig.18The constant maintained inductor current I shown in L At the first control voltage φ 1 and the second control voltage φ 2 Under the control of AC In addition, the inductor current I L At the first control voltage φ 1 and the third control voltage φ 3 Under the control of the negative pulse wave, the output is the current I AC .

[0117] As mentioned above, the freewheeling switch SW F Short-circuit the two ends of the inductor to achieve freewheeling, and the inductor current I L Maintain DC. In addition, the freewheeling switch SW F The H-bridge control allows the current I AC is output.

[0118] In this regard Figures 1 to 18The circuit device 100, converter 110, power receiver 120, battery 130, controller 140, inductor 111, switching circuit 113, switch, converter, circuit device and other equipment, module, device and other components described are implemented by hardware components. Examples of hardware components that can be used to perform the operations described in this application include: controllers, sensors, generators, drivers, memories, comparators, arithmetic logic units, adders, subtractors, multipliers, dividers, integrators and any other electronic components configured to perform the operations described in this application. In other examples, one or more of the hardware components that perform the operations described in this application are implemented by computing hardware (e.g., by one or more processors or computers). A processor or computer can be implemented by one or more processing elements (such as logic gate arrays, controllers and arithmetic logic units, digital signal processors, microcomputers, programmable logic controllers, field programmable gate arrays, programmable logic arrays, microprocessors or any other devices or combinations of devices configured to respond and execute instructions in a defined manner to achieve the desired results). In one example, a processor or computer includes or is connected to one or more memories storing instructions or software executed by a processor or computer. The hardware components implemented by a processor or computer can execute instructions or software (such as, operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on OS) for performing the operations described in this application. The hardware components can also access, manipulate, process, create and store data in response to the execution of instructions or software. For simplicity, the singular term "processor" or "computer" can be used in the description of the examples described in this application, but in other examples, multiple processors or computers can be used, or the processor or computer can include multiple processing elements or multiple types of processing elements or both. For example, a single hardware component or two or more hardware components can be implemented by a single processor, or two or more processors, or a processor and a controller. One or more hardware components can be implemented by one or more processors, or a processor and a controller, and one or more other hardware components can be implemented by one or more other processors, or another processor and another controller. One or more processors, or a processor and a controller can implement a single hardware component or two or more hardware components. The hardware components may have any one or more of different processing configurations, examples of which include: a single processor, independent processors, parallel processors, single instruction single data (SISD) multiprocessing, single instruction multiple data (SIMD) multiprocessing, multiple instruction single data (MISD) multiprocessing, and multiple instruction multiple data (MIMD) multiprocessing.

[0119] Figures 1 to 18The method for performing the operations described in the present application shown in the embodiment is performed by computing hardware (e.g., by one or more processors or computers), which is implemented as executing instructions or software as described above to perform the operations performed by the method described in the present application. For example, a single operation or two or more operations may be performed by a single processor or two or more processors, or a processor and a controller. One or more operations may be performed by one or more processors, or a processor and a controller, and one or more other operations may be performed by one or more other processors, or another processor and another controller. One or more processors, or a processor and a controller may perform a single operation or two or more operations.

[0120] Instructions or software for controlling computing hardware (e.g., one or more processors or computers) to implement hardware components and perform methods as described above may be written as computer programs, code segments, instructions, or any combination thereof to individually or collectively instruct or configure one or more processors or computers to operate as a machine or special-purpose computer to perform operations performed by the hardware components and methods as described above. In one example, the instructions or software include machine code (such as machine code generated by a compiler) directly executed by one or more processors or computers. In another example, the instructions or software include high-level code executed by one or more processors or computers using an interpreter. Instructions or software may be written in any programming language based on the block diagrams and flow charts shown in the accompanying drawings and the corresponding descriptions in the specification, and the block diagrams and flow charts shown in the accompanying drawings and the corresponding descriptions in the specification disclose algorithms for performing operations performed by the hardware components and methods as described above.

[0121] Instructions or software for controlling computing hardware (e.g., one or more processors or computers) to implement hardware components and perform the methods described above, and any associated data, data files, and data structures may be recorded, stored, or fixed in or on one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media include: read-only memory (ROM), random access programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), flash memory, non-volatile memory, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD+R, CD-RW, CD+RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-R LTH, BD-RE, Blu-ray or optical disk storage, hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), card storage (such as, multimedia card or micro card (for example, secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD))), magnetic tape, floppy disk, magneto-optical data storage device, optical data storage device, hard disk, solid state disk, and any other device, any other device is configured to store instructions or software and any associated data, data files and data structures in a non-temporary manner and provide the instructions or software and any associated data, data files and data structures to one or more processors or computers so that one or more processors and computers can execute the instructions. In one example, the instructions or software and any associated data, data files and data structures are distributed on a networked computer system so that the instructions and software and any associated data, data files and data structures are stored, accessed and executed in a distributed manner by one or more processors or computers.

[0122] Although the present disclosure includes specific examples, it will be clear after understanding the disclosure of the present application that various changes in form and detail can be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein should be considered to be descriptive only, not for the purpose of limitation. The description of the features or aspects in each example will be considered to be applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. If the described technology is performed in a different order, and / or if the components in the described system, architecture, device or circuit are combined in a different manner, and / or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents, suitable results can be achieved. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is not limited by a specific embodiment, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all changes within the scope of the claims and their equivalents should be interpreted as included in the disclosure.

Claims

1. A converter device, comprising: an inductor having a first end and a second end; as well as A switching circuit, connected to the inductor, the switching circuit comprising: a first switch configured to control a connection between a first end of an inductor and a battery connected to the converter device; a second switch configured to control a connection between a second end of the inductor and a current output terminal configured to output a current generated from the battery via the inductor; a third switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and a voltage output terminal configured to output a voltage generated from the battery; and a fourth switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and a voltage input terminal configured to receive a voltage for charging the battery, The switch circuit further includes: a freewheeling switch configured to control the connection between the first end of the inductor and the second end of the inductor, Wherein, the second switch includes an H-bridge connected to the second end of the inductor and configured to control the direction of current output to the current output end; the freewheeling switch is turned on during a first interval in a time slot of the output current and is turned off during a second interval in the time slot; and some of the multiple switches of the H-bridge are disconnected from the fifth switch or the first switch during the first interval in the time slot and are turned on during the second interval in the time slot.

2. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The switching circuit also includes: a fifth switch configured to control a connection between the first end of the inductor and ground; a sixth switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and ground; and A seventh switch is configured to control the connection between the second end of the inductor and the battery.

3. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The switching circuit also includes: a sixth switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and ground, wherein the first switch is turned on during a time slot of the output current; a sixth switch that is turned on during a first interval in the time slot and is turned off during a second interval in the time slot; and The second switch is open during a first interval in the time slot and is closed during a second interval in the time slot.

4. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The switching circuit also includes: a fifth switch configured to control a connection between the first end of the inductor and ground, wherein the second switch is turned on during a time slot of the output current; The first switch is turned on during a first interval in the time slot and is turned off during a second interval in the time slot; and The fifth switch is turned off during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot.

5. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The switching circuit also includes: a fifth switch configured to control a connection between the first end of the inductor and ground; and a sixth switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and ground, wherein the first switch and the sixth switch are turned on during a first interval in a time slot of the output current, and are turned off during a second interval in the time slot; and The second switch and the fifth switch are turned off during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot.

6. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The switching circuit also includes: a fifth switch configured to control a connection between the first end of the inductor and ground; and a seventh switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and the battery, wherein the fifth switch is turned on during the time slot of the output current; a seventh switch that is turned on during a first interval in the time slot and turned off during a second interval in the time slot; and The second switch is open during a first interval in the time slot and is closed during a second interval in the time slot.

7. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The switch circuit is configured to perform a switching operation on an internal switch so that a first current is output from the current output terminal during a first time slot and a second current is output from the current output terminal in a direction opposite to the first current during a second time slot different from the first time slot.

8. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The switching circuit also includes: a sixth switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and ground, wherein the first switch is turned on during a time slot of the output voltage; a sixth switch that is turned on during a first interval in the time slot and is turned off during a second interval in the time slot; and The third switch is opened during a first interval in the time slot and is turned on during a second interval in the time slot.

9. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The switching circuit also includes: a fifth switch configured to control a connection between the first end of the inductor and ground, wherein the third switch is turned on during the time slot of the output voltage; The first switch is turned on during a first interval in the time slot and is turned off during a second interval in the time slot; and The fifth switch is turned off during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot.

10. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The switching circuit also includes: a fifth switch configured to control a connection between the first end of the inductor and ground; and a sixth switch configured to control a connection between the second end of the inductor and ground, wherein the first switch and the sixth switch are turned on during a first interval in a time slot of the output voltage, and are turned off during a second interval in the time slot; and The third switch and the fifth switch are turned off during a first interval in the time slot and turned on during a second interval in the time slot.

11. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The switching circuit also includes: a fifth switch configured to control a connection between the first end of the inductor and ground, wherein the fourth switch is turned on during a time slot for charging the battery; a fifth switch that is turned on during a first interval in the time slot and is turned off during a second interval in the time slot; and The first switch is open during a first interval in the time slot and is closed during a second interval in the time slot.

12. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The switching circuit is configured to perform one of a first switching operation for outputting a current generated from the battery via an inductor during a time slot, a second switching operation for maintaining a voltage generated from the battery constant, and a third switching operation for charging the battery.

13. The converter device according to claim 12, wherein: The switching circuit is configured to perform one switching operation selected from among the first switching operation, the second switching operation, and the third switching operation based on priorities of the first switching operation, the second switching operation, and the third switching operation.

14. The converter device according to claim 13, wherein: When it is determined that the current is output from the current output terminal, the switch circuit performs a first switching operation.

15. The converter device according to claim 13, wherein: When it is determined that the current is not output from the current output terminal and it is determined that the voltage output from the voltage output terminal is insufficient, the switch circuit is configured to perform a second switching operation.

16. The converter device according to claim 13, wherein: The switch circuit performs a third switching operation when it is determined that charging of the battery is possible, when it is determined that no current is output from the current output terminal, and when it is determined that the voltage output from the voltage output terminal is sufficient.

17. The converter device according to claim 13, wherein: The switch circuit skips the time slot when it is determined that no current is output from the current output terminal, when it is determined that the voltage output from the voltage output terminal is sufficient, and when it is determined that charging the battery is not feasible.

18. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The part of the switches among the plurality of switches of the H bridge is selected from a plurality of switches included in the H bridge based on a direction in which the current is output from the current output terminal.

19. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The current to be output from the current output terminal is in the form of a pulse wave.

20. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The inductor is a single inductor.

21. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The switching circuit also includes: An eighth switch is configured to control connection between the second end of the inductor and a second voltage output terminal outputting a second voltage generated from the battery.

22. The transducer device of claim 1, configured to be implanted in a human body.

23. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein: The converter device is a circuit device, and further includes the battery, a power receiver configured to receive power for charging the battery, and a controller configured to control a switching operation of a switching circuit.

24. A circuit device comprising: Battery; a power receiver configured to receive power for charging the battery; a converter, connected to the battery and the power receiver, including an inductor and a switching circuit; as well as a controller configured to control a switching operation of the switching circuit to perform one of a first switching operation for outputting a current generated from a battery via the inductor, a second switching operation for maintaining a voltage generated from the battery constant, and a third switching operation for charging the battery using the inductor, The switch circuit includes: a first switch configured to control the connection between a first end of the inductor and a battery connected to the converter; a second switch configured to control the connection between a second end of the inductor and a current output terminal configured to output a current generated from the battery via the inductor, The switch circuit further includes: a freewheeling switch configured to control the connection between the first end of the inductor and the second end of the inductor, Wherein, the second switch includes an H-bridge connected to the second end of the inductor and configured to control the direction of current output to the current output end; the freewheeling switch is turned on during a first interval in a time slot of the output current and is turned off during a second interval in the time slot; and some of the multiple switches of the H-bridge are disconnected from the fifth switch or the first switch during the first interval in the time slot and are turned on during the second interval in the time slot.

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