Charging system including multifunctional DC-dc

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging system including a multifunctional DC-DC converter and a related method. A charging system includes: a multifunctional direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter; an energy storage device; and a controller configured to control at least the multi-function DC-DC converter to enable the charging system to operate in at least any of the following operating modes: (a) a first operating mode at least partially characterized by the multi-function DC-DC converter charging the energy storage device using energy from an input power source, and (b) a second operating mode at least partially characterized by the multi-function DC-DC converter charging the energy storage device using energy from an output power source; (b) a second mode of operation characterized at least in part by the multifunction DC-DC converter using energy from the input power source to power a first load; and (c) a third mode of operation characterized at least in part by the multifunction DC-DC converter using energy from the input power source to power the second load.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to charging systems, and more particularly to charging systems including multifunctional DC-DC converters and related methods. Background Art

[0002] For example, charging systems are used to charge portable electronic devices such as hearing aids, wireless headphones, smart watches, mobile phones, etc. The charging system typically includes a battery that enables the charging system to charge the device even when the charging system is not connected to an external power source, such as when the user of the charging system is "on the go" (OTG). Summary of the invention

[0003] In one embodiment, a charging system includes a multifunctional direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter, an energy storage device, and a controller. The controller is configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system can operate in at least any one of the following operating modes: (i) a first operating mode characterized at least in part by the multifunctional DC-DC converter charging the energy storage device using energy from an input power source, (ii) a second operating mode characterized at least in part by the multifunctional DC-DC converter powering a first load using energy from the input power source, and (iii) a third operating mode characterized at least in part by the multifunctional DC-DC converter powering a second load using energy from the input power source.

[0004] In one embodiment, a charging system includes: (1) an inductor electrically coupled between a first switch node and a second switch node, (2) one or more first power conversion switch devices electrically coupled to the first switch node, (3) one or more second power conversion switch devices electrically coupled to the second switch node, (4) a first load switch device electrically coupled between the second switch node and the first output power node, (5) a second load switch device electrically coupled between the second switch node and the second output power node, (6) an energy storage device electrically coupled to the first switch node via at least one or more first power conversion switch devices, and (7) a controller. The controller is configured to control at least one or more first power conversion switching devices, one or more second power conversion switching devices, a first load switching device, and a second load switching device so that the charging system can operate in at least any one of the following operating modes: (i) a first operating mode, at least partially characterized by the charging system using energy from an input power source to charge the energy storage device, (ii) a second operating mode, at least partially characterized by the charging system using energy from the input power source to power a first load electrically coupled to the first output power node, and (iii) a third operating mode, at least partially characterized by the charging system using energy from the input power source to power a second load electrically coupled to the second output power node.

[0005] A method for operating a charging system includes: (1) transferring first energy from an input power source to an energy storage device using a multifunctional direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter by transferring first energy in a first direction through an inductor of the DC-DC converter; (2) after transferring the first energy from the input power source to the energy storage device, transferring second energy from one of the input power source and the energy storage device to a first load using the multifunctional DC-DC converter by transferring second energy in a second direction opposite to the first direction through the inductor of the DC-DC converter; and (3) after transferring the second energy from one of the input power source and the energy storage device to the first load, transferring third energy from one of the input power source and the energy storage device to a second load using the multifunctional DC-DC converter by transferring third energy in the second direction through the inductor of the DC-DC converter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrical environment including a charging system, wherein the charging system includes a multi-function direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter.

[0007] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electrical environment in which the energy storage device is implemented by two batteries electrically coupled in series.

[0008] Figure 3 shows the first operating mode of the charging system Figure 1 An example of energy flow in a charging system.

[0009] Figure 4A shows the first operating mode of the charging system Figure 1 An example of control signals in a charging system where the multifunction DC-DC converter operates as a buck converter.

[0010] Figure 4B shows the first operating mode of the charging system Figure 1 An example of control signals in a charging system where the multifunctional DC-DC converter operates as a boost converter.

[0011] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 An example of energy flow of the charging system in the second operating mode of the charging system.

[0012] Figure 6 Shows Figure 1 An example of a control signal for the charging system in the second operating mode of the charging system.

[0013] Figure 7 Shows Figure 1 An example of energy flow of the charging system in the third operating mode of the charging system.

[0014] Figure 8 Shows Figure 1 An example of control signals of the charging system in the third operating mode of the charging system.

[0015] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 1 An example of energy flow of the charging system in the fourth operating mode of the charging system.

[0016] Fig.10 Shows Figure 1 An example of control signals for the charging system in the fourth operating mode of the charging system.

[0017] Fig.11 Shows Figure 1 An example of energy flow of the charging system in the fifth operating mode of the charging system.

[0018] Fig.12 Shows Figure 1An example of control signals for the charging system in the fifth operating mode of the charging system.

[0019] Fig.13 Is used for operation Figure 1 A flow chart of a method of charging a system wherein the charging system operates in first, second and third operating modes for equal durations.

[0020] Fig.14 Is used for operation Figure 1 A flow chart of a method of charging a system in which the charging system is operated for a disproportionate amount of time in a second operating mode.

[0021] Fig.15 Is used for operation Figure 1 A flow chart of a method of charging a system in which the charging system is operated in fourth and fifth operating modes for equal durations.

[0022] Fig.16 Is used for operation Figure 1 A flow chart of another method of charging a system in which the charging system is operated in first, second, and third operating modes for equal durations.

[0023] Fig.17 Is used for operation Figure 1 A flow chart of a method of charging a system in which the charging system is operated for a disproportionate amount of time in a first operating mode.

[0024] Fig.18 Is used for operation Figure 1 A flow chart of a method of charging a system in which the charging system is operated for a disproportionate amount of time in its fifth mode of operation.

[0025] Fig.19 Yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the electrical environment of an alternative embodiment of a charging system.

[0026] Fig. 20 shows the second operating mode of the charging system Fig.19 An example of a control signal in a charging system.

[0027] Fig.21 Shows Fig.19 An example of control signals for the charging system in the fourth operating mode of the charging system.

[0028] Fig. 22 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of an electrical environment in which the first input power source is replaced by a load.

[0029] Fig.23 Shows Fig. 22An example of energy flow of the charging system in the sixth operating mode of the charging system.

[0030] Fig.24 The sixth operating mode of the charging system is shown. Fig. 22 An example of control signals in a charging system where the multifunction DC-DC converter operates as a buck converter.

[0031] Fig.25 The sixth operating mode of the charging system is shown. Fig. 22 An example of control signals in a charging system where the multifunctional DC-DC converter operates as a boost converter.

[0032] Fig.26 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of an electrical environment further comprising a third input power source.

[0033] Fig. 27 is further comprised of a third load Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of an electrical environment.

[0034] Fig.28 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of another embodiment of an electrical environment that also includes a second energy storage device.

[0035] Fig.29 is a schematic diagram of an electrical environment including a charging stand, wherein the charging stand includes Figure 1 Embodiment of a charging system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Conventional charging systems include two or more inductors, as well as a large number of switching devices, as part of their power conversion circuitry. Inductors are relatively large and costly, which contributes to the size and cost of the charging system. In addition, while switching devices may be smaller than inductors, switching devices also affect the size and cost of the charging system. In addition, the power conversion circuitry of conventional charging systems forms two or more direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converters, which may operate simultaneously, thereby compromising the efficiency of the charging system, as each operating DC-DC converter results in power loss in the charging system.

[0037] Disclosed herein are charging systems and related methods that may at least partially overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of conventional charging systems. The new charging system includes a multifunctional DC-DC converter that is capable of charging an energy storage device using only a single inductor and powering multiple loads at different voltage amplitudes, thereby promoting miniaturization of the charging system, low charging system cost, and efficient charging system operation. In addition, specific embodiments of the new charging system require fewer switching devices than conventional charging systems with similar functionality, which further contributes to achieving small power conversion circuit size and cost, and high charging system efficiency. In addition, the new multifunctional DC-DC converter can be used in applications other than charging system applications.

[0038] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrical environment 100 including a charging system 102, a first input power source 104, a second input power source 106, a first load 108, and a second load 110. The charging system 102 is an embodiment of the novel charging system disclosed herein, and as described below, the charging system 102 includes a DC-DC converter 112, which is an implementation example of the novel multifunctional DC-DC converter disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the first input power source 104 includes a universal serial bus (USB) power source, and the second input power source 106 includes a wireless charging power source, such as a wireless charging power source configured to receive energy through an externally generated magnetic field. However, the configuration of the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106 can vary according to design choices. In addition, it should be noted that the first input power source 104 and / or the second input power source 106 are not necessarily always present in the electrical environment 100, so the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106 may not be available for use by the charging system 102 from time to time. For example, some embodiments of charging system 102 are portable, and a user of charging system 102 may move charging system 102 away from first input power source 104 and second input power source 106, such as when the user of charging system 102 is "on the go" (OTG).

[0039] Each of the first load 108 and the second load 110 includes, for example, one or more portable electronic devices, such as hearing aids, wireless earbuds, smart watches, mobile phones, etc. The first input power source 104, the second input power source 106, the first load 108, and the second load 110 are depicted as being electrically referenced to a reference node 114, which is represented by a downward-pointing triangle. In some embodiments, the reference node 114 is a ground node, such as a ground node or a chassis ground node. In other embodiments, the reference node 114 floats relative to the ground node, or in other words, the reference node 116 can be at a different potential than ground or another ground node.

[0040] As discussed further below, the charging system 102 is configured to power the first load 108 and the second load 110 with energy received from the first input power source 104 or the second input power source 106, for example, for charging one or more batteries (not shown) of each load. In addition, the charging system 102 is configured to power the first load 108 and the second load 110 from energy stored in the charging system 102 when the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106 are not available, for example, when the user of the charging system 102 is OTG and the charging system 102 is therefore far away from the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106. In addition, the charging system 102 is capable of powering each of the first load 108 and the second load 110 so that the two loads are at different respective voltages v o1 and v o2 .

[0041] The charging system 102 includes a DC-DC converter 112, a first input switching device 116, a second input switching device 118, an energy storage device 120, a battery switching device 122, a controller 124, a first output capacitor 126, and a second output capacitor 128. In this document, a "switching device" is a device that can operate in at least an open state and a closed state in response to a control signal. Therefore, the switching device can selectively electrically couple two or more nodes and / or two or more devices in response to a control signal. Specifically, the switching device electrically couples two or more nodes and / or two or more devices by closing in response to a control signal that commands the switching device to close, and the switching device electrically decouples two or more nodes or two or more devices by opening according to a control signal that commands the switching device to open. In some embodiments, each switching device disclosed herein includes one or more transistors, such as one or more field effect transistors (FETs), one or more bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), one or more insulated gate bipolar junction transistors (IGBTs), etc. For example, a switching device that does not need to be able to prevent reverse current flow may include a single FET, while a switching device that must be able to prevent reverse flow may include an N-channel FET electrically coupled in series with a P-channel FET to prevent undesirable FET body diode current conduction.

[0042] The first input power source 104 is electrically coupled to the first input power node 130, and the first input power source 104 drives the first input power node 130 to an input voltage v i1The first input switch device 116 is electrically coupled between the first input power supply node 130 and the intermediate power supply node 134, and thus the first input switch device 116 is configured to selectively electrically couple the intermediate power supply node 134 to the first input power supply 104 in response to the control signal φa generated by the controller 124. Similarly, the second input power supply 106 is electrically coupled to the second input power node 132, and the second input voltage source 106 is configured to drive the second input power node 132 to the input voltage v i2 The second input switch device 118 is electrically coupled between the second input power supply node 132 and the intermediate power supply node 134 , and is thus configured to selectively electrically couple the intermediate power supply node 134 to the second input power supply 106 in response to a control signal φb generated by the controller 124 .

[0043] The first load 108 is electrically coupled to the first output power node 136, and the first output capacitor 126 is electrically coupled between the first output power node 136 and the reference node 114. The second load 110 is electrically coupled to the second output power node 138, and the second output capacitor 128 is electrically coupled between the second output power node 138 and the reference node 114. In embodiments where the first load 108 includes sufficient capacitance such that the first output capacitor 126 is not required, the first output capacitor 126 may be omitted. Similarly, in embodiments where the second load 110 includes sufficient capacitance such that the second output capacitor 128 is not required, the second output capacitor 128 may be omitted.

[0044] The DC-DC converter 112 is electrically coupled to each of the intermediate power node 134, the battery node 140, the first output power node 136, and the second output power node 138. The energy storage device 120 is electrically coupled to the battery node 140 via the battery switching device 122. Therefore, the energy storage device 120 is electrically coupled to the battery node 140 and the DC-DC converter 112 via the battery switching device 122. The battery switching device 122 is configured to selectively electrically couple the energy storage device 120 to the battery node 140 in response to a control signal φj generated by the controller 124. In some embodiments, the controller 124 is configured to disconnect the energy storage device 120 from the battery node 140 in response to an abnormal condition, such as in response to an overload, overcurrent, and / or overheat condition of the energy storage device 120. The energy storage device 120 includes, for example, one or more elements capable of storing energy, such as one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, etc. For example, Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of an electrical environment 200, which is one embodiment of the electrical environment 100, including the charging system 102 embodied as a charging system 202. The energy storage device 120 is implemented in the charging system 202 by two batteries 220 electrically coupled in series. However, it should be understood that the charging system 202 can be modified to include only a single battery 220, or three or more batteries 220 electrically coupled in series, without departing from the scope of this document. In addition, in embodiments of the charging system 202 that include multiple batteries 220, the batteries can be electrically coupled in parallel, or in a parallel-series combination, rather than in series.

[0045] Reference again Figure 1 , the DC-DC converter 112 includes an inductor 144, a first power conversion switch device 146, a second power conversion switch element 148, a first load switch device 150, a second load switch device 152, and a capacitor 154. The inductor 144 is electrically coupled between the first switch node 142 and the second switch node 156. The first power conversion switch device 146 includes a first upper switch device 158, a first lower switch device 160, and a first intermediate switch device 161, all of which are electrically coupled to the first switch node 142. Specifically, the first upper switch device 158 is electrically coupled between the intermediate power supply node 134 and the first switch node 142, the first lower switch device 160 is electrically coupled between the first switch node 142 and the reference node 114, and the first intermediate switch device 161 is electrically coupled between the first switch node 142 and the battery node 140. The second power conversion switch device 148 includes a second upper switch device 162 and a second lower switch device 164, all of which are electrically coupled to the second switch node 156. Specifically, the second upper switch device 162 is electrically coupled between the intermediate power supply node 134 and the second switch node 156, and the second lower switch device 164 is electrically coupled between the second switch node 156 and the reference node 114. The number and topology of the switch devices within the first power conversion switch device 146, and the number and layout of the switch devices within the second power conversion switch device 148, can vary depending on the desired functionality of the DC-DC converter 112.

[0046] The first upper switch device 158 is configured to selectively electrically couple the first switch node 142 to the intermediate power supply node 134 in response to a control signal φc generated by the controller 124, and the first lower switch device 160 is configured to selectively electrically couple the first switch node 142 to the reference node 114 according to a control signal φd generated by the controller 124. In addition, the first intermediate switch device 161 is configured to electrically couple the first switch node 142 to the battery node 140 in response to a control signal φe generated by the controller 124. The second upper switch device 162 is configured to selectively electrically couple the second switch node 156 to the intermediate power supply node 134 in response to a control signal φf generated by the controller 124, and the second lower switch device 164 is configured to selectively electrically couple the third switch node 156 to the reference node 114 according to a control signal φg generated by the controller 124.

[0047] The first load switch device 150 is electrically coupled between the second switch node 156 and the first output power node 136, and the first load switch device 150 is configured to selectively electrically couple the first load 108 to the second switch node 156 in response to a control signal φh generated by the controller 124. The second load switch device 152 is electrically coupled between the second switch node 156 and the second output power node 138, and the second load switch device 152 is configured to selectively electrically couple the second load 110 to the second switch node 156 in response to a control signal φi generated by the controller 124.

[0048] The controller 124 is configured to generate control signals φa, φb, φc, φd, φe, φf, φg, φh, φi, and φj to control the operation of the charging system 102. The controller 124 is formed, for example, of analog and / or digital electronic circuits. Although the controller 124 is shown as being external to the DC-DC converter 112, the controller 124 may also be partially or completely integrated with the DC-DC converter 112. In addition, the controller 124 may be completely or partially located outside the charging system 102. In addition, although the controller 124 is depicted as a single element, the controller 124 may include multiple sub-elements that do not need to be located in a common location. In addition, the controller 124 may be configured to communicate with one or more of the first load 108 and the second load 110, such as using wire communication or another communication technology, so that the controller 124 can control the operation of the charging system 102 in response to the requirements of one or more of the first load 108 or the second load 110. In addition, certain embodiments of the controller 124 can determine the status of one or more of the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106, such as availability.

[0049] The controller 124 is configured to control the operation of the charging system 102 so that the charging system 102 can operate in any one of at least a first operation mode, a second operation mode, a third operation mode, a fourth operation mode, and a fifth operation mode discussed below. In a particular embodiment, the topology of the DC-DC converter 112 changes between the operation modes, and the controller 124 changes the operation of the first power conversion switch device 146, the second power conversion switch device 148, the first load switch device 150, and / or the second load switch device 152 according to the operation mode of the charging system 102 to change the topology of the DC-DC converter 112. In addition, the controller 124 can enable the charging system 102 to repeatedly change the operation mode, such as enabling the DC-DC converter 112 to perform multiple functions, such as powering each of the first load 108 and the second load 110, and charging the energy storage device 120, as described below.

[0050] The first operating mode

[0051] The first operating mode of the charging system 102 is characterized in that the controller 124 controls each of the first input switching device 116, the second input switching device 118, the DC-DC converter 112 and the battery switching device 122 so that the charging system 102 charges the energy storage device 120 using energy from the first input power source 104 or the second input power source 106. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of electrical environment 100 illustrating one example of operation of charging system 102 in its first operating mode. Figure 3 A bold line 366 is included, which symbolically illustrates that the DC-DC converter 112 transfers energy from one of the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106 to charge the energy storage device 120. In the first operating mode, energy flows from left to right through the inductor 144, i.e., from the second switching node 156 to the first switching node 142.

[0052] Reference again Figure 1, the controller 124 selects one of the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106 to provide energy to the charging system 102, for example, for charging the energy storage device 120, based on the availability of the input power sources and / or a predetermined selection scheme. For example, in a particular embodiment, the controller 124 is configured to (a) select the first input power source 104 to provide energy to the charging system 102 whenever the first input power source 104 is available, and (b) select the second input power source 106 to provide energy to the charging system 102 whenever the first output power source 104 is not available. The controller 124 selects the first input power source 104 to provide energy to the charging system 102 by (a) generating a control signal φa to close the first input switching device 116, thereby electrically coupling the first input power source 104 to the DC-DC converter 112, and (b) generating a control signal φb to open the second input switching device 118, thereby isolating the second input power source 106 from the DC-DC converter 112. On the other hand, the controller 124 selects the second input power source 106 to provide energy to the charging system 102 in the following manner: (a) generating a control signal φa to disconnect the first input switch device 116, thereby isolating the first output power source 104 from the DC-DC converter 112; (b) generating a control signal φb to close the second input switch device 118, thereby electrically coupling the third input power source 106 to the DC-DC converter 112.

[0053] The controller 124 generates control signals φh and φi so that the first load switch device 150 and the second load switch device 152 are opened in the first operation mode, so that each of the first load 108 and the second load 110 is isolated from the DC-DC converter 112. The controller 124 also generates a control signal φj so that the battery switch device 122 is closed in the first operation mode, so that the energy storage device 120 can be charged by the DC-DC converter 112. In addition, the controller 124 generates control signals φc, φd, φe, φf, and φg so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates as a buck converter or a boost converter in the first operation mode.

[0054] Specifically, the controller 124 causes the DC-DC converter 112 to function as a buck converter in the first operating mode by: (a) generating control signals φc and φd to disconnect the first upper switch device 158 and the first lower switch device 160, (b) generating a control signal φe to close the first middle switch device 161, and (c) generating a control signal φf, for example using pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM) techniques, to control the duty cycle of the second upper switch device 162, thereby adjusting the voltage v at the energy storage device 120. b The magnitude and / or current i flowing through the energy storage device band (d) generating a control signal φg so that the second lower switch device 164 performs a freewheeling function, that is, when the second upper switch device 162 is turned on, it is a current i flowing through the inductor 144. L Provide a path.

[0055] In contrast, the controller 124 causes the DC-DC converter 112 to function as a boost converter in the first operating mode by: (a) generating control signals φc and φg to cause the first upper switching device 158 and the second lower switching device 164 to be opened, (b) generating a control signal φf to cause the second upper switching device 162 to be closed, and (c) generating a control signal φd, such as using PWM or PFM techniques, to control the duty cycle of the first lower switching device 160, thereby regulating the voltage v at the energy storage device 120. b The magnitude and / or the current i flowing through the energy storage device 20 b and (d) generating a control signal φe so that the first middle switch device 161 performs a freewheeling function, that is, when the first lower switch device 160 is turned on, it is a current i flowing through the inductor 144. L Provide a path.

[0056] Figure 4A and 4B Together, two examples of how the charging system 102 operates in its first operating mode are shown. Specifically, Figure 4A Seven graphs 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, and 414 are included to illustrate an example of how the controller 124 generates control signals φc, φd, φe, φf, φg, φh, and φi in a single switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112 in the first operating mode of the charging system 102, wherein the DC-DC converter 112 operates as a buck converter. Each of the graphs 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, and 414 is a graph of signal amplitude versus time, and each of the graphs 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, and 414 share a common time base. Figure 4A and 4B The curve graph and Figure 6 , 8, 10, 12, 20, 21, 24, and 25 (discussed below) assume that each switching device is (a) closed when its corresponding control signal is in a logic high state, and (b) open when its respective control signal is in a logic low state. For example, when the control signal φc is in a logic high state, the first upper switching device 158 is closed, and when the control signal φc is in a logic low state, the first upper switching device 158 is open. However, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the control signals of the charging system 102 can have different polarities, and the switching devices in the charging system 102 can respond to the control signals in different ways.

[0057] exist Figure 4A In the example of , the control signals φc, φd, φh and φi are continuously at logic low, so the first upper switch device 158, the first lower switch device 160, the first load switch device 150 and the second load switch device 152 are continuously operated in their respective open states. In addition, the control signal φe is continuously at a logic high level, so the first middle switch device 161 is continuously operated in its closed state. The control signal φf switches between the logic high and logic low states with a duty cycle of t on_1A / T. In addition, the control signal φg is complementary to the control signal φf, so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates in the continuous current conduction mode.

[0058] on the other hand, Figure 4B Seven graphs 416, 418, 420, 422, 424, 426, and 428 are included to illustrate an example of how the controller 124 generates control signals φc, φd, φe, φf, φg, φh, and φi within a single switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112 in the first operating mode of the charging system 102, wherein the DC-DC converter 112 operates as a boost converter. Each of the graphs 416, 418, 420, 422, 424, 426, and 428 has a relationship of signal amplitude to time, and each of the graphs 416, 418, 420, 422, 424, 426, and 428 shares a common time base. Figure 4B In the example of , the control signals φc, φg, φh and φi are continuously at logic low, so the first upper switch device 158, the second lower switch device 164, the first load switch device 150 and the second load switch device 152 are continuously operated in their respective open states. In addition, the control signal φf is continuously at a logic high level, so the second upper switch device 162 is continuously operated in its closed state. The control signal φd is continuously at t on_1B The duty cycle of / T switches between logic high and logic low states. In addition, the control signal φe is complementary to the control signal φd, so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates in a continuous current conduction mode.

[0059] It should be understood that Figure 4A and 4B It is not meant to limit the DC-DC converter 112 to any particular duty cycle or any particular operating mode. For example, the DC-DC converter 112 may instead operate in a discontinuous current conduction mode. For example, the actual operation of the DC-DC converter 112 depends on the implementation and / or operating environment.

[0060] Second operating mode

[0061] The second operating mode of the charging system 102 is characterized in that the controller 124 controls each of the first input switching device 116, the second input switching device 118, the DC-DC converter 112, and the battery switching device 122 so that the charging system 102 uses energy from the first input power source 104 or the second input power source 106 to power the first load 108. The controller 124 selects one of the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106 to provide energy for powering the first load 108, for example, in a manner similar to the manner in which the controller 124 selects the first input power source 104 or the second input power source 106 in the first operating mode. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of electrical environment 100 illustrating one example of operation of charging system 102 in its second operating mode. Figure 5 A bold line 566 is included, which symbolically shows that the DC-DC converter 112 transfers energy from one of the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106 to the first load 108. In the second operating mode, energy flows from right to left through the inductor 144, that is, from the first switching node 142 to the second switching node 156. Therefore, the current i flowing through the inductor 144 is L The DC component of will be negative. For clarity, Figure 5 Omitted Figure 1 The reference symbol Φc is shown.

[0062] Reference again Figure 1 , the controller 124 generates control signals φe, φf, and φg so that the first middle switch device 161, the second upper switch device 162, and the second lower switch device 164 are disconnected in the second operation mode, so that the second power conversion switch device 148 does not affect the operation of the DC-DC converter 112. In the second operation mode, the controller 124 also generates a control signal φh to close the first load switch device 150, and generates a control signal φi to open the second load switch device 152. Therefore, in the second operation mode, the first load 108 is electrically coupled to the DC-DC converter 112, and the second load 110 is isolated from the DC-DC converter 112.

[0063] The controller 124 also generates control signals φc and φd so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates as a buck converter in the second operating mode of the charging system 102. Specifically, the controller 124 generates the control signal φc, for example using PWM or PFM techniques, to control the duty cycle of the first upper switching device 158, thereby regulating the voltage v at the first load 108. o1 The magnitude and / or the current i flowing through the first load 108 o1 It should be noted that since the second load 110 is isolated from the DC-DC converter 112 in the second operating mode, the controller 124 regulates the voltage v in the second operating mode. o1 and / or current i o1 The magnitude of the voltage v at the second load 110 is o2 The magnitude or the current i flowing through the second load 110 o2 The controller 124 generates a control signal φd so that the first lower switch device 160 performs a freewheeling function, that is, when the first upper switch device 158 is turned on, it is the current i flowing through the inductor 144. L Provide a path.

[0064] Figure 6 Seven graphs 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, and 614 are included to illustrate an example of how the controller 124 generates control signals φc, φd, φe, φf, φg, φh, and φi within a single switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112 in the second operating mode of the charging system 102. Each of the graphs 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, and 614 has a relationship between signal amplitude and time, and each of the graphs 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, and 614 shares a common time base. Figure 6 In the example of , the control signals φe, φf, φg and φi are continuously at logic low, so the first middle switch device 161, the second upper switch device 162, the second lower switch device 164 and the second load switch device 152 are continuously operated in their respective open states. In contrast, the control signal φh is continuously at a logic high level, so the first load switch device 150 is continuously operated in its closed state. The control signal φc is continuously at t on_2 The duty cycle of / T switches between logic high and logic low states. In addition, the control signal φd is complementary to the control signal φc so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates in a continuous current conduction mode. However, it should be understood that Figure 6It is not meant to limit the DC-DC converter 112 to any particular duty cycle or any particular operating mode. For example, the DC-DC converter 112 may instead operate in a discontinuous current conduction mode. For example, the actual operation of the DC-DC converter 112 depends on the implementation and / or operating environment.

[0065] The third operating mode

[0066] The third operating mode of the charging system 102 is characterized in that the controller 124 controls each of the first input switching device 116, the second input switching device 118, the DC-DC converter 112, and the battery switching device 122 so that the charging system 102 uses energy from the first input power source 104 or the second input power source 106 to power the second load 110. The controller 124 selects one of the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106 to provide energy for powering the second load 110, for example, in a manner similar to the manner in which the controller 124 selects the first input power source 104 or the second input power source 106 in the first operating mode. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of electrical environment 100 illustrating one example of operation of charging system 102 in its third mode of operation. Figure 7 A bold line 766 is included, which symbolically shows that the DC-DC converter 112 transfers energy from one of the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106 to the second load 110. In the third operating mode, energy flows from right to left through the inductor 144, that is, from the first switching node 142 to the second switching node 156. Therefore, the current i flowing through the inductor 144 is L The DC component of will be negative. For clarity, Figure 7 Omitted Figure 1 The reference symbol φc is shown in .

[0067] Reference again Figure 1 , the controller 124 generates control signals φe, φf, and φg so that the first middle switch device 161, the second upper switch device 162, and the second lower switch device 164 are disconnected in the third operation mode, so that the second power conversion switch device 148 does not affect the operation of the DC-DC converter 112. In the second operation mode, the controller 124 also generates a control signal φi to close the second load switch device 152, and generates a control signal φh to open the first load switch device 150. Therefore, in the third operation mode, the second load 110 is electrically coupled to the DC-DC converter 112, and the first load 108 is isolated from the DC-DC converter 112.

[0068] The controller 124 also generates control signals φc and φd so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates as a buck converter in the third operation mode of the charging system 102. Specifically, the controller 124 generates the control signal φc, for example using PWM or PFM techniques, to control the duty cycle, thereby regulating the voltage v at the second load 110. o2 The magnitude and / or the current i flowing through the second load 100 o2 It should be noted that since the first load 108 is isolated from the DC-DC converter 112 in the third operating mode, the controller 124 is independent of the voltage v at the first load 108 in the third operating mode. o1 The magnitude or current i flowing through the first load 108 o1 The amplitude of v o2 and / or o2 The controller 124 generates a control signal φd so that the first lower switch device 160 performs a freewheeling function, that is, when the first upper switch device 158 is turned on, it is the current i flowing through the inductor 144. L Provide a path.

[0069] Figure 8 Seven graphs 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812, and 814 are included to illustrate an example of how the controller 124 generates control signals φc, φd, φe, φf, φg, φh, and φi within a single switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112 in the third operating mode of the charging system 102. Each of the graphs 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812, and 814 has a relationship between signal amplitude and time, and each of the graphs 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812, and 814 shares a common time base. Figure 8 In the example of , the control signals φe, φf, φg and φh are continuously at logic low, so the first middle switch device 161, the second upper switch device 162, the second lower switch device 164 and the first load switch device 150 are continuously operated in their respective open states. In contrast, the control signal φi is continuously at a logic high level, so the second load switch device 152 is continuously operated in its closed state. The control signal φc is continuously at t on_3 The duty cycle of / T switches between logic high and logic low states. In addition, the control signal φd is complementary to the control signal φc so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates in a continuous current conduction mode. However, it should be understood that Figure 8It is not meant to limit the DC-DC converter 112 to any particular duty cycle or any particular operating mode. For example, the DC-DC converter 112 may instead operate in a discontinuous current conduction mode. For example, the actual operation of the DC-DC converter 112 depends on the implementation and / or operating environment.

[0070] The fourth operating mode

[0071] The fourth operation mode of the charging system 102 is characterized in that the controller 124 controls each of the first input switching device 116, the second input switching device 118, the DC-DC converter 112, and the battery switching device 122 so that the charging system 102 uses energy from the energy storage device 120 to power the first load 108. The charging system 102 operates in its fourth operation mode, for example, when the first load 108 needs to be powered and each of the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106 is unavailable, such as if the user of the charging system 102 is OTG. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of electrical environment 100 illustrating one example of operation of charging system 102 in its fourth operating mode. Fig. 9 A bold line 966 is included, which symbolically shows that the DC-DC converter 112 transfers energy from the energy storage device 120 to the first load 108. In the fourth operating mode, energy flows from right to left through the inductor 144, that is, from the first switching node 142 to the second switching node 156. Therefore, the current i flowing through the inductor 144 is L The DC component of will be negative.

[0072] Reference again Figure 1 , the controller 124 generates control signals φc, φf, and φg so that the first upper switch device 158, the second upper switch device 162, and the second lower switch device 164 are disconnected in the fourth operation mode, so that the second power conversion switch device 148 does not affect the operation of the DC-DC converter 112. In the fourth operation mode, the controller 124 also generates a control signal φh to close the first load switch device 150, and generates a control signal φi to open the second load switch device 152. Therefore, in the fourth operation mode, the first load 108 is electrically coupled to the DC-DC converter 112, and the second load 110 is isolated from the DC-DC converter 112.

[0073] The controller 124 also generates control signals φe and φd so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates as a buck converter in the fourth operation mode of the charging system 102. Specifically, the controller 124 generates the control signal φe, for example using PWM or PFM techniques, to control the duty cycle of the first intermediate switching device 161, thereby regulating the voltage v at the first load 108. o1The magnitude and / or the current i flowing through the first load 108 o1 It should be noted that since the second load 110 is isolated from the DC-DC converter 112 in the fourth operating mode, the controller 124 adjusts the voltage v in the fourth operating mode. o1 and / or current i o1 The magnitude of the voltage v at the second load 110 is o2 The magnitude or the current i flowing through the second load 110 o2 The controller 124 generates a control signal φd so that the first lower switch device 160 performs a freewheeling function, that is, when the first upper switch device 158 is turned on, it is the current i flowing through the inductor 144. L Provide a path.

[0074] Fig.10 Seven graphs 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010, 1012, and 1014 are included to illustrate an example of how the controller 124 generates control signals φc, φd, φe, φf, φg, φh, and φi within a single switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112 in the fourth operating mode of the charging system 102. Each of the graphs 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010, 1012, and 1014 has a relationship between signal amplitude and time, and each of the graphs 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010, 1012, and 1014 share a common time base. Fig.10 In the example of FIG. 1 , the control signals φc, φf, φg, and φi are continuously at logic low, so the first upper switch device 158, the second upper switch device 162, the second lower switch device 164, and the second load switch device 152 are continuously operated in their respective open states. In contrast, the control signal φh is continuously at a logic high level, so the first load switch device 150 is continuously operated in its closed state. The control signal φe is continuously at t on_4 The duty cycle of / T switches between logic high and logic low states. In addition, the control signal φd is complementary to the control signal φe so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates in a continuous current conduction mode. However, it should be understood that Fig.10 It is not meant to limit the DC-DC converter 112 to any particular duty cycle or any particular operating mode. For example, the DC-DC converter 112 may instead operate in a discontinuous current conduction mode. For example, the actual operation of the DC-DC converter 112 depends on the implementation and / or operating environment.

[0075] The fifth operating mode

[0076] The fifth operation mode of the charging system 102 is characterized in that the controller 124 controls each of the first input switching device 116, the second input switching device 118, the DC-DC converter 112, and the battery switching device 122 so that the charging system 102 uses energy from the energy storage device 120 to power the second load 110. The charging system 102 operates in its fifth operation mode, for example, when the second load 110 needs to be powered and each of the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106 is unavailable, such as if the user of the charging system 102 is OTG. Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of electrical environment 100 illustrating one example of operation of charging system 102 in its fifth mode of operation. Fig.11 A bold line 1166 is included, which symbolically shows that the DC-DC converter 112 transfers energy from the energy storage device 120 to the second load 110. In the fifth operating mode, energy flows from right to left through the inductor 144, that is, from the first switching node 142 to the second switching node 156. Therefore, the current i flowing through the inductor 144 is L The DC component of will be negative.

[0077] Reference again Figure 1 , the controller 124 generates control signals φc, φf, and φg so that the first upper switch device 158, the second upper switch device 162, and the second lower switch device 164 are disconnected in the fifth operation mode, so that the second power conversion switch device 148 does not affect the operation of the DC-DC converter 112. In the fifth operation mode, the controller 124 also generates a control signal φi to close the second load switch device 152, and generates a control signal φh to open the first load switch device 150. Therefore, in the fifth operation mode, the second load 110 is electrically coupled to the DC-DC converter 112, and the first load 108 is isolated from the DC-DC converter 112.

[0078] The controller 124 also generates control signals φe and φd so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates as a buck converter in the fifth operation mode of the charging system 102. Specifically, the controller 124 generates the control signal φe, for example using PWM or PFM techniques, to control the duty cycle of the first intermediate switching device 161, thereby regulating the voltage v at the second load 110. o2 The magnitude and / or the current i flowing through the second load 110 o2 It should be noted that since the first load 108 is isolated from the DC-DC converter 112 in the fifth operating mode, the controller 124 is independent of the voltage v at the first load 108 in the fifth operating mode. o1 The magnitude or current i flowing through the first load 108 o1 The amplitude of the voltage vo2 and / or current i o2 The controller 124 generates a control signal φd so that the first lower switch device 160 performs a freewheeling function, that is, when the first upper switch device 158 is turned on, it is the current i flowing through the inductor 144. L Provide a path.

[0079] Fig.12 Seven graphs 1202, 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210, 1212, and 1214 are included to respectively illustrate an example of how the controller 124 generates control signals φc, φd, φe, φf, φg, φh, and φi within a single switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112 in the fifth operating mode of the charging system 102. Each of the graphs 1202, 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210, 1212, and 1214 has a relationship between signal amplitude and time, and each of the graphs 1202, 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210, 1212, and 1214 share a common time base. Fig.12 In the example of , the control signals φc, φf, φg and φh are continuously at logic low, so the first upper switch device 158, the second upper switch device 162, the second lower switch device 164 and the first load switch device 150 are continuously operated in their respective open states. Conversely, the control signal φi is continuously at a logic high level, so the second load switch device 152 is continuously operated in its closed state. The control signal φe switches between the logic high and logic low states with a duty cycle of t on_5 / T. In addition, the control signal φd is complementary to the control signal φe, so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates in a continuous current conduction mode. However, it should be understood that Fig.12 It is not meant to limit the DC-DC converter 112 to any particular duty cycle or any particular operating mode. For example, the DC-DC converter 112 may instead operate in a discontinuous current conduction mode. For example, the actual operation of the DC-DC converter 112 depends on the implementation and / or operating environment.

[0080] Switching operation mode

[0081] As described above, each operating mode of the charging system 102 is associated with a particular function. In particular, the first operating mode is associated with charging the energy storage device 120, the second operating mode is associated with powering the first load 108 from the input power source, the third operating mode is associated with powering the second load 110 from the input power source, and so on. Particular embodiments of the controller 124 are configured to cause the charging system 102 to repeatedly switch operating modes, such as periodically switching operating modes, so that the charging system 102 can perform multiple functions, each of which is performed at a different time. It should be noted that although the charging system 102 performs only one function at a time, if the charging system 102 switches between different operating modes at a sufficiently high rate, the charging system 102 may perform multiple functions simultaneously. For example, the first output capacitor 126 can support the first load 108 when the charging system 102 is not operating in the second operating mode or the fourth operating mode, so that from the perspective of the first load 108, the charging system 102 continuously operates in the second or fourth operating mode. As another example, charging system 102 may switch between operating modes at a sufficiently high rate that the time between consecutive instances of operation in the first operating mode is short, and from a macroscopic perspective, energy storage device 120 is continuously charging.

[0082] The controller 124 may cause the charging system 102 to operate in a given operating mode for one or more switching cycles of the DC-DC converter 112 before switching to a different operating mode. In addition, the controller 124 may change the amount of time that the charging system 102 operates in a given operating mode, such as in response to changes in the operating environment of the charging system 102. For example, the controller 124 may change the amount of time that the charging system 102 operates in a given operating mode in response to a change in the operating environment of the charging system 102. o2 The increase in the magnitude of increases increases the amount of time that the charging system 102 operates in the third operating mode before switching to a different operating mode. In addition, the controller 124 can be configured to cause the charging system 102 to operate in two or more operating modes for different durations. For example, assuming that the current i flowing through the first load 108 is o1 The magnitude of is greater than the current i flowing through the second load 110 o2 The controller 124 may cause the charging system 102 to operate in its fourth operating mode for a longer period of time than the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its fifth operating mode to compensate for the current i o1 The magnitude is greater than the current i o2 size.

[0083] Refer to the following Figure 13-18Discussed are several examples of how the controller 124 can be configured to cause the charging system 102 to repeatedly change operating modes and thereby perform a variety of functions. However, it should be understood that the controller 124 can be configured to cause the charging system 102 to repeatedly change operating modes in other ways without departing from the scope of this document. In addition, although Figure 13-18 The method assumes that the DC-DC converter 112 operates at a constant switching frequency, so that each switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112 has an equal duration, but Figure 13-18 Any of the methods described above may be applicable to embodiments where the DC-DC converter 112 operates at a variable switching frequency.

[0084] Fig.13 1 is a flow chart of a method 1300 for operating the charging system 102. In block 1302 of the method 1300, the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its first operating mode for one switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112. The method 1300 proceeds from block 1302 to block 1304, where the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its second operating mode for one switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112. The method 1300 proceeds from block 1304 to block 1306, where the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its third operating mode for one switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112. The method returns from block 1306 to block 1302, such that blocks 1302, 1304, and 1306 repeat indefinitely. Thus, when operating according to the method 1300, the charging system 102 operates in the first, second, and third operating modes for equal durations.

[0085] Fig.141 is a flow chart of a method 1400 for operating the charging system 102. In block 1402 of the method 1400, the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its first operating mode for one switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112. The method 1400 proceeds from block 1402 to block 1404, where the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its second operating mode for one switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112. The method 1400 proceeds from block 1404 to block 1406, where the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its third operating mode for one switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112. The method 1400 proceeds from block 1406 to block 1408, where the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its second operating mode for one switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112. The method returns to block 1402 from block 1408, such that blocks 1402, 1404, 1406, and 1408 repeat indefinitely. Thus, when operating according to method 1400, charging system 102 operates in its second operating mode for a disproportionate amount of time, such as in response to the second load 110 requiring a large magnitude of current i o2 .

[0086] Fig.15 1 is a flow chart of a method 1500 for operating the charging system 102. In block 1502 of the method 1500, the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its fourth operating mode for one switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112. The method 1500 proceeds from block 1502 to block 1504, where the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its fifth operating mode for one switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112. The method returns from block 1504 to block 1502, such that blocks 1502 and 1504 repeat indefinitely. Thus, when operating according to the method 1500, the charging system 102 operates in the fourth and fifth operating modes for equal durations.

[0087] Fig.161 is a flow chart of a method 1600 for operating a charging system 102, which is similar to the method 1300, except that the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate two switching cycles of the DC-DC converter in each of its first, second, and third operating modes before switching to a different operating mode. Specifically, in block 1602 of the method 1600, the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate two consecutive switching cycles of the DC-DC converter 112 in its first operating mode. The method 1600 proceeds from block 1602 to block 1604, where the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate two consecutive switching cycles of the DC-DC converter 112 in its second operating mode. The method 1600 proceeds from block 1604 to block 1606, where the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate two consecutive switching cycles of the DC-DC converter 112 in its third operating mode. The method returns to block 1602 from block 1606, such that blocks 1602, 1604, and 1606 repeat indefinitely. Thus, when operating according to method 1600 , charging system 102 operates in the first, second, and third operating modes for equal periods of time.

[0088] Fig.17 1 is a flow chart of a method 1700 for operating a charging system 102, which is similar to the method 1300, except that the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its first operating mode for a longer duration than the charging system 102 operates in its second and third operating modes, such as to preferentially charge the charging energy storage device 120 rather than powering the first load 108 and the second load 110. Specifically, in block 1702 of the method 1700, the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its first operating mode for two consecutive switching cycles of the DC-DC converter 112. From block 1702, the method 1700 proceeds to block 1704, where the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its second operating mode for one switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112. From block 1704, the method 1700 proceeds to block 1706, where the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its third operating mode for one switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112. From block 1706, the method returns to block 1702, causing blocks 1702, 1704, and 1706 to repeat indefinitely.

[0089] Fig.181 is a flow chart of a method 1800 for operating the charging system 102. In block 1802 of the method 1800, the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its fourth operating mode for one switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112. The method 1800 proceeds from block 1802 to block 1804, where the controller 124 causes the charging system 102 to operate in its fifth operating mode for three consecutive switching cycles of the DC-DC converter 112. The method returns from block 1804 to block 1802, such that blocks 1802 and 1804 repeat indefinitely. Thus, when operating according to the method 1800, the charging system 102 operates disproportionately in the fifth operating mode.

[0090] Additional Features and Embodiments

[0091] Reference again Figure 1 , it should be understood that while the charging system 102 is capable of operating in a variety of operating modes as described above, the charging system 102 includes only a single inductor and only ten switching devices. Therefore, the configuration of the charging system 102 promotes small size, low cost, and efficient operation. However, it should be understood that the charging system 102 can be modified to include additional components, such as adding additional functions, or omitting components, such as if the functions associated with a particular component are not required. For example, as described above, each of the first power conversion switch device 146 and the second power conversion switch device 148 can be modified to add a switching device or omit a switching device. In addition, the controller 124 can be modified to control one or more of the first input switch device 116, the second input switch device 118, the first load switch device 150, the second load switch device 152, and the battery switch device 122 to perform power conversion functions in conjunction with the inductor 144, thereby possibly omitting one or more switching devices from the first power conversion switch device 146 and / or the second power conversion switch device 148.

[0092] For example, Fig.19 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrical environment 1900 including a charging system 1902 that replaces charging system 102. Charging system 1902 differs from charging system 102 in that (a) DC-DC converter 112 is replaced by DC-DC converter 1912, and (b) controller 124 is replaced by controller 1924. DC-DC converter 1912 differs from DC-DC converter 112 in that first power conversion switch device 146 is replaced by first power conversion switch device 1946. First lower switch device 160 and first middle switch device 161 are omitted from first power conversion switch device 1946.

[0093] Controller 1924 differs from controller 124 in that controller 1924 is unable to generate control signals φd and φe. In addition, given the omission of first lower switching device 160 and first middle switching device 161, controller 1924 is configured to generate control signals in a slightly different manner than controller 124. In particular, in a first operating mode of charging system 1902, controller 1924 generates control signals in a manner similar to that discussed above with respect to FIG. 4, although controller 1924 does not generate control signals φd and φe because their respective switching devices are omitted. However, in a second operating mode of charging system 1902, (a) controller 1924 generates control signal φg to control the duty cycle of second lower switching device 164 to adjust voltage v o1 The amplitude and current i o1 and (b) the controller 1924 generates a control signal φh so that the first load switch device 150 performs a freewheeling function, that is, when the second lower switch device 164 is turned off, it is a current i flowing through the inductor 144. L Provide a path. In addition, the controller 1924 generates control signals φc and φj so that the first upper switch device 158 is closed and the battery switch device 122 is opened. Therefore, in the second operating mode of the charging system 1902, the DC-DC converter 1912 operates as a boost converter. The DC-DC converter 1912 operates in a similar manner in the third operating mode of the charging system 1902, except that the second load switch device 152 instead of the first load switch device 150 performs the freewheeling function.

[0094] Fig. 20 Six graphs 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012 are included, each showing an example of how the controller 1924 generates control signals φc, φf, φg, φh, φi, and φj within a single switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 1912 in the second operating mode of the charging system 1902. Each of the graphs 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012 is a graph of the relationship between signal amplitude and time, and the graphs 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012 have a common time base. Fig. 20 In the example of , the control signals φf, φi and φj are continuously at logic low, so the second upper switch device 162, the second load switch device 152 and the battery switch device 122 are continuously operated in their respective open states. In contrast, the control signal φc is continuously at a logic high level, so the first upper switch device 158 is continuously operated in its closed state. The control signal φg is continuously at t on_6The duty cycle of / T switches between logic high and logic low states. In addition, the control signal φh is complementary to the control signal φg, so that the DC-DC converter 1912 operates in a continuous current conduction mode. However, it should be understood that Fig. 20 It is not meant to constrain the DC-DC converter 1912 to any particular duty cycle or any particular mode of operation. For example, the DC-DC converter 1912 may instead operate in a discontinuous current conduction mode. For example, the actual operation of the DC-DC converter 1912 depends on the implementation and / or operating environment.

[0095] The fourth and fifth operating modes of the charging system 1902 are similar to the second and third operating modes, respectively, except that (a) the first upper switch device 158 is continuously open and the battery switch device 122 is continuously closed. Fig.21 Six graphs 2102, 2104, 2106, 2108, 2110, and 2112 are included to respectively illustrate an example of how the controller 1924 generates control signals φc, φf, φg, φh, φi, and φj within a single switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 1912 in the fourth operating mode of the charging system 1902. Each of the graphs 2102, 2104, 2106, 2108, 2110, and 2112 has a relationship between signal amplitude and time, and the graphs 2102, 2104, 2106, 2108, 2110, and 2112 each share a common time base. Fig.21 In the example of , the control signals φc, φf and φi are continuously at logic low, so the first upper switch device 158, the second upper switch device 162 and the second load switch device 152 are continuously operated in their respective open states. In contrast, the control signal φj is continuously at a logic high level, so the battery switch device 122 is continuously operated in its closed state. The control signal φg switches between the logic high and logic low states with a duty cycle of t on_7 / T. In addition, the control signal φh is complementary to the control signal φg, so that the DC-DC converter 1912 operates in a continuous current conduction mode. However, it should be understood that Fig.21 It is not meant to limit the DC-DC converter 1912 to any particular duty cycle or any particular mode of operation. For example, the DC-DC converter 1912 may instead operate in a discontinuous current conduction mode. For example, the actual operation of the DC-DC converter 1912 depends on the implementation and / or operating environment.

[0096] Reference again Figure 1 In some embodiments, the first input power source 104 and / or the second input power source 106 has a nonlinear relationship between voltage and current. For example, in some embodiments, the second input power source 106 is a photovoltaic module, which has a nonlinear relationship between voltage and current at voltage v i2and the current i flowing through the second input power source 106 i2 As is known in the art, a nonlinear power supply does not necessarily operate at its maximum power point unless the load powered by the nonlinear power supply is controlled to present an impedance that maximizes power transfer between the nonlinear power supply and the load.

[0097] Therefore, some embodiments of the controller 124 are configured to control the operation of the charging system 102 in one or more of the first operating mode, the second operating mode, and the third operating mode to perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT) with respect to the first input power source 104 and / or the second input power source 106 to at least substantially maximize the power transferred from the input power source to the charging system 102. For example, some embodiments of the controller 124 are configured to control the operation of the DC-DC converter 112 in the first, second, and / or third operating modes to control the input impedance Z i1 , i.e., the impedance of the charging system 102 seen by the first input power source 104, thereby at least substantially maximizing the power transfer from the first input power source 104 to the charging system 102. As another example, certain embodiments of the controller 124 are configured to control the operation of the DC-DC converter 112 in the first, second, and / or third operating modes to control the input impedance Z i2 , which is the impedance of the charging system 102 seen by the second input power source 106, to at least substantially maximize the power transfer from the second input power source 106 to the charging system 102. The controller 124 determines the input impedance Z i1 or Z i2 , to at least substantially maximize power transfer, for example, using a perturb and observe procedure in which the controller 124 incrementally changes the duty cycle of the DC-DC converter 112 until the DC-DC converter 112 converges to a duty cycle that maximizes power transfer from the first input power source 104 or the second input power source 106 to the charging system 102.

[0098] In some applications, one or more of the first input power source 104 and / or the second input power source 106 may be replaced by a load from time to time. For example, in an embodiment of the electrical environment 100 where the first input power source 104 is a USB power source, the USB power source may be replaced by a USB load, such as when the user of the charging system 102 is OTG and the user wishes to power the USB load from the charging system 102. Therefore, some embodiments of the controller 124 are also configured to support one or more additional operating modes of the charging system 102, in which the charging system 102 uses energy stored in the energy storage device 120 to power a load electrically coupled to the first input power node 130 and / or a load electrically coupled to the second input power node 132.

[0099] For example, Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram of an electrical environment 2200, which is an electrical environment 100 ( Figure 1 ), wherein (a) the first input power source 104 is replaced by a third load 2204, and (b) the charging system 102 is replaced by a charging system 2202. The charging system 2202 differs from the charging system 102 in that the charging system 2202 includes a controller 2224 instead of the controller 124. The controller 2224 includes the functionality of the controller 124, and the controller 2224 is also capable of generating control signals to cause the charging system 2202 to operate in one or more additional operating modes, wherein the charging system 2202 powers the third load 2204 from the energy stored in the energy storage device 120. For example, Fig.23 22 is a schematic diagram of an electrical environment 2200 illustrating an example of operation of a charging system 2202 in a sixth operating mode in which the charging system 2202 charges a third load 2204 using energy stored in the energy storage device 120 . Fig.23 The thick line 2366 is included, which symbolically shows that the DC-DC converter 112 transfers energy from the energy storage device 120 to the third load 2204. In the sixth operating mode, energy flows from right to left through the inductor 144, that is, from the first switching node 142 to the second switching node 156. Therefore, the current i flowing through the inductor 144 is L The DC component of will be negative.

[0100] Reference again Fig. 22 , the controller 2224 can be configured to operate the DC-DC converter 112 as a buck converter or a boost converter when transferring energy from the energy storage device 120 to the third load 2204. For example, Fig.24 The present invention includes seven graphs 2402, 2404, 2406, 2408, 2410, 2412, and 2414, respectively showing an example of how the controller 2224 generates control signals φc, φd, φe, φf, φg, φh / φi, and φj in a single switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112 of the charging system 2202 in the sixth operating mode, where the DC-DC converter 112 operates as a buck converter. Each of the graphs 2402, 2404, 2406, 2408, 2410, 2412, and 2414 has a relationship between signal amplitude and time, and each of the graphs 2402, 2404, 2406, 2408, 2410, 2412, and 2414 share a common time base. Fig.24In the example of , the control signals φc, φg, φh and φi are continuously at logic low, so the first upper switch device 158, the second lower switch device 164, the first load switch device 150 and the second load switch device 152 are continuously operated in their respective open states. In contrast, the control signals φf and φj are continuously at logic high levels, so the second upper switch device 162 and the battery switch device 122 are continuously operated in their closed states. In addition, although Fig.24 Not shown, but in Fig.24 In the example of FIG. 1 , it is assumed that the first input switch device 116 is continuously closed and the second input switch device 118 is continuously open. The control signal φe switches between the logic high and logic low states with a duty cycle of t on_8 / T. In addition, the control signal φd is complementary to the control signal φe, so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates in a continuous current conduction mode. However, it should be understood that Fig.24 It is not meant to limit the DC-DC converter 112 to any particular duty cycle or any particular operating mode. For example, the DC-DC converter 112 may instead operate in a discontinuous current conduction mode. For example, the actual operation of the DC-DC converter 112 depends on the implementation and / or operating environment.

[0101] Fig.25 The present invention includes seven graphs 2502, 2504, 2506, 2508, 2510, 2512, and 2514, which respectively show an example of how the controller 2224 generates control signals φc, φd, φe, φf, φg, φh / φi, and φj in a sixth operating mode within a single switching cycle of the DC-DC converter 112 of the charging system 2202, wherein the DC-DC converter 112 operates as a boost converter. Each of the graphs 2502, 2504, 2506, 2508, 2510, 2512, and 2514 has a relationship between signal amplitude and time, and each of the graphs 2502, 2504, 2506, 2508, 2510, 2512, and 2514 shares a common time base. Fig.25 In the example of , the control signals φc, φd, φh and φi are continuously at logic low, so the first upper switch device 158, the first lower switch device 160, the first load switch device 150 and the second load switch device 152 are continuously operated in their respective open states. In contrast, the control signals φe and φj are continuously at logic high levels, so the first middle switch device 161 and the battery switch device 122 are continuously operated in their closed states. In addition, although Fig.25 Not shown, but in Fig.25 In the example of FIG. 1 , it is assumed that the first input switch device 116 is continuously closed and the second input switch device 118 is continuously opened. The control signal φg is expressed as t on_9The duty cycle of / T switches between logic high and logic low states. In addition, the control signal φf is complementary to the control signal φg, so that the DC-DC converter 112 operates in a continuous current conduction mode. However, it should be understood that Fig.24 The DC-DC converter 112 is not meant to be limited to any particular duty cycle or any particular operating mode. For example, the DC-DC converter 112 can instead operate in a discontinuous current conduction mode. For example, the actual operation of the DC-DC converter 112 depends on the implementation and / or operating environment. In some alternative embodiments, the charging system 2202 is configured so that when the DC-DC converter 112 operates as a boost converter in the sixth operating mode, the freewheeling function is performed by the first input switching device 116 rather than the second upper switching device 162.

[0102] Reference again Figure 1 , the electrical environment 100 can be modified to include a different number of input power sources and / or loads. In addition, the charging system 102 can be modified to include additional energy storage devices. Figure 26-28 Several exemplary alternative embodiments of the electrical environment 100 including additional components are discussed. However, it should be understood that in addition to Figure 26-28 In addition to the example of , many other alternative embodiments of electrical environment 100 are possible.

[0103] Fig.26 26 is a schematic diagram of an electrical environment 2600 that is an alternative embodiment of the electrical environment 100 and also includes a third input power source 2607 and a charging system 2602 that replaces the charging system 102. The third input power source 2607 is electrically coupled to a third input power node 2633, and the third input power source 2607 is configured to drive the third input power node 2633 to an input voltage v i3The charging system 2602 differs from the charging system 102 in that (a) the charging system 2602 further includes a third input switching device 2619, and (b) the charging system 2602 includes a controller 2624 instead of the controller 124. The third input switching device 2619 is electrically coupled between the third input power node 2633 and the intermediate power node 134, and thus the third input switching device 2619 is configured to selectively electrically couple the intermediate power node 134 to the third input power source 2607 in response to a control signal φk generated by the controller 2624. The controller 2624 differs from the controller 124 in that the controller 2624 also generates the control signal φk. The controller 2624 is configured to select a third input power source 2607 for charging the energy storage device 120 in the first operating mode, powering the first load 108 in the second operating mode, or powering the second load 110 in the third operating mode by (a) opening each of the first input switch device 116 and the second input switch device 118, and (b) closing the third input switch device 2619.

[0104] Fig. 27 is a schematic diagram of an electrical environment 2700 that is an alternative embodiment of the electrical environment 100 and also includes a third load 2711 and a third output capacitor 2729, and a charging system 2702 in place of the charging system 102. The third load 2711 is electrically coupled to a third output power node 2739, and the third output capacitor 2729 is electrically coupled between the third output power node 2739 and the reference node 114. In embodiments where the third load 2711 includes sufficient capacitance such that the third output capacitor 2729 is not required, the third output capacitor 2729 may be omitted.

[0105] The charging system 2702 differs from the charging system 102 in that: (a) the charging system 2702 includes a DC-DC converter 2712 in place of the DC-DC converter 112, and (b) the charging system 2702 includes a controller 2724 in place of the controller 124. The DC-DC converter 2712 differs from the DC-DC converter 112 in that the DC-DC converter 2712 also includes a third load switch device 2753 electrically coupled between the second switch node 156 and the third output power node 2739, wherein the third load switch device 2753 is configured to selectively electrically couple the third load 2711 to the second switch node 156 in response to a control signal φl generated by the controller 2724. The controller 2724 differs from the controller 124 in that the controller 2724 also generates the control signal φl. The controller 2724 is configured to support two additional operating modes of the charging system 2702, wherein the third load 2711 is powered by the input power source (104 or 106) or the energy storage device 120, respectively. For example, certain embodiments of the controller 2724 support additional operations in which the third load 2711 is powered from the input power source 104 or 106 by operating in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the second operating mode, but (a) the first load switch device 150 is turned on instead of turned off, and (b) the third load switch device 2753 is turned off. As another example, some embodiments of the controller 2724 support further operations in which the third load 2711 is powered from the energy storage device 120 by operating in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the fourth operating mode, but (a) the first load switch device 150 is turned on instead of turned off, and (b) the third load switch device 2753 is turned off. Certain embodiments of the controller 2724 are configured to be independent of the voltage v 01 The amplitude and voltage v o2 The amplitude and current i 01 The amplitude and current i o2 The amplitude of each of the voltage v o3 and / or current i o3 This is because when the third load 2711 is electrically coupled to the DC-DC converter 2712 through the third load switch device 2753, each of the first load 108 and the second load 110 is isolated from the DC-DC converter 2712 by the first load switch device 150 and the second load device 152, respectively.

[0106] Fig.282 is a schematic diagram of an electrical environment 2800 including a charging system 2802 that replaces the charging system 102. The charging system 2802 differs from the charging system 102 in that: (a) the charging system 2802 also includes a second energy storage device 2821 and a second battery switch device 2823, and (b) the charging system 2802 includes a controller 2824 instead of the controller 124. In some embodiments, the second energy storage device 2821 has the same configuration as the energy storage device 120, while in other embodiments, the second energy storage device 2821 has a different configuration than the energy storage device 120. The second energy storage device 2821 includes a plurality of elements capable of storing energy, such as one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, etc. The second energy storage device 2821 is electrically coupled to the battery node 140 through the second battery switch device 2823. Therefore, the second energy storage device 2821 is electrically coupled to the battery node 140 and the DC-DC converter 112 via the second battery switch device 2823. The second battery switching device 2823 is configured to selectively electrically couple the second energy storage device 2821 to the battery node 140 in response to a control signal φm generated by the controller 2824 .

[0107] The controller 2824 is different from the controller 124 in that the controller 2824 is also configured to generate a control signal φm. The controller 2824 is configured to generate control signals φj and φm, for example, to select one of the energy storage device 120 and the second energy storage device 2821 to be charged from one of the first input power source 104 and the second input power source 106, or to power one of the first load 108 and the second load 110. For example, the controller 2824 selects the energy storage device 120 to be charged or to power the load by (a) closing the battery switch device 122 and (c) opening the second battery switch device 2823. As another example, the controller 2824 selects the second energy storage device 2821 to be charged or to power the load, (a) by opening the battery switch device 122 and (c) by closing the second battery switch device 2823. As another example, the controller 2824 selects the energy storage device 120 and the second energy storage device 2821 to charge or supply power to the load by turning off the battery switch device 122 and the second battery switch device 2823 .

[0108] One possible application of the new charging system disclosed herein is for use in a charging stand, such as a charging stand for charging portable electronic devices. For example, Fig.29 2900, which includes a charging station 2902, a USB adapter 2904, a USB cable 2906, and a radio frequency (RF) energy source 2908. The charging station 2902 includes the charging system 102 ( Figure 1), USB port 2910, wireless charging port 2912, output port 2914, and output port 2916. For clarity, Fig.29 The details of the charging system 102 are not shown. The USB port 2910 is configured to electrically couple the USB adapter 2904 with the charging cradle 2902 via the USB line 2906, and the USB port 2910 thereby enables the charging cradle 2902 to receive electrical power from the USB adapter 2904. The USB port 2910 is an embodiment of the first input power source 104, and thus the USB port 2910 is electrically coupled to the charging system 102 via the first input power source node 130.

[0109] The wireless charging port 2912 is configured to generate electrical power from the dynamic magnetic field 2918 generated by the RF energy source 2908. In some embodiments, the wireless charging port 2912 includes a coil (in Fig.29 2902) for inducing current through the dynamic magnetic field 2918, and power conditioning circuitry (not shown) for providing regulated power for the charging station 2902. A specific embodiment of the RF energy source 2908 includes a resonant coil, such as Fig.29 As shown by the dashed line, it is used to generate a dynamic magnetic field 2918 from an external power source (not shown). The wireless charging port 2912 is an embodiment of the second input power source 106 , and thus the wireless charging port 2912 is electrically coupled to the charging system 102 via the second input power node 132 .

[0110] The output port 2914 is electrically coupled to the first output power node 136, and the output port 2914 enables a first portable electronic device (not shown) as an embodiment of the first load 108 to be powered from the charging base 2902 via the first output power node 136. Similarly, the output port 2916 is electrically coupled to the second output power node 138, and the output port 2916 enables a second portable electronic device (not shown) as an embodiment of the second load 110 to be powered from the charging base 2902 via the second output power node 138.

[0111] Feature combination

[0112] The above features can be combined in various ways without departing from the scope of this document. The following examples illustrate some possible combinations.

[0113] (A1) A charging system comprising: (1) a multifunctional direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter, (2) an energy storage device, and (3) a controller. The controller is configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system can operate in at least any one of the following operating modes: (i) a first operating mode characterized at least in part by the multifunctional DC-DC converter charging the energy storage device using energy from an input power source, (ii) a second operating mode characterized at least in part by the multifunctional DC-DC converter powering a first load using energy from the input power source, and (ii) a third operating mode characterized at least in part by the multifunctional DC-DC converter powering a second load using energy from the input power source.

[0114] (A2) In the charging system denoted as (A1), the controller may be further configured to control the multifunctional DC-DC converter in the second operation mode to adjust at least one of the voltage amplitude at the first load and the current amplitude flowing through the first load, regardless of each of the voltage amplitude at the second load and the current amplitude flowing through the second load.

[0115] (A3) In any one of the charging systems represented as (A1) and (A2), the controller can also be configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system repeatedly switches between at least the second operating mode and the third operating mode.

[0116] (A4) In any one of the charging systems represented as (A1) to (A3), the controller can also be configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system repeatedly switches between at least the first operating mode, the second operating mode and the third operating mode.

[0117] (A5) In any one of the charging systems represented as (A1) to (A4), (1) the multifunctional DC-DC converter may include an inductor and a plurality of switching devices electrically coupled to the inductor; and (2) the controller may be configured to control the operation of the plurality of switching devices electrically coupled to the inductor to change the topology of the multifunctional DC-DC converter according to the operating mode of the charging system.

[0118] (A6) In the charging system represented as (A5), (1) in the first operating mode, energy can flow through the inductor in a first direction; and (2) in each of the second operating mode and the third operating mode, energy can flow through the inductor in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

[0119] (A7) In any one of the charging systems represented as (A1) to (A6), the controller can also be configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system can operate in any one of the following additional operating modes: (1) a fourth operating mode, at least partially characterized in that the multifunctional DC-DC converter uses energy stored in the energy storage device to power the first load; and (2) a fifth operating mode, at least partially characterized in that the multifunctional DC-DC converter uses energy stored in the energy storage device to power the second load.

[0120] (A8) In the charging system denoted as (A7), the controller may also be configured to control the multifunctional DC-DC converter in the fourth operating mode to adjust at least one of the voltage amplitude at the first load and the current amplitude flowing through the first load, regardless of each of the voltage amplitude at the second load and the current amplitude flowing through the second load.

[0121] (A9) In the charging system represented as (A8), the controller can also be configured to control the multifunctional DC-DC converter in the fifth operating mode to adjust at least one of the voltage amplitude at the second load and the current amplitude flowing through the second load, regardless of each of the voltage amplitude at the first load and the current amplitude flowing through the first load.

[0122] (A10) In any one of the charging systems represented as (A1) to (A9), the controller may also be configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system repeatedly switches between at least the fourth operation mode and the fifth operation mode.

[0123] (A11) In any one of the charging systems represented as (A1) to (A10), the controller can also be configured to control the multifunctional DC-DC converter in the first operating mode to perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT) relative to the input power supply.

[0124] (A12) In any one of the charging systems represented as (A1) to (A11), the controller can also be configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system can operate in an additional operating mode, and the additional operating mode is at least partially characterized in that the multifunctional DC-DC converter uses energy stored in the energy storage device to power an additional load, and the additional load replaces the input power supply.

[0125] (B1) A charging system comprising (1) an inductor electrically coupled between a first switch node and a second switch node, (2) one or more first power conversion switch devices electrically coupled to the first switch node, (3) one or more second power conversion switch devices electrically coupled to the second switch node, (4) a first load switch device electrically coupled between the second switch node and the first output power node, (5) a second load switch device electrically coupled between the second switch node and the second output power node, (6) an energy storage device electrically coupled to the first switch node via at least one or more first power conversion switch devices, and (7) a controller. The controller can be configured to control at least one or more first power conversion switching devices, one or more second power conversion switching devices, a first load switching device, and a second load switching device so that the charging system can operate in at least any one of the following operating modes: (i) a first operating mode, at least partially characterized by the charging system using energy from an input power source to charge the energy storage device, (ii) a second operating mode, at least partially characterized by the charging system using energy from the input power source to power a first load electrically coupled to the first output power node, and (iii) a third operating mode, at least partially characterized by the charging system using energy from the input power source to power a second load electrically coupled to the second output power node.

[0126] (B2) In the charging system represented as (B1), (i) the first operating mode is also characterized in that energy from the input power supply flows from the second switch node through the inductor to the first switch node; (ii) the second operating mode is also characterized in that energy from the input power supply flows from the first switch node through the inductor to the second switch node; and (iii) the third operating mode is also characterized in that energy from the input power supply flows from the first switch node through the inductor to the second switch node.

[0127] (B3) In any of the charging systems represented as (B1) and (B2), the controller can also be configured to control at least the one or more first power conversion switching devices and the one or more second power conversion switching devices to adjust at least one of the voltage amplitude at the first load and the current amplitude flowing through the first load, regardless of each of the voltage amplitude at the second load and the current amplitude flowing through the second load.

[0128] (B4) In any one of the charging systems represented as (B1) to (B3), the controller may also be configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system repeatedly switches between at least the second operation mode and the third operation mode.

[0129] (B5) In any one of the charging systems represented as (B1) to (B3), the controller can also be configured to control at least the one or more first power conversion switching devices, the one or more second power conversion switching devices, the first load switching device and the second load switching device so that the charging system repeatedly switches between the first operating mode, the second operating mode and the third operating mode.

[0130] (B6) In any one of the charging systems represented as (B1) to (B5), the controller can also be configured to control at least the one or more first power conversion switching devices, the one or more second power conversion switching devices, the first load switching device and the second load switching device so that the charging system can operate in any one of the following additional operating modes: (1) a fourth operating mode, at least partially characterized in that the charging system uses energy stored in the energy storage device to power the first load, and (2) a fifth operating mode, at least partially characterized in that the charging system uses energy stored in the energy storage device to power the second load.

[0131] (B7) In any one of the charging systems represented as (B1) to (B6), (1) the one or more first power conversion switching devices may include an upper switching device electrically coupled between an intermediate power node and the first switching node, the intermediate power node being configured to be electrically coupled to the input power source, and (2) the one or more second power conversion switching devices may include a lower switching device electrically coupled between the second switching node and a reference node.

[0132] (B8) In any one of the charging systems represented as (B1) to (B6), (1) one or more first power conversion switching devices may include a first lower switching device electrically coupled between a first switching node and a reference node, and (2) one or more second power conversion switching devices may include (i) an upper switching device electrically coupled between an intermediate power node and a second switching node, the intermediate power node being configured to be electrically coupled to an input power source, and (ii) a second lower switching device electrically coupled between the second switching node and the reference node.

[0133] (C1) A method of operating a charging system, comprising: (1) transferring first energy from an input power source to an energy storage device using a multifunctional direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter by transferring first energy in a first direction through an inductor of the DC-DC converter; (2) after transferring the first energy from the input power source to the energy storage device, transferring second energy from one of the input power source and the energy storage device to a first load using the multifunctional DC-DC converter by transferring second energy in a second direction opposite to the first direction through the inductor of the DC-DC converter; and (3) after transferring the second energy from one of the input power source and the energy storage device to the first load, transferring third energy from one of the input power source and the energy storage device to a second load using the multifunctional DC-DC converter by transferring third energy in the second direction through the inductor of the DC-DC converter.

[0134] (C2) The method denoted as (C1) may further include controlling the multifunctional DC-DC converter to adjust the voltage amplitude at the first load independently of the voltage amplitude at the second load.

[0135] Changes may be made to the above methods, apparatus, and systems without departing from the scope of this document. It should be noted, therefore, that the matters described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not restrictive. The following claims are intended to cover the generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present methods and systems that, by language, could be said to fall between the claims.

Claims

1. A charging system, comprising: Multifunctional DC to DC (DC-DC) converter; Energy storage devices; and A controller configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system can operate in at least any one of the following operation modes: a first operating mode characterized at least in part by the multifunctional DC-DC converter charging the energy storage device using energy from an input power source, a second mode of operation characterized at least in part by the multifunctional DC-DC converter powering a first load using energy from the input power source, and A third operating mode is characterized, at least in part, by the multi-function DC-DC converter powering a second load using energy from the input power source.

2. The charging system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the multifunctional DC-DC converter in the second operating mode to adjust at least one of a voltage amplitude at the first load and a current amplitude flowing through the first load independently of each of a voltage amplitude at the second load and a current amplitude flowing through the second load.

3. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system repeatedly switches between at least the second operation mode and the third operation mode.

4. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system repeatedly switches between at least the first operation mode, the second operation mode, and the third operation mode.

5. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein: The multifunctional DC-DC converter includes an inductor and a plurality of switching devices electrically coupled to the inductor; and The controller is configured to control operations of the plurality of switching devices electrically coupled to the inductor to change a topology of the multifunctional DC-DC converter according to an operation mode of the charging system.

6. The charging system according to claim 5, wherein: In the first operating mode, energy flows through the inductor in a first direction; and In each of the second operating mode and the third operating mode, energy flows through the inductor in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

7. The charging system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter to enable the charging system to operate in any one of the following additional operating modes: a fourth operating mode characterized at least in part by the multifunctional DC-DC converter powering the first load using energy stored in the energy storage device; and A fifth operating mode is characterized, at least in part, by the multifunctional DC-DC converter powering the second load using energy stored in the energy storage device.

8. The charging system of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to control the multifunctional DC-DC converter in the fourth operating mode to adjust at least one of the voltage amplitude at the first load and the current amplitude flowing through the first load independently of each of the voltage amplitude at the second load and the current amplitude flowing through the second load.

9. The charging system of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to control the multifunctional DC-DC converter in the fifth operation mode to adjust at least one of the voltage amplitude at the second load and the current amplitude flowing through the second load independently of each of the voltage amplitude at the first load and the current amplitude flowing through the first load.

10. The charging system according to claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system repeatedly switches between at least the fourth operation mode and the fifth operation mode. 11 . The charging system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the multifunctional DC-DC converter in the first operation mode to perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT) with respect to the input power source.

12. The charging system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter to enable the charging system to operate in an additional operating mode, the additional operating mode being characterized at least in part by the multifunctional DC-DC converter using energy stored in the energy storage device to power an additional load, the additional load replacing the input power source.

13. A charging system comprising: an inductor electrically coupled between the first switch node and the second switch node; one or more first power conversion switching devices electrically coupled to the first switching node; one or more second power conversion switching devices electrically coupled to the second switching node; a first load switch device electrically coupled between the second switch node and the first output power node; a second load switch device electrically coupled between the second switch node and the second output power node; an energy storage device electrically coupled to the first switch node via at least one or more first power conversion switching devices; and A controller configured to control at least one or more first power conversion switch devices, one or more second power conversion switch devices, a first load switch device, and a second load switch device so that the charging system can operate in at least any one of the following operation modes: a first operating mode characterized at least in part by the charging system charging the energy storage device using energy from an input power source, a second mode of operation characterized at least in part by the charging system powering a first load electrically coupled to the first output power node using energy from an input power source, and A third mode of operation is characterized, at least in part, by the charging system powering a second load electrically coupled to the second output power node using energy from an input power source.

14. The charging system according to claim 13, wherein: The first operating mode is further characterized by energy from the input power source flowing from the second switch node through the inductor to the first switch node; The second operating mode is further characterized by energy from the input power source flowing from the first switch node through the inductor to the second switch node; and The third mode of operation is further characterized by energy from the input power source flowing from the first switching node through the inductor to the second switching node.

15. The charging system of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to control at least the one or more first power conversion switching devices and the one or more second power conversion switching devices to adjust at least one of a voltage amplitude at the first load and a current amplitude flowing through the first load, independent of each of a voltage amplitude at the second load and a current amplitude flowing through the second load.

16. The charging system of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to control at least the multifunctional DC-DC converter so that the charging system repeatedly switches between at least the second operation mode and the third operation mode.

17. The charging system according to claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to control at least the one or more first power conversion switching devices, the one or more second power conversion switching devices, the first load switching device and the second load switching device so that the charging system repeatedly switches between the first operating mode, the second operating mode and the third operating mode.

18. The charging system of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to control at least the one or more first power conversion switch devices, the one or more second power conversion switch devices, the first load switch device, and the second load switch device to enable the charging system to operate in any one of the following additional operating modes: a fourth operating mode characterized at least in part by the charging system using energy stored in the energy storage device to power the first load, and A fifth operating mode is characterized, at least in part, by the charging system powering the second load using energy stored in the energy storage device.

19. A method of operating a charging system, the method comprising: transferring first energy from an input power source to an energy storage device using a multifunctional direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter by transferring the first energy in a first direction through an inductor of the DC-DC converter; After transferring the first energy from the input power source to the energy storage device, transferring the second energy from one of the input power source and the energy storage device to a first load using the multifunctional DC-DC converter by transferring the second energy through an inductor of the multifunctional DC-DC converter in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and After transferring the second energy from one of the input power source and the energy storage device to the first load, the third energy is transferred from one of the input power source and the energy storage device to a second load using the multifunctional DC-DC converter by transferring the third energy through the inductor of the multifunctional DC-DC converter in the second direction.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising controlling the multifunctional DC-DC converter to adjust the voltage amplitude at the first load independently of the voltage amplitude at the second load.

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