Multi-port charger

Abstract

The invention discloses a multi-port charger which comprises a voltage regulating module, a control module and at least two connecting modules, the control module comprises a controller and control switches connected with the connecting modules, the voltage regulating module is electrically connected with a power source and the control switches, and the controller is connected with the voltage regulating module, the control switches and the connecting modules. The controller is connected with the charging device through the connecting module, the corresponding control switch serves as a charging switch, the controller sends a voltage regulating signal to the voltage regulating module so as to control the voltage output by the voltage regulating module, and when the charging device is connected to a single connecting module, the controller controls the corresponding charging switch to be switched on. When the plurality of connecting modules are connected with the charging devices, the controller circularly controls one of the charging switches to be switched on according to a set sequence, and the switching-on duration of the charging switches is less than 1 second, so that the voltage regulating module can supply power to one or more charging devices through the corresponding connecting modules, and the size and the cost of the multi-port charger are effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of multi-port charging technology, and more particularly to multi-port chargers. Background Technology

[0002] To achieve multi-port fast charging, existing chargers typically require a dedicated DC-DC circuit for each USB-C port. This means that multiple USB-C ports require multiple DC-DC circuits to achieve a one-to-one relationship between the USB-C port and the DC-DC circuit. However, this approach results in a large fast charging circuit, occupies too much internal space in the charger, and has high production costs and high standby power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-port charger that can effectively reduce its size and cost, and achieve lower standby power consumption and higher overall efficiency.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention discloses a multi-port charger, comprising: The system includes a voltage regulating module, a control module, and at least two connection modules, wherein the control module includes a controller and at least two control switches corresponding to the connection modules; The input terminal of the voltage regulating module is electrically connected to the power supply, the output terminal of the voltage regulating module is electrically connected to the input terminal of each of the control switches, the output terminal of each control switch is electrically connected to the power supply terminal of a corresponding connection module, and the controller is connected to the control terminal of the voltage regulating module and the control terminal of each of the control switches, and is also electrically connected to the protocol terminal of each connection module. When a single connection module is connected to a charging device, the controller hands-on with the charging device through the protocol terminal of the connection module to obtain charging parameters, and uses the corresponding control switch as the charging switch. The controller sends a voltage regulation signal to the control terminal of the voltage regulation module according to the charging parameters to control the voltage output of the voltage regulation module to the control switch. The controller controls the charging switch to be turned on and controls the other control switches to be turned off, so that the voltage regulation module supplies power to the charging device through the corresponding connection module. When multiple connection modules are connected to charging devices, the controller hands-on with each charging device through the protocol terminal of the connection module to obtain charging parameters, and uses the corresponding control switch as the charging switch. The controller sends a voltage regulation signal to the control terminal of the voltage regulation module according to the charging parameters to control the voltage output of the voltage regulation module to the control switch. The controller cyclically controls one of the charging switches to be turned on and controls the remaining control switches to be turned off in a set order. The on-time of the charging switch is less than 1 second, so that the voltage regulation module can supply power to each charging device simultaneously through the corresponding connection module.

[0005] Preferably, the setting sequence is the order in which the charging switches are formed or the order in which the control switches are connected to the controller. Preferably, the protocol end of the connection module includes a first protocol interface and a second protocol interface, and the controller is provided with a first communication interface and a second communication interface. The first protocol interface is electrically connected to the first communication interface, and the second protocol interface is electrically connected to the second communication interface. The controller performs a QC protocol handshake or a PD protocol handshake with the charging device connected to the connection module through the first protocol interface or the second protocol interface.

[0006] Preferably, the controller is provided with multiple detection pins, and the control module further includes at least two detection resistors. One end of the detection resistor is electrically connected to the ground terminal of the corresponding connection module, and the other end is grounded. The two ends of the detection resistor are also electrically connected to two of the detection pins of the controller, respectively.

[0007] Preferably, the control module further includes at least two connecting capacitors, one end of which is electrically connected to the output terminal of the corresponding control switch, and the other end is grounded.

[0008] Preferably, the control switch is an N-type MOSFET or a P-type MOSFET.

[0009] Preferably, the voltage regulation module includes an output switch, a freewheeling diode, an output inductor, and an output capacitor. The control terminal of the output switch is connected to the controller, the input terminal of the output switch is electrically connected to the power supply, the output terminal of the output switch is electrically connected to the output terminal of the freewheeling diode and the first terminal of the output inductor, the second terminal of the output inductor is electrically connected to the control switch and the first terminal of the output capacitor, and the second terminal of the output capacitor is electrically connected to ground and the input terminal of the freewheeling diode.

[0010] Preferably, the voltage regulating module further includes an output controller, the input terminal of which is electrically connected to the controller, and the output terminal of which is electrically connected to the control terminal of the output switch.

[0011] Preferably, the voltage regulation module is a Buck circuit, a Boost circuit, or a Buck-Boost circuit.

[0012] Preferably, the voltage regulating module and the controller are electrically connected to at most three of the connection modules and three of the control switches. When the number of connection modules and control switches is greater than three, at least two voltage regulating modules and the controller are provided.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, this invention sets up a single voltage regulation module to supply power to multiple connection modules. The control module includes a controller and control switches electrically connected to each connection module. The voltage regulation module is electrically connected to the power supply and each control switch. The controller is connected to the control terminal of the voltage regulation module, the control terminal of the control switch, and the protocol terminal of each connection module. The controller hands with the charging device through the protocol terminal of the connection module to obtain charging parameters and uses the corresponding control switch as the charging switch. The controller sends a voltage regulation signal to the control terminal of the voltage regulation module according to the charging parameters to control the voltage output of the voltage regulation module to the control switch. When a single connection module is connected to a charging device, the controller controls the corresponding charging switch to be turned on and controls the other control switches to be turned off. When multiple connection modules are connected to charging devices, the controller cyclically controls one charging switch to be turned on and controls the other control switches to be turned off in a set order. The on-time of the charging switch is less than 1 second, thereby enabling the voltage regulation module to supply power to one or more charging devices through the corresponding connection module, effectively reducing the size and cost of the multi-port charger, and achieving lower standby power consumption and higher overall efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram of the first embodiment of the multi-port charger of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of the multi-port charger of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram of the third embodiment of the multi-port charger of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To illustrate the technical content, structural features, objectives, and effects of the present invention in detail, the following description is provided in conjunction with the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0018] Please see Figures 1 to 3 This invention discloses a multi-port charger, which includes: The voltage regulating module 1, the control module 2 and at least two connection modules 3, wherein the control module 2 includes a controller 21 and at least two control switches 22 corresponding to the connection modules 3; The input terminal of the voltage regulating module 1 is electrically connected to the power supply, the output terminal of the voltage regulating module 1 is electrically connected to the input terminal of each control switch 22, the output terminal of each control switch 22 is electrically connected to the power supply terminal of a corresponding connection module 3, and the controller 21 is connected to the control terminal of the voltage regulating module 1 and the control terminal of each control switch 22, and is also electrically connected to the protocol terminal of each connection module 3. When a charging device is connected to a single connection module 3, the controller 21 shakes hands with the charging device through the protocol terminal of the connection module 3 to obtain charging parameters, and uses the corresponding control switch 22 as the charging switch. The controller 21 sends a voltage regulation signal to the control terminal of the voltage regulation module 1 according to the charging parameters to control the voltage output of the voltage regulation module 1 to the control switch 22. The controller 21 controls the charging switch to be turned on and controls the other control switches 22 to be turned off, so that the voltage regulation module 1 supplies power to the charging device through the corresponding connection module 3. When multiple connection modules 3 are connected to charging devices, the controller 21 shakes hands with each charging device through the protocol terminal of the connection module 3 to obtain charging parameters, and uses the corresponding control switch 22 as the charging switch. The controller 21 sends a voltage regulation signal to the control terminal of the voltage regulation module 1 according to the charging parameters to control the voltage output of the voltage regulation module 1 to the control switch 22. The controller 21 controls one of the charging switches to be turned on in a set sequence and controls the remaining control switches 22 to be turned off. The on-time of the charging switch is less than 1 second, so that the voltage regulation module 1 can supply power to each charging device simultaneously through the corresponding connection module 3.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention sets up a single voltage regulating module 1 to supply power to multiple connection modules 3. The control module 2 includes a controller 21 and control switches 22 electrically connected to each connection module 3. The voltage regulating module 1 is electrically connected to the power supply and each control switch 22. The controller 21 is connected to the control terminal of the voltage regulating module 1, the control terminal of the control switch 22, and the protocol terminal of each connection module 3. The controller 21 performs a handshake with the charging device through the protocol terminal of the connection module 3 to obtain charging parameters, and uses the corresponding control switch 22 as the charging switch. The controller 21 sends a voltage regulation signal to the control terminal of the voltage regulating module 1 according to the charging parameters to control the voltage regulation. The voltage output of the voltage regulator module 1 to the control switch 22 is controlled by the controller 21 when a single connection module 3 is connected to a charging device. The controller 21 controls the corresponding charging switch to be turned on and the other control switches 22 to be turned off. When multiple connection modules 3 are connected to charging devices, the controller 21 controls one of the charging switches to be turned on and the other control switches 22 to be turned off in a set sequence. The on-time of the charging switch is less than 0.1 seconds, which enables the voltage regulator module 1 to supply power to one or more charging devices through the corresponding connection module 3. This effectively reduces the size and cost of the multi-port charger and achieves lower standby power consumption and higher overall efficiency.

[0020] It is understood that in this embodiment, when a single connection module USB-C1, USB-C2 or USB-Cn is plugged into a charging device for charging, the controller 21 turns on the corresponding control switch SW1, SW2 or SWn and turns off the other control switches 22, and the voltage regulating module 1 supplies power to the single connection module USB-C1, USB-C2 or USB-Cn, but is not limited thereto.

[0021] When multiple connection modules 3 are connected to charging devices, for example, when connection modules USB-C1 and USB-C2 are simultaneously plugged into charging devices, controller 21 first turns on control switch SW1 and turns off control switch SW2, while other control switches 22 remain closed, so that voltage regulator module 1 supplies power to connection module USB-C1 for a set charging time through control switch SW1; then controller 21 turns off control switch SW1 and turns on control switch SW2, so that voltage regulator module 1 supplies power to connection module USB-C2 for a set charging time through control switch SW2; then the above operation of turning on only control switch SW1 or control switch SW2 is repeated, so that voltage regulator module 1 alternately supplies power to connection modules USB-C1 and USB-C2 for a set charging time, but is not limited to this.

[0022] Preferably, the duration is set to 100 microseconds to 100 milliseconds, that is, the conduction time of the charging switch each time is in the range of 100 microseconds to 100 milliseconds. By cyclically and rapidly switching to charge multiple charging devices at the micro level, multiple charging devices can be charged simultaneously at the macro level, but this is not a limitation.

[0023] See Figures 1 to 3 The order is set to either the order in which the charging switches are formed or the order in which the control switch 22 is connected to the controller 21.

[0024] Specifically, in this embodiment, when multiple connection modules 3 are connected to charging devices, the controller 21 switches all charging switches (control switches 22 corresponding to the control modules 2 connected to the charging devices) according to the order of control switches SW1, SW2 and SWn. However, it is not limited to this. In some embodiments, the controller 21 can switch according to the order in which each charging switch is formed (when the charging device shakes hands with the controller 21 through the corresponding connection module 3), which is beneficial for using one voltage regulating module 1 to supply power to multiple connection modules 3 at the same time.

[0025] For example, when charging devices are plugged into the USB-C1 and USB-C2 connection modules, one charging device first hands with the controller 21 through the USB-C2 connection module, and the other charging device then hands with the controller 21 through the USB-C1 connection module. The controller 21 will then switch control according to the order of the control switches SW2 and SW1.

[0026] See Figures 1 to 3 The protocol end of the connection module 3 includes a first protocol interface 31 and a second protocol interface 32. The controller 21 is provided with a first communication interface 211 and a second communication interface 212. The first protocol interface 31 is electrically connected to the first communication interface 211, and the second protocol interface 32 is electrically connected to the second communication interface 212. The controller 21 performs QC protocol handshake or PD protocol handshake with the charging device connected to the connection module 3 through the first protocol interface 31 or the second protocol interface 32, which is beneficial for adapting to different charging devices.

[0027] Specifically, in this embodiment, the connection module 3 is a charger plug-in port. The D+ and D- pins of the connection module 3 are combined to form a first protocol interface 31, which serves as a signal transmission line for the QC charging protocol. The CC1 and CC2 pins of the connection module 3 are combined to form a second protocol interface 32, which serves as a signal transmission line for the PD charging protocol. However, it is not limited to this. After the charging device is connected to the connection module 3, the controller 21 first broadcasts the PDO voltage through the connection module 3 to inform the charging device of the voltage output level it supports, such as 5V 2.4A, 9V 3A, etc. After receiving the PDO broadcast information, the charging device sends feedback to the controller 21 through the connection module 3 to provide the required voltage level. After receiving the feedback, the controller 21 adjusts the output voltage of the charger to the corresponding voltage level and replies to the charging device that it has been adjusted, thus completing the handshake process. If the charging device needs to adjust the voltage during the charging process, it sends a request to the controller 21 again. After receiving the request, the controller 21 adjusts the charger voltage.

[0028] See Figures 1 to 3 The controller 21 is provided with multiple detection pins 213. The control module 2 also includes at least two detection resistors 23. One end of the detection resistor 23 is electrically connected to the ground terminal of the corresponding connection module 3, and the other end is grounded. The two ends of the detection resistor 23 are also electrically connected to two detection pins 213 of the controller 21 respectively.

[0029] Specifically, in this embodiment, the controller 21 detects the voltage of each detection resistor 23 by detecting the detection pin 213 to detect the current flowing through each connection module 3. If the current is not within the normal range, the controller 21 can perform control operations such as disconnecting the corresponding control switch 22 or issuing a charging abnormality prompt, which helps to improve the safety performance of the charger.

[0030] See Figures 1 to 3 The control module 2 also includes at least two connecting capacitors 24. One end of the connecting capacitor 24 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the corresponding control switch 22, and the other end is grounded, which helps to improve the stability of the charging circuit.

[0031] See Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, the control switch 22 is an N-type MOS transistor, which can realize the rapid switching between the voltage regulation module 1 and the connection module 3, which is beneficial for the simultaneous charging of multiple charging devices. However, it is not limited to this. In some embodiments, the control switch 22 can be a P-type MOS transistor.

[0032] See Figures 1 to 3 The voltage regulation module 1 includes an output switch 11, a freewheeling diode 12, an output inductor 13, and an output capacitor 14. The control terminal of the output switch 11 is connected to the controller 21, the input terminal of the output switch 11 is electrically connected to the power supply, the output terminal of the output switch 11 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the freewheeling diode 12 and the first terminal of the output inductor 13, the second terminal of the output inductor 13 is electrically connected to the control switch 22 and the first terminal of the output capacitor 14, and the second terminal of the output capacitor 14 is electrically connected to the ground terminal and the input terminal of the freewheeling diode 12.

[0033] Furthermore, the voltage regulating module 1 also includes an output controller 15, the input terminal of which is electrically connected to the controller 21, and the output terminal of the output controller 15 is electrically connected to the control terminal of the output switch 11.

[0034] Specifically, output controller 15 and controller 21 are multi-pin chips, in the first embodiment ( Figure 1 In the first embodiment, the voltage regulating module 1 is equipped with a separate output controller 15 to send a voltage regulating signal (PWM signal) to the control terminal of the output switch 11 based on the signal from the controller 21. However, in the second embodiment... Figure 2 ) and the third embodiment ( Figure 3 In this process, the function of output voltage regulation signal from output controller 15 is encapsulated within controller 21, which helps to further reduce production costs and achieve a higher cost-performance ratio.

[0035] See Figures 1 to 3 The voltage regulation module 1 is a Buck circuit, Boost circuit or Buck-Boost circuit. Depending on the actual needs, the voltage regulation module 1 with buck or boost functions can be set up to adapt to different charging needs.

[0036] Specifically, in this embodiment, the voltage regulating module 1 is a Buck circuit with a step-down function, but it is not limited to this. In some embodiments, when the input voltage of the power supply is greater than the output voltage of the connection module 3, the voltage regulating module 1 can use a Buck circuit or a Buck-Boost circuit, while when the input voltage of the power supply is less than the output voltage of the connection module 3, the voltage regulating module 1 can use a Boost circuit or a Buck-Boost circuit.

[0037] See Figure 3 The voltage regulating module 1 and the controller 21 are electrically connected to at most three connection modules 3 and three control switches 22. When the number of connection modules 3 and control switches 22 is greater than three, the voltage regulating module 1 and the controller 21 shall be provided with at least two.

[0038] Specifically, in the third embodiment, when the number of connection modules 3 and control switches 22 is set to 3n, 3n-1, or 3n-2, then the number of voltage regulating modules 1 and controllers 21 is set to n. After the number of voltage regulating modules 1 and controllers 21 is greater than 2, each voltage regulating module 1 and controller 21 is electrically connected to at least two connection modules 3 and control switches 22. This helps to reduce the difficulty of program development and data processing power consumption of controller 21, and improve the speed at which controller 21 controls multiple charging devices to charge simultaneously.

[0039] The above-disclosed embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Therefore, any equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-port charger, characterized in that, include: The system includes a voltage regulating module, a control module, and at least two connection modules, wherein the control module includes a controller and at least two control switches corresponding to the connection modules; The input terminal of the voltage regulating module is electrically connected to the power supply, the output terminal of the voltage regulating module is electrically connected to the input terminal of each of the control switches, the output terminal of each control switch is electrically connected to the power supply terminal of a corresponding connection module, and the controller is connected to the control terminal of the voltage regulating module and the control terminal of each of the control switches, and is also electrically connected to the protocol terminal of each connection module. When a single connection module is connected to a charging device, the controller hands-on with the charging device through the protocol terminal of the connection module to obtain charging parameters, and uses the corresponding control switch as the charging switch. The controller sends a voltage regulation signal to the control terminal of the voltage regulation module according to the charging parameters to control the voltage output of the voltage regulation module to the control switch. The controller controls the charging switch to be turned on and controls the other control switches to be turned off, so that the voltage regulation module supplies power to the charging device through the corresponding connection module. When multiple connection modules are connected to charging devices, the controller hands-on with each charging device through the protocol terminal of the connection module to obtain charging parameters, and uses the corresponding control switch as the charging switch. The controller sends a voltage regulation signal to the control terminal of the voltage regulation module according to the charging parameters to control the voltage output of the voltage regulation module to the control switch. The controller cyclically controls one of the charging switches to be turned on and controls the remaining control switches to be turned off in a set order. The on-time of the charging switch is less than 1 second, so that the voltage regulation module can supply power to each charging device simultaneously through the corresponding connection module.

2. The multi-port charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The set sequence is either the order in which the charging switches are formed or the order in which the control switches are connected to the controller.

3. The multi-port charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protocol end of the connection module includes a first protocol interface and a second protocol interface. The controller is provided with a first communication interface and a second communication interface. The first protocol interface is electrically connected to the first communication interface, and the second protocol interface is electrically connected to the second communication interface. The controller performs a QC protocol handshake or a PD protocol handshake with the charging device connected to the connection module through the first protocol interface or the second protocol interface.

4. The multi-port charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is provided with multiple detection pins, and the control module also includes at least two detection resistors. One end of the detection resistor is electrically connected to the ground terminal of the corresponding connection module, and the other end is grounded. The two ends of the detection resistor are also electrically connected to two of the detection pins of the controller, respectively.

5. The multi-port charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module also includes at least two connecting capacitors, one end of which is electrically connected to the output terminal of the corresponding control switch, and the other end is grounded.

6. The multi-port charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control switch is an N-type MOS transistor or a P-type MOS transistor.

7. The multi-port charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The voltage regulation module includes an output switch, a freewheeling diode, an output inductor, and an output capacitor. The control terminal of the output switch is connected to the controller, the input terminal of the output switch is electrically connected to the power supply, the output terminal of the output switch is electrically connected to the output terminal of the freewheeling diode and the first terminal of the output inductor, the second terminal of the output inductor is electrically connected to the control switch and the first terminal of the output capacitor, and the second terminal of the output capacitor is electrically connected to ground and the input terminal of the freewheeling diode.

8. The multi-port charger according to claim 7, characterized in that, The voltage regulating module also includes an output controller, the input terminal of which is electrically connected to the controller, and the output terminal of which is electrically connected to the control terminal of the output switch.

9. The multi-port charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The voltage regulation module is a Buck circuit, a Boost circuit, or a Buck-Boost circuit.

10. The multi-port charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The voltage regulating module and the controller are electrically connected to at most three of the connection modules and three of the control switches. When the number of connection modules and control switches is greater than three, at least two voltage regulating modules and controllers are provided.

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