Multi-port charging device and method

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of charging, and particularly relates to a multi-port charging device and method. The number of the bridge circuits is the same as that of the output circuits, and one bridge circuit is connected between any two output circuits; and the control circuit is respectively connected with the output circuit and the bridge circuit. Connection paths between output circuits are flexibly switched through the bridging circuit, loads are monitored in real time in combination with the control circuit, power can be dynamically distributed according to equipment requirements, and the problem that the charging speed is decreased due to average power distribution in a traditional multi-port charger is solved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of charging, in particular to a multi-port charging device and method. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, with the popularity of portable electronic devices and the growing demand for fast charging, the multi-port charger market has rapidly expanded, but the subsequent technical competition and cost pressure have also intensified significantly.

[0003] The current technical solutions of multi-port chargers on the market mainly have the following two types: the first type is an AC-DC and multi-stage DC-DC combination scheme. This scheme uses a single large-power AC-DC module for AC-to-DC primary conversion, and then distributes power to each output port through multiple independent DC-DC circuits. This architecture requires the initial AC-DC module to be designed with excess power capacity, resulting in a significant increase in the size and cost of main power devices such as transformers and switching tubes. Especially when any output port needs to support single-port full load, the design of all DC-DC circuits needs to be based on the full load condition, causing the cost of the DC-DC part of the multi-port charger to increase linearly with the number of ports, and the overall economic efficiency deteriorates significantly. In addition, the efficiency loss and device heating problems in the multi-stage power conversion process further increase the complexity of the heat dissipation design, making it difficult to meet the dual demands of low temperature and compact structure for users. The second type is a multi-port transformer parallel architecture based on the PI scheme. Some products use the parallel connection technology based on the customized integrated circuits of Power Integrations (PI). Through the direct parallel connection of multiple independent AC-DC modules, the PI chip integrates the primary / secondary control and synchronous rectification features, and combines the I2C bus to dynamically control the output of each module. In the multi-port distribution scenario, a single AC-DC module corresponds to a single port power supply; when a single port needs to be fully loaded, all modules output to that port. This scheme can achieve flexible distribution of output power, but its design needs to rely on highly integrated ICs from a specific manufacturer, making the selection of the scheme limited to a single supply chain and technology ecosystem. More importantly, the parallel connection technology of the traditional IC scheme has inherent defects: when multiple AC-DC modules are connected in parallel, small voltage differences between the outputs of each module will cause high-voltage branches to flow backward to low-voltage branches, triggering over-voltage protection (OVP) in low-voltage branches, and then causing the system to shut down for protection. At the same time, the over-current protection points (OCP) of each branch cannot be accurately coordinated due to the discrete nature of device parameters, and under full load conditions, the insufficient OCP threshold of a single branch can cause the entire machine to fail and shut down, limiting the universality and reliability of the technical solution.

[0004] In summary, the existing multi-port charger faces three core pain points: high hardware cost, high temperature rise characteristics, and insufficient compatibility when multiple chargers are connected. How to develop a multi-port charger architecture with low cost, high efficiency, and low temperature rise, and achieve stable collaborative control of multiple parallel connections without relying on specific manufacturer ICs, has become a key technical problem that the industry urgently needs to break through.

[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above BACKGROUND section is only used to strengthen the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore can include information that does not constitute prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0006] Summary of the application In view of at least one of the above technical problems, the present application provides a multi-port charging device and method.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a multi-port charging device, the device comprising: a plurality of parallel output circuits; a plurality of bridge circuits, the number of bridge circuits being the same as the number of output circuits, and each bridge circuit being connected between any two output circuits; a control circuit, the control circuit being connected to the output circuits and the bridge circuits.

[0008] One of the technical solutions described above has at least one of the following advantages or beneficial effects: the device can flexibly switch the connection path between the output circuits through the bridge circuits, and can dynamically allocate power according to the device requirements in combination with the real-time monitoring of the control circuit on the load, thereby avoiding the problem of reduced charging speed caused by power average allocation in traditional multi-port chargers.

[0009] In some possible implementation manners, the output circuit comprises a communication module, a voltage conversion module, a first switch component, and an output port module, the voltage conversion module is connected to the output port module through the first switch component, the bridge circuit is connected between the voltage conversion module and the first switch component, the communication module is connected to the voltage conversion module, and the communication module is connected to the control circuit, the first switch component, and the output port module.

[0010] In some possible implementation manners, the first switch component is a first field effect transistor, the drain of the first field effect transistor is connected to the voltage conversion module, the source of the first field effect transistor is connected to the output port module, and the gate of the first field effect transistor is connected to the control circuit.

[0011] In some possible implementation manners, the bridge circuit comprises a second switch component and a third switch component connected in series, the second switch component is connected to one output circuit, the third switch component is connected to another output circuit, and the second switch component and the third switch component are connected to the control circuit.

[0012] In some possible implementation manners, the second switch component is a second field effect transistor, the third switch component is a third field effect transistor, a source of the second field effect transistor is connected with an output circuit, a gate of the second field effect transistor is connected with the control circuit, a drain of the second field effect transistor is connected with a drain of the third field effect transistor, a source of the third field effect transistor is connected with another output circuit, and a gate of the third field effect transistor is connected with the control circuit.

[0013] In some possible implementation manners, the number of the output circuits and the bridge circuits is three.

[0014] In some possible implementation manners, the single output circuit is configured to output a voltage to a terminal device.

[0015] In some possible implementation manners, the multiple output circuits are configured to collectively output a voltage to a terminal device.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present application provides a multi-port charging method, which is implemented by a multi-port charging device, and the method comprises the following steps: When the single output circuit is loaded, the control circuit controls the output circuit to output a voltage to a terminal device. When the multiple output circuits are loaded, the control circuit controls an output circuit to output a voltage to a terminal device, and controls the remaining output circuits to output a voltage to another terminal device.

[0017] In some possible implementation manners, when the single load state is converted into the multiple load state, the control circuit controls the bridge circuit to be disconnected, the disconnected bridge circuit is connected with the output circuit of the new load, and the control circuit controls the output circuit of the new load to directly output a voltage to the new terminal device.

[0018] The present application will be further described below in combination with the drawings and embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can also be obtained without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 The first circuit connection schematic diagram of the multi-port charging device provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the figure. Figure 2 The second circuit connection schematic diagram of the multi-port charging device provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In order to make the above objectives, characteristics and advantages of the present application more apparent, a detailed description of the specific embodiments of the present application will be given below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a large number of specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, so the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1 The present embodiment provides a multi-port charging device, which comprises an output circuit 100, a bridge circuit 200 and a control circuit.

[0023] A plurality of parallel output circuits; a plurality of bridge circuits, the number of bridge circuits being the same as that of output circuits, and each bridge circuit being connected between any two output circuits; and a control circuit, which is connected with the output circuits and the bridge circuits respectively.

[0024] The multi-port charging device provided by the present embodiment can flexibly switch the connection path between the output circuits through the bridge circuit, and can dynamically allocate power according to the demand of the device in combination with the real-time monitoring of the load by the control circuit, thereby avoiding the problem of reduced charging speed caused by the average power distribution in the traditional multi-port charger.

[0025] The number of output circuits and bridge circuits can be multiple, for example, two, three, four, five, six, etc. In some embodiments, the number of output circuits and bridge circuits is three.

[0026] A single output circuit is configured to output a voltage to a terminal device. A plurality of output circuits are configured to collectively output a voltage to a terminal device. Taking the number of output circuits and bridge circuits as three for example, when an output circuit is connected with a terminal device, the output circuit and the terminal device handshake, and the output circuit is the parallel machine main road. If the demand power of the terminal device is lower than the output power of the output circuit, the output circuit directly outputs. If the demand power of the terminal device is greater than the output power of the output circuit, the voltages of the three output circuits are all raised to the demand voltage of the device, and the three output circuits supply power to the terminal device, and the other two output circuits are parallel machine bypasses.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1 In some embodiments, the output circuit comprises a communication module, a voltage conversion module, a first switch assembly and an output port module, the voltage conversion module is connected with the output port module through the first switch assembly, the bridge circuit is connected between the voltage conversion module and the first switch assembly, the communication module is connected with the voltage conversion module, and the communication module is connected with the control circuit, the first switch assembly and the output port module respectively.

[0028] Specifically, the first switch component is a first field effect transistor, a drain of the first field effect transistor is connected with the transformer module, a source of the first field effect transistor is connected with the output port module, and a gate of the first field effect transistor is connected with the control circuit.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1 In some embodiments, the bridge circuit includes: a second switch component and a third switch component connected in series, the second switch component is connected to one output circuit, the third switch component is connected to another output circuit, and the second switch component and the third switch component are connected with the control circuit.

[0030] Specifically, the second switch component is a second field effect transistor, the third switch component is a third field effect transistor, a source of the second field effect transistor is connected with one output circuit, a gate of the second field effect transistor is connected with the control circuit, a drain of the third field effect transistor is connected with a drain of the second field effect transistor, a source of the third field effect transistor is connected with another output circuit, and a gate of the third field effect transistor is connected with the control circuit.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2As shown, the multi-port charging device provided in this embodiment includes the following steps when a single port is outputting full power: Initially, all switching components remain off. When output port module C1 is inserted into the terminal device, and no other ports are inserted, output port module C1 initiates a protocol handshake with the terminal device. Under the communication protocol, the control circuit controls the first switching component Q1 to open, and then controls the second switching components Q2 and Q7 to open simultaneously. At the same time, transformer modules B and C adjust the voltage to 0.2V lower than the set voltage to avoid current backflow. Output port module C1 sends a preparation completion signal to the terminal device, at which point output port module C1 begins to carry the load. Since transformer module A can only output a portion of the power, the voltage of output port module C1 will be pulled low. When the voltage of output port module C1 is pulled down to a level lower than that of output port modules C2 and C3, transformer modules B and C will supply power to output port module C1 through the third switch components Q3 and Q8, and then through the already opened second switch components Q2 and Q7. At this time, full-load output is possible, and the third switch components Q3 and Q8 are still in the off state. When transformer modules B and C detect output current without opening the first switch components Q4 and Q9, they will open the third switch components Q3 and Q8. At this time, the three output circuits supply power to output port module C1, but due to the voltage difference between the different circuits, the current of the three outputs is unbalanced. Transformer A, transformer module B, and transformer module C continuously monitor the output current. If the current in one of the three channels is too high while the other two channels are not significantly different, the voltage of the channel with the excessive current will be finely adjusted and reduced until the three channels output current in a balanced manner. If one channel has a high current, one channel has a low current, and one channel is in the middle, the output voltage of the channel with the high current will be finely adjusted and reduced, while the voltage of the channel with the low current will be finely adjusted and increased, until the three channels output current in a balanced manner.

[0032] Continue as Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, when the multi-port charging device switches from single-port to dual-port output, and a terminal device is inserted into the output port module C2, the control circuit controls the second switch component Q2 and the third switch component Q3 to turn off, and reduces the output voltage of the transformer module B to 5V. Furthermore, the output power at the output port module C1 is the maximum power of the combined power of the transformer modules A and C. After the output port module C2 establishes a protocol handshake with the terminal device, the transformer module B boosts the voltage to the required voltage of the terminal device.

[0033] Continue as Figure 2As shown, the multi-port charging device provided by the embodiment provides that when the double-port is switched to the three-port output, when the output port module C3 has a terminal device inserted, the control circuit controls the second switch assembly Q7 and the third switch assembly Q8 to be turned off, and the output voltage of the voltage conversion module C is reduced to 5V. In addition, the output power at the output port module C1 is the maximum power of the voltage conversion module A, and the output power at the output port module C2 is the maximum power of the voltage conversion module B. After the output port module C3 performs handshake with the terminal device, the voltage conversion module C is boosted to the required voltage of the terminal device.

[0034] In the above example, the multi-port charging device realizes parallel connection of the ordinary IC scheme, and not only two-way parallel connection, but also three-way or even more parallel connection. The voltage conversion modules for parallel connection can not be of the same power, and the protocol software can be adjusted to balance the load according to the size of the voltage conversion module. At the same time, according to this principle, 2-port, 3-port or more port output can be realized. When a single port is fully loaded, parallel connection can make the heat evenly distributed, and the temperature of a certain point will not be too high, which is more conducive to the balance of the shell temperature. Without the need for DC-DC secondary voltage reduction, the efficiency will be significantly improved, and the heat will be relatively reduced.

[0035] Compared with other schemes, for example, in the PI scheme, the IC selection is very expensive, and a set of MOS and dummy load is needed in the secondary to balance the voltage of the two-way or multi-way transformer. A large number of MOS are needed for switching during output. The multi-port charging device of the embodiment can directly use an ordinary scheme IC, which can directly reduce the cost by 50% on the IC.

[0036] For example, in the ordinary AC-DC+DC-DC scheme, due to energy efficiency and heat reasons, the transformer needs to be selected according to the demand of the total power of the super output, so the transformer will be expensive, and the price of a small transformer with half of the total power can even buy two. At the same time, the primary main MOS needs better heat dissipation, and a MOS with high specifications is also selected. At present, the price of GaN on the market is higher, and the smaller the impedance is, the higher the price is. In the impedance interval of about 0.3Ω, the price doubles when the impedance decreases by 0.1Ω. When the multi-port large current is synchronized, the current at the synchronous rectification position is large, and the position is hot, which needs to be cooled by two MOS. If two AC-DCs are used, two synchronous rectification MOSs can be used to disperse heat, and the specifications of the MOS can meet the maximum current of a single channel. The DC-DC part needs a protocol IC, a BUCK IC, a BUCK inductor, and a solid-state capacitor for each output. Overall, the multi-port charging device of the embodiment can reduce the DC-DC part, that is, directly delete the DC-DC part.

[0037] In a second aspect, the embodiment provides a multi-port charging method, implemented by a multi-port charging device, the method comprising: when a single output circuit is loaded, a control circuit controls the output circuit to output voltage to a terminal device; when multiple output circuits are loaded, the control circuit controls an output circuit to output voltage to a terminal device, and controls the remaining output circuits to output voltage to another terminal device. When a single load state is converted to a multiple load state, the control circuit controls a bridge circuit to be disconnected, the disconnected bridge circuit is connected to the output circuit of the new load, and the control circuit controls the output circuit of the new load to directly output voltage to the new terminal device.

[0038] In the embodiment, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with "first" and "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0039] Any person skilled in the art can make many possible changes and modifications to the technical solutions of the present application, or modify equivalent embodiments, without departing from the scope of the technical solutions of the present application, by using the methods and technical contents disclosed above. Therefore, any equivalent changes made according to the shape, structure and principle of the present application, without departing from the scope of the technical solutions of the present application, should be covered within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A multi-port charging device, comprising: The device comprises: a plurality of parallel output circuits; a plurality of bridge circuits, the number of bridge circuits being the same as the number of output circuits, and one bridge circuit being connected between any two output circuits; a control circuit connected to the output circuits and the bridge circuits.

2. The multi-port charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The output circuit comprises a communication module, a voltage conversion module, a first switch component, and an output port module, the voltage conversion module being connected to the output port module through the first switch component, the bridge circuit being connected between the voltage conversion module and the first switch component, the communication module being connected to the voltage conversion module, and the communication module being connected to the control circuit, the first switch component, and the output port module.

3. The multi-port charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The first switch component is a first field effect transistor, the drain of the first field effect transistor being connected to the voltage conversion module, the source of the first field effect transistor being connected to the output port module, and the gate of the first field effect transistor being connected to the control circuit.

4. The multi-port charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The bridge circuit comprises a second switch component and a third switch component connected in series, the second switch component being connected to one output circuit, the third switch component being connected to another output circuit, and the second switch component and the third switch component being connected to the control circuit.

5. The multi-port charging apparatus of claim 4, wherein, The second switch component is a second field effect transistor, the third switch component is a third field effect transistor, the source of the second field effect transistor being connected to one output circuit, the gate of the second field effect transistor being connected to the control circuit, the drain of the second field effect transistor being connected to the drain of the third field effect transistor, the source of the third field effect transistor being connected to another output circuit, and the gate of the third field effect transistor being connected to the control circuit.

6. The multi-port charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The number of output circuits and bridge circuits is three.

7. The multi-port charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein, One output circuit is configured to output voltage to one terminal device.

8. The multi-port charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein, A plurality of output circuits are configured to collectively output voltage to one terminal device.

9. A multi-port charging method implemented by the multi-port charging device of claim 1, wherein, The method comprises: When a single output circuit is loaded, the control circuit controls the output circuit to output voltage to a terminal device; When a plurality of output circuits are loaded, the control circuit controls one output circuit to output voltage to one terminal device, and controls the remaining output circuits to output voltage to another terminal device.

10. The multi-port charging method of claim 1, wherein, When a single load state is converted to a multiple load state, the control circuit controls the bridge circuit to be disconnected, the disconnected bridge circuit being connected to the newly added output circuit, and the control circuit further controls the newly added output circuit to directly output voltage to the newly added terminal device.

Images