Electronic device and method for controlling, with suppression of at least one energizing phase, an electrical energy converter comprising a piezoelectric resonator, associated electrical energy conversion system

Abstract

Electronic device and method for controlling, with suppression of at least one energizing phase, an electrical energy converter comprising a piezoelectric resonator, associated electrical energy conversion system The invention relates to a device (20) for controlling a converter (10) comprising two input terminals, two output terminals, a piezoelectric resonator (15), and several switches (K1, K2, K3) connected to the resonator; a first switch (K1) being connected between an input terminal and the resonator and switchable between an open position and a closed position where an input voltage (Vin) is applied to the resonator.The device comprises a module (28) for measuring an output quantity; a module (32) for controlling switching of the switches to alternate phases at substantially constant voltage and at substantially constant load at the terminals of the resonator; and a module (30) for detecting a characteristic event dependent on the output quantity; and in the event of detection of the event, the control module (32) controlling the first switch in the open position for the duration of at least one resonance cycle. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Electronic device and method for controlling, with suppression of at least one energizing phase, an electrical energy converter comprising a piezoelectric resonator, associated electrical energy conversion system

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device for controlling an electrical energy converter capable of converting an input voltage into an output voltage.

[0002] The invention also relates to an electrical energy conversion system comprising such a converter and such an electronic device for controlling the converter.

[0003] The invention also relates to a method for controlling such a converter.

[0004] A converter is known comprising two input terminals for receiving the input voltage, two output terminals for delivering the output voltage, a piezoelectric resonator having two terminals, and several switches connected to the piezoelectric resonator.

[0005] An electronic control device is known comprising a measurement module configured to measure an output quantity of the converter; and a control module configured to control a switching of each of the switches, to alternate phases at substantially constant voltage across the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator and phases at substantially constant charge across the terminals of said piezoelectric resonator.

[0006] The most interesting feature of this type of converter is its high power density when operating at a few MHz. This is due to the mechanical and piezoelectric property of the transient energy storage element, which allows its size to be reduced linearly with increasing power density, while the inductance shows a reduction with a lower rate, as described in the article by PA Kyaw and CR Sullivan, "Fundamental examination of multiple potential passive component technologies for future power electronics" 2015 IEEE 16th Workshop on Control and Modeling for Power Electronics (COMPEL).

[0007] Control strategies, i.e. for piloting, direct-to-direct or DC-DC (Direct Current-Direct Current) converters with a six-phase piezoelectric resonator during a resonance cycle, with alternation of phases with substantially constant voltage at the terminals of the resonator and phases with substantially constant charge at the terminals of said resonator, are described in the following articles:

[0008] - JJ Piel, JD Boles, JH Lang and DJ Perreault, "Feedback Control for a Pie- zoelectric-Resonator-Based DC-DC Power Converter" 2021 IEEE 22nd Workshop on Control and Modeling of Power Electronics (COMPEL);

[0009] - B. Pollet, G. Despesse and F. Costa, "A New Non-isolated Low-Power Inductorless Piezoelectric DC-DC Converter" in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 34, no. 11; and

[0010] - M. Touhami, G. Despesse, F. Costa and B. Pollet, “Implementation of Control Strategy for Step-down DC-DC Converter Based on Piezoelectric Resonator" 2020 22nd European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications (EPE'20 ECCE Europe).

[0011] These strategies respond rather well but have a limit when the power required at the converter output drops abruptly. This sudden drop in power can for example appear if the load changes mode, for example to go into standby, but also at the end of startup when the output voltage reaches the target voltage. The piezoelectric resonator has an oscillation amplitude which depends on the current required, an internal current IL in the resonator being all the higher as the output current Lut is high. The amplitude of this mechanical movement cannot be lowered abruptly, and power continues to be supplied to the output, while the target output voltage has already been reached, which leads to an overvoltage.

[0012] To overcome this effect, document FR 3 125 182 A1 proposes introducing reactive power by extending one of the voltage steps from a first half-period to a second half-period of the resonance cycle, so that this step sees a forward current, then a return current. Thus, either part of the energy supplied by the input voltage to the resonator is returned to the input, or part of the energy supplied to the output is returned to the resonator, or both, depending on the step that is extended. This method is interesting, but requires the control of an additional angle as well as the management of energy storage.

[0013] The paper by EA Stolt, WD Braun and JM Rivas-Davila, "Forward-Zero Cycle Closed-Loop Control of Piezoelectric Resonator DC-DC Converters" 2022 IEEE 23rd Workshop on Control and Modeling for Power Electronics (COMPEL), describes burst mode regulation, maintaining fixed-frequency operation with substantially constant control angles, but periodically shorting the resonator during a complete resonance cycle to adjust the converter output power. For example, by removing one resonance cycle out of five, the output power no longer sees power for one resonance period out of five and the energy supplied to the resonator is also reduced, limiting the amplitude of the current in the resonator and thus the power transmitted over the other four periods. This method works, but requires the control of a block of several resonance cycles, i.e. several resonance periods, for example five resonance periods, because the adjustment of the current is no longer carried out on the scale of the period, but of said plurality of periods. In addition to the difficulty of predicting the switching times over these multiple periods, it is also necessary to have filtering at the output over said plurality of periods, which reduces the reactivity of the converter, and increases the size of passive filtering elements.

[0014] The aim of the invention is then to propose an electronic control device, and an associated control method, allowing improved control of the electrical energy converter.

[0015] For this purpose, the invention relates to an electronic device for controlling an electrical energy converter capable of converting an input voltage into an output voltage, the converter comprising two input terminals for receiving the input voltage, two output terminals for delivering the output voltage, a piezoelectric resonator having two terminals, and several switches connected to the piezoelectric resonator; one of the switches, called the first switch, being connected between one of the input terminals and the piezoelectric resonator, the first switch being switchable between an open position and a closed position in which the input voltage is applied to the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator;

[0016] the electronic control device comprising:

[0017] - a measurement module configured to measure an output quantity of the converter;

[0018] - a control module configured to control a switching of each switches, for alternating phases with substantially constant voltage at the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator and phases with substantially constant charge at the terminals of said piezoelectric resonator;

[0019] - a detection module configured to detect at least one characteristic event characteristic dependent on the measured output quantity;

[0020] the control module being configured to, in the event of detection of at least one characteristic event, control the first switch in the open position for the duration of at least one resonance cycle of the piezoelectric resonator.

[0021] With the electronic control device according to the invention, the control - in the event of detection of at least one characteristic event - of the first switch in the open position for the duration of one or more successive resonance cycles of the piezoelectric resonator makes it possible to suppress the phase of the resonance cycle during which the input voltage is applied to the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator, i.e. to suppress the phase of supplying energy to the piezoelectric resonator, also called the energizing phase.

[0022] This suppression of the energizing phase during one or more successive resonance cycles of the piezoelectric resonator, that is to say during one or more successive resonance periods, then makes it possible to rapidly reduce the total energy in the piezoelectric resonator and, consequently, at the output of the converter, without losing the synchronization between the control device and the vibrations of the piezoelectric resonator.

[0023] In other words, by preventing an energy supply from the piezoelectric resonator for the entire duration of at least one resonance cycle, or even for the entire duration of several successive resonance cycles, the energy stored in the piezoelectric resonator decreases rapidly, which makes it possible to remedy the detected event.

[0024] Preferably, the detected event which is remedied is an over-energy event, when the measured output quantity is greater than a threshold quantity.

[0025] Alternatively, or in addition, the detected event which is remedied is a so-called minimum energy event, when the measured output quantity is greater than a target quantity and the duration during which the first switch is in the closed position during a respective resonance cycle has decreased to a minimum duration, and can then no longer decrease further. The minimum energy event then corresponds to the case where the energizing phase is at its minimum duration, and cannot be shortened further to further reduce the energy input to the piezoelectric resonator, and at the same time, the output quantity is already greater than the desired target quantity.

[0026] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the electronic control device comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

[0027] - the at least one characteristic event includes an over-energy event, detected when the measured output quantity is greater than a threshold quantity;

[0028] - the at least one characteristic event comprises an energy event minimum, detected when the measured output quantity is greater than a target quantity and the duration during which the first switch is in the closed position during a respective resonance cycle is less than or equal to a minimum duration;

[0029] - the threshold quantity is greater than the target quantity.

[0030] the threshold quantity preferably being equal to a multiple of the target quantity, the multiple being between 1.02 and 1.3;

[0031] the multiple being preferably still between 1.02 and 1.1; preferably still equal to 1.05;

[0032] - the output quantity is the output voltage;

[0033] - the control module is configured to control the first switch in open position for the duration of several successive resonance cycles of the re- piezoelectric sounder;

[0034] - the control module is configured to control the first switch in open position as long as at least one characteristic event is detected;

[0035] - the piezoelectric resonator comprises one of the constitutions among the group consisting of: a single piezoelectric element; a plurality of piezoelectric elements connected in series; a plurality of piezoelectric elements connected in parallel; a piezoelectric element and an auxiliary capacitor connected in series; a piezoelectric element and an auxiliary capacitor connected in parallel; and an arrangement of a plurality of parallel branches, each branch comprising one or more piezoelectric elements connected in series or an auxiliary capacitor;

[0036] the auxiliary capacitor preferably having a higher capacity, more preferably at least three times higher, than a reference capacity of the piezoelectric element(s), each piezoelectric element being modeled in the form of a capacitor and a resonant branch connected in parallel to the capacitor, the reference capacity being the capacity of said capacitor.

[0037] The invention also relates to an electrical energy conversion system comprising:

[0038] - an electrical energy converter comprising two input terminals for receiving the input voltage, two output terminals for delivering the output voltage, a piezoelectric resonator having two terminals, and several switches connected to the piezoelectric resonator, at least one of the switches, called the first switch, being connected between one of the input terminals and the piezoelectric resonator, the at least one first switch being switchable between an open position and a closed position in which the input voltage is applied across the piezoelectric resonator; and

[0039] - an electronic device for controlling the electrical energy converter; the electronic control device being as defined above.

[0040] The invention also relates to a method for controlling an electrical energy converter capable of converting an input voltage into an output voltage, the converter comprising two input terminals for receiving the input voltage, two output terminals for delivering the output voltage, a piezoelectric resonator having two terminals, and several switches connected to the piezoelectric resonator; one of the switches, called the first switch, being connected between one of the input terminals and the piezoelectric resonator, the first switch being switchable between an open position and a closed position in which the input voltage is applied to the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator;

[0041] the method being implemented by an electronic control device and comprising the following steps:

[0042] - measurement of an output quantity of the converter;

[0043] - control of a switching of each of the switches, to alternate phases with substantially constant voltage across the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator and phases with substantially constant charge across the terminals of said piezoelectric resonator;

[0044] the method further comprising the following step:

[0045] - detection of at least one characteristic event depending on the magnitude of measured output;

[0046] the control step comprising, in the event of detection of at least one characteristic event, a control of the first switch in the open position for the duration of at least one resonance cycle of the piezoelectric resonator.

[0047] These characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0048] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of an electronic system of electrical energy conversion according to the invention, comprising an electrical energy converter comprising a piezoelectric resonator and several switches connected to the piezoelectric resonator; and an electronic device for controlling the electrical energy converter;

[0049] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the control device of the [Fig.l];

[0050] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view similar to [Fig.2] schematically detailing a minimum energy event detection unit and an over-energy event detection unit, included in the control device of figures 1 and 2;

[0051] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a flowchart of a method, according to the invention, of piloting of an electrical energy converter, the method being implemented by the control device of [Fig.l];

[0052] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents curves of the voltage and the intensity at the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator of [Fig.l], in voltage-boosting mode, and respectively in voltage-down mode, of the electrical energy converter; and

[0053] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents the curve of the voltage at the terminals of the piezo resonator electrical [Fig.l], in the event of detection of the minimum energy event or the over-energy event, leading to the suppression of a phase (at substantially constant voltage) of energy supply to the piezoelectric resonator.

[0054] In [Fig.l], an electronic electrical energy conversion system 5 comprises an electrical energy converter 10 comprising a piezoelectric resonator 15 and several switches K1, K2, K3 connected to the piezoelectric resonator 15; and an electronic device 20 for controlling the energy converter 10. Electrical energy is typically a voltage, or alternatively a current or power.

[0055] The electronic electrical energy conversion system 5 is typically a system for converting into direct electrical energy, such as a direct-to-direct conversion system capable of converting a first direct electrical energy received at the input into a second direct electrical energy delivered at the output, or even an alternating-to-direct conversion system capable of converting alternating electrical energy received at the input into direct electrical energy delivered at the output of the conversion system 5.

[0056] When the electrical energy conversion system 5 is an AC-DC conversion system, the electrical energy conversion system 5 preferably further comprises a voltage rectifier, not shown, connected to the input of the electrical energy converter 10 and capable of rectifying the AC electrical voltage received at the input of the conversion system 5 to deliver a rectified electrical voltage at the input of the converter 10, the electrical energy converter 10 preferably being a DC-DC converter capable of converting DC electrical energy into another DC electrical energy. The voltage rectifier is for example a rectifier bridge, such as a diode bridge. Alternatively, the voltage rectifier is formed in whole or in part by switches of the converter 10, for example via bidirectional voltage switches.

[0057] Those skilled in the art will observe that these different examples for the conversion system 5, whether it is a DC-DC conversion system or an AC-DC conversion system, are also presented in the documents FR 3 086 471 A1 and FR 3 086 472 A1, in particular with regard to their figures 1 to 3, 10, 15, 17 and 19 to 20.

[0058] The electrical energy converter 10 is preferably a DC-DC converter, and is also called a DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter generally has the role of regulating a supply voltage Vout of a load 22 to a stable value, by being powered by an energy source 24 providing a substantially DC voltage Vin. The energy source 24 is for example a battery or a solar panel.

[0059] The electrical energy converter 10 is then configured to raise the value of the DC voltage between its input and its output, and is then also called a step-up DC-DC converter, or a high-step-up DC-DC converter; or is configured to lower the value of the DC voltage between its input and its output, and is then called a step-down DC-DC converter, with also a variant of a high-step-down DC-DC converter.

[0060] When the electrical energy converter 10 is a step-down DC-DC converter, the value of the input voltage typically corresponds to the voltage Vin of the energy source 24, and the value of the output voltage corresponds to the voltage Vout across the terminals of the load 22, the voltage Vin then being greater than the voltage Vout.

[0061] When the electrical energy converter 10 is a step-up DC-DC converter, the value of the input voltage also typically corresponds to the voltage Vin of the energy source 24, and the value of the output voltage corresponds to the voltage Vout across the terminals of the load 22, the voltage Vin then being lower than the voltage Vout.

[0062] When the electrical energy converter 10 is a strongly step-down DC-DC converter, the value of the input voltage corresponds for example to the voltage difference (Vin-Vout), and the value of the output voltage corresponds for example to the voltage Vout, the voltage difference (Vin-Vout) being significantly greater than the voltage Vout.

[0063] When the electrical energy converter 10 is a step-down DC-DC converter, according to a step-down variant, the value of the input voltage corresponds for example to the voltage difference (Vin-Vout), and the value of the output voltage corresponds to the voltage Vout across the terminals of the load 22, the voltage difference (Vin-V out) being greater than the voltage Vout.

[0064] The electrical energy converter 10 comprises the piezoelectric resonator 15, and the control device 20 is configured to operate the piezoelectric material of the piezoelectric resonator 15 at its resonance in order to exploit charge transfer phases making it possible to dispense with the use of an inductive element, while regulating the output voltage by maintaining the resonance of the piezoelectric material, i.e. with repeated switching cycles at an operating frequency dependent on the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric resonator 15, and by adjusting the durations of the respective switching phases within the resonance cycle.

[0065] As known per se, the mechanical oscillation of the piezoelectric resonator 15 is approximately sinusoidal. An increase or a decrease in the energy stored over a period leads respectively to an increase or a decrease in the oscillation amplitude. Furthermore, during a phase with a substantially constant charge at the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15, that is to say when the piezoelectric resonator 15 is placed in a substantially open electrical circuit, with a low exchange of electrical charges between the piezoelectric resonator 15 and the outside, an increase in the amplitude of the oscillations causes an increase in the speed of variation of the voltage Vp at the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15, and during a phase with a substantially constant voltage at the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15, this increase in oscillation amplitude leads to an increase in the current exchanged between the piezoelectric resonator 15 and the exterior.

[0066] By substantially constant charge is meant an exchange of a charge with the outside which is less than 30% of the charge which would have been exchanged with the outside if the voltage had been kept constant. In other words, by substantially constant charge is meant a variation in charge less than 30% of the charge which would have been exchanged with the outside of the piezoelectric resonator 15 if the voltage across the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15 had been kept constant over the time period considered.

[0067] By substantially open electrical circuit, we mean a circuit in which a possible leakage current leads to a variation in charge of the piezoelectric resonator 15 of less than 30% of the charge which would have been exchanged with the exterior of the piezoelectric resonator 15 if the voltage across the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15 had been kept constant over the time period considered.

[0068] By substantially constant voltage, we mean a voltage variation of less than 20%, preferably less than 10%, of the input or output voltage of the converter 10. For example, if the input voltage of the converter 10 is equal to 100V, then the voltage variation during each phase at substantially constant voltage, i.e. on each step at substantially constant voltage, is less than 20% of this voltage, i.e. less than 20V; preferably less than 10% of this voltage, i.e. less than 10V.

[0069] The converter 10 then comprises several switches K1, K2, K3 capable of being controlled to alternate phases at substantially constant voltage and phases at substantially constant load at the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15. This alternation of phases at substantially constant voltage and phases at substantially constant load is typically carried out within periods of substantially constant duration corresponding to the operating frequency of the converter 10, depending on the oscillation frequency, also called natural frequency, of the piezoelectric resonator 15. The phases at substantially constant load make it possible, in steady state or permanent mode, to pass from one constant voltage to another and to close the switches which must be closed when the voltage at their terminals is preferably zero in order to have a so-called zero voltage switching, also called ZVS switching (from the English Zero Voltage Switching).

[0070] Each switch of the converter 10, namely a first switch K1, a second switch K2, and in addition a third switch K3, comprises for example a transistor and an antiparallel diode (not shown) intrinsic to the transistor.

[0071] The transistor is, for example, an insulated gate field effect transistor, also called MOSFET (from the English Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor). Alternatively, the transistor 50 is a bipolar transistor; an insulated gate bipolar transistor, also called IGBT (from the English Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor); a silicon (Si)-based transistor, a GaN (from the English Gallium Nitride)-based transistor; a silicon carbide (SiC)-based transistor, or a diamond-based transistor, or a thyristor, or a mechanical switch, such as a MEMS (from the English MicroElectroMechanical System) micro-switch.

[0072] The first switch Kl is connected between one of the input terminals and the resonator 15, the first switch Kl being switchable between an open position and a closed position in which the input voltage Vin is applied across the terminals of the resonator 15.

[0073] The second switch K2 is connected across the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15, the second switch K2 being switchable between an open position and a closed position in which the voltage is zero across the terminals of the resonator 15.

[0074] The third switch K3 is connected between one of the output terminals and the resonator 15, the third switch K3 being switchable between an open position and a closed position in which energy from the resonator 15 is returned to the output voltage Vout.

[0075] The oscillation frequency is the frequency at which the resonator 12, such as the piezoelectric resonator 15, oscillates and consequently its current IL on its motional branch (RLC branch) of its equivalent model around the selected resonance mode. The current IL can be deduced either by observing the evolution of the voltage Vp when the resonator is isolated or by observing its output current Ip during the constant voltage phases. The conversion cycle is synchronized with a mechanical movement of the piezoelectric resonator 15, and the control frequency is then set to the mechanical oscillation frequency. In practice, this oscillation frequency depends on the operating point of the converter 10: values ​​of the three voltage steps and the output current.Depending on the operating point, this oscillation frequency typically varies between the so-called series resonance frequency of the piezoelectric (cos=l / 'V(LC) where L and C correspond to the inductance and capacitance of a resonant branch 25 described below) and the so-called parallel resonance frequency of the piezoelectric (cop=l / 'V(L*C*Cp / (C+Cp))), also respectively called resonance frequency and antiresonance frequency of the piezoelectric resonator 15. The operating frequency of the converter 10 is then between these two resonance and antiresonance frequencies of the piezoelectric resonator 15. The operating point varies slowly with respect to the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric resonator 15. The operating point typically varies at less than . of 10kHz, whereas the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric resonator 15 is typically greater than or equal to 100kHz. As a result, the operating frequency of the converter 10 changes little from one period to the next.

[0076] The total number of phases at substantially constant voltage and phases at substantially constant charge at the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15 during a resonance cycle is generally greater than or equal to six in a nominal operating mode of the converter 10. In the example of [Fig.l], this total number of phases is equal to six in the nominal operating mode of the converter 10.

[0077] The piezoelectric resonator 15 is known per se, and is typically modeled, close to the resonance mode used, in the form of a capacitor Cp and the resonant branch 25 connected in parallel with the capacitor Cp, the capacitor Cp and the resonant branch 25 being connected between first 26 and second 27 electrodes of the piezoelectric resonator 15. The first 26 and second 27 electrodes form the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15.

[0078] In the example of [Fig.l], the piezoelectric resonator 15 comprises a single piezoelectric element.

[0079] In a variant not shown, the piezoelectric resonator 15 comprises several piezoelectric elements connected in series. Alternatively, the piezoelectric resonator 15 comprises several piezoelectric elements connected in parallel. Alternatively, the piezoelectric resonator 15 comprises a piezoelectric element and an auxiliary capacitor connected in series. Alternatively, the piezoelectric resonator 15 comprises a piezoelectric element and an auxiliary capacitor connected in parallel. As a further variant, the piezoelectric resonator 15 comprises an arrangement of several parallel branches, each branch comprising one or more piezoelectric elements connected in series or an auxiliary capacitor.

[0080] According to the variants concerned, the auxiliary capacitor is advantageously of greater capacity, more preferably at least three times greater, than a reference capacity of the piezoelectric element(s), such as the capacity of the capacitor Cp in the example of [Fig.l], each piezoelectric element being modeled in the form of a capacitor and a resonant branch connected in parallel with the capacitor, the reference capacity being the capacity of said capacitor.

[0081] In the example of [Fig.l], the first switch K1 is connected between a positive input terminal and the first electrode 26 of the resonator 15, the second switch K2 is connected between the first 26 and second 27 electrodes of the piezoelectric resonator 15, and the third switch K3 is connected between the first electrode 26 of the resonator 15 and a positive output terminal and the resonator 15. By positive terminal, the person skilled in the art will understand that this is the terminal which is at the highest potential of the input voltage Vin, respectively of the output voltage Vout. In the example of [Fig.l], the negative input and output terminals are connected to an electrical ground GND.

[0082] The resonant branch 25 is typically an RLC branch formed of an auxiliary capacitor, a resistor and an inductor connected in series (not shown). The voltage Vp across the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15 then typically corresponds to the voltage across the terminals of the capacitor Cp.

[0083] The capacity of the auxiliary capacitor is advantageously greater than the capacity of the capacitor Cp, in particular at least three times greater.

[0084] The control device 20 comprises a measurement module 28, a detection module 30 and a control module 32.

[0085] The measurement module 28, the detection module 30, and the control module 32 are for example each produced in the form of an electronic circuit comprising one or more electronic components, and in particular comparators when comparisons are carried out.

[0086] Alternatively, the measurement module 28, the detection module 30, and the control module 32 are each produced in the form of a programmable logic component, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or in the form of an integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or even in the form of a computer, such as a microcontroller, a processor. As a further alternative, the measurement module 28, the detection module 30 and the control module 32 are implemented together within a single hardware component, such as a single programmable logic component, a single integrated circuit, or a single computer.

[0087] The measuring module 28 is configured to measure an output quantity Gout. The output quantity Gout is for example the output voltage Vout. Alternatively, the output quantity Gout is an output current Iout. Alternatively, the output quantity Gout is an output power Pout.

[0088] The detection module 30 is configured to detect at least one characteristic event dependent on the measured output quantity Gout. The detection module 30 is advantageously capable of detecting an over-energy event and / or a minimum energy event. In other words, a respective characteristic event is advantageously the over-energy event, or the minimum energy event.

[0089] The over-energy event is detected when the output quantity Gout, such as the output voltage Vout, is greater than a threshold quantity Gthr-

[0090] The minimum energy event is detected when the output quantity Gout, such as the output voltage Vout, is greater than a target quantity Gtar and a duration D ki during which the first switch Kl is in the closed position during a respective resonance cycle has decreased to a minimum duration Dmin.

[0091] The threshold quantity Gthr is typically greater than the target quantity Gtar. Those skilled in the art will observe that the target quantity Gtar then forms a second threshold quantity, distinct from the threshold quantity Gthr, and preferably less than the threshold quantity Gthr-

[0092] Advantageously, the threshold quantity Gthr is equal to a multiple of the target quantity Gtar. The multiple is typically between 1.02 and 1.3; preferably between 1.02 and 1.1; more preferably equal to 1.05.

[0093] The converter 10 has a low power limit, characteristic of the elements making up the energy converter 10. The minimum duration Dmin then depends on the low power limit. The minimum duration Dmin cannot in fact tend towards zero. The minimum duration Dmin is for example of the order of 2 nanoseconds.

[0094] The control module 32 is configured to control a switching of each of the switches K1, K2 and K3, typically to alternate phases at substantially constant voltage across the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15 and phases at substantially constant charge across the terminals of said piezoelectric resonator 15.

[0095] The control module 32 is, according to the invention, configured to, in the event of detection of at least one characteristic event, control the first switch K1 in the open position for the duration of at least one resonance cycle of the piezoelectric resonator 15. The first switch K1 is advantageously controlled to remain in the open position as long as at least one characteristic event is detected by the detection module 30. In other words, the first switch K1 is advantageously controlled, then maintained in the open position as long as the presence of the at least one characteristic event is detected.

[0096] As visible in [Fig.2] illustrating an example of the control device 20, the measurement module 28 comprises an adder 33 connected to the output of a unit, not shown, for measuring the output quantity Gout. The detection module 30 comprises a first unit 34 for detecting the over-energy event, a second unit 36 ​​for detecting the minimum energy event and an OR logic gate 38 (from the English OR logic gate). The control module 32 comprises a corrector 40, a generator 42 of a control signal, a multiplexer 44, a unit 46 for controlling a switch, such as the first switch KL

[0097] The adder 33 is capable of receiving on the one hand the output quantity Gout, such as the output voltage Vout, and on the other hand a reference quantity Gref, such as a reference voltage Vref, then to deliver at output an error e corresponding to the difference between the output quantity Gout and the reference quantity Gref. The adder 33 is typically configured to subtract the reference quantity Gref from the output quantity Gout.

[0098] The first unit 34 for detecting the over-energy event is capable of receiving as input the output quantity Gout, such as the output voltage Vout, and of delivering as output a voltage Vcl, the voltage Vci typically being in the form of a square-wave voltage with a high or low logic level depending on whether the over-energy event has been detected or not.

[0099] The second unit 36 ​​for detecting the minimum energy event is connected to the output of the corrector 40. The second detection unit 36 ​​is also capable of receiving as input the output quantity Gout, such as the output voltage Vout, and of delivering as output a voltage Va, the voltage Va typically also being in the form of a square-wave voltage with a high or low logic level depending on whether the minimum energy event has been detected or not.

[0100] The OR logic gate 38 is connected to the output of the first unit 34 and the second unit 36, and then able to receive the voltage Vci and the voltage Va as input.

[0101] The OR logic gate 38 is capable of delivering a voltage Vb as output, the voltage Vb typically also being in the form of a square wave voltage with a high logic level if Vci and / or Va have(s) a high logic level, and with a low logic level otherwise.

[0102] The corrector 40 is typically configured to perform a regulation of the output quantity Gout with respect to the reference quantity Gref, by receiving as input the error e from the adder 33, corresponding to the output quantity Gout minus the reference quantity Gref, and then performing an integration of this error e.

[0103] The corrector 40 comprises for example an operational amplifier 40A, an electrical resistor 40B and a feedback loop with a capacitor 40C. The feedback loop connects the output of the operational amplifier 40A to its negative input. The electrical resistor 40B is connected between the input of the corrector 40 receiving the error e and the negative input of the operational amplifier 40A. It is understood that other types of correctors 40 can be used.

[0104] The control signal generator 42 is connected to the output of the corrector 40, and is configured to generate a periodic control signal for the first switch Kl denoted Kl-period as a function of the signal at the output of the corrector 40.

[0105] The multiplexer 44 is connected to the output of the generator 42 and the OR logic gate 38, and is then able to receive as input the control signals for opening Kl-off and periodic closing Kl-period, as well as the voltage Vb.

[0106] The multiplexer 44 is for example capable of selecting the opening control signal Kl-off if the voltage Vb has a high logic level, and of not selecting a control signal in particular if the voltage Vb has a low logic level.

[0107] The control unit 46 is connected to the output of the multiplexer 44, and then able to receive as input the control signal for opening Kl-off or respectively for periodic closing Kl-period, from the multiplexer 44.

[0108] The control unit 46 is connected to the input of the first switch Kl and is configured to apply the control signal, either for opening and keeping open Kl-off, or for periodic closing Kl-period, to a control electrode of the first switch Kl, such as a gate electrode when the first switch Kl comprises a transistor such as a MOSFET or an IGBT.

[0109] In the example of [Fig.3], the first unit 34 for detecting the over-energy event comprises a first voltage divider 48 and a first comparator 54.

[0110] In the example of [Fig.3], the second unit 36 ​​for detecting the minimum energy event comprises a second voltage divider 50, a third voltage divider 52, a second comparator 56, a third comparator 58 and an AND logic gate 60.

[0111] The voltage dividers 48, 50, 52 are typically configured to deliver an output voltage lower than their input voltage. The first voltage divider 48 is capable of receiving as input the reference quantity Gref, such as the reference voltage Vref, and capable of delivering as output a voltage Vdi, the voltage Vdi being a fraction of the input voltage Vref.

[0112] The second voltage divider 50 is capable of receiving as input the output quantity Gout, such as the output voltage Vout, and capable of delivering as output a voltage Vd2, the voltage Vd2 being a fraction of the input voltage Vout.

[0113] The third voltage divider 52 is capable of receiving as input the reference quantity Gref, such as the reference voltage Vref, and capable of delivering as output a voltage Vd3, the voltage Vd3 being a fraction of the input voltage Vref.

[0114] The division factors implemented respectively by the first, second and third voltage dividers 48, 50, 52 are such that, on the one hand, the ratio between the voltages Vd2 and Vd3 is equal to the ratio between the output quantity Gout and the target quantity Gtar, in particular equal to the ratio between the output voltage Vout and a target voltage Vtar; and on the other hand, that the ratio between the voltages Vd2 and Vdl is equal to the ratio between the output quantity Gout and the threshold quantity Gthr, in particular equal to the ratio between the output voltage Vout and a threshold voltage Vthr.

[0115] The first comparator 54 is connected to the output of the first voltage divider 48 and the second voltage divider 50, and then capable of receiving the voltage Vdl and the voltage Vd3 as input.

[0116] The first comparator 54 is capable of delivering the voltage Vcb as output, the voltage Vci typically being in the form of a square wave voltage with a high logic level if the voltage Vd2 is greater than the voltage Vdb and with a low logic level otherwise.

[0117] The second comparator 56 is connected to the output of the second voltage divider 50 and the third voltage divider 52, and then capable of receiving as input the voltage V d2 and the voltage Vd3.

[0118] The second comparator 56 is capable of delivering a voltage Vc2 as output, the voltage Vc2 typically being in the form of a square-wave voltage with a high logic level if the voltage Vd2 is greater than the voltage Vd3, and with a low logic level otherwise.

[0119] The third comparator 58 is capable of receiving as input a voltage VC1 and a voltage Vtl. The voltage VC1 is a voltage linked to the minimum duration Dmin and the voltage Vtl is a voltage linked to the duration DK[ of closing of the switch Kl during the respective cycle, the voltages VC1 and Vtl being chosen so that the ratio between the voltages Vti and VCi is equal to the ratio between the durations DK[ and Dmin

[0120] The third comparator 58 is capable of delivering the voltage Vc3 as output, the voltage Vc3 typically being in the form of a square-wave voltage with a high logic level if the voltage Vtl becomes lower than the voltage VC1, and with a low logic level otherwise.

[0121] The AND logic gate 60 is connected to the output of the second comparator 56 and the third comparator 58, and is then able to receive the voltage Vc2 and the voltage V iv c3* as input.

[0122] The AND logic gate 60 is capable of delivering a voltage Va as output, the voltage Va typically also being in the form of a square-wave voltage with a high logic level if the voltages Vc2 and Vc3 have a high logic level, and with a low logic level otherwise.

[0123] The nominal operation of a cycle of the converter 10 will now be described with regard to [Fig.5] showing the successive phases of a resonance cycle of the piezoelectric resonator, according to a generic format corresponding to different operating modes of the converter 10, namely a first operating mode M1, also called voltage-boosting mode; and a second operating mode M2, also called voltage-stepping mode.

[0124] These different phases correspond to operation in steady state or permanent mode of the converter 10, that is to say from the moment when the resonance of the piezoelectric material is reached with a substantially constant amplitude, and then with substantially balanced energy and charge exchanges over each period T of the resonance cycle. To simplify the description, the losses in the switches in the on state, as well as the losses in the piezoelectric material at resonance are neglected.

[0125] [Fig.5] then represents the evolution of the current [3*IL of the current IL normalized in amplitude circulating in the piezoelectric resonator 15; of the voltage Vp at the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15; and of the mechanical deformation of the piezoelectric resonator 15, represented by the curve DM; this during a resonance cycle and for two operating modes of the converter 10, namely the first mode of operation Ml in voltage boost mode, and the second operating mode M2 ​​in voltage step-down mode. With [3=-1 in voltage boost operating mode Ml; and [3=+1 in voltage step-down operating mode M2.

[0126] By convention, a first switching time instant, denoted tb, corresponds to the closing of the first switch Ki for the first mode M1, respectively of the third switch K3 for the second mode M2, and the voltage Vp across the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15 is then substantially constant and equal to the input voltage Vin according to the first mode M1, or to the output voltage Vout according to the second mode M2. At this first switching time instant ti then begins a first phase I lasting until the opening of the switch which was closed at the first switching time instant tb.

[0127] A second switching time instant, denoted t2, corresponds to the opening of the first switch Ki for the first mode M1, respectively of the third switch K3 for the second mode M2, and the voltage Vp across the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15 then changes from a previous voltage Vin according to the first mode M1, or Vout according to the second mode M2, to an open circuit position. At this second switching time instant t2 then begins a second phase II lasting until a time instant t3 corresponding to a zero crossing of the current IL flowing in the piezoelectric resonator 15. Previously, the time instant t2 has been defined so that at the time instant t3, the voltage Vp across the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15 reaches a value corresponding to the value allowing zero switching of the voltage of the corresponding switch.

[0128] At the time instant t3, a third phase III begins, at a voltage substantially constant at zero value according to the first mode M1 via the closing of the second switch K2, or the input voltage Vin according to the second mode M2 ​​via the closing of the first switch Kb and lasts until a time instant t4 which forms an adjustment parameter of the converter 10, this time instant t4 making it possible to define the voltage, the current or even the desired power at the output of the converter 10.

[0129] The time instant t4 then corresponds to the end of the third phase III and to the instant at which the second switch K2 according to the first mode M1, or respectively the first switch Ki according to the second mode M2, must then be open, the time instant t4 forming a fourth switching time instant corresponding to the opening of the second switch K2 according to the first mode M1, or respectively of the first switch Ki according to the second mode M2.

[0130] At the fourth switching time instant, a fourth phase IV begins, corresponding to a phase with a substantially constant load, or else in a substantially open circuit, this fourth phase IV lasting until a time instant t5 defined by the transition to a new predefined value of the voltage Vp at the terminals of the re piezoelectric resonator 15. When the converter 10 comprises three switches K i, K2, K3 capable of being controlled to alternate phases at substantially constant voltage and phases at substantially constant charge at the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15, the time instant t5 forming the end of the fourth phase IV typically corresponds to the closing of the third switch K3 according to the first mode M1, or respectively of the second switch K2 according to the second mode M2, the time instant t5 then forming a fifth switching time instant.

[0131] At the time instant t5 then begins a fifth phase V corresponding to a phase at substantially constant voltage at the output voltage Vout according to the first mode M1 via the closing of the third switch K3, or at the zero value according to the second mode M2 ​​via the closing of the second switch K2. This fifth phase V lasts until a time instant t0, or again until a time instant t6 modulo the period T of the resonance cycle defined by the zero crossing of the current IL flowing in the piezoelectric resonator 15, and according to a monotony opposite to that of the zero crossing at the time instant t3. By convention, the time instant t6 is equal to the sum of the time instant t0 and the period T of the resonance cycle, and is also noted (t0+T).

[0132] In the example of [Fig.5], the time instant t6 corresponds to the end of a resonance cycle of the piezoelectric resonator 15, the cycle represented having been defined in relation to the time instants of zero crossing of the current IL circulating in the piezoelectric resonator 15, and not in relation to the first switching time instant tb

[0133] The time instant t0, or the time instant t6, is obtained via the opening of the third switch K3 according to the first mode M1, or respectively of the second switch K2 according to the second mode M2, and then forms a sixth switching time instant.

[0134] From the zero crossing of the current IL flowing in the piezoelectric resonator 15 then begins a sixth phase VI corresponding to a phase with substantially constant charge, this sixth phase VI phase flowing between the time instant t6 and the time instant t6+ti, or between the time instant t0 and the time instant ti in the example of [Fig.5], it being understood that the time instant t6 corresponds to the time instant t0 to within one resonance cycle. The end of this sixth phase VI corresponds to the moment when the voltage Vp at the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15 reaches the input voltage Vin according to the first mode M1, or to the output voltage Vout according to the second mode M2.

[0135] Those skilled in the art will further observe that the phase during which the electrical energy is transferred to the piezoelectric resonator 15, also called the energizing phase of the cycle, is the phase corresponding to the closing of the first switch. Kl, that is to say the first phase I according to the first operating mode Ml, and respectively the third phase III according to the second operating mode M2. This energizing phase ends with the opening of the first switch Kl at the time instant t2 according to the first mode Ml, and respectively at the time instant t4 according to the second mode M2. This time instant of opening of the first switch Kl, and more generally the duration of the energizing phase, is defined as the time instant allowing the piezoelectric resonator 15 to receive a quantity of energy equal to the quantity of energy taken by the output load 22 during the period T.

[0136] The method for controlling the electrical converter 10 upon detection of at least one characteristic event according to the invention will now be described with reference to the flowchart of [Fig.4], the method comprising three distinct steps.

[0137] During a first step 100, the measurement module 28 of the control device 20 measures the output quantity Gout, such as the output voltage Vout, of the converter 10 at the terminals of the load 22.

[0138] During the second step 110, the detection module 30 then detects at least one characteristic event dependent on the measured output quantity Gout.

[0139] The at least one characteristic event may be the over-energy event and / or the minimum energy event.

[0140] The detection of the over-energy event will now be described.

[0141] The detection module 30 receives the output quantity Gout measured by the measurement module 28. The over-energy event is detected within the first unit 34. For example, when the output quantity Gout is the output voltage Vout, at the output of the first voltage divider 48 and the second voltage divider 50, the voltages V di and Vd2 are compared within the first comparator 54. If the voltage Vd2 from the second divider bridge 50 receiving the output voltage Vout is greater than the voltage Vdl, representative of the threshold voltage Vthr, the over-energy event is detected by the first comparator 54, and the voltage Vcl at the output of the first comparator 54 then has a high logic level.

[0142] The over-energy event is therefore detected if the output quantity Gout is greater than the threshold quantity Gthr.

[0143] The detection of the minimum energy event will now be described.

[0144] The detection module 30 receives the output quantity Gout measured by the measurement module 28. The minimum energy event is detected within the second unit 36. For example, when the output quantity Gout is the output voltage Vout, at the output of the second voltage divider 50 and the third voltage divider 52, the voltages Vd2 and Vd3 are compared within the second comparator 56. If the voltage Vd2 from the second divider bridge 50 receiving the output voltage Vout is greater at voltage Vd3, representative of the target voltage Vtar, then voltage Vc2 at the output of the second comparator 56 has a high logic level. In addition, voltages VC1 and Vti are also compared within the third comparator 58. If voltage Vtl linked to the duration DK[ of closing of switch Kl becomes less than or equal to voltage VC1 linked to the minimum duration Dmin, then voltage Vc3 at the output of the third comparator 58 also has a high logic level. In this case, the AND logic gate 60 therefore also has a high logic level at its output, which corresponds to the detection of the minimum energy event.

[0145] The minimum energy event is then detected if the output quantity Gout is greater than the target quantity Gtar and if the duration DK[ of closing of the switch Kl is less than or equal to the minimum duration Dmin.

[0146] The presence of a high level on one of the voltages Vci or Va causes the presence of a high level on the voltage Vb, which corresponds to the detection of at least one characteristic event. This detection, in the form of the voltage Vb at the high level, is then transmitted to the control module 32, and in particular to the multiplexer 44.

[0147] During step 120, and when the voltage Vb is at the high level, corresponding to the detection of the at least one characteristic event, the multiplexer 44 then selects the opening control signal Kl-off. For the duration of at least one resonance cycle of the piezoelectric resonator 15, the first switch Kl will then be forced into the open position, i.e. maintained in the open position. The electrical converter 10 is therefore no longer in its nominal operating mode, and passes into a particular operating mode during which the number of phases is reduced by one unit, in particular with one less phase at substantially constant voltage, and is typically equal to 5 for the electrical converter 10 of the example of [Fig.l].

[0148] In this particular operating mode, the suppressed phase is the energizing phase of the electric resonator 15, typically the first phase I according to the first operating mode M1, and respectively the third phase III according to the second operating mode M2.

[0149] In other words, when at least one characteristic event is detected by the detection module 30, the control module 32 suppresses the energizing phase by controlling the opening of the first switch K1 as long as the detection module 30 detects the presence of the at least one characteristic event, the suppression of the energizing phase therefore being able to be consecutive over several cycles, as shown in [Fig.6].

[0150] [Fig.6] represents the curve of the voltage Vp at the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator 15, on the one hand for a first example noted SE of detection of the event of over-energy, and on the other hand for a second EM example of detection of the minimal energy event.

[0151] Those skilled in the art will then observe that in the first example of over-energy SE, from the moment when the over-energy event is detected by the detection module 30, corresponding to the vertical line in dotted lines, the energizing phase, such as the first phase I, also noted phase 1, is suppressed during several successive resonance cycles of the piezoelectric resonator 15, and during at least five successive cycles in this first example SE, this until the output quantity Gout again becomes lower than the threshold quantity Gthr.

[0152] In the second example of minimum energy EM, the energizing phase, such as the first phase I, also noted phase 1, is also suppressed during several successive resonance cycles of the piezoelectric resonator 15, in this case during two successive cycles, and the converter 10 then returns to nominal operating mode. Those skilled in the art will understand that in this second example, the converter returns to nominal operating mode as soon as the minimum energy event is no longer detected, that is to say as soon as the output quantity Gout becomes lower than the target quantity Gtar again.

[0153] It is thus understood that the electronic control device 20 and the control method according to the invention allow improved control of the electrical energy converter 10.

Claims

Claims

1. Electronic device (20) for controlling an electrical energy converter (10) capable of converting an input voltage (Vin) into an output voltage (Vout), the converter (10) comprising two input terminals for receiving the input voltage (Vin), two output terminals for delivering the output voltage (Vout), a piezoelectric resonator (15) having two terminals (26, 27), and several switches (Kl, K2, K3) connected to the piezoelectric resonator (15); one of the switches, called the first switch (Kl), being connected between one of the input terminals and the piezoelectric resonator (15), the first switch (Kl) being switchable between an open position and a closed position in which the input voltage (Vin) is applied to the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator (15); the electronic control device (20) comprising: - a measurement module (28) configured to measure an output quantity (Gout) of the converter (10);- a control module (32) configured to control a switching of each of the switches (Kl, K2, K3), to alternate phases at substantially constant voltage across the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator (15) and phases at substantially constant charge across the terminals of said piezoelectric resonator (15); characterized in that it further comprises: - a detection module (30) configured to detect at least one characteristic event dependent on the measured output quantity (Gout); the control module (32) being configured to, in the event of detection of the at least one characteristic event, control the first switch (Kl) in the open position for the duration of at least one resonance cycle of the piezoelectric resonator (15).;

2. Device (20) according to claim 1, in which the at least one characteristic event comprises an over-energy event, detected when the measured output quantity (Gout) is greater than a threshold quantity (Gthr).

3. Device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the at least one characteristic event comprises a minimum energy event, detected when the measured output quantity (Gout) is greater than a target quantity (Gtar) and the duration (DK[) during which the first in- switch (Kl) is in the closed position during a respective resonance cycle is less than or equal to a minimum duration (Dmin).

4. Device (20) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the threshold quantity (Gthr) is greater than the target quantity (Gtar). the threshold quantity (Gthr) preferably being equal to a multiple of the target quantity (Gtar), the multiple being between 1.02 and 1.3; the multiple being more preferably between 1.02 and 1.1; more preferably equal to 1.

05.

5. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the output quantity (Gout) is the output voltage (Vout).

6. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the control module (32) is configured to control the first switch (Kl) in the open position for the duration of several successive resonance cycles of the piezoelectric resonator (15).

7. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the control module (32) is configured to control the first switch (Kl) in the open position as long as the at least one characteristic event is detected.

8. A device (20) according to any preceding claim, wherein the piezoelectric resonator (15) comprises one of the constitutions from the group consisting of: a single piezoelectric element; a plurality of piezoelectric elements connected in series; a plurality of piezoelectric elements connected in parallel; a piezoelectric element and an auxiliary capacitor connected in series; a piezoelectric element and an auxiliary capacitor connected in parallel; and an arrangement of a plurality of parallel branches, each branch comprising one or more piezoelectric elements connected in series or an auxiliary capacitor;the auxiliary capacitor preferably having a higher capacity, more preferably at least three times higher, than a reference capacity of the piezoelectric element(s), each piezoelectric element being modeled in the form of a capacitor and a resonant branch connected in parallel to the capacitor, the reference capacity being the capacity of said capacitor.;

9. Electrical energy conversion system (5) comprising: - an electrical energy converter (10) having two input terminals for receiving the input voltage (Vin), two output terminals to deliver the output voltage (Vout), a piezoelectric resonator (15) having two terminals (26, 27), and several switches (Kl, K2, K3) connected to the piezoelectric resonator (15), one of the switches, called the first switch (Kl), being connected between one of the input terminals and the piezoelectric resonator (15), the first switch (Kl) being switchable between an open position and a closed position in which the input voltage (Vin) is applied to the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator (15); and - an electronic device (20) for controlling the electrical energy converter (10); characterized in that the control device (20) is according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A method of controlling an electrical energy converter (10) capable of converting an input voltage (Vin) into an output voltage (Vout), the converter (10) comprising two input terminals for receiving the input voltage (Vin), two output terminals for delivering the output voltage (Vout), a piezoelectric resonator (15) having two terminals (26, 27), and several switches (Kl, K2, K3) connected to the piezoelectric resonator (15); one of the switches, called the first switch (Kl), being connected between one of the input terminals and the piezoelectric resonator (15), the first switch (Kl) being switchable between an open position and a closed position in which the input voltage (Vin) is applied to the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator (15); the method being implemented by an electronic control device (20) and comprising the following steps: - measurement (100) of an output quantity (Gout) of the converter (10); - control (120) of a switching of each of the switches (Kl, K2, K3), to alternate phases at substantially constant voltage at the terminals of the piezoelectric resonator (15) and phases at substantially constant charge at the terminals of said piezoelectric resonator (15); characterized in that it further comprises the following step: - detection (110) of at least one characteristic event dependent on the measured output quantity (Gout); the control step (120) comprising, in the event of detection of at least one characteristic event, a control of the first switch (Kl) in the open position for the duration of at least one resonance cycle of the piezoelectric resonator (15).

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