Power supply system, power source converter, and power source conversion method

Abstract

To provide a power source converter.SOLUTION: A power source converter comprises: an input circuit that receives and detects pre-stage power from a pre-stage device; a conversion circuit connected to the input circuit; an output circuit that is connected to the conversion circuit and supplies electric power to a post-stage device; and a processor that is connected to the input circuit, the conversion circuit and the output circuit, determines whether or not the pre-stage power will become stable, and performs a handshake with the post-stage device to check conversion power approved by the post-stage device. The processor is also used for controlling the conversion circuit to operate with the conversion power, and generates the output power in the post-stage device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to power conversion technology, and more particularly to a power supply system, a power converter, and a method for power conversion. [Background technology]

[0002] With the rapid development of science and technology, various electronic devices have become indispensable in people's lives. Different electronic devices require different operating voltages, so they need to be powered by different power converters. Power converters generally have special connection ports to prevent users from accidentally using them with different types of electronic devices and damaging them. However, the special connection ports limit the use of the devices, and once the electronic devices are replaced, the corresponding power converters also become electronic waste. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a power supply converter comprising an input circuit for receiving and detecting pre-stage power from a pre-stage device, a conversion circuit connected to the input circuit, an output circuit connected to the conversion circuit and for supplying power to a subsequent stage device, and a processor connected to the input circuit, the conversion circuit and the output circuit and for determining whether the pre-stage power is stable and for performing a handshake with the subsequent stage device to confirm the conversion power agreed to by the subsequent stage device, the processor also being used to control the conversion circuit to operate with the converted power and generating output power to the subsequent stage device.

[0004] The present disclosure also relates to a power conversion method including the steps of receiving and detecting pre-stage power from a pre-stage device via an input circuit connected to the conversion circuit and a processor, determining via the processor whether the pre-stage power is stable and performing a handshake with the post-stage device to confirm the conversion power agreed upon by the post-stage device, and controlling the conversion circuit to operate with the converted power and providing the output power generated by the conversion circuit to the post-stage device via the output circuit.

[0005] The present disclosure also relates to a power supply converter comprising an input circuit for receiving and detecting pre-stage power from a pre-stage device that does not have power supply handshake capability via a power supply connection port, a conversion circuit connected to the input circuit, an output circuit connected to the conversion circuit and including a C-type universal sequence bus connection port, and supplying power to the subsequent stage device via the C-type universal sequence bus connection port, and a processor connected to the input circuit, the conversion circuit, and the output circuit, and performing a handshake with the subsequent stage device to confirm the conversion power agreed to by the subsequent stage device based on the pre-stage power of the subsequent stage device, wherein the processor is also used to control the conversion circuit to operate with the converted power and generate output power to the subsequent stage device.

[0006] The present disclosure also relates to a power supply system comprising a power converter including a power supply device for supplying power to an electronic device that does not have handshake capability, an input circuit for receiving and detecting front-stage power from the power supply device, a conversion circuit connected to the input circuit, an output circuit connected to the conversion circuit for supplying power to a rear-stage device, and a processor connected to the input circuit, conversion circuit, and output circuit for determining whether the front-stage power is stable and for performing a handshake with the rear-stage device to confirm the conversion power agreed to by the rear-stage device, wherein the processor is also used to control the conversion circuit to operate with the converted power and generate output power to the rear-stage device. Effect of the Invention

[0007] This makes it possible to detect the state of the upstream power from the upstream device and perform a handshake with the downstream device based on the state of the upstream power, thereby confirming whether the upstream device has the ability to supply power to the downstream device, and to supply power to the downstream device based on the conversion power confirmed after the handshake. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a power converter according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a power converter according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for power conversion according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a power converter according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a load detection circuit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating a power conversion method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a power supply system for use in some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In the following, several embodiments of the present invention are described in the drawings, and many actual details are described in the following description for clarity. However, the reader should understand that these actual details are not intended to limit the present invention. That is, in some embodiments of the present invention, these actual details are not necessary. In addition, in order to simplify the drawings, some conventional structures and elements are simply and diagrammatically shown in the drawings.

[0010] In this specification, when an element is said to be "connected" or "coupled," it may refer to an "electrical connection" or "electrical coupling." "Connected" or "coupled" may be used to indicate a combined operation or interaction of two or more elements with each other. Also, although terms such as "first" and "second" are used in this specification to describe different elements, these terms are merely used to distinguish between elements or operations described with the same technical terminology. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, these terms do not imply or suggest any particular order or ranking, and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0011] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a power converter 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The power converter 100 has an input port PR1 and an output port PR2. The input port PR1 is used to be connected to a front-stage device DF to receive a power supply source. The output port PR2 is used to be connected to a back-stage device DB (e.g., a notebook computer, a smartphone, a home appliance, etc.). The power converter 100 can convert the received front-stage power into output power via an internal conversion circuit and supply the power to the back-stage device DB.

[0012] In one embodiment, the front-stage device DF may be a charging cable, a transformer, a power adapter, or a power supply device for any electronic device, and the specifications of the connection port are the same as the input port PR1. The front-stage device DF can receive AC power from a streetcar socket and convert it into DC power. For example, the front-stage device DF may be a power adapter for a wireless vacuum cleaner, and when the wireless vacuum cleaner is replaced or is no longer in use, the user may connect the power adapter for the wireless vacuum cleaner (front-stage device DF) to the power converter 100. In this way, the power converter 100 receives street power via the power adapter for the wireless vacuum cleaner (front-stage device DF) and charges the rear-stage device DB, allowing the power adapter for the wireless vacuum cleaner (front-stage device DF) to perform its functions without being limited to application to the wireless vacuum cleaner.

[0013] In one embodiment, the input port PR1 may be a DC power socket (e.g., DC POWER JACK) or any power transmission interface without handshaking capability. The output port PR2 may be a connector with handshaking capability, such as a C-type universal sequence bus connection port (type C). Note that the input port PR1 and the output port PR2 have different connection port interfaces. In another embodiment, the power converter 100 may have multiple input ports PR1 with different connection port interfaces so that it can be used in accordance with different types of front-stage devices DF.

[0014] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a power converter 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The power converter 100 includes an input circuit 110, a conversion circuit 120, an output circuit 130, and a processor 140. The input circuit 110 is adapted to be connected to a front-end device DF that does not have power supply handshake capability so as to receive front-end power from the front-end device DF.

[0015] In some embodiments, the input circuit 110 also includes a first detector 110A (e.g., a voltmeter, an ammeter) for detecting the state of the pre-stage power from the pre-stage device DF (e.g., the magnitude or width of change of the voltage, the magnitude or width of change of the current). Note that, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the input circuit 110 further includes an input port PR1 for receiving the pre-stage power.

[0016] The conversion circuit 120 is connected to the input circuit 110 and is used to receive the previous stage power and convert the previous stage power to a different voltage level to become the output power. In one embodiment, the conversion circuit 120 is realized by an isolated power conversion circuit, but in other embodiments, it may be a non-isolated power conversion circuit. The circuit architecture of the conversion circuit 120 may be a flyback, forward, half-bridge, and full-bridge, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0017] The output circuit 130 is connected to the conversion circuit 120 and is used to supply output power to the subsequent device DB. In some embodiments, the output circuit 130 further includes a second detector 130A for detecting the state of the output power. Note that, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the output circuit 130 further includes an output port PR2 for supplying power to the subsequent device DB. The output port PR2 may be a type-C universal sequence bus connection port, and its interface is different from that of the input port PR1.

[0018] The processor 140 is connected to the input circuit 110, the conversion circuit 120 and the output circuit 130, and can receive detection signals from the first detector 110A and the second detector 130A to determine the state of the pre-stage power and the output power (e.g., whether they are stable). The processor 140 also controls the switching of each switching element in the conversion circuit 120 (e.g., controls the conduction time or switching frequency of the switching element) so that the conversion circuit 120 can operate at different powers and output different voltages and currents.

[0019] The processor 140 is communicatively connected to the subsequent device DB to perform a handshake with the subsequent device DB. The "handshake" means that the processor 140 transmits data to the subsequent device DB and confirms parameters for mutual communication. Those skilled in the art can understand the meaning and principle of the "handshake" and therefore will not be described separately here.

[0020] The processor 140 is used to confirm the power supply power that is appropriate and acceptable to the subsequent stage device DB according to the state of the previous stage power (hereinafter, the power supply power that the subsequent stage device DB agrees to accept is referred to as the "conversion power"). After confirming the conversion power that the subsequent stage device DB agrees to accept, the processor 140 controls the conversion circuit 120 based on the conversion power, so that the conversion circuit 120 operates at the conversion power and generates output power to the subsequent stage device DB.

[0021] Meanwhile, when the processor 140 of the power converter 100 checks the power supply power to the downstream device DB, the power converter 100 can obtain the voltage and current required by the downstream device DB according to a power supply protocol (e.g., USB Power Delivery), and further determine the power supply power required by the downstream device DB.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the processor 140 estimates the power supply capability of the front stage device DF by detecting and determining the state of the front stage power (e.g., determining whether it is stable) in real time via the first detector 110A in the input circuit 110. At the same time, the processor 140 exchanges and confirms the power supply request that the back stage device DB can accept by performing a handshake with the back stage device DB. By "detecting the power supply capability of the front stage device DF" and "handshaking with the back stage device DB", the processor 140 can confirm one conversion power that is also agreed upon by the back stage device DB within the range of the power supply capability of the front stage device DF. In response, if the processor 140 cannot find a conversion power that can be used within the range of the power supply capability of the front stage device DF, the processor 140 controls the conversion circuit 120 to be turned off and / or controls the output circuit 130 to stop the power supply to the back stage device DB.

[0023] In some embodiments, the processor 140 determines whether the received front-stage power is stable based on the detection result of the first detector 110A. That is, the processor 140 can detect the received front-stage power and determine the power supply capability of the front-stage device DF without transmitting AC or data to the front-stage device DF.

[0024] In some embodiments, the processor 140 is also provided with a plurality of preset power values. The "preset power values" can be generated according to the control parameters of the conversion circuit 120, for example, a power value of "100 W" indicates that the processor 140 controls the switching element in the conversion circuit 120 with a first parameter (e.g., an on-time duty or a frequency), and a power value of "60 W" indicates that the processor 140 controls the switching element in the conversion circuit 120 with a second parameter. That is, the processor 140 is used to control the conversion circuit 120 according to any one of the plurality of preset power values, so that the conversion circuit 120 converts the front-stage power into the output power with the corresponding preset power. When the processor 140 performs a handshake with the subsequent stage device DB, it selectively communicates with the subsequent stage device DB with different preset power values, and when the subsequent stage device DB agrees with one preset power, this preset power may be set as the default conversion power.

[0025] 3 is a flowchart showing a power conversion method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, in step S301, the power converter 100 receives pre-stage power from the pre-stage device DF via the input circuit 110. In some embodiments, a first detector 110A of the input circuit 110 can detect the state of the pre-stage power in real time and transmit a detection signal to the processor 140.

[0026] In step S302, the processor 140 performs an exchange / handshake with the subsequent stage device DB to determine a required power value of the subsequent stage device DB. The "required power value" may be a set value from the subsequent stage device DB (e.g., the maximum acceptable power supply power of 80 W) or a required value (e.g., 55 W) generated by the subsequent stage device DB according to the current operating state, that is, the required power value is determined according to the current load level of the subsequent stage device DB. The processor 140 can drive the conversion circuit 120 according to a preset power value close to or equal to the required power value, so as to convert the previous stage power into output power.

[0027] For example, if the preset power values ​​preset in the processor 140 include 100W, 60W, 45W, and 30W, and the required power value of the subsequent stage device DB is 55W, the processor 140 can selectively drive the conversion circuit 120 with the required power value, or select a preset power value that is "closest to and greater than the required power value" to drive the conversion circuit 120. In this embodiment, since the preset power value "60W" is closest to the required power value "55W", the processor drives the conversion circuit 120 with the preset power value "60W" (hereinafter abbreviated as the first power value).

[0028] In step S303, the driven conversion circuit 120 converts the front-stage power into output power, and provides the output power to the rear-stage device DB via the output circuit 130. When the power converter 100 supplies power, the first detector 110A detects the state of the front-stage power in real time, and the second detector 130A detects the state of the output power.

[0029] In step S304, the processor 140 determines whether the state of the front stage power is stable. If the front stage power remains stable, in step S305, the processor 140 controls the conversion circuit 120 to remain operating at the current power (i.e., the first power value) to continue supplying power to the rear stage device DB. In some embodiments, the processor 140 can determine whether the change in voltage or current of the front stage power over a certain period of time is maintained within a preset range, and if the change in voltage or current exceeds the preset range, it indicates that the front stage power is unstable. In other embodiments, the processor can determine whether the front stage power is greater than an upper threshold or less than a lower threshold to evaluate whether the front stage power is stable.

[0030] In some embodiments, if the pre-stage power remains stable, the processor 140 stores / sets the current power (e.g., the first power value) of the conversion circuit 120 as a default operating power (hereinafter, abbreviated as "preferred power value"), and this preferred power value is set to correspond to the pre-stage device DF. That is, the processor 140 will later drive the conversion circuit 120 with this preferred power value (first power value) unless the electrical connection between the power converter 100 (input circuit 110) and the pre-stage device DF is released. Note that, if the electrical connection between the power converter 100 (input circuit 110) and the pre-stage device DF is released, the processor 140 will delete the set preferred power value (i.e., reset the internal setting data).

[0031] If the front-stage power does not remain stable, it indicates that the power supply capability of the front-stage device DF is insufficient to supply the power of the corresponding power (e.g., "60 W" in the above example). In step S306, the processor 140 detects the current power of the rear-stage device DB (e.g., analyzes the voltage and current actually required by the rear-stage device DB) in real time through the second detector 130A in the output circuit 130.

[0032] Next, in step S307, the processor 140 selects a preset power value "smaller than the first power value and the current power of the subsequent stage device DB" as the second power value from among the multiple preset power values ​​so as to perform an AC / handshake with the subsequent stage device DB. For example, in the above-mentioned step S303, the required power value of the subsequent stage device DB is "55W", and the conversion circuit 120 is controlled to the first power value "60W", but the previous stage power from the previous stage device DF is not stable. At this time, the second detector 130A detects in real time that the power currently used by the subsequent stage device DB is "40W", so the processor 140 selects a preset power value "30W" (second power value) one step lower than the current power of the subsequent stage device DB from among the multiple preset power values ​​"100W, 60W, 45W, 30W" and performs a handshake with the subsequent stage device DB.

[0033] Incidentally, in the above-mentioned step S306, the processor 140 detects the current power of the subsequent stage device DB in real time via the second detector 130A, but in another embodiment, the processor 140 may directly set the "preset power value one step lower than the first power value" as the second power value without acquiring the current power of the subsequent stage device DB. In other words, step S306 is not necessary.

[0034] In step S308, the processor 140 judges whether the subsequent stage device DB agrees with the second power value. If the subsequent stage device DB agrees that the second power value "30W" is an acceptable conversion power, the processor 140 controls the conversion circuit 120 to continue operating at the current power (i.e., the second power value) to continue supplying power to the subsequent stage device DB. At the same time, the processor 140 also continues to detect whether the previous stage power remains stable, i.e., executes steps S303 and S304. That is, the processor 140 drives the conversion circuit 120 according to different preset power values ​​until the previous stage power remains stable.

[0035] Thus, similar to the above-mentioned step S305, when the conversion circuit 120 operates at the current power (i.e., the second power value), if the upstream power remains stable, the processor 140 can set the current power (i.e., the second power value) as the preferred power value, which is set to correspond to the upstream device DF. As long as the connection relationship between the power converter 100 and the upstream device DF is not released, the processor 140 will later drive the conversion circuit 120 at the preferred power value (the second power value).

[0036] On the other hand, if the subsequent device DB does not agree that the second power value "30W" can be used as the conversion power (e.g., the power is too low), it indicates that the power supply capability of the subsequent device DF is insufficient to support the power supply of the subsequent device DB. At this time, in step S309, the processor 140 controls the conversion circuit 120 to be turned off and / or controls the output circuit 130 to stop the power supply to the subsequent device DB, but the processor 140 can still maintain information exchange with the subsequent device DB. In addition, the processor 140 can also set the current power (i.e., the second power value) as a preferred power value corresponding to the subsequent device DF. Thus, when one end of the power converter 100 is still connected to the previous device DF but the other end is connected to another subsequent device, the processor 140 can perform a handshake with the subsequent device at the preferred power value (e.g., execute the above-mentioned step S302).

[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a power converter 400 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 4, for ease of understanding, similar elements related to the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are indicated with similar symbols, and the specific principles of the similar elements have been described in detail in the preceding paragraphs and have a cooperative relationship with the elements of FIG. 4, so they will not be described here unless necessary.

[0038] The power converter 400 includes an input circuit 410, a conversion circuit 420, an output circuit 430, a processor 440, and a load test circuit 450. The input circuit 410 can receive the front-stage power from the front-stage device DF and detect the state of the front-stage power through a first detector 410A. The conversion circuit 420 is connected between the input circuit 410 and the output circuit 430, and is used to convert the front-stage power into output power and supply the output power to the rear-stage device DB through the output circuit 430. Similar to the above-mentioned embodiment, when the power converter 400 supplies power to the rear-stage device DB, the output circuit 430 detects the state of the output power in real time through the second detector 430A and determines the current power of the rear-stage device DB.

[0039] The processor 440 is connected to the input circuit 410, the conversion circuit 420, the output circuit 430 and the load test circuit 450, and can control the conversion circuit 420 to operate at any one of a number of preset power values. The load test circuit 450 is connected to the input circuit 410 to receive the front-stage power. In this embodiment, the processor 440 adjusts the magnitude of the impedance of the entire load test circuit 450 and tests the power supply capability of the front-stage device DF via the load test circuit 450.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a load test circuit 450 in some embodiments of the present disclosure. The load test circuit 450 includes a plurality of loads R1 to R3 (dummy loads) having different impedance values. Since the impedance values ​​of the loads R1 to R3 correspond to different preset power values, the processor 440 can use the loads R1 to R3 to test the power supply capability of the front-stage device DF. Specifically, the load test circuit 450 includes a plurality of load test circuits (e.g., R1 to R3 shown in FIG. 5) and corresponding changeover switches W1 to W3. The processor 440 changes the impedance of the entire load test circuit 450 by controlling the on or off of the changeover switches W1 to W3.

[0041] For example, the preset power values ​​stored in the processor 440 include "100W, 60W, 30W", and among the multiple loads R1 to R3 of the load test circuit 450, the load R1 is the largest and the load R3 is the smallest. Therefore, the loads R1 to R3 can be used to simulate the state when the power converter 400 operates the conversion circuit 420 at different preset power values. For example, when the changeover switch W1 is turned on but the changeover switches W2 to W3 are turned off, the load test circuit 450 simulates the impedance when the power converter 400 operates at a preset power value of 100W and is used to receive power from the preceding device DF. Similarly, when the changeover switch W3 is turned on but the changeover switches W1 to W2 are turned off, the load test circuit 450 simulates the impedance when the power converter 400 operates at a preset power value of 30W. That is, the processor 440 can selectively turn on the loads R1-R3 to the input circuit 410 to receive the pre-stage power, and at the same time, the processor 440 determines whether the pre-stage power remains stable via the first detector 410A to check the power supply capability of the pre-stage device DF. In another embodiment, the processor 440 can simultaneously turn on one or more changeover switches W1-W3 to make the impedance of the load test circuit 450 have more change combinations.

[0042] As described above, since the load test circuit 450 is used to simulate the impedance when the power converter 400 operates at different preset power values, when any of the loads R1 to R3 of the load test circuit 450 is turned on to the input circuit 410, the processor 440 stops driving the conversion circuit 420 (or stops the conversion circuit 420 from receiving the previous stage power), and at this time, the output circuit 430 also does not supply power to the subsequent stage device DB.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a power conversion method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Please refer to FIGS. 4-6. In step S601, after the power converter 400 is connected to the front-stage device DF (through the input port PR1 as shown in FIG. 1), the processor 440 stops driving the conversion circuit 420 (which remains in an off state) and selectively turns off the loads R1-R3 in the load test circuit 450 to the input circuit 410. In one embodiment, the processor 440 first turns off the load R1 to the input circuit 410, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0044] In step S602, the input circuit 410 receives the pre-stage power from the pre-stage device DF, and detects the state of the pre-stage power through the first detector 410A, and the first detector 410A transmits a detection signal to the processor 440.

[0045] In step S603, the processor 440 determines whether the front-stage power remains stable. If the front-stage power does not remain stable, it indicates that the power supply capability of the front-stage device DF is insufficient. In one embodiment, three preset power values ​​"100W, 60W, 30W" are stored in the processor 440, which correspond to the loads R1 to R3, respectively. Therefore, when the load R1 is turned off by the input circuit 410 (i.e., the changeover switch W1 is turned on and the changeover switches W2 to W3 are turned off), the front-stage power becomes unstable, indicating that the front-stage device DF cannot provide a power supply source corresponding to the preset power value "100W" (first power value).

[0046] If the front-stage power does not remain stable, the processor 440 executes step S604. In step S604, the processor 440 adjusts the impedance of the load test circuit 450, for example, turns off the load R2 (for example, corresponding to the second power value "60W" among the preset power values) to the input circuit 410 instead. After the impedance of the load test circuit 450 is adjusted, the input circuit 410 again receives the front-stage power from the front-stage device DF, and detects the state of the front-stage power through the first detector 410A, that is, executes the above-mentioned step S602.

[0047] On the other hand, the processor 440 sequentially adjusts the turned-on loads R1 to R3 in the load test circuit 450 according to the state of the front-stage power, so that after the front-stage power remains stable, the processor 440 turns off the load test circuit 450 and executes step S605. At this time, the power converter 400 is connected to the rear-stage device DB (through the output port PR2 as shown in FIG. 1), and the processor 440 handshakes with the rear-stage device DB and confirms with the rear-stage device DB based on a preset power value (for example, a second power value "60W") corresponding to the current impedance state (for example, load R2) of the load test circuit 450.

[0048] In step S606, the processor 440 determines whether the subsequent stage device DB agrees with the submitted power value (e.g., the second power value "60W"). If the subsequent stage device DB agrees to use the submitted power value "60W" as the conversion power for power supply, in step S607, the processor 440 controls / drives the conversion circuit 420 to operate at the confirmed power value (i.e., the second power value) to supply power to the subsequent stage device DB. In one embodiment, the processor 440 can also continue to detect whether the previous stage power remains stable, i.e., execute step S603.

[0049] In some embodiments, the processor 440 can store / set the power value (i.e., the second power value) identified at this time as a default operating power (i.e., a preferred power value), which can be set to correspond to the preceding device DF. As long as the connection between the power converter 400 (the input circuit 410) and the preceding device DF is not released, the processor 440 will later drive the conversion circuit 420 with the preferred power value (the second power value).

[0050] On the other hand, if the subsequent device DB does not agree that the second power value "60W" can be used as the conversion power (e.g., the power is too low), it indicates that the power supply capability of the preceding device DF is insufficient to support the power supply of the subsequent device DB. At this time, in step S608, the processor 440 turns off the conversion circuit 420, so that the power converter 400 does not supply power to the subsequent device DB.

[0051] In one embodiment, regardless of whether the power converter 400 is electrically connected to the subsequent device DB, as long as it is confirmed in step S603 that the previous stage power remains stable, the processor 440 can record a priority power value corresponding to the previous stage device DF based on the loads R1 to R3 currently turned off in the input circuit 410. That is, when the first load R1 (or the second load R2, the third load R3) is turned off in the input circuit 410 and the previous stage power remains stable, the processor 440 stores the corresponding first power value (or the second power value, the third power value) as the priority power value corresponding to the previous stage device DF. When the electrical connection between the power converter 400 and the previous stage device DF is released, the processor 440 deletes the stored priority power value.

[0052] The power converter 100 / 400 of the present disclosure performs a handshake with the subsequent device DB according to the preset power value, and after the subsequent device DB agrees with the preset power value, that is, sets the preset power value as the conversion power, and drives the conversion circuit 120 / 420 to generate output power to the subsequent device DB. The power converter 100 / 400 does not need to exchange data with the previous device DF, but detects its power supply capability, so that the power conversion method and the power converter 100 / 400 of the present disclosure can be easily applied to various previous devices DF and subsequent devices DB, and can avoid the problem of damage caused by insufficient power supply capability of the previous device DF.

[0053] 7 is a schematic diagram showing a power supply system 700 used in some embodiments of the present disclosure. The power supply system 700 includes a power supply device 710, one or more power converters 720B-720C, and a number of electronic devices 730A-730C. The power supply device 710 is a multi-output port transformer. The power converters 720B-720C can be realized by the power converter 100 as shown in FIG. 2 or the power converter 400 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0054] The power converters 720B-720C are connected between the power supply device 710 and a plurality of electronic devices 730B-730C to receive the front-stage powers V12-V13 from the power supply device 710. The power converters 720B-720C are used to confirm the conversion power agreed upon with the rear-stage devices (i.e., the electronic devices 730B-730C), operate the internal conversion circuits with the converted power, and generate output power for the rear-stage devices. The power converters 720B-720C can be realized by the circuits shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, and therefore will not be described separately here.

[0055] The electronic devices 730A-730C may be different types of electronic products, such as motors, televisions, mobile phone chargers, etc. In one embodiment, if the electronic device 730A is a load test circuit device (such as a motor) that does not have handshaking capability, that is, the electronic device 730A cannot perform handshaking with the previous stage, the power supply device 710 can supply the power V11 to the electronic device 730A. At the same time, the power supply device 710 can further supply the previous stage powers V12-V13 to the power converters 720B-720C, respectively. The power converters 720B-720C can perform handshaking with the subsequent electronic devices 730B-730C, and convert the previous stage powers V12-V13 into output powers V22-V23 to supply power to the electronic devices 730B-730C.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, since the actual power supply power required by each electronic device 730A-730C varies depending on the usage situation, the power converters 720B-720C can timely and dynamically adjust the operating power according to the power conversion method shown in FIG. 3 or 6 described above to change the output power V22-V23. For example, when the electronic device 730A without the power supply handshake capability requires more power due to overload, the front stage powers V12, V13 become unstable, and the power converter 720B and / or the power converter 720C obtain the current power corresponding to the rear stage device (i.e., the electronic devices 730B, 730C), select one preset power value smaller than the current power, and perform a handshake with the rear stage device. The power converter 720B and / or the power converter 720C are appropriately downloaded according to the above embodiment so that each electronic device 730A-730C can obtain sufficient power to operate. This makes it possible to use the power more effectively and maintain the balance of the power supply system 700.

[0057] The elements, method steps, or technical features in the above embodiments may be combined with one another and are not limited by the order of the words or the order of the figures in this disclosure.

[0058] In the present disclosure, the embodiments are disclosed as above, but the embodiments do not limit the present disclosure, and anyone skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure is based on the contents specified in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 100: Power converter 110: Input circuit 110A: First detector 120: Conversion circuit 130: Output circuit 130A: Second detector 140: Processor 400: Power converter 410: Input circuit 410A: First detector 420: Conversion circuit 430: Output circuit 430A: Second detector 440: Processor 450: Load test circuit R1-R3: Load W1-W3: Changeover switch 700: Power supply system 710: Power supply device 720B-720C: Power Converter 730A-730C: Electronic equipment PR1: Input port PR2: Output port DF: Front stage device DB: Post-stage device V11: Power V12-V13: Front stage power V22-V23: Output power

Claims

1. an input circuit for receiving and detecting a pre-stage power from a pre-stage device; A conversion circuit connected to the input circuit; an output circuit connected to the conversion circuit for supplying power to a downstream device; a processor connected to the input circuit, the conversion circuit, and the output circuit, for determining whether the front-stage power is stable and for performing a handshake with the back-stage device to confirm the conversion power agreed upon by the back-stage device; Equipped with The processor is also used to control the conversion circuit to operate with the converted power, thereby generating output power to the downstream device.

2. 2. The power converter of claim 1, wherein the processor is also provided with a plurality of preset power values, the processor is used to perform a handshake with the downstream device using the plurality of preset power values, and when the downstream device agrees to one of the plurality of preset power values, the processor is used to set the one of the plurality of preset power values ​​as the conversion power.

3. If the front end power remains stable, the processor is adapted to store the one of the plurality of preset power values ​​as a preferred power value corresponding to the front end device; The power converter of claim 2 , wherein the processor deletes the priority power value when an electrical connection between the power converter and the front-end device is released.

4. the processor is used to perform a handshake with the subsequent stage device to obtain a required power value of the subsequent stage device; 3. The power converter of claim 2, wherein the processor is adapted to drive the conversion circuit with a first power value in the plurality of preset power values, the first power value being equal to or greater than the required power value.

5. 5. The power converter of claim 4, wherein the processor is used to drive the conversion circuit with the first power value, and if the front-stage power does not remain stable, to select a second power value from the plurality of preset power values ​​to perform a handshake with the rear-stage device, and when the rear-stage device agrees with the second power value, the processor sets the second power value to the conversion power and drives the conversion circuit.

6. 6. The power converter of claim 5, wherein the processor drives the conversion circuit with the first power value and, when the front-stage power does not remain stable, is used to obtain the current power of the rear-stage device, and the second power value selected by the processor is smaller than the first power value and the current power.

7. The power converter of claim 5, wherein the processor is used to perform a handshake with the downstream device using the second power value, and if the downstream device does not receive the second power value, the power converter stops supplying power to the downstream device.

8. The processor is provided with at least a first power value and a second power value, the first power value being greater than the second power value, The load test circuit is connected to the processor and includes at least a first load and a second load, and resistance values ​​of the first load and the second load correspond to the first power value and the second power value, and the processor is used to control the load test circuit, and connect the first load or the second load to the input circuit to receive the pre-stage power; 3. The power converter of claim 2, wherein the processor is also used to simultaneously determine whether the front-stage power remains stable.

9. The power converter according to claim 8 , wherein the processor controls the load test circuit to stop driving the conversion circuit when the first load or the second load is caused to conduct to the input circuit.

10. 9. The power converter of claim 8, wherein the processor is used to control the load test circuit, conduct the first load to the input circuit, and perform a handshake to the downstream device with the first power value if the upstream power remains stable, and when the downstream device agrees to the first power value, the processor sets the first power value to the conversion power to drive the conversion circuit.

11. conducting the first load to the input circuitry and if the front end power does not remain stable, the processor is used to control the load test circuitry to conduct the second load to the input circuitry; 11. The power converter of claim 10, wherein when the second load is conducted to the input circuit and the front-stage power remains stable, the processor is adapted to perform a handshake with the rear-stage device with the second power value, and when the rear-stage device does not agree with the second power value, the processor turns off the conversion circuit.

12. if conducting the first load or the second load to the input circuit and the front-end power remains stable, the processor configures the first power value or the second power value to be stored as a preferred power value corresponding to the front-end device; The power converter of claim 11 , wherein the processor deletes the preferred power value when an electrical connection between the power converter and the front-end device is released.

Images