Power conversion device and power conversion system

Abstract

A power converter according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: a first power terminal; a switching unit; a transformer; a rectification unit having a switching circuit including first and second switching elements; a smoothing unit; a second power terminal; a control unit; and a drive unit capable of driving the switching circuit. The switching circuit has a first element provided in a first path connecting a control terminal with a first terminal of the first switching element and capable of clamping a voltage. The drive unit can output a first control signal from a first output terminal and output a second control signal from a second output terminal. The control unit can control the operation so that power is supplied from the second power terminal toward the first power terminal in a period different from a period during which power is supplied from the first power terminal toward the second power terminal, and can also set the output impedance of the first output terminal in the drive unit to a high impedance state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power conversion device and a power conversion system for converting electric power. [Background technology]

[0002] Some power conversion devices that convert power from a primary battery and supply it to a secondary battery perform a so-called precharge operation, in which the power from the secondary battery is supplied to a primary capacitor via the power conversion device before performing the power conversion operation. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for regenerating energy from a choke coil in a secondary circuit to a primary circuit during a precharge operation. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for regenerating energy from a choke coil in a secondary circuit to a secondary circuit during a precharge operation. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for discharging energy from a reactor in a primary circuit by short-circuiting both ends of the reactor during a precharge operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-34982 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-61381 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-55589 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a power conversion device, an excessive voltage may be applied to a switching element due to the energy of an inductor, so it is desirable to prevent an excessive voltage from being applied to the switching element.

[0005] It is desirable to provide a power conversion device and a power conversion system that can prevent excessive voltage from being applied to switching elements.

[0006] A power conversion device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first power terminal, a switching unit, a transformer, a rectifying unit, a smoothing unit, a second power terminal, a control unit, and a driving unit. The switching unit is connected to the first power terminal and has one or more switching elements. The transformer has a first winding connected to the switching unit and a second winding. The rectifying unit is connected to the second winding and includes a first switching element operable based on a first control signal and a second switching element operable based on a second control signal. Has a switching circuit The power supply includes a smoothing unit connected to the rectifying unit and having an inductor. The second power terminal is connected to the smoothing unit. The control unit is capable of controlling the operation of the switching unit and the rectifying unit. The drive unit is capable of driving the switching circuit based on an instruction from the control unit. The first switching element and the second switching element each have a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal. The switching circuit further has a first element that is provided on a first path connecting the first terminal of the first switching element and the control terminal of the first switching element and is capable of clamping a voltage. The drive unit has a first output terminal and a second output terminal, and is capable of outputting a first control signal from the first output terminal and a second control signal from the second output terminal based on a signal supplied from the control unit. The control unit controls the operation of the switching unit and the rectifying unit so as to supply power from the second power terminal to the first power terminal during a predetermined period different from the period during which power is supplied from the first power terminal to the second power terminal, and is capable of setting the output impedance of the first output terminal of the drive unit to a high impedance state.

[0007] A power conversion system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first battery, a second capacitor, a first switch, a second switch, a power conversion device, and a second battery. The first battery has a first terminal and a second terminal. The second capacitor has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first switch is provided in a path connecting the first terminal of the first battery and the first terminal of the second capacitor. The second switch is provided in a path connecting the second terminal of the first battery and the second terminal of the second capacitor. The power conversion device includes a first power terminal, a switching unit, a transformer, a rectifying unit, a smoothing unit, a second power terminal, a control unit, and a drive unit. The first power terminal has a first connection terminal connected to the first terminal of the second capacitor and a second connection terminal connected to the second terminal of the second capacitor. The switching unit is connected to the first power terminal and includes one or more switching elements. The transformer has a first winding connected to the switching unit and a second winding, and the rectifier unit is connected to the second winding and includes a first switching element operable based on a first control signal and a second switching element operable based on a second control signal. Has a switching circuitThe power supply includes a smoothing unit connected to the rectifying unit and having an inductor. The second power terminal is connected to the smoothing unit and to a second battery. The control unit is capable of controlling the operation of the switching unit and the rectifying unit. The drive unit is capable of driving the switching circuit based on an instruction from the control unit. The first switching element and the second switching element each have a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal. The switching circuit further has a first element that is provided on a first path connecting the first terminal of the first switching element and the control terminal of the first switching element and is capable of clamping a voltage. The drive unit has a first output terminal and a second output terminal, and is capable of outputting a first control signal from the first output terminal and a second control signal from the second output terminal based on a signal supplied from the control unit. The control unit controls the operation of the switching unit and the rectifying unit so as to supply power from the second power terminal to the first power terminal during a predetermined period different from the period during which power is supplied from the first power terminal to the second power terminal, and is capable of setting the output impedance of the first output terminal of the drive unit to a high impedance state.

[0008] According to the power conversion device and power conversion system according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent an excessive voltage from being applied to the switching element. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a power conversion system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a drive unit and a switching circuit illustrated in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a timing waveform diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the power conversion system shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5]1. FIG. 4 is another timing waveform diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the power conversion system shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of a drive unit and a switching circuit according to a comparative example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of a drive unit and a switching circuit according to another comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of a switching circuit according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a switching circuit according to another modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of a switching circuit according to another modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a drive unit according to another modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a drive unit according to another modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a drive unit according to another modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the drive circuit shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a drive unit and a switching circuit according to another modified example. [Figure 16] 16 is a timing waveform diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the drive unit and the switching circuit illustrated in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power conversion system according to another modified example. [Figure 18] 18 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a drive unit and a switching circuit illustrated in FIG. 17. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power conversion device in a power conversion system according to another modified example. [Figure 20] 20 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a drive unit and a switching circuit illustrated in FIG. 19. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power conversion system according to another modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <Embodiment> [Configuration example] 1 shows an example of the configuration of a power conversion system 1 including a power conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power conversion system 1 includes a high-voltage battery BH, switches SW1 and SW2, a capacitor 9, a power conversion device 10, and a low-voltage battery BL. The power conversion system 1 is configured to convert power supplied from the high-voltage battery BH and supply the converted power to the low-voltage battery BL.

[0012] The high-voltage battery BH is configured to store electric power and supplies the electric power to the power conversion device 10 via the switches SW1 and SW2.

[0013] The switches SW1 and SW2 are configured to supply power stored in the high-voltage battery BH to the power conversion device 10 when they are turned on. The switches SW1 and SW2 are configured using, for example, relays. When the switch SW1 is turned on, it connects the positive terminal of the high-voltage battery BH to the terminal T11 of the power conversion device 10. When the switch SW2 is turned on, it connects the negative terminal of the high-voltage battery BH to the terminal T12 of the power conversion device 10. The switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on and off based on instructions from a system control unit (not shown).

[0014] One end of the capacitor 9 is connected to the terminal T11 of the power conversion device 10 and the switch SW1, and the other end is connected to the terminal T12 of the power conversion device 10 and the switch SW2.

[0015] The power conversion device 10 is configured to convert power by stepping down the voltage supplied from the high-voltage battery BH and supply the converted power to the low-voltage battery BL. The power conversion device 10 is a so-called center-tap power conversion device. The power conversion device 10 has terminals T11 and T12, a voltage sensor 11, a switching unit 12, a driver 21, a transformer 13, a rectifier 14, drivers 25 and 26, an auxiliary power supply circuit 29, a smoothing unit 15, a voltage sensor 18, a control unit 19, and terminals T21 and T22. The high-voltage battery BH, switches SW1 and SW2, the capacitor 9, the voltage sensor 11, the switching unit 12, and the driver 21 constitute a primary circuit of the power conversion system 1, and the rectifier 14, drivers 25 and 26, the smoothing unit 15, the voltage sensor 18, and the low-voltage battery BL constitute a secondary circuit of the power conversion system 1.

[0016] When the switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on, the terminals T11 and T12 are supplied with a voltage from the high-voltage battery BH. Within the power conversion device 10, the terminal T11 is connected to the voltage line L11, and the terminal T12 is connected to the reference voltage line L12.

[0017] The voltage sensor 11 is configured to detect the voltage on the voltage line L11. One end of the voltage sensor 11 is connected to the voltage line L11, and the other end is connected to a reference voltage line L12. The voltage sensor 11 detects the voltage on the voltage line L11 relative to the voltage on the reference voltage line L12 as a voltage VH. The voltage sensor 11 then supplies the detection result of the voltage VH to the control unit 19.

[0018] The switching unit 12 is configured to convert a DC voltage supplied from a high-voltage battery BH into an AC voltage. The switching unit 12 is a full-bridge circuit and includes transistors S1 to S4. The transistors S1 to S4 are switching elements that perform switching operations based on gate signals GA1 to GD1, respectively. The transistors S1 to S4 are configured using, for example, N-type field effect transistors (FETs). The transistors S1 to S4 include body diodes D1 to D4, respectively. For example, the anode of the body diode D1 is connected to the source of the transistor S1, and the cathode is connected to the drain of the transistor S1. The same is true for the body diodes D2 to D4. Note that, although an N-type field effect transistor is used in this example, any switching element may be used.

[0019] The transistor S1 is provided in a path connecting the voltage line L11 and the node N1, and is configured to connect the node N1 to the voltage line L11 when turned on. The drain of the transistor S1 is connected to the voltage line L11, the gate is supplied with a gate signal GA1, and the source is connected to the node N1. The transistor S2 is provided in a path connecting the node N1 and the reference voltage line L12, and is configured to connect the node N1 to the reference voltage line L12 when turned on. The drain of the transistor S2 is connected to the node N1, the gate is supplied with a gate signal GB1, and the source is connected to the reference voltage line L12. The node N1 is the connection point between the source of the transistor S1 and the drain of the transistor S2.

[0020] The transistor S3 is provided in a path connecting the voltage line L11 and the node N2, and is configured to connect the node N2 to the voltage line L11 when turned on. The drain of the transistor S3 is connected to the voltage line L11, the gate is supplied with a gate signal GC1, and the source is connected to the node N2. The transistor S4 is provided in a path connecting the node N2 and the reference voltage line L12, and is configured to connect the node N2 to the reference voltage line L12 when turned on. The drain of the transistor S4 is connected to the node N2, the gate is supplied with a gate signal GD1, and the source is connected to the reference voltage line L12. The node N2 is the connection point between the source of the transistor S3 and the drain of the transistor S4.

[0021] The driving unit 21 is configured to drive the transistors S1 to S4, respectively, based on the gate signals GA to GD supplied from the control unit 19. Specifically, the driving unit 21 generates a gate signal GA1 based on the gate signal GA and drives the transistor S1 using this gate signal GA1. The driving unit 21 generates a gate signal GB1 based on the gate signal GB and drives the transistor S2 using this gate signal GB1. The driving unit 21 generates a gate signal GC1 based on the gate signal GC and drives the transistor S3 using this gate signal GC1. The driving unit 21 generates a gate signal GD1 based on the gate signal GD and drives the transistor S4 using this gate signal GD1.

[0022] Transformer 13 insulates the primary circuit from the secondary circuit in terms of DC current and connects them in terms of AC current. Transformer 13 converts AC voltage supplied from the primary circuit at a transformation ratio N of transformer 13 and supplies the converted AC voltage to the secondary circuit. Transformer 13 has windings 13A, 13B, and 13C. One end of winding 13A is connected to node N1 in switching unit 12, and the other end is connected to node N2 in switching unit 12. One end of winding 13B is connected to node N4 in rectifier unit 14, and the other end is connected to one end of winding 13C and voltage line L21A. One end of winding 13C is connected to the other end of winding 13B and voltage line L21A, and the other end is connected to node N3 in rectifier unit 14.

[0023] The rectifier 14 is configured to generate an output voltage by rectifying the AC voltage output from the windings 13B and 13C of the transformer 13. The rectifier 14 has switching circuits S5 and S6.

[0024] The switching circuit S5 is provided in a path connecting the node N3 and the reference voltage line L22, and is configured to connect the node N3 to the reference voltage line L22 when the switching circuit S5 is turned on. A terminal TA of the switching circuit S5 is connected to the node N3, and a terminal TB of the switching circuit S5 is connected to the reference voltage line L22. Gate signals GF1 and GF2 are supplied to the control terminals of the switching circuit S5.

[0025] The switching circuit S6 is provided in a path connecting the node N4 and the reference voltage line L22, and is configured to connect the node N4 to the reference voltage line L22 when the switching circuit S6 is turned on. A terminal TA of the switching circuit S6 is connected to the node N4, and a terminal TB is connected to the reference voltage line L22. Gate signals GE1 and GE2 are supplied to the control terminal of the switching circuit S6.

[0026] The drive unit 25 is configured to drive the switching circuit S5 based on the gate signal GF and the control signal SSW3 supplied from the control unit 19. Specifically, the drive unit 25 generates gate signals GF1 and GF2 based on the gate signal GF, and drives the switching circuit S5 using these gate signals GF1 and GF2. The drive unit 25 is also configured to set the output impedance of the output terminal (output terminal T1, described later) that outputs the gate signal GF1 to a high impedance state based on the control signal SSW3.

[0027] The driver 26 is configured to drive the switching circuit S6 based on the gate signal GE and the control signal SSW3 supplied from the controller 19. Specifically, the driver 26 generates gate signals GE1 and GE2 based on the gate signal GE, and drives the switching circuit S6 using these gate signals GE1 and GE2. The driver 26 is also configured to set the output impedance of the output terminal (output terminal T1, described later) that outputs the gate signal GE1 to a high impedance state based on the control signal SSW3.

[0028] The auxiliary power supply circuit 29 is configured to generate a power supply voltage VDD supplied to the control unit 19 and the drive units 21, 25, and 26. The auxiliary power supply circuit 29 is connected to a power supply node for the power supply voltage VDD and a reference power supply node for the power supply voltage SGND. The power supply node for the power supply voltage SGND is connected to, for example, a reference voltage line L22. The auxiliary power supply circuit 29 generates the power supply voltage VDD based on, for example, power supplied from a high-voltage battery BH or a low-voltage battery BL. Note that in this example, the auxiliary power supply circuit 29 supplies the power supply voltage VDD to the control unit 19 and the drive units 21, 25, and 26, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the auxiliary power supply circuit 29 may generate, in addition to the power supply voltage VDD, another power supply voltage lower than the power supply voltage VDD and supply this power supply voltage to the control unit 19.

[0029] 2 shows an example of the configuration of the drive unit 25 and the switching circuit S5. The same applies to the drive unit 26 and the switching circuit S6.

[0030] The driving unit 25 has a switch SW3, driving circuits DRV1 and DRV2, and output terminals T1 and T2.

[0031] The switch SW3 is configured to supply power to the drive circuit DRV1 based on a control signal SSW3 supplied from the control unit 19. The switch SW3 is configured using, for example, a field effect transistor. One end of the switch SW3 is connected to a power supply node of the power supply voltage VDD, and the other end is connected to a power supply terminal of the drive circuit DRV1.

[0032] The drive circuit DRV1 is configured to generate a gate signal GF1 based on a gate signal GF supplied from the control unit 19, and to drive a transistor S11 (described later) of the switching circuit S5 using this gate signal GF1. An output terminal of the drive circuit DRV1 is connected to an output terminal T1 of the drive unit 25, a power supply terminal of the drive circuit DRV1 is connected to the other end of the switch SW3, and a reference power supply terminal is connected to the power supply node of the power supply voltage SGND.

[0033] The drive circuit DRV2 is configured to generate a gate signal GF2 based on a gate signal GF supplied from the control unit 19, and to drive a transistor S12 (described later) of the switching circuit S5 using this gate signal GF2. An output terminal of the drive circuit DRV2 is connected to an output terminal T2 of the drive unit 25, a power supply terminal of the drive circuit DRV2 is connected to the power supply node of the power supply voltage VDD, and a reference power supply terminal is connected to the power supply node of the power supply voltage SGND.

[0034] The output terminal T1 is a terminal that outputs the gate signal GF1, and the output terminal T2 is a terminal that outputs the gate signal GF2.

[0035] With this configuration, when switch SW3 is in the on state, the driver 25 generates gate signals GF1 and GF2 based on the gate signal GF and drives the switching circuit S5 using these gate signals GF1 and GF2. When switch SW3 is in the off state, the driver 25 generates gate signal GF2 based on the gate signal GF and drives the switching circuit S5 using this gate signal GF2. Because switch SW3 is in the off state, no power supply voltage is supplied to the driver circuit DRV1. As a result, the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the driver 25 is set to a high impedance state.

[0036] The switching circuit S5 has resistor elements R1 and R2, a Zener diode DZ1, a diode DD1, a resistor element R3, a transistor S11, resistor elements R4 and R5, and a transistor S12.

[0037] One end of the resistor R1 is connected to the output terminal T1 of the driver 25, and the other end is connected to the gate of the transistor S11. One end of the resistor R2 is connected to the gate of the transistor S11, and the other end is connected to the terminal TB of the switching circuit S5. The cathode of the Zener diode DZ1 is connected to the terminal TA of the switching circuit S5, and the anode is connected to the anode of the diode DD1. The anode of the diode DD1 is connected to the anode of the Zener diode DZ1, and the cathode is connected to the resistor R3. One end of the resistor R3 is connected to the cathode of the diode DD1, and the other end is connected to the gate of the transistor S11. The transistor S11 is configured using, for example, an N-type field effect transistor. Like the transistors S1 to S4, the transistor S11 has a body diode D11. The gate of the transistor S11 is connected to the resistor elements R1 to R3, the drain is connected to the terminal TA of the switching circuit S5, and the source is connected to the terminal TB of the switching circuit S5.

[0038] One end of the resistor R4 is connected to the output terminal T2 of the driver 25, and the other end is connected to the gate of the transistor S12. One end of the resistor R5 is connected to the gate of the transistor S12, and the other end is connected to the terminal TB of the switching circuit S5. The transistor S12 is configured using, for example, an N-type field effect transistor. Like the transistors S1 to S4, the transistor S12 has a body diode D12. The gate of the transistor S12 is connected to the resistor elements R4 and R5, the drain is connected to the terminal TA of the switching circuit S5, and the source is connected to the terminal TB of the switching circuit S5.

[0039] Thus, in the switching circuit S5, the drain of the transistor S11 and the drain of the transistor S12 are connected to each other, and the source of the transistor S11 and the source of the transistor S12 are connected to each other. The transistor S11 operates based on the gate signal GF1, and the transistor S12 operates based on the gate signal GF2.

[0040] The smoothing unit 15 (FIG. 1) is configured to smooth the output voltage of the rectifying unit 14. The smoothing unit 15 has a choke inductor 16 and a capacitor 17. One end of the choke inductor 16 is connected to the voltage line L21A, and the other end is connected to the voltage line L21B. One end of the capacitor 17 is connected to the voltage line L21B, and the other end is connected to the reference voltage line L22. In this example, the choke inductor 16 is provided on the voltage lines L21A and L21B, but this is not limiting and it may instead be provided on the reference voltage line L22, for example.

[0041] The voltage sensor 18 is configured to detect the voltage on the voltage line L21B. One end of the voltage sensor 18 is connected to the voltage line L21B, and the other end is connected to the reference voltage line L22. The voltage sensor 18 detects the voltage on the voltage line L21B relative to the voltage on the reference voltage line L22 as the voltage VL. The voltage sensor 18 then supplies the detection result of the voltage VL to the control unit 19.

[0042] The control unit 19 is configured to control the operation of the power conversion device 10 by controlling the operation of the switching unit 12 and the rectifying unit 14 based on the voltage VH detected by the voltage sensor 11 and the voltage VL detected by the voltage sensor 18. Specifically, the control unit 19 generates gate signals GA to GF based on the voltages VH and VL, and controls the operation of the power conversion device 10 by performing PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control using the gate signals GA to GF. The control unit 19 also generates a control signal SSW3 and controls the operation of the driving unit 12 by using the control signal SSW3. 25,26 The control circuit 100 controls the operation of the

[0043] The terminals T21 and T22 are configured to supply the voltage generated by the power conversion device 10 to the low-voltage battery BL. Within the power conversion device 10, the terminal T21 is connected to the voltage line L21B, and the terminal T22 is connected to the reference voltage line L22. Furthermore, the terminal T21 is connected to the positive terminal of the low-voltage battery BL, and the terminal T22 is connected to the negative terminal of the low-voltage battery BL.

[0044] The low-voltage battery BL is configured to store the power supplied from the power conversion device 10.

[0045] With this configuration, the power conversion system 1 performs a power conversion operation in which, while the switches SW1 and SW2 are in the on state, the power supplied from the high-voltage battery BH is converted and the converted power is supplied to the low-voltage battery BL.

[0046] The power conversion system 1 also has a function of performing a so-called precharge operation, which charges the capacitor 9 during a preparation period (precharge period P1) before starting such a power conversion operation. During this precharge operation, the switches SW1 and SW2 are in the off state, and the control unit 19 controls the operation of the switching unit 12 and the rectifier unit 14, causing the power conversion system 1 to supply power from the low-voltage battery BL to the capacitor 9. This allows the power conversion device 10 to suppress inrush current flowing from the high-voltage battery BH to the capacitor 9 when the switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on to perform the power conversion operation.

[0047] 3 shows an example of the configuration of the control unit 19. The control unit 19 has a precharge control unit 31, a power conversion control unit 32, gate signal generation units 33 and 34, and a switch control unit 35.

[0048] The precharge control unit 31 is configured to generate a duty ratio DP for the switching operation in the switching unit 12 and a duty ratio DS for the switching operation in the rectification unit 14 based on the voltages VH and VL during the precharge period P1.

[0049] Specifically, the precharge control unit 31 generates a duty ratio DP in the switching unit 12 based on the voltage VL during the precharge period P1. The precharge control unit 31 generates the duty ratio DP so that the duty ratio DP decreases as the voltage VL increases. The precharge control unit 31 generates the duty ratio DP so that the duty ratio DP gradually increases during the period until the voltage VH reaches the target voltage. This allows the power conversion system 1 to reduce current stress within the circuit.

[0050] Furthermore, during the precharge period P1, the precharge control unit 31 generates a duty ratio DS for the rectifier 14 based on the voltage VL. The precharge control unit 31 generates the duty ratio DS so that the duty ratio DS decreases as the voltage VL increases. The precharge control unit 31 generates the duty ratio DS so that the duty ratio DS gradually increases during the period until the voltage VH reaches the target voltage. This allows the power conversion system 1 to reduce current stress within the circuit.

[0051] The power conversion control unit 32 is configured to generate a duty ratio DP for the switching operation in the switching unit 12 and a duty ratio DS for the switching operation in the rectification unit 14 based on the voltages VH and VL during a period in which the power conversion operation is performed (power conversion period P2).

[0052] The gate signal generation unit 33 is configured to generate gate signals GA to GD based on the duty ratio DP generated by the precharge control unit 31 and the power conversion control unit 32. Specifically, during the precharge period P1, the gate signal generation unit 33 generates gate signals GC and GD based on the duty ratio DP generated by the precharge control unit 31, and maintains the gate signals GA and GB at a low level. Furthermore, during the power conversion period P2, the gate signal generation unit 33 generates gate signals GA to GD based on the duty ratio DP generated by the power conversion control unit 32.

[0053] The gate signal generation unit 34 is configured to generate the gate signals GE and GF based on the data of the duty ratio DS supplied from the precharge control unit 31 and the power conversion control unit 32. Specifically, during the precharge period P1, the gate signal generation unit 34 generates the gate signals GE and GF based on the duty ratio DS generated by the precharge control unit 31. Furthermore, during the power conversion period P2, the gate signal generation unit 34 generates the gate signals GE and GF based on the duty ratio DS generated by the power conversion control unit 32.

[0054] The switch control unit 35 is configured to generate a control signal SSW3 and use this control signal SSW3 to control the operation of the switch SW3 in the drive units 25 and 26. Specifically, the switch control unit 35 turns off the switch SW3 in each of the drive units 25 and 26 during the precharge period P1, and turns on the switch SW3 in each of the drive units 25 and 26 during the power conversion period P2.

[0055] Here, terminals T11 and T12 correspond to a specific example of a "first power terminal" in the present disclosure. Switching unit 12 corresponds to a specific example of a "switching unit" in the present disclosure. Transformer 13 corresponds to a specific example of a "transformer" in the present disclosure. Winding 13A corresponds to a specific example of a "first winding" in the present disclosure. Windings 13B and 13C correspond to a specific example of a "second winding" in the present disclosure. Rectifier unit 14 corresponds to a specific example of a "rectifier" in the present disclosure. For example, switching circuit S5 corresponds to a specific example of a "switching circuit" in the present disclosure. Transistor S11 corresponds to a specific example of a "first switching element" in the present disclosure. Transistor S12 corresponds to a specific example of a "second switching element" in the present disclosure. Zener diode DZ1 corresponds to a specific example of a "first element" in the present disclosure. Diode DD1 corresponds to a specific example of a "second element" in the present disclosure. Here, the smoothing unit 15 corresponds to a specific example of a "smoothing unit" in the present disclosure. The terminals T21 and T22 correspond to a specific example of a "second power terminal" in the present disclosure. The control unit 19 corresponds to a specific example of a "control unit" in the present disclosure. For example, the driving unit 25 corresponds to a specific example of a "driving unit" in the present disclosure. The output terminal T1 corresponds to a specific example of a "first output terminal" in the present disclosure. The output terminal T2 corresponds to a specific example of a "second output terminal" in the present disclosure. The gate signal GF1 corresponds to a specific example of a "first control signal" in the present disclosure. The gate signal GF2 corresponds to a specific example of a "second control signal" in the present disclosure. The driving circuit DRV1 corresponds to a specific example of a "driving circuit" in the present disclosure. The switch SW3 corresponds to a specific example of a "switch" in the present disclosure. The precharge period P1 corresponds to a specific example of a "predetermined period" in the present disclosure. The capacitor 9 corresponds to a specific example of a "second capacitor" in the present disclosure.

[0056] [Actions and Actions] Next, the operation and function of the power conversion system 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0057] (Overview of overall operation) First, an overview of the overall operation of the power conversion system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. During a precharge period P1, the switches SW1 and SW2 are in an OFF state, and the control unit 19 generates gate signals GC to GF based on the voltages VH and VL, while maintaining the gate signals GA and GB at a low level. This activates the switching unit 12 and the rectifier 14, and the power conversion device 10 supplies power from the low-voltage battery BL to the capacitor 9. As a result, the capacitor 9 is charged, and the voltage VH increases. When the voltage VH reaches, for example, a target voltage, the precharge operation ends, and the switches SW1 and SW2 are turned ON. During a power conversion period P2, the control unit 19 generates gate signals GA to GF based on the voltages VH and VL. This allows the power conversion device 10 to convert power supplied from the high-voltage battery BH and supply the converted power to the low-voltage battery BL.

[0058] (Detailed operation) During a preparation period (precharge period P1) before the start of power conversion operation, the switch control unit 35 of the control unit 19 uses a control signal SSW3 to turn off the switches SW3 in each of the drive units 25 and 26. The precharge control unit 31 of the control unit 19 generates duty ratios DP and DS so that the duty ratios DP and DS gradually increase. The gate signal generation unit 33 generates gate signals GC and GD based on the duty ratio DP generated by the precharge control unit 31, and maintains the gate signals GA and GB at a low level. The drive unit 21 generates gate signals GA1 to GD1 based on the gate signals GA to GD, respectively, and the switching unit 12 performs switching operations based on the gate signals GA1 to GD1. The gate signal generation unit 34 generates gate signals GE and GF based on the duty ratio DS generated by the precharge control unit 31. The drive unit 25 generates a gate signal GF2 based on the gate signal GF, and the drive unit 26 generates a gate signal GE2 based on the gate signal GE. During the precharge period P1, in each of the drivers 25 and 26, the switch SW3 is in the off state, so the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the driver 25 and the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the driver 26 are set to a high impedance state. The rectifier 14 performs a switching operation based on these gate signals GE2 and GF2. As a result, during the precharge period P1, the voltage VH across the capacitor 9 gradually increases.

[0059] 4 shows an example of simulated waveforms of the precharge operation, where (A) shows the waveforms of gate signals GE and GF, (B) shows the waveforms of gate signals GC and GD, (C) shows the waveform of the current (charge current ICHG) flowing into capacitor 9, (D) shows the waveform of the current (inductor current IL) flowing from voltage line L21B to voltage line L21A in choke inductor 16, (E) shows the waveform of the voltage (transformer voltage VTR1) at node N1 in winding 13A of transformer 13 relative to node N2, (F) shows the waveform of the voltage (drain-source voltage VDSF) between the drain and source of transistors S11 and S12 in switching circuit S5, and (G) shows the waveform of voltage VH. In FIG. 4, T indicates the period of the switching operation.

[0060] In the precharge operation, the control unit 19 generates gate signals GC and GD based on a duty ratio DP, and generates gate signals GE and GF based on a duty ratio DS. The duty ratio DP indicates the pulse width of each of the gate signals GC and GD when the period T (the time length from timings t11 to t13) is set to "1," and the duty ratio DS indicates the pulse width of each of the gate signals GE and GF when the period T is set to "1." As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the control unit 19 changes the gate signals GC and GF from low to high at timing t11. Then, the control unit 19 changes the gate signal GC from high to low when a time corresponding to the duty ratio DP (duty ratio DP × period T) has elapsed since timing t11, and changes the gate signal GF from high to low when a time corresponding to the duty ratio DS (duty ratio DS × period T) has elapsed since timing t11. Next, at timing t12, the control unit 19 changes the gate signals GD and GE from low to high. Then, the control unit 19 changes the gate signal GD from high to low when a time corresponding to the duty ratio DP (duty ratio DP × period T) has elapsed since timing t12, and changes the gate signal GE from high to low when a time corresponding to the duty ratio DS (duty ratio DS × period T) has elapsed since timing t12. Although not shown, the control unit 19 maintains the gate signals GA and GB at low levels. The power conversion system 1 charges the capacitor 9 by repeating the operation from timing t11 to t13 while changing the duty ratios DP and DS. As a result, the voltage VH gradually increases, as shown in FIG. 4(G).

[0061] Figure 5 shows an example of the operation of the drive unit 25 and the switching circuit S5, where (A) shows the waveform of the gate signal GF, (B) shows the waveform of the gate signal GF1, (C) shows the waveform of the gate signal GF2, (D) shows the waveform of the voltage between the drain and source of transistors S11 and S12 in the switching circuit S5 (drain-source voltage VDSF), (E) shows the waveform of the current (inductor current IL) flowing from voltage line L21B to voltage line L21A in the choke inductor 16, (F) shows the waveform of the current (current ISF1) flowing from the drain to the source of transistor S11, and (G) shows the waveform of the current (current ISF2) flowing from the drain to the source of transistor S12.

[0062] At timing t21, the control unit 19 changes the gate signal GF from low level to high level (FIG. 5(A)). Based on this gate signal GF, the drive circuit DRV2 of the drive unit 25 changes the gate signal GF2 from low level to high level (FIG. 5(C)). As a result, the transistor S12 changes from off state to on state. During the precharge period P1, the switch SW3 is off state, so the output impedance of the drive circuit DRV1 is in a high impedance state. In this example, during the period from timing t21 to t23, the gate signal GF1 is low level (FIG. 5(B)). Therefore, the transistor S11 is in an off state. Thus, during the period from timing t21 to t23, the transistor S11 is in an off state and the transistor S12 is in an on state, so the drain-source voltage VDSF of the transistors S11 and S12 becomes 0 V (FIG. 5(D)).

[0063] During the period from timing t21 to t22, the current flowing through the choke inductor 16 gradually increases (FIG. 5(E)). Then, during the period from timing t22 to t23, the current flowing through the choke inductor 16 gradually decreases. As shown in FIG. 4, timing t22 is the timing when the gate signal GC changes from high level to low level. In response to this inductor current IL, a current ISF2 flows from the drain to the source of the transistor S12 in the on state (FIG. 5(G)).

[0064] At timing t23, the control unit 19 changes the gate signal GF from high to low (FIG. 5(A)). Based on this gate signal GF, the drive circuit DRV2 of the drive unit 25 changes the gate signal GF2 from high to low (FIG. 5(C)). This changes the transistor S12 from an on state to an off state.

[0065] Thus, at timing t23, both transistors S11 and S12 attempt to turn off. At this timing t23, the voltage at node N3 rises due to the back electromotive force of choke inductor 16, causing the drain-source voltage VDSF of transistors S11 and S12 to rise (FIG. 5(D)). As the voltage at node N3 rises and the voltage across Zener diode DZ1 exceeds the Zener voltage, Zener diode DZ1 turns on, and current flows from node N3 through Zener diode DZ1, diode DD1, and resistor R3 in this order. The magnitude of this current can be adjusted, for example, by resistor R3. This current increases the gate voltage of transistor S11 (FIG. 5(B)), turning transistor S11 transiently on. As a result, current ISF1 flows from the drain to the source of transistor S11 (FIG. 5(F)). In this way, during the period from timing t23 to t24, the drain-source voltage VDSF of the transistors S11 and S12 is clamped (FIG. 5(D)).

[0066] After timing t23, the current ISF1 gradually decreases (FIG. 5(F)) in accordance with the inductor current IL (FIG. 5(E)). Then, at timing t24, the current ISF1 almost stops flowing.

[0067] In the precharge operation, the drive unit 25 and the switching circuit S5 repeat such operations. The same applies to the operations of the drive unit 26 and the switching circuit S6.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 4, during the precharge operation, the voltage VH gradually increases (FIG. 4(G)). Then, when the voltage VH reaches the target voltage, the precharge control unit 31 stops generating the duty ratios DP and DS. This ends the precharge operation. Then, the switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on.

[0069] Thereafter, during a power conversion period P2, the switch control unit 35 of the control unit 19 uses a control signal SSW3 to turn on the switches SW3 in each of the drive units 25 and 26. The power conversion control unit 32 of the control unit 19 generates duty ratios DP and DS based on the voltages VH and VL. The gate signal generation unit 33 generates gate signals GA to GD based on the duty ratio DP generated by the power conversion control unit 32. The drive unit 21 generates gate signals GA1 to GD1 based on the gate signals GA to GD, respectively, and the switching unit 12 performs switching operations based on the gate signals GA1 to GD1. The gate signal generation unit 34 generates gate signals GE and GF based on the duty ratio DS generated by the power conversion control unit 32. The drive unit 25 generates gate signals GF1 and GF2 based on the gate signal GF, and the drive unit 26 generates gate signals GE1 and GE2 based on the gate signal GE. That is, during the power conversion period P2, in each of the drivers 25 and 26, the switch SW3 is in the on state, so the driver circuit DRV1 in the driver 25 generates a gate signal GF1, and the driver circuit DRV1 in the driver 26 generates a gate signal GE1. The rectifier 14 performs a switching operation based on these gate signals GE1, GE2, GF1, and GF2. As a result, the power conversion device 10 converts the power supplied from the high-voltage battery BH and supplies the converted power to the low-voltage battery BL.

[0070] The power conversion system 1 may start the power conversion operation immediately after the precharge operation is completed, or may perform a voltage maintenance operation after the precharge operation is completed, in which duty ratios DP and DS are generated to maintain the voltage VH at a voltage close to the target voltage, and then start the power conversion operation.

[0071] In this way, in the power conversion system 1, the Zener diode DZ1 is provided and the output impedance of the drive circuit DRV1 is set to a high impedance state during the precharge period P1, so that excessive voltage is not applied to the transistors S11 and S12.

[0072] 6, for example, if the driver 25R and switching element S5R are used without the switch SW3, resistor R3, diode DD1, and Zener diode DZ1, excessive voltages may be applied to the transistors S11 and S12. For example, if the voltage at node N3 increases due to the back electromotive force of the choke inductor 16, avalanche breakdown occurs in the transistors S11 and S12, causing an avalanche current to flow from the drain to the source. When avalanche breakdown occurs in the transistors S11 and S12, various electrical characteristics, such as the on-resistance, leakage current, and drain-source breakdown voltage, may be degraded.

[0073] Meanwhile, the power conversion system 1 includes a Zener diode DZ1, and the output impedance of the drive circuit DRV1 is set to a high impedance state during the precharge period P1. As a result, when the voltage at node N3 rises and the voltage across the Zener diode DZ1 exceeds the Zener voltage, the Zener diode DZ1 turns on, the gate voltage of the transistor S11 rises, and the transistor S11 turns on transiently. As a result, the drain-source voltage VDSF of the transistors S11 and S12 is clamped, preventing avalanche breakdown in the transistors S11 and S12. This reduces the likelihood of degradation of the electrical characteristics of the transistors S11 and S12.

[0074] A possible method for preventing excessive voltage from being applied to transistors S11 and S12 is the method shown in FIG. 7. The switching circuit S5S includes a Zener diode DZS. The anode of the Zener diode DZS is connected to terminal TB of the switching circuit S5S, and the cathode is connected to terminal TA of the switching circuit S5S. In this case, for example, if the voltage at node N3 increases due to the back electromotive force of choke inductor 16 and the voltage across the Zener diode DZS exceeds the Zener voltage, the Zener diode DZS turns on, clamping the drain-source voltage VDSF of transistors S11 and S12. However, in this case, a current flows through the Zener diode DZS, requiring a large Zener diode DZS with high energy tolerance. This may increase the size of the power conversion device, for example.

[0075] Meanwhile, in the power conversion system 1, when the voltage at node N3 rises and the voltage across Zener diode DZ1 exceeds the Zener voltage, Zener diode DZ1 turns on, causing the gate voltage of transistor S11 to rise. This transiently turns on transistor S11, causing current ISF1 to flow from the drain to the source of transistor S11. That is, transistor S11 mainly conducts current. Transistor S11 performs switching operations together with transistor S12 during the power conversion period P2, and therefore is a transistor with high energy tolerance. On the other hand, because a large current does not flow through Zener diode DZ1, a small-sized Zener diode with low energy tolerance can be used. As a result, the power conversion system 1 can prevent the size of the power conversion device from increasing.

[0076] Thus, in the power conversion system 1, for example, the switching circuit S5 includes a transistor S11 operable based on a gate signal GF1 and a transistor S12 operable based on a gate signal GF2. Each of the transistors S11 and S12 has a drain, a source, and a gate. The switching circuit S5 includes a Zener diode DZ1 that is provided in a path connecting the drain and gate of the transistor S11 and is capable of clamping a voltage. The driver 25 has an output terminal T1 and an output terminal T2, and is capable of outputting a gate signal GF1 from the output terminal T1 and a gate signal GF2 from the output terminal T2 based on the gate signal GF supplied from the controller 19. During a precharge period different from a power conversion period P2 in which power is supplied from the terminals T11, T12 to the terminals T21, T22, the control unit 19 controls the operation of the switching unit 12 and the rectifier unit 14 to supply power from the terminals T21, T22 to the terminals T11, T12, and can set the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the drive unit 25 to a high impedance state. This makes it possible to prevent an excessive voltage from being applied to the transistors S11, S12 in the power conversion system 1.

[0077] Furthermore, in the power conversion system 1, the switching circuit S5 is provided in a path connecting the drain and gate of the transistor S11 and includes a diode DD1 that can block current in the direction from the gate to the drain in this path. This prevents current from flowing from the drive circuit DRV1 to the transistors S11 and S12 via the resistor element R1, the resistor element R3, and the Zener diode DZ1 when the switch SW3 is turned on and the drive circuit DRV1 sets the gate signal GF1 to a high level during the power conversion period P2, for example.

[0078] In the power conversion system 1, the driver 25 includes a driver circuit DRV1 capable of outputting a gate signal GF1 from an output terminal T1 and a switch SW3 capable of turning on and off the supply of power to the driver circuit DRV1 by turning on and off the supply of a power supply voltage VDD to the driver circuit DRV1. The control unit 19 can set the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the driver 25 to a high impedance state by turning on the switch SW3. This allows, for example, the Zener diode DZ1 to be turned on, thereby increasing the gate voltage of the transistor S11 and transiently turning on the transistor S11. As a result, the power conversion system 1 can prevent excessive voltage from being applied to the transistors S11 and S12.

[0079] Furthermore, in the power conversion system 1, the switching circuit S5 includes a resistor R3 provided in a path connecting the drain and gate of the transistor S11, which allows the amount of current flowing through the Zener diode DZ1 to be adjusted when the Zener diode DZ1 is turned on.

[0080] [effect] As described above, in this embodiment, for example, the switching circuit includes a transistor S11 operable based on a gate signal GF1 and a transistor S12 operable based on a gate signal GF2. Each of the transistors S11 and S12 has a drain, a source, and a gate. The switching circuit is provided in a path connecting the drain and gate of the transistor S11 and includes a Zener diode capable of clamping a voltage. The drive unit has output terminals T1 and T2, and is configured to output the gate signal GF1 from the output terminal T1 and the gate signal GF2 from the output terminal T2 based on a gate signal supplied from the control unit. The control unit controls the operation of the switching unit and the rectifier unit to supply power from the terminals T21 and T22 to the terminals T11 and T12 during a precharge period that is different from a power conversion period in which power is supplied from the terminals T11 and T12 to the terminals T21 and T22, and is also configured to set the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the drive unit to a high impedance state. This prevents an excessive voltage from being applied to the transistors S11 and S12.

[0081] In this embodiment, the switching circuit is provided in a path connecting the drain and gate of the transistor S11, and includes a diode capable of blocking current in the direction from the gate to the drain in this path. This prevents current from flowing from the drive circuit DRV1 to the transistors S11 and S12 via the resistor elements R1 and R3 when the switch is turned on and the drive circuit DRV1 sets the gate signal GF1 to a high level during power conversion, for example.

[0082] In this embodiment, the drive unit includes a drive circuit DRV1 capable of outputting a gate signal GF1 from an output terminal T1, and a switch capable of turning on and off the supply of power to the drive circuit DRV1 by turning on and off the supply of power voltage to the drive circuit DRV1. The control unit can set the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the drive unit to a high impedance state by turning off the switch. This turns on the Zener diode, thereby increasing the gate voltage of the transistor S11 and transiently turning on the transistor S11. This prevents excessive voltage from being applied to the transistors S11 and S12.

[0083] In this embodiment, the switching circuit includes a resistor R3 provided in the path connecting the drain and gate of the transistor S11, which allows the amount of current flowing through the Zener diode to be adjusted when the Zener diode is turned on.

[0084] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a Zener diode DZ1, a diode DD1, and a resistor R3 are provided in the path connecting the drain and gate of transistor S11. In addition, a capacitor C1 may be further provided, as in the switching circuit S5A shown in FIG. 8, for example. One end of capacitor C1 is connected to terminal TA of switching circuit S5A, and the other end is connected to the gate of transistor S11. This capacitor C1 is connected in parallel with the circuit consisting of Zener diode DZ1, diode DD1, and resistor R3. Here, capacitor C1 corresponds to a specific example of a "first capacitor" in the present disclosure. This can suppress, for example, the voltage peak of the drain-source voltage VDSF shown in FIG. 5(D) around timing t23.

[0085] [Variation 2] In the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the resistor element R3 is provided in the path connecting the drain and gate of the transistor S11, but this is not limited to this. Alternatively, the resistor element R3 may not be provided, as in the switching circuit S5B shown in Fig. 9. For example, if there is no need to limit the current flowing through the Zener diode DZ1 when the Zener diode DZ1 is turned on, the resistor element R3 can be omitted in this way.

[0086] [Variation 3] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the diode DD1 is provided in the path connecting the drain and gate of the transistor S11. However, this is not limiting. Alternatively, a switch SW4 may be provided in the path connecting the drain and gate of the transistor S11, as in the switching circuit S5C shown in FIG. 10. In this example, one end of the switch SW4 is connected to the anode of the Zener diode DZ1, and the other end is connected to the resistor element R3. The switch SW4 operates based on a control signal SSW4 supplied from the control unit 19C according to this modification. For example, during the precharge period P1, the switch SW3 is turned off and the switch SW4 is turned on. In this case, when the Zener diode DZ1 is turned on, current flows through the Zener diode, the switch SW4, and the resistor element R3 in this order. Also, for example, during the power conversion period P2, the switch SW3 is turned on and the switch SW4 is turned off. In this case, no current flows through the switch SW4. Here, the switch SW4 corresponds to a specific example of a “second element” in the present disclosure. As a result, the switch SW4 restricts the direction of the current in the path connecting the drain and gate of the transistor S11 so that the current flows from the drain to the gate.

[0087] [Variation 4] In the above embodiment, in the driver 25, the switch SW3 is turned on to connect the power node of the power supply voltage VDD and the power terminal of the driver circuit DRV1, but this is not limited to this. Alternatively, as in a driver 25D shown in FIG. 11, the switch SW3 may be turned on to connect the power node of the power supply voltage SGND and the reference power terminal of the driver circuit DRV1. In this example, one end of the switch SW3 is connected to the reference power terminal of the driver circuit DRV1, and the other end is connected to the power node of the power supply voltage SGND. Even in this case, the control unit 19 can set the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the driver 25D to a high impedance state by turning off the switch SW3.

[0088] [Variation 5] In the above embodiment, the driver 25 includes two driver circuits DRV1 and DRV2, but this is not limiting. Alternatively, for example, a driver 25E shown in FIG. 12 may include a single driver circuit DRV2. The driver 25E includes a driver circuit DRV2 and a switch SW3. One end of the switch SW3 is connected to the output terminal of the driver circuit DRV2, and the other end is connected to the output terminal T1 of the driver 25E. The driver circuit DRV2 corresponds to a specific example of a "driver circuit" in the present disclosure. Even in this case, the control unit 19 can set the output impedance of the output terminal T1 of the driver 25E to a high impedance state by turning off the switch SW3.

[0089] [Variation 6] In the above embodiment, the output impedance of the drive circuit DRV1 is set to a high impedance state by turning off the switch SW3 in the drive unit 25. However, this is not limited to this, and the drive circuit DRV1 itself may be configured to set the output impedance to a high impedance state. This modification will be described in detail below.

[0090] 13 shows an example of the configuration of a driver 25F according to this modification. The driver 25F includes a driver circuit DRV1A. The driver circuit DRV1A is configured to generate a gate signal GF1 based on a gate signal GF supplied from a controller 19F according to this modification. The driver circuit DRV1A is also configured to set its output impedance to a high impedance state based on a control signal CTL supplied from the controller 19F.

[0091] 14 shows an example of the configuration of the drive circuit DRV1A. The drive circuit DRV1A includes a drive control circuit 41, buffers 42 and 43, and transistors 44 and 45.

[0092] The drive control circuit 41 is configured to control the operation of the drive circuit DRV1A based on the gate signal GF and the control signal CTL. For example, when the control signal CTL is at a high level (active level), the drive control circuit 41 generates signals SP and SN based on the gate signal GF. Specifically, when the gate signal GF is at a low level, the drive control circuit 41 sets both signals SP and SN to a high level, and when the gate signal GF is at a high level, the drive control circuit 41 sets both signals SP and SN to a low level. Furthermore, when the control signal CTL is at a low level (inactive level), the drive control circuit 41 sets the signal SP to a high level and the signal SN to a low level.

[0093] Buffer 42 is configured to drive transistor 44 based on signal SP, and buffer 43 is configured to drive transistor 45 based on signal SN.

[0094] The transistor 44 is configured using, for example, a P-type field effect transistor. The transistor 44 has a body diode D44. The output signal of the buffer 42 is supplied to the gate of the transistor 44, the source is connected to the power supply node of the power supply voltage VDD, and the drain is connected to the drain of the transistor 45 and to the output terminal T1 of the driver 25F.

[0095] The transistor 45 is configured using, for example, an N-type field effect transistor. The transistor 45 has a body diode D45. The output signal of the buffer 43 is supplied to the gate of the transistor 45, the drain of the transistor 45 is connected to the drain of the transistor 44 and also to the output terminal T1 of the driver 25F, and the source of the transistor 45 is connected to the power supply node of the power supply voltage SGND.

[0096] Here, the drive circuit DRV1A corresponds to a specific example of a "drive circuit" in the present disclosure. The transistor 44 corresponds to a specific example of a "first drive switching element" in the present disclosure. The transistor 45 corresponds to a specific example of a "second drive switching element" in the present disclosure.

[0097] With this configuration, for example, when the control signal CTL is at a high level (active level), the drive circuit DRV1A generates a gate signal GF1 corresponding to the gate signal GF. Specifically, when the gate signal GF is at a low level, the drive control circuit 41 sets both the signals SP and SN to a high level, so that the transistor 45 is turned on and the transistor 44 is turned off. As a result, the gate signal GF1 is at a low level. On the other hand, when the gate signal GF is at a high level, the drive control circuit 41 sets both the signals SP and SN to a low level, so that the transistor 44 is turned on and the transistor 45 is turned off. As a result, the gate signal GF1 is at a high level. On the other hand, when the control signal CTL is at a low level (inactive level), for example, the drive control circuit 41 sets the signal SP to a high level and the signal SN to a low level, so that both the transistors 44 and 45 are turned off. As a result, the output impedance of the drive circuit DRV1A becomes a high impedance state.

[0098] In this way, the control unit 19F controls both the transistors 44 and 45 to be in the OFF state using the control signal CTL. 25FThe output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the can be set to a high impedance state.

[0099] [Variation 7] In the above embodiment, the Zener diode DZ1, the diode DD1, and the resistor R3 are provided in the path connecting the drain and gate of the transistor S11, but this is not limiting. For example, in addition to these, a Zener diode, a diode, and a resistor may also be provided in the path connecting the drain and gate of the transistor S12. This modification will be described in detail below.

[0100] FIG. 15 shows an example of the configuration of a drive section 25G and a switching circuit S5G according to this modified example.

[0101] The driver 25G includes driver circuits DRV1A and DRV2A. The driver circuit DRV1A is configured to generate a gate signal GF1 based on a gate signal GF supplied from a control unit 19G according to this modification. The driver circuit DRV1A is also configured to set its output impedance to a high impedance state based on a control signal CTL1 supplied from the control unit 19G. Similarly, the driver circuit DRV2A is configured to generate a gate signal GF2 based on the gate signal GF supplied from the control unit 19G. The driver circuit DRV2A is also configured to set its output impedance to a high impedance state based on a control signal CTL2 supplied from the control unit 19G. The driver circuits DRV1A and DRV2A have, for example, the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 14.

[0102] The switching circuit S5G includes a Zener diode DZ2, a diode DD2, and a resistor R6. The cathode of the Zener diode DZ2 is connected to the terminal TA of the switching circuit S5G, and the anode is connected to the anode of the diode DD2. The anode of the diode DD2 is connected to the anode of the Zener diode DZ2, and the cathode is connected to the resistor R6. One end of the resistor R6 is connected to the cathode of the diode DD2, and the other end is connected to the gate of the transistor S12.

[0103] Here, the Zener diode DZ2 corresponds to a specific example of a "third element" in the present disclosure. The diode DD2 corresponds to a specific example of a "fourth element" in the present disclosure. The driving unit 25F corresponds to a specific example of a "driving unit" in the present disclosure.

[0104] 16 shows an example of the operation of the driver 25G and switching circuit S5G according to this modification during the precharge period P1, where (A) shows the waveform of the gate signal GE, (B) shows the waveform of the gate signal GF, (C) shows the waveform of the gate signal GF1, (D) shows the waveform of the gate signal GF2, (E) shows the operation of the driver circuit DRV1A, and (F) shows the operation of the driver circuit DRV2A. In FIGS. 16(C) and (D), the dotted lines indicate that the output impedance is in a high impedance state.

[0105] figure 16As shown in Figs. 16A and 16B, the control unit 19G alternately generates pulses of the gate signal GE and pulses of the gate signal GF. For example, the control unit 19G changes the gate signal GF from a low level to a high level at timing t32, and changes the gate signal GF from a high level to a low level at timing t33. Similarly, the control unit 19G changes the gate signal GF from a low level to a high level at timing t36, and changes the gate signal GF from a high level to a low level at timing t37. The control unit 19G changes the gate signal GF from a low level to a high level at timing t40, and changes the gate signal GF from a high level to a low level at timing t41. The control unit 19G changes the gate signal GF from a low level to a high level at timing t44, and changes the gate signal GF from a high level to a low level at timing t45.

[0106] In this example, at timing t31 before timing t32, the control unit 19G uses the control signal CTL1 to change the operation of the drive circuit DRV1A from a mode in which the output impedance is in a high impedance state to a mode in which a signal is output, and at timing t34 after timing t33, the control unit 19G changes the operation of the drive circuit DRV1A from a mode in which the output impedance is in a high impedance state to a mode in which the output impedance is in a high impedance state (Figure 16(E)).

[0107] Furthermore, at timing t35 before timing t36, the control unit 19G uses the control signal CTL2 to change the operation of the drive circuit DRV2A from a mode in which the output impedance is in a high impedance state to a mode in which a signal is output, and at timing t38 after timing t37, the control unit 19G changes the operation of the drive circuit DRV2A from a mode in which the output impedance is in a high impedance state to a mode in which the output impedance is in a high impedance state (Figure 16(F)).

[0108] Furthermore, at timing t39 before timing t40, the control unit 19G uses the control signal CTL1 to change the operation of the drive circuit DRV1A from a mode in which the output impedance is in a high impedance state to a mode in which a signal is output, and at timing t42 after timing t41, the control unit 19G changes the operation of the drive circuit DRV1A from a mode in which the output impedance is in a high impedance state to a mode in which the output impedance is in a high impedance state (Figure 16(E)).

[0109] Furthermore, at timing t43 before timing t44, the control unit 19G uses the control signal CTL2 to change the operation of the drive circuit DRV2A from a mode in which the output impedance is in a high impedance state to a mode in which a signal is output, and at timing t46 after timing t45, the control unit 19G changes the operation of the drive circuit DRV2A from the mode in which the signal is output to a mode in which the output impedance is in a high impedance state (see FIG. 16 (F) ).

[0110] During the period from timing t31 to t34, the drive circuit DRV1A changes the gate signal GF1 from low level to high level at timing t32 based on the gate signal GF, and changes the gate signal GF1 from high level to low level at timing t33 ​​(FIG. 16(C)). As a result, the transistor S11 is in the ON state during the period from timing t32 to t33. The output impedance of the drive circuit DRV2A is in a high impedance state during this period from timing t32 to t33 (FIGS. 16(D) and 16(F)). For example, during a short period after timing t33, the Zener diode DZ2 is in the ON state, and the transistor S12 is transiently in the ON state. The same applies to the period from timing t39 to t42.

[0111] During the period from timing t35 to t38, the drive circuit DRV2A changes the gate signal GF2 from low level to high level at timing t36 based on the gate signal GF, and changes the gate signal GF2 from high level to low level at timing t37 (FIG. 16(D)). As a result, the transistor S12 is in the ON state during the period from timing t36 to t37. The output impedance of the drive circuit DRV1A is in a high impedance state during this period from timing t36 to t37 (FIGS. 16(C) and 16(E)). For example, during a short period after timing t37, the Zener diode DZ1 is in the ON state, and the transistor S11 is transiently in the ON state. The same applies to the period from timing t43 to t46.

[0112] The timing shown in FIG. 16 is an example and is not limited to this.

[0113] [Variation 8] In the above embodiment, the present technology is applied to a center tap type power conversion circuit, but the present technology is not limited to this. Below, the present modification will be described in detail with some examples.

[0114] (Circuit example E1) 17 shows an example of the configuration of a power conversion system 2 according to this modification. The power conversion system 2 includes a power conversion device 50. The power conversion device 50 includes a transformer 53, a rectifier 54, drive units 55 to 58, and a control unit 59.

[0115] Transformer 53 has windings 53A and 53B. One end of winding 53A is connected to node N1 in switching unit 12, and the other end is connected to node N2 in switching unit 12. One end of winding 53B is connected to node N6 in rectifying unit 54, and the other end is connected to node N7 in rectifying unit 54.

[0116] The rectifier unit 54 is a full-bridge circuit and includes switching circuits S15 to S18. The terminal TA of the switching circuit S15 is connected to the voltage line L21A, and the terminal TB is connected to a node N6. Gate signals GFH1 and GFH2 are supplied to the control terminal of the switching circuit S15. The terminal TA of the switching circuit S16 is connected to the node N6, and the terminal TB is connected to the reference voltage line L22. Gate signals GEL1 and GEL2 are supplied to the control terminal of the switching circuit S16. The terminal TA of the switching circuit S17 is connected to the voltage line L21A, and the terminal TB is connected to a node N7. Gate signals GEH1 and GEH2 are supplied to the control terminal of the switching circuit S17. The terminal TA of the switching circuit S18 is connected to the node N7, and the terminal TB is connected to the reference voltage line L22. Gate signals GFL1 and GFL2 are supplied to the control terminal of the switching circuit S18.

[0117] The driver 55 is configured to generate gate signals GFH1 and GFH2 based on the gate signal GF supplied from the controller 59, and to drive the switching circuit S15 using the gate signals GFH1 and GFH2. The driver 56 is configured to generate gate signals GEL1 and GEL2 based on the gate signal GE supplied from the controller 59, and to drive the switching circuit S16 using the gate signals GEL1 and GEL2. The driver 57 is configured to generate gate signals GEH1 and GEH2 based on the gate signal GE supplied from the controller 59, and to drive the switching circuit S17 using the gate signals GEH1 and GEH2. The driver 58 is configured to generate gate signals GFL1 and GFL2 based on the gate signal GF supplied from the controller 59, and to drive the switching circuit S18 using the gate signals GFL1 and GFL2.

[0118] 18 shows an example of the configuration of drivers 55 and 58 and switching circuits S15 and S18. The circuit configurations of driver 56 and switching circuit S16 are similar to those of driver 58 and switching circuit S18, respectively. The circuit configurations of driver 57 and switching circuit S17 are similar to those of driver 55 and switching circuit S15, respectively.

[0119] The driving section 55 includes a switch SW3, diodes DD3 and DD4, driving circuits DRV1 and DRV2, capacitors C3 and C4, and output terminals T1 and T2.

[0120] The switch SW3 is configured to supply power to the drive circuit DRV1 based on a control signal supplied from the control unit 59. One end of the switch SW3 is connected to the power supply node of the power supply voltage VDD, and the other end is connected to the anode of the diode DD3.

[0121] The anode of the diode DD3 is connected to the other end of the switch SW3, and the cathode is connected to the power supply terminal of the drive circuit DRV1 and the capacitor C3.

[0122] The drive circuit DRV1 is configured to generate a gate signal GFH1 based on a gate signal GF supplied from the control unit 59, and to drive the transistor S11 of the switching circuit S15 using this gate signal GFH1. The output terminal of the drive circuit DRV1 is connected to the output terminal T1 of the drive unit 55, the power supply terminal of the drive circuit DRV1 is connected to the cathode of the diode DD3, and the reference power supply terminal is connected to a node N6.

[0123] One end of the capacitor C3 is connected to the cathode of the diode DD3 and the power supply terminal of the drive circuit DRV1, and the other end is connected to the node N6.

[0124] The anode of the diode DD4 is connected to the power supply node of the power supply voltage VDD, and the cathode is connected to the power supply terminal of the drive circuit DRV2 and the capacitor C4.

[0125] The drive circuit DRV2 is configured to generate a gate signal GFH2 based on a gate signal GF supplied from the control unit 59, and to drive the transistor S12 of the switching circuit S15 using this gate signal GFH2. The output terminal of the drive circuit DRV2 is connected to the output terminal T2 of the drive unit 55, the power supply terminal of the drive circuit DRV2 is connected to the cathode of the diode DD4, and the reference power supply terminal is connected to a node N6.

[0126] One end of the capacitor C4 is connected to the cathode of the diode DD4 and the power supply terminal of the drive circuit DRV2, and the other end is connected to the node N6.

[0127] The circuit configuration of the switching circuit S15 is the same as that of the switching circuit according to the above embodiment. S5 The circuit configuration is the same as that of (Figure 2).

[0128] In the driver 55, the diodes DD3 and DD4 and the capacitors C3 and C4 form a bootstrap circuit. That is, the switching circuit S15 driven by this driver 55 is not connected to the reference voltage line L22 but to a node N6, as shown in Fig. 17. Therefore, by providing the bootstrap circuit in the driver 55, the driver circuits DRV1 and DRV2 operate based on the voltage at the node N6.

[0129] The driver 58 has a switch SW3, driver circuits DRV1 and DRV2, and output terminals T1 and T2. The circuit configuration of the driver 58 is similar to the circuit configuration of the driver 25 according to the above embodiment (FIG. 2).

[0130] The circuit configuration of the switching circuit S18 is similar to the circuit configuration of the switching circuit S6 according to the above embodiment (FIG. 2).

[0131] Similar to the control unit 19 in the above embodiment, the control unit 59 is configured to control the operation of the power conversion device 50 by controlling the operation of the switching unit 12 and the rectification unit 54 based on the voltage VH detected by the voltage sensor 11 and the voltage VL detected by the voltage sensor 18.

[0132] In the power conversion system 2, as in the above embodiment, during the precharge period P1, the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the driver 55 is set to a high impedance state, the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the driver 56 is set to a high impedance state, the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the driver 57 is set to a high impedance state, and the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the driver 58 is set to a high impedance state. This makes it possible to prevent an excessive voltage from being applied to the transistors S11 and S12 in each of the switching circuits S15 to S18.

[0133] (Circuit example E2) Fig. 19 shows an example of the configuration of a power converter 60 in another power conversion system according to this modification. Fig. 19 mainly shows the secondary side circuit of the power converter 60. The primary side circuit is similar to that of the power converter 50 (Fig. 17). The power converter 60 has a transformer 63, a rectifier 64, drive units 55 to 58, and a control unit 59.

[0134] The transformer 63 has windings 63A, 63B, and 63C. One end of the winding 63A is connected to a node N1 in the switching unit 12, and the other end is connected to a node N2 in the switching unit 12. One end of the winding 63B is connected to a node N11 in the rectifying unit 64, and the other end is connected to a node N12 in the rectifying unit 64. One end of the winding 63C is connected to a node N13 in the rectifying unit 64, and the other end is connected to a node N14 in the rectifying unit 64.

[0135] The rectification unit 64 has switching circuits S25 to S28 and S35 to S38. The terminal TA of the switching circuit S25 is connected to the voltage line L21A, and the terminal TB is connected to the node N11. A gate signal GFH2 is supplied to the control terminal of the switching circuit S25. The terminal TA of the switching circuit S26 is connected to the node N11, and the terminal TB is connected to the reference voltage line L22. A gate signal GEL2 is supplied to the control terminal of the switching circuit S26. The terminal TA of the switching circuit S27 is connected to the voltage line L21A, and the terminal TB is connected to the node N12. A gate signal GEH2 is supplied to the control terminal of the switching circuit S27. The terminal TA of the switching circuit S28 is connected to the node N12, and the terminal TB is connected to the reference voltage line L22. A gate signal GFL2 is supplied to the control terminal of the switching circuit S28. The terminal TA of the switching circuit S35 is connected to the voltage line L21A, and the terminal TB is connected to the node N13. A gate signal GFH1 is supplied to the control terminal of switching circuit S35. A terminal TA of switching circuit S36 is connected to node N13, and a terminal TB is connected to reference voltage line L22. A gate signal GEL1 is supplied to the control terminal of switching circuit S36. A terminal TA of switching circuit S37 is connected to voltage line L21A, and a terminal TB is connected to node N14. A gate signal GEH1 is supplied to the control terminal of switching circuit S37. A terminal TA of switching circuit S38 is connected to node N14, and a terminal TB is connected to reference voltage line L22. A gate signal GFL1 is supplied to the control terminal of switching circuit S38.

[0136] The drive unit 55 is configured to generate gate signals GFH1 and GFH2 based on the gate signal GF supplied from the control unit 59, drive the switching circuit S35 using the gate signal GFH1, and drive the switching circuit S25 using the gate signal GFH2. The drive unit 56 is configured to generate gate signals GEL1 and GEL2 based on the gate signal GE supplied from the control unit 59, drive the switching circuit S36 using the gate signal GEL1, and drive the switching circuit S26 using the gate signal GEL2. The drive unit 57 is configured to generate gate signals GEH1 and GEH2 based on the gate signal GE supplied from the control unit 59, drive the switching circuit S37 using the gate signal GEH1, and drive the switching circuit S27 using the gate signal GEH2. The driving unit 58 is configured to generate gate signals GFL1 and GFL2 based on the gate signal GF supplied from the control unit 59, drive the switching circuit S38 using the gate signal GFL1, and drive the switching circuit S28 using the gate signal GFL2.

[0137] 20 shows an example configuration of drive units 55 and 58 and switching circuits S35, S25, S38, and S28. The circuit configurations of drive unit 56 and switching circuits S36 and S26 are similar to the circuit configurations of drive unit 58 and switching circuits S38 and S28, respectively. The circuit configurations of drive unit 57 and switching circuits S37 and S27 are similar to the circuit configurations of drive unit 55 and switching circuits S35 and S25, respectively.

[0138] In the driving section 55, the reference power supply terminal of the driving circuit DRV1 and the other end of the capacitor C3 are connected to a node N13, and the reference power supply terminal of the driving circuit DRV2 and the other end of the capacitor C4 are connected to a node N11.

[0139] The switching circuit S35 includes resistors R1 and R2, a Zener diode DZ1, a diode DD1, a resistor R3, and a transistor S11. One end of the resistor R1 is connected to the output terminal T1 of the driver 55, and the other end is connected to the gate of the transistor S11. One end of the resistor R2 is connected to the gate of the transistor S11, and the other end is connected to the terminal TB of the switching circuit S35. The cathode of the Zener diode DZ1 is connected to the terminal TA of the switching circuit S35, and the anode is connected to the anode of the diode DD1. The anode of the diode DD1 is connected to the anode of the Zener diode DZ1, and the cathode is connected to the resistor R3. One end of the resistor R3 is connected to the cathode of the diode DD1, and the other end is connected to the gate of the transistor S11. The transistor S11 is configured using, for example, an N-type field effect transistor. The transistor S11 includes a body diode D11. The gate of the transistor S11 is connected to the resistance elements R1 to R3, the drain is connected to a terminal TA of the switching circuit S35, and the source is connected to a terminal TB of the switching circuit S35.

[0140] The switching circuit S25 has resistor elements R4 and R5 and a transistor S12. One end of the resistor element R4 is connected to the output terminal T2 of the driver 55, and the other end is connected to the gate of the transistor S12. One end of the resistor element R5 is connected to the gate of the transistor S12, and the other end is connected to a terminal TB of the switching circuit S25. The transistor S12 is configured using, for example, an N-type field effect transistor. The transistor S12 has a body diode D12. The gate of the transistor S12 is connected to the resistor elements R4 and R5, the drain is connected to a terminal TA of the switching circuit S25, and the source is connected to a terminal TB of the switching circuit S25.

[0141] The circuit configuration of switching circuit S38 is similar to the circuit configuration of switching circuit S35, and the circuit configuration of switching circuit S28 is similar to the circuit configuration of switching circuit S25.

[0142] For example, a circuit consisting of switching circuit S35 and switching circuit S25 corresponds to switching circuit S15 (FIG. 18). In switching circuit S15, the drain of transistor S11 is connected to the drain of transistor S12, and the source of transistor S11 is connected to the source of transistor S12. On the other hand, in switching circuits S35 and S25 (FIG. 20), the drain of transistor S11 is connected to the drain of transistor S12. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the source of transistor S11 in switching circuit S35 is connected to one end of winding 63C of transformer 63, and the source of transistor S12 in switching circuit S25 is connected to one end of winding 63B of transformer 63.

[0143] Similarly, for example, a circuit consisting of switching circuit S38 and switching circuit S28 corresponds to switching circuit S18 (FIG. 18). In switching circuit S18, the drain of transistor S11 is connected to the drain of transistor S12, and the source of transistor S11 is connected to the source of transistor S12. On the other hand, in switching circuit S38 and switching circuit S28 (FIG. 20), the source of transistor S11 of switching circuit S38 is connected to the source of transistor S12 of switching circuit S28. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the drain of transistor S11 of switching circuit S38 is connected to the other end of winding 63C of transformer 63, and the drain of transistor S12 of switching circuit S28 is connected to the other end of winding 63B of transformer 63.

[0144] Here, for example, a circuit formed of switching circuit S35 and switching circuit S25 corresponds to a specific but not limitative example of "switching circuit" in the present disclosure. For example, drive unit 55 corresponds to a specific but not limitative example of "drive unit" in the present disclosure.

[0145] In this power conversion system, as in the above embodiment, during precharge period P1, the output impedance of output terminal T1 in driver 55 is set to a high impedance state, the output impedance of output terminal T1 in driver 56 is set to a high impedance state, the output impedance of output terminal T1 in driver 57 is set to a high impedance state, and the output impedance of output terminal T1 in driver 58 is set to a high impedance state. This prevents excessive voltage from being applied to transistor S11 in each of switching circuits S35-S38, which includes Zener diode DZ1. Switching circuits S25 and S26 are connected to one end of winding 63B via node N11, and switching circuits S27 and S28 are connected to the other end of winding 63B via node N12. Switching circuits S35 and S36 are connected to one end of winding 63C via node N13, and switching circuits S37 and S38 are connected to the other end of winding 63C via node N14. As a result, the operating conditions of the switching circuits S25 to S28 are substantially the same as the operating conditions of the switching circuits S35 to S38. Therefore, by preventing an excessive voltage from being applied to the transistor S11 in each of the switching circuits S35 to S38, it is possible to prevent an excessive voltage from being applied to the transistor S12 in each of the switching circuits S25 to S28.

[0146] (Circuit example E3) 21 shows an example of the configuration of another power conversion system 3 according to this modification. The power conversion system 3 includes a power conversion device 70. The power conversion device 70 is a so-called forward converter. The power conversion device 70 includes a switching unit 72, a drive unit 81, a transformer 73, a rectifier unit 74, drive units 85 and 86, and a control unit 79.

[0147] The switching unit 72 includes a transistor S7. The transistor S7 is turned on and off based on a gate signal G71. TesuTransistor S7 is a switching element that performs a switching operation. Like transistors S1 to S4 according to the above embodiments, transistor S7 has a body diode D7. The drain of transistor S7 is connected to a winding 73A (described later) of a transformer 73, the gate of which is supplied with a gate signal G71, and the source of transistor S7 is connected to a reference voltage line L12.

[0148] The driving section 81 is configured to generate a gate signal G71 based on the gate signal G7 supplied from the control section 79, and to drive the transistor S7 using this gate signal G71.

[0149] The transformer 73 has windings 73A and 73B. One end of the winding 73A is connected to a voltage line L11, and the other end is connected to the drain of a transistor S7 in the switching unit 72. One end of the winding 73B is connected to a voltage line L21A, and the other end is connected to a switching circuit S45 (described later) in the rectifier unit 74.

[0150] The rectifier 74 has switching circuits S45 and S46. The terminal TA of the switching circuit S45 is connected to the other end of the winding 73B, and the terminal TB is connected to the reference voltage line L22. Gate signals GE1 and GE2 are supplied to the control terminals of the switching circuit S45. The terminal TA of the switching circuit S46 is connected to the voltage line L21A, and the terminal TB is connected to the reference voltage line L22. Gate signals GF1 and GF2 are supplied to the control terminals of the switching circuit S46. The circuit configuration of the switching circuits S45 and S46 is the same as that of the switching circuits according to the above-described embodiments. S5 The circuit configuration is the same as that shown in Figure 2.

[0151] The driving unit 85 is configured to generate gate signals GE1 and GE2 based on the gate signal GE supplied from the control unit 79, and to drive the switching circuit S45 using these gate signals GE1 and GE2. The driving unit 86 is configured to generate gate signals GF1 and GF2 based on the gate signal GF supplied from the control unit 79, and to drive the switching circuit S46 using these gate signals GF1 and GF2. The circuit configuration of the driving units 85 and 86 is similar to the circuit configuration of the driving unit 25 (FIG. 2) according to the above embodiment.

[0152] Similar to the control unit 19 according to the above embodiment, the control unit 79 is configured to control the operation of the power conversion device 70 by controlling the operation of the switching unit 72 and the rectifying unit 74 based on the voltage VH detected by the voltage sensor 11 and the voltage VL detected by the voltage sensor 18. For example, in the precharge period P1, the control unit 79 may generate both gate signals GE and GF, or may generate the gate signal GE while maintaining the gate signal GF at a low level.

[0153] In the power conversion system 3, as in the above embodiment, during the precharge period P1, the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the drive unit 85 is set to a high impedance state, and the output impedance of the output terminal T1 in the drive unit 86 is set to a high impedance state. This makes it possible to prevent excessive voltages from being applied to the transistors S11 and S12 in the switching circuits S45 and S46, respectively.

[0154] In this way, the present technology can be applied to various power conversion devices.

[0155] [Other variations] Two or more of these variations may also be combined.

[0156] Although the present invention has been described above by way of embodiments and modifications, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified in various ways.

[0157] For example, in the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, two transistors S11 and S12 are provided in each of the switching circuits S5 and S6, but this is not limiting and, instead, for example, three or more transistors may be provided. Specifically, for example, two or more circuits each consisting of resistor elements R1 to R3, Zener diode DZ1, diode DD1, and transistor S11 may be provided, or two or more circuits each consisting of resistor elements R4 and R5 and transistor S12 may be provided.

[0158] For example, in the above embodiment, the Zener diode DZ1 is provided, but instead, for example, multiple diodes connected in multiple stages may be provided. Even in this case, when the drain voltage of transistor S11 attempts to exceed a predetermined voltage, the multiple diodes are turned on, the gate voltage of transistor S11 increases, and transistor S11 is turned on transiently. This clamps the drain-source voltage VDSF of transistors S11 and S12, preventing excessive voltage from being applied to transistors S11 and S12.

[0159] For example, in the above embodiment, the voltage step-down operation is performed in the power conversion operation, but this is not limitative, and the voltage step-up operation may also be performed.

[0160] For example, in the above embodiment, the power conversion operation is a unidirectional conversion operation in which power is supplied from the high-voltage battery BH to the low-voltage battery BL, but this is not limited to this. For example, the power conversion operation may be bidirectional by providing a mode in which power is supplied from the high-voltage battery BH to the low-voltage battery BL and a mode in which power is supplied from the low-voltage battery BL to the high-voltage battery BH. Even in this case, the capacitor 9 can be charged based on the power supplied from the low-voltage battery BL during the preparation period before the power conversion operation is performed in the mode in which power is supplied from the high-voltage battery BH to the low-voltage battery BL.

[0161] Furthermore, for example, the circuit configurations of the switching units, the circuit configurations of the rectifier units, the operating waveforms of the gate signals, etc. in the above embodiments are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate.

Claims

1. a first power terminal; a switching unit connected to the first power terminal and having one or more switching elements; a transformer having a first winding and a second winding connected to the switching unit; a rectifier unit connected to the second winding and having a switching circuit including a first switching element operable based on a first control signal and a second switching element operable based on a second control signal; a smoothing unit connected to the rectifying unit and having an inductor; a second power terminal connected to the smoothing section; a control unit capable of controlling operations of the switching unit and the rectification unit; a drive unit capable of driving the switching circuit based on an instruction from the control unit; Equipped with each of the first switching element and the second switching element has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal; the switching circuit further includes a first element that is provided on a first path connecting the first terminal of the first switching element and the control terminal of the first switching element and that is capable of clamping a voltage; the drive unit has a first output terminal and a second output terminal, and is capable of outputting the first control signal from the first output terminal and the second control signal from the second output terminal based on a signal supplied from the control unit, The control unit controls operations of the switching unit and the rectifying unit so as to supply power from the second power terminal to the first power terminal during a predetermined period different from a period during which power is supplied from the first power terminal to the second power terminal, and is capable of setting an output impedance of the first output terminal of the drive unit to a high impedance state. Power conversion device.

2. The switching circuit further includes a second element provided in the first path and capable of blocking current in the first path in a direction from the control terminal to the first terminal. The power conversion device according to claim 1 .

3. the first terminal of the first switching element and the first terminal of the second switching element are connected to each other; The second terminal of the first switching element and the second terminal of the second switching element are connected to each other. The power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the second winding includes two windings; the first terminal of the first switching element and the first terminal of the second switching element are connected to each other; the second terminal of the first switching element is connected to one of the two windings; The second terminal of the second switching element is connected to the other of the two windings. The power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the second winding includes two windings; the first terminal of the first switching element is connected to one of the two windings; the first terminal of the second switching element is connected to the other of the two windings; The second terminal of the first switching element and the second terminal of the second switching element are connected to each other. The power conversion device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The drive unit is a drive circuit capable of outputting the first control signal from the first output terminal; a switch capable of turning on and off the power supply to the drive circuit; and The control unit can set the output impedance of the first output terminal of the drive unit to a high impedance state by turning off the switch. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The drive unit is a drive circuit capable of outputting the second control signal from the second output terminal; a switch provided in a path connecting the output terminal of the drive circuit and the first output terminal; and The control unit can set the output impedance of the first output terminal of the drive unit to a high impedance state by turning off the switch. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. the drive unit has a drive circuit capable of outputting the first control signal from the first output terminal, The drive circuit a first drive switching element provided on a path connecting a first power supply node and an output terminal of the drive circuit; a second drive switching element provided on a path connecting a second power supply node and the output terminal of the drive circuit; and The control unit can set the output impedance of the first output terminal of the drive unit to a high impedance state by controlling both the first drive switching element and the second drive switching element to an off state. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. the switching circuit further includes a third element that is provided on a second path connecting the first terminal of the second switching element and the control terminal of the second switching element and that is capable of clamping a voltage; the control unit is capable of setting output impedances of the first output terminal and the second output terminal of the drive unit to a high impedance state during the predetermined period; The drive unit is During a first period, a pulse signal is output as the first control signal, and an output impedance of the second output terminal of the driving unit can be set to a high impedance state; During a second period, a pulse signal is output as the second control signal, and the output impedance of the first output terminal of the driving section can be set to a high impedance state. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

10. The switching circuit further includes a resistive element provided in the first path. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The switching circuit further includes a first capacitor having one end connected to the first terminal of the first switching element and the other end connected to the control terminal of the first switching element. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The first element is a Zener diode. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The second element is a diode having an anode connected to the first terminal and a cathode connected to the control terminal. The power conversion device according to claim 2 .

14. A second capacitor is connected to the first power terminal. The power conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. a first battery having a first terminal and a second terminal; a second capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal; a first switch provided in a path connecting the first terminal of the first battery and the first terminal of the second capacitor; a second switch provided in a path connecting the second terminal of the first battery and the second terminal of the second capacitor; a power conversion device; a second battery; Equipped with The power conversion device is a first power terminal having a first connection terminal connected to the first terminal of the second capacitor and a second connection terminal connected to the second terminal of the second capacitor; a switching unit connected to the first power terminal and having one or more switching elements; a transformer having a first winding and a second winding connected to the switching unit; a rectifier unit connected to the second winding and having a switching circuit including a first switching element operable based on a first control signal and a second switching element operable based on a second control signal; a smoothing unit connected to the rectifying unit and having an inductor; a second power terminal connected to the smoothing section and to the second battery; a control unit capable of controlling operations of the switching unit and the rectification unit; a drive unit capable of driving the switching circuit based on an instruction from the control unit; and each of the first switching element and the second switching element has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal; the switching circuit further includes a first element that is provided on a first path connecting the first terminal of the first switching element and the control terminal of the first switching element and that is capable of clamping a voltage; the drive unit has a first output terminal and a second output terminal, and is capable of outputting the first control signal from the first output terminal and the second control signal from the second output terminal based on a signal supplied from the control unit, The control unit controls operations of the switching unit and the rectifying unit so as to supply power from the second power terminal to the first power terminal during a predetermined period different from a period during which power is supplied from the first power terminal to the second power terminal, and is capable of setting an output impedance of the first output terminal of the drive unit to a high impedance state. Power conversion systems.

Images