Bidirectional Current Sensing for Seamless Charger Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size of charger circuit chips due to the need for multiple current sensors in three-level converters to manage seamless mode transitions during wired and wireless charging, leading to potential over-current and zero-current issues.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional current sensor system integrated with a charger IC, featuring a bidirectional switching converter with four switching elements, bidirectional current sensors, and a sensing circuit to detect over-current and zero-current, reducing chip size and ensuring seamless mode transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple current sensors are used to detect over-current and zero-current in three-level converters, then the reliability of mode transition is improved, but the device complexity and chip size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a bidirectional current sensor that can detect both over-current and zero-current conditions using a single sensor device. The sensor includes a sensing circuit with transistors and resistors that generate detection signals for both current conditions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each function and thereby reducing chip size while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple current detection functions (over-current detection and zero-current detection) into a single integrated bidirectional current sensor module. The sensing circuit integrates multiple transistors, resistors, and signal generation paths within one unified structure, merging what would traditionally require separate sensor components into a single compact unit
2Reliability
If multiple current sensors are used to detect over-current and zero-current in three-level converters, then the protection capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bidirectional current sensor provides both over-current protection and zero-current detection capabilities within a single integrated circuit device. By making the sensor universal in function, the patent reduces the total component count and assembly complexity, leading to lower manufacturing costs despite enhanced protection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple protection and detection functions into a single manufactured component. The integrated bidirectional current sensor is fabricated as one unified device containing all necessary transistors, resistors, and signal paths, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to assembling multiple separate sensors and reducing overall production costs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables seamless mode transitions in charger circuits, protecting the device and reducing chip size while effectively managing over-current and zero-current conditions.
Implementation Method 1
generate a first sensing voltage and a second sensing voltage corresponding to a first switching current flowing through the first switching element that is turned on, based on resistances set in response to turning on of the first switching element, bias currents generated internally, and a resistance of the first switching element that is turned on
Data Source
AI summary
A bidirectional current sensor, a charger integrated circuit, and an electronic device are provided. The charger integrated circuit includes a bidirectional switching converter including a first switching element to a fourth switching element, a first bidirectional current sensor connected to an end and another end of the first switching element and configured to output a first detection signal and a second detection signal indicating results of detecting an over-current and a zero-current with respect to a first switching current of the first switching element that is turned on, and a second bidirectional current sensor connected to an end and another end of the fourth switching element and configured to output a third detection signal and a fourth detection signal indicating results of detecting an over-current and zero-current with respect to a second switching current of the fourth switching element that is turned on.