Constant-Time Buck-Boost Power Circuit for Seamless Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems experience interruptions in power supply during transitions from charging to discharging modes, as the battery starts to discharge while still being charged, leading to potential power failures.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with a control circuit that manages switches Q1 and Q2 to operate in buck or boost modes, with a constant ON/OFF time for each switch, ensuring continuous power supply by selecting minimum feedback control signals and generating control signals based on current sensing, allowing seamless mode transitions without interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the battery starts to discharge during mode transition from charging to discharging, then the power management circuit can support bi-directional operation, but the power supplied to the system load will be interrupted causing power failure
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit initiates the discharging operation before completely disconnecting the charging pathway. By提前 activating the discharging current through the inductor and switching circuitry, the system ensures that power delivery to the load begins before charging stops, preventing any interruption in power supply during mode transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous power delivery to the system load by overlapping the charging and discharging operations during mode transition. The bi-directional switching circuit is designed to keep at least one current pathway active throughout the transition, ensuring uninterrupted power flow from either the power source or battery to the load.
2Power
If the system load increases requiring both power source and battery to supply power, then the power requirement can be met, but a bi-directional operating circuit is required which complicates the circuit design
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor and switching circuitry are designed to serve multiple functions: they operate as part of a buck converter during charging mode, as part of a boost converter during discharging mode, and facilitate seamless transition between modes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for charging and discharging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit dynamically reconfigures the switching elements and inductor connections based on operational mode requirements. By using controllable switches that can change their state and connectivity, the circuit adapts its configuration to meet different power delivery needs without requiring physically separate fixed circuits for each mode.
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 ensures uninterrupted power supply to the system load by maintaining continuous operation through buck or boost modes, preventing power failures during mode transitions and optimizing battery charging and discharging processes.
Implementation Method 1
an inductor L1, a first switch Q1 and a second switch Q2, is coupled between the power source VS and the battery BATT. The inductor L1, the first switch Q1 and the second switch Q2 construct a buck circuit and the bi-directional switching circuit 20 operates in a buck mode. When the battery BATT discharges to supply the system load RL, the inductor L1, the first switch Q1 and the second switch Q2 construct a boost circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit for a power management circuit is provided. The integrated circuit has a power input pin, a system output pin for providing an output voltage, a switching node pin coupled to a battery through an inductor, a ground pin, a first switch coupled between the system output pin and the switching node pin, a second switch coupled between the switching node pin and the ground pin, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls the first switch and second switch to operate in a buck mode or a boost mode. The first switch is turned OFF for a constant time, and the second switch is turned ON for the constant time.