Current Compensation Module for Charging Apparatus Overshoot Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional charging apparatuses experience output overshoot currents during the start-up phase, which can damage the system and are complex to control, requiring bulky hardware and complex control processes, making them costly and difficult to develop.

Innovation Solution

A current compensation module with a transition unit, proportional controlling unit, and integral controlling unit is used to clamp and control the output current, switching between clamping, proportional, and proportional-integral control modes to suppress overshoot currents during the start-up phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional voltage compensative loop and current compensative loop are used to control constant output voltage or current, then the charging apparatus can fulfill the charging strategy for rechargeable batteries, but output overshoot currents occur during start-up phase which can damage the charging apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging apparatus safetyVSAvoidoutput overshoot current
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a transition unit that pre-clamps the output terminal voltage before the main control loop activates. This clamping action occurs in advance during the start-up phase, preventing the overshoot current from occurring in the first place, rather than correcting it after it happens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transition unit provides preliminary anti-action by opposing the tendency toward overshoot current through clamping control. The unit actively counteracts the voltage surge that would otherwise occur during start-up, preventing the harmful effect before it can propagate through the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If complex control processes and bulky hardware are used to suppress overshoot currents, then the charging apparatus can be protected from damage, but the device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging apparatus protectionVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into distinct functional units: a transition unit for start-up clamping control, and a main control unit for normal operation. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function, simplifying the overall design while maintaining protection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping control function is extracted as a separate transition unit that operates independently during the start-up phase. This extraction allows the main control loop to remain simple while the transition unit handles the overshoot prevention, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the error amplifier operates in feedback condition with clamped inverting terminal voltage, then the output current can be controlled, but the output terminal voltage cannot be rapidly clamped to the anticipative voltage causing delay time and overshoot current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput current controlVSAvoidvoltage clamping speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The transition unit performs preliminary clamping action on the output terminal voltage before the error amplifier's feedback loop becomes active. This pre-action ensures the voltage is already at the anticipative level when the main control loop engages, eliminating the delay and preventing overshoot.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2738910B1Current compensation module, charging apparatus, and charging apparatus controlling method
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 LITE ON TECH CORP
  • EP2738910B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2738910B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2738910B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A current compensation module, a charging apparatus, and a charging apparatus controlling method are disclosed. The current compensation module is used for controlling an outputted charging current in order to charge a battery module. The current compensation module includes a transition unit, a proportional controlling unit, and an integral controlling unit. The transition unit allows an internal signal of the current compensation module increasing from a first voltage. When the internal signal attains to a second voltage, the proportional controlling unit will output a proportional controlling signal to adjust the charging current. When the charging current attains to a rated output current, the integral controlling unit incorporates with the proportional controlling unit to output a proportional-integral controlling signal in order to control and adjust the charging current for the battery module, and to suppress the output overshoot current of the charging apparatus.