Power Converter Load Current Control via Idle Period Determination

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power conversion systems face challenges in efficiently determining and managing power consumption in electronic devices with limited power sources, as they often require costly and power-consuming sensing components to measure power consumption, especially when power rates vary over time.

Innovation Solution

A power conversion system with a maximum load current controller that operates in discontinuous conduction mode, limiting load current by determining an idle period in the active cycle of power switches, allowing for power transfer estimation without a dedicated sensing element, thereby reducing power consumption and estimating remaining power in limited sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensing components are used to measure power consumption, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption measurementVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power converter itself provides the measurement functionality by utilizing its existing control circuitry to monitor and calculate power parameters. The controller determines power consumption by measuring voltage and current through existing sensing elements already present in the power converter circuit, eliminating the need for additional dedicated sensing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The existing control circuitry of the power converter is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both power conversion control and power consumption measurement. The same controller that manages the power converter operation also calculates power parameters by processing voltage and current measurements from existing circuit elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If sensing components are used to measure power consumption, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption measurementVSAvoidsensing component complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power converter itself provides the measurement functionality by utilizing its existing control circuitry to monitor and calculate power parameters. The controller determines power consumption by measuring voltage and current through existing sensing elements already present in the power converter circuit, eliminating the need for additional dedicated sensing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The existing control circuitry of the power converter is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both power conversion control and power consumption measurement. The same controller that manages the power converter operation also calculates power parameters by processing voltage and current measurements from existing circuit elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If power conversion system operates with varying power rates, then adaptability is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower rate variation handlingVSAvoidpower consumption measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors voltage and current parameters and uses feedback control to calculate instantaneous power consumption. The controller adjusts its measurements and calculations based on real-time operating conditions, enabling accurate power measurement across varying power rates and operating modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The power measurement system is designed to dynamically adapt to changing operating conditions by continuously updating voltage and current measurements. The controller adjusts measurement parameters and calculation methods in real-time to accurately capture power consumption regardless of how rapidly the power rate varies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10126792B2Power converter load current control

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A power conversion system includes a maximum load current controller that is operable to limit a load current. For example, in a power conversion system operating in a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), the maximum load current controller limits the load current by determining an idle period in an active cycle for power switches of the maximum load current controller. The maximum load current controller is optionally operable to approximate values for the time idle period that are substantially equal to theoretically calculated values.