Voltage to Current Converter Single Inductor Multiplexed Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power conversion technologies require multiple current sense elements and wiring for load current regulation, leading to inefficiencies, increased cost, size, and weight, particularly when driving loads with varying voltage requirements, as they often necessitate continuous load current sensing and separate converters for each load.
Innovation Solution
A voltage to current converter using a single inductor that regulates switching inductor current to provide multiple current sources at differing voltage levels without the need for current sense elements or wiring for feedback, employing pulse width modulation to control duty cycles and ensure precise current regulation across loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple current sense elements and separate converters are used for each load, then precise current regulation is achieved, but device complexity, cost, and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate current converters into a single integrated converter that can drive multiple loads simultaneously. The converter uses one current sense element and one control loop to regulate current to multiple loads with different voltage requirements, eliminating the need for separate converters for each load while maintaining precise current regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal current converter that can serve multiple loads with different voltage requirements through a single device. The converter uses pulse width modulation to adapt its output to different load requirements, making one converter perform the function of multiple specialized converters.
2Measurement precision
If continuous load current sensing is implemented, then accurate current regulation is maintained, but power losses and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of the load current instead of continuous sensing. The current sense element periodically measures the current at critical points in the switching cycle, and the controller uses these sampled values to regulate current to the load. This periodic action maintains accurate current regulation while significantly reducing power losses in the sensing components compared to continuous sensing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If voltage to voltage converters are used with separate current control loops, then multiple loads are driven, but the number of wires and current sense feedback increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple current control loops into a single control loop that regulates current to multiple loads simultaneously. The controller uses one current sense element to monitor the total current and adjusts the switching duty cycle to maintain precise current regulation across all loads, eliminating the need for separate feedback wires for each load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal current regulator that can control multiple loads through a single control channel. The converter uses pulse width modulation to distribute current appropriately to multiple loads with different voltage requirements, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining adaptability to various load configurations.
4Device complexity
If fixed voltage sources are used to drive loads with varying voltage requirements, then simple converter design is achieved, but power dissipation in pass elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic voltage output that automatically adjusts to match the requirements of the connected load. The controller monitors the load voltage and current, and dynamically adjusts the switching duty cycle to provide the exact voltage and current needed by the load, minimizing power dissipation in the pass element while maintaining simple converter architecture.
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
This solution reduces component count, weight, and cost while enhancing efficiency by eliminating the need for continuous load current sensing and minimizing power losses, allowing for precise current regulation across multiple loads with varying voltage requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A voltage to current converter provides current from a single switching inductor to a plurality of loads
Implementation Method 2
The duty cycle control terms are converted to pulse width modulated control signals by a pulse width modulator
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage to current converter that can provide multiple current sources at differing voltage levels using a single inductor, without the need to provide a current sense element, pass element, and wiring to provide feedback for load current regulation. A switching inductor current is regulated such that the average current supplied by the inductor is equal to a user determined set point or points for a set of multiplexed loads. The inductor current levels are sampled and stored, and the average current level for each load is determined based on the sampled current levels. The average current levels are compared to a current level set point or set point signals to determine an error signal for each load current. The error signal for each current is amplified and filtered to provide duty cycle control terms. The duty cycle control terms are converted to pulse width modulated control signals by a pulse width modulator. The pulse width modulated control signals control the duration of switch states to energize and discharge the inductor to provide regulated average current levels to the multiple load channels.