SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CURRENT CONTROL OF POWER CONVERSION SYSTEMS

• US 20140029315A1
• Filed: 08/10/2012
• Published: 01/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Orthosie Investment Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Orthosie Investment Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: ZHANG, Yunchao, FANG, Lieyi
• Granted Patent: US 9,088,218 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 363/21.13
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0009 Devices or circuits for detecting current in a converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/08 Circuits specially adapted for the generation of control voltages for semiconductor devices incorporated in static converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/156 with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33507 with automatic control of the output voltage or current, e.g. flyback converters H02M3/33561, H02M3/33569 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33515 with digital control
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/382 with galvanic isolation between input and output
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

System and method for regulating an output current of a power conversion system. An example system controller for regulating an output current of a power conversion system includes a driving component, a demagnetization detector, a current-regulation component, and a signal processing component. The driving component is configured to output a drive signal to a switch in order to affect a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversion system. The demagnetization detector is configured to receive a feedback signal associated with an output voltage of the power conversion system and generate a detection signal based on at least information associated with the feedback signal. The current-regulation component is configured to receive the drive signal, the detection signal and a current-sensing signal and output a current-regulation signal based on at least information associated with the drive signal, the detection signal, and the current sensing signal.

Claims

1. A system controller for regulating an output current of a power conversion system, the system controller comprising:

a driving component configured to output a drive signal to a switch in order to affect a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversion system, the drive signal being associated with at least a switching period, the switching period including an on-time period and a demagnetization period;

a demagnetization detector configured to receive a feedback signal associated with an output voltage of the power conversion system and generate a detection signal based on at least information associated with the feedback signal, the detection signal indicating the demagnetization period;

a current-regulation component configured to receive the drive signal, the detection signal and a current-sensing signal and output a current-regulation signal based on at least information associated with the drive signal, the detection signal, and the current sensing signal, the current-sensing signal representing the primary current in magnitude; and

a signal processing component configured to receive the current-regulation signal and output a processed signal to the driving component in order to generate the drive signal.

2. The system controller of claim 1 wherein the detection signal represents whether the demagnetization period has started and whether the demagnetization period has ended.

3. The system controller of claim 1 wherein the demagnetization detector is further configured to:

if the power conversion system operates in the demagnetization period, generate the detection signal at a first logic level; and

if the power conversion system does not operate in the demagnetization period, generate the detection signal at a second logic level, the first logic level being different from the second logic level.

4. The system controller of claim 1 wherein the driving component includes:

a flip-flop component configured to receive the processed signal and a first signal and output a second signal based on at least information associated with the processed signal and the first signal; and

a driver configured to receive the second signal and output the drive signal based on at least information associated with the second signal.

5. The system controller of claim 4 wherein the driver includes an AND gate configured to receive the second signal and the first signal.

6. The system controller of claim 4 wherein the signal processing component includes:

an amplifier configured to receive the current-regulation signal and a reference signal and generate, with at least a capacitor, an amplified signal based on at least information associated with the current-regulation signal and the reference signal; and

a comparator configured to receive the amplified signal and generate the processed signal based on at least information associated with the amplified signal.

7. The system controller of claim 6 wherein the signal processing component further includes:

a signal generator configured to output the first signal to the flip-flop component and output a ramp signal to the comparator, the first signal being associated with a clock frequency corresponding to a clock period, the ramp signal being associated with a ramping frequency corresponding to a ramping period.

8. The system controller of claim 7 wherein:

the ramping frequency is equal to the clock frequency; and

the ramping period is equal to the clock period in duration.

9. The system controller of claim 6 wherein the signal processing component further includes:

a quasi-resonance detector configured to receive the feedback signal and output the first signal to the flip-flop component; and

a signal generator configured to receive the first signal and output a ramp signal to the comparator, the ramp signal being associated with at least a ramping period.

10. The system controller of claim 9 wherein the quasi-resonance detector is further configured to, if the feedback signal indicates the demagnetization period has ended, change the first signal from a first logic level to a second logic level.

11. The system controller of claim 10 wherein the signal generator is further configured to, if the first signal changes from the first logic level to the second logic level, increase the ramp signal in magnitude.

12. The system controller of claim 9 wherein the signal generator is further configured to decrease the ramp signal in magnitude at the end of the ramping period.

13. The system controller of claim 9 wherein the ramping period varies in duration over time.

14. The system controller of claim 1 wherein the demagnetization detector includes:

a differentiation component configured to receive the feedback signal and output a first signal based on at least information associated with the feedback signal;

a comparator configured to receive at least the first signal and generate a comparison signal; and

a detection component configured to receive the comparison signal and the drive signal and output the detection signal based on at least information associated with the comparison signal and the drive signal.

15. The system controller of claim 14 wherein the differentiation component includes:

a capacitor including a first capacitor terminal and a second capacitor terminal;

a first resistor including a first resistor terminal and a second resistor terminal; and

a second resistor including a third resistor terminal and a fourth resistor terminal;

wherein;

the first resistor terminal is biased to a first voltage;

the second resistor terminal is connected to the third resistor terminal;

the second capacitor terminal is connected to the second resistor terminal; and

the fourth resistor terminal is biased to a second voltage;

wherein;

the first capacitor terminal is configured to receive the feedback signal; and

the second resistor terminal is configured to output the first signal.

16. The system controller of claim 1 wherein the current-regulation component includes:

a sample-and-hold component configured to receive the drive signal, sample the current sensing signal at a middle point of the on-time period, and hold the sampled current sensing signal; and

a signal-selection component configured to receive the detection signal and output the current-regulation signal;

wherein the signal-selection component is further configured to,

if the detection signal indicates that the power conversion system operates in the demagnetization period, output the held sampled current sensing signal; and

if the detection signal indicates that the power conversion system does not operate in the demagnetization period, output a ground voltage signal.

17. The system controller of claim 16 wherein the sample-and-hold component includes:

a timing component configured to receive the drive signal and output a sampling signal;

a switch configured to be open or closed in response to the sampling signal; and

a capacitor coupled to the switch;

wherein;

the timing component is further configured to output the sampling signal at a logic high level during a first half of the on-time period and output the sampling signal at a logic low level during a second half of the on-time period;

the switch is further configured to be open if the sampling signal is at the logic low level and be closed if the sampling signal is at the logic high level; and

the capacitor is configured to receive the current sensing signal through the switch if the switch is open.

18. The system controller of claim 16 wherein the signal-selection component includes:

a first switch coupled to the sample-and-hold component and configured to be closed if the detection signal indicates the power conversion system operates in the demagnetization period and be open if the detection signal indicates the power conversion system does not operate in the demagnetization period; and

a second switch configured to be open if the detection signal indicates the power conversion system operates in the demagnetization period and be closed if the detection signal indicates the power conversion system does not operate in the demagnetization period;

wherein the second switch is further configured to receive the ground voltage signal.

19. A system controller for regulating an output current of a power conversion system, the system controller comprising:

a driving component configured to output a drive signal to a switch in order to affect a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversion system, the drive signal being associated with at least a switching period, the switching period including an on-time period and a demagnetization period;

a current-regulation controller configured to receive the drive signal, a detection signal and a current-sensing signal and output a first signal based on at least information associated with the drive signal, the detection signal, and the current sensing signal, the detection signal indicating the demagnetization period, the current-sensing signal representing the primary current in magnitude;

an amplifier configured to receive the first signal and a reference signal and generate, with at least a capacitor, an amplified signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the reference signal; and

a comparator configured to receive the amplified signal and a ramp signal and generate a comparison signal based on at least information associated with the amplified signal and the ramp signal, the ramp signal being associated with at least a ramping period;

wherein the driving component is further configured to;

receive the comparison signal and a second signal associated with at least a signal period;

process information associated with the comparison signal and the second signal; and

generate the drive signal based on at least information associated with the comparison signal and the second signal.

20. The system controller of claim 19 wherein:

the second signal includes a pulse within the signal period; and

the ramp signal increases in magnitude during at least a part of the ramping period.

21. The system controller of claim 19 wherein:

the ramping period includes a first period and a second period;

during the first period, the ramp signal increases from a first magnitude to a second magnitude;

during the second period, the ramp signal decreases from the second magnitude to the first magnitude.

22. The system controller of claim 19 wherein:

the ramp signal is associated with a ramping frequency corresponding to the ramping period;

the second signal is associated with a signal frequency corresponding to the signal period;

the ramping frequency is equal to the signal frequency; and

the ramping period is equal to the signal period.

23. The system controller of claim 19 wherein the second signal changes from a first logic level to a second logic level if the demagnetization period has ended.

24. The system controller of claim 23 wherein, if the second signal changes from the first logic level to the second logic level, the ramp signal increases in magnitude.

25. The system controller of claim 24 wherein the ramp signal decreases in magnitude at the end of the ramping period.

26. The system controller of claim 19 wherein the ramping period varies in duration over time.

27. The system controller of claim 19 wherein the driving component includes:

a flip-flop component configured to receive the comparison signal and the second signal and output a third signal based on at least information associated with the comparison signal and the second signal; and

a driver configured to receive the third signal and output the drive signal based on at least information associated with the third signal.

28. The system controller of claim 27, and further comprising:

a signal generator configured to output the second signal to the flip-flop component and output the ramp signal to the comparator, the second signal being associated with a signal frequency corresponding to the signal period, the ramp signal being associated with a ramping frequency corresponding to a ramping period.

29. The system controller of claim 28 wherein:

the ramping frequency is equal to the signal frequency; and

the ramping period is equal to the signal period in duration.

30. The system controller of claim 27, and further comprising:

a quasi-resonance detector configured to receive the feedback signal and output the second signal to the flip-flop component, the second signal indicating whether the power conversion system operates in a quasi-resonant mode; and

a signal generator configured to receive the second signal and output the ramp signal to the comparator.

31. The system controller of claim 19 wherein the detection signal represents whether the demagnetization period has started and whether the demagnetization period has ended.

32. The system controller of claim 19 wherein the amplifier includes a transconductance amplifier.

33. The system controller of claim 19 wherein the current-regulation controller includes:

a sample-and-hold component configured to receive the drive signal, sample the current sensing signal at a middle point of the on-time period, and hold the sampled current sensing signal; and

a signal-selection component configured to receive the detection signal and output the first signal;

wherein the signal-selection component is further configured to,

if the detection signal indicates that the power conversion system operates in the demagnetization period, output the held sampled current sensing signal; and

if the detection signal indicates that the power conversion system does not operate in the demagnetization period, output a ground voltage signal.

34. The system controller of claim 33 wherein the sample-and-hold component includes:

a timing component configured to receive the drive signal and output a sampling signal;

a switch configured to be open or closed in response to the sampling signal; and

a capacitor coupled to the switch;

wherein;

the timing component is further configured to output the sampling signal at a logic high level during a first half of the on-time period and output the sampling signal at a logic low level during a second half of the on-time period;

the switch is further configured to be open if the sampling signal is at the logic low level and be closed if the sampling signal is at the logic high level; and

the capacitor is configured to receive the current sensing signal through the switch if the switch is open.

35. The system controller of claim 33 wherein the signal-selection component includes:

a first switch coupled to the sample-and-hold component and configured to be closed if the detection signal indicates the power conversion system operates in the demagnetization period and be open if the detection signal indicates the power conversion system does not operate in the demagnetization period; and

a second switch configured to be open if the detection signal indicates the power conversion system operates in the demagnetization period and be closed if the detection signal indicates the power conversion system does not operate in the demagnetization period;

wherein the second switch is further configured to receive the ground voltage signal.

36. A system controller for detecting a demagnetization period associated with a power conversion system, the system controller comprising:

a differentiation component configured to receive a feedback signal associated with an output signal of the power conversion system and output a processed signal based on at least information associated with the feedback signal;

a comparator configured to receive at least the processed signal and generate a comparison signal based on at least information associated with the processed signal; and

a detection component configured to receive at least the comparison signal and output a detection signal based on at least information associated with the comparison signal;

wherein the differentiation component includes;

a capacitor including a first capacitor terminal and a second capacitor terminal, the first capacitor terminal being configured to receive the feedback signal;

a resistor including a first resistor terminal and a second resistor terminal, the first resistor terminal being configured to output the processed signal, the second resistor terminal being biased to a predetermined voltage; and

a current source including a first component terminal and a second component terminal, the first component terminal being coupled to the second capacitor terminal and the first resistor terminal.

37. The system controller of claim 36 wherein the detection component includes:

a first flip-flop component configured to receive at least the comparison signal and output a first signal based on at least information associated with the comparison signal;

a second flip-flop component configured to receive at least the comparison signal and output a second signal based on at least information associated with the comparison signal; and

a logic component configured to receive the first signal and the second signal and output the detection signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the second signal.

38. The system controller of claim 36, and further comprising a driving component configured to output a drive signal to a switch in order to affect a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversion system, the drive signal being associated with a switching frequency corresponding to a switching period, the switching period including an on-time period and a demagnetization period;

wherein the driving component is further configured to output the drive signal to the detection component.

39. A method for regulating an output current of a power conversion system, the method comprising:

outputting a drive signal to a switch in order to affect a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversion system, the drive signal being associated with at least a switching period, the switching period including an on-time period and a demagnetization period;

receiving a feedback signal associated with an output voltage of the power conversion system;

processing information associated with the feedback signal;

generating a detection signal based on at least information associated with the feedback signal, the detection signal indicating the demagnetization period;

receiving the drive signal, the detection signal and a current-sensing signal, the current-sensing signal representing the primary current in magnitude;

processing information associated with the drive signal, the detection signal and the current-sensing signal;

outputting a current-regulation signal based on at least information associated with the drive signal, the detection signal, and the current sensing signal;

receiving the current-regulation signal;

processing information associated with the current-regulation signal; and

outputting a processed signal to the driving component in order to generate the drive signal.

40. A method for regulating an output current of a power conversion system, the method comprising:

outputting a drive signal to a switch in order to affect a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversion system, the drive signal being associated with at least a switching period, the switching period including an on-time period and a demagnetization period;

receiving the drive signal, a detection signal and a current-sensing signal, the detection signal indicating the demagnetization period, the current-sensing signal representing the primary current in magnitude;

processing information associated with the drive signal, the detection signal and the current-sensing signal;

outputting a first signal based on at least information associated with the drive signal, the detection signal, and the current sensing signal;

receiving the first signal and a reference signal;

processing information associated with the first signal and the reference signal;

generating, with at least a capacitor, an amplified signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the reference signal;

receiving the amplified signal and a ramp signal, the ramp signal being associated with at least a ramping period;

processing information associated with the amplified signal and the ramp signal;

generating a comparison signal based on at least information associated with the amplified signal and the ramp signal;

receiving the comparison signal and a second signal associated with at least a signal period;

processing information associated with the comparison signal and the second signal; and

generating the drive signal based on at least information associated with the comparison signal and the second signal.

41. A method for detecting a demagnetization period associated with a power conversion system, the method comprising:

receiving, by at least a capacitor, a feedback signal associated with an output signal of the power conversion system, the capacitor including a first capacitor terminal and a second capacitor terminal, the first capacitor terminal receiving the feedback signal, the second capacitor terminal being coupled to a first component terminal of a current source, the current source further including a second component terminal;

providing a current, by the current source, to at least a resistor including a first resistor terminal and a second resistor terminal, the first resistor terminal being coupled to the first component terminal, the second resistor terminal being biased to a predetermined voltage;

processing information associated with the feedback signal and the current;

outputting, by at least the first resistor terminal, a processed signal based on at least information associated with the feedback signal and the current;

receiving at least the processed signal and a reference signal;

processing information associated with the processed signal and the reference signal;

generating a comparison signal based on at least information associated with the processed signal and the reference signal;

receiving at least the comparison signal; and

generating a detection signal based on at least information associated with the comparison signal.