SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VOLTAGE CONTROL AND CURRENT CONTROL OF POWER CONVERSION SYSTEMS WITH MULTIPLE OPERATION MODES

• US 20140078790A1
• Filed: 10/05/2012
• Published: 03/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2012
• 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: Lin, Yuan, Huang, Xiaomin, Luo, Qiang, Fang, Lieyi
• Granted Patent: US 9,871,451 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 363/21.16
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0009 Devices or circuits for detecting current in a converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0032 Control circuits allowing low power mode operation, e.g. in standby mode
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/335 using semiconductor devices only
• 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: Y02B 70/10 Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes

Abstract

System and method for regulating a power conversion system. A system controller for regulating a power conversion system includes an operation-mode-selection component and a driving component. The operation-mode-selection component is configured to receive a first signal related to an output load of the power conversion system and a second signal related to an input signal received by the power conversion system and output a mode-selection signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the second signal. The driving component is configured to receive the mode-selection signal and generate a drive signal based on at least information associated with the mode-selection signal, the driving signal corresponding to a switching frequency.

Claims

1. A system controller for regulating a power conversion system, the system controller comprising:

an operation-mode-selection component configured to receive a first signal related to an output load of the power conversion system and a second signal related to an input signal received by the power conversion system and output a mode-selection signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the second signal; and

a driving component configured to receive the mode-selection signal and generate a drive signal based on at least information associated with the mode-selection signal, the driving signal corresponding to a switching frequency;

wherein the operation-mode-selection component is further configured to;

if the output load is determined to be larger than a first load threshold in magnitude and the input signal is determined to be larger than an input threshold, generate the mode-selection signal corresponding to a quasi-resonant mode if the switching frequency is determined to be smaller than a first frequency threshold and larger than a second frequency threshold; and

if the output load is determined to be larger than the first load threshold in magnitude and the input signal is determined to be smaller than the input threshold, generate the mode-selection signal corresponding to a continuous conduction mode if the switching frequency is determined to be equal to the second frequency threshold.

2. The system controller of claim 1 wherein the operation-mode-selection component is further configured to receive the first signal from a terminal during a first time period and receive the second signal from the terminal during a second time period.

3. The system controller of claim 2 wherein the first time period and the second time period are different.

4. The system controller of claim 2 wherein:

the first signal is a voltage signal; and

the second signal is a current signal.

5. The system controller of claim 2, and further comprising:

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

a signal detector configured to generate the second signal based on at least information associated with the input signal.

6. The system controller of claim 5 wherein the signal processing component includes:

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

an error amplifier configured to receive the sampled signal and output an error signal related to the first signal based on at least information associated with the sampled signal.

7. The system controller of claim 1 wherein the operation-mode-selection component is further configured to, if the output load is determined to be smaller than the first load threshold and larger than a second load threshold in magnitude, generate the mode-selection signal corresponding to the quasi-resonant mode if the switching frequency is determined to be smaller than the first frequency threshold and larger than the second frequency threshold.

8. The system controller of claim 7 wherein the operation-mode-selection component is further configured to, if the output load is determined to be smaller than the first load threshold and larger than the second load threshold in magnitude, generate the mode-selection signal corresponding to a discontinuous conduction mode if the switching frequency is determined to be equal to the first frequency threshold.

9. The system controller of claim 7 wherein the operation-mode-selection component is further configured to, if the output load is determined to be smaller than the second load threshold in magnitude, generate the mode-selection signal corresponding to a discontinuous conduction mode.

10. The system controller of claim 9 wherein the discontinuous conduction mode is one selected from a group consisting of a valley skipping mode, a frequency modulation mode, and a pulse-width-modulation mode.

11. The system controller of claim 10 wherein the operation-mode-selection controller includes a discontinuous-conduction-mode selector configured to receive the first signal and, if the output load is determined to be smaller than the second load threshold in magnitude, generate the mode selection signal corresponding to the discontinuous conduction mode.

12. The system controller of claim 7 wherein the second load threshold varies with the input signal in magnitude.

13. The system controller of claim 1 wherein the operation-mode-selection controller includes a comparator configured to receive the second signal and a reference signal and output a comparison signal based on at least information associated with the second signal and the reference signal.

14. The system controller of claim 13 wherein the operation-mode-selection controller includes a continuous-conduction-mode selector configured to receive the first signal and the comparison signal and, if the output load is determined to be larger than the first load threshold in magnitude and the input signal is determined to be smaller than the input threshold, generate the mode selection signal corresponding to the continuous conduction mode.

15. The system controller of claim 13 wherein the operation-mode-selection controller includes a quasi-resonant-mode selector configured to:

receive the first signal and the comparison signal;

if the output load is determined to be larger than the first load threshold in magnitude and the input signal is determined to be larger than the input threshold, generate the mode-selection signal corresponding to the quasi-resonant mode; and

if the output load is determined to be smaller than the first load threshold and larger than a second load threshold in magnitude, generate the mode-selection signal corresponding to the quasi-resonant mode.

16. The system controller of claim 1 wherein the input signal is an input line voltage.

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

a flip-flop component configured to receive the mode-selection signal and output a frequency modulation signal based on at least information associated with the mode-selection signal to the operation-mode-selection component; and

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

18. The system controller of claim 1 wherein the quasi-resonant mode is one selected from a group consisting of a valley switching mode, and a critical conduction mode.

19. The system controller of claim 1, and further comprising a primary-side sensing component configured to receive a feedback signal from an auxiliary winding of the power conversion system.

20. The system controller of claim 1 wherein the first load threshold varies with the input signal in magnitude.

21. The system controller of claim 1 wherein:

the input signal is larger than a third threshold in magnitude and smaller than a fourth threshold in magnitude; and

the input threshold is larger than the third threshold and smaller than the fourth threshold.

22. A system controller for regulating a power conversion system, the system controller comprising:

a driver component configured to output a drive signal in order to affect an output signal 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;

a first sample-and-hold component including a first capacitor and configured to sample and hold a current sensing signal associated with a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversions system at at least a first time during the on-time period and generate a first held sampled signal based on at least information associated with the current sensing signal;

a second sample-and-hold component including a second capacitor and configured to sample and hold the current sensing signal at at least a second time during the on-time period and generate a second held sampled signal based on at least information associated with the current sensing signal, the second time being later than the first time;

a first switch including a first switch terminal and a second switch terminal, the first switch terminal being coupled to the first capacitor, the second switch terminal being coupled to the second capacitor, the first switch being further configured to be closed during the demagnetization period and open during the on-time period;

a second switch including a third switch terminal and a fourth switch terminal, the third switch terminal being coupled to the first switch terminal, the second switch being further configured to be closed during the demagnetization period and open during the on-time period; and

a signal processing component configured to receive a combined signal from the fourth switch terminal if the first switch and the second switch are closed and output a processed signal based on at least information associated with the combined signal to the driver component.

23. The system controller of claim 22, and further comprising:

an operation-mode-selection component configured to receive a first signal related to an output load of the power conversion system and a second signal related to an input signal received by the power conversion system and output a mode-selection signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the second signal;

wherein the driver component is further configured to receive the mode-selection signal and generate the drive signal based on at least information associated with the mode-selection signal.

24. The system controller of claim 23 wherein the operation-mode-selection component is further configured to:

if the output load is determined to be larger than a first load threshold in magnitude and the input signal is determined to be larger than an input threshold, generate the mode-selection signal corresponding to a quasi-resonant mode if the switching frequency is determined to be smaller than a first frequency threshold and larger than a second frequency threshold; and

if the output load is determined to be larger than the first load threshold in magnitude and the input signal is determined to be smaller than the input threshold, generate the mode-selection signal corresponding to a continuous conduction mode if the switching frequency is determined to be equal to the second frequency threshold.

25. The system controller of claim 23, and further comprising:

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

a signal detector configured to generate the second signal based on at least information associated with the input signal.

26. The system controller of claim 25 wherein the signal generator includes:

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

an error amplifier configured to receive the sampled signal and output an error signal related to the first signal based on at least information associated with the sampled signal.

27. The system controller of claim 26, and further comprising:

a slope-compensation component configured to receive the current sensing signal and output a slope-compensation signal based on at least information associated with the current sensing signal; and

a first comparator configured to receive the slope-compensation signal and output a first comparison signal based on at least information associated with the slope-compensation signal to the driver component.

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

a low-pass-filter and compensation component configured to receive the sampled signal and the error signal and output a compensation signal based on at least information associated with the sampled signal and the error signal;

a current-peak controller configured to receive the compensation signal and generate the current-peak control signal based on at least information associated with the compensation signal; and

a second comparator configured to receive the current-peak control signal and output a second comparison signal based on at least information associated with the current-peak control signal and the current sensing signal to the driver component.

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

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

a current-peak controller configured to receive at least the compensation signal and generate the current-peak control signal based on at least information associated with the compensation signal; and

a second comparator configured to receive the compensation signal and output a second comparison signal based on at least information associated with the current-peak control signal and the current sensing signal to the driver component.

30. The system controller of claim 22 wherein a first capacitance associated with the first capacitor is equal to a second capacitance associated with the second capacitor.

31. The system controller of claim 30 wherein the combined signal is equal in magnitude to half of a sum of the first held sampled signal and the second held sampled signal.

32. The system controller of claim 22 wherein the signal processing component includes:

an amplifier configured to receive the combined signal during the demagnetization period and generates an amplified signal, with a third capacitor, based on at least information associated with the combined signal; and

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

33. The system controller of claim 22 wherein the signal processing component is further configured to receive a ground voltage during the on-time period and output the processed signal based on at least information associated with the ground voltage to the driver component.

34. The system controller of claim 22 wherein the first time is at the beginning of the on-time period, and the second time is at the end of the on-time period.

35. The system controller of claim 22 wherein the output signal includes a current signal.

36. The system controller of claim 22 wherein the first switch terminal is coupled to the first capacitor through a first component.

37. The system controller of claim 22 wherein the second switch terminal is coupled to the second capacitor through a second component.

38. The system controller of claim 22, and further comprising a primary-side sensing component configured to receive a feedback signal associated with the output signal from an auxiliary winding of the power conversion system.

39. A system controller for regulating a power conversion system, the system controller comprising:

a driver component configured to output a drive signal in order to affect an output signal 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;

a sample-and-hold component including a first capacitor and configured to sample and hold a current sensing signal associated with a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversions system at a middle point of the on-time period and generate a held sampled signal based on at least information associated with the current sensing signal;

a switch including a first switch terminal and a second switch terminal, the first switch terminal being coupled to the first capacitor, the switch being further configured to be closed during the demagnetization period and open during the on-time period;

a signal processing component configured to receive a third signal from the second switch terminal if the switch is closed and output a processed signal based on at least information associated with the third signal to the driver component; and

an operation-mode-selection component configured to receive a first signal related to an output load of the power conversion system and a second signal related to an input signal received by the power conversion system and output a mode-selection signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the second signal;

wherein the driver component is further configured to receive the mode-selection signal and generate the drive signal based on at least information associated with the mode-selection signal.

40. The system controller of claim 39 wherein the operation-mode-selection component is further configured to:

if the output load is determined to be larger than a first load threshold in magnitude and the input signal is determined to be larger than an input threshold, generate the mode-selection signal corresponding to a quasi-resonant mode if the switching frequency is determined to be smaller than a first frequency threshold and larger than a second frequency threshold; and

if the output load is determined to be larger than the first load threshold in magnitude and the input signal is determined to be smaller than the input threshold, generate the mode-selection signal corresponding to a continuous conduction mode if the switching frequency is determined to be equal to the second frequency threshold.

41. The system controller of claim 39 wherein the first switch terminal is coupled to the first capacitor through another component.

42. The system controller of claim 39, and further comprising:

a slope-compensation component configured to receive the current sensing signal and output a slope-compensation signal based on at least information associated with the current sensing signal; and

a first comparator configured to receive the slope-compensation signal and output a first comparison signal based on at least information associated with the slope-compensation signal to the driver component.

43. The system controller of claim 39 wherein the first switch terminal is coupled to the first capacitor through a gain stage configured to receive the held sampled signal and outputs an amplified signal to the switch.

44. The system controller of claim 39 wherein the signal processing component includes:

an amplifier configured to receive the third signal during the demagnetization period and generates an amplified signal, with a second capacitor, based on at least information associated with the third signal; and

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

45. The system controller of claim 39 wherein the signal processing component is further configured to receive a ground voltage during the on-time period and output the processed signal based on at least information associated with the ground voltage to the driver component.

46. The system controller of claim 39, and further comprising a primary-side sensing component configured to receive a feedback signal associated with the output signal from an auxiliary winding of the power conversion system.

47. A method for regulating a power conversion system, the method comprising:

receiving a first signal related to an output load of the power conversion system and a second signal related to an input signal received by the power conversion system;

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

generating a mode-selection signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the second signal;

receiving the mode-selection signal;

processing information associated with the mode-selection signal; and

generating a drive signal based on at least information associated with the mode-selection signal;

wherein the process for generating a mode-selection signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the second signal includes;

if the output load is determined to be larger than a first load threshold in magnitude and the input signal is determined to be larger than an input threshold, generating the mode-selection signal corresponding to the quasi-resonant mode if the switching frequency is determined to be smaller than a first frequency threshold and larger than a second frequency threshold; and

if the output load is determined to be larger than the first load threshold in magnitude and the input signal is determined to be smaller than the input threshold, generating the mode-selection signal corresponding to the continuous conduction mode if the switching frequency is determined to be equal to the second frequency threshold.

48. The method of claim 47, and further comprising:

receiving a feedback signal by a primary-side sensing component from an auxiliary winding of the power conversion system.

49. The method of claim 47 wherein the process for generating a mode-selection signal further includes:

if the output load is determined to be smaller than the first load threshold and larger than a second load threshold in magnitude,

generating the mode-selection signal corresponding to the quasi-resonant mode if the switching frequency is determined to be smaller than the first frequency threshold and larger than the second frequency threshold; and

generating the mode-selection signal corresponding to a discontinuous conduction mode if the switching frequency is determined to be equal to the first frequency threshold.

50. A method for regulating a power conversion system, the method comprising:

generating a drive signal in order to affect an output signal 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;

sampling and holding, by at least a first sample-and-hold component, at at least a first time during the on-time period, a current sensing signal in order to generate a first held sampled signal, the current sensing signal being associated with a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversions system, the first sample-and-hold component including a first capacitor;

sampling and holding, by at least a second sample-and-hold component, at at least a second time during the on-time period, the current sensing signal in order to generate a second held sampled signal, the second sample-and-hold component including a second capacitor, the second time being later than the first time;

generating a combined signal during the demagnetization period by at least a first switch, the first switch including a first switch terminal coupled to the first capacitor and a second switch terminal coupled to the second capacitor;

receiving the combined signal by at least a second switch including a third switch terminal and a fourth switch terminal, the third switch terminal being coupled to the first switch terminal; and

outputting a processed signal based on at least information associated with the combined signal during the demagnetization period.

51. The method of claim 50, and further comprising:

receiving a feedback signal associated with the output signal by a primary-side sensing component from an auxiliary winding of the power conversion system.

52. A method for regulating a power conversion system, the method comprising:

receiving a first signal related to an output load of the power conversion system and a second signal related to an input signal received by the power conversion system;

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

generating a mode-selection signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the second signal;

receiving the mode-selection signal;

processing information associated with the mode-selection signal;

generating the drive signal based on at least information associated with the mode-selection signal in order to affect an output signal 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;

sampling and holding, by at least a sample-and-hold component, at a middle point of the on-time period, a current sensing signal in order to generate a held sampled signal, the current sensing signal being associated with a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversions system, the sample-and-hold component including a capacitor;

receiving a third signal during the demagnetization period through at least a switch coupled to the capacitor; and

outputting a processed signal based on at least information associated with the third signal during the demagnetization period.

53. The method of claim 52, and further comprising:

receiving a feedback signal associated with the output signal by a primary-side sensing component from an auxiliary winding of the power conversion system.