Dual input AC/DC to programmable DC output converter

• US 6,775,163 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2003
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iGo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mobility Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: McDonald, Gilbert, Lord, Charles, Smith, Steve, DuBose, Garry
• Primary Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US10/661,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20040037102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 363/37, 363/64, 363/65, 363/66, 363/72, 363/73, 363/75, 363/142
• US Class Current: 363/142
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/10 Arrangements incorporating converting means for enabling loads to be operated at will from different kinds of power supplies, e.g. from ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33561 having more than one ouput with independent control

Abstract

A power converter capable of receiving either an AC input voltage or a DC input voltage and generating a programmable DC output voltage. The converter comprises a first circuit that converts an AC input voltage to a predetermined DC first output voltage, and a second circuit that converts a DC input voltage to a predetermined second DC output voltage. The converter also comprise a third circuit which is adapted to receive the first and second DC voltages from first and second circuits to generate a selectable output DC voltage. In selected embodiments, the first and second DC output voltages provided by the first and second circuits, respectively, are generally the same value and are coupled to a common node that feeds the input terminal of the third circuit. Moreover, the third circuit is adapted to provide a selectable output DC voltage which may be set higher or lower than its DC input voltage. The third circuit may also be adapted to couple a set of removable programming keys that provide for a different associated DC output voltage. The programming key comprises a resistor, which may provide for a variety of functions, such as current-limiting, over-voltage protection, output voltage programming, and wrong-tip circuit protection.

Claims

1. A power conversion device capable of receiving either an AC input voltage or a DC input voltage and generating a programmable DC output voltage, said device comprising:

a first circuit converting an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage;

a second circuit converting a DC input voltage to a fixed DC output voltage even when said DC input voltage varies, wherein said second circuit includes a DC-to-DC up converter; and

a third circuit receiving said DC output voltages and said fixed DC output voltage from said first and second circuits, respectively, and generating a selectable output DC voltage.

2. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first circuit includes a switching device, wherein said switching device is an AC line switcher.

3. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the first circuit DC output voltage is a fixed voltage.

4. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said third circuit includes a DC-to-DC down converter providing a selectable output DC voltage.

5. The device as recited in claim 1 said first circuit output voltage and said second circuit fixed DC output voltaae are generally the same value and are provided to a common node feeding said third circuit.

6. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said selectable output DC voltage can be set to be higher than said input DC voltage.

7. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said third circuit is adapted to couple to a plurality of removable programming keys, said keys providing different associated DC output voltages.

8. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein said key is a resistor, said predetermined DC output voltage being a function of said resistor value.

9. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein said key establishes an output current limiting function.

10. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein said key establishes an over voltage protection function.

11. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein said key establishes a output voltage function.

12. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein said key establishes a wrong-tip function.

13. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said third circuit includes a thermal-protection function.

14. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said DC output voltage provided by said third circuit is between 3VDC and 24VDC.

15. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said up-converter and said down-converter are coupled in a master/slave configuration.

16. The device as recited in claim 15 wherein said up-converter and said down-converter are configured in a standard boost/buck topoology.

17. The device as specified in claim 4 wherein the DC-to-DC up-converter and the DC-to-DC down-converter are both switching converters.

18. The device as specified in claim 15 wherein said up-converter and said down-converter operate at the same frequency.

19. The device as specified in claim 14 wherein said second circuit is adapted to accept said DC input voltage between 11VDC and 16VDC.

20. The device as specified in claim 8 wherein said resistor is housed in a plug-in module.