DC to DC controller with inrush current protection
First Claim
1. A DC to DC controller for controlling an inrush current from a DC to DC converter to a battery system having an internal isolating switch, said DC to DC controller comprising:
- a first path configured to accept a first input signal representative of an output power level of said DC to DC converter, said first path configured to provide a first control signal;
a second path configured to accept said first input signal, said second path configured to provide a second control signal if said internal isolating switch is in an open state;
a regulating circuit configured to accept said first and second control signals and to regulate said output power level to a first level if controlled by said first control signal and to regulate said output power level to a second level if controlled by said second control signal, wherein said regulating circuit is further configured to substantially reduce said inrush current when said internal isolating switch changes from said open state to a closed state; and
a switch state detection circuit configured to detect a state of said internal isolating switch and provide a switch state control signal representative of a state of said internal isolating switch to said second path.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A DC to DC controller for controlling an inrush current from a DC to DC converter to a battery system having an internal isolating switch. The DC to DC controller is configured to control the DC to DC converter based on a state of the internal isolating switch. If the switch is open, the DC to DC controller adjusts the output voltage of the DC to DC converter to a predetermined voltage level. Based on the value of such voltage level, in rush current from the DC to DC converter to the battery system can be reduced or eliminated when the isolating switch changes from an open state to a closed state. An electronic device including such a DC to DC controller is provided. Related methods for controlling inrush current are also provided.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A DC to DC controller for controlling an inrush current from a DC to DC converter to a battery system having an internal isolating switch, said DC to DC controller comprising:
-
a first path configured to accept a first input signal representative of an output power level of said DC to DC converter, said first path configured to provide a first control signal; a second path configured to accept said first input signal, said second path configured to provide a second control signal if said internal isolating switch is in an open state; a regulating circuit configured to accept said first and second control signals and to regulate said output power level to a first level if controlled by said first control signal and to regulate said output power level to a second level if controlled by said second control signal, wherein said regulating circuit is further configured to substantially reduce said inrush current when said internal isolating switch changes from said open state to a closed state; and a switch state detection circuit configured to detect a state of said internal isolating switch and provide a switch state control signal representative of a state of said internal isolating switch to said second path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. An electronic device comprising:
-
a battery system comprising a rechargeable battery and an internal isolating battery switch coupled to said rechargeable battery; a DC to DC converter configured to accept an input power level from a DC power source and provide an output power level to said battery system for recharging said rechargeable battery; and a DC to DC controller for controlling an inrush current from said DC to DC converter to said battery system, said DC to DC controller comprising; a first path configured to accept a first input signal representative of said output power level, said first path configured to provide a first control signal; a second path configured to accept said first input signal and provide a second control signal if said internal isolating battery switch is in an open state; a regulating circuit configured to accept said first and second control signals and to regulate said output power level to a first level if controlled by said first control signal and to regulate said output power level to a second level if controlled by said second control signal, wherein said regulating circuit is further configured to substantially reduce said inrush current when said internal isolating battery switch changes from said open state to a closed state; and a switch state detection circuit configured to detect a state of said internal isolating battery switch and provide a switch state control signal representative of a state of said internal isolating battery switch to said second path. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A DC to DC controller for controlling an inrush current from a DC to DC converter to a battery system having an internal isolating switch, said DC to DC controller comprising:
-
a first path configured to accept a first input signal representative of an output power level of said DC to DC converter, said first path configured to provide a first control signal; a second path configured to accept said first input signal, said second path configured to provide a second control signal if said internal isolating switch is in an open state; a regulating circuit configured to accept said first and second control signals and to regulate said output power level to a first level if controlled by said first control signal and to regulate said output power level to a second level if controlled by said second control signal; and a switch state detection circuit configured to detect a state of said internal isolating switch and provide a switch state control signal representative of a state of said internal isolating switch to said second path, wherein said output power level is an output voltage level of said DC to DC converter and wherein said switch state detection circuit comprises a first comparator configured to compare a first comparison signal representative of said output voltage level of said DC to DC converter with a second comparison signal representative of a predetermined maximum voltage level of said DC to DC converter, said switch state detection circuit providing said switch state control signal representative of said open state of said internal isolating switch if said first comparison signal is greater than said second comparison signal.
-
-
15. An electronic device comprising:
-
a battery system comprising a rechargeable battery and an internal isolating battery switch coupled to said rechargeable battery; a DC to DC converter configured to accept an input power level from a DC power source and provide an output power level to said battery system for recharging said rechargeable battery; and a DC to DC controller for controlling an inrush current from said DC to DC converter to said battery system, said DC to DC controller comprising; a first path configured to accept a first input signal representative of said output power level, said first path configured to provide a first control signal; a second path configured to accept said first input signal and provide a second control signal if said internal isolating battery switch is in an open state; a regulating circuit configured to accept said first and second control signals and to regulate said output power level to a first level if controlled by said first control signal and to regulate said output power level to a second level if controlled by said second control signal; and a switch state detection circuit configured to detect a state of said internal isolating battery switch and provide a switch state control signal representative of a state of said internal isolating battery switch to said second path, wherein said output power level is an output voltage level of said DC to DC converter and wherein said switch state detection circuit comprises a first comparator configured to compare a first comparison signal representative of said output voltage level of said DC to DC converter with a second comparison signal representative of a predetermined maximum voltage level of said DC to DC converter, said switch state detection circuit providing said switch state control signal representative of said open state if said first comparison signal is greater than said second comparison signal.
-
Specification