Buck/boost power converter for an electronic apparatus, method thereof and system incorporating the same

• US 7,486,046 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2005
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ite Tech (ITE Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ite Tech (ITE Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chou, Yi-Chung
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US11/197,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20060262579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 320/107, 320/114, 320/140
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/1582 Buck-boost converters H02M3/1584 takes precedence

Abstract

A boost/buck and DC/DC power converter with a charging function, a method thereof and a system incorporating the same are disclosed. The system uses an external power supply or a rechargeable battery as the power thereof. The power converter regulates the external power supply for producing the output voltage. An inductor-based booster/bucker further boosts or bucks the produced output voltage and the boosted or bucked output voltage charges the rechargeable battery.

Claims

1. A power converter, used for converting an external power supply into an output electric parameter, comprising:

a voltage regulator, used for regulating the external power supply into the output electric parameter;

a booster/bucker module, coupled between a rechargeable electric-energy storing unit and the output electric parameter;

a first detection module, used for detecting the presence of the external power supply and sending out a detection result to the voltage regulator;

a timing control module (TCM), used for outputting a first timing signal and a second timing signal to the booster/bucker module according to the detection result; and

a second detection module, used for detecting the electric-energy status of the rechargeable electric-energy storing unit, sending out an on/off control signal to the timing control module (TCM) and sending out a boost mode signal and a buck mode signal to control the booster/bucker module for boosting or bucking operation;

wherein, the output electric parameter is boosted or bucked by the booster/bucker module, and then the electric-energy is stored in the rechargeable electric-energy storing unit;

wherein, as the external power supply is present, the detection result controls the voltage regulator to be on duty;

while the external power supply is not present, the detection result controls the voltage regulator to be off duty; and

wherein, as the rechargeable electric-energy storing unit is fully energized, the on/off control signal commands the TCM to turn off the booster/bucker module.

2. The power converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the booster/bucker module comprises:

an inductor component, having a first end and a second end;

a first transistor, having a drain coupled to the second end of the inductor component, a gate for receiving the first timing signal and a source grounded;

a second transistor, having a drain coupled to the second end of the inductor component, a gate for receiving the second timing signal and a source;

a first switch, used for controlling the rechargeable electric-energy storing unit to couple the first end of the inductor component or not to couple;

a second switch, used for controlling the source of the second transistor to couple the output electric parameter or not to couple;

a third switch, used for controlling the source of the second transistor to couple the rechargeable electric-energy storing unit or not to couple;

a fourth switch, used for controlling the first end of the inductor component to couple the output electric parameter or not to couple.

3. The power converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the external power supply comprises at least a voltage adaptor and an USB (universal serial bus) socket equipped on a computer.

4. The power converter as recited in claim 1, wherein the rechargeable electric-energy storing unit comprises at least a NiMH battery, or a NiCd battery, or a Li-ion battery, or a Li-polymer battery.

5. A system, using an external power supply and a rechargeable battery, comprising:

a power converter, used for producing an output voltage by means of the external power supply, wherein the output voltage is further used to charge the rechargeable battery; and

a back-stage circuit (power circuit) driven by the output voltage;

wherein the power converter comprises;

an external power detection module, used for detecting the presence of the external power supply and sending out a first control signal;

a battery-status detection module, used for detecting the electric-energy status of the rechargeable battery and sending out a second control signal;

a LDO regulator (low-dropout voltage regulator), used for regulating the external power supply into the output voltage, wherein the LDO regulator is controlled by the first control signal for being off duty or being on duty;

a timing control module (TCM), used for outputting a timing signal; and

a booster/bucker module, used for boosting or bucking the output voltage according to the timing control signal, wherein the boosted or bucked output voltage is further used for charging the rechargeable battery;

wherein, as the rechargeable battery is fully energized, the second control signal commands the TCM to turn off the booster/bucker module to stop charging the rechargeable battery.

6. A method for converting voltages and charging, comprising the following steps:

regulating an external power supply into an output voltage;

performing a boost operation or a buck operation;

charging a rechargeable battery by the boosted or bucked output voltage;

detecting whether the external power supply is present or not;

producing a first control signal if the external power supply is present;

performing a timing control operation in response to the first control signal, wherein a boost operation or a buck operation on the output voltage is conducted by the timing control operation;

detecting the electric-energy status of the rechargeable battery; and

stopping to charge the rechargeable battery if the rechargeable battery is essentially energized.