Charging circuit for a charge accumulator and method for charging the same

• US 9,306,413 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2010
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ams AG (Ams-Osram AG)
• Original Assignee: ams AG (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Trattler, Peter, Pauritsch, Manfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhanu, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US13/265,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20120119710A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,198 Days
• Field of Search: 320166-167
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007184 in response to battery voltage gradient
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/56 involving measures to prevent abnormal temperature of the LEDs

Abstract

In one embodiment, a charging circuit for a charge accumulator comprises a first terminal (A1) for supplying a charging voltage (UC) and for connecting the charge accumulator (SC) connected to a reference potential terminal (10), a second terminal (A2) for providing a load voltage (UD) and for connecting an electrical load (D1), a control assembly (ST) which is coupled to the first and the second terminals (A1, A2) and has a signal output (A3) for providing a first charge state signal (S1) and a test output (TA) for providing at test signal (on), and a current source (I1) that is coupled to the second terminal (A2), wherein the first charge state signal (S1) is provided depending on a value of an additional voltage (U12) between the first and the second terminals (A1, A2) and depending on the test signal (on), and wherein the charging voltage (UC) is supplied depending on the first charge state signal (S1). The invention also relates to a method for charging a charge accumulator.

Claims

1. A charging circuit for a charge accumulator, comprising:

a first terminal for supplying a charging voltage and for connecting the charge accumulator connected to a reference potential terminal;

a second terminal for providing a load voltage and for connecting an electrical load;

a control assembly connected to the first and second terminals and comprising a signal output for providing a first charge state signal and a test output for providing a test signal; and

a current source that is coupled to the second terminal,

wherein the first charge state signal is provided as a function of a value of an additional voltage between the first and second terminals and as a function of the test signal, and wherein the charging voltage is supplied as a function of the first charge state signal.

2. The charging circuit according to claim 1, wherein a target value of the additional voltage is formed as a function of the charging voltage from a sum comprising a minimum voltage of the current source and a delta voltage of the charge accumulator, wherein the delta voltage of the charge accumulator comprises a value of a voltage drop at the charge accumulator that appears when the energy stored in the charge accumulator is output.

3. The charging circuit according to claim 1, wherein the current source is switched as a function of the test signal.

4. The charging circuit according to claim 1, wherein the charge accumulator comprises a capacitor or a super-cap.

5. The charging circuit according to claim 1, wherein the control assembly comprises:

an adjustable voltage source coupled to the first terminal for providing a summation voltage;

a first comparator with an inverting input that is coupled to the adjustable voltage source, with a non-inverting input that is coupled to the second terminal and with an output that is coupled to one input of a logic unit;

the logic unit, which is connected to the signal output and has a control output to drive a pulse generator; and

the pulse generator, which is connected to the test output.

6. The charging circuit according to claim 5, wherein a first memory cell coupled to the first comparator is provided to store the target value of the additional voltage.

7. The charging circuit according to claim 5, wherein a second memory cell coupled to the first comparator is provided to store a target value of the load voltage.

8. The charging circuit according to claim 7, wherein the logic unit comprises means for measuring the load voltage relative to a temperature and means for adapting the target value of the load voltage as a function of the measurement.

9. The charging circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one additional terminal that is coupled to the control assembly; and

at least one additional current source, coupled to the first terminal and the at least one additional terminal, that is switched as a function of the test signal and is configured for providing an additional load voltage and for connecting an additional electrical load connected to the reference potential terminal,

wherein the first charge state signal is also provided as a function of a value of at least one further additional voltage between the first and the at least one additional terminal.

10. The charging circuit according to claim 5, wherein the control assembly comprises at least one additional comparator with an inverting input that is coupled to the inverting input of the first comparator, with a non-inverting input that is coupled to at least one additional terminal and with an output that is coupled to at least one additional input of the logic unit.

11. The charging circuit according to claim 5, wherein the control assembly additionally comprises a sample and hold element connected between the inverting input of the first comparator and the second terminal, with a control input to which the test signal is supplied, wherein the sample and hold element is configured to acquire a value of the load voltage as a function of the test signal and to hold this value of the load voltage.

12. The charging circuit according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary current source that is coupled to the second terminal and to which an auxiliary voltage is supplied as a function of the charging voltage, wherein the auxiliary current source is switched as a function of the test signal.

13. The charging circuit according to claim 5, further comprising:

at least one additional terminal that is coupled to the control assembly;

at least one additional current source, coupled to the first terminal and the at least one additional terminal, that is switched as a function of the test signal and is configured for providing an additional load voltage and for connecting an additional electrical load connected to the reference potential terminal,

wherein the first charge state signal is also provided as a function of a value of at least one further additional voltage between the first and the at least one additional terminal;

wherein the control assembly additionally comprises a sample and hold element connected between the inverting input of the first comparator and the second terminal, with a control input to which the test signal is supplied, wherein the sample and hold element is configured to acquire a value of the load voltage as a function of the test signal and to hold this value of the load voltage; and

wherein the control assembly comprises a maximum value unit (ME) that is connected on the output side to the sample and hold element and to which the load voltage and at least the additional load voltage are fed, wherein the maximum value unit (ME) is configured for determining a highest value of the supplied load voltages.

14. The charging circuit according to claim 1, further comprising;

a second comparator with a non-inverting input connected to the first terminal, with an inverting input to be fed a maximum voltage and with an output for providing a second charge state signal; and

a logic gate with an input to be fed the first charge state signal, an additional input to be fed the second charge state signal and an output for providing a shutoff signal.

15. A drive circuit comprising:

the charging circuit according to claim 14, and

a DC/DC converter with one input for connection of an energy source connected to the reference potential terminal, with a control input to be supplied with the shutoff signal and with an output for providing the charging voltage as a function of the shutoff signal.

16. A method for charging a charge accumulator comprising the steps of:

supplying a charging voltage to the charge accumulator;

switching on a current source coupled to the charge accumulator or an auxiliary current source coupled to the charge accumulator;

determining an additional voltage dropping as a function of the charging voltage;

switching off the current source or the auxiliary current source;

checking whether a determined value of the additional voltage has reached a value of a summation voltage, wherein the summation voltage comprises a sum having a minimum voltage of the current source and a delta voltage of the charge accumulator;

if yes, providing a first charge state signal and ending the charging; and

if no, continuing to supply the charging voltage.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

checking whether a value of the charging voltage has reached a value of a maximum voltage;

if yes, providing a second charge state signal and ending the charging; and

if no, continuing to supply the charging voltage.