Apparatus and method for a switching power converter
First Claim
1. A power converter, comprising:
- a first terminal configured to receive an input voltage;
a charging converter coupled in a current path from the first terminal to a second terminal and including a first switch and configured to;
provide power from a power source to a rechargeable storage unit that is internal to the power converter during a charging mode; and
provide power from the rechargeable storage unit to an external electronic device that is externally connected to the power converter during an on-the-go mode;
a system power converter coupled in a current path from the second terminal to a third terminal, the system power converter including a second switch and configured to;
provide power to internal system components of the power converter from the rechargeable storage unit and an input power source; and
control logic coupled to the charging converter and the system power converter and configured to control the charging converter and the system power converter by;
determining whether a short exists;
distinguishing whether the short exists at the first terminal or the third terminal using a current sensor;
in response to detecting a short at the first terminal, causing the charging converter to open the first switch; and
in response to detecting a short at the third terminal, causing the system power converter to open the second switch.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A charging converter includes a plurality of switches configured to switchably operate to either step up an input voltage or step down the input voltage and generate a charging voltage on a second terminal to charge to a rechargeable storage unit, and control logic configured to operate the plurality of switches in one of a step up mode and a step down mode based on a determination of a voltage level of the input voltage relative to the desired charging voltage. A method includes determining a desired charging voltage to charge a rechargeable storage unit, switchably controlling a charging converter to step up the input voltage if an input voltage is lower than the desired charging voltage to generate a charging voltage, and switchably controlling the charging converter to step down the input voltage if the input voltage is higher than the desired charging voltage to generate the charging voltage.
13 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A power converter, comprising:
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a first terminal configured to receive an input voltage; a charging converter coupled in a current path from the first terminal to a second terminal and including a first switch and configured to; provide power from a power source to a rechargeable storage unit that is internal to the power converter during a charging mode; and provide power from the rechargeable storage unit to an external electronic device that is externally connected to the power converter during an on-the-go mode; a system power converter coupled in a current path from the second terminal to a third terminal, the system power converter including a second switch and configured to; provide power to internal system components of the power converter from the rechargeable storage unit and an input power source; and control logic coupled to the charging converter and the system power converter and configured to control the charging converter and the system power converter by; determining whether a short exists; distinguishing whether the short exists at the first terminal or the third terminal using a current sensor; in response to detecting a short at the first terminal, causing the charging converter to open the first switch; and in response to detecting a short at the third terminal, causing the system power converter to open the second switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An electronic device, comprising:
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first, second, and third terminals; a charging converter coupled in a current path from the first terminal to the second terminal, the charging converter including a first switch and configured to; provide power from a power source to a rechargeable storage unit that is internal to the electronic device during a charging mode; provide power from the rechargeable storage unit to an external electronic device that is externally connected to the electronic device during an on-the-go mode; and a system power converter coupled in a current path from the second terminal to the third terminal, the system power converter including a second switch and configured to; provide power to internal system components of the electronic device from at least one of the rechargeable storage unit and an input power source; and control logic coupled to the charging converter and the system power converter and configured to control the charging converter and the system power converter by; determining whether a short exists; distinguishing whether the short exists at the first terminal or the third terminal using a current sensor; in response to detecting a short at the first terminal, causing the charging converter to open the first switch; and in response to detecting a short at the third terminal, causing the system power converter to open the second switch. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for operating a rechargeable storage unit of an electronic device, the method comprising:
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charging a rechargeable storage unit housed within the electronic device through a charging converter responsive to receiving an input voltage provided by an external power source through a first terminal during a charging mode, the charging converter coupled in a current path from the first terminal to a second terminal and including a first switch; providing power, by the charging converter, from the rechargeable storage unit to an external electronic device that is externally connected to the electronic device during an on-the-go mode; providing power, by a system power converter coupled in a current path from the second terminal to a third terminal, to internal system components of the electronic device from the rechargeable storage unit and an input power source, the system power converter including a second switch; controlling, by control logic, the charging converter and the system power converter coupled to the control logic; determining whether a short exists using a current sensor; determining whether the short exists at the first terminal or the third terminal; in response to detecting a short at the first terminal, causing the charging converter to open the first switch; and in response to detecting a short at the third terminal, causing the system power converter to open the second switch. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification