阅读说明：本技术 多路径转换器及其控制方法 (Multi-path converter and control method thereof ) 是由 曹圭亨 许莲喜 申世云 崔诚元 朱容* 朱容 林想真 于 2018-03-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种多路径转换器及其控制方法,多路径转换器将使用电容器的电流传递路径添加到使用电感器的电流传递路径中,以将输出到输出端(负载)的电流供应至多个并联路径,由此减少流经电感器的总RMS电流。(The present invention relates to a multi-path converter and a control method thereof, which adds a current transfer path using a capacitor to a current transfer path using an inductor to supply a current output to an output terminal (load) to a plurality of parallel paths, thereby reducing a total RMS current flowing through the inductor.)

1. A converter with multiple paths, comprising:

an input unit;

an output unit; and

a converting unit converting a voltage of the power input through the input unit to transfer the converted voltage to the output unit, and distributing and transferring a current to the output unit through a plurality of parallel current transfer paths using an inductor and a capacitor.

2. The converter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parallel current delivery paths includes a first current delivery path using an inductor and a second current delivery path using a capacitor.

3. The converter of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first current delivery path and the second current delivery path is provided as a plurality of current delivery paths among the plurality of parallel current delivery paths.

4. The converter of claim 2, wherein the first current transfer path is a current transfer path using an inductor and a capacitor.

5. The converter according to claim 1, wherein when the converting unit repeatedly performs an operation including a plurality of converting operation modes in a specific cycle unit, the converting unit distributes and transfers a current to the output unit through the plurality of parallel current transfer paths in an entire section in which the plurality of converting operation modes are driven or in a partial section in which some of the plurality of converting operation modes are driven.

6. The converter of claim 1, wherein the conversion unit is one of a buck converter, a boost converter, and a boost buck converter.

7. The converter of claim 1, wherein the converter comprises a plurality of conversion cells identical to the conversion cells, and the plurality of conversion cells simultaneously convert voltages in different conversion modes of operation.

8. The converter of claim 1, wherein the converter includes a plurality of output units identical to the output unit, and the converting unit converts the power input through the input unit to transfer the converted power to each of the plurality of output units.

9. The converter of claim 8, wherein the converting unit performs the function of a boost converter with respect to some of the plurality of output units and performs the function of a buck converter with respect to the remaining of the plurality of output units.

10. The converter of claim 1, wherein the converter comprises a plurality of conversion cells identical to the conversion cells, and the plurality of conversion cells are connected to each other in one of a series, parallel, or series-parallel manner.

11. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the converting unit has a plurality of paths through which a current is passed to the output unit even in the case of converting a voltage of the input power.

12. A control method of a converter having multiple paths and including an input unit, a conversion unit, and an output unit, the control method comprising:

converting a voltage of the power input through the input unit to transfer the converted voltage to the output unit; and

current is delivered to the output unit through a plurality of parallel current delivery paths using an inductor and a capacitor.

13. The control method according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of parallel current transfer paths include a first current transfer path made up of an inductor and a second current transfer path made up of a capacitor.

14. The control method according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first current transfer path and the second current transfer path is provided as a plurality of current transfer paths among the plurality of parallel current transfer paths.

15. The control method according to claim 13, wherein the first current transfer path is a current transfer path using an inductor and a capacitor.

16. The control method according to claim 12, wherein in the transfer, when an operation including a plurality of changeover operation modes is repeatedly performed in a certain cycle unit, a current is distributed and transferred to the output unit through the plurality of parallel current transfer paths in an entire section in which the plurality of changeover operation modes are driven or in a partial section in which some of the plurality of changeover operation modes are driven.

17. The control method according to claim 12, wherein in the delivering, a current is delivered to the output unit even in a case where a voltage of the input power is converted.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a converter having multiple paths and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a converter for converting a voltage of input power to output the converted voltage to a load and a control method thereof.

Background

As the number of applications applied to electrical and electronic devices increases and the functions of the electrical and electronic devices increase, the power consumed by the devices continuously increases. Therefore, a power management circuit supplying power required by a device should be designed to have a high power efficiency characteristic in a high power application. This is because a power management circuit with high power efficiency not only increases the lifetime of the device, but also reduces the amount of heat generated in the power management circuit in the device.

Conventional power management circuits are primarily designed by two methods. One method is a switched capacitor or charge pump method using a capacitor, and the other method is a switched inductor method using an inductor.

First, since the switched capacitor method does not use a bulky inductor but uses a capacitor advantageous to embedding a chip compared to the inductor, there is an advantage that the area of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) can be reduced. However, due to the feasible voltage conversion ratio (V)_OUT/V_IN) Is discontinuous and therefore has the following limitations: switched capacitor methods only at specific voltage conversion ratiosThe device has high efficiency. Therefore, in order to increase a feasible voltage conversion ratio to achieve high efficiency characteristics over a wide voltage range, a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) should be designed as a reconfigurable type, which increases the complexity of a system. In addition, when the load current (I) is increased_LOAD) When the capacitance of the capacitor constituting the converter should be increased, the capacitor may not be integrated in an Integrated Circuit (IC), and thus a plurality of external capacitors may be required. As a result, the switched capacitor approach may consume more PCB area than the switched inductor approach. Therefore, the switched capacitor approach is primarily used in low power applications.

On the other hand, in addition to the limitations that the power management circuit using the switched inductor method is bulky and the inductor used is relatively expensive compared to other external devices, the switched capacitor method has many advantages that a feasible voltage conversion ratio is continuous and high efficiency characteristics are achieved in a wide range. In addition, since there is no additional external device even when the load current is increased, a power management circuit using a switched inductor method is essentially used in various modern devices in which power consumption is increased.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional power management circuit using a switched inductor approach. Fig. 2 illustrates a diagram for describing a method of improving the efficiency of the conventional power management circuit illustrated in fig. 1.

The problem is that, as shown in FIG. 1, when the load current I_LOADWhen increasing, the current I flowing in the inductor_LAnd also increases. Parasitic resistor (R) connected in series with inductor_DCR) Are inevitably included in the inductor, and as the level of current flowing in the inductor increases, power loss caused by the parasitic resistor greatly increases. Power losses limit the efficiency characteristics of the power management circuit and cause heat generation. Therefore, in order to improve power efficiency, it is preferable to use an inductor having a small parasitic resistance value, as shown in (a) of fig. 2. In this case, the volume or unit cost of the inductor increases.

In particular, in the case where the power management circuit is included in a mobile device in continuous miniaturization, the volume thereof is also limited according to the size of the device to be manufactured. Therefore, inductors indispensably used in switched inductor power management circuits are also limited to subminiature inductors (height ranging from 1mm to 1.5 mm). That is, as described above, it is impossible to use an inductor having a small parasitic resistance value and a large volume. Therefore, it is necessary to use a small inductor having the same inductance as the mobile device and satisfying its volume characteristics, but such a small inductor includes a very large parasitic resistor. As a method of improving efficiency under this condition, as shown in (b) of fig. 2, there is a method of using a plurality of inductors in parallel. This method is a method of reducing the level of current flowing in one inductor and reducing the total current loss caused by parasitic resistors. However, since this method requires a plurality of inductors, the volume is increased, the unit cost is increased, and a circuit for controlling the current to be distributed to each inductor is additionally required, thereby increasing the complexity of the system.

Further, in the case of the conventional buck-boost converter and the boost converter, since current is not supplied to the load while current is accumulated in the inductor, the current supplied to the load is discontinuous. Therefore, the current level in the inductor should be much larger than the level of the load current, which requires an inductor with a high saturation current value. In addition, the discontinuous supply of current generates a large ripple voltage at the output voltage terminal and causes switching spikes.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The present invention is directed to provide a converter having multiple paths and a control method thereof, in which a current transfer path via a capacitor is used in addition to a current transfer path via an inductor, and current flows through a plurality of parallel paths to be output to an output terminal (load) thereof, thereby reducing a total Root Mean Square (RMS) current flowing in the inductor.

Technical scheme

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a converter input unit, an output unit, and a converting unit with multiple paths, the converting unit converting a voltage of power input through the input unit to transfer the converted voltage to the output unit, and distributing and transferring a current to the output unit through a plurality of parallel current transfer paths using an inductor and a capacitor.

The plurality of parallel current transfer paths may include a first current transfer path using an inductor and a second current transfer path using a capacitor.

In the plurality of parallel current transfer paths, at least one of the first current transfer path and the second current transfer path may be provided as a plurality of current transfer paths.

The first current transfer path may be a current transfer path using an inductor and a capacitor.

When the converting unit repeatedly performs an operation including a plurality of converting operation modes in a specific cycle unit, the converting unit may distribute and transfer a current to the output unit through a plurality of parallel current transfer paths in an entire section driving the plurality of converting operation modes or in a partial section driving some of the plurality of converting operation modes.

The converting unit may be one of a buck converter, a boost converter and a boost buck converter.

The converter may include a plurality of converting units identical to the converting unit, and the plurality of converting units may simultaneously convert voltages in different converting operation modes.

The converter may include a plurality of output units identical to the output unit, and the conversion unit may convert the power input through the input unit to transfer the converted power to each of the plurality of output units.

The conversion unit may perform a function of a boost converter with respect to some of the plurality of output units and may perform a function of a buck converter with respect to the remaining output units of the plurality of output units.

The converter may include a plurality of conversion units identical to the conversion unit, and the plurality of conversion units may be connected to each other in one of a series, parallel, or series-parallel manner.

The switching unit may have multiple paths through which current is passed to the output unit even in the case of switching the voltage of the input power.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling a converter having multiple paths and including an input unit, a conversion unit, and an output unit includes: the method includes converting a voltage of power input through an input unit to transfer the converted voltage to an output unit, and transferring a current to the output unit through a plurality of parallel current transfer paths using an inductor and a capacitor.

The plurality of parallel current transfer paths may include a first current transfer path composed of an inductor and a second current transfer path composed of a capacitor.

In the plurality of parallel current transfer paths, at least one of the first current transfer path and the second current transfer path may be provided as a plurality of current transfer paths.

The first current transfer path may be a current transfer path using an inductor and a capacitor.

In the transfer, when an operation including a plurality of switching operation modes is repeatedly performed in a specific cycle unit, a current may be distributed and transferred to the output unit through a plurality of parallel current transfer paths in an entire section driving the plurality of switching operation modes or in a partial section driving some of the plurality of switching operation modes.

In the transfer, even in the case of converting the voltage of the input power, the current is transferred to the output unit.

Advantageous effects

According to the converter having multi-paths and the control method thereof according to the present invention, since current is distributed and supplied to a load through an additional current transfer path using a capacitor, Root Mean Square (RMS) current flowing in an inductor can be reduced compared to a case where quiescent current is supplied to a load (output terminal) by using only the inductor. Therefore, when the level of the load current increases, it is possible to greatly reduce power loss caused by a parasitic resistor of the inductor, which has the maximum power consumption in a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) for mobile applications. In addition, it is possible to overcome the limitation of power efficiency, which is a problem that any conventional power management circuit technology cannot overcome.

According to the present invention, since a capacitor having a small volume and a low unit cost compared to an inductor is used as an element for distributing current, it is possible to reduce the volume and cost of a large and expensive inductor. Furthermore, compared to an inductor comprising series parasitic resistors, a capacitor has a very low parasitic resistance value in the order of several mohms and an inductor has a very high parasitic resistance value in the order of several hundred mohms. Therefore, the power loss occurring in the extra current path using the capacitor is smaller than that in the current path using the inductor. In summary, the inductor structure according to the invention has high efficiency characteristics. In addition, the inductor structure may not only increase the lifetime of the device, but also may greatly reduce the heat generated in the power management circuit, and may also reduce the consumption of area and volume of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

Further, according to the present invention, since current is distributed and supplied to a load through an additional current transfer path other than a current path through which current flows to the load, it is possible to reduce power loss compared to a conventional buck converter, thereby improving efficiency. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve efficiency compared to the conventional buck converter under the condition of having the same efficiency as the conventional buck converter, and also to provide an output voltage in the same range as the output voltage of the conventional buck converter.

According to the present invention, even in the case of increasing the input power, a part of the current is allowed to flow to the output terminal, thereby reducing the current in the inductor to improve the efficiency while reducing the ripple and reducing the switching noise due to the continuous current flow. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the performance of the load connected to the output terminal of the boost converter, that is, the block using the high voltage formed by the boost converter, from being degraded.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a power management circuit of a conventional switched inductor approach.

Fig. 2 illustrates a diagram for describing a method of improving the efficiency of the conventional power management circuit illustrated in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating another extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating still another extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating yet another extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating yet another extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating yet another extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating yet another extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a first buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of the first buck converter shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 14 shows a diagram for describing an example of the step-down operation mode of the first step-down converter shown in fig. 13.

Fig. 15 shows a diagram illustrating an example of a first buck converter with dual paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 shows graphs obtained by testing the first buck converter having the dual path according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an environment in which the duty ratio is 0.4.

Fig. 17 is a graph obtained by testing a first buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a first simulation environment.

Fig. 18 is a graph obtained by testing a first buck converter having dual paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second simulation environment.

Fig. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a first buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the current transfer operation shown in fig. 19 in more detail.

Fig. 21 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a second buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 22 shows a diagram for describing an example of the step-down operation mode of the second step-down converter shown in fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a diagram of an example of a second buck converter with dual paths, according to an example embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the second buck converter having the dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the current transfer operation shown in fig. 24 in more detail.

Fig. 26 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a third buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 27 shows a diagram for describing an example of the step-down operation mode of the third step-down converter shown in fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the third buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 29 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a fourth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 30 shows a diagram for describing an example of the step-down operation mode of the fourth step-down converter shown in fig. 29.

Fig. 31 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a fifth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 32 shows a diagram for describing an example of the step-down operation mode of the fifth step-down converter shown in fig. 31.

Fig. 33 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a sixth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 34 shows a diagram for describing an example of the step-down operation mode of the sixth step-down converter shown in fig. 33.

Fig. 35 shows a diagram for describing another example of the step-down operation mode of the sixth step-down converter shown in fig. 33.

Fig. 36 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a seventh buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 37 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of an eighth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 38 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a ninth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 39 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a tenth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 40 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of an eleventh buck converter having three paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 41 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a twelfth buck converter having three paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 42 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a thirteenth buck converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 43 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a fourteenth buck converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 44 is a block diagram illustrating a first boost converter having dual paths according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 45 is a circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of the first boost converter shown in fig. 44.

Fig. 46 shows a diagram for describing an example of a boosting operation mode of the first boost converter having a dual path according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 47 shows a diagram for describing another example of a boosting operation mode of the first boost converter having a dual path according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 48 shows a graph for describing inductor current change due to a boost operation mode of the first boost converter having the dual path according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 49 shows graphs obtained by testing a first boost converter according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an environment where the duty ratio is 0.5.

Fig. 50 shows graphs obtained by testing a first boost converter according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an environment where the duty ratio is 0.7.

Fig. 51 shows graphs obtained by testing a first boost converter according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an environment with a duty ratio of 0.4.

Fig. 52 shows graphs obtained by testing a first boost converter according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an environment in which the duty ratio is 0.2.

Fig. 53 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a first boost converter having a dual path according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 54 is a flowchart illustrating the boost power transfer operation shown in fig. 53 in more detail.

Fig. 55 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration and a boosting operation mode of the second boost converter having a dual path according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 56 is a diagram illustrating another example of the step-up operation mode of the second step-up converter shown in fig. 55.

Fig. 57 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a third boost converter having multiple paths according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 58 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a fourth boost converter having multiple paths according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a converter having multiple paths and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A converter having multiple paths and a control method thereof according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 3 to 11.

First, a converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 3, in a converter 100 having multiple paths (hereinafter, referred to as a "converter") according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, current is distributed and transferred to an output terminal through a plurality of parallel current transfer paths using an inductor and a capacitor. That is, the converter 100 uses a current transfer path using a capacitor in addition to a current transfer path using an inductor, and a current flows through a plurality of parallel paths to be output to an output terminal (load), thereby reducing a total Root Mean Square (RMS) current flowing in the inductor.

To this end, the converter 100 may include an input unit 110 to which power is input, a converting unit 130 converting (stepping down or stepping up) a voltage of the input power, and an output unit 150 receiving the converted power and transferring it to an external device.

Here, the input unit 110 may include an Alternating Current (AC) power source, a Direct Current (DC) power source, a power source (various voltage or current power sources), and the like.

In addition, the output unit 150 may include any type of load that can be modeled using various passive elements including resistors, capacitors, and inductors, i.e., any type of load using a conventional Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC).

The conversion unit 130 may include all functions of a conventional converter. For example, the converting unit 130 may perform a function of a step-down converter (buck converter), in which the voltage of an output terminal of the converter is lower than the voltage of an input terminal thereof; may perform the function of a boost converter or a buck converter, wherein the voltage at the output of the converter is higher than the voltage at its input; and may perform the function of a step-up-and-down-converter (buck-boost converter), in which the voltage at the output of the converter is lower or higher than the voltage at its input.

In this case, the conversion unit 130 distributes and transfers the current to the output unit through a plurality of current transfer paths. For example, the conversion unit 130 may distribute and transfer a current to the output unit 150 through a plurality of current transfer paths including a first current transfer path using an inductor and a second current transfer path using a capacitor. Here, at least one of the first current transmission path and the second current transmission path may include a plurality of current transmission paths among the plurality of current transmission paths. For example, the plurality of current transfer paths may include a current transfer path using an inductor, a current transfer path using a first capacitor, and a current transfer path using a second capacitor. Of course, one current transfer path may use one inductor or one capacitor, may use multiple inductors or multiple capacitors, or may also use a combination of inductors and capacitors.

In addition, when the converting unit 130 repeatedly performs an operation including a plurality of conversion operation modes (e.g., a plurality of step-down operation modes or a plurality of step-up operation modes) in a specific cycle unit, the converting unit 130 may distribute and transfer a current to the output unit 150 through a plurality of current transfer paths in an entire section driving the plurality of conversion operation modes or in a partial section driving some of the plurality of conversion operation modes.

As described above, unlike the conventional converter that supplies current to a load by using only an inductor, in the converter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, current may be distributed and supplied by an additional parallel current transfer path using a capacitor. That is, according to the converter 100 of the present invention, the DC current level of the inductor can be lowered, and when the converter 100 according to the present invention performs the function of a buck converter, the ripple current of the inductor can be reduced. In addition, the inductor and the capacitor of the converter 100 according to the present invention may supply a quiescent current to a load (output terminal). In addition, as can be confirmed in table 1, there are advantages of much smaller parasitic resistance of the capacitor, relatively small volume, and low unit cost, compared to the inductor. Thus, the level of current flowing in the inductor can be reduced using the capacitor as compared to when using multiple inductors. In addition, power loss in the parasitic resistor can be greatly reduced and power efficiency limitations can be overcome, which any conventional power management circuit technology fails to overcome. In addition, the volume and cost of a large and expensive inductor can be reduced by using a capacitor having a relatively small volume and a low unit cost. Accordingly, it is possible to greatly reduce heat generated in the power management circuit, increase the use time of the device, and reduce consumption of the area and volume of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

[ Table 1]

An extended example of a converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 4 to 10.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 4, the converter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include one conversion unit 130, one output unit 150, and a plurality of input units 110. Here, the characteristics of the output voltage may have all characteristics such as buck, boost, and buck-boost.

The plurality of inductors, the plurality of capacitors, and the plurality of switches may constitute the conversion unit 130. Here, the input unit 110 may include an AC power source, a DC power source, a power supply source (various voltage or current power sources), and the like. In addition, the output unit 150 may include any type of load that can be modeled using various passive elements including resistors, capacitors, and inductors, i.e., any type of load using a conventional PMIC.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating another extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 5, the converter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include one input unit 110, one conversion unit 130, and a plurality of output units 150.

Here, the characteristics of the output voltage may have all characteristics such as buck, boost, and buck-boost.

The plurality of inductors, the plurality of capacitors, and the plurality of switches may constitute the conversion unit 130. In addition, the input unit 110 may include an AC power source, a DC power source, a power supply source (various voltage or current power sources), and the like. In addition, the output unit 150 may include any type of load that can be modeled using various passive elements including resistors, capacitors, and inductors, i.e., any type of load using a conventional PMIC.

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating still another extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 6, the converter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of input units 110, a plurality of conversion units 130, and a plurality of output units 150.

Here, the characteristics of the output voltage may have all characteristics such as buck, boost, and buck-boost.

The plurality of inductors, the plurality of capacitors, and the plurality of switches may constitute the conversion unit 130. In addition, the input unit 110 may include an AC power source, a DC power source, a power supply source (various voltage or current power sources), and the like. In addition, the output unit 150 may include any type of load that can be modeled using various passive elements including resistors, capacitors, and inductors, i.e., any type of load using a conventional PMIC.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating yet another extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 7, the converter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include one input unit 110, one output unit 150, and a plurality of conversion units 130.

Here, the plurality of conversion units 130 are connected in series with each other.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating yet another extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 8, a converter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include one input unit 110, one output unit 150, and a plurality of conversion units 130.

Here, the plurality of conversion units 130 are connected in parallel with each other.

Meanwhile, when the converter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the plurality of converting units 130, as shown in fig. 7, the plurality of converting units 130 are connected in series to each other, and as shown in fig. 8, the plurality of converting units 130 are connected in parallel to each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and according to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of conversion units 130 may be connected in series and parallel (a combination of series and parallel) to each other.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating yet another extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 9, a converter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include one input unit 110, one output unit 150, and a plurality of conversion units 130, and may further include a conventional converter module 10.

Here, the plurality of conversion units 130 and the conventional converter module 10 are connected in series with each other.

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating yet another extended example of the converter having multiple paths shown in fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 10, a converter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include one input unit 110, one output unit 150, and a plurality of conversion units 130, and may further include a conventional converter module 10.

Here, the plurality of conversion units 130 and the conventional converter module 10 are connected in parallel with each other.

Meanwhile, when the converter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the plurality of converting units 130 and the conventional converter module 10, the plurality of converting units 130 and the conventional converter module 10 are connected in series with each other in fig. 9, and the plurality of converting units 130 and the conventional converter module 10 are connected in parallel with each other in fig. 10. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and according to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of conversion units 130 and the conventional converter module 10 may be connected in series-parallel (a combination of series and parallel) with each other.

Further, in the converter 100 including the plurality of conversion units 130 illustrated in fig. 7 to 10, the plurality of conversion units 130 may operate in synchronization with each other and may operate independently according to different clocks.

A control method of a converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 11.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 11, a method of controlling a converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: converts (steps down or steps up) the voltage of the power input to the converter 10, and delivers the current to the output terminal, wherein the current is distributed and delivered to the output terminal through a plurality of current delivery paths using inductors and capacitors (S100).

In this case, in the process of transferring the current, the current is distributed through a plurality of current transfer paths and transferred to the output unit. For example, in the converter 100, the current may be distributed and delivered to the output terminal by a plurality of current delivery paths including a first current delivery path using an inductor and a second current delivery path using a capacitor. Here, at least one of the first current transmission path and the second current transmission path may include a plurality of current transmission paths among the plurality of current transmission paths. For example, the plurality of current transfer paths may include a current transfer path using an inductor, a current transfer path using a first capacitor, and a current transfer path using a second capacitor. Of course, one current transfer path may use one inductor or one capacitor, may use multiple inductors or multiple capacitors, or may also use a combination of inductors and capacitors.

In addition, in the process of transferring the current, when an operation including a plurality of conversion operation modes (e.g., a plurality of step-down operation modes or a plurality of step-up operation modes) is repeatedly performed in a specific cycle unit, the current may be distributed and transferred to the output terminal through a plurality of current transfer paths in an entire section driving the plurality of conversion operation modes or in a partial section driving some of the plurality of conversion operation modes.

As described above, in the converter having multi-paths and the control method thereof according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since current is distributed to flow to an output terminal, i.e., a load, through a plurality of current transfer paths using inductors and capacitors, power loss may be reduced compared to a conventional converter, thereby improving power efficiency.

<Example 1: buck converter with multiple paths>

A converter having multiple paths and a control method thereof according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 12 to 43.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a case where a converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment performs a function of a buck converter configured to buck input power. That is, in the converter according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the output voltage V_OUTLower than the input voltage V_INAnd distributes and delivers the current to the output terminal through a plurality of current delivery paths (e.g., two current delivery paths, three current delivery paths, or n current delivery paths) using an inductor and a capacitor.

First, a first buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 12 to 14.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a first buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of the first buck converter shown in fig. 12. Fig. 14 shows a diagram for describing an example of the step-down operation mode of the first step-down converter shown in fig. 13.

Referring to fig. 12 and 13, a first buck converter 100-1 (hereinafter, referred to as a "first buck converter") having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit 110 to which power is input, a conversion unit 130 to buck the input power, and an output unit 150 to receive the stepped-down power and transfer it to an external device. Here, the power ratio (V) of the first buck converter 100-1_OUT/V_IN) In the range of 0.5 to 1.

That is, the conversion unit 130 steps down the power input through the input unit 110 and transfers the stepped-down power to the output unit 150. The switching unit 130 transfers current to the output unit 150 through two different current transfer paths. For example, the converting unit 130 may distribute and transfer a current to the output unit 150 through a first current transfer path using the inductor I and a second current transfer path using the capacitor C. Therefore, the first buck converter 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows a current flowing to an output terminal to be distributed to flow to the output terminal through a first current transfer path via the inductor I and a second current transfer path via the capacitor C, thereby reducing power loss to improve efficiency, as compared to a conventional buck converter that allows all of the amount of current flowing to the output terminal (load) to pass through the inductor.

To this end, the switching unit 130 may include an inductor I, a capacitor C, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, and a third switch SW 3.

One end of the inductor I is connected between the other end of the first switch SW1 and one end of the capacitor C, and the other end of the inductor I is connected between one end of the output unit 150 and the other end of the second switch SW 2.

One end of the capacitor C is connected between the other end of the first switch SW1 and one end of the inductor I, and the other end of the capacitor C is connected between one end of the second switch SW2 and one end of the third switch SW 3.

One end of the first switch SW1 is connected to one end of the input unit 110, and the other end of the first switch SW1 is connected between one end of the inductor I and one end of the capacitor C.

One end of the second switch SW2 is connected between the other end of the capacitor C and one end of the third switch SW3, and the other end of the second switch SW2 is connected between the other end of the inductor I and one end of the output unit 150.

One end of the third switch SW3 is connected between the other end of the capacitor C and one end of the second switch SW2, and the other end of the third switch SW3 is connected between the other end of the input unit 110 and the other end of the output unit 150.

More specifically, the switching unit 130 may be driven in the order of the first step-down operation mode, the second step-down operation mode. That is, the conversion unit 130 may repeatedly perform an operation including the first step-down operation mode and the second step-down operation mode at a specific cycle interval in a specific cycle unit, and may step down the power input from the input unit 110 and transfer the stepped-down power to the output unit 150. In this case, the duty ratio indicating the driving time of the first step-down operation mode may be determined based on the input voltage, the output voltage, and the like.

That is, as shown in (a) of fig. 14, the switching unit 130 may be driven in a first step-down operation mode that turns on the first and second switches SW1 and SW2 and turns off the third switch SW 3. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 150 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transmitted through the first current transmission path P1 composed of the inductor I and the second current transmission path P2 composed of the capacitor C. Thus, the RMS value of the current flowing in the inductor I is reduced due to the additional current transfer path using the capacitor C.

After the switching unit 130 is driven in the first step-down operation mode, as shown in (b) of fig. 14, the switching unit 130 may be driven in the second step-down operation mode, which turns on the third switch SW3 and turns off the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW 2.

As described above, in the first step-down operation mode, when current is accumulated in the inductor I, the current is distributed and delivered to the output unit 150 (i.e., the load) through the first current delivery path using the inductor I and the second current delivery path using the capacitor C. In the second step-down operation mode, the current accumulated in the inductor I is transferred to the output unit 150 (i.e., the load). Accordingly, since the current to be transferred to the output unit 150 (i.e., the load) is distributed through two paths (the first current transfer path and the second current transfer path) to be transferred, the first buck converter 100-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further reduce the amount of power loss compared to the conventional buck converter, thereby improving power efficiency.

An example of the first buck converter having the dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 15 and 16.

Fig. 15 shows a diagram illustrating an example of the first buck converter having the dual path according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 16 shows graphs obtained by testing the first buck converter having the dual path according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an environment in which a duty ratio is 0.4. Fig. 16 illustrates waveforms obtained by testing the first buck converter 100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention under the following conditions: the duty ratio is 40%, and the voltage V inputted through the input unit 110_INIs 5V, the voltage V output through the output unit 150_OUTIs 3.06V, and the current output through the output unit 150 is 1A.

Referring to fig. 15 and 16, the first buck converter 100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention repeatedly performs operations including a first buck operation mode Φ in a specific cycle unit₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₂Thereby stepping down the input power and delivering the input power to the output (i.e., the load).

In this case, when in the first step-down mode of operation Φ₁When the first buck converter 100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is driven down, in the first buck converter 100-1, a current is distributed and delivered to an output terminal (i.e., a load) through a first current delivery path using an inductor I and a second current delivery path using a capacitor C.

The performance of the first buck converter having the dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 17 and 18.

Fig. 17 is a graph obtained by testing a first buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a first simulation environment, and fig. 18 is a graph obtained by testing a first buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second simulation environment.

In order to test the performance of the first buck converter 100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an experiment comparing the first buck converter 100-1 with a conventional buck converter in two simulation environments was performed.

In a first simulation environment, an input voltage V_INFixed at 4.5V, driving time D of first step-down mode of operation₁Varying between 0.05 and 0.95 and the current at the output (i.e., the load) is fixed at 1A. Thus, the voltage V of the output terminal (i.e., the load)_OUTIs V_IN/(2-D₁) I.e. 2.25V<V_OUT<4.5V and driving time D of the second step-down operation mode₂Is 1/(2-D)₁)。

In a second simulation environment, the voltage V of the output terminal (i.e., the load)_OUTFixed at 2.8V, drive time D for the first buck mode of operation₁Varying between 0.05 and 0.95 and the current at the output (i.e., the load) is fixed at 1A. Thus, the input voltage V_INIs V_OUT×(2-D₁) I.e. 3.0V<V_IN<5.5V and driving time D of the second step-down operation mode₂Is 1/(2-D)₁)。

Referring to fig. 17, as a result of the test in the first simulation environment, it may be confirmed that the power efficiency (solid line in fig. 17) of the first buck converter according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is further improved by about 5% as compared to the power efficiency (dotted line in fig. 17) of the conventional buck converter.

Referring to fig. 18, as a result of the test in the second simulation environment, it may be confirmed that the power efficiency (solid line in fig. 18) of the first buck converter according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is further improved by about 4.7% as compared to the power efficiency (dotted line in fig. 18) of the conventional buck converter.

A control method of the first buck converter having the dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 19 and 20.

Fig. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a first buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 19, the first buck converter 100-1 steps down input power to deliver current to the output unit 150, and delivers current to the output unit 150 through two different current delivery paths while delivering current to the output unit 150 (S110-1).

For example, in the first buck converter 100-1, a current may be distributed and transferred to the output unit 150 through a first current transfer path using the inductor I and a second current transfer path using the capacitor C. Therefore, the first buck converter 100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows a current flowing to an output terminal to be distributed to flow to the output terminal through a first current transfer path via the inductor I and a second current transfer path via the capacitor C, thereby reducing power loss to improve efficiency, as compared to a conventional buck converter that allows all of the amount of current flowing to the output terminal (load) to pass through the inductor.

Fig. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the current transfer operation shown in fig. 19 in more detail.

Referring to fig. 20, the first buck converter 100-1 may be driven in the first buck operation mode (S111). That is, the first buck converter 100-1 may be driven in a first buck operation mode of turning on the first and second switches SW1 and SW2 and turning off the third switch SW 3. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 150 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path P1 using the inductor I and the second current transfer path P2 using the capacitor C.

After the first buck converter 100-1 is driven in the first buck operation mode, the first buck converter 100-1 may be driven in the second buck operation mode (S113). That is, the first buck converter 100-1 may be driven in the second buck operation mode in which the third switch SW3 opens the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW 2.

As described above, the first buck converter 100-1 may repeatedly perform an operation including the first buck operation mode and the second buck operation mode in a specific cycle unit, and may buck power input from the input unit 110 and transfer it to the output unit 150.

That is, in the first step-down operation mode, when current is accumulated in the inductor I, the current is distributed and delivered to the output unit 150 (i.e., the load) through the first current delivery path using the inductor I and the second current delivery path using the capacitor C. In the second step-down operation mode, the current accumulated in the inductor I is transferred to the output unit 150 (i.e., the load). Accordingly, since the current to be transferred to the output unit 150 (i.e., the load) is distributed through two paths (the first current transfer path and the second current transfer path) to be transferred, the first buck converter 100-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further reduce the amount of power loss compared to the conventional buck converter, thereby improving power efficiency.

A second buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 21 and 22.

Fig. 21 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a second buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 22 shows a diagram for describing an example of the step-down operation mode of the second step-down converter shown in fig. 22.

Since the second buck converter 200-1 having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "second buck converter") is substantially the same as the first buck converter 100-1 according to the above-described exemplary embodiment, only the difference therebetween will be described.

Referring to fig. 21, the second buck converter 200-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes a fourth switch SW4 added to the first buck converter 100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

That is, the conversion unit 230 may include an inductor I, a capacitor C, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, a third switch SW3, and a fourth switch SW 4.

One end of the fourth switch SW4 is connected between the other end of the first switch SW1 and one end of the inductor I, and the other end of the fourth switch SW4 is connected to one end of the input unit 110 and the other end of the third switch SW 3.

Here, the first switch SW1 may be a P-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) switch. The second switch SW2, the third switch SW3, and the fourth switch SW4 may be N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) switches.

More specifically, the conversion unit 230 may be driven in the order of the first buck operation mode, the third buck operation mode, and the second buck operation mode. That is, the conversion unit 230 may repeatedly perform operations including the first step-down operation mode, the third step-down operation mode, and the second step-down operation mode in a specific cycle unit at specific cycle intervals, and may step down and transfer the power input from the input unit 210 to the output unit 250.

That is, as shown in (a) of fig. 22, the conversion unit 230 may be driven in a first step-down operation mode that turns on the first and second switches SW1 and SW2 and turns off the third and fourth switches SW3 and SW 4. Accordingly, a current flowing to the output unit 250 (i.e., a load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path P1 using the inductor I and the second current transfer path P2 using the capacitor C. Thus, the RMS value of the current flowing in the inductor I is reduced due to the additional current transfer path using the capacitor C.

After the switching unit 230 is driven in the first buck operation mode, as shown in (b) of fig. 22, the switching unit 230 may be driven in a third buck operation mode, which turns on the fourth switch SW4 and turns off the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW 3.

In addition, after the switching unit 230 is driven in the third buck operation mode, as shown in (c) of fig. 22, the switching unit 230 may be driven in the third buck operation mode, which turns on the third switch SW3 and turns off the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW 4.

As described above, in the first step-down operation mode, when current is accumulated in the inductor I, the current is distributed and delivered to the output unit 250 (i.e., the load) through the first current delivery path using the inductor I and the second current delivery path using the capacitor C. Accordingly, since the current to be transferred to the output unit 250 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through two paths (the first current transfer path and the second current transfer path), the second buck converter 200-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can further reduce the amount of power loss compared to the conventional buck converter, thereby improving power efficiency.

In addition, unlike the first buck converter 100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second buck converter 200-1 is driven in the third buck operation mode by including the fourth switch SW4, and thus the power conversion ratio (V) thereof_OUT/V_IN) Is greater than the power conversion ratio range of the first buck converter 100-1 between 0 and 1. In addition, in the second buck converter 200-1, the RMS current flowing in the first switch SW1 may be further reduced as compared to the first buck converter 100-1, and the first buck operation mode Φ may be adjusted₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃Further reducing the RMS current flowing in the capacitor C.

That is, the first buck converter 100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide an output voltage having a range represented by [ equation 1] below.

[ formula 1]

V_OUT＝1/(2-D₁)×V_IN

(1/2×V_IN≤V_OUT≤V_IN)

Here, V_INIs referred to as the input voltage, V_OUTIs referred to as the output voltage, and D₁Refers to the driving time of the first buck mode of operation.

On the other hand, the second buck converter 200-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide an output voltage having a range represented by [ equation 2] below.

[ formula 2]

V_OUT＝(1-D₂)/(2-D₁-D₂)×V_IN

(0≤V_OUT≤V_IN)

Here, V_INIs referred to as the input voltage, V_OUTIs referred to as the output voltage, D₁Refers to the driving time of the first step-down operation mode, and D₂Refers to the driving time of the third buck mode of operation.

An example of the second buck converter having the dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 23.

Fig. 23 is a diagram of an example of a second buck converter with dual paths, according to an example embodiment of the invention.

Referring to fig. 23, the second buck converter 200-1 repeatedly performs operations including the first buck operation mode Φ in a specific cycle unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention₁Third reduced voltage mode of operation phi₂And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃And step down and deliver the input power to the output (i.e., the load).

In this case, when in the first step-down mode of operation Φ₁When the second buck converter 200-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is driven down, in the first buck converter 200-1, a current is distributed and delivered to an output terminal (i.e., a load) through a first current delivery path using an inductor I and a second current delivery path using a capacitor C.

A control method of the second buck converter having the dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 24 and 25.

Fig. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the second buck converter having the dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 24, the second buck converter 200-1 steps down input power to deliver current to the output unit 250, and delivers current to the output unit 250 through two different current delivery paths while delivering current to the output unit 250 (S210-1).

For example, in the second buck converter 200-1, a current may be distributed and transferred to the output unit 250 through a first current transfer path using the inductor I and a second current transfer path using the capacitor C. Therefore, the second buck converter 200-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows a current flowing to an output terminal to be distributed to flow to the output terminal through a first current transfer path via the inductor I and a second current transfer path via the capacitor C, thereby reducing power loss to improve efficiency, as compared to a conventional buck converter that allows all of the amount of current flowing to the output terminal (load) to pass through the inductor.

Fig. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the current transfer operation shown in fig. 24 in more detail.

Referring to fig. 25, the second buck converter 200-1 may be driven in the first buck operation mode (S211). That is, the second buck converter 200-1 may be driven in the first buck operation mode of turning on the first and second switches SW1 and SW2 and turning off the third and fourth switches SW3 and SW 4. Accordingly, a current flowing to the output unit 250 (i.e., a load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path P1 using the inductor I and the second current transfer path P2 using the capacitor C.

After the second buck converter 200-1 is driven in the first buck operation mode, the second buck converter 200-1 may be driven in the third buck operation mode (S213). That is, the second buck converter 200-1 may be driven in the third buck operation mode of turning on the fourth switch SW4 and turning off the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW 3.

After the second buck converter 200-1 is driven in the third buck operation mode, the second buck converter 200-1 may be driven in the second buck operation mode (S215). That is, the second buck converter 200-1 may be driven in the second buck operation mode of turning on the third switch SW3 and turning off the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW 4.

As described above, the second buck converter 200-1 may repeatedly perform an operation including the first buck operation mode, the third buck operation mode, and the second buck operation mode in a specific cycle unit, and may buck the power input from the input unit 210 and transfer it to the output unit 250.

That is, in the first step-down operation mode, when current is accumulated in the inductor I, the current is distributed and delivered to the output unit 250 (i.e., the load) through the first current delivery path using the inductor I and the second current delivery path using the capacitor C. Accordingly, since the current to be transferred to the output unit 250 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through two paths (the first current transfer path and the second current transfer path), the second buck converter 200-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can further reduce the amount of power loss compared to the conventional buck converter, thereby improving power efficiency.

A third buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 26 and 27.

Fig. 26 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a third buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 27 shows a diagram for describing an example of the step-down operation mode of the third step-down converter shown in fig. 26.

Since the third buck converter 300-1 having a dual path (hereinafter, referred to as a "third buck converter") according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the second buck converter 200-1, only differences therebetween will be described.

Referring to fig. 26, the third buck converter 300-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes a fifth switch SW5, a sixth switch SW6, and an additional capacitor C2 added to the second buck converter 200-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

That is, the conversion unit 330 may include an inductor I, a capacitor C, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, a third switch SW3, a fourth switch SW4, a fifth switch SW5, a sixth switch SW6, and an additional capacitor C2.

One end of the additional capacitor C2 is connected between the other end of the first switch SW1 and one end of the inductor I, and the other end of the additional capacitor C2 is connected to one end of the fourth switch SW 4.

One end of the sixth switch SW6 is connected between one end of the additional capacitor C2 and one end of the inductor I, and the other end of the sixth switch SW6 is connected to one end of the capacitor C.

One end of the fifth switch SW5 is connected between the other end of the additional capacitor C2 and one end of the fourth switch SW4, and the other end of the fifth switch SW5 is connected between the other end of the sixth switch SW6 and one end of the capacitor C.

More specifically, the conversion unit 330 may be driven in the order of the first step-down operation mode and the second step-down operation mode. That is, the conversion unit 330 may repeatedly perform an operation including the first step-down operation mode and the second step-down operation mode at a specific cycle interval in a specific cycle unit, and may step down and transfer the power input from the input unit 310 to the output unit 350.

That is, as shown in (a) of fig. 27, the conversion unit 330 may be driven in a first step-down operation mode that turns on the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the fifth switch SW5 and turns off the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, and the sixth switch SW 6. Accordingly, a current flowing to the output unit 350 (i.e., a load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path P1 using the inductor I and the second current transfer path P2 using the additional capacitor C2 and the capacitor C.

After the switching unit 330 is driven in the first step-down operation mode, as shown in (b) of fig. 27, the switching unit 330 may be driven in the second step-down operation mode, which turns on the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, and the sixth switch SW6 and turns off the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the fifth switch SW 5. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 350 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through the third current transfer path P3 using the capacitor C and the fourth current transfer path P4 using the additional capacitor C2.

As described above, in the first step-down operation mode, current is distributed and delivered to the output unit 350 (i.e., the load) through the first current delivery path P1 using the inductor I and the second current delivery path P2 using the additional capacitor C2 and the capacitor C. In the second step-down operation mode, the current is distributed and delivered to the output unit 350 (i.e., the load) through the third current transfer path P3 using the capacitor C and the fourth current transfer path P4 using the additional capacitor C2. Accordingly, since the current is distributed and transferred through the plurality of current transfer paths in the entire section driving the plurality of buck operation modes, the third buck converter 300-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further reduce the amount of power loss, thereby improving power efficiency, compared to the conventional buck converter.

A control method of the third buck converter having the dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 28.

Fig. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the third buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 28, the third buck converter 300-1 steps down input power to deliver current to the output unit 350, and delivers current to the output unit 350 through two different current delivery paths while delivering current to the output unit 350 (S310-1).

More specifically, the third buck converter 300-1 may be driven in the first buck mode of operation. That is, the third buck converter 300-1 may be driven in the first buck operation mode of turning on the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the fifth switch SW5 and turning off the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, and the sixth switch SW 6. Accordingly, a current flowing to the output unit 350 (i.e., a load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path P1 using the inductor I and the second current transfer path P2 using the additional capacitor C2 and the capacitor C.

After the third buck converter 300-1 is driven in the first buck operation mode, the third buck converter 300-1 may be driven in the second buck operation mode. That is, the third buck converter 300-1 may be driven in the second buck operation mode of turning on the third, fourth and sixth switches SW3, SW4 and SW6 and turning off the first, second and fifth switches SW1, SW2 and SW 5. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 350 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through the third current transfer path P3 using the capacitor C and the fourth current transfer path P4 using the additional capacitor C2.

A fourth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 29 and 30.

Fig. 29 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a fourth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 30 shows a diagram for describing an example of a buck operation mode of the fourth buck converter shown in fig. 29.

Referring to fig. 29, a fourth buck converter 400-1 having a dual path according to the present exemplary embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as a "fourth buck converter") is configured by changing positions of some elements of the first buck converter 100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, the power ratio (V) of the fourth buck converter 400-1_OUT/V_IN) In the range of 0 to 0.5.

That is, the switching unit 430 may include an inductor I, a capacitor C, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, and a third switch SW 3.

One end of the inductor I is connected between the other end of the capacitor C and one end of the third switch SW3, and the other end of the inductor I is connected between the other end of the second switch SW2 and one end of the output unit 450.

One end of the capacitor C is connected between the other end of the first switch SW1 and one end of the second switch SW2, and the other end of the capacitor C is connected between one end of the inductor I and one end of the third switch SW 3.

One end of the first switch SW1 is connected to one end of the input unit 410, and the other end of the first switch SW1 is connected between one end of the second switch SW2 and one end of the capacitor C.

One end of the second switch SW2 is connected between the other end of the first switch SW1 and one end of the capacitor C, and the other end of the second switch SW2 is connected between one end of the output unit 450 and the other end of the inductor I.

One end of the third switch SW3 is connected between the other end of the capacitor C and one end of the inductor I, and the other end of the third switch SW3 is connected between the other end of the input unit 410 and the other end of the output unit 450.

More specifically, the conversion unit 430 may be driven in the order of the first step-down operation mode and the second step-down operation mode. That is, the conversion unit 430 may repeatedly perform an operation including the first step-down operation mode and the second step-down operation mode at a specific cycle interval in a specific cycle unit, and may step down and transfer the power input from the input unit 410 to the output unit 450.

That is, as shown in (a) of fig. 30, the conversion unit 430 may be driven in a first step-down operation mode that turns on the first switch SW1 and turns off the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW 3.

After the switching unit 430 is driven in the first step-down operation mode, as shown in (b) of fig. 30, the switching unit 430 may be driven in the second step-down operation mode, which turns on the second and third switches SW2 and SW3 and turns off the first switch SW 1. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 450 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path P1 using the inductor I and the second current transfer path P2 using the capacitor C. Thus, the RMS value of the current flowing in the inductor I is reduced due to the additional current transfer path using the capacitor C.

A fifth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 31 and 32.

Fig. 31 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a fifth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 32 shows a diagram for describing an example of a buck operation mode of the fifth buck converter shown in fig. 31.

Since the fifth buck converter 500-1 having a dual path (hereinafter, referred to as a "fifth buck converter") according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the fourth buck converter 400-1, only differences therebetween will be described.

Referring to fig. 31, the fifth buck converter 500-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a fourth switch SW4 added to the fourth buck converter 400-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

That is, the switching unit 530 may include an inductor I, a capacitor C, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, a third switch SW3, and a fourth switch SW 4.

One end of the inductor I is connected between the other end of the capacitor C and one end of the third switch SW3, and the other end of the inductor I is connected between the other end of the second switch SW2 and one end of the output unit 550.

One end of the fourth switch SW4 is connected to the middle end of the input unit 510, and the other end of the fourth switch SW4 is connected between the other end of the capacitor C and one end of the third switch SW 3.

More specifically, the conversion unit 530 may be driven in the order of the first buck operation mode, the third buck operation mode, and the second buck operation mode. That is, the converting unit 530 may repeatedly perform operations including the first step-down operation mode, the third step-down operation mode, and the second step-down operation mode at specific cycle intervals in a specific cycle unit, and may step down and transfer the power input from the input unit 510 to the output unit 550.

That is, as shown in (a) of fig. 32, the switching unit 530 may be driven in a first step-down operation mode that turns on the first switch SW1 and turns off the second switch SW2, the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW 4.

After the switching unit 530 is driven in the first step-down operation mode, as shown in (b) of fig. 32, the switching unit 530 may be driven in a third step-down operation mode, which turns on the fourth switch SW4 and turns off the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW 3.

In addition, after the switching unit 530 is driven in the third buck operation mode, as shown in (c) of fig. 32, the switching unit 530 may be driven in the second buck operation mode, which turns on the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 and turns off the first switch SW1 and the fourth switch SW 4. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 550 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path P1 using the inductor I and the second current transfer path P2 using the capacitor C. Thus, the RMS value of the current flowing in the inductor I is reduced due to the additional current transfer path using the capacitor C.

As described above, since the current to be transferred to the output unit 550 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through two paths (the first current transfer path and the second current transfer path), the fifth buck converter 500-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can further reduce the amount of power loss compared to the conventional buck converter, thereby improving power efficiency.

In addition, unlike the fourth buck converter 400-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fifth buck converter 500-1 is driven in the third buck operation mode by including the fourth switch SW4, and thus the power conversion ratio (V) thereof_OUT/V_IN) Is greater than the power conversion ratio range between 0 and 1 of the fourth buck converter 400-1. In addition, in the fifth buck converter 500-1, the RMS current flowing in the third switch SW3 may be further reduced as compared to the first buck converter 400-1, and the first buck operation mode Φ may be adjusted₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃Further reducing the RMS current flowing in the capacitor C.

A sixth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 33 to 35.

Fig. 33 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a sixth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 34 shows a diagram for describing an example of the step-down operation mode of the sixth step-down converter shown in fig. 33. Fig. 35 shows a diagram for describing another example of the step-down operation mode of the sixth step-down converter shown in fig. 33.

Referring to fig. 33, a sixth buck converter 600-1 (hereinafter, referred to as a "sixth buck converter") having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured by changing positions of some elements of the second buck converter 200-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and adding a fifth switch SW 5. Here, the power ratio (V) of the sixth buck converter 600-1_OUT/V_IN) In the range of 0 to 1.

That is, the conversion unit 630 may include an inductor I, a capacitor C, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, a third switch SW3, a fourth switch SW4, and a fifth switch SW 5.

One end of the inductor I is connected between the other end of the first switch SW1 and one end of the fourth switch SW4, and the other end of the inductor I is connected between one end of the fifth switch SW5 and one end of the capacitor C.

One end of the capacitor C is connected between the other end of the inductor I and one end of the fifth switch SW5, and the other end of the capacitor C is connected between one end of the second switch SW and one end of the third switch SW 3.

One end of the first switch SW1 is connected to one end of the input unit 610, and the other end of the first switch SW1 is connected between one end of the inductor I and one end of the fourth switch SW 4.

One end of the second switch SW2 is connected between the other end of the capacitor C and one end of the third switch SW3, and the other end of the second switch SW2 is connected to the middle end of the output unit 610.

One end of the third switch SW3 is connected between the other end of the capacitor C and one end of the second switch SW2, and the other end of the third switch SW3 is connected between the other end of the fourth switch SW4 and the other end of the output unit 650.

One end of the fourth switch SW4 is connected between the other end of the first switch SW1 and one end of the inductor I, and the other end of the fourth switch SW4 is connected between the other end of the input unit 610 and the other end of the third switch SW 3.

One end of the fifth switch SW5 is connected between the other end of the inductor I and one end of the capacitor C, and the other end of the fifth switch SW5 is connected to one end of the output unit 650.

More specifically, the conversion unit 630 may be driven in the order of the first buck operation mode and the third buck operation mode. That is, the conversion unit 630 may repeatedly perform an operation including the first step-down operation mode and the third step-down operation mode at a specific cycle interval in a specific cycle unit, and may step down and transfer the power input from the input unit 610 to the output unit 650.

That is, as shown in (a) of fig. 34, the conversion unit 630 may be driven in a first step-down operation mode that turns on the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 and turns off the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, and the fifth switch SW 5.

After the switching unit 630 is driven in the first step-down operation mode, as shown in (b) of fig. 34, the switching unit 630 may be driven in a third step-down operation mode, which turns on the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, and the fifth switch SW5 and turns off the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW 4. Accordingly, a current flowing to the output unit 650 (i.e., a load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path P1 using the inductor I and the second current transfer path P2 using the capacitor C. Thus, the RMS value of the current flowing in the inductor I is reduced due to the additional current transfer path using the capacitor C.

Of course, the conversion unit 630 may be driven in the order of the first buck operation mode, the third buck operation mode, and the second buck operation mode. That is, the conversion unit 630 may repeatedly perform operations including the first step-down operation mode, the third step-down operation mode, and the second step-down operation mode at specific cycle intervals in a specific cycle unit, and may step down and transfer power input from the input unit 610 to the output unit 650.

That is, as shown in (a) of fig. 35, the conversion unit 630 may be driven in a first step-down operation mode that turns on the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 and turns off the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, and the fifth switch SW 5.

After the switching unit 630 is driven in the first step-down operation mode, as shown in (b) of fig. 35, the switching unit 630 may be driven in a third step-down operation mode, which turns on the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the fifth switch SW5, and turns off the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW 4. Accordingly, a current flowing to the output unit 650 (i.e., a load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path P1 using the inductor I and the second current transfer path P2 using the capacitor C. Thus, the RMS value of the current flowing in the inductor I is reduced due to the additional current transfer path using the capacitor C.

In addition, after the switching unit 630 is driven in the third buck operation mode, as shown in (c) of fig. 35, the switching unit 630 may be driven in the second buck operation mode, which turns on the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, and the fifth switch SW5 and turns off the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW 2. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 650 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through the third current transfer path P3 using the inductor I and the fourth current transfer path P4 using the capacitor C. Thus, the RMS value of the current flowing in the inductor I is reduced due to the additional current transfer path using the capacitor C.

A seventh buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 36.

Fig. 36 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a seventh buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Since the seventh buck converter 700-1 having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as a "seventh buck converter") is substantially the same as the first buck converter 100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, only differences therebetween will be described.

Referring to fig. 36, the seventh buck converter 700-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes three switches and one capacitor added to the first buck converter 100-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Therefore, unlike the first buck converter 100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the seventh buck converter 700-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a section in which current is supplied in parallel may be expanded into two parts (phases).

More specifically, the first buck mode of operation Φ₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₂The switching unit 730 is driven in sequence. That is, the conversion unit 730 may repeatedly perform operations including the first step-down operation mode Φ at specific cycle intervals in specific cycle units₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₂And may step down and transfer the power inputted from the input unit 710 to the output unit 750.

That is, as shown in fig. 36, it is possible to operate in the first step-down operation mode Φ₁The switching unit 730 is driven down. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 750 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path using the capacitor and the second current transfer path using the inductor and the capacitor.

In a first step-down mode of operation phi₁After the switching unit 730 is driven down, as shown in fig. 36, it may be in a second buck operation mode Φ₂The switching unit 730 is driven down. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 750 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through the third current transfer path using the capacitor and the inductor and the fourth current transfer path using the capacitor.

As described above, unlike the first buck converter 100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the seventh buck converter 700-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the section in which the current is supplied in parallel may be extended to the buck operation mode Φ₁And phi₂I.e. two parts.

An eighth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 37.

Fig. 37 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of an eighth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Since the eighth buck converter 800-1 having a dual path (hereinafter, referred to as an "eighth buck converter") according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the second buck converter 200-1, only differences therebetween will be described.

Referring to fig. 37, the eighth buck converter 800-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes three switches and one capacitor added to the second buck converter 200-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Therefore, unlike the second buck converter 200-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the eighth buck converter 800-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a section in which current is supplied in parallel may be expanded into two parts.

More specifically, the first buck mode of operation Φ₁Third reduced voltage mode of operation phi₂And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃The switching unit 830 is driven in sequence. That is, the conversion unit 830 may repeatedly perform the first step-down operation mode Φ -including at specific cycle intervals in specific cycle units₁Third reduced voltage mode of operation phi₂And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃And may step down the power inputted from the input unit 810 and transfer it to the output unit 850.

That is, as shown in fig. 37, it is possible to operate in the first step-down operation mode Φ₁The down-conversion unit 830. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 850 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path using the capacitor and the second current transfer path using the inductor and the capacitor.

In a first step-down mode of operation phi₁After the down-driving of the switching unit 830, as shown in fig. 37, it may be in a third buck operation mode Φ₂The switching unit 630 is driven down. Thus, byThe third current transfer path using the capacitor and the inductor and the fourth current transfer path using the switch distribute and transfer the current flowing to the output unit 850 (i.e., the load).

In addition, in the third step-down operation mode Φ₂After the down-driving of the switching unit 830, as shown in fig. 37, it may be in the second step-down operation mode Φ₃The down-conversion unit 830. Accordingly, a current flowing to the output unit 850 (i.e., a load) is transferred through the fifth current transfer path using the inductor.

As described above, unlike the second buck converter 200-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the eighth buck converter 800-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the section in which the current is supplied in parallel may be extended to the first buck operation mode Φ₁And a third reduced voltage mode of operation phi₂I.e. two parts.

A ninth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 38.

Fig. 38 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a ninth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Since the ninth buck converter 900-1 having a dual path (hereinafter, referred to as a "ninth buck converter") according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the fourth buck converter 400-1, only differences therebetween will be described.

Referring to fig. 38, the ninth buck converter 900-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes three switches and one capacitor added to the fourth buck converter 400-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Therefore, unlike the fourth buck converter 400-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the ninth buck converter 900-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a section in which current is supplied in parallel may be expanded into two parts.

More specifically, the first buck mode of operation Φ₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₂The switching unit 930 is driven in sequence. That is, conversionThe unit 930 may repeatedly perform operations including the first buck operation mode Φ at specific cycle intervals in specific cycle units₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₂And may step down the power inputted from the input unit 910 and transfer it to the output unit 950.

That is, as shown in fig. 38, it is possible to operate in the first step-down operation mode Φ₁The lower driving switching unit 930. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 950 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path using the capacitor and the second current transfer path using the inductor and the capacitor.

In a first step-down mode of operation phi₁After the switching unit 930 is driven down, as shown in fig. 38, it may be in the second buck operation mode Φ₂The lower driving switching unit 930. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 950 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through the third current transfer path using the capacitor and the inductor and the fourth current transfer path using the capacitor.

As described above, unlike the fourth buck converter 400-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the ninth buck converter 900-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the section in which the current is supplied in parallel may be extended to all the buck operation modes Φ₁And phi₂I.e. two parts.

A tenth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 39.

Fig. 39 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a tenth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Since the tenth buck converter 1000-1 having a dual path (hereinafter, referred to as a "tenth buck converter") according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the fifth buck converter 500-1, only differences therebetween will be described.

Referring to fig. 39, the tenth buck converter 1000-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes three switches and one capacitor added to the fifth buck converter 500-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Therefore, unlike the fifth buck converter 500-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the tenth buck converter 1000-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a section in which current is supplied in parallel may be expanded into two parts.

More specifically, the first buck mode of operation Φ₁Third reduced voltage mode of operation phi₂And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃The switching unit 1030 is driven in sequence. That is, the converting unit 1030 may repeatedly perform operations including the first step-down operation mode Φ at specific cycle intervals in specific periodic units₁Third reduced voltage mode of operation phi₂And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃And may step down and transfer the power inputted from the input unit 1010 to the output unit 1050.

That is, as shown in fig. 39, it is possible to operate in the first step-down operation mode Φ₁The down-drive converting unit 1030. Accordingly, a current flowing to the output unit 1050 (i.e., a load) is distributed and transferred through the first current transfer path using the capacitor and the second current transfer path using the inductor and the capacitor.

In a first step-down mode of operation phi₁After the down-driving of the converting unit 1030, as shown in fig. 39, it may be in a third buck operation mode Φ₂The down-drive converting unit 1030. Accordingly, a current flowing to the output unit 1050 (i.e., a load) is transferred through the third current transfer path using the inductor.

In addition, in the third step-down operation mode Φ₂After the down-driving of the converting unit 1030, as shown in fig. 39, it may be in the second buck operation mode Φ₃The down-drive converting unit 1030. Accordingly, a current flowing to the output unit 1050 (i.e., a load) is distributed and transferred through the fourth current transfer path using the capacitor and the inductor and the fifth current transfer path using the capacitor.

As described above, unlike the fifth buck converter 500-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the tenth buck converter 1000-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, anThe section for supplying current can be expanded into a first step-down operation mode phi₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃I.e. two parts.

An eleventh buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 40.

Fig. 40 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of an eleventh buck converter having three paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 40, an eleventh buck converter 1100-1 having three paths (hereinafter, referred to as an "eleventh buck converter") according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured by expanding the first buck converter 100-1 to have three current transfer paths. Here, the power ratio (V) of the eleventh buck converter 1100-1_OUT/V_IN) In the range of 0.67 to 1.

That is, the conversion unit 1130 may include an inductor I, a first capacitor C1, a second capacitor C2, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, a third switch SW3, a fourth switch SW4, a fifth switch SW5, and a sixth switch SW 6.

One end of the inductor I is connected between the other end of the first switch SW1 and one end of the first capacitor C1, and the other end of the inductor I is connected between one end of the output unit 1150 and the other end of the second switch SW 2.

One end of the first capacitor C1 is connected between the other end of the first switch SW1 and one end of the inductor I, and the other end of the first capacitor C1 is connected between one end of the second switch SW2 and one end of the third switch SW 3.

One end of the second capacitor C2 is connected between the other end of the third switch SW3 and the other end of the fourth switch SW4, and the other end of the second capacitor C2 is connected between one end of the fifth switch SW5 and one end of the sixth switch SW 6.

One end of the first switch SW1 is connected to one end of the input unit 1110, and the other end of the first switch SW1 is connected between one end of the inductor I and one end of the first capacitor C1.

One end of the second switch SW2 is connected between the other end of the first capacitor C1 and one end of the third switch SW3, and the other end of the second switch SW2 is connected between the other end of the inductor I and one end of the output unit 1150.

One end of the third switch SW3 is connected between the other end of the first capacitor C1 and one end of the second switch SW2, and the other end of the third switch SW3 is connected between the other end of the fourth switch SW4 and one end of the second capacitor C2.

One end of the fourth switch SW4 is connected between one end of the input unit 1110 and one end of the first switch SW1, and the other end of the fourth switch SW4 is connected between the other end of the third switch SW3 and one end of the second capacitor C2.

One end of the fifth switch SW5 is connected between the other end of the second capacitor C2 and one end of the sixth switch SW6, and the other end of the fifth switch SW5 is connected between the other end of the inductor I and the other end of the second switch SW 2.

One end of the sixth switch SW6 is connected between the other end of the second capacitor C2 and one end of the fifth switch SW5, and the other end of the sixth switch SW6 is connected between the other end of the input unit 1110 and the other end of the output unit 1150.

More specifically, the first buck mode of operation Φ₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₂The switching unit 1130 is driven in sequence. That is, the conversion unit 1130 may repeatedly perform operations including the first buck operation mode Φ at specific cycle intervals in specific cycle units₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₂And may step down and transfer the power inputted from the input unit 1110 to the output unit 1150. In this case, the indication of the first step-down operation mode Φ may be determined based on the input voltage, the output voltage, or the like₁Duty ratio of the driving time.

That is, as shown in fig. 40, it is possible to operate in the first step-down operation mode Φ₁The down driving switching unit 1130, the first step-down operation mode turns on the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4, and the fifth switch SW5 and turns off the third switch SW3 and the sixth switch SW 6. Thus, electricity flowing to the output unit 1150 (i.e., load) is distributed through multiple pathsFlows and transfers, and the multi-path includes a first current transfer path using the first switch SW1 and the inductor I, a second current transfer path using the first switch SW2, the first capacitor C1, and the second switch SW2, and a third current transfer path using the fourth switch SW4, the second capacitor C2, and the fifth switch SW 5. Therefore, due to the additional two current transfer paths using the two capacitors C1 and C2, the RMS value of the current flowing in the inductor I is further reduced compared to the dual-path structure.

In a first step-down mode of operation phi₁After the conversion unit 1130 is driven down, as shown in fig. 40, it may be in a second buck operation mode Φ₂The down driving switching unit 1130, the second step-down operation mode turns on the third switch SW3 and the sixth switch SW6 and turns off the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4 and the fifth switch SW 5.

A twelfth buck converter having a dual path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 41.

Fig. 41 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a twelfth buck converter having three paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 41, the twelfth buck converter 1200-1 having a three-path according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "twelfth buck converter") further includes a seventh switch SW7 added to the eleventh buck converter 1100-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

That is, the converting unit 1230 includes an inductor I, a first capacitor C1, a second capacitor C2, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, a third switch SW3, a fourth switch SW4, a fifth switch SW5, a sixth switch SW6, and a seventh switch SW 7.

One end of the seventh switch SW7 is connected between one end of the input unit 1210 and one end of the first switch SW1, and the other end of the seventh switch SW7 is connected between the other end of the input unit 1210 and the other end of the sixth switch SW 6.

More specifically, the first buck mode of operation Φ₁Third reduced voltage mode of operation phi₂And a second step-downMode of operation phi₃The switching unit 1230 is sequentially driven. That is, the conversion unit 1230 may repeatedly perform the first buck operation mode Φ -including at specific cycle intervals in specific periodic units₁Third reduced voltage mode of operation phi₂And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃And may step down and transfer the power inputted from the input unit 1210 to the output unit 1250.

That is, as shown in fig. 41, it is possible to operate in the first step-down operation mode Φ₁A lower driving switching unit 1230 that turns on the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4, and the fifth switch SW5 and turns off the third switch SW3, the sixth switch SW6, and the seventh switch SW 7. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 1250 (i.e., the load) is distributed and delivered through the following paths: a first current transfer path using the first switch SW1 and the inductor I, a second current transfer path using the first switch SW2, the first capacitor C1 and the second switch SW2, and a third current transfer path using the fourth switch SW4, the second capacitor C2 and the fifth switch SW 5. Therefore, due to the additional two current transfer paths using the two capacitors C1 and C2, the RMS value of the current flowing in the inductor I is further reduced compared to the dual-path structure.

In a first step-down mode of operation phi₁After the switching unit 1230 is driven down, as shown in fig. 41, it may be in a third buck operation mode Φ₂A lower driving switching unit 1230, the third step-down operation mode Φ₂The first switch SW1 and the seventh switch SW7 are turned on and the second switch SW2, the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, the fifth switch SW5 and the sixth switch SW6 are turned off.

In addition, in the third step-down operation mode Φ₂After the switching unit 1230 is driven down, as shown in fig. 41, it may be in the second buck operation mode Φ₃A down-drive switching unit 1230, the second step-down operation mode Φ₃The third switch SW3 and the sixth switch SW6 are turned on and the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4, the fifth switch SW5 and the seventh switch SW7 are turned off.

As described above, unlikeAccording to the fourth buck converter 1100-1, the twelfth buck converter 1200-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is driven in the third buck operation mode by including the seventh switch SW7, and thus the power conversion ratio (V) thereof_OUT/V_IN) Is greater than the power conversion ratio range between 0 and 1 of the eleventh buck converter 1100-1. In addition, in the twelfth buck converter 1200-1, the RMS current flowing in the first switch SW1 may be further reduced as compared to the eleventh buck converter 1100-1, and the first buck operation mode Φ may be adjusted₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃Further reducing the RMS current flowing in capacitors C1 and C2.

A thirteenth buck converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 42.

Fig. 42 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a thirteenth buck converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 42, a thirteenth buck converter 1300-1 having three paths (hereinafter, referred to as a "thirteenth buck converter") according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured by expanding the first buck converter 100-1 having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention to have n current transfer paths. Here, the power ratio (V) of the thirteenth buck converter 1300-1_OUT/V_IN) In the range of (n-1)/n to 1.

The conversion unit 1330 may include n-1 capacitors and a plurality of switches.

More specifically, the first buck mode of operation Φ₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₂The switching unit 1330 is driven in sequence. That is, the conversion unit 1330 may repeatedly perform operations including the first step-down operation mode Φ at specific cycle intervals in specific cycle units₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₂And may step down and transfer the power inputted from the input unit 1310 to the output unit 1350.

That is, as shown in fig. 42, it is possible to operate in the first step-down operation modeΦ₁The down-drive converting unit 1330. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 1350 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred by a multi-path including the current transfer path using the inductor and the n-1 current transfer paths using the capacitor. Thus, the RMS value of the current flowing in the inductor I is further reduced due to the additional n-1 current transfer paths using n-1 capacitors.

In a first step-down mode of operation phi₁After the down-driving of the switching unit 1330, as shown in FIG. 42, it may be in the second buck operation mode Φ₂The down-drive converting unit 1330.

A fourteenth buck converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 43.

Fig. 43 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a fourteenth buck converter having multiple paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 43, the fourteenth buck converter 1400-1 having multiple paths (hereinafter, referred to as a "fourteenth buck converter") according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes one switch added to the thirteenth buck converter 1300-1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

More specifically, the first buck mode of operation Φ₁Third reduced voltage mode of operation phi₂And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃The conversion unit 1430 is driven in sequence. That is, the conversion unit 1430 may repeatedly perform the first step-down operation mode Φ -including at specific cycle intervals in specific cycle units₁Third reduced voltage mode of operation phi₂And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃And may step down and transfer the power inputted from the input unit 1410 to the output unit 1450.

That is, as shown in fig. 43, it is possible to operate in the first step-down operation mode Φ₁The lower driving conversion unit 1430. Accordingly, the current flowing to the output unit 1450 (i.e., the load) is distributed and transferred through a multi-path including a current transfer path using an inductor and n-1 current transfer paths using a capacitor. Therefore, n-1 electricity is usedThe additional n-1 current transfer paths of the tank further reduce the RMS value of the current flowing in the inductor I.

In a first step-down mode of operation phi₁After the conversion unit 1430 is down-driven, as shown in fig. 43, it may be in a third buck operation mode Φ₂The lower driving conversion unit 1430.

In addition, in the third step-down operation mode Φ₃After the conversion unit 1430 is down-driven, as shown in fig. 43, it may be in a second buck operation mode Φ₃The lower driving conversion unit 1430.

As described above, unlike the thirteenth buck converter 1300-1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fourteenth buck converter 1400-1 is driven in the third buck operation mode by further including an additional switch, and thus its power conversion ratio (V)_OUT/V_IN) Is greater than the power conversion ratio range of 0 to 1 of the thirteenth buck converter 1300-1. Further, in the fourteenth buck converter 1400-1, the RMS current flowing in the first switch SW1 may be further reduced as compared to the thirteenth buck converter 1300-1, and the first buck operation mode Φ may be adjusted₁And a second reduced voltage operation mode phi₃Further reducing the RMS current flowing in the n-1 capacitors.

< example 2: boost converter with multiple paths >

Hereinafter, a converter having multiple paths and a control method thereof according to other exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 44 to 58.

Other exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to the following cases: a converter with multipath according to another exemplary embodiment performs the function of a boost converter configured to boost input power. That is, in a converter according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the output voltage V_OUTHigher than input voltage V_INAnd distributes and delivers the current to the output terminal through a plurality of current delivery paths (e.g., two current delivery paths, three current delivery paths, or n current delivery paths) using an inductor and a capacitor.

First, a first boost converter having a dual path according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 44 to 48.

Fig. 44 is a block diagram illustrating a first boost converter having dual paths according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 45 is a circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of the first boost converter shown in fig. 44. Fig. 46 shows a diagram for describing an example of a boosting operation mode of the first boost converter having a dual path according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 47 shows a diagram for describing another example of a boosting operation mode of the first boost converter having a dual path according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 48 illustrates a graph of current change due to a boost operation mode of the first boost converter having a dual path according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 44, a first boost converter 100-2 having a dual path (hereinafter, referred to as a "first boost converter") includes an input unit 110 to which power is input, a conversion unit 130 boosting the input power, and an output unit 150 receiving the boosted power and transferring it to an external device.

That is, the converting unit 130 boosts the power input through the input unit 110 and transfers the boosted power to the output unit 150. Even in the case of boosting the input power, the converting unit 130 transfers the current to the output unit 150.

To this end, the conversion unit 130 may include a first conversion circuit unit 131 and a second conversion circuit unit 133.

The first conversion circuit unit 131 boosts power input through the input unit 110. The first conversion circuit unit 131 transfers the boosted power to the output unit 150.

Referring to fig. 45, the first conversion circuit unit 131 may include an inductor I1, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, and a third switch SW 3.

One end of the inductor I1 is connected to the input unit 110, and the other end of the inductor I1 is connected to the output unit 150.

The first switch SW1 is disposed between the input unit 110 and the inductor I1. One end of which is connected to the input cell 110 and the other end of which is connected to the inductor I1.

The second switch SW2 is disposed between the inductor I1 and the output unit 150. One end thereof is connected to the inductor I1, and the other end thereof is connected to the output unit 150.

One end of the third switch SW3 is connected to the ground, and the other end of the third switch SW3 is connected between the inductor I1 and the second switch SW 2.

The second converting circuit unit 133 transfers a current to the output unit 150 while the first converting circuit unit 131 boosts power.

Referring to fig. 45, the second conversion circuit unit 133 may include a fourth switch SW4, a capacitor C1, and a fifth switch SW 5.

One end of the fourth switch SW4 is connected to the input unit 110, and the other end of the fourth switch SW4 is connected to the fifth switch SW 5.

One end of the capacitor C1 is connected between the fourth switch SW4 and the fifth switch SW5, and the other end of the capacitor C1 is connected between the first switch SW1 and the inductor I1.

One end of the fifth switch SW5 is connected to the fourth switch SW4, and the other end of the fifth switch SW5 is connected to the output unit 150.

The above-described first boost converter 100-2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention exhibits its own characteristic of the boost converter according to the duty ratio indicating the driving time of the first boost operation mode. For example, when the duty ratio is "0", the conversion ratio is "1", and when the duty ratio is "1", the conversion ratio is infinite. Thus, the first boost converter 100-2 exhibits its own characteristics of a boost converter. The current flowing when the capacitor C1 is connected in parallel with the inductor I1 splits the current flowing to the inductor I1 into two currents and halves the current of the inductor I1 compared to a conventional boost converter. In addition, the conduction loss increases in the form of the current squared, and the conduction loss decreases to 1/4 when the current is halved, thereby improving efficiency.

In addition, in the first boost converter 100-2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the switch may be designed as a low withstand voltage element, thereby further reducing the overlap loss caused by the switching node.

More specifically, the switching unit 130 may be driven in the order of the first boosting operation mode and the second boosting operation mode.

That is, as shown in (a) of fig. 46, the switching unit 130 may be driven in a first boosting operation mode that turns on the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, and the fifth switch SW5 and turns off the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW 4. Accordingly, the converting unit 130 may increase power input through the input unit 110 using the inductor I1, and may transfer current to the output unit 150 while increasing the power.

As shown in (b) of fig. 46, after the switching unit 130 is driven in the first boosting operation mode, the switching unit 130 may be driven in the second boosting operation mode, which turns on the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW4 and turns off the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, and the fifth switch SW 5. The converting unit 130 may transfer the boosted power to the output unit 150.

As described above, in the first boost operation mode, the current of the inductor I1 is accumulated, and the current is delivered to the output terminal through the path via the capacitor C1 while the current of the inductor I1 is accumulated. In a second boost mode of operation, inductor I1 and capacitor C1 are connected in series to pass current to the output. Therefore, in the first boost converter 100-2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since a current is transferred to the output terminal in all modes, a continuous output current may be presented. Therefore, the RMS value of the current in the inductor can be further reduced, and the ripple and switching noise of the output voltage can be greatly reduced, as compared to the conventional boost converter.

On the other hand, when the duty ratio indicating the driving time of the first boosting operation mode is greater than a preset value (e.g., "0.5", etc.), the converting unit 130 may be driven in the order of the first boosting operation mode and the second boosting operation mode, and the power input through the input unit 110 may be boosted to transfer the boosted power to the output unit 150. Even in the case of boosting the input power, the converting unit 130 may transfer the current to the output unit 150.

Meanwhile, when the duty ratio indicating the driving time of the first boosting operation mode is less than a preset value (e.g., "0.5", etc.), the converting unit 130 may be driven in order of the first boosting operation mode, the third boosting operation mode, and the second boosting operation mode.

That is, as shown in (a) of fig. 47, the switching unit 130 may be driven in a first boosting operation mode that turns on the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, and the fifth switch SW5 and turns off the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW 4.

After the switching unit 130 is driven in the first boosting operation mode, as shown in (b) of fig. 47, the switching unit 130 may be driven in a third boosting operation mode, which turns on the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the fifth switch SW5 and turns off the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW 4.

After the switching unit 130 is driven in the third boosting operation mode, as shown in (c) of fig. 47, the switching unit 130 may be driven in the second boosting operation mode, which turns on the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW4 and turns off the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3 and the fifth switch SW 5.

Here, when the converting unit 130 is driven in the order of the first boosting operation mode, the third boosting operation mode, and the second boosting operation mode, the converting unit 130 may be driven in the second boosting operation mode for a preset time (e.g., "0.5", etc.). For example, when the preset value serving as a reference for duty ratio comparison is "0.5" and the duty ratio is "0.3", the duty ratio is smaller than the preset value. Accordingly, the switching unit 130 is driven in the order of the first boosting operation mode, the third boosting operation mode, and the second boosting operation mode. In this case, in order to maintain the driving time of the second boosting operation mode at the preset time "0.5", the conversion unit 130 is driven in the first boosting operation mode for a time of "0.3", in the third boosting operation mode for a time of "0.2", and in the second boosting operation mode for a time of "0.5".

As described above, when the duty ratio indicating the driving time of the first boosting operation mode is less than the preset value (e.g., "0.5", etc.), the conversion unit 130 may be driven in the third boosting operation mode between the first boosting operation mode and the second boosting operation mode, whereby the time required to supply current to the capacitor C1 may be shortened. Therefore, a large amount of current can be supplied at a time in a short time, thereby preventing negative effects on efficiency.

Therefore, in the first boost converter 100-2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since a current is transferred to the output terminal in all modes, a continuous output current may be presented. Therefore, the RMS value of the current in the inductor can be further reduced, and the ripple and switching noise of the output voltage can be greatly reduced, as compared to the conventional boost converter.

In other words, when the duty ratio indicating the driving time of the first boosting operation mode is greater than a preset value (e.g., "0.5", etc.), it may be possible to operate in the first boosting operation mode D as shown in (a) of fig. 48₁And a second boost operating mode D₂The switching unit 130 is driven in sequence.

When the duty ratio indicating the driving time of the first boosting operation mode is less than a preset value (e.g., "0.5", etc.), the first boosting operation mode D may be possible as shown in (b) of fig. 48₁A third boost operating mode D₃And a second boost operating mode D₂The switching unit 130 is driven in sequence.

The performance of the first boost converter according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 49 to 52.

Fig. 49 shows graphs obtained by testing a first boost converter according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an environment where the duty ratio is 0.5. Fig. 50 shows graphs obtained by testing a first boost converter according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an environment where the duty ratio is 0.7. Fig. 51 shows graphs obtained by testing a first boost converter according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an environment with a duty ratio of 0.4. Fig. 52 shows graphs obtained by testing a first boost converter according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an environment in which the duty ratio is 0.2.

Referring to fig. 49, it can be confirmed that the average value of the current in the inductor of the first boost converter 100-2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is reduced by about half of the current of the conventional boost converter. Unlike the conventional boost converter having discontinuity of the current flowing to the output terminal, in the first boost converter 100-2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it can be confirmed that the current flowing to the output terminal does not drop to zero and has continuity. As a result, the ripple of the output voltage is greatly reduced compared to the conventional boost converter. This does not degrade the performance of the load connected to the output terminal of the first boost converter 100-2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, that is, it does not degrade the performance of the block of the high voltage formed through the first boost converter 100-2.

Referring to fig. 50 to 52, it can be confirmed that the first boost converter 100-2 according to the present invention exhibits superior performance compared to the conventional converter.

A control method of the first boost converter having a dual path according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 53 and 54.

Fig. 53 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a first boost converter having a dual path according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 53, the first boost converter 100-2 boosts input power and transfers current to an output unit while boosting the input power (S110-2). That is, the first boost converter 100-2 may be driven in the first boost operation mode, which turns on the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, and the fifth switch SW5 and turns off the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW 4.

Then, the first boost converter 100-2 transfers the boosted power to the output unit (S130-2). That is, after the first boost converter 100-2 is driven in the first boost operation mode, the first boost converter 100-2 may be driven in the second boost operation mode, which turns on the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW4 and turns off the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, and the fifth switch SW 5.

Fig. 54 is a flowchart illustrating the boost power transfer operation shown in fig. 53 in more detail.

Referring to fig. 54, when the duty ratio is greater than the preset value (yes in operation S131), the first boost converter 100-2 may be driven in the second boost operation mode (S133). That is, when the duty ratio indicating the driving time of the first boosting operation mode is greater than a preset value (e.g., "0.5", etc.), the first boost converter 100-2 may be driven in the second boosting operation mode.

Meanwhile, when the duty ratio is less than the preset value (no in operation S131), the first boost converter 100-2 may be driven in the third boost operation mode (S135). That is, when the duty ratio indicating the driving time of the first boost operation mode is less than a preset value (e.g., "0.5", etc.), the first boost converter 100-2 may be driven in the third boost operation mode, which turns on the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the fifth switch SW5 and turns off the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW 4.

Next, the first boost converter 100-2 may be driven in the second buck operation mode (S137). In this case, the first boost converter 100-2 may be driven in the second boost operation mode for a preset time (e.g., "0.5", etc.).

A second boost converter having a dual path according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 55 and 56.

Fig. 55 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration and a boosting operation mode of the second boost converter having a dual path according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 56 is a diagram illustrating another example of the boosting operation mode of the second boost converter shown in fig. 55.

Since the second boost converter 200-2 having a dual path (hereinafter, referred to as a "second boost converter") according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the first boost converter 100-2, only differences therebetween will be described.

Referring to fig. 55 to 56, the second boost converter 200-2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured by changing positions of some elements of the first boost converter 200-1 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

That is, the conversion unit 230 may include an inductor I1, a capacitor C1, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, a third switch SW3, a fourth switch SW4, and a fifth switch SW 5.

One end of the inductor I1 is connected to one end of the input unit 210, and the other end of the inductor I1 is connected between one end of the second switch SW2 and one end of the third switch SW 3.

One end of the capacitor C1 is connected between the other end of the first switch SW1 and one end of the fourth switch SW4, and the other end of the capacitor C1 is connected between the other end of the third switch SW3 and one end of the fifth switch SW 5.

One end of the first switch SW1 is connected between one end of the input unit 210 and one end of the inductor I1, and the other end of the first switch SW1 is connected between one end of the fourth switch SW4 and one end of the capacitor C1.

One end of the second switch SW2 is connected between the other end of the inductor I1 and one end of the third switch SW3, and the other end of the second switch SW2 is connected between the other end of the input unit 210 and the other end of the output unit 250.

One end of the third switch SW3 is connected between the other end of the inductor I1 and one end of the second switch SW2, and the other end of the third switch SW3 is connected between the other end of the capacitor C1 and one end of the fifth switch SW 5.

One end of the fourth switch SW4 is connected between the other end of the first switch SW1 and one end of the capacitor C1, and the other end of the fourth switch SW4 is connected between one end of the output unit 250 and the other end of the fifth switch SW 5.

One end of the fifth switch SW5 is connected between the other end of the capacitor C1 and the other end of the third switch SW3, and the other end of the fifth switch SW5 is connected to one end of the output unit 250.

Can be operated in a first boost operation mode phi₁And a second boost operation mode phi₂The switching unit 230 is driven in sequence.

That is, as shown in fig. 55, it is possible to operate in the first boosting operation mode Φ₁A down-driving switching unit 230 which turns on the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the fifth switch SW5 and turns off the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW 4. Accordingly, the converting unit 230 may increase power input through the input unit 210 using the inductor I1, and may transfer current to the output unit 250 while increasing the power.

In a first boost operation mode phi₁After the conversion unit 230 is driven down, as shown in fig. 55, it may be in the second boosting operation mode Φ₂And a lower driving switching unit 230 that turns on the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4 and turns off the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the fifth switch SW 5. Accordingly, the converting unit 230 may transfer the boosted power to the output unit 250.

As described above, in the first boost operation mode Φ₁Next, the current of the inductor I1 is accumulated, and the current is delivered to the output terminal through a path via the capacitor C1 while the current of the inductor I1 is accumulated. In the second boost operation mode phi₂Next, an inductor I1 and a capacitor C1 are connected in series to pass current to the output. Therefore, in the second boost converter 200-2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since a current is transferred to the output terminal in all modes, a continuous output current may be exhibited.

On the other hand, the first boost operation mode Φ may be used₁Third boost mode of operation phi₂And a second boost operation mode phi₃The switching unit 230 is driven in sequence.

That is, as shown in fig. 56, it is possible to operate in the first boosting operation mode Φ₁A down-drive switching unit 230 which turns on the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2 and the fifth switch SW5 andthe third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4 are opened. Accordingly, the converting unit 230 may increase power input through the input unit 210 using the inductor I1, and may transfer current to the output unit 250 while increasing the power.

In a first boost operation mode phi₁After the conversion unit 230 is driven down, as shown in fig. 56, it may be in a third boosting operation mode Φ₂And a lower driving switching unit 230 that turns on the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, and the fifth switch SW5 and turns off the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW 4.

In a third boost operating mode phi₂After the conversion unit 230 is driven down, as shown in fig. 56, it may be in the second boosting operation mode Φ₃And a lower driving switching unit 230 that turns on the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4 and turns off the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the fifth switch SW 5. Accordingly, the converting unit 230 may transfer the boosted power to the output unit 250.

As described above, the first boost operation mode Φ can be performed₁And a second boost operation mode phi₃In a third boost operation mode phi₂The conversion unit 230 is driven, and thus the time required to supply current to the capacitor C1 can be shortened. Therefore, a large amount of current can be supplied at a time in a short time, thereby preventing adverse effects on efficiency.

Therefore, in the second boost converter 200-2 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since a current is transferred to the output terminal in all modes, a continuous output current may be presented. Therefore, the RMS value of the current in the inductor can be further reduced, and the ripple and switching noise of the output voltage can be greatly reduced, as compared to the conventional boost converter.

A third boost converter having multiple paths according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 57.

Fig. 57 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a third boost converter having multiple paths according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 57, a third boost converter 300-2 having multiple paths (hereinafter, referred to as a "third boost converter") according to another embodiment of the present invention is configured by expanding a second boost converter 200-1 according to another embodiment of the present invention to have n current transfer paths.

More specifically, the first boost operation mode Φ can be used₁And a second boost operation mode phi₂The switching unit 330 is driven in sequence.

That is, as shown in fig. 57, it is possible to operate in the first boosting operation mode Φ₁The switching unit 330 is driven down. Accordingly, the converting unit 330 may increase the power input through the input unit 310 using the inductor I1, and may transfer the current to the output unit 250 through n current transfer paths using n capacitors while increasing the power.

In a first boost operation mode phi₁After the switching unit 330 is driven down, as shown in fig. 57, it may be in the second boosting operation mode Φ₂The switching unit 330 is driven down. Accordingly, the converting unit 330 may transfer the boosted power to the output unit 350.

A fourth boost converter having multiple paths according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 58.

Fig. 58 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a fourth boost converter having multiple paths according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 58, a fourth boost converter 400-2 having multiple paths (hereinafter, referred to as a "fourth boost converter") according to another embodiment of the present invention is configured by expanding a first boost converter 100-1 according to another embodiment of the present invention to have n current transfer paths.

More specifically, the first boost operation mode Φ can be used₁And a second boost operation mode phi₂The switching unit 430 is driven in sequence.

That is, as shown in fig. 58, it is possible to operate in the first boost operation mode Φ₁The switching unit 430 is driven down. Therefore, the conversion unit 430 may be increased using the inductor I1The power inputted through the input unit 410, and the current can be transferred to the output unit 450 through n current transfer paths using n capacitors while increasing the power.

In a first boost operation mode phi₁After the switching unit 430 is driven down, as shown in fig. 58, it may be in the second boosting operation mode Φ₂The switching unit 430 is driven down. Accordingly, the converting unit 430 may transfer the boosted power to the output unit 450.

On the other hand, the exemplary embodiments shown in order to describe the converter having multi-paths and the control method thereof according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention all use the circuit of the DC-DC converter, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be equally applied to the AC-AC converter, the DC-AC converter, and the AC-DC converter according to the exemplary embodiments.

In the above description, although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the specific exemplary embodiments described above. Various modifications may be made to the invention by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed in the appended claims, and such modifications are within the scope of the claims.