Abstract:
A DC-to-DC converter and a method thereof is provided. The DC-to-DC converter includes a power supply for providing a first direct current, a first capacitor, a first switch assembly for converting the first direct current into a first alternating current, a transformer for converting the first alternating current to a second alternating current, a rectifying circuit for converting and rectifying the second alternating current to a second direct current, a filtering circuit, and a range winding assembly for adjusting the output voltage of the second direct current in response to the voltage drop of the first direct current.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a DC-to-DC converter and a converting method, and more particularly to a DC-to-DC converter and a converting method for adjusting an output DC voltage in response to a voltage drop of an input DC voltage.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Presently, the traditional topological structure of DC-to-DC converter is mainly divided into four types: full-bridge converter, forward converter, flyback converter and asymmetrical half-bridge converter.  
           [0003]    [0003]FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit diagram of a conventional full-bridge topological DC-to-DC converter, wherein the power switching devices Q 1  to Q 4  are MOSFETs.  
           [0004]    In view of FIG. 1, the DC-to-DC converter includes a direct current (DC) voltage Ud provided from the DC power supply or obtained from a rectified AC power supply, a filtering energy storage capacitor C 1 , a switch assembly Q 1  to Q 4 , a transformer T 1 , two rectifying diodes D 2  and D 3  and a filtering circuit LC having a capacitor C 3  and an inductor L 2 . The filtering energy storage capacitor C 1  is charged by the DC voltage Ud provided from the DC power supply or obtained from a rectified alternating current (AC) power supply. The input DC voltage is converted into a high frequency AC voltage by alternately conducting and shutting the switch assembly Q 1  to Q 4 . Furthermore, the high frequency AC voltage transformed by the transformer T 1  is transferred to the secondary winding N 2  and N 2 ′ in the transformer T 1 , which are rectified through the rectifying diodes D 2  and D 3  respectively and then a DC output voltage is outputted from the filtering circuit LC.  
           [0005]    During normal operation, the maximum duty ratio in the switch assembly Q 1  to Q 4  is generally small. The small duty ratio is obtained so as to conform to a hold-up time in a power supply. When the input DC outputted from the power supply is dropped, a voltage outputted from the filtering energy storage capacitor C 1  is decreased therewith. Nevertheless, the power supply is required to maintain a hold-up time, e.g. 20 ms, of rated output voltage of the converter after the input voltage drop. Consequently, the duty ratio of the converter is raised through the hold-up time, for example the duty ratio is raised from 70% of working normally to 90%, thereby the limited output voltage of the converter is performed.  
           [0006]    The duty ratio of the converter is less during the normal operation, and hence the efficiency of the converter could not be increased. Moreover, the converter needs a larger filtering energy storage capacitor C 1  to maintain the rated output voltage, which increases the volume of the converter and the price thereof. In addition, voltage on the secondary winding of the transformer T 1  should be raised due to the less duty ratio and the stress generated from the rectifying diodes D 2  and D 3  would be increased.  
           [0007]    Furthermore, other topological structures of the DC-to-DC converter also exist the above-mentioned shortcomings according to the prior art. It is therefore tried by the applicant to deal with the above situation encountered by the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a DC-to-DC converter and a method for keeping a rated output voltage by adjusting the ratio of an transformer when the input voltage outputted from a power supply is dropped.  
           [0009]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a DC-to-DC converter and a method for converting direct current to direct current including a better converting efficiency by raising the duty ratio of a switch assembly during the normal operation.  
           [0010]    According to an aspect of the present invention, the DC-to-DC converter includes a power supply, a first capacitor, a first switch assembly, a transformer, a rectifying circuit, a filtering circuit and a range winding assembly. The power supply is used for providing a first direct current (DC). The first capacitor is electrically connected to the power supply for being charged by the power supply. The first switch assembly is electrically connected to the first capacitor for converting the first direct current into a first alternating current by switching the first switch assembly. The transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding for converting the first alternating current to a second alternating current, wherein the primary winding is electrically connected to the first switch assembly and the secondary winding has a tap. The rectifying circuit is electrically connected to the secondary winding for converting and rectifying the second alternating current to a second direct current. The filtering circuit is electrically connected to the rectifying circuit for filtering the second direct current. In addition, the range winding assembly is electrically connected to the secondary winding and is one portion of the secondary winding for adjusting the output voltage of the second direct current in response to the voltage drop of the first direct current.  
           [0011]    Preferably, the power supply is a direct current (DC) power supply.  
           [0012]    Preferably, the power supply is an alternating current (AC) power supply capable of providing the first direct current via rectifying.  
           [0013]    Preferably, the first capacitor is a filtering capacitor.  
           [0014]    Preferably, the first alternating current is a high frequency alternating current.  
           [0015]    Preferably, the tap is a central tap.  
           [0016]    Preferably, the rectifying circuit includes two first rectifying diodes electrically connected to two ends of the secondary winding, respectively.  
           [0017]    Preferably, the filtering circuit includes an inductor and a second capacitor electrically connected to the tap.  
           [0018]    Preferably, the range winding assembly includes two subwindings electrically connected with two ends of the secondary winding, respectively.  
           [0019]    Preferably, the two subwindings are electrically connected with two second rectifying diodes, respectively, wherein the output ends of the two second rectifying diodes are connected together and electrically connected to the inductor of the filtering circuit.  
           [0020]    Preferably, the DC-to-DC converter further includes a third rectifying diode electrically connected to the range winding assembly, and a second switch electrically connected between the third rectifying diode and the filtering circuit.  
           [0021]    Preferably, the DC-to-DC converter further includes a control circuit electrically connected to the second switch for controlling the second switch in response to the voltage drop.  
           [0022]    Preferably, the control circuit is electrically connected to the first capacitor for providing a control signal to switch the second switch in response to the voltage drop of the first capacitor when the first direct current outputted from the power supply is dropped.  
           [0023]    Preferably, the control circuit is electrically connected to the secondary winding of the transformer for providing a control signal to switch the second switch in response to the voltage drop of the secondary winding when the first direct current outputted from the power supply is dropped.  
           [0024]    Preferably, the DC-to-DC converter is one selected from a group consisting of a flyback converter, a forward converter and a half-bridge converter.  
           [0025]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the DC-to-DC converter includes a power supply for providing a first direct current (DC), a first capacitor electrically connected to the power supply for being charged by the power supply, a first switch assembly electrically connected to the first capacitor for converting the first direct current into a first alternating current by switching the first switch assembly, a transformer having a primary winding electrically connected to the first switch assembly and a second winding for converting the first alternating current into a second alternating current, a rectifying circuit electrically connected to a first end of the secondary winding for converting and rectifying the second alternating current to a second direct current, a filtering circuit having an inductor and a second capacitor for filtering the second direct current, wherein the inductor is electrically connected to the rectifying circuit, and the second capacitor is electrically connected to a second end of the secondary winding, a subwinding electrically connected to the first end of the secondary winding, a second rectifying diodes electrically connected to the subwinding, wherein the output end of the subwinding is electrically connected to the inductor of the filtering circuit, a second switch electrically connected between the subwinding and the filtering circuit, and a control circuit electrically connected to the second switch for controlling the second switch to be turned on when the voltage of the first direct current is dropped.  
           [0026]    Preferably, the control circuit is electrically connected to the first capacitor for providing a control signal to switch the second switch in response to the voltage drop of the first capacitor when first direct current outputted from the power supply is dropped.  
           [0027]    Preferably, the DC-to-DCDC-to-DC converter is one selected from a group consisting of a flyback converter, a forward converter and a half-bridge converter.  
           [0028]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the DC-to-DC converter includes a power supply for providing a first direct current (DC), a first capacitor electrically connected to the power supply for being charged by the power supply, a first switch electrically connected to the first capacitor for converting the first direct current into a first alternating current by switching the first switch assembly, a transformer having a primary winding electrically connected to the first switch and a second winding for converting the first alternating current into a second alternating current, a rectifying circuit electrically connected to the second winding for converting and rectifying the second alternating current to a second direct current, a filtering circuit having an inductor and a second capacitor, and electrically connected to the rectifying circuit for filtering the second direct current, a second switch having one end electrically connected to a central tap of the primary winding and the other end electrically connected to the first capacitor, and a control circuit for controlling the first switch and the second switch in response to the voltage drop of the first direct current outputted from the power supply.  
           [0029]    Preferably, the control circuit is electrically connected to the first capacitor for providing a control signal to switch the second switch in response to the voltage drop of the first capacitor when first direct current outputted from the power supply is dropped.  
           [0030]    Preferably, the DC-to-DCDC-to-DC converter is one selected from a group consisting of a flyback converter, a forward converter and a half-bridge converter.  
           [0031]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for converting direct current to direct current, adapted to be applied in a DC-to-DC converter. The method includes steps of charging a first capacitor, switching a first switch assembly for converting a first direct current outputted from the first capacitor into a first alternating current, converting the first alternating current to a second alternating current via a transformer, detecting whether the voltage of the first direct current is dropped, and adjusting the ratio of the windings for changing the output voltage of the second alternating current in response to the voltage drop, rectifying and converting the second alternating current into a second direct current via a rectifying circuit, and filtering the second direct current via a filtering circuit.  
           [0032]    Preferably, the detecting step is performed by detecting the voltage drop of the first capacitor.  
           [0033]    Preferably, the detecting step is performed by detecting the voltage drop of a second winding of the transformer.  
           [0034]    Preferably, the adjusting step is performed by increasing the number of a second winding of the transformer.  
           [0035]    Preferably, the adjusting step is performed by reducing the number of a primary winding of the transformer.  
           [0036]    Preferably, the DC-to-DC converter is one selected from a group consisting of a flyback converter, a forward converter and a half-bridge converter. 
       
    
    
       [0037]    The present invention may be well understood through the following descriptions with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0038]    [0038]FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a full-bridge topological DC-to-DC converter according to the prior art;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 2 a  is a circuit diagram of a full-bridge topological DC-to-DC converter according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 2 b  is a circuit diagram of a fall-bridge topological DC-to-DC converter according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 3 a  is a circuit diagram of an asymmetrical half-bridge topological DC-to-DC converter according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 3 b  is a circuit diagram of an asymmetrical half-bridge topological DC-to-DC converter according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 4 a  is a circuit diagram of a flyback DC-to-DC converter according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 4 b  is a circuit diagram of a flyback DC-to-DC converter according to the sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 5 a  is a circuit diagram of a forward DC-to-DC converter according to the seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 5 b  is a circuit diagram of a forward DC-to-DC converter according to the eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 6 is a view showing the equivalent winding construction of the transformer according to the above-mentioned preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0048]    [0048]FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  are circuit diagrams according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, wherein the circuits are developed on basis of the conventional DC-to-DC converter shown as FIG. 1. The circuit structures in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  are the same as that in FIG. 1 except that a range switch Q 5  and a control circuit TC are introduced and the transformers T 2  or T 3  is different form T 1 .  
         [0049]    The secondary winding of the transformer T 2  includes a first secondary winding and a second secondary winding. The first secondary winding is a secondary winding of a central tap in the transformer T 2  and includes two subwindings N 22  and N 22 ′. Moreover, a central tap of the first secondary winding is electrically connected to a capacitor C 3  of a filtering circuit LC and two ends of the first secondary winding are electrically connected to the rectifying diodes D 1  and D 2  respectively.  
         [0050]    Furthermore, the second secondary winding includes two subwindings N 23  and N 23 ′. The subwinding N 23  in the second secondary winding is electrically connected to the subwinding N 22  in the second secondary winding and the winding N 23 ′ in the second secondary winding is electrically connected to the subwinding N 22 ′ in the second secondary winding. Consequently, the subwindings N 23  and N 23 ′ of the second secondary winding provide the function of changing the ratio of the transformer T 2  and hence the second secondary winding also is called a range winding. Two subwindings N 23  and N 23 ′ of the range winding are electrically connected to the second rectifying diodes D 1  and D 4 , respectively. The output ends of the second rectifying diodes D 1  and D 2  are connected with each other and then connected to the range switch Q 5 . The range switch Q 5  is connected to an inductor L 2  of the filtering circuit LC. Therefore, the transformer T 2  is also a variable ratio transformer because of adding a range winding therein.  
         [0051]    The range switch Q 5  could employ a power switching device such as MOSFET or IGBT, which is controlled to conduct or shut by a control circuit TC. A voltage drop could be detected by the control circuit TC. In normal operation, i.e. the input voltage of the power supply Ud is not dropped, the range switch Q 5  would be shut. At that time, the adjusting ratio of the transformer T 2  should be N 21 /N 22  and N 21 /N 22 ′. When the input voltage Ud is dropped, a voltage outputted from a filtering energy storage circuit C 1  would be decreased. The limited output voltage of the original ratio of the transformer T 2  would be not maintained under a predetermined threshold voltage, which is detected by the control circuit TC, and a control signal outputted from the control circuit TC is outputted to the range switch Q 5 , therefore, the range switch Q 5  would be turned shut into conducting. At this time, the adjusting ratio of the transformer T 2  would be decreased to N 21 /(N 22 +N 23 ) and N 21 /(N 22 ′+N 23 ′) and the output voltage of the secondary winding in the transformer T 2  would be increased. Consequently, the rated output voltage outputted from the converter can be maintained during the hold-up time.  
         [0052]    According to the above-mentioned description, the output voltage outputted from the transformer T 2  is raised by adjusting the ratio thereof according to the present invention. Moreover, the 20 ms of rate output voltage could be maintained after the voltage drop, and the hold-up time problem is not required to be solved by raising the duty ratio of the switch assembly Q 1  to Q 4 . Therefore, the duty ratio of the switch assembly Q 1  to Q 4  would be settled in high value, and the efficiency of the converter will be promoted.  
         [0053]    In views of FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , a control signal outputted from the control circuit TC could be generated by detecting the decreased voltage either in the filtering energy storage capacitor C 1  or in the secondary winding of the transformer T 2 . FIG. 2 a  does not show the connection relationships between the control circuit TC and the filtering energy storage capacitor C 1  and between the control circuit TC and the secondary winding of the transformer T 2 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 2 b  shows a full-bridge topological DC-to-DC converter according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The difference in the circuit between FIG. 2 a  and FIG. 2 b  is that the ratio secondary winding of the transformer T 3  has a subwinding N 33  connected to a subwinding N 32  of the first secondary winding and another subwinding N 32 ′ of the first secondary winding is not connected to the variable secondary winding. Nevertheless, the operation principle of FIG. 2 b  is the same with that of FIG. 2 a.    
         [0055]    [0055]FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  illustrate the circuit diagrams of a half-bridge (as well as working under an asymmetric condition) topological DC-to-DC converter according to the present invention. The variable ratio transformers T 2  and T 3  shown in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  are equivalent to the variable ratio transformers T 2  and T 3  shown in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b . The half-bridge topological DC-to-DC converter also includes a control circuit TC, as shown in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b . The distinction between FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is that the half-bridge topological circuit is used in FIG. 3, i.e. a switch assembly includes two switches Q 1  and Q 2  to construct the present half-bridge structure. Nevertheless, the adjusting ratio principle of FIG. 3 is identical to FIG. 2.  
         [0056]    In the above-mentioned embodiments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the output voltage outputted from the DC-to-DC converter would be raised by means of changing the ratio of the secondary winding to adjust the ratio of the transformer.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  illustrate circuit diagrams of a flyback DC-to-DC converter according to the present invention. In a view of FIG. 4 a , the flyback excited DC-to-DC converter is implemented by employing a switch Q 6 . The switch Q 6  is conducted and shut at a high frequency to convert a DC current to a high frequency AC current. A secondary winding of the variable ratio transformer T 4  shown in FIG. 4 a  includes a first secondary winding N 42  and a second secondary winding N 43 . The first secondary winding N 42  is connected to the second secondary winding N 43  in series. In addition, the second secondary winding N 43  is connected to a range switch Q 5  via a second rectifying diode D 1  and connected to a filtering capacitor C 2 .  
         [0058]    The power switching device such as MOSFET and IGBT would be used in the range switch Q 5 , which are controlled to be conducted or shut by a control circuit TC (not shown). In the normal operation, i.e. no input voltage drop, the range switch Q 5  would be shut. The ratio of the transformer T 4  is N 41 /N 42  at present. When an input voltage outputted from the power supply Ud is dropped, the voltage of a filtering energy storage capacitor C 1  is decreased. When the voltage of the filtering energy storage capacitor C 1  is smaller than a predetermined threshold voltage, a rated output voltage would not be kept under the original ratio of the transformer T 4 . Furthermore, the voltage drop is detected by the control circuit TC and a control signal is outputted to the range switch Q 5 . Therefore, the range switch Q 5  would be turned on. At the moment, the ratio of the transformer T 4  would be decreased to N 41 /(N 42 + 43 ) and the output voltage outputted from the secondary winding of the transformer T 4  would be raised. Consequently, the converter can keep the rated output voltage during the hold-up time.  
         [0059]    In accordance with the foregoing statements, the output voltage outputted from the transformer T 4  would be raised through adjusting the ratio of the transformer T 4  and the hold-up time, e.g. 20 ms, of rated output voltage outputted from the DC-to-DC converter would be maintained after the voltage drop according to of the present invention. Consequently, the duty ratio of the switch Q 5  would be raised in the normal working status and the working efficiency of the converter would be enhanced.  
         [0060]    In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b , the control signal outputted from the control circuit TC could be detected through detecting the decrease of the output voltage in the filtering energy storage capacitor C 1  or through detecting the decrease of the output voltage in the secondary winding of the transformers T 4  and T 5 .  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 4 b  shows a circuit diagram of a flyback DC-to-DC converter according to the sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a view of FIG. 4 a , a means for adjusting the ratio of the transformer is performed by modulating the secondary winding of the transformer T 4 . The ratio of the transformer T 5  is modulated by changing the primary winding of the transformer T 5  to raise the output voltage thereof, as shown in FIG. 4 b.    
         [0062]    In a view of FIG. 4 b , the primary winding of the transformer T 5  includes a central tap (not shown) composed of two subwindings N 51  and N 52 . One end of the subwinding N 52  and the central tap are connected to a first switch Q 7  and a second switch Q 8 , respectively. The DC-to-DC converter shown in FIG. 4 b  includes a control circuit TCX. The first switch Q 7  and the second switch Q 8  are controlled by the control circuit TCX in order to activate respectively under the different condition. The input voltage drop of the power supply Ud would be determined by the control circuit TCX. In a normal operation, i.e. when the input voltage Ud is not dropped, the second switch Q 8  keeps shut and the first switch Q 7  is activated for being conducted and shut at a high frequency to output a high frequency AC. Now, the ratio of the transformer T 5  is (N 51 +N 52 )/N 53 . When the input voltage Ud is dropped, a voltage outputted from a filtering energy storage capacitor C 1  would be decreased. When the voltage of the filtering energy storage capacitor C 1  is smaller than a predetermined threshold voltage, the rated output voltage would not be kept under the original ratio of the transformer T 5 . Furthermore, the voltage drop is detected through the control circuit TCX to sent out a control signal to the first switch Q 7  and the second switch Q 8 , and the first switch Q 7  would be shut off and the second switch Q 8  would be activated by conducting and shutting with the high frequency to output a high frequency AC. At this time, the ratio of the transformer T 5  would be decreased to N 51 /N 53  and the output voltage outputted from the secondary winding of the transformer T 5  would be raised. Consequently, the converter can keep the limited output voltage during the hold-up time.  
         [0063]    In accordance with the foregoing statements, the output voltage outputted from the transformer T 5  would be raised through adjusting the ratio of the transformer T 5  and the hold-up time, e.g. 20 ms, of rated output voltage outputted from the DC-to-DC converter would be maintained after a voltage drop according to the present invention. Consequently, the duty ratio of the switches Q 7  and Q 8  would be raised in the normal working status and the working efficiency of the converter would be promoted.  
         [0064]    In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 4 b , the input voltage drop signal outputted from the control circuit TCX could be detected through detecting the decrease of the output voltage outputted from the filtering energy storage capacitor C 1  or through detecting the decrease of the output voltage outputted from the secondary winding of the transformer T 5 . FIG. 4 b  does not illustrate the connection relationship between the control circuit TCX and the filtering energy storage capacitor C 1  and between the control circuit TCX and the secondary winding of the transformer T 5 .  
         [0065]    [0065]FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  illustrate circuit diagrams of a forward DC-to-DC converter according to the present invention. The difference between the circuit diagrams of the forward DC-to-DC converter in FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  and the circuit diagrams of the flyback DC-to-DC converter in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  is that the primary winding and the secondary winding have the reverse coils in the transformers T 4  and T 5  of the flyback DC-to-DC converter, as shown in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b . Nevertheless, the primary windings N 61 , N 71  and N 72  and the secondary windings N 62 , N 63  and N 73  in the transformers T 6  and T 7  exist forward coils respectively according to the forward DC-to-DC converter of FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b . In addition, the equivalent winding construction of the transformers T 1  to T 7  according to the above-mentioned drawings of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0066]    While the invention has been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention need not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. Therefore, the above description and illustration should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention which is defined by the appended claims.