Patent ID: 8531165

Claim:
A single-inductor multiple-output power converter, comprising: an inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal coupled to a power input terminal receiving a direct-current (DC) input voltage; a first switch coupled between the first and second terminals of the inductor, to be turned on for the inductor to become a closed loop to remain a freewheeling current therein; a second switch coupled between the second terminal of the inductor and a ground terminal; a third switch coupled between the second terminal of the inductor and a first power output terminal; and a fourth switch coupled between the second terminal of the inductor and a second power output terminal; wherein the second terminal of the inductor is switched between the first terminal of the inductor, the ground terminal, the first power output terminal, and the second power output terminal by controlling the four switches to establish each of four power paths for once in a cycle, thereby converting the DC input voltage to a first DC output voltage and a second DC output voltage at the first and second power output terminals, respectively; wherein each of the four power paths includes only a respective one of the four switches; wherein the closed loop is established when only the first switch is on.