Charging circuit with inductance-based current limiting and method for operating such circuit

摘要

A charging circuit includes first and second input terminals connecting the circuit to first and second supply terminals, respectively, of a DC power source, first and second output terminals providing an output voltage to a load to be charged, a first switch between the first and second input terminals, a current sensor between the first input terminal and the first output terminal in series with the first switch, a connecting element having first and second inductance connectors for connecting an inductance, the first inductance connector connected to the switch and the second inductance connector connected to the first output terminal, and a diode element connected to the first inductance connector and the second output terminal. The first switch and the current sensor are arranged to be connected to a control circuit arranged for controlling operation of the first switch in response to a signal received from the current sensor.

主权项

1. A charging circuit for charging a load, the charging circuit comprising:
a) a first input terminal and a second input terminal for connecting the charging circuit to a first supply terminal and a second supply terminal, respectively, of a DC power source; b) a first output terminal and a second output terminal for providing an output voltage to a load to be charged; c) a first switch arranged between the first input terminal and the first output terminal; d) a current sensor arranged between the first input terminal and the first output terminal in series with the first switch; e) a connecting element comprising a first inductance connector and a second inductance connector for connecting an inductance, the first inductance connector connected to the first switch and the second inductance connector connected to the first output terminal; and f) a diode element connected to the first inductance connector and the second output terminal such that when the first switch is switched on, current flowing through the first switch is prevented from flowing from the first switch to the second output terminal via the diode element, wherein the first switch and the current sensor are arranged to be connected to a control circuit arranged for controlling operation of the first switch in response to a signal received from the current sensor, wherein the charging circuit further comprises a second switch configured to connect the first input terminal to the first output terminal such that the first switch and the connecting element are bypassed, and wherein the second switch is configured to be switched to a conductive state upon end of charging of the load.