IP Library Granted Patent US 12,627,214
Granted Patent B2
US 12,627,214 · App. 18/354,397 · Granted May 12, 2026

Series-parallel switching method and apparatus, power conversion circuit, and electronic device

Inventors: Meng Wu (Ningde, CN); Guiying Lin (Ningde, CN); Jinfeng Gao (Ningde, CN)
Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
H02M1/0067H02J7/933H02M1/36H02M3/33573H02M3/33576H02J2207/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,627,214
App. No.
18/354,397
Granted
May 12, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A series-parallel switching method and apparatus, a power conversion circuit, and an electronic device are provided. The power conversion circuit includes a control unit and two power conversion modules. The two power conversion modules are connected in series or connected in parallel. Either of the power conversion modules includes output terminals and first switch branches, where the first switch branches are connected to the output terminals, and the output terminals are configured to connect to a load. The first switch branches are connected to the control unit, and the first switch branches are configured to switch an operating state according to a control signal output by the control unit, to provide an energy discharge loop when the two power conversion modules are switched from a parallel connection to a series connection, where the operating state includes a stopping state and a running state.

Claims (51)

1 . A power conversion circuit, comprising:

a control unit, and two power conversion modules connected to the control unit, wherein

the two power conversion modules are configured to be connected in a series connection mode or in a parallel connection mode;

wherein each power conversion module comprises:

an output terminal and a first switch branch, the first switch branch is connected to the output terminal, and the output terminal is connected to a load; and

an input terminal and a second switch branch, the second switch branch is connected to the input terminal, and the input terminal is connected to a power grid;

wherein an operating state of the first switch branch and the second switch branch each comprises a stopping state and a running state;

the first switch branch is configured to switch the operating state of the first switching branch from the stopping state to the running state according to a first control signal output by the control unit, to provide an energy discharge loop when the two power conversion modules are switched from the parallel connection mode to the series connection mode, wherein energy stored in the two power conversion modules is released to the power grid via the energy discharge loop; and

the second switch branch is configured to switch the operating state of the second switching branch from the stopping state to the running state according to a second control signal output by the control unit, to charge the output terminal using the power grid when the two power conversion modules are switched from the series connection mode to the parallel connection mode.

2 . The power conversion circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the power conversion circuit further comprises a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch that are connected in series, and the two power conversion modules comprise a first power conversion module and a second power conversion module,

wherein

a first end of the first switch is connected to a first end of the output terminal of the first power conversion module,

a second end of the first switch is connected to a first end of the output terminal of the second power conversion module and a first end of the second switch,

a second end of the second switch is connected to a second end of the output terminal of the first power conversion module and a first end of the third switch, and

a second end of the third switch is connected to a second end of the output terminal of the second power conversion module;

wherein

when the first switch and the third switch are on and the second switch is off, the two power conversion modules are connected in parallel; or

when the second switch is on and the first switch and the third switch are off, the two power conversion modules are connected in series.

3 . The power conversion circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to:

obtain a first voltage between two ends of the load and a maximum output voltage of each power conversion module;

determine whether to switch the connection mode of the power conversion modules according to the first voltage between two ends of the load and the maximum output voltage of each power conversion module; and

control the two power conversion modules to switch the connection mode when it is determined that the connection mode of the two power conversion modules needs to be switched.

4 . The power conversion circuit according to claim 3 , wherein in determining whether to switch the connection mode of the power conversion modules according to the first voltage between two ends of the load and a maximum output voltage of each power conversion module, the control unit is configured to:

when a current connection mode of the two power conversion modules is the series connection mode, and the first voltage is less than a difference between the maximum output voltage of each power conversion module and a first voltage threshold, determine that the connection mode of the two power conversion modules needs to be switched to the parallel connection mode; and

when the current connection mode of the two power conversion modules is the parallel connection mode, and the first voltage is greater than a sum of the maximum output voltage of each power conversion module and a second voltage threshold, determine that the connection mode of the two power conversion modules needs to be switched to the series connection mode.

5 . The power conversion circuit according to claim 2 , wherein

when the connection mode of the two power conversion modules is switched from the parallel connection mode to the series connection mode, the first switch and the third switch are switched to off, and delayed for a first duration;

the first control signal is applied to the first switch branch at an end of the first duration to control the first switch branch to switch from the stopping state to the running state; and

when a voltage between the first end and the second end of the output terminal of either of the power conversion modules is not greater than a third voltage threshold, the second switch is switched to on.

6 . The power conversion circuit according to claim 2 , wherein

when the connection mode of the two power conversion modules is switched from the series connection mode to the parallel connection mode, the second switch is switched to off, and delayed for a second duration;

the second control signal is applied to the second switch branch at an end of the second duration to control the second switch branch to switch from the stopping state to the running state; and

when a voltage between the first end and the second end of the output terminal of either of the power conversion modules is not less than a fourth voltage threshold, the first switch and the third switch are switched to be on.

7 . A charging device, comprising the power conversion circuit according to claim 1 .

8 . The charging device according to claim 7 , wherein the charging device is a charging pile or a charger.

9 . A series-parallel switching apparatus in a power conversion circuit, comprising:

a processor, and memory storing program codes for execution by the processor;

wherein the power conversion circuit is configured to connect to a load and a power grid, the power conversion circuit comprises two power conversion modules connected in a series connection mode or in a parallel connection mode,

wherein each power conversion module comprises:

an output terminal and a first switch branch, the first switch branch is connected to the output terminal, and the output terminal is connected to the load;

an input terminal and a second switch branch, the second switch branch is connected to the input terminal, and the input terminal is connected to the power grid;

wherein an operating state of the first switch branch and the second switch branch each comprises a stopping state and a running state;

the first switch branch is configured to switch the operating state of the first switch branch from the stopping state to the running state according to a first control signal output by the apparatus, to provide an energy discharge loop when the two power conversion modules are switched from the parallel connection mode to the series connection mode, wherein energy stored in the two power conversion modules is released to the power grid via the energy discharge loop; and

the second switch branch is configured to switch the operating state of the second switch branch from the stopping state to the running state according to a second control signal output by the apparatus, to charge the output terminal using the power grid when the two power conversion modules are switched from the series connection mode to the parallel connection mode;

wherein when executed by the processor, the program codes cause the apparatus to:

obtain a first voltage between two ends of the load and a maximum output voltage of each power conversion module;

determine whether to switch the connection mode of the power conversion modules according to the first voltage between two ends of the load and the maximum output voltage of each power conversion module; and

control the two power conversion modules to switch the connection mode when it is determined that the connection mode of the two power conversion modules needs to be switched;

wherein in determining whether to switch the connection mode of the power conversion modules according to the first voltage between two ends of the load and a maximum output voltage of each power conversion module, the program codes cause the apparatus to:

when a current connection mode of the two power conversion modules is the series connection mode, and the first voltage is less than a difference between the maximum output voltage of each power conversion module and a first voltage threshold, determine that the connection mode of the two power conversion modules needs to be switched to the parallel connection mode; and

when the current connection mode of the two power conversion modules is the parallel connection mode, and the first voltage is greater than a sum of the maximum output voltage of each power conversion module and a second voltage threshold, determine that the connection mode of the two power conversion modules needs to be switched to the series connection mode.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2024
From: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
To: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
Reel/Frame 068338/0402 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2023
From: WU, MENG; LIN, GUIYING; GAO, JINFENG
To: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064302/0144 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTCN2021126759 · Oct 27, 2021
Related Publication 20240006980A1 · Jan 4, 2024
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