Dc-to-dc converter comprising a current sensor arrangement

Abstract

DC-to-DC converter for converting an input direct voltage Vinto at least one variable output direct voltage V, comprising at least two switched converter units (') each having at least one electronically controllable half bridge (′), and a control unit () which is designed to control the half bridges (′) in a modulation method with a variable period duration and a variable duty cycle, wherein a dedicated current sensor (′) is provided in each of the output lines (′) of the converter units (′), and the control unit () is designed to receive the amperages′ of the converter units (′) measured by the current sensors (′), and to control the converter units (′) with duty cycles which differ from one another, in particular to activate individual converter units (′) with duty cycles which are reduced compared to other converter units (′), or not to activate these, wherein the output lines (′) of the converter units (′) are interconnected after the current sensors (′) so that the currents of the output lines (′) are summed, wherein the control unit () is designed to calculate the sum current I, and that the control until () is designed to compare the sum current Iwith the nominal currents I, I′ and to activate that converter unit (′) whose assigned current sensor (′) has a nominal current which is greater than the sum current I, but lies closest to the sum current I, or to activate those converter units (′) the sum of whose nominal currents is greater than the sum current, but lies closest to the sum current, so that the amperages in the output lines (′) of the activated converter units (′) are in each case below, but as close as possible to, the nominal current I, I′ of the assigned current sensors (′).