Hybrid switching converter

A hybrid switching converter configured to convert an input power into an output power, wherein the output power includes an output voltage and an output current, and the input power includes an input voltage, the hybrid switching converter comprising:

• a plurality of switches, including a first to a (K+1)th high-side switches, where K is an integer greater than 2;
• a first to a (K+1)th inductors, each having a first terminal electrically connected to the output voltage;
• a first to a Kth flying capacitors, wherein a first terminal of the first flying capacitor is coupled to the input voltage through the first high-side switch, a first terminal of each of the second to Kth flying capacitors is respectively coupled to a first terminal of the corresponding preceding flying capacitor through the second to Kth high-side switches, and second terminals of the first to Kth flying capacitors are respectively electrically connected to second terminals of the first to Kth inductors at a first to a Kth switching nodes, a first terminal of the (K+1)th high-side switch is electrically connected to the first terminal of the Kth flying capacitor, and a second terminal of the (K+1)th high-side switch is electrically connected to a second terminal of the (K+1)th inductor at a (K+1)th switching node;
• and
• a control circuit configured to generate a plurality of control signals with a switching frequency to control the plurality of switches for periodic switching, thereby magnetizing the first to Kth inductors through the corresponding first to Kth flying capacitors and magnetizing the (K+1)th inductor through the (K+1)th high-side switch;
• wherein the plurality of switches further comprises a first to a (K+1)th low-side switches, each of the first to (K+1)th low-side switches being coupled between the first to (K+1)th switching nodes and a ground potential;
• wherein (K+1) is an even number;
• wherein:
• the first to (K+1)th inductors are magnetically coupled to each other via a magnetic material, or the first to (K+1)th inductors are magnetically coupled in pairs via a magnetic material;
• wherein the control circuit generates the control signals with 2-phase control to control switches of odd-numbered and even-numbered sequences among the first to (K+1)th high-side switches and the first to (K+1)th low-side switches, thereby alternately switching in a 2-phase sequence to alternately magnetize odd-numbered and even-numbered inductors among the first to (K+1)th inductors;
• wherein the plurality of control signals includes a first control signal and a second control signal, and the control circuit determines pulse initiation points of the first and second control signals respectively based on comparisons between a total inductor current and respective first and second ramp signals, thereby achieving valley current mode control of the hybrid switching converter and inherently balancing voltages across the first to Kth flying capacitors, wherein the total inductor current is a summation of inductor currents of the first to (K+1)th inductors and is related to the output current;
• wherein in valley current mode, the pulse initiation point of the first control signal determines a first valley of the total inductor current, and the pulse initiation point of the second control signal determines a second valley of the total inductor current;
• and
• wherein the first ramp signal and the second ramp signal have a phase difference of 180 degrees relative to each other.