Multiple input/output power converter and fuel cell vehicle with same

A multiple input-output power converter comprising:

• at least two input-output circuits to be connected to electric units;
• a plurality of power converting circuits, each of the plurality of power converting circuits including switches, at least an inductor, and a plurality of capacitors;
• and
• a control circuit controlling switching of the switches in a plurality of operation modes to selectively use the inductor and the capacitors to operate the power converting circuits in one of a voltage stepping up operation, a voltage stepping down operation, or a conducting operation, wherein the capacitors comprise a first capacitor and a second capacitor connected in series, the connected first and second capacitors being shared among the plurality of power converting circuits as elements of the plurality of the power converting circuits, wherein
• at least one of the power converting circuits comprises a step up circuit;
• the input-output circuits comprise a first input-output circuit and a second input-output circuit;
• and
• the switches comprise:
• a first diode connecting a positive terminal of the first input-output circuit to a positive terminal of the first capacitor and a positive terminal of the second input-output circuit;
• a first switch selectively connecting a positive terminal of the first input-output circuit to a negative terminal of the first capacitor and a positive terminal of the second capacitor;
• a second switch selectively connecting a negative terminal of the first input-output circuit to the negative terminal of the first capacitor and the positive terminal of the second capacitor;
• and
• a second diode connecting the negative terminal of the first input-output circuit to a negative terminal of the second capacitor and a negative terminal of the second input-output circuit.

A multiple input-output power converter comprising:

• at least two input-output circuits to be connected to electric units;
• a plurality of power converting circuits, each of the plurality of power converting circuits including switches, at least an inductor, and a plurality of capacitors;
• and
• a control circuit controlling switching of the switches in a plurality of operation modes to selectively use the inductor and the capacitors to operate the power converting circuits in one of a voltage stepping up operation, a voltage stepping down operation, or a conducting operation, wherein the capacitors comprise a first capacitor and a second capacitor connected in series, the connected first and second capacitors being shared among the plurality of power converting circuits as elements of the plurality of the power converting circuits,
• wherein
• at least one of the power converting circuits comprises a stepping down circuit;
• the input-output circuits comprise first and second input-output circuits;
• and
• the switches comprise:
• a first switch selectively connecting a positive terminal of the first input-output circuit to a positive terminal of the first capacitor, and a positive terminal of the second input-output circuit;
• a first diode connecting the positive terminal of the first input-output circuit to a negative terminal of the first capacitor and a positive terminal of the second capacitor;
• a second diode connecting a negative terminal of the first input-output circuit to the negative terminal of the first capacitor and a positive terminal of the second capacitor;
• and
• a second switch selectively connecting a negative terminal of the first input-output circuit to a negative terminal of the second capacitor and a negative terminal of the second input-output circuit.