Multi-level inverter and power supply system

This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/070419, filed on Jan. 9, 2014, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201310282002.X, filed on Jul. 5, 2013, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

The present invention relates to the field of electronics, and in particular, to a multi-level inverter and a power supply system.

An inverter is an apparatus for converting a direct current (DC) into an alternating current (AC), that is, an inverter can convert direct current electric energy, such as a cell and a storage battery, into an alternating current, which is generally a sine wave or square wave of 220V and 50 HZ. A multi-level inverter can first convert a direct current into a step-like square wave of multiple levels, and then form a sine wave by using a filter. If there are more levels implemented by the multi-level inverter, a waveform of a sine wave that is obtained by the multi-level inverter by means of conversion is more approximate to a standard sine waveform. In the prior art, a multi-level inverter may include two inverter units, multiple separate inductors or coupled inductors, an output filter capacitor, and multiple power switching devices, where the two inverter units are interleaved and configured to convert a current, that is, to convert a direct current into an alternating current; and the multiple separate inductors or coupled inductors form a filter with the output filter capacitor, to filter an input circuit and provide energy for a load. Generally, multiple levels of an output voltage in the multi-level inverter are implemented by using different combinations of the multiple power switching devices.

However, in the foregoing multi-level inverter, to implement interleaving of the two inverter units, power switching devices need to be connected outside the two inverter units, and therefore, the number of power switching devices is relatively large. For example, to implement a three-level inverter, two or four power switching devices need to be disposed outside the two interleaved inverter units. As a result, a circuit structure is relatively complex.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-level inverter and a power supply system, which can simplify a circuit structure.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the embodiments of the present invention use the following technical solutions:

According to a first aspect, a multi-level inverter is provided, including:

two N-level inverter units, where the N-level inverter unit is configured to convert a direct current into an alternating current, and pulse width modulation waves of the two N-level inverter units are staggered by a phase of 180 degrees, so that output waveforms of alternating currents generated by the two N-level inverter units are staggered by half a cycle, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3;

a direct current power source module, configured to generate a direct current, where an output end of the direct current power source module is connected to input ends of the two N-level inverter units, and configured to supply power to the two N-level inverter units;

a transformer, where the transformer includes a primary side and a secondary side, an inductor of the primary side and an inductor of the secondary side are coupled, one end of the inductor of the primary side and one end of the inductor of the secondary side are connected to output ends of the two N-level inverter units respectively, so that the two N-level inverter units are reversely coupled, and the other end of the inductor of the primary side and the other end of the inductor of the secondary side are connected, so as to output W levels at a junction between the inductors, where W=2N−1; and

a filter, where one end of the filter is connected to the junction between the two coupled inductors of the transformer, and the other end of the filter is grounded, configured to filter out a voltage ripple at the junction between the two coupled inductors of the transformer.

With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner,

the two N-level inverter units include a first N-level inverter unit and a second N-level inverter unit; and

at least one switching device in the first N-level inverter unit and at least one switching device in the second N-level inverter unit are turned on so that when the first N-level inverter unit, the second N-level inverter unit, the direct current power source module, and the transformer form a loop, the W levels are output at the junction between the two coupled inductors of the transformer.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner, in a second possible implementation manner,

the switching device is a diode or a power switch.

With reference to the first aspect and the first possible implementation manner, in a third possible implementation manner,

structures of the two N-level inverter units are the same.

With reference to the first aspect and the first possible implementation manner, in a fourth possible implementation manner,

each N-level inverter unit is a T-type five-level topology circuit.

With reference to the first aspect and the first possible implementation manner, in a fifth possible implementation manner,

each N-level inverter unit is an I-type five-level topology circuit.

With reference to the first aspect and the first possible implementation manner, in a sixth possible implementation manner,

each N-level inverter unit is a T-type three-level topology circuit.

With reference to the first aspect and the first possible implementation manner, in a seventh possible implementation manner,

each N-level inverter unit is an I-type three-level topology circuit.

With reference to the first aspect and the first to seventh possible implementation manners, in an eighth possible implementation manner,

the filter includes: a filter inductor and a filter output filter capacitor, where one end of the filter inductor is connected to the junction between the two coupled inductors of the transformer, the other end of the filter inductor and one end of the output filter capacitor are connected in series, and the other end of the output filter capacitor is grounded.

According to a second aspect, a power supply system is provided, including:

a direct current power source, a load and any multi-level inverter described above, where the multi-level inverter converts a direct current generated by the direct current power source into an alternating current, so as to provide an alternating current for the load.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-level inverter and a power supply system; the multi-level inverter includes: two N-level inverter units, where the N-level inverter unit is configured to convert a direct current into an alternating current, and pulse width modulation waves of the two N-level inverter units are staggered by a phase of 180 degrees, so that output waveforms of alternating currents generated by the two N-level inverter units are staggered by half a cycle, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3; a direct current power source module, configured to generate a direct current, where an output end of the direct current power source module is connected to input ends of the two N-level inverter units, to supply power to the two N-level inverter units; a transformer, where the transformer includes a primary side and a secondary side, an inductor of the primary side and an inductor of the secondary side are coupled, one end of the inductor of the primary side and one end of the inductor of the secondary side are connected to output ends of the two N-level inverter units respectively, so that the two N-level inverter units are reversely coupled, and the other end of the inductor of the primary side and the other end of the inductor of the secondary side are connected, so as to output W levels at a junction between the inductors, where W=2N−1; and a filter, where one end of the filter is connected to the junction between the two coupled inductors of the transformer, and the other end of the filter is grounded, configured to filter out a voltage ripple at the junction between the two coupled inductors of the transformer. In this way, the coupled inductors of the transformer are used to be connected to the two N-level inverter units respectively, and it is implemented that the output of the two coupled inductors is W levels.

In the present invention, a transformer is used to replace a part of power switching devices located outside inverter units, which reduces the number of power switching devices, and therefore, a circuit structure is simplified.

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention more clearly, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show merely some embodiments of the present invention, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-level inverter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a nine-level inverter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a voltage waveform diagram of a nine-level inverter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of another nine-level inverter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a five-level inverter according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another five-level inverter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The following clearly describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-level inverter, which, as shown in FIG. 1 , includes:

two N-level inverter units 101 and 102 , where the N-level inverter unit is configured to convert a direct current into an alternating current, and pulse width modulation waves of the two N-level inverter units 101 and 102 are staggered by a phase of 180 degrees, so that output waveforms of alternating currents generated by the two N-level inverter units are staggered by half a cycle, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. In an actual application, a power control chip may be used to control power switching devices of the two N-level inverter units 101 and 102 , and generally, pulse width modulation waves may be generated in a control process to turn on or turn off the power switching devices, for example, the power control chip is a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), and is configured to control the pulse width modulation waves of the two N-level inverter units to be staggered by a phase of 180 degrees in the embodiment of the present invention. Structures of the two N-level inverter units 101 and 102 are the same. The switching device is a diode or a power switch;

a direct current power source module 103 , where an output end of the direct current power source module 103 is connected to input ends, that is, point a and point b, of the two N-level inverter units 101 and 102 , and configured to supply power to the two N-level inverter units;

a transformer 104 , including a primary side and a secondary side, where an inductor P of the primary side and an inductor S of the secondary side are coupled, and one end of the inductor P of the primary side and one end of the inductor S of the secondary side are connected to output ends c and d of the two N-level inverter units respectively, so that the two N-level inverter units 101 and 102 are reversely coupled, and used to implement interleaving of the two N-level inverter units 101 and 102 , and the other end of the inductor of the primary side and the other end of the inductor of the secondary side are connected, so as to output W levels at a junction e of the inductors, where the W satisfies that: W=2N−1; and

a filter 105 , where one end of the filter is connected to the junction e between the two coupled inductors of the transformer, and the other end of the filter is grounded, configured to filter out a voltage ripple at the junction e, that is, the junction between the two coupled inductors of the transformer, and the two coupled inductors are the inductor P of the primary side and the inductor S of the secondary side.

It should be noted that the filter 105 is also connected to a load R, and an output voltage of the filter 105 provides electric energy for the load R.

In this way, the coupled inductors of the transformer are used to be connected to the two N-level inverter units respectively, and it is implemented that the output of the two coupled inductors is W levels. Compared with the prior art, in the present invention, because a transformer is used to replace a part of power switching devices located outside inverter units, which reduces the number of power switching devices, and therefore, a circuit structure is simplified.

Specifically, the two N-level inverter units include a first N-level inverter unit 101 and a second N-level inverter unit 102 , where at least one switching device in the first N-level inverter unit 101 and at least one switching device in the second N-level inverter unit 102 are turned on, so that when the first N-level inverter unit 101 , the second N-level inverter unit 102 , the direct current power source module 103 , and the transformer 104 form a loop, the W levels are output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors of the transformer.

It should be noted that the N-level inverter unit may use various topology structures. Exemplarily, FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a nine-level inverter. In the nine-level inverter, each of the N-level inverter units is a T-type five-level topology circuit. The two N-level inverter units are a first T-type five-level inverter unit and a second T-type five-level inverter unit respectively, structures of the two N-level inverter units are the same, and devices at identical locations have identical functions.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the direct current power source module is a power source V 12 . The first T-type five-level inverter unit (not shown in FIG. 2 ) may include: a power switch Q 99 , a diode D 160 , a power switch Q 100 , a diode D 159 , a power switch Q 96 , a diode D 155 , a diode D 108 , a power switch Q 107 , a diode D 174 , a power switch Q 108 , a diode D 175 , a power switch Q 97 , a diode D 154 , a diode D 163 , a diode D 164 , a power switch Q 98 , an inductor L 32 , a diode D 161 , a capacitor C 62 , a diode D 158 , and a capacitor C 60 . The second T-type five-level inverter unit (not shown in FIG. 2 ) may include: a power switch Q 104 , a diode D 171 , a power switch Q 101 , a diode D 166 , a power switch Q 103 , a diode D 169 , a diode D 168 , a power switch Q 106 , a diode D 170 , a power switch Q 105 , a diode D 172 , a power switch Q 102 , a diode D 170 , a diode D 167 , a diode D 165 , a power switch Q 95 , a diode D 157 , an inductor L 31 , a capacitor C 61 , a diode D 156 , and a capacitor C 59 .

In the second T-type five-level inverter unit, the diode D 165 is connected in parallel with the power switch Q 95 , a negative electrode of the diode D 165 is grounded, one end of the inductor L 31 is connected to a positive electrode of the diode D 165 , the other end of the inductor L 31 is connected to a negative electrode of the power source V 12 , a negative electrode of the capacitor C 61 is connected to the negative electrode of the power source V 12 , and a positive electrode of the capacitor C 61 is grounded. Meanwhile, the negative electrode of the diode D 165 is connected to a negative electrode of the diode D 157 , the negative electrode of the power source V 12 is also connected to a negative electrode of the diode D 156 , a positive electrode of the diode D 157 is connected to a positive electrode of the diode D 156 , a negative electrode of the capacitor C 59 is connected to a junction between the diode D 157 and the diode D 156 , and a positive electrode of the capacitor C 59 is grounded. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a voltage of the power source V 12 is 2V, an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the power source V 12 is +1V, and an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the power source V 12 is −1V. In this case, when the power switch Q 95 is turned on, the negative electrode of the capacitor C 59 is a negative boost (boost) voltage, and can discharge when a circuit forms a loop, and provide a voltage of −2V for the first T-type five-level inverter unit or the second T-type five-level inverter unit. The capacitor C 61 can discharge when the circuit forms a loop, and provide a voltage of −1V for the first T-type five-level inverter unit or the second T-type five-level inverter unit. Moreover, when an input end of the first T-type five-level inverter unit or the second T-type five-level inverter unit is connected to a junction f between the capacitors C 62 and C 61 , a voltage of 0V can also be obtained. In this way, five levels, namely, +2V, +1V, 0V, −1V, and −2V, may exist in the first T-type five-level inverter unit or the second T-type five-level inverter unit. It should be noted that, circuit structures of the first T-type five-level inverter unit and the second T-type five-level inverter unit may be adjusted according to a specific situation, for example, the number of capacitors is increased or reduced. A specific structure may be the same as that in the prior art, which is not limited in the present invention.

In an actual application, a PWM controls turning on of corresponding power switches and diodes in the first T-type five-level inverter unit and the second T-type five-level inverter unit by using pulse width modulation waves that are staggered by a phase of 180 degrees, to implement output of W levels at a junction e between two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of a transformer TX 1 .

Specifically, when the PWM turns on the power switch Q 99 of the first T-type five-level inverter unit and the power switch Q 101 of the second T-type five-level inverter unit, and turns off other diodes and power switches in the two T-type five-level inverter units, a current passes through the capacitor C 60 , the power switch Q 99 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the power switch Q 101 , and the capacitor C 59 to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 60 , that is, +2V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the negative electrode of the capacitor C 59 , that is, −2V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is (+2−(−2))/2=+2V, and therefore, a level of +2V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 99 of the first T-type five-level inverter unit and the diode D 172 and the power switch Q 106 of the second T-type five-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two T-type five-level inverter units are turned off, a current passes through the capacitor C 60 , the power switch Q 99 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the diode D 172 , and the power switch Q 106 , and is grounded to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 60 , that is, +2V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is (+2−0)/2=+1V, and therefore, a level of +1V s output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 99 of the first T-type five-level inverter unit and the diode D 167 and the power switch Q 102 of the second T-type five-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two T-type five-level inverter units are turned off, a current passes through the capacitor C 60 , the power switch Q 99 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the diode D 172 , the power switch Q 106 , and the capacitor C 61 to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 60 , that is, +2V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the capacitor C 61 , that is, −1V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is (+2−(−1))/2=+3/2V, and therefore, a level of +3/2V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 96 and the diode D 108 of the first T-type five-level inverter unit and the diode D 172 and the power switch Q 106 of the second T-type five-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two T-type five-level inverter units are turned off, a current passes through the capacitor C 62 , the power switch Q 96 , the diode D 108 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the diode D 172 , and the power switch Q 106 , and is grounded to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 62 , that is, +1V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is (+1−0)/2=+1/2V, and therefore, a level of +1/2V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 107 and the power switch Q 108 of the first T-type five-level inverter unit and the diode D 172 and the power switch Q 106 of the second T-type five-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two T-type five-level inverter units are turned off, the coupled inductor P 1 is grounded through the power switch Q 107 and the power switch Q 108 , the coupled inductor S 1 is grounded through the diode D 172 and the power switch Q 106 ; therefore, an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is 0V. Therefore, a level of 0V is output at an output end of the transformer TX 1 . Particularly, there may also be multiple methods for implementing the level of 0V. For example, the power switch Q 99 of the first T-type five-level inverter unit and the power switch Q 104 of the second T-type five-level inverter unit are turned on at the same time, or the power switch Q 100 of the first T-type five-level inverter unit and the power switch Q 101 of the second T-type five-level inverter unit are turned on at the same time, or the like, which are not described in the present invention again.

When the PWM turns on the power switch Q 100 of the first T-type five-level inverter unit and the power switch Q 104 of the second T-type five-level inverter unit, and turns off other diodes and power switches in the two T-type five-level inverter units, a current passes through the capacitor C 60 , the power switch Q 104 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the power switch Q 100 , and the capacitor C 59 to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the positive electrode of the capacitor C 60 , that is, +2V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the capacitor C 59 , that is, −2V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is −(+2−(−2))/2=−2V, and therefore, a level of −2V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 104 of the second T-type five-level inverter unit and the diode D 168 and the power switch Q 107 of the first T-type five-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two T-type five-level inverter units are turned off, a current passes through the capacitor C 60 , the power switch Q 104 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the diode D 168 , and the power switch Q 107 , and is grounded to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the positive electrode of the capacitor C 60 , that is, +2V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is −(+2−0)/2=−1V, and therefore, a level of −1V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 104 of the second T-type five-level inverter unit and the diode D 163 and the power switch Q 97 of the first T-type five-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two T-type five-level inverter units are turned off, a current passes through the capacitor C 60 , the power switch Q 104 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the diode D 163 , the power switch Q 97 , and the capacitor C 61 to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the positive electrode of the capacitor C 60 , that is, +2V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the capacitor C 61 , that is, −1V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is −(+2−(−1))/2=−3/2V, and therefore, a level of −3/2V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 103 and the diode D 168 of the second T-type five-level inverter unit, and the diode D 108 and the power switch Q 107 of the first T-type five-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two T-type five-level inverter units are turned off, a current passes through the capacitor C 62 , the power switch Q 103 , the diode D 168 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the diode D 108 and power switch Q 107 , and is grounded to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 62 , that is, +1V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is −(+1−0)/2=−1/2V, and therefore, a level of −1/2V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

In an actual application, the filter may be an LC filter. As shown in FIG. 2 , the filter 20 specifically includes: a filter inductor L 33 and an output filter capacitor C 63 , where one end of the inductor L 33 is connected to the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer, the other end of the inductor L 33 and one end of the output filter capacitor C 63 are connected in series, and the other end of the output filter capacitor C 63 is grounded. Moreover, a load R 4 is added at two ends of the output filter capacitor C 63 .

In this way, after processing by the two interleaved T-type five-level inverter units and the transformer, at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer, a voltage waveform of the direct current power source module V 12 is transformed to a step-like waveform as shown in FIG. 3 - a. Five levels may be implemented in each T-type five-level inverter unit, and therefore, 5×2−1=9 levels are implemented at the output end of the transformer; and then by filtering by the LC filter, a sine wave as shown in FIG. 3 - b is finally obtained, and is applied on the load R 4 , where in FIG. 3 , a horizontal axis represents time t, and a vertical axis represents voltage v.

When the multi-level inverter is a nine-level inverter, and each of the N-level inverter units is an I-type five-level topology circuit, as shown in FIG. 4 , two I-type five-level inverter units are a first I-type five-level inverter unit and a second I-type five-level inverter unit respectively, structures of the two I-type five-level inverter units are the same, and devices at identical locations have identical functions. The first I-type five-level inverter unit and second I-type five-level inverter unit are configured to implement conversion from a direct current into an alternating current.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the direct current power source module is a power source V 15 . The first I-type five-level inverter unit includes: a power switch Q 134 , a diode D 227 , a power switch Q 131 , a diode D 222 , a power switch Q 130 , a diode D 221 , a power switch Q 125 , a diode D 210 , a diode D 219 , a power switch Q 128 , a diode D 214 , a diode D 228 , a power switch Q 127 , a diode D 220 , a diode D 213 , a diode D 212 , a power switch Q 126 , an inductor L 43 , a diode D 215 , a capacitor C 74 , a diode D 216 , and a capacitor C 76 . The second I-type five-level inverter unit (not shown in FIG. 4 ) includes: a power switch Q 135 , a diode D 232 , a power switch Q 136 , a diode D 233 , a power switch Q 137 , a diode D 234 , a power switch Q 138 , a diode D 210 , a power switch Q 132 , a diode D 224 , a diode D 225 , a diode D 230 , a power switch Q 133 , a diode D 223 , a diode D 231 , a diode D 226 , a diode D 211 , a power switch Q 129 , a diode D 211 , an inductor L 44 , a capacitor C 75 , a diode D 218 , and a capacitor C 77 .

In this embodiment, it is assumed that a voltage of the power source V 15 is 2V, an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the power source V 12 is +1V, and an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the power source V 12 is −1V. For an operating principle of circuits of t the foregoing two I-type power supply subunits, that is, the first I-type five-level inverter unit and the second I-type five-level inverter unit described above, reference may be made to an operating principle of power supply subunits in the T-type five-level topology circuit in FIG. 3 . The two I-type power supply subunits can separately provide five levels, that is, +2V, +1V, 0V, −1V, and −2V, for a first I-type power supply subunit and a second I-type power supply subunit, which is not described in the present invention again.

A PWM controls turning on of corresponding power switches and diodes in the first I-type five-level inverter unit and the second I-type five-level inverter unit by using pulse width modulation waves that are staggered by a phase of 180 degrees, to implement output of W levels at a junction e between two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of a transformer TX 1 .

A positive half cycle of a sine wave of an output voltage is used as an example. When the PWM turns on the power switch Q 134 and the power switch Q 131 of the first I-type five-level inverter unit, and the power switch Q 137 and the power switch Q 138 of the second I-type five-level inverter unit, and turns off other diodes and power switches in the two I-type five-level inverter units, a current passes through the capacitor C 76 , the power switch Q 134 , the power switch Q 131 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the power switch Q 137 , the power switch Q 138 , and the capacitor C 77 to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 76 , that is, +2V and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the capacitor C 77 , that is, −2V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is (+2−(−2))/2=+2V, and therefore, a level of +2V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 134 and the power switch Q 131 of the first I-type five-level inverter unit, and the power switch Q 137 and the diode D 231 of the second I-type five-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two I-type five-level inverter units are turned off, a current passes through the capacitor C 76 , the power switch Q 134 , the power switch Q 131 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the power switch Q 137 , the diode D 231 , and is grounded to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 76 , that is, +2V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is (+2−0)/2=+1V, and therefore, a level of +1V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 134 and the power switch Q 131 of the first I-type five-level inverter unit, and the power switch Q 137 , the diode D 226 , and the power switch Q 133 of the second I-type five-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two I-type five-level inverter units are turned off, a current passes through the capacitor C 76 , the power switch Q 134 , the power switch Q 131 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the power switch Q 137 , the diode D 226 , the power switch Q 133 , and the capacitor C 75 to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 76 , that is, +2V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the capacitor C 75 , that is, −1V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is (+2−(−1))/2=+3/2V, and therefore, a level of +3/2V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 128 , the diode D 214 , and the power switch Q 131 of the first I-type five-level inverter unit, and the power switch Q 137 and the diode D 231 of the second I-type five-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches of the two I-type five-level inverter units are turned off, a current passes through the capacitor C 74 , the power switch Q 128 ,the diode D 214 , the power switch Q 131 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the power switch Q 137 , and the diode D 231 , and is grounded to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 74 , that is, +1V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is (+1−0)/2=+1/2V, and therefore, a level of +1/2V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the diode D 230 and the power switch Q 136 of the first I-type five-level inverter unit, and the diode D 137 and the power switch Q 231 of the second I-type five-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two I-type five-level inverter units are turned off, the coupled inductor P 1 is grounded through the diode D 230 and the power switch Q 136 , and the coupled inductor S 1 is grounded through the diode D 137 and the power switch Q 231 ; therefore, an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is 0V, and therefore, a level of 0V is output at an output end of the transformer TX 1 . Particularly, there may also be multiple methods for implementing the level of 0V. For example, the power switch Q 134 and the power switch Q 131 of the first I-type five-level inverter unit, and the power switch Q 135 and the power switch Q 136 of the second I-type five-level inverter unit are turned on at the same time, or the power switch Q 130 and the power switch Q 125 of the first I-type five-level inverter unit, and the power switch Q 234 and the power switch Q 235 of the second I-type five-level inverter unit are turned on at the same time, or the like, which are not described in the present invention again.

In an actual application, the filter may be an LC filter. As shown in FIG. 4 , the filter 30 specifically includes: an inductor L 41 and an output filter capacitor C 73 , where one end of the inductor L 41 is connected to the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer, the other end of the inductor L 41 and one end of the output filter capacitor C 73 are connected in series, and the other end of the output filter capacitor C 73 is grounded. Meanwhile, a load R 7 is added at two ends of the output filter capacitor C 73 .

In this way, after processing by the two interleaved I-type five-level inverter units and the transformer, at the output end of the transformer, a waveform of the direct current power source module V 15 is transformed to a step-like waveform as shown in FIG. 3 - a. Five levels may be implemented in each I-type five-level inverter unit, and therefore, 5×2−1=9 levels are implemented at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer; and then by filtering by the LC filter, a sine wave as shown in FIG. 3 - b is finally obtained, and is applied on the load R 4 .

When the multi-level inverter is a five-level inverter, and each of the N-level inverter units is a T-type three-level topology circuit, as shown in FIG. 5 , the two N-level inverter units are a first T-type three-level inverter unit and a second T-type three-level inverter unit respectively, structures of the two N-level inverter units are the same, and devices at identical locations have identical functions. The first T-type three-level inverter unit (not shown in FIG. 5 ) includes: a first power supply subunit and a first T-type three-level inverter unit, and the second T-type three-level inverter unit (not shown in FIG. 5 ) includes: a second power supply subunit and a second T-type three-level inverter unit, where the first power supply subunit and the second power supply subunit are configured to provide multiple levels for the first T-type three-level inverter unit or the second T-type three-level inverter unit, and the first T-type three-level inverter unit and the second T-type three-level inverter unit are configured to implement conversion from a direct current into an alternating current.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the direct current power source module is a power source V 17 . The first T-type three-level inverter unit includes: a power switch Q 144 , a diode D 247 , a power switch Q 139 , a diode D 236 , a power switch Q 150 , a diode D 255 , a power switch Q 149 , a diode D 254 , a capacitor C 79 , and a capacitor C 81 . The second T-type three-level inverter unit (not shown in FIG. 5 ) includes: a power switch Q 145 , a diode D 248 , a power switch Q 148 , a diode D 253 , a power switch Q 151 , a diode D 256 , a power switch Q 152 , a diode D 257 , a capacitor C 80 , and a capacitor C 82 .

In this embodiment, it is assumed that a voltage of the power source V 17 is 2V, an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the power source V 17 is +1V, and an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the power source V 17 is −1V. As can be seen from FIG. 5 , the capacitor C 79 and the capacitor C 80 are connected in series, the capacitor C 81 and the capacitor C 82 are connected in series, a positive electrode of the capacitor C 79 and a positive electrode of the capacitor C 81 are connected to the positive electrode of the power source V 17 , a positive electrode of the capacitor C 80 and a negative electrode of the capacitor C 82 are connected to the negative electrode of the power source V 17 , a junction in the middle of the capacitor C 79 and the capacitor C 80 is grounded, and a junction in the middle of the capacitor C 81 and the capacitor C 82 is grounded. Therefore, three levels, that is, +1V, 0V, and −1V may be separately provided for the first T-type three-level inverter unit and the second T-type three-level inverter unit. It should be noted that, circuit structures of the first T-type three-level inverter unit and the second T-type three-level inverter unit may be adjusted according to a specific situation, for example, the number of capacitors is increased or reduced. For details, reference may be made to the prior art, which is not limited in the present invention.

A PWM controls turning on of corresponding power switches and diodes in the first T-type three-level inverter unit and the second T-type three-level inverter unit by using pulse width modulation waves that are staggered by a phase of 180 degrees, and W levels can be output at a junction e between two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of a transformer TX 1 .

When the PWM turns on the power switch Q 144 of the first T-type three-level inverter unit and the power switch Q 148 of the second T-type three-level inverter unit, and turns off other diodes and power switches in the two T-type three-level inverter units, a current passes through the capacitor C 81 , the power switch Q 144 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the power switch Q 148 , and the capacitor C 82 to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 81 , that is, +1V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the capacitor C 82 , that is, −1V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is (+1+1))/2=+1V, and therefore, a level of +1V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 144 of the first T-type three-level inverter unit, and the diode D 257 and the power switch Q 151 of the second T-type three-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two T-type three-level inverter units are turned off, a current passes through the capacitor C 81 , the power switch Q 144 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the diode D 257 , and the power switch Q 151 , and is grounded to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 81 , that is, +1V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is (+1−0)/2=+1/2V, and therefore, a level of +1/2V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the diode D 255 and the power switch Q 149 of the first T-type three-level inverter unit, and the diode D 257 and the power switch Q 151 of the second T-type three-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two T-type three-level inverter units are turned off, the coupled inductor P 1 is grounded through the diode D 255 and the power switch Q 149 , and the coupled inductor S 1 is grounded through the diode D 257 and the power switch Q 151 ; therefore, an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is 0V, and therefore, a level of 0V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the PWM turns on the power switch Q 145 of the second T-type three-level inverter unit and the power switch Q 139 of the first T-type three-level inverter unit, and turns off other diodes and power switches in the two T-type three-level inverter units, a current passes through the capacitor C 81 , the power switch Q 145 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the power switch Q 139 , and the capacitor C 82 to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 81 , that is, +1V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the capacitor C 82 , that is, −1V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is −(+1+1))/2=−1V, and therefore, a level of −1V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 145 of the second T-type three-level inverter unit and the diode D 254 and the power switch Q 150 of the first T-type three-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two T-type three-level inverter units are turned off, a current passes through the capacitor C 81 , the power switch Q 145 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the diode D 254 , and the power switch Q 150 , and is grounded to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 81 , that is, +1V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is −(+1−0)/2=−1/2V, and therefore, a level of −1/2V is output at an output end of the transformer TX 1 . Three levels may be implemented in each T-type three-level inverter unit, and therefore, 3×2−1=5 levels are implemented at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer, and then by filtering by the LC filter, a sine wave is finally obtained, and is applied on a load R 8 .

In an actual application, the filter may be an LC filter. As shown in FIG. 5 , the filter 40 specifically includes: an inductor L 34 and an output filter capacitor C 78 , where one end of the inductor L 34 is connected to the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer, the other end of the inductor L 34 and one end of the output filter capacitor C 78 are connected in series, and the other end of the output filter capacitor C 78 is grounded. Meanwhile, the load R 8 is added at two ends of the output filter capacitor C 78 .

When the multi-level inverter is a five-level inverter, and each of the N-level inverter units is an I-type three-level topology circuit, as shown in FIG. 6 , the two N-level inverter units are a first I-type three-level inverter unit and a second I-type three-level inverter unit respectively, structures of the two N-level inverter units are the same, and devices at identical locations have identical functions. The first I-type three-level inverter unit and second I-type three-level inverter unit are configured to implement conversion from a direct current into an alternating current.

In this embodiment, it is assumed the direct current power source module is a power source V 18 . The first I-type three-level inverter unit includes: a power switch Q 141 , a diode D 238 , a power switch Q 155 , a diode D 245 , a power switch Q 157 , a diode D 249 , a power switch Q 140 , a diode D 237 , a diode D 241 , a diode D 242 , and a capacitor C 84 . The second I-type three-level inverter unit (not shown in FIG. 6 ) includes: a power switch Q 142 , a diode D 239 , a power switch Q 156 , a diode D 246 , a power switch Q 158 , a diode D 250 , a power switch Q 143 , a diode D 240 , a diode D 244 , a diode D 243 , and a capacitor C 85 .

In this embodiment, it is assumed that a voltage of the power source V 18 is 2V, an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the power source V 18 is +1V, and an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the power source V 18 is −1V. As can be seen from FIG. 6 , a positive electrode of the capacitor C 84 is connected to a positive electrode of the power source V 18 , a negative electrode of the capacitor C 85 is connected to a negative electrode of the power source V 18 , the capacitor C 84 and the capacitor C 85 are connected in series, and a junction in the middle of the capacitor C 84 and the capacitor C 85 is grounded. Therefore, three levels, that is, +1V, 0V, and −1V, may be separately provided for the first I-type three-level inverter unit and the second I-type three-level inverter unit.

A PWM controls turning on of corresponding power switches and diodes in the first I-type three-level inverter unit and the second I-type three-level inverter unit by using pulse width modulation waves that are staggered by a phase of 180 degrees, so that output waveforms of alternating currents generated by the first I-type three-level inverter unit and the second I-type three-level inverter unit are staggered by half a cycle, to implement output of W levels at a junction e between two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of a transformer TX 1 .

When the PWM turns on the power switch Q 141 and the power switch Q 155 of the first I-type three-level inverter unit, and the power switch Q 158 and the power switch Q 143 of the second I-type three-level inverter unit, and turns off other diodes and power switches in the two I-type three-level inverter units, a current passes through the capacitor C 84 , the power switch Q 141 , the power switch Q 155 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the power switch Q 158 , and the power switch Q 143 to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 84 , that is, +1V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the capacitor C 85 , that is, −1V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is (+1+1))/2=+1V, and therefore, a level of +1V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the PWM turns on the power switch Q 141 and the power switch Q 155 of the first I-type three-level inverter unit, and the power switch Q 158 and the diode D 243 of the second I-type three-level inverter unit, and turns off other diodes and power switches in the two I-type three-level inverter units, a current passes through the capacitor C 84 , the power switch Q 141 , the power switch Q 155 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the power switch Q 158 , and the diode D 243 , and is grounded to form a loop, an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 84 , that is, +1V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is (+1−0)/2=+1/2V, and therefore, a level of +1/2V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the diode D 241 and the power switch Q 155 of the first I-type three-level inverter unit, and the power switch Q 158 and the diode D 243 of the second I-type three-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two I-type three-level inverter units are turned off, the coupled inductor P 1 is grounded through the diode D 241 and the power switch Q 155 , and the coupled inductor S 1 is grounded through the power switch Q 158 and the diode D 243 ; therefore, an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is 0V, and therefore, a level of 0V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the PWM turns on the power switch Q 142 and the power switch Q 156 of the second I-type three-level inverter unit, and the power switch Q 157 and the power switch Q 140 of the first I-type three-level inverter unit, and turns off other diodes and power switches in the two I-type three-level inverter units, a current passes through the capacitor C 84 , the power switch Q 142 , the power switch Q 156 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the power switch Q 157 , the power switch Q 140 , and the capacitor C 85 to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 84 , that is, +1V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a negative electrode of the capacitor C 85 , that is, −1V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is −(+1+1))/2=−1V, and therefore, a level of −1V is output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer TX 1 .

When the power switch Q 142 and the power switch Q 156 of the second I-type three-level inverter unit, and the power switch Q 158 and the diode D 243 of the first I-type three-level inverter unit are turned on, and other diodes and power switches in the two I-type three-level inverter units are turned off, a current passes through the capacitor C 84 , the power switch Q 142 , the power switch Q 156 , the coupled inductor S 1 , the coupled inductor P 1 , the power switch Q 158 , the diode D 243 , and is grounded to form a loop; an electromotive force at the coupled inductor S 1 is equal to an electromotive force of a positive electrode of the capacitor C 84 , that is, +1V, and an electromotive force at the coupled inductor P 1 is equal to an electromotive force of the ground, that is, 0V. Therefore, an electromotive force at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 is −(+1−0)/2=−1/2V, and therefore, a level −1/2V is output at an output end of the transformer TX 1 . Three levels may be implemented in each three-level inverter unit, and therefore, it is implemented that 3×2−1=5 levels are output at the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 , and then by filtering by the LC filter, a sine wave is finally obtained, and is applied on a load R 9 .

In an actual application, the filter may be an LC filter. As shown in FIG. 6 , the filter 50 specifically includes: an inductor L 42 and an output filter capacitor C 83 , where one end of the inductor L 42 is connected to the junction e between the two coupled inductors P 1 and S 1 of the transformer, the other end of the inductor L 42 and one end of the output filter capacitor C 83 are connected in series, and the other end of the output filter capacitor C 83 is grounded. Meanwhile, a load R 9 is added at two ends of the output filter capacitor C 83 .

It should be noted that, the foregoing multi-level inverters are merely examples for description. In an actual application, each N-level inverter unit in the two N-level inverter units of the multi-level inverter is a common inverter, and a specific topology structure may be used according to a specific situation. For an inversion method thereof, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiment, and details are not described in the present invention again. Particularly, the number of PWMs is not limited in the embodiment of the present invention as long as a pulse width modulation wave applied in the first N-level inverter unit and a pulse width modulation wave applied in the second N-level inverter unit are staggered by a phase of 180 degrees.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a power supply system, including a direct current power source, a load, and a multi-level inverter provided by any embodiment of the present invention, where the multi-level inverter converts a direct current generated by the direct current power source into an alternating current, so as to provide the alternating current for the load.

The multi-level inverter includes:

two N-level inverter units, where the N-level inverter unit is configured to convert a direct current into an alternating current, and pulse width modulation waves of the two N-level inverter units are staggered by a phase of 180 degrees, so that output waveforms of alternating currents generated by the two N-level inverter units are staggered by half a cycle, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3;

a direct current power source module, configured to generate a direct current, where an output end of the direct current power source module is connected to input ends of the two N-level inverter units, and configured to supply power to the two N-level inverter units;

a transformer, where the transformer includes a primary side and a secondary side, an inductor of the primary side and an inductor of the secondary side are coupled, one end of the inductor of the primary side and one end of the inductor of the secondary side are connected to output ends of the two N-level inverter units respectively, so that the two N-level inverter units are reversely coupled, and the other end of the inductor of the primary side and the other end of the inductor of the secondary side are connected, so as to output W levels at a junction of the inductors, where W=2N−1; and

a filter, where one end of the filter is connected to the junction between the two coupled inductors of the transformer, and the other end of the filter is grounded, configured to filter out a voltage ripple at the junction between the two coupled inductors of the transformer.

It may be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art that, for convenient and brief description, for specific steps involved in the system described above, reference may be made to a corresponding process in the foregoing apparatus embodiment of the multi-level inverter, which is not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other manners For example, the described apparatus embodiment is merely exemplary. For example, the unit division is merely logical function division and may be other division in actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one position, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. A part or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of a software functional unit.

A person of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or a part of the steps of the method embodiments may be implemented by a program instructing relevant hardware. The program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. When the program runs, the steps of the method embodiments are performed. The foregoing storage medium includes: any medium that can store program code, such as a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementation manners of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by persons skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.