Asymmetrical Bipolar Voltage Supply Reducing Parasitic Capacities

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing asymmetrical bipolar voltage supply systems for power semiconductors require a large number of secondary windings, leading to significant parasitic capacities and potential disorders, which can result in destruction of the voltage supply or gate drivers.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves generating an asymmetrical bipolar alternating voltage on the primary side using a full bridge circuit with four primary semiconductor switches connected to different DC sources, reducing the number of secondary windings by half, and using a planar transformer with a multilayer board to minimize parasitic capacities and manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large number of secondary windings are used to provide asymmetrical bipolar voltage supply, then the voltage supply capability is improved, but parasitic capacities increase leading to disorders and potential destruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage supply capabilityVSAvoidparasitic capacities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by using a single secondary winding with asymmetric tap points instead of multiple symmetric windings. The first tap point provides positive voltage while the second tap point provides negative voltage, creating an asymmetrical bipolar supply from a single winding structure. This reduces the total number of windings needed while maintaining the required voltage capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple voltage supply functions into a single secondary winding with multiple tap points. Instead of having separate windings for positive and negative voltages, the invention combines these functions into one winding structure, thereby reducing parasitic capacities while achieving the same voltage supply capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple secondary windings are used for each gate driver, then the voltage supply reliability is improved, but the device size and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage supply reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of secondary windings
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single secondary winding with multiple tap points serves multiple functions simultaneously - it provides both positive and negative voltages for gate drivers, eliminating the need for separate dedicated windings for each voltage type. This multi-functional approach reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If asymmetrical bipolar voltage supply is implemented, then semiconductor switch protection is improved, but the circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesemiconductor switch protectionVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements asymmetry in the voltage supply by providing different voltage levels through tap points on the secondary winding. This asymmetrical bipolar supply protects semiconductor switches by ensuring proper voltage levels while using a simplified single-winding structure rather than multiple complex windings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces the size and parasitic capacities of the voltage supply, decreases manufacturing costs, and minimizes disorders, while ensuring reliable operation of the semiconductor switches.

Implementation Method 1

a primary winding (7) and a secondary winding (8) of a transformer (1), wherein an asymmetrical bipolar alternating voltage is generated on the primary side (2, 7) of the transformer (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3332481B1Asymmetrical bipolar voltage supply
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 IIE
  • EP3332481B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3332481B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3332481B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an asymmetrical bipolar voltage supply having a transformer (1) and a primary-side voltage supply (2; 25; 28), the transformer (1) comprising at least one primary winding (7; 26, 27; 29, 30) and a plurality of secondary windings (8). According to the invention, the primary-side voltage supply (2; 25; 28) is connected to at least one DC voltage source and designed such that, in the transformer (1), two opposite-polarity turn-to-turn voltages UW1 and UW2 with different amplitudes can be produced.