Bidirectional DC Converter with Reverse Boost Mode
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switching regulators for portable electronic devices lack efficient reverse boost mode operation, requiring complex and costly additional circuitry to provide multiple regulated voltage rails, which increases chip size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A switching regulator circuit with two half-bridge circuits that can be switched to boost the output voltage for reverse boost mode, using a shorting switch and controller to drive both half-bridges and generate regulated voltages at multiple input ports, reducing the need for additional power FETs and isolation circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional circuitry is added to provide reverse boost mode operation with multiple regulated voltage rails, then the functionality and versatility of the switching regulator is improved, but the device complexity and chip size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the same half-bridge circuit to operate in multiple modes (forward buck mode and reverse boost mode) and to serve multiple functions (providing regulated output voltage or driving multiple input ports with regulated voltage rails). This eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements reverse boost mode operation where the conventional power flow direction is inverted. Instead of converting input voltage to output voltage (forward mode), the circuit converts output voltage back to drive input ports (reverse mode). This inversion allows the same hardware to provide multiple regulated voltage rails at input ports without adding dedicated conversion circuits
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional circuitry is added to provide reverse boost mode operation with multiple regulated voltage rails, then the functionality and versatility of the switching regulator is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By designing the half-bridge circuit to perform multiple functions (forward buck conversion, reverse boost conversion, and driving multiple input ports), the patent reduces the total component count required. This universality directly lowers manufacturing costs by eliminating redundant power FETs, isolation circuits, and control logic that would be needed if separate dedicated circuits were implemented for each function
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional circuitry is added to provide reverse boost mode operation, then the chip size increases, but the functionality is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reverse boost mode circuitry with the existing forward buck mode half-bridge circuit, combining multiple functions into a single integrated structure. By sharing common components (power FETs, control logic, magnetic elements) between forward and reverse operations, the design achieves reverse boost functionality without requiring separate dedicated circuit blocks, thereby minimizing the additional chip area required
Solution Approach 2:
The half-bridge circuit is designed as a universal structure that can operate in both forward buck mode and reverse boost mode, and can provide regulated voltage to either the output port or multiple input ports. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional dedicated circuits,ไป่ reducing the incremental chip area required to add reverse boost functionality
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A switching regulator circuit provides forward mode operation where a voltage provided at an input port can be boosted or bucked to produce a regulated voltage at an output port of the circuit. In accordance with the present disclosure, the switching regulator circuit includes two or more input ports. The switching regulator circuit provides a reverse boost operation in which a voltage provided at the output port of the circuit can be boosted to produce a regulated voltage at both of the input ports of the circuit.