Bidirectional DC/DC Converter for Compact Vehicle Power Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle power supply devices increase in size when a high-voltage converter is required to shorten charging time, as they need to accommodate larger components for voltage stepping up and down.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle power supply device incorporating a high-voltage battery, an AC/DC converter, a bidirectional DC/DC converter, and a controller that efficiently manages power flow between alternating-current and direct-current sources, allowing for voltage boosting and stepping down without the need for multiple converters, thereby maintaining a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-voltage converter is added to shorten charging time, then charging speed is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of voltage boosting and voltage stepping down into a single bidirectional DC-DC converter. This converter can operate in two modes: boosting mode for charging the high-voltage battery from the low-voltage battery, and stepping down mode for powering low-voltage loads from the high-voltage battery. By combining these two functions that were previously handled by separate converters, the overall device size is reduced while maintaining the capability for fast charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The bidirectional DC-DC converter is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a voltage booster during charging operations and as a voltage stepper during discharge operations. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require two separate specialized converters, thereby improving productivity (charging speed) without the penalty of increased device size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple converters are used for voltage conversion, then voltage conversion capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple voltage conversion functions into a single bidirectional DC-DC converter, reducing the number of power converters from two (a booster and a stepper) to one. This merging maintains full voltage conversion capability while simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bidirectional DC-DC converter is designed as a universal power conversion device that can handle both voltage boosting and voltage stepping down operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized converters, thereby improving adaptability while reducing device complexity.
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
The solution enables efficient charging and discharging of the high-voltage battery while maintaining a compact size by utilizing the bidirectional DC/DC converter for both boosting and stepping down, reducing the number of power converters and manufacturing costs, and allowing the low-voltage load to operate during charging.
Implementation Method 1
the AC/DC converter converts, into direct-current power, the alternating-current power being supplied to the battery from the alternating-current power supply unit
Implementation Method 2
an insulating-type DC/DC converter boosting the voltage of the direct-current power rectified by the rectifying circuit
Implementation Method 3
a bidirectional DC/DC converter that boosts a voltage of the direct-current power converted by the AC/DC converter to output the direct-current power to the battery and steps down a voltage of the direct-current power being supplied to the low-voltage load unit from the battery
Implementation Method 4
the bidirectional DC/DC converter includes a chopper circuit having a switching element allowing conduction of a current or blocking the current and a coil outputting an induction current in accordance with an operation of the switching element
Data Source
AI summary
A bidirectional two-phase chopper circuit boosts a voltage of direct-current power converted by an AC/DC converter to output it to a high-voltage battery and steps down a voltage of direct-current power being supplied to a low-voltage load unit from the high-voltage battery. A connector is connected to a quick charger supplying direct-current power. A connector is connected to a superquick charger supplying direct-current power having a higher voltage than that of the quick charger.