Boost Circuit Switch Voltage Matching for Higher Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional step-up circuits face inefficiencies due to switch components with high withstand voltage specifications having poor switching performance, leading to a mismatch between actual and specified voltages, which affects system efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The proposed step-up circuit includes N switch components with different withstand voltage specifications, connected in series with flying capacitors and flyback diodes, where the pre-charge unit charges the capacitors to ensure voltages are closer to the switch components' specifications, and a charging switch is used to control the pre-charge process, reducing the number of switches and on-state loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If switch components with high withstand voltage specification are selected, then the voltage margin is improved, but the switching performance deteriorates and system efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage marginVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different withstand voltage specifications to different switch components based on their specific voltage stress requirements. Instead of uniformly selecting high-voltage switches for all positions, each switch component is matched to its local voltage demand, optimizing both reliability and efficiency for each position while minimizing overall energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If switch components with high withstand voltage specification are selected, then the voltage specification margin is improved, but the switching performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage specification marginVSAvoidswitching performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Different switch components are assigned different withstand voltage specifications according to their specific voltage stress requirements in the circuit. This localized optimization ensures that each switch operates within its optimal performance range, maintaining high switching speed where needed while providing adequate voltage margin where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If multiple switch components with same withstand voltage specification are used, then the design simplicity is improved, but the system efficiency deteriorates due to voltage-specification mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by differentiating the withstand voltage specifications of switch components according to their specific operational requirements. This creates a optimized configuration where each switch is appropriately rated for its position, improving system efficiency without requiring overly complex design procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of withstand voltage specification from a uniform value across all switch components to differentiated values based on specific circuit position requirements. This parameter optimization resolves the voltage-specification mismatch problem while maintaining practical design simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration improves system efficiency by ensuring switch components operate closer to their withstand voltage specifications, enhancing performance and reducing on-state loss and costs.

Implementation Method 1

a pre-charge unit, configured to charge, before the switch components operate, the N-1 flying capacitors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitor charging: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

controls an inductor to store or release energy, to produce an output voltage that is greater than an input voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductor energy storage: Inductor

Data Source

PatentEP3910777B1Boost circuit and control method for boost circuit
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP3910777B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3910777B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3910777B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This application relates to the field of circuit technologies, and provides a step-up circuit and a step-up circuit control method. The step-up circuit includes a power supply, an inductor, N switch components, N―1 flying capacitors, N flyback diodes, a pre-charge unit, and an output unit. The N switch components are connected in series, a first switch component of the N switch components is connected to a first terminal of the power supply through the inductor, and an Nth switch component is connected to a second terminal of the power supply. At least two switch components of the N switch components have withstand voltage specifications different from each other. Values of voltages withstood by switch components with different withstand voltage specifications during normal operation are also different from each other. N is a positive integer. According to this application, system efficiency of the step-up circuit can be improved by using switch components with different withstand voltage specifications.