Boost Converter Voltage Divider Periodic Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional boost converters experience high power consumption due to the current drawn by the voltage divider, especially in low power applications, which is not efficiently minimized by increasing resistor values, leading to increased area and integration costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a voltage control circuit that periodically activates and deactivates the voltage divider, using electronic switches and timer circuits to control the switch-on and switch-off times, reducing the average current consumption by minimizing the time the voltage divider is connected to the output terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the voltage divider is continuously connected to monitor output voltage, then the output voltage regulation is maintained, but the power consumption increases due to continuous current draw
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage divider is connected to the output terminals periodically rather than continuously. A control circuit activates the voltage divider at specific intervals to sample the output voltage and then deactivates it, creating a periodic on-off pattern that reduces average current consumption while maintaining adequate voltage regulation through feedback control
2Use of energy by moving object
If the resistor values in the voltage divider are increased to reduce current consumption, then the power consumption decreases, but the area occupied by the resistors increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using high-value resistors to reduce current consumption, the patent employs periodic activation of a standard voltage divider. The resistors can maintain reasonable values for adequate performance while the periodic switching reduces average current draw, eliminating the need for large-area high-value resistors
3Measurement precision
If the voltage divider is activated for longer periods to improve voltage monitoring accuracy, then the regulation precision improves, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage divider is activated in periodic intervals with sufficient duration to perform accurate voltage sampling and comparison against reference values. The control circuit uses this periodic feedback information to adjust the switching duty cycle, achieving adequate regulation precision without requiring continuous activation that would increase power consumption
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 significantly reduces power consumption by limiting the switch-on time of the voltage divider, thereby minimizing current draw from the input power source, making it suitable for both burst mode and normal operation.
Implementation Method 1
the inductor L stores energy by generating a magnetic field. Conversely, when the switch SW is opened, current will be reduced as the impedance is higher and the previously created magnetic field will generate a current flow through the diode D and towards the positive output terminal 104a
Implementation Method 2
the circuit may comprise a voltage divider comprising at least two resistors R1 and R2, which are connected in series between the output terminals 104a and 104b. Accordingly, based on the well-known operation of a voltage divider, the intermediate point between the resistors R1 and R2 provides a voltage VFB being indicative for the output voltage VOUT
Data Source
AI summary
A boost converter receives an input voltage and provides an output voltage and includes a power switch and a voltage control circuit configured to drive the power switch as a function of the output voltage. A voltage sensing circuit in the form of a voltage divider is coupled to sense the output voltage and provide a feedback voltage. The voltage control circuit drives the power switch. An electronic control switch is configured to selectively connect the voltage divider to sense the output voltage as a function of an enable signal generated by a timer circuit. The enable signal is pulsed such that the voltage divider is periodically connected to sense the output voltage during a first time and is disconnected from sensing during a second time.