Multi-Phase Buck Converter Current Feedback for Temperature Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-phase buck converter systems require manual adjustment of current sense values for current and temperature balancing, which is inconvenient for users.

Innovation Solution

A converter circuit with multiple power stage circuits and a control circuit that automatically adjusts current sense values based on temperature sense values and a highest temperature value, allowing for automatic current and temperature balancing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual adjustment of current sense values is used for temperature balancing, then temperature balancing can be achieved, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature balancingVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The power stage circuit automatically adjusts its own current sense value based on its temperature sense value compared to the highest temperature value, without requiring external manual intervention. The circuit self-regulates by selecting between original and adjusted current sense values based on temperature conditions, achieving temperature balancing autonomously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring temperature sense values, comparing them against the highest temperature value, and using this comparison result to automatically adjust current sense values. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures temperature balancing is maintained dynamically without manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If automatic temperature balancing is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensing function and current sense value adjustment function are merged into a single integrated circuit block within the power stage circuit. The same circuit that senses temperature also performs the comparison with highest temperature value and controls the current sense value adjustment, reducing overall system complexity despite adding automatic balancing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The current feedback control circuit serves multiple functions: it senses current, senses temperature, compares temperature values, selects appropriate current sense values, and provides feedback to the control circuit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250062682A1Converter circuit, power stage circuit and temperature balancing method

Publication Date: 2025.02.20 POWERX SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION

AI summary

The disclosure provides a converter circuit, a power stage circuit and a temperature balancing method. The converter circuit includes power stage circuits and a control circuit. The power stage circuit includes a power circuit, a temperature sense circuit, a current sense circuit and a current feedback control circuit. The temperature sense circuit senses a temperature of the power stage circuit, to output a temperature sense value. The current sense circuit senses an output current of the power circuit, to output a current sense value. The current feedback control circuit compares the temperature sense value with a highest temperature value of the power stage circuits, and outputs one of the current sense value and adjusted current sense value to the control circuit according to a comparison result of the temperature sense value and the highest temperature value.