Switched-Capacitor Converter Topology for Dynamic Gain Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage converters face challenges in efficiently controlling the gain ratio and achieving dynamic voltage conversion to meet varying load requirements, particularly in applications requiring bidirectional step-up and step-down operations.
Innovation Solution
A capacitor converter design with series-connected switches and capacitor legs, incorporating isolation switches and a compensation inductor, allows for dynamic control of gain ratio by selectively activating or deactivating legs and switches using a controller to generate a desired output voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the converter uses a fixed gain ratio design, then the circuit structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying operating environments and load requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The converter employs multiple capacitor legs with isolation switches that can be dynamically connected or disconnected based on operating conditions. The controller adjusts which capacitor legs are active to change the conversion ratio, enabling the circuit to adapt to varying load requirements and operating environments while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through systematic switching control
2Ease of operation
If the converter uses multiple capacitor legs with isolation switches, then dynamic gain control is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The converter circuit is divided into multiple discrete capacitor legs, each with its own isolation switch. This segmentation allows the controller to independently control each leg's connection to the circuit, enabling flexible combination of different numbers of capacitor legs (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 legs active) to achieve various gain ratios. The systematic segmentation makes the control logic manageable despite the increased number of components
3Power
If traditional voltage converters use transformers or inductors, then voltage conversion is achieved, but the system footprint and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the transformer or inductor from the traditional voltage converter circuit, replacing it with a capacitor-based voltage conversion mechanism. By using series-connected switches with energy storage capacitors connected to nodes between the switches, the converter achieves voltage conversion through capacitive energy storage and switching arrangements, thereby reducing system footprint and cost while maintaining the essential power conversion function
Data Source
AI summary
A converter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a rectifier connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, a first switch, a second switch connected to the output terminal and connected in series with the first switch at a first node, and a first leg having a first capacitor coupled to the first node, and a first isolation switch connected between the first capacitor and the rectifier.