Charge Pump Converter Switching Paths for Lower Conduction Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DC voltage converters, particularly charge pump converters, face challenges in minimizing power losses, especially in battery-powered devices where efficiency is crucial.
Innovation Solution
The proposed DC voltage converter incorporates a charge pump circuit with a switch network that allows for four separate switching paths between each successive stage, enabling a sequence of phases where capacitors are charged at different voltage levels to reduce capacitor conduction losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a charge pump converter uses a conventional switch network with fewer switching paths between stages, then the device complexity is reduced, but capacitor conduction losses increase due to larger voltage differences during charging
Solution Approach 1:
The switch network is segmented into multiple independent switching paths between charge pump stages. Each path provides a separate route for charging capacitors, allowing the system to select optimal paths that minimize voltage differences and reduce conduction losses. This segmentation enables parallel charging routes without requiring a completely complex reconfiguration of the entire switch network.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch network implements dynamic path selection based on real-time voltage conditions. The control logic dynamically chooses which switching path to use for charging capacitors at each stage, adapting to minimize voltage differences and optimize efficiency. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain low losses while managing complexity through intelligent control rather than static hardware complexity.
2Loss of energy
If the charge pump converter uses a simple switching sequence with fewer phases, then the operation is simpler and faster, but power efficiency decreases due to larger voltage differences when charging capacitors
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump converter employs a periodic multi-phase switching sequence where capacitors are charged in staged phases rather than all at once. Each phase charges specific capacitors through selected switching paths, creating a rhythmic pattern of charging operations. This periodic action allows voltage differences to be managed in manageable increments, reducing power losses while maintaining a systematic and controllable operation pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-phase switching sequence ensures continuous useful action by overlapping charging operations across different stages and capacitors. While some capacitors are being charged, others are being discharged or prepared, maintaining continuous power conversion activity. This continuity maximizes efficiency by minimizing idle time and ensuring that the multi-phase approach constantly contributes to useful power conversion rather than introducing dead time.
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 reduces capacitor conduction losses by minimizing the initial voltage difference between connected capacitors, leading to improved power efficiency in DC voltage conversion.
Implementation Method 1
each charge pump stage comprising connections for respective first and second capacitors for that stage
Implementation Method 2
reduces capacitor conduction losses by minimizing the initial voltage difference between connected capacitors
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to methods and apparatus for DC voltage conversion. A DC converter (100) is described, with a charge pump circuit comprising a plurality of charge pump stages (1401, 1402-1,1402-2) each charge pump stage comprising connections for respective first and second capacitors for that stage (C1A, C1B; C2A, C2B; C3A, C3B). The charge pump also has a switch network, wherein the switch network comprises, between each successive stage, four switching paths (S7AA, S7AB, S7Ba, S7BB; S6AA, S6AB, S6Ba, S6BB) for separately connecting a respective first electrode of each of the first and second capacitors of one stage to a first electrode either of the first and second capacitors of the preceding stage, so that the relevant capacitor of the one stage can be charged by the relevant capacitor of the preceding stage.