Multiphase Converter Soft-Start Abnormality Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiphase DC/DC converters fail to accurately identify and isolate the source of abnormalities during startup, leading to potential system halting due to open-circuit failures in switching elements, rather than allowing continued operation with functional phases.
Innovation Solution
A multiphase converter system that includes a control unit for soft start control of voltage conversion units, a detection unit for monitoring output current and voltage, and an abnormality identifying unit to detect and isolate faulty units or groups, enabling continued operation with remaining functional units while preventing inrush currents and load concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If all voltage conversion units are started simultaneously, then the startup process is fast, but inrush current occurs and abnormality identification becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the startup process into multiple phases by segmenting the voltage conversion units into groups. Each group is started sequentially at different time periods rather than simultaneously, which prevents inrush current while maintaining relatively fast startup. The control unit assigns different soft-start time periods to different groups of voltage conversion units, achieving both speed and harm reduction.
2Measurement precision
If detection units are added to each voltage conversion unit for precise abnormality identification, then identification precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control unit that acts as an intermediary to manage and coordinate the detection of abnormalities across voltage conversion units. Instead of placing detection units in each converter, the control unit receives information from a shared detection unit and identifies abnormalities by analyzing data from multiple units during their respective soft-start periods, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection unit serves multiple voltage conversion units simultaneously rather than being dedicated to a single unit. The control unit processes detection data from any voltage conversion unit, making the detection system universal and multi-functional, which reduces the total number of detection units needed while maintaining the ability to precisely identify abnormalities in any specific unit.
3Ease of operation
If soft start control is applied to all voltage conversion units at the same time, then the control process is simple, but abnormality identification becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage conversion units into different groups that undergo soft-start control at different time periods. This segmentation allows the control unit to isolate and identify abnormalities in specific units by observing their individual startup behavior, improving reliability while keeping the control process manageable through systematic grouping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic soft-start control where different groups of voltage conversion units are activated in alternating time periods. This periodic approach allows the control unit to systematically monitor each group's performance during its active period, improving abnormality identification reliability while maintaining operational simplicity through a repeating control pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiphase converter is provided with a multiphase conversion unit including a plurality of voltage conversion units; and a control unit configured to individually control the voltage conversion units using control signals. The control unit performs soft start control on the voltage conversion units by offsetting the time periods for individual voltage conversion units against each other. A detection unit detects a value reflecting an output current or an output voltage on a common output path from the plurality of voltage conversion units. The abnormality identifying unit identifies the abnormal voltage conversion unit or the abnormal group of voltage conversion units that generates an abnormal current or an abnormal voltage based on a result of detection by the detection unit during the time periods in which the soft start control is performed.