Current Balancer for Multi-Phase Power Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-phase power converting devices face challenges in achieving heat balance due to unbalanced channel currents generated by switching converter units, which affects power conversion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A current balancer system utilizing error detection units and pulse control units to generate PWM signals, adjusting voltage levels through capacitors and charging/discharging controllers to balance channel currents across switching converter units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple switching converter units are connected in parallel to form a multi-phase power converting device, then the transient current capability and system reliability are improved, but the channel currents become unbalanced due to component variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the output currents of multiple switching converter units and dynamically adjusts their duty cycles to maintain current balance. The controller receives current feedback from each unit and modifies the PWM signals accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that compensates for component variations and maintains stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters (duty cycle) of each switching converter unit dynamically based on real-time current measurements. By adjusting the duty cycle parameter of each unit individually, the system compensates for component variations and maintains balanced channel currents, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and current balance stability.
2Loss of energy
If traditional current balancer circuits are used to balance channel currents, then the power conversion efficiency is improved, but the circuit complexity and hardware cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the current balancing function with the existing PWM control unit. Instead of using a separate dedicated current balancer circuit, the controller integrates current sensing, error amplification, and PWM generation into a single unified control block. This consolidation maintains the power conversion efficiency benefits of active current balancing while significantly reducing circuit complexity and hardware requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates PWM signals for switching control, senses output currents from multiple units, amplifies current error signals, and dynamically adjusts duty cycles for current balancing. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective current balance and high power conversion efficiency.
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
The system effectively balances channel currents, enhancing the power conversion efficiency of multi-phase power converting devices by dynamically adjusting PWM signals based on error currents.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor (C1), wherein a first end of the capacitor (C1) is electrically connected to a ground, and a second end of the capacitor (C1) is electrically connected to the charging and discharging controller (130)
Data Source
AI summary
A current balancer suitable for a multi-phase power converting device is provided. The current balancer includes an error detection unit and a plurality of pulse control units. Each of the pulse control units includes a current-to-voltage converter, a charging and discharging controller, a capacitor, and a comparator. The error detection unit detects a plurality of channel currents generated by the multi-phase power converting device, and generates a plurality of error currents by calculating. The charging and discharging controller provides a charging voltage or a discharging voltage according to a constant pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal. When the channel currents are balanced, the comparator generates a PWM signal with a constant duty cycle. When the channel currents are not balanced, an error voltage generated by the current-to-voltage converter is used to adjust a voltage level of the charging voltage or the discharging voltage, so that the PWM signal is varied correspondingly.