DC-DC Converter Parameter Scaling for Fast LV Voltage Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing DC-DC voltage converters at the low voltage (LV) level exhibit limited dynamic performance, which hinders their ability to compensate for power fluctuations and maintain voltage stability in on-board electrical systems of electric vehicles, especially during highly automated driving, potentially leading to component damage and malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A method and electronic computing device that determines characteristic parameters of a DC-DC voltage converter by replicating the dynamic performance of a high voltage (HV)/low voltage (LV) converter, using small-signal modeling and transfer functions to adjust parameters such as leakage inductance and duty cycle, ensuring identical dynamic response and Bode plots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the size of the LV-side energy store is reduced or omitted to cut costs and save installation space, then cost and installation space are improved, but power availability and voltage stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidpower availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by determining characteristic parameters of the DC-DC voltage converter through transfer function modeling and scaling. The system calculates optimal parameter values (such as leakage inductance, switching frequency, and control gains) that enable the converter to achieve high dynamic performance without requiring a large LV-side energy store, thus resolving the contradiction between reduced installation space and maintained power availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the DC-DC voltage converter operates with reduced power and voltage classes, then cost and size are improved, but dynamic performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower classVSAvoiddynamic performance
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the copying principle by replicating the dynamic performance characteristics of an HV/LV DC-DC voltage converter onto a DC-DC voltage converter with lower power and voltage classes. Through transfer function modeling and parameter scaling, the system copies the dynamic response behavior (step response, frequency response) from the high-power converter to the low-power converter, enabling the smaller converter to achieve substantially identical dynamic performance despite its reduced power class.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If digital control with delay times or dead times is used, then ease of operation is improved, but dynamic performance deteriorates due to compensation delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol implementationVSAvoiddynamic response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing transfer functions and their scaled versions before actual operation. The system determines characteristic parameters offline through modeling and simulation, then uses these pre-determined parameters for real-time control. This approach eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations during operation, allowing the use of simple digital control with delay times or dead times while maintaining high dynamic performance through the pre-optimized parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12553956B2Method for determining at least one characteristic parameter of a component of a DC converter by way of an electronic computer device, and electronic computer device
Publication Date: 2026.02.17 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • US12553956B2 patent drawing
  • US12553956B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for determining at least one characteristic parameter of a component of a DC converter for an on-board electrical system of a motor vehicle by way of an electronic computer device includes determining a first transfer function of an HV/LV DC converter based on a small-signal model of the HV/LV DC converter, determining a second transfer function of the DC converter according to the first transfer function in such a way that the DC converter has at least one characteristic substantially identical to a characteristic of the HV/LV DC converter, and determining the at least one characteristic parameter of the component of the DC converter according to the second transfer function.