DC/DC Converter Clamp Circuit Reducing Power Losses
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Solution Overview
Problem
DC/DC converters face issues with high-voltage spikes and ripple current, which can cause damage and require additional components for clamping and filtering, leading to power losses and increased complexity or cost.
Innovation Solution
A clamp circuit with diodes, inductors, and capacitors is implemented to redirect excess energy and manage voltage spikes, while a transformer and rectifier bridges with quasi-square wave generation and pulse-width modulation control the output voltage, reducing losses and maintaining balanced output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a passive resistor is used to dissipate energy stored in the capacitor, then the circuit complexity is reduced and cost is decreased, but power losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful voltage spikes and excess energy into beneficial output power by directing them through diodes to the output capacitor. Instead of dissipating energy as heat through a resistor, the excess energy is transferred to the output, reducing power losses while maintaining circuit simplicity.
2Loss of energy
If a second DC/DC converter is used to discharge the capacitor actively, then power losses are reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the DC/DC converter to serve itself by using its own output capacitor and diodes to handle voltage spikes and discharge operations. The output capacitor absorbs excess energy during normal operation and automatically discharges when needed, eliminating the need for external active discharge circuits while maintaining low power losses.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If additional DC filtering components are added to reduce ripple current, then ripple current is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the output capacitor multi-functional by having it serve both as the energy storage element for voltage regulation and as the filtering component for ripple current reduction. The same capacitor that maintains output voltage also smooths ripple current, eliminating the need for separate filtering components and reducing overall circuit complexity.
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 solution reduces power losses, increases efficiency, and decreases costs by effectively managing voltage spikes and ripple current, allowing for high-voltage DC/DC conversion with balanced output voltage during unbalanced loading.
Implementation Method 1
a first diode coupled between the positive voltage output node and the third node, a second diode coupled between the negative voltage output node and the second node... The second diode is configured to conduct a current when a voltage across the third diode exceeds a predetermined threshold
Implementation Method 2
a first inductor coupled between the second diode and the neutral voltage output node, and a second inductor coupled between the first diode and the neutral voltage output node
Implementation Method 3
The capacitor, in turn, is discharged after receiving energy, thereby allowing the capacitor to settle at a stable voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp circuit for use in a DC/DC voltage converter having a first converter output including a first node and a second node, and a second converter output including a third node a fourth node. The clamp circuit includes a positive voltage output node coupled to the first node, a negative voltage output node coupled to the fourth node, a neutral voltage output node, a first diode coupled between the positive voltage output node and the third node, a second diode coupled between the negative voltage output node and the second node, a first inductor coupled between the second diode and the neutral voltage output node, and a second inductor coupled between the first diode and the neutral voltage output node.