DC/DC Converter Charge Pump Driven by Switching Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DC/DC converters require an oscillation circuit to drive the charge pump circuit, increasing the number of components and potentially leading to unstable operation and noise issues.
Innovation Solution
A DC/DC converter design that eliminates the need for an oscillation circuit by using a choke coil and four switching elements controlled by driver ICs, with a charge pump circuit that alternately repeats ON-state or OFF-state based on the switching elements' states to drive the controllers, and capacitors for power supply, allowing the charge pump circuit to be driven without an oscillation circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an oscillation circuit is provided to drive the charge pump circuit, then the charge pump circuit can operate, but the number of parts increases and the circuit becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the oscillation circuit from the conventional DC/DC converter design. The charge pump circuit is driven directly by the switching elements (Q1-Q4) that are already part of the main power conversion circuit, rather than requiring a separate oscillation circuit. This removal of the unnecessary oscillation circuit reduces the number of parts while maintaining charge pump operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching elements (Q1-Q4) in the power conversion circuit are made to serve dual functions: both power conversion and charge pump circuit driving. The control signals for these switching elements simultaneously control the main power flow and generate the necessary drive signals for the charge pump, eliminating the need for dedicated oscillation circuit components.
2Ease of operation
If an oscillation circuit is provided to drive the charge pump circuit, then the charge pump circuit can be driven, but noise issues and unstable operation occur
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the oscillation circuit entirely, the source of noise and instability is eliminated. The charge pump circuit is now driven by the same control signals that drive the main power switching elements, ensuring synchronized and stable operation without the noise generation inherent in separate oscillation circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump circuit drives itself using the switching actions of the main power conversion circuit. The switching elements Q1-Q4, when operated for power conversion, automatically generate the necessary drive signals for the charge pump circuit, creating a self-sufficient system that avoids external noise sources.
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 the number of parts, stabilizes the operation of the DC/DC converter, and minimizes noise, enabling efficient bidirectional voltage stepping up or stepping down without the need for an oscillation circuit, thus improving the converter's efficiency and reducing component count and mounting area.
Implementation Method 1
a choke coil (L)
Implementation Method 2
a first capacitor (C1) that is connected in parallel with the first driver IC (10A) and supplies power to the first driver IC (10A)
Data Source
AI summary
In a DC/DC converter, when stepping up voltage from an input unit to an output unit or when stepping down voltage from the output unit to the input unit, a second driver IC outputs to a charge pump circuit a control signal for controlling a switching element so as to alternately repeat ON/OFF when a switching element is ON and a switching element is OFF. When stepping up voltage from the output unit to the input unit or when stepping down voltage from the input unit to the output unit, a first driver IC outputs to the charge pump circuit a control signal for controlling the switching element so as to alternately repeat ON/OFF when a switching element is ON and the switching element is OFF. As a result, the DC/DC converter can drive the charge pump circuit without providing an oscillation circuit.