DC-DC Converter Noise Isolation via Spatial Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

When multiple DC-DC converters are arranged on a single circuit board and driven simultaneously, noise generated by the switching circuits can cause malfunctions and high harmonic noise emission, failing to meet product standards.

Innovation Solution

The DC-DC converters are arranged such that their switching circuit portions are not adjacent to each other's control circuit portions, effectively isolating noise and preventing malfunctions, while maintaining efficient manufacturing and reduced size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple DC-DC converters are arranged on a single circuit board to improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce size, then manufacturing efficiency is improved and apparatus size is reduced, but noise from switching circuits causes malfunctions and high harmonic noise emission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidmalfunction prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board is divided into distinct regions: a first region for switching circuit portions and a second region for control circuit portions. This spatial segmentation isolates noise-generating switching circuits from sensitive control circuits, preventing malfunctions while maintaining the compact multi-converter design on a single board.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Control circuit portions are extracted from proximity to switching circuit portions and placed in a separate second region. This extraction removes the vulnerable control circuits from the noisy electromagnetic environment created by simultaneous switching operations, thereby preventing malfunctions without requiring separate physical boards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Volume of moving object

If multiple DC-DC converters are arranged on a single circuit board to reduce apparatus size, then apparatus size is reduced, but noise interference between converters increases causing malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus sizeVSAvoidnoise interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board layout is segmented into functional regions: switching circuit portions occupy a first region while control circuit portions occupy a second region. This segmentation allows multiple converters to coexist on a single compact board while spatially isolating noise sources from sensitive components, thereby reducing apparatus size without compromising against noise interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple DC-DC converters are arranged on a single circuit board to improve manufacturing efficiency, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but additional noise suppression components are required increasing complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidnoise suppression components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board is segmented into switching circuit regions and control circuit regions, creating inherent spatial noise isolation. This segmentation eliminates the need for additional noise suppression components such as shields, filters, or ferrite beads, thereby maintaining manufacturing efficiency while reducing device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Control circuit portions are extracted from the switching circuit regions and placed in separate second regions. This extraction inherently isolates control circuits from switching noise without requiring additional noise suppression components, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2757674B1DC - DC converter and vehicular lamp
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 KOITO MFG CO LTD
  • EP2757674B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2757674B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2757674B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A DC - DC converter includes a plurality of converter portions, each of which includes a switching circuit portion (4A, 4B) and a control circuit portion (3A, 3B), the switching circuit portion (4A, 4B) being configured to obtain an output voltage by stepping up or stepping down an input voltage with a switching converter circuit including a switch element (T1, T51), a wound element (L1, L51), and a rectifier element (D1, D51), and the control circuit portion (3A, 3B) configured to control the output voltage by controlling the switch element (T1, T51) of the switching circuit portion (4A, 4B). The plurality of converter portions (2A, 2B) are arranged on a single circuit board (1) such that the switching circuit portion (4A, 4B) of each of the converter portions (2A, 2B) is not adjacent to the control circuit portion (3A, 3B) of each of a rest of the converter portions (2A, 2B).