DC-DC Converter Control System Using Segmented Voltage Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing DC-DC voltage converter control systems fail to maintain output voltage, output current, and input voltage within desired levels, potentially leading to damage from exceeding maximum voltage or current limits.

Innovation Solution

A control system comprising an output voltage controller, an output current controller, and an input voltage controller, which adjust the switching duty cycle of the DC-DC voltage converter circuit using operational amplifiers, diodes, and microcontrollers to maintain voltages and currents within set limits by monitoring and responding to reference voltages and currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single control mode is used to control the switch, then the control system is simple, but the input power and output power may exceed maximum voltage or current limits, damaging internal circuits and electric loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidprotection against voltage and current limits
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into three separate controllers: an output voltage controller, an output current controller, and an input voltage controller. Each controller independently monitors and regulates a specific parameter (output voltage, output current, or input voltage) by adjusting the switch duty cycle, ensuring that none of these parameters exceed their respective maximum limits while maintaining manageable individual controller complexities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple controllers are used to maintain voltage and current within limits, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against voltage and current limitsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into three separate controllers: an output voltage controller, an output current controller, and an input voltage controller. Each controller independently monitors and regulates a specific parameter (output voltage, output current, or input voltage) by adjusting the switch duty cycle, ensuring that none of these parameters exceed their respective maximum limits while maintaining manageable individual controller complexities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each controller continuously monitors its designated parameter (output voltage, output current, or input voltage) and provides feedback to adjust the switch duty cycle accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system automatically corrects any deviations from the desired operating range, maintaining reliability through real-time regulation of multiple parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3460976B1Control system for controlling DC-DC voltage converter circuit
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3460976B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3460976B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3460976B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control system for controlling a DC-DC voltage converter circuit is provided. An output voltage controller outputs a DC-DC voltage converter control voltage to an input control terminal to increase a switching duty cycle within the DC-DC voltage converter circuit when the low voltage is less than an output reference voltage. An input voltage controller reduces the DC-DC voltage converter control voltage at the input control terminal of the DC-DC voltage converter circuit when a high voltage is less than an input reference voltage to reduce the switching duty cycle within the DC-DC voltage converter circuit.