DC/DC Converter Selectable Coupling Ratio Transformer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DC/DC converters have a complex three-stage configuration and high power consumption due to the need for a boost unit to increase low input DC voltage, resulting in significant power loss.
Innovation Solution
A DC/DC converter with a full bridge circuit, transformer, and rectifying unit that allows for adjustable coupling ratio and diode selection to produce a DC voltage at a required level, eliminating the need for a boost unit by using a transformer with a primary and secondary side, including a stationary and selectable winding, and a rectifying unit formed by multiple diodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a three-stage configuration with boost unit is used to increase low input DC voltage, then the output voltage can be increased, but power loss increases and circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the voltage boosting function and voltage transformation function into a single transformer component. The transformer's primary winding connects to the full-bridge circuit input, and the secondary winding provides both voltage step-up and isolation in one element, eliminating the separate boost unit and reducing power loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The transformer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: voltage boosting, voltage transformation, and electrical isolation. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require separate components (boost unit + transformer), thereby reducing overall circuit complexity and energy loss.
2Power
If a three-stage configuration with boost unit is used to increase low input DC voltage, then the output voltage can be increased, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the boost unit functionality into the transformer by utilizing the transformer's primary and secondary windings to achieve both voltage boosting and transformation in a single component, thereby simplifying the circuit from three stages to two stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the separate boost unit from the conventional three-stage configuration. By using the transformer to perform both boosting and transformation functions, the unnecessary boost unit is removed, reducing circuit complexity.
3Power
If the input DC voltage is low, then the boost unit needs to increase the voltage, but power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the voltage boosting operation with the voltage transformation operation into a single transformer component. The transformer efficiently steps up the low input voltage from the full-bridge circuit while minimizing power loss, eliminating the need for a separate boost unit that would incur additional losses.
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 simplifies the circuit configuration and maintains high power converting efficiency even at low input DC voltage levels, reducing power loss and complexity by integrating the boost function into the transformer and rectifying unit.
Implementation Method 1
The transformer has a primary side and a secondary side. The primary side has a primary winding connected to the two output terminals of the full bridge circuit. The secondary side has a stationary winding and at least one selectable winding connected in series.
Implementation Method 2
The rectifying unit is formed by multiple diodes and connected to the secondary side of the transformer. As the switch turns on, a rectifier is formed by four of the diodes to rectify the produced DC voltage.
Data Source
AI summary
The DC/DC converter has a full bridge circuit, a transformer and a rectifying unit. The full bridge circuit is connected to a source DC voltage. The transformer is connected to full bridge circuit and receives the source DC. The transformer has a stationary winding and at least one selectable winding connected in series. If the source DC voltage is lower than a threshold value, the switch is turned on to increase the coupling ratio of the transformer. Therefore, the transformer converts the source DC to a DC voltage in a required voltage level.