Bidirectional DC-DC Converter Soft Switching Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bidirectional DC-DC converters experience efficiency loss, increased noise, and switching element breakdown due to switching losses and variations in MOS transistor characteristics, especially in step-down operations and hard switching methods.

Innovation Solution

A bidirectional DC-DC converter design incorporating a controlling circuit that achieves soft switching in the high voltage-side rectifying circuit, utilizing an LC resonant circuit and a transformer with a greater number of turns in the secondary winding, and employing n-channel MOS transistors to manage switching elements, thereby reducing switching losses and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If hard switching method is used in conventional bidirectional DC-DC converter, then power transmission function is achieved, but switching loss increases and converter efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching lossVSAvoidconverter efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the switching method from hard switching to soft switching by controlling the timing of switching element activation relative to current zero-crossing points. This parameter change in switching timing eliminates switching losses while maintaining power transmission functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic resonant oscillation through an LC resonant circuit to create periodic current waveforms. By synchronizing switching actions with the periodic zero-crossing points of this resonant current, the system achieves lossless switching while maintaining continuous power transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If hard switching is used in bidirectional DC-DC converter, then power conversion is achieved, but noise increases and switching element breakdown occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise and breakdownVSAvoidswitching element reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the switching timing parameter to occur at current zero-crossing points rather than arbitrary timing. This parameter change eliminates voltage spikes and electromagnetic noise while preventing switching element breakdown, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the naturally occurring zero-crossing points of the resonant current into beneficial switching时机. By utilizing these natural current null points for switching operations, the system transforms what would be idle moments into protective switching opportunities that prevent noise and breakdown.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 improves converter efficiency, reduces noise, and prevents switching element breakdown by enabling soft switching and appropriate partial voltage resonance in step-down operations.

Implementation Method 1

An LC resonance circuit is arranged between the transformer stage and the high voltage side switching unit for generating sine wave currents simplifying zero crossing switching.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLC resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

a transformer connected between the low voltage-side rectifying circuit and the high voltage-side rectifying circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2685620B1Bidirectional DC-DC converter, and power source system
Publication Date: 2017.08.16 SHINDENGEN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO LTD
  • EP2685620B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2685620B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A bidirectional DC-DC converter comprises: a first low voltage-side input/output terminal and a second low voltage-side input/output terminal; a low voltage-side rectifying circuit connected to the first low voltage-side input/output terminal and the second low voltage-side input/output terminal; a first high voltage-side input/output terminal and a second high voltage-side input/output terminal; a high voltage-side rectifying circuit connected to the first high voltage-side input/output terminal and the second high voltage-side input/output terminal; a transformer connected between the low voltage-side rectifying circuit and the high voltage-side rectifying circuit; and a controlling circuit that controls operations of switching elements in the low voltage-side rectifying circuit and the high voltage-side rectifying circuit. The controlling circuit achieves soft switching of a switching element in the high voltage-side rectifying circuit in a step-down operation.