DC-DC Converter Voltage Range Control for Power Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power distribution systems face inefficiencies and instability due to two-stage power conversion from DC to AC and back, leading to increased power loss and reduced efficiency, particularly when the DC-DC converter operates with low input voltage, affecting stable DC power supply and potentially disturbing the power conditioner's operation.

Innovation Solution

A power distribution system that includes a DC-DC converter controlled to operate only within a predetermined voltage range, connected in parallel with a power conditioner, ensuring stable operation and preventing disturbance to the power conditioner, with additional controls for power failure detection and voltage variation monitoring to optimize operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the DC-DC converter is operated when the amount of power generated by the DC power generation equipment is small, then the DC power can be supplied, but the DC-DC converter does not operate stably and the DC power is not stably supplied

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDC power supply capabilityVSAvoidDC-DC converter operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by monitoring the input voltage level to the DC-DC converter and adjusting its operation state accordingly. When the input voltage falls outside the predetermined range (indicating small power generation), the converter is controlled not to operate. When the input voltage is within the range, the converter operates to supply DC power. This parameter-based control ensures stable operation only under appropriate conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If two-stage power conversion is performed (DC to AC and then AC to DC), then the AC power and DC power can be distributed, but the power loss is increased and the power efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePower distribution flexibilityVSAvoidPower loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary second conversion stage. Instead of converting DC to AC and then back to DC, the system directly converts DC to the required voltage level using a DC-DC converter. This removes the redundant AC conversion环节, reducing power losses while maintaining the ability to distribute both AC and DC power to different loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If the power conditioner and DC-DC converter are operated at the same time, then the AC power and DC power can be supplied simultaneously, but the operation of the power conditioner may be disturbed when the DC-DC converter operates unstably

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePower supply capabilityVSAvoidPower conditioner operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the input voltage to the DC-DC converter and using this information to control its operation. The control unit receives feedback about the voltage level and adjusts the converter's operation accordingly, preventing unstable operation that could disturb the power conditioner. This feedback mechanism ensures that both power sources operate independently and stably.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 system achieves stable operation of the DC-DC converter and power conditioner, reducing power loss and improving efficiency by ensuring the DC-DC converter operates within a stable voltage range, and effectively utilizes power generated by DC sources like solar cells during power failures.

Implementation Method 1

an AC voltage of 100 V or 200 V is converted into three types of AC voltages, e.g., 6 V, 3 V, and 1.5 V, through the transformer, and three types of DC voltages, e.g., 6 V, 3 V and 1.5 V, are acquired by rectifying the three types of AC voltages using a rectifier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a DC power generated by the DC power generation equipment such as a solar power generation apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2485375B1Power distribution system
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP2485375B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2485375B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2485375B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A power distribution system includes a DC-DC converter which outputs a DC power after converting the DC power outputted from a DC power source to a desired voltage level. In the power distribution system, the DC-DC converter is controlled so as to operate only when the input voltage falls in a predetermined range.