DC/DC Converter Control for Fast Stable Voltage Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing DC/DC converters face challenges in achieving stable and fast transitions between high and low voltage levels during High/Low pulse operations due to delays in voltage and current detection, leading to unstable plasma generation and uneven thin film formation, particularly at frequencies above 10 kHz.

Innovation Solution

The proposed control method employs discrete control with adjusted gains A1 and A2, utilizing capacitance current for high-speed voltage detection and compensation, and interleaved n-phase control to suppress the influence of delay times, ensuring stable transitions and preventing overshoot/undershoot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional DC/DC converter uses a transformer with interwinding capacitance, then power conversion is achieved, but high-voltage noise is generated that interferes with ADC operations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveADC operation stabilityVSAvoidhigh-voltage noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an isolation capacitor as an intermediary element between the primary and secondary sides of the power converter. This capacitor blocks high-voltage noise generated by the transformer's interwinding capacitance from reaching the ADC, while still allowing the necessary power conversion to occur. The isolation capacitor acts as a mediator that separates the noisy power conversion circuit from the sensitive ADC circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the noise-blocking function from the main power conversion path by introducing a separate isolation capacitor. Instead of trying to eliminate noise at its source in the transformer, the design extracts the harmful high-voltage noise component and blocks it separately, allowing the power conversion function to continue uninterrupted while protecting the ADC.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If power conversion speed is increased in a DC/DC converter, then productivity is improved, but voltage spikes and noise are generated that affect signal accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower conversion speedVSAvoidsignal accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The isolation capacitor serves as a mediator that allows fast power conversion to proceed while protecting the signal path from resulting voltage spikes and noise. The capacitor blocks the transient high-voltage effects of rapid switching from reaching the ADC, enabling high-speed power conversion without compromising measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If electromagnetic shielding is added to block noise, then noise interference is reduced, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise interferenceVSAvoidconverter structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding complex electromagnetic shielding structures, the patent uses a simple isolation capacitor as an intermediary element to block noise. This electrical solution is much simpler and more compact than physical electromagnetic shielding, reducing device complexity while effectively reducing noise interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If isolation measures are added to reduce noise, then ADC operation stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveADC operation stabilityVSAvoidconverter structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements ADC operation stability through a single isolation capacitor that acts as an intermediary between the power conversion and signal processing sections. This minimal isolation measure provides effective noise blocking without significantly increasing device complexity, maintaining a simple converter structure while ensuring reliable ADC operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach enables fast and stable voltage transitions at high frequencies, maintaining constant-voltage control and reducing the impact of delay times, thereby stabilizing plasma discharge and improving thin film formation.

Implementation Method 1

a noise generated by an interwinding capacitance of a transformer used for performing power conversion in a DC/DC converter interferes with operations of an ADC

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3783787B1DC/DC converter, and DC/DC converter control method
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG CO LTD
  • EP3783787B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3783787B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3783787B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a discrete constant voltage control which carries out a voltage switch between different voltage levels, the present invention suppresses the influence of low-speed output detection voltage, carries out a high-speed transition under stable voltage conditions, and carries out a stabilized control in a constant voltage condition. The DC/DC converter of the present invention, in a discrete constant voltage control for voltage switching which switches different voltage levels and outputs the same, (i)by means of setting a gain A (A1, A2), suppresses the influence of an output voltage detection from following a command voltage and removing the detection output voltage Vo term, and (ii)by means of using an output voltage Vodet, which was estimated from a capacitor current, instead of the low-speed detection output voltage, suppresses the influence of the low-speed detection output voltage and suppresses the influence of a control from a delay time.