Digital Controller Driving Power Stabilization in Stopped Power Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
In power converters with digital controllers, the output voltage from the auxiliary winding becomes unstable when the converter is stopped, leading to insufficient driving power and potential data corruption during shutdown operations.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that provide a digital controller with driving power based on a first voltage obtained from an activation terminal, even when the power converter is stopped, ensuring a stable power supply by using a switching element to maintain power when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power converter is stopped, then the output voltage from the auxiliary winding becomes unstable, but the digital controller still requires sufficient driving power for shutdown operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second capacitor as an intermediary energy storage element that mediates between the unstable auxiliary winding output and the digital controller. When the power converter stops, the second capacitor maintains the driving power supply to the digital controller, preventing data corruption during shutdown operations while the auxiliary winding voltage becomes unstable.
2Ease of operation
If the switching power supply circuit is stopped, then the induced voltage in the auxiliary winding decreases, but the digital controller requires sufficient driving power for data writing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the second capacitor during the normal operation phase when the power converter is running. This stored energy in the second capacitor is then utilized during the shutdown phase to maintain sufficient driving power for the digital controller, enabling complete shutdown operations including data writing to nonvolatile memory without interruption.
3Productivity
If the driving power from the auxiliary winding is decreased, then the power converter can be stopped, but data corruption may occur during writing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing a backup power source through the second capacitor that cushions against the insufficient driving power during shutdown. This backup energy reservoir ensures that data writing operations to nonvolatile memory can complete successfully even when the auxiliary winding voltage decreases and the main power supply is reduced.
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 solution ensures a sufficient driving power for the digital controller during both startup and shutdown phases, preventing data corruption and maintaining system stability.
Implementation Method 1
A transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding is often used to provide this isolation; furthermore, the transformer may also include an auxiliary winding.
Implementation Method 2
a switching element configured to provide the first voltage of the activation terminal to the controlling terminal when the switching element is on
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for controlling a power converter. The device includes an activation terminal configured to obtain a first voltage based on the input voltage; a controlling terminal configured to obtain a second voltage based on the output voltage; and a digital controller configured to obtain a driving power based on the first voltage and/or the second voltage; the digital controller is configured to obtain the driving power at least based on the first voltage when the power converter is stopped. Therefore, a sufficient driving power can be provided for the digital controller even when the power converter is stopped.