Dual Full-Bridge DC-DC Converter for Flexible Bidirectional Power Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DC-DC power converters for electric vehicles lack flexibility in operating modes and efficiency in power transfer between high-voltage and low-voltage batteries, particularly when multiple converters are connected in cascade configurations.
Innovation Solution
A DC-DC power converter design featuring high-voltage and low-voltage H-full-bridge circuits with four controllable semiconductor switches, inductively coupled via a transformer, allowing for variable power transmission and multiple operating modes through pulse width modulation, including bidirectional power flow and cascade connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a DC-DC power converter uses a simple design with fewer components, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture improve, but the flexibility in operating modes and power transfer efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a full-bridge circuit configuration on both high-voltage and low-voltage sides, where each bridge contains four controllable semiconductor switches. This universal bridge structure enables multiple operating modes (bidirectional power flow, different voltage conversion ratios, various switching patterns) without requiring different hardware configurations, thus achieving multi-functionality with a single design that maintains manufacturing simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a DC-DC power converter implements multiple operating modes with bidirectional power flow, then adaptability and versatility improve, but device complexity and control difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the semiconductor switches in both full-bridge circuits, where the switching patterns and duty cycles can be adjusted in real-time to achieve different operating modes. The control system dynamically selects which switches to activate and their switching frequencies, enabling bidirectional power flow and various voltage conversion ratios without changing the physical circuit topology, thus managing complexity through dynamic reconfiguration rather than static multi-structure design
3Productivity
If a DC-DC power converter uses H-full-bridge circuits with controllable semiconductor switches, then power transfer efficiency and flexibility improve, but device complexity and manufacturing cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of separate high-voltage and low-voltage side control circuits into a coordinated full-bridge system. By combining the eight semiconductor switches (four on each side) into a unified control architecture where both bridges operate synchronously, the system achieves high power transfer efficiency through resonant inductive coupling while managing complexity through integrated control rather than separate independent circuits
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
Enables flexible and efficient power transfer between high-voltage and low-voltage batteries, simplifies component tuning, and supports low-interference energy transmission, making it suitable for electric vehicles with complex battery systems.
Implementation Method 1
the high-voltage side with its H-full-bridge circuit and its four high-voltage-side semiconductor switches is inductively connected to the low-voltage side with its H-full-bridge circuit and its four high-voltage-side semiconductor switches by means of an electrical transformer for electrical power transmission between the high-voltage side and the low-voltage side
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical DC-DC power converter (1). This comprises a high-voltage electrical side (2) electrically connectable to a high-voltage battery (30), which comprises an H-full bridge circuit (3) with four high-voltage side halfconductor switches (3a-3d). These four semiconductor switches (3a-3d) can each be independently switched between an inactive state and an active state. Furthermore, the power converter (1) comprises an electrical low-voltage side (4) electrically connectable to a low-voltage battery (31), which comprises an H-full bridge circuit (5) with four low-voltage side semiconductor switches (5a-5d), These four semiconductor switches (5a-5d) can each be switched independently of one another between an inactive state and an active state. Furthermore, the high-voltage side (2) with its H-full-bridge circuit (3) and its four high-voltage-side semiconductor switches (3a-3d) is inductively connected to the low-voltage side (4) with its H-full-bridge circuit (5) and its four high-voltage-side semiconductor switches (5a-5d) by means of an electrical transformer (10) for electrical power transmission between the high-voltage side (2) and the low-voltage side (4).