Dual-Transformer Power Conversion for Active Discharge Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power conversion apparatuses fail to perform safety control operations when both low-voltage power supply loss and power supply failure occur simultaneously, and they cannot operate the control circuit when a GD power supply for the lower arms fails, leading to an inability to perform active discharge operations.
Innovation Solution
A power conversion apparatus with a dual-transformer configuration, where each transformer has a primary winding connected in parallel to the DC power supply, secondary windings for driving switching devices, and feedback windings for power supply control, enabling continuous operation even if one transformer's power supply fails, and an active discharge circuit driven by feedback windings for safe shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a centralized transformer structure is used to generate all power supplies, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates because safety control operations cannot be performed when low-voltage power supply loss and power supply failure occur simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is divided into multiple independent transformers (first transformer for upper arms, second transformer for lower arms) instead of using a single centralized transformer. Each transformer independently supplies power to specific drive circuits, creating modular segments that can operate independently. This segmentation allows the system to maintain safety control operations even when one transformer fails, as the other transformer continues to function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements redundant power supply paths by providing multiple transformers and multiple power supply routes to the drive circuits. This redundancy acts as a cushion against failures, ensuring that if one power supply path fails (either the low-voltage power supply or one of the transformers), alternative paths remain available to maintain safety control operations and active discharge functionality.
2Reliability
If a distributed transformer structure is used for respective power supplies, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each transformer is designed to perform multiple functions: providing power to drive circuits for switching devices, supplying power to low-voltage circuits, and generating feedback voltages for power supply control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the distributed architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple power supply functions (gate drive power supply, backup power supply, active discharge power supply) into a unified transformer structure that serves multiple purposes simultaneously. By merging these functions into the transformer system with appropriate winding configurations, the patent avoids the need for entirely separate power supply circuits for each function, thus controlling complexity.
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 safety control operations and active discharge capabilities even when low-voltage power supply loss and power supply failures overlap, ensuring reliable operation of the power conversion apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply circuit for suppling a power supply to the plurality of drive circuits; wherein the power supply circuit includes a first transformer and a second transformer which include a primary winding connected in parallel to the DC power supply
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a plurality of drive circuits (103 U, 103 L) for driving respective plural switching devices constituting upper arms and lower arms, a power supply circuit for supplying a power supply to the plurality of drive circuits, and a discharge circuit for discharging a capacitor. The power supply circuit includes a first transformer (201U) for the upper arms, and a second transformer (201L) for the lower arms, which include a primary winding connected in parallel to a DC power supply. The first transformer and the second transformer include a secondary winding for supplying a power supply to the drive circuits and for supplying a power supply to a low-voltage circuit (110). Each of the first transformer and the second transformer includes a feedback winding for outputting the voltage output to the drive circuits, to a power supply control IC. The discharge circuit (120) is driven by a power supply supplied from the feedback winding.