Embedded Snubber Voltage Converter Harmonic Suppression

Solution Overview

Problem

Voltage converters in electronic devices generate undesirable harmonics during voltage conversion, which stress components and reduce the reliability and lifetime of the converters.

Innovation Solution

A voltage converter design that includes an inductor, an output capacitor, and transistors with a switch controller, utilizing an embedded snubber circuit formed by parasitic capacitors and a damping resistor to suppress harmonics, thereby reducing physical size and cost while improving reliability and extending lifetime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a voltage converter is designed without an embedded snubber, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but harmonics generated during switching operations stress components and reduce reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The snubber circuit is merged with the transistor structure by forming the damping resistor and capacitor within the transistor's substrate and well regions. This integration combines the transistor's switching function with the snubber's harmonic suppression function into a single unified structure, eliminating the need for separate external snubber components while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The snubber circuit is nested within the transistor's internal structure. The damping resistor is formed in the substrate, the capacitor is formed in the well region, and both are enclosed within the transistor's physical boundaries. This nesting approach allows the snubber to be embedded inside the transistor, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining harmonic suppression capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If a voltage converter is designed without an embedded snubber, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but harmonics reduce the useful lifetime of the voltage converter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuseful lifetimeVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process merges the transistor fabrication with snubber circuit formation. The damping resistor and capacitor are created using the same semiconductor processing steps as the transistor itself, combining two manufacturing processes into one unified flow. This approach extends the converter's useful lifetime through effective harmonic suppression while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transistor structure provides its own harmonic suppression functionality through the embedded snubber, eliminating the need for separate protective components. The transistor's internal structure serves dual purposes: switching operation and harmonic suppression, thereby extending its useful lifetime without adding manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If traditional separate snubber circuits are added to suppress harmonics, then reliability is improved, but the physical size and cost of the voltage converter increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidphysical size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The snubber circuit is merged with the transistor structure by forming the damping resistor and capacitor within the transistor's substrate and well regions. This integration combines the transistor's switching function with the snubber's harmonic suppression function into a single unified structure, eliminating the need for separate external snubber components while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The snubber circuit is nested within the transistor's internal structure. The damping resistor is formed in the substrate, the capacitor is formed in the well region, and both are enclosed within the transistor's physical boundaries. This nesting approach allows the snubber to be embedded inside the transistor, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining harmonic suppression capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 embedded snubber effectively suppresses harmonics, enhancing the reliability and extending the operational lifetime of the voltage converter without increasing its size or implementation costs.

Implementation Method 1

a first substrate terminal connected to the ground node through a first embedded snubber including a first damping resistor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive damping: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

utilizing an embedded snubber circuit formed by parasitic capacitors and a damping resistor to suppress harmonics

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParasitic capacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11018574B2Voltage converter with embedded snubber for suppressing switching harmonics

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A voltage converter includes a switch controller controlling operation of first second transistors to generate an output voltage from an input voltage while suppressing harmonics generated by the operation of the first an second transistors, wherein the first transistor includes an embedded snubber including a first damping resistor.