Flyback Control Module with Active Snubber for Voltage Spike Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flyback power converters require a large number of external components, increasing manufacturing costs and failing to effectively mitigate voltage spikes generated by leakage inductance.

Innovation Solution

A control module utilizing integrated circuits to reduce voltage spikes by harnessing energy from leakage inductance, thereby reducing the number of external components and lowering manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional snubber circuits are used to mitigate voltage spikes, then voltage spike protection is improved, but the number of external components increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage spike protectionVSAvoidnumber of external components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the snubber circuit functionality into the control module by integrating the switch transistor and associated components. The control module directly connects to the primary side winding and provides voltage spike mitigation through its internal circuitry, eliminating the need for separate external snubber components while maintaining protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control module performs multiple functions: it controls the switching of the primary side winding, provides voltage spike protection, and manages power conversion. By making the control module multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated snubber circuits, reducing the overall number of external components required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If more external components are used to mitigate voltage spikes, then voltage spike protection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage spike protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines voltage spike protection functionality into the control module itself, reducing the bill of materials and assembly steps. By integrating protection circuitry rather than using separate components, manufacturing cost is reduced while maintaining reliable voltage spike mitigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Power

If conventional flyback power converter design is used, then power conversion functionality is achieved, but power consumption is high due to energy loss in leakage inductance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower conversion functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent captures the energy that would normally be lost in the leakage inductance and redirects it to charge the output capacitor. By using the control module to manage the energy flow from the primary side winding through the leakage inductance to the output, the previously wasted energy is now utilized to support the output voltage, reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 solution effectively mitigates voltage spikes and reduces power consumption by utilizing energy generated from leakage inductance, decreasing the number of external components and lowering the manufacturing cost of flyback power converting devices.

Implementation Method 1

When the control module 102 turns off the switch transistor MS, a leakage inductance of the primary side winding NP generates a voltage spike on the voltage of the drain of the switch transistor MS

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLeakage inductance: Inductor

Implementation Method 2

the flyback power converter 10 adopts the snubber 100 comprising a resistor RS, a capacitor CS, and a diode DS to mitigate the voltage spike

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResistive dissipation: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10622879B2Control module with active snubber and related flyback power converting device
Publication Date: 2020.04.14 INFINNO TECH CORP
  • US10622879B2 patent drawing
  • US10622879B2 patent drawing
  • US10622879B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A control module for a flyback power converting device is coupled between a primary side winding of the flyback power converting device and a power end and includes a switch unit coupled to the primary side winding; wherein the control module conducts a connection between the primary side winding and the power end when the switch unit is disconnected; wherein the power end is able to provide an operation current to the control module.