Hybrid Charge Pump and Buck Converter for Wide-Load Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power converters struggle to efficiently manage power conversion across a wide range of load conditions, with switched capacitor converters being inefficient at high power consumption and buck converters being inefficient at low power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid power converter system comprising a switched capacitor converter and a buck converter operating in parallel, controlled by a controller that dynamically enables or disables each converter based on load conditions to optimize efficiency across varying power consumption levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a switched capacitor converter is used for power conversion, then the device structure is simple and it performs well at low power consumption, but it becomes inefficient at high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between switched capacitor converter and buck converter based on real-time load detection. The controller monitors power consumption levels and automatically selects the appropriate converter mode: switched capacitor converter for low power consumption (maintaining structural simplicity) and buck converter for high power consumption (ensuring efficiency), thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and high-power efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If a hybrid power converter system with dynamic switching is implemented, then efficiency across varying power consumption levels is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power conversion function into two distinct converters: switched capacitor converter for low power ranges and buck converter for high power ranges. Each converter is optimized for its specific operating range, and the controller segments the decision-making process by detecting load levels and selecting the appropriate segment (converter) to activate, thereby achieving overall efficiency optimization while managing complexity through functional segmentation.
3Productivity
If parallel operation of switched capacitor converter and buck converter is implemented, then optimal performance across all load conditions is achieved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system operates dynamically by continuously monitoring power consumption levels and automatically switching between converters. The controller uses simple threshold-based detection: when power consumption exceeds a predetermined threshold, it switches from switched capacitor converter to buck converter. This dynamic control approach achieves optimal performance across all load conditions while keeping the control logic relatively simple and manageable.
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 hybrid system achieves higher efficiency in power conversion by leveraging the strengths of both converters, providing optimal performance from light to heavy loads through load-based converter management.
Implementation Method 1
a switched capacitor converter connected to an input terminal, the switched capacitor converter comprising a plurality of capacitors interconnected by a plurality of switches
Implementation Method 2
a buck converter connected to the input terminal, the buck converter comprising an inductor and a plurality of switches connected to the inductor
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments include a hybrid power converter including a switched capacitor converter and a buck converter in parallel where the buck converter is operated in an open loop and non-regulated mode; the switched capacitor converter and the buck converter are connected to an input terminal, where the switched capacitor converter operates in an open loop and non-regulated mode and provides power to a load based on an input voltage, the buck converter operates in an open loop mode and provides power to the load based on the voltage of the input terminal, and the controller enables the buck converter to provide power to the load based on at least one of a voltage of the load or a current of the load.