Hybrid Bidirectional DC-DC Converter for Multi-Mode Battery Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bidirectional DC-DC converters require multiple discrete ICs for different power conversion topologies, increasing complexity, reducing efficiency, and increasing the PCB footprint and cost due to the need for multiple power converter ICs to support various power conversion modes and legacy power sources.
Innovation Solution
A single hybrid power converter topology with an optimized number of switches that supports multiple operation modes, including bidirectional power conversion, battery charging phases, and various input power supplies, using a combination of switches and capacitors to facilitate efficient power conversion across different modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discrete ICs are used for different power conversion topologies, then various power conversion modes and legacy power sources are supported, but device complexity and PCB footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete power converter ICs into a single hybrid power converter IC that integrates both buck and boost converter topologies. This consolidation reduces the total number of ICs and switches required in the system while maintaining support for multiple power conversion modes including bidirectional power flow, thereby reducing PCB footprint and device complexity without sacrificing adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid power converter IC is designed with multi-functional capability to perform both buck and boost conversion, support bidirectional power flow, and accommodate various battery charging phases (trickle charging, pre-charge, CC, CV) and legacy power sources. This universal design allows a single IC to replace multiple specialized ICs, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discrete ICs are used for different power conversion topologies, then various power conversion modes are supported, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple discrete power converter ICs into a single hybrid power converter IC, directly reducing the bill-of-materials cost by eliminating the need to purchase and assemble multiple separate ICs. The integrated design maintains support for multiple power conversion modes while achieving cost reduction through component consolidation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discrete ICs are used for different power conversion topologies, then various power conversion modes are supported, but power transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple power conversion functions into a single hybrid IC, reducing the total number of interconnections and switches required. This consolidation minimizes conduction losses and switching losses that occur across multiple discrete components, thereby improving overall power transfer efficiency while maintaining support for multiple conversion modes
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid power converter IC is pre-configured with integrated circuits and switches that can be selectively activated based on the required power conversion mode. This preliminary integration allows the system to switch between modes with minimal reconfiguration overhead, reducing energy losses associated with mode transitions while maintaining versatility
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a bidirectional hybrid power converter that may include an input circuit consisting of an input power supply and input capacitor, a plurality of switches connected to each other, to input power supply to a set of passive electronic components, to ground and to an output circuit comprising one or more output terminals, each consisting of an output capacitance. The plurality of switches is connected directly or through passive electronic components in an arrangement to obtain a plurality of power converter networks for battery charging as well as other applications by reuse of a set of plurality of switches. The input power supply and the output load are referred to based on the direction of the power conversion flow, forward or reverse. The first terminal can be connected to both a power source as an input and load as an output.