Intermediate Voltage Control in Battery Charging Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging systems experience power loss during the conversion of AC power to DC power and vice versa, which is not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A charging system comprising an AC-DC converter, a DC-DC converter, and a control circuit that controls the voltage of intermediate nodes based on input power, output power, and ambient temperature to minimize the combined losses in both converters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If AC power is converted to DC power and vice versa in charging systems, then power can be transferred between AC power sources and DC batteries, but power loss occurs during the conversion process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the intermediate voltage adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The control circuit dynamically changes the intermediate voltage level based on operating conditions (input power, output power, temperature) to optimize conversion efficiency. This is achieved through controllable voltage regulation in the AC-DC and DC-DC conversion stages, allowing the system to adapt to varying load and environmental conditions, thereby reducing power loss during conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the intermediate voltage parameter based on operating conditions. The control circuit adjusts the intermediate voltage level according to input power, output power, and temperature parameters, optimizing the conversion process. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain higher efficiency across different operating points by selecting optimal voltage levels for each condition.
2Loss of energy
If conventional charging systems convert AC to DC and vice versa, then battery charging is enabled, but the system requires larger size and higher cost to handle power losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces system size and cost by implementing parameter changes that optimize conversion efficiency. By adjusting the intermediate voltage parameter based on operating conditions, the system achieves better efficiency without requiring oversized components or complex cooling systems. This parameter optimization allows the use of more compact converters that operate efficiently across a range of conditions, reducing both physical size and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control to monitor operating conditions (input power, output power, temperature) and adjust the intermediate voltage accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain optimal efficiency without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical adjustments, thereby reducing system complexity while achieving better performance. The control circuit processes feedback signals and automatically optimizes conversion parameters.
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 system efficiently converts AC power to DC power and vice versa while reducing power loss, leading to a smaller, less expensive, and more efficient charging solution.
Implementation Method 1
an AC-DC converter 10, a DC-DC converter 20 The AC-DC converter 10 is connected between an input node and an intermediate node. The AC-DC converter 10 is connectable to a power source via the input node
Implementation Method 2
a DC-DC converter 20 The DC-DC converter 20 is connected between the intermediate node and an output node. The DC-DC converter 20 is connectable to a battery via the output node
Implementation Method 3
The control circuit 30 is configured to control a voltage of the intermediate node so as to reduce a sum of a loss in the AC-DC converter 10 and a loss in the DC-DC converter 20
Data Source
AI summary
A charging system includes an AC-DC converter connected between an input node and an intermediate node and connectable to a power source via the input node; a DC-DC converter connected between the intermediate node and an output node and connectable to a battery via the output node; and a control circuit that controls a voltage of the intermediate node so as to reduce a sum of a loss in the AC-DC converter and a loss in the DC-DC converter, in accordance with a first parameter related to output power of the DC-DC converter. The control circuit controls the voltage of the intermediate node so as to reduce the sum of the loss in the AC-DC converter and the loss in the DC-DC converter, in accordance with a second parameter related to an ambient temperature. The ambient temperature is a temperature of a switching element or a rectifier.