Isolated Switched Capacitor Converter Circuit Topology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switched capacitor converters suffer from undesirable current pulsation due to shared ground between input and output ports, leading to larger pulsation and the need for bulky coils, which is not conducive to miniaturized systems.
Innovation Solution
An isolated switched capacitor converter design utilizing multiple capacitors and sets of switches to perform state switching, allowing for adjustable voltage conversion ratios without a transformer, thereby isolating the input and output ports using capacitors instead of coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional switched capacitor converters use shared ground between input and output ports, then the circuit structure is simple, but current pulsation increases and bulky coils are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ground reference into separate input ground and output ground, segmenting the common ground path. This segmentation isolates the current paths, preventing the pulsation from affecting both ports simultaneously while maintaining circuit simplicity through modular capacitor-switch units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces isolated capacitor units as intermediary elements between input and output ports. These capacitors act as mediators that transfer energy without creating direct current pulsation paths, eliminating the need for bulky coils while maintaining galvanic isolation.
2Device complexity
If conventional switched capacitor converters use shared ground, then the circuit structure is simple, but bulky coils are required for filtering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical coil-based filtering system with an electrical capacitor-switch network. The switched capacitor units provide the necessary filtering and energy storage functions that traditionally required inductive coils, but with significantly reduced size and weight, enabling miniaturized power converter designs.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If isolated switched capacitor converter uses multiple capacitors and switches, then current pulsation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs universal switched capacitor units that perform multiple functions simultaneously: voltage conversion, current pulsation filtering, and galvanic isolation. Each capacitor-switch unit is a multi-functional module that replaces what would traditionally require separate components, reducing overall system complexity despite the isolated architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate components (capacitors, switches, isolators, and filters) into integrated switched capacitor units. By combining these functions into unified modules, the patent reduces the total component count and interconnections, managing device complexity while achieving current pulsation reduction.
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
This design reduces current pulsation, eliminates the need for bulky coils, and achieves efficient power conversion with adjustable voltage ratios, enhancing the flexibility and miniaturization of the converter.
Implementation Method 1
a first capacitor; a first set of switches coupled in series between two terminals of an input port, and being configured to selectively connect a first terminal of the first capacitor to a first or second terminal of the input port
Implementation Method 2
a first set of switches coupled in series between two terminals of an input port, and being configured to selectively connect
Data Source
AI summary
An isolated switched capacitor converter can include: first switches coupled in series between terminals of an input port, and being configured to selectively connect a first terminal of a first capacitor to a first or second terminal of the input port; second switches coupled in series between terminals of an output port, and being configured to selectively connect a second terminal of the first capacitor to a first or second terminal of the output port; third switches coupled in series between terminals of the input port, and being configured to selectively connect a first terminal of a second capacitor to the first or second terminal of the input port; and fourth switches coupled in series between terminals of the output port, and being configured to selectively connect a second terminal of the second capacitor to the first or second terminal of the output port.