Multi-phase Direct Voltage Converter Current Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell vehicles, direct voltage converters face challenges in managing high fuel cell currents, leading to component overload and inefficiencies due to the limitations of switch-off elements like electromechanical contactors and semiconductor switches.
Innovation Solution
A multi-phase direct voltage converter is designed with phases grouped and associated with their own switch-off elements, allowing for controlled current distribution and reduced current through each element, using a combination of electromechanical contactors and semiconductor switches, enabling independent current control and even distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If switch-off elements are designed for maximum continuous operating current of the fuel cell, then the fuel cell can be separated from the HV system, but component limits are reached quickly or exceeded during high current operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the phases of the multi-phase direct voltage converter into at least two groups, with each group associated with its own switch-off element. This segmentation allows the total fuel cell current to be distributed across multiple switch-off elements, preventing any single component from being overloaded while maintaining the ability to disconnect the fuel cell from the HV system.
2Quantity of substance
If a parallel connection of switch-off elements is used to handle high currents, then current carrying capacity is increased, but current distribution between elements becomes uncontrollable and uneven
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting phases into groups and assigning dedicated switch-off elements to each group, the patent enables controlled current distribution. The control system can manage which groups are active and how current is distributed among them, avoiding the uncontrolled uneven distribution that occurs with simple parallel connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different configurations to different groups of phases, with each group having its own switch-off element characteristics. This allows optimization of current distribution by assigning phases with similar current demands to the same group, ensuring more uniform loading across switch-off elements.
3Reliability
If electromechanical contactors are used as switch-off elements, then high voltage isolation is achieved, but precise current control and even current distribution cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control of electromechanical contactors by grouping phases and assigning dedicated contactors to specific groups. This allows the control system to manage current distribution across multiple contactors systematically, improving current control precision while maintaining the voltage isolation benefits of electromechanical devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-phase converter for an energy system, as is used in fuel cell vehicles, and methods for operating the multi-phase converter, are described herein.