Multi-Port Power Supply Bus Layout for Lower Conversion Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply systems with multiple ports suffer from high power loss, large circuit board area occupation, and high manufacturing costs due to the use of multiple buck-boost converters and long wires, which require high-specification components and constant operation of a main control circuit.
Innovation Solution
A high-efficiency power supply system with reduced switches and inductor specifications, where the internal bus voltage is set higher than external voltages to minimize current, and feedback signals are not coupled from a node near the internal system voltage, allowing any converter circuit to operate independently, reducing wire length and power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buck-boost converter circuits are used to accommodate different external power voltages, then the power supply system can handle various voltage inputs, but the power loss increases and the circuit board area occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter configuration by setting the internal bus voltage higher than external power voltages, transforming the converter operation mode from buck-boost to primarily step-down conversion. This parameter change reduces the complexity of voltage conversion and lowers power loss while maintaining adaptability to different external voltage inputs through simplified converter circuits
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buck-boost converter circuits are used to accommodate different external power voltages, then the power supply system can handle various voltage inputs, but the circuit board area occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter configuration by setting the internal bus voltage higher than external power voltages, which simplifies the converter circuit design from buck-boost to step-down converters. This parameter change reduces the number of components required and decreases the circuit board area occupied while maintaining the ability to handle various external voltage inputs
3Ease of operation
If long wires are used to couple converter circuits on secondary board to main board, then the converter circuits can be positioned on different boards, but the parasitic resistance increases and power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter by operating converters at higher internal bus voltage, which reduces the current magnitude for the same power transmission. This parameter change allows the use of longer wires with acceptable parasitic resistance, maintaining layout flexibility while reducing power loss through lower current
4Power
If high-specification components are used to carry high currents, then the converter circuits can operate at high power, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter configuration to operate at higher internal bus voltage, which reduces the current magnitude required for high power operation. This parameter change allows the use of lower-specification, lower-cost components while maintaining high power handling capability
5Reliability
If a main control converter circuit is always kept in operating state to control the system, then the system can be controlled, but the power loss increases and the converter circuit occupies more area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where converter circuits automatically negotiate and allocate power resources among themselves without requiring a dedicated main control converter. Each converter can independently control its operation and participate in system-wide power management, eliminating the need for a permanently operating main control converter and reducing overall power loss
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 significantly reduces power loss, circuit board area, and manufacturing costs while enabling flexible operation of converter circuits, allowing for smaller wire cross-sectional areas and fewer wires, improving overall system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The converter circuit 11, the converter circuit 12, and the converter circuit 13 are all buck-boost converters, which are configured to convert the voltage of the external power to the internal system voltage VSYS
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system providing a power conversion function for a system circuit includes first, second and third convertor circuits respectively including plural switches and first, second and third inductors. The first and second convertor circuits are coupled to first and second power supplies respectively through first and second ports of the system circuit. A third power supply is coupled to a battery module and an internal load circuit. The plural switches are configured to correspondingly switch the first to third inductors to perform power conversion between the first to third power supplies and an internal power bus of the system circuit. The voltage of the internal power bus is configured to be higher than any voltage of the first to third power supplies, such that a current of the internal power bus is lower than a third current of the third power supply.