Multilevel Converter Switching Element Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multilevel converters have high manufacturing costs and energy losses due to the large number of semiconductor switching elements required, which limits their efficiency and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

An electronic system with a reduced number of switching elements that allows energy storage elements to be connected in series, parallel, or bypassed, using a modular design with semiconductor switches and energy storage elements like capacitors or solar cells, enabling flexible operation with low manufacturing costs and energy losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a high number of switching elements are used to connect energy storage elements in multilevel converters, then the converter can achieve multiple switching states (series, parallel, bypass), but the manufacturing costs increase and energy losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching state flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of switching elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each switching element is designed to perform multiple functions: connecting energy storage elements in series, connecting them in parallel, and bypassing them. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of switching elements needed while maintaining the ability to achieve all necessary switching states for multilevel conversion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a high number of switching elements are used to connect energy storage elements, then the converter can dynamically switch between series and parallel connections, but the energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic switching capabilityVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates redundant switching elements from the conventional multilevel converter design. By carefully analyzing which switching elements are truly necessary to achieve series, parallel, and bypass connections, the design removes unnecessary components that would contribute to energy loss while maintaining dynamic switching capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a high number of switching elements are used in the converter, then the energy storage elements can be connected in multiple configurations, but the manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection configuration flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple switching elements into fewer, more efficiently designed switching components. By combining series connection, parallel connection, and bypass functions into a reduced set of switching elements, the design lowers manufacturing costs while preserving the ability to configure energy storage elements in multiple ways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10700587B2Multilevel converter

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

An electronic system includes a plurality of switching elements (T) and a plurality of energy storage elements (L; C). The energy storage elements (L; C) are connected to one another by the switching elements (T). The energy storage elements (L; C) can be selectively switched to a first, a second or a third state by switching the switching elements (T). In the first state, the energy storage elements (L; C) are connected in series with one another. In the second state, the energy storage elements (L; C) are connected in parallel with one another. In the third state, the energy storage elements (L; C) are bypassed, wherein two of the energy storage elements (L; C) are each connected by no more than three of the switching elements (T).