Multi-Phase Switched-Capacitor Converter for Lower Voltage Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dual-phase converter circuits require high-rated switches and inductors with high inductance, resulting in large sizes to handle maximum input voltage levels, leading to high voltage stress and inefficient power conversion.
Innovation Solution
A multi-phase switching converter with sub-switching converters and a control circuit that generates switching signals to control switches, allowing for power conversion between voltages using capacitors and inductors, operating in nonresonant or resonant modes, and employing switched capacitor switching to reduce inductor size and voltage stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional dual-phase converter circuit uses high-rated switches to withstand maximum input voltage, then voltage withstanding capability is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The converter is divided into multiple sub-switching converters, each handling a portion of the total voltage. The input voltage is segmented across multiple capacitors and switches, allowing each component to operate at lower voltage levels while collectively handling the full input voltage through series connections during specific switching phases.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sub-switching converters are merged to collectively handle the full input voltage and power conversion task. The switches and capacitors from different sub-converters are combined in series-parallel configurations to achieve the required voltage withstanding capability while sharing the stress across multiple components.
2Strength
If conventional dual-phase converter circuit uses inductors with high inductance to handle maximum voltage level, then voltage handling capability is improved, but inductor size increases dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The inductance requirement is segmented across multiple sub-switching converters. Each inductor in the sub-converters handles a portion of the total voltage stress, allowing the use of smaller inductors with lower individual inductance values while collectively providing the necessary voltage handling capability through phased operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-switching converters operate in periodic phases, with each converter active during specific switching intervals. This periodic operation allows the inductors to handle higher voltage stresses during their active phases while maintaining smaller sizes, as they do not need to continuously withstand the full input voltage.
3Strength
If conventional dual-phase converter circuit uses high-rated switches and high inductance inductors, then maximum voltage level handling is improved, but power conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The operating parameters of the switches and inductors are changed by dividing the voltage stress across multiple components operating at lower individual voltage levels. This parameter change reduces the conduction losses and switching losses in each component, improving overall power conversion efficiency while maintaining the ability to handle maximum input voltage.
4Reliability
If conventional dual-phase converter circuit adopts high-rated components to withstand maximum voltage, then reliability is improved, but component size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage withstanding requirement is segmented across multiple lower-rated components. Each switch and inductor in the sub-switching converters operates at a fraction of the total input voltage, allowing the use of smaller, more efficient components while maintaining system reliability through redundant pathways and distributed voltage stress.
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 solution achieves higher power conversion efficiency, reduces inductor size, and lowers voltage stress on components, enabling more compact and efficient power conversion.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of the switching signals are configured to operably operate the capacitor of one of the plurality of the sub-switching converters and the capacitor of another one of the plurality of the sub-switching converters, so as to conduct a switched capacitor switching on the first voltage
Implementation Method 2
when the inductors of at least two of the plurality of the sub-switching converters are electromagnetically coupled with one another, the multi-phase switching converter operates in a resonant mode or the nonresonant mode
Implementation Method 3
each sub-switching converter includes: a capacitor, an inductor and a portion of the plurality of the switches, wherein the inductor has one end coupled to the second node, whereas, another end of the inductor and the capacitor are coupled to an inductor switching node
Implementation Method 4
each sub-switching converter includes: a capacitor, an inductor and a portion of the plurality of the switches
Implementation Method 5
when the inductors of at least two of the plurality of the sub-switching converters are electromagnetically coupled with one another, the multi-phase switching converter operates in a resonant mode or the nonresonant mode
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-phase switching converter, includes: plural sub-switching converters; and a control circuit. Plural switching signals operate a capacitor of one of the plural sub-switching converters and a capacitor of another one of the plural sub-switching converters, to conduct a switched capacitor switching on a first voltage, thus switching an inductor switching node in each sub-switching converter between a divided voltage of the first voltage and a reference potential and to thereby execute a power conversion between the first voltage and a second voltage. When the inductors of each of the plural sub-switching converters are coupled with one another in a non-electromagnetic fashion, the multi-phase switching converters operate in a non-resonant mode. When the inductors of at least two of the plural sub-switching converters are electromagnetically coupled with one another, the multi-phase switching converters operate in a resonant mode or in the non-resonant mode.