Multiphase LLC Converter Topology With Fewer Gate Drive Signals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of phases increases in multiphase switching power supply devices, the complexity of control circuits and the number of complementary gate drive signals also increase, making it difficult to achieve high power without a significant increase in circuit scale.
Innovation Solution
A switching power supply device with a multidimensional fractal structure, utilizing a plurality of half-bridge LLC converters and resonant capacitors connected in series with a transformer, allows for high power output without increasing the number of complementary gate drive signals by constructing multiphase LLC converters with a phase difference of 360°/Pk, enabling efficient power expansion through a multidimensional multiplex LLC converter configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of phases is increased to achieve high power and large current, then the output load capability is improved, but the number of complementary gate drive signals increases and control complexity becomes worse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple resonant capacitors into a shared resonant capacitor that is commonly used across all parallel LLC converters. This consolidation reduces the total number of capacitors and their associated gate drive signals, while maintaining the high power output capability through parallel converter operation. The shared resonant capacitor serves multiple converters simultaneously, reducing circuit scale and control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared resonant capacitor performs multiple functions: it serves as the resonant capacitor for all parallel LLC converters, provides output capacitance, and enables phase-shifted operation across multiple converters. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the control circuit while achieving high power output through the parallel converter architecture.
2Power
If the number of phases is increased to achieve high power, then the current handling capability is improved, but the circuit scale becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple resonant capacitors into a single shared resonant capacitor that is used by all parallel LLC converters. This merging reduces the total number of capacitors from what would be required in separate circuits, while the parallel converter architecture maintains the current handling capability needed for high power applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the power conversion function into multiple parallel LLC converters that operate independently with phase-shifted control. Each converter handles a portion of the total current, and their combined output achieves the high current handling capability. This segmentation allows current sharing while using shared passive components to reduce overall circuit scale.
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 reduces the number of complementary gate drive signals and maintains efficiency across varying loads, allowing for high power output without increasing circuit complexity, and facilitates integration into compact forms such as power supply ICs or SoCs.
Implementation Method 1
a resonant circuit including a resonant reactor Lr having one end connected to a connection point between the first switch element QH and the second switch element QL
Data Source
AI summary
A resonant capacitor Crk (k is a natural number of one to n) of each circuit element has one end connected in series to a resonant reactor Lr and a primary winding N1 of a transformer T, and another end connected to the resonant capacitor Crk of another circuit element 10 so that a dimensional multiphase LLC converter having a phase difference of 360°/Pk is constructed by Pk (Pk is an optional natural number) of the circuit elements 10.