Multiphase Power Regulator Temperature Balancing by PWM Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-phase power supply regulators experience temperature inconsistency due to varying layout and design, leading to reduced reliability and limited power output capacity.
Innovation Solution
A method and regulator that utilize a controller to transmit control signals to power stages with integrated temperature sampling units, adjusting these signals to achieve temperature balance by identifying and adjusting high- or low-temperature stages through pulse width modulation, ensuring equalization across all stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multi-phase power supply regulator is used for high current or high power applications, then power output capacity is improved, but temperature inconsistency occurs among phases leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature detection signals from all power stages are fed back to the controller. The controller adjusts control signals based on temperature differences, creating a closed-loop control system that actively compensates for temperature inconsistency, thereby maintaining reliability while operating at high power output capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter by adjusting the pulse width of control signals dynamically based on detected temperature conditions. When a power stage is detected to be overheating, the controller reduces its pulse width to lower the duty cycle and reduce temperature, while increasing pulse width for cooler stages to balance temperatures across all phases
2Reliability
If temperature monitoring is implemented in multi-phase power supply regulator, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature monitoring function into the existing controller by integrating temperature detection circuits and control logic within the same device. This consolidation approach enables temperature monitoring and active balancing without adding separate external monitoring systems, thus improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: both power stage control and temperature monitoring. The same controller that generates control signals for power stages also detects temperature signals and adjusts control parameters accordingly, making the controller a multi-functional device that reduces overall system complexity while enabling temperature monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a multi-phase power supply regulator and a temperature balance control method thereof. The method comprises: providing a multi-phase power supply regulator which includes a controller and a plurality of power stages, transmitting a plurality of control signals to the plurality of power stages respectively by the controller. Each of the plurality of power stages includes a temperature sampling unit, wherein outputs of the temperature sampling units are connected in parallel and the plurality of power stages outputs a temperature detection signal. The invention determines one of the plurality of power stages comprising highest temperature by sequentially adjusting the control signals, the temperature of the power stage is reduced, and the temperatures of the multi-phase power supply regulator are balanced.