Parallel LLC Converter Layout for High-Power Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of phases in multiphase switching power supply devices increases, the complexity of control and the number of complementary gate drive signals required also increase, making it difficult to easily achieve power expansion.
Innovation Solution
The use of a switching power supply device with a parallel arrangement of resonant circuits, specifically a plurality of half-bridge LLC converters, where the resonant circuits are arranged in parallel, allowing for high power output without increasing the number of complementary gate drive signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of phases in multiphase switching power supply devices increases, then power output is improved, but the number of complementary gate drive signals increases making control more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple resonant circuits into a parallel configuration where multiple LLC converters share common gate drive signals. Specifically, multiple resonant circuits are connected in parallel between the same switching nodes, allowing them to be controlled by shared complementary gate drive signals while still providing multiphase power output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the gate drive signals universal by having them control multiple resonant circuits simultaneously. A single pair of complementary gate drive signals controls multiple switching elements across different resonant circuits, enabling one signal to perform multiple switching functions and thereby reducing the total number of gate drive signals needed.
2Power
If the number of phases increases, then power output is improved, but the scale of control circuit becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit area is reduced by merging the control functions for multiple phases into a single control unit. The patent uses a unified control circuit that generates gate drive signals for multiple resonant circuits simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate control circuits for each phase and thereby reducing overall control circuit area.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit is designed with multi-functionality to generate and distribute gate drive signals to multiple resonant circuits. A single control circuit performs the function of multiple control circuits by producing complementary gate drive signals that are distributed to control multiple switching elements across different phases, reducing the total control circuit area.
3Power
If resonant circuits are arranged in parallel to achieve high power, then power output is improved, but the number of complementary gate drive signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gate drive signal requirements by connecting multiple resonant circuits in parallel between common switching nodes. This configuration allows multiple resonant circuits to be controlled by shared gate drive signals, reducing the total number of gate drive signals needed compared to series or independent parallel configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates equipotential switching nodes by connecting multiple resonant circuits in parallel between the same high-side and low-side nodes. This equipotential arrangement allows multiple switching elements to be controlled by the same gate drive signals, as they all switch between the same voltage potentials, thereby reducing the number of unique gate drive signals required.
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 configuration allows for high power output while keeping the number of complementary gate drive signals low, simplifying control and reducing the scale of the control circuit, thus enabling easier power expansion.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of half-bridge LLC converters in which resonant circuits are arranged in parallel... each of which including a resonant reactor... and n (n is a natural number of two or more) of a first order resonant capacitor to an n-th order resonant capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
In a circuit element 10a, resonant circuits are arranged in parallel. A resonant capacitor Crkq of a q-th resonant circuit arranged in parallel has one end connected in series to a resonance reactor Lrq and a primary winding N1q of a transformer Trq. The resonant capacitor Crkq of the q-th resonance circuit arranged in parallel has another end connected to the resonant capacitor Crkq of a q-th one of the resonance circuit arranged in parallel in another one of the circuit elements 10a so that a k-dimensional multiphase LLC converter having a phase difference of 360°/Pk is constructed by Pk circuit elements.