Parallel Power Switch Circuit with Asymmetric Inductance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power semiconductor devices face challenges in minimizing both turning-on and turning-off losses due to the conflicting effects of parasitic inductance, which cannot be simultaneously optimized without additional soft switching circuits or increased costs through high-performance semiconductor materials.
Innovation Solution
A power switch circuit design featuring at least one switch unit with two switches in parallel, where the first switch has a larger parasitic inductance for lower turning-on loss and the second switch has a smaller parasitic inductance for lower turning-off loss, with controlled sequences and periods to achieve reduced overall losses without requiring additional soft switching circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If additional soft switching circuits are added to optimize both turning-on and turning-off losses, then both losses can be reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two parallel switches serve multiple functions simultaneously: they both provide the main switching function, but also individually optimize different aspects of switching loss. The first switch primarily handles turning-on loss reduction while the second switch primarily handles turning-off loss reduction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate soft-switching circuits while achieving comprehensive loss optimization.
2Loss of energy
If high-performance semiconductor materials are used to reduce power loss, then conversion efficiency improves, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the semiconductor material to high-performance (and high-cost) materials, the patent changes the electrical parameters of the existing switches by configuring them with different parasitic inductance values. This parameter-based optimization achieves power loss reduction through circuit topology and control strategy rather than through expensive material substitution, maintaining cost-effectiveness while improving efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A power switch circuit includes at least one switch unit including at least one first switch and one second switch which are connected in parallel. A turning-on loss of the first switch is smaller than a turning-on loss of the second switch, a turning-off loss of the first switch is larger than a turning-off loss of the second switch; during one controlling period of the switch unit, when the switch unit is controlled to be turned on, a moment when the first switch is turned on is controlled to be earlier than a moment when the second switch is turned on; and when the switch unit is controlled to be turned off, a moment when the first switch is turned off is controlled to be earlier than a moment when the second switch is turned off.