Power Conversion Circuit Voltage Balancing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power conversion circuits require additional hardware components to achieve voltage balancing, increasing hardware costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A power conversion circuit with a transformer, switching circuits, and a control circuit that adjusts the switching of secondary windings to balance voltages between output capacitors, eliminating the need for a separate balancing circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate balancing circuit with active components, passive components and inductors is added to achieve voltage balance, then voltage balancing is achieved, but hardware costs and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage balancingVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the voltage balancing function with the existing switching circuits by controlling the switching states of the secondary windings. Instead of adding a separate balancing circuit, the balancing function is integrated into the switching control mechanism, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining voltage balancing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The switching circuits are designed to perform multiple functions: power conversion and voltage balancing. By controlling the switching states of the secondary windings, the same circuit components achieve both the primary power conversion function and the secondary voltage balancing function, eliminating the need for dedicated balancing hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate balancing circuit with active components, passive components and inductors is added to achieve voltage balance, then voltage balancing is achieved, but hardware costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage balancingVSAvoidhardware cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the voltage balancing function with the existing switching circuits by controlling the switching states of the secondary windings. Instead of adding a separate balancing circuit, the balancing function is integrated into the switching control mechanism, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining voltage balancing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The switching circuits are designed to perform multiple functions: power conversion and voltage balancing. By controlling the switching states of the secondary windings, the same circuit components achieve both the primary power conversion function and the secondary voltage balancing function, eliminating the need for dedicated balancing hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If larger capacitance values are used in the first output capacitor and second output capacitor to store electrical energy, then energy storage capability is improved, but voltage imbalance due to different circuit parasitic elements becomes more significant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storageVSAvoidvoltage balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit monitors the voltages across the first and second output capacitors and adjusts the switching states of the secondary windings accordingly. This feedback mechanism detects voltage imbalances and compensates for them by selectively charging or discharging the capacitors through the transformer windings, thereby maintaining voltage balance despite large capacitance values and parasitic element differences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively balances voltages between capacitors without additional hardware, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining efficient energy storage and transfer.

Implementation Method 1

A transformer, comprises a primary side winding, a first secondary side winding and a second secondary side winding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

A first output capacitor, is connected to the second switching circuit and the first secondary side winding, the first output capacitor has a first voltage value. A second output capacitor, is connected to the third switching circuit and the second secondary side winding, the second output capacitor has a second voltage value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20240348175A1Power conversion circuit

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 LITE ON TECH CORP

AI summary

A power conversion circuit, includes the following elements. A transformer, includes a primary side winding, a first secondary side winding and a second secondary side winding. A first switching circuit, connected to the primary side winding. A second switching circuit, connected to the first secondary side winding. A third switching circuit, connected to the second secondary side winding. A first output capacitor, connected to the second switching circuit and the first secondary side winding, and has a first voltage value. The second output capacitor, connected to the third switching circuit and the second secondary side winding, and has a second voltage value. A control circuit, controls the first switching circuit, the second switching circuit and the third switching circuit to be turned-on or turned-off according to the first voltage value and the second voltage value, so as to charge the first output capacitor or the second output capacitor.