Power Converter Dynamic Voltage Headroom Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power converters fail to dynamically adjust output voltage based on current changes, leading to potential overvoltage and unnecessary power consumption, which can damage components and inefficient power usage.
Innovation Solution
A power converter with a high-side switch, low-side switch, sensor circuit, current source, mirror circuit, and control circuit that dynamically adjusts voltage headroom by sensing current changes and controlling the switches to prevent overvoltage and optimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the driver circuit adjusts the output voltage while retaining constant voltage headroom, then the circuit structure is simple, but the output voltage cannot be dynamically adjusted according to current changes, leading to potential overvoltage and power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage headroom adjustment by making the headroom voltage variable based on current conditions. The control circuit dynamically modifies the voltage headroom between the output voltage and the power receiving component's forward voltage according to the sensed current, transitioning from a static constant headroom approach to a dynamic adaptive approach that optimizes both safety and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of voltage headroom from a fixed constant value to a variable parameter that changes with current. By adjusting the voltage headroom parameter dynamically based on current magnitude, the system achieves adaptive output voltage control without requiring completely new circuit architecture
2Reliability
If constant voltage headroom is maintained, then the control circuit is simple, but unnecessary power consumption occurs and components may be damaged due to overvoltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by sensing the current flowing to the power receiving component and using this information to dynamically adjust the voltage headroom. The control circuit continuously monitors current conditions and modifies the voltage headroom accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that prevents overvoltage damage and reduces power loss through adaptive control
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static constant voltage headroom to dynamic voltage headroom adjustment. By making the voltage headroom variable and adaptive to current conditions, the system automatically reduces power loss in the switch circuit and prevents overvoltage damage to components without requiring complex additional protection circuits
Data Source
AI summary
A power converter for dynamically adjusting voltage headroom based on a current is provided. The power converter includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, a sensor circuit, a current source, a mirror circuit, a reference voltage adjusting circuit and a control circuit. The sensor circuit senses a current flowing through a power receiving component to output a sensed current to a first terminal of a first transistor of a current mirror. A first terminal of the second transistor of the current mirror is connected to the current source. The reference voltage adjusting circuit sets a reference voltage according to a current from a node between the first terminal of the second transistor and the current source. The control circuit controls the high-side switch and the low-side switch according to the reference voltage.