Database-Controlled Power Converter for Zero-Voltage Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DC/DC converters for electric vehicles face challenges in achieving high power density while minimizing mechanical size, leading to increased costs due to the need for additional components and sensors to ensure zero-voltage switching and safety features.
Innovation Solution
A power converter design that incorporates a control unit connected to multiple switches, utilizing data from a database to control the switches based on input or output parameters, reducing the necessity for additional components and manufacturing costs by achieving zero-voltage switching and safety protections without external sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If PSFB or DAB topologies are used to achieve higher power density, then power density increases, but additional components and sensors are required to guarantee zero-voltage switching, increasing manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses database lookup tables to determine switching phases automatically based on measured input/output parameters, eliminating the need for additional sensors to guarantee zero-voltage switching. The system serves itself by using pre-calculated switching strategies stored in the database, rather than requiring external sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
Switching strategies and phase shift values are pre-calculated and stored in database lookup tables before operation. The control unit simply retrieves the appropriate switching parameters based on current operating conditions, avoiding the need for real-time complex calculations and additional sensing components during operation.
2Reliability
If control loops and sensors are added to guarantee zero-voltage switching, then switching reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically determines switching phases using database lookup tables based on parameters already measured for power control, eliminating the need for additional sensors. The system uses its existing measurement capabilities to ensure zero-voltage switching without adding external sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it controls power conversion, ensures zero-voltage switching, and manages safety requirements all through a single database-driven control mechanism, eliminating the need for separate control loops and sensors for each function.
3Reliability
If additional components are added to meet safety requirements, then safety reliability improves, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The database-driven control unit provides multiple safety functions (overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection, undervoltage protection) and power control through a single integrated system, eliminating the need for separate safety components and sensors for each protection function.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a power converter (300) which is designed to receive an input voltage (350) and output and output voltage (360). The power converter comprises multiple switches (371, . . . , 387). The power converter also comprises a control unit which is connected to the multiple switches, wherein the control unit is designed to control the multiple switches of the power converter based on data in a database using an input parameter or an output parameter. The invention also relates to a method for operating a power converter. The method comprises the step of controlling multiple switches of the power converter using a control unit, which is connected to the multiple switches, based on data in a database using an input parameter or an output parameter.