Power Supply Apparatus with Shared Diodes and Parallel Inductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply apparatuses for vehicle-mounted devices face challenges in achieving low loss and size reduction while producing multiple different voltages simultaneously due to large component sizes, high circuit losses, and ripple currents/voltages caused by switching frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A power supply apparatus with a primary-side circuit for DC-to-AC conversion and a secondary-side circuit for AC-to-DC conversion, magnetically coupled via a transformer, utilizing current doubler rectification and step-down chopping operations, with parallel-connected inductors and shared diodes, and controlled by a unit that establishes electrical continuity between the transformer winding and inductors to manage switching operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the circuit in the secondary side of the transformer is completely divided into two parts, then two different voltages can be output at the same time, but individual components become large in size and the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the first circuit and second circuit into a unified secondary-side circuit structure. The inductors are connected in parallel between the secondary winding and the output terminals, and diodes are shared between both circuits for rectification. This merging approach maintains the capability to output two different voltages simultaneously while reducing the total number of components and simplifying the circuit structure compared to completely separate circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The diodes in the patent serve multiple functions: they are shared by both the first circuit and second circuit for rectification operations. This multi-functional design allows the same components to serve both circuits, reducing the overall component count while maintaining the ability to generate two different output voltages from the single transformer secondary winding.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the circuit in the secondary side of the transformer is completely divided into two parts, then two different voltages can be output at the same time, but the sizes of output filters increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the two circuits into a unified structure with parallel-connected inductors and shared diodes, the patent reduces ripple currents through constructive interference and shared current paths. This reduction in ripple currents directly decreases the required size of output filters while maintaining the capability to output two different voltages simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of having two separate circuits (which would generate additive ripple currents) into a benefit by connecting inductors in parallel and sharing diodes. This configuration causes ripple currents to partially cancel each other through phase differences, transforming what would be a harmful effect into a beneficial reduction of ripple, thereby allowing smaller output filters.
3Loss of energy
If switching operation timing is controlled to output two different voltages at the same time, then switching loss and surge voltages are lowered, but ripple currents and ripple voltages occur depending on switching frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the two circuits with parallel inductors and shared diodes, creating a configuration where ripple currents from both circuits interact constructively rather than additively. This merging reduces the overall ripple current magnitude while maintaining the low switching loss benefits of coordinated switching operation timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the circuit configuration parameters by connecting inductors in parallel and sharing diodes between circuits. This parameter change alters the ripple current characteristics, reducing their magnitude through the parallel connection configuration while maintaining the ability to control switching timing for low loss operation.
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 enables low loss and size reduction while outputting multiple voltages, reducing total conduction loss and ripple currents, thereby achieving efficient and compact power supply.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer that magnetically couples the primary-side circuit and the secondary side circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply apparatus includes a primary-side circuit and a secondary-side circuit magnetically coupled by a transformer. The secondary-side circuit includes: a first circuit that is connected to a secondary winding of the transformer, performs current doubler rectification, and outputs a first output voltage; a second circuit that is connected to the secondary winding of the transformer, performs a step-down chopping operation, and outputs a second output voltage; semiconductor switching elements that control the step-down chopping operation; and diodes that are shared by the first circuit and the second circuit when rectifying a direct current voltage supplied from the primary-side circuit. The first circuit includes first inductors connected in parallel. A control unit controls switching of the primary-side circuit to establish electrical continuity between the secondary winding of the transformer and the first inductors in order.