Randomizing Inductor Current in Parallel Power Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power converter systems face challenges in effectively regulating output voltage with minimal ripple in the presence of time-varying current and power load, particularly in personal audio devices like wireless telephones and media players.
Innovation Solution
A system that employs an outer control loop for hysteretic control and an inner control loop for continuous control of current, using output voltage thresholds to determine input-referred estimates of current load and set peak and valley current thresholds, with a switch controller and comparators to manage the inductive power converter's charging and transfer states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a switching power converter is used to convert DC voltage levels, then power efficiency is improved, but output voltage ripple increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power conversion process into multiple phases using parallel coupled inductors, where each inductor operates in alternating cycles. This segmentation distributes the ripple current across multiple components and time periods, reducing the overall output voltage ripple while maintaining high power efficiency through continuous switching operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching of the inductors in alternating cycles, where one inductor charges while the other discharges, and vice versa. This periodic action smooths the output voltage by ensuring continuous energy transfer to the load, reducing voltage ripple while maintaining efficient switching operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If output voltage is regulated with minimal ripple, then voltage stability is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the natural alternating charge and discharge cycles of the parallel coupled inductors to automatically regulate output voltage. The control system simply needs to switch between the inductors based on their cycle status, rather than requiring complex active regulation circuits, thus achieving voltage stability with minimal control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the regulation function with the existing switching operation of the power converter. By integrating the voltage regulation mechanism into the normal switching cycles of the inductors, the system achieves both ripple reduction and voltage stability without adding separate complex control circuits.
3Adaptability or versatility
If time-varying current load is handled, then adaptability is improved, but output voltage regulation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the switching between parallel coupled inductors based on the instantaneous load conditions. The control system monitors the charge/discharge states of the inductors and adapts the switching sequence in real-time, maintaining precise output voltage regulation even when the current load varies over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the output voltage and the state of the inductors, using this information to adjust the switching control. This feedback loop ensures that the system can adapt to time-varying load conditions while maintaining precise voltage regulation by correcting any deviations in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of randomizing inductor current in at least one of a plurality of parallel coupled peak/valley current-controlled power converters may include comparing the inductor current to a threshold to generate a comparison signal, delaying the comparison signal by a plurality of delay amounts to generate a plurality of delayed versions of the comparison signal, and randomly selecting one of the plurality of delayed versions of the comparison signal for controlling the inductor current during one or both of a charging state and a transfer state of the at least one of the plurality of parallel coupled peak/valley current-controlled power converters.