Resonant Switched Capacitor Balancer Circuit for Soft Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Switching losses in switched capacitor circuits are significant due to voltages across the switch and current flowing through it, especially when operating at high frequencies.
Innovation Solution
Implement a resonant switched capacitor converter with a resonant circuit and a control method that enables zero-voltage switching (ZVS) and zero-current switching (ZCS) to reduce switching losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If switching frequency is increased to improve power conversion speed, then productivity is improved, but switching losses increase due to voltages across the switch and current flowing through it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using resonant circuits to pre-charge or pre-discharge capacitor banks before switching operations. The resonant circuit prepares the voltage and current conditions in advance, ensuring that switches operate under zero-voltage or zero-current conditions, thereby eliminating switching losses while maintaining high switching frequency for improved productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the switching circuit by utilizing resonant frequency relationships between inductors and capacitors. By tuning the resonant circuit parameters (inductance and capacitance values), the system achieves soft switching conditions where voltage and current are simultaneously minimized at switching instants, resolving the contradiction between high switching frequency and low switching losses
2Device complexity
If conventional switching is used to simplify the circuit, then device complexity is reduced, but switching losses are significant due to voltage and current overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces resonant circuits as intermediary elements between the power switches and capacitor banks. These resonant circuits act as mediators that transform the switching process by creating oscillating current paths, enabling zero-voltage switching conditions without requiring complex multi-stage switching sequences, thus maintaining relative circuit simplicity while dramatically reducing switching losses
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 significantly reduces switching losses and increases efficiency by minimizing voltage and current transitions during switching operations.
Implementation Method 1
The SCC may include a resonant circuit including an inductor
Implementation Method 2
a resonant circuit including an inductor
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and/or methods for operation of a switched capacitor converter (SCC). The SCC may include a resonant circuit including an inductor. Aspects of the disclosure include methods for controlling the SCC switches (e.g., modulation methods) to decrease switching losses associated with operating the converter and to increase efficiency of the SCC. According to some aspects, a control method may be used to switch converter switches under zero-voltage conditions. According to some aspects, a control method may be used to switch converter switches under zero-current conditions.