Resonant Power Converter Gate Control for Lower Switching Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing resonant power conversion devices require additional circuit components, complicating the circuit configuration and leading to increased switching loss.

Innovation Solution

A resonant power conversion device with a main circuit containing a switching element, capacitor, and inductor, driven by a circuit that uses multiple signal values to control the switching element's off-state, allowing for variable off-control voltages to harmonize resonant and switching frequencies, reducing switching loss without adding components to the main circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If additional circuit components (capacitor and switching element) are added to the main circuit to achieve resonant power conversion, then power conversion efficiency is improved, but circuit configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching lossVSAvoidcircuit configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the resonant capacitor function from a separate circuit component and integrates it into the switching element's output capacitance. By utilizing the inherent output capacitance of the switching element rather than adding a separate capacitor to the main circuit, the solution reduces circuit complexity while maintaining the resonant power conversion function that lowers switching loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The switching element is made to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the switching component and the resonant capacitor. The output capacitance of the switching element is utilized for resonant power conversion, eliminating the need for dedicated resonant capacitor components in the main circuit configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of energy

If additional circuit components are added to the main circuit, then resonant power conversion is achieved, but the number of circuit components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching lossVSAvoidnumber of circuit components
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the resonant capacitor function from a separate circuit component and integrates it into the switching element's output capacitance. By utilizing the inherent output capacitance of the switching element rather than adding a separate capacitor to the main circuit, the solution reduces circuit complexity while maintaining the resonant power conversion function that lowers switching loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of energy

If fixed control signal values are used for switching element control, then circuit operation is simplified, but switching loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching lossVSAvoidcontrol signal complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control by using multiple signal values for the control signal instead of a fixed value. The drive circuit is configured to output different signal values at different timings, allowing the control signal to adapt to the resonant cycle and switching timing requirements. This dynamic control approach reduces switching loss by optimizing the switching moments while managing the increased control complexity through structured multi-value signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of the control signal from a fixed value to multiple variable signal values. By varying the control signal values according to the resonant cycle and switching requirements, the system optimizes switching timing to minimize switching loss while maintaining manageable control complexity through systematic parameter variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 simplifies the circuit and reduces switching loss by enabling soft switching and flexible control of resonant frequency, optimizing switching periods and frequencies to minimize energy loss.

Implementation Method 1

a series circuit configured of a resonant coil and a resonant capacitor with a resonant point near the operating frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4243260B1Resonance-type power conversion device
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4243260B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4243260B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4243260B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A resonant power conversion device includes: a main circuit (10) provided with a semiconductor switch (5), a capacitor (3) and an inductor (4) connected in series or parallel to the semiconductor switch (5); and a drive circuit (20) configured to drive the switching element (5). The switching element (5) enters an off-state or an on-state depending on a control voltage input to a gate terminal (G), and the drive circuit (20) includes two or more types of control voltages, as a control voltage at which the switching element (5) enters an off-state.