SMPS Power Factor Correction via Digital Waveform Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switched mode power supply (SMPS) devices require numerous electronic components to compensate for distortion and improve power factor, increasing cost and form factor, and often require frequent sensing of electrical parameters, which can slow down the processing of electrical input to produce a regulated output, while being sensitive to noise and fluctuations in current and temperature.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize a memory device to store ideal voltage waveforms, an electronic controller to select and compute a reference voltage based on predetermined criteria, and an electronic switch to switch between on and off states, calculating electrical current based on the reference voltage and switching period, thereby reducing the number of electronic components and improving power factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional SMPS devices use numerous electronic components (capacitors, inductors, regulators) to compensate for distortion and improve power factor, then power factor is improved, but device complexity and form factor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes traditional power factor correction components (capacitors, inductors, regulators) from the SMPS circuitry by implementing power factor correction through software-based control algorithms in the microcontroller, which calculates and adjusts switching parameters to maintain unity power factor without physical correction components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical power factor correction system with a digital control system that uses microcontroller-based algorithms to compute optimal switching parameters, substituting physical components with computational methods to achieve the same power factor correction function
2Reliability
If conventional controllers incorporate electrical components (resistors, capacitors, inductors) to compensate for distortion and reduce harmonics, then distortion compensation is improved, but cost and form factor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional distortion compensation components (resistors, capacitors, inductors) by implementing distortion compensation through digital signal processing algorithms in the microcontroller, which calculate and adjust switching waveforms to minimize distortion without physical compensation elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes physical distortion compensation circuitry with a digital control system that uses computational algorithms to generate corrected waveforms, replacing mechanical/electrical compensation methods with software-based solutions
3Measurement precision
If existing controllers sense electrical parameters at every predetermined interval to maintain current range, then current control precision is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing optimal switching parameters and lookup tables in the microcontroller memory during system initialization, allowing the controller to quickly retrieve and apply pre-computed values during operation without performing complex real-time calculations, thus maintaining precision while reducing processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control by using pulse-width modulation (PWM) with variable duty cycles that are dynamically adjusted based on real-time sensor feedback, allowing the system to respond to changing load conditions with minimal processing delay while maintaining precise current control
4Reliability
If SMPS devices use traditional feedback mechanisms to regulate output current, then current regulation is improved, but noise generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes traditional analog feedback mechanisms with a digital feedback control system that uses a microcontroller to sample, process, and regulate output current, replacing analog circuitry that generates electromagnetic noise with digital processing that is inherently more noise-resistant and generates less interference
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for providing an electrical current to an electrical load is disclosed. In particular, the device comprises a memory storage device for storing a plurality of ideal voltage waveforms; an electronic controller arranged in data communication with the memory storage device, the electronic controller operable to select one of the plurality of ideal voltage waveforms to compute a reference voltage and a switching period based on a predetermined rule; and an electronic switch arranged to receive the switching period to switch the electronic switch between an on state and an off state, wherein the electrical current is calculated based on a function of the reference voltage and the switching period of the electronic switch.