Staggered Boost Converter Switching Timing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In power supply systems with two boost converters connected in parallel, overlapping switching timings lead to superimposed surge voltages, which can exceed the breakdown voltage of switching elements, causing potential damage and increasing switching losses.

Innovation Solution

A control device that shifts the switching timings of the switching elements between the two boost converters, preventing the superimposition of surge voltages and maintaining high switching speeds, thereby restricting surge voltage while minimizing losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If switching timings of two boost converters are overlapped, then power supply efficiency is improved, but surge voltage increases and may exceed breakdown voltage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply efficiencyVSAvoidsurge voltage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device implements periodic switching actions for the two boost converters with different switching timings. The first boost converter switches at timing T1 and the second at timing T2, creating a periodic pattern that prevents simultaneous surge voltage generation while maintaining continuous power supply operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device performs preliminary timing adjustment to stagger the switching moments of the two boost converters. By预先设定不同的开关时序，the system prepares for potential surge voltage issues before they occur, ensuring that surge voltages from both converters do not coincide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If switching speed is reduced to restrict surge voltage, then surge voltage is limited, but switching loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurge voltageVSAvoidswitching loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reducing switching speed, the system maintains high switching frequency for both converters but introduces a temporal offset in their switching cycles. This periodic action with phase difference allows fast switching operation while preventing surge voltage superimposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device changes the timing parameter of switching operations between the two converters. By adjusting the switching timing parameter rather than the switching speed parameter, the system achieves surge voltage control without the penalty of increased switching losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If two boost converters are integrated as one unit, then device compactness is improved, but surge voltage superimposition risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidsurge voltage superimposition

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated control device implements periodic switching with staggered timing for both boost converters. This control strategy allows the compact integrated structure to operate safely by ensuring that even with short internal wiring, surge voltages from both converters do not occur simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10193445B2Control device of power supply system and power supply unit

Publication Date: 2019.01.29 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A control device is applied for a power supply system that includes two boost converters. The two boost converters boosts inputted direct-current voltages to predetermined output voltages and output ends of the two boost converters are connected in parallel with each other. The control device includes a switching portion and a control portion. The switching portion controls switching of a switching element included in each of the two boost converters. The control portion shifts switching timings of the switching elements of the two boost converters from each other.