Switched-Capacitor DCDC Circuit for Low Step-Down Switching Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DCDC circuits face efficiency degradation and increased switching loss when the output voltage is significantly lower than the input voltage, leading to extremely short switching on-times.
Innovation Solution
A DCDC circuit design incorporating a capacitor network with multiple capacitors and switches, which changes its connection state to extend the switch on-time, thereby reducing switching loss and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the output voltage is lowered greatly with respect to the input voltage using conventional DCDC circuits, then the voltage conversion ratio is improved, but the switching on-time becomes extremely short and switching loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor network is divided into multiple capacitors (first capacitors and second capacitors) that can be independently connected to different coils (first coil and second coil) through switches. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of capacitor connections to extend the effective on-time of switches during voltage conversion, thereby reducing switching loss while maintaining the desired voltage conversion ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor network dynamically changes its connection state between different coils based on the switching signals. The switches control the connection of capacitors between the first coil and second coil, allowing the system to adaptively optimize the charging and discharging cycles, thereby extending the effective on-time and reducing switching loss during great voltage step-down operations.
2Power
If the output voltage is lowered greatly with respect to the input voltage, then the voltage conversion ratio is improved, but the conversion efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor network is divided into multiple capacitors (first capacitors and second capacitors) that can be independently connected to different coils (first coil and second coil) through switches. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of capacitor connections to extend the effective on-time of switches during voltage conversion, thereby reducing switching loss while maintaining the desired voltage conversion ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor network dynamically changes its connection state between different coils based on the switching signals. The switches control the connection of capacitors between the first coil and second coil, allowing the system to adaptively optimize the charging and discharging cycles, thereby extending the effective on-time and reducing switching loss during great voltage step-down operations.
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 proposed design achieves a switch on-time five times longer than conventional designs, significantly reducing switching loss and enhancing the conversion efficiency of the DCDC circuit.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor network including two or more first capacitors, at least one second capacitor, and a plurality of switches
Data Source
AI summary
A DCDC circuit according to an embodiment includes a capacitor network, and a smoothing capacitor. The capacitor network includes a first state in which first capacitors are connected onto a wiring path between an input node to which an input voltage is applied and one end of a first coil and a second capacitor is connected between a connection point of the first capacitors on the wiring path and a reference potential point, and a second state in which the second capacitor is connected to one end of a second coil and the first capacitors are connected between one end of the second capacitor and the reference potential point and between the other end of the second capacitor and the reference potential point, respectively.