Switched-Capacitor Converter With Dynamic Gain Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an improved concept in voltage converters that can dynamically control the gain ratio based on operating environments or load requirements, which existing capacitor converters fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A capacitor converter design featuring switches connected in series with capacitor legs and isolation switches, where a controller dynamically controls the switches and isolation switches to adjust the conversion ratio by adding or removing legs, allowing for configurable gain ratios from 4:1 to 1:1, enabling bidirectional voltage conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional voltage converters use fixed transformer or inductor-based designs, then voltage conversion is reliable, but the system cannot dynamically adjust gain ratio based on operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gain ratio control by making the converter topology reconfigurable through switching elements. The gain ratio can be dynamically adjusted between different values (e.g., 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1) by controlling the switching states of the switches and isolation switches, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions and load requirements without physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter is divided into multiple independent capacitor legs (first leg, second leg, third leg, fourth leg) that can be selectively connected or disconnected from the main circuit through isolation switches. Each leg contains switches and capacitors that can be independently controlled, allowing the system to reconfigure the number of active legs to achieve different gain ratios, thus providing adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular segmentation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If capacitor converters are used to enable dynamic gain adjustment, then adaptability improves, but control complexity increases due to multiple switches and isolation switches
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions by managing both the main switches (first switch, second switch, third switch, fourth switch) and the isolation switches (first isolation switch, second isolation switch, third isolation switch, fourth isolation switch). This universal control mechanism enables the system to achieve different gain ratios, control voltage conversion direction, and manage power flow distribution across multiple capacitor legs, reducing the need for separate control circuits for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation switches are positioned to pre-establish connection or disconnection states for each capacitor leg before the main switching operation occurs. This preliminary action allows the controller to pre-configure the desired gain ratio by selectively connecting or isolating specific legs, simplifying the subsequent switching control and reducing the complexity of real-time dynamic reconfiguration during operation.
3Area of stationary object
If transformers or inductors are omitted from the converter design, then system footprint and cost are reduced, but achieving wide voltage conversion range becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional magnetic components (transformers and inductors) with a capacitor-based voltage conversion mechanism. The converter uses switched capacitor networks where capacitors store and transfer energy through switching operations, eliminating the need for bulky magnetic components. This substitution significantly reduces the system footprint and cost while maintaining voltage conversion capability through the relationship between the number of capacitor legs and the desired gain ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage conversion ratio is achieved by changing the effective capacitance configuration through switching. By selectively connecting or disconnecting capacitor legs using isolation switches and controlling the switching states of the main switches, the system varies the equivalent capacitance ratio to achieve different gain ratios (1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1), thereby providing a wide voltage conversion range without requiring physical transformation of magnetic components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A converter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a rectifier connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, a first switch, a second switch connected to the output terminal and connected in series with the first switch at a first node, and a first leg having a first capacitor coupled to the first node, and a first isolation switch connected between the first capacitor and the rectifier.