Switched-Capacitor Gate Driver Power Supply Using Capacitor-Derived Charge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switched-capacitor power converters face inefficiencies due to the need for high-voltage transistors and complex gate driver circuits, which increase costs and complexity, especially as conversion gain increases.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an apparatus with a controller that manages switches and gate drivers, where the gate drivers derive charge from capacitors to efficiently drive switches, reducing the need for high-voltage transistors and simplifying the gate driver circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gate driver circuits are used in switched-capacitor power converters, then switches can be driven to open and close, but the device complexity and cost increase due to requirements for high-voltage transistors and complex gate driver circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The gate driver circuit is powered by the switched-capacitor network itself, which provides the necessary voltage and charge to drive the gate drivers. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate high-voltage power supplies and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to drive switches effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The switched-capacitor network serves dual functions: it performs power conversion while simultaneously providing power to the gate driver circuits. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall system architecture.
2Power
If conversion gain increases in switched-capacitor converters, then voltage multiplication is achieved, but the number of capacitors and switches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate driver circuits are merged with the switched-capacitor network, sharing capacitors and switches between the power conversion function and the gate driving function. This integration allows voltage multiplication to be achieved without proportionally increasing the total number of components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If high-voltage transistors are used to handle higher voltages, then voltage stress is managed, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage handling is segmented across multiple capacitors in the switched-capacitor network, with each capacitor and associated switch handling only a portion of the total voltage. This segmentation allows the use of lower-voltage-rated, less expensive transistors while still achieving high voltage multiplication through the cascaded capacitor structure.
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 approach enhances the efficiency of switched-capacitor power converters by reducing charge deposition and discharge from gate transistors, allowing for the use of low-voltage transistors and minimizing voltage stress on transistors, thereby improving overall converter performance and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the gate drivers derive, from the capacitors, charge for causing a voltage that enables switches from the first plurality of switches to be driven
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes first and second pluralities of switches, a controller for controlling these switches, gate-drivers for driving switches from the first plurality of switches, and first and second terminals configured for coupling to corresponding first and second external circuits at corresponding first and second voltages. During operation, the controller causes the first plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions result in the second voltage being maintained at a value that is a multiple of the first voltage. The controller also causes the second plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions resulting in capacitors being coupled or decoupled from the second voltage. The gate drivers derive, from the capacitors, charge for causing a voltage that enables switches from the first plurality of switches to be driven.