Switched Capacitor Converter Topology With Fewer High-Voltage Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switched capacitor converter circuits face high manufacturing costs and circuit size issues due to the need for multiple switches to withstand high voltage, especially when achieving higher voltage conversion ratios, which increases power loss and parasitic resistance.
Innovation Solution
A switched capacitor converter circuit design that utilizes a plurality of capacitors and switches to achieve multiple conversion ratios, including 4-fold, 3-fold, and 2-fold modes, with a control circuit to periodically switch capacitor connections, reducing the number of switches required to withstand high voltage, thereby minimizing manufacturing costs and circuit size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the voltage conversion ratio is increased to reduce power loss from parasitic resistances, then the current conversion ratio is improved, but the number of switches required to withstand high voltage increases, leading to higher manufacturing cost and larger circuit size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the switched capacitor converter into multiple modular switching converter units (upstream unit 131 and downstream unit 132), where each unit performs partial voltage conversion. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high overall voltage conversion ratio (e.g., 4-fold) while each individual unit only requires switches to withstand lower voltage, reducing the number of high-voltage switches needed and thereby decreasing circuit size and manufacturing cost.
2Loss of energy
If the voltage conversion ratio is increased to reduce power loss from parasitic resistances, then the current conversion ratio is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to more high-voltage switches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the switched capacitor converter into multiple modular switching converter units (upstream unit 131 and downstream unit 132), where each unit performs partial voltage conversion. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high overall voltage conversion ratio (e.g., 4-fold) while each individual unit only requires switches to withstand lower voltage, reducing the number of high-voltage switches needed and thereby decreasing circuit size and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching converter units are designed with multi-functionality to operate in different conversion modes (2-fold, 3-fold, 4-fold voltage conversion, and current conversion). By making the same hardware circuit perform multiple functions through different switching configurations, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture different specialized circuits for different conversion ratios, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Productivity
If multiple switching converter units are used to achieve high voltage conversion ratio, then the current conversion ratio is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching converter units are designed with multi-functionality to operate in different conversion modes (2-fold, 3-fold, 4-fold voltage conversion, and current conversion). By making the same hardware circuit perform multiple functions through different switching configurations, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture different specialized circuits for different conversion ratios, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple switching converter units (upstream unit 131 and downstream unit 132) into a single integrated switched capacitor converter system. This merging allows the units to work together in series to achieve high overall voltage conversion ratios while sharing common control circuitry and capacitor networks, thereby reducing overall device complexity compared to having separate independent converter systems.
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 design effectively reduces the number of switches needing to withstand high voltage, lowering manufacturing costs and circuit size while maintaining efficient power conversion, with conversion ratios up to 4-fold, thereby minimizing power loss and parasitic resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of capacitors including a first capacitor C1, a second capacitor C2 and a third capacitor C3; and a plurality of switches, which are configured to operably and periodically switch the connections of the plurality of capacitors according to a switching period
Data Source
AI summary
A switched capacitor converter circuit includes: plural capacitors and plural switches which switch the connections of the plural capacitors periodically. In a first period, the plural switches control a first capacitor to be electrically connected between a first power and a second power, and control a second capacitor and a third capacitor to be electrically connected in series between the second power and a ground level. In a second period, the plural switches control the first capacitor and the second capacitor to be electrically connected in series between the second power and the ground, and control the third capacitor and the second capacitor to be electrically connected in parallel with the second power, thereby a second current of the second power is 4 times of a first current of the first power.