Switched Capacitor Converter Topology With Fewer Parts and Lower PCB Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Dickson dual-phase switched capacitor converter, while highly efficient, is complex, costly, and requires a large PCB area due to the use of many switches and capacitors, particularly those with high DC bias voltages, which increases cost and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A simplified switched capacitor converter design using fewer switches and capacitors, with a maximum DC voltage on flying capacitors reduced to half the input voltage, and employing a control mechanism to minimize charge sharing losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the Dickson dual-phase switched capacitor converter is used to achieve 4:1 power conversion ratio, then high voltage conversion efficiency is achieved, but the number of switches and capacitors increases leading to increased device complexity and PCB area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple switches and capacitors into a simplified topology. Specifically, it combines the charge pump function and voltage regulation function into a single integrated circuit structure, reducing the total number of discrete components while maintaining the 4:1 voltage conversion ratio. The simplified topology integrates the flying capacitors and switches in a more compact arrangement that achieves the same power conversion efficiency with fewer parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality where certain components serve multiple purposes. For example, the flying capacitors in the simplified topology not only perform voltage multiplication but also provide energy storage and transfer functions that were previously handled by separate components. This multi-functional design reduces the overall component count while maintaining high conversion efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If the Dickson dual-phase switched capacitor converter is used to achieve 4:1 power conversion ratio, then high voltage conversion efficiency is achieved, but the PCB area requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional blocks into a single integrated circuit that occupies less PCB area. By combining the voltage multiplication stage and regulation stage into one compact unit, the overall footprint is reduced while maintaining the high efficiency characteristics of the Dickson topology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where smaller functional units are integrated within larger functional blocks. The flying capacitors are arranged in a nested configuration that maximizes space utilization, and the switch networks are folded back on themselves to minimize the enclosing area, thereby reducing PCB real estate requirements.
3Loss of energy
If the Dickson dual-phase switched capacitor converter is used to achieve 4:1 power conversion ratio, then high voltage conversion efficiency is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates redundant components from the Dickson topology that contribute to unnecessary power consumption. By removing duplicate switches and capacitors that do not add functional value, the total parasitic capacitance and resistance are reduced, leading to lower switching losses and reduced power consumption while maintaining high conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the switching frequency and duty cycle parameters to minimize power losses. By carefully selecting operating parameters and adjusting the timing of switch transitions, the patent reduces switching losses and conduction losses, thereby lowering overall power consumption while preserving the high efficiency characteristic.
4Device complexity
If the number of switches and capacitors is reduced in the switched capacitor converter, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but achieving high voltage conversion ratio becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary voltage multiplication in a staged approach, where the flying capacitors pre-charge to intermediate voltage levels before the final output stage. This preliminary action allows the circuit to achieve the 4:1 conversion ratio with fewer components by breaking down the voltage multiplication into manageable stages rather than requiring all components to work simultaneously at full capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic switching sequences that adapt the circuit topology during different phases of operation. By dynamically reconfiguring which switches and capacitors are active during different portions of the switching cycle, the circuit achieves high voltage conversion ratios with fewer components by maximizing the utilization of each component throughout the operating cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A switched capacitor converter includes a first energy storage branch, a second energy storage branch, a third energy storage branch comprising a third capacitor, a seventh switch, an eighth switch, a ninth switch and a tenth switch, and a control branch connected to a first terminal of each switch in the first energy storage branch, the second energy storage branch and the third energy storage branch respectively, wherein the control branch is configured to control each switch to alternately turn on and off periodically in two phases, so that a ratio of a voltage at the input terminal to a voltage at an output terminal is 2N:1, wherein in each operating cycle, the tenth switch is turned on later than at least one switch in the third energy storage branch, and wherein the at least one switch and the tenth switch are in a same phase.