Switched-Capacitor Converter Timing for Ripple-Free Voltage Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power converters with switched capacitor elements and regulating circuits face issues such as intermediate voltage ripple affecting output voltage and voltage 'glitches' due to separate control of these stages, leading to efficiency losses and frequency constraints.
Innovation Solution
Synchronizing the switched capacitor element and regulating circuit using a controller that adjusts the period of the voltage transformation element based on a coefficient of the regulating circuit's period, allowing for effective feed-forward control and minimizing ripple and glitch issues without additional capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate control of switched capacitor element and regulating circuit is used, then voltage transformation and output regulation can be performed independently, but intermediate voltage ripple affects output voltage and voltage glitches occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control mechanism where the controller receives feedback signals from both the switched capacitor element and the regulating circuit, and adjusts their switching operations accordingly. This feedback control coordinates the two stages to minimize ripple propagation and eliminate voltage glitches while maintaining independent control capabilities.
2Reliability
If additional capacitors are added to minimize ripple and glitches, then output voltage stability improves, but device complexity and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the existing capacitors in the switched capacitor element and regulating circuit to serve dual purposes: their primary function and ripple minimization. Through coordinated control, the existing capacitor network self-regulates to reduce intermediate voltage ripple and output glitches without requiring additional capacitor components.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If higher frequency is used in switched capacitor element, then ripple effects are reduced, but frequency constraints and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent synchronizes the switching operations of the switched capacitor element and regulating circuit to ensure continuous effective action. By coordinating the switching frequencies and phases, the system maintains ripple minimization benefits without requiring the switched capacitor element to operate at excessively high frequencies, thereby reducing energy loss.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for power conversion comprises a voltage transformation element, a regulating element, and a controller, wherein, a period of the voltage transformation element is equal to a product of a coefficient and a period of the regulating circuit, and wherein the coefficient is selected from a group consisting of a positive integer and a reciprocal of said integer.