Switched Capacitor Voltage Regulator Peak Current Assistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-phase voltage regulators often operate with more phases than needed, leading to increased cost and space usage due to infrequent peak current requirements, necessitating a solution to minimize phase numbers while ensuring peak current provision.

Innovation Solution

A power system comprising multiple voltage regulator phases and a switched capacitor power converter, where a power controller selectively enables and disables the converter based on electrical current requirements to generate output voltage, optimizing phase usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple voltage regulator phases are used to meet peak current requirements, then peak current capability is improved, but device complexity and space usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeak current capabilityVSAvoidnumber of voltage regulator phases

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple voltage regulator phases into a single phase with a switched capacitor converter that dynamically creates additional current paths during peak current events. The switched capacitor network merges the functionality of multiple phases into one, providing peak current assistance only when needed rather than maintaining multiple permanent phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements dynamic phase activation through a controller that monitors current demands and enables or disables switched capacitor phases in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to transition from a single permanent phase to multiple temporary phases based on instantaneous power requirements, optimizing both performance and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple voltage regulator phases are maintained to handle peak current, then reliability during peak events is improved, but cost and space increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeak current provisionVSAvoidspace usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the voltage regulator into a base phase that operates continuously and additional switched capacitor phases that activate only during peak current events. This segmentation allows the system to maintain small footprint during normal operation while providing expanded capacity when needed, reducing overall space requirements compared to maintaining all phases permanently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the voltage regulator by dynamically adjusting the number of active phases based on current demand. The controller monitors load conditions and switches between different phase configurations, changing the system's effective capacity parameter to match actual requirements rather than maintaining fixed maximum capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If switched capacitor converter is continuously enabled to provide peak current assistance, then current assistance reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent assistance availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic activation of the switched capacitor converter based on detected current demands. Rather than continuous operation, the controller periodically monitors load conditions and activates the switched capacitor phases only during periods when peak current assistance is actually required, creating an on-demand operational pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates feedback control where the controller monitors the current output of the voltage regulator and compares it against reference values to determine when peak current assistance is needed. This feedback mechanism ensures the switched capacitor converter activates only when actually required, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 reduces the number of phases required, minimizing cost and space while ensuring peak current assistance is provided when needed, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing unnecessary phase usage.

Implementation Method 1

a switched capacitor power converter sharing its output with the outputs of the plurality of voltage regulator phases and configured to, when enabled, generate the output voltage at its output from the input voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11422617B2Systems and methods for providing peak current assistance to a voltage regulator using a switched capacitor converter

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A power system may include a plurality of voltage regulator phases each configured to generate an output voltage at its output from an input voltage, a switched capacitor power converter sharing its output with the outputs of the plurality of voltage regulator phases and configured to, when enabled, generate the output voltage at its output from the input voltage, and a power controller configured to selectively enable and disable the switched capacitor power converter based on electrical current requirements of the power system.