Switching Power Conversion Circuit with Capacitive Voltage Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switching power conversion circuits have limited inductor current rising and falling slopes due to the constraints imposed by the difference between input and output voltages, which hampers their efficiency and performance.
Innovation Solution
The proposed switching power conversion circuit employs a capacitive power conversion circuit with shared power switches and an inductive power conversion circuit, where the power switches periodically switch the coupling relationships between the inductor, input voltage, output voltage, and ground voltage to generate intermediate voltages with proportional values greater than or less than the input voltage, allowing for increased rising and falling slopes of the inductor current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional switching power conversion circuit is used, then the circuit structure is simple, but the inductor current rising and falling slopes are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power conversion circuit into separate capacitive power conversion circuit and inductive power conversion circuit, with further segmentation of power switches into dedicated switches and shared switches. This segmentation allows independent optimization of voltage generation and current control, achieving faster inductor current slopes while managing circuit complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shared power switches that serve dual functions: operating as power switches in the inductive power conversion circuit and as switching elements in the capacitive power conversion circuit. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of switches needed while maintaining the capability to generate intermediate voltages and control inductor current rapidly.
2Speed
If duty ratio is increased to improve current slope, then the control range is limited by voltage difference constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate voltage nodes generated by the capacitive power conversion circuit as mediators between the input voltage and the inductor. These intermediate voltages (higher than input voltage during rising mode, lower during falling mode) enable the inductor current to change more rapidly without being constrained by the original voltage difference between input and output, thereby expanding the effective duty ratio control range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the voltage parameters applied across the inductor by switching between different intermediate voltage levels. During current rising, a higher intermediate voltage is applied; during current falling, a lower intermediate voltage is applied. This parameter change approach allows the circuit to achieve faster current slopes while maintaining adaptability across different operating conditions.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated power switches are used for each circuit, then the control precision is high, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs shared power switches that perform multiple functions: they operate as power switches in the inductive circuit during certain phases and as switching elements in the capacitive circuit during other phases. This universal approach reduces the total component count while maintaining precise control capability through coordinated switching sequences and control signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared power switches operate in periodic cycles, alternating between functioning in the capacitive power conversion circuit and the inductive power conversion circuit. During each switching period, the control circuit coordinates the timing to ensure that when a shared switch is not needed in one circuit, it is actively controlling the other circuit, thereby maintaining control precision while reducing component quantity.
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 configuration enables the inductor current to rise and fall more promptly, significantly enhancing the operation efficiency and performance of the switching power conversion circuit by overcoming the limitations of the prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a first conversion capacitor C1; a capacitive power conversion circuit (21) including a plurality of power switches SWx and SWy
Implementation Method 2
an inductor L coupled between a proportional voltage node Np and an output voltage Vout, wherein an inductor current iL flows through the inductor L
Data Source
AI summary
A switching power conversion circuit includes a conversion capacitor, a capacitive power conversion circuit, an inductor, an inductive power conversion circuit and a switching control circuit. The capacitive power conversion circuit switches the conversion capacitor periodically according to a switching control signal generated by the switching control circuit, to generate a first intermediate voltage and a first proportional voltage in a promptly rising mode and to generate a second intermediate voltage and a second proportional voltage in a promptly falling mode. In the promptly rising mode, a rising slope of an inductor current is determined by a difference between a high level of the first proportional voltage and an output voltage. In the promptly falling mode, a falling slope of the inductor current is determined by a difference between a low level of the second proportional voltage and the output voltage.