Three-Level Switch Circuit Resonant Control for Power Conversion Loss Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power conversion circuits face challenges in simultaneously reducing switching loss, conduction loss, and current switching loss, as these losses often cannot be minimized concurrently.

Innovation Solution

A power conversion circuit with a three-level switch circuit, resonant circuit, transformer, rectifier circuit, and filter circuit is designed, where transistors are controlled to turn on and off in a specific order to achieve zero-voltage switching and minimize conduction losses, using body diodes for current freewheeling and reducing electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional switching control is used in power conversion circuits, then the circuit can operate stably, but switching loss, conduction loss, and current switching loss cannot be reduced simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching lossVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resonant circuit is activated before the main switching action to pre-charge or pre-discharge the switch voltage, enabling zero-voltage switching. This preliminary action reduces switching loss by ensuring the switch operates at or near zero voltage during turn-on, directly addressing the energy loss problem while maintaining controlled operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If switching frequency is increased to improve conversion speed, then power conversion efficiency improves, but switching loss and electromagnetic interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion speedVSAvoidswitching loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The resonant circuit operates in periodic cycles, alternating between energy storage and energy release phases. This periodic operation allows the main switch to conduct at higher frequencies while the resonant circuit handles the high-frequency current components, enabling fast conversion speed without proportionally increasing switching loss in the main power switch

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of energy

If body diodes are used for current freewheeling, then conduction loss is reduced, but reverse recovery effect causes electromagnetic interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconduction lossVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The resonant inductor acts as an intermediary element that provides a controlled path for current transition. Instead of relying solely on the body diode's reverse recovery characteristics, the resonant inductor smoothly transfers current between switches, reducing the abrupt current changes that cause electromagnetic interference while maintaining the low conduction loss benefit of body diode operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively reduces switching losses, conduction losses, and current switching losses, enhancing the overall efficiency of the power conversion process.

Implementation Method 1

a resonant circuit, transformer, rectifier circuit and filter circuit are connected in sequence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

each of the transistors is connected in parallel to a body diode, and a direction of the body diode is set as follows: the body diode is turned on when the transistor connected in parallel to the body diode is reverse biased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode conduction: Diode

Implementation Method 3

an output end of the resonant circuit is connected to a primary-side winding of the transformer, a secondary-side winding of the transformer is connected to an input end of the rectifier circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3734824B1Method for controlling a power conversion circuit and related power conversion circuit
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP3734824B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3734824B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3734824B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application discloses a control method of a power conversion circuit, and a related power conversion circuit. The related power conversion circuit includes a three-level switch circuit and a resonant circuit, and the method includes: controlling all transistors in the three-level switch circuit to be turned off, where a body diode of a transistor S1, a body diode of a transistor Q1, and a body diode of a transistor Q2 are all turned on based on a current freewheeling function of the resonant circuit; controlling the S1 to be turned on, to set up a first working state of the power conversion circuit; and after the first working state lasts for a time length T1, controlling the Q1 and the Q2 to be turned on. Implementing embodiments of the present invention helps reduce a switching loss, a conduction loss, and a current switching loss that are in the power conversion circuit.