Three-Port Transformer With Five Windings for Galvanic Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric and hybrid vehicles require galvanic isolation between three voltage systems, including a low-voltage system, a high-voltage system, and a charging system, necessitating a cost-effective and efficient coupling method.
Innovation Solution
A transformer with five separate windings disposed on two ring-shaped transformer cores, allowing for targeted control of energy transfer between the systems through driver circuits and resonant circuits, achieving galvanic isolation and efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If galvanic isolation is implemented between three voltage systems using conventional transformers, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three separate voltage conversions (low-voltage to high-voltage, high-voltage to charging-voltage, and charging-voltage to low-voltage) into a single three-port voltage converter with one transformer. This merging approach maintains galvanic isolation for safety while reducing the overall device complexity and cost compared to using three separate isolated converters.
Solution Approach 2:
The transformer in the patent is designed with five windings that can operate in multiple configurations to handle three different voltage systems simultaneously. The device can perform bidirectional power flow and adapt to different operating modes (charging, discharging, power transfer between systems), making it a universal solution for all three voltage conversions without requiring separate dedicated devices.
2Reliability
If three separate voltage systems are galvanically isolated, then safety is improved, but energy transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the three voltage conversions into a single transformer with shared magnetic cores and windings, the patent enables direct energy transfer between the three voltage systems without the need for separate isolated converters. This reduces energy losses while maintaining galvanic isolation through the transformer design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs resonant converters with periodic switching actions to achieve efficient energy transfer between the voltage systems. The resonant operation allows for soft switching, reducing switching losses and improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining the galvanic isolation required for safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate converters are used for voltage conversion, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The three-port voltage converter is designed with five windings on two transformer cores that can operate in multiple modes: charging the high-voltage accumulator, charging the low-voltage accumulator, and transferring power between systems. This multi-functional design provides the adaptability of multiple separate converters while reducing device complexity by integrating all functions into a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the five windings through driver circuits that can independently control each winding's operation. This dynamic control allows the device to adapt to different operating conditions and power flow directions, providing versatility while maintaining a compact integrated structure rather than requiring multiple fixed-function converters.
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
Enables efficient and compact galvanic isolation between three voltage systems, allowing for controlled energy transfer and adaptation of power delivery based on time delays and duty cycles, thereby facilitating safe and efficient energy management.
Implementation Method 1
A transformer for a three-port voltage converter comprising a first ring-shaped transformer core, a second ring-shaped transformer core, a first primary winding, a second primary winding, a first secondary winding, a second secondary winding and a tertiary winding
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the galvanically isolated transmission of electrical power between three voltage systems. For this purpose, a transformer is provided which comprises a total of five windings. The transmission between the individual voltage systems can be controlled by targeted manner activation of the individual windings.