Resonant Converter With Three Switches and Segmented Windings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional resonant converters face a trade-off between cost and conversion efficiency, with half bridge converters being low in cost but inefficient, and full bridge converters being efficient but costly.
Innovation Solution
A resonant converter design utilizing a transformer with three switches (a first switch, a resonant inductor, a resonant capacitor, and two additional switches) that operates in multiple modes to achieve moderate efficiency and cost, with zero voltage switching and optimized voltage and current stress on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a half bridge scheme is used, then cost is reduced, but conversion efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the primary winding into two separate windings (first primary winding and second primary winding) and introduces three switches instead of the conventional two. This segmentation allows for more flexible switching control, enabling zero voltage switching operation that improves conversion efficiency while maintaining cost-effectiveness compared to a full bridge design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching control where the three switches operate in different sequences during different half-cycles of the AC waveform. The first switch controls the first primary winding during positive half-cycles, while the second and third switches control the second primary winding during negative half-cycles. This dynamic operation enables zero voltage switching, reducing energy losses and improving conversion efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If a full bridge scheme is used, then conversion efficiency is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential functionality needed for zero voltage switching from the full bridge configuration. Instead of using all four switches in a full bridge, it uses three switches with a segmented primary winding arrangement, removing unnecessary components while retaining the key benefit of zero voltage switching for improved conversion efficiency at lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simpler switch configuration (three switches instead of four) with segmented windings to achieve zero voltage switching functionality. This approach uses fewer, less expensive components while maintaining the efficiency benefits, effectively replacing expensive full bridge components with a more economical design that achieves similar performance.
3Device complexity
If conventional switching is used, then device complexity is reduced, but voltage and current stress on switches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by ensuring that switches are turned on only after the voltage across them has naturally reached zero through the resonant operation of the circuit. The resonant inductor and capacitor create oscillating current that naturally brings switch voltages to zero before switching occurs, preventing high voltage stress and enabling softer switching with reduced electromagnetic interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes periodic resonant oscillation of the resonant inductor and capacitor to create periodic zero-voltage conditions. The AC waveform naturally oscillates, creating regular intervals where voltage across the switches reaches zero, allowing for periodic zero voltage switching that reduces stress on components while maintaining relatively simple control logic.
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
The design achieves moderate conversion efficiency and cost, with lower voltage and current stress on switches, reducing conduction losses and enabling zero voltage switching, thus balancing the inefficiencies and costs of conventional half and full bridge converters.
Implementation Method 1
resonant inductor and resonant capacitor are connected in series between the second end terminal of the first primary winding and the first end terminal of the second primary winding
Implementation Method 2
The transformer includes a first primary winding, a second primary winding and a secondary winding
Data Source
AI summary
A resonant converter includes: a transformer including a first primary winding, a second primary winding and a secondary winding, each primary winding having a first end terminal and a second end terminal; a first switch coupled to the first end terminal of the first primary winding; a resonant inductor and a resonant capacitor connected in series between the second end terminal of the first primary winding and the first end terminal of the second primary winding; a second switch coupled between the first end terminals of the first and second primary windings; and a third switch coupled between the second end terminals of the first and second primary windings.