Three-Terminal Power Conversion Circuit for Lower PCB Current Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage systems face inefficiencies and reliability issues due to excessive power current flowing through printed circuit boards (PCBs), leading to increased heating and losses as new energy generation capacities rise.
Innovation Solution
A power conversion apparatus with a three-power terminal structure is implemented, where power currents flowing through an external power bus cancel each other out, reducing losses on the PCB and enhancing system efficiency and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a four-port non-isolated DC-DC topology is used with all power currents carried by PCB, then the charge-discharge function and buck-boost function of battery are implemented, but the PCB heats seriously and causes more loss when load power is larger
Solution Approach 1:
The power current path is segmented into two parts: high-voltage power current flows through external power bus (first power terminal and third power terminal), while low-voltage control signals flow through PCB. This segmentation separates the harmful high-power current from the PCB, reducing PCB heating and power loss while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
External power bus acts as an intermediary component to carry the high-voltage power current between the power conversion circuit and external devices. This intermediary structure protects the PCB from bearing high power current, thereby reducing PCB power loss and heating while ensuring reliable power transmission.
2Device complexity
If power current flows through PCB board, then the power conversion circuit can be integrated on PCB, but the PCB heating increases and causes more loss when load power is larger
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is segmented into high-voltage power transmission path (external power bus) and low-voltage control path (PCB). This segmentation allows the power conversion circuit to remain integrated on PCB for control functions while external power bus handles high-voltage current, thereby reducing PCB temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transmission dimension is moved from the PCB plane to an external three-dimensional space through power bus bars or cables connected via first and third power terminals. This dimensional transition removes the heat-generating high-power current path from the PCB, reducing PCB temperature while maintaining circuit integration for control functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A power conversion apparatus and an energy storage system, including a power conversion circuit, a first power terminal, a second power terminal, and a third power terminal. The power conversion circuit includes a first positive end, a first negative end, a second positive end, a second negative end, and at least one power device. The first negative end and the second negative end have a same potential. The power conversion circuit is configured to convert a first voltage input by a first device into a second voltage and output the second voltage to a second device. The first power terminal is connected to the first positive end, the first negative end or the second negative end is connected to the second power terminal, and the third power terminal is connected to the second positive end.