Totem-Pole Bridgeless PFC Soft Switch Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The totem pole bridgeless PFC circuit faces low efficiency due to the inability to accurately detect inductor voltage reversal signals, which is crucial for achieving zero-voltage switching (ZVS) or valley switching (VS) control across the full AC input voltage and load range, leading to potential high voltage conduction during switching.

Innovation Solution

A totem pole bridgeless PFC soft switch control device comprising a voltage detecting module, a signal processing module, and a switch controlling module, where the voltage detecting module monitors the PFC inductor voltage, and the signal processing module generates a soft switching or valley switching signal after detecting voltage reversal, which is then sent to the switch controlling module to ensure zero-voltage or valley switching of the switches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If hard-switching control is used in totem pole bridgeless PFC, then the circuit structure is simple, but the efficiency is low due to high voltage conduction during switching

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

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary detection of inductor voltage reversal signals before switching operations. By detecting the voltage reversal signal in advance and generating corresponding soft switching or valley switching signals, the system ensures that switches are activated at optimal moments, achieving zero-voltage switching or valley switching conditions. This preliminary action eliminates high voltage conduction during switching, resolving the contradiction between switching loss and control complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If ZVS or VS control is implemented across full AC input voltage and load range, then the efficiency is high, but accurate detection of inductor voltage reversal signals is required which increases control complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching lossVSAvoiddetection and control circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device employs feedback mechanisms by continuously detecting inductor voltage reversal signals and using this information to generate appropriate soft switching or valley switching control signals. The detection module monitors the inductor voltage in real-time, and the control module adjusts switching timing based on the detected voltage reversal signals, ensuring optimal switching conditions across the full AC input voltage and load range while managing control complexity through systematic feedback control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If timely and accurate detection of inductor voltage reversal signal is implemented, then ZVS or VS control can be achieved, but the detection system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinductor voltage reversal detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device extracts the critical inductor voltage reversal signal from the complex inductor voltage waveform. By using a detection module that specifically monitors voltage reversal conditions and generates corresponding control signals, the system isolates the essential timing information needed for soft switching or valley switching. This extraction approach achieves accurate detection without requiring complex detection systems, as only the voltage reversal moment is captured and utilized for control purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3043460B1Control device and method of totem-pole bridgeless PFC soft switch
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 ZTE CORP
  • EP3043460B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3043460B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3043460B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are a totem-pole bridgeless power factor correction (PFC) soft switch control device and method, wherein, the device includes a totem pole bridgeless PFC circuit, and the totem pole bridgeless PFC circuit includes at least two bridge arms connected in parallel between a first connecting point and a second connecting point: the first bridge arm includes two switches or diodes connected in serial in a same direction, the second bridge arm includes two switches that are connected in serial in the same direction, the totem pole bridgeless PFC circuit includes at least one PFC inductor, and further a filter capacitor and a load connected in parallel between the first connecting point and the second connecting point.