Transformer Coupled Power Semiconductor Control Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical converter systems face challenges with high jitter in signal transmission due to energy transmission via transformers, leading to instability and increased switching losses in medium and high voltage power semiconductor devices.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a primary and secondary side control unit and a transformer for efficient signal and energy transmission, using voltage modulation to encode switching signals and rectification to generate power, reducing jitter by maintaining a constant delay and using load modulation for bidirectional data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a transformer is used for energy and signal transmission in low voltage converters, then system cost is reduced, but signal transmission jitter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into primary side and secondary side control units separated by a transformer. The primary side generates control signals that are transmitted through the transformer to the secondary side, which then generates gate signals. This segmentation allows the transformer to be used for isolation while maintaining signal integrity through dedicated signal transmission paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control signal that carries timing information from the primary side to the secondary side through the transformer. This intermediary signal enables synchronized switching without directly transmitting the gate signals through the transformer, reducing jitter while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
2Reliability
If optical links are used for signal transmission in medium voltage converters, then signal transmission jitter is reduced, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the transformer serve multiple functions: electrical isolation, energy transmission to the secondary side, and control signal transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate optical links and their associated interfaces, reducing device complexity while maintaining signal transmission quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines energy transmission and control signal transmission through the same transformer medium. By merging these functions into a single component, the system avoids the complexity of separate optical communication channels and their required interfaces.
3Device complexity
If a transformer is used for energy and signal transmission, then the number of components is reduced, but control precision deteriorates due to jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-generating control signals with precise timing information on the primary side before transmission through the transformer. The secondary side control unit then uses these pre-prepared signals to generate accurately timed gate signals, maintaining switching precision despite the simplified component structure.
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 solution enables accurate and fast signal transmission with reduced jitter, improving the stability of control loops and extending the lifespan of power semiconductor switches, applicable to both low and medium voltage converter systems.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer for transferring electrical energy from the primary side control unit to the secondary side control unit
Implementation Method 2
a voltage modulation unit for modulating an input voltage of the transformer, such that the primary side switching signal is encoded into the input voltage
Implementation Method 3
a rectifier for generating electrical power from an output voltage of the transformer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A control device (10) for controlling a power semiconductor device (14) comprises a primary side control unit (20) for receiving a control signal (16) from a superordinated controller (12) and for generating a binary primary side switching signal (s1,p) for the power semiconductor device (14); a secondary side control unit (22) for generating a gate signal (18) for the power semiconductor device (14); and a transformer (24) for transferring electrical energy from the primary side control unit (20) to the secondary side control unit (22) and for transferring the primary side switching signal (s1,p) from the primary side control unit (20) to the secondary side control unit (22). The primary side control unit (20) comprises a voltage modulation unit (60) for modulating an input voltage (vp) of the transformer (24), such that the primary side switching signal (s1,p) is encoded into the input voltage (vp);wherein the input voltage (vp) is a signal sequence comprising rising edges (78) encoding a first value of the primary side switching signal (s1,p) and falling edges (80) encoding a second value of the primary side switching signal (s1,p). The secondary side control unit (22) comprises a power supply unit (68) for generating electrical power from an output voltage (vs) of the transformer (24) for supplying the secondary side control unit (22); wherein the secondary side control unit (22) comprises a voltage decoder unit (66) for extracting a secondary side switching signal (s1,s) from the output voltage (vs) by detecting the rising edges (78) and the falling edges (80) in the output voltage (vs) and for generating the gate signal (18) from the secondary side switching signal (s1,s).