Transformer Drive System for Power Switching Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive systems for changing the switching speed of power switching elements require additional insulation means to transfer instruction signals from the low voltage system to the high voltage system, leading to increased electric power loss and potential excess voltage application to power switching elements.
Innovation Solution
A drive system that utilizes a transformer with primary and secondary coils to control the switching speed of power switching elements by adjusting the output voltage of the secondary coils, allowing for signal transfer without additional insulation means, and incorporates temperature and current-based controls to minimize power loss and prevent excessive voltage application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional insulation means such as photocoupler are added to transfer instruction signals from low voltage system to high voltage system, then signal transfer reliability is improved, but device complexity and electric power loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the signal transfer function and insulation function into a single transformer component. The transformer's magnetic coupling provides both galvanic isolation between voltage systems and simultaneous signal transmission, eliminating the need for separate photocoupler insulation means while reducing device complexity and power loss
Solution Approach 2:
The transformer is designed to perform multiple functions: voltage transformation, galvanic isolation, and signal transfer. This multi-functionality replaces the conventional separate components (insulation means and signal transfer path), achieving both reliability and reduced complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If switching speed of power switching elements is decreased to suppress surge noise, then surge noise is reduced, but electric power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the switching speed of power switching elements based on real-time temperature conditions. When temperature is low, higher switching speeds are permitted; when temperature rises, switching speed is reduced. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the balance between surge noise suppression and power loss minimization under varying operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the switching speed parameter according to temperature variations. By monitoring temperature and adjusting the switching speed parameter accordingly, the system achieves optimal performance that balances surge noise suppression with acceptable power loss across different thermal conditions
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 system effectively transfers switching speed instructions without additional insulation, suppresses electric power loss, and avoids excessive voltage application, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of power switching elements.
Implementation Method 1
an operation means, a voltage control means, a drive means, and a change means. The operation means controls the operation of a transformer which is composed of primary side coils and secondary side coils
Data Source
AI summary
A drive system has a low voltage system, a high voltage system, and a transformer. The high voltage system has drive units which correspond to power switching elements. A capacitance in the high voltage system serves as a flouting power source which supplies electric power to each of the drive units. An output voltage of a secondary side coil of the transformer is supplied to the capacitance. A comparator compares the output voltage at the secondary side coil of the transformer with a threshold value. A switching speed change part changes the switching speed of each of the power switching element based on the comparison result of the comparator.