Transformer Sub-Winding Excitation for Flexible DC-DC Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The voltage regulation flexibility of DC-DC converters is low, particularly when dealing with two unequal input voltages, which limits their effectiveness in managing different excitation voltages.

Innovation Solution

The power converter incorporates a DC-AC conversion circuit that generates multiple excitation voltages in a time-division manner, with a transformer having sub-windings of varying turns to adjust energy magnitudes and currents based on input voltages, thereby enhancing voltage regulation flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bias correction capacitor is connected in series to the transformer to avoid bias excitation under two different input voltages, then the transformer bias excitation problem is resolved, but the voltage regulation flexibility of the DC-DC converter becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransformer bias excitation avoidanceVSAvoidvoltage regulation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The primary-side winding is divided into at least two sub primary-side windings with different quantities of turns, allowing each sub-winding to be independently excited by different excitation voltages. This segmentation enables flexible voltage regulation while maintaining transformer reliability by avoiding bias excitation through the series-connected bias correction capacitor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the quantity of turns of the primary-side winding is fixed, then the transformer structure is simple, but the voltage regulation flexibility is limited when dealing with different input voltages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransformer structure simplicityVSAvoidvoltage regulation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The primary-side winding is segmented into multiple sub-windings with different turn quantities, maintaining relatively simple transformer structure while enabling flexible voltage regulation through selective excitation of different sub-windings with different excitation voltages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The DC-AC conversion circuit dynamically generates different excitation voltages in a time-division manner, allowing the transformer to adapt to different input voltage conditions without changing its physical structure, thus maintaining structural simplicity while achieving voltage regulation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If two different excitation voltages are input to the transformer simultaneously, then voltage regulation capability is enhanced, but bias excitation of the transformer occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage regulation capabilityVSAvoidtransformer bias excitation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The DC-AC conversion circuit generates different excitation voltages in a time-division manner, applying them periodically to different sub primary-side windings rather than simultaneously. This periodic action enables voltage regulation capability while preventing bias excitation by ensuring that excitation voltages are applied sequentially with proper timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

This solution significantly improves the voltage regulation flexibility of the power converter by allowing for precise adjustment of currents and energy magnitudes based on different excitation voltages, addressing the limitations of existing DC-DC converters.

Implementation Method 1

a transformer (104), wherein a primary-side winding of the transformer includes at least two sub primary-side windings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a direct current DC-alternating current AC conversion circuit (103), wherein the DC-AC conversion circuit is configured to generate at least two different excitation voltages in a time-division manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS20250192664A1Power converter and power supply

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A power converter includes a DC-AC conversion circuit, a transformer, and a first AC-DC conversion circuit. The DC-AC conversion circuit is coupled to the first AC-DC conversion circuit through the transformer. A primary-side winding of the transformer includes at least two sub primary-side windings. The at least two sub primary-side windings include at least three primary-side winding connection ends. A quantity of turns of each sub primary-side winding is correspondingly adjusted based on a change of a corresponding input excitation voltage. The DC-AC conversion circuit is configured to generate at least two different excitation voltages in a time-division manner. One excitation voltage is correspondingly output to one sub primary-side winding. On a primary-side winding side of the transformer, excitation is correspondingly performed on windings having different quantities of turns in the primary-side winding in a matched manner based on different excitation voltages generated by the DC-AC conversion circuit.