Transient Voltage Protection Circuit for Boost Power Converters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
DC to DC boost power converters are vulnerable to damage from excessive input voltage and heat buildup when passing input voltages higher than the target output voltage, as existing solutions either suffer from significant voltage drops and power dissipation or lack efficient protection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A DC to DC boost power converter incorporating a transient voltage protection circuit and a bypass circuit, which utilizes a semiconductor switch with low resistance and a charge pump circuit to block excessive input voltages and provide a lower loss current path, thereby protecting the converter from heat buildup and maintaining efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a diode is used to protect the boost power converter from excessive input voltage, then the converter is protected from voltage damage, but significant voltage drop and power dissipation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transient voltage protection circuit as an intermediary component between the input voltage source and the boost power converter. This circuit includes a blocking switch that is controlled by a voltage detector and comparator to selectively block excessive voltages. The mediator approach allows voltage protection without the continuous power dissipation of a diode, as the blocking switch only activates when excessive voltage is detected, thereby resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and energy loss.
2Productivity
If the boost power converter passes input voltage higher than target output voltage through to output, then transfer efficiency is maintained, but heat buildup damages the converter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a voltage detector continuously monitors the input voltage and feeds this information to a comparator. The comparator compares the detected voltage with a reference voltage and controls the blocking switch accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically block excessive input voltages that would cause heat buildup, while allowing normal voltage ranges to pass through for efficient power transfer, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining transfer efficiency and preventing thermal damage.
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 effectively blocks excessive input voltages, reducing heat buildup and increasing transfer efficiency by providing a lower loss current path, thus protecting the boost power converter and ensuring reliable operation across varying input voltage ranges.
Implementation Method 1
The blocking switch includes a low-on-resistance N-channel MOSFET
Implementation Method 2
A transient voltage protection circuit blocks an input voltage from the boost power converter when the input voltage to the boost power converter exceeds a predetermined threshold
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A power converter includes a transient voltage protection circuit connected between an input of the power converter and a power stage of the power converter. The transient voltage protection circuit provides a low resistance connection from the input of the power converter to the power stage of the power converter when the input voltage is less than a predetermined threshold, but blocks the input voltage from the power stage when the input voltage is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold voltage. The power converter may be a boost power converter used in a vehicle to provide power from a main power bus of the vehicle to a subsystem of the vehicle such as an anti-lock brake system.