Vienna Charging Module Topology for Variable Power Factor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional three-phase Vienna rectifier topologies face high costs and complexity in implementing bidirectional power flow with distorted current waveforms and require additional reactive apparatus for unity power factor correction.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an inductor between the bus midpoint and the three-phase rectifier module in the Vienna topology, which absorbs reactive power and isolates the rectifier module from the bus capacitor, enabling power factor correction and optimizing current waveforms in non-unity power factor conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a diode in the Vienna topology is replaced with power switch transistors (MOSFET/IGBT, SiC, GaN) to implement bidirectional power flow, then bidirectional power flow capability is achieved, but system cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebidirectional power flow capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An inductor is introduced as an intermediary component between the three-phase rectifier module and the bus capacitor module. This inductor enables the unidirectional Vienna rectifier topology to achieve variable power factor control without requiring bidirectional power switch transistors, thus avoiding the high cost associated with replacing diodes while maintaining adaptability for different power factor requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If reactive power compensation is implemented by adding extra reactive apparatus to ensure unity power factor, then power factor correction is achieved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower factor correction capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inductor serves multiple functions: it acts as both a filtering component for the rectifier output and a reactive power compensation element. By controlling the switching states of the rectifier module, the system can operate at different power factors (unity or non-unity) without requiring separate reactive compensation apparatus, reducing overall system cost while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If compensation range is determined based on input voltage angle and common-mode signal is generated to change phase difference, then power factor regulation is achieved, but current waveform becomes distorted and implementation becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower factor regulation capabilityVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power factor control function from complex voltage-angle-based common-mode signal generation and implements it through simple inductor-based current filtering. The inductor naturally filters current harmonics and enables power factor regulation through straightforward current control, eliminating the need for complex phase-difference adjustment mechanisms and reducing implementation complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 achieves variable power factor performance comparable to bidirectional flow topologies while reducing hardware costs and improving bus ripple and current waveforms.

Implementation Method 1

an inductor is added between a bus midpoint and a three-phase rectifier module in Vienna topology. Because there is no sudden change in a current through an inductor, and the inductor may absorb a part of reactive power and isolate the rectifier module from a bus capacitor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReactive power absorption: Inductor

Implementation Method 2

Because there is no sudden change in a current through an inductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4358358B1Charging module, charging device, and charging system
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP4358358B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4358358B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4358358B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5A

AI summary

This application discloses a charging module, a charging device, and a charging system. The charging module includes a three-phase rectifier module, a bus capacitor module, an inductor, and a controller. An input end of the three-phase rectifier module is electrically connected to an input power supply, and an output end of the three-phase rectifier module is electrically connected to an input end of the bus capacitor module. The bus capacitor module includes a first bus capacitor and a second bus capacitor. The first bus capacitor is connected between a first output end of a three-phase bridge arm and a midpoint of the three-phase bridge arm, and the second bus capacitor is electrically connected between a second output end of the three-phase bridge arm and the midpoint. The inductor is electrically connected to the midpoint of the three-phase bridge arm and a midpoint between the first bus capacitor and the second bus capacitor. The controller is configured to: obtain an input voltage and an input current of the charging module, and control a status of the three-phase rectifier module based on the input voltage and the input current. In this application, a power factor correction function can be implemented, and there is an effect of improving a bus ripple and an input current waveform in a working condition with a non-unity power factor.