Voltage Conversion Circuit Resonant Frequency Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing voltage conversion circuits, particularly LLC series resonant circuits, face increased losses due to higher RMS current values as switching frequency increases, leading to thermal balance issues and reduced power density.

Innovation Solution

A control method for a voltage conversion circuit that adjusts the ratio of total conduction time to resonant period (Ton/Tr) within a specific range and controls the quality factor (Q) to reduce RMS current, incorporating a resonant inductance and capacitance connected in series with a transformer, and a filter unit to minimize conduction and switching losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the switching frequency is increased to reduce the volume of magnetic elements and increase power density, then the volume of magnetic components is reduced and power density is increased, but the RMS value of resonant current increases leading to larger on-state loss and heat dissipation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume of magnetic elementsVSAvoidon-state loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the resonant frequency adjustable rather than fixed. The resonant frequency can be dynamically tuned to track the switching frequency, ensuring the resonant circuit operates at optimal efficiency points even at high switching frequencies. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain lower RMS current values while operating at high switching frequencies, thus reducing on-state losses while still achieving compact magnetic component sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of resonant frequency to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting the resonant frequency to match or track the switching frequency, the system can operate in a resonant mode that minimizes current RMS values. This parameter change allows high switching frequency operation (for compact size) while maintaining efficient energy transfer and lower conduction losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the switching frequency is increased to increase power density, then power density is increased, but losses of the converter increase and thermal balance becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidconverter losses
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dynamic resonance frequency adjustment to maintain optimal operating conditions at high power density. By continuously adapting the resonant frequency to match the switching frequency, the system ensures maximum power transfer efficiency even when operating at high frequencies required for high power density. This dynamic tracking minimizes converter losses while maintaining high power density operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the resonant frequency parameter to optimize performance at high power density. By tuning the resonant frequency to coincide with the switching frequency, the system achieves resonant operation that minimizes losses. This parameter adjustment enables the converter to operate efficiently at high frequencies, thereby achieving high power density without proportionally increasing losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the resonant current waveform becomes triangular at high switching frequencies, then the RMS value of resonant current increases, but the switching frequency is already increased for compact design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching frequencyVSAvoidconduction loss
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the resonant frequency to dynamically track the switching frequency. This dynamic adjustment ensures that even at high switching frequencies where triangular current waveforms would normally occur, the system maintains sinusoidal-like current waveforms with lower RMS values. The dynamic resonance compensation counteracts the waveform distortion caused by high-frequency operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the resonant frequency parameter to compensate for waveform distortion at high switching frequencies. By adjusting the resonant frequency to match the switching frequency, the system restores the current waveform to a more sinusoidal shape, thereby reducing the RMS current value and associated conduction losses while maintaining the high switching frequency required for compact design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach effectively reduces conduction losses, improves efficiency, and decreases the volume of magnetic components, while maintaining Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) and minimizing turn-off losses, making the circuit suitable for high switching frequencies.

Implementation Method 1

The LLC circuit operates in a series resonant mode in the primary side, and performs resonance with a current value of 0 as a central value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The LLC circuit shown in Fig. 2 may charge or discharge the parasitic capacitance of the primary side switch elements (Q1 to Q4) in the dead time (t2-t3, t5-t6 in Fig. 3A) by adjusting the magnetizing current of the transformer T1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParasitic capacitance: Parasitic Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

the first stage converter may use a high-efficiency DC transformer to convert the input 48V bus voltage (Uin) to a lower intermediate bus voltage (Uib)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3706302B1Voltage conversion circuit and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • EP3706302B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3706302B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3706302B1 patent drawingFigure 3C~4A

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a control method of a voltage conversion circuit (400). The voltage conversion circuit (400) includes a DC voltage input terminal (41), a primary side switch unit (42), a resonant inductance (Lr), a transformer (43), a secondary side switch unit (44) and a DC voltage output terminal (45) which are electrically coupled. The resonant inductance (Lr) is connected to the transformer (43) in series. The voltage conversion circuit (400) also includes a resonant capacitance (Cr) which resonates with the resonant inductance (Lr). The control method includes: controlling switch elements in the primary side switch unit (42) and the secondary side switch unit (44), so that a range of a ratio Ton/Tr of a total conduction time Ton to a resonant period Tr of the voltage conversion circuit (400) is (0, 1.8)U(2.7, 3.7)U(4.8, 5.5), and a quality factor Q of the voltage conversion circuit (400) is less than or equal to 5, that is, Q≤5. The control method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure can reduce the conduction loss and the switching loss of the voltage conversion circuit (400), thereby improving the efficiency and reducing the cost.