Voltage Regulator With Storage Capacitors For Battery Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Switched-mode power supplies lack effective protection mechanisms to prevent damage to rechargeable batteries when input voltage is high, potentially leading to battery damage or explosion due to direct power supply, which is dangerous for electronic systems.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator design with an input port and output port sharing a common ground potential, featuring a series of input switches, output half-bridge topologies, and storage capacitors that control charging and discharging states to achieve a step-down ratio, ensuring no direct connection between the load and input voltage in case of switch damage, thus protecting the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If switched-mode power supply directly connects input voltage to output port, then power supply efficiency is improved, but load safety deteriorates due to potential battery damage or explosion when input voltage is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces storage capacitors as intermediary elements between the input and output ports. These capacitors are coupled to the output port through output switches, creating a buffered connection that maintains power supply efficiency while preventing direct high-voltage damage to the load. The capacitors act as energy intermediaries that can supply power to the load without direct input voltage connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply circuit is segmented into distinct functional modules: input switches, storage capacitors, output switches, and control circuitry. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each module - the input stage can handle high voltage efficiently while the output stage provides protected delivery to the load, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and safety.
2Reliability
If protection mechanisms are added to prevent direct power supply to load, then load safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage capacitors serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide energy storage for efficient power delivery, act as protection barriers against high-voltage damage, and enable voltage regulation. This multi-functionality achieves load safety without adding dedicated protection circuitry, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection function is merged with the power delivery function by using the same storage capacitors and output switches for both purposes. Rather than adding separate protection circuits, the patent combines safety features into the existing power supply pathway, maintaining simplicity while ensuring load protection.
3Reliability
If storage capacitors are coupled between input and output ports with switching control, then load protection is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit monitors the states of input switches and output switches, and adjusts their operation to maintain proper charging and discharging of storage capacitors. This feedback control ensures that even with manufacturing variations, the switching precision remains sufficient for reliable load protection and efficient power delivery.
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 design effectively prevents direct power supply to the load, ensuring battery safety by maintaining storage capacitors between the input and output ports, even when switches are damaged, thereby enhancing reliability and preventing potential explosions.
Implementation Method 1
N storage capacitors, where first terminals of the N storage capacitors are respectively coupled to different input switch nodes, and second terminals of the N storage capacitors are coupled to a same output switch node or different output switch nodes
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator can include: an input port with two terminals, and being configured to receive an input voltage; an output port with two terminals, and being configured to generate an output voltage, where the input port and the output port have a common ground potential; a group of input switches coupled in series between the two terminals of the input port, where a common node of every two adjacent input switches that form an input half-bridge topology is taken as an input switch node; at least one output half-bridge topology coupled between two terminals of the output port, where a common node of a high-side output switch and a low-side output switch in each output half-bridge topology is taken as an output switch node; and N storage capacitors, where each of the storage capacitors is coupled between one input switch node and one output switch node.