Title :
Soft-switching forward DC–DC converter using a continuous current mode for electric vehicle applications
Author :
Ibanez, Federico Martin ; Echeverria, Jose Martin ; Astigarraga, Daniel ; Fontan, Luis
Author_Institution :
Electron. & Commun. Dept., CEIT, San Sebastian, Spain
Abstract :
This study presents the analysis and design of a novel technique that improves the efficiency of the conventional forward DC-DC converter by reducing switching losses, along with a comprehensive analysis of the circuit and detailed information for designers. The converter uses the current control mode to trigger the switches. To use this control mode, an equalising circuit is presented in the input port to guarantee that the voltage in each half-switching period will be equal; otherwise, the current control mode cannot be applied. A 5 kW step-down (from 350-500 to 28.8 V) prototype is presented and compared with the traditional hard-switching forward converter for fully electric vehicle applications. In addition, the small-signal characteristics and the dynamic response for load variation are presented. Efficiency improvements of over 2% are obtained.
Keywords :
DC-DC power convertors; dynamic response; electric current control; electric vehicles; switching convertors; zero current switching; zero voltage switching; continuous current mode; current control mode; dynamic response; electric vehicle application; equalising circuit; load variation; power 5 kW; small-signal characteristics; soft-switching forward DC-DC converter; step-down prototype; switching loss reduction;
Journal_Title :
Power Electronics, IET
DOI :
10.1049/iet-pel.2014.0581