AC-to-DC Voltage Regulator Using Charge Pump and PWM Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional voltage regulators suffer from high power consumption, particularly in light load and no load situations, due to significant power losses caused by resistors and zener diodes.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator design that includes an input transistor, a detection circuit generating control and enable signals, and a charge pump circuit to manage the input transistor's operation based on voltage thresholds, reducing power loss by disabling the transistor when voltage levels exceed or fall below certain thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a traditional voltage regulator uses a resistor and zener diode for regulation, then the voltage can be regulated, but the power consumption is high particularly in light load and no load situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the regulator operational state changeable from static continuous operation to dynamic switched operation. The regulator can switch between enabled and disabled states based on load conditions, and within the enabled state, the switching circuit dynamically adjusts the duty cycle of the switch transistor to regulate output voltage, replacing the static resistor-zener diode configuration with a dynamic pulse-width modulation approach that minimizes power loss during light load and no load situations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic action through the switching circuit that operates the switch transistor in periodic switching cycles. The regulator uses periodic PWM (pulse-width modulation) signals to control the switch transistor, creating periodic on-off cycles that transfer energy to the output capacitor. This periodic switching action replaces the continuous power dissipation of the resistor-zener diode scheme with intermittent energy transfer, significantly reducing power loss during light load and no load conditions while maintaining voltage regulation capability
2Loss of energy
If the regulator operates continuously to maintain voltage regulation, then voltage stability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a dynamic control system that adjusts the regulator's operational state based on real-time conditions. The switching circuit dynamically modulates the switch transistor using PWM control, creating a dynamic equilibrium where the regulator maintains voltage stability through controlled periodic switching rather than continuous operation. The duty cycle of the switching signal dynamically adapts to load changes, enabling the system to maintain stable output voltage while minimizing power consumption across varying load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback through the control circuit that continuously monitors the output voltage and adjusts the switching duty cycle accordingly. The feedback mechanism compares the actual output voltage with the desired reference voltage and modifies the PWM signal duty cycle to correct any deviations. This closed-loop feedback control ensures voltage stability is maintained while allowing the regulator to operate in a discontinuous or light-duty mode during light load conditions, thereby reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous full-power operation
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 design enhances efficiency by minimizing power loss across various load conditions, achieving better performance in both high load and light load scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
A charge pump circuit is coupled to the detection circuit and the input transistor to turn on the input transistor in response to the control signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a high efficiency voltage regulator. It includes an input transistor coupled to a voltage source to provide a supply voltage. A detection circuit is coupled to the voltage source and the supply voltage to generate a control signal and an enable signal in response to voltage levels of the voltage source and the supply voltage. A charge pump circuit is coupled to the detection circuit and the input transistor to turn on the input transistor in response to the control signal. A control transistor is connected to the detection circuit and the input transistor to turn off the input transistor in response to the control signal.