Charge Pump Voltage Boosting via Diode Forward Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional charge pump integrated circuits (ICs) operating in low power mode for thermostats with 3.3V LCDs result in low battery life and increased costs due to high power consumption when upgrading to higher voltage output, which is not efficiently addressed by existing solutions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating one or more diodes, such as Schottky diodes, between the charge pump IC and signal ground to increase the output voltage by providing a forward voltage drop, allowing for elevated voltage supply without the need for new charge pump ICs or major layout changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional charge pump ICs operate in low power mode for 3.3V LCDs, then power consumption is reduced, but battery life is shortened and costs increase when upgrading to higher voltage output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Diodes are introduced as intermediary components between the charge pump IC output and the LCD power input. These diodes provide a forward voltage drop that effectively increases the output voltage from the charge pump, enabling higher voltage LCDs to operate from the same low-power charge pump circuitry, thus maintaining low power consumption while achieving higher voltage operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the power supply circuit by introducing diodes with specific forward voltage characteristics. This parameter change allows the circuit to deliver higher voltage output without increasing the power consumption of the charge pump IC, resolving the contradiction between voltage output and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If higher voltage output charge pump ICs are used to upgrade LCDs, then LCD contrast and display quality are enhanced, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLCD contrastVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Diodes serve as intermediary voltage boosting components that enable higher voltage output from the existing charge pump IC. This allows FSTN LCDs with superior contrast and display quality to be implemented without requiring a higher power consumption charge pump IC, thus enhancing illumination intensity while maintaining low power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If new charge pump ICs with higher voltage output are implemented, then elevated voltage supply is achieved, but device complexity and hardware changes increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage outputVSAvoidhardware changes

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than replacing the charge pump IC with a more complex higher-voltage model, the patent uses simple diode components as intermediaries to achieve voltage elevation. This approach maintains the existing charge pump IC and requires minimal hardware changes, thus achieving higher voltage output while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If existing charge pump circuits are used without modification, then device simplicity is maintained, but voltage output remains insufficient for higher power devices like FSTN LCDs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit simplicityVSAvoidvoltage output

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply function is segmented into two independent parts: the charge pump IC for voltage generation and the diode network for voltage elevation. This segmentation allows the charge pump IC to remain simple and unchanged while the diode addition provides the necessary voltage boost, thus maintaining circuit simplicity while increasing voltage output capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively boosts the output voltage, enhancing LCD contrast and display quality while minimizing power consumption and maintaining battery life, thus reducing costs and enabling the use of higher power devices like FSTN LCDs without significant hardware changes.

Implementation Method 1

The one or more diodes are configured to provide a forward voltage drop to increase the charge pump supply voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForward voltage drop: Diode

Data Source

PatentUS8476964B1Obtaining elevated output voltages from charge pump circuits

Publication Date: 2013.07.02 COPELAND COMFORT CONTROL LP

AI summary

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a thermostat that includes a charge pump configured to provide a charge pump supply voltage relative to a signal ground of the charge pump. One or more diodes are connected between the charge pump and the signal ground. The one or more diodes are configured to provide a forward voltage drop to increase the charge pump supply voltage.