Charge Pump Self-Detection and Pre-Start Capacitor Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge pumps face challenges in ensuring the integrity and functionality of capacitors and transistors before normal operation, including short circuits and open circuits, which can affect the conversion of input voltage to the required output voltage range for electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A self-detection process is implemented to identify defects in capacitors and transistors within the charge pump circuit, ensuring they are free from short and open circuits, followed by a pre-start process to charge or discharge capacitors to a predetermined threshold before normal operation, using components like transistors, capacitors, resistors, current sources, switches, and comparators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-detection process is implemented to identify defects in capacitors and transistors, then the reliability of the charge pump is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-detection process that is executed before the charge pump begins normal operation. This preliminary action identifies potential defects in capacitors and transistors upfront, preventing future failures without requiring continuous monitoring during operation, thus improving reliability while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump performs self-detection of defects in its own components (capacitors and transistors) without requiring external testing equipment or manual inspection. The system uses its internal circuitry to automatically detect open circuits and short circuits, making the detection process integrated and self-sufficient.
2Productivity
If a pre-start process is implemented to charge or discharge capacitors to a predetermined threshold, then the efficiency of the charge pump is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pre-start process that charges or discharges capacitors to a predetermined threshold before normal operation begins. This preliminary action ensures capacitors are in the optimal charge state for efficient operation, preventing energy losses and operational inefficiencies that would occur if capacitors started from an unknown charge state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or external charging/discharging methods with an automated electronic control system that uses transistors and control circuits to precisely manage capacitor charge states. This substitution enables rapid, precise control of the pre-start process, minimizing the time required while ensuring optimal capacitor charging.
Data Source
AI summary
Charge pump and method therefor. For example, a charge pump for converting an input voltage to an output voltage includes: a first capacitor connected between a first terminal and a second terminal; a second capacitor connected between the second terminal and a third terminal; a first transistor including a first drain, a first source, and a first gate, the first drain being connected to an input terminal configured to receive the input voltage; a second transistor including a second drain, a second source, and a second gate; a third transistor; a fourth transistor; and an internal circuit configured to perform a self-detection process by determining whether or not at least one defect has been detected for at least one component selected from a group consisting of the first capacitor, the second capacitor, the first transistor, the second transistor, the third transistor, and the fourth transistor.