Configurable Step-Down Regulator for Scalable Power Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current step-down voltage regulators are inflexible and costly, requiring specific designs for either low or high output powers, limiting scalability and adaptability in vehicle electronics systems, such as airbag control devices, and are dependent on external components for regulation.
Innovation Solution
A step-down voltage regulator with an integrated switch circuit that can operate as both a linear regulator and a step-down switch converter, allowing configuration changes through external wiring and programming to adapt to varying power requirements, using a configurable analysis and control unit, actuation circuit, and compensation circuit, enabling efficient and cost-effective scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a step-down switch converter is used for high output power applications, then efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a voltage regulator capable of operating in multiple modes (linear regulator mode and step-down switch converter mode) using the same integrated circuit. The control unit can switch between these modes based on external control signals, allowing the device to achieve high efficiency when needed while maintaining simplicity for low-power applications. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing both high-efficiency operation and simple design within a single device.
2Device complexity
If a linear regulator is used for low output power applications, then device complexity is reduced, but efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic control mechanism that allows the voltage regulator to switch between linear regulator mode and step-down switch converter mode based on operating conditions. The control unit responds to external control signals and system requirements to dynamically select the appropriate operating mode, enabling the device to maintain low complexity for simple applications while achieving high efficiency when required by the operating conditions.
3Reliability
If step-down voltage regulator variants are fixed in the design phase, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal voltage regulator design that can function as both a linear regulator and a step-down switch converter within the same integrated circuit. The control unit can be configured through external control signals to operate in different modes, allowing the same hardware design to adapt to varying power requirements without compromising reliability. This resolves the contradiction by providing fixed, reliable hardware with flexible software-controlled functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the output power is scaled as a function of system size, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic scalability through a control unit that can switch between linear regulator mode and step-down switch converter mode based on external control signals. This allows the output power to be scaled as a function of system size and power requirements without increasing device complexity. The same integrated circuit adapts its operating mode to match the required power level, providing scalable functionality through dynamic control rather than hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A step-down voltage regulator. The step-down voltage regulator includes a configurable integrated switch circuit, which includes a configurable analysis and control unit, a configurable actuation circuit, compensation circuit, and controllable semiconductor switch, and includes an external wiring with different components. The wiring is electrically connected to connections of the integrated switch circuit. A feedback signal representing an output voltage that can be tapped at an output of the integrated switch circuit is fed back to the analysis and control unit, which generates a switch signal in combination with the actuation circuit based on the feedback signal and outputs it to the controllable semiconductor switch such that a closed control loop for regulating the output voltage is produced from an input voltage applied to an input of the integrated switch circuit. The output voltage maximally has the voltage level of the input voltage.