Current-Mirror Regulator Circuit With Stable Overcurrent Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing regulator circuits with overcurrent protection functions require high load regulation properties, leading to increased power consumption and circuit size, especially when using circuits with poor load regulation properties.
Innovation Solution
A regulator circuit design that includes a power supply circuit generating a low power supply voltage, an operational amplifier for differential voltage generation, a current mirror circuit, and an overcurrent protection circuit with a first transistor limiting current to a prescribed value, allowing a simpler configuration to maintain stable output current without fluctuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a circuit with poor load regulation property is used for the stabilized power supply circuit, then the circuit size and power consumption are reduced, but the output current becomes unstable and fluctuates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated stabilization circuit as an intermediary component that specifically targets the output current stabilization function. This separates the stabilization function from the main power supply circuit, allowing the use of simpler, lower-power circuits while maintaining stable output current through the specialized stabilization mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization function is extracted from the main stabilized power supply circuit and implemented as a separate stabilization circuit. This extraction allows the main circuit to use simpler components with lower power consumption while the dedicated stabilization circuit handles the current stability requirement.
2Device complexity
If a circuit with poor load regulation property is used for the stabilized power supply circuit, then the circuit complexity is reduced, but the output current becomes unstable and fluctuates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the regulator circuit into distinct functional blocks: a simplified stabilized power supply circuit and a separate stabilization circuit. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized independently - the power supply circuit for low complexity and the stabilization circuit for current stability, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization circuit acts as an intermediary that processes the output from the simplified power supply circuit and delivers stabilized current to the load. This intermediary approach allows the main circuit to remain simple while achieving stable output through the specialized stabilization stage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a stabilized power supply circuit with high load regulation property is used, then the output current stability is improved, but the power consumption and circuit size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization function is extracted from the main power supply circuit and implemented as a separate stabilization circuit. This extraction enables the main circuit to use simpler, lower-power components while the dedicated stabilization circuit handles the current stability requirement efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated stabilization circuit serves as an intermediary stage that receives power from the simplified supply circuit and provides stabilized output current. This intermediary approach achieves high load regulation property without requiring the entire system to be complex and power-intensive.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a stabilized power supply circuit with high load regulation property is used, then the output current stability is improved, but the circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator circuit is segmented into a compact simplified power supply circuit and a separate stabilization circuit. This segmentation allows the stabilization function to be implemented in a dedicated small-area circuit rather than requiring a large complex circuit throughout, reducing overall circuit size while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization function is extracted and implemented as a separate circuit module, allowing it to be optimized for minimal area while providing the necessary current stability. This extraction prevents the need for a large complex circuit and enables more efficient space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A regulator circuit includes an operational amplifier that generates a differential voltage representing a difference between a voltage obtained by dividing an output voltage and a reference voltage. The regulator circuit further includes a first current path that allows through a first current corresponding to the differential voltage, a current mirror circuit that is connected to the first current path and that sends to an output terminal an output current that is a copy of the first current, and an overcurrent protection circuit that limits a current value of the output current to a prescribed value or lower. The overcurrent protection circuit includes a first transistor that is connected to the first current path and that receives a current corresponding to the prescribed value as an upper limit current at a gate thereof while applying the first current between source and drain thereof.