Drive Circuit Using Pulse Transformer for Switching Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switching type drive circuits experience increased power consumption when turning on or off a driving switch due to the need for continuous voltage application to maintain the switch's ON state.
Innovation Solution
A drive circuit that uses a control circuit, pulse transformer, and discharge circuit to control the ON/OFF states of a driving switch by accumulating and discharging electric charge at the switch's gate terminal, reducing the need for constant voltage application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous voltage is applied to maintain the driving switch in ON state, then the switch remains stable, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulse signals through the pulse transformer to charge and discharge the gate terminal capacitor, rather than applying continuous voltage. The driving switch is turned on by periodic positive polarity pulses that charge the gate terminal, and turned off by periodic negative polarity pulses that discharge the gate terminal, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable switching operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the voltage maintenance function from the continuous power supply and relocates it to the pulse transformer and discharge circuit. The pulse transformer generates high-voltage pulses to charge the gate terminal capacitor, and the discharge circuit removes charge when needed, separating the switching control function from continuous power application.
2Productivity
If voltage is applied to turn on the driving switch, then the switch operates, but extra power is consumed during switching operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulse signals instead of continuous voltage to perform switching operations. The pulse transformer delivers short-duration high-voltage pulses to charge the gate terminal for turn-on, and the discharge circuit uses periodic negative polarity pulses to discharge for turn-off, minimizing the time voltage is applied and reducing energy loss during switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the pulse transformer as an intermediary device between the control circuit and the driving switch. The transformer converts low-voltage control signals into high-voltage pulses that can rapidly charge the gate terminal, enabling fast switching with minimal energy input. The discharge circuit acts as another intermediary to efficiently remove charge and turn off the switch.
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 approach effectively suppresses the increase in power consumption required for switching operations, stabilizing the ON state and preventing unintended switching, thus enhancing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pulse transformer, electrically connected to the control circuit, configured to transmit the polarity signal output from the control circuit
Implementation Method 2
is maintained in the ON state by accumulating the electric charge associated with the polarity signal in the gate terminal
Implementation Method 3
the driving switch is switched to an OFF state by discharging the electric charge accumulated in the gate terminal by the discharge circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A drive circuit includes a control circuit configured to output a polarity signal for controlling ON/OFF of a driving switch, a pulse transformer, electrically connected to the control circuit, configured to transmit the polarity signal, and a discharge circuit, electrically connected to the pulse transformer and a gate terminal of the driving switch, configured to discharge an electric charge accumulated in the gate terminal based on the polarity signal. When the polarity signal having a first polarity is applied to the gate terminal through the pulse transformer, the driving switch is switched to and maintained in an ON state by accumulating the electric charge in the gate terminal. When the polarity signal having a second polarity different from the first polarity is applied to the discharge circuit through the pulse transformer, the driving switch is switched to an OFF state by discharging the electric charge by the discharge circuit.