Drive Circuit Power Reduction via Reset Signal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive circuits for semiconductor devices continue to consume control power even after an abnormality is detected, leading to unnecessary power waste as the converter drive circuit operates independently and fails to stop power supply effectively.
Innovation Solution
A drive circuit design that includes an input terminal, a first output terminal for drive signals, a control power supply terminal connected to a power generation device, and a reset signal terminal, which upon receiving a reset signal, stops the drive signal output and reduces the control power supply voltage, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the converter drive circuit operates independently to continue generating control power after an abnormality is detected, then the control power supply is maintained, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the converter drive circuit with the drive circuit by making the converter drive circuit subordinate to the drive circuit's control. When an abnormality is detected, the drive circuit generates a reset signal that simultaneously stops the drive signal output and controls the converter drive circuit to stop generating control power, eliminating independent operation and reducing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the drive circuit monitors system abnormalities and generates a reset signal that feeds back to both its own drive signal output and the converter drive circuit. This feedback mechanism ensures that when an abnormality is detected, both the drive signal output and control power generation are stopped, resolving the contradiction between maintaining power supply and reducing energy consumption.
2Reliability
If the drive circuit stops outputting drive signals upon detecting an abnormality, then system safety is secured, but control power continues to be consumed wastefully
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control of drive signal output and control power generation into a single integrated control mechanism. The reset signal generated upon detecting an abnormality simultaneously controls both the drive signal output cessation and the control power generation cessation, ensuring that safety is maintained while eliminating unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the converter drive circuit dynamic by enabling it to change its operation state based on the drive circuit's control. Instead of operating independently and statically, the converter drive circuit now responds dynamically to the reset signal, adjusting its power generation accordingly to match the actual operational needs and eliminate waste.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive circuit is provided with an input terminal for receiving input signals, an output terminal that outputs drive signals generated from the input signals, a control power supply terminal that receives a control power supply voltage, an output terminal that outputs an output signal, and a reset terminal that receives a reset signal. The output signal is given to a gate of a MOSFET. A secondary side circuit and a MOSFET constitute a step-down chopper circuit, which steps down a voltage through duty ratio control of the gate drive signal and generates a control power supply voltage. Upon receipt of a reset signal, the drive circuit stops outputting the drive signal and changes the output signal so as to reduce the control power supply voltage VCC.