Driving Circuit Charge-Current Cutoff for Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional driving circuits for power supplies suffer from inefficiencies due to wasted charge current when the supply voltage exceeds a certain level, leading to reduced power saving and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A driving circuit with a current source and current mirrors generates charge and discharge currents to produce a driving signal, where a detection circuit turns off the driving switch after a delay, preventing unnecessary current flow and optimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a zener diode is used to clamp the driving signal level, then the transistor is protected from overvoltage, but charge current is wasted when the supply voltage exceeds the clamping level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the charge current path dynamically controllable through a switching element. The charge current is enabled only when the supply voltage is below the clamping level, and disabled when the voltage exceeds this level. This dynamic control eliminates the continuous current waste present in static zener diode clamping circuits, while maintaining the same protective function for the transistor.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection circuit automatically detects when the supply voltage exceeds the clamping level and autonomously disables the charge current path without external intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures that the system optimizes its own power consumption by eliminating unnecessary charge current flow during overvoltage conditions, while maintaining transistor protection capability.
2Power
If charge current is continuously provided to the switching element, then the driving signal level is maintained, but energy is wasted when the supply voltage is already high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the charge current in periodic pulses rather than continuously. The charge current is supplied only during periods when the supply voltage is below the clamping level and needs boosting. When the voltage reaches the desired level or exceeds the clamping threshold, the charge current is stopped. This periodic charging approach maintains the driving signal level while eliminating continuous energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of charge current from a constant value to a variable value that depends on the supply voltage level. The charge current is adjusted dynamically based on the detected voltage condition, being enabled when voltage is low and disabled when voltage is high. This parameter change optimizes energy consumption while maintaining adequate driving signal levels.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a driving circuit. It includes a plurality of current mirrors to generate a first charge current and a second charge current in response to a reference current. A switch circuit generates a driving signal in response to an input signal. A driving switch is coupled between the first charge current and the switch circuit. Once the driving switch is turned on and the level of the input signal is in high level, the switch circuit generates the driving signal, the level of the driving signal-being in high level, in response to the first charge current and the second charge current. A detection circuit generates a control signal to turn on/off the driving switch. The detection circuit turns off the driving switch to disable the first charge current after a period of delay time when the level of the driving signal is in high level.