High-Voltage Drive Circuit for Power Factor Corrector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high-voltage heavy-current drive circuits for power factor correctors face issues with reliability due to lack of protection, limited source and sink current capability, and high static power consumption, leading to harmonic distortion and electromagnetic interference.

Innovation Solution

The solution incorporates a high-voltage LDMOS transistor and zener diodes for voltage isolation, a level shift circuit for fixed output signal levels, a dead time control circuit to prevent transient currents, and a Darlington output stage with enhanced current capabilities and a THD optimization mechanism to reduce harmonic distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional high-voltage drive circuit is used, then the circuit can operate at high voltage, but the reliability is poor due to lack of protection circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive circuit reliabilityVSAvoidprotection circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements protection circuits that proactively detect and respond to abnormal conditions before they cause damage. The over-current protection circuit monitors current levels and disables the drive circuit before excessive current can cause harm, while the over-temperature protection circuit similarly prevents thermal damage by detecting temperature rise in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate protection circuits as mediators between the high-voltage drive circuit and the load. These protection circuits act as a buffer, isolating the main drive circuit from direct exposure to fault conditions while still providing comprehensive protection against over-current, over-temperature, and other abnormal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If the source current and sink current capability are limited, then the circuit is simpler, but the circuit cannot be used in special occasions requiring high current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesource current and sink current capabilityVSAvoidoutput stage complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a self-service approach where the output stage automatically adjusts its current capability based on the operational requirements. The complementary symmetry output stage with enhanced current drive capability can dynamically provide high source and sink currents when needed while maintaining circuit simplicity through integrated design that eliminates the need for external current boosting components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If the MOSFET in the driver stage is turned on at the same time, then the switching speed is fast, but additional power is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoidstatic power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic or staged switching action where MOSFETs are not turned on simultaneously but in a controlled sequence. The drive circuit uses staged activation where power MOSFETs are turned on progressively rather than all at once, reducing the instantaneous power consumption during switching while maintaining adequate switching speed for the application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Power

If the supply voltage is higher, then the drive capability is stronger, but the working reliability cannot be guaranteed due to lack of protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive capabilityVSAvoidworking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by incorporating protection circuits that are activated in advance to prevent damage from high voltage operation. The over-current protection, over-temperature protection, and other safety circuits are designed to engage before harmful conditions can develop, cushioning the system against the inherent risks of high-voltage operation while maintaining strong drive capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 configuration improves the reliability and security of the drive circuit, reduces static power consumption, and minimizes harmonic distortion and electromagnetic interference, ensuring reliable operation under high-voltage conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The isolation of the high-voltage LDMOS transistor and the breakdown voltage characteristics of the zener diode are utilized in the present invention, the higher input supply voltage is converted to the fixed level desired for the output driver switch signal.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBreakdown voltage characteristics: Avalanche Breakdown

Data Source

PatentEP2782233B1High-voltage heavy-current drive circuit applied in power factor corrector
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 CSMC TECH FAB2 CO LTD
  • EP2782233B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2782233B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2782233B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A high-voltage heavy-current drive circuit applied in a power factor corrector, comprising a current mirroring circuit (1), a level shift circuit (3), a high-voltage pre-modulation circuit (2), a dead time control circuit (4) and a heavy-current output stage (5); the heavy-current output stage adopts a Darlington output stage structure to increase the maximum operating frequency of the drive circuit. The stabilized breakdown voltage characteristic of a voltage stabilizing diode is utilized to ensure the drive circuit operating within a safe voltage range. Adding dead time control into the level shift circuit not only prevents the momentary heavy-current from a power supply to the ground during the level conversion process, but also reduces the static power consumption of the drive circuit.