Multi-Value Current Regulator Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current current regulation systems in electronic devices and circuits lack the ability to selectively regulate current at multiple defined values, limiting their flexibility in applications such as illumination devices, motors, and wireless devices that require varying intensity or speed settings.

Innovation Solution

A circuit and method employing a sense selector to choose a current sense signal and a current path selector to define the resistance value of the current pathway, allowing for the regulation of output current at one value from multiple defined values, utilizing a sense selector, error determination circuit, and current path selector to control the current pathway and resistance, enabling selective current regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a current regulator is designed to provide a constant current value, then current stability is improved, but the ability to selectively regulate current at multiple values is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent stabilityVSAvoidmulti-value current regulation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The current regulator employs dynamic switching between multiple current pathways, each with different resistance values. The circuit transitions from a static constant current design to a dynamic system that can selectively activate different current paths based on control signals, enabling multiple regulated current values while maintaining stability within each selected mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The current regulation system is segmented into multiple independent current pathways, each associated with a specific resistance value. By dividing the current regulation function into separate pathways rather than using a single fixed pathway, the system can selectively activate different segments to achieve multiple current values while maintaining constant current characteristics within each segment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple current pathways with different resistance values are provided, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-value current regulation capabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple current pathways are merged into a single integrated circuit structure rather than being implemented as separate discrete circuits. The pathways share common components such as the operational amplifier, reference voltage source, and control logic, which reduces overall circuit complexity while still providing multiple selectable current values through the selective activation of different resistance elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7863869B1Multiple level current regulator

Publication Date: 2011.01.04 NAT SEMICON CORP

AI summary

A circuit for selectively regulating a current at one value from multiple defined values. The circuit includes a sense selector to select a current sense signal from multiple current sense signals and a current path selector to select a current pathway from multiple current pathways. Each current pathway is associated with a resistance value. The resistance value of the selected current pathway, in part, defines the value at which the output current is regulated to.