Power Switch Circuit Dual Bootstrap Capacitor Voltage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power switch circuits are complex and costly due to the use of multiple charge pumps, leading to unstable control voltages and output voltages, especially when handling multiple input voltages.

Innovation Solution

The power switch circuit employs two bootstrap capacitors to alternately supply driving voltages to a switch element, reducing circuit complexity and production costs while stabilizing the control voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple charge pumps are used to handle multiple input voltages, then the power switch circuit can support multiple input voltages, but the circuit complexity and production costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple input voltagesVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple charge pump functions into a single charge pump by adding a switching network. The switching network selectively connects different input voltages to the same charge pump, allowing one charge pump to serve multiple input voltage levels. This reduces the number of charge pumps from multiple to one, thereby simplifying the circuit while maintaining support for multiple input voltages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The charge pump is designed to perform multiple functions by processing different input voltages through the switching network. Instead of having dedicated charge pumps for each input voltage, a single charge pump handles all input voltages by being universally connected to various inputs via the switching mechanism, reducing overall circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If charge pumps are used to generate driving voltages, then the switch elements can be controlled, but the control voltage becomes unstable when input voltage changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of switch elementsVSAvoidstability of control voltage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a voltage regulation circuit as an intermediary between the charge pump and the switch element control. This voltage regulation circuit stabilizes the control voltage by regulating the output of the charge pump, ensuring that variations in input voltage do not directly affect the control voltage stability. The intermediary circuit decouples the instability from the control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If multiple groups of capacitors and diodes are used to form charge pumps, then the driving voltages can be generated, but the production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeneration of driving voltagesVSAvoidproduction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple capacitor and diode groups into a single charge pump structure. Instead of having separate capacitor-diode assemblies for each input voltage, the design uses one set of energy storage and rectification components shared across all inputs through the switching network. This reduces component count and simplifies manufacturing processes, thereby lowering production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies the circuit, lowers production costs, and enhances the stability of the output voltage by eliminating the need for charge pumps and ensuring consistent driving voltages.

Implementation Method 1

The first bootstrap capacitor is coupled to the switcher and provides a first driving voltage. The second bootstrap capacitor is coupled to the switcher and provides a second driving voltage. The first bootstrap capacitor and the second bootstrap capacitor alternately supply the first driving voltage or the second driving voltage to the first control end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10103727B1Power switch circuit and integrated circuit of power switch controller

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 UPI SEMICON CORP

AI summary

A power switch circuit includes a first input voltage, a first switch element, a switcher, a first bootstrap capacitor, and a second bootstrap capacitor. The first switch element includes a first control end, a first input end, and a first output end. The first input end is coupled to the first input voltage. The first output end provides an output voltage. The switcher is coupled to the first switch element. The first bootstrap capacitor is coupled to the switcher and provides a first driving voltage. The second bootstrap capacitor is coupled to the switcher and provides a second driving voltage. The first bootstrap capacitor and the second bootstrap capacitor alternately supply the first driving voltage or the second driving voltage to the first control end through an operation of the switcher.