Voltage Regulator Feedback Switching for Stable Output Convergence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage regulators experience instability in output voltage due to fluctuations in input voltage and reference voltage, leading to non-convergent voltage states where both input and output voltages fluctuate at different phases, resulting in unstable output.
Innovation Solution
A regulator design incorporating a voltage divider circuit, operational amplifier, drive transistor, logic circuit, and output voltage adjustment circuit, where the output voltage is used as a power supply voltage for the adjustment circuit, preventing feedback voltage fluctuations from affecting the input voltage and ensuring stable output voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the output voltage adjustment circuit uses input voltage as power supply, then the circuit can operate with available power, but the input voltage fluctuations are transmitted to the adjustment circuit causing output voltage instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an output voltage buffer circuit as an intermediary between the output voltage adjustment circuit and the input voltage source. This buffer circuit isolates the adjustment circuit from input voltage fluctuations, allowing the adjustment circuit to operate stably while still being powered from the input voltage line. The buffer acts as a mediator that decouples the power supply relationship from the signal adjustment relationship.
2Adaptability or versatility
If switches are disposed in parallel with resistors in the voltage divider circuit, then output voltage adjustment is enabled, but feedback voltage fluctuations affect the stability of the voltage regulator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage divider circuit into multiple independent resistor-switch pairs, where each switch can independently adjust the feedback voltage by bypassing its corresponding resistor. This segmentation allows for discrete, controlled adjustments of the output voltage while maintaining overall circuit stability through the operational amplifier's feedback control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic voltage adjustment by connecting switches in parallel with resistors in the voltage divider circuit. The switches can be dynamically controlled to bypass specific resistors, enabling real-time adjustment of the feedback voltage ratio and consequently the output voltage. This dynamic configuration provides versatility in voltage setting while the feedback loop maintains stability.
3Reliability
If the operational amplifier compares feedback voltage with reference voltage, then voltage regulation is achieved, but the output voltage remains unstable at initial setting and start of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the feedback capacitor through a dedicated charging circuit before the regulator begins normal operation. This preliminary charging ensures that the feedback network is properly initialized, preventing instability and oscillations during the start-up phase and initial setting period. The charging circuit activates first to prepare the feedback path, ensuring stable operation from the beginning.
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
The solution achieves high voltage accuracy and stability by isolating input and output voltage fluctuations, ensuring the output voltage converges and remains stable, even under dynamic changes.
Implementation Method 1
an operational amplifier configured to compare the feedback voltage with a reference voltage
Implementation Method 2
a voltage divider circuit configured to output, as a feedback voltage, a voltage generated by dividing the output voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A regulator includes a voltage divider circuit that output, as a feedback voltage, a voltage generated by dividing an output voltage; an operational amplifier that compares the feedback voltage with a reference voltage; a drive transistor being disposed between a node at an input voltage and a node at the output voltage and that is controlled based on an output of the operational amplifier; a logic circuit that output an adjustment signal for the output voltage; and an output voltage adjustment circuit configured to adjust the output voltage based on the adjustment signal. The voltage divider circuit includes a plurality of resistors and a plurality of switches each of which is disposed in parallel with a corresponding one of the plurality of resistors. The output voltage adjustment circuit output, to the plurality of switches, a control signal in accordance with the adjustment signal, and the output voltage is supplied as a power supply voltage to the output voltage adjustment circuit.