Adjustable Shunt Regulator for DC Voltage Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
DC voltage regulators face challenges in maintaining precise output voltage due to component tolerances and line/load regulation variances, resulting in feedback voltage tolerances of ±2.5% or greater, which affects the regulated output voltage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an adjustable shunt regulator between the output terminal and a node coupled to the DC voltage regulator, which reduces the feedback voltage tolerance by sinking current to maintain a reference voltage, thereby tightening the output voltage regulation to ±1.0% or less.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a voltage divider is used to provide feedback voltage to the DC voltage regulator, then the output voltage can be regulated, but the feedback voltage tolerance becomes ±2.5% or greater due to component tolerances and line/load regulation variances
Solution Approach 1:
A shunt regulator is introduced as an intermediary component between the output terminal and the feedback node. This shunt regulator actively compensates for voltage variations by sinking or sourcing current to maintain a stable feedback voltage, thereby reducing the impact of component tolerances and line/load regulation variances on the overall feedback voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dual feedback mechanism where the shunt regulator monitors the feedback voltage and adjusts its current consumption accordingly. This nested feedback loop within the feedback path allows for real-time correction of voltage deviations, significantly tightening the feedback voltage tolerance from ±2.5% to ±1.0% or less.
2Device complexity
If component tolerances and line/load regulation variances are present in the voltage divider, then the circuit remains simple, but the output voltage tolerance increases to ±2.5% or greater
Solution Approach 1:
The shunt regulator serves as an active intermediary that compensates for the inherent tolerances of passive components without requiring replacement of the entire voltage divider network. This approach maintains circuit simplicity while achieving ±1.0% or better output voltage tolerance.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional DC voltage regulator design is used without additional regulation stages, then the circuit design is straightforward, but potentiometer trimming or calibration routines are required to achieve tight voltage regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The shunt regulator automatically adjusts its operation to maintain the desired feedback voltage without external intervention. The device self-regulates by comparing the actual feedback voltage against its reference and dynamically adjusting current consumption, eliminating the need for manual potentiometer trimming or complex calibration routines during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic feedback mechanism within the shunt regulator enables real-time self-correction of voltage deviations, allowing the system to achieve tight voltage regulation (±1.0% or less) without requiring manual calibration procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a DC voltage regulator coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal to provide a substantially constant DC output voltage at the output terminal, a voltage divider coupled between the output terminal and ground (e.g., earth ground or another suitable reference potential), the voltage divider including at least a first resistance, a second resistance and a first node between the first resistance and the second resistance, the first node coupled to the DC voltage regulator to provide a feedback voltage to the DC voltage regulator for regulating the DC output voltage, and an adjustable shunt regulator coupled between the output terminal and the first node.