Shunt Regulator Gate Switching for Fast Overvoltage Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shunt regulators face damage due to delayed voltage regulation when current increases abruptly, leading to high voltage application on transistors and differential amplifiers, and attempts to enhance differential amplifier speed through power supply stabilization or increased bias current result in increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A shunt regulator design that includes a differential amplifier, a transistor, a voltage detection unit, and a selection unit, where the detection voltage is initially supplied to the transistor's gate to suppress voltage rises and then switches to difference voltage operation, preventing circuit damage without power supply stabilization or increased bias current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the differential amplifier speed is increased by connecting a power supply stabilizing capacity, then the response speed is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a selection unit as an intermediary component that switches between two voltage sources (detection voltage and difference voltage) based on the operating condition. This mediator enables fast response during transient states without requiring complex power supply stabilization circuits, resolving the contradiction between speed improvement and device complexity
2Speed
If the bias current flowing in the differential amplifier is increased, then the response speed is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically switches between two operating modes: during transient states (when current is abruptly supplied), the selection unit connects the detection voltage for fast response; during steady states, it switches to difference voltage operation for low power consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between response speed and power consumption
3Device complexity
If the voltage regulation is delayed, then the circuit simplicity is maintained, but the reliability deteriorates due to high voltage damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary protection action by detecting the inter-terminal voltage and, when it exceeds a predetermined threshold, proactively supplying the detection voltage to the transistor gate before the differential amplifier can respond. This preemptive measure prevents high voltage damage without complicating the overall circuit structure, resolving the contradiction between circuit simplicity and reliability
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes a differential amplifier generating a difference voltage representing a difference between a reference voltage and a divided voltage obtained by dividing an inter-terminal voltage between a first and second terminals, a first transistor having a drain and a source connected to the first terminal and the second terminal, a voltage detection unit generating a detection voltage having a voltage value corresponding to the inter-terminal voltage, and a selection unit supplying one of the difference voltage and the detection voltage to a gate of the first transistor based on the inter-terminal voltage.