Single-Pin Blocking Switch Control With Output Voltage Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power converters face challenges in reducing the number of pins and size of controllers while effectively controlling blocking switches, particularly in detecting voltage values at the output terminal and performing switching operations.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a single control pin and a sensing circuit is used to detect voltage values and control switching operations of blocking switches, utilizing a control switch and judgment circuit to determine switching based on sensing current values, thereby reducing the number of pins and controller size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate control pin and detection pin are used for blocking switch control and voltage detection, then control reliability is improved, but device complexity and pin count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control pin and detection pin into a single shared pin that performs both control and voltage detection functions. The controller uses this single pin to both control the blocking switch and detect the output terminal voltage, thereby reducing the total pin count while maintaining the necessary control and detection capabilities through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control pin is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a control signal output pin for driving the blocking switch and a voltage detection pin for monitoring the output terminal voltage. This multi-functional design allows the same pin to perform different roles at different times or under different conditions, reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If traditional control circuit with separate pins is used, then detection accuracy is improved, but controller size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing circuit components (control switch, judgment circuit, and reference voltage source) are integrated within the controller chip, merging what would traditionally be separate discrete components into a single compact unit. This integration maintains the voltage detection accuracy through proper circuit design while significantly reducing the overall controller size and footprint.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for controlling a blocking switch of a power converter is provided. The controller includes a control pin and a sensing circuit. The control pin is coupled to a control terminal of the blocking switch and an output terminal of the blocking switch. The sensing circuit includes a control switch and a judgment circuit. A first terminal of the control switch is coupled to the control pin. A second terminal of the control switch is coupled to a reference low voltage. The judgment circuit turns on the control switch during a period when the blocking switch is turned off to obtain a sensing current value of a current flowing through the control switch. When the sensing current value is lower than a reference current value, the judgment circuit provides a notification signal for allowing the blocking switch to be turned on.