Standby Supply Regulator for Battery Transient Suppression

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power regulation systems for battery-powered devices face challenges in managing non-compliant voltage inputs from external batteries, such as automotive batteries with 12-volt outputs, which can damage sensitive integrated circuits due to high amplitude transients, leading to increased costs and size requirements for filtering and voltage regulation components.

Innovation Solution

A standby supply regulator system is introduced, comprising an external resistor and an internal shunt voltage regulator, which adjusts current flow to reduce input voltage to a stable level suitable for integrated circuits, utilizing a bandgap voltage reference circuit and differential amplifier to maintain a constant output voltage, while minimizing component size and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large on-board regulators are used to reduce input voltage and filter transients, then voltage regulation and transient suppression are improved, but device size and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage regulation and transient suppressionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the voltage regulation function and transient suppression function into a single integrated regulator device. The regulator includes a control circuit that simultaneously performs voltage reduction and transient filtering, eliminating the need for separate large components. This merging approach achieves both voltage regulation and transient suppression while minimizing device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit dynamically adjusts its operation based on detected transient conditions and voltage levels. By changing operational parameters in response to input conditions, the regulator maintains effective transient suppression and voltage regulation while using minimal circuitry, thereby reducing overall device size compared to fixed-parameter designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If large on-board regulators are used to reduce input voltage and filter transients, then voltage regulation and transient suppression are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage regulation and transient suppressionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the voltage regulation function and transient suppression function into a single integrated regulator device. The regulator includes a control circuit that simultaneously performs voltage reduction and transient filtering, eliminating the need for separate large components. This merging approach achieves both voltage regulation and transient suppression while minimizing device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit uses inexpensive, simple components such as resistors, capacitors, and basic semiconductor devices rather than expensive specialized regulators. The design prioritizes cost-effective implementation while achieving the required performance through clever circuit architecture rather than expensive off-the-shelf components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional filtering and voltage regulation components are used, then transient suppression is improved, but power dissipation and heat generation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransient suppressionVSAvoidpower dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit dynamically adjusts its operation based on detected transient conditions and voltage levels. By changing operational parameters in response to input conditions, the regulator maintains effective transient suppression and voltage regulation while using minimal circuitry, thereby reducing overall device size compared to fixed-parameter designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit monitors the input voltage and output conditions, then adjusts its operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the regulator to optimize its power consumption while maintaining effective transient suppression and voltage regulation, reducing unnecessary power dissipation compared to always-on traditional regulators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution enables efficient, low-cost, and compact power regulation, reducing power consumption and heat dissipation, allowing for smaller and more cost-effective integrated circuits by using smaller, low-cost components that can be integrated with the IC, effectively managing high amplitude transients and voltage differences.

Implementation Method 1

A standby supply regulator system is introduced, comprising an external resistor and an internal shunt voltage regulator, which adjusts current flow to reduce input voltage to a stable level suitable for integrated circuits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a bandgap voltage reference circuit and differential amplifier to maintain a constant output voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBandgap voltage reference:

Implementation Method 3

utilizing a bandgap voltage reference circuit and differential amplifier to maintain a constant output voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential amplification:

Implementation Method 4

The external resistor dissipates power proportional to the current flow multiplied by a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11507119B2Method and apparatus for integrated battery supply regulation and transient suppression

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for providing voltage regulation and transient suppression from a battery to an integrated circuit. A resistor between a source power supply and the integrated circuit may dissipate power and reduce the voltage at the integrated circuit's input, with current through the resistor under control of an internal regulator of the integrated circuit.