Switching Regulator Charge Recycling During Output Voltage Ramp-Down
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switching regulators waste energy by allowing stored charges to dissipate through leakage when the output voltage is ramped down, leading to inefficiency and reduced battery life in portable electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A switching regulator with a controller that operates in both buck and boost modes, where the buck mode generates the regulated output voltage and the boost mode actively recycles stored charges back to the input node, preventing energy loss during voltage decay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the switching regulator allows the output voltage to self discharge when ramping down, then the device complexity is reduced, but energy is wasted through leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of stored charge dissipation during output voltage ramp-down into a beneficial resource by capturing the leakage current through a current mirror circuit and redirecting it to recharge the output capacitor. The previously wasted leakage current becomes a useful charging current that extends battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers energy that would otherwise be discarded during the output voltage ramp-down phase. By using a current mirror to capture and redirect the leakage current back to the output capacitor, the system recovers approximately half of the energy that would normally be lost, transforming a waste stream into a useful resource.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the switching regulator stops switching power switches during voltage ramp down, then power consumption is reduced, but the output voltage decays slowly due to leakage current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a current mirror circuit as an intermediary mechanism that captures the leakage current and redirects it to accelerate the output voltage decay. This intermediary structure enables the system to achieve faster voltage ramp-down without increasing power consumption, as the leakage current is simply redirected rather than generated anew.
3Loss of energy
If the switching regulator recycles stored charges during output voltage decay, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a current mirror circuit that serves multiple functions: it captures the leakage current during output voltage ramp-down, redirects it to recharge the output capacitor, and simultaneously provides a controlled current path for accelerated voltage decay. This multi-functional approach achieves energy recycling without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The leakage current that naturally flows during output voltage decay is harnessed and redirected to serve the dual purpose of recharging the output capacitor and accelerating the voltage ramp-down. The system uses its own internal leakage current resource to achieve energy recovery, eliminating the need for external energy sources or complex active management circuits.
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 approach enhances energy efficiency by recycling otherwise lost energy, prolonging battery life and improving overall power management in electronic systems.
Implementation Method 1
A switching regulator provides power supply function through low loss components such as capacitors, inductors, and transformers, and power switches that are turned on and off to transfer energy from the input to the output in discrete packets
Implementation Method 2
The controller activates the boost control circuit to return charges stored on the output capacitor at the output node to the input node
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for a switching regulator receiving an input voltage and generating a regulated output voltage includes a buck control circuit and a boost control circuit. The controller activates the buck control circuit to generate the regulated output voltage having a first voltage value less than the input voltage. The controller activates the boost control circuit to return charges stored on the output capacitor at the output node to the input node, thereby driving the regulated output voltage to a second voltage value lower than the first voltage value. In some embodiments, in response to a command instructing the controller to allow the output voltage to decay, the controller operates in the boost mode using the boost control circuit to recycle the stored charge at the output node while ramping down the output voltage.