Switching Regulator Shutdown Control for Residual Current Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switching regulators face issues with stability during power-off conditions, leading to potential damage due to residual currents and overheating during overcurrent or overvoltage events.

Innovation Solution

A switching regulator with a switching controller that detects the direction of inductor current and initiates a protective operation by stopping the switching circuit, discharging residual current, and fully turning off the regulator in response to overcurrent or overvoltage events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the switching regulator operates during power-off conditions, then power conversion continues, but residual currents cause instability and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation durationVSAvoidstability during power-off

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The body diode is preliminarily positioned in parallel with the switch to provide a predetermined current path before residual current becomes problematic. When the switch turns off during power-off conditions, the body diode automatically conducts, guiding the residual current through a safe path and preventing instability and damage to the regulator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the switching regulator lacks protective operations, then device complexity is reduced, but overcurrent and overvoltage events cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective circuit complexityVSAvoidovercurrent and overvoltage damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The body diode provides self-service protection by automatically conducting during overcurrent and overvoltage events without requiring external control signals or additional active components. The diode's inherent electrical properties enable it to redirect harmful currents and protect the switching regulator purely through passive operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The body diode acts as an intermediary element between the switching circuit and the potential harmful effects of overcurrent and overvoltage. It provides a controlled path for excess current, mediating the interaction between the switching regulator and adverse electrical conditions to prevent damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If residual current is not discharged, then energy loss is reduced, but overheating and damage occur during protective operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidual energy retentionVSAvoidoverheating during protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The body diode converts the potentially harmful residual current into a beneficial protective function. By providing a dedicated current path, the diode transforms what would otherwise be destructive energy into a controlled flow that protects the switching regulator from overheating and damage during protective operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS12445053B2Switching regulator and power management integrated circuit including the same

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A switching regulator is provided. The switching regulator comprises a switching controller configured to activate a switching conversion operation based on an enable signal, a gate driver configured to generate first and second gate signals under control of the switching controller and a switching circuit configured to convert an input voltage applied to an input voltage node to a output voltage. The switching circuit includes a P-type transistor connected between the input voltage node and a switching node and gated based on the first gate signal, an N-type transistor connected between the switching node and a power ground terminal and gated based on the second gate signal and an inductor connected between the switching node and an output node and configured to output the output voltage.