Transformer-Isolated Driving Circuit for Low-Cost Signal Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing signal transmission devices require high-withstand-voltage processes, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity in applications requiring electrical isolation between primary and secondary circuit systems.

Innovation Solution

A signal transmission device using a transformer chip that isolates the primary and secondary circuit systems using spiral coils, allowing for common low-to-middle-withstand-voltage processes, reducing the need for dedicated high-withstand-voltage processes and lowering manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-withstand-voltage processes are used to ensure electrical isolation between primary and secondary circuit systems, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical isolationVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transformer chip with primary and secondary coils as an intermediary device to achieve electrical isolation. Instead of using complex high-withstand-voltage processes directly between circuit systems, the transformer chip mediates the signal transmission while providing galvanic isolation through magnetic coupling, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical direct connection system with complex high-withstand-voltage processes with a magnetic field-based isolation system. By using electromagnetic induction through transformer coils, the system achieves electrical isolation without requiring complex high-voltage process technologies, substituting magnetic field interaction for direct electrical isolation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If high-withstand-voltage processes are used to ensure electrical isolation, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical isolationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transformer chip serves as an intermediary that enables electrical isolation using standard low-to-middle withstand-voltage processes. By introducing this intermediate magnetic coupling device, the system avoids the need for expensive high-withstand-voltage manufacturing processes while still achieving the required isolation reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the voltage withstanding parameter requirement by introducing magnetic isolation. Instead of requiring high voltage withstanding capability in the manufacturing process, the system uses magnetic coupling parameters (inductance, coupling coefficient) to achieve isolation, allowing the use of lower-cost standard manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution reduces manufacturing costs by utilizing common low-to-middle-withstand-voltage processes while maintaining effective electrical isolation, suitable for applications in power supply and motor driving devices in vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

a transformer chip that isolates the primary and secondary circuit systems using spiral coils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250392306A1Driving circuit, signal transmission device, electronic device, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.12.25 ROHM CO LTD
  • US20250392306A1 patent drawing
  • US20250392306A1 patent drawing
  • US20250392306A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A driving circuit includes a voltage sense circuit that senses, in the on-period of a switching device as a driving target, a node voltage corresponding to the on-resistance of the switching device and a logic circuit that externally transmits a voltage sense signal (e.g., duty signal) corresponding to the sense value of the node voltage.