Transformer-Isolated Gate Drive for Cost-Efficient Signal Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signal transmission devices require high-withstand-voltage processes, which are costly and inefficient, especially in applications like vehicle-mounted power supply and motor driving devices.
Innovation Solution
A signal transmission device using a transformer chip that isolates a primary circuit system from a secondary circuit system using transformers, allowing the use of common low-to-middle-withstand-voltage processes, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-withstand-voltage processes are used to ensure reliable signal transmission, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an isolation circuit as an intermediary component between the primary circuit system and secondary circuit system. This isolation circuit includes transformers that electrically isolate the two systems while enabling signal transmission, thereby achieving reliable signal transmission without requiring expensive high-withstand-voltage processes in the semiconductor manufacturing.
2Reliability
If high-withstand-voltage processes are used to ensure reliable signal transmission, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation circuit with transformers serves as a mediator that enables standard low-to-middle-withstand-voltage manufacturing processes to achieve the same reliability outcome as expensive high-withstand-voltage processes, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency without sacrificing signal transmission reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If transformers are used to isolate primary and secondary circuit systems, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the circuit system into separate primary and secondary circuit systems that are electrically isolated by the transformation circuit. This segmentation allows each system to be manufactured using standard processes while maintaining functional isolation, balancing the trade-off between manufacturing cost and device complexity.
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 and improves efficiency by eliminating the need for high-withstand-voltage processes, making it suitable for vehicle-mounted applications such as power supply and motor driving devices.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer chip 230 having a primary coil 22p and a secondary coil 23s, the primary coil 22p and the secondary coil 23s being wound around a magnetic core 201
Data Source
AI summary
A signal transmission device includes a primary side circuit that receives a primary side control signal from the external device, a secondary side circuit that drives a gate of the target transistor, and an insulation circuit that transmits a primary side control signal as a secondary side control signal to the secondary side circuit in an insulation form. The secondary side circuit is configured to control a gate voltage of the target transistor in accordance with the secondary side control signal so as to switch the target transistor between ON and OFF, and to be capable of adjusting a slew rate of change of the gate voltage of the target transistor in multiple steps. The secondary side circuit generates temperature information according to temperature of the target transistor, and compares the temperature information with reference information, so as to adjust the slew rate.