Voltage Regulation System With Delayed Turn-Off Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage regulators are large due to the need for significant filter circuitry to provide low-ripple regulated voltage, and they have slow transient response times, making them inefficient and bulky, especially in small form factor applications.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulation system that uses a gated current source activated by a feedback voltage below a reference voltage, with a delayed turn-off circuit to stabilize the output, eliminating the need for additional compensation capacitors and allowing for faster transient response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If switching regulator with large inductor and capacitor is used, then low-ripple regulated voltage is achieved, but device size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching to regulate the voltage. The switching transistor operates in periodic on-off cycles, controlling the duty cycle to maintain stable output voltage. This periodic switching action eliminates the need for large filter components while achieving low ripple output through controlled rectification and capacitor charging/discharging cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using a switching transistor that operates in saturation and cutoff regions rather than linear region. The duty cycle parameter is dynamically adjusted based on feedback voltage to maintain regulated output. This parameter change allows efficient voltage regulation with minimal filter components, resolving the contradiction between ripple reduction and size reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If linear regulator is used, then smooth output voltage is achieved, but power loss and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic switching action where the transistor operates in saturation (fully on) and cutoff (fully off) states, minimizing the time spent in the linear region where power dissipation occurs. This periodic on-off operation dramatically reduces power loss compared to linear regulators that continuously operate in the linear region, while still achieving smooth output through the filtering capacitor and controlled duty cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the linear analog control mechanism of traditional regulators with a digital-like switching control system. The switching transistor acts as a digital switch rather than an analog variable resistor, and the duty cycle is controlled through comparison of feedback voltage with reference voltage. This substitution eliminates continuous power dissipation in the control element while maintaining voltage regulation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If compensation capacitors are added to maintain stability, then regulation stability is improved, but transient response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the output voltage is continuously monitored through a feedback resistor network and compared with a reference voltage. The error signal drives the switching control, automatically adjusting the duty cycle to maintain stability. This feedback loop provides stability without requiring large compensation capacitors, as the control is actively adjusted in real-time based on output conditions, enabling fast transient response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic duty cycle adjustment where the switching transistor's on-time is continuously varied based on the feedback error signal. This dynamic control allows the system to rapidly respond to load changes and maintain stability without fixed compensation networks. The adaptive nature of the control enables both stability and fast transient response by adjusting parameters in real-time rather than relying on fixed RC time constants.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulation system is provided including detecting a feedback voltage less than a reference voltage; asserting a current source gate output by the feedback voltage less than the reference voltage; activating a gated current source by the current source gate output; and waiting a delay interval before negating the current source gate output for turning off the gated current source.