Voltage Regulator Protection Circuit Simplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage regulators require complex circuit configurations to convert analog signals into digital signals for protection circuits, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A voltage regulator design that uses current output from a protection circuit as an operational signal, simplifying the circuit configuration by eliminating the need for digital signal conversion, with the protection circuit controlling the output transistor's gate to manage voltage fluctuations and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the protection circuit uses an analog signal for detecting failure, then the protection function can be achieved, but an additional circuit for converting analog signal to digital signal is required, increasing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The protection circuit transistor's own drain current is utilized as the detection signal, eliminating the need for separate analog-to-digital conversion circuits. The transistor serves both its primary switching function and the protection detection function simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The output transistor is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as the main power switching element and simultaneously provides protection circuit functionality through its drain current, which serves as both the load current and the failure detection signal.
2Reliability
If the protection circuit uses an analog signal for detecting failure, then the protection function can be achieved, but additional conversion circuits are required, increasing manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The protection circuit utilizes the existing drain current of the output transistor as the detection signal, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional conversion components that would increase manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and utilizes the drain current signal that already exists in the circuit, removing the need for separate analog-to-digital conversion circuits and thereby reducing component count and manufacturing cost.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the control circuit continues operation after protection circuit activation, then voltage stabilization can be maintained, but safety is compromised due to potential conflicting control actions
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit receives feedback from the protection circuit through the shared drain current signal. When the protection circuit activates by increasing its drain current, this serves as feedback to the control circuit, causing it to stop operation and prevent conflicting control actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit is designed to preemptively stop operation upon detecting protection circuit activation, preventing potential safety issues before they can occur by avoiding conflicting control actions during protection events.
Data Source
AI summary
A safe and low-cost voltage regulator is provided through simplification of a circuit configuration of a protection circuit. The voltage regulator has a configuration in which current output of the protection circuit, which serves as a signal indicating that the protection circuit has started to operate, is input to a control circuit configured to improve responsiveness of the voltage regulator.