# Patent

## Title
Power supply device

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a power supply device for voltage converter, which includes a master switch, a first controller for generating a first pulse signal to drive the master switch to be turned on and turned off, a second controller for comparing a detection voltage representing an output voltage and/or load current with a first reference voltage to determine the logic state of a control signal generated by the second controller, and a coupling element connected between the first controller and the second controller for transmitting the logic state of the control signal to the first controller and enabling the first controller to determine the logic state of the first pulse signal according to the logic state of the control signal. The second controller includes a driving module for generating a second control signal to drive a synchronous switch to be turned on and turned off.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the priority benefit of Chinese patent application number 201510703725.1 filed Oct. 26, 2015 by a common inventor of this Application. The entire Disclosure made in the Chinese patent application number 201510703725.1 is hereby incorporated by reference.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) application of a pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/562,727 filed on Dec. 7, 2014. The entire disclosure made in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/562,727 is hereby incorporated by reference.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) application of a pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/562,729 filed on Dec. 7, 2014. The entire disclosure made in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/562,729 is hereby incorporated by reference.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) application of a pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/562,731 filed on Dec. 7, 2014. The entire disclosure made in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/562,731 is hereby incorporated by reference.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) application of a pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/562,733 filed on Dec. 7, 2014. The entire disclosure made in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/562,733 is hereby incorporated by reference.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) application of a pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/562,735 filed on Dec. 7, 2014. The entire disclosure made in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/562,735 is hereby incorporated by reference.


FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention mainly relates to an electronic device for voltage conversion, and in particular relates to a power supply device, which is used for sensing an output voltage or output current of secondary windings of a transformer for power conversion in real time so as to generate control signals with transient response and transmitting the control signals to primary windings of the transformer for power conversion by using coupling elements to control the primary windings to be turned off or turned on.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a voltage converter, such as a pulse width modulation mode or pulse frequency modulation mode converter, the voltage or the current of a load is acquired and a feedback signal representing the voltage or the current of the load is fed back to a driving component of the voltage converter via a feedback network. The duty ratio of a master switch, which is turned on and off in the voltage converter, is determined through the driving component according to the feedback signal, so that the output voltage of the voltage converter at the load can be measured. It is known to a person having ordinary skill in the art that the driving component of the voltage converter is used for driving the master switch. However, the load voltage, which varies with time, cannot be directly acquired from the load; the load voltage is instead sensed through the feedback network, which delays the load voltage measurement and thereby preventing synchronization of the driving component and the change state of the load voltage to switch the master switch in real time generating a difference between a present output voltage outputted to the load and a practical voltage requested by the load, and thus causing a potential instability for the output voltage.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be apparent after reading the following detailed descriptions and referring to the following drawings.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a standard voltage converter.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a conventional feedback network for the voltage converter.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are the circuit diagrams of voltage converters with the coupling elements including capacitors or pulse transformers respectively.
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a starting module equipped in a first drive on the primary winding of the voltage converter.
FIG. 6A is a circuit diagram showing the mode that a control signal is transmitted to the first drive from a second controller of the secondary winding by using a capacitance coupling element.
FIG. 6B are waveforms showing a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal generated along with change of the output voltage or current on the basis of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6C is a circuit diagram showing the mode for enabling the turn-on time of the master switch to be adjustable in the second controller on the basis of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6D is waveforms showing the adjusting the turn-on time on the basis of FIG. 6C.
FIG. 7A is a circuit diagram showing the mode that the control signal is transmitted to the first drive from the second controller of the secondary winding by using the pulse transformer.
FIG. 7B are waveforms showing that the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal are generated along with change of the output voltage or current on the basis of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7C is a circuit diagram showing that output results of a filter and an amplifier are overlapped and are further compared with a reference voltage on the basis of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a voltage converter showing that a synchronous switch of the secondary winding is replaced by a rectifier diode of the secondary winding.
FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing the mode for adjusting the turn-on time of the master switch when the load is lightened.
FIG. 10 is waveforms showing that the master switch turn-on time determined by a later control signal is suppressed by a former control signal on the basis of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a driving module in the second controller for driving the synchronous switch.
FIG. 12A is a circuit diagram showing an alternative driving module in the second controller.
FIG. 12B are waveforms showing that signals outputted from different elements in the driving module correspond to pulse waveforms of change of the load voltage/current.
FIG. 12C is a circuit diagram showing another alternative driving module in the second controller.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
With the combination of the embodiments, the technical scheme of the invention is clearly and completely illustrated, the described embodiments are only embodiments for describing the invention but not all embodiments, based on the embodiments, schemes obtained by technicians of the field without creative work all belong to the protection scope of the invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a AC/DC FLYBACK voltage converter includes a power transformer T for voltage conversion mainly including primary windings LP and secondary windings LS, where the first end of the primary winding LP is used for receiving an input voltage VIN at an input node N10, and a master switch Q1 is connected between a second end of the primary winding LP and a ground terminal GND. The basic working mechanism is that the master switch Q1 is driven to be turned on and turned off through a primary winding controller, which is also known as a first controller 104, and when the master switch Q1 is turned on, the current of the primary windings flows through the primary windings LP and the master switch Q1 and to the ground terminal GND, therefore no current flows through the secondary windings LS in this period, and thus the primary windings LP start to store energy. Once the master switch Q1 is turned off, the current of the primary windings LP is stopped, thus the polarities of all windings are reversed, and the transformer T starts to transfer the energy to the secondary windings LS, so that the secondary windings LS are enabled to provide the working voltage and current to the load 18 while the master switch Q1 is turned off. An output capacitor COUT is charged at the output node N20, and the working voltage can be continuously provided to the load 18 through the output capacitor COUT when the working current cannot be directly provided to the load 18 as no current flows through the secondary windings LS. In some embodiments, the transformer T further comprises an auxiliary winding LAUX, where the coils of the auxiliary winding LAUX are wound in a direction same as those of the secondary windings LS, once the master switch Q1 is turned off, the current flowing through the auxiliary winding LAUX can be used for charging a capacitor CAUX and can be taken as a working voltage source of a first controller 104.
As shown in FIG. 1, the alternating current is firstly rectified by using a bridge rectifier 101 comprising four diodes D11 to D14. Generally, a sine alternating current voltage VAC of ordinary mains supply is inputted into a pair of inputted lines, for example buses 12 and 14, and the bridge rectifier 101 makes full use of the positive semi-cycle and the negative semi-cycle of the sinusoidal waveforms of an original alternating current to convert complete sinusoidal waveforms of the alternating current of same polarity to output. After full-wave rectification of the bridge rectifier 101, the sine alternating current voltage VAC is converted into a pulsating voltage with the alternating current. For further reducing the waves of the pulsating voltage, a CLC filter is adapted to filter off the waves of the rectified voltage so as to obtain an input voltage VIN after the alternating current is rectified. As shown in FIG. 1, one end of an inductor L1 of the CLC filter is connected with cathodes of diodes D11 and D13 of the rectifier 101 and the other end of the inductor L1 is coupled with the first end of the primary winding LP at a node N10, while one capacitor C11 of the CLC filter is connected between one end of the inductor L1 and the ground terminal GND and another capacitor C12 of the CLC filter is connected between the other end of the inductor L1 and the ground terminal GND. The anodes of the diodes D12 and diode D14 of the bridge rectifier are respectively connected with the ground terminal GND, while the bus 12 is connected with the anode of the diode D11 and the cathode of the diode D12, and the bus 14 is connected with the anode of the diode D13 and the cathode of the diode D14.
As shown in FIG. 1, the voltage converter further comprises an RCD clamping circuit or a turn-off buffer circuit 103 which is connected in parallel with the primary windings LP. The turn-off buffer circuit 103 comprises a capacitor and a resistor which are mutually connected in parallel, where one end of each of the capacitor and the resistor is connected with the node N10 and the other ends of the capacitor and the resistor are connected with the cathode of one diode in the turn-off buffer circuit 103, while the anode of the diode is connected with the second ends of the primary windings LP. The turn-off buffer circuit 103 limits the overlap of a peak voltage and a primary coil reflection voltage caused by energy of leakage inductance of a high-frequency converter when the master switch Q1 is turned off. Typically, an overlap voltage can be generated when the master switch Q1 is turned off from a saturated state, thus the energy of leakage inductance can be adapted to charge the capacitor through the diode of the turn-off buffer circuit 103, and the voltage of the capacitor can be increased to the overlap value of counter electromotive force and the leakage inductance voltage, and the capacitor has the function of absorbing the energy. When the primary windings LP and the master switch Q1 enter into the turn-on period from the turn-off state, the energy of the capacitor of the turn-off buffer circuit 103 is released through the resistor of the turn-off buffer circuit 103 until the voltage of the capacitor meets the counter electromotive force before the master switch Q1 is turned off at the latter time.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first end of the secondary winding LS is connected with the output node N20, the second end of the secondary winding LS is connected with the first end of the synchronous switch Q2, and the second end of the synchronous switch Q2 is connected with the reference ground potential VSS. An output capacitor COUT is connected between the output node N20 and a reference ground potential VSS, and an output voltage VO, or the working voltage of load 18, can be provided to the load 18 at the output node N20. It is required that if one of the two switches Q1 and Q2 is turned on, the other one needs to be turned off, for example, the synchronous switch Q2 of the secondary winding needs to be turned off if the master switch Q1 of the primary winding is turned on, and vice versa, the synchronous switch Q2 of the secondary winding is turned on if the master switch Q1 of the primary winding is turned off. The master switch Q1 and the synchronous switch Q2 are respectively provided with a first end, a second end and a control end, and whether the first ends and the second ends of the switches are communicated or cut off is determined according to logic high/low levels of the signals applied to the control ends. In the normal working period of the voltage converter, a first pulse signal S1 generated by the first controller 104 of the primary winding is adapted to drive the master switch Q1 to be turned off and turned on, and a second pulse signal S2 generated by a second controller 105 of the secondary winding is adapted to drive the synchronous switch Q2 to be turned off and turned on. In addition, when the synchronous switch Q2 is driven by the second pulse signal S2 generated by the second controller 105, a dead time between the master switch Q1 and the synchronous switch Q2 can be generated causing that the synchronous switch Q2 is turned off under the control of the second pulse signal S2 while the master switch Q1 is also turned off under the control of the first pulse signal S1.
As shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the secondary windings LS, the first end of the auxiliary winding LAUX is connected with the anode of a diode DAUX, while the cathode of the diode DAUX is correspondingly connected with one end of the capacitor CAUX, and the other end of the capacitor CAUX is connected with the ground terminal GND, and the second end of the auxiliary winding LAUX is connected with the ground terminal GND. When the master switch Q1 is turned on, the first ends of the secondary windings LS and the auxiliary winding LAUX are negative relative to the their second ends respectively and have no current flowing through, and the loads 18 are supplied with power of the output capacitor Cour. Conversely, when the master switch Q1 is turned off, the secondary windings LS and the auxiliary winding LAUX are of opposite polarities, the respective first ends are positive relative to the second ends and both have current flowing through, thus the energy of the primary windings LP is transferred to the secondary windings LS and the auxiliary winding LAUX, in other words, when the master switch Q1 is turned off, the secondary windings LS not only provide currents to the loads 18, but also charge the output capacitor Cour, and the auxiliary winding LAUX also charges the auxiliary capacitor CAUX as a power supply. As shown in FIG. 1, the voltage Vcc held at one end of the auxiliary capacitor CAUX is the power supply voltage of the first controller 104. A capacitor CY, which is a safety capacitor, is connected between the ground terminals GND of the primary windings and the reference ground potentials VSS of the secondary windings, where the noise voltage generated by the capacitor between the primary windings and the secondary windings can be filtered off, or common mode interference caused by a coupling capacitor between the primary windings and the secondary windings can be filtered off.
As shown in FIG. 1, the second controller 105 of the secondary winding is adapted to capture the change of the output voltage VO at the node N20 in real time, or sense the change of the load current IO (i.e. output current) flowing through the loads 18 in real time, and thus a control signal SQ is generated. A first pulse signal S1 can be further generated by the first controller 104 of the primary winding according to the high/low logic level states of the control signal SQ, and thus whether the master switch Q1 needs to be turned on or turned off can be determined according to the first pulse signal S1. As the control signal SQ generated by the second controller 105 changes nearly in a temporary state response manner relative to the voltage VO or current IO, the first pulse signal S1 generated by the first controller 104 can respond to the change of the control signal SQ in real time, equivalently, the first pulse signal S1 tracks the change of the voltage VO or current IO in real time. The detail of how control signal SQ is generated by the second controller 105 and how the information is transmitted between the second controller 105 and the first controller 104 through the coupling element is specifically introduced in the following.
As shown in FIG. 2, a conventional feedback network includes a resistor R1 and a resistor R2 adapted for partial voltage sampling on the output voltage VO, a resistor R3 adapted for loop gain adjustment, compensation capacitors C1 and C2, and a compensation resistor R5. The general working principle of the feedback network is that when the output voltage VO is increased, the partial voltages of the resistors R1 and R2 are inputted into a control end (i.e., an input end of a voltage error amplifier) of a three-end programmable in-parallel voltage stabilizing diode in the feedback network, so that the voltage of the control end is increased along with increase of the output voltage VO, and as the voltage of the cathode (i.e. an output end of the voltage error amplifier) of the three-end programmable in-parallel voltage stabilizing diode can be dropped, a primary side current IP, which flows through a light emitting element connected between the cathode of the three-end programmable in-parallel voltage stabilizing diode and the resistor R3 in an optical coupler 17, is increased, and an output current flowing through a transistor for receiving light intensity on another side of the optical coupler 17 is also increased. The voltage of a feedback port COMP of a primary winding controller 16 is reduced, thus the duty ratio of the pulse signal for controlling the master switch Q1 is also reduced, and the output voltage VO is also reduced. Vice versa, when the output voltage VO is reduced, the adjustment process is similar but in opposite tendency, and the duty ratio of the pulse signal for controlling the master switch Q1 is increased, so that the voltage VO is increased. The resistor R4 provides additional currents into the feedback network to prevent it from operate abnormally when the current is too small, and the resistor R4 can be omitted if the resistor R3 has an appropriate resistance. The feedback network of the FIG. 2 needs sufficient gain and phase margin to ensure the stability of the whole system, for example, the open loop gain at least needs a phase margin of 45 degrees, and generally, the phase margins ranges from 45 degrees to 75 degrees. However, in the conventional feedback network of FIG. 2, the control mode is complex and the delay effect is conspicuous, as such the situation of the secondary winding cannot be detected by the primary winding controller 16 in real time.
As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling element 106 of the voltage converter shown in FIG. 1 includes a coupling capacitor. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the coupling element 106 of the voltage converter shown in FIG. 1 includes a pulse transformer. In addition, the coupling element 106 can include other dielectric elements or optical coupling elements as long as data information can be interacted between the primary winding controller also called as the first controller 104, and the secondary winding controller also called as the second controller 105.
As shown in FIG. 5, a safety capacitor CX, which is used for suppressing different model interference and filtering off high-frequency clutter signals, is connected between the input lines 12 and 14, and one input capacitor CIN is connected between the input node and the ground terminal GND. The alternating current voltage VAC inputted into the input lines 12 and 14 is rectified by the bridge rectifier 101 and is subsequently filtered by the input capacitor CIN, so as to obtain the input voltage VIN. The voltage converter converts the input voltage VIN to provide the output voltage VO to the loads through output lines 22 and 24. In this embodiment, the device of the invention further comprises a rectifier circuit connected with the input lines 12 and 14 and including a rectifying diode D21 having the anode connected with the input line 12 and another rectifying diode D22 having the anode connected with the input line 14. In addition, the cathodes of the diodes D21 and D22 are mutually connected and are connected with the drain of a high-voltage starting element JFET (junction field effect transistor) of the first controller 104 and the limiting resistor R21 shown in the FIG. 1 also can be connected between the drain of JFET and the cathodes of the diodes D21 and D22. The source of JFET is connected with the anode of a diode D31, and the cathode of the diode D31 is connected with one end of the auxiliary capacitor CAUX, which is connected with the ground and used as the power supply. A limiting resistor R31 is connected between a gate control end and the source of the JFET, and a control switch SW31 is connected between the gate of the JFET and the ground terminal GND, in which the first end of the control switch SW31 is connected with the gate of the JFET, and the second end of the control switch SW31 is connected with the ground terminal GND. When the input lines 12 and 14 are supplied with the alternating currents, an on-off signal CTRL applied to the gate of the control switch SW31 starts to drive the control switch SW31 to enter into a turn-on state, and the gate of the control switch SW31 can be connected with the ground potential GND to communicate with JFET of a negative value of the voltage, so that the generated current flows to the source from the drain to charge the capacitor CAUX through the diode D31 at the end not connected with the ground. Forward voltage drop through the resistor R31 is increased, but the voltage between the gate to the source is decreased, so that the voltage between the source and the gate of the JFET is proximately balanced with a voltage of Pinch off of the JFET, specifically the actual voltage drop from the gate G to the source S of the JFET is equal to a negative value of the Pinch off voltage. When the capacitor CAUX is charged by the JFET until the stored voltage VCC is increased to meet a starting voltage, a driving control module (not shown) can be triggered to enter into a working state, in which the driving control module is adapted to generate an initial pulse signal, thus the master switch Q1 is driven by the initial pulse signal to be turned on and turned off, and then the Start-Up procedure is completed for the voltage converter. After the Start-Up procedure is completed, the capacitor CAUX is charged through the diode DAUX connected with the first end of the capacitor CAUX by using an auxiliary winding LAUX. In addition, a voltage divider can be adapted to connect between the first end of the auxiliary winding LAUX and the ground terminal GND, and the partial voltage sampled by the voltage divider can be inputted into the first controller 104, so that current zero passage (ZCD) detection on the secondary windings or over-voltage detection on the output voltages of the secondary windings can be achieved by using the voltage divider through the first controller 104 (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the first end, which is the drain, of the master switch Q1 is connected with the second end of each primary winding LP, and a sensing resistor RS is further connected between the second end, which is the source of the master switch Q1, and the ground terminal GND, thus the voltage VS of the current flowing through the primary windings can be obtained by multiplying the current flowing through the primary windings LP with the resistance of the sensing resistor RS If the voltage VS is inputted into the first controller 104 and is defined during a preset limiting voltage VLIMIT by the first controller 104, the currents of the primary windings can be monitored, and over-current protection can be achieved.
As shown in FIG. 1, after the starting procedure is completed and the master switch Q1 is switched between turn-on and turn-off for a first time, the voltage captured at the first end of each secondary winding LS is used as the starting voltage ST to start the second controller 105 of the secondary winding. The second controller 105 monitors the output voltage VO of the secondary winding and the current IO flowing through the loads 18 in real time. Specifically, one partial voltage is captured by the voltage divider including a resistor RD1 and a resistor RD2 serially connected between the output node N20 and the reference ground potential VSS of the secondary winding, where the partial voltage is actually generated at a joint node of the resistor RD1 and the resistor RD2 and is used as a feedback voltage VFB to the second controller 105. The loads 18 and a sensing resistor RC are serially connected and arranged between the output node N20 and the reference ground potential VSS of the secondary winding, in which the value of the current IO flowing through the loads 18 obtained by dividing the sensing voltage drop VCS of the sensing resistor RC by the resistance of the sensing resistor RC, in other words, the sensing voltage drop VCS can be used to represent the loading current flowing through the loads 18 and the sensing resistor RC.
FIG. 6A illustrates the components of the first controller 104 and the second controller 105 used for controlling the turn on/turn off of the master switch Q1 in real time according to the change of the sensing voltage drop VCS and the feedback voltage VFB mentioned above. Data interaction of the first controller 104 and the second controller 105 is implemented through the coupling element 106, which comprises two coupling capacitors C21 and C22, and the working mechanisms of the first controller 104 and the second controller 105 are described as follows. The structures of the first controller 104 and the second controller 105 shown in FIG. 6A are only an example according to an embodiment of the present invention, thus other equivalent transformation modes and schemes obtained on the basis of this embodiment are also belong to the protection scope of the invention.
The second controller 105 comprises a first switch SW41 and a second switch SW42, each of which includes a first end, a second end and a control end, and whether the first end and the second end are cut off or communicated is determined according to the high/low logic states of signals applied by the control ends. The first switch SW41 and the second switch SW42 are serially connected between a bias circuit 105d and the reference ground potential VSS, for example, the first end of the first switch SW41 is connected with the bias circuit 105d and the second end of the first switch SW41 is connected with the first end of the second switch SW42, while the second end of the second switch SW42 is connected with the referential ground potential VSS. The first switch SW41 and the second switch SW42 are controlled by a control signal SQ generated by the output end Q of the RS trigger 105a (a port Q of the RS trigger is defined as an output end, and a port QN is defined as a non-end Q or a complementary output end), for example, the control signal SQ is coupled with the control end of the first switch SW41 after passing through a buffer and coupled with the control end of the second switch SW42 through an inverse phase signal generated by a phase inverter 105e. As such when the first switch SW41 is turned on, the second switch SW42 needs to be turned off, or when the first switch SW41 is turned off, the second switch SW41 needs to be turned on.
The resistor RD1 and the resistor RD2 of the voltage divider (FIG. 1) divide and capture a partial voltage of the output voltage VO, which is the feedback voltage VFB. The feedback voltage VFB is inputted into an inverting input terminal of a first comparator A1 in the second controller 105, while a first reference voltage VREF is inputted into a non-inverting input end of a first comparator A1. In another embodiment, the sensing resistor RC serially connected with the loads 18 captures the sensing voltage VCS flowing through the load 18 and the sensing voltage VCS is inputted into the inverting input terminal of the first comparator A1 in the second controller 105. The output end of the first comparator A1 is connected with a setting end S of the RS trigger 105a. A signal SON outputted from an on-time generator 105c in the second controller 105 is inputted into a reset end R of the RS trigger 105a, and a one-shot trigger 105b is connected between the output end Q of the RS trigger 105a and the on-time generator 105c. On the circuit from the first switch SW41 and the second switch SW42 to the reference ground potential VSS in the second controller 105, a node N2 is a common node of the second end of the first switch SW41 and the first end of the second switch SW42, and a node N4 is at the second end of the second switch SW42 and connected with the reference ground potential VSS.
The first controller 104 comprises a second comparator A2, a node N1 connected with the non-inverting input terminal of the second comparator A2, a node N3 connected with the ground terminal GND, and a resistor R41 connected between the node N1 and the node N3. A second reference voltage VTH is inputted into the inverting input terminal of the second comparator A2. A capacitor C21 of the coupling element 106 is connected between the node N1 of the first controller 104 and the node N2 of the second controller 105, and a capacitor C22 of the coupling element 106 is connected between the node N3 of the first controller 104 and the node N4 of the second controller 105. The coupling element 106 has similar data transmission effects as a Ethernet, for example, the node N1 can be taken as a receiving interface RX1+ of the first controller 104, the node N3 can be taken as a receiving interface RX2− of the first controller 104, correspondingly, the node N2 can be taken as a transmitting interface TX1+ of the second controller 105, and the node N4 can be taken as a transmitting interface TX2− of the second controller 105.
A first pulse signal S1 for controlling the master switch Q1 is generated through the cooperation of the first controller 104 and the second controller 105 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. When the feedback voltage VFB or the sensing voltage VCS is inputted into the inverting end of the first comparator A1 in the second controller 105, and when the feedback voltage VFB or the sensing voltage VCS starts to be lower than the first reference voltage VREF inputted at the non-inverting end, which happens at the moment T1 in FIG. 6B, the output result of the first comparator A1 is at a logic high level, so that the RS trigger 105a outputs the control signal SQ from the output end Q at the logic high level, thus the control signal SQ is communicated with the first switch SW41 in FIG. 6A, and the second switch SW42 is turned off as the control signal SQ is at the logic low level after passing the phase inverter 105e. As the second switch SW42 is turned off when the first switch SW41 is turned on, the reference ground potential VSS is lower than the potential of the ground terminal GND, signal is transmitted between the second controller 105 and the first controller 104 forming a current channel on a LOOP1 consisting of the bias circuit 105d, the first switch SW41, the node N2, the capacitor C21, the node N1, the resistor R41, the node N3, the capacitor C22, the node N4 and the reference ground potential VSS, as such a positive power supply source provided by the bias circuit 105d flows through the first switch SW41 and the node N2 and starts to charge the capacitor C21 in the coupling element 106 changing the charge voltage VTX1 at the node N2, or the transmitting interface TX1+, as shown in FIG. 6B with the charge voltage VTX1 increased gradually. The change of the charge voltage VRX1 at the node N1, or the receiving interface RX1+, is also shown in FIG. 6B. As the voltages at two ends of the capacitor C21 cannot be changed abruptly, the maximum value of the voltage VRX1 is achieved at the moment T1, and the voltage VRX1 at the receiving interface RX1+ is gradually reduced while the voltage of a polar plate of the capacitor C21 is gradually increased. In the period from T1 to T2, as the charge voltage VRX1 at the node N1, or the receiving interface RX1+, is greater than the second reference voltage VTH, the first pulse signal S1 outputted from the second comparator A2 is at the logic high level and is coupled with the control end of the master switch Q1. As the first pulse signal S1 already starts to control the master switch Q1, in the Start-Up period of the voltage converter, the initial pulse signal outputted from the driving control circuit and used for controlling the master switch Q1 in the first controller 104 is stopped, so that the master switch Q1 is completely controlled by the first pulse signal S1 unless the master switch Q1 needs to be started by the initial pulse signal to start the voltage converter.
As shown in FIG. 6B, the first pulse signal S1 extends from the moment T1 to a moment T2, then the turn-on time TON set by the on-time generator 105c is ended. A signal SON at the logic high level generated by the on-time generator 105c and used as a reset signal is transmitted to the reset end S of the RS trigger 105a, thus the control signal SQ outputted from the output end Q of the RS trigger 105a is converted to the logic low level, which turns off the first switch SW41 in FIG. 6A. However, the second switch SW42 is turned on when the control signal SQ is inverted to the logic high level after passed through the phase inverter 105e. As the second switch SW42 is turned off when the first switch SW41 is turned on, a part of charges stored in the capacitor C21 and the capacitor C22 is consumed by the resistor R41 from the second controller 105 to the first controller 104 along a closed LOOP2 consisting of the node N2, the second switch SW42, the node N4, the capacitor C22, the node N3, the resistor R41, the node N1, the capacitor C21 and the node N2. Therefore, from the moment T2, charges are released from the capacitor C21, then the charge voltage VTX1 at the node N2, or the transmitting interface TX1+, is gradually reduced. At the moment T2, as the voltage of the capacitor C21 cannot be changed abruptly, the voltage VRX1 at the node N1, or the receiving interface RX1+, can be reduced to be temporarily negative; along with charge release of the capacitor C21 and the capacitor C22, and the voltage VRX1 at the receiving interface RX1+ is approximately equal to zero potential at a moment T3. The voltage VTX1 at the node N2, or the transmitting interface TX1+, is also approximately equal to zero potential at the moment T3. In the period from T2 to T3, as the voltage VRX1 at the node N1, or the receiving interface RX1+, is less than a second reference voltage VTH, for example approximately to the zero potential, the first pulse signal S1 outputted from the second comparator A2 is at the logic low level, thus the master switch Q1 is turned off. As shown in FIG. 6B, the turn-on time TON from the moment T1 to the moment T2 is the period that the master switch Q1 is turned on and the turn-off time TOFF from the moment T2 and the moment T3 is the period that the master switch Q1 is turned off. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the second pulse signal S2 is the inverse phase signal of the first pulse signal S1 or the control signal SQ, so that the logic states of the second pulse signal S2 at the turn-on time TON and the turn-off time TOFF are opposite to those of the first pulse signal S1, and the second controller 105 is adapted to generate the second pulse signal S2 for controlling the synchronous switch Q2 of the secondary winding.
In the period the master switch Q1 is turned on, primary current flows through the primary winding LP to store energy, and at the moment, as the synchronous switch Q2 is turned off, no current flows through the secondary winding LS, and power can be provided to the load 18 through the output capacitor COUT. In the period that the master switch Q1 is turned off, the primary current is reduced to zero, the energy of the primary winding LP is transferred to the secondary winding LS and the auxiliary winding LAUX, which turns on the synchronous switch Q2, thus current flows through the secondary winding LS and the synchronous switch Q2. The load 18 is provided with current from the secondary winding LS and the output capacitor COUT is charged, while the capacitor CAUX is also charged with power from the auxiliary winding LAUX. The time-delay measurement for the turn-on time TON is determined by the on-time generator 105c. As shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the one-shot trigger 105b can be triggered at the rising-edge of the control signal SQ outputted from the RS trigger 105a generating one temporary state pulse signal CLK1 of a nanosecond grade (the pulse signal CLLK outputted from the one-shot trigger or the one-shot circuit is generally in two logic states of temporary state and steady state). A narrow temporary state pulse signal CLK1 is at the high level (in the temporary state period) at the moment of rising-edge of the control signal SQ, and is at the low level at other moments (in the steady state period). The temporary state pulse signal CLK1 at the high level informs the on-time generator 105c to start to time, and a signal SON at the high level is transmitted from the on-time generator 105c to reset the RS trigger 105a at the moment that the preset turn-on time TON is just reached, therefore, the control mode is a constant on time control mode, and in the present invention, in each switch period, the constant on time TON can be also adjusted, for example, a minimum constant on time TON-MIN or maximum constant on time TON-MAX that meets the requirements can be designed.
FIG. 6C is an alternative mode of the one in FIG. 6A. The on-off frequency f of the master switch Q1 is reduced as the input voltage VIN is increased vice versa, and the frequency f is reduced as the turn-on time TON is increased or vice versa. If the on-off frequency f is too small, the magnetic core flux of the transformer T cannot be recovered to the starting point of a hysteresis loop and a magnetic core is over-saturated. The transformer T can be saturated if the on-off frequency f is too small as the input voltage VIN is increased, and at the moment the magnetic core can be easily burn if the voltage is not generated. In this embodiment, the problems can be overcome. When the master switch Q1 is turned on and the synchronous switch Q2 is turned off, no current flows through the secondary winding LS, but the voltage sampling VSAM captured at the second end of the secondary winding LS and the first end of the synchronous switch Q2 at the moment is generally equal to the ratio of the number of turns NS of the secondary winding LS to the number of turns NP of the primary winding LP multiplied with the input voltage VIN, in the other words, the voltage VSAM is associated with the input voltage VIN. The voltage VSAM can be sensed by the on-time generator 105c, and therefore an appropriate turn-on time TON is designed to inhibit magnetic core saturation caused by abnormal state of the on-off frequency value f. As shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, if the sensing voltage drop VCS or the feedback voltage VFB is less than the first reference voltage VREF, the first comparator A1 outputs a high level signal to the setting end S of the RS trigger 105a, and the control signal SQ generated by the output end Q of the RS trigger 105a is turned from the low level to the high level, as such the one-shot trigger 105b generates a high level temporary state pulse signal CLK1 at the rising-edge as the control signal SQ is turned from the low level to the high level when the control signal SQ is sent to the one-shot trigger 105b. The on-time generator 105c comprises a sampling holder (S/H) 105c-1, a voltage-current converter 105c-2, a third switch SW51 and a capacitor CT. The input end of the sampling holder 105c-1 is connected with the second end of the secondary winding LS, while the output end of the sampling holder 105c-1 is connected with the voltage input end of the voltage-current converter 105c-2 provided with a working voltage through the power supply voltage VDD. The current output end of the voltage-current converter 105c-2 and one end of the capacitor CT are connected with a node NT, and another end of the capacitor CT is connected with the ground terminal GND. The first end of the third switch SW51 is connected with the node NT, and the second end is connected with the ground terminal GND, so that the third switch SW51 and the capacitor CT are connected in parallel, and the temporary state pulse signal CLK1 generated by the one-shot trigger 105b is inputted into the control end of the third switch SW51. The on-time generator 105c further comprises a third comparator A3 having the non-inverting input terminal connected with the node NT and the inverting end inputted with a third reference voltage VP.
As shown in FIG. 6C, the on-time TON is adjusted by the on-time generator 105c such that the sampling holder 105c-1 is provided a sample voltage VSAM from the second end of the secondary winding LS when the master switch Q1 is turned on and the synchronous switch Q2 is turned off, such that the larger the input voltage VIN is, the larger the voltage VSAM held by the sampling holder 105c-1 is, and then the larger the current outputted from the voltage-current converter 105c-2 is, and vice versa. When the temporary state pulse signal CLK1 for driving the third switch SW51 is at the high level at the rising-edge of the control signal SQ generated by the RS trigger 105a, which is at the low level at other time, the third switch SW51 is turned on at the moment of rising-edge of the control signal SQ, thus the charges stored at one end of the capacitor CT, i.e., at the node NT, are released; and then a signal SON at the low level is generated from the output end of the third comparator A3 at the moment. As shown in FIG. 6D, a preset time TSET is started at the rising-edge of the control signal SQ. After the rising-edge of the control signal SQ, the temporary state pulse signal CLK1 is converted to the low level again; the third switch SW51 is turned off and the capacitor CT is charged with power through the current outputted from the voltage-current converter 105c-2. After the capacitor CT is charged in the on-time period TON and after the on-time period TON is ended, the voltage at the node NT is greater than the third reference voltage VP during the off-time period TOFF. As a result, the signal SON generated at the output end of the third comparator A3 is turned to the high level during the off-time period TOFF from the low level during the on-time period TON and then is inputted into the reset end R of the RS trigger 105a to reset the RS trigger 105a, and thus the control signal SQ generated by the output end Q of the RS trigger 105a is changed to the low level during the off-time period TOFF from the high level during the on-time period TON. The control signal SQ is continuously at the low level until the off-time period TOFF is ended unless the sensing voltage drop VCS or the feedback voltage VFB is less than the first reference voltage VREF, and the first comparator A1 regenerates the high level signal to set the RS trigger 105a to output the high level control signal SQ. The signal SON generated at the output end of the third comparator A3 is continuously at the high level during the off-time period TOFF until the off-time period is ended unless the control signal SQ has a rising-edge, then the temporary pulse signal CLK1 is at the high level to turn on the third switch SW51, the node NT of the capacitor CT is in transient discharge, and a signal SON at the low level is then generated by the third comparator A3.
As mentioned above, the larger the input voltage VIN is, the larger the voltage held by the sampling holder 105c-1 is, and then the larger the current outputted from the voltage-current converter 105c-2 is, so that the charge time is shortened, thus the voltage at the node NT at one end of the capacitor CT can rapidly exceed the third reference voltage VP, and the TON is shortened during the whole on-off period with the control signal SQ at the high level and the master switch Q1 turned on during the period TON. As a result, the larger the input voltage VIN is, the shorter the on-time TON is, and correspondingly, the control signal SQ during the period TOFF is at the low level and the master switch Q1 is turned off during this period. In other words, although the input voltage VIN is increased, the on-off frequency value f is intended to be reduced, and the reduction of the on-off frequency value f is suppressed consequently when the on-time TON is shortened. Vice versa, the smaller the input voltage VIN is, the smaller the voltage held by the sampling holder 105c-1 is, and then the smaller the current outputted from the voltage-current converter is, so that the charge time can be prolonged and the voltage at the node NT at one end of the capacitor CT can exceed the third reference voltage VP in a relatively slow speed, thus the period TON is appropriately prolonged during the whole on-off period. Therefore, the smaller the input voltage VIN is, the longer the turn-on time TON of the master switch is consequently. In other words, although the input voltage VIN is reduced to increase the on-off frequency value f, the increasing of the on-off frequency value f is inhibited if the on-time TON is prolonged. Therefore, the embodiment of the invention can greatly ensure the relative steady state of the on-off frequency value f.
For example, the on-off frequency value f is equal to (2*IO*L*VO)/{(VIN)2*(TON)2} in a non-continuous DCM mode, where L is the equivalent inductance of the transformer T, and according to the scheme provided by the invention, no matter the input voltage VIN is reduced or increased, the value of (VIN)2*(TON)2 in the function is not greatly changed, and the change of the on-off frequency value f can be inhibited, so that the transformer T can be prevented from being damaged after being saturated.
Compared with FIG. 6A, the components of the coupling element 106 of the circuit diagram of FIG. 7A are different than that of FIG. 6A. The coupling element 106 is a pulse transformer PT. The circuit and the mode for generating the control signal SQ for the second controller 105 are similar to those of FIG. 6A. In this embodiment, the pulse transformer PT is used as a transmission media for data signal interaction between the first controller 104 and the second controller 105, and is provided with a primary winding LPT1 and a secondary winding LPT2, in which the primary winding LPT1 is connected with the second controller 105, and the secondary winding LPT2 is connected with the first controller 104. The first end of the primary winding LPT1 is adapted to receive the control signal SQ generated by the RS trigger 105a, and the second end is coupled with the reference ground potential VSS. The first end of the secondary winding LPT2 is adapted to generate the first pulse signal S1 for driving the master switch Q1, and the second end is coupled with the ground terminal GND. In the embodiment of FIG. 7A, the control signal SQ is inputted at the first end of the primary winding LPT1, and the first pulse signal S1 is outputted from the first end of the secondary winding LPT2. The control signal SQ is transmitted to the input end of the buffer A4, passing through a capacitor C52 connected between the output end, which is a node N5, of the buffer A4 and the first end of the primary winding LPT1, and the second end of the primary winding LPT1 is connected with a relatively low potential, for example a reference ground potential VSS at a node N7. A capacitor C51 is connected between the first end of the secondary winding LPT2 and a signal generation node NS for outputting the first pulse signal S1, and the second end of the secondary winding LPT2 is connected with the ground terminal GND at a node N6. In addition, the cathode of a diode D51 is optionally connected with the node NS and the anode is connected with the ground terminal GND at the node N6, and a resistor R51 is optionally connected between the node NS and the node N6. The working mechanism of the pulse transformer PT is that the capacitor C52 is adapted to isolate the direct current, and when the control signal SQ is converted to the high level to charge the capacitor C52, the potential at the first end of the primary winding LPT1 is also increased. FIG. 7B shows the waveform of the voltage VTX1 of the transmitting interface TX1+ at the first end of the primary winding LPT1, while the second end of the primary winding LPT1 is taken as a transmitting interface TX2−. The control signal SQ is transmitted to the secondary winding LPT2 through the pulse transformer PT, which increases the potential at the first end of the secondary winding LPT2. A waveform of the voltage VRX1 of the receiving interface RX1 at the first end of the secondary winding LPT2 is as shown in FIG. 7B, and the second end of the secondary winding LPT2 is taken as a receiving interface RX2−. In the process, as the potential of the node NS is also synchronously increased due to the coupling function of the capacitor C51, the potential of the node NS is rapidly increased by the clamping effect of the Schottky diode D51, and a first pulse signal S1 at the high level is outputted from the node NS. On the contrary, once the control signal SQ is converted to the low level, the capacitor C52 discharges through the primary winding LPT1, and the capacitor C51 also discharges through the secondary winding LPT2 and the resistor R51, so that the potential of the signal generation node NS is rapidly dropped, thus the first pulse signal S1 at the low level is generated at the signal generation node NS and is synchronously changed along with logic state of the control signal SQ. The waveform of a second pulse signal S2, which is an inverse phase signal of the first pulse signal S1, is also shown in FIG. 7B.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 7C is slightly different from that of FIG. 7A. As shown in FIG. 7C, one of the feedback voltage VFB and the sensing voltage VCS is inputted into the inverting input terminal of the first comparator A1 in the second controller 105; however, in this embodiment, the feedback voltage VFB is firstly transmitted through a filter 105g and the sensing voltage VCS is firstly transmitted through an amplifier 105h, then the output of the filter 105g and the output of the amplifier 105h are combined through an adder 105i and are further transmitted into the inverting input terminal of the first comparator A1. The waveform of an actual ripple voltage at an output node N20 as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 8, which is described in detail later, comprises alternating current and direct current, where the average voltage of the ripple voltage is equivalent to the voltage of the direct current, and the voltage obtained by subtracting the voltage of the direct current from the total ripple voltage is actually equal to the voltage of the alternating current. The feedback voltage VFB is substantially a partial voltage of the actual ripple voltage captured at the output node N20. In addition, the sensing voltage VCS represents the loading current IO, and the direct current of the load current IO, in the alternating-direct current, is much greater than the alternating current of the load current IO, so that the average voltage of the sensing voltage VCS, which also represents an alternating-direct current, is equal to the voltage of the direct current of the sensing voltage VCS. As shown in FIG. 7C, the actual ripple voltage is transmitted to a filter 105g for filtering off the direct current of the actual ripple voltage and outputting the alternating current, in other words, the voltage of the direct current of the feedback voltage VFB is subtracted from the total voltage of the feedback voltage VFB through the filter 105g so as the feedback voltage VFB only includes the voltage of the alternating current. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7C, the voltage drop of the loading current IO, which is the sensing voltage VCS generated by the sensing resistor RC, is transmitted to the amplifier 105h and is outputted after being amplified by the amplifier 105h. The signal outputted from the filter 105g, which is the signal of the alternating current obtained after the direct current of the feedback voltage VFB is filtered off by the filter 105g, and the signal outputted from the amplifier 105h, which includes both the alternating current and the direct current and is obtained after the sensing voltage VCS is amplified through the amplifier 105h, are combined through the adder 105i and are subsequently transmitted into the inverting input terminal of the first comparator A1. Excepting that the feedback voltage VFB or the sensing voltage VCS is not sent directly to the inverting input terminal of the first comparator A1, the embodiment as shown in FIG. 7C is mostly identical to that as shown in FIG. 7A. In addition, the new feature including the signal outputted from the filter 105g and the signal outputted from the amplifier 105h then combined through the adder 105i and subsequently inputted into the inverting input terminal of the first comparator A1 is also applied to the embodiments of FIG. 6A and FIG. 6C.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, the only difference is that the first end of the secondary winding LS is connected with the output node N20 through the rectifier diode DREC and the synchronous switch Q2 in FIG. 1 is omitted in FIG. 8 so that the second end of the secondary winding LS is directly coupled to the reference ground potential VSS. The anode of the rectifier diode DREC is connected with the first end of the secondary winding LS, the cathode is connected with the output end N20, and the starting voltage ST can be captured at the cathode of the rectifier diode DREC. Since the synchronous switch Q2 is omitted, the second pulse signal S2 is not generated. The operation mechanism of FIG. 8 is similar to that of FIG. 1.
In the voltage converter, if the load 18 is light or empty, the load current IO is reduced, the on-off frequency value f of the master switch Q1 is also reduced correspondingly to the load 18. In addition, the reduction of the on-off frequency value f can be recognized when the voltage converter makes a sound, for example, if the on-off frequency value f is too low causing the parasitic oscillation, and the noise made from a transformer may indicate that the on-off frequency value f is reduced to be about 20 Hz.
FIG. 9 illustrates a circuit diagram of a voltage converter that solves the problem of the noise generated by the reduction of the on-off frequency value f as mentioned above. Referring to FIG. 6A, FIG. 7A or FIG. 7C respectively, the detection signal DE, either the feedback voltage VFB, the sensing voltage VCS, or a detection signal outputted from the adder 105i, can be adapted to represent the real-time intensity of the output voltage VO and/or the load current IO provided to the load 18, and is inputted into the inverting input terminal of the first comparator A1. In one example referring to FIG. 7C, the detection signal DE is inputted into the inverting input terminal of the first comparator A1 and the first reference voltage VREF is inputted into the non-inverting input terminal of the first comparator A1. When the detection signal DE is lower than the first reference voltage VREF, the setting end S of the RS trigger 105a is set up due to the high level signal outputted from the first comparator A1, thus the RS trigger 105a outputs the control signal SQ at the high level, and when the high level signal SON generated by the on-time generator 105c is transmitted to the reset end R of the RS trigger 105a, the RS trigger 105a outputs the control signal SQ at the low level, which is already specifically described above.
FIG. 9 only shows a portion of the voltage converter, and specifically showing the components of the on-time generator 105c. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, once the detection signal DE is lower than the first reference voltage VREF, the one-shot trigger 105b generates the temporary state pulse signal CLK at the rising-edge of the control signal SQ when it jumps from the low level to the high level. FIG. 10 illustrates the waveforms taking at two adjacent periods in which the detection signal DE is lower than the first reference voltage VREF. For example, if the detection signal DE, which is the detection signal DE1 in FIG. 10, is lower than the first reference voltage VREF in a first period TIME1, the voltage converter generates the control signal SQ1 to turn on the master switch Q1 to increase the output voltage VO and/or the load current IO, then the detection signal DE is changed to be greater than the first reference voltage VREF at the ending point of the first period TIME1, and when the detection signal DE, which is the detection signal DE2 in FIG. 10, is lower than the first reference voltage VREF again in a second period TIME2, the voltage converter generates the control signal SQ2 to turn on the master switch Q1 to increase the output voltage VO and/or the load current IO again Finally, the detection signal DE is adjusted to be greater than the first reference voltage VREF at the ending point of the second period TIME2, thus the whole cycle is repeated.
As shown in FIG. 10, the detection signal DE1 in the first period TIME1 is lower than the first reference voltage VREF. At the starting moment of the first period TIME1, the RS trigger 105a is set according to the high level signal outputted from of the first comparator A1 generating the control signal SQ1 at the high level, and at the moment, the control signal SQ1 is converted from the low level to the high level, then the one-shot trigger 105b generates a narrow pulse at the high level, or the temporary state pulse signal CKL1, and the process is similar to that described above with the combination of FIGS. 6A and 7A. The temporary state pulse signal CKL1 generated by the one-shot trigger 105b triggers the on-time generator 105c to time the on-time Tom, and during the on-time TON1 the master switch Q1 is turned on, the signal SON1 generated by the third comparator A3 is continuously at the low level. After the on-time TON1 is ended, the signal SON1 generated by the third comparator A3 is turned to the high level thus resetting the RS trigger 105a turning the control signal SQ1 to the low level state. As shown in FIG. 10, which only illustrates two on-off periods of the master switch Q1 for an example, one preset time TSET-A is started from the starting point of the first period TIME1, after one or multiple on-off periods when the preset time TSET-A is ended, the detection voltage DE is greater than the first reference voltage VREF, and the control signal SQ1 is at the low level. In addition, the temporary state pulse signal CKL1 is not at the high level, thus the capacitor CT has no transient discharge, and the signal SON1 outputted from the third comparator A3 is kept being at the high level.
As shown in FIG. 10, after the first period TIME1 is ended, due to the voltage modulation effect of the voltage converter, the detection signal DE2 is increased to be greater than the first reference voltage VREF, and thus the output signal from the first comparator A1 is at the low level. After a time interval, the RS trigger 105a generates a control signal SQ2 at the high level according to the high level output signal of the first comparator A1 at the starting moment of the second period TIME2 when the detection signal DE2 in the second period TIME2 is lower than the first reference voltage VREF again. At this moment, the control signal SQ2 is turned from the low level to the high level, so that the one-shot trigger 105b generates a narrow temporary state pulse signal CKL2 at the high level adapted to trigger the capacitor CT to discharge to a voltage lower than a third reference voltage VP, thus the on-time generator 105c starts to time the turn-on time TON2, and the signal SON2 generated by the third comparator A3 is continuously at the low level and the master switch Q1 is turned on during the on-time TON2. After the turn-on time TON2 is ended, the capacitor CT is charged to a voltage greater than the third reference voltage VP, and the signal SON2 at the high level generated by the third comparator A3 in the on-time generator 105c resets the RS trigger 105a, thus the control signal SQ2 is converted into the low level state. During the second period TIME2, as shown in FIG. 10, one preset time TSET-B is started from the starting point of the second period TIME2, after one or multiple on-off periods when the preset time TSET-B is ended, the detection voltage DE is greater than the first reference voltage VREF to meet the load requirements. At this moment, the control signal SQ2 is at the low level but the temporary state pulse signal CLK2 is not at the high level yet, thus the capacitor CT has no transient discharge, and the signal SON2 outputted from the third comparator A3 is still at the high level.
As shown in FIG. 9, the output signal, which is either the feedback voltage VFB, the sensing voltage VCS or the output voltage from the adder 105i, is lower than the first reference voltage VREF in the period of the preset time TSET-A and preset time TSET-B, so that the transformer T can be prevented from making a noise when the on-off frequency value f is too low. As mention above, either the feedback voltage VFB, the sensing voltage VCS or the output voltage of the adder 105i is the detection signal DE. Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the temporary state pulse signal CLK1 is generated when the control signal SQ1 during the preset time TSET-A has a frequency value F, and when the temporary state pulse signal CLK1 is at the high level with narrow pulse for more than one times possibly, one or more frequency values F are generated. As shown in FIG. 9, a time generator 113 comprises an oscillator 113a and a frequency divider 113b, in which the oscillator 113a is adapted to generate an oscillation signal outputting to the frequency divider 113b, and the frequency divider 113b is adapted to change the frequency value of the oscillation signal to provide an upper frequency critical value FH and a lower frequency critical value FL outputted to a frequency comparator 114 as reference frequency values for comparing with the frequency F of the temporary state pulse signal CLK1 triggered by the rising-edge of the control signal SQ1. A counter 115 is provided with an addition calculator and a subtraction counter, and the initial count value of the counter 115 can be set up in advance. The counter 115 is limited to subtract 1 from the set initial count value when one frequency value F is greater than the upper frequency critical value FH. The addition or the subtraction is implemented according to the comparison result from the frequency comparator 114 transmitted to the counter 115, and calculation rules defined in advance are executed through the counter 115 according to the result. During the preset time TSET-A, depending on the comparison result of the frequency value F corresponding to the narrow temporary state pulse signal CLK1 at the high level and a reference frequency value, either the counter 115 will add 1 or subtract by 1, and the counter 115 counts for identical times (for example 5 times) according to the number of frequency values F (for five different frequency values), and finally a total count value can be generated by the counter 115. In addition, the counter 115 follows some counting conditions, which is an upper critical count value and a lower critical count value are defined for the counter 115, once the total count value exceeds the upper critical count value, it is adjusted to be equal to the upper critical count value, or when the total count value is lower than the lower critical count value, it is adjusted to be equal to the lower critical count value, but when the total count value is equal to one of the upper critical count value and the lower critical count value, the total count value is not changed.
In one example, for illustration but not restriction to the embodiments of the invention, a plurality of narrow temporary state pulse signals CLK1 at the high level during the preset time TSET-A have five different frequency values correspondingly, or the total number of the frequency values F of the temporary state pulse signals CLK1 is five. In this situation, the initial count value of the counter 115, which is the lower critical count value, is defined as the binary code element BIT[00] of two bits, and the upper critical count value is defined as a binary code element BIT[11] of two bits. When the total number of the frequency values F of the temporary state pulse signals CLK1 is five, each frequency value is compared with the upper critical frequency value FH and the lower critical frequency value FL in sequence through the frequency comparator 114, and the comparison result obtained includes a first frequency value lower than the lower critical frequency value FL, a second frequency value greater than the upper critical frequency value FH, a third frequency value lower than the lower critical frequency value FL, a fourth frequency value greater than the upper critical frequency value FH and a fifth frequency value lower than the lower critical frequency value FL. As mentioned above, the narrow temporary state pulse signals CLK1 at the high level are counted by the counter 115, and on the basis of the initial count value BIT[00], the counter 115 comprises the following counting steps in sequence as follows: when the first frequency value is lower than the lower critical frequency value FL, the addition counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is added to the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; when the second frequency value is greater than the upper critical frequency value FH, the subtract counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is subtracted from the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; when the third frequency value is lower than the lower critical frequency value FL, the addition counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is added to the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; when the fourth frequency value is greater than the upper critical frequency value FH, the subtract counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is subtracted from the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; and when the fifth frequency value is lower than the lower critical frequency value FL, the addition counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is added to the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114. As a result, 1 is added to the initial count value BIT[00] three times and is subtracted for two times, thereby obtaining the total count value BIT[01]. In another embodiment, when the initial count value BIT[00], the lower critical count value BIT[00] and the upper critical value BIT[11] mentioned above are not changed, but the ranges of the five frequency values are changed, on the basis of the initial count value BIT[00], the counter 115 comprises the following counting steps implemented in sequence as follows: when the first frequency value is greater than the upper critical frequency value FH, the subtraction counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is subtracted from the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; when the second frequency value is greater than the upper critical frequency value FH, the subtraction counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is subtracted from the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; when the third frequency value is greater than the upper critical frequency value FH, the subtraction counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is subtracted from the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; when the fourth frequency value is greater than the upper critical frequency value FH, the subtraction counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is subtracted from the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; and when the fifth frequency value is greater than the upper critical frequency value FH, the subtraction counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is subtracted from the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114. As a result, the total count value is less than the lower critical count value BIT[00], so that the final total count value is set of the lower critical count value BIT[00]. In another contrary embodiment, as the initial count value BIT[00], the lower critical count value BIT[00] and the upper critical value BIT[11] mentioned above are not changed, but the ranges of the five frequency values are changed, on the basis of the initial count value BIT[00], the counter 115 comprises the following counting steps implemented in sequence as follows: when the first frequency value is lower than the lower critical frequency value FL, the addition counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is added to the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; when the second frequency value is lower than the lower critical frequency value FL, the addition counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is added to the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; when the third frequency value is lower than the lower critical frequency value FL, the addition counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is added to the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; when the fourth frequency value is lower than the lower critical frequency value FL, the addition counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is added to the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; and when the fifth frequency value is lower than the lower critical frequency value FL, the addition counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is added to the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114. As a result, the total count value is greater than the upper critical count value BIT[11], so that the final total count value is set as the upper critical count value BIT[11].
As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the frequency values F of the temporary state pulse signal CLK1 is implemented during the preset time TSET-A, and the total count value from the counter 115 is finally transmitted and encoded/burned into a register 116 for storage. The on- time TON2 during the preset time TSET-B is adjusted relative to the on-time TON1 during the preset time TSET-A, and the final total count value corresponding to the counting frequency value F is used as the basis for the adjustment of the on-time TON2. The adjustment of the on-time TON2 is illustrated in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, the on-time generator 105c mainly comprises a fixed current source 110, two optional auxiliary current sources 111 and 112, a third switch SW51 and a capacitor CT, and the fixed current source 110 and the two auxiliary current sources 111 and 112 are provided with a working voltage through a power supply voltage VDD. The current I0 outputted from the fixed current source 110 is directly transmitted to a node NT at one end of the capacitor CT to continuously charge the capacitor CT, and the other end of the capacitor CT is connected with the ground terminal GND. Furthermore, a fourth switch SW61 is connected between the auxiliary current source 111 and the node NT at one end of the capacitor CT, where the current I1 outputted from the auxiliary current source 111 is received through one end of the fourth switch SW61, while the second end of the fourth switch SW61 is connected with the node NT. When the control end of the fourth switch SW61 receives the high level signal, it is turned on, thus the capacitor CT can be charged through the current I1 outputted from the auxiliary current source 111 at the node NT. Similarly, a fifth switch SW62 is connected between the other auxiliary current source 112 and node NT at one end of the capacitor CT, and the current I2 outputted from the auxiliary current source 112 is received at the first end of the fifth switch SW62, while the second end is connected with the node NT. When the control end of the fifth switch SW62 receives the high level signal, it is turned on, thus the capacitor CT can be charged through the current I2 outputted from the auxiliary current source 112 at the node NT. The first end of the third switch SW51 is connected with the node NT, and the second end is connected with the ground terminal GND, thus the third switch SW51 is connected with the capacitor CT in parallel. The temporary state pulse signal CLK1 at high level generated at the rising-edge of the control signal SQ1 during the preset time TSET-A in the one-shot trigger 105b is inputted into the control end of the third switch SW51, thus the third switch SW51 is turned on, and the capacitor CT is discharged at the node NT when the third switch SW51 is turned on, so that the signal SON1 at the low level is generated by the output end of the third comparator A3. After the rising-edge of the control signal SQ1, the temporary state pulse signals CLK1 at the high level with narrow pulse turns back to the low level, and the fixed current source 110 starts to charge the capacitor CT at node NT. Alternatively, if the fourth switch SW61 is turned on, the auxiliary current source 111 and the fixed current source 110 together charge the capacitor CT at node NT, and if the fifth switch SW62 is turned on, the auxiliary current source 112 and the fixed current source 110 together charge the capacitor CT. The on-time generator 105c is triggered by the temporary state pulse signal CLK1 generated by the one-shot trigger 105b to time the on-time TON1, and the signal SON1 generated by the third comparator A3 during the on-time TON1 when the master switch Q1 is turned on is continuously at the low level. While the capacitor CT is charged during the on-time TON1, the voltage at the node NT of the capacitor CT is greater than the third reference voltage VP, and after the on-time TON1 is ended, the signal SON1 outputted from the third comparator A3 is converted to the high level during the off-time TOFF1, and then the signal SON1 is inputted into the reset end R of the RS trigger 105a resting the RS trigger 105a. The control signal SQ1 generated at the output end Q can drop from the high level to the low level during the off-time TOFF1, and then the master switch Q1 is turned off. If the detection voltage DE is still lower than the first reference voltage VREF after the first on-off period of the master switch Q1, a second on-off period is implemented for the master switch Q1, and the operation is repeated until the detection voltage DE is greater than the first reference voltage VREF when the preset time TSET-A is ended. In such an on-off mode, the operation that the master switch Q1 is turned on during the on-time TON1 and is turned off during the off-time TOFF1 is repeated for multiple times during the whole preset time TSET-A.
The control signal SQ2 during the preset time TSET-B and the signal CLK2 at the high level with narrow pulse at the rising-edge of the control signal SQ2 are generated from the second controller 105 based on the total count value of the counter 115 during the preset time TSET-A. When the on-off frequency value f during the preset time TSET-A is too low and the transformer T makes the sound, the final total count value of the counter 115 is greater than the preset initial count value which is stored in the register 116. The binary code element written by the register 116 controls the fourth switch SW61 and the fifth switch SW62 turning on or off, and when the on-off frequency value f is too low and the total count value is greater than the initial count value, for example, the total count value is BIT[01] or BIT[11], then the total count value is greater than the code element BIT[00] of the initial count value.
As mentioned above, the total count value BIT [01] is used as the control signal of the fourth switch SW61 and the fifth switch SW62, where the on/off state of the fourth switch SW61 is turned on through 0 of relatively high bit, and the fifth switch SW62 is turned on through 1 of relatively low bit. Furthermore, the total count value BIT [11] is used as the control signal of the fourth switch SW61 and the fifth switch SW62, in which the fourth switch SW61 is turned on through 1 of relatively high bit, and the fifth switch SW62 is turned on through 1 of relatively low bit. A schematic diagram of the on-time generator 105c is illustrated in FIG. 9 as an example, other content well-known in the art with the control signal data of the register decoded by a decoder in advance to subsequently turn on or turn off corresponding switches through a group of decoding signals can also be implemented.
When the detection voltage DE is lower than the first reference voltage VREF during the preset time TSET-B, and when the third switch SW51 is turned on as the temporary state pulse signal CLK2 is at the high level with narrow pulse triggered by the rising-edge of the control signal SQ2 during the preset time TSET-B, the capacitor CT is discharged at node NT through the third switch SW51, so that the signal SON2 at the low level is generated at the output end of the third comparator A3. After the rising-edge of the control signal SQ2, the temporary state pulse signals CLK2 at the high level with narrow pulse drops back to the low level, and the fixed current source 110 starts to charge the capacitor CT at node NT. Alternatively, if the fourth switch SW61 is turned on, the auxiliary current source 111 and the fixed current source 110 together charge the capacitor CT, and if the fifth switch SW62 is turned on, the auxiliary current source 112 and the fixed current source 110 together charge the capacitor CT. The fourth switch SW61 is controlled to be turned off and the fifth switch SW62 is thus turned on by the total count value BIT[01] of the register 116, so that the current I2 outputted from the auxiliary current source 112 and the current I0 outputted from the fixed current source 110 are directly transmitted to the node NT at one end of the capacitor CT to charge the capacitor CT. As a result, the charge speed is relatively fast with the combination of the current I0 and I2 comparing with that with the single current I0, as such the capacitor CT is rapidly fully charged in the preset time TSET-B comparing to that in the preset time TSET-A. Similarly, the fourth switch SW61 and the fifth switch SW62 are controlled to be turned on by the total count value BIT[11] of the register 116, and the current I1 outputted from the auxiliary current source 111, the current I2 outputted from the auxiliary current source 112 and the current I0 outputted from the fixed current source 110 are directly transmitted to the node NT at one end of the capacitor CT to charge the capacitor CT. As a result, the charge speed is relatively fast with the combination of the current I0, I1 and I2 comparing with that of the single current I0, so that the capacitor CT can be rapidly fully charged in the preset time TSET-B relative to that in the preset time TSET-A. The on-time generator 105c is triggered by the temporary state pulse signal CLK2 generated by the one-shot trigger 105b to time the on-time TON2, and the signal SON2 generated by the third comparator A3 is continuously at the low level during the on-time TON2 when the master switch Q1 is turned on. While the capacitor CT is continuously charged during the turn-on time TON2, the voltage of the capacitor CT starts to be greater than the third reference voltage VP. After the turn-on time TON2 is ended, the signal SON2 is converted to the high level during the turn-off time TOFF2 and is further inputted into the reset end R to reset the RS trigger 105a, thus the control signal SQ2 generated by the output end Q drops back from the high level to the low level during the turn-off time TOFF2, and then the master switch Q1 is turned off. If the detection voltage DE of the master switch Q1 is still lower than the first reference voltage VREF after the first on-off period, a second on-off period is implemented for the master switch Q1, and the operation is repeated until the detection voltage DE is greater than the first reference voltage VREF after the preset time TSET-B is ended. In the on-off mode, the operation that the master switch Q1 is turned on in the on-time TON2 and is turned off in the off-time TOFF2 can be repeated for multiple times in the whole preset time TSET-B.
As mentioned above, the current source 111 and/or current source 112 is not provided in the preset time TSET-A, but the current source 111 and/or current source 112 is provided in the preset time TSET-B. As a result, the charge speed of the capacitor CT is relatively fast because the total current during the on-time TON2 of the preset time TSET-B is larger, so that it takes shorter time for the voltage at the node NT being greater than the third reference voltage VP, and thus the on-time TON2 is shorter than the on-time TON1. Considering that the on-off frequency value f of the master switch Q1 is reduced as the on-time TON increases and is increased as the on-time TON decreases. As such, when the load 18 is a light load or empty load, the on-off frequency value f in the on-time TON1 is increased when the on-time TON2 is reduced, and thus the transformer T can be prevented from making a sound.
Actually, the relative amounts of the on-time TON1 and the turn-on time TON2 are closely associated with the initial count value of the counter 115. For example, if the initial count value of the counter 115 in the preset time TSET-A is BIT[01] or BIT[10], one of the fourth switch SW61 and the fifth switch SW62 is turned on and the other one is turned off, then the capacitor CT is charged by the current I1 outputted from the auxiliary current source 111 or the current I2 outputted from the auxiliary current source 112 together with the current I0 of the fixed current source 110 in the on-time TON1, i.e., the total charge current is (I1+I0) or (I2+I0). On the basis of the initial count value, for example BIT[01], the counter 115 operates with the following counting steps with different frequency values as follows: when the first frequency value is greater than the upper critical frequency value FH, the subtraction counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is subtracted from the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; when the second frequency value is lower than the lower critical frequency value FL, the addition counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is added to the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; when the third frequency value is greater than the upper critical frequency value FH, the subtraction counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is subtracted from to the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; when the fourth frequency value is lower than the lower critical frequency value FL, the addition counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is added to the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114; and when the fifth frequency value is greater than the upper critical frequency value FH, the subtraction counter of the counter 115 is valid and 1 is subtracted from the comparison result of the frequency comparator 114. When the final count value is BIT[00] and the total charge current of the capacitor CT is JO in the turn-on time TON2, the total charge time of the capacitor CT in the on-time TON2 is greater than that in the on-time TON1, in other words, the on-time TON2 is adjusted to be greater than the on-time TON1, and thus the on-off frequency value f can be adjusted to a small value in the preset time TSET-B from a large value in the preset time TSET-A.
In the summary, the control signal SQ1 of the second controller 105 of the secondary winding is transmitted to the first controller 104 of the primary winding through the coupling element 106 in the preset time TSET-A as shown in FIG. 10, so that the first pulse signal S1 generated by the first controller 104 is enabled to control the master switch Q1 turning on during on-time TON1 in the on-off period. As shown in FIG. 10, the control signal SQ2 of the second controller 105 of the secondary winding is transmitted to the first controller 104 of the primary winding through the coupling element 106 in the preset time TSET-B, so that the first pulse signal S1 generated by the first controller 104 is enabled to control the master switch Q1 turning on during on-time TON2 in the on-off period. When the final total count value obtained by calculating the number of the frequency values F of the CLK1 triggered by the rising-edge of the control signal SQ1 by the counter 115 in the preset time TSET-A is greater than the initial count value, the on-time TON2 during the preset time TSET-B is less than the on-time TON1. Vice versa, when the final total count value is less than the initial count value, the on-time TON2 during the preset time TSET-B is greater than the on-time TON1. When the final total count value is equal to the initial count value, the on-time TON2 during the preset time TSET-B is equal to the on-time TON1. The reason is that when the detection voltage DE is lower than the first reference voltage VREF, the total count value can be updated once, and whether the switches SW61 and SW62 are turned on or not is directly determined by the code element in the total count value, therefore, when the detection voltage DE is lower than the first reference voltage VREF in a latter time, the on-time is determined by the total count value of the previous time. In the present invention, the code elements only includes two bits and the two extra auxiliary current sources 111 and 112 are provided for example, in practical topology, the initial count value, the upper critical count value and the lower critical count value are not limited by only two bits code elements of two bits, and the number of the auxiliary current sources is not limited by only two currents.
The above embodiments describe the structure and operation mechanism of the voltage converters using the first pulse signal S1 driving the master switch Q1 to switch on/off and the second pulse signal S2 driving the synchronous switch Q2 to switch on/off.
In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, the sampling voltage VSAM at a common node of the second end of the secondary winding LS of the transformer T and the first end of the synchronous switch Q2 is used as a reference value to determine the logic state of the second pulse signal S2. Therefore, the off-time and on-time of the synchronous switch Q2 can be controlled. The second controller 105 further comprises a driving module 120, and the sampling voltage VSAM and the control signal SQ are inputted to the driving module 120, and a signal SR_GATE generated by the driving module 120, which is taken as the second pulse signal S2, is transmitted to the gate of the synchronous switch Q2. The driving module 120 is adapted to detect the sampling voltage VSAM at the common node of the secondary winding LS of the transformer T and the synchronous switch Q2, which is a positive voltage when the master switch Q1 is turned on by the first pulse signal S1. However, when the master switch Q1 is turned off by the first pulse signal S1, the windings of the transformer T are in opposite polarities, so that the potential at the common node of the secondary winding LS of the transformer T and the synchronous switch Q2 is negative. When the sampling voltage VSAM is lower than a first preset threshold voltage VZD1, the second pulse signal S2 generated by the driving module 120 is converted into a first logic state (such as high level) from a second logic state (such as low level), and then the synchronous switch Q2 is turned on. As the synchronous switch Q2 is turned on, the potential at the common node of the secondary winding LS of the transformer T and the synchronous switch Q2 is gradually increased from the negative value. Due to leakage inductance of the transformer T and the parasitic capacitance of a switch transistor, the parasitic oscillation of the voltage occurs, i.e., the voltage is increased and decreased with time, but the total voltage is increased, and until the voltage at the common node of the secondary winding LS of the transformer T and the synchronous switch Q2 is greater than a second preset threshold voltage VZD2, the second pulse signal S2 is turned to the second logic state (low level) from the first logic state (high level), then the synchronous switch Q2 is turned off. The driving module 120 as shown in FIG. 11 is also applicable to embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6C, 7A, 7C and 9. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, although only the sampling voltage VSAM and the control signal SQ generated by the RS trigger 105a are inputted to the second controller 105, the control signal SQ can be also substituted by the first pulse signal S1 or a signal generated by the transmitting interface (TX1+) of the second controller 105 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A.
As shown in FIG. 12A, the driving module 120 includes a first sensing comparator 121a and a second sensing comparator 121b, in which the inverting input terminal of the first sensing comparator 121a and the non-inverting input terminal of the second sensing comparator 121b are coupled to the common node of the secondary winding LS of the transformer T and the synchronous switch Q2 to sense the sampling voltage VSAM. In addition, the first threshold voltage Van is inputted to the non-inverting input terminal of the first sensing comparator 121a, and the second threshold voltage VZD2 is inputted to the inverting input terminal of the second sensing comparator 121b. Alternatively, other optional elements such as resistors or voltage followers can be connected between the inverting end of the first sensing comparator 121a and the node, and/or between the second sensing comparator 121b and the node, thus the sample voltage VSAM can be captured at the common node through the added elements (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 12A, the comparison result S_COM1 outputted from the first sensing comparator 121a is inputted into a second input end of the first AND gate AND1 and a signal SM outputted from the output end Q of the first RS trigger 122 is inputted into a first input end of the first AND gate AND1 (a port Q of the RS trigger is defined as an output end, and a port QN is defined as a non-end Q or a complementary output end).
As shown in FIG. 12A, the comparison result S_COM2 outputted from the second sensing comparator 121a is inputted into a second input end of the second AND gate AND1 and the inverse phase signal of the control signal SQ is inputted into a first input end of the second AND gate AND2. In this embodiment, the control signal SQ can be also substituted by the first pulse signal S1 or the signal generated by the transmitting interface (TX1+) of the second controller 105, which can be subjected to phase inversion through the phase inverter 123 and is further inputted into the first input end of the second AND gate AND2.
As shown in FIG. 12A, the control signal SQ is inputted to the setting end S of a first RS trigger 122, and a time delay signal of the second pulse signal S2 generated by a second RS trigger 124 is inputted to the reset end R of the first RS trigger 122. Specifically, the first pulse signal S1 or the signal generated by the transmitting interface (TX1+) can be substituted for the control signal SQ and is inputted into the setting end S of the first RS trigger 122, and when it is in the logic state at the high level, the second pulse signal S2 outputted from the second RS trigger 124 is slightly delayed by a time delay unit 125 and is further inputted into the reset end R of the first RS trigger 122. At the moment, a reset signal at the high level is received at the reset end R of the first RS trigger 122 after the second pulse signal S2 at the high level is delayed. In addition, the output end of the first AND gate AND1 is connected with the setting end S of the second RS trigger 124, and the output end of the second AND gate AND2 is correspondingly connected with the reset end R of the second RS trigger 124.
FIG. 12B illustrates different pulse waveforms correspond to the operation mechanism of the driving module 120 as shown in FIG. 12A. For example, in each on-off period, once the detection voltage (i.e., VFB or VCS) is lower than the first reference voltage VREF and the second controller 105 turns on the master switch Q1 (at the moment T1), the control signal SQ is converted to the high level. As a result, the first pulse signal S1 is turned from the high level to the low level, and due to synchronization at the high level of the control signal SQ, the first RS trigger 122 converts the signal SM outputted from the output end Q from the low level to the high level. When the on-time TON is ended (at the moment T2), the control signal SQ is converted to the low level. As a result, the first pulse signal S1 is converted to the low level, thus the master switch Q1 is turned off, and the potential of the common node of the second end of the secondary winding LS of the transformer T and the first end of the synchronous switch Q2 is in opposite polarity, so that the potential is rapidly reduced (e.g., reduced to a negative value), and when the potential is lower than the first threshold voltage VZD1, the comparison result S_COM1 of the first sensing comparator 121a is at the high level (however, the potential at the node can be rapidly recovered to be greater than the first threshold voltage VZD1, then the comparison result S_COM1 can be at the low level again). In the period from T1 to Tz, when a signal SR_GATE (or the second pulse signal Sz) outputted from the output end Q of the second RS trigger 124 is at the low level, the complementary signal of the second pulse signal S2 outputted from the output end QN of the second RS trigger 124 is at the high level. At the moment T2, when the comparison result S_COM1 is at the high level, the first and second input ends of the first AND gate AND1 are both at the high level. As a result, the output result of the first AND gate AND1 is at the high level, thus the second RS trigger 124 outputs the SR_GATE from the output end Q is turned from the low level to the high level, and the synchronous switch Q2 is turned on to generate current flowing through the secondary winding LS of the transformer T. After the high level SR_GATE signal is delayed by the time delay unit 125 at the moment T2 generating a time delay signal SD at the high level, which is then inputted into the reset end R of the first RS trigger 122. In other words, when the signal SR_GATE is converted to the high level (at the moment T2), the high level signal SR_GATE at is subjected to preset time delay and a high level signal SD is subsequently generated and inputted into the reset end R of the first RS trigger 122, and the signal SM outputted from the first RS trigger 122 is turned from the high level to the low level when the time delay signal SD is at the high level.
Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 12B and 11, as the synchronous switch Q2 is turned on at the moment T2, while the energy stored in the transformer T is gradually reduced, the current of the secondary winding LS is also gradually reduced, thus the potential at the common node of the second end of the secondary winding LS of the transformer T and the first end of the synchronous switch Q2 is gradually increased from the minimum negative value. When the potential at the node is greater than the second threshold voltage VZD2 (at the moment T3), the comparison result S_COM2 of the second sensing comparator 121b is at the high level. However, because of parasitic oscillation, the potential of the common node of the secondary winding LS of the transformer T and the synchronous switch Q2 is temporarily lower than the second threshold voltage VZD2 and the first threshold voltage VZD1, so that the comparison result S_COM1 of the first sensing comparator 121a is at the high level state temporarily and the comparison result S_COM2 of the second sensing comparator 121b is at the low level state at the moment T3. When the comparison result S_COM2 is at the high level at the moment T3, the first and second input ends of the second AND gate AND2 are both at the high level, thus the output signal of the second AND gate AND2 is at the high level (at moment T3), as such the SR_GATE signal outputted from the output end Q of the second RS trigger 124 is converted to the low level from high level around the moment T3, and the synchronous switch Q2 is turned off. As shown in FIG. 12B, the time between T3 and T4 is a dead zone in a DCM mode, in which the control signal SQ, the first pulse signal S1 and the SR_GATE signal (or second pulse signal S2) are all at the low level, and the master switch Q1 and the synchronous switch Q2 are both turned off at the moment. If the detection voltage (VFB or VCS) is still lower than the first reference voltage VREF, the second controller 105 again turns on the master switch Q1, and the operation during the period T1 to T4 is repeated until the detection voltage meets an expected value. Comparing to a DCM mode, a CCM mode has no dead zone, otherwise, the operation mechanism of the driving module 120 of a CCM mode is generally similar to that of DCM.
The circuit diagram in FIG. 12C is slightly different from that of FIG. 12A. As shown in FIG. 12C, the first AND gate AND1 is provided with three input signals including the comparison result S_COM1 from the first sensing comparator 121a inputted into the second input end of the first AND gate AND1, the signal SM outputted from the output end Q of the first RS trigger 122 inputted into the first input end of the first AND gate AND1 (the port Q of the RS trigger 122 is defined as the output end, and the port QN is defined as the non-end Q or complementary output end), the complementary signal of the second pulse signal S2 (or SR_GATE signal) generated by the output end Q of the second RS trigger 124 inputted into a third input end of the first AND gate AND1. The complementary signal of the second pulse signal S2 can be directly captured from the output end QN (i.e. the non-end Q or complementary output end) of the second RS trigger 124.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 12C, the second AND gate AND2 is provided with three input signals including the comparison result S_COM2 outputted from the second sensing comparator 121b inputted into the second input end of the second AND gate AND2, the second pulse signal S2 outputted from the output end Q of the second RS trigger 124 inputted into the third input end of the second AND gate AND2, and the inverse phase signal of the control signal SQ inputted into the first end of the second AND gate AND2, in which the control signal SQ is subjected to phase inversion through the phase inverter 123 and is further inputted into the first input end of the second AND gate AND2.
Different from FIG. 12A, as shown in FIG. 12C, the complementary signal (captured at the output end QN or complementary output end) of the SR_GATE signal (or the second pulse signal S2) generated by the second RS trigger 124 is inputted into the third input end of the first AND gate AND1 after passing through a time delay unit 127, i.e., after the complementary signal of the second pulse signal S2 is converted to the high level and is delayed with a preset time delay, it is inputted into the third input end of the first AND gate AND1. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 12C, the signal SR_GATE (or the second pulse signal S2) outputted from the output end Q of the second RS trigger 124 is transmitted to the third input end of the second AND gate AND2 after being delayed by a time delay unit 128, i.e., after the signal SR_GATE is converted to the high level and is delayed with a preset time, it is inputted into the third input end of the second AND gate AND2.
The operation mechanism of the driving module 120 shown in FIG. 12C is described as follows: in each on-off period, when the detection voltage (VFB or Vis) is lower than the first reference voltage VREF, the second controller 105 turns on the master switch Q1 (at the moment T1), and the control signal SQ is converted to the high level, i.e., the first pulse signal S1 is turned from the low level to the high level, thus the master switch Q1 is turned on. The first RS trigger 122 controls signal SQ at the high level, and then the signal SM outputted from the output end Q is converted from the low level to the high level. The control signal SQ is converted to the low level at the moment that the preset on-time TON is ended (at the moment T2), as such the first pulse signal S1 is converted from high level to the low level that turns off the master switch Q1. Because the polarity of the potential of the common node of the second end of the secondary winding LS of the transformer T and the first end of the synchronous switch Q2 is reversed, the potential is rapidly reduced. When the potential is lower than the first threshold voltage VZD1, the comparison result S_COM1 of the first sensing comparator 121a is at the high level (the potential at the node can be rapidly recovered till being greater than the first threshold voltage VZD1, and then the comparison result S_COM1 is dropped to the low level). In the period from T1 to T2, the signal SR_GATE (or second pulse signal S2) outputted from the output end Q of the second RS trigger 124 is at the low level, so that the complementary signal of the second pulse signal S2 outputted from the output end QN is at the high level, which is delayed by a time delay unit 127 and then is inputted into the third input end of the first AND gate AND1. When the comparison result signal S_COM1 at the moment T2 is at the high level, the three input signals of the first AND gate AND1 are all at the high level, thus the output result of the first AND gate AND1 is at the high level, so that the second RS trigger 124 is set up to turn the SR_GATE signal outputted from the output end Q from the low level to the high level at the moment T2, and the synchronous switch Q2 is turned on to generate current flowing through the secondary winding LS. At the moment T2, the time delay signal SD, which is generated after the SR_GATE signal at the high level is delayed by the time delay unit 125, is inputted into the reset end R of the first RS trigger 122. When the time delay signal SD is at the high level, after the SR_GATE signal is converted to the high level (at the moment T2) and is delayed with a preset time delay, it is inputted into the reset end R of the first RS trigger 122, and then the signal SM outputted from the first RS trigger 122 is converted from the high level to t the low level.
As shown in FIG. 12C, the synchronous switch Q2 is turned on at the moment T2, while the current of the secondary winding LS is reduced, as such the potential of the common node of the second end of the secondary winding LS of the transformer T and the first end of the synchronous switch Q2 is gradually increased from the minimum negative value. Once the potential at the common node is greater than the second threshold voltage VZD2 (at the moment T3), the comparison result signal S_COM2 from the second sensing comparator 121b is at the high level. Because of parasitic oscillation, the potential of the common node of the secondary winding LS of the transformer T and the synchronous switch Q2 is temporarily lower than the second threshold voltage VZD2 and the first threshold voltage VZD1, so that the comparison result signal S_COM1 of the first sensing comparator 121a is at the high level state temporarily at the moment T3, and the comparison result signal S_COM2 of the second sensing comparator 121b is at the low level state temporarily at the moment T3. In addition, after passing through the time delay unit 128, the SR_GATE signal at the high level outputted from the output end Q of the second RS trigger 124 is transmitted into the third input end of the second AND gate AND2 (the SR_GATE signal is converted to the high level at the moment T2). The inverse phase signal obtained after the control signal SQ passing through the phase inverter 123 and is subsequently inputted into the second AND gate AND2 is also at the high level (the inverse phase signal of the control signal SQ is converted to the high level at the moment T2). As such three input signals of the second AND gate AND2 are all at the high level, thus the output result of the second AND gate AND2 is at the high level (at the moment T3), then the second RS trigger 124 is reset, and the SR-GATE signal outputted from the output end Q of the second RS trigger 124 is turned from the high level to the low level at the moment T3 turning off the synchronous switch Q2. In a DCM mode, the period between the T3 to T4 is a dead zone, in which, the control signal SQ, the first pulse signal S1 and the SR_GATE signal (or the second pulse signal S2) are all at the low level, as such the master switch Q1 and the synchronous switch Q2 are both turned off; if the detection voltage (VFB or VCS) is still lower than the first reference voltage VREF, the second controller 105 again turns on the master switch Q1 and the operation from T1 to T4 is repeated until the detection voltage meets the expected value. In the CCM mode corresponding to the DCM, the dead zone is avoided, otherwise the operation mechanisms of the driving module 120 are generally similar to DCM.
The typical embodiments of specific structures of the detailed descriptions are provided through the explanation and drawings above, and the foregoing invention proposes present preferred embodiments, but these contents are not intended to limit the invention. Various changes and amendments will be apparent for those skilled in the art after reading the explanation above. Therefore, the appended claims shall be deemed to cover all changes and amendments of the real intention and scope of the invention. Any equivalent range and content within the claims shall all fall within the intention and scope of the invention.

## Claims

1. A power supply device for voltage conversion comprising:
a transformer comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding, a first end of the secondary winding directly connected to an output node;
a master switch connected between an input voltage and a ground terminal;
a synchronous switch connected between a second end of the secondary winding and a reference ground potential;
a first controller generating a first pulse signal to turn the master switch on and off;
a second controller comparing a detection voltage representing an output voltage and/or a load current with a first reference voltage, so as to determine a logic state of a control signal generated by the second controller according to the comparison result; and
a coupling element connected between the first controller and the second controller transmitting the logic state of the control signal to the first controller, enabling the first controller to determine a logic state of the first pulse signal according to the logic state of the control signal, wherein
the second controller comprises a driving module generating a second pulse signal; the driving module further detecting a voltage at a first common node of the secondary winding and the synchronous switch; when the first pulse signal turns off the master switch and the voltage at the first common node is dropped lower than a first threshold voltage, the second pulse signal is converted into a first logic state from a second logic state to turn on the synchronous switch, and when the voltage at the first common node is greater than a second threshold voltage, the second pulse signal is converted into the second logic state from the first logic state to turn off the synchronous switch.

2. The power supply device of claim 1, wherein an inverting input terminal of a first sensing comparator and a non-inverting input terminal of a second sensing comparator in the driving module are coupled at the first common node, the first threshold voltage is inputted to a non-inverting input terminal of first sensing comparator, and the second threshold voltage is inputted to an inverting input terminal of the second sensing comparator;
a comparison result of the first sensing comparator and a signal outputted from a first RS trigger are correspondingly and respectively inputted into two input ends of a first AND gate; a comparison result of the second sensing comparator and an inverse phase signal of the control signal are correspondingly and respectively inputted into two input ends of a second AND gate; and
the control signal is inputted into a setting end of the first RS trigger, a time delay signal of the second pulse signal generated by a second RS trigger is inputted into a reset end of the first RS trigger, and output ends of the first AND gate and the second AND gate are correspondingly and respectively connected with a setting end and a reset end of the second RS trigger.

3. The power supply device of claim 2, wherein the first AND gate receives the comparison result signal of the first sensing comparator, the signal outputted from the first RS trigger, and a complementary signal of the second pulse signal generated by the second RS trigger; the second AND gate receives the comparison result signal of the second sensing comparator, the inverse phase signal of the control signal, and the second pulse signal generated by the second RS trigger;
when the complementary signal of the second pulse signal generated by the second RS trigger is at the first logic state, the complementary signal of the second pulse signal is delayed by a time delay unit and subsequently inputted into one input end of the first AND gate; and
when the second pulse signal generated by the second RS trigger is at the first logic state, the second pulse signal is delayed by the time delay unit, and subsequently inputted into one input end of the second AND gate.

4. The power supply device of claim 3, wherein. the signal outputted from the first RS trigger is converted from low level to high level when the first pulse signal turns from low level to high level and the master switch is turned on in each on-off period; when the first pulse signal is turned from high level to low level state and the master switch is turned off, the voltage of the first common node is dropped lower than the first threshold voltage, then input signals of the first AND gate are all at high level setting the second RS trigger, the second pulse signal logic state is converted into high level state from low level state to turn on the synchronous switch; and
after the second pulse signal at high level is delayed and inputted into the reset end of the first RS trigger, the signal outputted from the first RS trigger is turned from high level to low level;
when the voltage of the first common node is greater than the second threshold voltage after the synchronous switch is turned on, then input signals of the second AND gate are all at the high level resetting the second RS trigger, the second pulse signal is converted into the second logic state to turn off the synchronous switch.

5. The power supply device of claim 1, wherein the detection voltage is inputted to an inverting input terminal of a first comparator of the second controller, and the first reference voltage is inputted to a non-inverting input terminal;
when the detection voltage is lower than the first reference voltage, a third RS trigger of the second controller is set up according to a high level comparison result signal of the first comparator, so that the control signal outputted by the third RS trigger is turned from low level to high level; and
an on-time generator of the second controller starts timing from a moment the control signal turns from low level to a rising edge of high level, and finishes timing when a preset on-time ends; when the timing is finished, a signal outputted by the on-time generator turns from a low level to a high level and resets the third RS trigger, the control signal is turned from high level to low level.

6. The power supply device of claim 5, wherein the second controller further comprising a first switch and a second switch serially connected between a bias circuit and a reference ground potential; the first switch and the second switch are mutually connected at a second common node; the first switch is driven by the control signal, and the second switch is driven by the inverse phase signal of the control signal; and
a first capacitor of the coupling element is connected between a positive-phase input terminal of a second comparator of the first controller and the second common node; a second reference voltage is inputted to an inverting input terminal of the second comparator; a resistor is connected between the non-inverting input terminal of the second comparator and the ground terminal; and a second capacitor of the coupling element is connected between the ground terminal and the reference ground potential.

7. The power supply device of claim 6, wherein the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off when the control signal is at high level, a voltage provided by the bias circuit is applied to the second common node, a voltage of the non-inverting input terminal of the second comparator is increased by the coupling element greater than the second reference voltage, and high level first pulse signal is outputted from the second comparator; and
the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on when the control signal is at low level, the voltage at the second common node is clamped to the reference ground potential, the voltage of the non-inverting input terminal of the second comparator is reduced by the coupling element lower than the second reference voltage, and a first pulse signal at low level is outputted from the second comparator.

8. The power supply device of claim 5, wherein the coupling element is a pulse transformer, the control signal is transmitted to a first end of a primary winding of the pulse transformer through a coupling capacitor in the second controller, and a second end of the primary winding is connected with the reference ground potential; and
a coupling capacitor is connected between a signal generation node in the first controller and a first end of the secondary winding of the pulse transformer, and a second end of the secondary winding is connected with the ground terminal, so that the first pulse signal with the logic state accordingly to the control signal is generated at the signal generation node.

9. The power supply device of claim 8, wherein a resistor and a diode are arranged in parallel to each other and are connected between the signal generation node and the ground terminal, the cathode of the diode is connected at the signal generation node, and the anode of the diode is connected to the ground terminal.

10. The power supply device of claim 5, wherein the synchronous switch is driven by the second pulse signal, wherein the second pulse signal is an inversion signal of the first pulse signal generated by the second controller, and the synchronous switch is turned off when the master switch is turned on, and the synchronous switch is turned on when the master switch is turned off; or
the synchronous switch is driven by a second pulse signal generated by the second controller, the synchronous switch is turned off by the second pulse signal during a period the first pulse signal turns off the master switch.

11. The power supply device of claim 10, wherein a sampling holder in the on-time generator samples and holds a voltage value at the first common node during a time period the master switch is turned on but the synchronous switch is turned off, and a voltage-current converter of the on-time generator converts the sampled voltage value into a current so as to charge a charging capacitor in the on-time generator;
a third switch in the on-time generator and a charging capacitor are connected in parallel to each other between a charging node and the ground terminal, a voltage at the charging node is inputted into a non-inverting input terminal of a third comparator in the on-time generator while a third reference voltage is inputted into an inverting input terminal of the third comparator;
a one-shot trigger of the second controller is triggered by a rising edge of the control signal to generate a transient pulse signal, the transient pulse signal is at high level at the rising edge of the control signal and is at low level all the other time, so that the third switch is turned on by the transient pulse signal at the rising edge of the control signal to discharge the charging capacitor transiently; and
the charging capacitor starts timing a charging time interval after discharging transiently until the voltage of the charging node is greater than the third reference voltage, so that a comparison result signal of the third comparator is turned from low to high; the high level comparison result of the third comparator triggers the third RS trigger to reset, and the charging time interval is served as the preset on-time for turning on the master switch.

12. The power supply device of claim 11, wherein when the input voltage increases, the sampled voltage value increases and the preset on-time decreases; or when the input voltage decreases, the sampled voltage value decreases and the preset on-time increases.

13. The power supply device of claim 11, wherein the third switch in the on-time generator and a charging capacitor are connected in parallel to each other between a charging node and the ground terminal, a voltage at the charging node is inputted into a non-inverting input terminal of a third comparator in the on-time generator, and a third reference voltage is inputted at an inverting input terminal;
the on-time generator comprises a current source and a plurality of auxiliary current sources to charge the charging capacitor, and an electronic switch is connected between a current output end of each auxiliary current source and the charging node;
a one-shot trigger of the second controller is triggered by a rising edge of the control signal to generate a transient pulse signal, the transient pulse signal is at high level at the rising edge of the control signal and is at low level at other time, so that the third switch is turned on by the transient pulse signal at the rising edge of the control signal to discharge the charging capacitor transiently; and
the charging capacitor starts timing a charging time interval after discharging transiently until the voltage of the charging node is greater than the third reference voltage, so that a comparison result signal of the third comparator is turned from low to high; the high level comparison result signal of the third comparator triggers the third RS trigger to reset, and the charging time interval is served as the preset on-time for turning on the master switch.

14. The power supply device of claim 13, wherein when the detection voltage fluctuates, the detection voltage is set lower than the first reference voltage at an initial moment of a preset time interval, and the detection voltage is regulated greater than the first reference voltage at an end of the preset time interval after one or more switching periods of the master switch driven by the first pulse signal;
respective frequency values of one or more transient pulse signals in the preset time interval are compared with an upper threshold frequency value and a lower threshold frequency respectively by a frequency comparator of the on-time generator in sequence; when a frequency value is greater than the upper threshold frequency, a binary initial count value set on one counter of the on-time generator is subtracted by 1, or when a frequency value is less than the lower threshold frequency, the initial count value of the counter is added by 1; and after all the frequency values are compared, the counter obtains a total count value; and
when the total count value is greater than an upper critical count value set on the counter, the total count value is defined to be equal to the upper critical count value, or when the total count value is less than a lower critical count value set on the counter, the total count value is defined to be equal to the lower critical count value, and each code element characterizing high level or low level in the binary total count value is accordingly used for turning on or turning off one electronic switch.

15. The power supply device of claim 14, wherein in any two adjacent preset time intervals, the total count value in the former preset time interval is greater than the initial count value, and the quantity of the electronic switch turned on in the latter preset time interval is adjusted to be more than the quantity of the electronic switch turned on in the former preset time interval, then the preset turn-on time in the latter preset time interval is less than the preset turn-on time in the former preset time interval; or
the total count value in the former preset time interval is less than the initial count value, and the quantity of the electronic switch turned on in the latter preset time interval is adjusted to be less than the quantity of the electronic switch turned on in the former preset time interval, then the preset turn-on time in the latter preset time interval is greater than the preset turn-on time in the former preset time interval; or
the total count value in the former preset time interval is equal to the initial count value, the quantity of the electronic switch turned on in the latter preset time interval and the quantity of the electronic switch turned on in the former preset time interval are adjusted to be equal, then the preset turn-on time in the latter preset time interval is equal to the preset turn-on time in the former preset time interval.

16. The power supply device of claim 1, wherein the transformer further comprises an auxiliary winding having a same winding direction as the secondary winding, a diode is connected between a first end of the auxiliary winding and a first end of an auxiliary capacitor, second ends of the auxiliary winding and the auxiliary capacitor are connected to the ground terminal respectively; when a current passes through the secondary winding, the diode between the secondary winding and the auxiliary capacitor is positively turned on and the current flowing through the auxiliary winding charges the auxiliary capacitor, and the auxiliary capacitor provides a power supply voltage to the first controller.

17. The power supply device of claim 16, wherein an electrifying starting module in the first controller is provided with a junction field effect transistor and a control switch, the control switch is connected between a control end of the junction field effect transistor and the ground terminal, and the control switch is turned on when a voltage of the auxiliary capacitor does not meet a starting voltage level, and turned off when the voltage of the auxiliary capacitor reaches the starting voltage level; and
when a voltage converter is accessed to an electrifying period of an alternating current voltage, the alternating current voltage is rectified by a rectifier circuit and then is subsequently inputted to a drain of the junction field effect transistor, so that the current flowing out from a source electrode of the junction field effect transistor charges the auxiliary capacitor through a diode until the voltage of the auxiliary capacitor reaches the starting voltage level so as to complete an electrifying starting procedure, and after the electrifying starting procedure is completed, the control switch is turned off, and the auxiliary capacitor is charged by the auxiliary winding when the auxiliary winding is turned on.

18. The power supply device of claim 1 further comprising a voltage divider, wherein the detection voltage is a voltage division value captured from the output voltage by the voltage divider at the output node representing the value of the output voltage.

19. The power supply device of claim 1 further comprising a sensing resistor, wherein the sensing resistor is serially connected with loads between the output node and the reference ground potential, and the detection voltage is a voltage drop at two ends of the sensing resistor representing a load current flowing through the loads.

20. The power supply device of claim 1 further comprising:
a voltage divider, at the output node captures a division of the output voltage with ripple as a feedback voltage;
a sensing resistor serially connected with loads between the output node and the reference ground potential, a voltage drop at the sensing resistor is the sensing voltage representing the value of the load current; and
a filter filtering off direct current component in the feedback voltage but maintaining a voltage of alternating current component, an amplifier amplifying the sensing voltage; an adder adding the voltage of alternating current component outputted from the filter and an amplification voltage of the sensing voltage outputted from the amplifier to provide the detection voltage.