Patent Description:
With developments of technology, power supply technology has been applied in various electrical devices. In some related arts, resistors and capacitors are used to control the timing sequence of supplying power. However, the resistors and the capacitors are sensitive to the changes of environment (e.g., the changes of temperature). In addition, as the process evolves, it requires developing a new control method to apply effective control to the timing sequence of power supply. A DC-DC CONVERTER was disclosed in <CIT>. A power supply architecture with controlled power-on and power off sequence was disclosed in <CIT>.

Some aspects of the present disclosure are to provide a power supply circuit. The inventive power supply circuit is defined by independent claim <NUM>. Advantageous embodiments are recited in the dependent claims. The power supply circuit includes a first regulator and a second regulator. The first regulator is configured to generate a first output signal according to an input signal. A voltage value of the first output signal decreases according to the input signal and a first voltage threshold value at a power-off stage. The second regulator is configured to be enabled according to the first output signal to generate a second output signal according to the input signal. A voltage value of the second output signal decreases according to the input signal and a second voltage threshold value at the power-off stage. The second voltage threshold value is greater than the first voltage threshold value.

Based on the descriptions above, the present disclosure uses regulators to control the timing sequence of supplying power. This method can prevent the timing sequence of power supply changing due to the changes of environment. In addition, the present disclosure can effectively control that the voltage rising timing point of the relatively low output signal is earlier than the voltage rising timing point of the relatively high output signal, and effectively control that the voltage falling timing point of the relatively high output signal is earlier than the voltage falling timing point of the relatively low output signal. This voltage supply mode can be applied to advanced processes.

The disclosure can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiment, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows:.

In the present disclosure, "connected" or "coupled" may refer to "electrically connected" or "electrically coupled. " "Connected" or "coupled" may also refer to operations or actions between two or more elements.

Reference is made to <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a power supply circuit <NUM> according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the power supply circuit <NUM> is disposed in a cell phone, a notebook, or various electrical devices.

The power supply circuit <NUM> is configured to provide an output signal VOUT1 and an output signal VOUT2 according to an input signal VIN so as to supply power to other circuits in the aforementioned electrical devices. In some embodiments, a transformer can transform an original supply voltage to generate the input signal VIN. A maximum voltage value of the original supply voltage can be, for example, <NUM> volts, and a maximum voltage value of the input signal VIN can be, for example, <NUM> volts. In some embodiments, a maximum voltage value of the output signal VOUT1 is less than a maximum voltage value of the output signal VOUT2. For example, the maximum voltage value of the output signal VOUT1 can be <NUM> volts, and the maximum voltage value of the output signal VOUT2 can be <NUM> volts.

However, the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned maximum voltage values. Various suitable maximum voltage values are within the contemplated scopes of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the power supply circuit <NUM> includes a regulator <NUM> and a regulator <NUM>.

The regulator <NUM> includes an input terminal P1 and an output terminal P2. The input terminal P1 is configured to receive the input signal VIN. The regulator <NUM> is configured to generate the output signal VOUT1 at the output terminal P2 according to the input signal VIN.

The regulator <NUM> includes an enable terminal PEN, an input terminal P3, an output terminal P4, a discharging circuit <NUM>, and other internal circuits (not shown). The regulator <NUM> is configured to receive the output signal VOUT1 through the enable terminal PEN, and the output signal VOUT1 is from the output terminal P2 of the regulator <NUM>. The output signal VOUT1 is configured to enable the regulator <NUM>. The input terminal P3 is configured to receive the input signal VIN. When the regulator <NUM> is enabled by the output signal VOUT1, the other internal circuits in the regulator <NUM> generates the output signal VOUT2 at the output terminal P4 according to the input signal VIN. The discharging circuit <NUM> is coupled between the output terminal P4 and a ground terminal GND.

Reference is made to <FIG> is a timing sequence diagram of signals of the power supply circuit <NUM> in <FIG> according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The timing sequence diagram in <FIG> includes two continuous time intervals. The two time intervals are, from the left side to the right side (i.e., the direction of time lapse), a power-on stage P_ON and a power-off stage P_OFF. A timing point T1 and a timing point T2 are in the time interval of the power-on stage P_ON, in which the timing point T1 is earlier than the timing point T2. A timing point T3 and a timing point T4 are in the time interval of the power-off stage P_OFF, in which the timing point T3 is earlier than the timing point T4.

<FIG> is flow diagram of a power on procedure of the power supply circuit <NUM> according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> is described in following paragraphs with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

In operation S302, an adapter is inserted in an electrical device. For example, a terminal of the adapter is coupled to the input terminal P1 of the power supply circuit <NUM> in the electrical device, and the other terminal of the adapter is configured to receive mains electricity. The adapter can supply power to the power supply circuit <NUM> according to the mains electricity.

In operation S304, the voltage value of the input signal VIN starts increasing. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the adapter is inserted in the electrical device, the voltage value of the input signal VIN starts increasing. This represents that it enters the power-on stage P_ON. When the voltage value of the input signal VIN reaches its maximum voltage value (e.g., <NUM> volts), the input signal VIN enters a steady state (as the state shown by the horizontal line in <FIG>).

In operation S306, the regulator <NUM> starts operating. As illustrated in <FIG>, at the timing point T1, the voltage value of the input signal VIN reaches a voltage threshold value VTH1 (e.g., <NUM> volts, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto) corresponding to the regulator <NUM>. At this time, the output signal VOUT1 of the regulator <NUM> is charged according to the input signal VIN. In other words, when the voltage value of the input signal VIN is equal to or greater than the voltage threshold value VTH1 at the power-on stage P_ON, the regulator <NUM> is enabled such that the voltage value of the output signal VOUT1 increases. When the voltage value of the output signal VOUT1 reaches the maximum voltage value (e.g., <NUM> volts) of the regulator <NUM>, the output signal VOUT1 enters a steady state.

In operation S308, the regulator <NUM> starts operating. As illustrated in <FIG>, at the timing point T2, the voltage value of the output signal VOUT1 inputted into the enable terminal PEN of the regulator <NUM> reaches to a voltage threshold value VTH3 (e.g., <NUM> volts, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto) corresponding to the regulator <NUM>. At this time, the regulator <NUM> is enabled and the output signal VOUT2 is charged according to the input signal VIN. In other words, when the voltage value of the output signal VOUT1 is equal to or greater than the voltage threshold value VTH3 at the power-on stage P_ON, the regulator <NUM> is enabled such that the voltage value of the output signal VOUT2 increases. When the voltage value of the output signal VOUT2 reaches the maximum voltage value (e.g., <NUM> volts) of the regulator <NUM>, the output signal VOUT2 enters a steady state. In this embodiment, the voltage threshold value VTH3 is less than the voltage threshold value VTH1.

In operation S310, the electrical device is started up. The output signals VOUT1 and VOUT2 are in the steady state and can be configured to supply power to other circuits in the electrical device such that the electrical device is started up and operates normally.

In electrical devices of some related arts, the starting operating timing point of circuits powered by a relatively high voltage is earlier than the starting operating timing point of circuits powered by a relatively low voltage.

As described above, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the maximum voltage value (e.g., <NUM> volts) of the output signal VOUT1 is less than the maximum voltage value (e.g., <NUM> volts) the output signal VOUT2. Accordingly, compared to the related arts above, in these embodiments, elements (the regulator <NUM>) that are configured to supply a relatively low voltage start to work first in order to supply the relatively low output signal VOUT1 to corresponding circuits and further enable elements (the regulator <NUM>) that are configured to supply a relatively high voltage, such that the circuits powered by the relatively high voltage start to work later than those powered by the relatively low voltage. This voltage supply mode can be applied to advanced processes (e.g., <NUM> process or other advanced processes).

<FIG> is flow diagram of a power off procedure of the power supply circuit <NUM> according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> is described in following paragraphs with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

In operation S402, the adapter is unplugged from the electrical device.

In operation S404, the voltage value of the input signal VIN starts to decrease. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the adapter is unplugged from the electrical device, the voltage value of the input signal VIN starts to drop. This shows that it enters the power-off stage P_ OFF.

In operation S406, the regulator <NUM> stops operating. As illustrated in <FIG>, at the timing point T3, the voltage value of the input signal VIN decreases to reach a voltage threshold value VTH2 (e.g., <NUM> volts, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto) corresponding to the regulator <NUM>. In some embodiments, the voltage threshold value VTH2 is an Under Voltage Lockout voltage of the regulator <NUM>. At this time, the discharging circuit <NUM> of the regulator <NUM> is turned on such that the output signal VOUT2 is discharged rapidly. In other words, when the voltage value of the input signal VIN is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value VTH2 at the power-off stage P_OFF, the discharging circuit <NUM> of the regulator <NUM> is controlled such that the voltage value of the output signal VOUT2 decreases rapidly.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the power-off stage P_OFF includes a time interval D1 and a time interval D2, in which the time interval D2 is later than the time interval D1 in time sequence. In the time interval D1, since the discharging circuit <NUM> is turned on, the output signal VOUT2 is discharged rapidly. When it enters the time interval D2 (e.g., the output signal VOUT2 is equal to <NUM> volts, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto), the regulator <NUM> is underpowered, so the discharging rate of the output signal VOUT2 becomes lower (the discharging rate of the output signal VOUT2 in the time interval D1 is higher than the discharging rate of the output signal VOUT2 in the time interval D2).

In operation S408, the regulator <NUM> stops operating. As illustrated in <FIG>, at the timing point T4, the voltage value of the input signal VIN deceases to reach the voltage threshold value VTH1 (e.g., <NUM> volts, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto) corresponding to the regulator <NUM>. In some embodiments, the voltage threshold value VTH1 (e.g., <NUM> volts) is an Under Voltage Lockout voltage of the regulator <NUM>. At this time, the output signal VOUT1 of the regulator <NUM> starts discharging. In other words, when the voltage value of the input signal VIN is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value VTH1 at the power-off stage P_OFF, the regulator <NUM> is controlled such that the voltage value of the output signal VOUT1 decreases.

As shown in the timing sequence diagram of <FIG>, in the present disclosure, the voltage rising timing point T1 of the lower output signal VOUT1 is earlier than the voltage rising timing point T2 of the higher output signal VOUT2 at the power-on stage P_ON, and the voltage falling timing point T3 of the higher output signal VOUT2 is earlier than the voltage falling timing point T4 of the lower output signal VOUT1 at the power-off stage P_OFF.

In some related arts, resistors and capacitors are used to control the timing sequence of supplying power. However, the resistors and the capacitors are sensitive to the changes of environment (e.g., the changes of temperature). Accordingly, the timing sequence control of power supply can be incorrect due to the changes of environment.

Compared to the related arts above, the power supply circuit <NUM> of the present disclosure uses the regulator <NUM> and the regulator <NUM> to control the timing sequence of supplying power. The regulators are not sensitive to the change of environment. Accordingly, this can prevent the controlled timing sequence of supplying power from changing due to the changes of environment. In addition, since the voltage threshold value VTH2 is greater than the voltage threshold value VTH1, it can effectively control that the voltage falling timing point T3 of the relatively higher output signal VOUT2 is earlier than the voltage falling timing point T4 of the relatively lower output signal VOUT1 at the power-off stage P_OFF.

References are made to <FIG> and <FIG> is a circuit diagram of the discharging circuit <NUM> in the regulator <NUM> and a comparator circuit <NUM> in the regulator <NUM> according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the discharging circuit <NUM> includes a transistor M1 and a resistor R1. The transistor M1 includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal. The first terminal of the transistor M1 is coupled to the ground terminal GND. The second terminal of the transistor M1 is coupled to a first terminal of the resistor R1. A second terminal of the resistor R1 is coupled to the output terminal P4 of the regulator <NUM> (the output terminal P4 of the regulator <NUM> is configured to output the output signal VOUT2).

The comparator circuit <NUM> includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal. The first input terminal of the comparator circuit <NUM> is configured to receive the input signal VIN. The second input terminal of the comparator circuit <NUM> is configured to receive the voltage threshold value VTH2. The comparator circuit <NUM> is configured to compare the voltage value of the input signal VIN with the voltage threshold value VTH2 to generate a comparison result signal CR at the output terminal of the comparator circuit <NUM>. The control terminal of the transistor M1 is configured to receive the comparison result signal CR, and the transistor M1 is turned on or turned off according to the comparison result signal CR. When the voltage value of the input signal VIN is equal to or less than the voltage threshold value VTH2, the transistor M1 is turned on according to the comparison result signal CR, and the voltage value of the output signal VOUT2 is pulled down rapidly through the transistor M1, as the voltage falling portion of the output signal VOUT2 in the time interval D1 shown in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A power supply circuit (<NUM>), comprising:
a first regulator (<NUM>) configured to generate a first output signal (VOUT1) according to an input signal (VIN), wherein a voltage value of the first output signal (VOUT1) starts increasing when the input signal (VIN) is equal to a first voltage threshold value (VTH1) in a power-on stage (P_ON) and the voltage value of the first output signal (VOUT1) starts deceasing when the input signal (VIN) is equal to the first voltage threshold value (VTH1) in a power-off stage (P_OFF); and
a second regulator (<NUM>) configured to be enabled according to the first output signal (VOUT1) to generate a second output signal (VOUT2) according to the input signal (VIN) when the first output voltage increases to a third voltage threshold value (VTH3), and
wherein a voltage value of the second output signal (VOUT2) decreases according to the input signal (VIN) and a second voltage threshold value (VTH2) at the power-off stage (P_OFF),
wherein the second voltage threshold value (VTH2) is greater than the first voltage threshold value (VTH1),
wherein a maximum voltage value of the first output signal (VOUT1) is less than a maximum voltage value of the second output signal (VOUT2),
wherein the second regulator (<NUM>) is controlled to stop operating and the voltage value of the second output signal (VOUT2) is pulled down through a series connection of a transistor (M1) and a resistor (R1) if a voltage value of the input signal (VIN) is equal to or less than the second voltage threshold value (VTH2) in the power-off stage (P_OFF),
wherein the second voltage threshold value (VTH2) is an under voltage lockout voltage of the second regulator (<NUM>).