Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application, filed under 35 U.S.C. §111(a), of International Application PCT/JP2012/063170 filed on May 23, 2012, and claims foreign priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application 2011-154075 filed on Jul. 12, 2011 in the Japanese Patent Office, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to a control circuit and switching power supply of a flyback type switching power supply device that converts the voltage of an AC input that turns a switching element on and off into a predetermined direct current voltage and supplies the voltage to a load, and in particular, relate to a control circuit and switching power supply of a switching power supply device that can combat fluctuation due to the voltage value of the AC input in an overcurrent peak current flowing through the switching element. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]      FIG. 5  shows a circuit configuration of a flyback power supply using a PWM controlling integrated circuit (IC). 
         [0006]    An AC input  1  is supplied via a transformer  2  and capacitor  3  configuring an input filter to a diode bridge  4 , and rectified to a direct current input voltage. A capacitor  5  is provided between the diode bridge  4  and a ground, and has a function of absorbing switching noise. Also, a diode  6  supplies the half-wave rectified AC input  1  via a current limiting resistor  7  to a VH terminal of a control IC  8 . Current input into the VH terminal is limited by the current limiting resistor  7 . 
         [0007]    A thermistor  9  for carrying out heated latch protection of the control IC  8  is connected to an LAT terminal of the control IC  8 . Also, the voltage of a sense resistor  12  is input via a noise filter formed of a capacitor  10  and resistor  11  into an IS terminal of the control IC  8 . A VCC terminal of the control IC  8  is connected to one end of a capacitor  13 , and is connected via a backflow preventing diode  14  to an auxiliary winding  15  of a transformer T. The capacitor  13  holds a power supply voltage supplied to the control IC  8  when a PWM control operation is carried out. Also, the backflow preventing diode  14  acts so as to prevent a backflow of current from the VCC terminal to the auxiliary winding  15 . 
         [0008]    One end of a primary winding  16  of the transformer T is connected to the capacitor  5 , while the other end is connected to the drain terminal of a MOSFET  17 . Also, the source terminal of the MOSFET  17  is earthed via the sense resistor  12 , and a drain current Ids flowing through the MOSFET  17  is detected by the sense resistor  12 . That is, an on-state current of the MOSFET  17  is converted in the sense resistor  12  into a voltage signal of a size proportional to the on-state current, and the voltage signal is supplied via the noise filter to the IS terminal of the control IC  8 . 
         [0009]    One end of a secondary winding  18  of the transformer T is connected to a diode  19 , and also earthed via a capacitor  20 . The voltage of the capacitor  20  is sent from the secondary side to the primary side by a photocoupler  21  as information relating to the output voltage supplied to a load  25 . That is, the photocoupler  21  is connected in series to a shunt regulator  22 , a connection point of resistors  23  and  24  that divide the output voltage is connected to the shunt regulator  22 , and the divided output voltage value and an unshown reference voltage are compared by the shunt regulator  22 . As a result of this, information on an error in the secondary side output voltage with respect to the reference voltage is converted into a current signal, and load information is sent to the primary side by the current signal driving the photocoupler  21 . 
         [0010]    In a switching power supply device configured using the PWM controlling control IC  8 , the rectified AC input voltage is converted via the transformer T into a predetermined DC voltage by a switching operation of the MOSFET  17  being controlled. In the control IC  8  configured of an IC circuit, load information output to the load  25  on the secondary side of the transformer T is fed back to an FB terminal of the control IC  8  via the shunt regulator  22  and photocoupler  21 , as heretofore described, and detected. Also, the voltage of the MOSFET  17  drain current is converted in the sense resistor  12 , and the voltage is detected by the IS terminal of the control IC  8 . By the FB terminal voltage and IS terminal voltage being compared, and the on-state duration of the MOSFET  17  being variably controlled from an OUT terminal, it is possible to perform the PWM control of the switching power supply device, and thus possible to regulate the power supplied to the secondary side load  25 . 
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing an internal circuit configuration of a related PWM controlling control IC. 
         [0012]    A start-up circuit (Startup)  31  supplies current from the VH terminal to the VCC terminal when starting up, and on the AC input  1  being applied to the flyback power supply, current flows in the control IC  8  from the VH terminal via the start-up circuit  31  to the VCC terminal. Because of this, the capacitor  13 , which is externally connected to the VCC terminal, is charged, and the voltage value thereof rises. 
         [0013]    A low voltage malfunction prevention circuit (UVLO)  32  is connected to the VCC terminal and a reference power supply V 1 . The low voltage malfunction prevention circuit  32  is such that a UVLO signal, which is the output of the low voltage malfunction prevention circuit  32 , changes to an L (Low) level on the voltage value of the VCC terminal rising to or above the reference power supply V 1 , an internal power supply (5VReg.)  33  starts up, and a supply of power to each circuit in the control IC  8  is carried out, while conversely, the UVLO signal is at an H (High) level while the VCC terminal voltage is low, stopping the operation of the control IC  8 . 
         [0014]    An oscillator (OSC)  34  is connected to the FB terminal, and a frequency modulation function is incorporated therein in order to reduce EMI (electromagnetic interference) noise generated by a switching operation of the MOSFET  17 . The oscillator  34  determines the switching frequency of the MOSFET  17  according to the control IC  8 , also has a function, separate from the heretofore described frequency modulation function, of lowering the oscillation frequency when there is a light load, and outputs an oscillating signal (a maximum duty cycle signal) Dmax. The oscillating signal Dmax is a signal with a long H level time that changes to an L level for a short time in every cycle, the cycle thereof is the switching cycle of the switching power supply, and the ratio between the cycle and the time of the H level during the cycle provides a maximum time ratio (maximum duty cycle) of the switching power supply. Also, a slope compensation circuit  35  is connected to the IS terminal, and includes a function of preventing sub-harmonic oscillation, of a kind to be described hereafter. 
         [0015]    An FB comparator  36  is connected to the FB terminal and a reference power supply V 2 . When the FB terminal voltage falls below the reference power supply V 2 , it is determined that the output voltage is excessive, and a clear signal CLR is output from the FB comparator  36  to a one-shot circuit  37  of a subsequent stage, stopping the switching operation. The one-shot circuit  37  is triggered by the rise of the oscillating signal Dmax of the oscillator  34 , and generates a set pulse for an RS flip-flop  38  of a subsequent stage. Also, while the H level clear signal CLR is being input, the one-shot circuit  37  does not output a set pulse for the RS flip-flop  38 . 
         [0016]    The RS flip-flop  38 , together with an OR gate  39  and an AND gate  40 , forms a PWM signal. That is, a blanking signal, which is a sum (OR) signal of two input output signals—the output signals of the one-shot circuit  37  and RS flip-flop  38 —is generated in the OR gate  39 . Basically, the blanking signal forms the PWM signal, but furthermore, the maximum duty cycle of the PWM signal is determined in the AND gate  40  based on the oscillating signal Dmax of the oscillator  34 . 
         [0017]    The UVLO signal output from the low voltage malfunction prevention circuit  32  is supplied via an OR gate  41  to a drive circuit (OUTPUT)  42 , and the gate of the MOSFET  17  is on/off controlled by a switch signal Sout output via the OUT terminal from the drive circuit  42 . That is, when the VCC terminal voltage is low and the UVLO signal is at an H level, the output of the drive circuit  42  is turned off (a signal causing the MOSFET  17  to be turned off is output). Conversely, when the VCC terminal voltage is high and the UVLO signal is at an L level, the drive circuit  42  on/off controls the gate of the MOSFET  17  in accordance with the output signal of the AND gate  40 . 
         [0018]    A level shift (Level Shift) circuit  43  has a function of shifting the level of the FB terminal voltage to a voltage range that can be input into an IS comparator  44 , and the output signal of the level shift (Level Shift) circuit  43  is supplied to the inversion input terminal (−) of the IS comparator  44 . The output signal of the slope compensation circuit  35  is supplied to the non-inversion input terminal (+) of the IS comparator  44 . A power supply voltage Vcc is connected via a resistor RO to the FB terminal, and the resistance RO is the load resistance of a phototransistor configuring the photocoupler  21 . Because of this, the size of the load  25  connected to the switching power supply device is detected from the drop in voltage from the power supply voltage Vcc according to the resistance R 0 . 
         [0019]    The slope-compensated IS terminal voltage and the level-shifted FB terminal voltage are compared in the IS comparator  44 , thus determining the timing at which the MOSFET  17  is turned off. Also, an OCP comparator  45  that determines the overcurrent protection level of the MOSFET  17  is connected to the IS terminal of the control IC  8 . The non-inversion input terminal (+) of the OCP comparator  45  is connected to the IS terminal and the inversion input terminal (−) is connected to a reference power supply V 3 , respectively, and the OCP comparator  45  determines the overcurrent protection level of the MOSFET  17 . Further, an off-state signal from the IS comparator  44  and an off-state signal from the OCP comparator  45  are both supplied via an OR gate  46  to the reset terminal of the RS flip-flop  38 . 
         [0020]    Current from a current source  47  is supplied via the LAT terminal to the thermistor  9 . An LAT comparator  48  is connected to the LAT terminal and a reference power supply V 4  and, on detecting that the voltage of the LAT terminal (that is, the voltage of the thermistor  9 ) has fallen to or below the voltage of the reference power supply V 4 , determines that there is a heated condition, and outputs a set signal to a latch circuit  49 . The latch circuit  49  receives the set signal of the LAT comparator  48 , and outputs an H level latch signal Latch to the OR gate  41  and an OR gate  51 . Because of this, the drive circuit  42  and start-up circuit  31  are turned off. Also, the UVLO signal of the low voltage malfunction prevention circuit  32  is supplied to the reset terminal of the latch circuit  49 , and a latching condition is deactivated when the potential of the VCC terminal falls. 
         [0021]    On the internal power supply  33  starting up and power being supplied to the internal circuit, voltage is applied via the resistor RO and FB terminal to the phototransistor configuring the photocoupler  21 , and the FB terminal voltage rises. On the FB terminal voltage signal rising to or above a constant voltage value, the oscillating signal Dmax is output from the oscillator  34 , and a set pulse is output from the one-shot circuit  37  to the RS flip-flop  38 , triggered by the rise of the oscillating signal Dmax. The set pulse is input into the OR gate  39  together with the output signal of the RS flip-flop  38 , and a blanking signal is generated as heretofore described. Further, this signal is output as a PWM signal from the OUT terminal, via the AND gate  40  and drive circuit  42 , to the gate terminal of the MOSFET  17 , becoming the switch signal Sout and driving the MOSFET  17 . Because of this, the MOSFET  17  is turned on at the rise of the oscillating signal Dmax. Taking the sum (OR) of the output signal of the RS flip-flop  38  and the set pulse from the one-shot circuit  37  is done so that, even in a condition wherein the RS flip-flop  38  is left reset for some reason, the MOSFET  17  is turned on for the duration of the set pulse from the one-shot circuit  37 . As the drain current Ids flows through the sense resistor  12  when the MOSFET  17  is turned on, the voltage of the IS terminal of the control IC  8  rises. 
         [0022]    Further, on the slope-compensated IS terminal voltage of the control IC  8  reaching a voltage which is the FB terminal voltage level-shifted by the level shift circuit  43 , a reset signal is output from the IS comparator  44  to the RS flip-flop  38  via the OR gate  46 . By the RS flip-flop  38  being reset, the output of the OR gate  39  changes to an L level (during normal operation, the set pulse from the one-shot circuit  37  is at an L level at this point), and as the output of the AND gate  40  also changes to an L level in response, the MOSFET  17  is turned off by the switch signal Sout. 
         [0023]    Also, even in the event that the load  25  connected to the switching power supply device becomes extremely heavy, and the voltage value fed back to the FB terminal of the control IC  8  is outside the (high voltage side) control range, it is possible, by comparing the voltage value of the IS terminal with the constant reference voltage value V 3  using the OCP comparator  45 , to turn off the MOSFET  17  when the voltage value of the IS terminal is equal to or higher than the reference voltage value V 3 . 
         [0024]    Before the level-shifted FB terminal voltage is compared with the IS terminal voltage in the IS comparator  44 , slope compensation whereby a slope compensation voltage proportional to the on-state duration of the MOSFET  17  is added is carried out on the IS terminal voltage by the slope compensation circuit  35 . Generally, provided that the MOSFET  17  is operating in a steady state, the sizes of the current flowing through the MOSFET  17  at the start and end of the switching cycle coincide. However, when the duty cycle (on-state time ratio=on-state time duration/switching cycle) of the MOSFET  17  becomes too long, the sizes of the current are no longer able to coincide, and the condition of the current flowing through the MOSFET  17  fluctuates with each switching cycle. This kind of oscillation at low frequency is known as sub-harmonic oscillation, but there are conditions for this sub-harmonic oscillation to occur. Sub-harmonic oscillation can be prevented by slope compensation whereby a monotonically increasing signal is superimposed on the IS terminal voltage, thus preventing the conditions from being established (refer to PTL 1). 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram showing one example of a heretofore known slope compensation circuit, while  FIG. 8  is a timing diagram showing a slope compensation signal generated by the slope compensation circuit of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0026]    Hereafter, a description will be given, based on the timing chart shown in  FIG. 8 , of a slope compensation operation in the slope compensation circuit  35 . 
         [0027]    In  FIG. 7 , the IS terminal voltage signal is input into an input terminal  35   a,  while the oscillating signal Dmax of the oscillator  34  is input into an input terminal  35   b.  The gate terminal of each of a serially-connected p-channel transistor M 1  and n-channel transistor M 2  is connected via an inverter  351  to the input terminal  35   b.  Of the serially-connected transistors M 1  and M 2 , the source terminal of the M 1  is connected to a current source circuit I 1 , the source terminal of the M 2  is grounded, and the commonly connected drain terminals are connected to the base of a PNP transistor T 1 . Also, a connection point of the transistors M 1  and M 2  is connected to one end of a capacitor C 1 , while the other end of the capacitor C 1  is grounded. 
         [0028]    The emitter of the PNP transistor T 1  is connected to the base of an NPN transistor T 2  and a current source circuit I 2 , while the collector of the PNP transistor T 1  is grounded. The collector of the NPN transistor T 2  is connected to the power supply Vcc, while the emitter of the NPN transistor T 2  is connected via serially-connected resistors R 1  and R 2  and the input terminal  35   a  to the IS terminal. Also, a connection point of the resistors R 1  and R 2  is connected to an output terminal  35   c.    
         [0029]    The slope compensation circuit  35  with the heretofore described configuration is such that the oscillating signal Dmax from the oscillator  34  is supplied to the input terminal  35   b,  and when the oscillating signal Dmax is at an H level, the transistor M 1  is turned on, the transistor M 2  is turned off, and the capacitor C 1  is charged by the current from the current source circuit I 1 . This monotonically increasing integrated voltage is applied to the base of the PNP transistor T 1  as the kind of continuously rising voltage signal Sa shown in  FIG. 8 . The voltage signal Sa is level shifted by two emitter followers formed one by each of the PNP transistor T 1  and NPN transistor T 2  (the level shift amount=(the base-emitter voltage of the PNP transistor T 1 )−(the base-emitter voltage of the NPN transistor T 2 )≈0), and a voltage of the same level as the voltage signal Sa is generated at the emitter of the NPN transistor T 2 . Also, as shown by a dotted line in  FIG. 8 , the IS terminal voltage signal also rises continuously from a timing t 1  at which the MOSFET  17  is turned on. The inclination of the voltage signal is determined by the inductance value of the primary winding  16  of the transformer T shown in  FIG. 5  and the input voltage from the AC input  1  (the voltage value of the capacitor  5 ). It can be assumed that the voltage value of the capacitor  5  is constant within one switching cycle. 
         [0030]    Herein, the rise of the oscillating signal Dmax and the turning on of the MOSFET  17  occur at the same timing, because of which, taking the resistance values of the resistors R 1  and R 2  to be R 1  and R 2  respectively, the waveform of the voltage signal Sa is added at a voltage division ratio (R 1 /(R 1 +R 2 )) to the IS terminal voltage signal, and output from the output terminal  35   c.  The voltage waveform of the output terminal  35   c  is compared in the IS comparator  44  with the feedback voltage waveform from the FB terminal shown in  FIG. 6  level shifted by the level shift circuit  43 , and when the voltage of the output terminal  35   c  rises above the level-shifted feedback voltage, the output of the IS comparator  44  changes to an H level. This signal resets the RS flip-flop  38  via the OR gate  46 , and as an output Q of the RS flip-flop changes to an L level, the MOSFET  17  is turned off by the drive circuit  42 . 
         [0031]    At a timing t 2  at which the oscillating signal Dmax changes to an L level, the transistor M 2  is turned on, and the charge of the capacitor C 1  is swiftly released. Because of this, the output voltage of the slope compensation circuit  35  (the voltage of the output terminal  35   c ) becomes zero, voltage is added again from zero potential when the MOSFET  17  is next turned on, and the switching power supply device is subject to the PWM controlling. 
         [0032]      FIG. 9  is a circuit diagram showing one example of a heretofore known oscillator including a frequency modulating function. 
         [0033]    The heretofore known oscillator  34  shown in  FIG. 9  is configured of current source circuits I 3  and I 4 , which cause a constant current to flow, a p-channel transistor M 3  connected via the current source circuit I 3  to the power supply Vcc, an n-channel transistor M 4  connected in series to the transistor M 3  and grounded via the current source circuit I 4 , a timing capacitor C 2 , one end of which is connected to a connection point of the transistors M 3  and M 4  and the other end of which is grounded, comparators  341  and  342  that set a charge voltage upper limit value and discharge voltage lower limit value respectively of a voltage signal Sb of the timing capacitor C 2 , a frequency modulating modulation period setting circuit  343 , to be described hereafter, an AND gate  344  into which an output signal Sc of the modulation period setting circuit  343  and the output signal of the comparator  341  are input, an RS flip-flop  345  that turns the transistors M 3  and M 4  on and off in a complementary way, and an inverter  346 . When it is determined from the feedback signal to the FB terminal that there is a light load condition, the oscillator  34  functions so as to reduce the switching frequency by reducing the current values of the current source circuits I 3  and I 4 , but with regard to the description of the oscillator, it may be supposed that the current is constant. 
         [0034]    A first reference voltage V 5  is input into the inversion input terminal (−) of the comparator  341 , while a second reference voltage V 6  is input into the non-inversion input terminal (+) of the comparator  342 . The first reference voltage V 5  and second reference voltage V 6  specify the charge voltage upper limit value and discharge voltage lower limit value respectively of the voltage signal Sb of the timing capacitor C 2 , and have a relationship such that V 5 &gt;V 6 . The output terminal of the comparator  342  is connected to a set terminal S of the RS flip-flop  345 , while the output terminal of the comparator  341  is connected via the AND gate  344  to a reset terminal R of the RS flip-flop  345 . The Q output (the signal output from the output terminal Q is taken to be the Q output) of the RS flip-flop  345  is supplied from the RS flip-flop  345  to an output terminal  34   a  of the oscillator  34 , output as the oscillating signal Dmax, and connected via the inverter  346  to the gate of each of the transistors M 3  and M 4 . 
         [0035]    Now, it will be assumed that the output terminal of the comparator  341  is connected directly to the reset terminal R of the RS flip-flop  345 , and that the oscillator  34  has no frequency modulating modulation period setting function. In this case, on the voltage signal Sb of the timing capacitor C 2  reaching the first reference voltage V 5  input into the inversion input terminal of the comparator  341  at the timing at which the timing capacitor C 2  is charged by the current from the current source circuit I 3 , the flip-flop  345  is immediately reset, and the on and off-states of the transistors M 3  and M 4  are inverted. Because of this, the timing capacitor C 2  is discharged by the current of the current source circuit I 4 , and on the voltage signal Sb reaching the second reference voltage V 6  input into the non-inversion input terminal of the comparator  342 , the flip-flop  345  is immediately set, and the on and off-states of the transistors M 3  and M 4  are inverted again. In this way, an operation whereby the timing capacitor C 2  is charged by the current source circuit I 3  then discharged by the current source circuit I 4  is repeated. Consequently, the length of timings t 1  to t 4  shown in  FIG. 10 , to be described hereafter, is specified by the total duration of the charging period and discharging period of the timing capacitor C 2  (the length of t 2  to t 3  is zero). Because of this, the switching frequency of the MOSFET  17  shown in  FIG. 5  is determined by the timing capacitor C 2  alone, while the maximum duty cycle is specified by only the charging period and discharging period of the timing capacitor C 2 . 
         [0036]    As opposed to this, the oscillator  34  of  FIG. 9  equipped with the frequency modulating function is such that it is possible, using the modulation period setting circuit  343 , to provide a modulation period (idle period), whose temporal length fluctuates with each cycle, between the charging period and discharging period. Consequently, the cycle of the oscillator  34  oscillating signal, that is, the switching cycle of the switching power supply, is the sum of the charging period, the modulation period (idle period), and the discharging period. 
         [0037]    The modulation period setting circuit  343  is configured of an inverter  347  that inverts the output signal of the comparator  341 , a current source circuit I 5  connected to the power supply Vcc, a p-channel transistor M 5  and n-channel transistor M 6 , whose gate terminals are connected to the output terminal of the inverter  347  and which are turned on and off alternately, a counter  348  that sets an idle period, p-channel transistors M 71 , M 72  to M 7   n  selected by an n-bit on/off signal of the counter  348 , and capacitors C 31 , C 32  to C 3   n  connected in series to the transistors M 71 , M 72  to M 7   n  respectively. 
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a timing diagram showing a signal waveform of each portion of the oscillator. 
         [0039]    Herein, a description will be given of the waveform of the oscillating signal Dmax shown in  FIG. 10  output from the oscillator  34 . 
         [0040]    The oscillator  34  shown in  FIG. 9  is such that, although the operation of charging the timing capacitor C 2  finishes at the timing t 2 , a modulation period (idle period t 2  to t 3 ) is provided from the timing t 2  to t 3 , rather than starting discharging immediately after the charging operation. That is, the modulation period setting circuit  343  is such that when the operation of charging the timing capacitor C 2  finishes, the current of the current source circuit I 5  starts charging the capacitors C 31 , C 32  to C 3   n  via the selected transistors M 71 , M 72  to M 7   n.  The operation of discharging the timing capacitor C 2  starts at a timing t 3  at which the charging of the capacitors C 31 , C 32  to C 3   n  is completed (that is, the timing at which the voltage Sc, which is the charge voltage of the capacitors C 31 , C 32  to C 3   n,  reaches a threshold value voltage with respect to the input of the AND gate  344 ). The modulation period setting circuit  343  is such that the capacitance values of the capacitors C 31 , C 32  to C 3   n  can be switched by turning on or off the switches of the p-channel transistors M 71 , M 72  to M 7   n,  because of which the length of the charging period of the capacitors C 31 , C 32  to C 3   n,  that is, the modulation period (idle period t 2  to t 3 ), varies. In this way, the oscillator  34  is such that it is possible, using the modulation period setting circuit  343 , to set a modulation period (idle period t 2  to t 3 ) between the frequency fixing periods (t 1  to t 2 , t 3  to t 4 ) of the oscillating signal Dmax of the oscillator  34 . 
         [0041]    In this way, the modulating method of the oscillator  34  equipped with a frequency modulating function is such that it is possible to modulate the frequency of the oscillating signal Dmax by modulating the idle period t 2  to t 3  of the timing capacitor C 2 . This is because the switching cycle of the MOSFET  17  is specified by the total of the charging period (t 1  to t 2 ) of the timing capacitor C 2 , the charging period (t 2  to t 3 ) of the capacitors C 31 , C 32  to C 3   n,  and the discharging period (t 3  to t 4 ) of the timing capacitor C 2 . In this way, it is possible to modulate the switching frequency of the switch signal Sout by modulating the idle period of the timing capacitor C 2 . Further, the charging period of the capacitors C 31 , C 32  to C 3   n  is inversely proportional to the total capacitance value of the capacitors connected to the current source circuit I 5 , and which capacitors are to be connected is determined by the p-channel transistors M 71 , M 72  to M 7   n,  which are turned on or off in accordance with the count value of the counter  348 , which value is lowered or raised with each cycle of the oscillating signal Dmax (each switching cycle) (refer to PTL 2). 
         [0042]    Regarding the way of modulating the switching cycle, various methods have been proposed to date, apart from that heretofore described. 
         [0043]    The control IC  8  described above is such that level limitation is carried out by the OCP comparator  45  so that the drain current Ids flowing through the MOSFET  17  does not rise to or above the constant current. This is as has already been described based on  FIG. 6 , which shows the internal circuit configuration of the IC  8 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are diagrams showing changes in the overcurrent protection level when the input voltage changes. 
         [0045]    The MOSFET  17  is turned off after the size of the drain current Ids flowing when the MOSFET  17  is in an on-state reaches an overcurrent detection level, but a certain delay time r is needed until the drain current Ids is actually cut off, as shown in  FIG. 11A . The length of the delay time τ is specified by a current detecting terminal noise filter, circuit delay factors inside the control IC  8 , a delay time in the switching operation of the MOSFET  17  itself, or the like. Further, when the input voltage from the AC input  1  is high, the inclination of the current flowing through the primary winding  16  of the transformer T when the MOSFET  17  is turned on increases, as shown in  FIG. 11B . Although the angle of inclination also depends on the inductance value of the primary winding  16 , the inclination when the input voltage is low is gentle, as shown in  FIG. 11A , while the inclination is steep when the input voltage is high. 
         [0046]    However, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the overcurrent detection voltage in the OCP comparator  45  is set to a constant value in accordance with the reference power supply V 3 . Because of this, the inductance current (=Ids) flowing during the delay time r continues to rise, and the current limit value when the MOSFET  17  is actually turned off is such that the higher the input voltage from the AC input  1 , the higher the value of the peak current when an overcurrent protection operation is carried out. Generally, as the current limit value set for the load  25  is determined in accordance with the overcurrent detection level when the input voltage is low, a current higher than the overcurrent detection level desired by the designer flows when the input voltage is high. Consequently, the heretofore known flyback power supply whose PWM is to be controlled is such that it is necessary to increase the rated current of the MOSFET  17 , transformer T, and the like, which is a factor leading to an increase in the cost and size of the power supply device. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literatures 
       [0047]    PTL 1: JP-A-2004-40856 
         [0048]    PTL 2: JP-A-2010-245675 
         [0049]    PTL 3: U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0291700 Specification (refer to Paragraph Nos. [0025] to [0026], FIGS. 4 and 5) 
         [0050]    PTL 4: JP-A-2002-153047 (refer to Paragraph Nos. [0048] to [0054], FIG. 4) 
       SUMMARY 
       [0051]    In response to this phenomenon, the following kind of countermeasure is taken in the disclosure of a power supply device of PTL 3. According to PTL 3, by level shifting an oscillator triangular wave to the level of an overcurrent protection reference voltage, inclination is provided to the detection level so that the overcurrent protection reference voltage is increased at a time of a low input voltage when the on-state duration of a MOSFET Q 1  increases, while the overcurrent protection reference voltage is reduced at a time of a high input voltage when the on-state duration of the MOSFET Q 1  decreases.  FIG. 12  is a diagram showing a condition wherein the overcurrent detection level is changed in accordance with the size of the input voltage. As shown here, by continuously changing the overcurrent detection level in accordance with the size of the input voltage, it is possible to obtain a constant overcurrent protection peak current value (shown as a current limit in the drawing) for the MOSFET Q 1 , regardless of the size of the input voltage. 
         [0052]    That is, the technology of PTL 3 is based on thinking similar to that of embodiments of the present invention, to be described hereafter, but an embodiment shown therein indicates only that overcurrent limitation is carried out by an overcurrent protection circuit (a power limiter  60 ) receiving a voltage signal (a saw tooth signal: Saw Signal) V SAW  from an oscillator (an oscillator  10 ). 
         [0053]    However, according to the countermeasure of PTL 3, it cannot be applied to an oscillator having the heretofore described idle period. This is because, when applying the method of PTL 3 to the oscillator  34  equipped with a frequency modulating function, illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the overcurrent protection reference voltage (the reference power supply V 3  of the OCP comparator  45 ) becomes constant in the idle period (modulation period). 
         [0054]      FIG. 13  is a timing diagram illustrating an overcurrent protection operation when the method of PTL 3 is applied to the oscillator of  FIG. 9  including a frequency modulating function. As shown in  FIG. 13 , on frequency fixing periods elapsing at timings t 2  and t 5 , and frequency modulation periods (t 3  to t 4 , t 5  to t 6 ) starting, it is no longer possible to correct the level of the overcurrent protection reference voltage with the voltage signal Sb, which corresponds to the voltage signal V SAW  of PTL 3. Consequently, it becomes impossible at this time to correct MOSFET  17  overcurrent protection peak current fluctuation caused by the input voltage from the AC input  1 . 
         [0055]    As another disclosure, a chopper regulator shown as a second embodiment in PTL 4 is such that an input current (overcurrent) is detected using a resistor  49 , and an output is inverted in a comparator  63  on the difference between two input voltages reaching Vc. 
         [0056]    Herein, a voltage divider circuit  66  is for detecting an input voltage, and the voltage dividing ratio is reduced by the output of the voltage divider circuit  66  so that a base current Ib flowing through a transistor  67  is not saturated. A current equivalent to the times the base current Ib of the transistor  67  flows through a regulating resistor  65 , because of which, when the input voltage increases, the voltage drop of the regulating resistor  65  increases commensurately. Also, as a voltage which is the sum of the voltage drop in the current detecting resistor  49  and the voltage drop in the regulating resistor  65  is input into the comparator  63 , the higher the input voltage, the higher too the difference between the two input voltages of the comparator  63 , even when the current flowing through the current detecting resistor  49  is the same size. That is, the higher the input voltage, the earlier it is possible to determine that an overcurrent is flowing (refer to FIG. 4 of PTL 4). 
         [0057]    However, this method is such that the input voltage is applied as it is to the non-inversion input terminal (+) of the comparator  63 , because of which, when the input voltage is obtained from an input power supply wherein an alternating current power supply has been rectified, a problem occurs in that the voltage value thereof is too high, and the input voltage cannot be input as it is into the comparator. Also, when making a power supply control circuit with an integrated circuit, input terminals for the comparator  63  are necessary, and two additional external terminals are necessary for the integrated circuit. When creating an integrated circuit, the number of terminals needed is always a large problem. Furthermore, as it is normally preferable that the resistance value of the resistor  49  is a small value, there is a problem in that the voltage input into the inversion input terminal (−) of the comparator  63  is also a high voltage (refer to FIG. 4 of PTL 4). 
         [0058]    In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable that a current detecting resistor is provided between the switching MOSFET  17  and the ground potential (GND), as with the sense resistor  12  used in  FIG. 5 . However, in order to apply the chopper regulator of PTL 4, a negative power supply is needed in the control circuit. Normally, preparing a negative power supply is not desirable, as the circuit scale increases. 
         [0059]    An aspect of the invention, having been contrived bearing in mind these kinds of point, has an object of providing a switching power supply device control circuit and switching power supply such that it is possible to correct fluctuations in the peak current of an overcurrent flowing through a switching element, even when using an oscillator having a modulation period (idle period) in the oscillation waveform. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0060]    In order to solve the heretofore described problems, an aspect of the invention provides a control circuit of a flyback type switching power supply device that converts the voltage of an AC input into a predetermined direct current voltage by turning a switching element on and off and supplies the voltage to a load. The switching power supply device control circuit is configured of a current detecting circuit, connected to the switching element, that converts the current of the switching element into a voltage signal, an overcurrent protection circuit that detects an overcurrent with respect to the load based on a current signal converted by the current detecting circuit, a voltage correction circuit that corrects a reference voltage signal to the overcurrent protection circuit in response to a change in voltage of the AC input, an oscillator circuit having a frequency modulating function whereby the switching frequency with respect to the switching element can be modulated, and a slope compensation circuit that generates a slope compensation signal increasing monotonically in proportion to an on-state period of the switching frequency including a frequency modulation period set by the oscillator circuit. 
         [0061]    The switching power supply device is such that the voltage correction circuit corrects the reference voltage signal in accordance with the slope compensation signal. 
         [0062]    Also, according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a flyback type switching power supply that converts the voltage of an AC input into a predetermined direct current voltage by turning a switching element on and off and supplies the voltage to a load. The switching power supply is configured of a current detecting circuit, connected to the switching element, that converts the current of the switching element into a voltage signal, an overcurrent protection circuit that detects an overcurrent with respect to the load based on a current signal converted by the current detecting circuit, a voltage correction circuit that corrects a reference voltage signal to the overcurrent protection circuit in response to a change in voltage of the AC input, an oscillator circuit having a frequency modulating function whereby the switching frequency with respect to the switching element can be modulated, and a slope compensation circuit that generates a slope compensation signal increasing monotonically in proportion to an on-state period of the switching frequency including a frequency modulation period set by the oscillator circuit. 
         [0063]    The switching power supply is such that the voltage correction circuit corrects the reference voltage signal in accordance with the slope compensation signal. 
       Advantageous Effects 
       [0064]    According to embodiments of the invention, it is possible to realize a function of regulating the overcurrent protection level without increasing the circuit scale, even when using an oscillator having a modulation period (idle period) in the oscillation waveform. 
         [0065]    Consequently, it is possible, in an IC that controls a power supply circuit (flyback) and has a function of modulating frequency using a modulation period (idle period) for reducing EMI noise, to turn off a MOSFET at the same overcurrent level, regardless of the input voltage. 
         [0066]    Further, by turning off a switch at the same overcurrent level, it is possible to eliminate an unnecessary margin in the rated current of the switch, inductor, and transformer, and thus possible to realize a reduction in the cost and size of the power supply device. 
         [0067]    The heretofore described and other objects, characteristics, and advantages of the invention will be made clear by the attached drawings representing an embodiment preferred as an example of the invention, and by the following related description. 
         [0068]    Additional aspects and/or advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0069]    These and/or other aspects and advantages will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0070]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a switching power supply control circuit according to an embodiment. 
           [0071]      FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram showing a slope compensation circuit in the control circuit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0072]      FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram showing an overcurrent level setting circuit in the control circuit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0073]      FIGS. 4A-E  are timing diagrams illustrating a correction operation by the overcurrent level setting circuit of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0074]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a flyback power supply using a PWM controlling integrated circuit (IC). 
           [0075]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing an internal circuit configuration of a related PWM controlling control IC. 
           [0076]      FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram showing one example of a heretofore known slope compensation circuit. 
           [0077]      FIG. 8  is a timing diagram showing a slope compensation signal generated by the slope compensation circuit of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0078]      FIG. 9  is a circuit diagram showing one example of a heretofore known oscillator including a frequency modulating function. 
           [0079]      FIG. 10  is a timing diagram showing a signal waveform of each portion of the oscillator. 
           [0080]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are diagrams showing changes in the overcurrent protection level when the input voltage changes. 
           [0081]      FIG. 12  is a diagram showing a condition wherein the overcurrent detection level is changed in accordance with the size of the input voltage. 
           [0082]      FIG. 13  is a timing diagram illustrating an overcurrent protection operation when the method of PTL 3 is applied to the oscillator of  FIG. 9  including a frequency modulating function. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0083]    Hereafter, referring to the drawings, a description will be given of an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a switching power supply control circuit according to the embodiment. 
         [0084]    A control IC  8  configuring the switching power supply control circuit has basically the same configuration as a related PWM controlling control IC  8  previously described in  FIG. 6 . The control IC  8 , based on voltage from an AC input  1 , controls a flyback power supply (refer to  FIG. 5 ) that generates a constant output voltage. Also, a current detecting sense resistor  12  for converting the voltage of current flowing through a MOSFET  17 , shown in  FIG. 5 , an IS terminal that detects a converted voltage signal, and an OCP comparator  45  for detecting an overcurrent in the control IC  8  configure an overcurrent protection circuit for detecting overcurrent. 
         [0085]    A description will be given of portions in  FIG. 1  differing from a heretofore known switching power supply control circuit, while the same reference signs are given to portions corresponding to the heretofore known circuit shown in  FIG. 6 , and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Differences between the control IC  8  and the heretofore known circuit ( FIG. 6 ) are that an overcurrent level setting circuit  50  is connected to the inversion input terminal (−) of the OCP comparator  45 , and the overcurrent protection level of the MOSFET  17  is determined without using a reference power supply V 3 . 
         [0086]    Firstly, a description will be given of an operation of the control IC  8  when protecting from overcurrent. 
         [0087]    The MOSFET  17  is turned on, current flows through the sense resistor  12  connected to the MOSFET  17 , and the voltage of the IS terminal of the control IC  8  rises. On the voltage of the IS terminal of the control IC  8  rising to or above an overcurrent protection level voltage inside the control IC  8 , the output of the overcurrent detecting OCP comparator  45  is inverted, and a reset signal is generated for an RS flip-flop  38  of a subsequent stage. On the RS flip-flop  38  being reset, a signal causing the MOSFET  17  to be turned off is output from an OUT terminal. As the output signal of a one-shot circuit  37  is a short pulse signal, and is normally at an L level at a point at which an overcurrent occurs, the output of an OR gate  39  is fixed by the output of the RS flip-flop  38 . Also, input noise immediately after the MOSFET  17  is turned on can be eliminated by adding an unshown leading edge blanking circuit, or the like, to the IS terminal of the control IC  8 . 
         [0088]    The overcurrent level setting circuit  50  is connected between a slope compensation circuit  35  and the inversion input terminal (−) of the OCP comparator  45 , and outputs a reference voltage signal Sd determining the overcurrent protection level. The overcurrent level setting circuit  50  is such that the reference voltage signal Sd rises continuously from immediately after the MOSFET  17  is turned on, correcting the phenomenon whereby the peak current when protecting the MOSFET  17  from overcurrent becomes higher the higher the level of the input voltage from the AC input  1 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram showing the slope compensation circuit in the control circuit of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0090]    The slope compensation circuit  35  has the same configuration as a heretofore known slope compensation circuit  35  shown in  FIG. 7 , except for including a terminal  35   d  for outputting a slope voltage signal Sa. That is, in the slope compensation circuit  35 , a capacitor C 1  is charged by a current from a current source circuit I 1  on an oscillating signal Dmax of an oscillator  34  input from an input terminal  35   b  changing to an H level, and generates an integrated voltage Sa that increases monotonically, as described in relation to  FIG. 7 . The monotonically increasing integrated voltage Sa is output from the terminal  35   d  as a slope voltage signal Sa. 
         [0091]    That is, when the MOSFET  17  that carries out a switching operation is turned on, the capacitor C 1  is charged, generates the monotonically increasing slope voltage signal Sa, and outputs the slope voltage signal Sa to the overcurrent level setting circuit  50 . Consequently, the gradient of the slope voltage signal Sa is determined by the capacitance value of the capacitor C 1  and the value of the current (I 1 ) from the current source circuit I 1 , and the slope voltage is such that the voltage value increases further the longer the on-state duration of the switching in the MOSFET  17 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram showing the overcurrent level setting circuit in the control circuit of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0093]    The overcurrent level setting circuit  50  includes an input terminal  50   a,  into which the slope voltage signal Sa is input, and an output terminal  50   b,  which outputs the reference voltage signal Sd. The overcurrent level setting circuit  50  is configured of a PNP transistor T 3  and an NPN transistor T 4 , each of which configures an emitter follower circuit, current source circuits  16  and  17 , p-channel transistors M 8  and M 9  configuring a current mirror circuit, and resistors R 3  and R 4 . In the overcurrent level setting circuit  50 , a voltage signal which is (the slope voltage signal Sa +the base-emitter voltage of the PNP transistor T 3 ) is generated at the emitter terminal of the PNP transistor T 3  in the emitter follower formed of the PNP transistor T 3 , while a voltage signal which is (the slope voltage signal Sa+the base-emitter voltage of the PNP transistor T 3 −the base-emitter voltage of the NPN transistor T 4 ≈the slope voltage signal Sa) is generated at the emitter terminal of the NPN transistor T 4  in the emitter follower formed of the NPN transistor T 4 . This is done in order to apply the slope voltage signal Sa with converted impedance to the resistor R 3 . 
         [0094]    As the slope voltage signal Sa with converted impedance is applied to the resistor R 3 , a current proportional to the slope voltage signal Sa flows through the resistor R 3 . This current is copied in the current mirror circuit formed of the transistors M 8  and M 9 , and a current wherein a reference current of the current source circuit I 7  (the current value is also expressed as I 7 ) is added to the copied current flows through the resistor R 4  (the resistance value thereof is also expressed as R 4 ). That is, the voltage of a current wherein the reference current (I 7 ) is added to the current proportional to the slope voltage signal Sa is converted by the resistor R 4 , forming the reference voltage signal Sd. Consequently, the reference voltage signal Sd determining the overcurrent protection level output from the output terminal  50   b  increases continuously from a non-zero initial voltage (=I 7 ×R 4 ) (the increase is generated by the current proportional to the slope voltage signal Sa flowing through the resistor R 4 ). 
         [0095]    The reference voltage signal Sd, wherein the voltage proportional to the slope voltage signal Sa and the initial voltage are added together, is supplied to the inversion input terminal (−) of the OCP comparator  45 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Because of this, a reset signal is input into the RS flip-flop  38  on the voltage of the IS terminal of the control IC  8  rising above the reference voltage signal Sd. Consequently, it is possible to cause the MOSFET  17  to be turned off at the timing at which the output signal of the OCP comparator  45  is inverted. 
         [0096]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are timing diagrams illustrating a correction operation by the overcurrent level setting circuit of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0097]    A voltage signal Sb (a trapezoidal wave signal) and the oscillating signal Dmax, each generated by the oscillator  34  ( FIG. 9 ), rise simultaneously at a timing t 4 , a timing t 7 , and the like, as shown in  FIGS. 4(B)  and (C), while an H level switch signal Sout is output from a drive circuit  42  to the OUT terminal, as shown in  FIG. 4A . Because of this, it is possible to cause the MOSFET  17  to be turned on. 
         [0098]    The continuously rising slop voltage signal Sa is generated in the slope compensation circuit  35  by the capacitor C 1  being charged from the current source circuit I 1  in synchronization with the timings t 4  and t 7  at which the oscillating signal Dmax rises, as shown in  FIG. 4D . 
         [0099]    The reference voltage signal Sd from the overcurrent level setting circuit  50  shown in  FIG. 4E  has a value of 
         [0000]        Vd=I 7× R 4  (V)
 
         [0000]    at the timings t 4  and t 7  immediately after the MOSFET  17  is turned on, and from there becomes a continuously rising voltage signal that rises at a gradient proportional to I 1 /C 1  (V/s). 
         [0100]    The voltage signal Sb (a trapezoidal wave signal) in the oscillator  34  is such that a constant voltage value V 5  is maintained from timings t 2  and t 5  at which charging periods finish and modulation periods I and II start, as shown in  FIG. 4B . Because of this, it is not possible to also generate a signal maintaining a continuously rising gradient in the oscillator  34  during the modulation periods I and II. As opposed to this, the slope voltage signal Sa from the slope compensation circuit  35  has a continuously rising gradient during the period for which the oscillating signal Dmax is at an H level, as heretofore described. Consequently, the overcurrent protection reference voltage signal Sd generated based on the slope voltage signal Sa is a signal that also increases at a continuously rising gradient throughout the modulation periods I and II. 
         [0101]    When the output voltage of the switching power supply is controlled to be constant, the on-state duration of the switch signal Sout is shorter the higher the input voltage from the AC input  1 , and longer the lower the input voltage. Therefore, by a voltage proportional to the slope voltage signal Sa, which is proportional to the on-state duration of the switch signal Sout, being added to the constant overcurrent reference voltage (=I 7 ×R 4 , corresponding to the voltage of the reference power supply V 3  of the circuit shown in  FIG. 6 ), the voltage of the reference voltage signal Sd is high in an overcurrent condition when the input voltage is low (the on-state duration is long), while the voltage of the reference voltage signal Sd is low in an overcurrent condition when the input voltage is high (the on-state duration is short). 
         [0102]    Consequently, input voltage correction is carried out on the overcurrent reference voltage by this operation of the overcurrent level setting circuit  50 , and it is possible to correct fluctuation occurring in the peak current of the MOSFET  17  when carrying out overcurrent protection. 
         [0103]    In this way, according to the switching power supply device of embodiments of the invention, it is possible to provide the control IC  8 , which has a frequency modulation function using a modulation period (idle period), with an advantage of correcting the input voltage with respect to the peak current of the MOSFET  17  when carrying out overcurrent protection. 
         [0104]    The heretofore described MOSFET  17  has been used as one example of a switching element, and may be replaced with a device such as an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) or bipolar transistor. 
         [0105]    The above description shows simply the principle of embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, a large number of modifications and changes are possible for those skilled in the art and, the invention not being limited to the exact configuration and application heretofore shown and described, all corresponding modification examples and equivalents are seen as being within the range of the invention according to the attached claims and equivalents thereof. 
       REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS LIST 
       [0106]      1  AC input 
         [0107]      2  Transformer 
         [0108]      3 ,  5 ,  10 ,  13 ,  20  Capacitor 
         [0109]      4  Diode bridge 
         [0110]      6 ,  19  Diode 
         [0111]      7  Current limiting resistor 
         [0112]      8  Control IC 
         [0113]      9  Thermistor 
         [0114]      11 ,  23 ,  24  Resistor 
         [0115]      12  Sense resistor 
         [0116]      14  Backflow preventing diode 
         [0117]      15  Auxiliary winding 
         [0118]      16  Primary winding 
         [0119]      17  MOSFET 
         [0120]      18  Secondary winding 
         [0121]      21  Photocoupler 
         [0122]      22  Shunt regulator 
         [0123]      25  Load 
         [0124]      31  Start-up circuit (Startup) 
         [0125]      32  Low voltage malfunction prevention circuit (UVLO) 
         [0126]      33  Internal power supply (5VReg.) 
         [0127]      34  Oscillator (OSC) 
         [0128]      35  Slope compensation circuit 
         [0129]      36  FB comparator 
         [0130]      37  One-shot circuit 
         [0131]      38  RS flip-flop 
         [0132]      39 ,  41 ,  46 ,  51  OR gate 
         [0133]      40  AND gate 
         [0134]      42  Drive circuit (OUTPUT) 
         [0135]      43  Level shift circuit (Level Shift) 
         [0136]      44  IS comparator 
         [0137]      45  OCP comparator 
         [0138]      47  Current source 
         [0139]      48  LAT comparator 
         [0140]      49  Latch circuit 
         [0141]      50  Overcurrent level setting circuit 
         [0142]    Dmax Oscillating signal 
         [0143]    I 1  to I 5  Current source circuit 
         [0144]    Sa Slope voltage signal 
         [0145]    Sb, V SAW  Voltage signal 
         [0146]    Sc Output signal 
         [0147]    Sd Reference voltage signal 
         [0148]    Sout Switch signal 
         [0149]    T Transformer 
         [0150]    V 1  to V 6  Reference power supply 
         [0151]    Vcc Power supply voltage

Technology Category: 5