JP2004104849A - Switching power unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switching power unit which can detect an abnormal voltage state without using auxiliary winding or a photocoupler. <P>SOLUTION: This switching power unit is equipped with first and second converter circuits 120 and 130 which are provided in series between an input terminal and the primary winding of a transformer, an output circuit 140 which is provided between an output terminal and the secondary winding of a transformer, a control circuit 150 which controls the action of the first and second converters 120 and 130, and a detection circuit 170 which detects the level of the output voltage Vout appearing between output terminals, based on the internal voltage Vp between the first converter circuit 120 and the second converter circuit 130. Since this switching power unit detects the level of the output voltage Vout, based on the internal voltage Vp, there is no necessity to provide auxiliary winding or use a photocoupler so as to enable the detection of an abnormal voltage state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

式（１）及び式（２）において、Ｄ_１２１はスイッチ素子１２１のオンデューティを示し、Ｎｐはトランス１１０の１次巻線１１１の巻数を示し、Ｎｓはトランス１１０の２次巻線１１２ａ，１１２ｂの巻数を示している。
【００４８】
式（１）から明らかなように、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔは、スイッチ素子１２１のオンデューティであるＤ_１２１を調節することにより目標電圧に安定させることが可能である。また、式（２）を参照すれば、内部電圧Ｖｐは出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔと完全に比例関係にあることが分かる。
【００４９】
以上説明した制御回路１５０の通常状態における動作は、過電圧検出回路１７０より供給される検出信号Ｓが通常状態であることを示している場合（ローレベルである場合）に行われ、これが過電圧状態であることを示した場合（ハイレベルとなった場合）、制御回路１５０はトランス１１０の２次側への電力伝送をストップし、これによって出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔを速やかに低下させる。過電圧状態とは、何らかの原因により出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔがある一定の電圧以上に異常上昇した状態をいい、一例として、目標電圧が５Ｖである場合に実際の出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが６Ｖ以上に上昇したような場合が該当する。過電圧状態におけるスイッチング電源装置１００の動作の詳細については後述する。
【００５０】
定電圧フィードバック回路１６０は、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔに基づいてフィードバック信号ＦＢを生成する回路であり、その具体的な回路構成の一例について説明する。
【００５１】
図２は、定電圧フィードバック回路１６０の具体的な回路構成の一例を示す回路図である。
【００５２】
図２に示す例による定電圧フィードバック回路１６０は、誤差アンプ１６１と、フォトカプラ１６２と、抵抗１６３〜１６７と、コンデンサ１６８と、定電圧源１６９とを備えている。
【００５３】
誤差アンプ１６１は、反転入力端子（−）、非反転入力端子（＋）及び出力端子を備えており、反転入力端子（−）には出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔを抵抗１６３及び１６４によって分圧した電圧が供給され、非反転入力端子（＋）には定電圧源１６９からの基準電圧Ｖｒｅｆ１が供給されている。また、誤差アンプ１６１の反転入力端子（−）と出力端子との間には、抵抗１６５及びコンデンサ１６８が並列に接続されている。ここで、基準電圧Ｖｒｅｆ１は、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが目標電圧に一致している場合において、抵抗１６３及び１６４の分圧によって得られる電圧に相当する。したがって、誤差アンプ１６１は、実際の出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが目標電圧に比べて高ければ高いほどその出力レベルを低下させ、逆に、実際の出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが目標電圧に比べて低ければ低いほどその出力レベルを上昇させる。また、誤差アンプ１６１の応答性は、反転入力端子（−）と出力端子との間に接続された抵抗１６５及びコンデンサ１６８によって制限されており、これによって出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔの異常発振等が防止されている。
【００５４】
フォトカプラ１６２は、トランス１１０の１次側回路と２次側回路を絶縁しながら、２次側回路に属する誤差アンプ１６１の出力を１次側回路に伝達する役割を果たし、発光側素子１６２ａ及び受光側素子１６２ｂからなる。発光側素子１６２ａは、その一端が抵抗１６６を介して２次側電源Ｖｃｃ２に接続されており、その他端が誤差アンプ１６１の出力端子に接続されている。また、受光側素子１６２ｂは、その一端が抵抗１６７を介して１次側電源Ｖｃｃ１に接続されており、その他端が接地電位（ＧＮＤ）に接続されている。受光側素子１６２ｂと抵抗１６７の接続点の電圧はフィードバック信号ＦＢとして用いられる。
【００５５】
ここで、誤差アンプ１６１の出力レベルは、実際の出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが目標電圧に比べて高ければ高いほど低下し、低ければ低いほど上昇することから、フィードバック信号ＦＢについても、実際の出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが目標電圧に比べて高ければ高いほど低下し、低ければ低いほど上昇する。このようなフィードバック信号ＦＢは上述のとおり制御回路１５０に供給され、制御回路１５０はこれに基づいてバックコンバータ回路１２０をデューティ制御し、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔを目標電圧に安定させる。
【００５６】
過電圧検出回路１７０は、図１に示すように、内部配線１３０ａ，１３０ｂ間に現れる内部電圧Ｖｐを受け、これに基づいて検出信号Ｓを生成する回路であり、コンパレータ１７１、抵抗１７２，１７３及び定電圧源１７４によって構成される。コンパレータ１７１は、反転入力端子（−）、非反転入力端子（＋）及び出力端子を備えており、非反転入力端子（＋）には内部電圧Ｖｐを抵抗１７２及び１７３によって分圧した電圧Ｖｐ’が供給され、反転入力端子（−）には定電圧源１７４による基準電圧Ｖｒｅｆ２が供給されている。コンパレータ１７１の出力端子に現れる電圧は検出信号Ｓとして用いられ、制御回路１５０に供給される。
【００５７】
ここで、内部電圧Ｖｐを抵抗１７２及び１７３によって分圧した電圧Ｖｐ’は、下記式（３）によって表すことができる。
【００５８】
【数２】

式（３）において、Ｒ_１７２は抵抗１７２の抵抗値を示し、Ｒ_１７３は抵抗１７３の抵抗値を示している。
【００５９】
また、基準電圧Ｖｒｅｆ２のレベルは下記式（４）のように設定される。
【００６０】
【数３】

式（４）において、ＶＦは出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが過電圧状態と判断される電圧レベルを示している。つまり、基準電圧Ｖｒｅｆ２のレベルは、出力電圧ＶｏｕｔがＶＦに一致している場合に、内部電圧Ｖｐを抵抗１７２及び１７３によって分圧して得られる電圧Ｖｐ’に設定される。
【００６１】
したがって、通常状態においては基準電圧Ｖｒｅｆ２の方が電圧Ｖｐ’よりも高く、このため、コンパレータ１７１の出力である検出信号Ｓはローレベルとなる。一方、過電圧状態になると、電圧Ｖｐ’の方が基準電圧Ｖｒｅｆ２よりも高くなるため、コンパレータ１７１の出力である検出信号Ｓはハイレベルとなる。したがって、制御回路１５０はかかる検出信号Ｓを参照することにより、現在の状態が通常状態であるか過電圧状態であるかを知ることができる。
【００６２】
制御回路１５０は、検出信号Ｓがハイレベルとなった場合、スイッチ素子１２１をオフ状態に固定することによって、トランス１１０の１次側から２次側への電力の伝送をストップさせる。これにより、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔは急速に低下し、出力端子１０３，１０４間に接続される負荷が過電圧状態から保護される。スイッチ素子１２１をオフ状態に固定すれば、２次側への電力の伝送はストップすることから、他のスイッチ素子１２２，１３１，１３２については必ずしもオフ状態とする必要はないが、本実施態様にかかるスイッチング電源装置１００においては、全てのスイッチ素子１２１，１２２，１３１，１３２をオフ状態に固定することが好ましい。
【００６３】
図３は、過電圧状態の検出前後における過電圧検出回路１７０の動作を示す波形図である。図３には、時刻ｔ１０において何らかの故障が発生し、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが異常な上昇を始めた場合の動作が示されている。
【００６４】
まず、通常状態（時刻ｔ１０以前）においては、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔのレベルは過電圧状態と判断されるレベルＶＦよりも低いため、電圧Ｖｐ’は基準電圧Ｖｒｅｆ２よりも低く、このため検出信号Ｓはローレベルとなっている。したがって、当該期間においては制御回路１５０は通常の制御を行う。すなわち、定電圧フィードバック回路１６０より供給されるフィードバック信号ＦＢに基づいてバックコンバータ回路１２０をデューティ制御するとともに、ハーフブリッジ回路１３０を固定デューティで動作させる。
【００６５】
そして、時刻ｔ１０において何らかの故障が発生し出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが異常な上昇を始めると、その後時刻ｔ１１において出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが過電圧レベルＶＦを越え、検出信号Ｓがローレベルからハイレベルに変化する。これに応答して、制御回路１５０は直ちにスイッチ素子１２１をオフ状態に固定し、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔを低下させる。この場合、制御回路１５０の動作にはある程度の時間が必要であることから、実際に出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが低下を始めるのは、時刻ｔ１２になってからである。つまり、時刻ｔ１１から時刻ｔ１２までの期間は、制御回路１５０の動作遅延に相当する。
【００６６】
図３には、比較のため、図８に示した従来のスイッチング電源装置における出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔの変化の様子を破線で示してある。既に説明したように、図８に示す従来のスイッチング電源装置においては、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが過電圧レベルＶＦを越えてから実際に出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが低下を始めるまでの時間は、過電圧検出回路に含まれるフォトカプラによる信号伝達の遅れと制御回路の動作遅延との和によって与えられ、しかも、この時間はフォトカプラによる信号伝達の遅れが支配的である。このため、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが過電圧レベルＶＦを越えてから実際に出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが低下するまでの時間が長いという欠点を有している。
【００６７】
これに対し、本実施態様にかかるスイッチング電源装置１００においては、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが過電圧レベルＶＦを越えてから実際に出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが低下を始めるまでの時間は、実質的に制御回路１５０の動作遅延のみであることから、出力端子１０３，１０４間に接続される負荷を過電圧状態から速やかに保護することができる。しかも、過電圧状態を検出するための補助巻線やフォトカプラも不要であり、過電圧状態を検出するために装置全体が必要以上に大型化することもない。
【００６８】
このように、本実施態様においては、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔに比例した電圧である内部電圧Ｖｐを監視することによって過電圧状態の検出を行っていることから、従来のスイッチング電源装置のように、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが過電圧状態となってから実際に出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが低下するまでに長い時間がかかったり、過電圧状態を検出するための補助巻線やフォトカプラを設ける必要がない。これにより、本実施態様によれば、簡単な構成により過電圧状態を検出することが可能となるとともに、過電圧状態を速やかに検出することが可能となる。
【００６９】
本発明は、以上説明した実施態様に限定されることなく、特許請求の範囲に記載された発明の範囲内で種々の変更が可能であり、それらも本発明の範囲内に包含されるものであることはいうまでもない。
【００７０】
例えば、上記実施態様においては、トランス１１０の１次側回路として、バックコンバータ回路１２０とハーフブリッジ回路１３０の直列回路を用いているが、本発明によるスイッチング電源装置において適用可能な１次側回路としてはこれに限定されず、他のコンバータ回路を直列に用いても構わない。例えば、バックコンバータ回路１２０の代わりに、ブーストコンバータ回路、バックブーストコンバータ回路等を用いることができ、ハーフブリッジ回路１３０の代わりにフルブリッジ回路、プッシュプル回路、フォワードコンバータ回路、フライバックコンバータ回路等を用いることができる。また、上記各実施態様においては、バックコンバータ回路１２０にスイッチ素子１２２を用いているが、スイッチ素子１２２の代わりにダイオードを用いても構わない。
【００７１】
また、上記実施態様においては、本発明をいわゆるＤＣ／ＤＣコンバータに適用した例について説明したが、本発明は、ＤＣ／ＤＣコンバータ部分を含む他のスイッチング電源装置、例えばＡＣ／ＤＣコンバータに適用することも可能である。
【００７２】
さらに、上記実施態様において用いた過電圧検出回路１７０は、内部電圧Ｖｐを抵抗１７２及び１７３によって分圧して得られる電圧Ｖｐ’と基準電圧Ｖｒｅｆ２とをコンパレータ１７１によって比較することにより過電圧状態の検出を行っているが、これは過電圧検出回路の一例であり、内部電圧Ｖｐに基づいて出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔの過電圧状態が検出可能であれば、どのような回路を用いても構わない。
【００７３】
また、上記実施態様においては、過電圧検出回路１７０を用いて出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔの過電圧状態の検出を行っているが、検出対象としては過電圧状態に限られず、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔの他の異常電圧状態、例えば、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが異常に低下するような状態（低電圧状態）を検出対象としても構わない。
【００７４】
さらに、上記各実施態様においては、出力回路１４０に含まれる整流回路として、ダイオード整流型の整流回路を用いているが、ＦＥＴ等のスイッチ素子を用いた同期整流型の整流回路や自己ドライブ型の同期整流回路を用いても構わない。
【００７５】
図４は、自己ドライブ型の同期整流回路を用いた例によるスイッチング電源装置３００の回路図であり、図１に示す出力回路１４０が出力回路３４０に置き換えられた構成を有している。
【００７６】
出力回路３４０は、図１に示す出力回路１４０に含まれるダイオード１４１，１４２が整流スイッチ３４１，３４２に置き換えられるとともに、抵抗３４３，３４４が付加された構成を有している。整流スイッチ３４１はトランス１１０の２次巻線１１２ａの一端と低位側の出力端子１０４との間に接続されており、整流スイッチ３４２はトランス１１０の２次巻線１１２ｂと低位側の出力端子１０４との間に接続されている。また、整流スイッチ３４１のゲートは２次巻線１１２ｂの一端に接続され、整流スイッチ３４２のゲートは２次巻線１１２ａの一端に接続されている。これにより、出力回路３４０に含まれる整流回路は、いわゆる自己ドライブ型の同期整流回路を構成している。さらに、整流スイッチ３４１，３４２のゲート−ソース間にはそれぞれ抵抗３４３，３４４が挿入されており、これによりゲート電極がフローティング状態となることが防止されている。
【００７７】
このような自己ドライブ型の同期整流回路を用いれば、出力回路３４０において発生する損失が低減することから、変換効率を高めることが可能となる。
【００７８】
また、上記実施態様においては、検出信号Ｓの変化により過電圧状態である旨の通知を受けた場合、制御回路１５０は、スイッチ素子１２１をオフ状態に固定することによってトランス１１０の１次側から２次側への電力の伝送をストップさせているが、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔを低下させることができる限り、スイッチ素子１２１を直ちにオフ状態に固定することは必須でなく、例えばスイッチ素子１２１のオンデューティＤ_１２１を大幅に制限したり、スイッチ素子１２１のオンデューティＤ_１２１を徐々に小さくすることによって出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔを低下させても構わない。
【００７９】
さらに、上記実施態様のように、出力回路１４０に含まれる整流回路がダイオード整流型の整流回路である場合においては、上述したように、過電圧状態に応答して全てのスイッチ素子１２１，１２２，１３１，１３２をオフ状態に固定することが好ましいが、図４に示したスイッチング電源装置３００のように出力回路３４０に含まれる整流回路が自己ドライブ型の同期整流回路である場合においては、過電圧状態に応答してバックコンバータ回路１２０に含まれるスイッチ素子１２１，１２２をオフ状態に固定する一方で、ハーフブリッジ回路１３０に含まれるスイッチ素子１３１，１３２を所定期間交互にオン／オフさせることが好ましい。これは、図４に示したスイッチング電源装置３００のように出力回路３４０に含まれる整流回路が自己ドライブ型の同期整流回路である場合、全てのスイッチ素子１２１，１２２，１３１，１３２をオフ状態に固定すると、整流スイッチ３４１及び整流スイッチ３４２が通常のスイッチング周期よりも長い周期で交互にオン／オフを繰り返す結果、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが振動しながら低下したり、内部電圧Ｖｐが異常に上昇したりするからである。この現象についてやや詳しく説明する。
【００８０】
図５は、図４に示したスイッチング電源装置３００において、全てのスイッチ素子１２１，１２２，１３１，１３２をオフ状態に固定した場合の動作を示す波形図であり、これに応答して整流スイッチ３４１がオン状態のままとなった場合が示されている。図５において、Ｖ_{ＧＳ（１２１）}，Ｖ_{ＧＳ（１２２）}，Ｖ_{ＧＳ（１３１）}，Ｖ_{ＧＳ（１３２）}，Ｖ_{ＧＳ（３４１）}，Ｖ_{ＧＳ（３４２）}は、それぞれスイッチ素子１２１，１２２，１３１，１３２及び整流スイッチ３４１，３４２のゲート−ソース間電圧を示し、Ｉ_１４３は出力チョーク１４３に流れる電流を示し、Ｖ_１１１はトランス１１０の１次巻線１１１に発生する電圧を示し、Ｉ_１１１はトランス１１０の１次巻線１１１に流れる電流を示している。
【００８１】
スイッチ素子１２１，１２２，１３１，１３２が全てオフ状態となったことにより整流スイッチ３４１がオン状態のままとなると、整流スイッチ３４１のゲートに蓄えられた電荷の放電ルートは実質的に抵抗３４３のみとなり、整流スイッチ３４１のゲート−ソース間電圧Ｖ_ＧＳ（３４１）は、抵抗３４３を流れる電流により緩やかに低下する。この間、出力コンデンサ１４４及び負荷の容量成分の放電により、出力チョーク１４３には逆方向電流が流れ続ける。
【００８２】
その後、出力コンデンサ１４４及び負荷の容量成分からの放電による出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔの低下及びトランス１１０の２次側電圧の低下と抵抗３４３を介したゲート電荷の放電によって、整流スイッチ３４１のゲート−ソース間電圧Ｖ_ＧＳ（３４１）がしきい値電圧未満まで低下し、これがオフ状態に変化すると、トランス１１０にフライバック電圧が発生する。かかるフライバック電圧は、トランス１１０を介して内部電圧Ｖｐを押し上げるとともに、整流スイッチ３４２のゲート−ソース間電圧Ｖ_ＧＳ（３４２）を跳ね上げる。これにより、今度は整流スイッチ３４２がオン状態のままとなる。
【００８３】
また、図５に示すように、整流スイッチ３４２を介して出力チョーク１４３に流れる電流Ｉ_１４３は一旦順方向となるため、かかる期間において出力コンデンサ１４４及び負荷の容量成分が充電され、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが上昇する。
【００８４】
その後、整流スイッチ３４２のゲート−ソース間電圧Ｖ_ＧＳ（３４２）は、出力チョーク１４３に流れる電流Ｉ_１４３が逆方向となった時点から、出力コンデンサ１４４及び負荷の容量成分からの放電による出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔの低下及びトランス１１０の２次側電圧の低下と抵抗３４４を流れる電流により緩やかに低下しはじめ、これがしきい値電圧未満まで低下し整流スイッチ３４２がオフ状態に変化すると、再びトランス１１０にフライバック電圧が発生し、トランス１１０を介して内部電圧Ｖｐが押し上げられるとともに、整流スイッチ３４１のゲート−ソース間電圧Ｖ_ＧＳ（３４１）を跳ね上げる。これにより、今度は整流スイッチ３４１がオン状態のままとなる。
【００８５】
このような動作は、出力コンデンサ１４４及び負荷の容量成分が、スイッチング電源装置の２次側回路及び負荷の抵抗成分によって消費されるまで繰り返し行われ、これにより、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔは、通常のスイッチング周期よりも非常に長い周期で振動しながら低下し、また１次側の内部電圧Ｖｐは段階的に上昇する。
【００８６】
このように、図４に示したスイッチング電源装置３００において、全てのスイッチ素子１２１，１２２，１３１，１３２をオフ状態に固定すると、図５に示すように出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔは単調に低下せず、通常のスイッチング周期よりも非常に長い周期で振動しながら低下することから、負荷において誤動作を生じるおそれがある。例えば、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが所定値以下まで低下すれば、スイッチング電源装置の動作が停止されたものと負荷において判断し所定の動作を行うような場合、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが振動しながら低下すると、負荷においてスイッチング電源装置の動作が停止したのか否かの判断が困難となってしまうという問題が生じる。
【００８７】
また、全てのスイッチ素子１２１，１２２，１３１，１３２をオフ状態に固定すると、１次側回路の内部電圧Ｖｐが段階的に上昇することから、１次側回路において用いる素子が破壊されるおそれがある。これを防止するためには、耐圧の高い素子を用いる必要があり、スイッチング電源装置のコストを増大させる原因となってしまう。
【００８８】
さらに、全てのスイッチ素子１２１，１２２，１３１，１３２をオフ状態に固定すると、出力チョーク１４３、トランス１１０の２次巻線１１２ａ，１１２ｂ、整流スイッチ３４１，３４２に大きな電流が流れることから、出力チョーク１４３、トランス１１０の２次巻線１１２ａ，１１２ｂ、整流スイッチ３４１，３４２において大きな発熱を生じ、スイッチング電源装置の信頼性の低下を招くおそれもある。
【００８９】
上述した問題は、負荷が有する抵抗成分が大きいほど顕著となることから、例えば、軽負荷時において過電圧状態となり、スイッチング電源装置３００の動作が停止された場合に特に問題となる。さらに、上述した問題は、負荷が有する容量成分が大きいほど問題となることから、容量成分が大きい負荷に電力を供給する場合に特に問題となる。
【００９０】
このような問題は、過電圧状態に応答して全てのスイッチ素子１２１，１２２，１３１，１３２をオフ状態に固定するのではなく、バックコンバータ回路１２０に含まれるスイッチ素子１２１，１２２をオフ状態に固定する一方で、ハーフブリッジ回路１３０に含まれるスイッチ素子１３１，１３２のスイッチングを継続させることにより解決することができる。
【００９１】
図６は、図４に示したスイッチング電源装置３００において、バックコンバータ回路１２０に含まれるスイッチ素子１２１，１２２をオフ状態に固定する一方で、ハーフブリッジ回路１３０に含まれるスイッチ素子１３１，１３２のスイッチングを継続させた場合の動作を示す波形図である。
【００９２】
図６に示すように、バックコンバータ回路１２０に含まれるスイッチ素子１２１，１２２をオフ状態に固定した後も、ハーフブリッジ回路１３０に含まれるスイッチ素子１３１，１３２のスイッチングを継続させると、整流スイッチ３４１，３４２も通常のスイッチング周期にて交互にオン／オフすることになり、図５に示したように一方の整流スイッチがオン状態のままとなる現象は生じない。これにより、出力コンデンサ１４４及び負荷の容量成分に蓄積されているエネルギーは、負荷の抵抗成分やスイッチ素子１３１，１３２、並びに、整流スイッチ３４１，３４２等により徐々に消費され、これにより出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔは低下する。この場合、スイッチ素子１３１，１３２は通常のスイッチング周波数で動作を行っていることから、図５に示したケースのように出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔが大きく振動しながら低下することはなく、実質的に単調に低下することになる。
【００９３】
また、図５に示したケースのようにフライバック電圧が発生することはなく、このため１次側の内部電圧Ｖｐが押し上げられることもない。さらに、出力チョーク１４３に異常な電流が流れることもない。
【００９４】
以上説明したように、図４に示したスイッチング電源装置３００のように出力回路３４０に含まれる整流回路が自己ドライブ型の同期整流回路である場合においては、過電圧状態に応答してバックコンバータ回路１２０に含まれるスイッチ素子１２１，１２２をオフ状態に固定する一方で、ハーフブリッジ回路１３０に含まれるスイッチ素子１３１，１３２のスイッチングを所定期間継続させれば、出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔの振動や１次側の内部電圧Ｖｐの異常上昇等を防止することができる。
【００９５】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明においては、１次側の内部電圧Ｖｐに基づいて出力電圧Ｖｏｕｔの異常電圧状態を検出していることから、簡単な構成により異常電圧状態を検出することが可能となるとともに、異常電圧状態を速やかに検出することが可能となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の好ましい実施態様にかかるスイッチング電源装置１００の回路図である。
【図２】定電圧フィードバック回路１６０の具体的な回路構成の一例を示す回路図である。
【図３】過電圧状態の検出前後における過電圧検出回路１７０の動作を示す波形図である。
【図４】自己ドライブ型の同期整流回路を用いた例によるスイッチング電源装置３００の回路図である。
【図５】図４に示したスイッチング電源装置３００において、全てのスイッチ素子１２１，１２２，１３１，１３２をオフ状態に固定した場合の動作を示す波形図である。
【図６】図４に示したスイッチング電源装置３００において、バックコンバータ回路１２０に含まれるスイッチ素子１２１，１２２をオフ状態に固定する一方で、ハーフブリッジ回路１３０に含まれるスイッチ素子１３１，１３２を所定期間交互にオン／オフさせた場合の動作を示す波形図である。
【図７】一般的なＤＣ／ＤＣコンバータの一例を示す回路図である。
【図８】一般的なＤＣ／ＤＣコンバータの他の例を示す回路図である。
【図９】過電圧検出回路５０の具体的構成の一例を示す回路図である。
【図１０】過電圧状態の検出前後における過電圧検出回路５０の動作を示す波形図である。
【符号の説明】
１００，３００　スイッチング電源装置
１０１，１０２　入力端子
１０３，１０４　出力端子
１１０　トランス
１１１　１次巻線
１１２ａ，１１２ｂ　２次巻線
１２０　バックコンバータ回路
１２１，１２２　スイッチ素子
１２３　平滑リアクトル
１３０　ハーフブリッジ回路
１３１，１３２　スイッチ素子
１３３，１３４　１次側コンデンサ
１４０，３４０　出力回路
１４１，１４２　ダイオード
１４３　出力チョーク
１４４　出力コンデンサ
１５０　制御回路
１６０　定電圧フィードバック回路
１６１　誤差アンプ
１６２　フォトカプラ
１６３〜１６７　抵抗
１６８　コンデンサ
１６９　定電圧源
１７０　過電圧検出回路
１７１　コンパレータ
１７２，１７３　抵抗
１７４　定電圧源
３４１，３４２　整流スイッチ
３４３，３４４　抵抗[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a switching power supply device, and more particularly to a switching power supply device capable of detecting an overvoltage state of an output voltage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a so-called DC / DC converter is known as a kind of switching power supply device. A typical DC / DC converter converts a direct current input into alternating current using a switching circuit, then transforms the voltage using a transformer (step-up or step-down), and further converts it into direct current using an output circuit. This is a device for conversion, whereby a DC output having a voltage different from the input voltage can be obtained.
[0003]
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a general DC / DC converter.
[0004]
The DC / DC converter shown in FIG. 7 is a device that transforms an input voltage Vin applied between input terminals 1 and 2 to generate an output voltage Vout and supplies the output voltage Vout between output terminals 3 and 4. A switching element 20 connected between the primary winding 11 of the transformer 10 and the input terminal 2, and an output circuit 30 provided between the secondary winding 12 of the transformer 10 and the output terminals 3, 4. And. The transformer 10 plays a role of transmitting an AC voltage applied to the primary winding 11 to the secondary winding 12 while insulating the primary side circuit and the secondary side circuit, and a voltage applied to the primary winding 11. And the voltage appearing at the secondary winding 12 are determined by these turns ratios. The switch element 20 is repeatedly turned on / off under the control of the control circuit 40, and thereby serves to apply an AC voltage to the primary winding 11 of the transformer 10. The output circuit 30 includes a rectifying unit including a diode 31 and a diode 32 and a smoothing unit including an output choke 33 and an output capacitor 34, thereby rectifying an AC voltage appearing in the secondary winding 12 of the transformer 10. Smooths to generate a DC voltage and supplies it between the output terminals 3 and 4
[0005]
As shown in FIG. 7, information on the level of the output voltage Vout appearing between the output terminals 3 and 4 is supplied to the control circuit 40 via the constant voltage feedback circuit 41, and the control circuit 40 is based on this. The duty of the switch element 20 is controlled so that the output voltage Vout is stabilized at a predetermined constant voltage.
[0006]
In addition, the DC / DC converter shown in FIG. The overvoltage detection circuit 42 is a circuit for notifying the control circuit 40 when the output voltage Vout abnormally rises above a certain voltage for some reason, that is, when the overvoltage state is reached. When receiving such a notification, the switch element 20 is fixed to the OFF state. As a result, the output voltage Vout rapidly decreases, and the load connected between the output terminals 3 and 4 is protected from the overvoltage state. There are various causes for the output voltage Vout to be in an overvoltage state, but a typical one is a failure of the constant voltage feedback circuit 41. As an example, there is a state in which the wiring in the constant voltage feedback circuit 41 is short-circuited or disconnected, so that the duty of the switch element 20 does not decrease even when the output voltage Vout increases.
[0007]
In the DC / DC converter shown in FIG. 7, the overvoltage detection circuit 42 detects the overvoltage state via the auxiliary winding 13 provided on the primary side of the transformer 10. That is, a rectification / smoothing circuit 43 having a circuit configuration similar to that of the output circuit 30 is provided between the auxiliary winding 13 of the transformer 10 and the overvoltage detection circuit 42. A detection voltage Vout ′ obtained by rectifying and smoothing the AC voltage appearing in the auxiliary winding 13 of the transformer 10 is supplied. Since the detection voltage Vout ′ is a voltage proportional to the output voltage Vout appearing between the output terminals 3 and 4, the overvoltage detection circuit 42 can detect the overvoltage state by monitoring this voltage.
[0008]
As described above, the DC / DC converter shown in FIG. 7 performs the stabilization control so that the output voltage Vout becomes a predetermined constant voltage in the normal state, while the detection voltage Vout obtained through the auxiliary winding 13 of the transformer 10. If the overvoltage state is detected based on ', the output voltage Vout can be rapidly lowered to protect the load connected between the output terminals 3 and 4.
[0009]
However, the DC / DC converter shown in FIG. 7 has the disadvantage that the entire apparatus is likely to be large because it is necessary to provide the auxiliary winding 13 and the rectifying / smoothing circuit 43 in order to detect an overvoltage state. .
[0010]
FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing another example of a general DC / DC converter.
[0011]
The DC / DC converter shown in FIG. 8 has the same configuration as that of the DC / DC converter shown in FIG. 7 except that the detection method of the overvoltage state is different. That is, in the DC / DC converter shown in FIG. 8, the overvoltage state is detected by directly monitoring the output voltage Vout using the overvoltage detection circuit 50, unlike the DC / DC converter shown in FIG. . Thereby, in the DC / DC converter shown in FIG. 8, it is not necessary to provide the auxiliary winding 13 in the transformer 10.
[0012]
However, since the detection point of the overvoltage detection circuit 50 is the output terminal 3 belonging to the secondary side circuit and the control target is the control circuit 40 belonging to the primary side circuit, the overvoltage detection circuit 50 includes An insulating element for insulating the primary side circuit and the secondary side circuit is required. A photocoupler is generally used as such an insulating element.
[0013]
FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the overvoltage detection circuit 50.
[0014]
As illustrated in FIG. 9, the overvoltage detection circuit 50 includes a comparator 51, a photocoupler 52, a voltage source 53, and resistors 54 to 57. A voltage obtained by dividing the output voltage Vout using resistors 54 and 55 is supplied to the inverting input terminal (−) of the comparator 51, and the voltage of the voltage source 53 is supplied to the non-inverting input terminal (+) of the comparator 51. ing. The voltage of the voltage source 53 is set to a level equal to the voltage level appearing at the nodes of the resistors 54 and 55 when the output voltage Vout is in an overvoltage state. For this reason, the output of the comparator 51 is high level in the normal state and low level in the overvoltage state.
[0015]
When the output of the comparator 51 is at a high level, that is, in the normal state, since the current IF does not flow through the light emitting side element 52a and the resistor 56 of the photocoupler 52, the light receiving side element 52b of the photocoupler 52 is in the OFF state. Therefore, the voltage Vc at the node between the resistor 57 and the light receiving side element 52b of the photocoupler 52 becomes high level. On the other hand, when the output of the comparator 51 is at a low level, that is, in an overvoltage state, the current IF flows through the light emitting side element 52a of the photocoupler 52 and the resistor 56, so that the light receiving side element 52b of the photocoupler 52 is turned on. Therefore, the voltage Vc at the node between the resistor 57 and the light receiving side element 52b of the photocoupler 52 becomes a low level.
[0016]
The voltage Vc is supplied to the control circuit 40, whereby the control circuit 40 can know whether the current state is a normal state or an overvoltage state by referring to the voltage Vc. As described above, the control circuit 40 fixes the switch element 20 in the off state when the overvoltage state occurs, thereby rapidly reducing the output voltage Vout.
[0017]
Next, the operation of the overvoltage detection circuit 50 before and after detecting the overvoltage state will be described in more detail.
[0018]
FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram showing the operation of the overvoltage detection circuit 50 before and after detection of the overvoltage state. FIG. 10 shows the operation when some failure occurs at time t0 and the output voltage Vout starts to rise abnormally. Further, in FIG. 10, the level of the output voltage determined to be an overvoltage state is indicated by “VF”.
[0019]
First, in the normal state (before time t0), since the level of the output voltage Vout is lower than the level VF determined to be an overvoltage state, the current IF is substantially zero, thereby maintaining the voltage Vc at a high level. To do. For this reason, the control circuit 40 performs normal control during this period. That is, the switch element 20 is turned on / off based on information regarding the level of the output voltage Vout supplied via the constant voltage feedback circuit 41.
[0020]
When some failure occurs at time t0 and the output voltage Vout starts to rise abnormally, the output voltage Vout exceeds the overvoltage level VF and current IF starts flowing at time t1. Along with this, the voltage Vc starts to decrease, but since the operation of the photocoupler 52 is relatively slow, the decrease in the voltage Vc is slow, and it takes a relatively long time to reach the low level. . FIG. 10 shows a state where the voltage Vc reaches a low level at time t2. That is, the period from time t1 to time t2 corresponds to a signal transmission delay by the photocoupler 52.
[0021]
When the voltage Vc reaches a low level at time t2, the control circuit 40 immediately fixes the switch element 20 in the OFF state and lowers the output voltage Vout. In this case, since a certain amount of time is required for the operation of the control circuit 40, the output voltage Vout actually starts to decrease after time t3. That is, the period from time t2 to time t3 corresponds to an operation delay of the control circuit 40. However, normally, the operation delay of the control circuit 40 is sufficiently shorter than the signal transmission delay by the photocoupler 52. Therefore, after the output voltage Vout exceeds the overvoltage level VF (time t1), the output voltage Vout actually The signal transmission delay by the photocoupler 52 is dominant during the period until it decreases (time t3).
[0022]
Thus, in the DC / DC converter shown in FIG. 8, due to the delay in signal transmission by the photocoupler, the time from when the output voltage Vout exceeds the overvoltage level VF until the output voltage Vout actually decreases is long. For this reason, there is a disadvantage that the period during which the overvoltage is applied to the load is long.
[0023]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Thus, in the conventional DC / DC converter, an auxiliary winding is provided on the primary side of the transformer to detect an overvoltage state, or an overvoltage state is established from the secondary side to the primary side using a photocoupler. Therefore, there has been a problem that the entire apparatus becomes unnecessarily large or the response speed from when the overvoltage state is reached until the output voltage actually decreases becomes slow. Such a problem also occurs when it is necessary to notify the control circuit that the output voltage Vout is abnormally low (low voltage state).
[0024]
Further, the above-described problem is not only a problem with so-called DC / DC converters but also with other switching power supply devices including a DC / DC converter part, such as an AC / DC converter.
[0025]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved switching power supply device capable of detecting an abnormal voltage state.
[0026]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a switching power supply device capable of detecting an abnormal voltage state with a simple configuration.
[0027]
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a switching power supply device capable of quickly detecting an abnormal voltage state.
[0028]
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a switching power supply device capable of detecting an abnormal voltage state without using an auxiliary winding or a photocoupler.
[0029]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object of the present invention is between a pair of input terminals, a pair of output terminals, a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and between the pair of input terminals and the primary winding of the transformer. First and second converter circuits provided in series, an output circuit provided between the pair of output terminals and the secondary winding of the transformer, and the first and second converter circuits Appearing between the pair of output terminals based on an internal voltage appearing between a control circuit for controlling the operation of the circuit and a pair of internal wirings provided between the first converter circuit and the second converter circuit And a detection circuit that detects a level of the output voltage. Here, the detection circuit can be used as a circuit for detecting an abnormal voltage state of the output voltage.
[0030]
According to the present invention, since the level of the output voltage is detected based on the internal voltage appearing between the internal wirings, it is not necessary to provide an auxiliary winding or use a photocoupler to detect an abnormal voltage state. . As a result, the abnormal voltage state can be detected with a simple configuration, and the abnormal voltage state can be quickly detected. Here, the detection circuit generates a voltage source that generates an internal voltage when the output voltage is in an abnormal voltage state or a voltage linked thereto, a voltage from the voltage source and a current internal voltage or a voltage linked thereto. It is preferable to include a comparison means for comparing.
[0031]
The detection circuit preferably notifies the control circuit in response to detecting an abnormal voltage state of the output voltage. According to this, the control circuit can quickly know the abnormal voltage state of the output voltage.
[0032]
In this case, the control circuit preferably stops or restricts transmission of power in response to receiving a notification from the detection circuit that the output voltage is in an abnormal voltage state. According to this, it becomes possible to protect the load connected to the output terminal from an abnormal voltage state. When stopping the transmission of power, the control circuit preferably stops the operation of the first and second converter circuits.
[0033]
Moreover, when stopping transmission of electric power, it is also preferable that the control circuit stops the operation of the first converter circuit and continues the operation of the second converter circuit for a predetermined period. According to this, even when the output circuit includes a self-drive type synchronous rectifier circuit, the output voltage does not drop while oscillating or the internal voltage does not rise abnormally.
[0034]
Preferably, the voltage source is a reference voltage source, and the control circuit operates the first converter circuit with a variable duty while operating the second converter circuit with a fixed duty.
[0035]
The first converter may be a buck converter circuit, a boost converter circuit, or a buck boost converter circuit, and the second converter may be a half bridge circuit, a full bridge circuit, a push-pull circuit, a forward converter. A circuit or flyback converter circuit can be used.
[0036]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0037]
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a switching power supply apparatus 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The switching power supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment steps down the DC input voltage Vin supplied to the pair of input terminals 101 and 102 to generate the DC output voltage Vout at the pair of output terminals 103 and 104, which is loaded. It is the apparatus which supplies to, ie, a DC / DC converter.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 1, the switching power supply device 100 according to this embodiment includes a transformer 110, a buck converter circuit 120 and a half bridge circuit 130 provided in series between the input terminals 101 and 102 and the transformer 110, An output circuit 140 provided between the transformer 110 and the output terminals 103 and 104, a control circuit 150 for controlling operations of the buck converter circuit 120 and the half-bridge circuit 130, and an output voltage Vout appearing between the output terminals 103 and 104. A constant voltage feedback circuit 160 that supplies information on the level of the output voltage to the control circuit 150, and an overvoltage detection circuit 170 that detects an overvoltage state of the output voltage Vout.
[0039]
The transformer 110 includes a primary winding 110 and secondary windings 112 a and 112 b, and the turns ratio thereof is an input voltage Vin applied between the input terminals 101 and 102 and an output voltage Vout to be supplied between the output terminals 103 and 104. Is set according to
[0040]
The buck converter circuit 120 includes switch elements 121 and 122 and a smoothing reactor 123. As shown in FIG. 1, the switch element 121 and the smoothing reactor 123 are connected in series between the high-order side input terminal 101 and the internal wiring 130 a serving as the high-order side input point of the half-bridge circuit 130. 122 is connected between the input terminal 102 on the lower side and the connection point of the switch element 121 and the smoothing reactor 123. In the buck converter circuit 120 having such a configuration, the switch elements 121 and 122 are alternately turned on under the control of the control circuit 150, thereby stepping down the DC input voltage Vin appearing between the input terminals 101 and 102. Thus, an internal voltage Vp is generated between the pair of internal wirings 130a and 130b.
[0041]
The half-bridge circuit 130 includes switch elements 131 and 132 connected in series between a pair of internal wires 130a and 130b, and primary capacitors 133 and 134 connected in series between a pair of internal wires 130a and 130b. It has. As shown in FIG. 1, the primary winding 111 of the transformer 110 is connected between the connection point of the switch elements 131 and 132 and the connection point of the primary side capacitors 133 and 134. In the half-bridge circuit 130 having such a configuration, the switch elements 131 and 132 are alternately turned on under the control of the control circuit 150 to excite the primary winding 111 of the transformer 110.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, FETs (field effect transistors) are used as the switch elements 121 and 122 included in the buck converter circuit 120 and the switch elements 131 and 132 included in the half-bridge circuit 130. However, it is not essential to use FETs as these switch elements, and other known elements or circuits can be used.
[0043]
The output circuit 140 rectifies and smoothes the AC voltage appearing in the secondary windings 112a and 112b of the transformer 110 to generate a DC output voltage Vout, and supplies the output voltage Vout between the output terminals 103 and 104. A diode 141 connected between one end of the secondary winding 112a of the transformer 110 and the lower output terminal 104, and a connection between one end of the secondary winding 112b of the transformer 110 and the lower output terminal 104. Diode 142, output choke 143 connected between rectified output point 140a, which is the other common end of secondary windings 112a and 112b of transformer 110, and output terminal 103 on the higher side, and a pair of output terminals 103 , 104 and an output capacitor 144 connected to each other. In the output circuit 140 having such a configuration, the diodes 141 and 142 constitute a rectifier circuit that rectifies the AC voltage appearing in the secondary windings 112a and 112b of the transformer 110, and the output choke 143 and the output capacitor 144 are rectified. A smoothing circuit that smoothes the rectified output that appears between the output point 140a and the common anode (output terminal 104) of the diodes 141 and 142 is configured.
[0044]
The control circuit 150 alternately turns on / off the switch elements 121 and 122 included in the buck converter circuit 120 by duty control so that the output voltage Vout is stabilized at a predetermined target voltage in a normal state, In this circuit, the switch elements 131 and 132 included in the circuit 130 are alternately turned on / off at a fixed duty (on duty = about 50%). Duty of switch elements 121 and 122 included in buck converter circuit 120 is determined based on feedback signal FB supplied from constant voltage feedback circuit 160. As will be described later, the feedback signal FB is a signal indicating the level of the current output voltage Vout, and the control circuit 150 refers to this to know the magnitude relationship and the difference between the current output voltage Vout and the target voltage. be able to. Although not particularly limited, the control circuit 150 compares the feedback signal FB with the sawtooth wave, thereby determining the duty of the switch elements 121 and 122 included in the buck converter circuit 120.
[0045]
On the other hand, the switch elements 131 and 132 included in the half-bridge circuit 130 are turned on / off at a fixed duty (on duty = about 50%) as described above, and thus do not directly contribute to the stabilization of the output voltage Vout. However, if such a half-bridge circuit 130 is interposed between the buck converter circuit 120 and the transformer 110, the amount of voltage transformation (step-down) of the buck converter circuit 120 is reduced, so that the accuracy of the output voltage Vout is improved. In addition, there is an advantage that the range of the output voltage Vout that can be output is widened.
[0046]
Since the control circuit 150 performs the above operation, the relationship between the input voltage Vin and the output voltage Vout is expressed by Expression (1) if the influence of the dead time or the voltage drop generated in each switch element is ignored. The internal voltage Vp can be expressed by Equation (2).
[0047]
[Expression 1]

In Formula (1) and Formula (2), D ₁₂₁ Represents the on-duty of the switch element 121, Np represents the number of turns of the primary winding 111 of the transformer 110, and Ns represents the number of turns of the secondary windings 112a and 112b of the transformer 110.
[0048]
As apparent from the equation (1), the output voltage Vout is D which is the on-duty of the switch element 121. ₁₂₁ It is possible to stabilize the target voltage by adjusting. Also, referring to equation (2), it can be seen that the internal voltage Vp is completely proportional to the output voltage Vout.
[0049]
The operation in the normal state of the control circuit 150 described above is performed when the detection signal S supplied from the overvoltage detection circuit 170 indicates that it is in a normal state (when it is at a low level). When it is indicated that it is present (when it becomes high level), the control circuit 150 stops the power transmission to the secondary side of the transformer 110, thereby rapidly reducing the output voltage Vout. The overvoltage state refers to a state where the output voltage Vout has abnormally increased above a certain voltage for some reason. For example, when the target voltage is 5V, the actual output voltage Vout has increased to 6V or more. Is applicable. Details of the operation of the switching power supply apparatus 100 in the overvoltage state will be described later.
[0050]
The constant voltage feedback circuit 160 is a circuit that generates the feedback signal FB based on the output voltage Vout, and an example of a specific circuit configuration thereof will be described.
[0051]
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a specific circuit configuration of the constant voltage feedback circuit 160.
[0052]
The constant voltage feedback circuit 160 according to the example illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an error amplifier 161, a photocoupler 162, resistors 163 to 167, a capacitor 168, and a constant voltage source 169.
[0053]
The error amplifier 161 includes an inverting input terminal (−), a non-inverting input terminal (+), and an output terminal. A voltage obtained by dividing the output voltage Vout by the resistors 163 and 164 is supplied to the inverting input terminal (−). The reference voltage Vref1 from the constant voltage source 169 is supplied to the non-inverting input terminal (+). A resistor 165 and a capacitor 168 are connected in parallel between the inverting input terminal (−) and the output terminal of the error amplifier 161. Here, the reference voltage Vref1 corresponds to a voltage obtained by dividing the resistances 163 and 164 when the output voltage Vout matches the target voltage. Therefore, the error amplifier 161 decreases the output level as the actual output voltage Vout is higher than the target voltage, and conversely, the output level as the actual output voltage Vout is lower than the target voltage. To raise. Further, the responsiveness of the error amplifier 161 is limited by the resistor 165 and the capacitor 168 connected between the inverting input terminal (−) and the output terminal, thereby preventing abnormal oscillation of the output voltage Vout and the like. Yes.
[0054]
The photocoupler 162 plays a role of transmitting the output of the error amplifier 161 belonging to the secondary side circuit to the primary side circuit while insulating the primary side circuit and the secondary side circuit of the transformer 110, and the light emitting side element 162a and It consists of a light receiving side element 162b. One end of the light emitting side element 162 a is connected to the secondary power source Vcc 2 via the resistor 166, and the other end is connected to the output terminal of the error amplifier 161. The light receiving side element 162b has one end connected to the primary side power supply Vcc1 via the resistor 167 and the other end connected to the ground potential (GND). The voltage at the connection point between the light receiving side element 162b and the resistor 167 is used as the feedback signal FB.
[0055]
Here, the output level of the error amplifier 161 decreases as the actual output voltage Vout is higher than the target voltage, and increases as the actual output voltage Vout is lower. Therefore, the actual output voltage Vout is also reduced for the feedback signal FB. The higher the voltage is, the lower the voltage is, and the lower the voltage is, the higher the voltage is. The feedback signal FB is supplied to the control circuit 150 as described above, and the control circuit 150 performs duty control on the buck converter circuit 120 based on the feedback signal FB, and stabilizes the output voltage Vout at the target voltage.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 1, the overvoltage detection circuit 170 receives the internal voltage Vp appearing between the internal wirings 130a and 130b, and generates a detection signal S based on the internal voltage Vp. The overvoltage detection circuit 170 includes a comparator 171, resistors 172 and 173, It is constituted by a voltage source 174. The comparator 171 includes an inverting input terminal (−), a non-inverting input terminal (+), and an output terminal. The non-inverting input terminal (+) has a voltage Vp ′ obtained by dividing the internal voltage Vp by resistors 172 and 173. And the reference voltage Vref2 from the constant voltage source 174 is supplied to the inverting input terminal (−). The voltage appearing at the output terminal of the comparator 171 is used as the detection signal S and is supplied to the control circuit 150.
[0057]
Here, the voltage Vp ′ obtained by dividing the internal voltage Vp by the resistors 172 and 173 can be expressed by the following formula (3).
[0058]
[Expression 2]

In formula (3), R ₁₇₂ Indicates the resistance value of the resistor 172, and R ₁₇₃ Indicates the resistance value of the resistor 173.
[0059]
Further, the level of the reference voltage Vref2 is set as in the following equation (4).
[0060]
[Equation 3]

In Expression (4), VF represents a voltage level at which the output voltage Vout is determined to be in an overvoltage state. That is, the level of the reference voltage Vref2 is set to the voltage Vp ′ obtained by dividing the internal voltage Vp by the resistors 172 and 173 when the output voltage Vout is equal to VF.
[0061]
Therefore, in the normal state, the reference voltage Vref2 is higher than the voltage Vp ′. Therefore, the detection signal S that is the output of the comparator 171 is at a low level. On the other hand, in the overvoltage state, the voltage Vp ′ becomes higher than the reference voltage Vref2, so that the detection signal S that is the output of the comparator 171 becomes a high level. Therefore, the control circuit 150 can know whether the current state is a normal state or an overvoltage state by referring to the detection signal S.
[0062]
When the detection signal S becomes a high level, the control circuit 150 fixes the switch element 121 to the off state, thereby stopping the transmission of power from the primary side to the secondary side of the transformer 110. As a result, the output voltage Vout rapidly decreases, and the load connected between the output terminals 103 and 104 is protected from an overvoltage state. If the switch element 121 is fixed in the off state, the transmission of power to the secondary side is stopped. Therefore, the other switch elements 122, 131, and 132 do not necessarily need to be in the off state. In such a switching power supply apparatus 100, it is preferable to fix all the switch elements 121, 122, 131, and 132 to the off state.
[0063]
FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram showing the operation of the overvoltage detection circuit 170 before and after the detection of the overvoltage state. FIG. 3 shows an operation when some failure occurs at time t10 and the output voltage Vout starts to rise abnormally.
[0064]
First, in the normal state (before time t10), since the level of the output voltage Vout is lower than the level VF determined to be an overvoltage state, the voltage Vp ′ is lower than the reference voltage Vref2, and therefore the detection signal S is at a low level. It has become. Therefore, the control circuit 150 performs normal control during the period. That is, the duty ratio of the buck converter circuit 120 is controlled based on the feedback signal FB supplied from the constant voltage feedback circuit 160, and the half bridge circuit 130 is operated at a fixed duty.
[0065]
When some failure occurs at time t10 and the output voltage Vout starts to rise abnormally, the output voltage Vout exceeds the overvoltage level VF at time t11, and the detection signal S changes from the low level to the high level. In response to this, the control circuit 150 immediately fixes the switch element 121 in the OFF state and lowers the output voltage Vout. In this case, since a certain amount of time is required for the operation of the control circuit 150, the output voltage Vout actually starts to decrease after time t12. That is, a period from time t11 to time t12 corresponds to an operation delay of the control circuit 150.
[0066]
For comparison, FIG. 3 shows a change in the output voltage Vout in the conventional switching power supply device shown in FIG. 8 by a broken line. As already described, in the conventional switching power supply device shown in FIG. 8, the time from when the output voltage Vout exceeds the overvoltage level VF until the output voltage Vout actually starts to decrease is the photo included in the overvoltage detection circuit. This is given by the sum of the signal transmission delay by the coupler and the operation delay of the control circuit, and the signal transmission delay by the photocoupler is dominant in this time. For this reason, there is a disadvantage that it takes a long time until the output voltage Vout actually decreases after the output voltage Vout exceeds the overvoltage level VF.
[0067]
On the other hand, in the switching power supply device 100 according to the present embodiment, the time from when the output voltage Vout exceeds the overvoltage level VF until the output voltage Vout actually starts to decrease is substantially the operation delay of the control circuit 150. Therefore, the load connected between the output terminals 103 and 104 can be quickly protected from the overvoltage state. In addition, an auxiliary winding and a photocoupler for detecting the overvoltage state are not required, and the entire apparatus is not enlarged more than necessary to detect the overvoltage state.
[0068]
As described above, in this embodiment, since the overvoltage state is detected by monitoring the internal voltage Vp, which is a voltage proportional to the output voltage Vout, the output voltage Vout as in the conventional switching power supply device. It takes a long time for the output voltage Vout to actually decrease after the voltage reaches the overvoltage state, and there is no need to provide an auxiliary winding or a photocoupler for detecting the overvoltage state. Thereby, according to this embodiment, it becomes possible to detect an overvoltage state with a simple configuration, and it is possible to quickly detect an overvoltage state.
[0069]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.
[0070]
For example, in the above embodiment, a series circuit of the buck converter circuit 120 and the half bridge circuit 130 is used as the primary side circuit of the transformer 110. However, as the primary side circuit applicable in the switching power supply device according to the present invention, However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other converter circuits may be used in series. For example, a boost converter circuit, a buck boost converter circuit, or the like can be used instead of the buck converter circuit 120, and a full bridge circuit, a push-pull circuit, a forward converter circuit, a flyback converter circuit, or the like can be used instead of the half bridge circuit 130. Can be used. In each of the above embodiments, the switch element 122 is used in the buck converter circuit 120, but a diode may be used instead of the switch element 122.
[0071]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a so-called DC / DC converter has been described. However, the present invention is applied to another switching power supply device including a DC / DC converter portion, for example, an AC / DC converter. It is also possible.
[0072]
Further, the overvoltage detection circuit 170 used in the above embodiment detects an overvoltage state by comparing the voltage Vp ′ obtained by dividing the internal voltage Vp by the resistors 172 and 173 with the reference voltage Vref2 by the comparator 171. However, this is an example of an overvoltage detection circuit, and any circuit may be used as long as the overvoltage state of the output voltage Vout can be detected based on the internal voltage Vp.
[0073]
In the above embodiment, the overvoltage detection circuit 170 is used to detect the overvoltage state of the output voltage Vout. However, the detection target is not limited to the overvoltage state, and other abnormal voltage states such as the output voltage Vout, for example, A state where the output voltage Vout is abnormally lowered (low voltage state) may be the detection target.
[0074]
Further, in each of the above embodiments, a diode rectification type rectification circuit is used as the rectification circuit included in the output circuit 140. However, a synchronous rectification type rectification circuit using a switching element such as an FET or a self-drive type rectification circuit is used. A synchronous rectifier circuit may be used.
[0075]
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a switching power supply apparatus 300 according to an example using a self-drive type synchronous rectifier circuit, and has a configuration in which the output circuit 140 shown in FIG.
[0076]
The output circuit 340 has a configuration in which the diodes 141 and 142 included in the output circuit 140 shown in FIG. 1 are replaced with rectifying switches 341 and 342 and resistors 343 and 344 are added. The rectification switch 341 is connected between one end of the secondary winding 112a of the transformer 110 and the lower output terminal 104, and the rectification switch 342 is connected to the secondary winding 112b of the transformer 110 and the lower output terminal 104. Connected between. The gate of the rectifying switch 341 is connected to one end of the secondary winding 112b, and the gate of the rectifying switch 342 is connected to one end of the secondary winding 112a. Thus, the rectifier circuit included in the output circuit 340 constitutes a so-called self-drive type synchronous rectifier circuit. Further, resistors 343 and 344 are inserted between the gate and source of the rectifying switches 341 and 342, respectively, thereby preventing the gate electrode from being in a floating state.
[0077]
If such a self-drive type synchronous rectifier circuit is used, loss generated in the output circuit 340 is reduced, so that the conversion efficiency can be increased.
[0078]
Further, in the above embodiment, when the notification that the overvoltage state is received due to the change of the detection signal S, the control circuit 150 fixes the switch element 121 to the off state, thereby fixing the switching element 121 from the primary side of the transformer 110. Although transmission of power to the next side is stopped, as long as the output voltage Vout can be reduced, it is not essential to immediately fix the switch element 121 in the off state. For example, the on-duty D of the switch element 121 ₁₂₁ The on-duty D of the switch element 121 ₁₂₁ The output voltage Vout may be lowered by gradually decreasing the voltage.
[0079]
Further, when the rectifier circuit included in the output circuit 140 is a diode rectifier type rectifier circuit as in the above embodiment, as described above, all the switch elements 121, 122, 131 respond to the overvoltage state. , 132 are preferably fixed in the off state. However, when the rectifier circuit included in the output circuit 340 is a self-drive type synchronous rectifier circuit as in the switching power supply apparatus 300 shown in FIG. In response, the switch elements 121 and 122 included in the buck converter circuit 120 are preferably fixed in the OFF state, while the switch elements 131 and 132 included in the half bridge circuit 130 are alternately turned on / off for a predetermined period. When the rectifier circuit included in the output circuit 340 is a self-drive type synchronous rectifier circuit as in the switching power supply device 300 shown in FIG. 4, all the switch elements 121, 122, 131, 132 are turned off. When fixed, as a result of the rectifier switch 341 and the rectifier switch 342 being alternately turned on / off in a cycle longer than the normal switching cycle, the output voltage Vout decreases while oscillating or the internal voltage Vp abnormally increases. Because. This phenomenon will be described in some detail.
[0080]
FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram showing the operation when all the switch elements 121, 122, 131, 132 are fixed in the OFF state in the switching power supply device 300 shown in FIG. The case where is left on is shown. In FIG. _{GS (121)} , V _{GS (122)} , V _{GS (131)} , V _{GS (132)} , V _{GS (341)} , V _{GS (342)} Denotes the gate-source voltages of the switch elements 121, 122, 131, 132 and the rectifier switches 341, 342, respectively. ₁₄₃ Indicates the current flowing through the output choke 143 and V ₁₁₁ Indicates a voltage generated in the primary winding 111 of the transformer 110, and I ₁₁₁ Indicates the current flowing through the primary winding 111 of the transformer 110.
[0081]
When the rectifying switch 341 remains on because all the switch elements 121, 122, 131, 132 are turned off, the discharge route of the charge stored in the gate of the rectifying switch 341 is substantially only the resistor 343. The gate-source voltage V of the rectifier switch 341 _GS (341) gradually decreases due to the current flowing through the resistor 343. During this time, reverse current continues to flow through the output choke 143 due to the discharge of the output capacitor 144 and the capacitive component of the load.
[0082]
Thereafter, the voltage between the gate and the source of the rectifying switch 341 is reduced by the decrease in the output voltage Vout due to the discharge from the capacitance component of the output capacitor 144 and the load, the decrease in the secondary side voltage of the transformer 110 and the discharge of the gate charge through the resistor 343. V _GS When (341) drops below the threshold voltage and changes to an off state, a flyback voltage is generated in the transformer 110. The flyback voltage pushes up the internal voltage Vp through the transformer 110, and at the same time, the gate-source voltage V of the rectifying switch 342. _GS Jump up (342). As a result, the rectifying switch 342 is now kept on.
[0083]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the current I flowing through the output choke 143 via the rectifying switch 342 ₁₄₃ Is once in the forward direction, the output capacitor 144 and the load capacitance component are charged during this period, and the output voltage Vout rises.
[0084]
After that, the gate-source voltage V of the rectifying switch 342 _GS (342) is the current I flowing through the output choke 143 ₁₄₃ From the point of time when the direction of power is reversed, the output voltage Vout decreases due to the discharge from the output capacitor 144 and the capacitive component of the load, the secondary voltage of the transformer 110 decreases and the current flowing through the resistor 344 begins to gradually decrease. When the voltage drops below the threshold voltage and the rectifying switch 342 changes to the OFF state, a flyback voltage is generated again in the transformer 110, the internal voltage Vp is pushed up through the transformer 110, and between the gate and source of the rectifying switch 341 Voltage V _GS Jump up (341). As a result, the rectification switch 341 is now kept on.
[0085]
Such an operation is repeated until the capacitance component of the output capacitor 144 and the load is consumed by the secondary circuit of the switching power supply device and the resistance component of the load, whereby the output voltage Vout is changed to a normal switching cycle. The internal voltage Vp on the primary side rises stepwise.
[0086]
As described above, in the switching power supply device 300 shown in FIG. 4, when all the switch elements 121, 122, 131, 132 are fixed in the OFF state, the output voltage Vout does not decrease monotonously as shown in FIG. Since the voltage drops while oscillating at a cycle much longer than the switching cycle, there is a risk of malfunction in the load. For example, if the output voltage Vout decreases to a predetermined value or less, the load is determined to be stopped and the predetermined operation is performed. When the output voltage Vout decreases while oscillating, the load There arises a problem that it becomes difficult to determine whether or not the operation of the switching power supply has stopped.
[0087]
Further, if all the switch elements 121, 122, 131, 132 are fixed in the OFF state, the internal voltage Vp of the primary side circuit increases stepwise, and there is a possibility that the elements used in the primary side circuit are destroyed. is there. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to use an element with a high breakdown voltage, which increases the cost of the switching power supply device.
[0088]
Furthermore, if all the switch elements 121, 122, 131, 132 are fixed in the OFF state, a large current flows through the output choke 143, the secondary windings 112a, 112b of the transformer 110, and the rectifier switches 341, 342. 143, the secondary windings 112a and 112b of the transformer 110 and the rectifying switches 341 and 342 generate a large amount of heat, which may lead to a decrease in reliability of the switching power supply device.
[0089]
The above-described problem becomes more prominent as the resistance component of the load increases. For example, the problem becomes particularly problematic when the operation of the switching power supply device 300 is stopped due to an overvoltage state at a light load. Furthermore, the above-mentioned problem becomes more problematic when the capacity component of the load is larger, and is particularly problematic when power is supplied to a load having a large capacity component.
[0090]
Such a problem does not fix all the switch elements 121, 122, 131, 132 in the off state in response to the overvoltage state, but fixes the switch elements 121, 122 included in the buck converter circuit 120 in the off state. On the other hand, the problem can be solved by continuing the switching of the switch elements 131 and 132 included in the half-bridge circuit 130.
[0091]
FIG. 6 shows the switching power supply 300 shown in FIG. 4, while the switching elements 121 and 122 included in the buck converter circuit 120 are fixed in the OFF state, while the switching elements 131 and 132 included in the half bridge circuit 130 are switched. It is a wave form diagram which shows the operation | movement at the time of continuing.
[0092]
As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the switching of the switch elements 131 and 132 included in the half bridge circuit 130 is continued even after the switch elements 121 and 122 included in the buck converter circuit 120 are fixed in the OFF state, the rectifier switch 341. , 342 are alternately turned on / off in a normal switching cycle, and the phenomenon that one of the rectifying switches remains on as shown in FIG. 5 does not occur. As a result, the energy stored in the output capacitor 144 and the load capacitance component is gradually consumed by the load resistance component, the switch elements 131 and 132, the rectifier switches 341 and 342, and the output voltage Vout is thereby reduced. descend. In this case, since the switch elements 131 and 132 operate at a normal switching frequency, the output voltage Vout does not decrease with large vibration unlike the case shown in FIG. Will be reduced.
[0093]
Further, the flyback voltage is not generated unlike the case shown in FIG. 5, and therefore the primary internal voltage Vp is not pushed up. Furthermore, no abnormal current flows through the output choke 143.
[0094]
As described above, when the rectifier circuit included in the output circuit 340 is a self-drive type synchronous rectifier circuit as in the switching power supply device 300 shown in FIG. 4, the buck converter circuit 120 responds to the overvoltage state. If the switching elements 131 and 132 included in the half-bridge circuit 130 are continuously switched for a predetermined period while the switching elements 121 and 122 included in An abnormal increase in the voltage Vp can be prevented.
[0095]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, since the abnormal voltage state of the output voltage Vout is detected based on the internal voltage Vp on the primary side, it is possible to detect the abnormal voltage state with a simple configuration. In addition, the abnormal voltage state can be detected quickly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a switching power supply apparatus 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a specific circuit configuration of a constant voltage feedback circuit 160. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram showing an operation of an overvoltage detection circuit 170 before and after detection of an overvoltage state.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a switching power supply apparatus 300 according to an example using a self-drive type synchronous rectifier circuit.
5 is a waveform diagram showing an operation when all switching elements 121, 122, 131, 132 are fixed in an off state in switching power supply apparatus 300 shown in FIG.
6 is a switching power supply device 300 shown in FIG. 4, the switch elements 121 and 122 included in the buck converter circuit 120 are fixed to the OFF state, while the switch elements 131 and 132 included in the half-bridge circuit 130 are predetermined. It is a wave form diagram which shows the operation | movement at the time of turning on / off alternately for a period.
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a general DC / DC converter.
FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing another example of a general DC / DC converter.
9 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of an overvoltage detection circuit 50. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram showing the operation of the overvoltage detection circuit 50 before and after detection of an overvoltage state.
[Explanation of symbols]
100,300 switching power supply
101,102 input terminals
103,104 Output terminal
110 transformer
111 Primary winding
112a, 112b Secondary winding
120 Buck converter circuit
121,122 switch element
123 Smoothing reactor
130 half-bridge circuit
131,132 switch element
133,134 Primary capacitor
140,340 output circuit
141, 142 diode
143 Output choke
144 Output capacitor
150 Control circuit
160 Constant voltage feedback circuit
161 Error amplifier
162 Photocoupler
163 to 167 resistance
168 capacitor
169 Constant voltage source
170 Overvoltage detection circuit
171 Comparator
172, 173 resistance
174 Constant voltage source
341, 342 Rectifier switch
343,344 resistance

Claims (10)

A pair of input terminals, a pair of output terminals, a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and a first provided in series between the pair of input terminals and the primary winding of the transformer A first and second converter circuit; an output circuit provided between the pair of output terminals and the secondary winding of the transformer; and a control circuit for controlling operations of the first and second converter circuits And a level of an output voltage appearing between the pair of output terminals is detected based on an internal voltage appearing between a pair of internal wirings provided between the first converter circuit and the second converter circuit. A switching power supply device comprising: a detection circuit. The switching power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the detection circuit is a circuit that detects an abnormal voltage state of the output voltage. The detection circuit includes: a voltage source that generates an internal voltage when the output voltage is in an abnormal voltage state or a voltage linked thereto; a voltage from the voltage source and a current internal voltage or a voltage linked thereto; The switching power supply device according to claim 2, further comprising comparison means for comparing the two. 4. The switching power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the detection circuit notifies the control circuit of this in response to detecting an abnormal voltage state of the output voltage. 5. 5. The switching according to claim 4, wherein the control circuit stops or restricts transmission of power in response to receiving a notification from the detection circuit that the output voltage is in an abnormal voltage state. Power supply. The control circuit stops operation of the first and second converter circuits in response to receiving a notification from the detection circuit that the output voltage is in an abnormal voltage state. Item 6. The switching power supply device according to Item 5. The control circuit stops the operation of the first converter circuit in response to receiving a notification from the detection circuit that the output voltage is in an abnormal voltage state. 6. The switching power supply device according to claim 5, wherein the operation is continued for a predetermined period. 8. The switching power supply device according to claim 7, wherein the output circuit includes a self-drive type synchronous rectifier circuit. The voltage source is a reference voltage source, and the control circuit operates the first converter circuit with a variable duty while operating the second converter circuit with a fixed duty. The switching power supply device according to any one of 8. The first converter is a buck converter circuit, a boost converter circuit, or a buck-boost converter circuit, and the second converter is a half-bridge circuit, a full-bridge circuit, a push-pull circuit, a forward converter circuit, or a flyback converter circuit. The switching power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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