WO2017122602A1

WO2017122602A1 - Variable capacitor

Info

Publication number: WO2017122602A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/000375
Authority: WO
Inventors: 砂田　卓也; 新村　雄一
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2016-01-12
Filing date: 2017-01-10
Publication date: 2017-07-20
Also published as: JP2017127081A

Abstract

A variable capacitor includes an insulating device and a capacitor of which the capacitance between electrodes varies in accordance with a signal input to a control terminal. The insulating device includes a transmit unit, a receive unit, and an insulating region provided between the transmit unit and the receive unit. The transmit unit transmits a setting signal, input from the outside to set capacitance, via the insulating region. The receive unit receives the setting signal transmitted via the insulating region from the transmit unit, and outputs a control signal in accordance with the received setting signal to the capacitor.

Description

Variable capacitor

This disclosure relates to a variable capacitor.

Conventionally, variable capacitors have been used for impedance adjustment of contactless communication devices, wireless power feeding systems, resonance circuits, and the like. For example, a variable capacitor using a ferroelectric material is used (see Patent Document 1).

In a variable capacitor using a ferroelectric material, the electric capacity between output terminals is changed by applying a voltage to the control terminal from the outside.

JP 2007-287996 A

The variable capacitor of the present disclosure includes an insulating device and a capacitor whose capacitance between electrodes changes according to a signal input to a control terminal, and the insulating device is a setting input from the outside in order to set a capacitance A transmission unit that transmits a signal; a reception unit that receives the setting signal transmitted by the transmission unit; and an insulating region provided between the transmission unit and the reception unit. A control signal corresponding to the setting signal received via the insulating region is output to the capacitor, and the capacitance of the capacitor is changed according to the control signal.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a variable capacitor according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a capacitor included in the variable capacitor according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the transmission unit and the reception unit of the variable capacitor according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the transmission unit and the reception unit of the variable capacitor according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a setting signal voltage and a control signal voltage in the variable capacitor according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the voltage of the setting signal and the capacitance of the capacitor in the variable capacitor according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a variable capacitor according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the variable capacitor according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a setting signal current and a control signal voltage in the variable capacitor according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the current of the setting signal and the capacitance of the capacitor in the variable capacitor according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a modified example of the variable capacitor according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a setting signal current and a control signal voltage in a variation of the variable capacitor according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the current of the setting signal and the capacitance of the capacitor in the modification example of the variable capacitor according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a variable capacitor according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a variable capacitor according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a variable capacitor according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a variable capacitor according to Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a modified example of the variable capacitor according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Prior to the description of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the problems in the conventional apparatus will be briefly described.

With conventional capacitors, the withstand voltage between the control terminal and the output terminal of the variable capacitor is as small as several volts to several tens of volts, so it occurs on the output side of the variable capacitor when performing high-power wireless power supply, etc. There is a possibility that proper impedance adjustment cannot be performed due to high voltage noise.

In the capacitor of the present disclosure, even when a high voltage or a large current is transmitted in a non-contact manner, the capacitance of the capacitor is changed by a control signal corresponding to the setting signal, so that appropriate impedance adjustment can be performed.

The following embodiments relate to a variable capacitor, and more particularly to a capacitor whose capacitance value between electrodes changes according to a signal.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a variable capacitor 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the configuration described below is merely an example of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made according to the design and the like as long as they do not depart from the technical idea of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the variable capacitor 1 of this embodiment includes an insulating device 10, a capacitor 20, a first terminal t1, a second terminal t2, a third terminal t3, a fourth terminal t4, and power supply terminals t10 and t11, and Control terminals t21 and t22 are provided.

The insulation device 10 includes a transmission unit 11, a reception unit 12, and an insulation region 13.

The transmission unit 11 receives power supply from the power supply terminal t10 and the second terminal t2 and operates. The transmission unit 11 receives a signal (setting signal S1) for setting the capacitance of the capacitor 20 from the first terminal t1, and transmits the received setting signal S1 to the receiving unit 12 through the insulating region 13. The transmitter 11 is grounded via the second terminal t2. Here, the setting signal S1 is an analog signal that changes continuously.

The receiving unit 12 receives power supply from a terminal (not shown) having a potential different from that of the power supply terminal t11 and the second terminal t2, and operates. The receiving unit 12 receives the setting signal S1 transmitted from the transmitting unit 11 through the insulating region 13. The receiving unit 12 outputs a control signal corresponding to the setting signal S <b> 1 to the capacitor 20.

The insulating region 13 is an insulating film formed of an electrically insulating material such as an insulating resin, and is provided between the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12 to insulate the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12 from each other. . Here, the insulation by the insulating region 13 means electrical insulation.

The capacitor 20 is electrically connected to the receiving unit 12 via control terminals t21 and t22. The capacitor 20 is electrically connected to the third terminal t3 and the fourth terminal t4. Here, the control terminals t21 and t22 may be components (terminals) for connecting electric wires or the like, but may be a part of a conductor formed as a wiring on a lead of an electronic component or a circuit board. Good. Moreover, “electrically connected” means a connection in an electrically conductive state, and includes not only a direct connection but also an indirect connection via a conductor such as an electric wire.

The capacitance value between the electrodes of the capacitor 20 changes according to the control signal input to the control terminals t21 and t22. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the capacitor 20 is provided with a control layer 21 between two

electrode plates

20a and 20b. The control layer 21 is made of a ferroelectric material, and is electrically connected to the receiving unit 12 via control terminals t21 and t22. The voltage is applied to the control layer 21 by the receiving unit 12 outputting the control signal. When a voltage is applied, the dielectric constant of the control layer 21 changes, and the electric capacity between the two

electrode plates

20a and 20b changes according to this change.

The capacitor 20 changes the impedance between the third terminal t3 and the fourth terminal t4 by changing the electric capacity according to the control signal corresponding to the setting signal S1, so that the impedance between the third terminal t3 and the fourth terminal t4 is changed. A voltage corresponding to the change in impedance is generated.

Hereinafter, detailed configurations of the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12 will be described. In the present embodiment, the insulating region 13 is formed of a material that transmits light.

The transmission unit 11 includes a light emitting element 11a and a control unit 11b as shown in FIG. The light emitting element 11a is, for example, an LED that emits light, and converts the setting signal S1 into light (optical signal) to emit light. The light emitted by the light emitting element 11 a passes through the insulating region 13 and is received by the receiving unit 12. The controller 11b receives power from a terminal having a potential different from that of the power supply terminal t11 and the second terminal t2, and drives the light emitting element 11a. For example, the control unit 11b performs control related to transmission of an optical signal by the light emitting element 11a.

The receiving unit 12 includes a light receiving element 12a and a control unit 12b as shown in FIG. The light receiving element 12a is, for example, a photodiode that receives light, and converts the received light into electricity (electrical signal). The control unit 11b operates by receiving power supply from a terminal having a potential different from that of the power supply terminal t11 and the second terminal t2. The controller 11b converts the electrical signal converted by the light receiving element 12a into a voltage signal that is an analog signal, and outputs the voltage signal as a control signal to the capacitor 20, that is, applies it to the control terminals t21 and t22.

In the capacitor 20, the electric capacity changes according to the voltage of the voltage signal (control signal) applied to the control terminals t21 and t22.

Next, details of the control unit 11b of the transmission unit 11 and the control unit 12b of the reception unit 12 will be described.

The transmission unit 11 has a current control circuit 11c as the control unit 11b as shown in FIG. The current control circuit 11c is a circuit that controls the current flowing through the light emitting element 11a in accordance with the voltage of the setting signal S1 input to the first terminal t1. The current control circuit 11c and the light emitting element 11a constitute a photo IC circuit.

As shown in FIG. 4, the receiving unit 12 includes an amplifier circuit 12c as a control unit 12b. The amplifying circuit 12c and the light receiving element 12a constitute a photo IC circuit with an amplifying function.

The amplification circuit 12c generates a voltage signal corresponding to the amplification factor from the electricity converted by the light receiving element 12a. For example, when the amplification factor is 1, the amplifier circuit 12c generates a voltage signal having the same voltage as the voltage of the setting signal S1 input to the first terminal t1, and controls the generated voltage signal (control signal). Applied to terminals t21 and t22. The amplification factor is a value of 1 or more.

In the capacitor 20, the electric capacity changes according to the voltage of the voltage signal (control signal) amplified by the amplifier circuit 12c.

Here, when the amplification factor is 1, the relationship between the voltage V1 of the setting signal S1 as the input voltage and the voltage V2 between the control terminals t21 and t22 is expressed by the relational expression “V1 = V2”. (See FIG. 5A). That is, as the value of V1 increases, the value of V2 increases monotonously.

Therefore, the voltage applied to the control terminals t21 and t22 of the capacitor 20 increases as the value of V1 increases. Therefore, the electric capacity C of the capacitor 20 monotonously decreases as the value of V1 increases (see FIG. 5B).

In the present embodiment, the capacitor 20 is configured to change the electric capacity using a ferroelectric material, but is not limited to this configuration. The capacitor 20 may be a capacitor of a type that can change the electric capacity by applying a voltage to the control terminals t21 and t22. For example, the capacitor 20 may be a variable capacitance diode or a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) type variable capacitor.

Alternatively, the capacitor 20 may be a mechanical capacitor having a movable part such as a variable capacitor, a trimmer capacitor, or a piston capacitor. In this case, a voltage is applied to a motor or the like that displaces the movable part to change the capacitance of the capacitor.

As described above, the insulating device 10 of the variable capacitor 1 according to the present embodiment includes the transmission unit 11, the reception unit 12, and the insulating region 13. The transmitter 11 transmits a setting signal S1 input from the outside in order to set the capacitance of the capacitor 20. The receiving unit 12 receives the setting signal S1 transmitted by the transmitting unit 11. The insulating region 13 is provided between the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12. The receiving unit 12 outputs a control signal corresponding to the setting signal S <b> 1 received via the insulating region 13 to the capacitor 20.

Thereby, since a high withstand voltage can be ensured between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12, the variable capacitor 1 has an appropriate impedance even when transmitting a high voltage or a large current in a non-contact manner. Adjustments can be made.

Here, the transmission unit 11 may transmit the setting signal S1 as an optical signal to the reception unit 12 via the insulating region 13. According to this configuration, since the optical signal is unlikely to be affected by electricity, the variable capacitor 1 can perform signal transmission between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 with less influence of electrical noise.

Here, the setting signal S1 is an analog signal. The transmission unit 11 converts an analog signal into an optical signal, and the reception unit 12 converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal. The receiving unit 12 outputs an analog signal corresponding to the converted electric signal to the capacitor 20 as the control signal.

According to this configuration, the insulating device 10 can transmit an analog signal input from the outside. Moreover, since the receiving part 12 outputs a control signal to the capacitor | condenser 20 as an analog signal, it can change the electrical capacitance of a capacitor | condenser with an analog signal similarly to the past.

Conventionally, there is a variable capacitor (hereinafter referred to as a “variable capacitor of a comparative example”) that increases the withstand voltage between a control terminal and an output terminal by turning on and off a plurality of capacitors with relays or switches. In the variable capacitor of the comparative example, a plurality of capacitors and a plurality of relays or switches are required. Therefore, the variable capacitor of the comparative example becomes large. Furthermore, since the number of capacitors is changed by a relay, a switch, etc., the capacity of the variable capacitor changes stepwise, that is, it is output stepwise.

On the other hand, the variable capacitor 1 of the present embodiment has an increased breakdown voltage without using a plurality of relays or switches. Therefore, the size can be reduced as compared with the variable capacitor of the comparative example. In addition, since the variable capacitor 1 of the present embodiment increases the withstand voltage using an analog signal that changes continuously, the capacitance of the capacitor can be changed continuously.

In the present embodiment, both the setting signal S1 input from the outside and the control signal output from the receiving unit 12 are analog signals. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The signal output from the receiving unit 12 may be at least an analog signal. If the signal output from the receiving unit 12 is an analog signal, the capacitance of the capacitor can be continuously changed.

As described above, in the variable capacitor 1 of the present embodiment, the receiving unit 12 outputs an analog signal that continuously changes as a control signal to the capacitor 20 so that the capacitor 20 continuously changes the capacitance. It may be configured. Alternatively, in the variable capacitor 1 of the present embodiment, the transmission unit 11 may be configured to transmit an analog signal to the reception unit 12 so that the capacitor continuously changes the capacitance. According to these configurations, the variable capacitor 1 can continuously change the capacitance of the capacitor.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the variable capacitor 1 includes the power supply terminals t10 and t11, but is not limited to this configuration. As shown in FIG. 6, the variable capacitor 1 may have a configuration not including the power supply terminals t10 and t11.

In this embodiment, a variable capacitor 1A that does not include the power supply terminal t10 will be described. In the following, the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

The transmitter 11 of the variable capacitor 1A of the present embodiment includes a light emitting element 11d as shown in FIG. The light emitting element 11d is, for example, an LED that emits light, and converts the setting signal S1 into light (optical signal) to emit light. The light emitted by the light emitting element 11 d passes through the insulating region 13 and is received by the receiving unit 12.

The receiving unit 12 of the variable capacitor 1A of the present embodiment is a series circuit in which a resistor 12d and a phototransistor 12e are connected in series as shown in FIG.

One end of the resistor 12d is electrically connected to the power supply terminal t11, and the other end is connected to the collector of the phototransistor 12e. The emitter of the phototransistor 12e is electrically connected to the control terminal t22. A connection point between the resistor 12d and the phototransistor 12e is electrically connected to the control terminal t21.

The receiving unit 12 outputs the voltage at the connection point between the resistor 12d and the phototransistor 12e to the capacitor 20 as a control signal.

Hereinafter, the function of the receiving unit 12 will be described in detail.

Since the light emitting element 11d emits light of a light amount corresponding to the flowing current, the phototransistor 12e receives light corresponding to the current flowing through the light emitting element 11d. Therefore, a collector current proportional to the current flowing through the light emitting element 11d flows between the collector and the emitter (between CE) of the phototransistor 12e. Then, a value (difference value) obtained by multiplying a value (multiplier value) obtained by multiplying the resistance value of the resistor 12d by the collector current value from a voltage supplied from a terminal having a potential different from that of the power supply terminal t11 and the second terminal t2. Is applied to the control terminals t21 and t22.

Here, as the collector current I1 input to the phototransistor 12e increases, the multiplication value described above increases. Therefore, the difference value decreases as the collector current I1 increases. That is, the value of the voltage V applied between the control terminals t21 and t22 becomes small (see FIG. 8A). When the value of the voltage V applied between the control terminals t21 and t22 decreases, the electric capacitance C of the variable capacitor increases. That is, as the collector current I1 increases, the capacitance C of the variable capacitor increases (see FIG. 8B).

In this embodiment, the collector of the phototransistor 12e and the resistor 12d are connected. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

The variable capacitor 1A may be configured such that the emitter of the phototransistor 12e and the resistor 12d are connected. The configuration of the variable capacitor 1A in this case is shown in FIG.

The collector of the phototransistor 12e in the variable capacitor 1A of this modification is electrically connected to the power supply terminal t11. The emitter of the phototransistor 12e is connected to one end of the resistor 12d. The other end of the resistor 12d is connected to the control terminal t22. A connection point between the resistor 12d and the phototransistor 12e is electrically connected to the control terminal t21.

In this case, the relationship between the collector current I1 and the voltage V applied between the control terminals t21 and t22 is opposite to that described above, that is, the voltage V increases as the collector current I1 increases (see FIG. 10A). . As the value of the voltage V applied between the control terminals t21 and t22 increases, the capacitance C of the variable capacitor decreases. That is, as the collector current I1 increases, the capacitance C of the variable capacitor decreases (see FIG. 10B).

As described above, in the variable capacitor 1A of the present embodiment, the receiving unit 12 is configured by a series circuit in which the phototransistor 12e and the resistor 12d are connected in series. The receiving unit 12 (series circuit) outputs the voltage at the connection point between the phototransistor 12e and the resistor 12d to the capacitor 20 as a control signal. According to this configuration, the configuration of the receiving unit 12 can be simplified.

(Embodiment 3)
In the first embodiment, the setting signal S1 is an analog signal, but the setting signal S1 may be a digital signal. In the present embodiment, the variable capacitor 1B when the setting signal S1 is a digital signal will be described. In the following, the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

The transmission unit 11 of the variable capacitor 1B of the present embodiment includes a light emitting element 11f as shown in FIG. The light emitting element 11f is, for example, an LED that emits light, and converts the setting signal S1 (digital signal) into light (optical signal) to emit light. The light emitted from the light emitting element 11 f passes through the insulating region 13 and is received by the receiving unit 12.

As shown in FIG. 11, the receiving unit 12 of the variable capacitor 1B of the present embodiment includes a light receiving element 12f, an amplifier circuit 12g, and a conversion circuit 12h.

The light receiving element 12f is, for example, a photodiode that receives light, and converts the received light into an electrical digital signal. The amplifier circuit 12g generates a digital signal corresponding to the amplification factor from the digital signal converted by the light receiving element 12f.

The conversion circuit 12h is a digital-analog (DA) conversion circuit that converts the digital signal amplified by the amplification circuit 12g into an analog signal. The conversion circuit 12h outputs the analog signal converted from the digital signal to the capacitor 20, that is, applies the voltage of the analog signal converted from the digital signal to the control terminals t21 and t22.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the setting signal S1 is a digital signal. The transmission unit 11 converts a digital signal into an optical signal. The receiving unit 12 converts the optical signal into a digital signal, and further converts the converted digital signal into an analog signal as the setting signal S1. According to this configuration, the variable capacitor 1B can change the impedance between the third terminal t3 and the fourth terminal t4 in accordance with a digital signal input from the outside. Moreover, since the receiving part 12 outputs a control signal to the capacitor | condenser 20 as an analog signal, it can change the electrical capacitance of a capacitor | condenser with an analog signal similarly to the past.

(Embodiment 4)
The

variable capacitors

1, 1A, 1B of the first to third embodiments are configured to convert the setting signal S1 into light (optical signal) and transmit / receive it, but are not limited to this configuration.

In this embodiment, a variable capacitor 1C that transmits and receives the setting signal S1 using a magnetic field will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

The transmission unit 11 of the variable capacitor 1C according to the present embodiment includes a first coil 11i and a control unit 11j. The controller 11j is a circuit that controls the current flowing through the first coil 11i according to the voltage of the setting signal S1 input to the first terminal t1. The first coil 11i generates a magnetic field according to the setting signal S1. Specifically, the first coil 11i generates a magnetic field corresponding to the current output from the control unit 11j.

The receiving unit 12 of the variable capacitor 1C according to the present embodiment includes a second coil 12i and a control unit 12j. A current flows through the second coil 12 i due to the magnetic field generated by the first coil 11 i of the transmitter 11. The controller 12j includes a rectifier circuit 100 that rectifies the current flowing through the second coil 12i, and outputs the current rectified by the rectifier circuit 100 to the control terminals t21 and t22 as a control signal. Since the rectified current is output to the control terminals t21 and t22, a voltage corresponding to the rectified current is applied to the control terminals t21 and t22.

In the insulating devices 10 of the first to third embodiments, the electric capacity of the variable capacitor is controlled by a method (optical insulating type) in which the setting signal S1 is transmitted by light. On the other hand, the insulation device 10 of this embodiment controls the electric capacity of the variable capacitor by a method (magnetic insulation type) that transmits the setting signal S1 by magnetism. Since the magnetic insulation type has higher power transmission efficiency than the optical insulation type, the variable capacitor 1C according to the present embodiment can transmit a signal (setting signal S1) at a higher speed than the

variable capacitors

1, 1A and 1B according to the first to third embodiments. There is an advantage that transmission can be performed.

As described above, in the variable capacitor 1C of the present embodiment, the transmission unit 11 has at least the first coil 11i that generates a magnetic field according to the setting signal S1. The receiving unit 12 includes a second coil 12i and a control unit 12j that rectifies a current flowing through the second coil 12i in accordance with a magnetic field generated in the first coil 11i. The capacitor 20 uses the rectified current as a control signal. Output to. According to this configuration, since the insulation device 10 is configured as a magnetic insulation type, signal transmission can be performed at a higher speed than an optical insulation type insulation device.

(Embodiment 5)
In the present embodiment, a variable capacitor 1D that forms a capacitor between the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12 and transmits / receives the setting signal S1 using this capacitor will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

The transmission unit 11 of the variable capacitor 1D of the present embodiment includes a control unit 11k, two electrode plates 14a, and an electrode plate 14b. The electrode plate 14 a is an electrode on one side of the first capacitor 150 formed between the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12. The electrode plate 14 b is an electrode on one side of the second capacitor 151 formed between the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12. The controller 11k is a circuit that controls the current output to the electrode plate 14a and the electrode plate 14b according to the voltage of the setting signal S1 input to the first terminal t1.

The receiving unit 12 of the variable capacitor 1D of the present embodiment includes a control unit 12k, and two electrode plates 15a and 15b. The electrode plate 15a is an electrode that forms the first capacitor 150, and is provided at a position facing the electrode plate 14a with the insulating region 13 interposed therebetween. The electrode plate 15b is an electrode that forms the second capacitor 151, and is provided at a position facing the electrode plate 14b with the insulating region 13 interposed therebetween. The control unit 12k includes a rectifier circuit 101 that rectifies the current that flows due to the discharge of the first capacitor 150 and the second capacitor 151, and outputs the current rectified by the rectifier circuit 101 to the control terminals t21 and t22. Since the rectified current is output to the control terminals t21 and t22, a voltage corresponding to the rectified current is applied to the control terminals t21 and t22.

In the insulation device 10 of the present embodiment, the electric capacity of the variable capacitor 1D is controlled by a method (capacity insulation type) in which the setting signal S1 is transmitted by a capacitor. By using the capacitive insulation type insulation device 10, it is possible to integrate as a semiconductor IC (Integrated Circuit), and it is possible to transmit signals with lower consumption than the optical insulation type and the magnetic insulation type, and further miniaturization is possible. Become.

In the present embodiment, two capacitors (first capacitor 150 and second capacitor 151) are formed between the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Any configuration in which one or more capacitors are formed between the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 may be used.

As described above, the variable capacitor 1D of the present embodiment has at least one transmission capacitor (here, the first capacitor 150 and the second capacitor 151) between the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12. ing. In the present embodiment, the setting signal S1 is transmitted and received by the transmission capacitor. The receiving unit 12 rectifies the received setting signal S1 and outputs the rectified setting signal S1 to the capacitor 20. According to this configuration, since the insulating device 10 is configured as a capacitive insulating type, signal transmission can be performed with lower consumption than the optical insulating type insulating device and the magnetic insulating type insulating device.

(Embodiment 6)
In the present embodiment, a variable capacitor 1E that drives the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 with a single power source will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

The insulation device 10 of the variable capacitor 1E of the present embodiment includes a transmission unit 11, a reception unit 12, an insulation region 13, a power transmission unit 16, and a power reception unit 17 as illustrated in FIG. In the insulating device 10, the transmission unit 11 and the power transmission unit 16 are arranged on one side and the reception unit 12 and the power reception unit 17 are arranged on the other side with the insulation region 13 interposed therebetween.

The power transmission unit 16 transmits the power supplied from the power supply terminal t10 and the second terminal t2 to the power reception unit 17 via the insulating region 13 by the magnetic coupling method.

The power receiving unit 17 is electrically connected to the receiving unit 12 and supplies the power received from the power transmitting unit 16 to the receiving unit 12. Thereby, the receiving unit 12 can operate.

In addition, the transmission unit 11 operates with power supplied from the power supply terminal t10 and the second terminal t2.

Note that the power transmission method is not limited to the magnetic coupling method, and may be another method, for example, an optical coupling method or a capacitive coupling method.

In the present embodiment, the transmission unit 11 and the power transmission unit 16 are arranged on one side and the reception unit 12 and the power reception unit 17 are arranged on the other side with the insulating region 13 interposed therebetween. It is not limited to.

As shown in the variable capacitor 1F in FIG. 15, the transmission unit 11 and the power reception unit 17 are arranged on one side and the reception unit 12 and the power transmission unit 16 are arranged on the other side with the insulating region 13 interposed therebetween. May be. In this case, the power transmission unit 16 supplies power supplied from a terminal (not shown) having a potential different from that of the power supply terminal t11 and the second terminal t2 to the power reception unit 17 via the insulating region 13 by a magnetic coupling method. Power transmission. The power reception unit 17 is electrically connected to the transmission unit 11 and supplies the power received from the power transmission unit 16 to the transmission unit 11. Thereby, the receiving unit 12 can operate. The receiving unit 12 operates with power supplied from a terminal (not shown) having a potential different from that of the power supply terminal t11 and the second terminal t2.

As described above, the variable capacitor 1 </ b> F of the present embodiment includes the power transmission unit 16 that transmits power through the insulating region 13 and the power receiving unit 17 that receives the power transmitted from the power transmission unit 16 through the insulating region 13. And further. The power transmission unit 16 is disposed on the side where the transmission unit 11 is disposed, of the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12 that are disposed with the insulation region 13 interposed therebetween. The power receiving unit 17 is arranged on the side where the receiving unit 12 is arranged among the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12 arranged with the insulating region 13 interposed therebetween with respect to the insulating region 13. The receiving unit 12 operates with the power received by the power receiving unit 17.

Alternatively, the power transmission unit 16 is disposed on the side where the reception unit 12 is disposed, of the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12 that are disposed with the insulation region 13 interposed therebetween. The power receiving unit 17 is disposed on the side where the transmitting unit 11 is disposed, of the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12 that are disposed across the insulating region 13 with respect to the insulating region 13. The transmission unit 11 operates with the power received by the power reception unit 17.

According to these configurations, a power supply terminal may be provided on one of the transmission unit 11 side and the reception unit 12 side.

(Summary)
The variable capacitor 1 of the present disclosure includes an insulating device 10 and a capacitor 20 whose capacitance between electrodes changes according to a signal input to the control terminal t21 or t22. The insulating device 10 includes a transmission unit 11 that transmits a setting signal S1 input from the outside of the variable capacitor 1 in order to set a capacitance, a reception unit 12 that receives the setting signal S1 transmitted by the transmission unit 11, and a transmission And an insulating region 13 provided between the unit 11 and the receiving unit 12. The receiving unit 12 outputs a control signal (signal input to the control terminal t21 or the control terminal t22) corresponding to the setting signal S1 received through the insulating region 13 to the capacitor 20. The capacitance of the capacitor 20 is changed according to this control signal.

Furthermore, in the variable capacitor 1 of the present disclosure, the transmission unit 11 transmits the setting signal S1 as an optical signal to the reception unit 12 via the insulating region 13, and the reception unit 12 converts the optical signal into the setting signal S1. May be.

In the variable capacitor 1 of the present disclosure, the setting signal S1 input from the outside of the variable capacitor 1 is an analog signal. The transmission unit 11 converts an analog signal into an optical signal, and the reception unit 12 includes a light receiving element 12a that converts the optical signal into an electrical signal. The light receiving element 12a converts the optical signal transmitted by the transmitting unit 11 into an electric signal, and the receiving unit 12 outputs an analog signal corresponding to the electric signal converted by the light receiving element 12a to the capacitor 20 as a control signal.

In the variable capacitor 1A of the present disclosure, the receiving unit 12 is configured by a series circuit in which a phototransistor 12e and a resistor 12d are connected in series. One end of this series circuit is connected to the power supply terminal t11, and this series circuit outputs the voltage at the connection point between the phototransistor 12e and the resistor 12d to the capacitor 20 as a control signal.

In the variable capacitor 1B of the present disclosure, the setting signal S1 input from the outside of the variable capacitor 1B is a digital signal. The transmission unit 11 converts a digital signal into an optical signal, and the reception unit 12 includes a light receiving element 12f that converts the optical signal into an electric signal, and a conversion circuit 12h. The light receiving element 12f converts the optical signal transmitted by the transmission unit 11 into a digital signal, and the conversion circuit 12h converts the digital signal converted by the light receiving element 12f into an analog signal as a setting signal.

In the variable capacitor 1C of the present disclosure, the transmission unit 11 includes at least a first coil 11i that generates a magnetic field according to the setting signal S1. The receiving unit 12 includes a second coil 12i and a control unit 12j that rectifies a current flowing through the second coil 12i in accordance with a magnetic field generated by the first coil 11i. The controller 12j outputs the rectified current to the capacitor 20 as a control signal.

In the variable capacitor 1D of the present disclosure, the transmission unit 11 includes at least the first electrode plate 14a (or the first electrode plate 14b). The receiving unit 12 includes a second electrode plate 15a (or second electrode plate 15b) for constituting a transmission capacitor with the first electrode plate 14a (or first electrode plate 14b), and a control unit 12k. The insulating region 13 is provided between the first electrode plate 14a (or the first electrode plate 14b) and the second electrode plate, and the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate 15a (or the second electrode plate). 15b), the setting signal is transmitted and received between the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12 by the transmission capacitor. The control unit 12k includes a rectifier circuit 101 that rectifies the setting signal received by the receiving unit 12. The controller 12k outputs the setting signal rectified by the rectifier circuit 101 to the capacitor 20.

The variable capacitor 1E of the present disclosure includes a power transmission unit 16 that transmits electric power through the insulating region 13, and a power reception unit 17 that receives electric power transmitted from the power transmission unit 16 through the insulating region 13. The power transmission unit 16 is disposed on the side where the transmission unit 11 is disposed, among the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12 that are disposed with the insulation region 13 interposed therebetween. The power receiving unit 17 is arranged on the side where the receiving unit 12 is arranged, among the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12 arranged with the insulating region 13 interposed therebetween, with respect to the insulating region 13. The receiving unit 12 operates with the power received by the power receiving unit.

The variable capacitor 1F of the present disclosure includes a power transmission unit 16 that transmits electric power through the insulating region 13 and a power reception unit 17 that receives electric power transmitted from the power transmission unit 16 through the insulating region 13. The power transmission unit 16 is arranged with respect to the insulating region 13 on the side where the receiving unit 12 is arranged among the transmitting unit 11 and the receiving unit 12 arranged with the insulating region 13 interposed therebetween. The power reception unit 17 is disposed on the side of the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12 that are disposed with the insulation region 13 interposed therebetween with respect to the insulation region 13. The transmission unit 11 operates with the power received by the power reception unit.

In the variable capacitor 1 of the present disclosure, the receiving unit 12 may be configured to output to the capacitor 20 an analog signal that continuously changes as a control signal so that the capacitor 20 continuously changes the capacitance. Furthermore, the transmission unit 11 may be configured to transmit an analog signal to the reception unit 12 so that the capacitor 20 continuously changes the capacitance.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F Variable capacitor 10 Insulating device 11

Transmitter

11a, 11d, 11f

Light emitting element

11b, 11j, 11k, 12b, 12j, 12k Control unit 11i First coil 12

Receiver

12a, 12f

Light receiving element

12c, 12g Amplifier circuit 12d Resistor 12e Phototransistor

12h Converter circuit

12i Second coil 13

Insulating region

14a, 14b, 15a, 15b Electrode plate 16 Power transmitting unit 17 Power receiving unit 20

Capacitor

20a,

20b Electrode plate

100, 101 Rectifier circuit 150 1st capacitor 151 2nd capacitor t1, t2, t3, t4 terminal t10, t11 Power supply terminal t21, t22 Control terminal

Claims

An isolation device;
A capacitor whose capacitance between the electrodes changes according to a signal input to the control terminal,
The insulating device is:
A transmitter for transmitting a setting signal input from the outside in order to set the capacity;
A receiver that receives the setting signal transmitted by the transmitter;
An insulating region provided between the transmitter and the receiver;
The receiver outputs a control signal corresponding to the setting signal received through the insulating region to the capacitor,
In the capacitor, the capacitance is changed according to the control signal.
The transmitter transmits the setting signal as an optical signal to the receiver through the insulating region,
The variable capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit converts the optical signal into the setting signal.
The setting signal input from the outside is an analog signal,
The transmission unit converts the analog signal into the optical signal,
The receiver has a light receiving element that converts the optical signal into an electrical signal,
The light receiving element converts the optical signal transmitted by the transmission unit into an electrical signal,
The variable receiver according to claim 2, wherein the receiving unit outputs an analog signal corresponding to the electrical signal converted by the light receiving element to the capacitor as the control signal.
The receiving unit is composed of a series circuit in which a phototransistor and a resistor are connected in series,
One end of the series circuit is connected to a power supply terminal,
The variable capacitor according to claim 2, wherein the series circuit outputs a voltage at a connection point between the phototransistor and the resistor as the control signal to the capacitor.
The setting signal input from the outside is a digital signal,
The transmission unit converts the digital signal into the optical signal,
The receiver includes a light receiving element that converts an optical signal into an electric signal, and a conversion circuit.
The light receiving element converts the optical signal transmitted by the transmission unit into a digital signal,
The variable capacitor according to claim 2, wherein the conversion circuit converts the digital signal converted by the light receiving element into an analog signal as the setting signal.
The transmitter includes at least a first coil that generates a magnetic field according to the setting signal,
The receiving unit includes a second coil and a control unit that rectifies a current flowing through the second coil in accordance with a magnetic field generated in the first coil.
The variable capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs the rectified current to the capacitor as the control signal.
The transmitter has a first electrode plate,
The receiving unit includes a second electrode plate for configuring a transmission capacitor with the first electrode plate, and a control unit,
The insulating region is provided between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate;
Transmission and reception of the setting signal is performed between the transmission unit and the reception unit by the transmission capacitor configured between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate,
The control unit has a rectifier circuit that rectifies the setting signal received by the receiving unit;
The variable controller according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs the setting signal rectified by the rectifier circuit to the capacitor.
A power transmission unit that transmits power through the insulating region;
A power receiving unit that receives power transmitted from the power transmitting unit through the insulating region, and
The power transmission unit is arranged on the side where the transmission unit is arranged among the transmission unit and the reception unit arranged across the insulation region with respect to the insulation region,
The power receiving unit is arranged on the side where the receiving unit is arranged among the transmitting unit and the receiving unit arranged across the insulating region with respect to the insulating region,
The variable capacitor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the receiving unit is operated by electric power received by the power receiving unit.
A power transmission unit that transmits power through the insulating region;
A power receiving unit that receives power transmitted from the power transmitting unit through the insulating region, and
The power transmission unit is arranged on the side where the receiving unit is arranged among the transmitting unit and the receiving unit arranged across the insulating region with respect to the insulating region,
The power receiving unit is arranged on the side where the transmitting unit is arranged among the transmitting unit and the receiving unit arranged with respect to the insulating region across the insulating region,
The variable capacitor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transmission unit is operated by electric power received by the power reception unit.
The said receiving part is comprised so that the analog signal which changes continuously as the said control signal may be output to the said capacitor so that the said capacitor may change a capacity | capacitance continuously. Variable capacitor.
The variable capacitor according to claim 10, wherein the transmission unit is configured to transmit the analog signal to the reception unit so that the capacitor continuously changes the capacitance.