US6437546B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
DC-to-DC converter and electronic device using the same
Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Filing: 2001-10-15
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Granted: 2002-08-20
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Expires: 2021-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A DC-to-DC converter is provided with an astable multivibrator containing a first time constant circuit for setting an ON period of an output and a second time constant circuit for setting an OFF period of the output, and provided with a switching element controlled by the output. The output voltage is controlled by changing the duty ratio of the astable multivibrator in accordance with the output voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Shingo Kunii
- 👤 Naoto Sano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:59
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/1563
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A DC-to-DC converter in which an output voltage is set by changing the value of an input voltage, the converter comprising: an astable multivibrator provided with a first time constant circuit for setting an OFF period of an output and a second time constant circuit for setting an ON period of the output; a switching element controlled by the output of the astable multivibrator; and a rectifying element connected to the switching element; and an output voltage control circuit for controlling the output voltage such that at least either an ON period or an OFF period of the switching element is changed by changing a time constant of either the first time constant circuit or the second time constant circuit in accordance with the output voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A DC-to-DC converter in which an output voltage is set by changing the value of an input voltage, the converter comprising: an astable multivibrator provided with a first time constant circuit for setting an OFF period of an output and a second time constant circuit for setting an ON period of the output; a switching element controlled by the output of the astable multivibrator; and a rectifying element connected to the switching element; and an output voltage control circuit for controlling the output voltage such that at least either an ON period or an OFF period of the switching element is changed by changing a time constant of either the first time constant circuit or the second time constant circuit in accordance with the output voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 1 , wherein an inductance element for charging and discharging energy is provided in series with the switching element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second time constant circuits is provided with a variable impedance circuit for changing the time constant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 1 , wherein a totem-pole circuit is provided between the output of the astable multivibrator and the switching element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 1 , wherein the rectifying element is a rectifying switching element, and wherein the astable multivibrator is provided with a first output for on-off controlling the switching element and a second output which is reversed with respect to the first output and which causes the rectifying switching element to turn on while the switching element is turned off.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 5 , wherein a rising edge of the first and second output waveforms is sloped such that the switching element and the rectifying switching element are alternately turned on with periods before being turned on when both switching elements are off.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 5 , wherein a totem-pole circuit is provided between the output of the astable multivibrator and the rectifying switching element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 5 , wherein the rectifying switching element is a MOSFET.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 5 , further comprising an inverter circuit coupled to one output of the a stable multivibrator and wherein the switching element and rectifying switching element are complementary type transistors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 5 , wherein an inductance element for charging and discharging energy is provided in series with the rectifying element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 5 , wherein the rectifying switching element is coupled across an inductance and a load coupled to an output of the converter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 5 , wherein the switching element is coupled in series with the inductance to the load.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 12 , further comprising a bootstrap circuit coupled across the switching element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The DC-to-DC converter of claim 1 , wherein the switching element is a MOSFET.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
116 words
An electronic device including a DC-to-DC converter, the DC-to-DC converter comprising: an astable multivibrator provided with a first time constant circuit for setting an OFF period of an output and a second time constant circuit for setting an ON period of the output; a switching element controlled by the output of the astable multivibrator; and a rectifying element connected to the switching element; and an output voltage control circuit for controlling the output voltage such that at least either an ON period or an OFF period of the switching element is changed by changing a time constant of either the first time constant circuit or the second time constant circuit in accordance with the output voltage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
116 words
An electronic device including a DC-to-DC converter, the DC-to-DC converter comprising: an astable multivibrator provided with a first time constant circuit for setting an OFF period of an output and a second time constant circuit for setting an ON period of the output; a switching element controlled by the output of the astable multivibrator; and a rectifying element connected to the switching element; and an output voltage control circuit for controlling the output voltage such that at least either an ON period or an OFF period of the switching element is changed by changing a time constant of either the first time constant circuit or the second time constant circuit in accordance with the output voltage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein an inductance element for charging and discharging energy is provided in series with the switching element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first and second time constant circuits is provided with a variable impedance circuit for changing the time constant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein a totem-pole circuit is provided between the output of the astable multivibrator and the switching element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
63 words
The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the rectifying element is a rectifying switching element, and wherein the astable multivibrator is provided with a first output for on-off controlling the switching element and a second output which is reversed with respect to the first output and which causes the rectifying switching element to turn on while the switching element is turned off.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein a rising edge of the first and second output waveforms is sloped such that the switching element and the rectifying switching element are alternately turned on with periods before being turned on when both switching elements are off.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein a totem-pole circuit is provided between the output of the astable multivibrator and the rectifying switching element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein the rectifying switching element is a MOSFET.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electronic device of claim 19 , further comprising an inverter circuit coupled to one output of the a stable multivibrator and wherein the switching element and rectifying switching element are complementary type transistors.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein an inductance element for charging and discharging energy is provided in series with the rectifying element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein the rectifying switching element is coupled across an inductance and a load coupled to an output of the converter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein the switching element is coupled in series with the inductance to the load.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electronic device of claim 26 , further comprising a bootstrap circuit coupled across the switching element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the switching element is a MOSFET.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-19 | 2006-02-18 | 2006-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-18 | 2010-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-19 | 2014-02-18 | 2014-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |