# US 2014/0197809 A1 · Switching regulator including charge pump

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- Number: US 2014/0197809 A1
- Document ID: US20140197809A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/151,403
- Filed: 2014-01-09
- Published: 2014-07-17
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-11
- Assignees: Richtek Technology Corporation
- Inventors: Ching-Yu Chen; Feng-Wei Lin; Kwang-Jae Kim
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197809A1

## CPC

- H02M 3/155: using semiconductor devices only
- H02M 3/07: using capacitors charged and discharged alternately by semiconductor devices with control electrode {, e.g. charge pumps}
- H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P)

## Abstract

The present invention discloses a switching regulator. The switching regulator converts an input voltage to an output voltage. The switching regulator includes: a power stage circuit, which switches at least one power switch thereof according to a driving signal to convert the input voltage to the output voltage; and a control circuit, which is coupled to the power stage circuit, for generating the driving signal according to a feedback signal. The power stage circuit includes: an active circuit, which includes the power switch and at least one inductor, and is controlled by a driving signal to convert the input voltage to a middle voltage; and a passive circuit, which is coupled to the active circuit, and includes a charge pump for converting the middle voltage to the output voltage.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A switching regulator for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, comprising:
a power stage circuit, for switching at least one power switch thereof according to a driving signal to convert the input voltage to the output voltage, the power stage circuit including:
an active circuit, which includes the power switch and an inductor, the active circuit being controlled by the driving signal to convert the input voltage to a middle voltage; and
a passive circuit, which is coupled to the active circuit, and includes a charge pump for converting the middle voltage to the output voltage, wherein the charge pump consists of one or more passive devices without any active device; and
a control circuit, which is coupled to the power stage circuit, for generating the driving signal according to a feedback signal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The switching regulator of claim 1, wherein the charge pump includes:
a capacitor, which has one end coupled to a node between the power switch and the inductor;
a first diode, which has a first forward terminal coupled to another end of the capacitor, and a first reverse terminal coupled to the output voltage; and
a second diode, which has a second forward terminal for receiving a voltage, and a second reverse terminal coupled to the another end of the capacitor, wherein the voltage is the input voltage or another voltage.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The switching regulator of claim 2, wherein the active circuit and the first diode of the charge pump form a boost power conversion circuit.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The switching regulator of claim 1, wherein the passive circuit receives a predetermined voltage which is the input voltage or a voltage lower than the input voltage.

### Claim 5

A switching regulator for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, comprising:
a power stage circuit, for switching at least one power switch thereof according to a driving signal to convert the input voltage to the output voltage, the power stage circuit including:
an active circuit, which includes the power switch, an inductor, and a first diode, the active circuit being controlled by the driving signal to convert the input voltage to a middle voltage, wherein the power switch, the inductor, and the first diode are coupled to a common node; and
a passive circuit, which is coupled to the active circuit, and includes a charge pump for converting the middle voltage to the output voltage, wherein the charge pump and the active circuit share the first diode; and
a control circuit, which is coupled to the power stage circuit, for generating the driving signal according to a feedback signal.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The switching regulator of claim 5, wherein the charge pump consists of one or more passive devices without any active device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The switching regulator of claim 5, wherein the charge pump includes:
a capacitor, which has one end coupled to a node between the power switch and the inductor;
the first diode, which has a first forward terminal coupled to another end of the capacitor, and a first reverse terminal coupled to the output voltage; and
a second diode, which has a second forward terminal for receiving a voltage, and a second reverse terminal coupled to the another end of the capacitor, wherein the voltage is the input voltage or another voltage.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The switching regulator of claim 5, wherein the active circuit is a boost power conversion circuit.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The switching regulator of claim 5, wherein the passive circuit receives a predetermined voltage which is the input voltage or a voltage lower than the input voltage.