Voltage Converter Device

A voltage converter device comprising:

• a circuit element comprising:
• a first transistor component being an intrinsic diode transistor component, connecting a switching node to a first terminal for a first voltage, and
• a second transistor component, connecting the switching node at least to a second terminal for a second voltage;
• an inductive component, connecting the switching node to a third terminal for an intermediate voltage;
• and
• a control circuit arranged to cyclically control the intrinsic diode transistor component to be in at least off and on states, and the second transistor component to be in on, off, and intermediate states, in the following order:
• an energising period defined by the second transistor component being on, and intrinsic diode transistor component being not being on, for energising the inductive component;
• a post-energising period defined by neither being on;
• a de-energising period defined by the intrinsic diode transistor component being on, and the second transistor component not being on, for permitting the inductive component to draw or drive current through the intrinsic diode transistor component;
• and
• a pre-energising period defined by neither being on, with the second transistor component being for at least part of the time in its intermediate state;
• wherein the second transistor component is arranged such that, in use, in the intermediate state it supplies or draws current to or from the switching node, and respectively from or to a voltage terminal comprised in the voltage converter, such as to pull the voltage of the switching node away from the voltage of the first terminal, in the direction of the voltage of the second terminal;
• characterised in that:
• the second transistor component and control circuit are arranged such that in the intermediate state the second transistor component supplies a current between the voltage terminal and the switching node, that is non-proportional to the magnitude of the voltage difference therebetween, such that a fractional change in voltage difference either does not cause a change in current or causes a smaller fraction change in current;
• and
• wherein in the intermediate state, the second transistor component conveys substantially the same or more current to or from the switching node, than that respectively conveyed from or to it by the inductive component.