Method of driving semiconductor switching device in non-saturated state and power supply apparatus containing such a switching device

A method of driving a semiconductor switching device of a power supply apparatus for outputting power through the semiconductor switching device, the method comprising:

• electrically connecting the semiconductor switching device between a smoothing capacitor and a load;
• electrically connecting a diode in parallel with the semiconductor switching device;
• generating a control signal corresponding to a difference between one of an output voltage or an output current of the power supply apparatus and a first reference value;
• and
• supplying the control signal to the semiconductor switching device so as to operate the semiconductor switching device in a non-saturated state upon the semiconductor switching device being turned on.

A method of driving a semiconductor switching device of a power supply apparatus for outputting power through the semiconductor switching device, the method comprising:

• electrically connecting the semiconductor switching device between a smoothing capacitor and a load;
• electrically connecting a diode in parallel with the semiconductor switching device;
• generating a first control signal corresponding to a difference between one of an output voltage or an output current of the power supply apparatus and a first reference value in accordance with an increase in the output voltage or output current of the power supply apparatus and supplying the first control signal to the semiconductor switching device to operate the semiconductor switching device in a non-saturated state;
• and
• generating and supplying a second control signal to the semiconductor switching device to operate the semiconductor switching device in a saturated state at and after a time point in which one of the output voltage or output current of the power supply apparatus reaches a second reference value greater than the first reference value.

A power supply apparatus comprising:

• a reverse current protecting semiconductor switching device electrically connected between a smoothing capacitor and a load, said semiconductor switching device outputting power to said load;
• a diode electrically connected in parallel with said semiconductor switching device;
• and
• a control circuit for controlling an on/off operation of said semiconductor switching device, said control circuit generating-and supplying a first control signal to said semiconductor switching device when turning on said semiconductor switching device to operate said semiconductor switching device in a non-saturated state, said first control signal corresponding to a difference between an output voltage of the power supply apparatus and a first reference value.

A power supply apparatus comprising:

• a reverse current protecting semiconductor switching device electrically connected between a smoothing capacitor and a load, said semiconductor switching device outputting power to said load;
• a diode electrically connected in parallel with said semiconductor switching device;
• and
• a control circuit for controlling an on/off operation of said semiconductor switching device, said control circuit generating and supplying a first control signal to said semiconductor switching device when turning on said semiconductor switching device to operate said semiconductor switching device in a non-saturated state, said first control signal corresponding to a difference between an output current of the power supply apparatus and a first reference value and in accordance with an increase in said output current.

A method of driving a semiconductor switching device in a power supply apparatus for outputting power through the semiconductor switching device, the method comprising:

• electrically connecting the semiconductor switching device between a smoothing capacitor and a load;
• electrically connecting a diode in parallel with the semiconductor switching device;
• generating and supplying a first control signal corresponding to a difference between an output voltage or an output current of the power supply apparatus and a first reference value to the semiconductor switching device upon activating the power supply apparatus;
• and
• generating and supplying a second control signal greater than the first control signal to the semiconductor switching device at and after a time point when one of the output voltage or output current of the power supply apparatus reaches a second reference value greater than the first reference value.

A power supply apparatus comprising:

• a reverse current protecting semiconductor switching device electrically connected between a smoothing capacitor and a load, said semiconductor switching device outputting power to said load;
• a diode electrically connected in parallel with said semiconductor switching device;
• and
• a control circuit for controlling an on/off operation of said semiconductor switching device, said control circuit generating and supplying a first control signal corresponding to a difference between an output voltage of the power supply apparatus and a first reference value to said semiconductor switching device upon activating the power supply apparatus and generating and supplying a second control signal greater than said first control signal to said semiconductor switching device at and after a time point when said output voltage of the power supply apparatus reaches a second reference value greater than said first reference value.

A power supply apparatus comprising:

• a reverse current protecting semiconductor switching device electrically connected between a smoothing capacitor and a load, said semiconductor switching device outputting power to said load;
• a diode electrically connected in parallel with said semiconductor switching device;
• and
• a control circuit for controlling an on/off operation of said semiconductor switching device, said control circuit generating and supplying a first control signal corresponding to a difference between an output current of the power supply apparatus and a first reference value to said semiconductor switching device upon activating the power supply apparatus and generating and supplying a second control signal greater than said first control signal to said semiconductor switching device at and after a time point when said output current of the power supply apparatus reaches a second reference value greater than said first reference value.