Voltage converter circuit with self-oscillating half-bridge configuration and with protection against hard switching

A voltage converter circuit with a self-oscillating half-bridge configuration and with protection against hard switching, having first and second input terminals between which an input voltage is applied, and first and second output nodes between which an output voltage is present, and comprising:

• a first power switch having first and second conduction terminals respectively connected to said first input terminal and to said first output node, and a control terminal;
• a second power switch having first and second conduction terminals respectively connected to said first output node and to said second input terminal, and a control terminal;
• a first delay circuit having a first terminal connected to said first input terminal, and a second terminal connected to said control terminal of said first power switch, said first delay circuit detecting on said first terminal a variation in one first pre-set direction of a voltage existing between said first input terminal and said first output terminal, and detecting on said second terminal a condition of operation of said first power switch and supplying to said control terminal of said first power switch a switching on delay signal;
• and
• a second delay circuit having a first terminal connected to said first output terminal, and a second terminal connected to said control terminal of said second power switch, said second delay circuit detecting on said first terminal a variation in a second pre-set direction of a voltage existing between said first output terminal and said second input terminal, and detecting on said second terminal a condition of operation of said second power switch and supplying to said control terminal of said second power switch said switching on delay signal.