Abstract: A load drive circuit with a current bidirectional detecting function includes: a current bidirectional switch connected between a first wire and a second wire and through which a first forward current flows in a direction from the first wire to the second wire and a first backward current flows in a direction from the second wire to the first wire; a forward current detecting switch connected to the first wire and into which a second forward current correlated to the first forward current flowing through the current bidirectional switch flows; a backward current detecting switch connected to the second wire and into which a second backward current correlated to the first backward current flowing through the current bidirectional switch flows.

Abstract: A load drive circuit with a current bidirectional detecting function includes: a current bidirectional switch connected between a first wire and a second wire and through which a first forward current flows in a direction from the first wire to the second wire and a first backward current flows in a direction from the second wire to the first wire; a forward current detecting switch connected to the first wire and into which a second forward current correlated to the first forward current flowing through the current bidirectional switch flows; a backward current detecting switch connected to the second wire and into which a second backward current correlated to the first backward current flowing through the current bidirectional switch flows.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current-mode control step-up converter capable of reducing the minimum duty ratio to a sufficiently small value and facilitating the setting of the maximum duty ratio. The step-up converter comprises a current detector 9 for generating a current detection signal Vc corresponding to the current of a rectifier 4; an error amplifier 8 for generating an error signal Ve corresponding to an output DC voltage Vo; and a control circuit 10 for turning ON/OFF the main switch 3 on the basis of the current detection signal Vc and the error signal Ve. The control circuit 10 comprises a comparator 11 and a timer circuit 12. With this configuration, the ON time of the main switch 3 is set at a predetermined value, and the valley value of an inductor current changing in a triangular waveform is controlled. Hence, the OFF time of the main switch is adjusted to stabilize the output.

Abstract: An output circuit includes an output block and a predrive block for driving the output block based on an input signal. The predrive block has a clamp unit connected between the gate terminal of a first output transistor and the gate terminal of a second output transistor to limit the potential of the gate terminal of the first output transistor to a value of not more than a first potential and limit the potential of the gate terminal of the second output transistor to a value of not less than a second potential.

Abstract: A switching regulator circuit including a high-side switch and a low-side switch; an inductor having a first terminal coupled to a common terminal between the high-side switch and the low-side switch, and a second terminal coupled to an output terminal of the switching regulator circuit; a low-pass filter coupled to the first terminal of the inductor, where the low-pass filter is operative for generating a ramp signal based on the voltage signal present at the first terminal of the inductor; and a hysteretic comparator coupled to the low pass filter, where the hysteretic comparator receives the ramp signal as an input signal, and generates an output signal which is operative for controlling the operation of the high-side switch and the low-side switch.

Abstract: An output circuit includes an output block and a predrive block for driving the output block based on an input signal. The predrive block has a clamp unit connected between the gate terminal of a first output transistor and the gate terminal of a second output transistor to limit the potential of the gate terminal of the first output transistor to a value of not more than a first potential and limit the potential of the gate terminal of the second output transistor to a value of not less than a second potential.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current-mode control step-up converter capable of reducing the minimum duty ratio to a sufficiently small value and facilitating the setting of the maximum duty ratio. The step-up converter comprises a current detector 9 for generating a current detection signal Vc corresponding to the current of a rectifier 4; an error amplifier 8 for generating an error signal Ve corresponding to an output DC voltage Vo; and a control circuit 10 for turning ON/OFF the main switch 3 on the basis of the current detection signal Vc and the error signal Ve. The control circuit 10 comprises a comparator 11 and a timer circuit 12. With this configuration, the ON time of the main switch 3 is set at a predetermined value, and the valley value of an inductor current changing in a triangular waveform is controlled. Hence, the OFF time of the main switch is adjusted to stabilize the output.

Abstract: A level shift circuit has a driving circuit and an output circuit. The driving circuit has a clamp circuit for receiving first and second bias potentials, outputting first and second drive signals which are not less than a reference potential, less than the first bias potential, and complementary to each other, and also outputting third and fourth drive signals which are higher than the second bias potential, not more than a power source potential, and complementary to each other. The output circuit has a first output transistor of a first conductivity type and a second output transistor of a second conductivity type which are connected in series to each other. The first output transistor has a gate for receiving the first drive signal and one electrode for receiving the reference potential. The second output transistor has a gate for receiving the third drive signal and one electrode for receiving the power source potential.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter for converting an input DC voltage to an output DC voltage has a switch element which is turned ON/OFF by a drive signal, a reference voltage source for outputting a first reference voltage when the switch element is ON or outputting a second reference voltage when the switch element is OFF, a capacitive element having one terminal connected to the reference voltage source, a charge/discharge circuit for discharging the capacitive element when the switch element is ON and charging the capacitive element when the switch element is OFF, a switch circuit for short-circuiting the capacitive element when the switch element is turned ON and OFF, and a comparison circuit for comparing the output DC voltage or a voltage at which the output DC voltage is detected with a voltage at the other terminal of the capacitive element and generating the drive signal.

Abstract: A switching regulator circuit including a high-side switch and a low-side switch; an inductor having a first terminal coupled to a common terminal between the high-side switch and the low-side switch, and a second terminal coupled to an output terminal of the switching regulator circuit; a low-pass filter coupled to the first terminal of the inductor, where the low-pass filter is operative for generating a ramp signal based on the voltage signal present at the first terminal of the inductor; and a hysteretic comparator coupled to the low pass filter, where the hysteretic comparator receives the ramp signal as an input signal, and generates an output signal which is operative for controlling the operation of the high-side switch and the low-side switch.

Abstract: A level shift circuit has a driving circuit and an output circuit. The driving circuit has a clamp circuit for receiving first and second bias potentials, outputting first and second drive signals which are not less than a reference potential, less than the first bias potential, and complementary to each other, and also outputting third and fourth drive signals which are higher than the second bias potential, not more than a power source potential, and complementary to each other. The output circuit has a first output transistor of a first conductivity type and a second output transistor of a second conductivity type which are connected in series to each other. The first output transistor has a gate for receiving the first drive signal and one electrode for receiving the reference potential. The second output transistor has a gate for receiving the third drive signal and one electrode for receiving the power source potential.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter for converting an input DC voltage to an output DC voltage has a switch element which is turned ON/OFF by a drive signal, a reference voltage source for outputting a first reference voltage when the switch element is ON or outputting a second reference voltage when the switch element is OFF, a capacitive element having one terminal connected to the reference voltage source, a charge/discharge circuit for discharging the capacitive element when the switch element is ON and charging the capacitive element when the switch element is OFF, a switch circuit for short-circuiting the capacitive element when the switch element is turned ON and OFF, and a comparison circuit for comparing the output DC voltage or a voltage at which the output DC voltage is detected with a voltage at the other terminal of the capacitive element and generating the drive signal.

Abstract: A transfer case operation mode shifting apparatus used on a vehicle equipped with part-time four-wheel drive which having a center-differential shiftable between a differential-locked and differental-free drive mode of operation and between a two-wheel and a four-wheel drive mode of operation and a transfer shiftable between a high-speed range and a low-speed range drive mode of operation. The transfer case is shifted in its drive mode of operation by an operation mode selecting member for selecting a desired drive mode of operation. A power drive operation mode shifting device is provided in cooperation with the drive mode selecting member and a controller to actually shift the transfer case from one drive mode of operation to another. The controller is adapted to detect that the center-differential gear assembly of the transfer case is in a differential-locked four-wheel drive mode of operation so as to inhibit a transition of the center-differential to a two-wheel drive mode of operation.

Abstract: A motor truck body structure including a cabin and a load carrying rear body. The cabin includes a cabin body having a rear end opening provided with an upper rear panel and a lower rear panel. The upper rear panel is swingable from an upright position upwardly and rearwardly to an open position. The lower rear panel is also swingable from an upright position downwardly and rearwardly to an open position. The rear body includes a load carrying floor panel having an opening at the front portion where a movable floor panel segment is mounted for rearward and upward swinging movement. The lower rear panel is provided with a seat cushion and the floor panel segment with a seat back cushion so that an auxiliary seat can be formed when the panels are opened.

Abstract: An automobile body having a rear tire house structure including an outer tire house panel and a floor panel. The outer tire house panel is so shaped that it can be used with a tire of larger diameter for a single-tired wheel arrangement and the floor panel is formed at a transversely outer edge with a cut-out which is of a transverse width sufficient to receive wheels for double-tired arrangement and a longitudinal length sufficient to accommodate the larger diameter tire. An inner tire house panel is provided between the outer tire house panel and the floor panel and may have a configuration corresponding to that of the outer tire house panel to define a tire compartment for a large diameter single-tired arrangement or a configuration of no or small projection suitable for a small diameter double-tired arrangement.