Abstract: A power supply circuit is intended to suppress power consumption when a load is not driven and to shorten a required time to be taken until a boosted voltage to be supplied to a high-side MOS transistor is stabilized when the load is changed from a deactivated state to an activated state. The power supply circuit (power supply circuit 3) supplying power to a load driving circuit (motor driving circuit 2) that drives a load by controlling a high-side MOS transistor M1 on the basis of an input load control signal includes a booster circuit (charge pump 23) configured to boost a voltage of input power and supplies the power of which the voltage is boosted as power for driving the high-side MOS transistor. The booster circuit has power supply capability which varies depending on the load control signal.

Abstract: A motor drive apparatus that controls a current flowing through a coil of a motor, including a comparing section that compares the current flowing through the coil to a control current input thereto; an operation selecting section that selects an operational state according to a comparison result of the comparing section; a driving section that receives a designation signal designating a current mode and a stop mode, drives the coil in the operational state selected by the operation selecting section when the designation signal designating the conductive mode is received, and drives the coil in the braking state when the designation signal designating the stop mode is received; and a setting section that controls a start of the designation signal designating the stop mode or a start of a period during which the control current is zero.

Abstract: A coil is electrically connected to one of storage cells to charge it, and after that, the coil is electrically connected to the other one thereof to charge it. In a first charging period, a path of a charging current flowing into a reference voltage through the coil is formed, in a second charging period, a path of a charging current flowing into a second cell from the coil is formed, in a third charging period, a path of a charging current flowing into the reference voltage through the coil is formed, and in a forth charging period, one end of the coil is electrically conducted with one end of the first cell and another end of the coil is electrically conducted with another end of the first cell to form a path of a charging current flowing into the first cell from the coil.

Abstract: A motor drive apparatus that controls a current flowing through a coil of a motor, including a comparing section that compares the current flowing through the coil to a control current input thereto; an operation selecting section that selects an operational state according to a comparison result of the comparing section; a driving section that receives a designation signal designating a current mode and a stop mode, drives the coil in the operational state selected by the operation selecting section when the designation signal designating the conductive mode is received, and drives the coil in the braking state when the designation signal designating the stop mode is received; and a setting section that controls a start of the designation signal designating the stop mode or a start of a period during which the control current is zero.

Abstract: A power supply circuit is intended to suppress power consumption when a load is not driven and to shorten a required time to be taken until a boosted voltage to be supplied to a high-side MOS transistor is stabilized when the load is changed from a deactivated state to an activated state. The power supply circuit (power supply circuit 3) supplying power to a load driving circuit (motor driving circuit 2) that drives a load by controlling a high-side MOS transistor M1 on the basis of an input load control signal includes a booster circuit (charge pump 23) configured to boost a voltage of input power and supplies the power of which the voltage is boosted as power for driving the high-side MOS transistor. The booster circuit has power supply capability which varies depending on the load control signal.

Abstract: A coil is electrically connected to one of storage cells to charge it, and after that, the coil is electrically connected to the other one thereof to charge it. In a first charging period, a path of a charging current flowing into a reference voltage through the coil is formed, in a second charging period, a path of a charging current flowing into a second cell from the coil is formed, in a third charging period, a path of a charging current flowing into the reference voltage through the coil is formed, and in a forth charging period, one end of the coil is electrically conducted with one end of the first cell and another end of the coil is electrically conducted with another end of the first cell to form a path of a charging current flowing into the first cell from the coil.

Abstract: A charge control circuit for a battery charger that quickly detects an attachment state of a battery pack. The battery charger starts charging a battery pack and performs first and second temperature estimation processes. Then, the battery charger performs a first attachment detection process and when determining whether a battery is connected performs a third temperature estimation process. The battery charger performs a second attachment detection process and when determining whether the battery is connected performs a fourth temperature estimation process. The battery charger performs a third attachment detection process and when determining whether the battery is connected ends a single temperature scan and then repeats the routine starting from the first temperature estimation process.

Abstract: A PWM controller for adjusting an output voltage of a buck and boost converter includes a first saw wave generator, which generates a first saw wave in accordance with the level of the output voltage. A first comparator coupled to the first saw wave generator compares the first saw wave with a first reference voltage and generates a first pulse. A peak hold circuit coupled to the first saw wave generator holds a peak value of the first saw wave. A second saw wave generator coupled to the peak hold circuit generates a second saw wave having a lower limit value that is the peak value of the first saw wave. A second comparator coupled to the second saw wave generator compares the second saw wave with the first reference voltage and generates a second pulse.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit and a battery charger that stabilizes operation when switching between charging modes. The battery charging circuit includes first and second transistors that form a current mirror circuit with an output transistor. The source terminal of the first transistor is connected to a first resistor, and the source terminal of the second transistor is connected to a second resistor. Each source terminal is connected to a switch circuit, which controls switching between a trickle charge mode and a fast charge mode. The supply of current to the first and second resistors from the discrete transistors reduces the difference in phase lag resulting from the CR time constant and stabilizes operation in the trickle charge and the fast charge modes.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit that stabilizes operation when switching between charge modes includes first and second transistors. The first transistor has a source connected to a first switch circuit. The first switch circuit connects the second transistor to either one of first and second external terminals. A mode switch circuit generates a switch signal for switching from a trickle charge mode to a fast charge mode. The mode switching circuit provides the switching signal to a comparison circuit. After a predetermined time elapses, the mode switching circuit provides the switching signal to the switch circuit. The comparison circuit lowers a current restriction reference voltage, which determines a charging current value, and returns the current restriction reference voltage to its original value after switching modes.

Abstract: A steam iron includes a sensor for detecting and measuring movement of the steam iron. The sensor is coupled to an actuator that regulates the flow of steam via a valve located between a steam chamber and steam outlets. The sensor can detect movement in three directions (X, Y, Z) and adjust steam generation based on speed of movement of the iron and tilt angle. A pre-heater is used to pre-heat water in a water chamber. The pre-heated water is provided to a steam chamber where it is later converted to steam.

Abstract: A PWM controller for adjusting an output voltage of a buck and boost converter includes a first saw wave generator, which generates a first saw wave in accordance with the level of the output voltage. A first comparator coupled to the first saw wave generator compares the first saw wave with a first reference voltage and generates a first pulse. A peak hold circuit coupled to the first saw wave generator holds a peak value of the first saw wave. A second saw wave generator coupled to the peak hold circuit generates a second saw wave having a lower limit value that is the peak value of the first saw wave. A second comparator coupled to the second saw wave generator compares the second saw wave with the first reference voltage and generates a second pulse.

Abstract: A method and circuit for accurately detecting an output short circuit in a switching regulator. A first transistor and a second transistor are connected in series and driven in a complementary manner. A comparator compares output current, which is generated when the first and second transistors are driven, with a short circuit detection threshold to generate a first short circuit detection signal. A timing controller retrieves the first short circuit detection signal generated by the comparator at a predetermined time to generate a second short circuit detection signal.

Abstract: A resistor testing circuit for a battery charger that tests divisional resistors used to estimate the resistance of a thermistor in a battery pack. The battery charger when activated conducts a self test. In the self test, switches are sequentially switched to form groups of resistors and test the connection state of the resistors groups. When a defect is detected by the self test, the battery charger stops performing charging. When no defects are detected by the self test, the thermistor of the battery pack is used to estimate temperature. The charging current is determined in correspondence with the temperature. Then, charging is started.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit and a battery charger that stabilizes operation when switching between charging modes. The battery charging circuit includes first and second transistors that form a current mirror circuit with an output transistor. The source terminal of the first transistor is connected to a first resistor, and the source terminal of the second transistor is connected to a second resistor. Each source terminal is connected to a switch circuit, which controls switching between a trickle charge mode and a fast charge mode. The supply of current to the first and second resistors from the discrete transistors reduces the difference in phase lag resulting from the CR time constant and stabilizes operation in the trickle charge and the fast charge modes.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit that stabilizes operation when switching between charge modes includes first and second transistors. The first transistor has a source connected to a first switch circuit. The first switch circuit connects the second transistor to either one of first and second external terminals. A mode switch circuit generates a switch signal for switching from a trickle charge mode to a fast charge mode. The mode switching circuit provides the switching signal to a comparison circuit. After a predetermined time elapses, the mode switching circuit provides the switching signal to the switch circuit. The comparison circuit lowers a current restriction reference voltage, which determines a charging current value, and returns the current restriction reference voltage to its original value after switching modes.

Abstract: A circuit and a method for reducing output noise when a pulse width modulation mode is started. A pulse width modulation circuit generates a first pulse signal having a duty cycle that is in accordance with an output voltage of a regulator circuit. A drive circuit generates the output voltage from an input voltage in response to the first pulse signal provided from the pulse width modulation circuit. A feed forward circuit controls the pulse width modulation circuit in a manner to generate the first pulse signal having a duty cycle that maintains the output voltage at a desired level before the pulse width modulation circuit provides the first pulse signal to the drive circuit.

Abstract: A charge control circuit for a battery charger that quickly detects an attachment state of a battery pack. The battery charger starts charging a battery pack and performs first and second temperature estimation processes. Then, the battery charger performs a first attachment detection process and when determining whether a battery is connected performs a third temperature estimation process. The battery charger performs a second attachment detection process and when determining whether the battery is connected performs a fourth temperature estimation process. The battery charger performs a third attachment detection process and when determining whether the battery is connected ends a single temperature scan and then repeats the routine starting from the first temperature estimation process.

Abstract: A steam iron includes a sensor for detecting and measuring movement of the steam iron. The sensor is coupled to an actuator that regulates the flow of steam via a valve located between a steam chamber and steam outlets. The sensor can detect movement in three directions (X, Y, Z) and adjust steam generation based on speed of movement of the iron and tilt angle. A pre-heater is used to pre-heat water in a water chamber. The pre-heated water is provided to a steam chamber where it is later converted to steam.

Abstract: A power supply circuit that accurately generates output voltages with the same regulator includes a regulator for generating a first output voltage from an input voltage. A first switch circuit, connected to the regulator, selectively outputs the first output voltage of the regulator as a second output voltage from the power supply circuit. A pre-charge circuit, connected to the regulator and the first switch circuit, generates the second output voltage from the input voltage before the first output voltage of the regulator is output as the second output voltage while controlling the first switch circuit.