Energy recovering circuit with boosting voltage-up and energy efficient method using the same

This invention relates to an energy recovering apparatus for a plasma display panel, and more particularly to an energy recovering circuit with boosting voltage-up and an energy efficient method using the same that are capable of boosting the voltage factor of an energy recovered from the panel to rapidly re-apply it to the panel, to thereby reduce the charging time of a panel capacitor and improve its energy recovery efficiency.

Also, this invention relates to an energy recovering circuit and an energy efficient method using the same that are capable of reducing the number of necessary devices.

Generally, a plasma display panel (PDP) has a disadvantage of large power consumption. A reduction of such power consumption requires enhancing a light-emitting efficiency and minimizing an unnecessary energy waste occurring in a driving process without a direct relation to a discharge.

An alternating current (AC)-type PDP coats an electrode with a dielectric material to use a surface discharge occurring at the surface of the dielectric material. In this AC-type PDP, a driving pulse has a high voltage of dozens to hundreds of volts (V) to make a sustaining discharge of tens of thousand to millions of cells, and has a frequency of more than hundreds of KHz. If such a driving pulse is applied to the cells, a charge/discharge having a high capacitance occurs.

When such a charge/discharge is generated at the PDP, a capacitive load of the panel does not cause an energy waste, but a lot of energy loss occurs at the PDP because a direct current (DC) power source is used to generate a driving pulse. Particularly, if an excessive current flows in the cell upon discharge, then an energy loss is increased. This energy loss causes a temperature rise of switching devices, which may break the switching devices in the worst case. In order to recover an energy generated unnecessarily within the panel, a driving circuit of the PDP includes an energy recovering circuit.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an energy recovering circuit having been suggested by U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,400 of Weber includes first and second switches Sw 1 and Sw 2 connected, in parallel, between an inductor L and a capacitor Css, a third switch Sw 3 for applying a sustaining voltage Vs to a panel capacitor Cp, and a fourth switch Sw 4 for applying a ground voltage GND to the panel capacitor Cp.

First and second diodes D 1 and D 2 for limiting a reverse current are connected between the first and second switches Sw 1 and Sw 2 . The panel capacitor Cp is an equivalent expression of a capacitance value of the panel, and reference numerals Re and R-Cp are equivalent expressions of parasitic resistances of an electrode and a cell provided at the panel, respectively. Each of the switches Sw 1 , Sw 2 , Sw 3 and Sw 4 is implemented by a semiconductor switching device, for example, a MOS FET device.

An operation of the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 1 will be described in conjunction with FIG. 2 assuming that a voltage equal to Vs/2 should be charged in the capacitor Css.

In FIG. 2 , Vcp and Icp represent charge/discharge voltage and current of the panel capacitor Cp, respectively.

At a time t 1 , the first switch Sw 1 is turned on. Then, a voltage stored in the capacitor Css is applied, via the first switch Sw 1 and the first diode D 1 , to the inductor L. Since the inductor L constructs a serial LC resonance circuit along with the panel capacitor Cp, the panel capacitor Cp begins to be charged in a resonant waveform.

At a time t 2 , the first switch Sw 1 is turned off while the third switch Sw 3 is turned on. Then, a sustaining voltage Vs is applied, via the third switch Sw 3 , to the panel capacitor Cp. From the time t 2 until a time t 3 , a voltage of the panel capacitor Cp remains at a sustaining level.

At a time t 3 , the third switch Sw 3 is turned off while the second switch Sw 2 is turned on. Then, a voltage of the panel capacitor Cp is recovered into the capacitor Css by way of the inductor L, the second diode D 2 and the second switch Sw 2 .

At a time t 4 , the second switch Sw 2 is turned off while the fourth switch Sw 4 is turned on. Then, a voltage of the panel capacitor Cp drops into a ground voltage GND.

In the energy recovering circuit, there are requirements for improving the discharge characteristics of the panel, obtaining stable sustaining time, and increasing the efficiency of the energy recovered from the panel. For this, the conventional energy recovering circuit of FIG. 1 makes the inductance of the inductor L small to have it fast a rising time supplied to the panel. Thereby, the discharge characteristics can be increased and the inductance of the inductor L is made big such that the energy recovering efficiency can be improved.

However, because the conventional energy recovering circuit as in FIG. 1 uses the same inductor L on the charge/discharge path, if the rising time is made to be fast by setting the inductance of the inductor L to be small, the energy recovering efficiency decreases as it peak current becomes big. On the contrary, in the conventional energy recovering circuit, if the energy recovering efficiency is improved by setting the inductance of the inductor L to be big, because the rising time of the voltage supplied to the panel is lengthened, the discharge characteristics is deteriorated and it becomes difficult to obtain the sustaining time.

Also, because the conventional energy recovering circuit requires many semiconductor switching devices Sw 1 to Sw 4 , an inductor L and a recovering capacitor for the operation of recovery, charge and sustaining steps, its manufacturing cost is high.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an energy recovering circuit and an energy efficient method using the same that are capable of reducing the charging time of a panel and improving its energy recovery efficiency.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an energy recovering circuit and an energy efficient method using the same that are capable of reducing the number of necessary switching devices.

In order to achieve these and other objects of the invention, an energy recovering circuit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a voltage boosting circuit for boosting a voltage factor of an energy recovered from a panel and supplying the boosted energy to the panel.

The energy recovering circuit further includes a switching device for switching a signal path between the voltage boosting circuit and the panel.

In the energy recovering circuit, the voltage boosting circuit includes a capacitor for accumulating the energy recovered from the panel; an inductor for accumulating an electric current factor of the energy from the capacitor; and a switching device for switching a signal path between the capacitor and the inductor.

In the energy recovering circuit, the capacitor, the inductor and the switching device are connected to form a closed loop.

In the energy recovering circuit, the closed loop is formed to be separate from the panel.

In the energy recovering circuit, a voltage factor of the energy recovered from the panel is boosted by a reverse voltage induced in the inductor through the switching of the switching device.

In the energy recovering circuit, the closed loop is formed for accumulating an electric current at the inductor.

In the energy recovering circuit, the closed loop is opened for boosting the voltage factor of the energy.

In the energy recovering circuit, the closed loop is opened to supply the energy accumulated at the capacitor with the voltage factor boosted to the panel.

In the energy recovering circuit, the switching device makes the voltage boosting circuit supply the energy including the boosted voltage factor to the panel and recover the energy from the panel.

The energy recovering circuit further includes a sustaining voltage source for generating a sustaining voltage; and a second switching device for supplying the sustaining voltage from the sustaining voltage source to the panel.

In the energy recovering circuit, the signal path keeps its signal progress direction at one direction while the energy with the boosted voltage factor is supplied to the panel and while the energy from the panel is recovered to the voltage boosting circuit.

In the energy recovering circuit, the signal path has its signal progress direction changed in accordance with whether the energy with the boosted voltage factor is supplied to the panel or whether the energy from the panel is recovered to the voltage boosting circuit.

In the energy recovering circuit, the signal path includes a bridge diode.

The energy recovering circuit further includes a second switching device mounted between the inductor and the switching device for sustaining its turn-on state while a voltage of the panel remains at a ground voltage level and being alternately turned on and off during the other intervals.

In the energy recovering circuit, the switching device is a transistor with a body diode built-in.

The energy recovering circuit further includes a ground voltage source for supplying a ground voltage to the panel; and a second switching device for supplying the ground voltage from the ground voltage source to the panel.

In the energy recovering circuit, the voltage boosting circuit further includes at least one other inductor with an inductance different from that of the inductor, connected in parallel to the inductor.

The energy recovering circuit further includes a first diode having a cathode connected to the inductor with a small inductance value among the inductors, and an anode connected to the capacitor; and a second diode having a cathode connected to the inductor with a big inductance value among the inductors, and an anode connected to the switching device.

The energy recovering circuit further includes a diode having a cathode connected to the panel and an anode connected to the voltage boosting circuit.

The energy recovering circuit further includes a diode having a cathode connected to the sustaining voltage source and an anode connected to a connection point of the voltage boosting circuit and the first switching device.

The energy recovering circuit further includes a diode having a cathode connected to the voltage boosting circuit and the first switching device, and an anode connected to the ground voltage ground.

The energy recovering circuit further includes a third switching device for supplying the sustaining voltage to the panel in a ramp voltage type with a gradient of a predetermined time constant.

An energy recovering circuit of a plasma display panel according to another aspect of the present invention includes, wherein a first energy signal is inputted from a panel and a second energy signal bigger than the first energy signal is supplied to the panel.

An energy efficient method according to still another aspect of the present invention includes steps of recovering an energy from a panel to a closed loop; and controlling the closed loop in order to supplying the energy with its voltage factor boosted to the panel.

The energy efficient method further includes a step of making the closed loop electrically insulated from the panel after recovering the energy from the panel to the closed loop.

In the energy efficient method, the step of controlling the closed loop includes a step of inducing a reverse voltage.

In the energy efficient method, the step of inducing the reverse voltage includes a step of accumulating an electric current.

In the energy efficient method, the closed loop is opened.

The energy efficient method further includes a step of supplying a sustaining voltage to the panel.

The energy efficient method further includes a step of supplying a ground voltage to the panel.

The energy efficient method further includes a step of supplying a sustaining voltage in a type of a ramp voltage with a required gradient to the panel.

An energy efficient method according to still another aspect of the present invention includes steps of recovering an energy from a panel; boosting a voltage factor of the recovered energy; and supplying the energy with its voltage factor boosted to the panel.

In the energy efficient method, the step of boosting the voltage factor utilizes a closed loop.

In the energy efficient method further includes a step of making the closed loop electrically insulated from the panel after recovering the energy from the panel to the closed loop.

In the energy efficient method, the step of boosting the voltage factor includes steps of circulating to accumulate an electric current factor included in the recovered energy; and supplying the accumulated electric current factor together with the recovered energy in a type of the voltage factor to the panel.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional energy recovering circuit;

FIG. 2 is a driving waveform diagram of the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a energy recovering circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a driving waveform diagram of the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 3 in a preliminary boosting interval;

FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 3 in a panel boosting interval and in a charge interval;

FIG. 7 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 3 in a time interval of recovering a discharge energy of the panel;

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a driving waveform diagram of the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 8 ;

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b are waveform diagrams showing an operation of the fourth switch shown in FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a waveform diagram showing an operation of the fourth switch shown in FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 13 is a driving waveform diagram of the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a eleventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a waveform diagram showing a rising time and a falling time of a panel capacitor regulated by the inductance value of a first inductor and a second inductor shown in FIG. 21 ;

FIG. 23 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a driving waveform diagram of the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 25 ;

FIG. 27 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a circuit diagram of an energy recovering circuit according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a driving waveform diagram of the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 28 ; and

FIG. 30 a flow chart showing by steps an operation process of an energy efficient method using an energy recovering circuit with boosting voltage-up according to the embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 30 , there are particularly explained embodiments of the present invention, as follows.

Referring to FIG. 3 , an energy recovering circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an capacitor Css, an inductor L and a first switch S 1 connected to form a closed loop; a second switch S 2 connected, via a second node n 2 , to a panel capacitor Cp; and a third switch S 3 connected between a second node n 2 and a sustaining voltage source vs.

The panel capacitor Cp represents a capacitance value of the panel, and reference numerals Re and R-Cp represent parasitic resistances of an electrode and a cell provided at the panel, respectively. Each of the switches S 1 , S 2 and S 3 is implemented by a semiconductor switching device, for example, MOS FET, IGBT, SCR, BJT and etc.

While the first switch S 1 is turned on, there is formed a closed loop of electric current which starts from the terminal of one side of the capacitor Css and is connected to the terminal of another side of the capacitor Css, via the inductor L and the first switch S 1 . Electric current is accumulated at the inductor L in the closed loop by the electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css. After the first switch S 1 is turned off, the electric current of the inductor L becomes maximized, and at the same time, a reverse voltage is induced across the inductor L. Thus, in a first node n 1 appears a boosted voltage that is made by adding the voltage of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced at the inductor L.

The second switch S 2 applies the boosted voltage from the first node n 1 to the panel capacitor Cp and applies a voltage factor of an energy recovered from the panel capacitor Cp to the capacitor Css, via the inductor L. The third switch S 3 applies a sustaining voltage Vs to the panel capacitor Cp so as to keep a voltage of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level.

An operation of the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 3 will be described in conjunction with FIG. 4 .

The voltage factor of an energy, I.e., a reactive power, is recovered to the capacitor Css through the second switch S 2 and the inductor L by the discharge of the panel capacitor Cp charged to a sustaining level.

In an interval from t 0 until t 1 , the second switch S 2 is turned off while the first switch S 1 is turned on, to form a closed loop including the capacitor Css, the inductor L and the first switch S 1 , as shown in FIG. 5 . In this interval, the inductor L charges a current with the aid of an electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css. Accordingly, at this time, the current IL of the inductor L increases, and a voltage across the inductor L is equal to a voltage Vss of the capacitor Css, as can be seen in FIG. 5 .

The current charged in the inductor L begins to be fed into the panel capacitor Cp at a time t 1 when the first switch S 1 is turned off and a body diode of the second switch S 2 is turned on. The current IL charged in the inductor L is supplied to the panel capacitor Cp to increase a voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp. At a time t 1 ′ when the voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp gets higher than the level of the voltage Vss of the capacitor Css, the current of the inductor L gets its maximum value, and at the same time, the reverse voltage is induced, as in FIG. 6 , across the inductor L.

Accordingly, from the time t 1 ′ when the reverse voltage is induced in the inductor L, the boosted voltage made by adding the voltage Vss of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced in the inductor L is made to charge the panel capacitor Cp. As a result, the boosted voltage made by adding the voltage charged in the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced in the inductor L is made to charge the panel capacitor Cp. In this way, because the boosted voltage that is higher than the voltage recovered from the panel is supplied to the panel, a rising time of a voltage charged in the panel capacitor Cp becomes fast.

On the other hand, only the inductor L and the body diode of the second switch S 2 exist in a charge current path when charging the panel. When compared to this, a conventional energy recovering circuit, as shown in FIG. 1 , has the inductor L, the first switch S 1 and the first diode D 1 exist in the charge current path upon charging the panel.

At a time t 2 , the third switch S 3 is turned on while the body diode of the second switch S 2 is turned off. Then, the sustaining voltage Vs is applied, via the third switch Sw 3 , to the panel capacitor Cp to keep a voltage level of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level. The electrodes provided within the cell of the panel generates a discharge at this sustaining voltage level.

At a time t 3 , the third switch S 3 is turned off while the second switch S 2 is turned on. At this time, the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 3 can be expressed as a circuit of FIG. 7 . Then, a voltage factor of the energy, i.e., reactive power, that does not contribute to the discharge is recovered from the panel capacitor Cp, via the second switch S 2 and the inductor L, to the capacitor Css. only the inductor L and the second switch S 2 exist in a current path when recovering the energy. When compared to this, the conventional energy recovering circuit, as shown in FIG. 1 , has the inductor L, the second diode and the second switch S 2 exist in the current path upon recovering the energy.

A voltage charged in the capacitor Css can be changed by controlling a turn-on time of the second switch S 2 from the time t 3 until a time t 4 .

The energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 3 has only a single semiconductor switching device existing in the charge path and the discharge path thereof, so that it can reduce a conduction loss of the switching device in comparison to the energy recovering circuits shown in FIG. 1 . In the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 3 , the first switch to the third switch S 1 , S 2 and S 3 are turned on in a turn-on state of the body diode to switch a zero voltage.

And in the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 3 , because the phase of the current is delayed by the inductor L, the overlapping portion between the voltage and the current becomes lessened such that there can be minimized a switching loss caused by a phase overlap of a voltage across the first and the second switches S 1 and S 2 with a current flowing in the first and the second switches S 1 and S 2 .

In the energy recovering circuit shown in FIG. 3 , even if the inductance of the inductor L is set to be big for increasing the energy recovery efficiency, the rising time of the boosted voltage supplied to the panel can be made to be fast by controlling the turn-on time of the first switch S 1 . In other words, in the energy recovering circuit according to the present invention, regardless of the inductance of the inductor L, the rising time of the boosted voltage can be made fast by only controlling the switching time of the first switch S 1 .

Therefore, it is possible to increase the energy recovery efficiency by increasing the inductance of the inductor L and to make the rising time of the boosted voltage fast.

Referring to FIG. 8 , there is shown an energy recovering circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8 , an energy recovering circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes an capacitor Css, an inductor L, a first switch S 1 and a fourth switch S 4 connected to form a closed loop; a second switch S 2 commonly connected, via a first node n 1 , to the first and the fourth switches S 1 and S 4 and connected, via a second node n 2 , to a panel capacitor Cp; and a third switch S 3 connected between a second node n 2 and a sustaining voltage source vs.

Each of the switches S 1 , S 2 and S 3 is implemented by a semiconductor switching device, for example, MOS FET, IGBT, SCR, BJT and etc.

When the first switch S 1 and the fourth switch S 4 are turned on, there is formed a closed loop of electric current which starts from the terminal of one side of the capacitor Css and is connected to the terminal of another side of the capacitor Css, via the inductor L, the fourth switch S 4 and the first switch S 1 . Electric current is accumulated at the inductor L in the closed loop by the electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css. After the first switch S 1 is turned off, the electric current of the inductor L becomes maximized, and at the same time, a reverse voltage is induced across the inductor L. Thus, in a first node n 1 appears a boosted voltage that is made by adding the voltage of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced at the inductor L.

The second switch S 2 and the fourth switch S 4 apply the boosted voltage from the first node n 1 to the panel capacitor Cp and apply a voltage factor of an energy recovered from the panel capacitor Cp to the capacitor Css, via the inductor L. The third switch S 3 applies a sustaining voltage Vs so as to keep a voltage of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level.

The fourth switch S 4 is turned off during pause intervals when the voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp should be kept at the ground voltage level GND, e.g., such as a setup interval between the sustaining interval A and B, a reset interval or an elimination interval, as shown in FIG. 10A , and is turned-on/off repeatedly during the other intervals. Also, the fourth switch S 4 is turned off from the time when the voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp starts to fall to the ground voltage level GND till the initial interval while the ground voltage level GND is sustained, as shown in FIG. 10B , and sustains its turn-on state during the other intervals.

The operation of the energy recovering circuit of FIG. 8 is explained in conjunction with FIG. 9 , as follows.

The voltage factor of an energy is recovered to the capacitor Css through the second switch S 2 and the inductor L by the discharge of the panel capacitor Cp charged to a sustaining level Vs.

In an interval from t 0 until t 1 , the second switch S 2 is turned off while the first switch S 1 and the fourth switch S 4 are turned on, to form a closed loop including the capacitor Css, the inductor L, the first switch S 1 and the fourth switch S 4 . In this interval, the inductor L charges a current with the aid of an electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css.

Accordingly, at this time, the current IL of the inductor L increases.

The current charged in the inductor L begins to be fed into the panel capacitor Cp at a time t 1 when the first switch S 1 is turned off and a body diode of the second switch S 2 is turned on. The current IL charged in the inductor L is supplied to the panel capacitor Cp to increase a voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp. At a time t 1 ′ when the voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp gets higher than the level of the voltage Vss of the capacitor Css, the current of the inductor L gets its maximum value, and at the same time, the reverse voltage is induced across the inductor L. Accordingly, from the time t 1 ′ when the reverse voltage is induced in the inductor L, the boosted voltage made by adding the voltage Vss of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced in the inductor L is made to charge the panel capacitor Cp.

At a time t 2 , the third switch S 3 is turned on while the body diode of the second switch S 2 is turned off. Then, the sustaining voltage Vs is applied, via the third switch Sw 3 , to the panel capacitor Cp to keep a voltage level of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level.

At a time t 3 , the third switch S 3 is turned off while the second switch S 2 is turned on. Then, a voltage factor of the energy recovered from the panel capacitor Cp is stored at the capacitor Css, via the second switch S 2 , the fourth switch S 4 and the inductor L. The inductor L, the second switch S 2 and the fourth switch S 4 exist in a current path when recovering the energy. The fourth switch S 4 is turned off when the panel capacitor Cp remains at the ground voltage level GND after recovering the voltage of the panel capacitor Cp.

FIG. 11 shows an energy recovering circuit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11 , an energy recovering circuit according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes an capacitor Css, an inductor L and a first switch S 1 connected to form a closed loop; a bridge circuit 10 commonly connected, via a first node n 1 , to the inductor L and the first switch S 1 and connected, via a second node n 2 , to a panel capacitor Cp; a third switch S 3 connected between a second node n 2 and a sustaining voltage source vs; and a fourth switch S 4 connected between the second node n 2 and a ground voltage source GND.

The bridge circuit 10 consists of diodes Dc 1 , Dc 2 , Dr 1 and Dr 2 connected in a bridge type between the first node n 1 and the second node n 2 , and a second switch S 2 connected to the diodes Dc 1 , Dc 2 , Dr 1 and Dr 2 . The bridge circuit 10 controls a current path upon the charge/discharge time of the panel.

Each of the switches S 1 , S 2 and S 3 is implemented by a semiconductor switching device, for example, MOS FET, IGBT, SCR, BJT and etc.

When the first switch S 1 is turned on, there is formed a closed loop of electric current which starts from the terminal of one side of the capacitor Css and is connected to the terminal of another side of the capacitor Css, via the inductor L and the first switch S 1 . Electric current is accumulated at the inductor L in the closed loop by the electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css. After the first switch S 1 is turned off, the electric current of the inductor L becomes maximized, and at the same time, a reverse voltage is induced across the inductor L. Thus, in a first node n 1 appears a boosted voltage that is made by adding the voltage of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced at the inductor L.

The second switch S 2 is turned on upon the panel discharge to form a panel charge current path by way of the diode Dc 1 , the second switch S 2 and the diode Dc 2 so as to apply the boosted voltage from the first node n 1 to the panel capacitor Cp. Also, the second switch S 2 is turned on upon the energy recovery to form an energy recovery current path by way of the diode Dr 1 , the second switch S 2 and the diode Dr 2 so as to apply the voltage factor of the energy recovered from the panel capacitor Cp to the capacitor Css via the inductor L.

The third switch S 3 applies a sustaining voltage Vs so as to keep a voltage of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level.

The fourth switch S 4 is turned on only when the voltage level of the panel capacitor Cp remains at the ground voltage level GND, as shown in FIG. 12 to keep the voltage of the second node n 2 at the ground voltage level.

The operation of the energy recovering circuit of FIG. 11 is explained in conjunction with FIG. 13 , as follows.

The voltage factor of an energy is recovered to the capacitor Css through the second switch S 2 and the inductor L by the discharge of the panel capacitor Cp charged to a sustaining level Vs.

In an interval from t 0 until t 1 , the second switch S 2 is turned off while the first switch S 1 is turned on, to form a closed loop including the capacitor Css, the inductor L and the first switch S 1 . In this interval, the inductor L charges a current with the aid of an electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css, such that the current IL of the inductor L increases. At this moment, the voltage across the inductor L is equal to the voltage Vss of the capacitor Css.

The current charged in the inductor L begins to be fed into the panel capacitor Cp, via the diode Dc 1 , the second switch S 2 and the diode Dc 2 , at a time t 1 when the first switch S 1 is turned off and the second switch S 2 is turned on. The current IL charged in the inductor L is supplied to the panel capacitor Cp to increase a voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp. At a time t 1 ′ when the voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp gets higher than the level of the voltage Vss of the capacitor Css, the current of the inductor L gets its maximum value, and at the same time, the reverse voltage is induced across the inductor L. Accordingly, from the time t 1 ′ when the reverse voltage is induced in the inductor L, the boosted voltage made by adding the voltage Vss of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced in the inductor L is made to charge the panel capacitor Cp.

At a time t 2 , the third switch S 3 is turned on while the second switch S 2 is turned off. Then, the sustaining voltage Vs is applied, via the third switch Sw 3 , to the panel capacitor Cp to keep a voltage level of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level.

At a time t 3 , the third switch S 3 is turned off while the second switch S 2 is turned on. Then, a voltage factor of the energy recovered from the panel capacitor Cp is stored at the capacitor Css, via the diode Dr 1 , the second switch S 2 , the diode Dr 2 and the inductor L. The voltage of the second node n 2 remains at the ground voltage level GND because the fourth switch S 4 is turned on during the interval when the panel capacitor Cp should remain at the ground voltage level GND after recovering the voltage of the panel capacitor Cp, e.g., the reset interval( setup interval) or a ground voltage sustaining interval between sustaining pulses.

The fourth switch S 4 for keeping the panel capacitor Cp at the ground voltage level during the reset interval( setup interval) or a ground voltage sustaining interval between sustaining pulses, can be applicable to the first and the third embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 .

A fourth switch S 4 of FIG. 14 , a fifth switch S 5 of FIG. 15 and a fourth switch S 4 of FIG. 16 are actuated the same as the fourth switch S 4 of FIG. 11 .

In FIG. 15 , the fourth switch S 4 connected between the inductor L and the second switch S 2 is turned off during the pause intervals such as the setup interval, reset interval or etc. and is turned-on/off repeatedly during the other intervals. Also, the fourth switch S 4 is turned off from the time when the voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp starts to fall to the ground voltage level GND till the initial interval while the ground voltage level GND remains and sustains its turn-on state during the other intervals.

Referring to FIG. 17 , an energy recovering circuit according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention includes an capacitor Css, an inductor L and a first switch S 1 connected to form a closed loop; a second switch S 2 connected, via the inductor L, the first switch and a second node n 2 , to a panel capacitor Cp; a third switch S 3 connected between a second node n 2 and a sustaining voltage source vs; and an auxiliary diode Da connected between the first node n 1 and the second node n 2 .

When the first switch S 1 is turned on, there is formed a closed loop of electric current which starts from the terminal of one side of the capacitor Css and is connected to the terminal of another side of the capacitor Css, via the inductor L and the first switch S 1 . Electric current is accumulated at the inductor L in the closed loop by the electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css. After the first switch S 1 is turned off, the electric current of the inductor L becomes maximized, and at the same time, a reverse voltage is induced across the inductor L. Thus, in a first node n 1 appears a boosted voltage that is made by adding the voltage of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced at the inductor L.

The second switch S 2 applys the boosted voltage from the first node n 1 to the panel capacitor Cp and applys a voltage factor of an energy recovered from the panel capacitor Cp to the capacitor Css, via the inductor L. The third switch S 3 applies a sustaining voltage Vs to the panel capacitor Cp so as to keep a voltage of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level.

The auxiliary diode Da reduces the electric current load rate of the body diode of the second switch S 2 and the resistance value of the second switch S 2 , to reduce the heat-emission of the second switch S 2 . In other words, the auxiliary diode Da divides the electric current path flowing from th first node n 1 to the second node n 2 to protect the second switch S 2 from the overcurrent and overvoltage.

If the auxiliary diode Da is applied to the energy recovering circuits shown in FIGS. 8 , 14 and 15 , there can be made the energy recovering circuits as shown in FIGS. 18 , 19 and 20 respectively.

The operation sequence of the energy recovering circuit where the auxiliary diode Da is mounted, is practically identical to the waveform diagram of FIG. 5 .

Referring to FIG. 21 , an energy recovering circuit according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention includes an capacitor Css, a first and a second inductor L 201 and L 202 and a first switch S 1 connected to form a closed loop; a second switch S 2 connected, via a second node n 2 , to a panel capacitor Cp; and a third switch S 3 connected between a second node n 2 and a sustaining voltage source vs.

A first diode D 201 is connected between the first inductor L 201 and the capacitor Css, and a second diode D 202 is connected between the second inductor L 202 and the first node n 1 . The first diode D 201 and the second diode D 202 each separates a recovery path via the second inductor L 202 and a charge path via the first inductor L 201 .

When the first switch S 1 is turned on, there is formed a closed loop of electric current which starts from the terminal of one side of the capacitor Css and is connected to the terminal of another side of the capacitor Css, via the first inductor L 201 and the first switch S 1 . Electric current is accumulated at the first inductor L 201 in the closed loop by the electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css. After the first switch S 1 is turned off, the electric current of the first inductor L 201 becomes maximized, and at the same time, a reverse voltage is induced across the first inductor L 201 . Thus, in a first node n 1 appears a boosted voltage that is made by adding the voltage of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced at the first inductor L 201 .

The second switch S 2 apply the boosted voltage from the first node n 1 to the panel capacitor Cp and apply a voltage factor of an energy recovered from the panel capacitor Cp to the capacitor Css, via the second diode D 202 and the second inductor L 202 . The third switch S 3 applies a sustaining voltage Vs to the panel capacitor Cp so as to keep a voltage of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level.

The operation of the energy recovering circuit of FIG. 21 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 22 , as follows.

In an interval from t 0 until t 1 , the second switch S 2 is turned off while the first switch S 1 is turned on. In this interval, the first inductor L 201 charges a current with the aid of an electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css.

The current charged in the first inductor L 201 begins to be fed into the panel capacitor Cp through the body diode of the second switch S 2 at a time t 1 when the first switch S 1 is turned off. The current charged in the first inductor L 201 is supplied to the panel capacitor Cp to increase a voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp. At a time t 1 ′ when the voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp gets higher than the level of the voltage Vss of the capacitor Css, the current of the first inductor L 201 gets its maximum value, and at the same time, the reverse voltage is induced across the first inductor L 201 . Accordingly, from the time t 1 ′ when the reverse voltage is induced in the first inductor L 201 , the boosted voltage made by adding the voltage Vss of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced in the first inductor L 201 is made to charge the panel capacitor Cp.

As a result, the boosted voltage made by adding the voltage charged in the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced in the first inductor L 201 is made to charge the panel capacitor Cp. In this way, because the voltage supplied to the panel capacitor is boosted, a rising time of a voltage charged in the panel capacitor Cp becomes fast.

At a time t 2 , the third switch S 3 is turned on while the body diode of the second switch S 2 is turned off. Then, the sustaining voltage Vs is applied, via the third switch Sw 3 , to the panel capacitor Cp to keep a voltage level of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level. The electrodes provided within the cell of the panel generates a discharge at this sustaining voltage level.

At a time t 3 , the third switch S 3 is turned off while the second switch S 2 is turned on. Then, a voltage factor of the energy, i.e., a reactive power, that comes from the panel capacitor Cp but does not contribute to the discharge is stored at the capacitor Css, via the second switch S 2 and the second inductor L 202 .

If a rising time TR when the panel capacitor is charged is shorter, the discharge occurs more stably. Also, if a falling time TF being the recovery interval when the panel capacitor is discharged is longer, the recovery efficiency of the energy recovered to the second inductor L 202 and the capacitor Css is increased to decrease the power consumption. For this, the inductance of the second inductor L 202 is set to be bigger than that of the first inductor L 201 . Such a parallel combined inductor can be applicable to the energy recovering circuit shown in the foregoing FIGS. 8 and 11 to be made as in FIGS. 23 and 24 respectively.

Referring to FIG. 25 , an energy recovering circuit according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention includes an capacitor Css, an inductor L, a first switch S 241 and a second switch S 242 connected to form a closed loop; and a third switch S 3 connected between a second node n 2 and a sustaining voltage source vs.

When the first switch S 1 is turned on, there is formed a closed loop of electric current which starts from the terminal of one side of the capacitor Css and is connected to the terminal of another side of the capacitor Css, via the inductor L, the first switch S 241 and the second switch S 242 . Electric current is accumulated at the inductor L in the closed loop by the electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css. After the first switch S 241 is turned off, the electric current of the inductor L becomes maximized, and at the same time, a reverse voltage is induced across the inductor L. Thus, in a first node n 1 appears a boosted voltage that is made by adding the voltage of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced at the inductor L.

The second switch S 242 is turned off when the panel is charged, and is turned on in the interval when the capacitor Css and the inductor L are charged. The third switch S 3 applies a sustaining voltage Vs to the panel capacitor Cp so as to keep a voltage of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level.

On the other hand, when the voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp remains at the ground voltage level GND, the first switch S 241 is turned on during the interval, whereas the second switch S 242 is turned off to bypass the voltage on the second node n 2 to the ground voltage level GND.

The operation of the energy recovering circuit of FIG. 25 is explained in conjunction with FIG. 26 , as follows.

At a time t 0 , the first and the second switch S 241 and S 242 are simultaneously turned on. Then, in an interval from t 0 until t 1 , the inductor L charges a current with the aid of an electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css.

The current charged in the inductor L begins to be fed into the panel capacitor Cp at a time t 1 when the first switch S 241 and the second switch S 242 is turned off. The current IL charged in the inductor L is supplied to the panel capacitor Cp to increase a voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp. At a time t 1 ′ when the voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp gets higher than the level of the voltage Vss of the capacitor Css, the current of the inductor L gets its maximum value, and at the same time, the reverse voltage is induced across the inductor L. Accordingly, from the time t 1 ′ when the reverse voltage is induced in the inductor L, the boosted voltage made by adding the voltage Vss of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced in the inductor L is made to charge the panel capacitor Cp.

As a result, the boosted voltage made by adding the voltage charged at the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced in the inductor L is supplied to the panel capacitor Cp. In this way, because the voltage is boosted to be supplied to the panel, the rising time of the voltage charged at the panel capacitor Cp gets fast.

At a time t 2 , the third switch S 3 is turned on. Then, the sustaining voltage Vs is applied, via the third switch Sw 3 , to the panel capacitor Cp to keep a voltage level of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level.

At a time t 3 , the third switch S 3 is turned off while the second switch S 242 is turned on. Then, a voltage factor of the energy recovered from the panel capacitor Cp is stored at the capacitor Css, via the second switch S 242 and the inductor L, in an interval from t 3 until t 4 .

The inductor L mounted in the energy recovering circuit can be substituted for a parallel combined inductor with inductance values different from one another. Also, this energy recovering circuit can have an auxiliary diode mounted between the first node n 1 and the second node n 2 as in FIG. 17 to 20 .

Referring to FIG. 27 , an energy recovering circuit according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention includes an capacitor Css, an inductor L and a first switch S 1 connected to form a closed loop; a second switch S 2 connected, via a second node n 2 , to a panel capacitor Cp; a third switch S 3 connected between a second node n 2 and a sustaining voltage source vs; a first diode D 261 connected to a first node n 1 and connected to a third node n 3 between the sustaining voltage source Vs and the third switch S 3 ; and a second diode D 262 connected in parallel to the first switch S 1 between a ground voltage source GND and the first node n 1 .

When the first switch S 1 is turned on, there is formed a closed loop of electric current which starts from the terminal of one side of the capacitor Css and is connected to the terminal of another side of the capacitor Css, via the inductor L and the first switch S 1 . Electric current is accumulated at the inductor L in the closed loop by the electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css. After the first switch S 1 is turned off, the electric current of the inductor L becomes maximized, and at the same time, a reverse voltage is induced across the inductor L. Thus, in a first node n 1 appears a boosted voltage that is made by adding the voltage of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced at the inductor L.

The second switch S 2 applies the boosted voltage from the first node n 1 to the panel capacitor Cp and applies a voltage factor of an energy recovered from the panel capacitor Cp to the capacitor Css, via the inductor L. The third switch S 3 applies a sustaining voltage Vs to the panel capacitor Cp so as to keep a voltage of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level.

The first diode D 261 is turned on when the voltage on the first node n 1 rises not less than the sum of the sustaining voltage Vs and the threshold voltage of the first diode D 261 , such that the overvoltage and overcurrent applied to the first switch S 1 are limited. In other words, the first diode D 261 protects the first switch S 1 from the overvoltage and overcurrent.

The second diode D 262 reduces the electric current load rate of the body diode of the first switch S 1 and reduces the resistance value of the first switch S 1 , thereby reducing the heat-emission of the first switch S 1 .

The first diode D 261 and D 262 can be applicable to the foregoing embodiments to reduce the electric current load rate applied to each switching device, thereby protecting each switching device from the overvoltage and overcurrent.

Referring to FIG. 28 , an energy recovering circuit according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention includes an capacitor Css, a first inductor L 271 , a second inductor L 272 , a first switch S 271 and a fifth switch S 275 connected to form a closed loop; a first diode D 271 connected between the capacitor Css and the first inductor L 271 ; a second diode D 272 connected between the second inductor L 272 and a fourth node n 4 ; a second to a fourth and a sixth switches S 272 , S 273 , S 274 and S 276 connected to the panel capacitor Cp via a second node n 2 ; a resistance R 271 connected between the sixth switch S 276 and a sustaining voltage source Vs; a third diode D 273 connected between the fourth node n 4 and the sustaining voltage source Vs; a fourth diode D 274 connected to a first node n 1 and connected a third node between the sustaining voltage source Vs and the third switch S 273 ; a fifth diode D 275 connected in parallel to the first switch S 271 between a ground voltage source GND and the first node n 1 ; and a sixth diode D 276 connected between the first node n 1 and the second node n 2 .

The inductance of the second inductor L 272 is set to be bigger than that of the first inductor L 271 . Each of the first diode D 271 and the second diode D 272 separates a recovery path via the second inductor L 272 and a charge path via the first inductor L 271 .

When the first switch S 1 and the fourth switch S 4 are turned on, there is formed a closed loop of electric current which starts from the terminal of one side of the capacitor Css and is connected to the terminal of another side of the capacitor Css, via the first diode D 271 , the first inductor L 271 , the fifth switch S 275 and the first switch S 271 . Electric current is accumulated at the first inductor L 271 in the closed loop by the electric charge discharged from the capacitor Css. After the first switch S 271 is turned off, the electric current of the first inductor L 271 becomes maximized, and at the same time, a reverse voltage is induced across the first inductor L 271 . Thus, in a first node n 1 appears a boosted voltage that is made by adding the voltage of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced at the first inductor L 271 .

The second switch S 272 applies the boosted voltage from the first node n 1 to the panel capacitor Cp and applies a voltage factor of an energy recovered from the panel capacitor Cp to the capacitor Css, via the body diode of the fifth switch S 275 , the second diode D 272 and the second inductor L 202 . The third switch S 273 applies a sustaining voltage Vs to the panel capacitor Cp so as to keep a voltage of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level.

The fourth switch S 274 supplies the ground voltage GND to the panel capacitor Cp for keeping the voltage of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage leve.

The fifth switch S 275 is turned off during pause intervals when the voltage Vcp of the panel capacitor Cp should be kept at the ground voltage level GND, e.g., such as a setup interval, a reset interval or etc., and is turned-on/off repeatedly during the other intervals to provide with an electric current path upon the recovery and charge of the energy.

The sixth switch S 276 is turned on in the reset interval or the setup interval to supply a ramp voltage to the panel capacitor Cp. The first resistance R 271 determines the resistance value of RC time constant of the ramp voltage.

The third diode D 273 is turned on when the voltage on the fourth node n 4 rises not less than the sum of the sustaining voltage Vs and the threshold voltage of the third diode D 273 , to limit the overvoltage and overcurrent applied to the fifth switch S 275 .

The fourth diode D 274 is turned on when the voltage on the first node n 1 rises not less than the sum of the sustaining voltage Vs and the threshold voltage of the fourth diode D 274 , to limit the overvoltage and overcurrent applied to the first, the second and the fifth switches S 271 , S 272 and S 275 .

The fifth diode D 275 reduces the electric current load rate of the body diode of the first switch S 271 and the resistance value of the first switch S 271 , thereby reducing the heat-emission of the first switch S 271 .

The operation of the energy recovering circuit of FIG. 28 is explained in conjunction with FIG. 29 , as follows. In FIG. 29 , because the sixth switch S 276 remains at the turn-on state only in the reset interval or setup interval, there is omitted the operation waveform in regard to the sixth switch S 276 .

At a time t 0 , the first, the fourth and the fifth switchs S 271 , S 274 and S 275 are turned on. Subsequently, at a time t 1 and a time t 2 , the fourth switch S 274 and the first switch S 271 are sequentially turned off. At a time t 2 ′ between the time t 2 and a time t 3 , the current of the first inductor L 271 gets its maximum value, and at the same time, the reverse voltage is induced across the first inductor L 271 . the boosted voltage made by adding the voltage Vss of the capacitor Css and the reverse voltage induced in the first inductor L 271 in this way starts to be fed to the panel capacitor Cp.

At a time t 3 , the third switch S 273 is turned on. Then, the sustaining voltage Vs is applied, via the third switch S 273 , to the panel capacitor Cp to keep a voltage level of the panel capacitor Cp at a sustaining voltage level. There occurs a discharge at the electrodes formed within the cell of the panel at this sustaining voltage level.

At a time t 4 , the third switch S 273 is turned off, and at a time t 5 , the second switch S 272 is turned on and the fifth switch S 275 is turned off. Then, a voltage factor of the energy, i.e, reactive power, that does not contribute to the discharge occurring from the panel capacitor Cp is recovered to the capacitor Css, via the second switch S 272 , the body diode of the fifth switch S 275 , the second diode D 272 and the second inductor L 272 .

At a time t 6 , the fourth switch S 274 is turned on. Then, the panel capacitor Cp remains at the ground voltage GND.

The operation process of an energy efficient method using an energy recovering circuit with boosting voltage-up according to the embodiments of the present inventions is illustrated by steps as in FIG. 30 .

First of all, when the energy, i.e., reactive power, that does not contribute to the discharge from the display panel, is recovered, the capacitor Css is charged with the voltage by using the recovered reactive power. (S 301 ) The electric charges discharged from the capacitor Css circulates the closed loop, such that the inductor L is charged with the current. (S 302 ) Subsequently, when the current of the inductor L becomes its maximum value by the switching of the current path, the reverse voltage is induced in the inductor L and is added with the voltage of the capacitor Cp to boost the voltage factor of the energy recovered from the panel. (S 303 ) The voltage boosted in this way charges the panel capacitor Cp. (S 304 ) After the voltage of the panel capacitor Cp rises near to the sustaining voltage level, the panel capacitor Cp remains at the sustaining voltage level by the sustaining voltage Vs supplied from the external sustaining voltage source.( 305 )

As described above, an energy recovering circuit with boosting voltage-up and an energy efficient method using the same according to the present invention can increase the energy recovery efficiency, and reduce the charging time of a panel capacitor and improve its energy recovery efficiency in comparison with the conventional energy recovering circuit by charging the panel capacitor in use of the voltage boosted not less than the recovered voltage.

An energy recovering circuit with boosting voltage-up and an energy efficient method using the same according to the present invention has the minimum number of devices mounted on the recovery path and charge path of the panel to reduce the number of necessary devices, and can reduce the switching loss energy as much as the decrement of the switching devices in comparison with the conventional energy recovering circuit.

It should be understood to the ordinary skilled person in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments, but rather that various changes or modifications thereof are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention shall be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.