Load powered via supply or re-chargeable source
In various embodiments, an apparatus for driving a load is disclosed. In one example, the apparatus comprises an input configured to, in a first state, receive an input signal, an output configured to, in the first state, provide a first output signal to a series arrangement of the load and a source, wherein the first output signal is configured to feed the load and to charge the source with input power provided via the input signal, and a converter configured to, in a second state different from the first state, convert a source signal from the source into a second output signal destined for the load, wherein the second output signal is configured to feed the load with source power provided by the source.
1. An apparatus for driving a load, the apparatus comprising: an input configured to, in a first state, receive an input signal, an output configured to, in the first state, provide a first output signal to a series arrangement of the load and a source, wherein the first output signal is configured to feed the load and to charge the source with input power provided via the input signal, and a converter comprising a conductor-switch, a first diode and an inductor, the converter configured to, in a second state different from the first state, convert a source signal from the source into a second output signal destined for the load, wherein the second output signal is configured to feed the load with source power provided by the source, and wherein the converter is further configured to regulate a value of the first output signal by at least alternating the conductor-switch between a first mode and a second mode, such that in the first mode the converter bypasses the series arrangement, wherein in the first mode, the converter couples the inductor and the source for charging the inductor, and in the second mode, the inductor after being charged provides the second output signal to the load;
wherein the input comprises first and second input terminals, wherein the output comprises first and second output terminals configured to be coupled to the load and third and fourth output terminals configured to be coupled to the source, and wherein a first contact of the inductor is coupled to the first input terminal, wherein a second contact of the inductor is coupled to a first contact of the first diode and to a first contact of the converter-switch, wherein a second contact of the first diode is coupled to the first output terminal, wherein a second contact of the converter-switch is coupled to the fourth output terminal and to the second input terminal, wherein the third output terminal is coupled to a first contact of a second diode and to the second output terminal, and wherein a second contact of the second diode is coupled to the first input terminal.
2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first state is a normal state whereby the input signal is available, and wherein the second state is an emergency state whereby the input signal is not available.
3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the converter is configured to, in the first mode of the converter-switch, couple the inductor and the source for charging the inductor via the source signal, and wherein the inductor is configured to, in the second mode of the converter-switch, after being charged, provide the second output signal.
4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the converter-switch is configured to, in a first mode of the converter-switch, bypass the series arrangement.
5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a load-switch, wherein the load-switch is configured to, in a first mode of the load-switch, de-activate the load.
6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a source-switch, wherein the source-switch is configured to, in a first mode of the source-switch, bypass the source.
7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control one or more of a converter-switch of the converter and a load-switch and a source-switch.
8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a third diode and a source-switch, wherein the second and third output terminals are coupled to each other via the third diode, wherein a first contact of the third diode is coupled to a first contact of the source-switch and to the second output terminal, wherein a second contact of the source-switch is coupled to the second input terminal, and wherein a second contact of the third diode is coupled to the third output terminal.
9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a load-switch, wherein the load-switch is coupled to the first and second output terminals.
10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises an input-capacitor coupled to the first and second input terminals, and/or a load-capacitor coupled to the first and second output terminals, and/or a source-capacitor coupled to the third and fourth output terminals.
11. A driver comprising the apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further comprising a first stage, wherein the first stage is configured to convert a supply signal into the input signal for the apparatus, and wherein the apparatus is configured to form a second stage of the driver.
12. A device comprising the driver as defined in claim 11 and further comprising one or more of the load and the source.
13. A device comprising the apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further comprising one or more of the load and the source.