Voltage converter
A voltage converter delivers an output voltage between a first and a second node. The voltage converter includes a capacitor series-coupled with a resistor between the first and second nodes. The resistor is coupled in parallel with a bidirectional switch receiving at its control terminal a positive bias voltage referenced to the second node.
1. A voltage converter delivering an output voltage between a first and a second node, comprising:
a capacitor series-coupled with a resistor between the first and second nodes; and
a bidirectional switch coupled in parallel with the resistor, wherein the bidirectional switch is configured to receive at its control terminal a positive bias voltage referenced to the second node;
wherein the bidirectional switch comprises: a first triac having a first anode coupled to the first node and a second anode coupled to the second node; and a second triac having coupled between a gate of the first triac and the second node, the second triac being controlled by the positive bias voltage.
2. The voltage converter according to claim 1 , further comprising a voltage rectifying bridge coupled between the first and second nodes.
3. The voltage converter according to claim 1 , wherein a control current is injected into the control terminal of the bidirectional switch, and the bidirectional switch blocks flowing of a positive current from the first node to the second node if the control current has a first value, and the bidirectional switch allows the flowing of the positive current from the first node to the second node if the control current has a second value different than the first value.
4. The voltage converter according to claim 3 , wherein a negative current flowing from the second node to the first node is independent from the control current.
5. The voltage converter according to claim 1 , wherein a first anode of the second triac is coupled to the second node and a second anode of the second triac is coupled to the gate of the first triac.
6. The voltage converter according to claim 1 , wherein the bidirectional switch comprises a transient voltage suppressor circuit coupled between the gate of the first triac and the second node.
7. The voltage converter according to claim 6 , wherein the transient voltage suppressor circuit comprises a transil diode.
8. A voltage converter comprising:
a rectifying bridge having first and second outputs directly electrically connected to first and second nodes, wherein an input voltage is received between first and second inputs of the rectifying bridge;
a capacitance directly electrically connected between the first node and a third node;
a resistance directly electrically connected between the third node and the second node; and
a bidirectional switch directly electrically connected between the third node and the second node, the bidirectional switch having a control terminal, wherein the control terminal receives a control signal, wherein the bidirectional switch comprises:
a first triac having a first anode directly electrically connected to the third node and a second anode directly electrically connected to the second node, the first triac further having a gate directly electrically connected to a fourth node; and
a second triac having a first anode directly electrically connected to the gate of the first triac, a second anode directly electrically connected to the second node, the second triac having a gate receiving the control signal.
9. The voltage converter of claim 8 , further comprising a transient voltage suppressor circuit directly electrically connected between the fourth node and the second node.
10. The voltage converter of claim 9 , wherein the transient voltage suppressor circuit comprises a transil diode.