A switching power supply device comprises: a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding and a feedback winding; a switching element connected in series with the primary winding; a controlling element connected to a control terminal of the switching element; a controlling circuit provided between the controlling element and the feedback winding; a rectifying circuit connected to the secondary winding; and a frequency limiting circuit including a charging circuit and a kick voltage absorbing circuit. The charging circuit is adapted to be charged by a voltage reverse in polarity, produced in the feedback winding. The kick voltage absorbing circuit absorbs a current developed by a kick voltage in the feedback winding, by discharge of the charging circuit, whereby the frequency limiting circuit reducing the switching frequency of the switching element by prolongation of the off-state time-period of the switching element in correspondence to a light load signal from a load when the load is light.
A method and a circuit for detecting a light load mode of a switching power supply system are provided. The switching power supply system has a first winding, a second winding, a third winding having a voltage being in proportion to an output voltage of the second winding, and a signal converting device electrically connected to the third winding. The method includes steps of measuring a voltage of the signal converting device, and determining the switching power supply system being under the light load mode when the voltage of the signal converting device is smaller than a predetermined threshold voltage.
This invention relates to a primary-controlled switched-mode power supply of the type of a free-running flyback converter, which comprises a transformer with a primary-side winding, a secondary-side winding and at least one auxiliary winding. The switched-mode power supply comprises a primary-side switch, which is connected to the primary-side winding, in order to interrupt a current flow through the primary-side winding, a freely oscillating circuit for the generation of switching pulses, which drive the primary-side switch, and a circuit for generating an image voltage between the terminals of the auxiliary winding, in order to generate an image voltage, which on the primary side forms a voltage to be regulated on the secondary side. In order to provide a switched-mode power supply of this type, which with reduced complexity enables an improved control characteristic and an increased flexibility with regard to the operating parameters, the switched-mode power supply further comprises a time control unit, which is coupled to the primary-side switch such that the duration of a turn-off period of the primary-side switch can be adjusted within a switching cycle.